“Charlotte” padded bra and bikini in red by Parfait. Available in sizes 28-40 D-K (UK cup sizes). Matching bikini brief and high-waist brief in sizes XS-2XL

It’s always exciting when a brand chooses to expand their size ranges, and Parfait, with their appealing, classic designs and budget-friendly price points, was a fan favorite practically from their launch for a size expansion.  Earlier this year came the surprise announcement that they would offer three styles up to a K-cup (UK cup sizes, including double letters), and I know I was among the customers eager to take the new G+ styles out for a spin.  Even though I’m not usually a fan of padded bras, I knew “Charlotte”, the retro pin-up style set with dramatic black contrast trim, was hugely popular, so when Parfait generously offered me a set for review, I decided to take a gamble to see how I liked it!

[While Parfait provided this set for review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.]

The pretty “Wild Rose” colorway I saw at Curve in August (above) wasn’t readily available yet, and the “Dusty Rose” did NOT play well with my super pale skin/dark hair combo, so I requested to try the cheerful, vibrant red version.  I’d heard from other bloggers that the cups ran a bit small and shallow, so I requested my usual band size, plus a cup size larger than I generally take in Panache, the Eveden brands, or Bravissimo.  I requested briefs in my “Panache” size, i.e. one size larger than I take in Freya or Bravissimo, as I find those brands run slightly large on me.

Appearance

“Charlotte” is a looker, isn’t she?  The bra lightly padded with a classic three-part cup shape (vertical seam in the bottom of the cup and a diagonal seam connecting the bottom cup with the top panel).  Parfait uses a pretty two-sided shiny fabric for Charlotte, stitching some panels matte-side out, which creates a really nice textural variety.  The cups, for example, are mostly matte, with the exception of the shiny exterior side sling (see picture below).  The bold black stripes are dramatic and striking, and I really, really love the diagonal black stripes on the knickers.  It’s an incredibly sassy set, and I can see some ladies having a blast wearing it at a pin-up or boudoir shoot.

All the G-K cup versions of Charlotte feature three columns of four rows of hooks-and-eyes, as well as fully-adjustable shoulder straps that are a full inch thick.  On the hanger (or in my case, on the bed), it looks like quite a lot of bra, but the added depth in the band and width in the straps really help the bra feel secure and comfortable.

Fit

I’ve now tried on three sizes of Charlotte, and I got the best fit wearing my usual band size and a cup TWO sizes larger than usual.  I have some fit nit-picks that have more to do with shape and my personal boobs than they do with size, but having tried several sizes of two different G+ Parfait styles (I’ll have a review of the “Alexis” babydoll later this year) I feel comfortable declaring unequivocally that the G+ Parfait bras, at least this first season’s run of them, are about two cup sizes smaller than other G+ bras on the market, while many bloggers find the D-G versions run true to size.  Depending on your shape you may find a good fit one cup size larger than you’d normally wear, but I strongly advise G+ customers to size up in the cups, potentially more than they might be used to.  Some people found that Parfait bands ran tight in the past, but my usual band size felt great.

So, about the shape.  I tend to need cups that offer A) some flexibility (i.e. they can’t be too rigid) and B) a lot of forward projection.  Charlotte feels quite shallow to me, particularly in the center, and the cups are very tall: I feel like I have plenty of extra room in the cup right in front of my armpit, where I don’t need it, but not enough room in the center of the cups or close to the gore, where I do need it.  Further, the weight of my boobs has already bent and creased the bottom of the cup (although this is pretty common for me).

Even though I’ve barely worn the bra, the cups are already getting bent and creased in the bottom.

The briefs are a great fit, and the waist comes all the way up to my navel (just short of my natural waist).  I’m getting a little digging at the waistband, but I have a bit of a belly, so I imagine women with more nipped-in waists will love the look and the fit.  The legline is fairly low, which I find both more comfortable and less visible under clothing.

Love the shiny/matte texture contrast on the briefs!

Comfort

For being a large-cup, slightly rigid padded bra, Charlotte is very light and breathable.  I’ve seen bras on the lower end of the price spectrum that feel flimsy or scratchy, but Parfait’s quality always impresses me: the materials are soft and comfortable, and the construction is clean and immaculate.  While the deep band and extra-wide straps feel wonderfully secure and comfortable, I find that I keep putting the set on in the morning and then frantically changing into a different set before I leave the apartment.  I love how it looks, but when I think about wearing it all day all over the city, I balk.  I think I would spend the day adjusting and tugging and repositioning the bra to avoid spilling at the center and empty space at the sides and bottom, and when it comes right down to it I never really want to put up with it for a full day’s wear.

Overall, I love the look of Charlotte, but the bra’s tall, shallow shape just isn’t a great fit for me.  While I do think some of my fit issues are specific to me, and that other women might like the shape, I hope Parfait will adjust the cup sizes in future productions of this style to bring them more in line with the rest of the G+ market.  That being said, Charlotte is a fantastic addition to the full-bust world: it’s got a sexy, retro, pin-up vibe, it’s continuously available, the price point is budget-friendly, and the red, in particular, makes it a fabulous set for those who get into holiday lingerie.  It will also work beautifully paired with a black underbust corset (as Bras and Body Image styles it here) or a black waist cincher or girdle (from Kiss Me Deadly, for example) for a great boudoir look!

For more reviews (erm, a LOT more– this bra is popular!) of “Charlotte” by Parfait across a wide range of sizes, check out:

A Sophisticated Pair
Miss Underpinnings
The Full-Figured Chest
The Lingerie Addict
Filling a Niche
Undiegamer
Bras and Body Image
Hourglassy/Off the Rack
By Baby’s Rules
Boosaurus
Invest in Your Chest
Petite & Plentiful
Scarlet’s Letter
Busts 4 Justice
Sophia Jenner
Faustine’s Foundations
Venusian Glow
Quest for the Perfect Bra
Undressed to Impress

Note that some of these reviews are from prior to 2012; Parfait has adjusted their fit slightly with each season.

“Charlotte” retails for around $35-40 for the bra and $13-16 for the brief.  It is available in Peach, Red, Dusty Rose, and Wild Rose.  The set is available at Breakout Bras, Bare Necessities, Butterfly Collection, Large Cup Lingerie, Dollhouse Bettie, Helen of Troy Bras, and A Sophisticated Pair (contact the store directly to order).

Thanksgiving!  Parties!  Christmas Dinners!  New Year’s Day feasts!  Usually by this point in the year I have, oh, several hundred holiday dessert recipes bookmarked, but this year I’m feeling oddly uninpsired (although it’s still early yet– I might get get over it (I’ll probably get over it)).  Instead of finding a trendy ingredient or an elegantly over-complicated version of some show-stopping dessert, I can’t seem to get good old-fashioned pecan pie out of my mind.  The colder, darker evenings at this time of year always make me faintly nostalgic for the woodstove and warm blankets from my childhood house, and in turn I’m feeling nostalgic for one of the first grown-up desserts I ever had: pecan bourbon pie.  Pumpkin pie and cheesecake and other classic holiday desserts seem heavy and gloppy to me right now: I want a sliver something with a bit of crunch, something salty-sweet, maybe even something with a hint of booze to end my evening.

This year I’ll be in New York for Thanksgiving, celebrating with friends, so rather than make one large cake or pie, I decided to think about creating a travel-friendly, easily-shared version of the beloved classic.  This weekend I did a test-run, and as I had an oddly large stash of walnuts, I swapped in walnuts for the classic pecans.  I added chocolate chips, becuase DUH, and I swapped Irish whisky in for the bourbon, because that’s what I had in the liquor cabinet.  This recipe is pretty user friendly: I’ll provide the ingredients and amounts I used, but feel free to make it your own!  Don’t like walnuts or pecans?  Try hazelnuts or peanuts!  Don’t want chocolate cloying things up?  Leave out the chocolate chips!  Don’t like bourbon or whisky, or want something booze-free?  Add or leave out any kind of spirit you want!  We’ve all been there: you’ve been cooking for hours, and you’re on your last holiday recipe, and you realize you have to go to the grocery store yet AGAIN.  My mother, bless her, went the grocery store about two or three times in a single day last year.  It got to the point where I’d be cooking along, and she’d see me freeze and my face fall, and she’d reach for her wallet and coat.  Sorry Mom!  Hopefully you can wing these with ingredients you already have on hand and wind up with a caramelly-nutty-chocolatey-confectionary-style deliciousness served on a shortbread crust, no melting of sugar or chilling of pastry dough required.

Chocolate-Chip Nut Bars
(adapted, barely, from Martha Stewart)

For the shortbread crust:

1 c. (2 sticks, 8 oz.) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 c. packed brown sugar (either light or dark will work)
1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. Nocello, a walnut-flavored liqueur (this is SUPER optional; I just had some leftover from a previous baking project.  If you use it, add an additional tablespoon or two of flour.  PS- it’s CRAZY DELICIOUS; if you add it to hot chocolate or beat it into whipped butter and spread it on waffles or pancakes you will be a happy camper)

For the nut filling:

1/2 c. (1 stick, 4 oz.) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. heavy cream
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. walnuts or pecan halves, toasted
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. chocolate chips (optional)
3 tbsp. bourbon, Irish Whisky, or spirit of your choice (optional)
sea salt, for finishing (optional)

For the crust:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Grease a 9 x 13″ baking pan.  Beat the butter and brown sugar together in an electric mixer on medium-high speed until well-mixed and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.  Mix in the salt.  Add the flour one cup at a time, beating well after each addition, stopping the mixer every once in a while to scrape down the sides of the bowl.  The mixture should form a slightly crumbly dough.  Press the dough into the prepared pan and smooth evenly to about 1/4″ thick.  Prick the dough all over with a fork so that steam can escape.  Chill the dough for 20 minutes until firm, then bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.  Allow to cool completely at room temperature.

For the filling:

Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.  Combine the butter, brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan.  Cook over medium-high heat, stirring until butter is melted and sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil.  Allow the mixture to boil for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.  Stir in the salt, nuts, vanilla extract, and bourbon (if using).

Sprinkle the chocolate chips across the cooled crust, then pour the warm walnuts (or pecans) over the crust, spreading evenly.  Sprinkle with a pinch of grated sea salt, if desired.  Bake for 18-20 minutes, then allow to cool completely at room temperature before slicing (otherwise you will have an incredibly gooey mess).  Slice into bars and serve, possibly accompanied by ice cream?  That sounds right to me.

*****

Fall and Winter tend to be my favorite seasons: I love the crisp chill in the air, I love the clothes, I love the feeling of wrapping up in a blanket, and I love it when the cats get cold and decide they need to snuggle me ALL THE TIME.  This year has seen some really lovely autumnal pieces, but I really like the unusual bronze colors I’ve seen this year.  The Eveden brands in particular seem to have really gotten into the spirit, with Freya’s glittering Ooh La La collection and Elomi’s gorgeous Imogen collection.  For our lingerie pairing, I present to you the Fan-Tastic set by Freya, just released this month.

Fan-Tastic plunge balcony bra and thong by Freya, available in sizes 28 D-GG, 30 D-H, 32-36 B-H, and 38 B-G. Thong, Short, and Brief in sizes XS-XL.

I love the unusual bronze/black stripes, paired with a whimsical fan print that almost looks like falling Autumn leaves.  I really kind of wish they’d committed more to the potential for silliness here, instead of making everything so relatively subdued.  Come on, to me, fans and bronze/black stripes SCREAM 19th century old-timey saloon hall.  I’d love to have some ruffles or oversized silk bows or woven ribbon or a suspender belt or something a little more playful, maybe even a longline bra or a basque.  Go full steampunk on us, Freya!

I also wish the campaign images from this season didn’t exclusively feature models who look at best like they’re bored and at worst like they’re stoned.  Or sick with the flu.  Lingerie is fun, you guys!

Seriously, she could not look more displeased with her underwear.

Nevertheless, it’s a nicely sophisticated color scheme for Freya, available in the same padded half cup and plunge balcony shapes as the popular “Patsy” style.   Fan-Tastic is available at Figleaves and Nordstrom.

