Evening Ridge Designs – Handcrafted Fashion Jewelry

For over a decade fashion jewelry has inspired me to create my own style. My mothers’ unique taste in costume jewelry has had an influence on my collections. My appreciation for style inspires my artistic flow to create these original pieces.  
The material in which I love to manipulate the most is brass. I get instant gratification when hand texturing this medium. Brass also allows me to experiment with ways to enhance it because of its flexibility.  
A fabulous addition to my earring lines is the use of titanium ear wires and titanium ear posts. This material is 100% in its properties, therefore no allergic reactions.
With each and every piece I texture and create comes great satisfaction, something I hope is shared by you. -Ann Popoff

Holiday Gift Ideas

Four weeks until Christmas, and the store is gearing up during the busiest time of the year! The store is brimming with gorgeous gifts for everyone on your shopping list.  Here are some gift ideas for every special person in your life…

Barefoot Dreams Robes and Blankets

An annual favourite at Esprit de la Femme for many many years, these luxury robes and blankets are shipped to us from Malibu, California. They were featured years ago on Oprah’s list of favorite things, and  people still refer to them as “The Oprah Robe.”  They’re made of an exclusive blend of microfibre and bamboo and knit into a sumptuous garment that is absolutely dreamy against your skin.  It’s softer, lighter, and warmer than terry cloth, and easier to take care of! Just toss them in the washer and dryer and enjoy their squishy softness for years… Available in colours including black, espresso, ivory, white, burgundy, sage, and soft pink.  Oh, and a quick warning… Buying a Barefoot Dreams robe for your partner means you might fall in love with it and wind up wearing it yourself!… So expect to receive one as a gift next year. Or give the  gift of a Barefoot Dreams throw  or Queen/King size blanket. Perfect for family members who have everything.

Pajamas

Sleepwear is one of those things that people have very particular preferences for, whether they prefer pants or shorts, long-sleeve or short sleeve, silk or cotton… Esprit de la Femme has pajamas for everyone, no matter what they like to sleep in! Shop our best-selling PJ Harlow pajamas from California which let you mix and match tops and bottoms to suit everyone! Does your wife or mom suffer from hot flashes? PJ Harlow is a super soft blend of cotton and wood-fibre which actually helps regulate body temperature, so women LOVE them!

For those looking for a more classic pajama, San Francisco designer Mary Green makes lovely long-sleeve with pants silk pajamas for men and women. Esprit de la Femme also stocks cotton pajamas and lounge pants for men from Montreal-based JM.

Stocking Stuffers

Think small! Pretty panties like the Cosabella “Cutie” thong and Hanky Pankys come wrapped in a lovely ribbon and can be tucked into a stocking or small gift box. Sleep masks from Mary Green are great for those who travel or for anyone who wants to be glamorous even while they snooze.

Yes, sometimes the packaging is as important as what’s inside… It’s true for lingerie, and it’s true for the products you put on your skin. If you’re stuck for a gift or are just looking for a fun little add-on to the main one, you can never go wrong with beautifully wrapped soaps, body butters, and lip glosses from Australian body care company MOR. Their triple-milled soaps come in fragrances like Blood Orange, Lychee, and Kale & Watercress. Marshmallow Lipglosses in their triangular boxes look lovely hanging from a Christmas tree.

Your Body Your Canvas – Marlies Dekkers

As the pioneer of the trend ‘innerwear as outerwear’, Marlies Dekkers has proven her versatility without a doubt. Her designs are seen nationally and internationally as trendsetting, innovative and pioneering. Marlies Dekkers has changed the world of lingerie for good with her inspiring designs and personal philosophy. All her designs are inspired by her own vision on life, and she wants to give women more self confidence.

“I frame the female body with my lingerie, and find the unexpected places the most beautiful parts of the body, such as the back or just above the bottom. With my designs I enhance all these hidden places to reveal their true beauty. I believe every woman is beautiful, no matter which size, therefore I find it very important that women feel confident and sexy in my designs.”

