#treatyoself for Valentine's Day

So, Valentine's Day has the potential to be one of the most annoying holidays out there, especially if you're single. Even if you're in a relationship, it can be annoying to feel like you have to go all-out on the romantic night out. Like, why just this one day you have to be all romantic and sexy when you should probably feel the feelings all year round?

In any case, I think that whether you're single or in a relationship, you should treat yourself for Valentine's Day. And frankly, any day of the year.

From top, clockwise from left:

1. Journelle Natalia Teddy
Journelle's namesake line is 100% incredible, and this teddy is probably the piece that takes it over 100%. Decadent lace and cutouts in all the right places.Yassss.

2. Morgan Lane Lanie Flowers Sleep Mask
Every girl needs a sleep mask. It is absolutely an essential for home and travel, and my life has totally changed since I started using one. I love this one from Morgan Lane with her illustration of Lanie in a field of flowers.

3. Chinti and Parker Cashmere Track Pants
Karl Lagerfeld said, "Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants." But you know what, I'm pretty sure he was talking about those cotton sweatpants that give you dumpy butt, and not these slimmer ones in gorgeous grey cashmere. Throw on a long tee, a leather jacket and some moto boots and you're good to go to brunch.

4. Eres La Pagode Richlieu Leavers Lace-Trimmed Silk-Satin Playsuit
The ultimate "I love me" present. Actually, that was the yellow diamond that Richard gave to Samantha in Sex and the City, but this Eres playsuit is pretty damn close. Anything Eres is the ultimate "I love me" present in the lingerie universe, let's be honest.

5. Diptyque 'Baies' Black Candle
I know there's been that whole expensive candle debate, but Diptyque ones are truly worth it. The scents linger after you blow it out, they burn clean, and the glass is beautiful to reuse afterwards. This favorite scent looks super-chic for any home in black glass.

Holiday Wishlist: Jess Tice, Artist

Jess Tice is an artist (and her paper pop-up skills are so crazy cool), who also happens to have beautiful taste in lingerie. A supporter of PLU since the start, her enthusiasm for pretty little everythings is such an inspiration and reminds me why I love writing about lingerie. So excited to share her wish list for a beautiful, relaxing holiday season!

1. Morgan Lane Orion Frankie Shirt

I hope this little number is under my tree this year!  It's ever so versatile for work and play, dressed up or down.

2. Jennie Kwon Diamond Septum Cuff

This is for my rock-and-roll side… which is just edgy enough to wear this on a daily basis but not actually take the piercing plunge.

3. Soap Cherié Neroli Bergamot Mineral Soak

I think everyone needs a ritual for the end of the day. Mine includes a cocktail and slipping into this luxurious Dead Sea mineral bath salt—nothing relaxes me quite like this. And I love supporting local businesses—Soap Cherié is in Brooklyn.

4. Dita Von Teese Madame X Set

Dita hits all the right marks with her lingerie line. I love the color of this set in Parisienne Blue, and how it just oozes sex appeal. And now that I'm a grown up, I'll actually wear the set together.

5. Intelligent Nutrients Absolute Jasmine

This jasmine perfume is divine! The smell isn't overpowering and not too floral. It's the perfect mysterious scent. I have to admit that whenever I stop at ABC Carpet, I have to 'try' it on. 

 Shop Jess' Wishlist:
1. Morgan Lane Orion Frankie Shirt, $138 at Journelle.com.
2. Jennie Kwon Diamond Septum Cuff, $210 at CatbirdNYC.com.
3. Soap Cherie Neroli Bergamot Bath Soak, $28 at SoapCherie.com.

4. Dita Von Teese Madame X Set: Underwire Bra, $70; Bikini, $42; Garter, $52. All available at Journelle.com.

5. Intelligent Nutrients Absolute Jasmine, $99 at ABChome.com.

Postcards from Montauk

Lucky me got to spend a beautiful weekend in Montauk with some of my girlfriends this past weekend. I preshopped the Journelle swim sale at their Atelier after work last week, so I got to take my new Marysia scallop bikini for a spin on the beach too, complete with my summertime fun Illesteva Leonard sunglasses.