I know I don’t usually post on the weekends, but if your last-minute grocery lists look anything like mine, then you too might still be on the hunt for a Thanksgiving dessert recipe.  I present to you a rich, heady two-layer cake, chock-full of seasonal flavors and topped with a lush, creamy frosting.  Best of all?  It’s sinfully, absurdly simple.  I made mine in an electric stand mixer, because A) my mixer is green and it’s my baby and B) it’s faster, but you truly don’t need one, nor indeed, any special equipment at all.  Can you stir things in a bowl?  You can make this cake.  Which is good, because there may be one or two other dishes that require your attention this week.

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

For the cake:

2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
1 c. (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 15-oz. can pure pumpkin puree (such as Libby’s; NOT pumpkin pie filling)
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 c. all-purpose flour
3 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground ginger

For the frosting:

16 oz. cream cheese (2 8-oz. packages), room temperature
1 c. (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. confectioner’s sugar
2 tsp. ground ginger
2-3 tbsp. finely chopped candied ginger (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Grease two 9″ round cake pans; line bottom of pans with parchment paper.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.  Add the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree, and mix on medium until thoroughly combined.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  At this point the mixture may look a little curdled, and you may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, but don’t despair!  Everything’s going just fine.  With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the sifted dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl again to make sure everything’s thoroughly mixed in.

Divide the batter (it will be thicker than some cake batters, more like brownie batter) between the two prepared pans and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, until the tops are set and a tester inserted in the center of each cake comes out just barely clean.  Let cool in pans for ten minutes, then turn cakes out onto racks and peel off the parchment paper.  Let cool completely at room temperature.

To make cream cheese frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a wire whip until smooth and thoroughly combined, pausing a few times to scrape down the sides of the bowl, about 3 minutes.  Sift the confectioner’s sugar and ground ginger together directly onto the butter/cream cheese mixture, then mix on low speed until most of the sugar is mixed in.  Add the vanilla extract and beat the frosting on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes more.

Spread about 1 1/2 c. frosting evenly on top of one cake layer; top with the second layer.  Frost the top and sides of cake with remaining frosting, garnishing with finely chopped candied ginger if desired.

Serves about 15, possibly more depending on how thin your slices are.  Can be made 1-2 days ahead; keep refrigerated in an air-tight container until a few hours before serving, then bring to room temperature.  Enjoy!

Picking up where we left off yesterday, today I want to share some of the beautiful lingerie that’s caught my eye that will fit those of you who wear cup sizes on the lower end of the spectrum.  While some pieces will come in a wider size range, I’ve tried to make sure most will cover sizes in the A-D cup range, with a few that go smaller or fuller.  There is just SO MUCH GOOD STUFF out there right now, you guys.  Seriously, I know I said this with the full-bust and the full-figure holiday lists too, but it was SUPER HARD to narrow this post down to just a few items.

1.  ”Georgina” by Affinitas

I’m really into these little bows right now.  Stella McCartney has a super pretty bodysuit with little bows all over it, and I love Affinitas’ simpler, sweeter take on the trend with their bra-and-panty version.  It’s a great example of a non-boring neutral, and I can see it being worn simply for a casual day or sassed up with seamed hold-ups and red lipstick.  Versatility!  Woo!

“Georgina” by Affinitas Bra ($38) and Ruffled Thong ($21). Bra sizes 32-38 B-DD, Push-Up Padded Bra sizes 32-36 A-D, 38 B-D, Thong sizes S-XL. (Image via Dollhouse Bettie)

2. “Arpege” by Huit

Oh Huit, I love everything you do.  Even the sets that I pass by on the first go-around sneak up on me with their loveliness.  Case in point: the black version of “Arpege”.  I first noticed the style when it came out in a bold, sunshine yellow, but now that I’ve taken a second look at the black version, it’s really winning me over.  It offers a gorgeous, non-frilly take on lace and features one of the most beautiful high-waist briefs around.

“Arpege” by Huit Half-Cup Bra ($74) and High-Waist Panty ($58). Half-cup bra sizes 30-36 B-E, “Magic Air” plunge bra in sizes 30-36 A-DD. Knicker in sizes XS-XL.

3.  ”Pandora” by Damaris

This is ridiculously cute.  Ridiculous.  Delicate pink silk tulle, red silk tassel trim.  I have nothing else to say.  It’s divine.  If you’re gonna go the luxury route, please get this and swish around in it for me.

“Pandora” by Damaris Non-Underwire Tassel Bra (£94.00), Tassel Thong (£75.00), Tassel Suspender (£89.00), Babydoll (£219.00) and Classic Knicker (£81.00). All in sizes S-L.

4.  ”Twinklebomb” by Mimi Holliday

This is ALSO ridiculously cute, and perhaps a bit more wearable and budget-friendly (relatively speaking) than the Damaris set above.  I saw this set at Curve last February, and I have to say that photos do NOT do it justice.  Those shining silver polka dots really do twinkle!

“Twinklebomb” Fully Padded Super Plunge Bra (£57.00) and Boyshort (£39.00). Bra available in sizes 28 D-FF, 30 C-FF, 32 A-F, 34 A-E, 36 A-DD, 38 B-C, boyshort in sizes XS-XL.

5. “Tallulah” by Arabel Petites

Sarah Lister’s beautiful pieces just beg us to indulge our inner sugarplum fairies.  From the sweet colors to the pretty satin bows and abundance of ruffles, this lingerie speaks my language.  She’s just released some BEAUTIFUL new knickers (the “Mia” collection), and for this holiday list I want to feature “Tallulah“, which includes a ruffled knicker, a garter belt, a simple lace bikini brief, a ruffled tutu-style suspender belt and a delicate, bow-trimmed soft bra.

“Tallulah” Bra and Knickers by Arabel Petites (£40.00/ £18.00). Bra, knickers, brief, suspenders, and garter belt all in sizes 6-20 (UK) plus custom.

6. “Silvia” by Kriss Soonik

Whenever I see Kriss Soonik’s pieces, all I can think is “ugh, these are SO. COOL.”  She uses color, cutouts, fabric, textures, and shapes incredibly creatively to create unusual, sophisticated pieces with attitude.  The beautiful new petite lingerie boutique Avariella stocks several Kriss Soonik pieces, including the “Silvia” lace bra and brief (below), as well as her signature garter tank and “Diana” robe, with cutout lace wings.

“Silvia” lace bra and brief by Kriss Soonik (£57.00/£49.00). Bra and knickers sizes S, M, L.

7. “Josette” by Lula Lu Petites

Lula Lu Petites specialize in the very petite cup sizes from AAA-B, and in addition to stocking some petite favorites like The Little Bra Company, they also produce their own namesake line.  ”Josette” was another favorite of mine from last February’s Curve, a sleek, minimalist tuxedo style rendered in soft ivory lace.

“Josette” by Lula Lu Petites ($58/32). Bra available in sizes 32-38 AAA-A, thong in sizes XS-L

8. “Emerald DeVille” by Kiss Me Deadly

Fierce. I will always, always love green lingerie, and this whole set is KILLER (see what I did there?).

“Emerald DeVille” by Kiss Me Deadly (£44.00/ £25.00/ £79). Bra sizes 32-38 B-DD, Brief and Suspender Skirt sizes S-XL.

9. “Jardin Imperial” by Maison Close

Less is often more when it comes to lingerie, and the way the cups of this Maison Close bra are pared back to the barest veil of gold-flecked Leavers lace, allowing the bow at the center gore to stand alone against bare skin, is staggeringly sexy.

“Jardin Imperial” by Maison Close ($87/67). Available in sizes 32-36 B-D

10.  ”Entice Alexa” by Figleaves Boudoir

Another fantastic set from Figleaves Boudoir!  Figleaves has been totally bringing it lately, and I love that they offered this fun strappy style in red as well as in black.  It’s like YOU’RE the present, all wrapped up in this pretty (and relatively wallet-friendly!) set.

“Entice Alexa” by Figleaves Boudoir. Soft Bra ($30), Thong ($25), Brief ($28), Suspender ($28), Body ($47), and Chemise ($59), all available in Black or Red. Bra, body, and knickers in sizes XS-L, chemise in sizes 8-18 (UK)

What do you think?  Did any of these make it to your list?  I have some more holiday suggestions coming this week, so stay tuned!

Because let’s be real: you made a brand-new person, and you should have nice things.

1.  ”Show Off” in Vanilla by Hotmilk

This cotton-lined set is surprisingly subdued, compared to some of Hotmilk’s past offerings, but I think the raspberry accents against the creamy white base are so pretty and sweet.

“Show Off” in Vanilla by Hotmilk ($57.95). Sizes 32-38 D-H (UK cup sizes)

2.  ”Anastasia” by You! Lingerie

I fell in love with You! Lingerie after seeing their unbelievably charming and delightful runway show at lingerie fashion week.  The brand’s use of color is just perfect, particularly some of the blue sets like this robin’s egg blue “Anastasia” plunge bra with sexy black straps and signature hot pink bows.

“Anastasia” on the Lingerie Fashion Week runway with Uyo Okebie-Eichelberger, founder of You! Lingerie

“Anastasia” by You! Lingerie ($42). Sizes 32-38 B-H (US cup sizes)

3. Twilight Chemise by HOTmilk

I really can’t get enough of navy with black lace right now.  I’ve seen it from Miss Mandalay, Hips and Curves, and a few other popular brands, and here Hotmilk gets in on the trend with this lovely, comfy-looking nursing nightie.

“Twilight” nightie by Hotmilk ($79.00). Sizes S-2XL.

4. “Ginger Macaroon” by Cake Lingerie

Welp, everything about this chemise, including the name, is perfect, and if I were in fact nursing an infant I might never want to take it off.

“Ginger Macaroon” nursing chemise by Cake Lingerie ($97.50 at Butterfly Collection Lingerie). Available in sizes S-2XL.

5.  ”Black Licorice” by Cake Lingerie

I love this sassy windowpane plaid, rendered in striking black and white.  It’s grown-up without feeling musty or staid.

“Licorice” underwire maternity bra by Cake Lingerie ($59). Sizes 32-40 C-GG (UK)/C-J (US)

6.  The Mimi Holliday Maternity styles: Bon Bon Noir, Dotty L’Amour, Dotty Nuit, Bisou Bisou Rose

I’ve made no secret of my love for Mimi Holliday, with their stunning colors and fantastic size and style range, and I’m thrilled that in addition to the dozens of other bra and knickers styles they offer, they’ve now added four beautiful silk and lace nursing bras.  The bras coordinate perfectly with the rest of the range, which means you can get a bra to match your silk knickers even once your breastfeeding days are behind you.  The initial size range is smaller than their impressive A-GG cup sizes featured in other collections, but hopefully once these styles gain ground we can expect to see a size expansion.  I love that they picked collections that range from sweet to sultry, and that they included their always-popular Bisou Bisou eyelash lace collection too!

“Dotty L’Amour” silk satin maternity bra by Mimi Holliday ($95.85). Sizes 32-36 D-FF (UK cup sizes)

“Dotty Nuit” silk satin maternity bra by Mimi Holliday ($95.85). Sizes 32-36 D-FF (UK cup sizes)

“Bon Bon Noir” silk satin maternity bra by Mimi Holliday ($95.85). Sizes 32-36 D-FF (UK cup sizes)

“Bisou Bisou Rose” silk satin maternity bra by Mimi Holliday ($95.85). Sizes 32-36 D-FF (UK cup sizes)

More holiday lingerie to come later this week!  Is your list as long as mine by now?

So, look, as lovely as it is to receive bras and bra-sized things as gifts, sizing can be a source of anxiety for both the gift-giver and the recipient.  Sometimes it can take a few tries to find the right size in a new style for ourselves, let alone for someone else!  With that in mind, today’s post focuses on some lovely holiday pieces that offer a little more flexibility in terms of fit, beginning with hosiery and ending with some just-for-fun goodies.

LEGWEAR

1.  All-Over Heart Stockings from Hips and Curves

I love these fun heart print hold-ups (according to the product description they can be worn without a garter belt) from Hips and Curves.  All right, yes, I have cheesy taste in hosiery, and yes, they’re definitely holiday-appropriate (hi Valentine’s Day), but they’d also be really fun peeking out of an otherwise all-black ensemble.

All-Over Heart Print Stay Up Stockings from Hips and Curves ($16.95). Available in sizes 1/2X, 3/4X, and 5/6X.

