Archive for April, 2010

Summer drinks ahead...

Now that the weather has finally taken a turn for the better (despite the volcanic ash in our atmosphere) we’re glad to be swapping our cosy nights in with a glass of red for a warm evening outside with a chilled rosé or white. We also like to enjoy a cocktail now and again and on a hot sunny evening there’s nothing quite like an ice cold cocktail to cool you down and chill you out.
We’re fans of;

• Long island iced tea
• Pimms
• Cosmopolitan
• French Martini
• Bellini (a cocktail with fizz!)
• Mojito

If you’re arranging a summer party or just having friends over, why not make it a cocktail night? You could get each guest to bring something different, a spirit or a mixer and either follow the recipes or have a go at making your own! Keep it simple and classy with the appropriate glasses for fuss free drinks or jazz yours up with some Del Boy style bendy straws, sparklers and sugar coated glass rims, just make sure you leave enough room in the glass for the drink! Prefer to keep a level head? Try a virgin cocktail; they’re just as tasty as an alcoholic one but without the fuzzy head in the morning. They also make a great drink for a summer party or just when you want to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

We’re officially done with the soups, stews and stodgy hot dinners of winter. Yes they kept us warm on cold winter nights but now it’s getting to salad weather and we couldn’t be happier about it! They’re quick and easy to prepare, use little cooking equipment and they’re healthy too. But salads don’t have to be boring, make yours exciting by adding unusual ingredients such as fruits and nuts and vary the dressings you use. Having different tastes and textures in a salad will also make it into a more satisfying meal and shouldn’t leave you feeling hungry afterwards. So as well as swapping your wardrobe for something lighter, you can swap your diet for something lighter too!

Try toasted walnuts, goat’s cheese and pear as a mouth watering combination to add to your salad vegetables. Add smoked chicken and balsamic vinegar for extra deliciousness. Why not try making your own dressings? For a simple and easy salad dressing that you can make as and when you need it mix balsamic vinegar with olive oil, ground black pepper, salt and lemon juice.

And if you’re feeling adventurous give some of these a go;

• Cranberries, they give a tart flavour to a dish and work well with cheeses such as brie.
• Avocado goes great with nuts; especially walnuts, cook them lightly in a frying pan first before tossing on top of your salad.
• Apple, fruit is under rated in salads but can often compliment savoury flavours such as pork, turkey and cheeses. Also try grapes (great with goats’ cheese), pineapple or pear.
• Hot strips of meat (such as bacon, chicken or beef) or hot vegetables make a salad more interesting.
• Cold meats, roast salmon fillet is just as delicious cold and flaked over a salad as it is hot. Add some peri-peri sauce before baking for a spicy kick to your salad.

Summer just wouldn’t be summer without floral prints. Despite their girlie girl image, prints with a flower theme don’t have to be so. Floral prints can be sexy and sophisticated as well as cute and girlie. Give florals an edge by wearing your floaty floral dress with a leather or denim jacket and tough boots. Or dress your look up with heels and a sexy clutch bag.

Frances Bra £24.00

For the boho look wear your flirty floral prints with light wash denim, a waist coat or jacket over a dress will make the look more casual. Accessorise with tasselled bags, shoes and a panama hat for ultimate boho chic. You can also add a hit of flower power by wearing floral accessories. Add floral shoes, bags and scarves to an outfit for an instant summer lift. We’ve also fallen for the appeal of a pretty floral print and have some great lingerie and clothing with a floral theme to brighten up your summer wardrobe. The Frances bra by Cleo comes in a soft lilac floral print and is dainty in appearance but won’t let down with its incredible support. Get the Hawaiian feeling with our Pretty Young Thing bikini, its bright floral print and halterneck style are ultra flattering and perfect for the beach. We also have the Moon Flower bikini with lightly padded cups and tie side detailing on the briefs for a fun and funky look.

The Classic Floral dress is a great example of how florals can look sophisticated. This dress has cross over detailing on the front and back and is nipped in at the waist to create a great flattering shape, perfect for weddings, summer parties or a glamorous dinner date. Proof that shift dresses don’t have to be limited to the office comes in the form of this gorgeous Fancy Floral Frock. It’s THE perfect summer dress. And if you just can’t get enough flower power, we even have floral pyjama bottoms so you can wear florals from day time to evening, on the beach and through the night too!

Go dotty this Summer!

Polka dot is a fun print that will instantly lift your mood and put a smile on your face. Prints are huge news this season and dots are one of THE classic prints that have stood the test of time. Generally speaking small polka dots work best when worn on large surface areas such as jackets and dresses whereas big polka dots have most impact when worn on garments with a smaller surface area such as a polka dot top, bra or if you’re being nostalgic and it’s in yellow, bikini. However, this will depend on the garment and what kind of impact you want to have! Polka dot is definitely a fun trend and therefore works well in bold and bright colours as this reflects the fun nature of the print. Be careful when wearing red polka dot however, as depending on the garment and the size of the dots you could end up resembling Mini Mouse and that’s not a good look (unless you work at Disney Land!).

