Boutique of the Month: August ~ Kiki de Montparnasse
What can I say about this high end boutique that promises champagne to customers and has a lovely courtyard for you to ponder your purchases fountain side and by candlelight? It's definitely a lifestyle.
If being restrained, liberated and indulging in sumptuous lingerie and fashionable leather while you take yourself and your mate to your limits than the Kiki de Montparnasse boutique may just be for you. As my friend said while we visited the store, "It's definitely for the high end courtesan or if you fancy yourself one."
With products ranging from intimate clothing in silk, chiffon, and cashmere, to instruments of pleasure, bath and body products, books, films, and music, Kiki de Monteparnesse is where you want to go if you're looking to heighten your senses and dive into the erotic.
The Muse Corselette Bra (image above left) is on sale for $137.50 and matching Muse Heart Brief panties are $175.
Siren T-Front Bodysuit (image right) is $350.00.
On the website, it states that "Kiki De Montparnasse is a luxury fashion and lifestyle brand that celebrates intimacy and inspires the romantic imagination.
Established with the conviction that sensual pleasure and fulfillment are paramount to a well-lived life, our collections define a new category which empowers exploration of fantasy and communication of desire. We believe intimacy should be honored, and that discriminating consumers should be able to explore and express their passion with grace, sophistication and abandon...
...Kiki de Montparnasse will ensconce you in luxury, woo your every sense, and remind you that few things are as profound as love and beauty. Once you have experienced it for yourself, you will know the transformative power of erotic license. Such freedom is intoxicating…and addictive. Because love is all there is (and love is enough)."
With stores in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, as well as throughout Europe and Asia, be sure to check online for the days and times that stores are open. Traditionally, the stores don't open until 12 noon and close around 7 - 8 p.m.
http://www.kikidm.com/
3 Days Left to Enter ~ CUSTARD CREAM LINGERIE: NEW LOOK CONTEST
For your chance at winning one of their delectable, silky head wraps called the Rhubarb Alice Band, click on Enter Here.
Up to 70% off Sale at HerRoom
Up to 80% off Sale at HisRoom
I’ve got problem with my underwear…..
Gorsenia Giselle Bra 025 available in black and beige.
If your breast is bulging over the arms, probably you wear the wrong size - try to wear bigger cups.
If your panties stand out of your low-rise trousers, try the panties with the low-rise line. They are much lower than the traditional ones.
Trinny & Susannah: Boost Your Breasts, Uplift Your Look
1. Get Fitted
Fashion duo Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine are your bosom buddies…literally. Like good girlfriends, they're here to offer support—the kind your breasts desperately need. Follow Trinny and Susannah's 10 guidelines to bolster your breasts—big or small—and uplift your overall look!First, get fitted. Many women are wearing the wrong size bra. Go to a professional or a trusting friend and have your chest and cup size measured. With the right size bra and straps, say Trinny and Susannah, you won't have to tug at your bra to keep it in place.
2. Emphasize Your Ribcage
No matter your bra size, your ribcage, just below your breasts, is typically the thinnest part of a woman's torso. "Always make sure you accentuate that part by wearing fitted fabrics around it," suggests Trinny. You'll inevitably look thinner and your breasts will look pert.
Don't forget about your breasts! If you try to hide them, they may end up looking like one great big lump of flesh. A very plunging bra can allow you to open your neckline and push your breasts forward. "You know, it doesn't matter what size your boobs are, you should always push them forward," says Susannah.
If you're breasts are small, you'll look great in a halter top with or without a bra. The angular cut works well with your body, and it also highlights your sexy shoulders—a nice replacement for cleavage.
For all 10 Tips by Trinny & Susannah, click on Boost Your Breasts, Uplift Your Look.
For more Tips from Trinny & Susannah's Rules, click on Big Tits and No Tits.
The image on this page is from Trinny & Susannah's book, What Not to Wear.
These women have some great advice on how to look and feel your best, embracing your unique breast shape. What better way to Celebrate Your Inner Eve!
Icing on the Cake ~ Lingerie Accessories: Part 9 ~ Headbands
Here are Eve's favorite lingerie headbands:
Custard Cream Alice Bands by Patrick Skinner are all the rage right now. Coming in three sumptuous flavors, banana (above left), rhubarb (above middle), and apple (above right), they cost £40 each. These headbands are not only luscious to look at and to touch but also are versatile. They can easily work as head or wrist bands in the bedroom, then innocently tie up your hair for the beach, board walk, or an elegant evening later.
