The "Cath Kidston" Swimsuit

Any Brit knows all about Cath Kidston duvet covers and kitch wallpaper but not many people are aware of her limited clothing line. I certainly wasn't last year, when i nosied into the York shop and found this gorgeous, retro style swimsuit. At the time i was considering taking up swimming (which i did for a while but then i found it made me so hungry i'd eat more calories than i'd burnt off) so it was destined to join my collection, what with being the only one left, in my size and at a discounted price. This swimsuit is a blush pink with an allover white sun motif and columns of ruching down the front.


Everything about this swimsuit, to me, screams pin-up; the neckline, the halter neck and the low back in particular. This fits the body like a dream and hugs curves in all the right places (plus it's a little cheeky in the behind). The cups are slightly padded but unsupported, so perfect for small to medium busts. This piece is made out of a thick material, nothing like modern lycra, so does get a little heavy when swimming and needs to be thoroughly rinsed to stop any degradation but that's to be expected of this style of swimsuit. All the little details, especially the ruching around the back line, are definitely reminiscent of Cath Kidstons usual high quality. If i ever get to lounge around a pool, on a sun-lounger (without wanting to tan, for once), drinking cocktails you can bet any money i'll be wearing my massive black sun hat (think breakfast at tiffany's and then tripple the size!) and this little number. So chic.

              
Lamb


Swimwear Week: Topshop Bikini

PB1My favourite places to buy swimwear will always be in the highstreet sales, so it's no surprise that i bought this, in a sale, from Topshop. Topshop is somewhere i always recommend for lingerie and swimwear and my go to place for those items (not a massive fan of the clothes, overpriced and poor quality). The shape of this bikini is relatively classic, with a little Sternum cut detail and a basic hipster (referring to the way they lie on the hips not their financial and style status) bottom. Yet again this wouldn't be suitable for those with larger chests, a recurring theme you'll find in my swimwear posts, because i always chose styles that flatter a small bust rather than convincing myself i could wear a balcony or triangle bikini top (which i can't because they'd swamp me). 
What made me scour the racks for 20 minutes desperately trying to find my size was the material, not the cut (for once). As you can see it's a lovely blush pink saturated with very fine glitter threads. In the end my desire to have this bikini lead me into the changing rooms with a UK size 10 top and size 6 bottoms. Neither are my size but luckily (big sigh of relief) they both fit well enough to warrant a purchase. And for less than £10 it was well worth it. I am surprised a size 10 top, which is two sizes too big, fits so well but i was told by the woman at the counter that Topshop swimwear can tend to run quite small so golden rule number one: always try on before buying or make sure they'll accept a return.
The top is nicely gathered so that it flatters the bust and gives the illusion of it being slightly larger. My only problem is how thin the material is, much like my previous swimwear post, this does expose the entire shape of the nipple (and in my case, my private piercings) so it's definitely a "beach only" kind of piece. The bottoms lie low on the hips, which emphasises my need to lose a little hip mass, but it's not a massive issue and won't stop me wearing them.

Swimwear week: H&M Bikini

LB4Believe it or not, this is a neon lime green bikini and my most loved set of swimwear. I bought these, from H&M, as separates in the final reductions of the summer sales for just under £4. I honestly recommend anyone who doesn't mind spending ten or so minutes trawling the messy sale racks to check out H&M swimwear sales, there's some serious bargains to be had. The bikini is a really simple bandeau and hipster cut with 'knotted" ruching detail.
I adore lime green, it's a really attractive colour to me and i'm always drawn to similar coloured garments (not mentioning the hideously fluorescent green jumper i've been desperately trying to fade). As swimwear this piece most definitely only works for those with smaller chests, with no strap detailing and only a strip of clear rubber along the top of the bandeau to keep the material up. There's also a little awkwardness with the material being quite thin and clingy so (if you have private piercings like this Lamb) it can show a little more than you'd want. This is probably one of the only pieces of swimwear i have gotten a decent amount of usage from however, most definitely my moneys worth, as i regularly wear the bandeau under sheer or lace tops to add a pop of colour to an otherwise black outfit (just call me Wednesday Addams). I also, when the weather is a little warmer, wear it under deep cut vest tops to stop any side boob occurrences. Swimwear i can wear everyday, oh i am a smitten Lamb.

