By Aimee Guthinger

So it would seem, like every other woman (and likely a lot of men) in the world right now, I am reading Fifty Shades of Grey.  I started the trilogy as a homework assignment because of the impact the series appears to be having on pop culture, as well as retail sales in a number of realms.  However, it was not until hearing from a friend that an 86 year old male client announced, with great enthusiasm upon arrival to her office, that he was also reading the books.  After that, I was committed to write a  blog on this literary phenomenon.  While I have heard from some who were not impressed, the majority of my friends have reported (myself included) that it is difficult to put the story down.  I don’t agree with (or practice) a good deal of the content, but I have been thoroughly enjoying the story and find myself rooting for the characters.  STOP – IF YOU INTEND TO READ THE FIFTY SHADES TRILOGY DO NOT READ ANYMORE OF THIS BLOG POST OR IT WILL SPOIL MUCH OF THE PLOT …

I cheered on Christian and Anastasia while reading the story of their formal proposal, wedding and honeymoon.  I was thrilled to read of Ana surprising Mr. Grey with the same corset and stockings lingerie styles I mentioned in the last blog.  Do I spy a trend forming here? Either way, I want to again suggest getting out there and trying on some corsets ladies! They are clearly making a comeback and you don’t want to miss The Fair Lady when she sets sail for Cannes do you?

Here are a few of my own favorites to consider…

I make no apologies for Chantelle being the standard by which I measure all bras.  Others may feel differently, but my life was literally transformed following my first expertly fit Chantelle bra (which by the way was fit by Debbie Winthrop in Portsmouth RI).  I have never really looked back since.  My absolute favorite is the Eternelle collection which replaced the previous Chantilly collection.  The luxurious lace with which the new and old collections are comprised is both feminine and delicate, offering durability suitable for everyday wear as well as special occasion and appears invisible under clothing.  Don’t ask me how they do it, but I know from firsthand experience.  Honestly I was as surprised as you likely will be! This bra is available in ivory & black making it an excellent bridal or black tie option.

However, with a Fifty Shades of Grey theme inspiring me, I would be remiss not to also share the Paris Paris Corset, another fabulous style from Chantelle. 

Another suggestion is a bra that Cosabella named the Marni Strapless Low Back Plunge Bra, however I like to refer to it as a mini-corset.  This maybe the most functional bra a woman will ever own.  It’s basic, offering no embellishments, but with a plunging low front and low back. It really doesn’t need anything more as far as my customers and I are concerned.  There are very few dress styles that will be incompatible with this bra, so if you fall within the size range in which it’s offered (32-36, B-D) I consider this to be a no-brainer,  must have part of every wardrobe.  Really, this is one of the best-selling bras in my shop!

Finally, if you are fashion forward and looking to really surprise your own Fifty, check out L’Insoumise by Aubade.  The gold standard in fashion lingerie the brand that brought us the now infamous lessons of seduction by number.

By Amanda Horan Kennedy

I buried my father last week, admittedly a blessing but so hard to see it that way or to think of anything else as I return to life. So why write about this for a blog on glamour? Well the subject of what color to wear was a topic of family discussion. We all agreed it was a somber occasion to which most people wear black. On the other hand my father’s passing was a relief because he was spared another day the ravages of Alzheimer’s.

My father was an Irish American entrepreneur who served his county in WW2, loved his family, friends and country with unmitigated loyalty. Everyone who knew him for his charm, fairness and colossal joie de vivre adored him. With that in mind, my oh-so-proper mother said no to black. “How dreadfully sad and depressing that would be. His life should not end that way”, she declared. We all agreed it would not reflect the Technicolor time he spent here.
We cried, mourned and laughed in panoply of color. I chose a coral dress, my sister wore an aqua, coral and black flame stitch knit, my mother looked lovely in her navy tunic with a touch of pink, and my brother selected a subtly festive pink and green print tie that mirrored the man who was his best friend.

We were the family that my father sired; loving, happy, and respectful of his strongest desire that we believe we will never really be apart. Psychologically, on the deepest cellular level, it felt soothing to wear color and celebrate his life not mourn it in black.

The large crowd of people in attendance followed convention and we were honored but we’d not have been offended if they had chosen color. I quietly would have delighted in a panorama of color, as I believe my father would have been as well.

By Cristina Casciano-King

Gearing up to show your Patriotic Side, for the upcoming Olympic games in London or maybe you want to look festive for that annual 4th of July BBQ put away that Old Navy Flag tee-shirt and put on some tights. From House of Holland for Pretty Polly Brand and available in 3 great countries flags, The Stars and Stripes,  The Union Jack representing the United Kingdom and finally Support the Land down Under by flying the Australian Flag one leg at a time.

