The Oscars of the Lingerie World

Stars Underlines Best Shop Awards 2017.

We wait all year for it and it has finally come around...the Oscars of the Lingerie World!

The Stars Shop Awards are very special awards, unlike other awards, nominees can not nominate themselves. We are put forward. So just to be nominated is an incredible achievement and something to be very proud of indeed, but to then go on and become a finalist is amazing- and yep you got it, Tallulah is a finalist and ever so proud and excited!

We are up for an award we have been incredibly lucky enough to of won before 

'Best Concept Store'. 

It is a fun and fabulous night out in the beautiful Globe Theatre in London and of course the new Aubade collection 'Troublant Désir' is just perfect for the event-

With its sheer black lace half cup shape with delicate pretty rose gold droplet in the middle of the cups and lace strap details over the bust which are very cleverly removable (Aubade do think of everything) -

 

With the tiny buttons on the strap pictured above and...

 

the little loop on the inside in the middle of the cups. So one can remove this detail should you so wish to. Although I have to say the extra lace detail looks particularly good under this top from the collection too...

You can imagine, the straps mirror the neck-line perfectly.

Going back to the knickers, these cheeky overt lacey knickers...

Aren't they pretty? And here is the subtle but ever-so naughty open detail...

That's what I love so much about this collection, it's so damn sexy and naughty but in a chic way (just like our famous Pearl Thong) nothing tacky about this collection.

it does also have a gorgeous babydoll, the perfect shape suspender belt, I wore mine yesterday (if you follow on Instagram you would know) and thong. Sorry no images of these you will have to swing by the boudoir to see more!

This is what I am planning on teaming my Aubade with-

Only thing undecided on is the hosiery, not sure if it should be more lace, one can never wear too much lace in my opinion, or go sheer perhaps with a black seam...we will see when  getting ready later what works best.

Getting on all my rose gold jewellery too to match the rose gold droplet on the bra.

For sure I will be finishing off my look with my absolute favourite scent of the moment.

The new limited edition scent from

 Marc de la Morandière Parfums.

With a top note Bergamot, Orange peel and Palmarosa. The heart is Vetiver Essence and Peruvian Pepper. Base of White Cedar, Gaiac, Amber and Incense.

Vetiver is up there on my best-loved smells and MDM have managed to create this new scent wonderfully, deep and woody in a very subtle and sexy way and available in the boudoir now but for a Limited time only so be quick!

 And that is what I will be wearing tonight at the Oscars, opps sorry I mean Lingerie awards.

Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight in the beautiful surroundings that we are lucky enough to be in eating, drinking and dancing the night away. GOOD LUCK to everyone nominated this evening, sending lots of Lingerie Love and Luck to you all.

May I just Thank You again to everyone that popped by the boudoir last weekend for our 14th birthday celebrations, plus all the love, flowers, chocolates and very kind words that have been sent this week from you all, 'Tallulah's Lingerie family'.

Honestly I am so very grateful.

Life can be very hard at times, but if you are in some well-fitted beautiful lingerie you can get though anything and all sorts can be  achieved.  

Happy Thursday lingerie loves,

Hope to see you soon,

Love Tallulah xx

Happy International Women's Day 2017.

International Women's Day originally called International Working Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th every year around the world. It commemorates the struggle for women's rights. 

In some countries around the world today it is an official holiday. In others maybe not an official holiday but it is recognised and it is similar to Mother's day, it is customary for men to give the women in their lives - friends, mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters etc. flowers and small gifts. 

I am proud to be pro women not just in my personal life but in business too- I support where ever and whenever I can. From the candles we stock in Tallulah that are made by Jennifer at M&J ethical candles in her very own house. She mixes, hand pours, labels them, she does it all, then hand delivers them to the boudoir, and if that wasn't enough a donation is sent to a local charity called Nia who are 'Delivering cutting edge services to end violence against women and children' -

To the independent female designer's we are lucky enough to have stocked in Tallulah. To name but a few - Michelle from Shell Belle, Laura at Ell & Cee, Christine you too from Christine silks in Canada, Luisa from Loveday London and Kerry from Verry Kerry oh I could very proudly list a whole many more.....

For me it is vital that the working relationship is equal with these women. As a women in business it is difficult enough as it is and I really do not want to make it any more difficult for any women and to be honest I expect that back. Respect and Support each other. I have come under attack in the past with fellow women criticising what I do- whether its because they do not like that it is lingerie (some people, women in particular feel very threatened by this) or that it is 'just a shop floor job' either way my job is not really taken very seriously, I am so very proud of my job and even more proud of how we help women feel in Tallulah - this to me is empowering.

