pretty things Archives - Page 4 of 7

I can think of very few things that I enjoy more at the end of a long day than coming home to pretty lingerie that’s been sent to me in the mail. My underwear drawer is pretty full these days, but I never, ever, tire of a new pair of pretty panties.

Meet Panty by Post – a monthly subscription service for luxury panties. Every month Panty by Post sends you a new, gorgeous pair of panties based on your personal preferences (you can choose thong, boys-cut or the bridal collection). When I first heard about Panty by Post, my thoughts were “Yay! A subscription service for people like me who love receiving pretty, lacy things in the mail!” So, when Panty by Post offered to send me a pair of their panties to sample, I was pretty excited!

Panty By Post started in Paris in August 2008 and is based in Vancouver, Canada (yay for Canadian companies!) Owner and founder Natalie Grunberg has always been inspired by Paris and it’s no surprise she’s built a company that has distinguished itself as a unique brand with a very French twist. She’s since made it her company’s mission to spread the pleasure of French lingerie all over the world. Each gorgeous Panty by Post package is meant to send a message of love and joie de vie!

Looking at Panty by Post’s gallery of photos, there’s a definite luxurious vibe (with just a hint of French flair!) to everything they carry. Featuring brands like Blush Lingerie and Hanky Panky, these are definitely not your run of the mill panties. Anyone who has ever worn a pair of Hanky Panky panties (which feel almost like you’re wearing nothing at all) can attest to that. FYI, one of my best friends swears by their stretch lace thongs.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Blush Lingerie, it’s another fantastic Canadian company based in Montreal, Quebec. I adore their lingerie because it suits my style perfectly: it’s comfortable, a little bit retro and sexy without being over-the-top. To get an idea of what you can expect from their panties, here are a few images I pulled from the Panty by Post gallery.

(I’m totally obsessed with the black and white polka dot pair!)

I was delighted when I opened my Panty by Post package and found these beautiful violet hued satin panties with black lace trim.

Made of super soft stretch satin, the panties feature delicate stretchy black lace trim along the front and back, with a subtle black bow detail on the front.

To be honest, these are some of the nicest panties I have ever owned. Not only are they gorgeous, the quality is excellent and they feel luxurious as soon as you slip them on. I thought because of the cut in the back that these would be wedgie central, but you actually don’t really feel any of the seams when you have them on. Sexy and comfortable? I call that a Win/Win! The only downside (for my wallet) is that now I’m intent on tracking down the matching bra 😉

I should also mention that the panties arrived beautifully packaged. They were shipped in a Panty by Post envelope printed with a delicate floral design and sealed with a silver sticker. Inside the panties were wrapped in gorgeous tissue with a cream and gold angel print. Along with the panties was a personal note from Panty by Post. The package was so beautiful I couldn’t bring myself to recycle it, so I kept it because I’m a nerd like that.

Panty by Post offers a variety of different subscription options which range from $15-$25/month. You can also purchase one or two panties a la carte. When I told my best friend about the service her reaction was probably the same as many of you are having: “That’s a lot for a pair of panties! Wouldn’t it just be easier to go to the store and buy a pair?!” Yes, in theory it would be, and I realize $15+ for a pair of underwear is on the expensive side for a lot of people (me included). However, part of what you’re paying for is the shipping and the element of surprise. It’s definitely an indulgent purchase, however when it comes to subscription services I’d much rather get one luxury item that I’m going to *love* adding to my collection, versus a whole box of small sized sample products, some of which I may not use. When you look at it that way, Panty by Post is a nice way to pamper yourself.

I’d recommend Panty by Post to anyone who is looking to build a collection of high quality lingerie or as a bridal shower gift for one of your best friends.

Have you ever tried any lingerie subscription services?

Sadly the word “Canadian” is not internationally synonymous with “Style” and “Sex Appeal.” Although we have some amazing Canadian designers, Canada is also associated with things like toques, hockey hair and the “Canadian Tuxedo.” When I mentioned to an American friend that I would be reviewing a piece from a Canadian lingerie line, I wasn’t surprised that their first question was “Is it plaid?” However, contrary to popular belief, when given the opportunity, us Canadians can be a stylish and sexy bunch.

Homegrown, Canadian company With Love Lingerie is proof of that. I’m always looking for new and unique lingerie, so when I found out that one of my favourite online boutiques, Ohhh Canada, was carrying some items from the With Love I was super excited! I was even more excited when the fabulous Katrina offered to hook me up with their black lace floral bra to try.

