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Moonlit Merlot, romantic peignoir set from Certain Style

It’s much easier for men to buy lingerie for the women in their lives if they buy online, especially if you buy from us :-) but there are some simple things to look for when choosing an online store which will make your task easier.Before you go online shopping try to find out what size you are looking for. Take a look at one of the size tags in her clothes, but please be sure to check something that fits (like an item she wore yesterday) and don’t stick with just one. Sizes vary far more than you can imagine, so it’s best to get a picture of more than one. Standard sizes allow for a woman’s hips to be two inches larger than her bust. Try to check her hip size as well, as many women are pear shaped and may need top and bottom in different sizes to get the best fit. If you really cant find out, choose a store with a helpful attitude, some have programs where they will contact the woman on your behalf and get her measurements without spoiling the surprise.

Before you buy think, about whether your gift will ever be worn. The chances are that if it is too revealing or makes her feel silly, it will end up stuck in a drawer. If that’s the direction you want to go in, you may have to get there in small steps.

Before you decide to buy, check that the store you have chosen has a well displayed telephone number and give them a call. You can tell a lot by whether the phone is answered. You want your queries dealt with promptly so if you call at a reasonable time (check where the store is) and there is only an answering machine, you may want to give them a miss. Best of all, use live chat if it is available.

Once you have basic size information look at the numbers. If all you’ve gathered is S M L or XL then you need to do a little more research. Most lingerie sites will have a size chart, check the values you have against this chart. If her bust is smaller than 30 or larger than 40, the chances are that most sites won’t sell her size, in which case you buy made to measure or look for a plus size store. If you are buying for a special occasion, made to measure is the way to go, though it is generally more expensive.

The biggest mistake men make when buying lingerie on the web is that they get enthusiastic about the pictures. You are looking at a model. She is probably very tall and usually a very small size. You may be buying for someone the same, but the chances are that the woman in your life in shorter and wider. There are quality lingerie sites on the web, but take a look at the prices. You get what you pay for. Cheaply made garments may not fit particularly well, this is fine with a loose style, but if you are looking at figure hugging perfection, consider that someone has probably pinned the garment at the back, where you can’t see it, to make it look that way.

Think about the shape of the woman you are buying for. If she is pear shaped, (more than 2 inches bigger at the hips than the bust – and most women are) then unless you buy made to measure you will not be able to fit her with something really figure hugging, so opt for something that will suit her shape, like a babydoll nightgown which is tight around the bust but wide around the hips. If you are buying this as a romantic gift, why not give her a romantic gown? Something long and silk, with a lace trim would be ideal. Transparent may be sexy, but it isn’t romantic. For the ultimate in romance, take a look at peignoir sets.  This is the item most women want, but won’t buy for themselves.

Women with large cup sizes may find that they burst out of standard size nightgowns. If this is the case then a nightgown where the skirt hangs from a yoke will look better. This doesn’t have to be the sort of style your Mom would wear, there are plenty of short sexy styles which don’t have fitted busts. If your wife has small breasts then something with ruffles or pleating over the breast area will often be the most flattering.

Have you heard her say she hates her legs? If so, pick something long. I promise that if you get her something she really likes, and most importantly feels good in, you’ll get the effect you are looking for more than if you went for something which really only appeals to you.

Finally, this is a gift, so get it wrapped. Some companies (Certain Style is one of them) supply in a lovely box as a matter of course, others stuff the item in a bag. The web site should say, but if not, call, don’t leave it to chance and if you don’t buy made to measure be sure you can return it if it doesn’t fit.

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silk nightgowns

Silk nightgown available in almost any two colors you can imagine.

It’s no coincidence that when a woman dumps a man or becomes a dumpee, she often heads straight for the hairdresser. A new look is in order. Self esteem is at stake and confidence is the key to recovery. But there are times in life when confidence slips, just a little, and you’re not aware of it. Over time is gets worse, but slowly and insidiously so that when the problem finally becomes noticeable, there is no sign of the event that started it all. This hits a lot of women when they have their first child. Something changes, and even though you don’t have anything which could be described as post partum depression, you know you’re different, somehow softer, and that may not be something you feel comfortable with. I know in my own case that after my son was born I cried far more easily than I had before, and that’s something which has never really changed.The process of restoring lost confidence is a difficult one for anyone at any age, the best advice is to boost it regularly and make sure it never disappears completely. The days right after childbirth are an important time for many reasons, with so many changes in your life, feeling vulnerable and with a new baby to look after it’s easy to forget that husbands also go through a change, some begin to feel left out, others, though delighted with the child, feel slightly sad, they know the core relationship has changed and in some marriages cracks appear where in reality there is no need for them. This problem is not a trivial one in any way, and it is not my intention to trivialise it here, but I know of cases where the problem was solved, not by drugs or counseling or divorce, but by a nightgown.

I first heard from Julia when she bought a nightgown from me as a present from her daughter. It was a lovely long nightgown of lace and satin with a pretty matching robe in a beautiful shade of blue. She wanted the nightgown made so her daughter could feed her brand new baby, and we were happy to comply. I later got an email showing Marie, Julia’s daughter in the nightgown with her baby and I thought no more about it, till a few months later I actually met Julia at a business woman’s conference in Orlando and she told me the story behind her gift.

As Marie’s planned and welcomed pregnancy drew to a close Julia felt sure she saw some signs of strain. The baby was Marie’s world and when Julia took her on a shopping spree she was only interested in baby clothes. Julia suggested buying a nightgown, but Marie could see no point, so Julia decided to take action and ordered the nightgown in Marie’s favorite color. Naturally it fitted perfectly so when Marie looked in the mirror there was no baggy T shirt over a soggy stomach. Her self confidence soared. Dressed in satin and outlined in lace Marie felt good and it began to show. In only a short time, nature took it’s course, Marie and her husband discovered each other again and Julia felt that potential disaster had been averted. And all because of a nightgown.

Of course it doesn’t have to be a nightgown. The important thing here was that Marie’s confidence received a boost when it was needed. Would a trip to a hairstylist have been just as effective? I have no idea. But I do know that nightgowns are more important than you think, and nightgown therapy, though it sounds silly, is very real.

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Bridal Nightgown and Robe

Barefoot Bride photo by Polina Osherov

The big thing about the web is supposed to be the opportunity for dialogue with customers. Rather than simply developing products and telling customers why they should want them, you get an opportunity to find out what the customers actually want.

I’ve come to the conclusion that many companies are paying lip service to this. They appear to be asking, but the truth is it’s business as usual, and it’s something I’ve been trying to avoid with Certain Style.

It’s my personal belief that many of the nightgowns for sale are  all about men, and not about the women who wear them. I like to feel good in a nightgown and that doesn’t usually mean exposing bits I’d rather were covered. I know a lo of your agree, but over the last few months as we strove to introduce a Bridal range, Ive also heard from women who want who have pointed out to me that sometimes their purpose in donning a nightgown is to be/feel/appear sexy, so we listened. Today we’ve just finished adding our new ‘sunshine’ collection to the website, and part of that is a our new bridal nightgown set, Barefoot Bride.  Consisting of a chiffon nightgown with tiny lace underlay, the chiffon is layered but still very revealing, fluttering, feminine but very sexy and designed for the bride who knows what she wants, and how to get it.

Of course we didn’t stop there. I like animal prints, but when it comes to lingerie they can look cheap and nasty. A great deal depends on the fabric design. As a result I was overjoyed to find a gorgeous giraffe print for our new babydoll nightgown the fabric is ultra light pure silk chiffon and probably the most gorgeous fabric in our growing collection, but we don’t have a lot, so head on over to our website a grab one while you can!

Please let us know what you think of the new collection by adding a comment below.

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Colouring pencils

According to Ruth La Ferla  of the New York Times

“The profusion of hothouse colors and patterns popping up on New York streets this month suggests a new buoyancy, as women shake off the constraints of a lingering recession and stock up on fashions more lively and vivid than they’ve seen in years.”

Good, and about time. I have no idea why navy and black are such popular colors. Like every other fat woman I know that my edges blur in dark colors, that I can merge with the background and loose a few pounds in visual illusion, and yes there are times when I have, but really is it worth it when the fabulous, exuberant joy of color is there to lift you mood, your day and everything around you? I often wonder how many women use color and aromatherapy in their lives, but stick to boring dark, dull clothes.

