Pure Instinct: A Thanksgiving Day Animal Print Roundup

Happy Thanksgiving! This year I'm thankful for all of you dear readers, and for having the time this week to clean up the design of PLU a little bit. And again, thank you all for staying with me over the past two years through highs (frequent posts) and lows (not so frequent posts). I'm xcited for what's to come in the future, and I hope you are too!

Now, another thing I'm thankful for: animal prints and the variations on the animal prints. There have been so many cute lookin' animal print pieces out there lately, I had to post a roundup of my favorites. This classic Mimi Holliday set is one of my favorites (and it's on sale!), but read on to see more after the jump—and just a hint, not all of 'em are leopard!

Tempting Tuesdays: The I-Want-Swimwear Edition, Part II

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!

1. Mara Hoffman Aztec-print Balconette Bikini

I saw this in a recent issue of SELF magazine, and I fell in love... (and it may be the reason I skipped a bagel and had oatmeal yesterday morning). I adore the contrast between the ruffle detail and the super-graphic bold print. Plus the halter strap is removable, which is always a plus. I like choice.

Available at Net-A-Porter.com, $220.

2. Rosa Cha Ruched Printed Swimsuit

Who doesn't love figure-forgiving ruching and a bright floral print? Check out the awesome cutout detail in the back too. This one can also double as a bodysuit, so throw on some high-waisted trousers (I told you, I'm obsessed with high-waisted) and your favorite heels, et voilà—a killer summer look that won't limit this suit to just the pool.

Available at Net-A-Porter.com, $350.

3. Camilla and Marc High Sun Bikini

I love how this color-blocked bikini reminds me of a certain t-shirt everyone seemed to have in the late 80's. The little bow details give it a sweet touch, and look—high-waisted done right!

Available at Anthropologie. Top, $88. Bottom, $98.

4. Diane von Furstenberg Pan String Bikini

Your basic string bikini with a print composed of different colors that normally wouldn't seem to go together, but DvF somehow makes it work. ...Probably because she's DvF, but whatever. I love that despite how the print has darker colors, the bright green is what catches my attention.

Available at Barneys, $185.

5. Eberjey First Mate Bikini

I mean, c'mon. If you can't understand why this one is just so completely adorable, I don't know why you read my blog. Ok, sorry that was kind of mean. But really—this preppy swimwear done right. A rope halterneck for nautical stripes? Yes, please. The option to wear this as a bandeau top instead of a halter? Yes, please! Well done, Eberjey, well done.

Available at FortyWinks.com. Phoebe Top, $74. Camilla Bottoms, $62.

Say Hi to Thursday: A Perfectly Striped Eberjey Set

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.

Eberjey Vintage Stripes Set

So, it's currently 1:30 am at the time of this writing, and I'll be honest—the temptation to just go to bed was so strong. But I decided to browse through one more lingerie boutique's site and... BAM. This Vintage Stripes set from Eberjey was just BEGGING me to be featured today. And I gave in, because it's so adorable.

I think stripes can be tricky. Not because of that ye olde "horizontal stripes make you look fat" nonsense, but because if they're not the correct proportions, they can look tacky and cheap. But Eberjey did stripes so, so right here. The slight ruffle trims make this just so pretty. And the BOW! Do you see the bow?! It's all just so... honest and casual and perfect for the weekend. That camisole would be perfect with white jeans or shorts too!

By the way, does this set make anyone else long for summertime?

Vintage stripes cami, $56. Vintage stripes knicker, $34. Available at Forty Winks.

Guest Blogger Stories: Zinke Trunk Show at Forty Winks

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know how much I love Zinke and how much I adore the ladies of Forty Winks. So of course my head nearly exploded when I heard about the Zinke trunk show at Forty Winks! One of my best friends, Deborah Yi, is amazing and trekked through remnants of the Boston blizzard to take a few photos for Pretty Little Underthings. Here's the trunk show through her eyes:

I have to say, as a lingerie virgin, I thought it would be a little bit overwhelming to go to my first ever lingerie trunk show, but I was so enamored by the Zinke pieces. Everything is so delicate but bold at the same time. And the colors! It's kind of funny because most of my wardrobe consists of black/gray/white and neutral tones, but for lingerie and pretty little underthings, I think I really gravitate towards colors. The prices were a bit out of my budget (for now!), but I feel like it should be every girl's goal in life to own and wear a ruffled hammered silk royal purple romper.

I'm definitely going to return to Forty Winks as Valentine's Day approaches. There's something about that little boutique that is just so precious.

love the snow dusting their sign

hello beautiful!

the piece that enamored deborah so

rachel & meredith behind the cash wrap

"I wish you were there with me! I couldn't find anyone to go with me. Lingerie stores are more fun with girlfriends." Truer words...

Thank you Deborah! xoxo

Forty Winks
56 JF Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 [map]
617.492.9100
info@shopfortywinks.com
Twitter: @FortyWinksHS

Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 10am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

Zinke Intimates
Like Zinke on Facebook
Follow Zinke Intimates on Twitter: @ZinkeIntimates

It's Swim Time!

