We Discuss: Skincare and Confessions.

A: Hey, do you still love the Kiehl’s oil cleanser?

M: yes!

A: I’m nearly out of my Pixi stuff and considering a change.

A: Do you double cleanse?

M: Yes, my second cleanse is with Cerave non foaming cleanser.

M: It works great for me.

A: Okay, cool.

A: It's the midnight recovery stuff?

M: I feel like the oil leaves less residue than a balm.

M: Yes midnight recovery cleansing oil.

A: I rip through that Pixi balm so fast.

M: And then in the morning I just do the Cerave.

A: I use my Sunday Riley cleanser in the morning.

M: The oil is a BIG bottle and I just need one pump, seems like it will last a lot longer.

A: Excellent.

M: Overall since changing routines my skin looks great.

M: I broke out at the beach because sunscreen but those are already gone now that I’m back to normal.

A: My skin is doing it’s fall freakout at the moment.

M: yuppppp

A: I do love the Midnight Recovery Concentrate and that hydrating mask we got a sample of is so so nice.

A: Also, I have a confession.

M: what

M: Another leather jacket.

M: lolololol

A: NO SHUT UP

A: UNCALLED FOR

M: Is it?

A: I ONLY HAVE TWO NOW

A: PLUS THE ANTHRO JACKET

M: I’M WAITING

A: I cheated on Aerie and bought some nicer pannies and I love them more.

M: Ha!

A: I did not want to love them.

M: Which ones.

A: AND, they’re stupid because they’re “one size” which is a giant lie.

M: Hahahahahahaha well then that rules my ass out.

A: These:

A: They claim they’ll fit size 4-16.

M: I do not believe them.

A: I don’t either.

A: They do have a plus sized version but that kind of rules out the middle?

A: Anyway! I have to admit they are SUPER comfortable and do not ride up and no itchy tag or weird plastic elastic thing up the crack.

M: Valid.

M: I am still fine with mine.

A: I still wear most of my Aerie stuff, though there are a few pairs that I’ve given up on. I just wanted some undetectable options.

A: 

M: SIGH

We Discuss: Braws and Pannies.

M: I’m at Soma getting fitted for a bra because I’m about to burn everything I have.

A: I hit a bra wall recently but can't afford to do anything about it yet.

M: I need just one goddamn bra that fits and does what it’s supposed to do.

A: THIS

M: I wish we had a Nordstrom but we don’t and I think Soma is better than Victoria’s Secret.

A: Soma is decent. I have some of the vanishing edge pannies and they are still going strong.

M: Just ONE GODDAMN BRA.

A: I would like one goddamn bra that will stay on my sad sloped shoulders.

M: I’m in a big ole granny braw at the moment.

M: I will say it’s comfortable but god it’s ugly.

A: WHY IS THERE NO MIDDLE GROUND.

M: She’s bringing me more.

A: The last bra I bought was a 32DDD.

A: What even the fuck.

M: Mine was a 34DD.

A: They are Natori bras and pretty much all I wear. I loved them when I bought them and now I hate them.

M: She has me in a 36D, if you go down a letter you go up a number basically.

A: Right

M: Got two new bras that aren’t too granny.

M: This one was by far the winner, I was surprised:

M: Superflattering and makes me look thinner.

M: And they don’t make my already big boobs look bigger or pointy or anything.

A: Oh, that's pretty!

M: I am pleased! Enough to plop down $$ for two.

M: I will say the salesgirl was super helpful.

A: So nice that the straps can be crossed.

M: Yes

A: Helps keep the thing on my dumb shoulders.

M: Going home to destroy my bra drawer like I did my underwear drawer.

A: Sweet. I might have to check that one out. It's cheaper than my Natori bra.

M: I was very pleased with the whole experience and $58 is not bad at all.

M: And now I know my size so I can watch for sales and coupons online.

A: YAS

M: Apparently I am going through some stuff regarding my drawers

A: Ooh, i just remembered there's a Soma really close to work

M: Do it!

A: I have 4-5 bras that don't fit anymore but I just keep them?

A: Like, why? For a rainy/skinny day?

M: NO

M: Guess what I realized? If I get skinny I can buy new bras!

