Tips for caring for your lingerie

Our lingerie collections are delicate and should be treated as such. There are a few things that you can do to ensure that your lingerie lasts longer. Lingerie can be very expensive and the last thing that you want is to spend a small fortune for a garment you wear once and then never get to use again because of poor care. Here are a few simple steps to remember.

WASHING - When washing your lingerie try to stick to the washing instructions as best as you can. Lingerie is best hand washed in cool water. Add a soft fabric wash and let your garments soak for a few minutes. Lather them together gently, but do not wring them out. This can bend them out of shape and make the look odd for reuse. Instead, let the water drain as much as possible. If you prefer to use a washing machine for cleaning of your lingerie make sure they are washed inside a lingerie bag. You can buy an inexpensive lingerie bag by clicking on the link. All shapes and sizes are available, it just depends what you require personally. Wash your lingerie separately after every wear.

DRYING - Allow your lingerie to air dry naturally by hanging them inside as if you leave them in the sun for too long whilst drying, they can become sun damaged. Avoid drying your delicate garments in a dryer. The heat will destroy shape and shrink your garments.

STORING - The key is to be gentle. Rough handling of such a delicate item can leave your lingerie ruined for regular use. It is suggested to have a entire draw for only your lingerie garments. Do not just throw them all in together without consideration. Keep in mind that hooks can easily get caught on such delicate materials. By following these simple steps you can keep your lingerie looking like new and holding there original form for much longer.

Win a Naughty Kit Prize

To celebrate our over-whelming response, Confidence is Key Lingerie is running another competition. Up for grabs is this 52 Weeks of Naughty Nights kit, silver hand shaped nipple covers, 75ml bottle of lubricant and a beaded flogger noir!! Entering is simple. All you have to do is get your friends to like our page and then comment on the photo tagging your name. (names are to be tagged in the comments, not on the actual photo so we can determine the winner! :D) The easiest thing about this competition is that it is your friends who do all the work!!

So share this photo and get your name in it to win it!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=393050834044662&set=a.352144784801934.102933.259601310722949&type=1&theater

Competition closes midnight 25/03/12! Winner revealed on 26/03/12.

6 Signs your relationship is over

Do you find yourself in a relationship where you need to think of the good memories of the past in order to justify your relationship in the present? Or are you clinging on because of the uncertainty of what will happen next if you walk away? Maybe you’re afraid that you will end up alone as a consequence of your actions?

For all of us, the choice to leave someone is extremely difficult. Some of us are so hurt by the truths of our current situations that we begin living in a false reality just to make the relationship bearable to continue. This is anything but healthy and will not fix what is broken or lost. Ultimately breaking up is a part of growing up and helps us discover what it is that we want in a mature lifetime commitment. Having several different relationships is how we determine when we have found the right person. Sadly not everyone we date is going to be compatible with us long term. Here are a few signs that could indicate your relationship is not on the right track. Recognizing the signs could make your decision that little bit easier to bear.

1. The spark has burnt out – It is not a good sign when the butterflies disappear and you no longer feel the same way about each other. The spark is what differentiates you from merely being friends, as opposed to lovers. It holds the attraction you have for one another and once that attraction is gone there is no longer anything there that separates you from friends’ status. If your partner makes excuses not to be physical with you, or is only physical for his/her own needs and not the least bit concerned about what you want or need then the spark may have been lost. If a spark cannot be rekindled, then there is almost certainly a reason it is not meant to.
2. You start expecting each other to change – The point of a relationship is to enjoy the other person for who they are. If you find yourself wanting to change them, or alternatively if you find that your partner is trying to change you then odds are you really shouldn’t be together. We all have quirks that annoy others, but if they bother your partner so much that they feel the need to change you, then they do not love you as much as they should. This is often a realisation not long after the honeymoon period wears off. Remember that unconditional love is the only love worth fighting for.
3. When unhappiness overrides the pleasure – Undesirably sometimes a fading relationship can leave you feeling frustrated, upset and miserable more than feeling excited, contented and carefree. If there is more bad then good, then you are only dooming yourself to a life of unhappiness. Everybody has the right to unlimited supplies of the best life has to offer and if you are not experiencing this in your current relationship then you should perhaps find one where you can. Do not let your hope that this will change be the reason that you cling to what may never be there.
4. Emotional, physical and verbal pain – There is no explanation for abuse of any kind. When your partner crosses that line, there is undoubtedly something wrong in your relationship. If your partner has abused you in any way whether it be physical abuse, verbal abuse, or just emotional hurt, it is unmistakably time to walk away. There is no point being in a relationship that is a constant battle to you emotionally or physically.
5. Reoccurring issues – If you cannot spend time with your partner without either of you picking a fight or insulting one another then it is more than possible that neither of you have anything left to say to each other. If you have addressed the motive for your fighting and still continue to struggle about it then chances are it is just one of those things that cannot be compromised on. The reality is you deserve better then someone who is always making you feel like a failure and attacking you personally.
6. No time for each other – If your partner was once very attentive, putting you up on a pedestal and always making you number one on his/her list of priorities and has started making excuses for why they cannot spend time with you, it is most likely a sign that their heart is no longer in the relationship. If it appears that they have stopped making effort in your relationship, do yourself a favour and do the same. If you continue to make unreturned effort you will end up resenting the person for it and in the end you will burn out and stop caring yourself, being left wondering what it was you were fighting for in the first place. Save yourself some heartache. It takes two to make a relationship be successful and if only one party is doing all the hard yards, then it is not going to work. Both parties need to want to be together for a relationship to succeed and no matter how hard you try; you cannot make somebody want something that they don’t want. Besides, why would you want to waste your time with someone you have to convince to spend time with you?

