Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Bamboo sheeting and menopause!

Sexy and cool “green” Luxury

In the world’s new awareness of ‘green’ and being ‘green’ is now a trendy idea amongst the Prada clad stylish and not reserved for ‘hippies’ are propelling a new market.

Bamboo as we are familiar with is the harsh grass used to build huts, baskets, and floors for the super stylish and now it is used for fabric!

In my search for new towels and sheets I discovered the most luxurious ‘hand’ (the industry term for fabric and how it feels- well on your hand) of bamboo. Standing in front of the display shouting to my shopping partner “You have to come and feel this.”

I’ve had a ‘thing’ my entire life for ‘scratchy things’. I simply do not like things that look or feel scratchy. This bamboo towelling had a decidedly not scratchy feel to it- it had an OMG feel to it!

“If you like the towels feel the bathrobes” came a voice from over my shoulder while a thick mass of white terry towel was trust in my hand. Wow- this bathrobe was similar to the wonderful white terry ones we find in fine hotels with their gold threaded logo monogrammed on the front- but this robe was on steroids! Yummy!

“Feel this” a large fine sheet was being pulled out for my fingers to rub over- and yet again the luxury was amazing. The sheet was fine- light silky but not satiny and simply amazing.

“Okay- enough! I have to try these”

Walking away shaking my head- my shopping list got a touch carried away. White bamboo towels, white and ivory coloured bamboo sheets, a silk summer duvet and then pillows made from Kopak. Kopak being a tree from Africa and the ‘fluff’ harvested to create pillows that are allergy free, easy to clean, eco-friendly and also adjustable. Just can open the zipper on one end and pull out enough ‘stuffing’ until you get the correct firmness for yourself, neat idea.

“This feels like 800 thread Egyptian cotton’ exclaimed one of my better heeled friends. Me- I have never slept on 800 thread Egyptian cotton to know. The closest I have ever come to Egyptian cotton was when I copped a feel of some sheets at Harrods department store in London a few years ago. They were light, soft and I did not dare even to look at the price- but they did not cause me to gasp with anticipation like the simple bamboo ones that had been presented to me!

Frette and Pratesi bed linens are two of the favs amongst the fashionable and famous types. However they carry price tags of around $1450.00 a set and are a tad out of my reach. Then following those two luxury brand names comes SFERRA – these I have never had the privilege of touching- and at $15,000.00 a set- I doubt I ever will. Bamboo and me will have to take a chance at this- these I can afford!

Here goes, freshly washed feeling like wisps of nothing, I had no other chance but to think of the Emperors new clothes—there was nothing here! Laying the new silk duvet over the fresh bed wondering how is this flat pancake bit of muslin covered silk going to feel. I like the fluff and down of feathers. This silk summer duvet is flat- not luxurious looking at all. No fluff- and I guess as anyone that knows me will admit I like ‘fluff’. I ‘adjusted my new pillows to the softer end of the firmness scale and crawled in.

OMG- I had now had my sheets, duvet and pillows for a few weeks and every night I enjoy the feel of the smooth elegant fabric sailing over my skin. This is a feel everyone should enjoy it is like being under a whisper of a cloud! Honestly, the bamboo is the most truly amazing feel I have ever encountered, the silk duvet so light with just the perfect amount of density to feel like nothing is on you while still so cozy you do not ever want to get out of bed.

Bamboo towels? Yum--- the fabric glides over your wet skin and lightly absorbs the moisture like a magnet sucking up the moisture- eliminating the exfoliation action needed with cotton towels. The entire collection washes up like a dream.
Only one little glitch – if you like your sheets and pillow cases wrinkle free or close to remember to grab them from the dryer right away as the fabric wrinkles like fine linen. A touch of the iron on the cases and top of the sheets may help to create a true top-notch visual effect.

In addition to the wonderful feel—being a 40 something woman—the sheets feel cool—which makes the sleep for some of us that are having some ‘night sweats’ much more luxurious! In addition the sheets are so soft that you easily ditch your jammies and sleep ‘au natural’. The ‘au natural’ sleep is great for us ‘older’ women- young couples- newlyweds- well you get the idea!