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LINGERIE REVIEW  EMMA HARRIS LINGERIE - SIGNATURE SKY SOFT BRA, SUSPENDER AND THONG 

I’ve worn this set on a handful of occasions now, on loan for shoots so I knew that when the time come that I would order Sky for myself that I would love it just as much as the samples I’d tried on, if not more. Originally I was smitten with Steel from Emma Harris’ collection but when I got Sky in a loan pack the moment I tried it on I fell in love. 

Sky itself, for me, feels really vintage and sensual. The marriage of the soft pastel blue and virgin white combination is very alluring and inviting yet exceptionally sophisticated, especially when combined with the intricately stunning nottingham lace that lines the bra and suspender. Although Sky makes me feel sexy, it is in a flirty and quaint manner. I can easily imagine myself wearing Sky with huge retro curls and pointed toe patent heels sauntering round my house like one of those 50′s movie stars. 

The construction of Sky is just wonderful and I think that is best displayed in the exceptionally neat and almost unnoticeable joins and seams. Even on the samples that I wore they upheld the virtues of the beautiful construction. Another major thing I want to point out is that even on the samples which are likely well worn by a variety of bodies Sky had not not flawed or gaped through the times of wear. Sky comes up quite tight, especially on the soft bra around the cradle and wings but overall that really does help with support (although there is little to none because it is a comfortable bra, it helps secure your breasts) and to stay true to a bodycon fit. Sky fits me perfectly but that is because I like a tight set. I ordered small in the suspender and thong and they really do shape my body near-perfectly. Nonetheless you would seriously need to consider sizing up if you are between sizes because although the fabric is meant to have some stretch it doesn’t extend too far and isn’t particularly yielding mainly because of the material itself. 

I love wearing Sky because it is, as you would expect from the satin silk, lightweight and gloriously comfortable. It is easy to forget you are wearing the set at all. Noteworthy also is how supple the nottingham lace is. I had concerns originally about the lace being scratchy but it isn’t. My only niggle is that the garter grips on the suspender are quite small and tight which makes them fiddly to attach and I do especially struggle with my repetitive strain in my wrists but on the other hand they hide a lot smoother and better under the ribbon unlike most of my other sets  so what you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts. 

This set is the lowest price of the set at £215.00 but getting a half plunge and skirted brief only moves up to £265.00 but you’ll often find that Emma Harris always has an introductory discount, various offers and free postage to all those in the UK, and some of the most gorgeous packaging included to keep everything safe in. 

Overall the construction of Sky is infallible but my reason for loving this set is because of the look and all of the fine details that make it up. Lets face it the details like the white straps of the bra at the back, the bows and the ribbons just crowns Sky. Emma Harris’ is indeed a luxury lingerie brand and deserves the title because the handmade garments are impeccable. 

http://www.emma-harris.com/store/19-signature-sky

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5 TIPS FOR YOUR CERVICAL SCREENING/SMEAR TEST FROM ME, TO YOU. 

Every day eight women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and three die from the disease. Yet cervical cancer is largely preventable thanks to the NHS cervical screening programme and HPV vaccination programme. In the UK 22% of UK women do not attend their cervical screening (smear test) invitation.  There is a lot of stigma around the cervical screening when realistically there shouldn’t be. The cervical screening is literally thee first defense in preventing cervical cancer.  Having regular cervical screening offers the best protection against developing cervical cancer and at the screening precancerous/abnormal cells can be detected so that they can be treated to prevent the occurrence of cancer. Catching cancers early is the best treatment you can possibly ask for, so why would you avoid it?

Because you’ve probably heard that it hurts or you are embarrassed. 

Firstly you are showing your vagina to people who have seen more vaginas than you want to know. Its the same for your doctor or nurse seeing yet another vagina as it is for you seeing yet another mug with a funny metaphor on. You’ve seen a hundred of them, what is another?  Plus you aren’t standing butt naked in front of someone. You will have a little private area to get undressed, lay down on the bed, cover yourself modestly then your allocated professional does a procedure they are totally unfazed by because they’ve done it plenty of time and then you’ll be done. 

Secondly I come onto the most common thing you’ll see pop up for information on smear tests. The word ‘pain’. BUT seriously, I think people go to the word pain because there isn’t really a way of defining how a smear test feels. It isn’t comfortable but it isn’t painful. Put it this way, stubbing your toe hurts more or hitting your elbow.  And ultimately this feeling is certainly going to be much better than the kind of feelings you would have to go to if you contract cervical cancer because you’ve not attended your regular screenings. 

Lets break it down. Your smear is maybe 10 minutes of feeling a bit vulnerable and a bit embarrassed because you are getting undressed and your most private parts of your body exposed and then maybe 5-10 minutes maximum of a very odd sensation. Then you are done and well on your way to cervical health. AND IT IS SO WORTH IT.

Cervical screening is 80–90% reliable and can prevent 60–80% of cervical cancers. This means that seven out of every 10 cases of women who would have developed cancer of the cervix can be prevented

And if it helps, I’ve not only had a few smears myself, but I’ve been diagnosed with abnormal cells and gone all the way to surgery and I still stand by all of the above points. It isn’t too bad, I promise, but in case here are a few tips I find have helped me and maybe, might help you too. 

1. BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING OR LAST THING IN THE EVENING. 

Depending on the type of person you are I would recommend booking early in the morning to ‘get it out of the way’ and have a day to relax and wind down or last thing in the evening so when it is all done you can go home and go straight to bed with a cup of tea. That way if you do have any after-effects (sometimes you may experience some period esque cramps or paints and some bleeding) you can relax in the comfort of your own home either chilling out doing whatever chills you out (sewing, gaming, watching a movie...) or sleep on it so by the time the next day come around you’ll be back to 100% you. 