Esprit de la Femme is the only boutique retailer of Marlies Dekkers in BC (you can find some styles at Holt Renfrew — Ooh la la!) and its success at the store is owed to the enthusiastic approval from our customers. Kootenay women seem to be adventurous in their taste for lingerie, as long as it’s done tastefully and with quality materials and excellent fit! Yes, these bras are as comfortable to wear as they are stunning to see peeking out from a teeshirt or from beneath a sheer blouse. Since these bras are meant to be seen, there is infinite fashion potential. Our favorite way to wear Marlies Dekkers? By keeping the rest of the outfit sleek and simple — letting the exposed straps and metal details speak for themselves (like Dita von Teese does here)

Marlies Dekkers bras are available in A-F cup sizes which means whether you’re petite or tall, busty or small, there’s a style and size perfect for you!

Shape up! The New Shapewear

The reality is that us women come in all shapes and sizes (all beautiful!) We all  have breasts, butts, thighs, curves, rolls, and squishy body parts!  We all have that funny fleshy bit between our bra and our underarm, and we all have cellulite — Nope, you’re not the only woman in the world who does!  So what is a woman to do with all of the clingy fabrics and unforgiving fashions when she doesn’t have the body of a runway model? She has to do what women have been doing for centuries — employ the use of shapewear!

Now, we’re not talking about archaic corsets or girdles here (even though some of those decidedly old-school garments are earning a resurgence in popularity among some…) This is 2011, and there’s a new generation of shapewear that performs great while still being — get this — Comfortable!!! What a concept…

Check out some of our favorite products at Esprit de la Femme….

Cosabella Never Say Never Shaper Thong

It seems like all we do is rave about how fantastic Cosabella is — Because we really really love it! This Italy-made company never fails with its amazing colours, perfect fitting styles, and quality construction. Our latest and greatest find from this brand is the Never Say Never Shaper Thong which rocks our world because it’s the perfect marriage of shapewear and sexy lingerie.  This high-wasted thong nips you right at the belly button, so no annoying cut-in.. And because it’s a thong, you avoid that whole annoying issue of panty lines!  It succeeds in smoothing out any little fleshy bits under your tummy and above your hips… Spare tire be gone!!!

Wear this with clingy dresses (the lace is invisible, we promise!) and high-waisted skirts or pants.

Janira Shapewear

One of our bra reps showed us this line from Spain and we immediately fell in love with it! High-wasted panties that come all the way to your bra band, secured from slipping with a band of silicone.  They have full butt-coverage that’s actually seamless and doesn’t give you the flat butt look that some other shapers can! Thankfully, Janira has helpfully provided us with swooping red arrows to properly illustrate the slimming power of their garments — Pretty cheesy, but then again, who doesn’t love cheese?

Prima Donna Twist A La Folie Slim Fit Dress
Shapewear can be sexy. Check out this smokin’ hot shaper dress from fav bra company Prima Donna: Under-bust design (so you can wear the bra of your choice) means saying goodbye to shapers that squash your breasts instead of keeping making them look gorgeous! This dress also has a smart silicone band around the hem to prevent any annoying rolling up. Plus, if anyone should happen to see you in a state of undress, you’re looking sexy AND smooth — Great for all parties involved!

Battle of the Thongs – Cosabella vs. Hanky Panky

There has been a controversy going down here at Esprit de la Femme lately that has divided customers between two panty heavy-hitters: The Cosabella “Cutie” thong vs. Hanky Panky’s Signature Lace Lowrise thong. At first glance they may look the same: A one-size, stretchy lace thong available in each company’s own rainbow of pretty colours.

Cosabella “Cutie” thong (left).  Right: Hanky Panky Lowrise thong (right).

But that’s where the similarities end! Cosabella panties are made in Italy, while Hanky Panky is produced in New York. Cosabella’s Cutie is relative new on the panty scene while Hanky Panky has been building its fiercely loyal fan-base for 25 years!

Design-wise, Cosabella’s waist-band is wider and comes slightly higher on the body, while Hanky Panky has a narrower front and wider hip-width.