A: Yesssssssss

A: I am totally loving my Aerie underwear and having a drawer full of underwear that fits is really nice.

M: Me too!

A: And even though there were complaints that they don't hold up, I am happy. I mean, they're $3-4 each with the promotion.

M: Right!

A: They aren't FOREVER PANNIES

M: Nor should they be!

A: Anyway, in non-unders news I got a 4 pack of that Trader Joe's sparkling wine in a can and it's as delightful as I remember.

M: Aw yay

We Discuss: Our Underwear. Yes, Again.

A: What is Everlane even doing.

Wut.

M: I was so ready to want to buy their stupid underwear.

A: I was sure they’d do something interesting but…no.

M: I think the bras make me even angrier.

A: THEY ARE NOT EVEN REAL BRAS

M: I thought they would at least do something that doesn't look like you buy your underwear at a natural food store.

A: Next we’ll all be eating carob.

M: I kind of like carob. I don't want to talk about it.

A: Hippie chocolate

M: I SAID

A: My mom used to put wheat germ on my cereal.

M: Mmmmm

A: Jesus

M: Mine made lentil loaf and bulgar wheat gravy.

A: CHANGE OF SUBJECT

A: I just read the comments on Everlane's IG post about the odd new underwear launch and now I need a stiff drink.

M: Haaaaaaaaaa

A: "Are they period friendly?"

A: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

A: Like, are they so boring you won't care if you bleed on them? Then yes.

M: Technically everything is accepting of your period.

A: Correct

A: Related: I bought yer Aerie pannies.

M: Yasss

A: They just shipped. 7 for $29!

M: Awesome

M: I feel compelled to buy more.

A: I just want to have a drawer full of wearable unders.

***

A: I got my Aerie order last night!

M: Pannies!

A: PANNIES!

A: My favorite by far are the seamless boybrief:

A: I got two pairs of them and they’re so comfy and slightly weird.

M: Haha just like I like em.

A: They have this open pattern on the sides that makes you feel like you’re poking holes in them when you put them on, but they’re basically perfect and cute.

M: Awesome

M: I think I need like seven more pairs.

A: You do. I also got these which are actually florescent orange 😬 but I still like them a lot:

A: This pair is also a favorite and they’re cotton:

M: Well there's your cotton underwear people.

A: Exactly

A: But it’s really nice to have a drawer full of underwear I can actually wear.

M: It's the best!

A: Who knew that was a thing? Doesn’t everyone have an underwear drawer full of sad old things that don’t fit correctly?

M: Throwing all that out felt so good, even newer stuff that just wasn't right.

A: I need to do another sweep get rid of everything that doesn't fit me.

M: Throw it awaaaaaaay:

A: CRYING

We Discuss: Our Draws.

M: Tell me about those Aerie draws—did you not like how high waisted they were? I have really got to find some new underwear

A: Yeah, too much rise for me. They were crazy.  I bought a bunch of different styles when they had a big sale.

M: I was looking at the Boybriefs.

A:  I tried a few different versions of the Boybriefs -some good, some too low.

M: Also intrigued by these:

A: I do have a pair of those. They're fine.

M: Just fine?

A: Comfy, not amaaaaazing because they slide down.

M: Hm

A: But they are comfortable

A: I have a couple pairs of the lace waistband bikini style and like those

M: Kk

M: Maybe I’ll just try a bunch

A: Yep, that's what I did - got a bunch of different styles

M: For 3.50 apiece and hopefully find my one true underwear

A: It was a while ago so I can't remember exactly what I got.

M: I hate that

M: Please let me find something that works because you would scold my underwear drawer like I scold your old makeup.

A: Haaaa. Underwear is hard!
…

M: The Aerie underwear, for the most part, is GREAT

A: Oh, good!!

M: I may place another order with my faves and just have a drawer of underwear I like, how novel.

A: I need to do another clean out because I have some SUPER sad shit in that drawer.

A: Which styles did you like?

M: I think we probably have different underwear styles but these were my #1:

M: I like all the boybriefs though but these the most

A: Those are cute! I’m not sure I tried that version.

M: But I also liked the real me ones that you weren’t sold on

A: I like those, I just find they don’t stay up on me. I got a medium and they’re REALLY stretchy.

A: Wait, I did get a pair of the lace boybrief and they’re pretty low.