Guys, life is good.

Sunglasses: Illesteva / Bikini: Marysia Swim (top and bottoms) / Rings: (left and right) Catbird NYC, (center) Ariel Gordon Jewelry

Shop this post:

I've Got The Blues

Blue seems to be the color of Spring/Summer 2014. I think 75% of the lingerie I've been ogling for warm weather this year was blue or some shade of blue. The remaining 25% being black or blush, of course.

But I've really got the blues, as in the feelings. You see, I attempted to order this La Perla Noche de Viento bra from the Journelle sale this weekend—along with another blue La Perla Studio bralette—and yours truly was denied. I guess we all got a little too grabby over this incredible bra that was priced as an incredible steal, and someone else won the fight.  

Like, I was even willing to purchase it without the matching bottoms. That's how bad I wanted it. Sobs. It's okay. But I hope it went to a good home.

Okay, now time to move on. If you're willing to pay full price, Net-a-Porter has a few sizes left, so scoot over there and treat yoself. 

La Perla Noche de Viento polka-dot tulle underwire bra, $240. La Perla Noche de Viento briefs, $140.

Image via

Are Bows The New Polka Dots?

I feel like I've been seeing bows everywhere lately, and as much as I feel like they're too feminine a motif to allow into my late-20s wardrobe, I figured there's no harm in succumbing to them for lingerie.

Images via.

I first saw this Stella McCartney Tammy Tickling set (and bodysuit!) when I visited Journelle's Grey Lady at The Standard during NYFW, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. BOWS.

So of course, when I saw this look on the runway at the Chanel S/S 2014 show, the stark black and white pattern amongst the colourful palette stood out to me even more. Leave it to Karl Lagerfeld to reinvent the usage of a Chanel symbol into an adorable pattern. BOWS.

Photo by Esther Kim

It's a sign, right? A sign that I definitely need bows in my boring, stark, late-20s wardrobe. Definitely.

Stella McCartney Tammy Tickling Bra, $70. Tammy Tickling Panty, $37. Available at ZapposCouture.com.

Looking For Love? Found It.

I feel like La Perla Studio just gets me. I spotted this bra on sale at the UES Journelle location and frantically looked for matching bottoms to complete the set. And while I knew I'd buy this one because the bra fit perfectly, the bottoms just sealed the deal. 

This was one of the few non-padded bras I was circulating in rotation during our heat wave a couple of weeks ago, but I have a feeling I might need to get another one as a backup. You know, just in case I want to wear it every day.

La Perla Studio Looking For Love Bra, $95. Looking For Love bottoms in an alternate style, $48. Both available at barenecessities.com.

Back to Black... for Summer!

Hello my lovelies! Did you miss me? I sure missed you. A lot has been going on in my universe the past few months, but hopefully this will be the end of my infrequent posting and we'll return to our semi-regular programming. Alors!

It's been a frigid spring in NYC, sadly. Even as we transition into May it's been long pants and jacket weather. I'm too afraid to venture out in bare legs! But I wonder if this delayed warmth validates my recent accessories splurges for spring/summer: a black bag, a black enamel cuff bracelet (instead of the white I had dreamt of!), black sandals... Or am I finally growing up and realizing that black is and will always be the classic go-to colour? 

Who the hell knows. Either way, the last time I chose to buy black lingerie was probably two or three years ago, so I even surprised myself when I was drawn to this La Perla bra at Journelle. I dropped off a few bras at their bra drive the other month (and picked up a few new ones of course), and this black bra stood out to me in a wall full of other fun-coloured and printed bras. What was happening to me?

Ultimately I think it was the little triangle detail on the straps that did it for me, but then when I tried it on—va-va-voom. I never thought I'd consider a push-up bra again after those torturous flotation devices I experienced from VS, but this one did it nicely. And elegantly. And didn't make me feel like a blow-up. It's become one of my go-to everyday bras... so I can only hope that they don't discontinue this style and keep it going in the future.