2.  Glimmer Thigh Highs by StockinGirl (made in the USA)

I’ll mention StockinGirl again in a bit, but I had to share these beautiful hold-ups.  Not only are they super-festive and shimmery, but they’re also made in the USA and are available in both average and plus sizes!  I’d love a pair in light gold to go with my New Year’s Eve dress.

Liza Metallic Sparkle Lace Top Thigh Highs by StockinGirl ($21.00). Available in sizes Small-Medium, Medium-Large, Queen 1, Queen 2, in black, silver, platinum, ivory, light gold, and white.

3.  Disco Holdups by Figleaves Boudoir

These unusual, gleaming embellished holdups are so striking!  They remind me a little of the ultra-gorgeous Bebaroque stockings, only more wearable and much more attainably priced.

“Disco 20 Denier Sheer Holographic Hold Up” by Figleaves Boudoir ($38.00). Available in sizes Small, Medium, and Large.

3.  Customized Stockings from StockinGirl

After discovering that I could have my name put on my stockings at StockinGirl, I’m now kind of obsessed with personalization and customization.  StockinGirl offers a great selection of really cute and (discreetly) holiday-themed stockings and hold-ups, topped with snowflakes, holly, and other signs of the season.  Check out the full selection of custom stockings here.

Christmas Treet Accented Stockings or Thigh Highs by StockinGirl ($33.99). Available as thigh highs in sizes S/M and M/L; as stockings in sizes S, M, L. Available in black, red, grey, white, beige, and chocolate.

Bow-Topped Thigh Highs by StockinGirl ($21.99). Available in sizes S/M and M/L in black, white, or red with bows in black velvet, red velvet, or gold shimmer.  Wait, maybe THESE are my NYE stockings.  Decisions, decisions.

“Holly Mistletoe Top Sheer Stockings” from StockinGirl ($29.99). Available in sizes S-2XL.

5.  Jonathan Aston Stardust Backseam Tights

These great semi-opaque tights look sedate from the front and sassy from the back, with a beautiful shimmery backseam.

Stardust Metallic Backseam Tights by Jonathan Aston ($19.66). Available in black/bronzer or black/silver in sizes A/B and B/C.

LOUNGEWEAR

I read somewhere recently that some ridiculous amount, like 80-90%, of all pajamas and robes sold in any given year are sold in the month before Christmas.  Feel free to quote those incredibly specific, fact-checked statistics.  Nevertheless, loungewear makes SUCH nice gifts: we’re heading into the coldest time of year (at least in the northern hemisphere), they’re fairly easy to guess at, size-wise, and who doesn’t love a good robe?  So snuggly and comfy!  Speaking of which:

1.  Fleece Bettie Robe by Betty Blue’s Loungerie

This might be the greatest fleece robe I’ve ever seen in my life.  It’s cut to the same pattern as BBL’s absolutely stunning peach satin peignoir, but it’s in fleece, and therefore both warm AND sassy.

“Fleece Bettie Robe” by Betty Blue’s Loungerie (£220.00). Available in sizes X-Small through X-Large.

2.  “Susan Motion Fishnet” reversible body by Kriss Soonik Loungerie

Remember how earlier this week I said I thought everything Kriss Soonik makes is just so cool?  That opinion still stands.  The body below is fully reversible, so you can style it in multiple ways, and more importantly I can’t even handle how awesome the juxtaposition of punk, edgy fishnet with the sweet, cutesy puffed sleeves and bow is.  Just perfect.

“Susan Motion Fishnet” reversible body by Kriss Soonik Loungerie (€139). Available in sizes S, M, L.

3.  “Cherie” Teddy by Kiss Me Deadly

I’ve heard from a reliable source (i.e. Julia Lambert) that this teddy is the perfect thing to chill out in after work, drinking a whisky and petting your giant orange cat.  It’s available in pink and black at Kiss Me Deadly, but this cheery, zingy red with glittery black lace is available exclusively at Joanna’s Wardrobe.

“Cherie” Teddy in Claret by Kiss Me Deadly (£59.00). Claret is available exclusively at Joanna’s Wardrobe.

4. Stretch Satin Lace Trim Cami Set from Hips and Curves

My love for navy/black combos knows no bounds.

“Stretch Satin Lace Trim Cami Set” (on sale for $29.95) at Hips and Curves. Available in Navy, Red, Lilac, and Black in sizes 1-4X

5.  Soft Lace Trim Robe from Hips and Curves

As much as floofy robes will always win my heart, sometimes you just want something comfy and snuggly to curl up in.  This robe looks incredibly comfy, while maintaining a cool, elegant air.

“Super Soft and Comfy Lace Trim Robe” from Hips and Curves ($59.95). Available in sizes 1/2X, 3/4X, 5/6X.

6. Jacqueline Slip by Angela Friedman

I’ve seen this sucker in person, and I’ve got to tell you: it’s stunning.  The hammered silk satin has beautiful dimension and sheen to it, and the delicate lace bow-shaped cut-out perfectly walks the line between holiday whimsy and elegant luxury.

“Jacqueline” Slip by Angela Friedman ($215). Available in sizes XS-L.

7.  Rib Vest PJ Top by Bravissimo

Bravissimo’s PJ tops offer wire-free support for sleeping and lounging.  This (fairly basic, admittedly) tank top covers a much wider size range than I’d seen from them before, in band sizes 28-38 and “cup” sizes D-E through HH-J.

“Rib Vest Top” in Berry by Bravissimo (£30.00). Available in sizes 28-38 D-E, F-G, GG-H, HH-J.

8.  Belle de Nuit Robe by Fleur of England

Fleur does color so well I feel almost guilty including a black piece, but is it not just the most glamorous thing you’ve ever seen?  Be sure to check out the rest of the Belle de Nuit collection, especially the amazing silk tulle and guipure bodysuit.

Belle de Nuit Luxury Silk Robe by Fleur of England (£455.00). Available in sizes S/M (8/10 UK) and M/L (12/14 UK)

LINGERIE ACCESSORIES

1.  “Ume” Kimono Silk Pasties by Karolina Laskowska

Karolina Laskowska is still a student, but her amazing harnesses and strappy lingerie pieces have already gained a huge following.  Her newest collection features a mix of French Leavers lace and some stunning pieces crafted from vintage kimono silk, including a selection of one-of-a-kind nipple pasties.

Ume silk nipple pasties by Karolina Laskowska (£50).

2.  “Megan” Garter by Hopeless Lingerie

Hopeless makes some incredibly awesome strappy lingerie pieces and knickers, and this garter, made of fully adjustable straps of satin elastic, is a great way to embrace a slightly kinkier lingerie aesthetic without worrying about precise sizes.  I would totally wear this pole dancing.  In case you wondered.

“Megan” garter by Hopeless (AUS$48, or $80 for a pair).

3.  Plum Silk Gift Set by Ayten Gasson

Ayten Gasson makes very pretty, classic lingerie pieces in richly colored silk, all designed and made in the UK.  These boxed gift sets feature a side-tie silk knicker (which gives some flexibility in terms of sizing) and a beautiful silk and lace eye mask.

Plum Silk Gift set (side-tie knicker and eye mask) by Ayten Gasson (£49.00). Available in sizes S, M, L.

4.  Marabou Puff by Faire Frou Frou

I want one of these with A FIERY PASSION, and I know Gus would just eat it.

Faire Frou Frou Marabou Powder Puff ($60). Available in White, Pink, or Black.

5.  “Villa Satine” Lace-Up Cuffs by Maison Close

I think these are so gorgeous, and so, so sexy.  You can wear them with just your lingerie, of course, but I think they’d be so tantalizing peeking out from the sleeve of an otherwise discreet ensemble.

“Villa Satine” Lace Cuffs by Maison Close ($63.53).

6.  Linden Lingerie Wash by Journelle

In addition to their beautiful boutiques stocked with gorgeous high-end lingerie, Journelle offers their own in-house lingerie wash that smells like linden flowers or, according to some, heaven.

“Linden Lingerie Wash” by Journelle ($12.00 for 16 ounces)

7.  Velvet Hot Water Bottle by Ruby & Ed

For all those times you’re staying at an aristocratic house party in the 1930s and you need to “refill your hot water bottle” in the middle of the night, i.e. sneak down to the kitchen and canoodle with the mysterious stranger who arrived unannounced before dinner with a look of adventure in his/her eyes.  Or for when you’re, you know, cold.

Velvet Hot Water Bottle by Ruby & Ed ($62). Available in Orchid Pink (pictured) or Ruby.

8.  Lingerie Cookie Cutters

Because obviously.

Bra and Panty Cookie Cutter Set ($16.95). Click the picture for more, including corsets, stockings, and marabou slippers!

“Betty” plunge bra in turquoise. 34 G-HH, 36-42 D-HH, 44 D-G, 46 D-DD. Matching brief M-4XL.

In discussing Elomi previously on the blog I’ve mentioned that for a while I kept forgetting I could wear the brand!  I’ve only grown into their size range in the last year and a half or so, so even though Elomi has been a major player (or indeed, one of the only players) in the full-figure/full-bust market, they feel like a new brand to me!  Their last few seasons have been particularly strong, even daring, from a design and style point of view, so I was eager to begin trying the different styles to find my best fit.  I recently had the opportunity to visit Eveden’s New York City showroom (Eveden is the parent company for Freya, Fauve, Fantasie, Elomi, Huit, and Goddess), and I was able to choose a set to review.  After seeing this vibrantly pretty turquoise “Betty” in person, I knew it was time to try Elomi.

[Note: while Eveden generously provided this set for review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.]

Betty is one of Elomi’s continuity ranges: the bra, brief, thong, and babydoll are available year-round in black (I featured the babydoll in my 2013 Holiday Gift Guide), with seasonal colors like red, navy, and this lovely turquoise.  Later this month they’ll introduce a very pretty blush pink version as an additional continuity color, at which point I plan to buy it immediately to wear as my personal “nude” bra.  It’s fairly classic, as far as design goes: unpadded seamed mesh cups trimmed with embroidery, but the oversized roses and whimsical polka dots add a touch of sass and pep.

I requested a bra in the size I usually take in Eveden, Panache, and Bravissimo bras, plus briefs in my usual Panache size (I tend to size down in Freya and Bravissimo, as those brands’ knickers run large on me).

Appearance

“Betty” is a classic four-part seamed plunge bra, with a side panel for support and forward projection.  It closes with three rows of three columns of hooks-and-eyes, and the straps are fully adjustable.  The brief offers more coverage than some other Eveden briefs, rising to just below my navel.  Both pieces are trimmed with fuchsia satin bows.

THIS COLOR, Y’ALL.  It is luscious.  I feel so, so pretty in it, and I can imagine it suiting women with a wide variety of complexions and hair colors.  I love that the embroidery is a contrasting fuchsia, instead of pale pink or white: it’s much more striking, and in my personal case it’s more flattering.

Here you can really see the seams that go into shaping the cup.

Few Elomi bras are really designed to create or showcase cleavage, and this bra is no exception.  It’s a plunge bra in the sense that the center gore is quite low and won’t show under a v-neck shirt or button-down, but it definitely downplays cleavage.  I tend to prefer this as my personal style, so I’m very happy with it, but for women who prefer dizzying, dazzling cleavage, this may not be the bra for that.

Fit

I found my usual bra size was absolutely spot-on.  The band feels firm, smooth, and secure on the loosest set of hooks, all my breast tissue is encased in the cups with no digging, and the center gore tacks beautifully.  I do find, as a rule, that the wires on the Elomi bras I’ve tried are a bit wide for me, and they seem to angle back under my arms much more than is necessary.  It’s not a fit deal-breaker, because the shape and support aren’t compromised, but I do notice it when I switch to an Elomi bra after wearing, say, a Panache Jasmine.  I keep feeling like I want to tug the wires forward to the front of my body.  The cups are surprisingly deep and offer a lot of projection for a plunge shape, which really delights me.  My only fit complaint is that the embroidered edge of the cups is a bit rigid, so occasionally I find that by the end of the day I get a little bit of digging there (the wide wires pulling the cup back around my body don’t help, and they deter me from wanting to size up to fix the digging), but in general I get a secure, supportive fit with a surprising amount of uplift.

I’m glad I went with my “usual” size for the briefs, as they feel more true to the market than Freya’s.  I love the higher rise: it’s insanely, wildly comfortable, and I find it more personally flattering.  I will note that the briefs are ever-so-slightly roomy in the hips, which is good news for women who have fuller hips and rears than I do (my lower half is not nearly as curvaceous as my top half).

