Monthly Archives: November 2010

Forty Winks looks stunning!

A couple of weeks ago, we kicked off the decorating process with a trip to my own personal hell, aka The Christmas Tree Shoppe.   I seriously have a panic attack just thinking about that place.  But, after wading though copious amounts of  glitter and creepy figurines, we happily purchased a ton of silver snowflakes, red bows in various sizes, and jingly bells that made even this old Scrooge smile.  Meredith also convinced me that a pine cone tree, covered in gold spray paint was a good idea.  Since she’s the one with the design talent I eventually relented.  We then drank a bottle and a half of red wine to soothe our frazzled Christmas Tree Shoppe nerves.  I’m only sort of joking.

The next day, as I sat idly by (kidding!),  Meredith designed a blueprint for an elaborate, falling snowflake design to be hung  in our windows and on our mirrors.  I mean this thing looked like it was drawn by an MIT grad student.  Upon completing the algorithm, she started stringing the snowflakes on fishing line with strategical placement worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.  Another feat of engineering I wasn’t involved in…

But all that planning really paid off and the windows and mirrors are host to magnificent, sparkly strands of “floating” snowflakes.  At the foot of each mannequin sits clusters of beautiful  red poinsettias and red velvet bows adorn each chandelier.  Add the gold pine cone tree into the mix and you have one gorgeous lingerie boutique.   See for yourself and come visit us!

Oh hello Rachel.  (I’m working on this very blog).

A red bra to add to the holiday cheer….

A glimpse at one of the snowflake algorithms.  Or equations.  Or whatever they’re called.

Some night shots Mer just took!

**When we found our go-to sachet lady on etsy.com we instantly loved her lavender scented sachets tied with vintage ribbon and hand stamped with whimsical words like “glee” and “delight.” We ordered a slew when we opened and then reordered in mid July.  People just couldn’t get enough and we knew had a hit on our hands.

So with the holidays right around the corner, we thought we’d stock up on more seasonally appropriate designs.  Our sachet expert was kind enough to reinvent her look a bit with the help of tartan plaids and wintry tweed.  LOVE.   At $8 a pop they are perfect little gifts for friends and family over the next few weeks.

**Given the fact that we sold out of Chantelle’s Icone demi in one week, we thought reordering might the be the fiscally responsible thing to do. And, given the fact that this is probably one of the best fitting bras to ever cross the threshold of Forty Winks, we thought our customers might appreciate it too.

This bra is a stunner.  It’s jet black with a tiny bit of metallic thread shot  throughout the signature Icone embroidery. With its excellent balconette fit, the Icone perfectly sums up the Forty Winks philosophy of providing our customers with beautiful bras that they can actually wear on a daily basis. The gorgeous matching thong doesn’t hurt the whole ensemble either.

**Cervin garter belts are back!  These ditties sold out so quickly, even Cervin had to scramble to get us more stock.  What makes them so popular?  Well as one customer pointed out, they are “real garter belts.”  Featuring three wide straps on each leg, this belt is meant to be worn functionally as well as for fun.   With novelty hosiery making a strong come back in in the fashion world, these more hi tech belts are what you need if you’re planning on wearing them on an everyday basis.   We happily welcome the above three hits back to Forty Winks.   Please don’t take our word for it.  Come see for yourself.

My amazing cousin, Sarah, gives you a cheapo’s guide to shopping boutique lingerie.  Enjoy.

Confessions of a Shop-o-phobic

I hate shopping.  I have about a 30-minute shopping limit per month, feel totally overwhelmed in large stores overflowing with merch, and I’m a total cheapo.  I flatter myself that I like to “invest in quality”, but when it comes down to it, I want a boutique experience and quality, but at big chain prices.  Not something you find every day.  My solution?  Abstinence.

My dear cousin Rachel has been coaching me through my phobia for years now.  She goes with me, locks me in the dressing room, brings me things in small doses, and administers a pep talk on the way to the register.  I’m happy to report that with her help (and her hand-me-downs), I’ve almost completely weeded out my high school wardrobe from my closet. (I’m still suffering the consequences of a harrowing Old Navy Tech Vest binge.)

So, if I don’t spend money on clothes, I never ever pictured myself dropping money on UNDER clothes.  Before Rachel and Meredith opened Forty Winks, my exposure to undergarments was limited to Victoria Secret 5 for $25 (only during real moments of desperation), and $2-$3 TJ Maxx undies that would either ball up or disintegrate.  For bras, I held fast and true to my rotation of 2-3 ill-fitting cheapos.  I never expected to find anything I could afford at a boutique.

But I did!  And not just one item, but a broad selection.  So without further ado, I would like to share with all my fellow Shop-o-phobics my list of Cheapo-compatible items:

OnGoassamer Bump-it-Up Bras:  I’ve never been really excited about a bra before, which I now realize means that I’ve never really had one that fits me properly.  This OnGossamer  Bra was love at first clip.  It has a little bump, a smooth seemless lay under all my shirts, and it comes in a nude color that actually matches my pasty white skin (it runs in the family…).  At $46 a pop, I will ALWAYS buy this bra (which comes in new colors each season).  It is my basic, “feels great and looks even better” go-to bra for everything.  I already made a believer out of one of my skeptical fellow cheapo friends. Oh, and did I mention OnGossamer makes a strapless version of this bra? Well they do.  And I have it.  And it is awesome (and cheap!).

