FNO Giveaway: Stella McCartney Tourist Knickers!

GUYSSSS, Fashion's Night Out is right around the corner! I know you're all busy preparing, so I'll make this quick:

Journelle is offering up a pair of these adorbs Stella McCartney Tourist Knickers ($45 value) to one lucky Pretty Little Underthings reader. Want to enter? Head over to Facebook and I'll pick a lucky winner at random by Thursday September 6th at 5pm. (It's a speedy giveaway this time!)

Not a PLU fan on Facebook? Just hit 'Like' and you can enter to win. Good luck! xo

image via Journelle

Fashion's Night Out 2012: The Only Place You Need to Be

Alright kids, Fashion's Night Out 2012 is looming upon us. After we're back from Labor Day weekend, September 6th be here before we know it. So while you're making your plans on which parties to hop to and fro, here's really the only one you need to go to so you can prioritize your schedules.

Yes, it's true! Journelle is hostin' a little party at their Union Square location for all of ya'll with Stella McCartney's team. One of my favorite lingerie lines + my favorite boutique = a match made in FNO heaven!

You'll be there to fête the launch of Stella McCartney's new basics collection with refreshments and nibbles, and pre-order items that will arrive later in the season. If you purchase some Stella, you'll get a pair of tourist knickers (while supplies last) AND there'll be an awesome-sounding gift bag with a Stella chemise, perfume set and Falabella wristlet (valued at over $700).

Stella McCartney Tourist Knickers!

So save this invitation below and mark your calendars—Stella McCartney's new basics lingerie line is coming to town in style. I can't wait to see it! 

And for those who won't be able to make it to FNO or don't live in NYC, stay tuned on PLU for a chance to win a pair of the Tourist Knickers, courtesy of Journelle!

All images courtesy of Journelle.

Holiday Giveaway: Between the Sheets Lingerie!

Remember this little preview from a few months ago for Between the Sheets' new Airplay and Birds of Play collections? Yep. I love Airplay's breezy mesh pieces that comes four beautiful colors that you can layer to add dimension. I love Birds of Play's unique feather lace design that you won't see anywhere else. Triangle bras, high-waist panties and babydolls with super-sexy cutout designs that still have a playful quality—with so much opportunity for innerwear as outerwear, what's not to love?

BTS Lingerie Birds of Play Feather Lace Babydoll, $95.

So here's the deal: BTS is generously offering to give away a piece from the Birds of Play collection. Winner gets to choose (actual prize depends on size availability)! And between three different items and two different colors, there's something here you're bound to love.

Want to enter? Do this:
1. Like BTS Lingerie on Facebook
2. Follow BTS Lingerie on Twitter
3. Like Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook
4. Bonus points if you follow me on Twitter
5. Leave a comment with your name, email address & Twitter handle—and tell us, what's your lucky charm?

The giveaway will run between Wednesday December 7th through Wednesday December 14th. So if you're a gal who wants to win for herself or for a friend, enter! If you're a dude who wants to win for his lady or a family member, enter! We'll choose one lucky winner and announce him/her on Thursday the 15th. Good luck! xoxo

BTS Lingerie Birds of Play Feather Lace Bodysuit, $90.

BTS Lingerie Birds of Play Feather Lace Leggings, $85.

You Know You Want One More Giveaway...

Hi guys!!! How was your week? Good? Bad? I'm going to make it better. Underwear in Austin, TX wants one of you to have an awesome piece of lingerie from their fabulously curated boutique. I've yet to visit the store in person, but they have a fantastic e-commerce site with tons of gorgeous lingerie and loungewear. The tough part of shopping online sometimes is that smaller sizes are usually gone first, but Underwear always seems to have the pieces I want in my size.

Sooo guess what they're offering up for this really rad giveaway?!

