Meet Estar McMillan – The Woman Behind the Window

December marks the Walk the Windows contest in downtown Courtenay so it’s the perfect time to talk about E. M. Interior Design, the firm behind the window displays of Secret Drawers Lingerie.

Seen above: Chantelle bra with CASS body-shaper and a Diamond Tea robe.

Estar McMillan is the woman behind E. M. Interior Design and we always look forward to seeing her monthly vignettes. She shows a deft hand in creating seasonal displays featuring our products in sophisticated and fun ways. We sat down with McMillan to learn more about her design ideals.

“I make it (the window design) exude what we’re selling… my goal is to make it sensual, flirty, but not over the top or cheesy,” says McMillan, “I try hard to make it as classy as I can. It’s beautiful product; it’s a joy to be able to work with it. And every time my client is happy, I’m happy.”

McMillan started working with us about a year ago and immediately she was a natural fit.

“I really believe in their philosophy in dressing from the inside out, so I think about that all the time when I do the windows. It speaks loudly,” says McMillan.

Seen above: Prima Donna bra and panty, Chantelle bra and panty and Naked underwear for men.

The stunning window designs show our lingerie in its most desirous light. Her creative talent really shines; and maybe most creative of all is her ability to reuse, repurpose and even create some of the stunning elements seen in our windows. This season’s five-foot high snowflakes are her latest creation.

“I use my imagination a lot in a time when the economy is a bit tricky. It’s important not to throw everything out and start over. I believe design should be affordable for everyone not just people with money.”

And it seems that McMillan is as happy working with us as we are working with her,

“Pulling all the elements together, the plan of the space, and the materials for the end product: it’s a passion; it’s a joy. Lighting, colour, everything we use… (I love) helping people see the vision and see how pleased they are with the end product, it’s the compliments when they’re thrilled with the job.”

And while her designs are always topics of conversation for both us and our clients, we’ll give McMillan and her designs the last words,

“I like to let my work speak for itself.”

You can contact E. M. Interior Design at emid1027@shaw.ca.

[Remember, voting for your favorite window display enters you to win a $1000 downtown shopping spree other other great prizes. Come by and vote today.]

Walk the Windows Contest in Downtown Courtenay

In addition to Moonlight Magic and our offer of free shipping there is even more happening around us on fifth street.

Walk the Windows

Starting Christmas Magic Weekend you can vote for your favorite downtown window display.

Diamond Tea robe with Frankie and Johnny pjs underneath and BedHead pjs

Voting is easy, just stop by and fill in a ballot or use the ballot printed in the Comox Valley Record. And the best part is that by voting you are entered to win a $1000 shopping spree in downtown Courtenay or one of three amazing getaway packages provided by Crown Isle and Kingfisher Oceanside resorts. You've got two weeks to enter, so get to walking!

See Santa Downtown this Weekend

And if the chance to win a shopping spree, beautiful windows and great sales weren't enough to get you downtown, the Comox Valley Christmas parade is happening November 28th at 2:00 PM.

The Christmas parade route is Fifth Street from Harmston to Cliffe Avenue. After the parade, visit with Santa Claus at the Sid Williams Theatre, have some hot chocolate and see a live nativity.

This weekend is the official launch of the festive season, so we do hope to see you in town enjoying the hot chocolate and candy canes.

Free Shipping - Our Gift to Friends Far and Wide

Christmas shopping is already in full-swing in downtown Courtenay. People aren't even waiting for the moonlight magic events this weekend to make sure people are crossed off their list.

In this season of giving it occurs to us that we have friends across the country who might not be able to make it to Secret Drawers Lingerie in person. To make this Christmas a little less stressful for everyone, we're offering free shipping to everyone across Canada until December 11th.

Just contact us and let us know what you need for under the tree and we'll get it into the mail as soon as possible. We hope this will make everyone's holidays just a little bit brighter.

Join Us for Magic (and Sales) in the Moonlight

Every year downtown Courtenay celebrates the winter season with Moonlight Magic as part of Christmas Magic Weekend. We love this event because it gives families - and savvy shoppers - a chance to enjoy the heart of Courtenay as much as we do every day.

Moonlight Magic

When: November 27th - this Saturday
Hours: 9 am - 9 pm
What: Sales in downtown stores

Secret Drawers Lingerie Sales

We're pleased to offer one-day only sales:

• The Cat's Pajama's - 30% off
• Selected robes - 50% off
• Lejaby bras - 20% off
• Other selected bras - 20% off

And remember, we offer sizing extra-small to three-XL in lines like Kenan Silks, Hanky Panky and pajama lines so there is something for everyone on your list.

Moonlight Magic is More Than Sales

While shopping you can sip hot beverages and enjoy the family-friendly entertainment like mini-magic shows, carolers, dancers and Frosty handing out candy-canes. At 5:30 you can enjoy the annual lighting of the downtown Courtenay Christmas tree. 