The Knicker Issue: January Review

I wrote a post not too long ago, found here, about The Knicker Issue: a monthly panty subscription service. After counting all my pennies i committed to a three month subscription at a cost of £42 + £6 P&P. Now £14 per month isn't a great amount and i'd have happily subscribed for longer if the money were taken from my bank account every month (much like beauty boxes), rather than in one lump sum. This month i cannot afford to pay more than £48 whereas i can pay £14 monthly. Not only that but the knickers are actually cheaper if you subscribe for longer so it's a little disappointing that if i want to renew my subscription, and have another 3 months, i'll be paying more than if i'd have originally bought a 6 month subscription. As i mentioned though, i just can't afford to pay out all that money in one go. So just a little niggle that maybe the company will decide to change when they become a little more popular. 
So far i havent seen any reviews on the actual Knicker Issue subscription on other blogs (if you've done a review please link me in the comments, i'd love to read it) thus i've decided i'll review my three knickers as i get them so those thinking about buying a subscription can have a better idea of what to expect.


Now the first thing i love about the packaging is that it's small enough to fit through letterboxes, so no trekking to the Post Office Depot when you get home at the end of the day! The little brown box is sturdy and has a card sleeve. Unfortunately my sleeve was damaged in the post but it's certainly not an issue as long as my address is still visible for the post man to deliver it! I also discovered that on the back of the sleeve is an article written by the Knicker Issue staff about a hot topic at the moment, and from what i can read it's fabulous and very helpful!


Inside the box i received my knickers, wrapped in tissue paper and sealed with a monogrammed sticker. I thought it was such a lovely idea and certainly made this even more unique. I also receive a note from myself so i'm reminded to "Stay Motivated. Keep working hard". This is completely customisable so you can send yourself a little message or send notes (and knickers!) to someone special.


These are the knickers i received. They are the "Love Crimson and Tulle Stitch Brief" from Playful Promises and they retail for £15 which means i made a saving of £1! I love that The Knicker Issue is working together with independent lingerie brands! I wrote my first ever blog post, found here, about how much i love Playful Promises so it seems very appropriate that my first installment is a from them.
The knickers are full bum made out of deep crimson tulle, with a satin panel on the crotch and gorgeous stitching around the seams. They're comfortable but fiery so they're perfect for everyday wear or for Valentines day, which isn't too long away now.

So far so good. The whole concept is still a rather new one and there's a few kinks to be ironed out as the company grows and gains in popularity. But i'm happy with what i received this month and i'm looking forward to my next installment.

           
Lamb

The "Peony Body" Sale Purchase

I promised myself after my Dirty Pretty Things sale purchase i wouldn't spend anymore money in the sales but when i saw this on the Ann Summers website for only £12 so many outfits came into mind and i was able to convince myself it was a practical purchase. And so far it has been!


I apologise for the Poor photo but it's almost impossible to photograph this garment flat. This body comes in standard sizes, UK8 being the smallest, and also in black.
Ann Summers ship all your purchases in unmarked post so as not to embarrass you and although it is a little pricey, about £4, the delivery is recorded (so no lost lingerie) and arrives in good time. As you've probably guessed i love pastel/rose pink and since my wardrobe is overflowing with black i thought i'd change things up a bit. If you can't tell (the photo may be that bad) The knicker part of the body is a satin like fabric and the upper part of the body is a sheer tulle, gathered to give volume, with batwing sleeves and a deep V cutout in the back.

I should have probably been called Deer as i seem to photograph so awkwardly. I love this body, it's simple and elegant and although intended to be lingerie i can easily throw it into an outfit. Today, in sub zero temperatures, i layered it over another nude, thermal body and paired it with a high waisted skirt and various tights, socks, hat, scarf, snood... it's been very cold. In summer i could easily wear a nude bandeau underneath, like the one pictured (which is actually the top from my AA bikini), and some high waisted light denim shorts. 

