MaliaSaylor's Blog

An upcoming vacation had me looking at so many swimsuits in stores and online. It was refreshing how many fashionable and fun options there are for one pieces in 2017. Unfortunately I could not find one that fit my super long torso in time for my vacation, but I found great options for people to have more standard body proportions.

Target had so many options. It is also worth mentioning that Target now carries bikinis in D and DD cup sizes. They are a great place to look for affordable swimsuits.

This was my favorite of the swimsuits I tried on at Target. It was slightly too short for my torso, but otherwise it was great. The mesh panels are just the right amount of revealing. $40.

This was my second favorite at Target. The back is so pretty in person. The black on black crochet is pretty and not overly bohemian. Unfortunately this back style doesn’t provide tons of support for women with a larger bust. $40.

High neck swimwear is becoming more and more popular. I love it because I think it looks elegant, it also helps prevent sunburns on the delicate skin. Bright patterns are a must in summer for me.

Only $40, and it looks similar to some much more expensive options.

Every year Nordstrom has cute one piece swimwear. The bad part for me is I always end up liking very expensive swimsuits that they sell.

This Robin Piccone swimsuits is my dream suit of the season. At $158 I just couldn’t justify the price tag (last year I only wore a swimsuit 2 times).

 This Isabella Rose swimsuit is even more stunning in person. i love the romantic floral pattern. At $150 it was also out of my price range.

Anthropologie has a one piece exactly my level of sexy.

I love everything about it, color, deep plunge, and the mostly open back. This OYE Elvira one piece is $350, so I didn’t  buy it because that’s more than my car payment.

Figleaves is a UK based website that I suggest to all the women I know that are busty. It is one of the few sites to have bikinis for larger cup sizes, and they have some fun one pieces.

This Seafolly one is my favorite that they are offering this year. For$142 it is spendy, but it is very different from others I have found.

Remember that swimwear like all fashion is all about personal preference. You should wear what makes you comfortable. One pieces can be fun and sexy, they aren’t just for older women. Also this swimsuit season, don’t judge or body shame other women. Everyone should love their body, but many people struggle with that. So if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t; say anything at all. Have fun in the sun.

~Caitlin Malia~

For the first time in my working life I called out from work because of snow. Portland got over a foot of snow and Oregon Department of Transportation said chains were required for any state roads. I have had my car less than a year so I do not have chains. The buses were all messed up from the snow as well, so I got to have a snow day as an adult.

Annie’s Donuts was open today, and they had plenty of room to park you skis. Also, they make the best classic donuts in town.

The snow makes everything so pretty. I just wish it wasn’t so dangerous. Portland is not equipped to deal with this much snow. Hopefully everyone stays safe and finds a way to enjoy the snow.

For the last 5 years I have not made New Year’s resolution. I read an article that many people do not stick to their resolutions because there is no accountability. So instead of resolutions I now make yearly to-do lists.  I print it out and put it on my bedroom wall. Every time I accomplish something on the list I make a check mark next to it, because check marks are so satisfying. Below is my list for 2017.

2017 To Do List

Go camping

Get a massage

Get a facial

Try 3 new hikes

Take an art class

Save $500 for travel

Save $1000 for moving

Get a promotion

Move to California

Give Blood

Visit Jessica

I have never had a year that I completed every single thing on my list, but I really want to this year. Posting this is just one more way for me to hold myself accountable.

Going braless seemed to be all the rage in 2016. When I first heard about this my immediate thought was, oh God no. My chest size has fluctuated when my weight has fluctuated. At my heaviest weight in college my bra size was 32E or 34 DD/DDD depending on the brand. This added a lot to my hesitation to going with out a bra. However I am now pretty in shape and have a smaller chest (32DD last time I got sized). The supposed health benefit to going braless got my attention in 2016 so I started looking into it more.

As a woman that used to have a large chest I can tell you, wearing absolutely nothing is not comfortable. Going braless and wearing nothing for support if you have a large chest can be truly painful. One time in college I ran down the stairs in my condo in just a t-shirt and shorts because I was excited about a delivery I was getting. I immediately regretted my decision and my chest hurt for 48 hours. If you are above a DD cup going braless and having no support will probably not be enjoyable. But if you are below that size there are some minimal support options that are decent.

Bralettes can be amazing. I was turned onto them in 2012 by a co-worker who has a fuller chest than me, and the Free People brand ones worked for her. I learned it is important that the bralette be very fitted if you want it to give you that little bit of support. The ones with thicker straps or racer backs in my experience provide more support. The ones that have practically string for straps as you might guess, provide zero support.

This is the most recent bralette I purchased. It is so pretty in person, and a week after I saw it Victoria’s Secret had bralettes 50% off. So I purchased it for $17.25, but the regular price in $34.50 which I think is a tad high. It provides  a little support, enough that I don’t feel naked. It also makes me feel pretty, I’m a sucker for lace and it reminds me of summer.

This long line racer back style provides a surprising amount of support. It’s no traditional bra, but it keeps everything in place and more comfortable. This one is by Out From Under, $20 from Urban outfitters.

This Free People option is available from Nordstrom for $20, or 2 for $36.

Seamless sports bras are also a nice option if you don’t want a traditional bra, but also don’t want to go braless. This Zella sports bra is $38 from Nordstrom.

If you are okay will going braless but don’t want to have to worry about nipping or a nip slip pasties (silicone nipple covers) are a great option. These reusable ones are available from Target for $9.

