Fashion Friday

 by Danea

Fashion Friday Inspired by Absinthe | San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyLast week I took my first trip to Las Vegas, and though I missed out on last week’s Fashion Friday post, I couldn’t wait to get back for this one.

Since my partying days (which were relatively tame to begin with) are behind me, I’m not crazy about heat (it was 109 F!!) and I’m not much of a gambler, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Las Vegas. Everyone says you have to go at least once, so I jumped at the chance to go for a short girl’s getaway.

Having lived in both downtown Boston and Manhattan, sometimes I miss the hustle and bustle of city life, and Las Vegas was just what I needed to make me appreciate California again, but still have a fabulous time.

It’s funny how things like long lines for everything (an hour to check in at hotel!!) and drinks at Starbucks costing at least $1.50 more each, are quickly erased from one’s memory. Aside from all of that, Las Vegas is a fabulous city.

Everyone raves about the Vegas shows, and those truly were the best part. We had only booked tickets for Michael Jackson ONE, and it was so amazing, we decided we should try to hit up another show the next night.

After asking several taxi drivers and waitresses, we settled on Absinthe, and I’m so glad we did! Everyone we talked to said Absinthe is impossible to describe, but totally worth seeing, and I’d have to say they’re right. The website calls it an “acro-cabaret variety show” and I’d describe at as an “adult circus/comedy/burlesque show.” (Here’s the trailer if you’re curious.)

It’s taking me quite some time to get to the point of this, but what I’m getting at is that the costumes were fabulous and immediately made me think of how awesome they’d be for a boudoir session.

While I’m personally not crazy about nipple tassels (which there were a lot of), I really loved many of the other pieces. Some of my favorites were the thongs with intricate rear details, and the super-sexy corsets.

You really need to see the show for yourself, but I scoured the internet for some burlesque-esque outfits that I think would be awesome to rock for a photo session. Starting with the least expensive, here are some of my favorites:

Frederick’s of Hollywood – Caged Lace Open Panel Panty

Curvy Girl Lingerie – Breathtaking Satin and Rhinestone Corset

Dita Von Teese – Countess

Agent Provocateur – Sandra Suspender

Feeling inspired by these extra sexy pieces? Give us a call or shoot us an email to set up a session today!

Nicole

 

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Keep updated on all that is happening with Boudoir Coterie by joining our VIP Mailing list. You’ll also be the first to hear about upcoming events and specials, be privileged to VIP only offers, makeup and fashion tips and much more! P.S. We do not share or sell your info and you can unsubscribe at any time!

 

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 by Devon Kenny

Fashion Friday Vegas Style | San Jose Boudoir Photoraphy

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyAs some of you may know, I recently moved from Northern California to Southern California, and if this summer wasn’t busy enough already, I’m heading to Las Vegas next week for a girl’s trip.

While it might not exactly be the best timing, I’m super excited because I’ll be able to catch up with some of my Northern CA girlfriends, AND, believe it or not, it’s my first time in Vegas!

While I obviously cannot claim to be an expert on this one, I thought it’d be fun to share a few of the things I’m packing since Vegas seems like an awesome excuse to play dress up.

After professing my love for Rent the Runway a few months back I received a few gift cards, so this seemed like a perfect time to cash in on those. I’ll also be packing some of my new summer staples. Check it out!

vegas style

(Top-Bottom/Left-Right)

1. Slate & Willow Erica Dress, Rent the Runway – This dress is fairly simple, but I don’t own any red dresses, so that makes it special for me. I ordered it a few days early too so I can wear it for date night with my husband this weekend.

2. Badgely Mischka Fifth Ave. Showstopper Dress, Rent the Runway – It may be horribly cliche, but I just couldn’t go to Vegas for the first time without a sparkly dress. I really love the rose gold color of this one, which I think makes it a bit more unique and summery.

3. Nicole Miller Southern Plantation Earrings, Rent the Runway – Aside from the jewelry I wear every day, I haven’t unpacked a whole lot, which I decided was good excuse to rent a few pieces.

4. Factory Denim Roll Up Short, J.Crew Factory – The temperatures in Las Vegas are 100+ this time of year, so I’ll be slipping these on and heading to the pool.

5. Factory Bouquet Necklace, J.Crew Factory – I picked this up on sale while ordering a second pair of the Factory Denim Roll Up Shorts. See #3.

6. Jules Smith Viva Glam Necklace, Rent the Runway – See #3.

7. Vanessa Virginia Capuchina Dress, Anthropologie – This dress has become another summer staple for me since it’s super comfortable and can easily be dressed up or down.

8. Havianas Slim Legend – I’m not sure what party shoes I’ll be bringing yet, but you better believe I’ll be giving my feet a break at pool time (and every chance I get). I don’t have this exact pair of Havianas, but have similar ones I picked up at TJ Maxx a few summers ago. These are super cute and I love the bit of bling, but would definitely not pay $40 for rubber flip flops.

For the Vegas Veterans out there, what are your Vegas must-haves? Sunscreen and a bathing suit are also pretty high up on my list since I anticipate more time relaxing at the pool than hitting the casinos.

