Itsy Bitsy Bang…Bikini !
Hello my ethical stars! Its been a while and I've missed you! But I'm back with a bang and ready to share all!
My Inspiration for this blog comes from a recent adventure I've had... in which a spontaneous unveiling of a recently purchased two piece, sent my heart racing and sparks flying. Needless to say this yellow Graecian number resulted in one sexy lady and one happy bunny. And im not talking about lingerie….rather the one and only teeny Bikini.  For a moment in time I felt like a sun kissed sea maiden wading through the waters of the Caribbean, until of course I realized I was actually at home in my living room. But let a girl dream ;)


 Bikinis may be itsy bitsy, but they sure can produce a big bang.  Dynamite comes in small packages after all does it not? The infamous tiny two piece of vintage fashion was invented by French engineer Louis Réard in 1946. The Frenchman named it after ‘Bikini Atoll’ in the South Pacific, the site of nuclear weapon tests, assuming that this slinky creation would cause such a reaction similar to an atomic bomb!
The Bikini is not just a fashion statement, but rather a powerful symbol for the evolved emancipation of women and their freedom of expression. We may not be fully there yet, but ladies we have come a long way since the 20’s where the permitted bathing suit garments resembled frumpy one piece cloths, compared to the flattering two piece most of us wear today.
However, although the bikini is the most popular choice of swimwear universally for women, not every culture is as accepting of it.  In some conservative cultures the bikini is considered too provocative for men to control themselves, and thus disrespectful attire. Whereas in others it is a significant symbol of the progression of women’s liberation throughout different generations and celebrated. In addition, its wearers have passed into legend, becoming iconic images of 20th Century popular culture. Who can forget that 1962 Dr No moment when Ursula Andress,  playing Bond Girl Honeychile Rider, emerges from the sea with nothing but a striking ivory bikini.  So iconic was this vision that the bikini in itself was then sold at an auction for $61, 500 dollars. A woman’s body in all its glory, the way it moves, is captivating to ones eyes. I severely doubt a pair of cheeky speedos on a man would have provoked the same universal awe.  Well, then there was Borat in his mankini but that’s another story…

 Personally, I think the bikini shows your body at its most beautiful and natural state, where every contour, shape and even scar is shown in a light that can only be called your own. Lingerie is something private, secretive, passionate….however the bikini hides nothing and celebrates everything simultaneously. Teamed with a honey roasted tan, bright citrus colours can accentuate your Summer glow, whilst darker shades may draw attention to your striking silhouette. This is the excitement and beauty of choosing bikinis for the holidays!
 I walked into a bikini shop recently and took a deep breath, this is what I call the bikini body worry. Was I really ready to de-robe and see myself pre summer skin? Sod it, the answer was yes. ‘I’ll have one of these in every colour please!’ Mint green? wonderful, citrus yellow? fabulous, sultry black? definitely. Just please helpful lady behind the counter, help give me a bum! And so I rubbed my genie lamp and wished for a J Lo behind for my 10 day holiday. To which I was handed a Brazilian bottom piece which miraculously transformed my derriere. As a kind gesture for my multiple purchases, I was handed three wonderfully unattractive beach mats with matching Sombrero hats. Luckily I live near quite a few charity shops.
 Now my bikinis are sorted for my upcoming exotic holiday…. the rest is irrelevant. Well, apart from some sun factor… a bikini won’t look so fabulous when you’re burnt to cinders!  The bikini itself has reportedly been around for over 1,700 years according to pre-historic mosaics in Sicily which depict women exercising and carrying out duties wearing bikinis. It has taken years and years for it to be socially acceptable for ‘decent’ women to wear bikinis in public, and I can safely say I don’t think its going anywhere. In my opinion the bikini’s scandalous history has contributed to its ever popular standing in modern day society. For something that’s been fought for and has triumphed across most cultures, its longevity is imminent. Saying that of course, there are ways to keep things classy….and im talking more old Hollywood glamour bikinis, less Sisqo Thong song.  In my opinion, although we should celebrate our different bodies and the beauty of the bikini, we should still aim to keep our hidden treasures, hidden! Unless of course an unruly tide washes our dignity away.