At first glance these tights seem a little difficult to pair with everyday clothes, and the material make you feel like you should be running the 50 meter dash-They are super cute under denim shorts, flirty red, white or … Read more

By Margaret Shrum

This weekend I graduated with 250 spectacular women from Mama Gena’s School of Womanly Arts Mastery program 2012. Fifteen years in the making, the course is designed to teach women tools and skills to be your fierce, unfettered self. As creatrix, Regina Thomashauer says that she is “offering us all a new, original definition of what it means to be Woman in full celebration of the feminine.” 

I first discovered Mama Gena back in 2007.   Dr. Christiane Northrup, a leader in women’s health endorsed Mama Gena’s books and program and sparked a curiosity in me. I attended one of her orientations and was greeted with a pink boa, pink flyers and lots of energy by her “team pleasure” and staff. Now, I … Read more

I have to leave Cabo in a few days and I am not happy about it, particularly because my husband gets to stay to oversee the house we are building here.  I just can’t figure out where the time goes and why I always pack a suitcase full of useless stuff.  The days are so leisurely. It takes hours to get going and when we finally do, it usually requires only a sundress or a bathing suit. The air is infused with a sun bleached light. Vivid colors pulsate against a landscape of desert white.  Hot and breezy; this is a less is more atmosphere. Everything is about  letting go, chilling out, being relaxed, staying cool  and feeling a modicum of freedom from the constraints of the daily squeeze. In fact, getting this blog out was somewhat of a trial for me today.

But alas, duty calls and so I have decided that the best fitting lingerie  to resolve my writing  conundrum would be to focus on Cosabella’s Never Say Never Comfie T bra.   This lacy underwire design is perfect to wear here in the dry Mexican heat, particularly for sizes 32-36, B-D cups.  Tipping the scales at a mere 1.3 ounces, this spacer style is the lightest item in Cosabella’s wardrobe.  Constructed of 3 layers of whisper weight fabric, it is seamless, opaque and an excellent layer under barely there t-shirts and revealing  knits.  Even though this best selling basic is available is traditional black and nude, here in Los Cabos, embraced by sundrenched beaches, clear blue skies and tropical gardens, white seems quite right. Inquiries: skogler-ssgs@cosabella.com 

“Smile, Breathe And Go Slowly” . . . .Thich Nhat Hanh

Available At:

Aimee Boutique:  Des Moines, IA
Isabella Fine Lingerie:  Chicago, IL
Hope Chest:  Haverford, PA
Houpette:  Greenville, DE
Knickers of Hyde Park:  Cincinnati, OH
Whispers Home:  Dayton, OH
Allure Intimate Apparel:  Mequon, WI
Harp’s Fine Lingerie:  Birmingham, MI
Amoureuse:  Santa Cruz, CA
Intima European Lingerie:  Carmel, CA
Les Dewx Copines:  Burlingame, CA
Sky Montgmery:  Corona Del Mar, CA
Panty Raid:  Los Angeles, CA
Yvonne:  Capitola, CA
The Met:  Sarasota, FL
Lotus:  Sarasota, FL
Very Fitting Intimate Apparel:  Vero Beach, FL
Barbara Silberman Lingerie:  Key Biscayne, FL
Freudian Slip:  Eugene, OR
Complements:  South Hampton, NY
Petticoat Lane:  NYC, NY
Brief Encounters:  NYC, NY
The Daine Shop:  Morristown, NJ
Mrs. Robinson:  Providence, RI
Bedroom I’s:  Osterville, MA
Patricia Gourlay:  Greenwich, CT
La Mode Lingerie:  Houston, TX
By Request:   Fayetteville, AR
Pout:  Columbia, SC
Prive:  Baton Rouge, LA

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READ Lingerie Intelligence: “Seeing Double” by Richard Vincente

READ Lingerie With A Conscience: ” A Woman Of Honor”  by Jacalyn Bennett

READ Intimate Innovations:  ”J is For Joy ~ Curvy Kate’s New J Cup Bra by Ali Cudby

READ Intimate Affairs:  ” Intimate Insider News”  by Moira Nelson

By Moira Nelson

I’ve always been bothered by the heat…  I much prefer the Spring and Fall seasons over the steamy Summer months.  However, hot Summer nights inspire me to pull out some of my favorite sleepwear pieces such as Cami Sets and Rompers in buttery soft modal fabric or rayon blends.  These fabrics drape so effortlessly.  And I’m a sucker for their cool hand…  There’s nothing better against my skin.  Check out the adorable “Prisoner of Love” Teddy I picked up at last week’s Eberjey Sample Sale…  I LOVE IT!

Last Thursday, June 21^st, 50 dancers kicked-up their skirts (exposing their Hanky Panky panties) to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Flatiron building!  The Flatiron “Flashmobseque” was inspired by the historical legend … Read more