If you are having doubts about your relationship then there are more than likely justified reasons for this. Do not waste their time or your own. Listen to your heart, be honest with yourself and do not stay in a relationship that is not right for you merely because of fear or avoidance of a difficult life altering decision. Seek advice but do not take others opinions on as your own, unless they are what you truly believe. Only you can know in your gut what the right decision is, and it is you who has to follow through with it.

"What's Wrong?" "Nothing"

If you are a women looking at the title of this blog, I can pretty much guarantee that you are staring on with a cheeky grin on your face. Because the truth of the matter is, we have all responded with the answer “nothing” to the frequently asked question, “What’s wrong?” Even though the truth is there is something we are dying to get off our chest. If only fear and the pounding of our hearts wasn’t swallowing our words.

Although we undoubtedly grin guiltily at this accusation, it is not something that we should be proud of. Sometimes in life; specifically in a romantic relationship, we find it hard to express our negative feelings, for fear of hurting or losing the person we love. When your partner does something to upset you, you don't want to confront them about it as you would much rather avoid a disagreement.

If you bottle up your feelings and not let your partner know how you feel all the whilst ignoring your upsets and wishing them away, then you both in turn will suffer a great deal more then if you were to just discuss the things that are bothering you. If you play the "nothing's wrong" card, you are not only hurting yourself, but the person you are being dishonest with as well. Although you may have succeeded in that momentary bliss, you will end up having one too many grudges packed away in the back of your mind and it will be your partner who will suffer the consequences of issues that they are quite possibly unaware of.

Although it appears you are avoiding an awkward conversation, it only gets worse the longer you avoid the things that are making you unhappy. When you are unhappy this leads to the unhappiness of your partner as well. While the problem is manifesting, your partner can see that you are hurting and the fact that you deny this can be excruciatingly frustrating for them. Not only do they know that something is wrong, but they are also offended that you do not trust them enough share it with them. There are ways to go about this without offending your partner and if you exercise the truth from the beginning of your relationship, then you will both know what to expect when it comes to matters of the heart.

So next time you find yourself hurting over something, big or small, talk to your partner. More often then not, they will see your point and if they don't perhaps they can provide a better understanding of why they have done what they have. Although the men in our lives claim to be mind readers - the fact the matter is, they're not. Release your fears and open up to your partner so they never have to ask you, "What's wrong?" again. The more open and honest you are with each other, the stronger and happier your relationship will be. Always remember that you are entitled to say whatever you want, when it comes to how you feel.

6 things to remember after an unwanted break-up

There is never an easy way to except that something you invested all your time, energy, emotions and whole heart into is now over. Even worse then that you have now been left feeling that you are worthless and not worth fighting for. However, this could not be further from the truth. Although some things feel beyond your control right now, here are a few pointers to remember during the heartache.