So which team are you on? Go to our Facebook page and tell us which panty is your favorite for a chance to win one! The winner will be chosen Saturday, August 6. <3

Summer at Esprit de la Femme

Sparkles and crystals abound at the store right now! Customers are shining like the sexy stars they are in the artfully embellished lingerie pieces from Pleasure State. Pretty ruffled straps attach with Swarovski crystal buckles, bows are tied with satin laces, and stretchy soft fabrics are adorned with beautiful embroidery. Best of all — Pleasure State bras fit beautifully and are available in hard-to-find sizes.

Come see this in-stock style: “Gamma Ray” Underwire Balconette Bra – ($159)   and “Gamma Ray” Mini Brief and Thong – ($90 and $80)

We’re also super excited about a brand new line for the store, Marlies Dekkers. This Dutch designer has quickly made a huge impact on this side of the Atlantic, with celebrity fans including Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Fergie. Meet Marlies in this video: Dutch Profiles: Marlies Dekkers

After a four year absence, soft and dainty lingerie by Eberjey is back at Esprit de la Femme! Every pretty piece is designed to make you feel good when you put it on. No uncomfortable elastics or scratchy fabrics… each piece is an absolute joy to wear. In-stock are wire-free India Lace Retro Bralettes ($49), stretchy and sheer French briefs, and simple pima cotton bikini panties and thongs. (Panties $19-25)

All About Bra Fittings

If you haven’t had a bra fitting in a while, or even if you’ve never been properly fit for a bra, the time has come to find out what a huge difference a good bra can make to your figure, wardrobe, and confidence! Don’t be shy. Let our professional staff guide you through the world of cup sizes, band sizes, and underwires to help you find your perfect style and size. Here are a few common questions about bra fittings at Esprit de la Femme. Of course, if you have any questions not addressed here, let us know about it, and we’ll add it to our website!

What do I need to know before I come for a bra fitting?

Bra fittings are always free of charge, and appointments aren’t necessary. So come on in! We suggest giving yourself plenty of time for a fitting, at least half an hour, in order to allow us to meet all of your needs. Also come with an open mind about sizes, styles, and colours. You may not buy the size you expected to, and you just may fall in love with something you weren’t expecting to! Be prepared to leave the store feeling empowered, sexy and confident!

How much does a bra cost? Continue reading →

New! — Fruits and Passion!

If you’ve never heard of Fruits and Passion, then allow us to introduce a little bit of passion into your life! Continue reading →

Caring for your Lingerie – Part 2.

(…Miss the basics?  Check out Part 1.)

At Esprit de la Femme, we love silk — No lingerie collection is complete without it! So when it comes to caring for your silk garments, we consulted our favourite silk designer, Mary Green from San Francisco. Her designs have been featured in the store for almost 10 years and continue to be one of the best-selling lines year-round. Here’s an excerpt from her website:

Some silks may shrink slightly when washed. Garments made with delicate fabrics such as georgette, gauze, and chiffon, garments made with a combination of fabrics or garments that are highly detailed probably should not be machine washed.

To clean your more delicate fabrics such as georgette, gauze, and chiffon, first wash the garments in tepid water with a mild detergent. Do not wring, but lay on a towel and roll up, squeezing moisture into the towel. Hang or lay flat to dry in the shade… Should you wash these lighter fabrics, they may appear to be smaller after washing, but will return to their original size and shape when they are lightly and gently ironed.

Again, Eucalan is a fabric life-saver, and just taking a couple extra minutes to care for your silk garments makes a big difference in their longevity.

Continue reading →

Caring for your Lingerie – Part 1.

Good-quality lingerie isn’t cheap -You really do get what you pay for when it comes to materials and craftsmanship! And as a wearer of good lingerie, you’ve probably heard lots of different versions of how you should care for your delicates. Indeed, every time we sell a bra, you’re bound to hear some variation of it.  But what’s the final word on  caring for your bras, panties, nighties, and other special under-things? Do you really need to hand-wash your bras every single time? When can you get away with using the washing machine? Is it ever okay to put anything in the dryer?

So here’s Part 1 of our (admittedly incomplete) guide for caring for your purchases including handy tips and corners that you can cut to save you time: Continue reading →