Francie:

The older I get, the more I appreciate how much it matters what lingerie we put underneath our clothes. This is due partly to a realization that proper lingerie makes clothing fit better but mostly to the unfortunate reality that as we get older, well, our bodies just don’t look as good, tight, perky – you get the idea – anymore.  Whatever your age, the right lingerie makes great clothes look even better!

A top shopping spot for lingerie in Nashville is Rebecka Vaughan Lingerie located at 4004 Hillsboro Pike in Green Hills.  I made my first trip to RV 12 years ago when the woman who was making my wedding gown sent me there to get the right bra for my dress. The women at RV helped me find the perfect thing, and I have been back many times in the years since.

If you are looking for a bra, one of the sales associates, all of whom are expert bra fitters, will come into the dressing room to take your measurements. This experience is as up close and personal as it sounds – full disclosure for the modest.  Apparently, many women wear bras in the wrong size.  After measuring, the sales associate will bring you some bras to try.  As you try the bras on, the associate will check the fit and give you some tips about putting a bra on properly.  If you have never been fitted for a bra, this may all sound like it is not worth the time and trouble or that it can’t be that much better than what you would find on your own.  My experience is that it really does make a difference.  One of my favorite purchases from RV is a strapless bra that does not slide down.  I thought they were an urban legend, but they do exist.

Elizabeth and Liza sent me their “hands down” favorite bra and here it is….

JUST KIDDING!!!!

Rebecka Vaughan Lingerie is famous for finding the perfect fitting bra but this is far more than a bra store.  There are panties in seemingly endless choices of styles and colors.  They carry a variety of sleepwear, including StyleBlueprint favorite Claridge+King.  You will find not only the ubiquitous Spanx, but also several other brands of shapewear including a RV favorite line Body Wrap, which is seam-free. They also have slips in many different lengths.  Maybe I am old fashioned, but I am still convinced most dresses and skirts look better with a slip underneath them.

I know Liza says this long tank, in black by Claridge+King, is her favorite nightgown.

In addition to their wide range of lingerie, RV also carries some great specialty items. One of my favorites is DIMRS (“dimmers”), which as the company says, “turn your ‘headlights’ off.”  These reusable silicone nipple covers adhere naturally (read don’t have an adhesive that requires a couple of cocktails to be tolerable to remove) and can be worn inside bras, close-fitting tops, bathing suits, etc. They are thin enough to be invisible under clothing yet durable.

Another amazing product RV carries is called Bring It Up Instant Breast Lifts.  Breasts do not remain at their original location throughout women’s lives, but these little clear adhesives can put them back there.  They are different from other products like this I’ve seen because they are applied from the top of the breast rather than underneath.  While I haven’t worn them, I saw woman at RV demonstrate them on my sister who was trying to find the right bra for a one-shoulder dress.  All I can say is women pay thousands of dollars to have their breasts look as good as my sister’s did with this inexpensive product.  Granted surgery is permanent, and Bring It Ups are temporary and not really for daily use but this product is perfect for special occasions.

My favorite recent lingerie discovery is the Unbelievabra, which is not available locally but has a great story behind it. The Unbelievabra was invented by a stay-at-home mom who could not find a bra that fixed “back fat” to her satisfaction so she started sewing during the day while her kids were at school.  When she showed her friends before and after photos of her wearing the bra, they said it was unbelievable (hence the name).  The Unbelievabra is completely smooth in the back and very comfortable.  There are a couple of different styles depending on whether you want a full camisole or a shorter length as well as some options with a lower back and cut-in shoulders to wear with sleeveless and tank tops (though the regular style works fine with all my sleeveless tops, and I like the way it is cut better).  Check out these before and after pictures from their website.  Incredible, huh?

Just as I was finishing this blog post, I discovered the lingerie section in my new favorite store Wolford.  I won’t even begin to talk about my Wolford obsession other than to say they have great shapewear and bras that definitely warrant consideration in your lingerie wardrobe.

