Freya Active Sports Bra in White and in Black

Ok, I'll admit it.  I've never really been one for sports.  I guess my lack of co-ordination and skill, as well as having dizzy spells and regular giddiness, mean that I'll never be much good at sports and I'm someone who doesn't much like doing things they're not very good at.  I daresay that's true of most of us but I definitely need to feel like I can do well at something in order to stick with it.

Freya Piper Bra and Briefs

A few months ago, I went to Leia Lingerie at Bluewater shopping centre, Kent, for a fitting.  I was met by the lovely manager, Leigh, who assigned fitter Julie to assist me with my lingerie shopping.  I don't think I've ever met a more diligent fitter - Julie was willing to let me try anything I wanted (even if it was unlikely to fit) and even tried to help me fit into a basque.  Sadly, this attempt resulted in extreme failure but Julie's commitment to her role as a fitter was never in doubt during my entire time in store.

I've already posted my reviews of the Freya Ellie and Carys, so now it's time to write about the Freya Piper.

Image courtesy of Freya

Freya Carys Bra

Some time ago, I visited the wonderful Leia Lingerie at Bluewater shopping centre in Kent.  I have already blogged about the Freya Ellie bra I was kindly gifted by manager Leigh but my review of the Carys somehow fell by the wayside - oops! - so it's now time for me to make amends and catch up.

When I was in Leia Lingerie, I was fitted by a lady called Julie.  Julie knew her stuff and helped me to find several bras that fitted me.  One of my missions was to get a Freya Deco that fitted me (despite the fact they only go up to GG cup) and Julie patiently helped me try various sizes but of course none fitted properly.  The cups in the Deco - especially in the strapless version - run large so I was hopeful I might get lucky but I was disappointed.  I have begged before and I will beg again now: PLEASE FREYA, MAKE THE DECO IN LARGER CUP SIZES!  There is a huge demand for this to happen and I know that you would make many, many ladies ridiculously happy if you were to make this happen.

So, on to the Freya Carys.

Image courtesy of Freya

Panache Cleo Zia Bra 32J

It's been a little while since I did a lingerie post (and I know some readers have been missing them!) so when the lovely people at Panache got in touch to ask me to review something from their latest collection I was absolutely over the moon!

In the past, when I have tried Panache bras I have ended up feeling disappointed.  The wide wires and shallow cups just didn't suit me, no matter how much I loved the gorgeous designs.

However, a few months back I tried the Cleo Chloe and Alexa bras in 32J and I fell in love!  Seriously - the Chloe in particular was threatening to rival my beloved Ewa Michalaks!!  I'd heard that Cleo wires were significantly narrower and the cups deeper than regular Panache bras and I found this was absolutely true.  The bras were wonderful and gave such amazing shape, uplift and support, especially for unpadded bras.

Ewa Michalak CHP Koktajl

I have been trialling some of the new CHP styles recently released by Ewa Michalak and my latest one to review is the CHP Koktajl.

Image courtesy of Ewa Michalak

Ewa Michalak CHP Kurczak

I must admit that I have never in my life felt the need to own a yellow bra. When they started appearing in shops and online a few months ago my mind was not changed and although they were eye-catching I still did not have a great desire to have one in my possession.I was recently sent several bras by Ewa Michalak to try out and lo and behold one of these was their own yellow creation: the CHP Kurczak, which means 'Chicken' in Polish.

Image courtesy of Ewa Michalak

Ewa Michalak CHP Groszki i Róże

A little while ago, Ewa Michalak brought out a new range of bras in gorgeous Easter colourways. One of these was the CHP Groszki i Róże, which literally translates as 'Peas and Roses' - so cute!

Image courtesy of Ewa Michalak

Ewa Michalak CH Karmelki

It's no secret that I love Ewa Michalak bras.  I am fortunate enough to own many of them in various designs and two different styles - PL (plunge) and CH (halfcup).  My PL collection is pretty comprehensive, however I am having to sell some of my older bras and replace with new ones as I am no longer the 36 back I was (or perhaps thought I was??) when I started this blog last autumn.  