2. IF YOU ARE ANXIOUS, SPEAK TO YOUR PROFESSIONAL BODY BEFOREHAND (OR IF THAT IS SCARY, A PERSON WHO HAS DONE IT BEFORE!)

There is nothing better than speaking to a professional if you are anxious. Honestly. I found that speaking to my nurses at my GP helped me understand the procedure. Also by speaking to your professional bodies in your area, if you are particularly nervous, you can identify an individual that does make you feel comfortable and book in with them. By expressing your concerns you can ultimately combat them. Or if you don’t want to speak to them directly, speak to someone who has had a smear or more, they can give you plenty of advice too. I’m always at the end of an ask!

3. DONT BE AFRAID TO FOCUS ON DOING SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU COMFORTABLE DURING THE TEST

You do not have to just lay there in that kind scary movie hospital silence. Do something that makes you feel comfortable. Almost all doctors or nurses love to have a chinwag. Sometimes I’ve spoke about the test itself the whole way through, another time I spoke about what christmas presents I was buying that year. Heck when I had my coloscopy me and the team spoke about the best way to boil rice! If talking isn’t your forte you can always take some music in with you and listen to music whilst everything goes on (just remember your professional will likely want to explain everything beforehand because they do guide you through as it all happens, just so you know what is happening) or alternatively go in with some meditation based focus and focus on a particular thing, cover your face with a nice scented scarf. Whatever is your forte, don’t be afraid to do it. The more relaxed you are the better the overall experience for you and your professionals because after all, everyone wants you to have a positive smear. BONUS TIPS FOR EXTRA COMFORT:  Wear a nice long skirt or a dress so you don’t have to get undressed, you can just hitch it up and drop it down.  Bring a small pillow or place your hands just above your bum in the crook of your back to raise your pelvis up a little bit more. 

Ask to bring a chaperone to talk too. 

4. DONT BE AFRAID TO SAY STOP OR VOICE YOURSELF 

Sometimes you may experience discomfort. Fundamentally it is because you may be anxious or scared because like an injection, if you are tense, it can be untoward. The important thing to remember is that you can stop entirely and come back another time or you can tell your doctor or nurse what you are feeling and they will do what they can to make it better there and then. Sometimes you might need more lubricant, sometimes the speculum needs to open sideways as opposed to horizontally, if you don’t voice how you feel, if you do experience anything uncomfortable, you’ll never make it comfortable. You can personalise your experience so if you have something negative you can either make it better and positive straight away or for next time you have a smear test.   

5. YOU ARE NOT ALONE 

And you never will be. Every single woman over 25 all the way to 64 will have smears every three years minimum. Heck I have to have mine every 6 months (and again, I am telling you, it isn’t that bad). You don’t need to feel alone. You don’t need to feel embarrassed. You don’t need to be scared. Everything you are doing is good and everything you will do is for your own health. By you going to your own smear test you can essentially promote others to do so too. Solidarity is the way forward, if we all go, we will all be safe and all in turn, make each other feel safe. 

If anyone did have any questions or maybe wants me to do another blog along these lines or just wants to chat, hit me up on a DM. You can be anonymous if that helps but I am always here. 

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BLANC

Photographer: Roberto McCormick http://www.robertomccormick.com/ MUA: Nikki Tipping MUA https://www.filmandtvpro.com/uk/crew/profile/nikki-tippingHair: Annette GrayModel: Cassie Rae 

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LINGERIE REVIEW - LASCIVIOUS LINGERIE KITTY BRA, SUSPENDER AND OUVERT BRIEF

I have lusted over Kitty by Lascivious for longer than I care to admit. It has always just been bad luck on my part that I haven’t been able to afford the set and missed every flash sale/not had funds at the time of said sale but... my time finally came this year. I am a firm believer of there being a time and place for everything and this time I not only got Kitty but the Captain Bikini. I impromptu struck gold. (Well, black and frilly)

I cant begin to describe how soft Kitty is, no pun intended. The combination of the near-perfect fit of the set and the sultry soft satin base is just faultless. If it weren’t for the fact that this set isn’t designed to be worn under clothes, it would be a splendorous daily to wear. 

I brought Kitty in a 32B and small suspender and brief. Lascivious has quite clearly put a lot of time and thought into the fit of each piece because although the bra is an entirely different type of fit in comparison to the brief and suspender they all manage to be both lightweight and comfortable. The bra is actually quite tight and structured whereas the suspender and brief are not, they are almost free-flowing. The bra is taut and strong but has a flexibility in it that makes it move fluidly with your body whereas the suspender and brief don't have structure built in like the bra but are elasticated and mould around your body like a second skin. The combination is unusual but remarkable. The set is so so comfortable that you could easily forget you were wearing a three piece set. 

I don’t generally buy sets to be suggestive but this set thoroughly makes me feel salacious and sexy and I mean, Kitty looks utterly show-stopping. The ouvert style of the bra and brief are so raw it just can’t help but be unabashedly risque and the layers of frills make the set frisky and kittenish to boot. Everything is designed on this set to be titillating. Kitty is definately made to be seen. 

Kitty makes me feel like I am something exciting which at this point in my life, I really need sometimes and it gives me life and energy. Every part is made and designed with care. The tulle frills are poised so that there is cover enough for the set to be ‘pin up peep showesque’ yet enticing all at the same time. All the edges are finished with beautiful ruching (Even on the ouvert brief which I have seen neglected on other sets before) and the set is framed with a bow in the centre of the bra and brief. It is simply wonderful to see a set finished to perfection. Kitty is everything I wanted it to be. 

