PJ Harlow is Here!

Even though I have one of the most preposterous lingerie collections in the San Francisco Bay Area I will admit that when I'm lazing around at home, sometimes (OK, most of the time) I prefer a good pair of cozy pajama pants to a lacy chemise. I'm a sucker for comfort. My husband just last year made me throw out a pair of pajama pants I got from Victoria's Secret in 7th grade. (I'm now 26. You do the math.) I relented. He insisted. "They're gross!" he said. "They're comfortable!" I said. I finally gave in, mostly due to the horrified look he mustered whenever I put them on. Having my favorite person in the world glare at me in disgust is generally a deal breaker. I threw the pants in the trash, and have finally, a year later, moved on. Despite the constant desire to dress as sexy as possible, we all have those evenings where it's extra nice to bundle up in some ultra soft PJs instead of our lacy intimates, and until now it's been a struggle to find brands that bridge the gap between cozy and sexy when it comes to loungewear.

That's where PJ Harlow comes in. Before you even see their collections, their name suggests the perfect bridge of comfort (PJ -- pajamas) and sensuality (Harlow -- reminiscent of movie icon Jean Harlow).

PJ Harlow's Josie Robe

Their loungewear is undeniably comfortable, sweet and sassy. From mid-length (hooded!) robes to long satin pajama pants, PJ Harlow has it all. Each piece is durable and built to last, yet made of luxurious satin and extra soft knit. Never again will you have to give up comfort for beauty or beauty for comfort. Now you can have both! And there's one more adjective to add to the mix: easy. PJ Harlow's loungewear is entirely machine washable. Their prices are fantastic too, with the Josie Hooded Robe at $92, the Mike Satin Boxer Shorts at $51, the Jolie Satin Pants at $74 and the Charlie Racerback Tank at $46.

PJ Harlow's Mike Satin Boxer Short & Jolie Satin Pant

Swing by to check out the new collection, which just arrived in pink and teal. Their loungewear pieces will be arriving in black in early November.

Following Flint

We know how much you love Flint. How could you not? Irena Kudlicki's jewelry is head-turning to say the least. Her lovely offerings span a wide range of lengths, styles and materials, and she always has new and exciting pieces for us. We feel honored to carry Flint jewelry at A La Folie, and we're delighted that Irena has grown so popular, both with our customers and with celebrities alike!

If you consider yourself a Flint fangirl (or fanboy), there is no better blog to add to your RSS than Irena's Flint Jewelry Blog! It's the best way to keep yourself updated on what Irena's been up to, and will give you a rare glimpse into the mind of one very prolific and very talented jewelry designer!

PS: New pieces arrived today, featuring vintage brooches, crystals, pearls and delicately knotted cords. You're in for a treat!

A little sneak peek of Flint's new offerings!

Secrets of Cervin

There is nothing quite like a good secret, like, for example, how in elementary school my sweetly nerdy good friend told me she was in love with my football playing neighbor. Scandal! Or how my husband's rough-and-tough college pal used to wear a lavender-scented eye mask and listen to Enya when he was stressed out. Or, juiciest of all, how a certain A La Folie owner (we're not stooping to naming names here, people) wears her pink bathrobe upstairs in the store when no one's around. It's understandable that there are some secrets that are meant to be kept, well, secret. After all, my friend and my neighbor never would never have worked out anyway, and my husband's pal was trying to win the ladies (not an easy thing to do when you're a confessed male fan of Enya).

Being the secret hoarder that I am, I was VERY excited to discover that a big beautiful box of Cervin hosiery was waiting for me when I arrived at A La Folie this morning. Cervin is in the business of secrets. Their stockings are expertly fashioned and provide an uncompromising fit... and a few other little bells and whistles that any A La Folie girl can appreciate. The Lido, for example, and for all intents and purposes, is a very regular pair of tights, except for the sexy 'v' of lace on the back at the waistband, a detail that screams "vamp"!