Ann Summers is often looked over as a "tacky high street sex store" but in actual fact they create some quality lingerie and hosiery and always have wonderful sales! Always worth perusing their online store or popping into the shop on a whim.

          
Lamb


The "Golden Girl" Set: A Dirty Pretty Things review

Dirty Pretty Things have a ridiculous sale on. When i clicked through their twitter link i was like a kiddie in a sweet shop, adding silly amounts to my basket before remembering i have to pay rent and buy food, like an adult (imagine the saddest lamb you've ever seen and that was my face). I eventually narrowed my purchase down to their "Metallic Flash" set which i've obviously renamed 'Golden Girl" because, c'mon who doesn't want to feel golden?

These arrived in good time (you know how i am about shipping times) although the post office thought it would be funny to withhold my parcel for 48 hours (not cool Royal Mail). To make this arrival more exciting it arrived in a metallic pink package and wrapped in black tissue paper. Did i think about taking a photo of the wrapping a la my "Bree Bikini Post"? Yes but i was too excited to finally see these in person to be delicate with the tissue paper so that idea went out of the window.

Before i get onto my own personal failings, this bra is divine, beautifully made and finished. The fabric is soft and appears durable. There's enough structure for even very large breasts ( i imagine) with the added bonus that it's gorgeous. Not only that but it was only £15 in the sale, which is too cheap a price for a bra constructed so wonderfully.
I bought this bra in a size 34B because it was the only size close enough to mine left. At the time i was so enamoured by the price and how gold it was that i didn't even clock that it was a balcony bra (i lose all brain function when around lingerie sales). I have what i think is termed, wide set breasts, and they're small. And because of this reason i've never been able to fit in a balcony bra, even in my own size and probably the size below (anyone with a AA balcony bra want to lend it so i can test this theory?). So yes, there's enough space in the cups to host a party (remember the sad lamb i asked you to imagine, now make it 100 times sadder and you have me right now). I'm not sure what the future of this bra will be as i don't think any of my friends are of this size but if this piece takes your fancy then drop me a comment, or send me an email and we'll work something out. I'd like for it to go to a good home.

Here's where i leave a little disclaimer: I am THE worst lingerie blogger because i do this all the time. I don't need to wear bras, in fact i often go bra less as i don't need the support. So i've never been measured properly because, for me, they're purely for aesthetic purposes (except when i need one to stop that awkward nipple definition that goes on under certain materials). I always buy around my size in the hopes that the item will fit, sometimes it does, other times i'm not so lucky. There are some great blogs out there who are big advocates for women to be properly fitted and to own bras perfect for their bust. This is wonderful and i advise all Lambs to follow this ideal and not my example because i'm a twit. Blogs like InvestInYourChest, TheBreastLife and BustsForJustice, amongst others which have escaped me, are not run by complete twits and are worth a read if you would like to know more about bra fitting and why it's important.

tl;dr (that's "too long didn't read" for anyone who doesn't spend too much time on the internet): i don't buy bras in my size all the time because i don't necessarily have to. This makes me a twit and not an example to follow.


Now onto the knickers, which do fit (hurrah!). These are a size small and cost £10. As i said with the bra these are wonderful. They're cut in such a way that they're comfy as well as glamorous, something that doesn't happen all that often. The stitching around the seams is the little detail that pushes these over the edge from wonderful to blooming marvelous. I will definitely be keeping these and every time i wear them i'll feel a little perkier because my bum is golden.

I can not sing DPT praises enough for, not only their generous sale, but for the quality of these undergarments and, providing my bank account allows me, i think i might just become a regular customer.

             
Lamb


The "Five Pound Body" review

The website everything5pounds is no great secret anymore. I've heard about it through friends, blogs, magazines, oh just about everywhere. It's a bit of a sensation since it's nion impossible to buy anything for £5 in the current economy. I've trawled through their online store a few times but never committed to buying anything , doubting the quality and the ethical practices of the brand. After seeing a pair of shoes on robynmayday that were damn adorable (and purchased, see final image) i decided to have another try. The lingerie page was spotted almost instantaneously and for the price (£5, of course) i thought it was worth a shot. The Ram and i are planning a little weekend retreat for Valentines day and this is perfect for that occasion. 