Working on the shop floor, buying, fittings, tidying up, making tea, having meetings, cleaning the toilets and so much more, it all has to be done.

 Blimey when I think back to summer 2003 and trying to get Tallulah up and running....I'm sure if I were a man I would have been taken much more seriously. I was lucky enough to have a very supportive feminist partner that has continued to support, back in the very beginning it was full of obstacles not to go ahead with Tallulah.

Life and business, both are hard enough, as a women we really should be able to stand up and support each other, let each other know "I have your back" not to beat each other with a stick as Emma Watson mentioned this week when talking about that gorgeous photo of her in that beautiful Burberry cape for Vanity Fair. 

I grew up in a violent and very abusive atmosphere being told I was good for nothing, just stocking Safeways selves if I was lucky. Well here I am stocking my very own shelves. Luckily I am no longer surrounded by these people, I only surround myself with equal Love and support. Feminism is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.

It's not just 1 day to support one another, but every day.

Now go and support Tallulah and get yourself a new lingerie set ;-)

lots have been delivered over the last couple of weeks and below are some little tasters for you... 

Beautiful new aubade in midnight lace also available in peach lace.

Gothic style with this Elles collection from Simone Perele.

Wacoal's Frivole is a tattoo effect.

One of our favs in the boudoir from Chantal Thomass now in polka dots.

Or this lagoon lace from Chantelle- gorgeous!!

As always, lingerie love to you all.

Thank you for your continued support.

T xx

Next blog will be about our swimwear event- please cave the date Friday 24th and Saturday 25th March for the fun.

Thank you to Wikipedia for the information at the top of this blog, Vanity Fair for Emma Watson image, Mark Whitfield for the interior shot and all you wonderful Women and Men.

Beyond excited...Tallulah has been short-listed and it is all Thanks to you!

We knew we had been nominated and we asked you all to vote to get us short-listed, and BOOM thats exactly what has happened...but we need you all to of voted twice (once for the nominating stage and second for the short-listing stage).

As Time Out put it on their website on this years LOVE LONDON AWARDS  'Now, it’s time to reward a whole new crop of venues for their dedication to making Londoners’ lives better.' 

Here is the link for you to cast your vote.

http://www.timeout.com/london/lovelondonawards#/findyourneighbourhood

Step 1; click on ISLINGTON neighbourhood.

Step 2; Go to SHOPS and search for TALLULAH and VOTE

Step 3; feel the love from Tallulah for your support ;-)

In Time Outs' own words;

Right now we’re at the voting stage – the final and all-important chance for Londoners to make sure their favourite venues come out on top. You can vote in as many areas and as many categories as you like, but crucially you can only vote for one venue in each category – this is a winner-takes-it-all kinda situation – 

Thanking you kindly in advanced. 

It would be amazing to win, can you imagine?!
Lots of Lingerie Love to you,
Tallulah xx

Goodbye January, Hello February...

I write this blog post with a crushed heart.

 Its not bruised, cracked or hurt, it is broken.

Very sadly this mad crazy world lost some great guys recently.

David Bowie, Lemmie Miller, Glenn Frey, Terry Wogan and the best guy of all, 

One of my closest and dearest.

We were born just 3 days apart and have grown up together.

For the very long month of January we stayed with him in hospital. Sharing and soaking up lots of love. 

We had some ups with smiles and made new memories that I will cherish forever but mainly it was downs. 

Lots of tears and unbelievable sadness. 

We had a wedding, a pyjama wedding. Charlie was in bed we thought it would be nice if we all wore pyjamas like him. Not the glamorous day our darling Bride-to-be had envisioned her wedding day to be.

I'm glad my Ivory silk robe could be used, but for this wedding it was more than just 'a getting ready outfit' it was an actual outfit and a little bit of luxury and as her 'Something Borrowed'. 

Image via Instagram @thegoodpeople 

I have to say, it has been so nice when I have popped into Tallulah, seeing all of the new stock looking alluring hanging up and decorating Tallulah, all ordered so long ago now and my head is all fuzzy so it's a nice surprise!

Like this gorgeous new colour in the fantastic 'Opera' collection from Chantelle. Pictured below is the padded plunge shape with removable pads and the thong, also available is the sheer half cup bra (up to a F cup!) lacey shorties and a bikini brief. Now if you have had this in any of the other colours Tallulah has stocked over the years then you will also 'need' this new colour. 

Beautiful Silver-blue colour Opera from Chantelle.

Also to arrive from Chantelle is this charming and sexy blush set. Pictured below is the padded half cup, but also available is the padded plunge (I have this on today and if you follow Instagram you will see) again with removable pads, bottoms wise to choose from you have thong, shorties or bikini brief. 

No un-padded bra though in this collection, that is the only bad word I have to say about it as it is nice to have the choice.

