GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

Can think of fewer things more relaxing at the moment than a cozy weekend in a French country cottage by the ocean, the mist of saltwater intermingled with the scent of deep purple lilacs . . .

Sexy Panties and Naughty Knickers was one of the brands we recently took a look at in NYC, which included their current collection as shown above. One of our favorite products was the Bardot shirt, shown at the very top - it's got that 'loungewear cross-over to ready-to-wear' look that we love! The rest of the collection is simple and sweet, with a touch of naughty and sexy.
Sexy Panties and Naughty Knickers (formerly known as SPANK...but changed the name due to similarities with the name SPANX...or so we heard) is a UK label that "create[s] beautiful, sexy, affordable, and above all, comfortable underwear in natural fabrics, for women of all shapes and sizes." Their bra sizes range from 30E and 32A to 36DD (UK sizes), which makes it an ideal brand for ladies with a small back, and small to very full busts.
For the full collection, visit their website, and for very few items visit our website!

Pure romance at Luisa Beccaria.


{p.s}
* adore this beautiful post by Joanna

{images: style.com}

You may already know of Brooklyn-based Jezebel's whimsical line of stationery, and along with letterpress, totes and tee's, there is also a lovely line of jewelry . . .

Completely thrilled to announce this week's give-away -- a pair of rose gold ant stud earrings! Part of Jezebel's new collection of fine jewelry, these charming earrings are made of 14k rose gold with 10k yellow gold posts and measure approximately 1/2 inch.

To enter, simply {click here} to visit the jezebel website, then leave a comment below.

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

Recent press for Vagabond Picnic by Jezebel:
* New York Magazine & also here * Refinery29 * design*sponge

* One lovely reader will be randomly selected on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. If you do not have a blog or a contact e-mail on your blog, please leave it in the comments section.

We thought we would supply you with a bit of eye-candy, displaying the latest press from Carine Gilson. If you know us, you know we hold Carine Gilson's work in high regard; her lingerie is handmade with exquisite attention to detail. We will actually be posting a few images of her current collection later this week, but couldn't resist posting a little sample of her work.

We just got back from a major lingerie tradeshow in NYC, taking a look at what we will be selling for Fall 2009/Winter 2010. It's crazy that we're buying for 2010 already!! It looks like the big color for our store this fall will be smoky gray/steel gray, and deep purple...and of course black.
In any event, we picked up 2 trade publications at the tradeshow and were pleased to see that Faire Frou Frou was included. In Lingerie Buyer and BODY Guide, we were selected as one of the top lingerie boutiques in the US. Thank you to both publications for thinking of us!

It is generally assumed that shapewear is unattractive, or more-or-less something you wouldn't want another soul see you wearing on its own. Until recently, we would have agreed with you whole-heartedly! However, all of that has changed with the arrival of Made by Niki's 'Fresh Foundations' collection. Fresh Foundations is an attractive shapewear line that gives women "the chance to lift, cinch, flatten and flatter their curves with ultimate sex appeal. Finally, you can have the ultimate figure and be glamorous and alluring when it's time to undress."
We brought in the most popular pieces from the range, and we love each one equally! The Front-Cinch Bra is a great piece - it's a bra that does not have padding or underwire, but has a superb construction that renders pads and underwire unnecessary. It fastens in the back, but has a unique adjustable front-cinch that allows you to alter how the bra fits in the front - pretty clever! The bras run snug, and we actually provide a fit guide for them when you view them online.
The other pieces, such as the Magic Bum Girdle and the Secretary Suspender Skirt, do an amazing job giving you a trim, slim silhouette without compromizing your style. All you have to do is take a look at the pictures in this post to see that!
On a side note, Made by Niki is the same UK-based label that creates the limited edition, numbered lingerie sets. We still have a few left in stock!

Suddenly feel a compelling need to stash away all of the heavy winter things and throw open all of the windows . . .

This is just a small personal post to wish my mom (and frou-frou partner) a very happy birthday!! I hope all of your birthday wishes come true...someone as generous and warm as you deserves only the very best! You are filled with inspiration and creative talent, and you are a wealth of support that transforms dreams into reality. We hope you have an amazing birthday week (and year)!

Stumbled across a brief and beautiful post on Venice, and have fallen quite in love . . . still planning this summer's travels and trying to resist a natural inclination to return to Paris again and again . . . perhaps Italy?

{p.s.}
* a perfect place to stay

{images: [creative] status: sponging_}

Despite my maximalist tendencies to fill up every bit of space with things -- artwork, photographs, and memories -- am inexplicably drawn to these perfectly plain walls that feel like a fresh start, a blank slate of endless possibilities . . .

{images: 1 - ye rin mok; 2 - flickr; 3 - domino; 4 - flickr}

The scaled-back fashion week events didn't stop Marchesa from creating a fairyland of "dream-woven dresses" at the Chelsea Art Museum with ribbons, silver roses, sequins, and swaths of tulle -- perhaps now more than ever, is the perfect time for dreams . . .

{image: style.com}

We were pleased to have a personal visit from world-famous lingerie designer Fifi Chachnil at our boutique last week. Fifi and her adorable assistant Olivia were in Los Angeles on business and personally showed us the new Fifi Chachnil Autumn/Winter 09/10 collection. The new pieces are must-have items, but won't be in stores until September (which means we can't show them to you until then)!! In the meantime, we will leave you with images from her current group. Of course, we have some of Fifi's previous collections on our site (most are now on sale).

We recently received the new Spring collection from Damaris, and it's getting quite a reaction! The Incandescence group, the pieces made from white polka dot lace with flourescent pink accents, has been in our store window for about a week and has drawn in many passers-by.
The 2 groups that are currently available are 'Incandescence' and 'Tullett'. The Tullett group is ivory silk with grosgrain detailing, and silk chiffon flower accents. We think the pictures of this group don't do it justice...in person the details are just lovely.
Check out the pictures and see for yourself why Incandescence has caused a stir...it's a statement group that celebrates your inner girly girl! Actually, that can be said for all of Damaris's designs.
You can buy these pieces, along with other Damaris collections, here.

A breezy band of gauzy green against a romantic balcony, or a lovely desk filled with seaglass and overlooking the ocean . . . Easily drawn to the calming sounds of crashing waves this morning after a busy, lovely weekend . . .

{images: 1 - polanoid; 2 - flickr; 3 - rachel whiting via the city sage}