[Lingerie Review] Mindful Teal Lace Shorts

Sustainability and sensuality all in one? It’s a hell yes from me! Today I’m delighted to be reviewing one of the new pieces from Lovehoney’s Mindful range. You may remember the bodysuit I reviewed recently from the same line. Today we’ll be looking at the Mindful Teal Lace Shorts.

Mindful Booty Beauty!

The Mindful range is made from pre-consumer recycled materials, giving a new lease of life to fabrics that would otherwise end up in landfill. From the cornstarch bag to the recyclable tag, even the packaging for the Mindful range is eco-friendly. So you can feel good about every part of your purchase.

Mindful green lace shorts from Lovehoney lingerie

I received the Mindful Lace Shorts in a beautiful, rich shade of green. The elasticated waistband and edging detail is in a contrasting plum purple with little Lovehoney heart insignias along the waistband. Purple and green are two of my favourite colours and I particularly love them together in combination!

Lovehoney heart logo on green lace lingerie

The main body of these knickers is made of a pretty lace in a femme-pleasing floral pattern. The shorts also feature a cute triangular peephole cut out at the back. Overall, the aesthetic is striking and playful.

Fit and Comfort

The Mindful Lace Shorts come in five size options, fitting anyone from a size 8 to a size 26. I received size M/L, which is designed for a UK 12-14. I usually buy a size 12 in underwear at the moment, and these knickers fit me snugly but comfortably. If you’re between sizes and unsure which to get, I’d recommend going a size up.

Woman wearing lace knickers

I’m really glad to see this style of briefs in the Lovehoney store. I kind of hate thongs, if I’m honest. I can deal with them for sex appeal for a short amount of time, but they’re basically a sensory nightmare and I’d never choose them for all-day wear. But these slightly fuller, hipster-style pants are far more comfortable without sacrificing on style.

Womans butt in lace booty shorts

The lace is soft and feels high quality – not scratchy or irritating at all. I particularly appreciate the broad and stretchy waistband for the added comfort it affords.

They’re honestly comfy enough that I could wear them all day long.

Woman posing in green lace shorts

I’m also pleased to see that the gusset is 100% cotton. Many synthetic fibres are not breathable and can trap moisture and odors. For people with vaginas, this can lead to problems like thrush and bacterial infections. So the cotton gusset is a welcome, vulva-friendly touch!

Final Thoughts

Comfortable enough to wear all day, cute enough to wear on a date, and environmentally friendly into the bargain? Tick, tick, and tick! Full marks for me for these playful, sexy pants.

The Mindful Teal Lace Shorts retail for £12.99 ($16.99 US). You can get a discount on this or any item by using code “coffkink10” at checkout.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me these knickers to review. Affiliate links appear within this post. All views mine, as ever!

[Lingerie Review] Lovehoney Captivate Lace Open-Back Knickers

Valentine’s Day is coming up! Whether you’re looking for a gift for a lover, a sexy treat for yourself, or ignoring the day altogether, this is always a great time of year for new lingerie and sex toy releases. Lovehoney’s new Captivate lingerie line has just launched in time for Valentine’s, and I’ve got a couple of mini reviews coming out this week.

By the way: are you looking for a fun stay-at-home Valentine’s date idea? Join us for our seasonal and totally free smut slam!

The Captivate line is inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey, which I… don’t love. To address something people keep asking me, I review Fifty Shades-inspired products because the reality is that a LOT of people will come to sexual exploration via that franchise, and I want to give them informed choice about what’s worth their money.

Check out last week’s review of the Captivate Bra Set, and check out the whole range here. Today, we’re looking at…

Captivate Lace Open-Back Knickers

These crotchless knickers came packaged in a black and grey cardboard sleeve bearing the Captivate branding. Recyclable, yay!

Fifty Shades of Grey Captivate knickers packaging

The less said about THIS insult to literature that’s printed on the reverse side, the better:

Fifty Shades of Grey Fifty Shades Darker quote

The knickers are folded neatly inside the sleeve.