Both of these new collection can work as great nudes on paler skins tones. 

Disappearing under light coloured t-shirts and shirts in a pretty way. In Tallulah we are not massive fan's of the smooth t-shirt style bras as you know and always choosing pretty lace over plain, so these are both perfect for us.

New Satine collection from Chantelle.

Tallulah is looking divine and makes me smile when I'm in there, I hope you feel the same upon entering the boudoir, I really do. The girls have looked after her beautifully, and I hope you agree they are all amazing.

Sorry for the sadness in the beginning, I just felt I ought to explain my absence from the Boudoir these last few weeks and couple to come. 

Remember, Life's too short, Surround yourself with people you love and who love you back... and wonderful lingerie!

Next post will be about the new Chantal Thomass that is due in any day now. Yes its all black and lace, but its a special black lace and perfect for Valentines Day.

Until next time lingerie lovers, T x

A Sad End to an amazing week...

As I write this blog post my heart is heavy and full of sadness for the horrid events that happened in Paris last night. This week has been full of fun, love and laughter for Tallulah and I planned to share with you the weeks events but before this, please 

PEACE NOT WAR.

image from United Nations.

Well let me begin with Thanking each and everyone of our wonderful customers that helped Tallulah celebrate her 12th year. To the customers that swung by the boudoir and others further a field that sent lots of birthday wishes, each and every ones love was felt. Sophia and I stayed late on the Friday night drinking, laughing and helping you ladies (not that our ladies need much help and encouragement when it comes to lingerie shopping!), then the fun continued in an even bigger fashion on Saturday. Flowers and cards were bought in, lots and I mean lots of bubbles were drunk and my heart was brimming with pride and love for Tallulah and for the support and encouragement I get regularly from so many of our Tallulah customers. Thank You so much, you know who you all are, every single one of you! I still can not believe it has been 12 Years. 

Then on to the next exciting event of the week, The book launch of 'Islington On A Plate' on Monday night . A few months back, very flatteringly I was asked to donate a recipe to a charity cookbook supporting Action Medical Research. The book is full of wonderful recipes and all are donated from Islington celebrities and long standing shop keepers- hence Tallulah being asked to help. It took a while for me to decide which recipe to donate, I love cooking, in fact it is another passion of mine, I didn't want to be too obvious or healthy so my recipe is something with sausages as I love to eat sausages (wink wink). Please help to support Action Medical Research, they are an amazing charity that funds research to combat diseases which devastate the lives of many babies and children. It relies entirely on public donations to do its important work. One can purchase this fab cookbook from Tallulah, doesn't cost much and every single penny is given to the charity.

I went along to the glamorous event with my glamorous friend Danielle. The book launch was held in Fredericks, a long standing family run restaurant in Camden Passage. I hadn't been there for a  while and had forgotten how glamorous it is (the word glamorous has been used a lot here, apologies but if you have been to Fredericks you would understand!). The last time I went was with Danielle for her birthday meal, and after Monday night we have promised to go back for drinks at the beautiful bar very soon. Seems like its the place I go with her, not a bad place really!

What was particularly wonderful was that the room was really rather filled up with Tallulah customers, the worst part is that I am absolutely terrible with names, but I do remember bra sizes, but this can be a little embarrassing sometimes as i can't say "Oh hi 32E, how are you?" hehe! Such a great evening and for such an amazing cause. Looking forward to seeing you a cookbook or 2. 

On to the final part of Tallulah's mad busy fun filled week, the awards. The Stars Underline Best Shop Awards are literally the Oscars/Emmys/Baftas every awards rolled into 1, and what makes them so special is that us shops can not nominate themselves unlike most awards in the retail sector. Each shop is nominated by people within the lingerie industry and it is a privilege to just be nominated  let alone to be a finalist. Tallulah was a finalist for the Best Concept Store, we are very lucky to have won this particular award before. 

The evening was held down on the Southbank in the Globe theatre. I went to see Sanchia in a play here earlier in the year, never knew about the hidden party venue- it was incredible, a twinkling fairy light and candle light up room, with a magical tree in the middle. Maria and I started the evening off with some nice cocktails before heading to walk up the red carpeted venue for the champagne reception. the dinner was delicious as was the conversations, oh and the people watching was just incredible...i can't say anymore on that!

I wore my favourite outfit at the moment everything can be bought in Tallulah and take the Underwear As Outerwear look very seriously. Marjolaine silk chiffon trimmed in lace topped with silk velvet and tassel's. 

I hope you have had a wonderful love and fun filled week too. 

PEACE NOT WAR.

LOVE NOT HATE.

Until next time, sending lots of lingerie love to you. T 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