Although the customer reviews on the website continuously sing the praises of the quality of the garments i was never expecting something this cute.
The body only comes in two sizes, UK6 and UK8. I bought the former. The halter is adjustable which, since the cups are freeform, adjusts the body to suit various bust sizes. The strap around the back is a little large but i was never expecting a perfect fit so this doesn't bother me.

The high cut of the crotch (and bum), and lace cups probably wouldn't make this very comfortable for everyday use but it is perfect for special occasions. There are poppers (snaps for non brits) on the crotch for practical use (like going to the loo amongst other things). Aside from the back strap the rest of the bodysuit fits true to size.


The lace, although not designer quality, is still intricate and well constructed. The scalloping and the little tummy peek-a-boo is killing me with cuteness. I love little details like that, it just makes a piece special and i'm smitten with this one. It is by no means perfect but it's certainly worth more than £5. I do love a good bargain!

For those of you wondering about the shoes. Cute and wonderful quality but i do wish they'd have had the black versions in stock. Blue is a little harder to style.

         
Lamb

The "3D floral mesh bikini" Sales Purchase

American Apparel sales are usually naff and not worthwhile. In fact American Apparel (referred to as AA throughout the rest of the text), in the UK, is not worth your time at all. The staff are so rude and elitest and the apparel is highly overpriced. However a few months ago when i saw this bikini on a girl's instagram feed i went looking for it everywhere and it wasn't available. Fast forward to a sponsored tweet letting me know AA were having an online sale and all my prayers were answered at a discounted price!
Behold the the newest addition to my swimwear family
I chose the colour "blush" which is a dusky pink but it comes in white too if that's more of your thing (i should not be allowed to own anything white, my white macbook is evidence of this). If this bikini hadn't been such a bargain (and i wasn't a swimwear addict) i wouldn't have bought it because of how ridiculous AA are. For example: the website advises not to expose this piece of swimwear to chlorine or salt water, so only for use in the Bath or fresh water lakes? So excuse me if i'm a little scathing of a product that is so pretty. The Bikini top was £12 reduced from £25 and the bottoms were £8 reduced from £30. The shipping was over £4 and it took a week to arrive so i'm not too pleased with that either. I've had free shipping arrive within 3 working days, so maybe i've been spoilt.



The Bandeau top can be worn three ways (very AA) as displayed and all three ways are useful for different things. The top image shows how i'd wear the bandeau for sunbathing, to reduce tan lines (they'd most likely be covered by a bra) and eliminate strap lines. The middle image shows how i'd wear this for swimming (in all those fresh water lakes I visit...) with the halter neck to keep the bandeau from moving around and revealing too much. Finally the last image is how i'd wear this bandeau in an actual outfit. It would look gorgeous on a night out with a high waisted skirt, or under a sheer top.
Now on to the fit. I purchased the bandeau in a size S and the bottoms in a size XS/S. For all the love i have for this bikini it actually doesn't do much for my body. In fact it accentuates all the things i hate, which i won't list here but i'm sure anyone with body issues knows how that feels. I spent a good while looking in the mirror poking, prodding, sucking my tummy in and adjusting the bikini in the hopes that the feeling of self loathing would disappear. 
Now the bottoms as you can see are a little small, this looks horrendous to me but i've been assured by others that it isn't so bad, so i do intend to keep them. But when AA say XS/S they must actually mean prepubescent. I may be a small figured girl but i do have hips and an arse and unfortunately an untoned tummy so i'm not the most confident when wearing this bikini. I'd suggest to anyone who did want to buy this, and it is still available on the UK website if you search for "3D flower mesh", to size up on the bottoms. The top however fits fine and suits my small chest, probably not a good bikini for someone with a much larger chest as i can't imagine it would give much coverage or support.

A bit of a mixed review for this one. On one hand i adore it, it's the most perfect, delicate, girly bikini and on the other hand it's a body confidence nightmare. A serious Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde affair!