Lascivious very much stays true to luxury lingerie. It is noteworthy that Kitty comes in both black and ivory and Lascivious brings out  playful variants every so often (at the moment the set is available in purple and has previously been available in latex in collaboration with William Wilde). Kitty retails in full at £255 but Lascivious has plenty of flash sales and offers that makes them an attainable luxury brand not out of the realm of those who need to save. I will mention that Lascivious has fixed postage fees so you are better to order more together as opposed to individually to save on costs in that respect. (Sadly I forgot to order stockings and will need to wait till my next order but that's by the by). Kitty is definitely worth the price-tag and I say that with utmost confidence,and with the quality and care provided by the brand, they will definately see me return as a customer.  https://www.lascivious.co.uk/

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Wishlist SS17

For co-ordination purposes I am compiling my wishlist for the spring/summer which will continue into the winter and also, perhaps, allow others to browse my style and taste in lingerie. 

Cristina Aielli Flora high waisted brief and bra.  This is the set lingerie dreams are made of for me. I undoubtedly know I will never afford this set but one can wish. 

Va Bien Lingerie Midnight Garden bra, suspender and brief.  These florals and these blues are so luxurious and elegant.  Lascivious Lingerie Kitty Bra, Ouvert Brief and Suspender I’ve wanted the Kitty Set for as long as I can remember. This is one of the first luxury lingerie sets that really made me fall in love with lingerie.  Evgenia Lingerie Janus  Bralette, Thong and Ribbon Corset.  This should be the most sought after star set ever. Its beautiful. 

Iris London Rita Pistachio This green and black lace combination is right up my alley! Ommph.  Emiah Couture Aoye Ciara Bra and tap pant.  Having first hand experienced this set, I am in love. The beading. 

Emma Harris Sky bra, suspender and thong.  I love this set, I love the feel and the colour and it will be mine.  Fleur of England Sofia Boudoir Bra, Brief and Body. I am not usually swayed by pink but this blush pastel set is so sultry and beautiful I couldn’t help but swoon.  

Leda By Night Startgazer high waist brief and bralette. Star themed jewelled goodness. 

Sasha Kimmes Sabrina ouvert knicker, harness and skirt.  I love a revealing set. So sexual yet gorgeously pretty at the same time. 

Paul Seville Classic Horsetail belt and Horsetail Veil and Headdress. I’ve always had a penchant for bondage and ponyplay pieces and Paul Seville’s Classic Horsetail has always been a want.  Fleet Ilya Double Buckle Thong, Black Target Bra and Dog Mask. My bondage/animal dark side coming out again. This whole set just looks powerful and dominating.  Alexandrea Anissa Ramona bra, suspender and knicker. This designer makes everything look amazing. I’ve wanted Ramona for ages and one day it will be mine. 

Lady Lucie Latex Bunny Girl Corset in baby pink.   I’m not a huge fan of latex and although I like the leopard print wiggle skirt they have I’d only really cave for this glorious bunny themed corset. 

Amber and Indigo Cinch Me Harder Love set. I love the whole design on this and how deco the thong is. Loveday London Capulet Demi Cup Bra, Suspender and Brief. I’ve missed out on so many sets by Loveday but I hope I can get hold of this utterly wonderful leopard set.  S J Lingerie Raw Bodysuit . This bodysuit just looks divine both as a piece and on many other bloggers I have seen. Its just beautiful.  Edge O Beyond Alexina Brief, Suspender and Bra. The electric blue and lace combination is just glorious.  Ludique Lingerie Lilith Bra and High Waist Knicker. Whenever I have seen this set, together or separate, it is always a knockout. It is so in your face and bold its riveting. NightProwl London Elysium Triangle Bra, Suspender and Thong This black set is just sublime. I love the simplicity/detail combination.  Lou Lingerie Trait D’lvresse Bra and Brief. I’m still hoping on getting my hands on this somehow but it is such a difficult brand to find and in the right sizes. 

Still waiting for Selina Bond to set up a shop to view her glorious lingerie in full as there are a few sets of hers that are simply divine. 

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LINGERIE REVIEW - L’AGENT SIENA SOFT BRA, SUSPENDER AND BRIEF 

I brought Siena on a whim alongside Lucila and I was sad to say that both sets were disappointing especially after my first purchase was Esthar a while back and I loved it. I’m not sure if blogging about Lucila will be beneficial but I will consider it as Lucila has entirely different points from Siena. I was hoping to purchase these two sets and write up something to reignite my passion for what I considered an affordable yet appealing brand but this time, I fell flat. 

Siena is particularly difficult to photograph in real life because it is actually a very very dark navy laced with gold and the product photos show the set as almost a light blue. I wasn’t disappointed, if anything I prefer a darker set but this was the first time a product photo truly deceived me.  Visually Siena is very pretty in the right lights. It is fashioned out of a floral lace with the metallised fibres woven into the lace and fabric which, if you are in good lighting, can really appreciate but nine times out of ten the darkness of the set overshadows the details that have been put into the design. I think you either need a good clean natural light or a glitterball and light show to really show this off. 

Siena is a really nice fit for a small bust and the satin underband and straps on the set are soft but the lace which, with the metal fibres, is quite scratchy in more tender places which overall stops the set from being comfortable. I mark very easily but my buttox and breasts were quite red and tender when worn with tighter clothing. I mean its not wholly uncomfortable but you are always semi-aware that you are wearing lingerie and if you are like me, mean you are always adjusting it in an unladylike fashion at the dinner table or at your work desk. 