 Of course the evolution of the bikini has propelled other beauty industries such as tanning and body treatments. Some women however go too far with getting that perfect ‘bikini body’ in time for their holidays. Its only human nature to worry a little or feel slightly insecure at the thought of parading along a beach in a little bikini in front of prying and often creepy eyes, however there are healthy limits.  Most adverts being sprawled across our billboards and magazines show strong images of perma tanned, barely there size zero women donning fabulous swimwear.  This is not necessarily a good example for impressionable women (age irrelevant) and more often than not prey on their insecurities, making them believe they should aim to look like an unnatural emaciated Amazonian waif.  It is easier said than done, however we should learn to feel confident in our own skin, accept we are beautiful just the way we are, whether we have a milky complexion or a cheeky muffin top. We should let the Bikini do all the talking really, and sit back relax and soak in that Summer sunshine, that is, if it ever reaches London!
  There is a plethora of different styles of bikinis available on the British high street, ranging from halter neck, printed, vintage, to various different shapes and sizes ensuring every different type of figure will find something to suit them.  However, many people aren’t aware of the ethical options available to all the girls and women searching for that perfect Summer bikini.  So I’ll leave you with some fun links you can explore, but remember whether you are basking in the Sun in your local park munching on a Calippo, or perched on a rock by the ocean watching the Sun set and searching for Nemo, embrace that body, that fun and flirty bikini and know that its come a long way through history so make the most of it ;)

Some ethical but fabulous places to buy bikinis:
http://www.fairandtrue.co.uk/category/swimwear
http://www.fashion-conscience.com/clothing/swimwear.html
http://ethicalbabe.tumblr.com/post/10002585748/ecoswim

Peace and Love,

M

Lingerie ;)

Lingerie….painful and practical, or sensual and seductive?

Recently I have found myself thinking about Lingerie, amongst other equally important subjects, of course. Lustrous undergarments have remained popular across continents and throughout centuries. The Egyptians, Greeks and French professed their enjoyment in wearing intricate undergarments since time began, and today the world of Victoria’s Secret dominates many ladies’ lives. Indeed, I must confess, the purpose of lingerie, and the effect it  has on people, intrigues me.

Initially I've thought lingerie was simply gendered undergarments, both unnecessary and uncomfortable. I mean, are we supposed to be putting on a panto with these laced, frilled and feathered slinkies? Surely these midnight satins only serve for a mere moment in time, as before we know it they will be tossed away to a holier place.

But after various discussions with different friends, and my own little journey of discovery…I may be starting to view lingerie as having many different purposes, some practical, and some more passionate.

It all boils down to how lingerie makes us feel. Whether im riding solo, or having fun for two, I always make sure I wear what makes me feel good and dare I say it, sexy. Lingerie can come hand in hand with women’s sexual freedom, to express themselves and enjoy their bodies.  I get a cheeky kick from knowing that underneath my office attire, my modesty is preserved with sensual satin. Sod it, its not Victoria’s secret its mine! Not only do these fabrics make you feel special, but the right fitting underwear can turn you into the Mona Lisa, and your bedroom the Louvre. Well, Mona wasn’t a looker bless her, but you understand my point ! She (or he - as we all know the Mona was based on a man) was and is a centrepiece in the history of time, and had Leo Da Vinci under her (or his) thumb. The right fitting panties can emphasise your assets ie) give you a bottom that you initially don’t have, and make you feel a bit glorious.

If you feel sexy underneath, this will radiate to the outside world. When someone is confident in their own skin, they have that sparkle in their eyes, it shows in their walk and talk.  In fact, Marilyn Monroe’s famous wiggle when she walked, was due to her underwear, pinching certain areas where the sun don’t shine. Each woman has her own idea of beauty, to some, beaded and jewelled underwear is teasing and personally some lingerie can be a little too tacky for my taste. Keep it classy ladies! I'd choose delicate silk any day over dodgy dominatrix disasters. ..no offence to those with nocturnal fetishes.

I do think something so private, can also be beautiful and elegant, giving us that striking silhouette. Yet, we could argue the very idea of lingerie is just another societal and cultural pressure that women succumb to, and that men have it easy with their cheeky basic briefs and Y fronts (each to their own)…while we are spending time and money in order to feel airbrushed when facing both them and of course our favourite friend, the mirror. Bastards. 