Francie Likis

StyleBlueprint thanks Francie for writing her first ever blog post for StyleBlueprint! As a nurse-midwife and nurse practitioner, she spends much of her professional life talking about personal topics and intimate parts… so it’s no wonder that she can candidly open up here about here about some of her lingerie secrets.  She is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health and a researcher at Vanderbilt.  She has lived in Nashville most of the past 21 years.

Speaking of which, what are your favorite lingerie products?

© 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

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I had dinner with one of my BFFs a few weeks ago.  As we drank mojitos and watched the lightening roll in, we lamented nightwear. Her husband hates her Roberta Freymann pj pants with long-sleeved tee that she is forever pairing at bedtime.  He claims it sends a certain vibe which screams, “This is MY side of the bed which I will only share with my CATS.”  meeoooooow!  For the record, they have no cats.

These come in 3 lengths. Each is made out of 65% bamboo, 27% cotton and 8% spandex. Super soft. The shortest is basically a long tank for $42; The mid-length is $72; This long length (my favorite, but I'm really tall) is $92

But, let’s be honest, don’t we all have this same outfit that we reach for most nights?  Mine is a pair of long and comfy yoga pants, a cotton cami, and sometimes my husband’s long sleeved tee on top of that.  I do have a “His is Hers” nightshirt from Claridge + King and it is honestly the first PJ thing that has gotten an equal thumbs up from both my husband and myself.  So, the point I’m getting to is that what HE wants and what SHE wants is well divided in the nighttime wardrobe dept.  I’m not about to don anything with lace, ruffles, garters or bows.  And, I want to be able to pop out of bed in the morning with my kids in the room and cook breakfast in what I slept in.  Novel, I know.

Since my only luck has been Claridge + King, I decided see what else they had to offer.  Jamie, one our favorite shops in Nashville, is now carrying the line and it’s apparently doing quite well there.  From the new additions to their collection, I have found my new favorite PJ’s that once again gets an equal thumbs up from my hubby.  Here is a picture of my newest find.  Do you think with a wind machine I could look as good in mine?  Inside scoop: they run a little small.  I ordered a size medium and I’m a 6/8 -  but it is a teeny bit snug.  Mine is black and I promise with a pair of spanx I might be tempted to wear it to dinner!  It is super soft and runs long.  It may be too long on someone under 5’4″.  In that case, order the mid-length.

So, now you, too, can send a good vibe that is neither “come hither” nor “go-away”.  It’s just a strong woman vibe…and that’s always a good thing.  For the record, I have a cat and he sleeps in the bed with us:-)

Head to Jamie or Rebekka Vaughn and check out the new collection.  OR, order online here.

Liz King, half of the designing duo Claridge & King, lives in Nashville, so you are supporting all sorts of local when you buy this brand at one of these stores!  To read our interview with Liz, click here.

© 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

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These come in 3 lengths. Each is made out of 65% bamboo, 27% cotton and 8% spandex. Super soft. The shortest is basically a long tank for $42; The mid-length is $72; This long length (my favorite, but I'm really tall) is $92

But, let’s be honest, don’t we all have this same outfit that we reach for most nights?  Mine is a pair of long and comfy yoga pants, an ETC cami, and sometimes my husband’s long sleeved tee on top of that.  I do have a “His is Hers” nightshirt from Claridge and King and it is honestly the first PJ thing that has gotten an equal thumbs up from both my husband and myself.  So, the point I’m getting to is that what He wants and what She wants is well divided in the nighttime wardrobe department.  I’m not about to don anything with lace, ruffles, garters or bows.  And I want to be able to pop out of bed in the morning with my kids in the room.

Since my only luck has been Claridge and King, I decided to go back to that brand to find something else.  Jamie is now carrying the line and it’s apparently doing quite well there.  And with the newest additions to their collection, I have found my new favorite PJ’s that once again gets an equal thumbs up from my hubby.  Here is a picture of my newest find.  Do you think with a wind machine I could look as good in mine?  Inside scoop: they run small.  I ordered a size medium and I’m a solid 8, sometimes a 6.  I like the medium, but it is snug.  Mine is black and I promise with a pair of spanx I might be tempted to wear it to dinner!  It is super soft and runs long.  It may be too long on someone under 5’4″.  In that case, order the mid-length.