If you like these wraps, you can also enter to win the Rhubarb Alice Band through our Eve's Apples contest, CUSTARD CREAM LINGERIE: NEW LOOK CONTEST!
To enter, all you have to do is tell us what you love most about the new ad look. The best comment will win the headband! Deadline is September 1, 2008 at 5 p.m. (PST). Click on Eve's Apples' Contest Details to enter.
Some other fun head bands that elicit summer fun are by Tasha and can be purchased at Nordstrom online.
The Patent Leather Headband (above left) is $62. Butterfly Headbands (above center) come in orange, black, and pink and are on sale for $27.90. With metal becoming a huge fashion statement in the coming seasons, the Metal Mesh Headband (above right) is a soft, stretchy option and is $45.
However you decide to accessorize this summer, whether it's through one of these sassy headbands or another way, be sure to have fun and Celebrate Your Inner Eve!
La Perla Video
La Perla Backstage 2008
Oprah's Favorite Bra
Friends, Fittings, & Flirty Bras
Since I always like to visit boutiques while traveling, I planned for us to visit a local lingerie boutique first and Nordstrom later--in case we didn't find anything. Usually, I like to visit boutiques because they have highly specialized fitters and exquisite selections of lingerie. If you aren't used to boutique shopping, sometimes going into a high end lingerie store can be intimidating. Here is a good way to tell if you're getting quality service and if the store associates know how to measure.
- Do you feel like the sales person has more important things to do?
- Do you have to repeatedly ask to get fitted or for a specific bra?
- Are the sales people too busy drinking champagne or chatting to offer advice?
- Do you ask for a fitting and they send over the one sales person who has the least experience with measuring?
- Are you fitted for one size (ie. 32D) and the sales person brings you another size (like a 36C) because that is all that is available?
- Does the fitter tell you it looks good when there are creases on the band or are gaping cups?
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, then you are not with a good fitter. Ask to have another person at the store fit you or leave and go to another store. Just because someone has a beautiful store with high priced lingerie doesn't mean that they know how to fit. Use your common sense, you can tell if someone is just trying to sell you lingerie because they want to make a sale or if they're genuinely trying to help you have a positive experience.
As it turned out, my friend ended up trying on around 30 bras thanks to Sonja, a fabulous sales associate at Nordstrom. She wound up with some Calvin Klein bras in 32D that look stunning on her!
The bras that she bought are featured on this post. The Calvin Klein Perfect Fit T-Shirt bra in black is $38 (above left). The 365 Microfiber Stretch Convertible Contour Bra, also by Calvin Klein, is on sale at figleaves.com for $25.20 (above right). Comfortable and beautiful, the Francesca All Over Lace 3/4 Demi Bra by Le Mystere looked gorgeous on my friend and is $75 (left).
BRA TIP
I told my friend, and I'll tell you, when getting fit for a bra, try on several types. Write down the brands, styles, and size that work best for you. Everyone is shaped differently and various designers and styles will work better than others, based upon your body type. This takes a little bit of time, but it's worth it!
Now my friend has some sexy bras to celebrate passing her bar exam! Here is a big "cheers" to her "Celebrating Her Inner Eve!" You can too if you take a little time and find a good fitter!
Perfect Bikini for Summer 2008
Here are some of the interesting propositions, which enclose in above description and are general guidelines for this season.
This season’s trend of “embellishments” allows fringes, appliqués and beads to be seen adorning swimsuit bottoms and tops.
Sexy, yellow clasps at Volin Malibu Bikini.
Beckham in Briefs ~ Part 3
The picture of David and Victoria are from a W Magazine photo spread that they did in their skivvies. Victoria has had three children...count them..."t-h-r-e-e"...and she looks amazing. David goes without saying.
Lingerista Lifestyle: Corsets & Mint Juleps ~ Gone with the Wind
It's August. Days are sweltering and nights are humid, balmy at best. I'm reminded of the South and Scarlet O'Hara when I think of this kind of weather.
What is more southern than mint juleps and Gone with the Wind?
I imagine Scarlet drinking mint juleps on her "veranda" in better times. Then there were more desperate times when Scarlet had Mammy hoisting her tightly up in her corset soon after giving birth (see image below). Fortunately, corsets are more fun fashion than fashion staple these days. I'd need a mint julep too if I was stuffed into Scarlet's corset every day, especially after I just gave birth!