Comfort

From the first day I wore this bra I was hooked.  It’s sturdy, supportive, pretty, and flattering.  The wide straps don’t dig painfully at my shoulders, and the deep band provides stability while dispersing the weight of my fuller breasts across a greater surface area.  I sometimes find that bras from Panache or Freya have a very rigid bottom edge to their bands, and they can really dig in and hurt as the day goes on.  Betty’s band, by contrast, seems to stretch uniformly throughout, and it’s incredibly, incredibly comfortable.  I do find, as I’ve heard  others do too, that the bottom edge of the band curls up and flips over on itself as the day goes on, and there’s no amount of repositioning or fiddling I can do to get it to uncurl and lie flat.  Some of that is just the fact that I have some extra fluff around my ribcage, but considering Elomi designs their bras for customers like me, I kind of want to tell them to look into it.

Overall, I can really see why Betty has been such a winner for Elomi.  It’s a beautiful bra that gives great shape, plenty of lift, and lets me wear some super plunging necklines without compromising on bra fit.  While I wish the wires weren’t quite as wide on the sides and that the embroidery wasn’t as prone to digging, I nevertheless highly recommend this bra for the full-figure/full-bust customer, and I can’t wait to add another color to my collection next year!

Betty is available at Figleaves, Nordstrom, Bare Necessities, Karnation Lingerie, Breakout Bras, Townshop, Big Girls Bras, and more.

For more reviews of “Betty”, check out these great bloggers!

Fuller Figure Fuller Bust
The Lingerie Addict
The Full-Figured Chest
Rock the Curves
Fussy Busty
Curvy Wordy

A chocolate cookie crumb crust, vanilla-scented mascarpone cream filling, and a tart, spicy cranberry topping?  Okay then.

Seriously, this is SUCH a holiday-friendly dessert.  You make everything ahead of time and scatter some crystalized ginger over the top before serving, meaning you don’t have to be running around the kitchen frantically before dessert; you can just linger and enjoy your evening.  It’s red (festive!), it shines (the cranberries) and sparkles (the ginger), and it feels decadent and fancy without being heavy or complicated.  I made it for Thanksgiving this year, during which my friends Agent Sidney Bristow and her husband Jackie Chan and I watched Game of Thrones and gave thanks that we were none of the characters therein.

Cranberry Topping:

1/2 c. unsweetened cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail), divided
1 tsp. unflavored gelatin
1 12-oz. bag fresh or frozen cranberries
3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
Pinch of salt
4 tbsp. finely chopped crystallized ginger

Crust:

1 1/4 c. chocolate wafer cookie crumbs (made from about 6 1/2 oz. cookies, finely ground in a food processor. You can use Nabisco chocolate wafer cookies, if you can find them, but I could only find chocolate Teddy Grahams, which worked out just fine)
1/4 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
5 to 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Mascarpone Filling:

1 8- oz. container mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. chilled whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Thin strips of crystallized ginger (optional garnish)

Pour 1/4 c. of the cranberry juice into a small bowl or ramekin and sprinkle the gelatin over it.  Set aside for 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine the cranberries, the remaining 1/4 c. cranberry juice, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated ginger, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.  Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes.  Strain the juice into a bowl, reserving the cranberries.  Stir the gelatin mixture into the hot cranberry juice, then add the cranberries back into the mixture and stir.  Cover and chill for at least 8 hours, and up to 2 days ahead of time.  Once the mixture is cold and thickened, stir in the chopped crystallized ginger.

For the crust:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, stirring until the coookie crumbs are thoroughly coated with butter.  Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9″ tart pan with a removable bottom.  Bake for about 14 minutes until set, then cool completely at room temperature.

For the mascarpone filling:

Combine the mascarpone, powdered sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat on medium speed until thickened and soft peaks form (note: this takes less time than you think, and you’ll want to watch it carefully, because if you over-beat it the mixture will curdle.  Go slow and stop to test it frequently).

Spread the mascarpone filling in the cooled crust, smoothing the surface.  Spoon the cranberry mixture over the mascarpone and gently spread evenly.  Chill the tart for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours before serving.  Top with thin slices of crystallized ginger, if desired.  Serves about 8-12.

Mmmmm.

*****

For our lingerie pairing, I have to tip my hat to both Undie Gamer and That Je Ne Sais Quoi for bringing the amazing label Fortnight Lingerie to my attention.  This Canadian lingerie brand has an amazing look all its own that feels both retro and incredibly modern and chic.  Beloved by women with petite busts, there are several styles that are also available in the smaller end of the full-bust size range.  While there are some truly stunning pieces in the new holiday collection, like this lovely soft silver and lace bodysuit and this stunning slip featuring my beloved navy/black lace combo, I adore Fortnight’s non-wired longline bras with all my being.

“Vega” Longline Bra and Brief in Wine by Fortnight. Available in sizes 32-36 A, 30-36 B-DD, 30-34 E, and 30-32 F. [Note: many reviewers have commented that these bands are quite firm and slightly small, so you may want to size up in the band]

You know when you’ve just found a dress you love that you can wear to that special event, and it makes you feel fabulous, and then you realize your bra straps show/you need a strapless bra/you need a plunge bra/you want shapewear/you need to buy something, anything else to make it work?  I’ve been there.  I love getting dressed up for holiday parties this time of year, but very often the dresses don’t seem to be designed with underwear in mind, particularly for those of us who wear fuller cup sizes.  Luckily, there are some great solutions out there this year, so I want to share some of my favorites!

Deco Shape by Freya

The Deco juggernaut moves along, as Freya releases color after color after color.  I think one of the best things they’ve done with this, one of their most popular yet not-exactly-thrilling styles, is to release the “Shape” collections: a multiway bra (can be worn halter-style, racerback, or as a regular bra), a strapless longline bra, a high-waist shaping brief, a short, a thong, and a strapless/convertible shaping slip, all of which use the beloved molded plunge bra as a starting point.  I reviewed the ivory version earlier this year, but I think I like the black even more.  I’m short-waisted enough that the high-waist brief rises up to meet the band of the longline bra, essentially making a two-part basque.  Of all the D+ strapless bras I’ve tried, the Deco is my favorite; I just wish Freya would put sturdier side bones in (I find mine bend fairly easily), and I SO wish they would put boning in the bands of their longline bras to keep them from rolling up!

“Deco Shape” Multiway Plunge Bra by Freya. 28 D-G, 30 D-GG, 32-36 B-GG, 38 B-G. High-Waisted Brief sizes XS-2XL.

“Deco Shape” Molded Strapless Slip. Sizes 32-36 D-GG.

“Deco Shape” Molded Strapless Longline Bra. Sizes 28 D-G, 30 D-GG, 32-36 B-GG, 38 B-G.

Satine Nouveau Basque by Bravissimo

I asked for a convertible basque in my full-bust wishlist, and Bravissimo have delivered!  “Satine“, a beautiful lightly-padded plunge bra available up to a UK J-cup (which is a US M-cup), is one of Bravissimo’s most popular styles, and I love the multiway “Satine Nouveau” basque they’ve created for this Winter.  This would make a fabulous, streamlined option underneath a plunging halter gown as well as a stunning bedroom piece.

“Satine Nouveau” Basque and Thong by Bravissimo. Basque (£59.00) and Bra (£30.00) sizes 28-38 DD-J, Thong (£14.00) and Brief (£16.00) sizes XS-2XL.

Maria by Elomi

Available from a 32 DD up to a 42 H and a 48 E (UK sizes), the Maria basque offers one of the greatest size ranges for a strapless style I’ve ever seen.  The cups feature light boning and spacer fabric, all trimmed with gleaming, silky fabric.  I’ve heard that this can be a bit of a tricky fit, so consider trying on a few different sizes until you hit the one that works best for you.  There’s a lovely review over at the Helen of Troy Bras blog.

“Maria” Basque. 32 DD-HH, 34-40 D-H, 42 D-H, 44 D-G, 46 D-F, 48 D-E. Also available in Ivory.

“Maria” Strapless Bra. 34 G-HH, 36-42 DD-HH, 44 DD-G, 46 DD-E, 48 E.

Marilyn by Goddess

Like the “Maria” styles above, Goddess’ “Marilyn” also features light boning in the cups, which helps to shape and support fuller busts.

“Marilyn” by Goddess. Available in black and beige, sizes 34-46 B-H, 48 B-DDD (note: this bra uses US cup sizes, so an H cup = a UK FF.)

Evie Basque and Strapless Bra by Panache

While the Deco Strapless works best for me personally, it’s not necessarily for everyone.  One of my good friends much prefers Panache’s beautiful Evie style (pictured in ivory; bra also available in beige and black), available up to a UK-H cup.  I found this style to run a bit small in the cup, while she found it to run true to size, so again you may find it worth your while to try on a few different sizes in order to determine the best fit.

“Evie” bridal basque by Panache. Available in sizes 30-38 D-H (UK cup sizes)

“Evie” strapless bra by Panache, also available in black and beige. Sizes 30-38 D-H.

Masquerade: Utopia, Antoinette, and Alice

I’ll be honest: I’m not in love with Masquerade’s A/W 2013 line, nor am I in love with the campaign images.  The images seem so cold and cranky to me, and the season’s colors feel drab and half-hearted instead of sleek or sophisticated.  Nevertheless, I love that Masquerade doesn’t shy away from offering beautiful occasion pieces.  The Utopia bra brings strapless bras out of the basics territory and into the spotlight, the Antoinette basque is back (with suspenders, like I asked for, though unfortunately in an un-fun oatmeal color), and the Alice slip features a stunning embroidered deep plunge bra combined with a sexy shaping slip.  I wish Masquerade would take more of their exciting styles up to an H-cup or beyond, but for the D-G crowd they’re something really, really special.

“Utopia” Strapless Bra and Brief by Masquerade. 28-38 D-G.

“Antoinette” Basque by Masquerade. 28-38 D-G, with detachable suspenders.

“Alice” Slip by Masquerade. 28-38 D-G.

Lace Bustier by Goddess

Like the “Marilyn” strapless bra above, Goddess’ lace bustier features light boning in the cup, the better to shape and support heavier breasts.  I can’t be 100% sure but I’m almost positive I had one of these as a teenager, and it worked really, really well.  It’s also available in band sizes from 34-50, a wonderfully wide size range.

Goddess Lace Bustier, available in black, white, and ivory. Sizes 34-50 B, C, D, DD, F, FF (I have NO idea why they’ve done the cup sizes like this. It translates to B, C, D, DD, DDD, G in US sizes (as it does at J.C. Penney, to which I’ve linked), B, C, D, E, F, G in European sizes, and B, C, D, DD, E, F in UK sizes. Good luck)

Ultimate Strapless by Wonderbra

I haven’t tried this bra myself, but Busts 4 Justice gives it rave reviews!  This bra features “hand”-shaped technology in the cups, designed to look and feel like your breasts are being lifted up.  It also features more of a plunging neckline and a slightly lower back, which can be really hard to find over a DD cup.  I’ve heard from some women who struck out with both Panache and Freya and found their best fit with Wonderbra, so if you’ve been searching, consider giving this style a try.

“Ultimate Strapless” by Wonderbra. Available in sizes 30-38 DD-G, in Ivory/Beige, Black/Beige, Black, and Beige.

What do you think?  I hope these are helpful for those of you looking for party dress solutions.  Have you tried any of these styles before?  Any big plans for the end of the year?  Anyone know of a good New Year’s Eve event in NYC for three single ladies who have awesome dresses but as of yet no actual plans?  I’m asking for a friend.

Argh, I did this totally backwards, didn’t I?  I talked about the underwear to go with your party dress before I talked about the dresses themselves.  And there are some CUTE party dresses out there right now for ladies with full busts.  I had a terrible time coming up with a concise list (not really a surprise), so I’m going to try to pick one dress per boutique or retailer, but I strongly urge you to check out each store individually to see what other goodies catch your eye.

1.  ”Down to a Pine Art Dress” by Stop Staring! for Modcloth

“Down to a Pine Art Dress” ($167.99, certain sizes) by Stop Staring! at Modcloth. Available in sizes XS-1X.

“Down to a Pine Art Dress” ($189.99, certain sizes) by Stop Staring! at Modcloth. Available in sizes 16-26.

