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Laced with Desire Cross-Blog Tour
Posted by Denise on February 1, 2010 under Books, Contests, Excerpts, Freebies, Life
Welcome to the Laced with Desire cross-blog.
This is our second ‘corset’ anthology together and we had such a blast with the Unlaced cross-blog, we decided to do it again.
This time, Jaci Burton, Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill and I are talking about clothes - what they do (and don’t do!) for us. Yes, fashion disasters, unwise addictions, sex-kitten outfits - all is revealed. There are even a couple of pictures. Woot! (Possibly.)
Four authors, four blogs - four chances for free books. And it’s easy, just leave a comment. (Photographic evidence not required. heh heh) What’s not to love? Winners announced 9am EST (USA) Wednesday 3rd February.
Visit each of the blogs in turn to check out the giveaways from each author.I’m giving away a set - Unlaced AND Laced with Desire. If you happen to own them both already, I’m sure we can find something else.
I’ve put an easy link for you under each of our responses to the questions about clothes.
Here are the four questions -
1. What’s your most appalling shopping weakness, especially when it comes to clothes? Go to Jaci Burton’s blog. Giveaway - an advance review copy of her March release, Bound, Branded and Brazen.
2. What’s your most comfortable outfit and what do you enjoy doing most to relax? Go
to Jasmine Haynes’ blog. Giveaway - autographed copy of Yours for the Night.
3. What’s your most sexy/naughty-feeling outfit? Go to Joey W. Hill’s blog. Giveaway - a signed copy of Laced with Desire.
4. What’s the outfit that gives you the most confidence? Read on! Giveaway - the set, Unlaced AND Laced with Desire.
What’s the outfit that gives you the most confidence?
Jaci Burton:
I have this sleeveless black dress that I adore. I can dress it up or down, wear a shirt under it if it’s cold outside or put a sweater over it. It’s multifunctional, looks great on me, I can wear heels or boots or flats with it, punk it up or class it up and it still looks great. Everyone should have a basic black dress they can do so many things with. It’ll make you feel great about yourself.
Visit Jaci’s blog for the shopping disasters and Jaci’s giveaway!
Excerpt from Jaci’s story, No Strings Attached.
Jasmine Haynes:
For confidence, I like a suit, feminine lines with a short tailored, form-fitting jacket and a skirt, either calf-length or well above the knee, never knee-length. Under the suit, of course, very feminine lacy bra and barely there thong panties. Thigh high stockings top it off. Professional, feminine, and naughty all rolled into one.
Visit Jasmine’s blog for comfy clothes and Jasmine’s giveaway!
Excerpt from Jasmine’s story, La Petit Mort.
Joey W. Hill:
That would be this dress. I wore it at the 2009 Romantic Times for the Jungle Party. Typical of an OCD personality type with body image issues, I don’t often feel gorgeous in anything, but I loved this dress. It had sexy lines, and flowed when I walked like I was a romance heroine come out of her chrysalis. It flattered hip line, maximized my minimal cleavage (grin), and had a whimsical flirtiness to it I adored. I found some great Wal-mart White Stag jewelry to go with it for almost nothing, and my mom, who went with me to RT, took this lovely near sunset picture. She was probably trying to commemorate the one time her daughter didn’t look like a bag lady!Of course, on the flip side, sometimes when I’m wearing my most comfortable outfit (see the question on Jasmine’s blog), that’s also when I feel most confident. That’s because it’s the outfit that says “this is the real me”, and there’s always a reassurance to that…as long as I don’t end up in the wrong environment for it. I remember one conference, I brought too many “comfortable clothes”, and when I went to one of the more formal events, I felt far from confident! So matching the setting to the outfit helps. However, when I’m at home and around town, I always feel quite confident in my comfy clothes. Though I think the sexy zebra dress would work anywhere (I plan to wear it to Wal-mart one day for fun – laughter).
Visit Joey’s blog for naughty/sexy outfits and Joey’s giveaway!
Excerpt from Joey’s story, Honor Bound.
Denise Rossetti:
I don’t mind admitting it - clothes are really important to my self-confidence. Feeling over or under dressed, badly groomed or untidy disconcerts me dreadfully. I suspect it’s shallow, but there you go.If I think my day at the Evil Day Job is going to be challenging, I’ll make a point of dressing from the skin out to bolster my confidence.
Matching undies first. Beyond that, I absolutely have to feel ‘put together’. I’m not a frilly or froufrou dresser, I like well-cut classics and a close fit. So it might be belted tailored trousers and shirt, with a jacket and discreet jewelry. I combine rich bright colours with neutrals because they give my skin a lift. Anything beige, dusty or muted and I could get work as an extra on Night of the Living Dead. LOL
I always wear my charm bracelet – I have a charm for every book I’ve written – because it reminds me of who I am and what I can do if I put my mind to it. (If you were wondering why the two silver inkpot/quill charms, they’re my Passionate Plume Awards.)
Excerpt from my story, Rhio’s Dancer.
Tell us about the outfit that makes you feel a million dollars. What’s so special about it?
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I’m with you, Denise. When it comes to feeling confident I need to start with a matching lingerie and shoes. I always wear my gold bracelet with my outfits and bring extra detail to my makeup. I know, so girly girl, but it really does wonders to my self-confidence.
As luck would have it… I just ordered both of these books this weekend. I was having a crappy weekend and this was treat to me. What outfit makes me feel like a million bucks… Hummm… Well, it is really for no one to see.. It is my undergarments. I love knowing that I have some sexy panties and racy bra under my most boring clothing, lol!
Thanks for this contest! I am loving it up!
This is probably going to sound really boring but for me it is my cashier’s uniform. I am a bigger woman, meaning I am plus size. So I don’t feel so confident when I go out to get the kids from school and such. But once I put my work uniform on, I notice a change. The reason being I know my job. I am good at it. Not very sexy but there you have it lol.
For me, it is nice pair of slacks, a matching top and cute shoes.
I have to agree with Cecile..my confident outfit is my undergarments.I love having on sexy bras and panties. knowing I have something sexy and racy on makes me feel confident considering I’m a jeans and tshirt person
Hands down it would have to be the trousers that I found on sale. I bought one in navy and one in black. They are the perfect fit and length. Not tight and not loose. I wear them with oxfords,sweaters, and blazers. As far as shoes go,I wear them with my ballerinas (a red pair and a black pair).
Dark Blue suit. Power thing for sure. Or a Tux.
I love matching sexy underwear - I know, not terribly original, but it’s true. Doesn’t matter what I’m wearing, it’s like I have a secret that no one else knows, and it just seems to put a spring in my step.
i love wearing my little black dress. i always feel slimmer with it on and i can accessorize it with just about anything and it can go with any purse. thanks for the awesome giveaway and have a great monday!!
I love wearing my skinny jeans with my short, black studded boots and a white T.
nice fitting jeans with a sexy top is my best oufit
congrats on the book whoo
great cover veyr hot
I need my under things to match, and also to be silky and soft. Regardless of what I have on over them what i’m wearing close to my skin let’s me feel a little more sexy.
Most confidence? Good underthings, my favorite wool skirt with a fitted tee or sweater, and my new boots! They literally help me to stand taller
I feel the most confident in a perfectly fitted pair of jeans and a really cute top in a vibrant color such as red or purple. Plus, some cool accessories to complete my look.
Flat-heeled yet pretty looking shoes. I want to be comfy yet girly… I really like Skechers shoes for casual wear!
I have a limited wardrobe. Nothing specific clothing wise come to mind for me since I mostly wear jeans with either tank tops or, rarely, t-shirts. But, I am a crafter and do crafts shows. I always try to wear an item of clothing I’ve made or decorated at the shows and I always accessorize with jewelry I have made. It’s partly to show the stuff off but it gives me a good feeling to hear compliments on my work. People ask where I got something(like my earrings or bracelet) and it feels good to be able to tell them “I made it.”
The outfit that gives me the most confidence is a tailored pair of black slacks, jewel tone v-neck top and a pair of black flats. I finally figured out how important it is to have my clothes tailored. I feel put together when my clothes fit right.
Girly-girl is exactly right, Armenia. *chuckle* But I guess the converse is that looking badly put together really destroys your confidence somehow. Weird, but there it is.
I feel the best when I have a dress or skirt on and pantyhose and heels!! But, my hair has to be looking good too!! Thanks for the great contest!! Sue
Appropriate to where I’m at and what I’m doing. It use to be easy, at least for work, I had uniforms. I knew I was good at my job and my uniform was usually perfect. Now, no uniforms and I’m not nearly as confident. I’m still good at my job but I hate going to see the boss. I’m possitive that I’m too dressed, not dressy enough or in the wrong style. God, uniforms were so easy.
Terri
Hi Cecile, Hope the books pick you up - and thanks for buying!
Isn’t it amazing what a difference beautiful lingerie can make? Something about having a secret…
Danielle, I can understand exactly what you mean. I imagine a cop feels better in uniform too. Feeling competent and totally on top your game is waaay sexy, IMO.
Crystal, I love wearing pants too, much more than a skirt. Not sure why though…
Elaing8, wonder how many women walk into job interviews wearing dead sexy underwear? Wonder how many men even think about it, beyond finding somethingLOL clean that doesn’t ride up?