The Black Floral Lace Bra by With Love is a gorgeous, beautifully made soft cup (underwire-less) bra with a lacy, vintage inspired look. The bra is made of delicate nude mesh with black mesh and lace overlay. Trimmed with black satin, the Black Floral Lace bra has a cute gathered detail in the front and a hook & eye closure in the back.

I was really excited to try this bra for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s totally gorgeous. As I mentioned before, I have a serious weakness for lingerie that has a vintage or pin-up inspired vibe and this piece definitely fits the bill. The lace and mesh combo give this bra a retro feel but with a modern twist.

Secondly, I wanted to try something new. Although I have a few girlfriends who swear by the cute, lacy, “bralettes” that are super trendy right now, I’ve always favoured more structured lingerie. I like bras with an underwire and usually a thin layer of padding to conceal my nipples from showing through. Sport bras aside, this is the first bra I’ve owned since middle school that doesn’t have an underwire. Crazy right?!

Sidebar – Has anyone else noticed that bras have become totally insane over the past few years?! Walk into any Victoria’s Secret and you’ll find an endless amount of extremely padded bras that promise to do things like “increase your cup size by three sizes!” – because apparently it’s not enough to have boobs, they need to also be pushed up to your chin. When it comes to lingerie, I can see why a lot of women are embracing a softer, more natural look. Lingerie like the Black Floral Lace Bra by With Love is a welcome respite from this insanity. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s really, really pretty.

Put on this bra and basically feels like you’re wearing nothing at all – it’s that comfortable. However, keep in mind that the bra offers very light support. If you’re a bit on the bustier side, this might be an issue for you. It’s also very sheer so, your nipples will show through. This is why I’m not modelling the bra for you guys today. To quote a conversation I had with my friend yesterday,

“Are you going to take photos of yourself in the bra?”

“No, because I don’t want to spend my Sunday night photoshoping out my nipples”

FYI. How it looks on the model is very true to how it looks in person.

This is the perfect bra to wear in the bedroom or for those days when I’m lounging around or writing and want to feel glamorous. However, I wouldn’t wear it under a fitted t-shirt or to do any kind of semi-strenous activity. Perfect for a retro-styled seduction? Yes. Hiking, jogging or dancing the night away? No.

The bra comes in three different sizes – small (A cup), medium (B cup) and large (C cup) – however, it’s important to note that this bra runs big. I’m a 34 C and ordered a size Large thinking it would fit, however when I tried it on I was swimming in it. The Large is definitely made for someone who is bigger than a 34 C. However, Ohhh Canada was super awesome about it and promptly exchanged it for a Medium. For this piece of lingerie I would definitely suggest going a size down.

Now for the big question – do I feel sexy in it?

Yes! Although it’s definitely a change from my usual underwired, cleavage producing bras, I do feel really pretty and sexy in this piece. Because it is so comfortable, this is a great piece to wear in the bedroom. Unlike some of the other lingerie I own, you could easily wear this while you have sex without ever having to worry about chafing or accidentally jabbing yourself with an underwire when you change positions.

However I think my favourite thing about this piece of lingerie is that it is designed and made in Toronto, Canada! It feels really special to have something in my lingerie drawer that’s not only beautiful, but that’s unique and literally handmade With Love in Canada.

What do you guys think – do you have a favourite lingerie brand?

This review was brought to you by Ohhh Canada. I received the Black Floral Lace Bra free of charge in exchange for my honest review of the product. All opinions are my own because that’s how I roll.

If you’ve been following my twitter or Instagram feed, you might already know that I spent March 19th-24th attending Vancouver Fashion Week and blogging for The Kit.ca. Although I’m not a fashion blogger, I’m definitely a fashion enthusiast and I have been fortunate to attend both Toronto and Vancouver Fashion Week several years in a row. Although Toronto Fashion Week is bigger, flashier and a much more star studded, I really enjoy attending Fashion Week in Vancouver because the event is more intimate and accessible. Attending Vancouver Fashion Week means never having your view of the runway partially obscured by Ben Mulroney’s hair (which, in case you wondered doesn’t move, at all, and therefore, totally haunts my nightmares)

Since a couple of you have asked me about what it’s like to attend these kinds of events, I thought I’d take a break from regularly scheduled dating, relationship and sexy time talk, to share with you guys a few things I’ve learned from my Fashion Week experiences over the years.

