Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Pour La Francophile

Oh, the Francophile. The fille who dreams of Paris, strolling along the Seine while nibbling on macarons and carrying a baguette under her arm. Adores Chanel and Hermès, and is constantly trying to learn the infinite ways French women seem have to tie a simple scarf (which somehow seems to create a whole new outfit, even if it's the same thing she wore the day before). Repeatedly watches Les Parapluies de Cherbourg and Amélie, playing La Vie en Rose on a loop on Saturday mornings while making breakfast...

Okay, you get the picture. But in case you still have absolutely no idea what to gift your French-loving lover for Valentine's day, here's a few suggestions.

Paris background image via.

Shop this gift guide:
1. Rituel by Carine Gilson Natalia soft-cup stretch-silk bra, $205. Natalia lace-trimmed stretch-silk shorts, $205. Available at Net-A-Porter.com.
2. Coco Mademoiselle EDP Spray, $64. Available at Chanel.com.
3. Hermès J'aime mon Carré vintage silk twill scarf, $325. Available at Hermes.com.
4. Macarons from bisous, ciao, pricing varies. Check here for details.
5. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Inès de la Fressange, $18.02. Available at Amazon.com.

Bra-Spotting at Madewell

Here's what I learned this weekend:

1. Madewell has some really friggin cute sweaters that I'd like for Christmas (Santa, I hope you're reading this).

2. Madewell has some really adorable mesh polka-dot bras by Honeydew Intimates. I didn't know they were carrying intimates in the stores (just goes to show how often I shop in stores now—not often enough).

3. You will get yelled at for taking photos in Madewell because apparently you're not allowed to. Bummer.

Regardless, I have to show you how cute these bras were! The mint green one was my favorite, and the nude one is nice too. But the mint one is my favorite, and unfortunately is not listed on the website currently. The back strap is elastic with three hooks for extra comfort. Hooray!

Apparently there are also really cute matching briefs. 

Honeydew Intimates Mesh Polka-dot Bralette, $32. Polka-dot Briefs, $16.

Say Hi to Thursday: A Little (or A Lotta) Rawr for the Weekend

Say Hi to Thursday, a special day of the week when there's only one more work day before a glorious weekend awaits. Pretty Little Underthings will showcase a weekend-perfect piece we'd love to wear.

Marguerite Riding Bralette & Briefs by Stella McCartney

image via

When I first saw this set a few months ago, I luuurrrved it. The bralette style softens the "wild child" stigma of animal print and keeps it from crossing the line into trashy territory (psh, please—as if Stella could ever create something trashy). The wide band keeps it comfy, but the fun leopard print has potential for your inner animal to emerge. Rawr. 

Bralette, $90. Bikini, $45. Available at Faire Frou Frou.

Tempting Tuesdays: Feuillage Tulle Set by Jean-Paul Gaultier for La Perla

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Feuillage Tulle Set by Jean-Paul Gaultier for La Perla

Happy spring! Gaultier does it again with this intricately detailed, peacock-blue-green set that makes me wish for warmer weather (the tease we got in NYC this past weekend wasn't enough). With briefs decorated to look like leaves are growing from your ladybits, and a bralette made of sheer tulle and detailed with silk twill, you can look like Mother Earth when she's on lovermoon.

At this price point, this set is definitely not for the faint-hearted (or those who have their wallets on lockdown), and only for the diehard La Perla / Gaultier fans, but looking is always free. 

Triangle bra, $590. Tulle briefs, $395. Available at Net-A-Porter.com.

Hump Day Pick: Shadow Striped Set by Kiki de Montparnasse

Attention ladies: Kiki de Montparnasse wants you to be a zebra. A very stylish, sexy zebra. The end.

Just kidding! This gorgeous set immediately caught my eye thanks to the bold stripes against the sheer silk, and how the bottoms looked like they didn't have elastic around the legs, so they have a bit of a flutter. I love flutter.

And just as I thought, the stripes are fairly subtle against your skin (see more images on Net-A-Porter.com), so you won't have to worry about a Hamburglar effect. Or a zebra. Just flutter.

Shadow striped silk-chiffon triangle bra, $125. Briefs, $110. Available at Net-A-Porter.com.

Say Hi to Thursday: A Delicate Neutral Set from Araks

Say Hi to Thursday, a special day of the week when there's only one more work day before a glorious weekend awaits. Pretty Little Underthings will showcase a weekend-perfect piece we'd love to wear.