1. Remember you did not fail – Often when a relationship ends the unwanted party feels as if they have failed. Remember that it takes two to make a relationship succeed and although your ex may have made you feel like you were the reason for the ended relationship, it is more likely that you were both on very different paths in life. Do not allow yourself to fall into depression and self hatred or take the blame upon yourself. Instead, take comfort that you tried your best to make things work. Often people completely change to suit their partner. Another thing to remember is that there is a big difference between compromise and loosing yourself. You should never change who you are for somebody you love. The right person for you will love you for exactly the person you are. If your partner feels the need to change you, then you are not the person they should be with.
2. It takes time – Do not force yourself to move on. You and you alone will know when you are ready to get back in the game. Do not be pushed into anything you do not want to do and avoid dating prematurely. Your feelings in a rebound relationship, will always be questioned by yourself. With this being said, some move on quicker than others and you are the only one who can decide for yourself if you have reached that point.
3. Avoid Break up Sex at all costs – It doesn’t matter how mature you think you are, sex between old partners is never just a physical act. Although it might feel like a good idea at the time, this is never a good idea. If anything it just takes you backwards and prevents you from moving on. As much as you tell yourself it does not mean anything to you, being connected in this way on some level keeps the relationship alive for you, when you should be in search of ways to leave it in the past.
4. Cut the ties - The most important thing to remember when breaking up is to cut the ties with your ex. Although this may seem like the hardest thing you can possibly do, in the end it will be the one thing you need to truly move on with your life. As tempting as it sounds to remain friends with someone who once meant everything to you, it is not realistic, at least not at first. If you did not want the break-up you will undoubtedly hold feelings of wanting to reunite and the reasons that your relationship did not work will be hidden from you. Even if you and your ex are mature enough to remain friends and on some level succeed in this, it is something that will not last if one party wants to reunite and will only cause more pain then there needs to be. What you need is to take a step back and take time to yourself. Once you can spend a whole day without thinking about your ex you will begin to see all the reasons you were not right for each other. If you don’t allow yourself to move on, you will find yourself focusing on the good things about your relationship, as appose to those things that divided the partnership to begin with.
5. Be hopeful of the future – Do not allow yourself to live in the past. The future is ahead of you and holds a chance for you to do things that you may have held off on to be with your ex. Focus on you. Find yourself again and have a little fun! Embrace hobbies you have never had the time for before and take those risks on life’s experiences that you have never had courage to try.
6. No regrets – Do not look at your ended relationship as time wasted. Instead look at it as an experience and learn from it. This experience can force you to discover what it is that you do want in a relationship and possibly even bring you additional wisdom during your next. Not everything lasts forever, but that doesn’t make it any less real.

Boost your confidence and feel better about yourself by spoiling yourself with something at www.confidenceiskeylingerie.com.au

Valentine’s Day for Long Distance Couples

If you are experiencing a long distance relationship, you are no stranger to the constant longing that the distance causes. Normal days can already be a challenge, but on the special occasions, it can feel unbearable. With Valentine’s Day speedily approaching, it is easy to find yourself dreading the occasion. As your friends are happily planning their evening, you are left thinking about spending it alone. This does not have to be a dreaded occasion. There are ways to celebrate and appreciate this day of romance even if you and your partner are far apart.

Firstly, put time aside for your partner. If you cannot make it to where they are due to finances, be sure to make your partner aware of just how much they mean to you and that you put them first above all on this day that you wish you could be together. The more thought you put into this day, the easier you will make it on your partner.

Find interesting ways to send your partner romantic messages throughout the day, Such as “My thought of the day is you.” Here are some ideas of ways to get these messages to your partner all day long.

• Text Message
• Email
• E-Card
• Mail (via overnight express to guarantee it gets there on time, or alternatively have a mutual friend hand deliver.)
• Send Flowers
• Facebook

These are only a few ideas of an endless amount of possibilities. Be original; try using methods that your partner would never expect, so they don’t see it coming.

Send your partner a care package with little things that will remind them of the love that you both share. You can include a mixed CD of your favorite songs, a teddy bear sprayed with your most used perfume or cologne, a scrapbook full of moments you have shared together, and a Valentine’s Day card expressing your feelings for your partner. For other possible gift ideas for your partner on Valentine’s Day, visit www.confidenceiskeylingerie.com.au Any gesture big or small is going to be received with open arms and a fulfilled heart.

Plan a night of romance with each other even if you cannot physically be together. Have a nice dinner and watch a movie. “Going the Distance” and “Valentine’s Day” are both appropriate ideas for this occasion. Snuggle up with a stuffed animal your partner has given you in the past and take comfort that you are doing something together, even if you cannot see them.

