Babes in Brooklyn (#NYC9)

A weekend away visiting gorgeous talented friends always recharges me, and this weekend was no different. 

I usually travel with a special pillow for my neck if I'm sleeping away from home, but I recently found this handsome fellow who is cuter AND more compact. He needs a name, if anyone has suggestions. 

Guy and Piper's pooch, the one and only Zelda Pitzgerald, welcomed me with a big snuggle. We spent the whole first day together all cuddled up in their living room, catching up on everything we've missed since our last visit. 

Who can resist that face? She hogs the blankets and I don't even mind. 

Saturday night I was delighted to attend the Waxing Moon ceremony to close Darker Studio. Ms. Darker had photographers, flowers, and pitchers full of wax to help capture some final moments of beauty in this special space. 

The altar aglow

My peachy bum in the candle light

This candle couch concept was dangerous and beautiful (there were extinguishers close by!)

Ms. Darker dressed Ruby in white lace and had her recline in a claw-footed tub filled with pillows and draped in soft white fabrics. She shared her vision and asked me to help execute it. What followed was the most luxurious and sensual wax scene of all time. This is just a sneak peek, you'll have to wait for the official photos to be released to see the full concept, but it was gorgeous, and Ruby was a perfectly masochistic model. 

Mid-scene selfie

Ruby's cute little feet. This scene was so quiet and peaceful in the midst of such a rowdy night.

Heart & Elsha 

(Photo by the incredibly kind and talented Natasha Gornik, follow her instagram for more incredible shots from this night and check out her stunning photography.)

Darker Studio Aesthetic 

Ms. Darker, setting out the leather-bound matchbooks she had made for this event. She asked us to gather 'round and help charge them with the magic of the studio, and then we sang La Vie en Rose together in our lingerie in the candlelight. (A dreamy moment I hope I never forget.) 

"The magic spell you cast, this is La Vie en Rose..."

 Stay tuned to House of Darker on instagram to see the professional photos from this stunning evening!

The next day I had brunch with Ember and Steve, and they presented me with this GORGEOUS vintage satin robe in the most perfect colour. (It's going to be IDEAL for the next slumber party!)

Ember hadn't had an orgasm ALL YEAR, could you imagine that kind of denial? I was very generous and took pity on her when I finally had my hands on her. 

Ember joined me for a book club date afterwards! We went to see Stoya's fantastic Sex Lit book club, where Guy New York was talking about his book Island on the Edge of Normal (one of my faves). 

The conversations at Sex Lit are always clever and generous. Guy was so charming, and Stoya digs deep, making time for reflections and shared learning. 

I'm a big fan of Guy's writing, grab yourself some of his smut if you don't have any on your bookshelf. 

(They're both so cute and I adore them so much!)

After the book club Guy and Piper took me out for a delicious Italian meal, and then we scurried home to sip tea and cuddle on their couch while the winter weather outside intensified. We stayed up deep into the night eating cookies and talking about the year we have ahead of us. It's always hard to leave in the morning, but I know I'll be back soon.   

Ms. Darker asked us to take these matchbooks home and use them when we need inspiration, when we need to feel our community close by, or when we want to take a spark from our glorious night together and light it somewhere else. I intend to.