Au revoir Paris!

Here I am, back in Denver, still dreaming of French bread and wine. Our last day in Paris involved heading back to SIL to place an order for a super gorgeous line of hosiery. Keep your eye out - we'll let you know when they arrive. We also had a chance to watch the Passionata fashion show which is always fun to watch.

Then off to Galleries Lafayette for Paris Treats! Every year Jeanie and I bring back a bra and panty set for each of our sales staff from collections we can't get in the states. It makes everyone feel like they got a taste of Paris! A tip for savvy shoppers: January is when all of Paris is on sale! Galleries Lafayette is one of the largest department stores (and most beautiful with stained glass ceiling and bejeweled balconies) in Paris. It's lingerie department is over 20,000 sq feet and items are 20 - 80% off. They even have sales items in bins a la sidewalk sale!

Back in Denver. I have just enough time to recover before the Valentine's Day fun starts!

Mountains & Molehills

Jade Mountain. What a name, and what a lady.

Jade first came to us as a sales associate with a reputation for sass. If ever we had a question about what color stockings to wear with a red bra and panty set we quickly went to Jade for advice.

Jade’s skill at dressing people perfectly prepared her to become our incredibly talented visual merchandiser. Dressing mannequins (or Betty’s, as we call them), painting backdrops, and hanging ornaments—Jade was constantly assuring that SOL looked beautiful. You knew Jade had been creating window display when she would walk through the store covered in glitter.

In addition to her merchandising skills, Jade was also the artistic director for our photo shoots. She tirelessly collected skis, hats, cowboy boots, and pink flamingos—all to make sure that SOL had an unforgettable campaign.

Jade is leaving at the end of the month to spend more time with her family, and we will miss her dearly. Her sparkly smile, and healthy laugh will be sorely missed.

We love you Jade!

The Greatest Panty Show on Earth!

While Jeanie and Janelle went to procure provisions for a fantastic dinner of mushroom soup, Lara, Jocelyn and I headed to SIL for our first appointment with Aubade. My breath was literally taken away when we saw the model in the new collection, “la Dame de Flandres.” The fall/winter collection was inspired by Dutch painters. It was the most beautiful collections Aubade has created to date.

While we saw the rest of Aubade, Janelle explored the Interfiliere. This is the portion of the show dedicated to the laces and products that go into making all the gorgeous pieces we see. There are displays of new fashion colors, laces and fabrics which will be popular trends for spring/summer 2011. The industry starts planning for each season a minimum of 18 months in advance. Among the big time trends for fall/winter 2010 are “Desert Landscapes” and “Alpine Romance” (?!?).

Fashion shows were sprinkled in with other appointments, where we hashed out all the cool new pieces to bring back to the US for all of you SOL girls. Lara tried out the pistachio macaroons at Lise Charmel while Janelle spotted her new ‘do for spring. She worked up her courage and asked the cute French girl if she could take a photo of her hair cut.

After a inspirational day of panty work, we headed home on the Metro with our heads buzzing! I slipped on my couture gown from Natori to enjoy the second to last night with 'mes amies de SOL". The mushroom soup is just going on the table. Who needs to be at a fancy French party when I have such great loungewear and great company!

We LOVE Andres Sarda

At the Andres Sarda cocktail party that we went to last night we felt very much a part of the cosmopolitan panty world. Of the English speaking stores that Vincenc introduced us to, we met store owners from Instanbul, Helsinki, Israel and Saudi Arabia. It was really cool to talk to them about their businesses.

We ended our night last night at L’Ardoise, our perennial favorite, recommended to us years ago by one of our fantastic customers. We started our night with escargot and finished it with pot au crème (the French version of sublime chocolate pudding). Bright and early we started off at Andres Sarda at the Hotel Bristol.


Our 9:30 am Andres Sarda appointment came early however once we arrived at the lovely Hotel Bristol and started viewing the gorgeous collection it was immediately worth it. Andres Sarda is a Spanish line based out of Barcelona and we’ve known our warm and friendly rep, Vincenc (and even their model) for years. Nuria Sarda is their main designer and she makes lingerie "art" out of silk, chiffon and lace. Each one of us swooned over several of the pieces. Just look at this chemise made of fringe!