Eff me, I freaking love this dress.  The color, the cut, the phenomenal size range– every bit of it.  Please get in my closet, you sassy green beauty.

2.  ”Faye Floral Doll” Dress by Collectif

“Faye Floral Doll Dress” by Collectif (£115.00). Available in sizes 6-22 and 1X-4X.

I can’t even talk about Collectif’s coats, because I love them so much it kind of hurts me.  This one is like a coat for a grown up Samantha doll, SO BASICALLY EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WANTED.  It makes me want to weep.  We are star-crossed lovers, fated never to be together.  Stupid awesome amazing coat.  Anyhoo, since I can’t have it for reasons of size-sold-out-edness and limited-wallet-edness, let’s look at this lovely little black dress, available in a fantastic range of sizes (both standard sizes and plus sizes) with a pretty sheer neckline and a classic retro cut.

3.  ”Spot Sweetheart Prom Dress” by Pepperberry

“Spot Sweetheart Prom Dress” by Pepperberry (£85.00). Available in sizes 8-18 Curvy, Really Curvy, and Super Curvy (dress sizes are UK sizes)

I’m still waiting for Pepperberry to really blow me away with their party dresses (I want a knockout, classic strapless dress in a truly sexy shape, for starters), and this year, as is often the case, I had design nitpicks over almost every dress (bear in mind I’m super picky about my clothes).  I crossed my fingers and ordered this one, and I’m very pleased with it.  It’s like I’m wearing a dress that has been custom-made to fit my boobs.  I wish I had a little more room in the back, and I wish there were more dress choices that didn’t have such high waists (or that were longer than 105 cm), but otherwise this is my dress for this year’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties.

I’ll throw in some quick review-y type things: I expected the spots to be more brilliantly gold, and when I opened the box I was disappointed to find them more muted (an almost dull, silvery gold rather than a bright yellow gold), and then I decided I liked them again once the dress was actually on– it’s a little more versatile this way.  There’s a lovely mini tulle crinoline built into the dress, and the acetate lining feels very silky and soft (although I’d prefer an all-natural fiber for a lining).  I find Pepperberry’s clothes to run a bit large, which is a blessing to full-bust women on the border of standard and plus size.  I ordered two sizes, one that I think of as my “usual” UK size, and one a size down, and I kept the smaller one.  I do find the sleeves a bit constricting, in that I don’t want to lift my arms over my head, but I don’t really anticipate needing to bust a move in it, so I should be just fine.  It’s a lovely dress in a flattering shape, and the quality is really fantastic.

4.  ”Gatsby Fringe Dress” in Red by Laura Byrnes for Pinup Girl Clothing

Just STOP IT, Dress. Stop being so freaking awesome. “Gastby Fringe Dress” in red by Pinup Girl Clothing ($130), available in sizes XS-3X.

I CANNOT HANDLE THIS.  I’ve heard so much hand-wringing over the years about how curvy girls should avoid ruffles and fringe for fear of looking (gasp) bigger, and this dress is just like, “HA, EFF THAT.  DRINK IT IN, Y’ALL.”  It’s magnificent.  It is adorable.  It is red and sassy.  I would swish my way all over the place if I owned this dress, and I would applaud any lady I saw at a party wearing it, because I’d be pretty sure that lady would rule.  Dang, this is a slammin dress.  And seriously, y’all need to look at the rest of Pinup Girl’s holiday store (tomorrow’s the last day for 15% off!!), because it is all so glamorous and awesome.

5.  ”Splendor Dress” by Bettie Page Clothing

“Splendor” dress by Bettie Page Clothing (currently $109). Available in sizes XXS-4X

Bettie Page Clothing stole my heart with their incredible Alika dress, which I’ve seen look absolutely lovely on so, so many different full-bust women.  Some of the other shapes are more or less bust-friendly, and it’s definitely worth trying on a few different sizes, but in general I love the cheeky retro styles.  This beautiful “Splendor” dress screams classic old Hollywood, and I can see it working equally well for an occasion like New Year’s Eve or a more formal (possibly corporate) occasion.

6.  ”Lena Dress” by Trashy Diva

“Lena” Dress by Candice Gwinn for Trashy Diva ($209). Available in sizes 2-18.

Oh Trashy Diva, I love your designs, but I am having a terrible time finding a good fit.  I have the “Jenny” dress in red with short sleeves, and even ordering a different Jenny dress gave me size/quality issues.  That aside, the designs continue to impress and dazzle.  Over at The Full-Figured Chest, Holly has been running a great series examining the relative full-bust-friendliness of some of the different Trashy Diva cuts and styles, and the new arrivals on the website are truly, truly gorgeous.  Take this fantastic “Lena” dress, in an unusual light olive shade trimmed with gleaming gold and pearl embellishments.  It’s festive, retro, and alluring all at once.  I worry a teensy bit about the color with my hair/skin tone, but there’s a coat dress that matches it that has stolen my heart.

What do you think?  Are you wearing any of these dresses this holiday season?  Any other full-bust friendly go-to stores you want to recommend?

2013 has been an interestingly mixed bag.  A burglar Spiderman-climbed into my apartment last January, and yes, I haven’t let it go and I still hate him to a degree I’d not previously thought possible.  Then again, I met so many awesome, kind, and crazy-talented people in the lingerie and fashion industries, both virtually and in real life, that their awesomeness will hopefully one day blot out the hatred from my soul and make me a kind, sunshine-filled person again.

I became a certified bra fitter thanks to Ali Cudby’s wonderful FabFit™ Academy, and if you’d asked me a mere two or three years ago if I saw THAT one coming, I’d have looked at you in no small degree of alarm.

I even fulfilled a childhood dream of making a three-tiered wedding cake, and I now feel emboldened to tackle ever bigger– wait, maybe not too much bigger, let’s say more complicated– baking projects.

I received not one, but TWO Sweet Nothings-themed handmade Christmas gifts this year, and as soon as I’m able to take pictures of them properly, I will share them.  They are glorious and I cussed a whole lot when I opened the first one, because apparently all the positive adjectives and clean language at my disposal just weren’t powerful enough to communicate the degree of my love for it.  It is THE SHIT, y’all.  See?  I can’t help it.

I very rarely make Official New Year’s Resolutions, because I have a crippling fear of failure and tend to freeze like a deer in headlights when I write down personal challenges and then attempt to overcome them [see: my dating history, the last ten years of], but I have to say that I’m really, really excited to see what happens in 2014.  I turn 30, for one thing, which I’m feeling weirdly relaxed about, and I have a tentative acting gig lined up, which will be fun/mildly terrifying, but mostly there are so many things happening in my lingerie world that I just can’t wait to see unfold and share with you.  Things like boudoir photography!  Some gorgeous custom-made lingerie from one of my favorite indie designers!  Plans for possible expansion and even a makeover for the site!  The return of Lingerie Fashion Week and the upcoming trade shows in February!  A crossing-my-fingers-for-it overseas trip!  And a certain VERY exciting announcement from my favorite new brand of 2013, coming our way in January.  Hint:

“Lolita” bra and high-waist brief with “Sara” kimono jacket by Sunday Intimates

THANK YOU to everyone who’s stopped by Sweet Nothings this year, whether you’ve read in quiet, come for the cat pictures,

Hi Gus Gus.

commented, or even argued.  I’m continually taken aback by how creative, enthusiastic, increasingly diverse, and lovely the lingerie community is, and how much damn fun I have participating in it.  Thank you to the PR reps who’ve reached out to me, the designers who’ve started conversations, the retailers who’ve asked for feedback, and the readers who’ve piped up with questions and suggestions– I have learned SO MUCH from you, and I hope your 2014 finds you well and happy.  I also hope it finds you good underwear, because obviously.

Much love,

Sweets

I haven’t done a proper Sweet Nothing Du Jour in a while, and oh man do I have a GOOD ONE for you.

Roommate and I caught up for drinks at Grand Central one Friday a few weeks before Christmas.  We lived together for our first four years in New York, as we both learned (she much more quickly than I) that maybe as much as we loved acting, we didn’t want to be actors.  I watched in admiration and she dove head-first into a new field that calls upon her to use her vast stores of compassion, intelligence, and creativity in a way that the theatre work we were getting never could.  She’s a totally amazing person who works insanely hard– I’m always dazzled when I see her.  We now live about an hour’s subway journey away from each other, and as much as I love having my own place and my own stripey furballs, I really, really miss knowing that I could come home and hang out with a totally awesome lady who would help me eat whatever I happened to bake that day.  I always cherish our visits, most of which begin with me asking how the Lily-dog is.

Lily Dog! With her Christmas bow tie.

(She’s beautiful and perfect, in case you wondered).

We sat wedged together in a packed restaurant, clutching criminally overpriced but pretty damned delicious cocktails, and we watched the holiday light display in the terminal windows.  We caught up on each other’s lives and families, and made plans to try to at least wave at each other when we were both in Virginia.  We talked about some of the ups and downs of our chosen careers, of our hobbies and friends, and of homemade Christmas presents, and how inevitably you wind up with at least a few that are tragic disasters but a majority of which turn out okay.  As we collected our bags and prepared to descend into the chaos of rush hour commuting, she said to me, “Oh, by the way, speaking of homemade Christmas presents, would you mind if your present was … Sweet Nothings-themed?”

For the record, the answer to this question is always no.  No, I wouldn’t mind at all.

A week or so later I went to Brooklyn to watch Little Women with her (our NYC holiday tradition, although we couldn’t get the DVD player to work so then we HAD to watch Pride & Prejudice on Netflix instead, because her boyfriend was out and because DUH), and she handed me a wrapped Christmas present.  This in and of itself is notable, because she’s more than a little famous for wrapping my gifts in a pillowcase about 30 seconds before presenting them to me, so I knew there was something magical inside.  I carefully unwrapped it to find THE GREATEST BAG EVER:

EEEEEEEEE.

It’s a homemade bra-and-cupcake tote bag.  I KNOW.  I literally ran out of positive words and expressions to convey the depth of my emotions about this bag, so I weirdly switched to negative expressions and swears (“Oh my god, it’s so amazing I HATE IT”, “fuck me this bag is the shit”, “this is so great it’s STUPID”, etc.), so Roommate, I’m really sorry if you got any mixed messages, but I LOVE IT SO MUCH.  If you see a tall brunette cruising around NYC with her one-of-a-kind bra-and-cupcake-blog-themed tote bag, you can be pretty sure it’s me.

A very happy New Year to all!  Stay warm, polar-vortex-sufferers.

I cannot BELIEVE I haven’t reviewed this bra yet. Sorry, I know it’s January and we’re all kind of sick of get-fit-now! advertorials and activewear-for-a-new-you! articles [Update: Bras and Body Image has a fantastic, compassionate post up today about how "fitspo" can be problematic], but since we’re talking about it anyway, and furthermore since it IS January and many retailers are offering special promotions on activewear, and seeing how I just bought the new red colorway on sale at Nordstrom as a Christmas-present-to-myself, let’s talk about my favorite sports bra ever: the Panache sports bra.

Panache Sport in Red, $65-68. Available in sizes 28 DD-H, 30 D-H, 32 C-H, 34-38 B-H, 40 D-GG

Appearance

Sports bras generally fall into one of two different categories: compression (the bra is designed to press your breasts against your chest wall and hold them still, with no separation between the two) or encapsulation (the bra is designed to fit more like a standard bra, with two separate cups to stabilize the breasts from all sides).  Panache’s bra is an underwired encapsulation bra, so you can put it on like you would a standard everyday bra.

The cups are molded and very smooth, so there are no seams to cause friction or chafing, and the underwires are thick, sturdy, and encased in silicon and sewn inside a thin layer of padding.  They’re designed to fit firmly and anchor to your ribcage without digging in painfully.  The band closes with three rows of three columns of hooks and eyes, and the wide, padded, partially-adjustable straps feature J-hooks to convert to a racer-back.

The molded cups give a very rounded, uplifted look, and since there are no seams, it gives a smooth, clean line under knit or stretch gym clothes.  I’ve loved almost every color they’ve released so far: there’s basic black and white for the minimalists, and then there has been a series of bold, striking color combinations, including purple, bright turquoise, an unusual raspberry/lime, and a navy/white/red combo.