(The top middle photo is of me & my lovely blogger buddy Alison from Styling My Life)

1. Play nice. See those PR girls frantically running around the venue trying to seat everyone? Be nice to them. If you need something or a detail gets messed up (i.e. there’s someone sitting in your reserved seat), be firm but always be polite. Kindness is remembered. When it’s between seating you (the lowly journalist) in the front row or the heavily botoxed “VIP” who is throwing a hissy fit as we speak, those nice PR girls will hook you up. True story.

2. Don’t feel like you have to wear head-to-toe designer. Although you’ll definitely see people wearing their share of labels, a designer wardrobe is not required for attendance. With that said, just because you own a few designer items doesn’t mean you have to wear them all at the same time – actually, it’s probably better you don’t…and yes, woman with the Gucci print shoes, bag & matching pants I’m looking at you. As it turns out, many of the well-dressed people I spotted at Vancouver Fashion Week were actually wearing pieces that they’d purchased at Zara, Top Shop or made themselves. It all comes down to how you style yourself. I brought a nice pair of shoes and a decent looking handbag, but the majority of the stuff I wore during the week was actually from Joe Fresh, Material Girl, GAP (!) or thrifted.

3. Accept the fact that your feet will probably be uncomfortable for most of the week. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t feel particularly professional in flats. Because Fashion Week is technically “work” I wear heels to all the shows and events. Between standing around waiting for the shows, running between venues and meeting up with friends for dinner/drinks, my feet take a beating. My suggestion? Pack a pair of flats in your bag for the trip to and from the venue. If you have a pair of foldable flats even better.

4. Here are a few other things that you should pack in your fashion week survival kit: Bandaids (your feet will need them), protein or energy bars (some of the shows overlap meal-times and it’s good to have something to discretely munch on so you don’t pass out), a smart phone with a camera (for Tweeting, Instagramming and taking snap-shots of the looks), business cards (Fashion Week is a great networking opportunity. I actually forgot my business cards this year and felt like a total dolt.)

5. Leave your UGGs and DOGS at home. I don’t think there is anything wrong with UGGs per se. I wear them around the house, for walking in the snow or for other wintery/outdoorsy activities – but they do not belong at a fashion show. Same goes for flip flops, house shoes or (god forbid) Crocs. It doesn’t matter that you’re in Vancouver where everyone is “so laid back” – invest in a simple pair of pumps or ballet flats if you’re going to be attending Fashion Week.

You know what else doesn’t belong at Fashion Week? Your Dog! Yes, Hugo here is probably the most adorable pup I have ever seen, but he’s also terrified! Fashion shows are loud, chaotic and the music often reaches nightclub-like volumes. Not only is it totally distracting to bring your pet to a fashion show, it also sucks for the animal. It felt so bad for some of the dogs because you could see their owners were trying to cover their ears & soothe them during the shows so they wouldn’t freak out 🙁 Leave your dogs at home!!

6. Be aware that you’ll probably get hooked on a new, free soft drink beverage. Where there is a Fashion Week, there’s always someone promoting a new, questionable “energy” beverage. I’m guessing that these companies equate Fashion Week with not eating or sleeping properly and therefore, assume everyone is looking for a caffeine boost – which, wouldn’t be entirely untrue. Let us not forget the time you spent a whole day drinking free Fuze Ice Tea at a charity pool party or the Vitamin Water Incident of 2010. The beverages are there, they’re free and you’ll probably try them. FYI, I think I’m still on a caffeine high from all the Starbucks “Refreshers” I drank during Vancouver Fashion Week.

7. Don’t worry about taking photos. There’s no way you’re going to get high quality shots of the runway unless you’re a professional photographer, so don’t worry about it. You can get the professional photos sent to you by the PR reps after the event or find them online. However, do take a photos of some of your favourite looks and of the name of the show before it starts. You’re going to see so many looks throughout the week that it’s impossible to remember them all without a visual reminder.

8. Remember, there’s no laughing, pointing or cat-calling in fashion. I’m thinking this might be a Vancouver thing because I never seen anyone do any of these things in Toronto however, I saw people do ALL OF THESE THINGS at VFW. Even if a model struts down the runway in something that looks like the lovechild of a potato sack and a beach ball, show some maturity & respect and keep your comments to yourself. Also whistling and cat-calling models while they’re trying to work is just skeezy. Ignoring my advice will likely make you look like a jack-ass.