Uma Bralett & Mirabella Hipster by Araks

Don't you just love this Araks set? The color is called "foundation", which is about right (for some people, anyway. I mean, if my foundation was this color then I'd be way too dark). But the sheer cotton crepe with silk trim is so Araks, so irresistible, especially when it comes with those delicate pleats in the center of the bralette and the tummy area of the bottoms. Ya'll can fight with me on high-waisted bottoms all you want—but I'm tellin' ya, they're a great motivator to tone up the abs. Just think Lara Stone in this editorial. Yeah. Just think about it.

Uma Bralett in foundation, sold out (nooooo!). Mirabella hipster in foundation, $110 (yay!). Available at Araks.

Hump Day Pick: Cyan and Chantilly Set by Lavit + A Happy Birthday!

I have a confession to make: I almost didn't post today because I'm so, so exhausted. But I saw this set on Anthropologie's site and I couldn't come up with a good enough reason to NOT share it with you lovely readers!

I love that greenish-blue hue—someone once mentioned to me that you rarely see green lingerie that's not a hideous shade—but this is just so springlike and a gorgeous reminder of how this manic-depressive  winter will be over soon enough. Thank goodness.

But lastly, I want to dedicate this post to my dear sister, who turns 25 today! Although she thought my blog was too scandalous at first, I thought she'd like this one 'cos it's just too adorable not to like. Happy birthday seastar, I love you!

Cyan & Chantilly Bralette, $68. Boyshort, $48. Available at Anthropologie.

Summertime Clothes... Or, Lingerie

Lately I've been rarely posting on Fridays, but when my friend Erica sent me a link to this set today, I knew it was necessary this week. All I could say for about 10 minutes was, "OH MY GOD SO CUTE".

The polka dots and the perfect scalloping detail hooked me, but the way she styled it—with a high-waisted denim skirt and a classic cardigan—completely won me over. This is exactly how I love to see lingerie incorporated into daily outfits, and it was such an adorable find. Thank you Erica!

Winter, I'm so over you. Spring, hurry up.

Petite Romance Set by EmersonMade, $158. Available at EmersonMade.com.

Say Hi to Thursday: Key Lime Set by Jenna Leigh

Say Hi to Thursday, a special day of the week when there's only one more work day before a glorious weekend awaits. Pretty Little Underthings will showcase a weekend-perfect piece we'd love to wear.

Key Lime Set by Jenna Leigh

I'M TIRED OF WINTER ALREADY. I just want sweet sunshine and warm weather again. But it's only January, so I know I'll have to be patient. Luckily, Jenna Leigh made this super-cute, super-sunny set for Anthropologie and it'll have to hold us over until we get some real sunshine again. 

Sizing note: a small may not fit properly in the bust if you're an A. Larger A's/Small B's might have some luck, but none for smaller than that, sadly. I love long-line bralettes so I was a little sad when it didn't fit right in the cups, though my bank account cried for joy. (Yes, I tried it on—I couldn't help it. It was just sitting there, looking so bright and cheery! Don't judge. You would've done it too.)

Key Lime Bralette, $78. Key Lime Hipster, $68. Available at Anthropologie.com.

Tempting Tuesdays: Between the Sheets Sheer Romance Chiffon & Lace Set

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Sheer Romance Chiffon & Lace Set by Between the Sheets

This isn't your Playdate set, ladies, this one's for grown-ups. This set is from Between the Sheet's Specimens of Seduction line, and Layla has made sure that you'll feel like a princess wearing this ethereal set. The lace tucked into the sheer peachy silk bands is as delicate as I've ever seen. This one just feels so perfect for the fast-approaching holidays.

Bralette, $175. Tap pants, $175. Available at Journelle.com.

12 Days of Christmas: Brulee Vamp Collection Corset Soft Bra & Boyshorts

On the ninth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me...

Brulee Vamp Collection Corset Soft Bra & Boyshorts

Alright, four more days of Christmas left, and these gifts are gettin' serious. These are seriously gorgeous, luxe gifts that will make any lady smile mysteriously with happiness.

So with that in mind, today's pick is Brulee's Corset Soft Bra & Boyshorts from their Vamp Collection. These amazingly sexy chevron-stitched silk and mesh pieces pose a conundrum: you won't want to take them off, and you'll look so good in them that your lover won't want to take them off, but then what to do? Oh, right—read a book.

Corset soft bra, $107. Boyshorts, $72. Available at Journelle.com.

Previously, on the 12 days of Christmas...

On the first day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... an Eberjey Onesie!

On the second day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Jean Yu Silk-Chiffon Triangle Bra!