Though I do love snowboarding, the blizzard last week made me long for the summertime and beach days, and it feels so far away. Good thing boutiques are already stocking swimwear for those winter-time getaways, so if you're lucky enough to escape the cold for a weekend or so, you might like this pretty little swimsuit!

Wild Pansies Francine Swimsuit by Eberjey

I'm a fan of bandeau tops 'cos I like to avoid unflattering tan lines that peek out of my tank tops, and the floral print on this one is simple without being boring. The cheeky bottoms are ruched and sassy, and the adjustable sides give you a more customized fit. Love!

Francine top, $74. Bottoms, $62. Available at Forty Winks.

Hump Day Pick: Zinke Dear Eleanora Chemise

This sweet little Zinke chemise was on guest blogger Allison Beale's holiday wishlist this year, and I couldn't help but drool over it too. From the front it looks so classic, but once I saw the back, my jaw just dropped. I love how it's so unassumingly sexy, yet so fun with a bra clasp and such a dramatic plunge back. I generally gravitate towards brightly colored lingerie, but Zinke proves that black definitely isn't boring with this amazing piece.

Dear Eleanora Chemise, $158. Available at Shop Forty Winks.

Guest Blogger Wishlist: Rachel Wentworth's Top Five Picks!

I met Rachel Wentworth when I was in Boston last month visiting a friend. We happened to spot her shop, Forty Winks, and she & co-owner Meredith allowed me to take some photos and post a write-up of their boutique. I asked Rachel what her top five wishlist items are this year, and she picked some snazzy items!

1. MORE of Zinke’s Twilight Panty

While all Zinke pieces are simply beautiful, I’ve gone a little gaga for their ruched back undies. I think it’s because they make my rather, well flat, derriere look all shapely and hot. Thank you Zinke, for giving me something I didn’t think I had.

2. Penguin Clothbound Classics collection

I’m irrationally giddy over these books. In fact, I’ve strategically asked my family and friends for specific titles to ensure that I get the whole collection on December 25th, with no overlap.  I get really conniving and greedy over pretty books.

3. Mimi Holiday Beinvenue Plunge Bra

We actually carry Mimi at our own store, but for some unknown reason, we passed up on this particular gem when we wrote orders. Lesson learned; something this pretty belongs at Forty Winks…and also in my personal collection.

4. Araks Lily Teddy

This Spring, my beloved and I are heading to Cali to visit friends and drink wine. Maybe I’m jumping the gun, but I’m already obsessing over how I’m going to bring this romantic, yet sexy teddy along for the ride. Fingers crossed for success on December 25th.

5. Ikat Pillows from Etsy seller Kyoozi

I found these Ikat pillows on Etsy during one of my monthly “I need to update my apartment” freakouts. Knowing that these might be under the tree this year, really helped calm me down.

Shop Rachel's wishlist!
Penguin Clothbound Classics, $20 each hardcover. Available at your local bookstore, or at Penguin.com.
Zinke Twilight Panty in Slate, $56. Available in-store at Forty Winks, contact them for more information.
Mimi Holiday Beinvenue Plunge Bra, $85. Available at Faire Frou Frou.
Araks Lily Teddy in Fog, $220. Available at Lille Boutique.
Ikat pillow covers, $35. Available at Etsy.com.

Shoptalk: Forty Winks, Harvard Square, Cambridge MA

One of my best girlfriends & I went to Boston last weekend to visit one of our dearest girlfriends who is currently in law school and we hadn't seen since the summer. After a brief tour of Harvard's campus and some shopping/window shopping in Harvard Square, we were just about to leave the area when my eagle-eyed bf spotted a little lingerie shop on the second floor of a building called "Forty Winks". I saw Maison Close in the window and we quickly ran up the steps to see what the boutique was like.

Rachel (l) & Meredith (r) of Forty Winks

Luckily for me, both of the owners, Rachel & Meredith, were there and I got to talk to them a bit and hear how they got started. Both are former Mint Julep ladies (a Boston-based boutique with a location in NYC as well), and after years of hearing clients ask for intimates, they saw an opportunity for a Cambridge-based lingerie shop.

In April 2010, they opened Forty Winks on JFK Street! Rachel said they're still learning what their clients are looking for, and have been stocking a good mix of higher-end items and more affordable pieces, but the sexier pieces are definitely a favorite. She mentioned that the Eberjey Bettina Romper I featured last week flew out of the store! They carry some of my brands like Mimi Holliday, Huit, Dimity.SO, La Fee Verte, Only Hearts, and plenty of the standards like Elle Macpherson, Chantelle, Hanky Panky, and NuBra... and more!

In a single word: adorable. It was warm, impeccably clean, organized yet fun, and comfortable. I could tell that it was a labor of love by Rachel & Meredith, and I felt that they were trying to create a gorgeous environment for women to feel pretty and confident about buying themselves beautiful lingerie. If you're in the area, definitely swing by and pick up something lovely for yourself!

Check out the photo album on Facebook for more photos of Forty Winks!

Forty Winks
56 JF Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 [map]
617.492.9100
info@shopfortywinks.com
Twitter: @FortyWinksHS

Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 10am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm