Out of Control

What the hell is wrong with me?

I used to be so good at this handwashing thing. I mean, I’ve loved lingerie my entire life and I have been washing it by hand for years. But lately, I have actually almost run out of lingerie twice - !! – before getting around to doing the wash, and given the amount of lingerie I own, that tells you something.

The sad thing is, I’ve actually written a wash and care guide for lingerie and still I can’t seem to get back in the swing of things. There is a pile of handwash sitting up on my bathroom sink staring at me, and it’s been there, growing, for ages.

So, I am going to actually take my own advice and get things in gear. The only thing sad about lingerie is when the set you want to wear is in the wash.

The Lure of the French Maid

I admit it, I love French maid costumes. Ever since a particular Empty Nest episode when I was a kid, I've always thought sex is better with proper costuming. And it isn't that easy to find a decent French maid costume. Lots of them suck. They are too skimpy or too vinyl, or have weird ass-cheek cutouts that look ridiculous. I finally found a style I like, only to realize it was in black and pink.

That is unacceptable. French maid costumes must be black and white. It's just a given. And those vinyl ones are really gross. The point of the whole thing is to find something cut discreetly enough to be innocent, but sexily enough to be hot. It took me ages of searching online to find one I liked. Petticoats (a word my boyfriend has only recently learned; we believe in kinesthetic learning) are essential. As is a feather duster. And - it goes without saying - backseamed fishnet thigh-hi's. Oh, yes.

It is not mandatory that you speak French, although I do. And now even my boyfriend can say several essential words (le preservatif!).

Next, that saucy pirate wench costume I've had my eye on ...

Blogging in a New Direction

As any of my faithful readers - the two of you out there - can attest, this blog has, to date, been a hodgepodge of different things. All depending on my understanding of what the hell a blog actually is. Well, here we go again, trying another tack. Why? Because trying to find cute, helpful, insightful bits of information on lingerie-related issues is starting to drive me crazy. So, back to the basics:

From this point on, this blog will be dedicated to any random, even tangentially-related lingerie thought that crosses my head. The comments section is back on - feel free to go wild. But knock it off with the porn - that cat thing just about made me puke.

Spring Fashion Fun

This spring, fashion is taking a turn towards the feminine side. Curvy silhouettes and bright colors are popular, with feminine ruffles, classic lines, and a nod to Victorian fashions are all part of the trend.

To read more about spring fashion trends for 2006, click here.

Personalized Lingerie

The trend continues towards making fashion statements with rhinestones, embroidery, and printing. T-shirts, tank tops, and even lingerie are being personalized. While t-shirts still tend towards printed slogans, lingerie is seeing an increase in embroidery and rhinestone personalization.

Occasion-specific sayings are popular, especially for weddings. Brides are choosing mass-produced boyshorts and thongs saying "BRIDE" and are also getting custom sayings, like, "Mrs. X" or "I do." Wedding dates and love notes are also popular choices.

Wedding Survival Kits

Have you ever seen the movie The Wedding Planner? A J. Lo and Matthew McConaughey vehicle, one of the best scenes was the handyman's belt strapped to Ms. Lopez's waist, containing everything one might ever need in a pinch at a wedding. From clothespins to glue to tape, she had it all.

Click here, if you want to make one of these Wedding Survival Kits of your own.

And take a peek at this for a Wedding Night Survival Kit.

Romantic Getaways

A romantic weekend away together is one of the perks of finding that special someone. Strolling through parks and picturesque city streets, visiting museums, and gazing into each other's eyes at a corner cafe are all enhanced by the perfect setting.

While every city has its charm, some cities are more charming than others - and that makes them the best for romantic getaways. The United States has some of the most romantic destinations in the world.

Check out America’s Most Romantic Cities.