Yeap, that's right—The Lake and Stars Citadel Pinstripe chemise! I gushed about this in March and then finally splurged on it when Journelle had an amazing 30% off sale, aaaand it is definitely one of the best pieces I've had for this summer. I wear it as a top with skirts and shorts and pants and jeans... you get the point. I just roll up the bottom to tuck it into high-waisted shorts since there's a pretty sturdy wide elastic at the bottom. I can't wait to come up with new outfits with it for fall and winter, but honestly, it's pretty freakin' awesome on it's own too.

Aaanyway, Elizabeth at Underwear loves Pretty Little Underthings (you lucky ducks!) and is offering a chemise to one lucky reader! Just follow the instructions below to enter, and I'll announce the winner over on Facebook on Friday, August 19th. 

Mandatories to enter the giveaway:
1. Like Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook
2. Like Underwear on Facebook
3. Leave a comment with your email address (otherwise I won't be able to contact you)

And extra entries for:
4. Follow me on Twitter @e5thelove—leave your Twitter handle in your comment too!
5. Follow Underwear on Twitter @shopunderwear

The giveaway will close on Friday, August 19th at 12pm EST. Good luck! xoxo

A Very Special Giveaway - BOOM!

I know this summer has been the season of giveaways here on Pretty Little Underthings. Well, to show my appreciation for my amazing NYC-based fans, this one is 'specially for my wonderful readers in the New York Metro area!

I'm gonna get a little personal here: I'm on team bikini wax. I know some people view the technique as masochistic (which, let's face it, I guess I am) and prefer to shave, but I can't deal with the stubble. And let's be honest—a little grooming is necessary, especially in the summer if you wanna sport that gorgeous swimwear you've been eyeing!

My personal favorite destination for personal hair grooming & removal here in NYC is the snazzy little Boom Boom Brow Bar in Greenwich Village and I've been a loyal fan since they opened in 2007. The New York Times wrote an awesome piece on them a couple of months ago, and after you read it, you miiight understand why I love it there so much. They don't believe in prolonging the pain of waxing, so they have you in and out of there in under 20 minutes for bikini waxes (changing time included!).

So the wonderful owner of Boom Boom, Malynda Vigliotti, is generously giving away three bikini waxes—that's right, THREE—to help three lucky readers get ready for summertime! These are good for their basic bikini wax ($26 value) and if you'd like to upgrade to any other bikini waxes, like a Brazilian, you just pay the difference!

If you're new to giveaways on Pretty Little Underthings, here are the rules (and follow them or your entry will be tossed out):
1. Like Boom Boom Brow Bar on Facebook
2. Like Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook
3. Leave your email address

Extra points for:
4. Follow Boom Boom on Twitter (@boomboombrowbar)
5. Follow me on Twitter (@e5thelove)

Please only enter if you live in the NY Metro area. This giveaway will close on Friday, July 29th at 12pm EST. Good luck!

Tempting Tuesdays: Mid-Summer Swimwear Roundup, Yee-Haw!

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!

'ello, ladies! Hope everyone's summer has been going just fiiine. Can you believe it's July 19th already?? One of my close college friends told me that her grandmother always says, "Summer is almost over!" right after the Fourth of July. Pretty depressing statement, huh? But have no fear—I want to keep summer going for as long as possible, so here's another swimwear roundup from one of my favorite curators of fine swimwear, Net-A-Porter!

Also, I'll be announcing another giveaway tomorrow JUST FOR THE NYC/Tri-State FANS that is kinda sorta related to this post (and one that I'M really excited about), so stay tuned!

1. Agent Provocateur Amylee Printed Bikini

Printed bikini top, $180. Printed bikini briefs, $140.

2. Zimmerman Thistle Mesh-Paneled Halterneck Swimsuit

Halterneck swimsuit, $270.

3. We Are Handsome The Bather Printed Bikini

Bandeau Bikini, $230.

4. JETS by Jessika Allen Prairie Floral-Print Cutout Swimsuit

Cutout swimsuit, $250.

5. Bronzette Striped Bandeau Bikini

Stassy bandeau bikini top, $195. Loretta striped bikini briefs, $150.

