New Year, New You...

Happy New Year lingerie loves! Sorry in the lateness to wish you, but by now I'm sure you know I am not on top of everything or anything that has to do with technology. I would rather talk to people, what can I say? I'm a people's person! In fact for those of you that have not visited the boudoir did you know we do not even have a till or computer system, everything is lovingly hand written from our receipts, notes to customers to the stock records and our customer files. And the way we price up our collections for the shop floor is no normal way either, but that you will have to see for yourself.

Talking customer files, please do soon swing by to have your fitting and we can update your customer file details, and if you are yet to have left your details with us then please also find the time to pop in for a fitting and we can start your Tallulah experience (and lingerie addiction)- it doesn't take long. If you knew the amount of ladies still in this day and age wearing the wrong bra size, Trinny, Susannah or Gok didn't get to them! Its not just about bra size but its a great opportunity to try different shape bras for different outfits. Feel free to bring along to your bra fitting any particular clothing that you need under-garments for too.

Once your file is filled out and we have on record your size and shapes that suit you and even the ones that really do not, we can let you know when similar collections have arrived that we think you will be needing, plus if anyone would like to buy you a lingerie treat at any point we always have your details ready to help them choose your perfect size and style.

This week we have welcomed a new designer to Tallulah called 'Only Hearts'. With its beautiful tulle, lace and frills and cheeky open cup bralettes and crotchless panties it is a real fun collection. Below is a little sneak peek...

This is the midnight collection. With is navy lace and cheeky open cup bralette and completely open panties it is definitely going to be a hot seller!

Very cheeky, right?!?!

Then we have the Tallulah purple tulle and frill set. This set is more cute than the other as the frills are the attraction and not an open cup or crotch. And this colour 'mmmmmmmm', I mean, its gorgeous.

The frills sit perfectly on top of the cup

and sexily over ones derriere.

I love it!

Then I have the classic black ouvert knickers to show you, now these do have a matching bra but you will have to have a look on Instagram for this, I posted it a few days ago. Also a babydoll which I think goes well with the knickers if you are not a bralette type of person (although I have to say that they are not always so flattering on me- but these 3 bralettes do work) But the babydoll is a classic shape and cupped with an open front, hence the knickers working well- wink wink.

Easy access or what. Super sexy in a very classy way indeed. The softest sheer tulle with delicate polka dots.

Thank you Only Hearts for such a sexy and beautiful collection all rolled into one.

More pieces from the collection are available in store, delicate lace camisole and frenchies in the most beautiful mink lace.

Please do not forget we have gone back to closing on Mondays until Spring, of course if this is the only day you can make it in then please do not hesitate to get in touch, I can always come in for you.

Here's to a fantastic, fun, lingerie filled and love filled year ahead.

Thank you for reading,

Lots of Lingerie love to you,

T xx

Slipping back in to things...

And in a big way with designers Emilio Pucci, Calvin Klein and Céline just a few whom are declaring this Spring/Summer season another season of the Underwear as Outerwear trend. Little slip dresses, wisps of Chantilly lace and diaphanous silks adorned the catwalks making me think of the collections in Tallulah from Marjolaine's silk chiffon trimmed in Gothic eyelash lace to our Bespoke silk Christine gowns that have had lots of press lately including 'How to spend it' and in the fantastic new bridal magazine 'Absolutely Weddings' - click on the links for a read.

The silk slip is no longer regarded as an evening only sensual boudoir piece, or just a very functional layering piece in ones wardrobe, but is looked upon as more of a key piece in our wardrobes.

Marjolaine from last season, still going strong

Lingerie as a fashion trend is not a new thing, far from it with Chanel partial to a wide legged lounge pant back in her day and of course who could forget the phenomenon of Madonna and the stir her and Gaultier caused with her beautiful pink coned bra shape corselette. Then who could forget Kate Moss and the slinky silk adorning her body a couple of decades ago? See the image below for a reminder...

Image via vogue.fr

I have always loved a slip, under my dresses as a layer or simply as a dress, during my second pregnancy my most comfortable and glamorous outfit was a 1940s inspired Mary Green silk chiffon nightie layered over a simple bias cut slip, I still wear it now. But I have to say my favourite to wear is my Shell Belle ‘Gatsby’ 1920s inspired slip in black silk trimmed in the most exquisite gold decadent lace. I wore it to a wonderful festival wedding in the summer.