Fifty Shades of Grey black crotchless knickers

First impressions: the lace feels nice and soft, and I like the feminine combination of the floral motif and frilly trim around the split. A black bow adds a cute finishing touch. I’ll probably cut off the Fifty Shades insignia charm, to be honest.

Fifty Shades of Grey Captivate black lace open-back knickers

These knickers are open at the crotch and butt for ease of access for sex, spanking, or whatever else you feel like doing. The effect is a sexy, oval-shaped opening, showing off your butt.

Fifty Shades of Grey Captivate black lace open-back knickers

I think they look pretty good on me, don’t you?

I love lingerie that is sexy without being horrendously uncomfortable, and these knickers deliver. They sit comfortably, don’t pinch or dig in anywhere, and the lace is soft enough for all-day wear.

The Captivate Lace Open-Back Knickers are available in 4 sizes, to fit UK sizes 8 to 22. I’m currently wearing a 12/14 and I ordered the M/L size as recommended, which ran true to size and fit me well. The waistband and leg holes are stretchy, allowing for some wiggle-room on sizing.

Captivate Lace Open-Back Knickers retail for £12.99 from Lovehoney ($16.99 US). Enter my code “coffkink10” in the coupon box at checkout to get 10% off your entire order.

Thanks to Lovehoney for sending me these knickers to review. All thoughts, as always, my own. Shopping via my affiliate links sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you.

Five Quick Steps to Choosing Your Perfect Lingerie

Everyone deserves to feel gorgeous, sexy and desirable. And one way to achieve this is through wearing beautiful lingerie. Long-time fans of the blog will know that, until a few months ago, I didn’t think lingerie – in the traditional sense – was for me. I’m a curvy girl with an hourglass shape, currently a bit on the chubby side, with large boobs. My go-to knickers were less “sex kitten” and more “shapeless”. But after being sent some beautiful pieces to review, I realised that lingerie is just as much for me as for anyone. I’ve learned to love wearing it, and feel amazing when I do.

So here’s some top tips I’ve internalised that always help me to choose the perfect piece.

Know your measurements and aim for a perfect fit

If you wear bras, it’s really important to get properly fitted! Wearing something that fits you perfectly will make it look and feel so much better. For corsetry, you’ll need your waist measurement. Sizes vary between brands, of course, so don’t be afraid to go up or down from your usual size if you need to.

Also, all good stores will have a size chart. Pay attention to this, and if in doubt you can always email or phone customer services for help. They want to help you get the perfect piece!

Shop for the occasion

That babydoll might be perfect for wowing your lover in the bedroom, but it won’t work so well under your business suit for secret everyday glamour. Consider where and when you’re going to wear the pieces you’re buying, and shop accordingly. You’ll shop differently if you’re looking for the perfect wedding lingerie than if you’re after a showstopper for a night out at the BDSM club.

And don’t be afraid to ask for advice! Whether online or in person, store staff will be delighted to assist.

Shop smart online

Shopping in person is great if possible, but brick-and-mortar stores aren’t available in all areas and may not carry all lines. I buy the vast majority of my lingerie online and have never had an issue.

Begin by simply browsing catalogues for inspiration. Of course, looking at a picture doesn’t tell you how something will look or feel on you, but knowing what you’re drawn to is a great start. Bookmark the pieces you like and come back to them later with fresh eyes before you make your choice. Reputable shops will also have a solid and transparent returns policy so if something doesn’t fit right or doesn’t quite work for you, you can swap it for something that will.

But don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone

Don’t discount trying something that you would never normally choose! Pick up something risque, daring or different, or even just try a colour that you wouldn’t usually go for. You might surprise yourself!

Try this fun game: ask your partner, friend or personal shopper to pick something out for you, and try it on – whatever it is. You never know what you might discover.

Seek a second opinion

Taking a partner or lover with you to a store, or browsing online catalogues together, can make for a wonderfully sexy shopping experience! I love trying on pieces that make me feel a million dollars and then showing them to my partner and watching his expression change. If you’re single, shopping with a trusted friend is also a fun option.