If you go dotty for polka dots then take a look at our spotty bras, swimwear and clothing. The French Fancy bra by Gossard gives the impression of dots from afar but get up close and you’ll see that the ‘dots’ are made up of tiny star shapes. In gorgeous purple and fuchsia, this bra is an instant mood booster. Booked your summer holiday? Invest in some supportive swimwear to keep you looking and feeling great on the beach. Our California Plunge bikini in vibrant yellow spot is lightly padded bikini and will keep your boobs up lifted on the beach and in the pool. And you can select what size bottoms you want too so that you get the perfect fit all round! If however, you prefer to have less on show on the beach, you could go for the I Love Dots swimsuit. It’s just as supportive as our bikini style tops but has that little bit extra to keep you covered up and feeling confident. Polka dots can work just as well dressed up as they do dressed down. Check out this super smart Animal Spot Shift dress for your formal parties this summer. We also have a purple spot print dress that has an A-line shape that will balance out a top heavy figure. This dress is great for weddings, garden parties and summery days, fingers crossed we get the gorgeous weather to match these gorgeous dresses!

Georgiana Bra

As the weather takes a turn for the better, the sun begins to shine and we get our light evenings back, something strange also happens to our hearts. It’s usually this time of year that we get that butterfly feeling in our stomachs and anything seems possible, getting our bikini bodies by summer, saving up for that dream holiday and maybe even finding love. Nature is already one step ahead and has been busy reproducing new plants, flowers and creatures that are now thriving in the warmth of spring. So there’s no wonder are own libidos are on overdrive. If you have a special someone, why not spice things up with some new underwear? We have a whole host of gorgeous summer lingerie that will make your man melt. If you fancy something colourful then try the Georgiana bra with its fresh vibrant colours or the pretty French Fancy bra with punchy embriodery. Single?  Then enjoy the flirty weather, make the most of your summer wardrobe and remember a great outfit starts with great underwear. Wearing a properly fitting bra will also help you to feel more confident as it puts your boobs where they should be, defines your waist and makes the most of your assets.

Ice cream anyone?

The weekend after the bank holiday showed the most promising sign of summer yet, gearing us up for full on summer mode. Well almost, we’re not quite cracking out the flip-flops and linen trousers yet but we’re sure getting ready for them!

If you’ve not had your first ice cream of the year yet, then we suggest that you savour the moment, wait for a warm sunny day and take the time out to enjoy what will hopefully be one of many summery days to come. We love ice cream not only because it is yummy but because it takes us back to our childhood and reminds us of the summers we spent as carefree kids without a worry in the world apart from what mischief we were going to cause that day and where our next twister lolly was coming from. If you have your own children you can relive these moments of having an ice cream almost as big as your face with your own offspring. Or just treat your own inner child! On a hot summer’s day there’s nothing better than sitting in a park with a 99 (with a flake) and watching the world go by. We do however also enjoy Cornettos, Feasts, Soleros, Twisters and Calypsos! Just make sure you eat it before it melts all down your new summer floral dress!

Thanks to the amazing array of fashionable trainers on the market, we can finally give our feet a break from the sky scraper heels of last season. At last there’s a footwear trend that won’t cripple our feet!  Happy to know that trainers are the new flats, all that’s left to do is decide what style to buy. As trainers have had somewhat of a fashion make-over, this decision may be harder than you think. Here are some of the top trainer styles for the fashion edge;

• Sequins – yes sequins also work for footwear too and add a hit of glam to an otherwise casual outfit.
• Studs – we’ve worn studs everywhere these past few months, on our clothes, bags, accessories so why not jazz up your feet with a pair of studded trainers?
• Metallic – trainers in silver, gold, bronze or brighter metallic shades work well for a more dressed up look, with out compromising on comfort.
• Patterned – one of this season’s key trends is bold prints, but this doesn’t have to be restricted purely to clothing. Why not clash a patterned dress or skirt with some patterned footwear?
• Multi-coloured – make a statement in a bright pair of trainers that might even steal the attention away from your outfit!

With all these great styles, you can have a pair for every outfit! And the great thing about these new fashion trainers is that they can be worn dressed up as well as dressed down and work with dresses and skirts just as much as they do with jean. Plus they’re comfortable and can be worn all day long, just like our bras!!

With the average adult not hitting the pillow until 11.40pm on a weeknight, no wonder many of us suffer from a lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation can not only leave us tired and cranky but long term sleep deprivation can also lower the immune system. On average adults in the UK are getting just 5 and half hours of sleep a night, way below the recommended 8 hours. There are a number of things keeping us awake; work stresses, money worries, kids waking up, our partner fidgeting throughout the night, hogging the covers, talking or worse snoring in their sleep. And no matter how much you love someone if his or her bedtime habits are keeping you awake at night then something has to be done.