Back in the 90s I went through that 'indie rock' phase. Tiny spaghetti strapped slips and huge Dr Marten boots laced up with ribbons not laces, although I wore Wolford opaques WITHOUT the rips and holes added to them you will be pleased to hear!

Many of our silk Christine's gowns have found new homes as outerwear for wearing to parties, dinner partying in or even tangoing in. Dress them up with heels and a sparkly bolero or be more casual like I wear it with Belstaff leather biker boots and a chunky cashmere cardigan, either way you will love the way it feels and how easy to accessorise the simple and elegant slip into a dress day or night.

Christine silk gown with silk velvet and bead bolero hanging in Tallulah

Length is key, nothing to short or you will look like your off to bed (rather glamorously I'm sure).

And if your unsure of the full on ‘I'm wearing my underwear as outerwear and I don't care' look then ease yourself into it, like with a camisole edged in delicate lace peeping out of the bottom of a sheer t-shirt or the lace trimming on a chemise tickling the edge of your summer dress hem. 

Layering with Shell Belle lace, cashmere & denim

As you can see from the above image of my outfit at the weekend, I love the contrast of the shapes and fabrics, feminine and delicate mixed with tougher leather and denim and all in all layering. I have my Shell Belle lace slip tucked in but hanging out under my cashmere jumper (as I re-read this that sounded complicated to do, but it really isn't)  I'm not a total girlie girl but I do love feeling feminine. 

I have to say, I am utterly pleased the designers have declared the Underwear as Outerwear trend is still going strong, but even if they didn’t and Vogue were not writing about the simple silk slip, Tallulah would still be in love with the silk slip and have a boudoir full of different shapes, fabrics and styles.

We declare our love for the silk slip and our love for  underwear as outerwear forever.

New season and new collections, who said lingerie is seasonal...

Buying has started again in the world of Lingerie, we are viewing collections and placing orders for Spring/Summer 2016, just like in the Ready to Wear fashion world, although I do struggle with this concept of Lingerie being seasonal. If you want to wear soft blush in winter, deep gem colours in the summer or florals in the fall why have the fashion world dictate to you whats seasonal for your undergarments. But I do have to follow the rules sometimes and this is one of those times and twice a year I place the vast majority of beautiful lingerie, loungewear, silks and swimwear orders that will scantly decorate the boudoir for the next few months. Although the majority of orders are dealt with like this, every week I place top up orders, and place the customer orders that have been taken that week in the boudoir. Offering this service is what sets Tallulah and other independent lingerie boutiques apart from the big soul-less and life-less department stores who are unable to offer this personal ordering service. Most of the time we have a collection in one colour, but it is available to order in many other colours, so we go through the lookbooks and catalogues with our customers and choose the perfect shade of Chantilly lace to support and look pretty or that will go perfectly under a particular outerwear outfit, making it the perfect foundation wear.

Although the vast majority of the orders are placed twice a year, they do not all arrive in the boudoir at once. I place them in a way that there will always be something new and exciting for our loyal Tallulah customers that visit the boudoir every month, something new to wink at them when they enter and go weak at the knees as they leave with their purple bag sealed with cream ribbon full of lingerie lushness.

                             In Tallulah this summer from Miss Mandalay and Rosa Faia decorating the boudoir with one of Tallulah's vintage blue suitcases.

Im starting the buying season off with swimwear, I have to admit… not my favourite collections to buy at all. There is no lace, silk or any of the embellishments that make my heart skip a beat when I see the collection for the first time or when it finally arrives into the boudoir, but it is important to have a beautiful well-fitted bikini or sexy and suitable for the occasion swimsuit, lets face it that when prancing around in public wearing practically nothing its best to do this showing off our best features and attributes hence a well cut and great fabric swimwear trousseau. Miss Mandalay is always great for the E cup and above (going to a GG) bikinis, nice under-wired halter tops always with a choice of bottoms and with great prints. For the suit it has to be the fantastic MiricleSuit and with their tag line being (said in an over exaggerated twanged American accent) “Look 10lbs lighter in 10 seconds” who wouldn’t want one of these?! Im thinking of having a glance at the Seafolly collection this season, I know its widely available- as in it can be bought with ease online and from the dreaded department stores, but I’m really quite liking the look of the collection on offer…You will just have to wait and see what choices I make for Tallulah. Every year in the summer I visit some of my dearest friends in one of my favourite places in the world, Venice. They have a rather sexy speed boat, so we go out every day and pitch up at the local beach and just relax. Now as we know the Italians are known for their trendy trend setting fashion ways, so every year I take my ‘boat outfits’ very seriously and make sure I pack a few new bikinis so I know first hand how important a well-fitted swimwear wardrobe is, and if you hadn’t guessed by know, Tallulah is all about me! Below is the house we stay in, its just amazing. The shutters are a similar shade of emerald green to the Simone Perele lingerie set I am about to introduce you to ...