M: Some boy briefs were a bit lower than others for sure.

A: The ones i like best are the bikini:

A: Though the ones I got were higher waisted.

M: High legs go up my butt because my hips are big.

A: I ordered mine last fall so everything has changed. I paid less than $4 a pair, though, and I’m pretty happy about what I got except for the high-rise stuff.

M: Yes I got one of those and they are kind of hilarious but it’s okay

A: The next time they have a crazy sale I’ll probably order up a bunch more. For the money they’re quite good

M: I agree

M: They are 5 for $25 right now but I got 10 for $35 and free shipping.

A: Dang!

M: But still, a good deal and I like them a lot more than the Target ones I’ve tried.

A: Ugh, I just filled an Aerie shopping cart full of underwear and fled.

M: Haha

A: I have TWO pairs of the style that doesn’t work for me in there. Like, what is wrong with my brain.

M: Adrien

M: No

M: Don’t do that

A: Oh, I’m not. I just added stuff I thought was cute and then was like, DUH.

A: I didn’t buy anything. Yet.

M: Haha

M: Update: I just went to Aerie and bought five more pairs of underwear and tossed almost all of my old ones

A: You're making me think hard about my underwear drawer.

M: It is refreshing to open it and not have to pick through pairs I don’t like as much.

A: I just threw away five pairs of sad old Hanky Panky underwear.

M: Yessss

A: I'd stopped wearing them but instead of tossing I just pushed them aside repeatedly.

M: It feels wrong to just throw them away! But so good.

M: When I packed I literally just grabbed 8 pairs of underwear without really looking. So freeing!

A: That is amazing. 🙌

The Stuff I Don't Usually Talk About.

I don't generally like talking about my underwear but I bought new underthings and thought they were worth recommending, so! You get to hear about my underwear.

Now, I know there are folks who're perfectly happy buying underwear at Target or wherever and that is totally legit. If you find something inexpensive that works for you, that's awesome. Me? I am of the mind that I spend more on a few things - skincare, handbags, shoes, and underwear. (Even so, I like a sale!) So, I thought I'd make a few recommendations and tell you what I just bought that I'm happy with.

Bras.

I am so boring - I find one I like and then buy it in a bunch of colors. Done. Currently it's the Natori Sheer Jacquard Full Coverage Underwire Bra:

It's not itchy or fussy, it's very lightly padded, and it comes in fun colors if that's your thing. It isn't inexpensive but can be easily found on sale especially in the non-traditional colors - duchess rose, winter lake, that kind of thing. I will admit that I sometimes buy them (new with tags) on eBay for under $20 a pop. I have tried a few other Natori bras, like the very pretty Feathers Contour Plunge bra and the strap-minimal Understated Contour Bra. The Sheer Jacquard style is my everyday bra for now though I'm curious about their convertible options so I might try one of those next.

Underwear.

I have a drawer full of Hanky Panky Original Rise thongs (and a few in the low-rise which I regret) and in general I'm happy with this style. What I don't like is the price which has gotten freaking ridiculous. I never, ever buy these full price. Never! Nordstrom does a good promotion during their semi-annual sale and, like the bras above, you can find decent markdowns if you don't mind odd colors/patterns. This pretty floral is marked down and a few colors here are too. 6pm is also a good source for an order add-on. Mine last a good long time because I never, ever put them in the dryer. Actually, none of your delicates have any business in the dryer and please always use a lingerie bag in the washer. Take care of your stuff and it will last longer.

Most recently, though, I was so irritated by the cost of my usual Hanky Panky underwear that I decided to give Natori a try. I already have a few pairs of the Bliss Lace Bikini which I like okay, so I bought the Bliss Perfection Bikini:

And the Bliss Perfection Thong:

Both were on sale and both are REALLY GOOD. I mean, really good. The lace waistbands are thin, stretchy and non-bunchy and nothing rides up or out of place. Super comfortable and good quality. I'm a little side-eye about the stupid "one size" thing so if you're on either end of their size 2-12 claim I'd definitely try them on in a store first.

These styles might actually replace my Hanky Pankys if they hold up well. We shall see. And now I'm going to stop talking about my underwear but I encourage you to talk about yours in the comments if you so wish.