Lingerie and clothing options in August are all about being comfortable in the heat. Select thin clothes and lingerie in breathable fabric. It's recommended to choose dresses, tops, pants, and skirts that are more flowing and don't require wearing a corset or body shaper beneath. This time of year, less is more. If you need to wear a bra, there are options such as stick on bras that are backless. Choose light weight panties with cotton lining. It's all about being comfortable!
Once you have the comfort factor down, then you can look restful, relaxed, and polished on the back of your veranda, deck, porch, or balcony. To take in the full effect, make yourself some mint juleps, like our dear Scarlet, during this sizzling summer heat.
MINT JULEP RECIPE
- Mint
- Bourbon
- Sugar
- Water
- Ice
Put a few springs of mint in a silver or pewter cup with a tablespoon of sugar. Pour Bourbon into 1/3 of the glass. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Fill the glass with ice (preferably shaved ice but cubed ice will do too). Add mint to the top (for added mint flavor crush a couple sprigs at bottom of the glass with sugar in the earlier step). Add a splash of rum to the top.
The glass will frost over on the outside. Try to avoid touching the frost since it keeps the drink cool. Enjoy!
If you want to take it a step further, the following is a recipe for mint julep sorbet from epicurious.com:
"A treat for mint julep fans. Traditional silver mint julep cups or frozen parfait glasses add a nice accent at serving time.
Servings: Serves 4.
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3/4 cup (lightly packed) fresh mint leaves (from about 2 small bunches)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 tablespoon crème de menthe
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint leaves
- 4 fresh mint sprigs
Strain mint syrup through sieve set over bowl, pressing on mint leaves. Discard mint leaves. Mix bourbon, crème de menthe and minced mint leaves into mint syrup. Process sorbet mixture in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer sorbet to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead; keep frozen.)
Freeze 4 parfait glasses for 1 hour. Scoop sorbet into frozen glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs; serve immediately.
Note: If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can turn this mixture into a granita—an Italian frozen dessert. Mix an additional 1/2 cup water into sorbet mixture. Freeze until semifirm, whisking occasionally, about 3 hours. Cover and freeze until solid, at least 6 hours or overnight. Using fork, scrape surface of granita to form crystals. Scoop crystals into frozen glasses; serve immediately."
Enjoy your hot August days by Celebrating Your Inner Eve with some mint juleps and relish in the fact that corsets aren't required for everyday summer fashion.
Lingerie Americas NY Fashion Show 2008
The gala fashion show took inspiration from the glamorous Art Deco Ballroom, cinema, and "golden era of musical comedies." Executed in two parts, over 500 guests watched the dynamic production first dedicated to "the finest French Lingerie brands" and finished by celebrating "the diversity and creativity of top American and International brands."
Sarah Christensen, Owner and Artistic Director of “A Suivre” (the Paris based agency hired to create the exciting production) said “...The undeniable quality and professionalism of the participating brands will allow us to offer a memorable show to the audience, mixing glamour, seduction and femininity. And that’s exactly what Lingerie is about!”
For a Lingerista "Must-See" Video featuring upcoming lingerie and the momentous fashion show, click on the Lingerie Americas NY Fashion Show 2008 video below.
It looks like designers and the lingerie show creators definitely Celebrated Their Inner Eves this season!
Fashion or Fluff: Lingerie Hair
I love Madamoiselle Frou Frou's post, Lingerie Gets Upstaged, about Pop Magazine's lingerie images above.
In the post, she says, "We think we spy an Aubade 'Bahia' bra in that first shot (it's always fun doing lingerie detective work!).This blog entry is total fluff (or total puff if you are talking about the hair...lame joke attempt), but it seemed vaguely relevant for today's post!"
For more Pop Magazine lingerie images, click on Faire Frou Frou's blog post Lingerie Gets Upstaged.
With the sleek hair fashion, for over a decade, recently turning more towards soft waves and curls, it'll be interesting to see if we have a "big hair revival." It's been a while, but I still remember how to tease and scrunch my way toward achieving Madonna's Lucky Star look.
Big hair or not, I hope everyone has a great weekend and Celebrates Their Inner Eves!
CUSTARD CREAM LINGERIE: NEW LOOK CONTEST
WASH & WEAR CONTEST WINNER
Please check your e-mail to see if you received the winning e-mail from Eve's Apples for the Hanky Panky Panty and Mesh Lingerie Laundry Bag, compliments of BareNecessities.
Priceless Panties ~ Agent Provocateur 50% off Sale
Celebrating Your Inner Eve is so much better when you know you've paid a really good price for some sassy Agent Provocateur lingerie!