A couple of months ago I was fitted as a 30K (or perhaps even KK if they made it) in Freya bras.  I have also been wearing Ewa Michalak bras in a 32K, although I have been wondering if a 30 back would be better.

I was really thrilled when I got the chance to try out some of the latest EM designs.  First up is the CH Karmelki.

Image courtesy of Ewa Michalak

Bravissimo Sun Seeker Bikini in Pink

Before my holiday last month, I tried out several bikinis as I was in dire need of a couple of new ones for 2012.  When I saw the Sun Seeker bikini on Bravissimo its colour jumped out at me and I knew I had to add it to my basket.

Image courtesy of Bravissimo

My quest for a sleep bra: Bravissimo Inspire Sports Bra in Black

For a long time, I have been looking for a sleep bra.  My definition of a sleep bra is one which is comfortable enough to wear in bed (every night if wished) and also around the house during the evenings and at weekends.

So far, I have only tried non-wired bras in my quest.  I have tried soft cup bras, sports bras, maternity bras and even a nursing bra, but nothing yet has quite hit the spot.  I have stumbled every time, with the main reason being that I don't get separation of my breasts in non-wired bras.  This has lead me to wonder if I might be able to find a wired bra which would be comfortable enough to sleep in.

Now, my Ewa Michalak bras are super comfortable.  I wear them each and every day and it's a pleasure to do so.  Rarely do they dig in, rub or give me any kind of pain or discomfort so they would be ideal to wear in bed as well.  But, as I wear them every day, I think it would be unhealthy to wear them at night as well so I am on the lookout for an underwired sleep/house bra, as well as a non-wired one.

A few weeks ago, I tried the Bravissimo Inspire Sports Bra in black.

Image courtesy of Bravissimo

Freya Lacey Bra

A few weeks ago I visited Leia Lingerie at Bluewater with the wonderful Georgina of Fuller Figure Fuller Bust. We had a great time trying on lots of lovely bras and I came away with three new ones, courtesy of Leia, and the one I am going to review here is the Freya Lacey.

Image courtesy of Freya

Freya Lauren Bra

On my recent trip to Leia Lingerie with Georgina, I came away with three new bras. One of these was the Freya Lauren in black.

I was also lucky enough to receive a free Lauren in white at the recent Eveden Autumn/Winter 2012 launch. Suzanne kindly gave me a black pair of the shorts in XL to match my black Lauren as they didn't have any white in stock.

Images courtesy of Freya

Masquerade Lula Mae Bra

The Masquerade Lula Mae is a bra I've heard a lot about from friends over the past few months.  They have highly recommended it to me and I have seen photos to prove its great shape, lift and support.


When I saw the Lula Mae on offer at Bravissimo (note it is misspelt on their website; I am taking the spelling from the label on the bra), I knew I could not resist placing an order.

Image courtesy of Bravissimo

The bra that changed my life

The wonderful Kitty Lingerista at Undercover Lingerista is celebrating her 1 year bloggiversary by running an amazing competition on her blog.  She is asking people to write about the bra that changed their life; this is my entry.

Like many women, I spent most of my life wearing the wrong size bra.  Until very recently I hadn't had a proper fitting and, although I never used the ridiculous '+4' method to calculate my size, I know I have been wearing far too big a band for the majority of my boobified years.

I have been large-breasted since my teens and used to order bras from my mum's 'Great Universal' mail order catalogue.  Unfortunately I was limited to boring white bras as that's all that was available in my size but nonetheless I would pore over the lingerie pages wishing I could make those pretty coloured sets work for me.

Bravissimo Boudoir Beau Bra

Bravissimo have a wide range of own brand bras available on their website.  Almost a year ago I visited their store in Ealing and tried on several styles and sizes but could not find anything that really suited me.  I have now realised that this is probably because I was going for too big a band - my Ewa Michalaks have helped me become accustomed to a firmer band and now I find I am sizing down time and again.


I recently placed an order with Bravissimo for several bras and one of them was the very foxy Boudoir Beau in red/graphite.

Image courtesy of Bravissimo