Felina undies:  So, $46 bra I could handle (after all, that is cheaper than Victoria Secret… and I’d pay a lot more just to avoid a trip into that store…).  But $12 undies?  That was creeping up on “Major Purchase” status in my book.  In fact, I didn’t buy them at first.  My first pair was a gift in an “undie survival pack” I got from Rach for my bridal shower this spring.  Though she threw in a pair of lacies, she knew me well enough to stick to the basics.  The rest is history.  I was converted.  Seamless boy-short cut undies in silky soft cotton that are machine washable and don’t ball up, fall apart, sag, or ride up my butt? It is totally worth the $12.  Anyway, I have been slowing collecting pairs of these (and weeding out my own unspeakables) for the last 6 months, and they are holding up beautifully.  Plus, add the Forty Winks Panty Card promo on top of that, and I am only a few punches away from a $25 gift certificate!  And at my price point, that is two free pairs of undies–Hot diggity dog!

Eberjey Delirious Chemise:  I’ve never owned anything like this before, and at $56  I admittedly thought it was an extravagant purchase at the time.  Having worn it and fallen in love with it, I can now confidently say it is worth every penny.  If you are anything like me and change into PJ’s as soon as you walk in the door at night, this baby is a big step up from my old Wynonna Judd t-shirt.  Feeling pretty in PJs? What a concept!

In sum, this shop-a-phobic is happy to have found a few nice things for the right price that didn’t age me three years to acquire.  Thanks Forty Winks

Spent a lovely evening with Marissa Mintzer and Sara Graham, Mint Julep’s extraordinary “upper managment”, and my dear business partner Meredith.

We attended the opening of the 5sPR Showroom in the South End.  It’s a gorgeous space housing, at least for tonight, a SLEW of beautiful people sporting amazing and creative fashion.  I always find it so inspiring to be in the company of people that really take fashion seriously.  Makes me want to go home and put together some outfits.  Or do some online shopping.

I don’t flatter myself into thinking that I’m as chic as these folks and I’m certainly not too proud to find their looks inspiring enough to well, copy them.  Thanks to tonight, I’ve got looks for along time.  I’ll be thinking about a certain pair of  black gloves all night.

xoxo

-R

We’re happy to report that the Hanky Panky After Midnight collection and the Signature Lace garter belts really are as good as they claim to be.   Shown below is the Signature Lace thong and garter belt, topped off with the After Midnight Peek-a-boo bralet.  Yes, those are bows, and yes they are meant to be untied.

Another favorite is the Signature Lace Retro Thong with detachable garters.   Talk about multi-purposed, this little lovely can be worn sans garters during your day to day, only to be happily reunited with them for some sexy time later on in the evening.

While we LOVE all the usual Hanky Panky sexiness, we can’t wait to see what they do with their After Midnight collection.  We are dying over all the little peek-a-boo detailing going on with After Midnight (open gusset panties anyone?) and we want to see more!

And God love her, but this mannequin isn’t quite doing this stuff justice.  You’ll have to come in and see for yourself.  xoxo

Sure Forty Winks has always been dotted with pieces best worn in the privacy of the boudoir, but as evidenced by the overwhelming response to the silky garter thong we sold out of in a single day, we clearly needed to up the ante on the come-hither factor.

Our most recent arrival is France based, Maison Close.   After ordering from  line sheets that would make even the most brazen buyer blush, we were shipped the most sultry little garter belts, slinky teddies, and bras that are totally  meant to be seen.   The below number is currently on our center mannequin and is already garnering attention.  I can tell you from personal experience (TMI?) that because of the lightly stretchable mesh and structured boning, this set fits like a dream.  And no, the attached garters do not dig into one’s thighs as they are brilliantly adjustable (we were worried too).   Another personal favorite is “Le Petit Secret” garter which requires no belt, only stockings attached to an uber sexy single strap of velvet…ooh la la.

So, Forty Winks will happily continue to be your go-to for daily basics, but we are pleased to be tapping into our more provocative sides.  And while we were plum out of garter belts for a while, rest assured that from here on out, there will be plenty of silky, lacy bits of seduction on our racks.

I tried to get Meredith to model the insanely cute silk bikini underwear we just got from newcomer Toute la Nuit, but she laughed in my face.

I don’t really know why, they are simply gorgeous and oh so flattering on the bum.  With solid silk fronts (in sultry animal prints and flirty polka dots) and silk gauze backs, these ultra feminine undies come in packs of three ($66) and  will make you feel all giddy and romantic.

Oh and a tidbit for our more practical lingerie lovers, these little jewels are machine washable.  Nice.