I really love the fit of the bra because it is encompassing and supportive and the knicker is fitted but not restricting. I purchased my standard comfortable 32B in the bra and S in the suspender and knicker. The suspender doesn’t fit as well as the S in the knicker and rides up on the waist as you move so if you do have slightly bigger or rounder hips I suggest sizing up for comfort. The bra and knicker fit really nice and snugly despite the aforementioned but it just doesn’t save the set. 

I’ve always seen L’agent as an alternative option to Ann Summers. An affordable yet classy brand that you can wear alongside you dailies but add a touch of ‘oomph’. You can pick up a set from the L’agent sales for £30 or under and they always have a really wide range so I didn’t expect to see negative results on not one but two sets. I’d like to say I struck unlucky but two different fitting sets being like this? I feel like actually, I just got lucky with Esthar way back when or maybe I am being harsh and the team behind the design and build of the lingerie has changed since then? Perhaps it is me and I need to completely reconsider my styles to body shape when purchasing from L’agent? Either way I won’t be returning to them for a while because of this. Sorry L’agent but you really let me down this time. 

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LINGERIE REVIEW  LONELY LINGERIE PENNY HIGH WAISTED BRIEFS AND BRA 

I’ve been aware of Lonely Lingerie for a long time and have admired the garments they have produced. Lonely Lingerie seems like a staple brand that I see many lingerie lovers own or pine for. When there was a sale on I ended up impulse buying the Penny set on a whim.  I wish I had brought with more consideration because although I like Penny I don’t love Penny and probably could have made a more informed decision. Nonetheless it is not a bad decision by any mean just one that you kind of kick yourself over. 

Penny overall is very pretty and sultry and is made from sheer stretch lace. All of the edges are beautifully scalloped which adds definition to the already elegant lace design. The colour is a dusty green which is advertised as ‘mist’ but to me reminds me more of a light eucalyptus leaf colour. There is a black colourway of this set which, in hindsight, I wish I had gone for but nonetheless Penny is alluring in both. I have seen a few other lingerie lovers with this colourway and must say it is very suiting, just not to me on every level sadly. 

Despite my own misgivings though the set is very much one of the most well fitted I own. The bra came in two options, underwire and soft and I went for the soft cup which is lightweight and very comfortable especially given how soft the fabric is. The bra band comes up very tight because the elastic is so strong. I imagine this would stretch out in time but if you don’t like very tight band like I do, I would advise to size up. I want to add that because of the tightness of the band it does give smaller cups an element of lift although the cut is likely better suited for a larger cup the design that tapers into the back is gorgeous as you’ll find a fair amount of bras are very disinteresting from the back. Penny is well thought out all the way around. You can cross the straps at the front or the back and although the straps look somewhat flimsy they are very durable and like the band, very strong. They do adjust to quite a broad sizing so it was easy to make them fit snugly. 

The briefs I can speak equally as well of as they are comfortable and well fitting. The cut of the brief, like the bra, is very well considered and from the front is sublime. The cotton gusset does extend quite far up the back and personally makes the brief feel a little bit aged especially being, in comparison to the front, very flat. I just find with other lingerie I own the gusset is more subtle. In my mind the black colourway of Penny it doesn’t stand out as much but it is likely because I focus so much on the colour and lace combination that I want that to be the dominant aspect. I just feel the big gusset extending to the back overshadows that but that is entirely on a personal level. 

Sadly noteworthy is that the front hook and loop does have a tendency to get stuck and catch, which I have found on all my hoop and loop fastenings bar Karolina Laskowska’s choker that I purchased.  The smaller waist band does not have this problem as it is just a hook that secures the fabric. 

The cut of Penny is absolutely lovely and is definitely the standout feature of this set. Penny is well rounded and with the consideration on the bra and the extra waist strap looks great from the front or the back.

Lonely Lingerie is a mid-range brand as Penny would cost approximately £140 from new. Those in Britain also need to bare in mind you do get import tax, mine was just over £20. Penny doesn’t make me feel anything spectacular in terms of design but from quality and fit I will definitely revisit Lonely Lingerie in the future so I look forward to hopefully, with something better suited to me, another review. 

Penny in Mist is not available any longer but is in black on the website.  https://lonelylabel.com

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LINGERIE REVIEW  FREOLIC LINGERIE - GRACE GREIGE BRA, SUSPENDER AND BRIEF 

Freolic lingerie is a brand that absolutely captivated me the moment I set eyes on it and the Grace Greige set had me hopelessly in love at first sight. The only other set with this kind of impact on me recently is Va Bien’s Midnight Garden sets and I originally thought both of them were entirely out of reach. I’m glad I’ve been proven wrong. 

Grace was tough to get hold of and I waited 5 months overall to call the set my own. My original order was cancelled due to Freolic not being able to fulfill the demand at the time but advised as soon as my sizes came back into availability I could make another order. To say I checked everyday from October to February to re-order is not an over-exaggeration. May I take a moment to point out that the team and customer service behind Freolic is a breath of fresh air. I’ve not had to deal with customer service overall on any other orders before but those I liaised with at Freolic were explanatory, honest and kind. Good customer service is a huge aspect that is important for a brand overall and the people behind the vision are highly noteworthy. 