Intimate Interview: Jenna Leigh of Jenna Leigh Lingerie & A Giveaway!

Summer officially starts tomorrow! How many weddings are you going to this season? Luckily I don't have as many to go to as some other people I know (haha, sorry friends!) but there are some super-gorgeous bridal lingerie options from Jenna Leigh Lingerie if you're in a squeeze. 

Jenna is getting married herself this fall, so to help her celebrate, we did a lil' interview and she's giving away the super-fun Flamingo button-front romper to a lucky Pretty Little Underthings reader! It's feels a bit odd to have another giveaway so soon, but I love Jenna Leigh's line (a few of her bras are in my regular rotation, shhh) and I'm really pumped for this giveaway!

Giveaway details are below after the interview, so read on about Jenna and what inspires her, and find out how to enter.

Flamingo Button-Front Romper. P.S. you could win this!!

Pretty Little Underthings: What inspired you to start an intimates line instead of say, ready-to-wear?

Jenna Leigh: I started this line because I felt there was a missing void in the marketplace for fashionable lingerie. There are many, many ready to wear brands constantly coming out each season. Lingerie is still considered a rare specialty item in the states.

PLU: Who is the Jenna Leigh woman? What do you think are some of her personality traits that would prompt her to choose Jenna Leigh instead of another line?

JL: The Jenna Leigh woman loves to look sexy but never over the top. She likes subtle sexiness & elegance. She can be casual but wants that extra little something to turn up the heat. She’s beautiful, confident, and loves fashion!

(r) Tremblant Set; (l) Malawi Set

PLU: What inspirations have you drawn for your collections from living in London, New York, and Miami?

JL: Living in London inspired me in every sense to create this lingerie line. Europeans are excited by undergarments and lingerie as a second wardrobe. Miami and New York—and all of my travels for that matter—have inspired me by their fashion cultures. New York is the fashion center of the world, alongside Paris. Living in this fabulous city, I have been able to get a sense of every fashion trend, brand, color, and style. It helps me every day, just to see the excitement on the streets in terms of fashion. I learn new things from simply sitting at a café and people watching!

PLU: I feel like each season gets better and better—the Kyoto set was one of my favorites. It looked like what Céline's intimates line would look like! How do RTW designers inspire you?

JL: RTW designers are a huge inspiration for me. I constantly follow their trends from season to season. My famous “Malawi” bra was inspired by cut-out/key hole looks on the runway and magazines. When army green was huge, I created army green lingerie. I just continue to follow amazing fashion tips & trends from top RTW designers, and then I use my own fashion sense of lingerie to merge them together.

PLU: The Jenna Leigh pieces I have are so beautiful and wouldn’t normally be seen as everyday wear, but for me, getting to wear something gorgeous every day makes me feel happier. Do you think there should be a distinction between “everyday lingerie” and “special occasion”? 

JL: I think there is always a need to hold a special occasion piece to the side, which will make you feel fantastic when you put it on, for either your wedding night, a special date, your birthday, anything! That being said, everyday is an occasion to feel happier like you mentioned. I truly believe that when you wear beautiful clothes, lingerie, shoes, the whole nine yards—you are in a better mood and feel more “confident”. Every woman out there should try wearing a beautiful bra on a random day to work and see how pretty they feel! 

(r) Namos Set; (l) Laos Set

PLU: Speaking of special occasions, you’re getting married soon! Are there any specific pieces from your own collection you would recommend to other brides-to-be? 

JL: Yes! Each season I launch a new bridal set. “Elle” was my first bridal set and is still a best seller for my brand. Spring/Summer 2011, we launched “Laos” which has beautiful sewn detail, padding, lace, and silk-really perfect for any bride. I also love the idea of brides daring to be different with a hint of color. Wedding gowns are so thick, nothing will show through!

PLU: Is there anything new and exciting we should look out for coming to Jenna Leigh Lingerie?

JL: Yes there is! Jenna Leigh is expanding our collection to double in size. For Spring 2012, we will have many more groups available, multiple color-ways, and we are going up to double D cups! No reason why more voluptuous women can’t wear sexy, beautiful lingerie too! 