9. Stay sober. It’s really, really tempting to drink during Fashion Week. There’s champagne to be purchased between shows and there’s ALWAYS an after-party somewhere. Fashion Week is hectic especially when you have other work to do (either at the office or freelance) and you’re trying to attend and write about as many shows as possible. Unless you love feeling like crap, it’s hard to party all night and keep up the pace. Instead of partying it up all week, on the last night of Vancouver Fashion Week I treated myself to a decadent seafood meal and a glass of Pinot Grigio with some of the lovely blogger ladies below.

10. Don’t be a stranger. Talk to people! If you play your cards right you might end up meeting some Real Housewives and making some new friends!

(With Mary and Christina of The Real Housewives of Vancouver, who were super nice & friendly!)

( Blogger Buddies! L-R – Me, Britta, Nina and Allison)

What do you guys think? Did I miss anything?!

It’s funny, people have been trying to get me to wear dark green for years, claiming that with my dark hair, light skin and freckles that I have “the perfect Irish colouring to pull it off!” It’s true, I do have some distant Irish heritage on my maternal Grandmother’s side however, the dark hair and the fair complexion actually come from my Polish relatives on my Mom’s side. I’ve never worn a lot of dark green, even though I supposedly look good in it. When it comes to colour, I usually gravitate towards reds, corals and blush tones.

So, when EdenFantasys offered to send me a new piece of sexy lingerie to try I thought “Now is the time to test out this green theory!” I knew I wanted to try a corset so I chose this beautiful green satin and lace corset from Coquette’s Emerald Isle collection.

Although I have a fairly decent collection of lingerie, this is the first corset I’ve ever owned. I was really nervous about ordering something that is meant to be so fitted online, but I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised with the overall quality and fit.

The corset is made of rich emerald green satin with black lace overlay, and is fully boned. It features a front and centre hook & eye closure, lace up detailing in the back and an attached sash at the waist. The corset also features 6 removable garters and straps if you want to add stockings. There’s also an extra set of detachable bra straps included if you’d prefer not to go strapless.

Trying a corset for the first time is an interesting experience. Without any help it took me a while to figure out how to get in and out of the piece on my own and even longer to get the size adjusted correctly. What I found worked best for me was to do up the hooks and eyes on the front first and then adjust the fit with the ribbons at the back. Once I got myself into it and tightened the ribbons, I absolutely loved the effect. The corset nipped in my waist, giving my torso more of a sexy hourglass shape.

Because the corset features plastic boning, it definitely has a stiffer feel than non-boned lingerie pieces like the Baci Red Mesh Dress. Personally, I didn’t find it uncomfortable, however it did take a few minutes to get used to how it felt. The corset definitely gave me good posture and made me stand up straight. The downside is that by nature, a corset does restrict your range of motion slightly. I don’t think this is a piece that I’d leave on while having sex – then again – maybe that’s the point. This isn’t a piece that’s meant to stay on for long.

(With that said, I’ve gained a lot of respect for women who used to have to wear binding, physically uncomfortable corsets on a day to day basis.)

One of the main reasons why I chose the satin and lace corset was because (judging by the photos on the EdenFantasys website) it seems to be flattering to a wide range of body types. Here it is in plus size:

My only negative comment is that I found the corset was cut quite high in the armpit area. This might not be a problem for everyone. It was just something I noticed. I probably could have pulled the corset down a bit, therefore showing more cleavage however, I wanted to keep things classy for you internet.

Overall, I really loved this piece and am excited to add it to my lingerie collection. It’s sexy, yet surprisingly tasteful. Paired with a pair of ruffly panties, it definitely has a fun, “sexy saloon girl” vibe. It’s perfect for some bedroom role-play or your next St. Patrick’s Day seduction.

Also, I think the rest of the world is on to something because I think the green looks nice!

This corset makes me feel like the heroine in my very own bodice ripping novel fantasy, anxiously waiting for my leading man to ride up on his horse and throw me down in a pile of hay so we can totally go to town on each other. Yes, that. I just need the leading man.

Have any of you tried corsets? What did you think?

PS. I received the satin and lace corset by Coquette free of charge in exchange for my honest review of the product.

