Sunday, June 26, 2011

Shoes, Shoes & More Shoes...
Alexander McQueen - Snake Biker Jacket Bootie

Casadei - Satin Metal Pump

Christian Louboutin - Circus Cutout Bootie

Christian Louboutin - Exclusive Salsbourg Suede Sandal

Christian Louboutin - Maralena Flame Sandal

Christian Louboutin - Snakeskin Latticework Bootie

Dolce & Gabbana - Leopard-Lined Suede Peep-Toe Pump

Fendi - Calf-Hair & Leather T-Strap Sandal

Giuseppe Zanotti - Mink-Cuff Suede Bootie

Jimmy Choo - Crystal-Set Suede Sandal

Lanvin - Pearlized Oxford Bootie

Manolo Blahnik - Lace-Up Ankle Bootie

Marc Fisher - Cutts Sandals

MaxStudio - Ryder Sandals

Mia Shoes - Quincy Wedges

Nicholas Kirkwood - Crackled Metallic Lace-Up Sandal

O Jour - Open-Toe Scalloped Bootie

Prada - Degrade Bow Pump

Sergio Rossi - Tiger Calf-Hair Platform Sandal

Stuart Weitzman - Glittered Peep-Toe Slingback

Unlisted Shoes - File Complete Evening Pumps

Valentino - Bow-Back Over-the-Knee

Valentino - Couture Lace Bow Pump

Valentino - Rockstud Knee Boot

Yves Saint Laurent - Tribute Suede Sandal

So many shoes...so little time!!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Japanese bondage

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Shibari (縛り, literally meaning "bondage") is a Japanese style of sexual bondage or BDSM. Shibari involves tying up the bottom (or uke) in intricate patterns, usually with several pieces of thin rope. Shibari differs from Western bondage in that, instead of just immobilizing or restraining the bottom, the bottom gains pleasure from being under the pressure and strain of the ropes, squeezing the breasts or genitals. The aesthetics of the bound person's position are also important: in particular, Japanese bondage is notorious for its use of asymmetric positions to heighten the psychological impact of bondage.

Although some of the techniques of Japanese sexual bondage originated with the military restraint technique of Hojojutsu, sexual bondage techniques are far gentler, and great care is taken to avoid injury.

Many rope artists have derived their own flavor of Japanese-inspired bondage which often mixes some Shibari techniques with other forms of bondage.



Shibari is greatly influenced by the Sengoku period of Japan. It is known for its cruel methods of torture which include the use of fire, knives, tattoos, rocks, boiling water, divining blocks and rocking horses[citation needed], etc. The Sengoku period is one of the darkest periods in terms of torture and execution.


Eventually (in 1742) the Tokugawa government created a foundation of crime laws, which included the seven different types of punishment (Labour, slavery, exile, death, etc)and the four kinds of torture (whip, pressing stone, constriction by rope, and hanging by rope). It has to be noted that all four official methods of torture from this period are still considered the mainstream torture patterns in the S&M art today[citation needed].


Book cover for " Shibari, the Art of Japanese Bondage" by Master "K"

Traditional Shibari is based on fairly specific rope patterns, most of them derived from Hojojutsu ties. Of particular importance are the Takate Kote (a type of arm box tie), which forms the basis of most Shibari ties, and the Ebi, or "Shrimp", which was originally designed as a torture tie but today makes the bottom vulnerable for more pleasant forms of play.
Generally, traditional Shibari is practiced with ropes of 7 meters (23 feet) in length. Due to the generally different physique of Western bottoms, 8 meter (26 feet) ropes are commonly used in the West. The rope material is usually hemp or jute (neither sisal nor manila hemp are usually useful), prepared according to specific techniques to achieve a pleasantly soft yet sturdy rope. Other materials are also sometimes used, although most synthetic ropes tend to be too slippery for Shibari techniques.


For historic reasons, Shibari uses very few knots, sometimes none at all, or only a larkshead or an overhand knot. This requires rope with high friction.


According to several sources, bondage as a sexual activity first came to notice in Japan in the late Edo period. Generally recognized as "father of Shibari" is Ito Seiu, who started studying and researching Hojojutsu in 1908 and turned it into an art form. Shibari became widely popular in the 1950s in magazine form (some sources to some extent credit influence from John Willie with popularizing Shibari). In the 1960s, a tradition of bondage as a form of performance art developed in Japan.


In recent years Japanese style ropework has become popular in the western BDSM scene.

Glossary

  • kinbaku (緊縛): strict bondage
  • nawa shibari (縄縛り): rope tying
  • nawashi (縄師): the person doing the tying, or the rope artist


Book cover for "The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage"
with Dita Von Teese in bondage

Topics to be covered

Further reading

See also

External links





Monday, November 1, 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

What Kind Of Vampire Are You?


What Kind Of
Vampire Are You?