You could even consider a private shopping experience. Baby Jane Lingerie offer a personal shopping VIP experience where you have a staff member’s undivided attention as they help you find the perfect look for you in a no-pressure, body-positive environment.

This week: tweet or comment and tell me about your favourite lingerie!

The Baby Jane Lingerie logo for a sponsored postThis post was kindly sponsored by Baby Jane Lingerie, a new women-owned store who are committed to helping you find the perfect lingerie. Check out their extensive lines for all bodies and all occasions. All opinions, as ever, my own.

Bringing Extra Sexy Into Your Life with Lingerie

Update 31.12.2019: Twisted Lingerie, the sponsors of this post, have now closed down. I have removed the broken links but left this piece up for informational purposes. 

As regular readers of the blog will know, I’m a pretty recent lingerie convert. Being a shortish, curvy girl who does NOT in any way resemble a Victoria’s Secret model, and has a general aversion to things like frills and excessive lace, I’d kinda decided it wasn’t for me. I was convinced otherwise when I was gifted a beautiful piece to review and realised I looked, and felt, like an absolute babe in it.

Valentine’s Day is coming up – the time for bringing out those basques, those little slips of latex and lace, to seduce your lover. But apart from the obvious (“wear it to bed and fuck your partner’s brains out”), how can you use lingerie to add a little extra sizzle of sexiness to your life?

Wear it under your work clothes.

If, like me, you’re a “practical undies” type of person the majority of the time, try wearing something really naughty under your work clothes one day. No-one else will know, but you’ll have an extra bounce in your step all day as you feel the sumptuous fabrics against your skin.

Pro tip: do this the day of a big meeting or presentation. You’ll stand taller and speak more confidently because you’ll be feeling gorgeous. Who says “power dressing” can’t be sexy?

Go shopping with your partner.A thin white woman in the Xenia Boudoir Set, a black mesh babydoll with a strap bra.

Whether this is a trip to your local lingerie store, or sitting at the computer together and lusting over sexy pieces like Twisted Lingerie’s stunning bondage-themed collection, make shopping for lingerie (for one or both of you!) a fun date activity with your partner. Whether you buy anything or not is up to you, but trying pieces on – or just imagining your lover in that fabulous bra or babydoll – is bound to get some lusty feelings flowing.

Dress out of your comfort zone.

Stepping out of our comfort zones can be an empowering and enlightening experience. This includes how we dress and what we think of as our aesthetic. Case in point: I didn’t think fancy lacey lingerie was my thing at all… until I tried it.

If you’re on the more femme end of the spectrum, try wearing something masculine-of-centre for a change, and vice-versa. If you normally go for frills, try something with harder lines or a more minimalist style. Pick out a colour or a pattern or a style you’d never typically wear. You might be surprised at how babely you feel!

A thin white woman in the Xenia Goddess set, an elaborate black strap and mesh lingerie set.Wear it while you masturbate.

This might sound a bit goofy, but stick with me. Masturbation is sex with your longest and most enduring sexual partner: yourself. If you’d dress up for a night in with a partner, why not occasionally dress up for a night in with yourself (and your favourite vibrator, if that’s your jam)? Feeling attractive and hot, even if no-one else is going to see it, is one of the ways I tap into my erotic energy. Looking in the mirror and going “yes, I would” makes me want to, well… do all kinds of things to my sexy self.

Take a hot selfie…

…or ten. There’s nothing like a sexy selfie to make you feel like an absolute babe. You don’t have to share it with anyone (though you can, if you like! Send it to a partner or even upload it to your blog, Instagram, Tumblr or Fetlife if you’re feeling daring). But just the act of putting on some beautiful lingerie, playing with lighting and filters and angles to get the perfect shot and then admiring the pics, will remind you what a gorgeous creature you are.

Tweet me: how do you bring extra sexiness into your life with lingerie?

This post was generously sponsored by the lovely folks at Twisted Lingerie. They’re a small start-up and have some absolutely gorgeous pieces. (They’ve also sent me a review item from their collection, so look out for that in the coming days). All opinions are, and will always be, my own.

All images are property of Twisted Lingerie and reproduced here with their permission.

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