Grace is everything I wanted it to be. I saw ‘Of Lambs and Lace’ in Grace before she stopped blogging and it just looked amazing on her. I was actually so anxious that I was going to get Grace and it wasn’t going to look as amazing on me. Grace makes me feel butterflies, genuinely. Wearing this set makes me feel blissfully joyous so in that respect, I think Grace makes me look great.

Grace is a stunning vintage combination of duck egg blue french lace and (although Freolic calls it ivory) champagne gold mesh and elastic. The lace is nothing short of divine and structurally is so well maintained. The entirety of the sets tidiness in the stitching really does, when compared with some of my other lingerie, show the quality of the actual construction of the set and this includes the consideration of label placement which sometimes goes amiss elsewhere on other luxury labels. The fit of the Grace set speaks for the high quality of construction because it feels likes a dream to wear. 

I ordered my usual 32B in the bra and I can easily say it is thee most comfortable push up I own. If I didn’t want to obliterate this bra (despite how fancy I would feel on an almost daily basis) I would wear it everyday. Freolic provides two sets of micro-bead pads inserts that give you the option of the push up aspect or not and they are made of the same soft champagne gold fabric of the bra so you can change the desired effect at will. I must say, on a small bust, the push up bra doesn’t give an overly dramatic lift but the combination of support and a mild lift is really shaping and defining. I see more definition on my breasts which gives more of a sense of class to the push up as opposed to it being glaringly obvious I am wearing a push up. This is exactly what I am after as a small bust! The suspender and the brief equal the comfort of the bra. The lace and mesh are that ‘well washed’ soft that makes the set feel homely and comfortable. You could seriously wear this under almost anything with ease. The suspender is my favourite aspect because the eyelash-edged scallops flutter around the hips which really shows off how spectacular this lace is. The suspender classically tapers over the top of the brief which in my case is a blessing because my failure to acknowledge my middle-aged weight gain meant I could have sized up on the brief because although all my praises sing for the fabrics it is made of, they are not forgiving and really should be sized correctly. 

Everything about Grace Greige is worth every penny spent and the whole set retails for £320. This set epitomises luxury lingerie for me as the thought and dedication are boundless and now I’ve experienced the brand I would take this over your Agent Provocateur’s anyday. Grace Greige is extra special because the colour combination, shape and comfortable fit make this an arresting and beautifully executed set. The name Fréolic is an adjective coming from old English meaning charming, noble or beautiful and I feel those definitions are so...so perfectly fitting. 

https://freolic.co.uk/collections/grace-greige

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LINGERIE REVIEW  FIRST BY SIMONE PERELE - BRA AND THONG 

This set is actually a little bit of an Enigma to me. I bought it off of Ebay because I liked how it looked for approximately £30 but now I am in possession of it I am very much baffled. I don’t think it is an affiliation with Simone Perele at all but without any hard evidence to prove anything at all, I am not sure what to think. If anyone knows about this set I’d love to get some information because google hasn’t brought me any joy. It did come with tags but they were white tags with written sizes which means this could have been a sample, potentially? 

Overall the glamour of the set is definitely fantastic to behold and I would even go to say this is the most artistic looking set that I own. Both the bra and thong are embroidered into a striking feather-like pattern that frames each garment gloriously. Sadly the embroidery is what I would consider lazy, it is beautiful but very unfinished. It end abruptly in some parts that look like they aren’t finished and other areas cross over themselves messily which is a shame. If you are going to embroider something, damn it, do it properly. With all that said though, for note, the back is entirely plain. 

The bra straps are gold dapped bar which I feel adds to the overall look of the set but in a realistic sense isn’t particularly comfortable and leaves a lingering cold feeling. The hooks also never sit flush as the fabric slips on them as you move so you do risk losing a bra strap randomly, constantly. The set did some with some plain fabric straps but if you are buying a set based on look it seems like having plain fabric straps would defeat the point of my having brought it.   The bra is a 32B and is a comfortable fit but the thong is a S and is huge on me. I have to wear the thong high on the hip for it to stay one otherwise it would slowly shift its way down my legs and off pretty easily. Fabric-wise the set isn’t pleasurable to wear. I wouldn't define it as uncomfortable because you can wear it all day but you sure as hell know you are wearing it. The most notable aspect is the cut outs of the feathering because they do rub on the skin and I end up with tiny little red marks for a few hours after removing the set. 

I have not got my head round this set. The small details like the gold bows and cut out in the gore of the bra go so far but the overall set is a let down. Its either a sample or of another ilk because I do not think Simone Perele would affiliate with something with such poor quality. It really is a shame because I think the design is utterly brilliant and the colourway is a bold and striking. It was worth what I paid, ebay is probably the best place for this set to be sold. Simply, the set looks great but that's about it.

If anyone does have information about the brand ‘First by Simone Perele’ or knows more about this set as a whole, I’d be interested to hear more. 

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LINGERIE REVIEW  ZHILYOVA -  JUNIPER BRA AND THONG

This set was one of few things from my 2016 wishlist I actually managed to achieve. I managed to get Juniper alongside the unnamed tan set on my previous blog in the sale and between both of them had me smitten with Zhilyova as a brand as from purchase, delivery and the overall product was a great experience.

Juniper was the bra that brought me to Zhilyova lingerie. I saw it whilst casually browsing on instagram and instantly fell in love. The rich emerald silk and dark striking lace was simply to die for. Juniper looked great as a set and always seemed to look stunning on the array of people they had advertised over social media. 

Juniper has the same fit issues that I had with my other purchase, the sizing is quite small and I really did cut it fine. I brought the 75B for the bra which fits me just so and XS in the thong. Realistically with my growing hip and bum size, I should have brought a S. Nonetheless, although I have to roll the thong on, once on it does not cut in tight nor is it uncomfortable most likely to the incredibly soft silk and lace it is made of. 