---

So here are the mandatories to enter the giveaway for the Flamingo Romper (and follow them or your entry will be tossed out!):
1. Like Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook
2. Like Jenna Leigh Lingerie on Facebook
3. Leave a comment with your email address

And an extra entry for:
4. Follow me on Twitter @e5thelove — leave your Twitter handle in your comment if you follow me.

Giveaway will close on Wednesday June 29th at 12pm EST. Good luck! xoxo

Wet Hot Eberjey Giveaway: And the Winner Is...

Ashley!

I love going to the pool in the summer too, though since moving to NYC they've been scarce! Congratulations! Look out for an email from me today.

Thank you to everyone else for entering, and stay tuned because I've got a couple more giveaways coming up in the next month or so... xoxo.

Wet Hot Eberjey Summer — The Giveaway!

I believe in the gloriousness of summer. Beach days, tan lines (always wear spf!), humidity, platform sandals, adorable shorts, laying out in Central Park until the smothering humidity is too unbearable and you feel like you have sunstroke and need a strawberry Frozen Fruit popsicle and you stumble over to the cart on 5th Avenue and 66th Street and eat said popsicle on the curb while the ice cream man tries to make sure that you're not going to pass out on the street and tumble into the bus lane… oh sorry, just reminiscing a bit.

 

(left) Eberjey Beach Glow Laiz Top & Valentina Bottoms; (right) Eberjey Beach Glow Mimi Top & Allie Bottoms

Both sets available at shopfortywinks.com

So to welcome the month of June, I'm thrilled to announce Pretty Little Underthings' new giveaway with Eberjey! They're generously offering an adorable swimsuit to one lucky winner from their Beach Glow collection. And you, the possible future lucky winner, get to pick the top and bottom you want (as long as they have the piece in your size in stock, of course)!

Images courtesy of Eberjey

The Beach Glow collection is shimmery, shiny and while the separates come in solid colors, it's anything but ordinary. There's something for every taste in the variety of top styles offered, and you can mix and match colors too!

So here are the mandatories to enter the giveaway (and follow them or your entry will be tossed out!):
1. Like Eberjey on Facebook
2. Like Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook
3. Tell me what YOU love about summer
4. Leave your email address

Extra points for:
5. Follow Eberjey on Twitter (@Eberjey)
6. Follow me on Twitter (@e5thelove)

Giveaway will close on Friday, June 10th at 12pm EST! Good luck!

Marlies Dekkers Giveaway: And The Winner Is...

...Marela!

"I'm a fan on FB and would love to win. Love Marlies Dekkers"

Please e-mail me at esther@prettylittleunderthings.com so I can get your size & shipping information! And a big thank you to everyone else who entered. I'll have another giveaway soon, so stay tuned!

Keep up with Pretty Little Underthings via Facebook and Twitter.

Tempting Tuesdays: A Marlies Dekkers Giveaway!

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!

Marlies Dekkers Fall 2011 + A Giveaway!

Okay, so I have a confession to make. I never tried on a Marlies Dekkers bra until this past Sunday. There, I said it and I'm not ashamed. Like, let's be serious: the bras are kind of intimidating. Straps galore and padded cups out the wazoo are a lot for a girl who prefers bralettes & cute printed things, not to mention who has A-cup ladybags that don't need a whole lotta support.

But after staring at some press materials for the past two months or so (and a few photos on Twitter by Alison at Faire Frou Frou of how she styled her Marlies Dekkers), I finally marched my exhausted bum over to Bergdorfs and tried one on. My instant reaction: "WHOA MAMA!" (Yeah, you're allowed to say that at Bergdorfs. No one kicked me out, at least). I was trying on a 32B because there weren't any more A's, so it didn't even really fit me and I was still wowed by how amazing it felt on.