Turn on your webcam and enjoy the sight of your partner as you chat away for hours in a chat room. Or connect with each other on Skype. Make the most of each other’s company and talk as if they are right in front of you. You will appreciate the contact and feel a definite connection.

If it is possible, at the end of the night give your partner a call. Relax in a candle lit bubble bath and take comfort that the last thing you hear that night is the sound of your partners’ voice. This will ensure that any tears that are shed at the end of the night are of the happy variety.

Know How for the Facebook Impaired

Facebook can be confusing for some, but this is no reason to stay clear. As you will discover upon reading this post it is actually very easy to use once you know what you are doing and can also be used successfully by people of all ages. Facebook can be a great source of communicating with friends long since lost and an inexpensive way of staying in contact with loved ones who live far away. It can also pose as an effective advertising tool. Here are a few basic steps to using Facebook effortlessly. The establishment is coming up with new additions all the time so there is always something new to learn and enjoy.

To start off, create your own free account today by visiting www.facebook.com and follow these simple steps to being Facebook savvy with the rest of the world.

As pictured above, firstly we have the home bar at the top of the page. Depending on what version you are using the layout can be slightly different. But the icons will generally have the same meaning.

• The Facebook icon will take you to your home page.
• If you click the speech bubble you can view your messages or send a new one.
• The world symbol is where you can check your notifications.
• The search bar is where you can easily find a current friends page, search for a friend not yet added or search for pages of interest to like.
• The home button is self explanatory and will lead you to your home page.
• If you click on profile or more currently your name, it will lead you to your profile page.
• Later versions have a find friends button which gives you a list of suggestions of people you may know.
• The arrow icon drops down giving you the option of viewing your account settings, viewing privacy settings, logging out, or for those of you who are really struggling there is even a HELP option.

This is basically all for the home bar. Next we have the side

section on the left hand side. By clicking on your name this will direct you to your profile page.

In the favorites section you have:

• News feed which is basically the home page that shows you the current updates of what your friends and family have been up to. The most current is on the top, the further you read the more time that has passed since their update.
• Messages is where you can view your current messages and conversations with friends, or alternatively send a new one.
• Events holds events that you have been invited to. Facebook will send you event notifications when you have been invited to an event. Then you can accept or decline. Your accepted or unanswered events can be viewed here.
• Find Friends tab is where you can find friends through different avenues such as MSN, hotmail, bigpond and yahoo, just to name a few.

The left hand side bar also shows easy access tabs to your current applications, pages and divides your added friends into categories such as close friends and family. If you click on these lists you can view only your family on your news feed or visa versa.

Next we have the far right hand side bar.

• The top section shows the actions of your friends and family as they happen.
• Directly under this is a list of friends and family. The people with green dots beside them represent that they are available to chat. If you want to chat to this person just click on their name and it will open up a chat window at the bottom of your screen. Then you just type what you want to say and press enter to send it. Conversations you have can now be viewed in messages in the latest version of Facebook. Keeping in mind that some people may be using their phone to view Facebook and be unaware of your messages because they have not received notification. Do not automatically assume that they are avoiding you.

• The right hand side bar is not as important in the learning land of Facebook. However it does show you information such as birthdays on that day and sponsored adverts and recommended pages.

The final teaching in my blog today is probably the most important, which is your profile page. Underneath your profile picture you will find a list. Here is what each item means:

• The 2people side by side icon is where you can view your friend requests.
• The wall tab is most handy. This is where you can update your status to let your friends and family know what you have been up to, add photos and even document locations that you are in the point in time. The bar that says "what's on your mind" is where you type your status update. It is as simple as typing and then pressing post to share. The little person with the plus sign is where you can tag people in your updates and the cone is where you can select the place you are at the time of updating.

• In the info tab you can edit things such as work and education history, contact information, relationship status and interests.
• In the photos tab you can find all your photos you have added and photos that others have tagged you in.
• The notes tab allows you to see notes that you have added and the ability to add
• notes as well.
• By clicking on the friends tab you will get a list of the friends you currently have on facebook.

• 

To write on someone's wall, simply click on their name and type what you would like to say in the "write something" box underneath their name, information and picture row.

Now that you have the low down on the basics of Facebook mechanics why not create an account and get facebooking. Word of warning, this can become very addictive.

Please feel free to visit my Facebook page and like and share with your friends by following this link:

• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Confidence-Is-Key-Lingerie/259601310722949

Like and share options can be found at the bottom of the left hand side bar of this page. Happy Facebooking!