The fabrics are all extremely luxurious and Vincenc told us that the chiffon in particular is very difficult to work with and not often used in lingerie. Nuria buys the chiffon from couture houses such as Valentino to work her magic and create unbelievably beautiful and unique designs. This chiffon baby doll chemise is jaw dropping in this rich grey color.

They also had their Fall Winter 2009/2010 (last season) fashion show running on a TV while we were there... so fun to watch!

It was Lara's turn to wear the coat on the way home last night...and we did a little window shopping along the way!

Let The WORK Begin!

Salon International de Lingerie 2010 started with the Defile de Mode, a juried fashion show of the best vendors present at the show. A day full of work at a lingerie fashion show may not sound tiring, but what a day it was! We met with Chantelle, Cadolle, and Van de Velde, saw a trend seminar as well as the fashion show. We still managed to make it to the fantastic Andres Sarda cocktail party at the Hotel Bristol on the right bank. Fall Winter 2010 is shaping up to be the best collections we have yet seen. Off to a short night's sleep with more lingerie to come tomorrow.

Artistry In Motion

The rabbit was perfection, as was the company, and the conversation! We managed a late night trip to the Eiffel tower, our honing device of this trip. Our true artistic nature came out - - we took black and white and color photos of all the lights. Somehow we have even managed to sneak in a trip to the Moulin Rouge. This seemingly tourist trap is in fact one of the most delightful ways to spend an evening. Especially, when you get your true Marilyn Monroe moment.

Every "Big" Site Of Paris In 2 Hours

We treated ourselves to Kong for an amazing dinner atop the Kenzo building near Pont Neuf. Fashion and Food together as one - - what could be better? The location inspired us to explore the river Seine more than our past trips.

Thank you to the customer who recommended the Bateaux Mouche trip, something neither of us have ever done. I lovingly lent Jeanie my borrowed fur coat. Sisters are a wonderful thing, something we have both relished in for the past few days!

The Eiffel Tower has become our point of reference this trip, more so than any other visit to Paris. The sites never stop along the river Seine: The Musee d'Orsay, the Louvre, L'ile de la cite, each bridge with its unique glory, whether wood or stone, the French sense of humor as shown by the roller blading police man, Notre Dame and each of its intricacies, the modern sculpture garden outside of the Jardin des Plantes, and ending with the itty bitty car atop a floating barge.

I knew it was a good sign when I saw an orange (my favorite color) double decker bus. The day's fun was only just beginning. I was off to the market to purchase trois lapins (3 rabbits) for my famous dish. I began preparing before the rest of our guests arrived and of course forgot the flour, just like home! Jeanie ran out to pick up the missing ingredient and what perfect timing. Janelle, Jocelyn, and Lara have finally arrived. Let the panty purchasing BEGIN!

Inspiration At Every Turn

We wandered the rue Fauborg St Honore last night to reach Colette. Truly, the most innovative retail space we have ever visited. Luckily too, Chantal Thomas is next door. Paris is on sale this month and each window is still fresh, exciting, and fun.

Musee de L'Orangerie was our highlight today. Claude Monet gifted the French state this wondrous group of paintings in the 20's. The paintings are designed to fit this circular space with natural light shining throughout the day. The inspiration for each painting comes from his personal gardens in Giverny, France. The inspiration that I felt brought a tear to my eye. The perspective gives the viewer the feeling of walking through this glorious garden throughout all times of the day - with Mr. Monet himself.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the rest of our crew and looking forward to the start of Salon International de Lingerie. The largest lingerie exhibition in the world.

Bon Soiree

Eating Our Way Through Paris

We were delighted to have an exceptional restaurant recommendation from Alex Mony, owner of Paris Vacation Apartments, that was near our Invalides apartment and at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

The restaurant Au Bon Accueil at 14, rue de Monttessuy was a delicious find. We started the evening with a glass of bubbly. Jeanie mustered up her rusty French to ask our server for her favorites off the menu. We followed her recommendations to a T, each course paired with French wine. We started with Foie gras seared on a bed of roasted apples and caramel gingerbread served with a glass of Robert Sklly vin de pays d'oc Chardonnay. A hint of butter in the wine but lacking the strong oak flavors of the California Chardonnay that I have had. We were thrilled when our server recommended the traditional sole meuniere as her favorite on the menu. For anyone who has read Julia Child's book recently, you will understand our excitement to share her same first French meal. It was served with the slight variation of a champagne and butter sauce but gave Jeanie and I the same taste bud bursting thrill as Julia: Sole Saint Gilles Croix de Vie milling butter champagne paired with Condrieux 2008 - la petite cote.