Damnit, I knew I should've bought some matching bottoms too.

La Perla Studio Madison Push-Up Bra, $108. La Perla Studio Madison Soiree Short, $68. Available at journelle.com.

My Lingerie Unicorn

Certainly we all have one, right? The one that got away. The dream lingerie set that appears from time to time on our favorite lingerie websites or boutiques, then vanishes before we can set down our credit cards and claim it once and for all.

This cami from The Lake and Stars is my own personal lingerie unicorn, almost six years running now. Y'all know I've been obsessed with the Royale version with the ribbons (unfortch Journelle's warehouse sale didn't have my size, sob).  So when Allison Beale tweeted at me to let me know that it's back in Journelle (and on Journelle.com), I silently freaked out. Could it be? Could this be the end of my hunt? 

Unfortunately my accountant hasn't filed my tax returns yet, and I'm pessimistic that this gorgeous cami will still be in stock when I finally get them. However, it's great to see The Lake and Stars are still bringing back their classic styles each season. Gives me comfort to know that it's not as ephemeral as it once seemed.

The Lake and Stars Classic Camisole, $160. The Lake and Stars Classic Tap Pant, $65. Available at Journelle.com

What to Expect at This Year's Journelle Warehouse Sale

Yours truly was lucky enough to score an invite to Journelle's Warehouse Sale VIP shopping preview last night to survey the goods before the sale opens up today at 9am to the public. This year they moved it to the space at 260 Fifth Avenue, best known to lingeristas as where the La Perla sample sale usually happens. The offering is even bigger this year than last, and with champagne flowing for VIPs last night, it helped ease the transactions a bit (but at least I still managed to stick to my budget—within a range of 50 cents, but still, within my budget).

What to expect:

- PUT EFFORT INTO HUNTING FOR YOUR SIZE. I found a few 34-band bras on the 36 racks.

- Bins of patterned Wolford stockings, marked down to $25 flat
- Bins of La Fee Verte silk bottoms (shorties, undies, boxers) in a great assortment of patterns
- Racks of La Fee Verte rompers, robes and camisoles
- Stella McCartney, Myla and Lascivious are on racks on the right side (if you're facing into the space), past the cash wrap; both bras & bottoms are hanging on the racks
- Racks on the left side (if you're facing into the space) are packed with Elle Macpherson, Mimi Holliday, The Lake and Stars (so many items from TLaS) and Simone Perele; matching bottoms for these are in bins sorted by size in the row of tables that run through the center of the space. A few bras and undies from Bodas are here too in black and pale pink colors (sizes seemed limited)
- Timpa bras & bottoms are on tables near the La Fee Verte bins
- A few Arlotta cashmere robes (my dream) are on racks near the back
- A few Eberjey jersey robes on racks near the center of the space
- Clearance bins in the back of the space near the fitting area
- Fitting room is communal, lots of big mirrors and you can only take in 10 items at a time

Phew! I think that covers the big points that stood out to me. I scooped up my dream birthday wishlist  Mimi Holliday Mojito set for a total of $79 (let's remember the bottom itself retailed for $76), an Eberjey fleece-lined robe sample for a fraction of the retail price, and an amazingly comfortable Bodas set—let me just say that I have seen the light and I'm not turning back.

Journelle Warehouse Sale
260 Fifth Avenue, at 28th Street
January 15-18, 9am-7pm / January 19, 10am-4pm

A jumble of La Fee Verte bottoms

One of the two The Lake and Stars racks

A Stella bralette that didn't make the cut

Journelle cares about you

Tempting Tuesdays: Bondage without the Bondage

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!

Tempting Tuesdays is baaaack! Well, at least I'm hoping to bring it back. Especially when it's this sexy—strappy velvet and mesh, only in the way that Myla can do it best. This one's definitely going on my Christmas wish list.

Myla Velvet 1/3 Cup Bra, $140. Velvet Mini, $85. Available at Journelle.com.

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!