You are a seductive vampire. You lure your victims to you with your looks, and possibly more...you have no conscience when it comes to killing them...


Take this quiz!


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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Heroic Lust

Heroic Lust

We sometimes forget just what it takes to do what a dominant does best. While we chose to give up control, and follow their lead, while our mind becomes a whirlwind of emotions, and our bodies, taken to greater heights, we cannot realize at this time the inner workings of our partner. So when can we understand the strength, control and awareness that it takes to be one of the best? 


Reflective thinking, perhaps, in the quiet of caring arms, when we've returned from our high. A dominant's role is not an easy one. Many take it for granted, not seeing behind the scenes of what goes through their minds. Not acknowledging the awe of what is truly present. 




So what makes a good dominant and a good partnership? Heroic Lust. An easy way to remember the most important words in this lifestyle's relationship, although definitely not in this order. So what do they stand for?

Honesty
Doms are people too. Anyone not admitting to faults or mistakes is lying both to themselves and to others. Honesty goes hand in hand with Trust and Communication. Both submissives and dominants are honest with their needs, wants, dreams, and desires. It is only with Honesty, that a relationship can develop to the extent where both partners are happy. Your dishonesty about your limits or fears, or His not wanting you to know that he lacks experience with a chosen tool, can be hazardous to both parties. Be honest with yourself, and then be honest with others. 

Empathy Both partners need to be in tune to the moods of the other. We seek someone who can see the frightened child within us all, the warm companion, or just the average person who, like the rest of the world, also have problems, get tired after a hard day of work, or just isn't in the mood to always be what they want them to be.

Respect For ourselves, for our partner, and for others. Set a good example, so that others will follow. Respect fellow dominants, or other submissives, who may need a helping hand or a bit of advice. Respect that the opinions of others do not make them right or wrong, simply different.

Observation It's here where a dominant can really shine. Their mind tuned in to everything around them during play. Your breathing, the tightness of your bonds, your pleasure, pain, body language, and most of all, your safety. His brain is processing what he needs to do to counteract or balance your needs or what he wants to accomplish. All at the same time bringing you to that point. Imagine trying to swing a flogger, hit your mark, while making sure your hands aren't turning blue, and your breathing patterns are steady. Try it sometime. :) This is the most unappreciated and unrecognized of all their traits, and one of the most important ones.

Intelligence Both a dominant and submissive need intelligence to be able to read, study, and comprehend all which needs to be learned and taught. Be a good conversationalist, sharing in each others passions. An enlightened mind sees things in a different light and tends to be more open minded.

Communication
Communication is paramount. One of the top 3 on my list of priorities. It is the center from where all other characteristics stem from. Without communication, any relationship- be it vanilla or otherwise - is doomed for failure. And communication doesn't mean "I talk, you listen". It is a method for understanding your relationship. 

Control Control. What would a BDSM relationship be without it? The submissive giving it up, the dominant taking it. A dominant must have control of himself first and foremost. Mentally, physically and emotionally. The submissive must be willing to relinquish their control.

Caring Caring. Be a friend when you both need one. Warm arms when we all need to be held. A mentor when we seek answers. A soothing touch when we are afraid. A simple smile to let us know all is right with the world. 

Creativity Creativity. New ways, ideas, methods. Ever-changing patterns which evoke that rush which the mind so craves.


Loyalty In what you are, and in what you do. In the rules that the two of you have established. This is a key facet of trust.

Understanding Where each other is coming from, and where you want to go. Understand the opinions of another, and their outlook on life and on other people. Being able to relate in all areas. Understand that the face that you show to others is how they see you.

Strength
Primarily mental strength. Lets face it submissives aren't always compliant, and we do tend to give our dominants a run for their money. It's our job to keep their minds sharp! But all kidding aside, both parties need to feel it. Does she have the inner strength to do what I ask of her? Or, yes, because i am encompassed within his strength, I have the ability to do what is expected of me, or what I need to accomplish. "I am safe, because I feel his other strength beside me." Mental strength also assists in self control. 

Safety Safety needs no explanation. Anyone - submissive or dominant, who is not concerned about safety, shouldn't be in this lifestyle.

Trust The crutch of any relationship, but due to the intenseness of this lifestyle's play, trust is the focal point around which everything else revolves. You trust that he will be there for you. You trust that his aim with a whip is accurate, and he trusts that you won't move and have his mark strike in the wrong place. You trust that he knows what is best for you, and at times follow blindly into the unknown, knowing full well that a mistake on his part could be damaging on many counts. He trusts that you'll follow, sometimes fearful, hesitant. But in your doing so, a dominant's mind can know no greater rush than seeing that trust, and knowing He was the cause of it. This psychological aspect of BDSM is, in my opinion, the number one factor of why we chose this lifestyle.


Heroic Lust. Put all together, these words fit its definition. Whatever importance you chose to place on each word or how you chose to remember them... is up to you.

Thursday, October 21, 2010