So what can be done to help us get enough shut-eye?

1. Try Feng Shui in your bedroom, or at least changing it around so that beds are not next to noisy windows or hallways.
2. Tidy your room. Keeping a bedroom clean and tidy will help to create a relaxed atmosphere. Also try scented candles or lavender oil in a hot bath to help send you off to the land of nod.
   

   Support your boobs while you sleep

3. If you share your bed, invest in a mattress that you both find comfortable. We sacrifice a lot in a relationship but sleep shouldn’t have to be something we compromise on. And one person’s idea of what makes a comfy bed can be another person’s nightmare, so try to meet somewhere in the middle. A king sized mattress might also be worth a thought if you like to have your own space while you sleep.
4. Wearing the right nightwear can do wonders for ensuring a good night’s sleep, and bigger boobs need plenty of support. All of our nightwear is designed with this in mind and comes fitted with extra support and no wires to make sure you have a comfortable night. Click here to see our nightwear collection
5. Buy some earplugs. Wearing them in bed can take a bit of getting used to, but if your partner snores or talks in their sleep or if you live in a noisy neighbourhood then simple foam ear plugs can be all that it takes to drown out some of that annoying night time noise.
6. Exercise, regular exercise is also a great way to ensure a good night sleep. Don’t exercise too late though, as your body could still be on a high from the buzz of adrenaline and keep you from sleeping.
7. Sleep alone. If all else fails and you just can’t get enough sleep whilst sharing your bed then sleep in different bedrooms. We might have vowed ‘til death do us part’ but if lack of sleep is putting pressure on your relationship then the only thing for it could be to sleep in separate bedrooms. This doesn’t however, have to come with any kind of stigma and could even lead to improvements in your relationship if both of you are getting a good night’s sleep!
8. Get intimate. On the other hand all that might be needed is a bit of night time fun to help ensure that you both have a good sleep. Sex releases endorphins which research has shown can encourage a sound sleep.

Goodnight!

Get your skin ready for summer!

With summer just around the corner, the thought of bare arms, bare legs and generally having more skin on show than we’ve had on show (even in doors) for a long time is a little daunting!  However, a little bit of preparation now will go a long way! We do love summer dresses and skirts but we don’t like having to shave all the time. Guys we know you have to shave everyday, but the odd bit of stubble on a man can be sexy, on a woman however, it’s not sexy at all! So ladies better get those razors/wax strips/hair removal creams out and at the ready. For those of you that suffer from sensitive skin, especially after shaving, try a basic, unperfumed moisturiser as it will soothe and cool the post-shave burning feeling and will also leave your legs soft and well moisturised.  Exfoliating on a regular basis helps to boost the skins radiance and to encourage new skin growth, this will leave your skin glowing. This seasons skirts, dresses and shorts are short so the more preparation you do now, the more confident you will be in this season’s hemline.
As the sun’s rays strengthen it’s even more important to be wearing a facial moisturiser with an SPF of at least 15. It’s also a good time of year to start thinking about eye protection. We’ve had some lovely sunny days already this year and it’s just as important to protect your eyes from the sun’s rays as it is your skin. (Like you needed an excuse to go out and buy a fabulous new pair of sunglasses)!

One thing to be grateful for is that beauty is going natural. Although we do enjoy experimenting with false eyelashes, they’re great fun and very now, but overall the emphasis is on natural effortless beauty which means less time getting ready and more time enjoying ourselves and our natural beauty. Hurray!

Yellow polka dot bikini!

The colour of the moment is yellow, whether it’s a pale pastel yellow or bright canary yellow, it’s the hottest shade to be seen in. We love it because it’s bright and cheerful and surprisingly, it suits most skin tones, you just have the find the right shade. This colour trend covers accessories, shoes, swimwear and handbags. Dresses can have a great impact too especially when worn in a braver shade of yellow. It makes a refreshing change from the dark colours we have been wearing over winter and if you’re one of those women who wishes to have more colours in their wardrobe then yellow would be a bright and bold place to start.

Yellow fever hit the catwalk earlier this year when designers show cased their Spring/Summer 2010 collections, Amanda Wakeley’s collection featured a canary yellow draped dress which was flattering and feminine but had an edge because of its colour and would really make you stand out in a crowd. Dannii Minogue is a fan of yellow as she wore a Lisa Ho Grecian style dress in yellow at the recent Elle Style awards. It can be difficult however, to match other colours to such a bright base colour. Avoid white, it isn’t very modern. Instead team your yellow with metallic accessories and killer heels. Or if you’re feeling brave wear with a print, a subtle hint of leopard, zebra or a statement graphic print is very now.

Overall, it’s an uplifting colour and therefore an uplifting trend. It has been said that yellow can have a positive effect on mood and is just what we need this time of year to pick us up and get us ready for summer. So if you haven’t got anything yellow in your wardrobe, we suggest you go shopping and get a little a piece of sunshine for yourself!