Cervin's Lido

My personal favorite is the Pigalle, a pair of tights with integrated garters. Paired with a pencil skirt and button down, your sensuality will be your secret!

Cervin's Pigalle

Want something a little more day-to-day? We have a variety of stockings, fishnets, tights and leggings to suit your fancy, with many more to come. And with prices ranging from $35 to $50, French stockings are as affordable as ever!

Blossom, is that you?! Cervin's Leggings

Consider Cervin a brand of secrets, but these are ones that won't embarrass, humiliate or heart-break. Instead, they'll stay whispered, veiled, and revealed only when the time is right! (And speaking of secrets, pink bathrobes are nothing to be ashamed of, Mama Bear!)

Don't be Ashamed to be Plain (A Love Letter to Hanro)

Dear Hanro,

We love you, Hanro!

I would like to be the first to formally welcome you to your new home at A La Folie. I know it took a really long time to get you here, but now you're making yourself quite at home, and I really couldn't be happier. The girls at A La Folie have been anticipating your arrival for awhile, and our customers have been asking about you for years. YES, years!! No one has ever been that patient for my arrival... you should be proud! Look at the stir you create!

I know that, at first, the store may seem a little intimidating to you. In every nook we have lace, frills and bright colors, but we don't want you to feel out of your element. Things at A La Folie are always fun, sumptuous and beautiful, but being the new plain girl in town is really nothing to be ashamed about! Plain is an asset, and let me tell you: our customers relish having pima cotton bras they can wear everyday. Not every designer excels at plain, and that's why Hanro is so special to us. You fill a void in our store, and a void in our hearts!

Our customers will be delighted to know that your first shipment includes bras that are supportive and un-wired and no-fuss bikinis and thongs that are soft and long-lasting. We're also very excited that you offer something for everyone, with chemises, camisoles, wired bras and underthings galore to suit just about any taste, all of which can be seen on your website. You're about as far from run-of-the-mill as you can get, and we're proud to have you has part of the A La Folie family!

Bisous!
Poupee Russe

A Prima Donna & Marie Jo Fitting Event!

Are you one of the 85% of women who wear the wrong bra size?
Don't be just another statistic!

Join us on Saturday, October 17th from 11am - 6pm for A La Folie's bra fitting event, featuring new collections from Prima Donna and Marie Jo. These new bras possess fit, construction and style that are often imitated, never duplicated, no matter what your size! Sip champagne & nibble on delicious sweets as our expertly trained staff matches you to the bra of your dreams. Best of all, enjoy discounts on all merchandise, including ordered items!

Treat Yourself!

• 10% off all merchandise!
• Hard-to-find sizes (32A - 44H)!
• Fall sample collections available for viewing and special order!
• Consult with our Prima Donna & Marie Jo rep, Anna Ortiz!
• Guaranteed delivery on special orders within 15 days!

See you then!

Bodysuit Blues

I was recently watching old episodes of Seinfeld from the mid-90's and noticed just how rampant the bodysuit trend was at that time. The hottest of Jerry's bevvy of girlfriends each wore some sort of impossibly-slim-fitting-without-riding-up top, showing off her sensual shape, while undoubtedly enhancing it at the same time.

"Oh by the way: they're real and they're spectacular!"

At that time I was 12 and bodysuits were all the rage: especially scoop-necked long-sleeved bodysuits, paired with jean shorts and pristine white Keds. But hot outfit of the moment or not, my mother was having none of it. "Too sexy for your age" she said, thereby quashing my dreams of coolness. I stared longingly at the Victoria's Secret clothing catalog at those gorgeous, chesty, be-bodysuited models with their long legs. I wanted to be just like them, forget the fact that I didn't have anything remotely close to breasts at that point. To me, Victoria's Secret catalogs contained pretty stuff -- I had no concept of sexual implication. I just wanted to be pretty and cool! Was that so much to ask? (Mom?!?)