Sex and the City Nostalgia

Let's discuss how much I miss Sex and the City for a minute. Yes, I do watch my SatC DVDs over and over, and I have most of Carrie Bradshaw's legendary quips memorized. But most of all, I miss her cray-cray outfits that always showed off her lingerie somehow, though through the seasons it became a bit more conservative. 

image via Frou Frou Fashionista 

But this outfit from the first Sex and the City movie is probably one of my favorites—a Lake and Stars chemise with high-waisted jeans. I've been looking for that chemise or something similar for years now. I kept seeing pieces on random websites but they were never in my size.

I went to Journelle the other day for a little treat (and to use my 30% off coupon, thaaaanks Journelle!) and spotted this little number from The Lake and Stars. It's not exactly the same, but has the spirit of the Carrie-worn piece I've been searching for! The Royale Chemise is perfectly paired with the Royale Tap Pants—and the beautiful golden peach color is so lovely and undoubtedly matches anything in your wardrobe. I'd say I'm adding this one to my Christmas wish list, but I'm sure that I won't stay in stock that long. 

The Lake and Stars Royale Camisole, $158 and Royale Tap Short, $65. Available online at Journelle.com.

Guest Blog Post: JOURNELLE X STELLA McCARTNEY FNO

So, last month's FNO event at Journelle with Stella McCartney was supposed to be my high point in my fairly short blogging career, but due to my duties as a bridesmaid that weekend I was unable to attend. I realize how overdue this post is and how silly it seems to post a write-up of an even that took place a month ago. However, my dear fellow lingerista Allison Beale generously wrote an amazing review of the event and some key points of the new Stella collection, AND she took some incredible photos. So here y'all are. Enjoy!

I have to be honest, there are few words that get me up and out the door (quickly, mind you) like “Stella McCartney event at Journelle”. That little sentence made braving the high-heeled hordes that typically takeover Soho on Fashion’s Night Out more than worth it.

Well, that sentence and the fact my lingerie partner-in-crime, Esther, asked me to cover the event. I mean, how could I say no?

I’m not sure there’s anyone out there who is a bigger fan of Stella McCartney lingerie. (If there is, please keep it to yourself. I want to win this one.) Aside from being the daughter of rock royalty, the woman is a genius. Her eponymous line is known for ultra-flattering long-line bustiers, come-hither demi bras, high waisted panties, low-slung bikinis and lace, lace, lace! With each piece more exquisite than the next you can’t help but feel it was made with love, and created just. for. you. (Perhaps you remember mine + Esther’s borderline unhealthy obsession with the Irene Gardening bustier summer 2011?)  For FNO, Journelle was debuting McCartney’s new, eco-minded, sliiiiiightly more budget conscious but ever-so-stylish line “Stella” to a small—read VIP—crowd.

The event had all of the makings of a great night. First off, there was an ever-so-slight chill in the air, so naturally I needed my leather jacket. Then, when I walked in to the shop the DJ was spinning Temper Trap's ‘Sweet Disposition’—an epic entrance/exit song). With the stage set, of course the first person I saw upon entering was my favorite shopgirl Carrie. Finally, there was the lingerie…



“Stella” may trend as a more basic line but the seductive shapes (balconnet, plunge, molded underwire, strapless + supernatural) and styles of python, lace and interesting tonal textures are anything but. Though the collection is meant for everyday wear (it’s promoted as one of the lightest + most invisible collections on the market), Stella—in its styling—is every bit as luxe, romantic and fashion forward as its sister brand. I should know as between cocktails and lingerie gos' I managed to inspect each piece from the new collection.

Here are a few informative gems about Stella: 

1. There’s an eco-friendly element to the collection, which is made of French Calais lace + silk with organic cotton gussets and recycled metal hardware. So now you can go green even with your lingerie. 
2. Stella’s secondary focus is on comfort (let’s assume primary is on style). The bra cups come in 8MM foam making them 25% lighter than your average bra. Hello lightweight lingerie! And all the pieces are incredibly soft. I’m not usually a big fan of comfort in fashion, but I think Ms. McCartney is about to change my mind.