The effect of colorful clothes can be startling. Like wearing a jacket in a meeting (it gives you authority – try it if you don’t believe me) some colors have instant effect on those around you. Want to be seen as feminine? Wear pastels, pale pink is best, but lilac and aqua are almost as good. If you want attention – red is easy, suits almost everyone and will grab you every eye in the room. Why does it work? Usually because everyone else is too chicken to wear it.

Blue is a peaceful color – strange given it’s use in military uniforms and green is a way to say ‘I’m different’ combined with whatever version of different you’re looking for. The most interesting colors – the non colors like cream, gray, fawn, beige and taupe can make you look mousy and insignificant or fabulously rich – it’s all down to how you wear them, and what you wear them with. A good outfit uses two colors, a great outfit uses three,  Clowns use more.

But what about the bedroom. Is there a color code there? Nightgowns and robes have more scope that you might imagine from viewing most collections. A great outfit uses three colors. This is fine if you can add a scarf, shoes and a handbag to your basic outfit, but in the bedroom these accessories are just a little out of place.

The best way to get color into your nightwear is to look for prints rather than the cliched  plain colors often available. Silk is a fabulous fabric which dyes beautifully, and hand painted silks are available in a kaleidoscope of colors – there is simply no reason to feel restricted to only one.  Softest cotton is also available in beautiful delicate prints, in both cotton pajamas and a cotton nightgown designed to life your spirits.

So don’t settle for boring – challenge yourself and the fashion industry to give us the colors we need to feel good, to lift our spirits and be ourselves.  Out with the old – in with the new!  Color is king.

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Here’s a snippet from the news.
IS IT OKAY TO BE FAT?
Huffington Post (blog)
Says one plus size casket store owner, “After 380 pounds you have to go to an oversize.” And one out of every 20 caskets she sells is a plus size.

Morbid question, but ask yourself this. If only one in 20 caskets is a plus size, doesn’t that mean that it’s more 19 out of every 20 people who die (that’s 95%) are thin? Maybe being plus size, isn’t as bad as you think :-)

Yes, I know this is simplisitic, and no I don’t think that being very over weight is good for you, but I get SO fed up of hearing the statistics and the stupid way they are used, I just had to point this out.

Go to Source

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Style AND substance, our hand painted silk robe, ideal for Spring

Silk is the most romantic fiber in the world. Used for wedding and evening dresses as well as high end nightgowns and lingerie, silk is highly prized, but did you know that techniques of silk manufacture were at one time regarded as state secrets? To find out more about silk and it’s unique history, read on.

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lambert-bridge-picnic1
Lambert Bridge

That evening, as I drove cross the old trestle bridge and caught my first glimpse of the winery nestled into the hillside, it’s stone and rough wood lodge-like tasting room surrounded by an old-fashioned wrap-around porch (a perfect spot for sipping the afternoon away) it brought to mind a Rockefeller Great House.

Two gigantic wooden doors opened to the vaulted redwood tasting room, where about 50 guests were doing a little pre-dinner mingling, enjoying Hors D’Oeuvres and a glass of white wine in front of the welcoming stone fireplace before heading into the elegant candlelit Barrel Room.
I was introduced to Lambert Bridge’s gregarious winemaker, Jill Davis, who’s been producing some pretty spectacular artisanal Bordeaux-styled wines since her first vintage with Lambert Bridge in 2006. Previously, Davis made a name for herself at Beringer Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery and William Hill Winery. She’s passionate about creating classic wines in the old world style: rich, elegant and polished.

During dinner, Jill stood up and proudly introduced us to her brand new associate winemaker and longtime friend, Jennifer Higgins, who also has a stellar background in producing boutique Bordeaux varietals. It was exciting to be at the threshold of what I’m sure will be a revolutionary “Women in Winemaking” dream-team.

The Crane Creek Cuvee were all incredible with a cornucopia of flavor profiles, allowing for some spirited discussions at our table, as to which year paired better with each dish. I could definitely ascertain the different jammy red fruits, tobacco and leather notes, but shhhhh…they lost me at the pencil shavings.

Paula Le Duc’s food was not only delicious but beautifully presented. My favorite combos were the 1994 Crane Creek Cuvee with the Crisp Pork Belly and the 2002 vintage with the peppery, coriander flavored Grains of Paradise Pappardelle topped with Oxtail Ragout.