Fit:

I have now tried five separate colorways of this bra, from the very first season through to the current season, and I have found the sizing consistent across the board.  I take what I think of as my “standard” size, which in general is consistent across Freya, Panache, and Bravissimo.  Some people find the cups run a bit large though, so it might be worth your while to try a few sizes if you find your size fluctuates.  Many women find that their breast tissue is fuller or denser in different places; some feel like their breasts are fuller on top, others find that they have a shallower profile on top and are fuller on the bottom.  I’m pretty full all around, so I appreciate the projection and height of the cup, but if your breasts aren’t as full on top you might find that you can size down in the cup.  It’s been my experience that the band feels very firm, almost tight, on the first wear or so, but that it becomes more comfortable after a few workouts and washes.  With a sports bra it’s a good idea to purchase the firmest band you find comfortable: your body is working harder than normal and requires all the extra support it can get, and  the fibers in the bra are getting a workout too.  Heat, perspiration, and stress all break down the Lycra in a bra, so to get the longest life out of your sports bra make sure the band is firm from the get-go.

Sigh. If there’s a bra photo in progress, Gus will try to be in it.

A note on the center gore: this bra might feel a little unusual if you’re used to regular underwire bras or to compression sports bras.  In a regular bra, the top of the center gore marks where the bra ends; the cups may slope upwards as they head out to the sides, but in the center of the bra, the end of the wires is the end of the bra.  The Panache bra is like a bra that is built into a crop top: the center gore “tacks” until about halfway up the height of the bra, and then the crop top part takes over (you can see clearly where the underwires end in the photo above).  So the center of the bra might not hug your sternum all way up your body, but as long as the base feels anchored and secure, you’ll be in business.

Comfort:

I have never found a sports bra that feels like this one does.  I’ve worn Royce (I got an odd fit and didn’t feel very supported), Freya Active (supportive with a great size range, but the wrong shape for me) and Shock Absorber (very good support in a wire-free shape, but I prefer an underwire for comfort), and while they’re excellent brands, this bra suits my body and my activity level so very well.  I am generally not a molded cup fan, but this one is great, and I really like the shape it gives me (I kind of wish some of my regular bras made my boobs look this fabulous). The wide, cushioned straps are comfortable, and the breathable fabric keeps me cool, and I LOVE the J-hook.  It is my best friend.  Racer-back bras provide phenomenal stability and support to fuller busts, particularly for cardio, but they can be a pain to put on, and they’re not for everyone.  This bra gives good support when worn either way, although I do prefer the racer-back option to ensure the straps don’t slip off my shoulders.

Is it for everyone?  Of course not!  No bra will work perfectly for every woman.  While the current size range is really impressive (Panache is a UK brand, so the cup size progression goes B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H), I still see room for improvement: there are VERY few athletic offerings for women who wear higher than an H cup and higher than a 40 or 42 band size, and I think this bra has the potential to work really well in larger cups and bands.  Some women find the cups are too tall and stiff to suit their figures, and others find the wires too wide for a good fit.  At the end of the day, it’s another reminder that the size on the tag is only part of the story.

I’ve bought this bra a total of six times since its release, a fact I don’t think I can say of a single other lingerie product on the market.  A good sports bra radically changes the way I feel about exercising and how I feel about my body while I’m exercising.  It’s my favorite bra to wear running or when I’m using an elliptical, and I really like wearing it pole dancing, because I get the support and comfort I want without sacrificing a really nice, round shape.  Plus my boobs don’t fall out of my bra when I flip upside down.  So there’s that.

*****

No matter your size, if you engage in any sort of physical activity, whatever the intensity or frequency, I strongly recommend investing in a sports bra or two.  For one thing, you’ll be protecting your frilly lacy things from heat, stress, and perspiration, all of which shorten a bra’s lifespan.  More importantly, exercise exerts a lot more force on our breasts than everyday activities do.  Studies have demonstrated that when we run, the gravitational forces actually work on our breasts in sort of a figure-eight shape– you’ll find up-and-down movement, obviously, but also side-to-side and circular motions.  There is no muscle in our chests that we can tone that will help our breasts hold still, so for the sake of your tender breast tissue, find a sports bra that offers you comfort, support, and stability.  In general, you’ll want to seek out a bra with a deeper band, wider straps, and fuller coverage than you might usually wear, and it will generally be made out of sturdier materials with more of a performance focus (moisture wicking, breathable, etc.).  An underwire will help the bra to hug your body, but if you do choose an underwired sports bra you want to make sure it fits really, really well– too small a cup and the wire might sit on breast tissue, not on your ribs.  Breasts are wiggly, ribs are solid– if your bra’s gonna hold still, let it sit against your ribs.

Below are some of my favorite resources for D+ sports bras and sports swimwear:

Bravissimo is currently offering £5 off all sports bras and sports swimwear through January 31.  These include bras by Freya Active, Bravissimo, Panache, and Shock Absorber, as well as swimwear from Freya, Zoggs, and Speedo, including a fabulous-looking sports swimsuit up to a J-cup.

There are a ton of great sports bras and sports swimwear in Figleaves’ current winter sale, including Freya Active, Freya Swim, Panache, Shock Absorber, Figleaves, Elomi, Royce, Anita, and more.  They’re also one of the first stockists I’ve seen to stock the Panache sports swimsuit, in case you’ve been waiting for that one.

Butterfly Collection Lingerie stocks the Panache bra as well as a front-closing bra by Enell, a fabulous, high-intensity compression sports bra with a smooth back, which some women prefer to wear for activities like yoga, pilates, or dance.

Nordstrom stocks Panache, Freya Active, and Elomi, as well as many other sports bras for the smaller-busted customer.

Breakout Bras stocks Panache, Freya, Elomi, Goddess, Enell and Royce.

*****

For more reviews of the Panache Sports Bra, check out:

A Sophisticated Pair
Anytime Yoga
Boosaurus
Bras I Hate & Love
Bra Nightmares
By Baby’s Rules
Fuller Figure Fuller Bust
Invest in Your Chest
Muscles and Curves
Obsessed With Breasts
Petite & Plentiful
Rarely Wears Lipstick
The Full Figured Chest
The Pretty Fat Fashionista
Undercover Lingerista
UndieGamer
Venusian Glow

“Ella” Brief and Bralet by Dear Kate

Dear Kate has been on my radar for a while.  The brand offers pretty, classic underwear in a range of styles from simple lace to athletic stripes, all featuring absorbent, moisture-wicking, stain-resistant linings, designed to offer extra protection when a woman might need it, say, during menstruation, exercise, pregnancy, or post-baby.

Right off the bat, before we talk about the undies themselves, I need to give a huge round of applause to whoever writes Dear Kate’s website and marketing copy.  I know this is a weird thing to start a review off with, but the fact is that whenever we start to talk about bodily fluids, particularly women’s, there’s a tendency to get very coy and twee and “tee-hee, our little secret wink-wink, let’s giggle about it over some low-calorie yogurt” about it.  Or worse to say “gasp, how embarrassing!  Avoid this hugely shaming thing by using our product!” Or even more bizarrely, to dance around the actual event (say, menstruation or incontinence) by running an ad full of now-cliched Women’s Happy Things, you know, like white pants and yoga and fields of flowers and oh-so-euphemistic “freshness”.  And more fucking yogurt.  When you pitch a product as a solution to something but you can’t even mention what the something is, it tells everyone that that something is shameful and embarrassing, and therefore that there might be something “wrong” with you if you experience it.

Dear Kate, on the other hand, is charmingly upfront (without being crude) about when a woman might want to wear a pair of their underwear.  Different landing screens pitch the undies as being good solutions for the gym, for backup during your period, for pregnancy and maternity, and for occasional mild incontinence.  The undies are designed made in New York, cut down on waste (you can skip daily disposable panty liners), and all styles offer two lining options: mini vs. full.  A mini lining will hold up to one teaspoon of liquid, and a full lining will hold up to three teaspoons, with no bulky pads.  The website is warm, judgment-free, and inviting.  I was delighted when Dear Kate reached out to offer me a pair of my choice to review.

[NOTE: While Dear Kate provided this sample for review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.]

“Amelia” hipster with full lining by Dear Kate

While I saw several styles that appealed to me, I decided to try the “Ella” style, which was introduced in 2013.

The “Ella” Collection by Dear Kate

Appearance

My personal style skews much more towards girly than towards athletic, and I was curious to see how this performance underwear would blend in with my drawers full of mesh and lace and frills and polka dots.  The answer: really well.

“Ella” briefs by Dear Kate.

The Ella briefs feature subtly detailed black mesh paired with light teal panels trimmed in dark teal ribbon.

A detail of the pretty mesh side panels.  Oh god, now I see a cat fur on them. Well, there you go: slice-of-life, Sweets-style.

Though the seat of the briefs is the same light teal, the linings are all black, to minimize stains (this goes for every pair of undies, even the beige ones, which are mercifully called beige, not nude.  Good job, Dear Kate!)

Fit

I requested what I think of as my “regular” size (in some brands, like Freya, I find the briefs consistently run large and I size down, but I stuck to my regular size with Dear Kate), and the fit is spot on (the website’s size chart is very accurate).  The briefs fit well with no digging or bagging.

See? This is how it happens. Gus can’t see a picture without photobombing it.

While the rise is higher than a bikini brief, it’s a bit lower than I like, as I find it has a tendency to roll down to accommodate my belly.  Nevertheless, the fit through the rear and hips is very nice.  My hips aren’t as curvy as my bust, and so sometimes I find that once I get a size that fits my waist, I have a little extra room in the seat, but it’s not the case here– everything feels nice and smooth.

Comfort

I requested to try the full lining, because I was curious to see what it looked like!  While the fabric feels substantially thicker than a pair of basic cotton undies, it’s still remarkably thin, soft, and smooth, especially considering it’s performance underwear.  It feels just like you’re wearing, you know, underwear: no bunching, no wrinkling, no bulky pads, and no discomfort.

I tend to use and abuse the briefs I buy to match my bras– I wear them to the gym and to dance classes, and they’re just not built for it.  Dear Kates are, and I love having an option in my drawer I can throw on with my workout gear when I know I have an intense gym session ahead of me.  In the future I’ll probably stick to the mini linings, as I don’t really need the full one– I’m not and have never been pregnant, and my menstrual cycles aren’t severe, but it’s nice to know I have backup in case something changes.

Overall I’m really impressed, both with the company and with the product.  The undies are cute, comfortable, and super functional– just all-around fantastic underwear.  I love all of the lookbook images (there’s a ballet dancer and an aerialist!), and I love that they’re beginning to introduce plus sizes into their lineup.  There are several other styles I’m considering trying, including the Margot and the Rosa, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next!

[UPDATE: Dear Kate has generously offered a discount code to readers of Sweet Nothings!  Through January 31, using the code "sweetnothings" gets you 25% off your order on Dear Kate's official site!]

“Rosa” brief by Dear Kate.

More on Dear Kate:

Official Site
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

Lately it seems that the French version of the classic macaron/macaroon cookie is getting all the love.  Don’t get me wrong: les macarons are crazy delicious– delicately flavored, tender, chewy, and light-as-air confections.  That’s all well and good, but those suckers can be super finicky to make at home.  There’s nothing especially complicated about them– egg whites and sugar and almond flour, and no super-fancy technique, but they can be fussy as regards temperature and climate and oven rack position, and, well, my oven and I are still in the midst of a come-to-Jesus over them.  I will triumph in the end, I’m sure.

While that’s happening, what about poor, neglected, amazing, coconut macaroons?  Sure, they don’t seem quite as sophisticated or polished as their chic French sisters, but they’re sweet and chewy and slightly crispy at the edges and satisfying and toothsome and lovely.  They’re also wheat-free and dairy-free, which is possibly a first for Sweet Nothings– sorry about that, my dairy-and-wheat-free brethren.  This recipe comes by way of Alice Medrich, one of my chocolate and baking idols, and she (and I) strongly recommend seeking out large flakes of unsweetened coconut, sometimes called coconut chips (I’ve found them at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s).  They’re less cloying than the regular sweetened shredded coconut you find in the baking aisle, and they make the texture so much more decadent and interesting.  I also strongly recommend topping each fresh-out-of-the-oven macaroon with a disk of dark or milk chocolate and letting it melt while the macaroon cools.  Luscious.

