LH, sounds like you're catching feelings already! GO SLOW. He does sound like a good guy. But if it were me, I would be very wary. We all know from experience with our cheaters, it matters a lot less what they say, and a lot more what they do. Take that with however much salt you want, I'm cynical AF. I'm almost a year out (DDay anti-versary is next week ) and I still feel like I need a rebound like I need a hole in the head.
Confession time - I've avoided talking about this because it's kind of an identifier that could break anonymity, but I've gotten to a point where I don't really care anymore.
ANYway... I work in wardrobe in the entertainment industry. There, I said it.
So yes, everything Chaos said is right - they do sell so many fancy kinds of tape and sticky bras, even more now than when I started. I've tried ALL of them. There are a few I can recommend if you'd like, many readily available at Target, and even CVS depending on where you're located. But as Chaos mentioned, the old stand-by that you know won't let you - or the girls- down is definitely good old-fashioned duct tape. And for nipples, band-aids.
Warning - both duct tape and band-aids leave a sticky residue on your skin that can be a bitch to get off, so follow Chaos' advice
If using tape or stickies - take them off in a shower as the steam loosens the glue.
It does provide the best support., and the cheapest way to cover the nips. Also, for the ladies with small boobs like me (full B when I'm ovulating), you can use the band-aids to do a little lift I used to do the band-aid trick a TON in my 20s, and I would forget to take them off when I would go to sleep a little tipsy after a night out, so when I would take them off in the morning there would be a little band-aid shaped rectangle of goo around my nipples So my advice is remember to take it off before you fall asleep!
In looking at the dress though, the way it's constructed with the princess seams and all it looks structured enough that if it is tight enough at your underbust and the straps are the right length, you probably don't need a bra at all. Since you have to take it somewhere to be hemmed anyway you can have them adjust the straps and take it in along your underbust seam so that you have support.
With lace like that your nipples shouldn't show through, but if you still want coverage and don't want to go the band-aid route, there are silicon covers that work well. The only issue I've ever had with them is that if you sweat a lot, they can start slipping, which is why a lot of people use the sticky paper-like ones. However those are one-time use only, and I've known more than a few people who have an allergic reaction to them. I don't like the small silicon ones that have a slight floral shape to them, because they seem to fall off easier, and they're very thick so it can look like you have a weird growth on your boob depending on the material you're wearing. There are new brands that I find at CVS of all places that are larger, thinner, and just round - no floral edges - that I find give a smoother look, and they stay on better because there is more surface area to grab onto.
I hadn't thought of teal. Where would I even find teal shoes?
This color isn't super easy to find except for in bridal shops who sell shoes to match bridesmaid dresses. Or you could go the route of buying a dyeable shoe and having them professionally dyed to match whatever color you want. Most shoe repair places should know how to do this.
Also, pro-tip/trick - you can paint almost any leather shoe. I know you said your silver shoes are uncomfortable, but silver makes a great base for taking on paint - it makes the color nice and vibrant. If not, anything leather will take paint, but black will make whatever color you use appear darker, and you'll have to use more coats, so we usually paint black shoes silver first, then put the color over the top. Acrylic paint from the craft store works really well. If it's smooth leather I recommend using a sponge to apply it. You'll have to do multiple layers, but it comes out smoother so you don't see brush strokes. If it's patent leather you can use either a sponge or a brush, but again, watch out for brush strokes. The fun part is that you can make it whatever color you want! I know Michaels and Joanns both sell multiple different shades of metallic paint, a metallic teal would be nice with the steel color of that dress.
I don't mind black with this dress though, since you said your black shoes are more comfortable. If it's the metallic of the silver that you feel like is missing, I would probably just add some rhinestones to the black to make them feel like they match the dress a little more. We typically buy them in bulk because they can be on the expensive end when you're using so many, but I know craft stores sell them in smaller packages that would be better for you since I'm assuming you don't plan on rhinestoning a ton of stuff. There is a hematite color that would look awesome with that dress!
Of course if you want to just buy shoes that already have rhinestones, Nina brand (also should be sold at Macy's) makes decent ones that aren't crazy expensive. Not sure if you have a Dillard's near you, but they typically have some good rhinestoned shoe options. Also, you can find a TON of options on Amazon. The best part is you can order them on Prime, then just return whatever you don't like.
Whew, I'm glad I revealed myself! What better place than our little protected corner? I think it might help explain some things re: some posts/ideas that have been percolating in my brain lately that just would NOT make sense otherwise. Like how some people's thoughts about "temptation" piss me off - I am CONSTANTLY surrounded by incredibly attractive people in various states of undress, often fully naked, and I STILL didn't cheat. Take THAT men who think that it's just too hard to resist when there's an attractive woman in front of them! Anyway, I've thought about writing that before, and felt like without revealing my actual job, that would make me sound like a sex worker But the more I think about it there are thousands of us, so how much of an identifier can that really be?
I suck at organizing stuff like our womenz trip.
I'm good at organizing stuff! And since I don't have my kids ( ) or my manchild ( ) to look after anymore, I've got some free time! But I've never been to the East Coast, so it would be good to get info from people who have BTDT if that ends up being where we agree to go. If we end up going West Coast I've got that on lock, but I do think East Coast might make it more accessible to more people.
But I will make fun sparkly drink labels and I am one hell of a cook. Also kept douchehole's Cards Against Humanity with 6 expansion packs so I'll bring that too.
Excited for your sparkly party favors Ellie!! And yesssss, Cards Against Humanity is fucking awesome!!