LINGERIE INSPIRATION:
GORGEOUS GOLDEN LINGERIE & ACCESSORIES FOR A LUXE BOUDOIR LOOK

"I'm the kind of person who would have liked to have lived at the Plaza. I love crystal chandeliers and gold leaf, velvets and mirrors, Oriental rugs and marble."
- Candace Bushnell

Gorgeous Glamour Gold by aibp featuring a queen bed

Calypso St Barth cashmere cardigan
calypsostbarth.com

Oscar de la Renta jacket
$1,325 - net-a-porter.com

Rosamosario bath robe
$515 - net-a-porter.com

I.D. Sarrieri Rhapsody metallic lace bodysuit, Gold, Women's, Size: XS
$340 - net-a-porter.com

Wolford tight
pret-a-beaute.com

Agent Provocateur body suit
$485 - agentprovocateur.com

Dolce&Gabbana white boots
$940 - farfetch.com

Sophia Webster heeled sandals
matchesfashion.com

Sophia Webster strappy sandals
$555 - net-a-porter.com

H M diamond jewelry
hm.com

Pearl jewelry
shopakira.com

Chanel long necklace
1stdibs.com

Chanel belt
1stdibs.com

Chanel perfume
neimanmarcus.com

Dolce Gabbana nail polish
$28 - harrods.com

Queen bed
ikandi-interiors.co.uk

Though my design sensibility has always been somewhat tailored and tame, all that changed during my first trip to Venice, Italy in 2003. I fell in love with the romance of it all -- this ancient, complex water world, gorgeously wrapped up like an ornate dream. Luxe gold carvings, beautiful metallic details and delicate lace surrounded me, along with thick, velvety fabrics. I found that the Venetians had such an amazing ability to combine the ancient, the rustic and the lush into one gorgeous element.

I found myself beginning to incorporate more gold into my home and my wardrobe after that trip! I also loved seeing the jewelry and fashion trending toward gold looks in the past few years.

When women ask me what to wear for a boudoir session, I like to refer them to some more of the differentiated, unique lingerie wardrobe ideas.

When I say "Go for something gold!", I sometimes get the sideways look. But imagine yourself at my Red Bank boudoir studio, this elegant ivory setting, with a gorgeous glittering pop of gold against the backdrop of the many soulful antiques! SIGH...Simply stunning.

Gold makes me think of Venice.

It makes me think of old-world romance and ancient Roman goddesses.

I'm reminded of the golden age of The Great Gatsby.

These are things that make my heart swoon! And if you can't envision it, let some of these gorgeous lingerie, shoe and accessory gems guide your light the golden path.

Guess what? I also carry gilded album covers and golden craved fine art frames so you can enjoy a fully coordinated boudoir album or boudoir gallery wall.

Go for the gold, baby!

xoxo,

Cate

““For the night is dark and full of terrors.””

— -Melisandre, (aka The Red Woman), Game of Thrones

As a photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to shoot some exciting people and places…

But never in my wildest imagination did I think I’d find myself having the most amazing boudoir photo experience in Scotland.

That’s right, Scotland.

Scotland, Connecticut is the not-so-far away home of the magical Beth Claire, who is both a professional boudoir photographer and world-traveling boudoir model. Beth and I became friends through Facebook, and ultimate as chosen “boudoir family” through AIBP (Association of International Boudoir Photographers). For years, we had dreamed of scheduling a session together, but no ordinary session would do.

We had talked about shooting her in a fur (and not much else) in the middle of Times Square. Then, I dreamed up a special stylized shoot in a with her dogs. (That is SO still happening!)

...Then, we got on the topic of her horse farm.

“Wait” I said, …”Did you just say HORSE FARM?” I felt like I won the lottery. It was the session of my dreams.

We threw together some plans. We discussed casting… which horses would fit visually and would be most cooperative. It was decided that Phantom…her stunning new black beauty gelding would be up for the task, and as Beth said...“The least ‘a$$hole’ of the whole stable.” We both laughed so hard.

I made the four hour journey (which with summer beach traffic, soon became six) but still could barely contain my excitement. When I arrived, Beth was as stunning in person as her many modeling photos convey. We had an immediate connection of laughter.

We hopped into the pickup, with Phantom in tow, and headed to her grandfather’s vast acreage of apple orchards.

By this time, the sun was going down and light was fleeting. Beth prepped Phantom swiftly and without hesitation Beth stripped down to ride bareback. Now, I stress the word BARE.

It’s not every day you see a half naked woman mount atop horse so fearlessly, without a saddle.

Horse-boudoir-outdoor-model-redhead-Red Bank-NJ

Phantom ultimately decided he did not like Beth’s chain accessory and got a little spooked. Mounting him was harder than expected. So, in a very Beth fashion, she took him for a little guided walk, topless of course, through the fields.

I stood in awe, intermittent with hysterical laughter and amazement at this woman. “Hey Phantom, how do you like them apples?”

We finally cooled Phantom’s temper for a while and Beth was able to pose with him. I have shot with horses before, but horses...like people...have different "careers". Therapy horses are excellent models. Show horses wait for commands and race horses will give you a run for your money, depending on the day.

Especially useful to this situation was the Sigma Art lens 50mm 1.4, which fellow AIBP member Charles Eames of Apeture Priority Rentals loaned us for the purposes of this session. It was a fast, sharp and deliciously creamy lens that lent itself nicely to show the intimacy between Beth and her beloved horse.

Though I had some specific shots in mind, I quickly needed to relinquish those. Our horse Phantom wasn't having it.

And, while Beth’s posing looks dreamily carefree, we had been losing light and had only about 45 minutes to do all the looks we desired.

As the sun went down, Beth demanded Phantom let her get her way. He eventually obliged and we were left with beautiful dusky twilight imagery. But it would not be without consequence.

As we were packing up, Phantom decided he wanted to “sow his oats” a bit, and charged off as we attempting to bridle him.

For over 2 hours, Beth and I (with the help of Beth’s aunt) were chasing a complete unchained horse in a field. He dodged us like a playful dog. Carrots, lullabyes, even tough love did not do the trick.

And, as the last piece of dusk shined on us, Phantom charged off full speed. Beth, now in sneakers, ran in pursuit 3 miles up the road. Me, the city girl in her designer sandals was rendered useless. I stood in the darkness of an empty field, listening to either frogs, foxes or the possible mountain lion of my imagination.

After 90 minutes in the pitch dark, I huddled in an empty pickup truck, wondering if Beth was alive. If it wasn’t comical before, this is when it got really comical.

I was wearing a 19th century velvet cape to stay warm and eating mints from my purse. I texted a few friends to see what I should do. I sent pics of my view to my friend eErin, which consisted only of the moon.

Finally Beth returned, Phantomless. Now midnight, we looked a bit more but she insisted I return home.

An all-night search party, which included a Beth, her Mom, her aunt, a 4 wheeler quad farmer ended in heroics that only a boudoir photographer could dream possibly dream up… the super hot cowboy.

“Was he hot? Sweaty? Shirtless?” I asked. “Yes,” Beth said, “And his name is Nacho.”

Thank you Beth, Phantom and Nacho for the greatest photo adventure of my life, and these beautiful resulting images.

LINGERIE INSPIRATION: GORGEOUS GOLDEN LINGERIE & ACCESSORIES FOR A LUXE BOUDOIR LOOK