 

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 by Devon Kenny

Fashion Friday Ohhh Lulu | San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyHappy Friday! I hope everyone (who celebrates) had a fabulous 4th of July!

I was tempted to do a 4th of July post last week, but red, white and blue lingerie seemed lame. I Googled “fireworks” and “lingerie” together, but the only thing that came up was Katy Perry performing her song “Firework” at a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Not exactly what I was going for. (Don’t ask what I thought I was going to find. I had no idea).

Anyway, I’ve been busy with moving for the last few weeks, and then once I got settled, I got sick. Needless to say, I needed a little help with inspiration for this week’s Fashion Friday, so I took to Pinterest for ideas and it did not disappoint. I was just a few scrolls in when I found a really neat handmade lingerie shop on Etsy called Ohhh Lulu.

I have to say, I’m really impressed by anything handmade. The best thing I know how to make is a good salad, so I have a lot of respect for people who make things that are good enough to sell and have people actually buy.

Besides lots of really cute lingerie, which I’ll get to shortly, there are a ton of neat things about Ohhh Lulu. The company started as a hobby for Sarah Elaine when she graduated from fashion school, and it’s since turned into a full time business. In addition to selling her cute lingerie items, she also sells a few sewing patterns in a separate Etsy shop – Ohhh Lulu Sews! Aside from her Etsy store, she has an awesome website and fun a blog where she shares stories about her life, inspiration, etc. What I also think makes Ohh Lulu neat is how she photographs her lingerie. I’ve seen some pretty nice lingerie photographed on creepy mannequins on Etsy, so I really appreciate Ohh Lulu’s unique approach.

Alright, now I’ll quit rambling and get to the fun stuff. It was hard to pick just a few pieces to feature from Ohhh Lulu, but here are a few of my favorites from her shop:

I told ya her stuff is cute! I now officially want all of it. I also really want to go on a picnic and eat cupcakes while wearing cute lingerie.

Anyway, I love the props Sarah uses in her photos and I think they lend themselves to awesome boudoir session inspiration too. I could totally see a boudoir session in that adorable strawberry bra and panty set with cupcake props (I think this could be interpreted in more way than one…). How yummy!

Does Ohhh Lulu’s lingerie leave you feeling inspired for a boudoir session? Give us a call or shoot us an email today!

Nicole

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 by Danea

Fashion Friday- Maddox Kai Salon Spotlight | Los Gatos Boudoir Photography

I know this is not the typical fashion Friday. Nicole is in the middle of a move to southern California and I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you all about Elizabeth and her gorgeous Los Gatos Salon– Maddox Kai. Besides, hair IS fashion and every time I see her she’s sporting a fun new style.

Maddox Kai Salon Los Gatos

Last year, I not only had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth on a few shoots(she did hair and makeup) but I also had the pleasure of photographing her! Elizabeth is the owner of the Maddox Kai Salon in downtown Los Gatos. They offer not only fabulous cuts, but color, up dos and Brazilian Blowouts! So definitely check them out and be sure to LIKE them on Facebook too!

Now on with some great shots of Miss E looking smokin’ hot! She’s sweet, fun and she had a very playful and flirty side during her mini shoot! I LOVE the glasses and blazer mixed with lace top stockings and feminine bustier! 🙂

And then of course, we went a little softer…

… and then softer still with some beautiful sheet shots. I love the cream flower and the pop of her red lips, so vintage Hollywood. 🙂

Thank you so much Elizabeth! You were a blast to work with and so beautiful inside and out! So again, go check out the Maddox Kai Salon on Santa Cruz Ave in Downtown Los Gatos!

Sexy Portraits San Jose Bay AreaSexy Photos San Jose Boudoir Photographer

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 by Devon Kenny

Fashion Friday Summer Brights from Agent Provocateur | San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photography I’ve been meaning to feature Agent Provocateur for a while now, so I decided to do a little browsing over there today. I was totally planning to feature some classic pieces in black and other neutrals, but I was really struck by their bright summer collections!

While I usually prefer lingerie that’s a little more timeless and classic, I think it’s good to have a little more fun once in a while — and summer is a great time to do that.

There’s no denying it — Agent Provacateur is expensive, but they’re known for their unique and beautiful styles and are totally worth it if you’ve got the spare cash.

Also, while it’s totally not necessary to spend a lot of money on outfits for a boudoir photo shoot, if you want to spend a little more on some really special pieces, a boudoir photo shoot is the best time to do so.

If you think about it, you probably wear most special lingerie for a few minutes, and then it gets tucked away in a drawer and often forgotten. If you wear something for a boudoir session, you’ll have photos to cherish forever, whether you wear the item again or not.

Now it’s time for a few my favorites from Agent Provocateur’s summer collection.

I’m not sure I could pull off bright lime green with my pasty skin, but for those of you who can, how fun is the Brittnie collection?

Lime green definitely isn’t for everyone, but Agent Provocateur’s summer collection has a bunch of different brights, so there’s something for all skin tones. Check out this gorgeous grape number from the Janet line.

