Delicate Lace Delights

I couldn't tell you if these pieces are slips or camiknickers, but either way, the delicate lacework and beautiful fits have had me daydreaming of lovely things for days, and I figured you fine folks might enjoy these lovely photos from my internet wanderings too! 

Via "Give Me The Good Old Days!"

Via "Give Me The Good Old Days!"

Via Allure.

The song that started it all...

It was this music video which started Mademoiselle M.'s massive and enduring fascination with all things vintage, bordering on antique. Inspired by  Georges Méliès's 1902 silent "Le Voyage Dans la Lune" [A Trip to the Moon], it entranced her so much that she had to hunt down the original, and the rest is history! After stumbling across it again tonight, she simply couldn't resist the urge to share it with all of you.

All you need is love...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love has no desire but to fulfill itself.  To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.  To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.  

~Kahlil Gibran

Too Flappin' Fabulous!

     I've been contemplating making my own set of band garters, based on those worn by the Flapper Girls of the 1920's, for some time now. They seem to me to be a comfortable and stylistic alternative to my beloved garter-belts, for days when all those straps and support are just a wee bit too much. Especially with warmer weather on it's way; I'll jump at any chance to eliminate a layer from my outfits for summer!
     However, with so much on the go at the moment, I have been putting it off...until a few nights ago that is, when the urge to search for inspiration struck whilst I was having trouble sleeping. You see, ladies and gentlemen, I have come across some exquisite inspiration, and I would love to share it with you this evening.

Observe, if you will: 

An article from a magazine dating from the 20's tells us how it's done!

     Stumbling across this article on the lovely blog FrenchGardenHouse absolutely made my day [and night! ;] ] I highly recommend you check out the original post, as it is chock full of pictures to bring a smile to the face, and inspiration to the mind of even the most modest of boudoir dwellers. And the fact that they are so simple to create only makes it that much better!whilst the shop connected to the blog is full of beautiful things [even a section called "Paris Boudoir"! *swoon*] to set anyone's heart aflutter. I myself would love one of everything, could my budget stretch so far, but alas, for now I shall have to settle for admiring and being inspired. Which brings us right back to the original point of my post: Flapper Garters!

Mint Green: the quintessential flapper colour!

     There is just something about the styling to the band garters of the 1920's that I have always adored, a perfect balance of ergonomic functionality with flirty, girlish details. Ruffles, lace, silk, little flowers, buttons and sequins...its amazing the sheer amount of delicious detail that can be contained within such a tiny confection of ribbon and elastic. Catching a peep of these lovelies under the fluttering hem of a skirt or dress on a spring morning...it could bring any gentleman worth his hat [and dare I say more than a few ladies!] to his knees!

Aged lace and silk rosebuds make my heart beat faster.

   Therefore, look forward to sneaking a peek at my own garters [oh my!] inspired by these, and other designs, sometime next week! I only hope I can create something so mouthwateringly lovely!


all images viaFrenchGardenHouse


                                    - Mademoiselle M.

Bits of the Boudoir

 Yes indeed, ladies and gentlemen, the Ziegfeld Boudoir is a real place existing outside of this great expanse of internet, and today we've decided to share a few photographs of it that N. and I took whilst taking inventory of some of our wares...so, without further adieu...enjoy!

 

  

Les Amants Dans La Boudoir

Yet she seems strangely disinterested...lovely decor and skivvies though~!

Marlene Sings

"Ich weiss nicht, zu wem ich gehöre-ich glaub ich gehör`nur mir ganz allein"

(I dont know to whom I belong to,I think I only belong to myself)

This woman inspires me above all.

-Mademoiselle M.

Something Blue

Today, dear friends, we would like to present you with a rare treat indeed. Yes ladies and gentlemen, today is the day you will get a peek at Mademoiselle M.'s knickers!

In the window, no less!

       Indeed, those are precisely what they look like...french knickers! Oh lala! Perhaps better known as tap pants or tap panties to most of you fine folks. No doubt you are also aware that this style was the knicker of choice for those feisty flappers of the 1920's and sultry vamps of the 1930's alike.

     Lightweight, luxurious fabric...tasteful lace applique...french seams...button closures on the sides...yes ladies and gentlemen, these are the real deal, french knickers from the 1930's....at least, the pattern itself is!

 

Lace applique on the sides of the leg!

     As I'm sure all of you know, two of the pitfalls of vintage lingerie collecting are price and stability, with many lovely finds being either out of one's price range, or else too fragile to be worn. When Mlle. M. was but a young student, such was the case, however, her desire for beautiful vintage underthings was insatiable. Luckily for her, she was blessed with a sewing machine, a nearby thrift store with lovely vintage textiles and lace amongst the other odds and ends, and a little bit of ingenuity. Thusly, these lovelies were born!

Gorgeous pale-aqua vintage fabric.

   Although the thrill of owning and wearing a "real" piece of vintage is undeniably satisfying and thrilling, there is something to be said for the use of patterns from days gone by to create a "new" piece. Generally, if your sewing skills are up to par, you will be able to enjoy the pleasures of wearing a gorgeous vintage looking garment, without having to worry about damaging or destroying it. Indeed, you can take your piece out for a night of dancing without having to spend the whole time worrying about what all the movement, sweating, and general merrymaking will do to it.