Adapted not even a little bit from Alice Medrich’s New Classic Macaroon recipe

4 large egg whites
3 1/2 c. unsweetened dried flaked coconut (also known as coconut chips) OR 3 c. sweetened, dried shredded coconut
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsps. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
Dark or milk chocolate disks or fèves (optional)

Whisk the egg whites, sugar, salt, and vanilla together in a metal mixing bowl, then fold in the coconut.  Place the mixing bowl directly into a skillet full of simmering water (medium-low heat).  Cook the coconut goop (technical term), stirring with a silicone spatula so the mixture doesn’t burn.  Once the mixture is hot to the touch and the egg whites have become slightly more opaque (about ten minutes or so), remove the bowl from the skillet.  Let the mixture sit at room temperature for about thirty minutes, so that the coconut has time to soak up the goop.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Portion gobs of the coconut mixture in tidy heaps on the parchment-lined baking sheets, about one heaping tablespoon per cookie (or you can use two tablespoons for larger treats, just increase the baking times a bit).  Bake the cookies for 5 minutes in the top and bottom racks of the oven, rotating the sheets and switching them on their racks halfway through the baking time.  Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, rotating and switching the pans again halfway through, until the macaroons are cream-colored in the center with golden, crisped edges and coconut tips that are dark brown.  Remove from the oven and top with chocolate immediately, if using.

Allow the macaroons to cool completely before removing from the sheets.  Makes about 25-30 macaroons.

*     *     *     *     *

For our lingerie pairing, I’m thrilled to present this lovely creamy set with dark accents by new brand Lulu Tout, exclusive to Figleaves.com.  The brand debuts with three beautiful collections, with bras in A-DD cups and DD-H cups.  The ivory, grey, and green colorways feel fresh and pretty, and while the style is reminiscent of Figleaves’ Midnight Grace “Paige” style, the size range has expanded!  I’m always excited to see new styles in such wide size ranges, especially at such modest price points.  I can’t wait to try this lovely new brand!

“Fleur Rose” bra and short by Lulu Tout. Bra ($38) available in sizes 30-36 DD-H, short ($25) and thong ($24) in sizes 8-18 (UK sizes).

Today I’m excited to kick off a week of talking about boudoir photography!  Boudoir photography (sometimes called pin-up photography) has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, I figured there was no time like right now to start some discussions about it, as well as to share my own recent personal experience.

People can choose to take boudoir photographs for a whole host of reasons, but in general the photographs feel intimate and sensual, designed to capture a subject’s sultrier side.  Some people get them as presents for their partners, others to build up modeling portfolios, and still others as an act of self-love.  Lingerie models are exceptionally beautiful people under any circumstances, but when it comes time to shoot a seasonal campaign, they have the added benefit of makeup artists, hair stylists, lighting and art directors, and talented photographers to help create an image of perfection and fantasy.  It can be hard for some of us to look at a model shot, and then at ourselves in the mirror wearing the same set, without hearing a judgmental inner voice.  Boudoir photography can give all of us access to heightened glamour that might otherwise feel unattainable, and it can help to reclaim the inner dialogue and allow us to see our beauty anew.  I’ve seen great photos that show off merely a curve of the hip, and I’ve seen great photos that tell an elaborate, fully-staged story: the possibilities are endless!

I’ve been interested in boudoir photography for a while, but it wasn’t until late in 2013 that I finally took the plunge.  I’m going to take this week to talk about some of the different parts of the experience, from styling and preparation to some tips for relaxation during the shoot, but today’s let’s begin with some notes on choosing a photographer.

****All of the images in this series feature some of my beautiful fellow lingerie bloggers.****

Model: The Lingerie Lesbian. Photographer: Michi Rezin.  Lingerie: Myla

There are several ways to go about choosing your boudoir photographer.  Many photographers have active, engaging, body-positive social media presences (I’m thinking specifically of My Boudoir in the UK), many participate in flash sales on sites like Gilt City or Groupon, and many also work in the professional headshot or wedding photography fields.  I chose my photographer because she was a friend first, and then I hired her to do some professional headshots for my media kit, and then we decided to collaborate on some pin-up and boudoir images for our mutual benefit.  Choosing a photographer from a pool of strangers, however, can be hard or nerve-wracking, so here are some tips I’ve gleaned, both from my years as an actor and as a boudoir-photography-newbie:

Rule #1 (this is the only rule): Trust your gut.  This is your guiding principle, your prime directive.  Not only are good photographs a fairly pricey investment, but everything is digital now, and the internet is forever.  Consider the quality and type of images you see in a photographer’s portfolio and make sure they suit your style, for sure, but also make sure you feel good about working with this person.  Know who has the rights to the photos.  If you want to be the sole owner of the photos, ask if the photographer will delete her files once you’ve signed off on and received the final proofs.  Be explicit about whether or not the artist can use your images in his or her portfolio.  If the images are going online anywhere, whether it’s a blog or Facebook or a website, make sure you and the photographer are in agreement about photo credits and terms of use.

Georgina Horne of Fuller Figure Fuller Bust. Photographer: Nicola Grimshaw-Mitchell LSWPP, My Boudoir. Hair/makeup: Sarah Louise Elliott.  Lingerie: Masquerade

Above all, listen to your gut if it responds uncomfortably to someone.  One time when I was headshot-photographer-shopping for acting headshots, I took a long train ride out to Brooklyn, walked many, many blocks away from a train station, climbed a narrow winding staircase, went into a nearly-abandoned warehouse, and had an interview in a loft with a popular, highly recommended headshot photographer who charged $1500/session and treated me like a country bumpkin who was wasting his time.  His pictures were absolutely gorgeous, and he did not get my money.  I did not trust him to make me feel good or confident during the shoot, first of all, and secondly I didn’t particularly trust him to respect my wishes about the use of my images.

Also trust your gut when it comes to price and quality.  If you see a deal for boudoir photography on a flash sale site and it seems too good to be true, it probably is.  I’ve seen stunning boudoir photos used to advertise a Groupon sale, only to navigate to the photographer’s website and realize that they weren’t actually her images– SHADY.  Do a bit of research and familiarize yourself with the photographer’s style, google for reviews to see who’s had a good experience with whom, ask friends who have had portraits or wedding photographs what their experiences were like, and make sure you trust that the price you’ve been quoted will yield the results you expect.

Model: Cora Harrington, The Lingerie Addict. Photographer: Edson Carlos. Lingerie: Lucy B Lingerie.

Think about the style of pictures you want.  Are they a gift for someone?  Are they for your own pleasure?  Are they for a portfolio or publication?  Are you looking to share something private and intimate with a small group of people, or do you want to create a fun fantasy-fulfilling image of yourself for your eyes only?  Are they to mark a special occasion, like an anniversary, or a pregnancy, or a birthday?  Are you interested in a setting a scene with a background and props and costumes, or do you want something simple and sleek?  See you if you can find a photographer who seems in tune with your vision.

Do try to meet, or at least correspond with, your photographer before making your decision. Some of you may be exhibitionists who love taking your clothes off, and some of you may feel intimidated by the prospect of having your picture taken at all, let alone in your undies (or less).  Check in with yourself– you don’t have to find a soul mate, but you should feel a sense of rapport and trust with your photographer.  You’ll be spending at least two hours with this person, so it’s totally fine to want to find someone you’ll ENJOY spending two hours with, you know?

Model: Caroline, Curvy Wordy. Photographer: Nicola Grimshaw-Mitchell LSWPP, My Boudoir. Hair/Makeup: Sarah Louise Elliott. Lingerie: Orchard Corset, Jeunique.

Finally, make sure you review the fine print of any package you want to purchase.  Make sure you know exactly how much money you’ll be charged, whether hair and makeup are included (many photographers (rightly) encourage this, as makeup for the camera can differ from everyday makeup, especially if you want a stylized, specific look), how many images you’ll receive, when you’ll receive them, how many looks you should plan for, where you’ll be shooting, and approximately how long it will take.  Be sure you have these details in writing– it’s in both your and your photographer’s best interests if everyone is on the same page.

Tomorrow we’ll talk a little bit about how to prepare for your shoot once you’ve booked your photographer.  If anyone else has done a boudoir or pin-up session, I’d love to hear about your experiences this week!  Any photographers you love, or any tips you’d like to share?  Share away!

Once you’ve booked your photographer and set a date, here are some suggestions for preparing ahead of time.  Once again, all of the images in the post feature some of my favorite fellow lingerie bloggers!

DRINK WATER

Now that I am 29, and therefore So Aged [sarcasm font], I’ve started to see even the littlest bit of alcohol I consume reflected in my skin and eyes.  I abstained from alcohol for a full week before each of my shoots, but whatever you choose to do, I strongly recommend avoiding booze for at least 24 hours prior to your photoshoot.  Alcohol dehydrates, can make your eyes red, interferes with your sleep, your circulation, your digestion, and all sorts of other fun stuff, and plus the camera tends to notice when everything’s not working at optimum levels.  For vanity’s sake, drink lots and lots and lots of water in the few days before the shoot.  You can have a quick nip during the shoot to steady your nerves, if you need to (read: I totally did this).  Hydrate from the inside out!

SLEEP

Try to get at least two solid nights of sleep before your shoot.  For me that means eating balanced, regular meals, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine, and getting at least 30-60 minutes of exercise during the day.  Whatever it takes– a warm bath, turning off the TV early, cleaning something, whatever– do what you need to do to make sure you’re well rested.  Your eyes and skin will thank you.

Model: Caroline, Curvy Wordy. Photographer: Nicola Grimshaw-Mitchell LSWPP, My Boudoir. Hair/Makeup: Sarah Louise Elliott. Lingerie: Orchard Corset, Jeunique.

HAIR AND MAKEUP

Many photographers will recommend (or even require) using a professional hair and makeup artist, and if you’re feeling the least bit unconfident in your skills, I really agree with them– it can alleviate a huge amount of stress and anxiety. Lots of photographers even have hair and makeup built into their pricing for convenience.  With that being said, many women (like me!) choose to do their own hair and makeup, for a variety of reasons.  If you’re going the DIY route, practice, practice, practice ahead of time.  Fire up your Netflix queue, or turn on some music, turn on all the lights, and spend a couple of hours playing with your hair and testing makeup techniques.

Model, Hair/Makeup: Jessica, Warning: Curves Ahead. Photographer: Silky Fisher. Lingerie: Parfait, What Katie Did.

I did my own hair and makeup a lot when I was an actor, and since I was on a budget this time I chose (for better or worse) to do my own hair and makeup for my photoshoots.  I set aside two nights and trialled a few different looks.  I knew I wanted something that was somewhere between “natural” and “full-face glam”, and also my hair has been temperamental lately about holding a curl, so I practiced a few different looks and a few different hair-curling methods to find the best one (ceramic hot rollers, for those who care to know).  I also learned that, contrary to practically every piece of DIY hair styling advice out there, my hair does not style well if it’s dirty.  In case you are one of my fellow people for whom the wash-your-hair-the-day-before-an-event rule does not apply, do some test runs.  This practice ahead of time will relieve a lot of anxiety on the day of the shoot– you can be confident that you’re happy with your hair and makeup, plus you’ll have a good idea of how long it will take to do.  Also, you may discover that you want to get a new product or styling tool, and practicing in advance gives you the time to track down whatever you need.

Some more thoughts on makeup: even if you prefer never to wear makeup, you might consider wearing a little bit for a photo shoot, because sometimes the camera is dumb.  It’s taking a three-dimensional object (your lovely face, with its unique coloring and bone structure and all sorts of interesting features) and transforming it into a two-dimensional object, and sometimes you need the makeup to help it see you as you actually are.  While I don’t consider myself a makeup expert by any stretch of the imagination, if you do choose to do your own makeup, here are a few tips, most of which I’ve learned the hard way:

Eyebrows: get a powder or pencil that closely matches your eyebrow color and fill them in, even if your brows are naturally full.  Sometimes in pictures even full brows come back looking scraggly, because the camera reads the light reflecting off your skin rather than your brows.  Filling in your brows with color “tricks” the camera into capturing what they actually, you know, look like.

Model/Makeup: Victoria Dagger. Photographer: Joel Aron. Fascinator: Pop Antique.

Contouring: this sounds scary, but there are a few easy things you can do to help the pictures show what you actually look like, rather than letting the camera say “oh look, a lovely round two-dimensional oval thing.”