It seems pretty genius how she's created a bra that comes in sizes up to an F-cup and is so supportive, yet has push-up styles and the insane strappiness becomes more of a decorative detail for the smaller ladies who don't need all that support. I'm a believer now, Marlies Dekkers. I'm a believer.

Soooo! To celebrate my conversion and the mini milestone of reaching 150 fans on Facebook (not bad for six months, right?) Marlies Dekkers is generously sponsoring a giveaway! Follow the instructions below, and the winner will receive a bra & panty set. 

Style won will depend on size availability. One winner will be chosen at random and we'll contact you for size & shipping information. Only one entry per person. 

All you gotta do: 

1. Become a fan of Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook.

2. Leave a comment here with your name. 

Already a fan of Pretty Little Underthings? Just leave a comment with your name and you'll be all set! 

Last day to enter is Friday, April 8th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be announced on the blog and on Facebook on Monday, April 11th. Good luck!

Marlies Dekkers Padded Push-up Bra & Thong - inspired by the naves in the Notre Dame de Paris

I loved this set from the Fall 2011 collection, "The Muse": Afterglow Balcony Bra & Thong, inspired by the "palest terracotta and golden-toned marble of [Florence] at sunset". LOVE.

How adorable is this top? Florence Pima Cotton Batwing Top. So Sonia Rykiel-esque.

I'll be posting a few more sets in the next couple of weeks, so keep your eyes peeled! Not that you can miss them, they're insane.

Marlies Dekkers is available at Bergdorf Goodman & Neiman Marcus.

BTS Lingerie Giveaway: And the Winner is...

Veronica! Congratulations! We'll e-mail you shortly to get shipping info.

A big thank you to everyone who entered, and stay tuned for other special treats coming soon!

xoxo,
Esther

LAST Day to Enter the Between The Sheets Lingerie Giveaway!

Today is the LAST day to enter the Between The Sheets Lingerie Giveaway! Be sure to go to this post to read how you can enter, and leave your comment for an entry! It's super easy, so even if it's not your style, if you have a friend or family member who'd love this adorable Come Out and Play set, enter for them!

Entries will close at 11:59 PM EST tonight. Good luck!

Giveaway: Between The Sheets Lingerie!

I'm so thrilled to hold Pretty Little Underthings' first-ever giveaway with Between The Sheets Lingerie! Layla has generously offered a Come Out and Play Bralette and Boyshort set (pictured above) in the color of the winner's choice. There are six other color options than the Midnight/Dawn combo pictured!

Each of the following will count as 1 entry:
1. "Like" Between The Sheets on Facebook
2. "Like" Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook
3. Follow Between The Sheets on Twitter
4. Follow me / Pretty Little Underthings on Twitter
5. Sign up for Between The Sheets' e-mail list

Leave a comment on this post with which of the above you're doing with your name & email address so we can verify Facebook "likes" and BTS' email list sign-up. If you follow us on Twitter, then leave your Twitter username as well. Also, an extra point for telling us which color is your favorite!

The giveaway will be open all week, and will close Friday, November 19th at 11:59pm EST. Good luck!

Bralette, $70. Boyshort, $36.

Intimate Interview: Layla L'obatti of Between The Sheets Lingerie!

I've admired the playful Between The Sheets lingerie line from afar for awhile now: their styles all look oh-so-comfy yet luxe, and their pieces are exactly what you'd want to wear while lounging around. Founder and designer Layla L'obatti generously agreed to answer a few questions I had about her brand, why she decided to pull double duty with an additional line, and what it's like to work with her boyfriend! I had always thought BTS was a large operation, but it turns out Layla and Josh are the power duo behind this small, yet amazing company.

So, to celebrate the upcoming holidays (no, it's not too early! I put up my Christmas tree two weeks ago, by the way), we'll be holding our very first Pretty Little Underthings giveaway with BTS! Contest details and rules will be coming on Monday, November 15th, so stay tuned and make sure to tell your friends.