My hands-down favorite is the Stella Plunge bra in nude + black lace that promises to be as comfortable as it is sexy. (Try as I might I cannot get enough lace in my lingerie drawer.) 


And while we’re at it, I’ve never been one to turn down Stella’s signature Leopard print so why start now?


For layering, and yes, I guess for sleeping, the Stella chemise in Python print will be my new go-to item.

It should be mentioned here that the gals at Journelle really know how to throw an event complete with a killer soundtrack (‘Private Eyes’ mixing in with a little Outkast and MJ for good measure) and delicious cocktails. For the truly ambitious there was an Instagram contest with the winner taking home a sick goodie bag of—what else—Stella. Now, I am usually a pretty voracious ‘grammer BUT it just so happens that Journelle is the only place in the city where Verizon goes on strike. At least on my iPhone. Thanksverymuchforthatbytheway. So no [free] Stella for me.

However, I will be back for this little number. It’s the Stella McCartney Cherie Sneezing (yes, sneezing) in fuchsia, available in October. Maybe I’ll Instagram that. (Kidding.)

 Puzzle pins from Stella McCartney's Winter 2012 Campaign

x ab

All photos courtesy of Allison Beale.

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.

Beat the Heat: Summertime Bra Roundup, Part 1

If you live in NYC (the tri-state area, including eastern Pennsylvania), you'll know what I'm talking about when I say "IT'S TOO DAMN HOT TO WEAR A BRA". These seemingly incessant heat waves even continue with thunderstorms that aren't powerful enough to break the miserable weather.

But let's be serious—I love wearing white in the summer, thus I can't not wear a bra. But I do have a few that have been my saving grace these past couple of months, mostly made of the softest mesh and lace that are still utterly breathable and comfortable even as I run around the city dripping with sweat (SO ladylike, I know). Beat the summer heat with these styles (mostly wireless) that won't add another layer of sweaty misery to your outfit.

1. Mimi Holliday Tarte Tartin Non-padded bra, $90, on sale for $63. Available at journelle.com.   2. Only Hearts Whisper Bralette, $58. Available at charlieandlee.com.  3. The Lake and Stars Miracle Box honeycomb mesh & fishnet bra, $135. Available at net-a-porter.com.  4. Only Hearts Venice Lace Bralette, $53. Available at charlieandlee.com.  5. Araks Antonia Softcup, $72. Available at journelle.com.

A Belated-Everything Wishlist

Hello! Bonjour! It's been awhile. I haven't forgotten about PLU, I've just been busy and unfortunately my blog has gotten the short end of the stick. Fortunately, my birthday recently passed and I thought it'd be fun to post a lil' (belated) birthday wishlist because I've been seeing some reeeallly lovely pieces and I can't wait to post them individually. Also because these are all things I wanted for my birthday, I just never told anyone.

1. Dolce & Gabbana Floral-print Bodysuit

An artful floral slash nautical print with bold strokes in a stretch-silk blend fabric. I love Dolce & Gabbana's bodysuits for their loud prints and classic bombshell silhouettes. This would be perfect with jeans and a leather jacket.  $1,245. Available at net-a-porter.com.

2. Mimi Holliday Mojito Set

Y'all know how much I love Mimi Holliday; so much that my birthday wishlist probably would seem like a forgery if I didn't include a Mimi on here! I loved this almost-fluorescent-but-not-quite-because-it's-classier colour the most of the spring/summer colorways, and had to resist the temptation to buy it when I tried it on a few weeks ago. Pair it with a tan (SPF kids!) and a real mojito for summertime cool. Or just hang it up in your room and stare at it.  Bra, $82. Boyshorts, $76. Available at Journelle.com.

3. ARI DEIN Boutique Hotel Demi Gown

In strawberry ice, please! This is lady in the front, and lady-of-the-night in the back. Okay, well she'd have to be a really classy lady of the night. Who isn't really a lady of the night. I mean, at least it's a classy way to show off some side boob and the toned back you've been working on in pilates class. And it's gorgeous, handmade and 100% made in my favorite city, NYC.  $295, available at Journelle.com.