          
Lamb


Agent Provocateur Maschina

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This was the first Agent Provocateur set i ever owned so i'm awfully fond of it. 
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Now since i'm a bra hoarder and i couldn't resist, i ended up with a 34B and an AP size 2. I was actually very surprised that the bra fit relatively well (less so on my noticeably smaller breast) and the knickers, although a tad lose around the waist, fit comfortably. The thing that attracted me to this set was the delicate skin coloured lace with the all over barbed wire embroidery. So beautifully stitched and such a juxtaposition, the zigzag trim and straps just finishing the whole thing off nicely. There are so many AP dupes out there, it seems as soon as they release a collection, the "highstreet" lingerie retailers scramble to produce something in the same vein. However i've honestly never seen anything quite like this, it really is something special.  The Bra and knickers are completely sheer and although not a perfect fit for my skin tone the "flesh" (what a shame AP chose to go with such a marginalised skin colour) coloured lace does give the appearance (if you squint) of wearing a long piece of very small barbed wire, assumably the aim of the design. 
I'm usually not a massive fan of high waisted knickers that fall below the smallest point of my waist, which lies relatively high up my torso, mostly because I find this kind of cut really exaggerates the size of my hips. However i'm willing to forgive all of this because i love the design so much. Not exactly a practical set but one i'm happy to own anyway.

Romwe Lion Bodysuit

I think it's time i start cataloging my growing swimwear collection on here.
Romwe is like Aladin's cave, with free shipping and a never ending sale it's seems rude not to fill up your shopping basket. Being a very much seasonal shop, last summer romwe started selling swimwear with a few pieces in the style of Black Milk. Now as much as i love Black Milk's swimsuits (and dresses and shoes and skirts) i know i will never justify forking out the price, shipping and customs charges. This darling swimmer was a fraction of the price and just as wonderful.
Some of Romwe's clothes can be hit or miss but this piece is lovely. Although the material is very thin it is completely opaque and the skin tight fit makes it practical for swimming as well as divine for showing off whilst sunbathing. The lion himself is amazingly detailed and the print doesn't lose it's quality when worn and stretched out. 
 The swimsuit is cut high enough, around the bikini line, to win you a role in baywatch but this suits the shape of the print. There's something so cute about the lion's nose being directly on your stomach and it makes a good disguise for any untoned bellies like mine. I also find that the warmth of the tones in the print flatter my paler than dead skintone, which is always a plus.
I adore the low scoop cut of the back as the back is a wholly under appreciated but very sexy part of the body. The cut around the bum is just as high as the front so it's a good thing i don't mind bearing a little bit (or a lot) of my behind. I certainly wouldn't recommend this piece to the more modest swimmers/sunbathers.
I'm not much of a "swimsuit" kind of Lamb (bikinis and monokinis however...) but i love having this in my collection and i'm just waiting for the perfect beach holiday to wear it.

Etsy: a lingerie treasure trove

I am an avid etsy user. In fact almost everyone in my family received at least one quirky, handmade trinket sourced from etsy for Christmas. I could spend hours trawling the site and have an extensive "favourites" page full of potential purchases or completely frivolous pipe dreams (ahem still saving for that £400 Daft Punk replica helmet). As far as lingerie goes, you only have to type the aforementioned word into the search bar and a whole world of handmade and vintage lingerie is presented to you. To me, this is guilt free shopping, not only is this Lamb buying something gorgeous to add to the collection but she's also supporting a little business and that's something to relish. I also, having once attempted to create my own lingerie and ending up in frustrated tears, and a foul mood, have so much respect for those that master the art and per sue it as a hobby or job. 
So i thought i'd compile a small list of my favourite lingerie finds in the hopes this motivates more to consider buying from small, independent businesses.

Found here for £38.39 or $60.
 I adore the vintage feel of these knickers. The delicate lace paired with the soft satin, they look good enough to eat! OhhhLulu is a favourite store of mine as not only does she create gorgeous lingerie but she also sells the patterns, in pdf form, to her popular sellers (for those that are brave enough to try at home) and she provides a subscription much like The Knicker Issue, which i wrote about here, where you can sign up to receive a pair of handmade knickers every month for a 12 month period.
Found Here for £41.58 or $65.
If Chips (or fries for those of you across the pond) aren't your thing then ShowboatClothing do a whole array of quirky bustiers, bandeaus and crop tops in the best fabric you could ever imagine. Lingerie that could be worn as outerwear or under a sheer shirt for a fun twist on an outfit.

