New Year's Day Traditions and Superstitions: What to Eat, Wear and Do for Good Luck on January 1st

You must read this fantastic article on New Year's Day Traditions and Superstitions: What to Eat, Wear and Do for Good Luck on January 1st (click to read)

Include wearing red on New Year's Day and RED UNDERWEAR on New Year's Eve. Party on!

Lingerie Gift Guide from the Lovely Ladies of Bellefleur

Lindsey (on the right) Recommends the following "girlfriend" gifts:
Underneath it All, the essential lingerie guidebook. If you didn't know already, it was written by our very own Jen, the owner of Bellefleur! $13.95 -And a massage oil candle in lavender vanilla scent. When you burn it, the warm liquid "wax" is actually massage oil! $10 .

A rainbow of Hanky Pankys. You will most likely buy a bunch of these amazingly comfortable stretch lace thongs as gifts, but then end up keeping a few for yourself.

Many colors available! $18 each.

Scottie (far left) recommends for Mommy Dear(est):

Buying bras for your mom can be a challenge, especially when they won't even come in for a fitting (i.e. my mom). The sad truth is that too many moms aren't wearing the properly fitting bra they deserve. Buy her a gift certificate to show her some love, then accompany her on her visit to Bellefleur for her fitting. She needs your support! (No pun intended.)

Jen's picks for the woman in your life (tall glass of water in the middle):

Upgrade her sleepwear wardrobe with some proper and sexy pajamas. Yes, they exist! Wendy Glez makes the most fabulous, comfy and alluring two-piece pajama/lounge sets on the market (you can find me in them most nights). Around $98 per set.

Show her you still find her sexy by acquiring an Aubade or Mimi Holiday bra and panty set for her. Sexy, sophisticated and well worth the scratch. $150-$250 per set.
Looking for a stocking stuffer?

• Sweet Beauty body and massage oils have real Theo chocolate in every bottle. I am in love with this stuff. For $22, you can be, too!
• Booty Parlor kissable body shimmer and bronzer will make her skin look and taste yummy. The perfect body glow to wear with your new lingerie. $22.

Live outside of Seattle and want to give the gift of Lingerie? Check out our Panty of the Month Program, as seen in People Style Watch! http://www.bellefleurlingerie.com/panty_of_month.htm

Of course you can always call us for suggestions at 206-545-0222 or email us at info@bellefleurlingerie.com, and we ship anywhere in the US.

Merry Merry...

Tip 20 0f 20 Party On!

Okay, it is kind of a cop-out to give you this tip. You must, must attend the Bellefleur holiday party. There is chocolate and beautiful women involved. Oh, and lots of sweet, sweet lingerie. Click here for the scoopage!

Saturday, December 11th from 6-8pm. Don't miss it!

Tip 19 of 20 Chilly Legs Meet Hot Trends

Take fashion-advantage of the chilly weather by sporting the latest trend in legwear: Over-the-knee socks are cute, sexy and warm! Layer the socks over tights for extra warmth. For an edgy look, layer fishnet or lacy stockings under the socks.

Tip 18 of 20 Dough!

Cooking is sexy. Baking is sexy. Grab your cute apron (you have one, right?) and go for it. Cooking is so much fun, and can be so relaxing! Schedule some time to bake with your kids, or with your bff. Get down and dirty with the dough. Knead it, create something yummy. Bring me some Christmas cookies, please!

Tip 17 of 20 Corset Behavior

Do you own a corset or bustier, but never find a time to wear it? Or have you always wanted to buy one, but don't feel confident you would actually use it? Wear it outside the house!

Don't feel compelled to restrict your corset to the boudoir. Wear it out over a skirt or jeans! You are a hot property, both inside and outside of the bedroom.

Tip 16 of 20 Shop Local

Happy Holidays is my goal. Each year I feel a mix of trepidation and exhilaration as the end of November approaches. I love the holidays! I love gift-giving! I love shopping! What I don't love: pressure, stress, drama, and a host of other holiday-related angst that comes along with the next month.

This year, I am simplifying and shopping local. Admittedly, there will always be things I have to go online for, or possibly (dread upon dread) to a mall for. But shopping locally makes me feel like I am giving in two ways:
1. I am supporting the small businesses around me, which feels amazing and I wish I could do more often.
2. I am finding small, quality gifts instead of a mass of generic, bath&body style pre-packaged gifts.

Plus, everyone loves opening a box from a small shop. It makes them feel more special, which is the best gift of all.

Tip 15 of 20 Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Give thanks for the abundance in your life. Tell someone you love them.

Tip 14 of 20 Matchy-Match

Pay more attention to your underwear. Be attentive to the bra fitting properly, and try to match your bottoms (at least vaguely) to your bra most days. An easy way to do this is to stock up on bottoms that match your bra colors.

If you tend to wear black bras daily, purchase lots of black bottoms (multiple styles and labels) to match effortlessly.

When you buy a special color bra (teal, orange, pink floral) make sure to buy two matching bottoms--because you may wear your bra two days before washing it, but not your panties!

Tip 13 of 20 Feng Shui Your Lingerie

Dress for the love life you want, not the love life you have.

If you are single and want a date, wear your best lingerie each and every time you leave the house. You will send subliminal signals out in to "the universe"--watch what happens! If you are in a relationship and want more affection, pay more attention to your underwear. Warning: You may start attracting those other than your partner!

Tip 12 of 20 Date Night

If you have a date night or girl's night out within the next week, wear thigh highs! Make sure to buy the kind that have silicone on the top, so they won't slip while walking or dancing. Thigh highs add sexiness to any outfit and will promote new confidence. Who knew?

Here is a fabulous tutorial on the difference between thigh highs and stockings. (Thank you My Boudoir of San Francisco!)

Tip 11 of 20 Sweet Dreams

Wear something beautiful to sleep in tonight. Toss the sweats, the mismatched pjs and fun-run shirts--opt for something that makes you feel pretty.

Tip 10 of 20 Intention Invention

Fantasize about something you want and don't have in your life right now. A new car, a man, a mentor, whatever. Think about exactly what you want in your life. Write it down and put it somewhere you will see it every day.

Tip 9 of 20 Clean your Drawers

Let's clean out your underwear drawer! Don't pretend that you aren't alarmed by what lives in there. Underwear you would rather die in than be resuscitated wearing.

Step 1: Empty your panty drawer on to your bed or floor.
Step 2: Make two piles: 1-those with stains or holes, 2-the rest.
Step 3: Throw away pile 1! You need not be tempted to ever reach for those panties, again!
Step 4: Replenish your underwear drawer by treating yourself to some new, pristine panties from your favorite shop or brand.
(ahem, Bellefleur perhaps?)

Your welcome!

Tip 8 of 20 Today is the Greatest

Have you ever heard the phrase "Our Greatest Gift is the Present"? Well, I am giving you permission to have amnesia today. Take a day off from the past. The good, the bad, the ugly, it has little to do with what you can make happen today.

If you woke up and didn't know who you were, who would you be? --Jenism

Tip 7 of 20 Game Over!

Unless you are planning on playing a sport, you should not be wearing a sports bra! They do nothing but restrict the movement of your breasts, pressing them in to a boob omelet--not a tasty look!

If you can't stand underwire in your bra, opt for a supportive soft bra sans wire. Game on!

Tip 6 of 20 Yes WoMan

I recently heard Joan London speak (cool woman!), and she touted the attitude of "yes". If she hadn't said yes to the fortuitous offer of being a weather girl, she wouldn't have been on television, nor a beloved, household name.

So, say YES! If anyone offers you anything today, say yes. No matter what.

Refill of coffee? Yes, please.

Spare a quarter? Why not.

Can I take you to dinner Saturday night? Sure!

Take a job in Paris? Oui!

Tip 5 of 20 Knicker know-how

Find the raciest panties (read: hot & sexy!) in your panty drawer and wear them today! Don't save them for a rainy day!

Although, considering we are in Seattle, it probably is a rainy day!

Tip 4 of 20 Make out!

Make out with someone today!
I am not talking about a peck, or quick kiss.
If no one is available, fantasize about your best kiss ever--the kind that makes your body tingle just thinking about it. Enjoy the serotonin!

Tip 3 of 20 Sweet Set-Up

Wear a matching bra and panty set today. All day.

Do you feel more confident?

Sexier?

Tip 2 of 20 Say Cheese

Smile at everyone who you see or meet today. Including yourself! It is impossible to be in a bad mood when you are smiling. It's true! Try it. See what happens.

Tip 1 of 20 Keepin' it Real

Be Authentic.
Today, if you find yourself playing a role at work, school, or even at home, stop. Stop "acting" and be real. Be yourself. See how different and wonderful it feels!

20 Tips in 20 Days! Follow Bellefleur's Blog this Month!

Fresh back from the Dream It! Launch It! Live it! Conference, I feel inspired to share some pearls of wisdom. Follow Bellefleur's Blog this month for some sexy and soulful tips on how to make each day fabulous!

New At Bellefleur!

Aubade Bahia the Beautiful in gorgeous purple and fuschia

B-F cup

bra $95

thong $65

uber sexy lace-side short $95

Holly Hotness! Mimi Holiday Red Silk with hot pink lace

A-D cup

bra $80

shorty $74

thong & garter belt also available (meow!)

Fatal Attraction Bustier

Sized S/M/L
$75

string $27

shorty $32

Panache Angie Bra
D-G cup
bra $82

thong $34

short $46

October in Fremont!

October represents two things in Fremont.
1. Halloween! Costumes are now IN STOCK! Get in here to peruse our flapper and naughty-nurse costumes! They won't last long!

2. Fall Fashion! The Center of the Universe and Pink Pagoda Style host a fall fashion party, complete with fashion show, make-overs, give-aways and more! Thanks to Pink Pagoda Style (http://www.pinkpagodastyle.com/) we can all celebrate Fall Fashion together, while shopping and enjoying free goodies. You must RSVP for event, which is October 10th from 3-7pm. Email names of those attending to kim@pinkpagodastyle.com or find her on Facebook events.

New bamboo loungewear & yoga wear

Introducing Spree - an environmentally friendly and oh, so heavenly-soft way to enjoy your loungewear! Check out the new cami and tap set (around $60) or the new uber-comfy bamboo nighty (in black $45) and matching robe ($75).

We also have fresh yoga arrivals, as we dabble in activewear.

Don't worry- we haven't forgotten the sexy stuff. Our newest arrival from Maison Close proves quite provocative ($85 for set).

Kinky meets Sexy, they both know Maison Close

Sometimes, being hard-t0-get is not the way to go. Our new brand, Maison Close, is the opposite of subtle. MC says "Come hither..." and further, "you can't resist me". If you want your man to be putty in your hands, this is the way to go. I am ordering it for myself. Kinky and sophisticated--who knew?

We Moved!! And other great lingerie joys....

We moved! 17 hours of blood, sweat and tears later, Bellefleur is now open at its new location: 3504 Fremont Place North, next to Bliss. We are still decorating and perfecting the layout, please come down and check out the new digs!! Our grand opening party will be in June--stay tuned. You won't want to miss out!

Other lingerie joys: We just received a new shipment from Luxe Junkie--the ultimate, most soft cami and half cami you can imagine. It is all about layering, comfort and style. The tops start at $18, so come check them out! Images to follow...

See you soon!!

Bellefleur is MOVING!

Bellefleur is movin' on up--the street! Come mid-May, you can find all of your lingerie goodies at Bellefleur's new LARGER location! We are taking over the former Private Screening space (they went online) next to Bliss at 3504 Fremont Place N. NO the parking isn't any better, but the shop is more spacious and will allow us to carry more in-demand items such as additional basic bras and swimwear!

Meanwhile, come in to our current location this month to stock up on Hanky Panky thongs and those eminent bridal-shower gifts!

Stay tuned for more info.

Lingerie, a make-over story

I love my customers. My favorite thing to do is outfit someone with an entire new lingerie wardrobe, or to fit a customer in to their perfect bra size. I love watching lovely ladies become more and more confident with each "outfit" they model. It's FUN and rewarding. Here is a story from a new customer, we will call her Andy. My notes are in blue.

"My husband gave me a gift certificate to Bellefleur for Valentine's Day. I was very nervous about going to a lingerie boutique (she told me she cried when he gave her the gift cert). My body has changed over the years, and I had to confront my negative self image. I pictured myself in the dressing room in tears, unable to find anything to make me look attractive.
Then, I read your book (Underneath It All!!). The information on body types and suggestions for styles to flatter each gave me the confidence to venture in to Bellefleur. Within minutes, you had me at ease. You kept handing me different fun things to try. The whole experience was very enjoyable (she was in the shop for nearly 3 hours, trying on everything from basic t-shirt bras to sexy, dress up babydolls!).

I now consider my lingerie an integral part of every outfit (good!). Whether I am dressed casually or for work, I have something pretty and matching on "underneath it all"! (thanks for the plug!)
-Andy, my new customer and lingerie enthusiast!

Lingerie Retailer Gets 'Underneath It All' With How-To Book - Fashion Designer, Manufacturer and Showroom Profiles | California Apparel News

Check it out! Best article ever by Rhea Cortado Lingerie Retailer Gets 'Underneath It All' With How-To Book - Fashion Designer, Manufacturer and Showroom Profiles | California Apparel News

InStyle and People, woo hoo!!

Bonjour lingerie enthusiasts,

I just had to share my mention in February's InStyle magazine! Page 118, Clean Thoughts. Yep, the fashion bible used moi (und UIA book) as a source!

Also, not to toot my own horn, but Bellefleur was in the latest issue of People magazine (Style Watch). They touted our Panty of the Month program! We are famous!

Cheers to a very exciting 2010!

Kisses,

Jen

Bra intervention via Facebook

I have recently been chatting up an old friend from high school on Facebook. She really wanted a copy of Underneath It All, so I sent her one. The messages that ensued from there are hilarious.

Her: I read your bra life expectancy. omg, I keep them till they dirty and shredding, how sad is that. And how sad is that I don't have any matching anything. This book is inspiring me…

Me: I tell her she really needs to get a bra fitting and get some new bras. She decides to sort out what she has.

Her: Okay, I am left with 3 bras: a sports bra with a hole, my racerback and a black bra that fits too tight. Oops, make that 4, I have a hand me down from my husband's Aunt which I put an extra extension on to try to make it work. My left boob overflows…

Me: I tell her to destroy her bra with the hole in it. I don’t specify how.

Her: Done, literally just threw it in the wood stove, never burned a bra before, it really got going I had to damper down the stove.

While my good friend from years past (I won’t mention how many years) is on the road to recovery, I know that lots of you need bra or underwear interventions yourself. I would love to hear your stories about the good, bad and ugly parts of your lingerie wardrobe. Malfunctions, successful purchases or scenarios. Anything. Email them to me: jennifer@bellefleurlingerie.com. Let me know if I can post them in the blog and whether or not I should use your name.

xo Jen