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

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.

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.

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

Tempting Tuesdays: Celebrating with a Vintagey Set from The Lake and Stars

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!

Wave Lace Bustier Bra and High-Waisted Briefs by The Lake and Stars

I haven't done a Tempting Tuesdays post in awhile, so I thought it was only appropriate that the comeback post would be dedicated to my first lingerie love, The Lake and Stars. I picked up this set for myself Memorial Day weekend as a "yay, new job!" gift to myself (I'm single, I'm allowed to reward myself for lots of reasons), and a surprise 20% off at Azaleas NYC didn't hurt either.

This set can seem a bit intimidating in photos, but it really has an incredibly gorgeous delicate quality as well. I'm definitely filing the bottoms under "power bitch briefs" (and I'll even make a new tag for that), but the hook-and-eye closure in the back makes 'em hottie-hot-hot. I love that they took their Grand Prix briefs and added the lace panel in front. The architectural feel of the lines in the briefs give the illusion that they're sculpting around your body—without the Spanx effect.

The long-line bustier bra is a dream come true for innerwear-as-outerwear connoisseurs. Even before I bought this, when I first saw it on Azaleas' site, I was already thinking of ways I could wear it and incorporate it into everyday outfits. Let's be serious—it's WAY too gorgeous to hide from the world. I tried it on at home with a black maxi skirt that I wear high-waisted, and it ended up looking like an amazing dress. Throw on a sheer-ish white linen button-down (well, maybe not these days because it's like, 80 and humid in NYC and I'd rather not wear clothes but for common decency I have to), shorts, and your favorite flat sandals for a casual summer evening look! I'm going to have a lot of fun with this one, that's for sure.

Wave lace bustier bra, $165. Available at Azaleas NYC and Net-A-Porter.com.
Wave lace high-waisted briefs, $60. Available at Azaleas NYC and Net-A-Porter.com.

Hump Day Pick: Citadel Pinstripe Chemise by The Lake and Stars

Photo via Barneys.com

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this Citadel Pinstripe chemise by The Lake and Stars is priceless. Just kidding, it retails for $225, but a classic black chemise like this with such subtle pinstripes and a not-so-subtle back is a wardrobe staple. Simply perfect to wear under spring's sheer dresses or tucked into neatly pressed wide-leg trousers, or if you're bold enough—by itself.

I'm dying for this one in black because then it'll be forever (or until the elastic hem dies, but lets be serious—I'd probably still wear it anyway), but the poppy-colored version with black trim is KILLER. Check it out. You'll see what I mean.

Citadel Pinstripe Chemise, $225. Available at Azaleas NYC.

Tempting Tuesdays: Hot Bottoms for Valentine's Day

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!

Hot Bottoms for Valentine's Day!

Lace, open backs, hook-and-eye closures, sleek satins—whatever turns you on, here's four sultry picks for Saint Valentine's Day... even if these scream "siren" instead of "saint".

1. Rosalyn Open Back Knicker by Myla

Available at Journelle.com, $106.

2. Stephanee Satin Tanga Briefs by Agent Provacateur

Available at Net-a-Porter.com, $170.

3. Rouge d'Amour Boy Short by Mimi Holliday

Available at Derrière de Soie, $80.

4. Grand Prix Hook-n-Eye Brief by The Lake and Stars

Available at Shop-Underwear.com, $60.

Tempting Tuesdays: Moon Landing Chemise by The Lake and Stars

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!

Moon Landing Silk Chiffon Chemise by The Lake and Stars

This chemise by The Lake and Stars has 1. sparkles, 2. a super-sexy cut-out bodice, and 3. their signature hook & eye closure that's supportive enough for the ladies who need it. I saw this on different boutique's sites, but I finally saw it in person at Journelle SoHo and spent more time ooh-ing and aah-ing over it than was probably appropriate. Go try it on. Did I already mention it has sparkles?

Moon Landing Chemise, $195. Available at Journelle.com.

Guest Blogger Wishlist: Layla L'obatti's Top Five Picks!

I got to meet Layla L'obatti, founder and designer of Between the Sheets Lingerie and Specimens of Seduction last month when she generously offered to sponsor a BTS giveaway here on Pretty Little Underthings (the first!). She & her boyfriend Josh are both so sweet so I asked Layla what her wishlist picks were (Josh, hint hint).

Here are my personal holiday picks:

1. The Lake and Stars Business Model Bralette

If there is any one thing I'd love to wear to enhance my own pieces (from Between the Sheets Collection) I'd want a signature Lake and Stars bralette, and this Business Model silhouette from this season would be perfect paired with our Playdate Babydoll in black! 

2. Eucalan Lingerie Wash

I am wishing for a little kick in the underpants, so I would love some Eucalan wash in my stockings—I love their eucalyptus, grapefruit, and lavender scents.

3. Lascivious Ana Bodysuit

I have lusted for this piece since I very first saw it, from one designer to a very haute brand—I love Lascivious's Ana Bodysuit, the color, the lace, the cut, the fit... it's just drop dead gorgeous glam.

4. Carine Gilson Frou-Frou Silk-Chiffon Kimono

Another lingerie designer crush, I want to sell to Net-A-Porter a la Carine Gilson, and I want to wear this stunning chiffon kimono with lace applique! When I "make it" this will be my gift to myself.

5. Bottega Louie Macarons

After our recent trip to LA we visited the most amazing gem that I wish I had brought back more of! Bottega Louie has the most amazing macarons I've tasted (they happen to have also been my first at the recommendation of both Alison at Faire Frou Frou and another good friend in LA!) and I am dying to taste their salted caramel and all the deliciousness that we brought home and finished shortly after. So santa baby, slip a little something sweet under the tree, for me, I've been an awful good girl!!