LOL
Hi there, Jim. Yep, sure you’re right - a suit is power-dressing all right. *snork* Mind you, nothing beats a guy in a tux unless it’s a guy out of a tux. Seriously though, there’s something about evening dress that flatters every man. I love the severity and masculinity of it. Phroarrr!
I’ll agree with Jim, too! I definitely feel my most confident in a nicely cut suit. Of course, mine generally have a little peplum or maybe a ruffle detail on the lapel - which I’m assuming Jim’s don’t…
I also like a really nice dress pant and a swanky sweater - my current fave is a golden brown tweed pant with a cowel-neck emerald sweater - gold leather belt a must! 
I would have to agree that when I need to feel the most confident I wear a suit. I have several skirt and pant suits where I can interchange the bottom to match the jacket that are for work and are in traditional power suit colors of navy, black and red. I also have one power suit that is for a nonwork environment because the color is my favorite pink. I will wear that suit when it’s for something personal and I need to feel confident.
Hey Jenise, I mean Denise!
I guess I feel most confident when I feel all put together, whether jeans, t-shirt & jacket or dress/suit. The hair has to co-operate as well, or I’m just wasting my time.
I also agree that clothes are a huge factor in my self-confidence. I always feel most confident when I’m wearing a dress, especially if it’s fitted on top with a flowy skirt. A good hair day is just icing on the cake
I love my lingerie. I feel like a confident woman from the skin out.
I think my cute black dress pants and I have an awesome green dress top that I like to wear to business meetings. Feel super confident when I wear it.
I think I’m most confident in my favorite pair of jeans. Not too business-y, but I do feel confident and can feel myself walking and talking differently.
Hi Denise,
It is hard to say what I most confident in. It sooo depends on my mood, if I am just having fun or if it is work. No matter what put on there is always that little voice in the back of my head saying there is something wrong or it does not look right. I try to ignore it as much as possible. For work clothes, it is a pencil skirt a nice button blouse or boat neck top. I cannot forget the heels. If I can make it through the day with minimal wrinkling I feel pretty good
Hanging out with my friends a pair of skinny jeans and boots along with a good hair-day works. I use to have a dress called Old Faithful. Black spaghetti strap silk dress with a sheer overlay. It was and still is my favorite. I miss that dress. My confidence was always up in that dress. It always came in handy when I had to go out but did not have time to buy something new. I need to go look for it now.
Leni - finding well-fitting, flattering trousers is like winning the lottery. No wonder you bought two pairs!
Devon - you are sooo right about undies - a secret no one knows and a spring in your step!
Ah, Michelle, the LBD…
The greatest thing since sliced bread. Every woman should have one. I”m between LBDs at the moment. Must go looking…
Oooh Jeanette, the James Dean-ette look! Love the sound of the studded boots. Hubba, hubba! No wonder you feel confident in them!
Hi there kh and Jennifer D.! Have to say good jeans are a mainstay of my wardrobe. I love how you can dress jeans up or down. So versatile. And yes, kh, the cover is waaay hot. But so classy with it!
Maisha, you must be a very tactile person.
I actually think comfort lets me feel sexier and the beautiful sensuous fabrics are a part of that.
Ah Allison, another shoe-aholic! Shoes are so important for constructing the ‘look’, aren’t they? Yours sound gorgeous. Skechers I don’t know, must check them out and see if they do teeny-weeny sizes.
*sigh*
Beth, your work sounds wonderful! And I completely understand the pride in being able to say “I made it”. In the days when I did a lot of knitting, I adored getting compliments like that. But yours is even better because you’re your own best advertisement. Good on ya, mate!
Savonna, having your things tailored sounds marvellous. No wonder you feel ‘put together’.
QLady48 - aha! Someone who likes a dress/skirt for confidence. But I note with interest that the shoes are still highly significant. Ah, shoes… *sigh*
Terri, uniforms are a fascinating topic. My sister used to love her uniforms. She’s not much into clothes and like you, she said they were so easy. OTOH, in my former workplace, the boss wanted to introduce uniforms for professional staff and there was a huge outcry. She had to drop it. I admit I’m torn…
Hi there VJ, great to hear from you! I’m totally with you in the tux department. In fact, I’ve seen women in tuxes for evening wear. Done right, it’s very sexy indeed. Love the sound of those colours, especially the emerald green!
Maria - I’m guessing you like suits? LOL Me too. There’s something about the matching bits that’s so, well, matching… Plus, mix and match is a great idea. Organised, yet confident and feminine.
Hey Terry, you think Jenise is a good idea too, huh?
