Thematic Thursday | Perfectly Pear

So not only am I on a fruit kick right now, I'm also, yet again, inspired by another inspiration board from Pinterest this week. :) It's all about the deep greens and caramel colors today!

I have a soft spot for pears. Somehow I always got the cheese and pear questions in French class in middle and high school. I love the texture of a pear on a summer day. The Jelly Belly pear bean is one of my favorites... and the big one, yep, I'm shaped like that wonderful fruit! It took me awhile, but I embraced it. I rather like my hips! :)

The colors just lend itself to a beautiful cozy glamour. Bundle up in a pear-colored throw blanket while revealing the subtleties that make a woman elegant.

You never know where your inspiration hits. Keep an eye out in the grocery store next time! ;)




WHERE TO BUY:
Short t shirt, €45
Butter suede shoes, $268
Coach jewelry, $138
Janna Conner Designs pear diamond ring, $70
Bexley Pear Throw, $70

- Chelsea :)

Breakfast in Bed | Orchestrated Stylized Boudoir Shoot

If you've been around awhile, most of you know I'm also behind Bit of Ivory Photography and Orchestrated Stylized Shoots. Just two other creative passions of mine!

On January 14th, our 5th Orchestrated event came to be! We had three separate stylized Vignettes for photographers to choose from... engagement, bridal, and boudoir. Vignettes wasn't like our regular stylized events; it had more of an emphasis on working with everyday ladies and gentleman (in our e-session vignette), having fun with other photogs, and challenging ourselves to think outside the box.

And since this one is boudoir-related, I just had to share with my Persuasion ladies!

Our Boudoir Vignette took on the theme of "Breakfast in Bed." My partner-in-crime Meghan and I wanted something cozy, chic, and lovely. Church Point Manor was the perfect scene! Nothing but elegance and comfort here, and our lovely model, Katie, helped make this Vignette truly sparkle!


























OUR BELOVED VENDORS:
Venue | Church Point Manor | www.churchpointmanor.com

Concept Design | Meghan Gwaltney | www.orchestratedshoots.com

Photography & Co-Design | Chelsea LaVere | www.bitofivoryphotography.com

Hair and Makeup | Elizabeth Ansel Alfier | www.behindtheveilstudio.com

Jewelry | Premier Designs | www.facebook.com/PremierDesignsJewelryWithRebekahSnider


- Chelsea :)

P.S. If you'd like to have a stylized personal session for yourself, that add-on option is definitely available to you! :)

Thematic Thursday | Pretty in Plum

This week was totally inspired by one of my inspiration board finds on Pinterest. I just was obsessed with the plum and blush color scheme when I first came across it! The soft, feminine contrast is a sure win for any season and any session.

So I decided to design this wardrobe idea with a two-in-one direction. Blush statement with bold plum accents! Pretty overall and pretty underneath as well! ;) I also love, love, love the idea of a winter cape as an accessory. There are so many beautiful poses and shot ideas that come to mind!




WHERE TO BUY:
Pleated dress, $80
Milly belted cape coat, $316
La Perla underwire bra, $205
La Perla g string panty, $115
Mary jane wedge, $45
Van Peterson 925 stone jewelry, £36
Fish hook earrings, £25
Hair accessory, $8.50

- Chelsea :)

Mlle. V | Williamsburg Boudoir Photography

This lady came into my life almost two years ago. She's been more than just a client, but a wonderful friend of mine. She has such a beautiful heart for her family and friends, and so people like that just naturally draw others to them. We initially bonded over a portrait session and our mutual marriage situations (i.e., we don't have kids and are quite happy with our husband-best friends)... and after that, well, it's just history! :)

Mlle. V has a tranquil beauty that shines through. It's hard to explain, but her personality is just one of those that could calm a storm. But watch out, quiet people are also the ones who have a fierceness in them. ;) Mlle. V. loves interior design and has a great eye for detail... she's very much a perfectionist like me! haha

Thank you, Mlle. V, for your friendship and for trusting me with all of your photographic memories. Love ya!

















Her session just screamed black & white to me... so I had to share my B&W favorites!

- Chelsea :)

Thematic Thursday | Classic Cupid

Who says you have to be all pink and cutesy for Valentine's? There is nothing more confident-inducing than a hot red dress with some black heels and diamonds. Heck, I'd feel like a queen. ;)

Wear it to your boudoir session and then wear it out to your date night! You know I'm all about being practical and being able to use something more than once. AND you'd already have your hair and makeup done. BAM! :)

Can't go wrong with this classic number!




WHERE TO BUY:
Call it SPRING party heels, $43
Debut black clutch handbag, £22
Bony Levy flower pendant necklace, $1,695
Bony Levy diamond jewelry, $1,495

- Chelsea :)

Mlle. R | Williamsburg Boudoir Photography

It's always a great session when a client is open to last-minute ideas... Mlle. R was one of those types. When Jasmine made a suggestion about pulling her hair to the side instead of having it all down, she was all about it! Her sweet personality just rounded out her classic features, and the changed hairstyle was an added bonus.

And P.S. the 1940's era just kept flashing before my eyes when I first met her! Her hubby is a military guy, so I could totally envision her in one of those 1940's military wives advertisements. Can't you!?


















- Chelsea :)

It's Contest Time! 2012: The Year of Being Bold!

I unveiled my heart to you all a few weeks ago about my wanting to be more bold in 2012. I wasn't kiddin' that I'd be encouraging all future Persuasion ladies to do the same! ;)

From now until February 14th, I am challenging all women to be more bold. Show us YOU when you are most confident (when you go on a date, when you're in your PJs, when you've just had a workout, whatever it is!), tell us what makes you feel beautiful, and have a chance at winning a $50 gift certificate to use towards your very own Persuasion session!





Now here's the deal...
* You must post a non-professional photo of yourself on the Persuasion Boudoir Facebook page. It must be of ONLY you. No children, husbands, pets, etc. Just you, my friend!
* The photo must be of you, of course. ;)
* You don't have to have makeup on, but you must not have your face cropped out! Be bold!
* You also need to tell us WHAT makes you feel most beautiful! It can be an outfit, product, person, et cetera. Just be candid!

And here's the bonus...
* Have your friends cheer you on by liking your photo. It's not about the likes; it's about the support! But you will receive one extra name in the jar! (i.e., if you have 50 people like your photo, sorry, it still only means your name is in the jar one extra time, so your name can be in the jar twice total. ;) )

And here's the scoop...
* TWO winners will be chosen via names on paper and a past Persuasion lady pulling two names out of a jar. Each person's name is written on a piece of paper as they post on the Facebook page (or if they have their friends like it).
* The two winners will be announced on February 14th on Facebook in the afternoon.
* Gift certificates must be used in 2012-- as this year is the year of being bold! ;)
* The gift certificate is non-transferable; you must be the one to use it! If you have a friend who would love an opportunity like this, encourage her to submit her own photo! :)

Best wishes! And go be bold!
- Chelsea :)