However after much deliberation, I feel that lingerie can serve as both practical and sensual, giving you longer lithe legs, and ample bosoms whilst also carving a confidence you never knew you had. Adam and Eve perused the holy Garden starkers with nothing more than a cheeky leaf preserving their modesty, so clearly the evolution of lingerie has come a long way. However when talking intimacy and nocturnal adventures, seductive and enticing lingerie is more like unwrapping an exquisite present, I mean the best part is underneath is it not?  Well ladies and gentlemen I'll conclude my stream of consciousness with a final thought, and that is that with or without our sensual undergarments, we should feel beautiful and confident just the way we are. Lady Gaga says we were born this way, I’ll agree with her on this one.

Peace & Love

M


www.houseofbeth.com

What's in a smell?

Well, everything. Every whiff of every scent can arouse memories in a  moment for us. Not only can sweet scents and potent fragrances we wear act as a magnet to others, but they can bring us back to fonder times….where passion and not so forgotten lovers are relived fresh as ever, in our minds once again.

In the words of Don Draper (Madmen), "Nothing can beat the sweet smell of Nostalgia, which is delicate but also extremely potent." It only takes a familiar scent on a stranger passing by me, to bring me back to my forever young 15 year old self, whose insecurities clouded almost everything. That first perfume I wore, when I had my first kiss on the Adriatic coast, even the butterflies flutter back to me when I smell that scent again. 

Not only is our sense of smell deeply connected to our memory, it also has the power to create our sense of self, at a particular moment in time, our essences individuate us.

Polkadots

Hello my ethical stars. Today I’m taking the true meaning(s) of Polkadots. Polkadots are simply sporadically placed dots, frequently used in fashion, right? Wrong. Although for the consumer, a billowing polkadot dress is fabulous for both the summer sunshine and winter wonderlands, to Yayoi Kusama, polkadots represented a whole new field of thought, observation and a poignant insight into her very own psyche. This topic has been inspired by my recent trip to the Tate Museum, which opened my eyes to the hidden significance of art and passion behind the clothes we purchase and so frequently flaunt.

My lazy Sundays took a creative turn when I spontaneously decided to visit Kusama’s surreal exhibition. A truly unique artist, Kusama has lived voluntarily in a psychiatric institution since 1977, and much of her work explores obsession and a desire to escape from her psychological trauma. Kusama uses her art to share her experiences, as my friends and I witnessed first hand through her ethereal installations that immersed us in her obsessively charged vision of endless dots and infinitely mirrored space.

Is Less More?

The question is, do we appear more beautiful if we keep our attire modest or is a little vibrancy and a flash of skin more exciting? Some would say what is concealed is more mysterious and beautiful to the eye of the observer. However the eye of the observer is indeed a very subjective one, and in my opinion showing some skin, and I’m not talking Nuts magazine, rather a gently exposed shoulder or the delicate contours of one’s back; can be visually stimulating enough to get blood pumping at a dangerously faster speed. Although we can indeed control what we wear, we cannot control the oogling, stares and various animal noises our ‘look of the day’ may attract.

Let’s face it, sometimes the image we wish to project comes with unwanted attention. Not so long ago I chose to wear heels matched with my flamboyant faux fur to work. Other than the fact that it was minus something degrees and my own breath was freezing before my eyes, I felt like this outfit would give me a lift on a soggy Monday morning. Lunch time approached, and as soon as I stepped out of the office, I immediately fell under a strange scrutiny predominantly from men. Asides from the critical glares from the odd woman clasping her toasted Panini; male A) hissed at me in the street and male B) asked me if I was sure I didn’t want a Banana with my lunch? No Sir, just the Granny Smith I have placed in front of you. Gracias and Adios! Forever preferably? Except that won’t happen because I see you every day at 1pm: Awkward.

GREETINGS BETHLINGS,

My name is Marina and I come with love, insight, and a passion for fashion. (Ethical of course)

My aim is for you to gradually get to know me through my little snippets and posts on this blog – although just to let you know in advance that  'normal' doesn’t really toot my horn so expect some eccentricity and a bit of cheek. Nothing that Beth can’t handle!  

 I recently rummaged through House of Beth’s delights, and the first thing I noticed was that these clothes feel like your old friends; each one had a certain story and energy to them. These eclectic and intriguing garments exude a sweet nostalgia, providing you with an instant connection. This is what fashion, and the heart of my wardrobe, represents to me.