Honorable Underthings

With my newly inspired attempt to turn myself back into a woman when I enter my bed at night, I have stumbled across some fantastic lingerie. There are tons of options out there from Target and TJMaxx to Nordstrom and fancy boutiques if you look you are bound to find something to suit your style and your budget. I have highlighted some great places and pieces that I found worth mentioning. Enjoy the journey, the feeling of fabrics other than fleece, and most of all enjoy the slumber!


Zovo Lingerie Boutique:
A beautiful collection of brands and designs to start your journey with feminine silhouettes, fantastic fabrics, and sleep friendly accessories that should make your bed a place of peace and romance. My Favs: Zovo Cotton/Sateen Pajama Top, Pants and Bermuda Shorts in White, Zovo Supima Cotton Lycra Tank in Ink, and Cadolle New Belem Babydoll in White

Belabumbum:

My favorite site for nursing bras and maternity intimates has turned into a must have resource for fuss-free basic and fancy but, always beautiful underthings!! Check out the new Baby Bumbum collection too! My Favs: The Flutterby Nightdress in Blue, The Lotus Nightdress in Black/Pearl, The Mata Hari Cami and Loungepant in Amethyst, and The Fleur Lace Triangle Cami and Girlshort in Grape. For Maternity and Nursing try the Lotus Basics and Loungewear line! Just Divine!

Natori:

For it's East-into-West spirit and it's luxurious fabrics, Natori is an old favorite. It's a nice place to find something unique like Kimono style robes, caftans, or elegant gowns. These pieces will surely make you feel like a woman! Plus, inspire yourself and read Josie Cruz Natori's story. Anything is possible!

My Favs: The Chrystie Chemise by Josie, The Julep Cami PJ by Cruz, The Basho Gown by Natori, and The Ikat Print Robe with Kimono sleeves by Natori

Gilly Hicks:

This designer offers us a beautifully affordable and casual collection that deserves some attention. From playful ruffles to scalloped trims, these intimates are reminiscent of what you wore when you were a little girl but of course much more grown up!!! Don't be discouraged that this is a woman's underwear brand from Abercrombie and Fitch Co. These pieces will remind you why you used to sleep in your panties and excite you to do so once more! My Favs: The Edgecliff Cami and pantie in Light Grey and the HayMarket Sleep dress in Navy

Nordstrom:

A great place to find all your sleepwear must haves. Nordstrom offers a nice variety of designer and in house brands that surely will entice the woman out of any sleep deprived mom! Check out the in house brand "Make + Model" for cute, cozy, affordable sets, "Josie" from Natori, "PJ Salvage", and for more fancy feelings enjoy "Huit", "Vera Wang", and "Cosabella".

My Favs: Make + Model Rib Knit Henley in Peacoat Stripe; Josie "Karma" Pajamas in Buttercup; and PJ Salvage French Cut Chemise in White

Victoria Secret:

The old standby that mainstreamed lingerie into America's public circle has added new and surprisingly sassy yet comfortable pieces for woman outside the "Pink" age limit. The place I used to reference for sexy night things and cotton "comma" panties has lured me back with it's nice collection of chemises, tank and pantie sets, and cute silhouettes that even make cotton seem like silk! If you need to feel like an Angel again check out their latest looks!

My Favs: VS Soft Maxi Nightgown in Heather Chocolate, VS Soft Silk and Cotton Cami and Tap pant in Aqua Floral, and the Silk and Cotton Nightie in Mini Stripe

From the Bottom Up!

The other day I was out shopping with a girlfriend searching out decors for her new guest room. We were doing just great with candles, vases, throws when we were side tracked by the ever illusive lingerie department. It's now that section of the store that is only reserved for specific events or outings and rarely gets much day to day attention. Especially, after baby. Spend $95 on a bra not to mention matching panties and thong OR diapers and formula. It seems the first thing to take a seat on the hiatus bus. Throwing those practical whims to the wayside, we decided to venture in and check out the latest lacy duds. Lacking the proper time for bras and panties we took to perusing the other side of the section reserved for super soft and sexy night ware. We landed on some very feminine grown up nightgowns from Vera Wang and Donna Karen.

"These are so gorgeous! I can't wait till I can wear something like this to bed."
"Tell me about it! I wonder when I am going to grow up and become the woman who does wear pretty night things instead of flannel and t-shirts."
"I can never seem to justify buying them. There are so many other items on my list I need to get. But, I know my husband wouldn't mind!"

So with that, we picked out our frocks. She went for something long and sophisticated with a nice deep neckline and I opted for something short, frilly and cute. Funny how it took another woman to inspire me to invest in myself!

Later that night, I decided to try out my mini experiment. Nothing special, just put on my nightgown instead of my usual flannel Old Navy "holiday" pants. No costumes or mood setting, just a nightgown. I really didn't even think he'd notice. Honestly, we are so exhausted most nights after chasing two demanding boys around all day that sleep seems sexier than sex itself. I slipped into bed, turned on Anthony Bourdain and got comfy.

Not even 15 minutes later, I sensed my husband snuggling closer as he started to caress my newly shaven legs. Which normally, he wouldn't be able to get to under think fleece and long leg hair!! Before I knew it, he was checking out and asking about my new nightgown. It seemed he did notice after all because soon we were at it like highschoolers after a Friday night football game! Not only was I already feeling more inclined wearing something feminine but my husband took as a big green light to go for it!! Nice!! And afterward, we both slept like teenagers too!!!

Since this little experiment, I have tried to upgrade my night wardrobe to more alluring pieces and believe it or not it has made a BIG difference in our intimacy. I am not talking corsets and teddies, just prettier, softer, more feminine still comfortable night ware. Let's face it, I still have to get up for midnight bottle feedings and nightmares. It has to be somewhat practical. But, I have found there are a lot of options out there and I am newly committed to becoming that "grown up" woman in this aspect of my life as well! With this new energy towards focusing on my feelings and what he's feeling when we enter our bed, I have given us more options! Now, we just seem to be more in sync with each others inclinations! After being banged up, barfed on, and colored on all day, some deliberate gentle touching can go a long way!!!

Funny that it took another woman to motivate me to become a woman. So now I inspire you. Trade in your ugliest, oldest, most frayed pair of pajamas and upgrade to something more feminine and see how you feel and see what your partner thinks. It might just make your day and your night!