Very excitingly new collections arrived from the gorgeous Simone Perele this week. Mezmerising Emerald lace is the new colour in one of Tallulah’s top selling collections called ‘Celeste’. Infact if you are a regular Tallulah customer, chances are you have had this in at least one of the colours it has been offered in the past. We always have in stock the ivory, black and ’nude’ and due to this collection available in 30 backs it really is a great seller for us. 

Another collection to arrive recently is ‘Backstage’ a new one from Simone Perele in the most amazing deep ink navy blue. I really love navy lingerie, it is a great alternative to the traditional black, please do not take that out of context thou, I love black lingerie too! But something about this collection actually makes my heart have a little flutter, it must be something to do with the colour, the embroidery, the shell like scalloping edge and soft fine quilting detail of diamond shapes, it is also available to order in beautiful blush and to me this just puts the 1920s in my mind. It has an unpadded half cup and padded plunge shape bra with a couple of choices on the bottom, then the piece thats makes this collection so special is the deep waist-cincher style suspender belt. I do wish a belt was offered in more lingerie sets. The thing that is particularly great with this belt is that it can be worn as outerwear as a waspie over a dress or 2 piece.

Just look at that beautiful scallop quilted detail and embroidery, finished with a bow in the middle.

Hope you have a wonderfully hot, sticky and sweet week as it looks like that great big golden ball will be in the skies. Be sure to swing by the boudoir to see for your self the beautiful new collections that have arrived this week or to look through any of the look books to place your very own order, chilled water will be served all week, and the boudoir is on the un-sunny side of the street so its always cool for when your ready to strip off! Here is Something sweet from Venice for you to suck on (wink wink). 

So until next time, T x

The Fashion image at the top was borrowed from Pinterest, Thank you x

Tallulah is Open & Sometimes I Feel Blue…

It is a week away from Tallulah celebrating the launch of this very blog. Thank you so much each and every one of you for your continuous reading and support over the last year. I hope you have enjoyed the subjects covered and the insight to ‘What Tallulah Did’ and of course Love’s.

I have been getting more open (like the cheeky Lascivious ‘Kitty’ Lingerie set pictured below) and personal over the last few posts, I just feel its best to be open and honest in everything one does in life, from serving customers and finding their perfect undergarments to my feelings. In the boudoir, everyone at Tallulah is open, honest and understanding. Its very important to me that any new staff understand and appreciate this- they must always be honest with customers. We hear all sorts of stories, stories of laughter and of woe.  It’s a little like being with the therapist when in Tallulah and you're standing in the fitting room in some sort of sexy but every day outfit- one just opens up and it can all flood out.

 

Sometimes I feel Blue and that’s when the new Simone Perele ‘Amour’ lingerie set comes in handy. This collection has been a top seller in the boudoir over the last few years. We have had some great colours, but to be honest, I think this is my absolute favourite. Originally the deep charcoal that is a continuous colour option was, but this has taken over big time! I love the dark navy base with the soft cornflower blue overlay of floral lace. Both the padded plunge and the sheer lace half cup are great fits and really do give a great shape depending on what the wearer prefers. Simone Perele very kindly sent me and the other Tallulah girls an Amour set each last year so we all know the great fit this collection has to offer and how wonderful it is to wear it. Wearing this beautiful blue amour set for the day makes feeling blue not so bad after all. Today is a blue day for me, didn’t start like that, but I just received some sad news whilst typing this blog. Think I need to go change my underwear. Here it is pictured below...