Constructively I feel like the bra and thong are very well made, especially as I imagine silk being one of the harder materials to work with. The detail in the stitching to me, is very suitable for the aesthetic of the bra and I like the marriage of the stitchwork with the fabric and I really love the ruffling on the bra straps which brings out the colour of the emerald silk by catching the light. The lace is aptly chosen and emcompasses the breasts which make me feel like this bra would be very versatile for many sizes as I see on social media I see it hugs larger breasts and gives them some definition that I will always envy. As a small breast I like that it covers me with glorious lace patterning to frame my bust without making me feel reduced or small but emphasised. I also like that the thong follows suit and frames the hips with lace around the main body of silk. From the images on social media it does look like the lace on the sides would hang a little more than it does when it is worn but I only bring that up because I would like to see a touch more on the sides because the lace pattern against skin tone is stunning. 

Although I picked this up in the sale it is still available on the website for $151.00 which is roughly £120.00. In an ideal world I’d love to see the bra, thong and a suspender available in that price-range but for the comfort, level of luxury in the materials and no doubt the time and dedication in construction I would consider the pricing fair and wouldnt hesitate to purchase from them again. In fact I know there is a suspender out there for this set and I am hoping that one day a check in on the website and I’ll purchase and complete Juniper as I think I’d die happy wearing some dark brown or tan suspenders alongside that gorgeous emerald green! 

I feel very empowered in this set as a woman, it is that ideal blend of sultry and elegant and I can envision myself wearing this with a long flowing sheer robe in the mansion of my mind.  I wear lingerie for a plethora of reasons but Juniper is all about me, me, me and I don’t just like Juniper, I adore it. 

Shop Juniper below: 

http://zhilyova.com/shop/juniper/ http://zhilyova.com/shop/juniper-2/

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LINGERIE REVIEW  ZHILYOVA - UNNAMED HIGH WAIST KNICKER AND BRALETTE

It is good to be back blogging after a stall with some health issues prior to 2017 and a rocky start but here we are, back on stable ground and staying that way. Much deservedly starting with not just this blog review but a second on my Juniper Bra and Thong on Sunday. 

Zhilyova was on my wishlist as soon as I come across the aforementioned Juniper and when the Christmas sales came about I managed to bag Juniper and this unnamed tan set because, honestly, I don’t own enough neutral coloured lingerie and I thought this would be a staple set. I was right but damn, I didn’t know how good it would be being right! Zhilyova is a Ukraine based lingerie brand and therefore the sizing is slightly different from what I am used too. I went for a 75B which equates to 73 - 77 band which is very snug on the highest fastening but still fits suitably on the other two, I possibly could of managed with a 68 -72 but I prefer having a looser option than more restricted. I brought XS in the briefs and should have brought a S. Although the fabric is stretch I have to roll the briefs on for the days that my hips are bigger than usual as opposed to slip them on so I would definitely recommend sizing up in briefs if you are thinking of purchasing from Zhilyova as they do run a little smaller than I expected. The sizing also contributes to the factor that the thong does run a bit tight on me because it is slightly larger being a high waist knicker. Not that it makes the knicker uncomfortable at all but it is definitely noticeable especially when worn with tight clothing (i.e skinny jeans or leggings) so it probably isnt suitable for people who don’t have a tolerance for thongs but the chances are had I sized correctly this may not even be an issue at all. 

Both the bralette and knicker are made of stretch tulle and therefore are very lightweight. The fabric is very soft on the skin and after a couple of hand washes since my initial purchase it has loosened up even more and become extremely soft. I now happily call this set one of my ‘go-too’s’ and am very much smitten with it. 

Aesthetically it isn’t ground breaking but it doesn’t need to be, this unnamed set speaks for itself. It is a simple, casual set and frankly I find it very unintentionally sexy. The high waist and high cut thong combination for the knicker is just enough to be relaxed but brazen. I usually have an erratic opinion on highly visible seams but it does not bother me a great deal on this set as I feel it is part of the overall informal feel of the set. Constructively the set is very sound and has been well choreographed with gold sliders, rings and hooks which I feel ties the whole set together. 

You can pick up unnamed sets from Zhilyova for around £60 although they sell in dollars. I found the shipping exceptionally reasonable and those in England will be pleased to know no import taxes creep in afterwards and the products turn up in a beautiful branded box. 

Zhilyova was everything I wanted it to be and I will be more than pleased to speak more on Juniper in my next blog. Unfortunately this set is no longer available on the website although you can pick up a similar set in black at present. Personally I would like to see a broader range of basic sets from Zhilyova as they seem to have the right idea about them and sets like this don’t ever go out of fashion. 

http://zhilyova.com/

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Photographer : Steven Bolton Retoucher: Catherine Day Lingerie: Emma Harris Lingerie

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LINGERIE REVIEW  AMORETU CROTCHLESS BODYSUIT SUSPENDER STOCKING 

When Amoretu asked me to review some products, naturally I was happy to do so (especially in my previous chemise review which was very nice and I really liked it), but with the bodystocking I was definitely hesitant for two reasons. One is that I didn’t know how the bodystocking was going to fare as a budget piece and two, being that they strike me as being very sexualised which is not the reason I wear my lingerie. Overall, both of these aspects stopped me from loving bodystockings as a whole and sadly this piece in itself.

