It’s been a busy few weeks! Since my last post about dating a younger man I’ve attended my best friend’s wedding, travelled to Kelowna, BC, spent a few days in Seattle and (thanks to travel & sleep deprivation) tried unsuccessfully to get over the cold I picked up along the way. But, enough about me!
Today I have something really cool to share with you. Earlier this summer, the lovely people at Burlesque Toy Shop sent me a copy of this gorgeous copy table book, Burlesque and the Art of the Teese by Dita Von Teese.
As many of you already know, I’m a huge bookworm. However, despite being a sex and relationship writer by trade, my collection of “sexy” books is relatively small. I have a few things I’ve had to pick up for work, a few how-to sex guides that have been sent to me via the blog and one unread copy of 50 Shades of Grey that has been collecting dust. I decided that it’s time to change that! One of the things that I love about Burlesque Toy Shop is that they have an entire section of their website called “Library” which is devoted to erotic fiction, sex-positive non-fiction & guides and gorgeous coffee table books like the one above – all of which is music this bibliophile’s ears.
A fan of old Hollywood glamour and all things retro & sexy, Burlesque is something that’s always intrigued me. Maybe it’s my background in theatre & performance or the fact that I love how burlesque performance celebrates a wide range of female body types, however when it came to choosing a book to add to my sexy library, Burlesque and the Art of the Teese seemed like a natural choice. Burlesque combines some of my favourite things: performance, lingerie, dressing up & sexual expression. It also doesn’t hurt that I have a girl crush on Dita Von Teese. We’re both petite women with very dark hair and light skin, and like me she has a background in ballet. So, you could say I identify with her look & her story.
Let’s take a look inside her book!
Simply put, Burlesque and the Art of the Teese by Dita Von Teese is a glamourous, sexy, colourful romp from beginning to the end.
Playing dress up has always been my favourite game. Like me, Dita grew up fascinated by black & white movies and old school Hollywood glamour – something that’s clearly evident in the photos contained in this book. Burlesque and the Art of the Teese is chock full of vivid, colourful, gorgeous photographs of Dita in her various incarnations. As Dita explains on the dust jacket, “I live out my most glamourous fantasies by bringing nostalgic imagery.” I can definitely relate to this statement because this is exactly how I feel when I put on a great piece of lingerie or decide to don a retro Playboy bunny costume. From glittery burlesque costumes adorned with sequins and feathers, and retro lingerie, to glamourous evening wear – this book basically reads like a wet dream of what I wish was in my boudoir wardrobe. A campy, sexy lion tamer costume? Gimme!
The beautiful photographs are interspersed with stories about Dita’s life & career with beauty and styling tips. I particularly like this piece of beauty advice: “There is no such thing as a plain woman. Every woman has a attractive points, so accentuate your best assets”
Annnnd, this book is actually a “2 for 1” type deal. Half way through, if you flip the book around, you get to experience the other half (“Fetish and the Art of the Tease“) which is devoted to Dita’s fetish inspired looks. Dita Von Teese made her start in the entertainment business as a fetish model, so it only seems natural that she’d include these photos as well. The photos in Fetish and the Art of the Tease are definitely a little bit more edgy and racy. Dita even gives some wardrobe tips…
With that said, I think some of my favourite photos in the book are actually the ones where she looks less posed and more demure. I love this photo of Dita because it’s looks like the photographer caught her at an unexpected moment.
Then of course there are some photos that are just straight up sexy. Like these ones. Let’s just say I wouldn’t kick Dita out of bed.
This book is a gorgeous piece of escapism that reminds us that dressing up is fun and that we should all explore our fantasies. Whether that’s wearing sexy lingerie that makes you feel good or mounting yourself atop of your partner while dressed in a circus costume (or something else entirely!) – is totally up to you. As Dita says, “I advocate glamour. Every day. Every minute” (Me too, Dita. Me too) Everyone has a different definition of what constitutes “glamour” – maybe that’s a pair of fishnet stocking or maybe it’s wearing something that feels luxurious – like a really, really soft scarf. Either way, I challenge you today to do something that makes you feel awesome & sexy 🙂
Thanks so much to Burlesque Toy Shop for facilitating this review! Burlesque Toy Shop is currently in the midst of a Indiegogo campaign to raise money for their first brick and mortar store. There definitely needs to be more sex-positive stores that are focused on making women feel sexy & fabulous, so I am very excited about their news. If you’re curious about the campaign and learning more about what Burlesque Toy Shop is about, check out this video!
