Goodbye Denver. Hello Ghent. Summer Lingerie Buying Trip 2013

Hello my dear SOL girls, we made it! After a 24 hour plane, trains and automobiles adventure we're here in Ghent, Belgium. Van de Velde was kind enough to send a car to bring us from the train station to our fabulous hotel. We're staying at the most amazing place - Hotel Reylof - while we're in Ghent. It's gorgeous. There's something so enchanting and distinct about European hotels that make you feel comfortable, and at home, from the moment you arrive. I just love the detail in their services and how they engage with their hotel guests. The decor is a source of inspiration. Bold colors mixed with traditional Baroque add ambiance to the main dining and lounge area. I love to discover hotels like this because they help Jeanie and I bring a splash of Europe back home to our Sol experience! 

Todd and me at Hotel Reylof, Ghent, Belgium

This trip is very special to me for many reasons (hint, that's a tease for future blogs I'm writing) but the biggest is that my fabulous husband Todd is with me! I love it when I get to share what I do with him. It's his first time to visit Ghent and Schellebelle (Van de Velde's factory). While the buying team is looking at the spring designs, Todd will be touring the Van de Velde warehouse and shipping facilities. It's fascinating to visit and see high efficiency, especially when it comes to manufacturing bras. I have seen a variety of factories during my buying trips, but I have to tell you, it's truly incredible to see the Belgian efficiency at work. Todd is going to love it! After having listen to me talk about it for years and years, I'm thrilled he's going to get to experience it firsthand! 

The next few days will be busy, in a good way. Tomorrow we'll be seeing the spring/summer 2014 collection from PrimaDonna and Marie Jo. We can't wait to show you the latest styles but for now, we're off to find dinner and a glass of bubble before we fall asleep. 

xoxo,
Cindy
 

A buying trip for the record books! Belgium and Versailles!

I am super excited....Europe here I come! Jeanie, Amanda, and I normally attend two panty shows each year. One in Paris and one in New York, but this year we were invited to a super cool gala being held in Versailles. Of course we accepted the invite and we've brought our handsome husbands as our dates. Since we would be in France, we decided to just pop over to Belgium to see all the new lines from Marie Jo and PrimaDonna before they are shown in New York. So we are adding one more buying trip to the year.

While in the land of lovely lingerie, I will be blogging all about our crazy-busy days filled with incredible designers meetings, viewing the coolest fashions in lingerie, attending exclusive fashion shows, and of course buying amazing European bras, panties and jammies for our SOL girls. However, the highlight of this trip is going to be attending a soiree in Marie Antoinette's castle on Sunday. Check out the move Maire Antoinette (2006 film) by Sofia Coppola. That's what I'm imaging it to be like.

This gala will be the biggest party of the season, hosted by the lingerie show (SILS) that we attend each year in Paris as it is celebrating 50 years of success! Jeanie and I were personally invited by the gentleman that owns SILS for Sol to be counted among the 1,500 people asked world wide.

On a work note... Belgium is the home to your favorite bras, PrimaDonna and Marie Jo, and we’re super pumped to see the latest panties for spring/summer 2014. After seeing the spring collection, the design teams have asked me to review all of their preliminary designs for their fall/winter 2014 collections and I can't wait! I’m giving them my expert advice on their future designs, lace selection and colors. Wonder if they will take my advice on a grass green or orange daisy bra.  Hmmm...

In lieu of you stowing away in my luggage, you can join our week-long adventure in the comfort of your own home while wearing something cool and sexy! I’ll be blogging daily, uploading photos on Facebook and sending out tweets of all the cool things we’re seeing and doing during our time in Ghent, Schellebelle, Giverny, Versailles, and everywhere in between these amazing cities.

We can’t wait to share this amazing trip with our SOL girls!

xoxo,

Cindy

Be brave my SOL Girls and wear those fun dresses or tops without fear!

Bring on the summer days! I am so excited to finally see the thermometer read above 80 degrees. Summer is my favorite time of year. I love to wear sundresses and every year they have new necklines and straps designs. It definitely can be tricky to find the right bra for some of these dresses. Sure, you can wear a bra with cute straps if the style permits. However, there are special cases! The genius solution is a little tape that holds your boobs right in place. 

Bring it Ups are a product I first found years ago at the trade show in NYC. While I waited for my badge to print, I was watching an informational video from the company. I shouted out to Jeanie to come and see the video. It is an amazing product that holds up your boobs whether they are small B cups or roundy E cups. They work in humidity or heat. I never travel without them. They are a godsend at the price tag of $26.00. The Regular (A-C cup) includes 8 pair and Plus Size (D cup) includes 3 pair. Be brave my SOL Girls and wear those fun dresses or tops without fear!

xo,

Cindy

Happy Mother's Day from Cindy and SOL!

Mother's Day is one of my favorite holidays. Everyone knows a special mom! She might be directly related to you or someone that is so special she just feels like it. I have been blessed in my life to have an amazing mom and lucky enough to have a super cool mother-in -law. 

Both of them bring such joy to my life that I would be lost without them. They have both inspired me to be the best mom I can be for Bella. The love of the outdoors in the form of gardening, learning to bake, and smiling are some of the gifts I have passed down to Bell. 

This Mother's Day they are both getting a little something from SOL and O'Toole's Nursery. I was thinking of matching the perennial we choose to the Natori nighties they are getting. Since Bella has a flare for both fashion and flowers, she will be instrumental in helping me choose! 

Hugs, Kisses, and Love to all the Mommy's of the world! Thank you for every special thing you do for us!

Smiles,

Cindy