Although the 1997, 1998, and 1999 vintages are sold out, there are still many excellent years available. Jill vouched for the 2007 as a youngster with a lot of promise in the future. So, if you haven’t been before, I suggest the next nice weekend you plan a tasting (and a picnic) at the winery. The wines aren’t cheap but are well worth twice the price.

They also have a full calendar of special events that you can peruse on their website as well as information on joining their Liquid Assets wine club. One particularly fun sounding event is April’s Sausage Making class led by the master himself, Bruce Aidell.

Lambert Bridge Winery
4085 W. Dry Creek Road
Healdsburg, CA. 95448
Phone: 707-431-9600

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les-mars-lobby-good-size

A few weeks ago I received the following invitation from a friend of mine, Tony Giovanzana (the Director of Retail Operations at Dry Creek’s Lambert Bridge Winery):

I would like you to be our guest at a very special, once-in-a-lifetime dinner that we are hosting here at the winery. We have partnered with Paula Le Duc for this amazing dinner, six courses of exquisitely prepared cuisine paired with 14 vintages of Crane Creek Cuvee one of our flagship wines. We will be reaching into our library and presenting our 1994 through 2006 vintages. Jill Davis our winemaker and I will guide this intimate group through each flight of this Merlot based Bordeaux blend, hosted in our vaulted ceiling candle lit barrel room. The event date is February 13th with dinner beginning at 6:30pm. I have attached a copy of the menu for your convenient review:

PASSED HORS D’OEURVES

Wine Barrel Smoked Duck
Curried Pumpkin on Walnut Cranberry Crostini

Grilled Black Mission Fig
Wrapped in Boccalone Lardo

Mt. Tam
Offered “Soft Serve” with Dried Apricot in a savory Cone

Lemongrass Marinated Flank Steak
Coconut, Peanut & Mint
FIRST COURSE

1994, 1995 & 1996 Crane Creek Cuvée

paired with

Crisp Pork Belly
Chanterelles, Brabant Potatoes & Lemon-Thyme
SECOND COURSE

1997, 1998 & 1999 Crane Creek Cuvée

paired with

Bacon Wrapped Supreme of Poussin
Roasted in a Wood Oven served over a bed of Cannelini Beans with Braised Leeks
THIRD COURSE

2000, 2001 & 2002 Crane Creek Cuvée

paired with

Oxtail Ragout
Grains of Paradise Pappardelle & Mascarpone
FOURTH COURSE

2003, 2004 & 2005 Crane Creek Cuvée

paired with

Broken Arrow Ranch Venison
Celery Root Puree, Roasted Red Cipollini, & Huckleberry Beet Reduction
CHEESE COURSE

Redwood Hill Crottin
Rosemary Honeycomb, Crisp Walnut “Lattice” & Quince Butter
DESSERT

Cocoa Nib Dentelle Box
Filled with Chocolate Cremeaux, Cassis Poached Pear & Sweet Beet Praline Dust

Would love to have you at the event!
Give it some thought,
Tony

I really cracked up when I reached the “Give it some thought” line. As if!

Exactly, two seconds later I called Tony and said, “I would be thrilled to attend. Where should I spend the night? ”

Without missing a beat he replied, “You must stay at Les Mars in Healdsburg. It’s totally unbelievable.”

Which is how I came to spend Valentine’s Day in Healdsburg, all on my own and blissfully happy.

Les Mars Hotel

I entered Les Mars, just steps away from the main square, with sky-high expectations after reading copious rave reviews on this Relais & Chateaux property. Although I’m a tough critic, the next day as I sadly packed my bag singing my version of Michael Buble’s song, “I ( so don’t) wanna go home”, I realized the only thing that hadn’t been 100% perfect was that the bathroom make-up mirror didn’t light up. (When I mentioned this to Katy Ciocca, the hotel’s extraordinarily lovely, gracious G.M., she told me that they had just been ordered.)

The well-traveled Mars family (no relation to the candy bar) set out to create an elegant, sophisticated, European style hotel that offered exceptional Old World style hospitality.

To help realize their vision, the Mars hired Bay Area designer, Helga Horner, who began the project by asking, “How does one live beautiful?”

