Curl Up With A Good Book…

According to Victoria, Frederick, Lulu and even Mr. Macy, one of the most special things a woman can do for her spouse is make a little effort and wear something slinky before bed. Quite honestly, I’m in total agreement with all four of them. I, however, am a fan of taking it a step further. If you’re going to put that kind of effort forth for someone else, why not do it for yourself, as well.

At some point in the evening, life slows down a bit. You take a deep breath, possibly for the first time since the alarm went off that morning. This is the time you get to be fabulous for yourself. Just like you don’t have to wear pretty undergarments when someone special is going to see them, you don’t have to only wear your lingerie when someone else is going to see it.

Right before you take that deep breath, go change your clothes. Now, I’m not talking about your old sweats and the extra-large t-shirt with the tear at the seam. No, I’m talking about the floor length satin gown, the silky men’s cut pajamas, the lacy baby doll. Whatever makes you feel sensual and gorgeous.

Pour yourself a glass of wine or brew a cup of tea. Now take the deep breath. Even if you still have to feed the dog and make the kids’ lunches, that’s okay. Seriously. You may even feel silly the first few evenings. That’s okay, too. Eventually though, the everyday events start feeling a little silkier, a little more elegant. Because who says every day has to equal frumpy? Certainly not anyone living a Champagne Life, even on a Beer Budget.

Enjoy,

Pauline

Everyone knows how we feel about how we look, how we’re dressed, how we’re put together, has an impact on us.  That’s why makeover shows are so popular.  When we feel as if we look good, we have more confidence in ourselves ~ which makes us look good.  It’s a lovely little circle.  We don’t, however, have to only care about what other people see.

In spite of the title of this posting, I’m going to tell you a secret rather than keeping it: I care about my underwear.  Even before I met my husband, when I was single and there was no one to see what I had on under my clothes but me, I took care with my lingerie.  As a result, I have fun underwear; I have silky underwear; I have sexy underwear.  And it’s my little secret.  After all, if I’m going to wear fun, silky, sexy things for someone else, why shouldn’t I wear them just for me?

The nice thing is nice things don’t have to cost a fortune.  Sure, if you want to, go ahead and drop $20, $25 or more on a single pair of panties.  And more power to you, if you can afford it.  For me, the whole champagne life on a beer budget thing means I need to be a little more frugal than that.  Luckily, that’s not impossible!  First, go through your drawer.  If it’s got rips or holes, please throw it out.  If it’s too big or too small, please throw it out.  If your bras aren’t the right size, please get fitted. An absurd number of women wear the wrong size bra and trust me, as a full-figured woman, nothing makes you feel better than when you finally put on the right sized one and the girls look that good.  Once you’ve been fitted, if the bras are the wrong size, throw them out.

But now what? Now it’s time to replace.  Something I’ve learned about underwear: someone is always having a sale somewhere. My favorite bras were on sale 50% off at two different stores last week.  I don’t remember the last time I spent more than $3.99 on a pair of panties.   Even our favorite secret keeper, Victoria, regularly has panties on sale for 4 for $20.  Sure, that’s more than $3.99 but if shopping there is part of your champagne life, it’s still a bargain.

Are your underclothes hugely important?  Nope.  If we’re honest, not really.  But why shouldn’t we be as good to ourselves when it’s just us, as we are to whomever is lucky enough to see what’s underneath the clothes?  It’s one of those little touches that can bring a little ~ albeit secret ~ smile and that make it a champagne life even on a beer budget!

Enjoy ~

~ Pauline