On the third day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Thousand Dancers Bralette!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Lounge Lover Travel Babe Set!

On the fifth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Hanky Panky Low-Rise Thong Fiiiiiiive-Pack!

On the sixth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... three pairs of Arlotta Classic Cashmere Slippers!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... Stella McCartney Knickers of the Week Seven-Pack!

On the eight day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Lace Corset Bra from Mink Pink!

Tempting Tuesdays: Only Hearts Whisper Racerback Bralette & Ruched Boyshorts

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Whisper Racerback Bralette and Ruched Boyshort by Only Hearts

If Maison Close's mesh collections are too intense and just not your style, try this delicate bralette and boyshort set from Only Hearts. I love Only Hearts' mesh pieces because they can make you feel so sensual without sacrificing comfort. 

This gorgeous bralette has some lace touches to keep the racerback straps from being too athletic, and the boyshorts have an adorable ruching detail in the back. The racerback style is pretty popular this season, with so many designers producing pretty bras with the detail, so at least try it on and see how different it feels!

Whisper bralette, $62. Ruched boyshorts, $36. Available at Journelle.com.

12 Days of Christmas: A Three-Button Bralette by Thousand Dancers

On the first day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... an Eberjey Onesie!
On the second day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Jean Yu Silk-Chiffon Triangle Bra!
On the third day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... 

Silk Cotton Button Up Crop Claude Digital Print Bralette by Thousand Dancers

When I finally meet my true love, he'll learn that I greatly appreciate small details, like the three buttons on this fabulous bralette. The print has a lot of energy and reminds me of an Impressionist painting, particularly Monet. If I could wear Monet as my underpinnings, well that would just be so fabulous.

Button Up Crop Claude Bralette, on sale $72 AUD (regularly $120 AUD). 

Hump Day Pick: 3.1 Phillip Lim Floral Printed Soft Bralette & Cheeky Pant

Um, hello gorgeous! I love 3.1 Phillip Lim ready-to-wear, but his lingerie collection is an absolute favorite of mine. I adore the style of this bralette and it's always produced every season in different colors and prints. When I saw this one, I may have almost started whimpering in my head because it's so darn pretty. I love especially love how you don't notice that the print is washed out/reversed until you see a peek of the inside of the bottoms and how vivid the florals are! Future hubbie, take note.

Soft bralette, $115. Cheeky bottoms, $115. Available at Barneys New York.

Tempting Tuesdays: Printed Silk Bra & Briefs by Marni

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Marni Printed Silk Bra and Briefs

Oh heyyyyyy! I saw these on Net-a-Porter—no, they immediately popped out to me because of the amazing colors and print. The simple bralette shape is super-flattering and the hot pants are a great alternative to boxers. 

Bralette, $235 and briefs, $180. Available at Net-a-Porter.com.

An Easy, Gorgeous Vanessa Bruno Set for a Stellar Weekend

Simple, delicate, easy (to take off, haha, just kidding... maybe). I love the way the back of the bra is designed, as a gentle racerback for added comfort. Vanessa Bruno excels at basics with special details for her women's line, and her intimates collection is no exception.

Lace bra, $156. Lace panty, $120. Available at LaGarconne.com.

Serena van der Woodsen's Peek-a-Bra in Paris!

I saw these photos of Blake Lively filming Gossip Girl in Paris back in July and I was really excited about her pink high-waisted pants. Then I noticed that she's wearing a very tank top cut perfectly to show off a silky grey bralette! Serena wore this outfit on last night's season premiere of Gossip Girl and I'm excited to see what other trends will be showcased this season.

"How do you wear ruffle bras?"

One of my close friends loved the ASOS ruffle bra in this previous post, but she was wondering about to wear one. Here are a couple of suggestions, with one of my own ruffle bras:

With a bra this short, these are some options I've chosen before, but with a longline bra, it's easier to get away with treating the bra as a top. With one this short, I still treat it as a regular bra, but let it peek through so the ruffles are visible.

Bustier Mini-Bonanza!

I love a good long line bra, or a bustier, especially ones you can wear out. And now that the weather is getting chillier (well, this week at least) they're so cute under cardigans and jackets. Some great ones I've found:

1. Caged Corset Top by TopShop, $65.

2. Rose Zip Jersey Bralet by Topshop, $44.

3. Disco Dropout Bralet by Zinke, $68.

4. Black Label Legend Bustier by La Perla, $402.

(How amazing is this La Perla one, by the way? A one-shoulder bustier? Genius!)