The thing is, I really like the concept of this bodystocking but it just isn’t me, it just doesn’t speak to me on any level. This bodystocking is all about the crotchless design, which ecompasses the buttox and shape of the legs and makes them look exceptionally good, but lets face it, crotchless designs are for easy access sex and that just isn’t my forte and doesn’t make me, on a personal level, feel sexy, but in having owned and tried this I understand why they would for others and appreciate the idea.  The quality is what you would expect for the price, you get what you put in after all. Amoretu, as previously mentioned is budget lingerie brand, but the budget hasn’t done the bodystocking any favours whereas could be overlooked in the Chemise. The hems are all turned in or frayed all over as op, making it very unfinished and imperfect, and what makes me most unhappy is the lines going vertical on the design to connect both laces which just aren’t aligned at all as I feel, visually, it really ruins the whole design. It is such a shame, it really is, because the bodystockings design is very nice and almost sultry with the floral design on the bust, hem and stockings. Especially the stockings as I can imagine myself wearing them, if they weren’t a part of the bodysuit and were stockings alone (especially as the suspenders were very flimsy and didn’t hold them high enough for me to show them off properly in my blog photos)

The fit was very snug and even though the design was complex in terms of having many exposed areas, none of the hems rubbed or were incommodious. The tiny straps and high rise on the bust don’t do any favours for a smaller bust and these feature on the vast majority of the Amoretu bodystockings so I feel they are more suited to a larger bust overall and definitely look more desirable on the product photos which I think really was my major crux, bodystockings look good in photos and not on me. 

Bodystockings likely have more to offer than I can express (because I bet there are some raw, carnal individuals that would rock this) and it certainly isn’t Amoretu’s fault that I have found, in the time I have spent with the product, no love for the it. Amoretu have produced a comfortable and very strikingly provocative piece that I am sure ticks many more boxes for others than I. 

Amoretu offers a range of bodystockings here https://www.amoretu.com/

But I found this one here on amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Underwear-Crotchless-Bodysuit-Suspender-Stocking/dp/B01MED6LRA/ref=sr_1_42?s=clothing&ie=UTF8&qid=1479658984&sr=1-42

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LINGERIE REVIEW  TOPSHOP EMBROIDERED BIRD TRIANGLE BRA AND THONG

I definitely got told off for purchasing this set. I had originally gone to enquire about getting an Ipad for drawing purposes and couldnt help but have a browse around what else was around that day and stumbled on this. As soon as I saw birds I brought it. Unbeknownst to me my mum had ordered it as a christmas gift so when I posted it on instagram, she was less than impressed at my purchase, so can we take this blog partly as a public apology to my mum who knows my likes very well and had made a great choice in lingerie.  I always get slightly anxious now buying from high street brands because I always had that nagging feeling in my head of ‘what if this is a knock off of an independant brand?’ so 9/10 I avoid high street brands as I do not know enough about every brand out there to safely identify things, although I do try my best. As of yet, I have not found any direct correlation between this set and someone else, the only thing I can distinguish it is likely inspired by another designer as embroidery of this style seems to be quite fashionably ‘in’ at the moment. 

The main feature is quite obviously the embroidery birds on the cups of the bra and the nude and white/silver fabrics are meant to emphasise this, which they do spectacularly. The set does what it aims to do in terms of visual appearance because the embroidery birds are gorgeous. The stitchwork is neat on the front and on the back although I did have to check all the sizes to find one with the least loose threads to call my own which is likely down to high batch production equalling poorer quality overall. The thong in comparison to the bra is an let down entirely with only a flower on the front when personally, I’d have liked to have seen if not another bird, at least a feather.  

The set itself as a whole isn’t particularly comfortable. The bra is very comfortable but the thong is not. The entirety of the set is very tight. Topshop as a whole are known for having particularly small sizes in everything they do but this is the first time I’ve really ‘felt’ that. I personally like a tight fit but these straps do leave long lasting marks on me which, with the bra I can handle but the thong is almost constricting. The thong I find is consumed to an uncomfortable degree by my buttox and the waist sits awkwardly on my body shape which overall, is very uncomfortable. To put it simply, I wish I had brought the brief.  

The bra on the other hand is comfortable. The fabric is nice but I feel it will need a couple of hand-washes to actually become soft because of it being a mesh fabric. The bra is ideal loungewear or even a daily, perhaps mainly for a smaller bust because the tightness on the underband and straps is the only support this bra really offers. Even in a 32B I find going up and down stairs even my small abundance of breast struggles a little bit to stay safe.

Overall this mixed bag of pro’s and con’s is typical of high street purchases for me and why they are so limited. Personally, although I loved the concept on the hangers, the colourway isn’t the most flattering for my skin colour nor my landing strip and because of my OCD I know I will not find another thong to match with this set so I am hoping with some intensive washes it might soften up enough to become a daily set and eventually grow on me. It will hold my attention because of the birds, but sadly, the birds alone. 

You can purchase the bra and brief on the Topshop Website 

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/bird-embroidered-triangle-bra-5840394?bi=0&ps=20&Ntt=BIRD http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/bird-embroidered-thong-5840401?bi=0&ps=20

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LINGERIE REVIEW  WEAR CLEMENTINA CAROLINE BRALETTE AND THONG 

I saw this set back when I was on holiday in June and the moment I laid my eyes on Caroline, I had to have the set. I have a penchant for both strappy styles and animal print so the combination of both set my lingerie lust to overdrive. When it was first posted the set was due at the end of June but was released early October. I was at work on my lunch break when I noticed and within that short timeframe the thong was no longer in my size. For a moment I was gutted but with a quick curious email, Wear Clementina’s Agnes was happy to make my size in the thong to match with the bra and in a matter of weeks, Caroline was mine. 