Apparently going without a conventional bra forces the muscles to develop more, so in theory your boobs are perkier. You have to start it when you are younger to develop the muscle tone, but no article I found gives an exact age.

For me this will not be an everyday thing, but on the occasional day off I will try it out.

Every year I buy myself a pair of boots. This year I decided to buy a pair of boots that are waterproof, and it was also my first pair of Sorel boots. At first I was not sure about the purchase because they were $100 (any purchase over $50 requires serious thought for me).

After the first time wearing them I was in love.

Recently Portland has gotten snow and ice, which I do not like. However the wedge heel on these boots it perfect for cracking through the top layer of ice on snow.

The boots make me feel extra sassy because of the wedge. They are also extremely comfortable. I am very impressed with Sorel’s quality so far.

Finding a balance between work and regular life has been a struggle for me for quite some time. After taking a management position my work/life balance only became worse. 6 weeks ago a friend of mine invited me to a Giant’s game in San Francisco. After realizing there is a serious lack of fun in my life I said yes and bought a plane ticket. For me flying to another state with only 6 weeks notice is super spontaneous. As it turns out, my 24 hour trip was super fun.

Taking chances is important in life, and sometimes they work out even better than planned.

I was blessed with beautiful weather on my 24 hour vacation.

This trip made me realize I need to embrace fun, and enjoy life a little more.

Sometimes I day dream about what it would be like to live a fancy life, where you had reasons and occasions to wear beautiful clothing and make up . If I lived a fancy life  I would definitely buy this dress.

The dress is part of the Spring/Summer 2017 collection from Michael Costello shown at New York Fashion week

Fall is my favorite season now that I am an adult. It used to be summer, but  that ended the first time I had to work 5 days in a row of nearly 100 degrees and couldn’t go to a body of water. One of my favorite things about fall is getting to wear all kinds of boots.

Every year I fall in love with a pair of boots, and typically they are so far outside my price range it is comical. This year is no different. The boots I fell in love with this year are by rag & bone.

The full retail price of these boots is $495.

I love the grey color, and for some reason I am drawn to suede shoes. Maybe some day I will win the lottery and be able to afford these boots.

Living in Oregon means I have many days off where it is raining or cold outside. I know I’m a true Oregonian because I love these days, I get so much more accomplished. Making comfort food from scratch is something I love to do on these days. I find baking very relaxing, which I know some people find strange. There is also the added benefit of the oven warming up the house.

My favorite comfort food to make on these days is challah bread. It is a Jewish recipe made for holidays and on the Sabbath. I am not Jewish so I don’t know much about the bread beyond that, but it is delicious! Also it is simple as far as bread recipes go, and not too many ingredients (yeast, water, sugar, flour ,eggs, butter).

• 2 tablespoons yeast
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 eggs + 1 egg for wash
• 3 1/2 to 5 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon salt

This recipe is adapted from  one I found by Caprial Pence. Fun fact: When I was 6 I wanted to be a chef and I loved her cooking show. I got to meet her that year because my Mom’s friend was good friends with her, I was so happy I could barely talk.

Combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Make sure the water is warm, but not hot otherwise is can kill the yeast. Let this sit for 10+ minutes. There will be a foam at the top from the yeast and sugar, this is good.

Add the melted butter. I let the butter cool a little while before adding it in. Then add the eggs one at a time and mix. It is best for the eggs to be at room temperature, but not totally necessary if you are in a rush.

Add flour 1 cup at a time then mix. after 2 cups of flour have been added I put the salt in. 3 1/2 cups of flour is the least I have ever used, typically I use just over 4 cups for the dough. This amount of flour in this recipe will vary by season. The important thing is for the dough to not be too sticky.

Once mixed enough place the dough onto a floured surface and knead 5 to 7 minutes. Next place into a well buttered bowl (you can also use oil if you do not have enough butter). Turn the dough onto the other side so all the surfaces are coated. Cover with a towel and let rise for 60 to 90 minutes. It is important to let it rise somewhere warm. Typically I close my kitchen doors and place the bowl on top of my refrigerator.

This is before the dough has risen. You want it to double in size.

This was after letting the dough rise for just over an hour. I let it rise for another 15 minutes after I took this picture. Once it is done rising you want to punch down in the center.

The next step is to section the dough into 3 equal part. The more equal the parts are, the more evenly the bread bakes. Roll them out with your hands to make long strips. Then braid. I started in the center this time because just to try a new way. Once the dough is braided and on the baking sheet, brush it with an egg wash. I have learned with my oven it takes 32 minutes exactly, but each oven is different. Make sure to pre-heat the oven to 350 long before you put it in.

This is what the finished product look like. If you have any leftovers the next morning it makes great french toast.

I love summer clothing. Normally I don’t spend much on these items because I don’t get to wear them often in Oregon. If I didn’t have a strict budget my summer wardrobe would consist of the items below.

Young Fabulous and Broke Noel maxi dress $116.

Young Fabulous and Broke Carla jumpsuit $99.

Young Fabulous and Broke Alva maxi dress $202.

Gingham J. Crew sundress $138.

J. Crew stripe maxi dress $110.

Sabo Skirt Botanical dress $79.

Free People play suit $290.

Stone Fox Banana Leaf Bikini $188.

Seafolly Boyleg one piece $148.

Citizens of Humanity shorts $168

Frye Rachel T-Strap sandal $188.

Jimmy Choo Pallis Wedges $329.

Alexandre Birman Sandal $595.