Shop Layla's Wishlist!
The Lake and Stars Business Model Bralette, $150. Available at SilkyBottom.com.
Eucalan Lingerie Wash, $11. Available at Eucalan.com.
Carine Gilson Frou Frou Silk-Chiffon Kimono, $1,345. Available at Net-a-Porter.com.
Macarons, available at Bottega Louie Los Angeles.

Say Hi to Thursday: Torchlight Romper by The Lake and Stars

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.

Torchlight Romper by The Lake and Stars

If you've been reading my blog for a bit, then you know how much I adore The Lake and Stars. If you're new to Pretty Little Underthings, then you should know that I really, really love The Lake and Stars. They also pull double-duty designing a diffusion line for Urban Outfitters called Double in Brass which is pretty spectacular too.

So I suppose it's only fitting that my love for the line would make me want to spend all weekend running around in this sheer romper. I just love how the chevrons add a bit of complexity to an otherwise simple cut. The high-cut thighs are super flattering too.

Torchlight romper, $200. Available at Azaleas NYC.

UPDATE: My Curveball Bustier's Gettin' a New Closure!

Maayan from The Lake and Stars emailed me back! She sent her sincere apologies and said they've upgraded their closures since last season, so if I send it over to them, they'll replace the hardware!

I know it's just Maayan and Nikki over there and they're working hard to make sure all of their fans are happy. Ladies—you won me over with that bustier, but now you've won me over for life!

Forever yours,
xoxoxo

P.S. Go check out their super-cute display this week at Barney's New York!
Photo via The Lake and Stars Tumblr.

Underthings Stories: What Do You Do When a Favorite Bra Starts to Bust?

The other day, I noticed that one of my favorite bralettes, The Lake and Stars Curveball Bustier, is going bust. Well, not entirely, but I'm afraid to wear it for fear of destroying it completely. The Lake and Stars has a unique hook & grommet clasp that's secured into the ribbon, and the grosgrain has started fraying a bit around the last grommet. 

I'm not entirely sure how to fix this, and I don't want to stop wearing it either. I messaged Maayan & Nikki so hopefully they'll reply with some advice!

Tempting Tuesdays: The Lake and Stars Grand Prix 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!

The Lake and Stars Grand Prix Soft Bra & Micromesh Bikini

Bra ($110) and bikini ($45) available at Journelle.com.

Sneak Peek: The Lake & Stars Spring 2011

One of my favorite bras of all time is my Curveball bustier from The Lake and Stars, and from the looks featured in their spring 2011 lookbook, it's back! Here's a couple of photos from their quirky "Ritualized"-themed book shot by Tom Hines. Wouldn't we all love to live in a commune wearing The Lake and Stars all day long? Well, I would anyway.

Photos via Refinery29.com

5 Fabulous Bikini-Style Bottoms!

With so many different kinds of panties showing up these days, sometimes you just want a good ol' reliable bikini-style bottom. Here are 5 that I thought were adorable and look oh-so-comfy!

1. Torchlight Panty by The Lake and Stars

Available at Barneys.com, $43. 

2. "Slinky" Knit Mesh Back Boyshort by Betsey Johnson

Available at Nordstrom.com, $22.

3. Light of the Moon Bikini by Elle Macpherson

Available at GigisCloset.com, $27.76.

4. Heathered Bikini by GapBody

Available at GapBody.com, on sale $7.99.

5. Cheetah Lowkini by Aerie American Eagle

Available at Aerie.com, $7.50 or 5 for $25.

Shopping Tip: A Sexy Slip by Double in Brass!

The lovely ladies of The Lake & Stars teamed up with Urban Outfitters this year to create a collection of gorgeous bodysuits and lingerie under the label Double in Brass. It's been a huge hit, and they recently restocked this gorgeous slip in black!

If you're shorter like me, you can probably get away with wearing it as a dress (ooh la la), and the plunge back with their signature hook and eye closure is super hot. If you can't wear it out, it's still guaranteed to bring a touch of sexy elegance to the bedroom.

Chiffon Strappy Slip by Double in Brass by The Lake & Stars, available at UrbanOutfitters.com, $68.

A Trio of Super eBay Finds

I probably spend too much time on eBay in general, but if I'm finding gems like these, then I don't mind!

1. Genius Blue Bow Bra by The Lake and Stars

Available on eBay, $40 (retails for $110).

2. Black Vintage Balconette Bra by Sonia Rykiel for H&M

Available on eBay, $99 (no longer available in stores).

3. Black Quarter Cup Push-Up Bra by Elle Macpherson 

Available on eBay, starting bid $18 (retailed $130).

4 Babelicious Bodysuits to Rock Out and About!

Who doesn't love a good bodysuit? I love wearing them with high-waisted anythings—skirts, jeans and shorts. With a great pair of shoes and the perfect jewelry, I feel and look ready to take on the town. Here are some great ones I've been eyeing recently.

1. Boudoir Collection Bodysuit by Brulee: amazingly sleek, classy and beautifully crafted. Hands down one of my all-time favorites.

Available online at Brulee.com, $178.

2. Torchlight Romper by The Lake and Stars: sheer, playful and perfect for layering.

Available online at AzaleasNYC.com, $200.

3. Boudoir Power Mesh Bodysuit by ASOS: sexy, powerful and a bargain!

Available online at ASOS.com, $37.07.

4. New Venus by La Perla: feminine, classic and luxurious.

Available online at Net-a-Porter.com, $389.