And Terry and Eshani, I must admit I never have to think about my hair, so a good hair doesn’t come into it. I’ve kept mine short for years, so a quick brush does the trick. I’m hopeless with hair anyway. *more sighs*
The right jewelry has an amazing ability to make me feel confident. I don’t have ton of Tiffany’s in my jewelry box but there’s lots of “quality” costume,*grin*. I’m a firm believer in chokers, so whenever I add one to an outfit, especially something off shoulder or sweetheart neckline, I feel invincible.
My navy blue blazer. I feel smart, simple and secure, (a little) sexy wearing it with jeans and a white shirt. It makes me feel businesslike yet casual, you know comfortable. Confident!
Hi Denise!
thanks for your post and the question is really good! I love all your answers!
the most confidence I get from my hairstyle - if I have a bad hair day I’m nervous and I’m running my fingers through my hair all day long
congrats on the release and I wish you a great day!
Ina
In a business setting, I have a pencil skirt and midnight blue sweater that always gives me a boost of confidence. Plus I always treat myself to sexy lingerie, so no matter if I am at home, grocery shopping or browsing through a bookstore, I feel feminine and sexy. Plus I agree with Ina, a bad hair day can ruin an otherwise feel good day.
Ah Mary, yet another woman who loves her power undies!
Hi RachieG, black pants are an absolute mainstay aren’t they? Black looks great with strong colours. Go you!
Lyoness2009, I LOVE my jeans. I’d wear them every single day if I could. My current favourites are from ‘Not Your Daughter’s Jeans’. Expensive, but oh-so worth it.
Sandy, you sound like you’re always perfectly groomed - but isn’t it funny what those ‘little voices’ can do to us? You’d think that being modestly covered and at a comfortable temperature would be enough, but oh no - you have to ‘look right’, whatever that is. I think you should go right out and buy another LBD and kick the voices to the curb with it!
Hi Tina! Invincible, huh? I could do with a bit of that!
I guess my charm bracelet fulfills much the same function as your costume jewellry. Go us!
Hey there, Kirsten, Nothing like a well-tailored jacket, is there? Pulls the outfit together - and you too, by the sounds of it.
I used to be quite the clothes horse, but in the last few years, I’ve gained quite a bit of weight and clothes shopping is done only as a necessity, not an indulgence. Lately I’ve been pairing basic, well cut slacks, with these wonderfully ethnic, flowing tops made in Indonesia. They come in so many gorgeous colors and are cut to flow and flatter. No buttons to gape, or zippers to get stuck. And my outfits would never be complete without my fashionable yet comfortable driving mocassins (I find them very inexpensively on Ebay and they never disappoint). Oh, I’m also never without a funky, chunky ring or 2 because my hands are my best feature.
A black tailored pantsuit, add a bright top, and heels.
Hi there, Ina! Hair makes an extraordinary difference, doesn’t it? A frame for the face. I keep mine short, so it’s not a worry, but I can see that a bad hair day would put you right off your stride and affect your confidence.
Cathy M, sounds like you have the sexy business look going. I love those pencil skirts, though you have to have the right figure, which I’m guessing you do. With heels. Hubba, hubba!
Hi Janet, yep, doncha love the way black contrasts with colour? And I love all the jewel colours because they save me from looking like the undead.
Donna, it still sounds to me like you’re dressing wonderfully - not only to flatter your figure, but to give yourself confidence. Good on ya, mate! (Aussie-ism there.) I always notice hands - always. Could be because I’m a writer and hands reveal so much about a person. They show everything about that individual’s life. I love to have my nails professionally done, makes me feel groomed and elegant all the time.
Way to go Beth C! Grrr…now I am going to go pout lol.
Thanks Denise. I do love clothes, and I’m trying to make the best of how I am at this time in my life. It’s important to realize what your best points are and play them to the hilt. I love manicures too, but I haven’t had one in such a long time. I cut my nails on 2/1/10 to give myself a fresh start. By the time next payday rolls around, I’ll have some length and will treat myself to a paraffin mani/pedi. Winter is such a tough time for hands in the midwest where I live. I love your red shoes - I used to rival Imelda in that dept., but my feet cry mutiny at the thought of heels these days. Only on special occasions where I can sit a lot!
Donna, after a lifetime of people-watching I’ve come to the conclusion that every single person has some thing of physical beauty about them. At least. My Beloved is just an ordinary guy, but he has beautiful hair, thick and blond (um, getting white-ish now) and his forearms are great. I had a friend years ago who was, let’s face it, so not pretty she approached ugly, but she had amazing legs, totally gorgeous.
I love that you have the maturity and self-acceptance to highlight the best parts of yourself. Did you know that Queen Elizabeth I was extremely vain about her beautiful hands? They’re always highlighted in any portrait of her.
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