February is a really great time to be a sex and relationship blogger. Although it’s TBD as to whether I’ll have a Valentine to spend the 14th with this year, the fab companies I work with have been awesome at making me feel like a spoiled princess. Between all the condoms, lingerie & cool massage-y stuff I’ve received recently, if something romantic does go down on V-day, you better believe I’ll be ready.

Last week, the ladies over at Spicy Subcriptions sent me a Premium Spice Box to sample. Spicy Subscriptions works similarly to other subscription box services that are all the rage right now. Once you’ve signed up, every month you’ll receive a curated collection of Romance, Intimacy & Beauty products hand-picked from their Spice Shop. The Spice Box contains Romantic Gifts and an assortment of Intimate Toys, Massage Oils, Sexy Lingerie, Romantic Fragrances and more!

Here’s a peak inside the February Premium Spice Box:

The Premium Spice Box arrives in a beautiful printed, glossy black box filled with bright coloured tissue & lots of sexy goodies! It’s also shipped discretely so you don’t have to worry about the UPS guy knowing what you’re up to.

Inside the box I found a variety of different samples, including a couple of different kinds of lubricant from Jo, Frolic lubricant (“A Specialty Toy Lubricant for Women”), Aloe Cadabra Peppermint Tingle Lube and Almost Naked lube by Good Clean Love. There was also a condom sampler from one of my favourite condom brands Glyde which you may remember from the infamous Skinny Dip condoms!

The samples are all things I will use however, the real stars of the box were the larger items. Inside I found a Heart’s Desire Warming Body Massager, a full sized bottle of Dona’s Aphrodisiac Infused “Sensual Chromotherapy” bath treatment, a set of golden Ben-Wa balls and a jar of edible “Body Icing: Edible Finger Art for Lovers”

The Warming Body Massager is a heart shaped, jelly filled little contraption designed to be used during massage to provide “tantalizing warm excitement.” All you have to do is bend the little disc on the inside of the massager and it activates it’s built in heat source. Sounds kind of perfect for a romantic massage, or in my case using on my stiff neck or shoulder muscles while I re-watch Season 1 of Homeland with my cat.

The Ben Wa balls on the other hand are unmistakably sexy. If you’re not familiar with what they are all about – it’s worth reading my review of the Lelo Pleasure Beads for a full explanation. Designed to be inserted inside you, these smooth metallic balls (approx. 1.5 cm in diameter) help you do your Kegel exercises, strengthening your vaginal wall and PC muscles, which in turn positively impacts sexual arousal and the ability to enjoy intercourse. I haven’t tried these yet, however I love the slick, cool, metallic feel of the Ben-Wa balls.

Thirdly, included in the box was a jar of Edible Body Icing and an applicator brush. Looking to do some “adult finger painting” with your partner? This is the stuff. The best part? It’s totally edible which means you can lick it off later. Just make sure you refrigerate it after using it because it’s made from natural ingredients. The “Sensual Strawberry” flavor has the taste and consistency of strawberry jam, minus the extreme sweetness and stickiness. This is awesome because if I find myself alone on Valentine’s Day and run out of chocolate, I can always spread some of this on a piece of toast. I’m only partially kidding.

The only thing I wasn’t totally crazy about in my Spicy Subscription box was the Dona Chromotherapy bath product. Although I think using colour and pheromones to create a sensual experience is a really cool idea, the intense mango and mandarin orange smell of the bath treatment was just way too much for me – especially since I’m not a huge fan of things that smell like orange. The smell of this one brought me back to Junior High when girls used to douse themselves in Bodyshop Satsuma & Fuzzy Peach perfume. Although I usually love Dona products, this one just didn’t do it for me, but it might for someone else.

With that said, overall I really liked my Spicy Subscriptions box. The premium box retails at $22.95 per month. Considering I got 4 full sized products and a bunch of useful samples, I feel that the price is good value for what you get. If spicing things up in the bedroom is something that’s on your list for 2013, this subscription service allows you to explore different products each month without breaking the bank.

The question is with all these great romantic, massage-y products coming my way, does this mean The Universe has plans to send me someone for me to use them with?! I hope so 🙂

I received these goodies from Spicy Subscriptions free of charge in exchange for my honest assessment of the product. All opinions are my own because that’s how I roll.

Review | Panty by Post

Show & Tell | With Love from Canada

How to Survive Fashion Week Without Looking Like a Jack-Ass

Kiss Me, I’m Irish…or Something

Review | Spicy Subscriptions Box

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