In the most dumbed-down basic of terms: you want to apply a shadow to any hollows or indents and a highlighter to any prominent features, which helps the camera register things like, oh, your nose or your cheekbone and brow bone.  [Confession: I'm a huge dork and still totally use my Ben Nye stage makeup kit, because sometimes Sephora overwhelms me and I get confused and intimidated and also all the world's a stage, / And all the men and women merely players, etc.]  Essentially you want some sort of brown shadow or creme in a shade darker than your natural skin tone and some kind of whitish or pale, often vaguely iridescent powder or cream that’s lighter than your natural skin tone (I’m super-duper pale, so some highlighters are actually darker than my skin tone; I use the Clown White that comes in my stage makeup kit).

Common places for the shadow are under your cheekbones, along the sides of your nose, and at your temples, and common places for highlighter are right along the top of your cheekbones, above your brows, right under your brows along your orbital bones, and down the center of your nose.  Some people develop highly technical personalized contouring systems, and some people prefer to leave it to the pros (use contouring incorrectly and your face can just look smudgy or dirty).  It can help to get an overhead light source and examine your face in the mirror from different angles to help to get a feel for your bone structure and where you might naturally have shadows.

You can also go to a department store (like Nordstrom or Saks) or Sephora and have your makeup done in the store– a pro makeup person can explain how to shade and contour your individual face and suggest products, and if you’d rather a pro do it, you can drop by to have your makeup done on the way to your shoot!

Model/Makeup: The Lingerie Lesbian. Photographer: Michi Rezin. Lingerie: Hopeless, eLai.

Lips: I learned this trick only recently, and I love it: if you wear foundation or powder, make sure you gently wipe it off your lips before applying any lipliner or lip color– color should only be applied to perfectly bare, clean lips.  Your lip color will be richer, more even, and more saturated, and the color will read more true in photos.  For lasting, opaque, fully-saturated red lips, outline your lips with a red lip pencil and then fill them in completely with the pencil before applying the actual lipstick on top with a brush.

Eyelashes: While not everyone can wear false eyelashes (people with sensitive skin or particular allergies among them), I LOVE THEM.  Falsies are my jam.  My natural lashes are short, thin, and super-duper pale, and false lashes make my eyes pop and keep them from getting lost in the sea of paleness that is my face.  It can take a bit of practice to get used to applying them and wearing them (I still sometimes have to stop, walk away for five minutes, and then come back and try again), but I love the way they look in pictures.  Tip: when you’re applying glue to the lash, let it sit for about one minute or so to get tacky before gently placing the lash to your eyelid. Wet eyelash glue + the urge to blink = sorrow for all.

Everyone develops individual, occasionally idiosyncratic, personal makeup styles, so my blanket rule is always to tell people to start slow and work in light, sheer layers.  You can always add more color, and you probably will, but it can be risky to apply huge globs of makeup all at once.

Grooming-type-things: IF (and only if) you are someone who feels prettiest with a fresh haircut or eyebrow/bikini wax or new mani-pedi or blowout or whatever, schedule an appointment in advance so it lines up nicely with your shoot.  I wanted to get a mani-pedi so my hands and feet would be all soft and lovely, and both times I cheaped out and did it myself.  That still meant factoring in the time it takes to polish your nails and let them dry, so think about what you want to do to get ready and make sure you plan accordingly.

ASSEMBLE YOUR WARDROBE

I cannot stress this enough: you will look good wearing something that makes you feel good.  It’s all very well to have something super pretty that your partner/friend/bra fitter thinks you look great in, but if you don’t feel comfortable and pretty and sassy, you may not have a great time when lights are on and a camera is pointed at you.  By the same token, a boudoir shoot is not necessarily the place for you to stress out about bra fit.  I took some pieces with me that weren’t necessarily 100% perfect fits, and I still like the way the pictures look, because the pieces are beautiful and made me feel beautiful.  Wear what you love, whether it’s a lacy mesh bra or a corset or a plain white tee shirt.  You will look gorgeous and happy in what makes you feel gorgeous and happy.

Model: Caroline, Curvy Wordy. Photographer: Nicola Grimshaw-Mitchel LSWPP, My Boudoir. Hair/Makeup: Sarah Louise Elliott. Dress: F&F Clothing at Tesco.

PACK YOUR BAGS

Even if you have 2 or 3 specific looks in mind, bring some extra stuff– maybe you’ll be inspired by something in the photographer’s studio, maybe she’ll say “Oh, I have a great idea for a pose, do you happen to have …?”, and maybe after the first few pictures you realize you’d rather be wearing something else. Especially if you’re doing lingerie ensembles with lots of pieces, bring extra stockings (mine got a run in them during the second shoot, and it was very sad), extra hair accessories, extra jewelry, and even a few props. Do you have a favorite silk pillowcase, or a powder puff and mirror, or perfume bottle, or riding crop, or feather fan? Bring it with you!

Model: Bras and Body Image. Photographer/Makeup/Hair: Adee Phelan Photography.

Also pack your makeup to bring with you to your shoot, even if you’re doing a natural look. I’ve learned through trial and error that when I look in the mirror I look like I’m wearing clown makeup, and in photos it looks like I’m barely wearing any at all.  I always bring eyeliner, blush, highlighter, powder, and lipstick/gloss with me, and if you know you’ll want to change up your makeup with different outfits you’ll need to bring your full kit, plus any makeup remover you may need. If you’re getting your hair and makeup done at the studio, you might want to bring a robe with you to wear while that’s going on. Actually, scratch that, bring a robe regardless– you’ll be glad to have it in case it’s chilly, and it can be nice to have on hand to ease you into undressing for the camera, if you’re feeling shy.

Model/Makeup: Lindsay, That Je Ne Sais Quoi. Photographer: Lydia Hudgens. Lingerie: NaïS, bazsarozsa

COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

Make sure you and your photographer are on the same page.  Financially, of course, there shouldn’t be any surprises come the day of the shoot, and similarly you should feel confident that you won’t be asked to do anything (in terms of pose or outfit or theme) that makes you uncomfortable.  Know how much time you’ll have, discuss the sort of pictures you want (natural light, studio lights, cheesecake/pin-up, implied or full nudity, bedroom shoots, etc.)  It can help both you and the photographer if you have some images that inspire you– your photographer may want to share some of their portfolio with you, so you can point out clearly which aspects of their work drew you to them.  Caryn and I shared Pinterest boards (hers and mine) back and forth, which was especially helpful when we worked in her studio and could turn to the computer when I had a question about the sort of pose she wanted, or if I wanted to describe how to use my floofy robe to best advantage.

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Tomorrow let’s discuss what to do during your actual photoshoot!  Any photographers or models have prep tips of your own to share?

Welcome to Day 3 of Boudoir Photography Week!  Today I’m sharing some tips for the day of the shoot, illustrated once again by some of my favorite bloggers’ stunning pin-up and boudoir photos.

Morning of:

• DRINK WATER.  When in doubt, have yourself a sip of water.
• Do a little bit of exercise– some stretches, yoga, a quick run, whatever.  Get the blood pumping and your muscles warm, get everything awake and limber.  This is a HUGE do-as-I-say-and-not-as-I-do, and it’s the number one thing I wish I’d done differently both times.  I honestly wish I could have taken a pole class beforehand, because I know I would have been a stretchy and sultry and relaxed.
• Exfoliate and moisturize– you may not have a firm idea of your poses or the exact outfits you’ll wear before you arrive at the photographer’s studio, so it’s best to be prepared.  Make sure your skin is very clean, and put lotion on EVERYTHING.  I normally hit my legs and elbows with lotion and call it a day, but give your shoulders and hips and belly and butt and feet and hands and basically everything else some love too– your skin will look fabulous on camera.

Model/Makeup: Lindsay, That Je Ne Sais Quoi. Photographer: Lydia Hudgens. Lingerie: DTSM.

• If you’re doing your own hair and makeup before you go to the studio, make sure to wear something that either has a wide neckline or that zips or buttons, so you don’t mess up your hair and face.  Give yourself plenty of time– rushing can make you feel anxious.
• Some photographers recommend not wearing underwear or tight clothing while you’re traveling to the studio, so as to avoid red marks on your skin.  I am a strict bra-wearer so I did not go commando, but I did wear a looser-fitting, older, broken-in bra, non-digging knickers, and very soft leggings and tops.  If you’re very worried about red marks, bring a robe with you to wear while you and the photographer are setting up, or while your hair and makeup’s getting done, so your skin has a chance to relax and lose the color.

Model: Bras and Body Image. Photographer/Hair/Makeup: Adee Phelan Photography. Lingerie: Ewa Michalak, What Katie Did.

• EAT SOMETHING.  I was super vigilant about eating light and clean beforehand so I wouldn’t be bloated, which is fine, but you do need to eat something.  Your adrenaline will be all fired up, and you need fuel.  Bring snacks, like an apple and some granola or something along with you, too.

Model: Cora Harrington, The Lingerie Addict. Photographer: POC Photo. Makeup/Hair/Styling: The Shanghai Pearl. Lingerie: Dottie’s Delights, Von Follies by Dita Von Teese, Vintage Vanity Fair via Intimate Retreat, Stockingirl.

During:

• DRINK WATER.  Sense a theme?  Bring water with you– getting your picture taken can be weirdly tiring.
• Remember to breathe.  I am notorious for forgetting to breathe when I’m concentrating: in ballet classes, singing lessons, acting performances, tests, whatever.  Your face and body tense up when you do this, so even if you’re holding a pose or facial expression, try to make your brain say “hey, are you breathing?  Try it– you may like it!”  And then do it.  I can totally see it in pictures when my face freezes up and I’m mentally checked out, and the pictures where I’m remembering to breathe, or I’m genuinely laughing or smiling, look so, so much better.

Model: Nicole, Fussy Busty. Photographer: Kent and Stephanie. Lingerie: Panache.

• Move around between poses.  Shake your head, smile really big and goofily for a full 10 seconds, do a few jumping jacks, roll your neck, stretch your arms over your head, touch your toes, and point your feet and roll your ankles.  It’s surprisingly easy to stiffen up, so making an effort to stay loose and limber will give your pictures a more relaxed, effortless feeling.
• Music!  We may or may not have played “Adele” and “Taylor Swift” stations on Pandora.  I also brought some of my pole dancing playlists with me.  Have something playing that makes you feel happy and/or sultry and/or relaxed.

Model: Georgina Horne, Fuller Figure Fuller Bust. Hair/Makeup/Photography: Andrew Wood Photography. Lingerie: Masquerade, What Katie Did, The Big Tights Company.

• If you’re self-conscious, start slow.  We all have our own little bugaboos, so while I do recommend being a little daring and challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone, don’t feel pressure to do anything that makes you feel miserable.  My bugaboo is my stomach– as long as it’s covered, my brain is all “Sweets, you are now fully clothed.  Carry on, sister”, even if all I’m wearing is underwear.  [This is how I found myself traipsing through a backyard in a Westchester neighborhood in platform heels, seamed stockings, and purple lingerie. Ah, good times.]  When I’m just wearing a bra and knickers, I’m much more self-conscious, and some of my pictures reflect that.  Ease into it and remember to breathe– the pictures may pleasantly surprise you!

Model: Cora Harrington, The Lingerie Addict. Photographer: Edson Carlos. Lingerie: Lucy B Lingerie, Stockingirl.

• Consider bringing a friend, if the photographer agrees.  Caryn and I had a mutual friend (Ezmeralda, of Ezmeralda’s Birthday Cake fame) join us for the second shoot, and she was just amazing.  She acted as art director and props mistress and hair wrangler and cleavage wrangler, she suggested poses or adjustments, and she helped me pick out jewelry and stockings.  Sometimes little things will suddenly go goofy, like stray hairs or a loose suspender, and you can’t see them because you’re the one posing, and the photographer might miss them because she’s focused on apertures and light settings and stuff, so having someone there who could say things like “Pause! Sweets isn’t gonna be happy with this cleavage situation” was really nice and reassuring.

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So! That’s a wrap on a few days of talking about what to do before your shoot.  Those of you who have participated in a shoot, what tips or tricks have you found helpful? I’m not so well-informed when it comes to actual poses– does anyone have a good strategy, or some tried-and-true tips?

Coming tomorrow:

Model/Hair/Makeup: Sweets, Sweet Nothings. Photographer: Caryn Leigh Photography.