Watch this space this week for more information on great downtown winter events.

Need something but can't make it into town? We're offering free shipping from now until December 11th. Happy Holidays.

Are you Jane? (by Marie Jo)

The last time Marie Jo Haute Lingerie came up we mentioned that each of their pieces requires 25 to 30 minutes of manual work, which is 25% to 50% more than the average in the lingerie industry. I hate to repeat myself, but Jane by Marie Jo proves these facts are true, yet again.

In Marie Jo's words:

Jane's body speaks of class thanks to the filmy embroidery, which gives her curves a gentle, sensual sheen.

And really, I couldn't say it better myself. This luxurious set comes in the burgundy seen in the image. We're carrying the smooth, molded cup which looks great under everything from a t-shirt to a silk blouse, and as always, it is available in a range of sizes.

Because the cup is smooth the embroidery frames every inch of the cup. This provides a scalloped edge against the skin producing striking lines. This is breathtaking lingerie that demands your attention. It's a look that cannot be missed.

Mary Green in Sweetheart Red

Vanity Fair Italy calls her "The Queen of Lingerie" and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calls her "a visionary of ethical and sustainable entrepreneurship." That is one weighty crown to wear, but Mary Green doesn't seem to mind, possibly because she's wearing it to accent one of her silk lingerie pieces.

Mary Green specializes in silk undergarments combining the beauty of the finest Chinese silk with creativity and design. That's probably why her underthings have found their way into the drawers of Renee Zellweger, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Lopez and Eva Longoria. Everyone, it seems, wants to be around royalty.

Our latest Mary Green in-store piece, the Stretch Silk Satin Doll Chemise with Lace, certainly lives up to her reputation (seen left, in pink). We are carrying this chemise in sweetheart red. This luxurious silk frock has scalloped, tone-on-tone lace and an alluring side-slit. The gathered cups and adjustable straps make for a great fit on a range of curves. The silk is bias-cut which allows for the most graceful, flowing fabric.

Mary Green combines her great design skills and her commitment to creating better lives for people living in the shadow of poverty and deprivation throughout the third world proving that even internationally, underwear matters.

Do you have toes? Then you need Cozies!

Slippers are wonderful things. They keep your feet toasty warm as you pad across the tiled kitchen floor to make coffee every morning.

Of course, they don't do much for your frigid ankles. And sometimes you trip over the tip because you haven't successfully made your coffee yet. Oh, and they don't look quite so cute anymore since you spilled yesterday's coffee on them and they can't go in the washing machine.

Luckily for your feet, there's Cozy Toes.

Cozy Toes are our answer to the need for toasty tootsies. Instead of a modified flip-flop, like so many slippers, these are decedent, thick socks with sticky rubber pads on the bottom so you don't slip even if you do wear them first thing in the morning on a polished hallway floor.

These are one-size-fits-all socks with a lamb's fleece inner lining and a seamless outer lining of acrylic and nylon. The fabric wicks moisture away from your skin, keeping your feet from overheating, while the thick padding prevents pressure points on sensitive feet.

And not to worry if you're not into footprints, we've got stars, hearts and stripes in all sorts of cheery colours. These would make the perfect stocking stuffer with a pair of pj's or a robe under the tree. Make sure you come in soon though, by Christmas there won't be any left.

CASS - A Shape Women Can Get Behind

At Secret Drawers Lingerie we aim to make you feel beautiful every day and in every look, be it a business suit, yoga pants or that slinky body-caressing silk dress you bought for the office Christmas party.

Enter CASS. We offer different lines of shapewear for unique looks and body types. Our CASS pieces are specifically designed for those who wish to smooth as well as shape their bottom half. The strategically placed panels and stitching lift as well as smooth the bottom. We also carry a model that slims down to the knee.

And as you can see in the image, these pieces not only look good under clothes but also on their own. These pieces aren't just underpinning, they are everyday wear.

For those looking to slim their torso or upper-half, check out the Unbelievabra or the Sveltesse line, both with superior control and shaping. A seamless shape simply no longer requires suffering.

If you're buying a body-shaper for a special outfit, make sure to bring that outfit with you and we can fit you in the perfect shaper for your look.

Some Brief Fun

At Secret Drawers Lingerie we provide sophisticated surroundings complimented by personal customer service. We create an air of respect and acceptance when you walk through our door.

But every now and then we're reminded that underwear, lingerie and nudity doesn't need to be taken quite so seriously.

Get Naked

This cheeky line of men's underwear is Canadian made with Italian fabrics and the company, Naked Boxer Brief Clothing, obviously relishes in the near nakedness of their male models.

In addition to provocative images, this company also boasts seamless designs and from the feedback we get, is one of the most comfortable undergarments available for men. In-store you can get Naked in a brief or a long-legged boxer.

And yes, as the company says, we are compelled to ask, "Are you going Naked™ tonight?"