After an enchanting, relaxing evening, we meandered over to the Eiffel Tower (just a five minute stroll from the restaurant) and were rewarded with the special Eiffel Tower twinkle.

Our morning plans were simple- procure provisions for our apartment and ensuing guests, Jocelyn Arnold, SOL's buyer, Janelle Kenny, SOL's Marketing Director, and Lara Seymore, SOL's store manager.

Rue Cler is the market street nearest our apartment. We first stopped at Davoli, 34 rue Cler, an incredible Italian deli, or Epicerie Fine Italienne. Cornichons, Caper Berries, and delightful pate filled my SOL bag.

Onto La Fromagerie at 31 rue Cler for a syrupy brie and lovely honey. Jeanie was reminded by the owner that all cheese should be paired with wine. Luckily, that was already on our agenda. Of course all good cheese needs wine and bread. Next stop, Ronde de Pains at 45 rue Cler - where we continued to fill my bag with the French essentials - pastries and bread.

No French kitchen is complete without fabulous fresh fruits and vegetables. Amazing artistic inspiration to just see fruit displayed so beautifully.

My favorite stop of the morning undoubtedly was to buy Hyacinths at Erick Fabre. 52 rue Saint Dominique. I whipped out a "Parlez-vous anglais?" and was delighted to share a wonderful conversation with the floral designer. Her artistry was breathtaking. She informed me that lilacs like tons of water and a warm room whereas hyacinths only like a small amount of water and a cool room thus I could not mix the two flowers into an arrangement. Isn't Paris Divine? My two favorite flowers, in the same place in January, and I won't see them in Colorado for another four months.

The sun broke the heavy fog and we were rewarded with this view of the Eiffel Tower as we headed to unpack our goodies.

Onto Colette and the Musee de L'Orangerie. See you tomorrow!

Bonjour Paris!

We had a delightful flight -easy, great food, and most of all delightful company. Of course, the minute we boarded we were surrounded by French, German, a touch of English, and many others. It always surprises us to see all the airlines in and out of Charles de Gaulle. How big this world really is!

We saw the Place de la Concorde obelisque while we were in the taxi on the way to our apartment, where we were met by the lovely staff from Paris Vacation Apartments.com - our highest recommendation for places to stay in Paris, the civilized way!

And most exciting is that I finally get to unveil my Josie Natori Couture caftan, and what a place to do it! My closet is full of colorful lovelies both inside and out, to cheer up the grey foggy days ahead here in Paris. I certainly won't be the only one on the street in such colors.

Shake It Up Baby, Now!

I am excited to announce SOL’s newest arrival…TWIST! It is a hip, fresh TWIST on Prima Donna. This line is great for gals that have big boobs and want less coverage. Look out for fun patterns (toile!), plunging styles and bright colors! TWIST and shout!

Check out our first collection, Tea Time. Click here to view the entire Spring line.

SOL Supports...

A charity very close to our heart is artma. Artma benefits the Morgan Adams Foundation, which was founded by Joan Slaughter and Steven Adams (our original SOL photographer) in honor of their daughter who passed away from a rare brain tumor at the age of six.

Artma is a super fun, funky art auction which features pieces from local, regional and national artists. The proceeds from this event go to support pediatric oncology research. It only happens every other year, and every time I go, I have a blast! This year the event is on February 6th.

During the entire month of January, SOL is donating a percentage of all purchases to artma. So, please join us to benefit this incredible cause. For more info or to buy tickets, check out www.artmaonline.org

A Sneak Peek of Paris...

I know it is still 2 weeks away but I am already looking forward to our Paris trip! Here is a mini slideshow of pictures from years past. As something new and fun we'll be updating this slideshow each day during the 2010 show while we are there. On a side note, as I'm thinking about what to pack, here is one of my favorite sites to check out before I leave for fashion inspiration http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/