---

Come Out & Play Bralette & Thong in Shade

PLU: What made you decide to start a lingerie line instead of ready-to-wear?
Layla: I have always loved little details, chalk it up to Barbie or something from when I was young! While I was studying at FIT [Fashion Institute of Technology] I had to decide my sophomore year what I wanted to major in, if I hadn't chosen intimates I would've probably done evening wear. I chose lingerie because of the challenges that I saw in it, and I am always looking for a challenge. In lingerie everything from the materials to the fit is so important, dare I say it begs perfection? Everything is right up against a woman's skin so the fabric or lace can't be scratchy, the elastic can't dig in, the leg can't twist. These are all the things I try to focus on when I'm designing. Plus, I have always been a homebody, so lingerie and loungewear just fit my personality!

PLU: What has inspired you the most for your Between The Sheets line?
Layla: I find inspiration two ways: one, fabrics and trims that inspire me to be creative in their use, I can't say exactly what draws me to them, but I know it when I see it. two, things I dislike in garments I have, and I hate to admit to such pessimistic behavior but sometimes the things we wish were different are a great fuel for creative thought and improvement!

A few styles from Specimens of Seduction

PLU: What came first—Specimens of Seduction or BTS? What inspires you for Specimens of Seduction?
Layla: All at once, I knew that in order to make a concise brand image my lacy and luxe side would demand a higher price point that wouldn't fit within the main customer that I wanted for Between the Sheets Collection. I decided I would do capsule collections of high end pieces in limited quanities. The Specimens of Seduction range is more personal, it is the kind of lingerie I wish I could wear everyday and allows me to really flex my creative muscles with complicated silhouettes, patterns, and construction. Between the Sheets Collection was always the main vision, a line of playful, and wearably luxe intimates that everyone from moms to grandmothers could wear, but that would also appeal to the modern city girl who was tired of frills and writing across her behind and ready for more mature and sophisticated sleepwear with a playful attitude.

PLU: What is the most rewarding part of the design and/or production process? 
Layla: Each step from conception, to samplemaking, to selling to stores, and finally production is rewarding, but my favorite part of the process is the photoshoot. It's the first time I really see the whole collection come into view, before that each design is it's own separate project and at the shoot when it all comes together with styling, hair, makeup and concept it comes to life! Then everytime I look back at those images I remember the work it took to breathe life into that moment... and there is something very thrilling about that.

PLU: What is it like to work as a girlfriend/boyfriend duo?
Layla: I never thought that I would find a partner who would be so supportive of my dream, and in the beginning I don't think either of us knew how much of our lives would become devoted to making this business and this vision come to life! Now I can truly say I wish for more balance one day... and I think he would say the same, but it is really amazing that this whole thing has brought out a creative and entrepreneurial fire in him. There are definitely rough days when the stress of running a business wears on our relationship, and I wish there were fewer of those, but overall the level of communication and partnership required for us to be doing this has made our relationship and friendship stronger. I loved him before we set out on this journey, and I love him even more for walking it with me.

PLU: What inspired this year's holiday collection?
Layla: One day my dilute calico was sitting on top of some samples (she likes to do that often) and her colors blended so beautifully with them! I started looking through my Pantones to find the perfect shade of peach/taupe and grey to go with our ivory. The pops of red with bows made them perfect for holiday, Valentine's Day, everyday! No reason not to wear cute lingerie everyday!

PLU: Any advice for other young designers aspiring to start their own line?
Layla: Learn your craft, and never stop learning! Intern if you can, find a mentor, and just soak up knowledge. I had about 7 internships under my belt by the time I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, from everything from a button company, a dress/RTW co, and a couple lingerie and sleepwear brands. Every single one was an opportunity to be a fly on the wall, so by the time I got a job I knew a lot more than my competition, and then by the time I wanted to start my own brand I had the experience and confidence to try my own thing! Whether you want to design lingerie or handbags I think the same holds true.

---
Thanks Layla!

Come Out & Play Bralette, $70. Thong, $32. Available online at BTSLingerie.com.

Follow BTS on Twitter: @BTSLingerie