Found here for £102.36 or $160.
Unf. No really Unf. DottiesDelights sells the most beautiful pin up inspired lingerie, this gorgeous bra, reminding me of the lovely mermaids in Disney's Peter Pan, you know the ones, being my favourite.

Found Here as a set for £45.40 or $72.82

Honestly, this set looks like it could have come straight from Agent Provocateur themselves. BullyBoyLingerie creates beautifully crafted lingerie that could easily be sold for 3 times the price.
Found here for £33.17 or $52
I think this is a perfect example of the high quality lingerie being made and sold on etsy that is practical for everyday wear. This bra is gorgeous, supportive and 100% handmade. If you're a fellow Lamb (or Ram) who finds wearing pretty lingerie uplifts your mood then you'll understand why this and the other practical pieces at MajoreyLingerie are ideal for everyday use.
Found Here for £35.83 or $56
Is anyone else just imagining the wonderful things these knickers would do to your bum? Just me? I love the unique heart shape to this piece. Definitely on my wishlist. NaughtyNaughty do a whole collection ranging from very practical and plain to, well, naughty and sexy.




Found here and here for £53.03 / $88.23 and £34.90 / $55.95 respectively.
Now Hopeless create such beautiful (and completely tailored to Lamb's taste) pieces that i had trouble choosing only two to show, let alone one. Their lingerie is classic but with modern sculptural twists (come on look at that lace bralette with a body harness attached, i'm in love). I'm a big big fan of architectural lingerie so you can be assured i will be saving up all my pennies to buy the whole shop piece by piece. 


Hopefully this post will inspire you to, next time you're looking for unique and special lingerie, browse through the many amazing stores on etsy.

            
Lamb
    

The "Bree Bikini Brief" Sales Purchase

I'm a swimwear addict. Not an enthusiast, lover or collector. An addict. For a Lamb who has never in her life been on a beach holiday and lives in a country where "summer" comes and goes in the blink of an eye, this is a problem. I haven't even begun to document my hoard on here because where would i start? Every swimwear post i ever write will begin probably like so, "I couldn't help myself, it was on sale, I had to have it, one day i'll wear it....". To put things in perspective, i've bought 6 items in these January sales, 3 of them have been swimwear. Not only that but a university module of mine requires a trip to Tenerife (seriously amazing, a week abroad counts as a whole module) and i've been informed that one day, for a few hours, we will be driven to a beach and allowed to do whatever people do on beaches. Although this trip is over 6 months away i'm already desperately trying to decide what swimwear to take and it's making me anxious knowing i'll have to chose only one. Admittance is the first step to recovery right?

So naturally, i couldn't resist (i told you these posts would start like this) the Agent Provocateur sale. I wasn't too impressed with any of the knickers (well at least any i could afford) but when i saw these Bree bikini briefs on sale for £15 i had to have them. Unfortunately i missed out on the matching bikini top by a few hours but i shall trawl ebay in the hopes someone sells one in my size and failing that i probably have a bikini top of a similar colour anyway.

Now firstly, the only shipping within the UK cost £5, that's pretty steep considering this wasn't dispatched for two days and then didn't arrive until a week after my purchase. But as usual it came packaged impeccably in their signature pink box and wrapped in black tissue paper and all was forgiven.

The briefs are an indigo blue and are (to be exact) 83% polyamide, 9% cotton and 8% elastaine. I bought these in a size 2, as it was the smallest size they had, which is recommended for UK size 8 to 10. I was a little upset when the arrived as they didn't fit as snugly as i'd wanted but then i realised, the side ties and the waist tie are completely adjustable so now they fit a dream.

The three cutouts are what attracted me to these bikini bottoms, they're beyond unique. There's not much more i can say about these, the photos show it all. The craftsmanship is phenomenal and although i need to do about 3 months worth of squats these make my bum look lovely.


         
Lamb