If you don’t want to commit to a fully bright ensemble, the Petunia collection is mostly black with a few bright details.

Last but not least, one of my favorite summer colors – turquoise! This color reminds me of blue skies and tropical beaches, and is flattering on so many skin tones. The beautiful Lavelle collection has some fun peek-a-boo details and bright pink accents.

 

Ready to rock your favorite summer bright for a boudoir photo session?

Sexy Portraits San Jose Bay Area

Nicole

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Keep updated on all that is happening with Boudoir Coterie by joining our VIP Mailing list. You’ll also be the first to hear about upcoming events and specials, be privileged to VIP only offers, makeup and fashion tips and much more! P.S. We do not share or sell your info and you can unsubscribe at any time!





in Beauty/Glamour / Boudoir Must Haves / Boudoir Sessions / Fashion Friday / Main / Sheer & Sexy / What To Wear 0 comments
 by Danea

Fashion Friday Rash Guards | San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photography Now for a little Fashion Friday PSA…

My husband and I are heading to Cancun on Monday to celebrate our anniversary, so it seemed like a perfect time to talk about this trend I’m seeing a lot of this spring – rash guards and swim shirts.

Rash guards are nothing new, but I’ve always associated them more with surfers and other water sport aficionados, than the general beach-going masses. Now, what was once known more as a sporting good item, rash guards are becoming a fashionable piece of swimwear.

When I first started seeing rash guards popping up in mainstream swimwear lines, I wasn’t really on board with the trend. Why would I want to wear a long-sleeved shirt at the beach? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of wearing a bathing suit?

Well, there was one thing I was overlooking – the sun protection factor. While I’ve always slathered on sunscreen before hitting the beach, I never really took sun protection much farther than that. After having a funky (though benign) mole removed from my back a few months ago, I started thinking more about what I could do to protect myself from the sun, and rash guards suddenly made a lot more sense.

There have been many times I’ve wanted to swim a few laps in the pool, but had no one around to make sure I didn’t miss any spots on my back with sunscreen. Enter rash guard – problem solved!

I’ll be wearing sunscreen and spending my time under an umbrella on the beach this year, but what about when I’m in the water? Having a rash guard provides a perfect extra layer of protection.

Granted rash guards aren’t exactly as cute as a fun bikini top, there are so many fun options out there and they’re available at all price points. Here are a few of my favorites:

rash guards

1. Nanette Lepore Etienne Rashguard – Anthropologie

2. Mini Botanical Print Rash Guard – J.Crew

3. High Swells Rashguard – Anthropologie

4. Paisley Adjustable Swim Tunic Rash Guard – Land’s End

I purchased the blue paisley one from Land’s End, along with a matching navy blue bikini. I liked this one because it would keep my back covered, since my main concern is areas I can’t reach. (I’m still not quite sold on long sleeves on the beach.) I also thought the v-neck and side ties made it a bit more feminine.

After seeing so many of these rash guards in catalogues, I’m curious to see how many are actually on the beach, and whether this trend will stick around longer than this summer. Anyone else on board with the rash guard trend? Let us know in the comments.

Nicole

 

 

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 by Danea

Fashion Friday Show-Stopping Shoes | San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyFor last week’s Fashion Friday we talked about fabulous backsides. Today I wanted to feature another fun detail that’s often overlooked – shoes!

Shoes might not be the first thing to come to mind when you’re planning boudoir outfits, but they can really add another dimension to your photos.

Got a pair of killer heels that leave you with aching feet and blisters? Perfect! Since you’ll only be on your feet for a short amount of time, and you won’t have to walk 16 blocks, a boudoir session is the perfect time to wear those totally impractical stilettos you promised yourself you’d find a reason to wear one day. Even if you only wear the shoes once, you’ll have photos to cherish forever.

For my session I wore a pair of black five-inch heels that had been hiding in the back of my closet since the day I purchased them at TJMaxx (a great place to look for shoes if you need them). They turned out to be difficult to walk in and a bit too big, but my judgement was clouded by the $19.99 price tag. They might not be great for everyday, but they were perfect for my session.

Need inspiration? Here are a few of my favorites from around the web:

show-stopping shoes
If you’re thinking about what shoes to wear for a boudoir session, it’s important to plan around the rest of your outfit. Do you want
your shoes to be the star of the show like these?

 Sexy pictures calssy boudoir

Sexy lingerie photos San Jose bay Area

Or do you just need something simple and sexy to complement a hot outfit like this one?

San Francisco Boudoir

 

Don’t forget, if you need help, Boudoir Coterie offers free wardrobe consultations with all regular sessions.

Thinking about getting your feet wet (no pun intended:-) and scheduling a boudoir session? Give us a call or shoot us an email today!

bcoterie@sbcglobal.net or 408.460.1855

 

Nicole

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Keep updated on all that is happening with Boudoir Coterie by joining our VIP Mailing list. You’ll also be the first to hear about upcoming events and specials, be privileged to VIP only offers, makeup and fashion tips and much more! P.S. We do not share or sell your info and you can unsubscribe at any time!





 

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