So, now you, too, can send a good vibe that is neither “come hither” nor “go-away”.  It’s just a strong woman vibe…and that’s always a good thing.  For the record, I have a cat and he sleeps in the bed with us:-)

Head to Jamie or Rebekka Vaughn and check out the new collection.  Or, order online here.

Half of the Claridge & King lives in Nashville (Liz King), so you are supporting all sorts of local when you buy this brand at one of these stores!

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

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Trunk Show

Tonight from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. or Wednesday, April 29th, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. head to 99 Westover 37205 for a fabulous trunk show featuring Rowanne McKnight’s jewelry, Hannah Lavey’s by hand by hannah stationery as well as Mary Catherine Healy’s hand-painted stools and tote bags.  We all love something original, unique and local.  You will not be disappointed.  Stop by and you are sure to find that something special!

Judith Bright

is having a 15% off Mother’s Day sale!Stop by her house on the two Friday’s left before Mother’s Day, during her Salon hours, and pick up a piece from one of Nashville’s biggest jewelry stars.  OR, order online and enter the code: MAMA at checkout.  Judith Bright

Climb Nashville

A year membership. Go by Saturday May 16th  from 8:00 a.m. to 12:-00 p.m. and buy one for just $400!  This includes all the yoga, climbing, core conditioning and kick-boxing you can take.  Yes, this is after Mother’s Day, but you can bundle the thought up in a card and then go there together on the 16th.  You could even throw in lunch afterward!  Climb Nashville

Caramel Cake

Need I explain further? Dessert Designs.

Chocolates

The Cocoa Tree, on 5th Avenue, in Germantown.

Flowers

Arranged by you.  You can do this.  Go pick out some great ones at Import Flowers, place a grid of scotched tape across a clear glass rectangular vase and insert the lovelies.  Who wouldn’t be giddy to receive these? Or, call Ilex (615-385-2800) to arrange a beautiful arrangement for you.

Trabeautiful Designs

Elizabeth Trabue, owner of Trabeautiful Designs, makes original, custom notepads sure to make any mom sigh with appreciation.  Email her at trabeautiful@comcast.net.  Order by Tuesday May 5th to ensure your order is ready by Friday May 8th. Trabeautiful Designs

His is Hers Nightshirt

Order online from Claridge & King and get the cool Gothic Monogram!  We’ve had lots of readers order these and they all rave! Rebekka Vaughn, in Green Hills, also carries this line.  Claridge and King

Mickie Quick

Newborn at home?  Ask, beg or demand this: three nights of sleep with the help of Mickie Quick.  For $456 for three nights, Mickie will help your little one sleep and give you your much needed sleep!  She will have your little one well on his/her way to sleeping through the night. Call 615-400-3984 for this Nashville Baby whisperer to come to your house!  10 p.m.-6 a.m.

Queen for a Day

The bottom of this list, but the perennial top of all my gift wishes: A night, by myself, at a hotel… with a spa attached.  I want to stay up late watching sappy girl movies, have room service, sleep late and then get a massage.  Join the family for a late lunch the next day.  Gaylord Opryand has Relache Spa and is local company as well as a fun one night retreat!

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

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Tell me about Claridge and King.

Claridge and King is a loungewear line.  Loungewear focuses on blending the line between sleepwear and comfort wear.  “Live in. Play in. Sleep in.”  My sister and I co-own the company and we just launched in September of 2008.

I have seen the “His is Hers” sleep shirt.  Was this your first design?