Flowers are always nice to receive, and lucky for me, some were delivered to Tallulah this week- Don’t you just love the delicate scent of Peonies and Freesias? These scents always remind me of sitting in a pretty English garden that is being warmed up by the sun blazing in the blue sky. Love the different shades of pinks, lilacs and blues too. This really was a great bouquet- Thank You (you know who you are!) 

So Tube Strike Thursday is in full swing and I'm off to get changed in to my Blue 'Amour' set. 

Good Luck Londoners travelling home tonight, if you are with someone look after each other, if you are alone look out for others, be honest with one another. Life is precious, surround yourself in people who love, respect, and support you-Just like well fitting beautiful lingerie should!

Hope to see you in the boudoir soon so you can be introduced in person to the beautiful new collections arrived this week. 

T x

Where words fail Music speaks...

As I write the sky is the colour of the Greek sea, and I'm listening to music that stirs and excites my soul and transports me back to our wonderful Greek holiday, I'm lounging on the beach in my Miss Mandalay bikini... Just hearing the base beats or the first 2 bars in a song can get my tears flowing, heart pumping and groin aching. Music can be thought provoking and emotional.

Music is a passion for some and a way of life just like lingerie is my passion and foot print in life- all passions have things in common and Music and Lingerie are no exception-

Listening to music well it;

1) can up lift (just like a well fitting bra) 

2) can make you moody (like an ill-fitting bra) 

3) can get you feeling horny (like an ouvert knicker does)

I'm very lucky to have someone very special in my life that is equally as passionate about music as I am Lingerie.

It really must be rather boring without a passion of some sort in ones life, or am I just being slightly judgmental there???

Through this certain someones passion for Music my heart and ears have been introduced to music I would never otherwise of heard, I will share and explain a little why I love them so, I warn you now, my taste is eclectic, I can't be that heavily influenced!

Music I like to decorate the boudoir with comes in the form of touching and soulful wonderful female voices like Nina Simone or Billie Holiday if I'm in the mood for some old school smoky jazz or for a more modern ardent voice it will be Alicia Keys. I went to see her at the Royal Albert Hall a couple of years ago, she was mesmerising, still get goose bumps when I think of her on the stage alone, just her piano and flickering candles to keep her company on the small intimate stage. It was an unforgettable and emotional experience, I even remember the beautiful Aubade underwear set I was wearing that night, no idea what was worn as my outerwear thou! If the gig was tonight I think I would properly wear this new set from Aubade-

Love listening to funky and warm Brazilian mambas on a busy Saturday bouncing through the boudoir, or some calming classical Bach. I love the Cello, penetrating and humming through my body, intruding my thoughts of mundane chores that haven't been finished that week- can be transported to a completely different place whilst listening on a quiet Sunday at home chilling, the silence being drowned out.

A little bit of the Isley brothers and 'For the love of you' just does it for me- makes me feel warm inside and smile instantly, and I have a safe feeling when I hear lines like "Love is real" and "living for the Love of you" This song is like slipping on a Christine of Vancouver Violet silk gown, lingerie is real as is love.

            

WARNING this is a controverial choice... Its Tweet "Smoking cigarettes' from her album back in 2002 called 'Southern Hummingbird'. Now I know its not right to think smoking is sexy, but come on sometimes (and only sometimes) it is!!! I know it has health risks, gives you bad breath and wrinkly skin, but there is something sexy in smoking- Remember James Dean?!?!?! Well think about being entangled in bed with your lover, all sweaty, hot, knackered then sharing that cigarette, no talking just listening to the beat, that slow and sexy hot beat with a tinkle of acoustic guitar delicately over the top.

Even Tweet sings that its not healthy to smoke cigarettes- she's craving her lover to help her quit, quit what though?

This song is the equivalent to leopard print and black lace together on a bra, really it shouldn't work (in my opinion) but actually it does. Not everyone likes the combo.......I do like this beauty from my beloved Chantal Thomass that arrived in the boudoir recently, as you can see, sometimes the 2 do work.

Have to have some Alicia Keys in my list, and if pushed I think I would say the track right up there for me is "No One" from her "As I Am" album from 2007 the absolute most- although that is a hard decision to come to and "Empire State of Mind" being a very close second, I'm yet to talk about my Passion for all things New York (will get to that some time).