The answer is self evident in Les Mars’ antique Flemish tapestries, authentic Louis XV furniture, the leather-bound books found in the library’s carved walnut bookcases, the fresh flowers beautifully arranged throughout the 16 room hotel, and the petit private pool perfect for sunning and appreciating a nice glass of wine.

As I entered my glam suite, the Mansion Queen Room, featuring a cathedral high ceiling, flickering gas fireplace, a chilled bottle of wine at the ready, soft music playing, white orchids throughout and two insanely comfortable white, down-covered beds, I knew it was going to be tough to leave the nest. Except if I was heading over to the oversized marble bathroom, complete with Waterworks pewter fixtures, large bottles of Voss water, a deep Jacuzzi tub with accompanying lavender bath salts and scrubs, and assorted Bulgari toiletries—they even lined the drawers with hand-pressed linens. And kudos for supplying easy-to-follow written instructions, even with pictures, for the Jacuzzi, cd/dvd player, and the tv remote.

But stir I must since it was time to head over to Lambert Bridge for the tasting dinner, but not before I stopped downstairs for the complimentary wine (boutique) and cheese (artisan) tasting held in the library. The selection changes nightly and is conducted by the hotel’s consulting sommelier, Ron Washam. Ron is a wealth of wine info and is delighted to arrange special wine tours and tastings for the guests, including some secret off-the beaten wine-road suggestions.

After a glorious night’s sleep I was awakened by a soft tapping on the door, which was my breakfast-in-bed delivery, which consisting of a mélange of fresh berries, thick yogurt, homemade granola and a generous pot of dark coffee (thank God, after all the wine I had the night before) delivered bedside on a solid silver tray with starched linens, fine china, and a mini-bouquet of white roses. What a civilized way to start the day. Wait, a Mimosa would really hit the spot. “Hello… room service?”

Les Mars is not only a top choice for your next romantic getaway but it’s also perfect for a luxe girlfriend getaway. The staff would be happy to arrange spa treatments, bike rentals, gourmet picnics, limo-wine tours, or reserve dinner at Cyrus, the Michelin two-starred restaurant next door.

Please continue….

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beatles_love1Firstly the layout of the theatre is great; the audience sits all around the stage and as a result you really feel part of the action. Obviously the Beatles music speaks for itself, but the visual interpretation of the songs is fantastic. The dancers, acrobats, effects and sound were also outstanding.

The colors, the costumes, the dancing, the acrobatics, and the music were unbelievable. And yet, the show was also very touching and beautiful. We loved everything about it and can’t wait to see it again.

One of the things to bear in mind with LOVE is that differently from other Cirque shows, this is more of an interpretive-dance performance set to a preexisting soundtrack — the Beatles catalog as redone by George Martin giving the “Anthology” tracks the remaster/remix treatment.

I’m a huge Beatles fan and this show was fantastic. The coordination of dance with music with the scene changes was wonderful and exceeded my expectation, which were high.

If you can only make time for one show while in Vegas, I highly recommend you choose LOVE.

Website

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massage-1Come de-stress while helping those in distress. Healing Arts for Haiti will be held on February 12th at the Grand Hyatt, NYC where caring citizens can receive services from the healing arts community with donations to help Haiti. This brilliant idea was hatched by none other than Oasis Day Spa’s Bruce Schoenberg, who generously organized this fundraiser to help the victims of Haiti’s recent earthquake.

Every dollar raised will be donated to UNICEF, directly helping rescue and relief efforts in Haiti. To make a donation to UNICEF now, click here.

No appointments needed, just come by and de-stress for a great cause.

Friday, February 12th, 2010
Noon – 8pm

Grand Hyatt – The Grand Ballroom

109 E. 42nd St
at Grand Central Station

SERVICES & ACTIVITIES AT HEALING ARTS FOR HAITI:

Massage
Reflexology
Mini-manicures
Make-up Makeovers
Acupuncture
Yoga
Pilates
Aerobics
Chiropractics
Tarot Card Readers
Henna Tattoos
Retail Store- unbelievable deals on beauty, gift and wellness products
Raffles for spa services, restaurants, events and more
Silent Auction- destination resorts, Las Vegas, sports memorabilia and more
Music with great artists from the Haitian community
Surprise guest appearances

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