Yes.  Both my sister and I grew up in Connecticut and we went to an all girls boarding school.  We were constantly stealing our dad’s Brooks Brothers button down shirts to take back to school…to sleep in.  While watching the The Big Idea Show with Donny Deutsch one day, we decided that we had a Big Idea and we started to work on the concept: this same shirt but actually made a bit longer, cut for a woman’s body and with great attention to detail.  We launched the “His is Hers” shirt in September and it is now carried by 23 stores across the nation, including Rebecka Vaughn here in Nashville. If you order online at www.claridgeandking.com we offer four unique monogramming styles.

You mention great attention to detail.  Describe a couple things that sets this apart from taking your guys shirt hostage for yourself.

The shirt is made of a long staple cotton.  It can be washed, dried or dry cleaned: whatever your preference.  It is cut for a woman.  The shoulders and arms fit a woman.  It is a slimmer cut.  Each button is mother-of-pearl with our company name engraved on each one.  The line is menswear inspired, so the color selection is classic: white, blue and the palest pink.  Each shirt comes packaged in a pewter pin-striped small pillow case with a large mother of pearl button closure.  We want all of our customers to feel they are getting that “something extra” with each purchase.

What strengths do you and your sister bring to the company?

My background is as an Institutional Sales person for Equitable.  I’ve gone from stocks to shirts!  I graduated from Owen Business School (Vanderbilt)10 years ago.  My sister, Laurann Claridge, started out at Anne Willan’s (culinary) school in Paris and Burgundy (Julia Child’s “Godchild” of a school) and segued that career path into a radio show about food called “Food talk with Laurann Claridge” for which she won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Radio Show on Food.  From there, she jumped from writing about creative cooking into style writing and now is a regional editor for Lucky magazine and Features Editor of Paper City – Houston. Our separate strengths and personal relationship are what make this company work.

Is Claridge and King working on any new product lines?

Yes!  We are about to announce many new products.   Everything is, and will always be, menswear inspired.  We have a new product which is a combination of boxer shorts and tap shorts.  They meld into the perfect sleep short. It features a grosgrain ribbon-edged back pocket and comes in a quilted zipper pouch made from the signature pewter and white striped fabric. The Tanks Series which come in three lengths can worn to bed, as a top or as a dress.  Thick and comfy.  A Tunic and Palazzo Pant set as well as a tissue tank will also be introduced.  The Tank Series and Tunic sets are made of 65% bamboo, 27% cotton and 8% spandex.  Bamboo is an amazing material to work with and is also ultra environmentally friendly.

Is there one exciting moment you can share about Claridge and King?

A real treat was when Takashimaya New York picked us up. But, really, every new store is a huge thrill!  I wish we could get more Nashville/Brentwood/Franklin locations. (Liza interjecting here: Hello local stores, call up Liz!)

What are three things you can’t live without (excluding friends and family)

• Summer and Hydrangeas
• My iPhone
• Caldrea Linen Spray – on my sheets when making the bed (available locally at The Beveled Edge)

Thank you, I think you may see both Elizabeth and I in the drop off lane at school in our “His is Hers” shirt.  Now, what monogram to pick……

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

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So, here are Liza’s picks:

“His is Hers” sleep shirt: Available at Rebecca Vaughn, and designed by local resident Liz King.  Really.  I want nothing sexier than this.  If you buy me a Pajam-O-Gram, you can sleep in the guest room.  Claridge & King

KOBO Red Grass Candle.  I love these. $34.50. Fabu

Dorsey McHugh. Local artist known throughout the country, has started a newline of mixed media work.  One gem is this still life that has words written across the top.  It’s hard to read in this picture, but across the top left it says, “Love- liking, affection, kindness, attachment, esteem…”  Dorsey says this medium allows her to “weave words among the images.  A new way to layer meaning and interest.  Poetry and image sing together.”  This would fit anywhere and into any decor.  Buy this for your husband or wife and look at the layers of wonder for years to come.   Dorsey McHugh

Judith Bright. Earrings from local designer. I love these and they are 15% off this week.  What’s not to love?  Love yourself and buy these for you! Reg $108, this week $91.80.  Judith Bright

Happy Valentine’s Day!

© 2009 – 2010, StyleBlueprint. All rights reserved.

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