A couple of the lines that stand out to me are;

"People keep talking they can say what they like, But all I know is everything's going to be alright"

"People search the world to find something like what we have, I know people will try to divide something so real".

I hear and feel a lot in these few words when sung, not everyone is nice in this world and unfortunately I have experienced quite a bit of this through out my life and this song just resonates for me, a definite "every things going to be alright". Apologies if I am getting too personal here, but thats what music does, its truthful and meaningful.

Alicia Keys is my Chantal Thomass; truthful, real and totally gorgeous!

One of my all time lift me up song is a 'Rare Groove' tune from the mid 70s - "Oops, Here I Go Again" sung by Edna Wright. Its a simple, warm, toe-tapping, feel-good, joyous song in a a way only the 1970s did. Its kicks off with the infectious "Oops" which is punctuated throughout this beautiful soulful song. Makes me want to sway around in one of my new great tassel kimonos that arrived last week teamed with my flares.

I would to love hear from you any reccommendations you think I should have wafting through my speakers and evoking my senses.

P.S I also LOVE to shake it off with a little Taylor Swift -wink wink!

Festival ready...

For those of you who are off to Glastonbury this weekend for some fun and mud wrestling, Good Luck! As much as I love the idea of going along- 1) i really do not do camping, no not even glamping it really is not me and 2) what if I do not like all the music going on- lets face it and if I'm honest I often have not heard of half the acts on some of the stages...
I like the idea of living a simple and chilled life for the weekend, lots of love flowing- or am I thinking of going to festival back in the 60s when there really was lots of love going around (along with lots of other things)!

 By some miracle if Glasto did manage to entice me, for sure I would be taking the festival uniform of my beloved kimono, denim cut offs and white 'delicate' Hanro vest.

                                        

And of course i would have flowers in my hair- maybe a handmade daisy chain, keeping the flower power going strong with braids too.

I mean if the weather holds off- "Please golden ball in the sky that we have been teased with today stay!" Im sure is what everyone is thinking if your at the festival this weekend or not- and if your not (like me) then maybe a lovely mini break away to the coast is in order? Recently I rented a wonderful cottage in Norfolk, Shouldham to be exact. It wasn't quite coastal (20 min drive) but it was truly idilic. In the village was a pub run by the locals and served gorgeous homemade food and a B&B 'The Chalk and Cheese' that served evening meals, the particular night i visited was 'pizza night', not super sexy, but delicious all the same.

Or if like me you are working (I'm pulling a sad face) then maybe some weekend shopping is in order!

Fun and sexy bright silk, lace, cottons and tulles- perfect to slip into on a hot and sultry summer evening whilst sipping your Pimms and sucking on the strawberries at the bottom of your glass (not eating pizza) but some wonderful Spanish tapas or Italian antipasti - mmmm yum yum, come on weekend, hurry up already!

What ever you have planned for this coming weekend, May you have a fully loved up and fun few days doing so.

Until next time,
T x

Lovers love the Summer solstice...

And it's here again, the longest & most dreamy day of the year- Midsummers Day. 

The celebrations begin on the Summer solstice Friday 19th June and finish Saturday 20th June-Midsummers Day. Originating in ancient folk traditions, Midsummer's Day marks the beginning of the season for rolling in the hay, well hay making season at least, sorry I'm just putting my own sexy spin on it! Summer is nearly here.

Its believed that young and old lovers wander through the forest looking for a lucky fern flower. According to the myth, this flower blooms for a very short time on the eve of the Summer solstice. The flower brings fortune and luck to the special person who finds it-hense it being called a lucky fern flower. Some even believe it brings the ability to understand and speak to the forest animals. Although if a flower is found it is always closely guarded by 'evil spirits'  and according to the myth whomever finds and picks the flower will have access to earthly riches, which have never benefited anyone (this could be make-believe don't forget!) So a tough decision is to be made, pick it or leave it alone....hhmmmmm what would you do?

To celebrate, Tallulah is inviting you to the boudoir for drinks, chats and sexy lingerie shopping.

Summer solstice - Midsummer's Day

11 am - 6 pm 

And let Tallulah introduce you to this beautiful new collection from our beloved Aubade...

Until this Friday 19 to Saturday 20th June enjoy the ......Golden Ball in the sky.