The One That Got Away (Kind Of)

Elle Macpherson Obsidian Raquel Set

Sometimes the lingerie gods are kind, and make your Chantelle dreams come true. Sometimes they like to slap you in the face and laugh for having boobies too small to even produce bras in your size. Haha, just kidding they're not that harsh. But I'll be dramatic to bemoan the fact that this gorgeous set by Elle Macpherson Obsidian will never be mine.

I saw this on Journelle.com a couple of weeks ago and was ready to pull the trigger on it during their Memorial Day sale, but sadly my 34A size was sold out. Journelle's wonderful Mara did some searching for me, even going as far as emailing their Elle rep, but sadly A cups weren't even produced for this style.

I mean, it's not that big of a deal. At the end of the day it's just a lingerie set (a beautiful one with amazing keyhole detailing and abstract leopard patterns) so whatever. But it made me think of this AWESOME photo of Hilary Swank as Raquel Welch in the book Face Forward by the late Kevyn Aucoin. (By the way, if you're a makeup junkie or love portraits or are a sucker for heart-wrenching stories about the power makeup has to lift your self-esteem, you need to read it).

image via wicked halo

Okay, anyway, that's it. It comes in a B cup and up, so enjoy. And sorry if my animated panties are giving you a seizure. They were both just too pretty and I couldn't decide between the two.

Elle Macpherson Obsidian Raquel bra, $90. Raquel thong, $50. Raquel culottes, $50. Available at Journelle.com.

Tempting Tuesdays: A Stella McCartney Beige Bra & What Not To Do At Work

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!

Stella McCartney Maria Bouncing Set

image via journelle.com

A few weeks ago I posted about the beautiful Chantelle set I got at Journelle with my discount code for participating in their bra drive with Free the Girls. So, this is the other one I settled on (bra only, no knickers but you know how I do—gotta show you the set!)... and it was kinda tough. I wanted a nude bra since one of the ones I had donated was my go-to Elle Macpherson beige bra and I needed a simple beige one in my repertoire. But you know, even with 20% off, a $150 bra isn't an easy decision to make. But I did it, especially once the sales associate told me that they did have it in my size, and I figured, "I'm celebrating spring, a new job and a new phase of my life—this calls for a new... beige bra." Yeah.

What's pretty cool though, is that you can remove the straps to make it a strapless bustier-style bra, or a racerback! Just make sure that the straps are adjusted to the correct length and they're not too loose. Otherwise it might slide out in the front and hang out of the sleeve of your silk blouse when you're walking to the restroom at work and leave people staring at you, puzzled... and you're wondering if your eye makeup is smeared all over your face when in reality, your bra strap is hanging out of your sleeve and you don't realize it until you're in the stall. 

"Aw, fuck."

Good thing no one else was in the restroom.

But otherwise, it's a really, pretty bra. Stella McCartney long-lines FTW.

Stella McCartney Maria Bouncing Bra, $150. Maria Bouncing Bikini, $70. Available at journelle.com.

A Dose of Summertime Pretty

I stopped by Journelle last Friday after work to drop off some of my old bras for their Spring Cleaning Bra Drive that supports Free the Girls (pun intended) and to refresh my lingerie drawer with some new pretties. I may or may not have shed a tear when I realized that some of the Mimi Holliday bras I had been eyeing weren't available in my size at the Union Square store—and almost every other bra I tried on wasn't my exact size because mine was either sold out or wasn't carried.

I was bummed, handed over "my failed attempts at happiness" to the sales associate, and then saw this Chantelle Icone set in Tropical Blue and figured it'd be worth a shot—even though the black Icone was too big on me. I tried on the same size I had tried in black—and hollerlujah, it fit perfectly. So, naturally with a bra this pretty, I had to get the bottoms too. The color makes me think of summertime in this chilly NYC spring we've been having, and just looking at it makes me smile.

Moral of this story? Try on every damn bra because manufacturers are sizing differently even among their own collections. And who knows? You could be pleasantly surprised.

Chantelle Icone Demi Bra, $88. Icone Shorty, $88. Available at Journelle.com.