    Furthermore, making your own piece allows you to make alterations to the original. Now, before everyone starts screaming "Treason!" allow me to elaborate. For many vintage lingerie [and clothing!] lovers, size and fit are a major issue, especially with the older pieces, such as those from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. We simply do not shape our bodies in the same way as was done back then, which leads to a great deal of heartache when we find  a beautiful piece who's measurements could never approach our own. Therefore, being able to alter the old patterns to make a vintage looking piece, true to the original in every way except size, is a great blessing.

The instructions used, via Frilly Bits 

      And I shant touch on the pleasures of sewing today, as I lack time to do it justice, but believe you me, they are many and great.Therefore, I encourage all of you, dear friends and readers, to keep your eyes open for vintage patterns in your travels, and to entertain the thoughts, when having a difficult time finding just the right piece to add to your collection, of sewing your own. I promise you will not regret it. And if this post has sparked a desire for french knickers that simply cannot be contained, I would like to direct you to this page: French Knicker Instructions: Frilly Bits

                              

Bie Mir Bist Du Schejn

It means you're the fairest in the land, my darlings.

La Belle de la Boudoir

     Although not so strictly lingerie related as we usually try to be here at the Boudoir, I simply could not resist sharing with you a photo of the lovely little helper I had today, whilst photographing some of our wares for your viewing pleasure, dear friends.

         Feast your eyes upon the true Queen of the Ziegfeld Boudoir:

Cierra!

 This pretty little lady is expecting! Puppies on the way! Its simply too exciting! =]

And of course, because I was taking photos today, that also means you can expect to see some of our fabulous wares in a day or two, and perhaps, if N. and I work out all the kinks, purchase them for your own wearing pleasure...all the more reason to get your stockings in a bunch!

Proverb from the West

     "I've no time for broads who want to rule the world alone. Without men, who'd do up the zipper on the back of your dress? "
        - Mae West

Tokens from a Gentleman Admirer

Monsieur N. has such great taste.

     There is nothing a Ziegfeld Girl loves more than lavish gifts from adoring fans. In this case, Swiss Chocolate from a certain Monsieur; delicious! Chiffon, silk, lace, and dark chocolate...these are the little luxuries being savoured in the boudoir today!

C'est L'amour

C'est divin.

Early Morning, Late Winter; 1909

Mademoiselle M. Contemplates Birdsong at Dawn.

The truth is such.

   Male and female represent the two sides of the great radical dualism.

But in fact they are perpetually passing into one another. 

Fluid hardens to solid, solid rushes to fluid.

There is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman. 

 

       - Margaret Fuller (1810 - 1850)

 

 

Dresden Dolls via

 

 

The value of little luxuries

Ginger Rogers 

      Recently, Monsieur N. and I have been doing a lot of talking about the mind-body-spirit connection; about the fact that human beings are one whole, not a collection of fragments, and therefore anything that affects one aspect of our being, really affects our entire self.

      On this line of thinking, we've discussed many things, such as the relationship between food, exercise, companionship and spirituality, and our physical, mental and emotional states. However, what I want to discuss with all of you, ladies and gentlemen, is something that lies a little closer to our collective hearts [and dare I say, underwear drawers! ;] ]

     I have oftimes Without a little self indulgence as such, we are apt to fall prey to all sorts of malaise, be it mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical. encountered a derisive response to my passion/ hobby for lingerie, especially that of the vintage and/or luxury kind. Many seem to view it as a frivolous, wasteful, or even immoral pursuit. However, I beg to differ, I think it is a very necessary part of life to allow ourselves to partake of sensual pleasures. This is especially true in our fast paced, technology obsessed world.

     Here we are constantly bombarded with negative sounds and images, while being separated from our physical senses, and not to mention from each other. It is essential for our well being that we  take time out to relax and enjoy ourselves, to appreciate the finer things in life and indulge our senses. Indeed, I would argue that taking time to indulge our senses is just as essential as getting out to exercise, or eating enough fruits and veggies each day! And indulging the senses is precisely what I am doing through my love of lingerie, be it with the whisper of silk against my skin, the sheer aesthetic beauty of crystal pleated nylon or that firm hug from a favorite bra.
    

A Vargas girl shows us how it's done!

    Now, I by no means am arguing that lingerie is the only way in which one can indulge her [or his! ;] ] senses. Indeed, for others the same needs may be met with a trip to the spa, a day spent in an art gallery, or in any number of other ways. However, I personally find the experience of wearing a fine piece of lingerie to be even more fulfilling than a massage or beautiful painting, because it not only is a delightfully sensual experience, but it allows the wearer to transform herself into a work of art. Such an experience is the height of sensual indulgence, and one simply cannot help but feel divine.

I suppose what I mean to say is simply that lovely lingerie is a valid, and perfectly essential part of the life for those who love it...would you not agree?

               - M. Ziegfeld

I Know That Feeling...

Sometimes you just have to check and make sure they're still there ;]



 - M. Ziegfeld

   
Via Here's Looking Like You Kid

Words of Wisdom...

via

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.

 - Henry Miller (1891 - 1980)

This is what we're all about...

A Sneak Peek at the Contents of the Boudoir!

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the greatest blog on earth!

At least, that is what we, your humble proprietor and proprietress, hope to be saying to all you fine folks in a day or two. For the time being however, we pray you'll forgive the delay as we put the finishing touches on the costumes and stage props. Consider this a test of the speaker system. ;)