Caroline is very bold and incredibly soft of the skin. The set as a whole is exceptionally comfortable to wear and, as may be visible, slightly tight (which is how I like my lingerie) so although I brought a size 8 in the thong I could have sized up to a 10. I went with my comfort zone 32B in the bra which due to being an elastic set, is perfect. 

I am torn between whether the bra or the thong is my favourite aspect of the set. I can barely feel it around my torso it is so comfortable. I imagine this style wouldn’t be very beneficial to a larger bust as the cups are so light and delicate but for smaller bust styles, with the emphasis of the elastic frame around the cup, it really brings out the definition in the shape and size of the bust. The framing of the elastic on the leopard cup makes the style ever so versatile, and although I am not one for lingerie as outerwear, this makes me reconsider my own tastes as this would look great as outwear too.  The bra is front fastening with a hook and loop. Sadly the hook and loop, like many other of my lingerie, has a tendency to get stuck every so often on the fabric and can be a pain to get off every now and then. Nonetheless I always find front fastenings much comfier to wear and also with this style it allows for the back to be as beautiful as the front which I find is a rarity in lingerie. I absolutely adore the ‘skirting’ of the lace around the back instead of just straps. 

The thong follows suit of the bra but in a more simplistic manner. As I find often with independant thongs the back of the thong is a little bit too big on my buttox but personally I negate this by wearing the thong high on the hips. The straps are doubled up so can either be worn flush or parted and the front of the thong is embellished with a tiny gold cross. 

Overall I am still as excited about this set as I was back in June. The thong and bralette as soft and comfortable and sit flush on the skin. The stitch quality and detail overall is fantastic, especially in comparison of other similar independant brand styles, Wear Clementia excels. I will 100% be making more purchases from Wear Clementina because there is plenty more styles in the collection that makes me swoon. 

You can find Caroline here (Although I am not sure if the fabric is all but gone) 

http://www.wearclementina.com/product/caroline-leopard-bralette http://www.wearclementina.com/product/caroline-leopard-pantie

Alternatively Wear Clementina has ‘Lola’ available to purchase which is another animal print set http://www.wearclementina.com/product/lola-bra http://www.wearclementina.com/product/lola-pantie

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So in addition to my lingerie posts, for anyone interested I will be posting mini behind the scenes blog posts on any photoshoots I attend. They will aim to be short, sweet and more visual.  I recently had a photoshoot for the upcoming collection for Emiah and it was utterly fantastic. Having this opportunity has been a bit of a dream as I have admired Emiah for what feels like a very long time. I was completely overwhelmed the moment I saw the underwater series with Zara Syrett- Model and Catherine Laura Photography so I was over the moon to have the opportunity to work with such a glorious designer.  The Aoye collection was shot by the ever fantastic Sparklewren and gorgeously talented second shooter Inaglo in Sparklewren’s studio, all perfected by Charlotte Cashmore- Makeup Artist who worked miracles on my face with a stunning gold smokey eye. (See my instagram for ‘selfies’) The collection is an ornate series of garments all perfectly crafted from the from the same lace. Each meticulously planned set is so exquisite and ethereal they make lingerie works of art. I simply cannot wait to see what evolves of the shoot especially from a team that I could not sing any higher praises from. 

Behold the beauty of Emiah. 

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LINGERIE REVIEW  BLUEBELLA CHRISTABEL BRA AND BRIEF

After purchasing the Nova set from Bluebella I was highly impressed with the brand. Bluebella is generally a good quality, affordable brand with high sex appeal in the way of the designs. I always had my eye on the Christabel set and was incredibly surprised when it dropped down multiple levels in the sale so this purchase was an absolute steal. 

Christabel is a little bit of visual trickery. Don’t get me wrong when I was buying it I was never under any false pretence that this was going to be a sensible set for a day to day wearable basis but I do think it is deceptive in its retail photos. The set gives this ‘air’ of support in its retail photos when realistically it is very flimsy and non-supportive, even for a small bust. The quarter cup and straps are all an illusion of structure and wearing the bra as tightly as possible. Nonetheless I didn’t purchase the set with any pretences and ordered this to be nothing more than eye candy because, thats what it is, very very pretty. 

Christabel for me, is all about that detailing on the quarter cup. The combination of the lace against the skin is simply lovely and very very sexy. I am really quite enamored by the small addition of lace to the centre of the bra that makes it a very ornamental piece. When you wear this you definitely feel good.  The brief in comparison is very plain only really mimicking the bra with the same lace applied on the front of the brief (which is deceptively difficult to see but is actually very quaint). I think the overall design of the brief could have had the same nude-lace on the sides to tie the bra and brief together more and also construct the same sex appeal throughout the design, that would of completed the set for me. I feel like had I have brought the red set all of the downfalls of this set would have been too much for me but the black is very forgiving and hides a great amount of sins. 

Overall though the set is really lightweight and comfortable to wear, a combination of the unsubstantial support but very soft fabrics. I down-talk Christabel but as a whole I really enjoy the set, visually more than practically but I brought it to look good and look good this set does well. Realistically speaking this set is great for a smaller bust as you can get away without the support to obtain a very decorative set that is absolutely perfect for swanning about in or flaunting for someone special (yourself or otherwise, because it works both way). I hope this this set is a springboard for other more visually appealing sets that will encompass more than just the way the set looks. 

https://www.bluebella.com/ https://www.bluebella.com/products/christabel-bra-black https://www.bluebella.com/products/christabel-brief-black?variant=21065787079