When I saw my perky next door neighbor Danni wearing my dream outfit one day, I was overtaken by a jealous rage. Keds! Jean shorts! BODYSUIT! WTF? She was younger than me! And her mom was letting her wear that outfit?!? "Life is so unfair!" I wailed to myself in my diary.

And then an amazing thing happened. A few months went by, and the trend waned, stuttered to a groaning halt, and in what seems like a moment's time now, I stopped caring. Danni's style was at once cute but passe, and she and I were suddenly friends again, free to sell lemonade to our neighbors on her front lawn, just like old times.

Simone Perele's Nina bodysuit in purple.
Don't be hatin', Danni!

It may not be the mid-90's anymore, but bodysuits ARE back. Never fear, though, mes belles: there are no long sleeves to be had, at least in the world of fine lingerie. Simone Perele's new Nina bodysuit is a flawless foundation garment -- it slims, shapes and is built around a very supportive, yet very lacy bra. For you thong-wearers, the bikini-cut leg holes are cut low, from double-thick fabric, so forget those dreaded panty lines. And, just like the bodysuits of the mid-90's, this bodysuit has a hook-and-eye crotch so there's no need to take off the whole shebang when you need to use the ladies' room! As the weather cools down, the Nina bodysuit can also act as an extra layer of protection from the chill. For a foundation garment, the Nina bodysuit already has a loyal following, and our customers are snatching them up in pairs. And why not? We have them in both a warm ivory and a beautiful dusty purple, and anticipate more colors and styles from Simone Perele in the coming months.

The next time I go home to Pennsylvania, I'll be sure to wear a knotted tee and my new Nina bodysuit, maybe pair the set with jean shorts and Keds for old time's sake, and hunt down Danni. It will be fun to make HER green with envy for a change!

Sweet or Sassy, We've Got a Huit Bouquet to Suit Your Style!

I just returned from visiting my family on the East Coast. Needless to say, it's been a few weeks since the last time I worked at A La Folie... but walking in today, I forgot why I ever left! When I opened the front door, I was greeted by some of the most lush colors and textures hanging from our walls that I've ever seen. Huit really has outdone itself for their early fall collections and I'm so excited to show you some of the offerings we have these days at A La Folie!

No matter what your style: mellow and sensual or playful and flirtatious, we have collections to suit your every mood. Best of all, these are not save-in-your-lingerie-drawer bras; these are customer favorites that can be worn day-to-day. Who says your Monday-Friday bra has to be ho-hum?

So what's your style?

Are you sweet and sensual?Top to Bottom: Echappee Belle, Courant d'Air, Deci de La, Numero

...Or daring and sassy?

Top to Bottom: Echappee Belle, Courant d'Air, Deci de La

Courant d'Air is a lacy wonder, trimmed in delicate scalloped net and barely-there bows, available in Cheche (ivory) and Hot Red (just that -- hot red!). In both colors, we have balconette demi-cup bras, plunge push-up bras, thongs and bikinis.

Deci de La is a deceptively comfortable, frilly collection, with gently molded soft cups (we know, it sounds impossible, but it's not!), lace trim and understated accent bows, available in Bengali (fuchsia) and Tutu (a light fleshy pink). In both colors, we have a molded triangle bra, thong, bikini and boyshort.

Numero is an impossibly soft collection with a retro sensibility. It comes in Cafe (light coffee) with a bold black lace trim and buttons. We have a non-underwire bralette, full-cup bra, thong, bikini and boyshort.

Echappee Belle is a basic bra in disguise, in the softest of stretch lace with sweet little rosettes for a little extra something special! It comes in Tient (nude) and Velvet (deep purple). In both colors, we have the underwire triangle bra and boyshort.

We hope you'll come by to check out Huit's newest offerings. We know you'll love them just as much as we do. Like beautiful flowers, they're meant to be out and on display... who knows, you may be inspired to take home a bouquet of your own!