Week 2: Setting the Scene for Intimacy
- Gemma
- 18 hours ago
- 11 min read
Welcome back to week two of The Pleasure Edit! Following on from last week where we talked about advanced clitoral toys, this week is all about creating a sensual and romantic mood before you even get under the covers.
We often rush through our busy days with racing thoughts, but true confidence and intimacy start when we stop waiting for special occasions to feel sexy. You are the special occasion! Taking a moment to slow down, lower our stress, and connect with our bodies changes our frequency entirely.
Whether you want a long, unhurried evening of self-care by yourself or want to add something new to your sexual antics with your partner, here are seven amazing treats that will help you fully unwind, feel empowered, and get you in the mood.
1. Ice Silk High Slit Long Nightdress - Review - AvidLove
This is such a beautiful nightdress. The first thing I noticed about this piece was how incredibly lightweight, breathable, and silky the ice silk fabric feels against my skin. It has a gorgeous, fluid drape that glides on so easily, and the delicate lace detailing at the bust with spaghetti straps makes it feel utterly luxurious the moment you put it on. I love that its such a beautiful piece and so romantic.
I love the high side slit that moves beautifully as you walk, and it gives just the right amount of tease and intrigue in the bedroom. It comes in gorgeous, colours like a rich wine red, deep black (which I have), and a beautiful camel colour.
The ice silk fabric is great because it keeps you feeling cool and fresh all night long especially in the summer months. It feels entirely weightless and smooth to the touch, which is exactly what you want when you are winding down after a long day and focusing on your relaxation.
Why I Recommend This
Because this gown is made from stretchy polyester and spandex with a loose-flowing fit, it is also a fantastic if you you are currently working through vaginismus, cystitis, pelvic floor tension or just need to air your genitals and feel no pressure down there. Its very comfortable and feels great against my skin.
Gemma's Discount: This stunning ice silk nightdress is available from AvidLove. It is priced at £26.08, but you can use the code ‘Gemma20’ for a 20% discount at the checkout!
2. Satin Belted Robe with Contrast Lace Trim - Review - AvidLove
I absolutely love this robe. It's so gorgeous and elegant. The first thing I noticed about this piece was how smooth, fluid, and silky the satin fabric feels against my skin. It features an incredibly flattering V-neck panel and a belted waist that cinches beautifully, while the contrast lace trim running along the wide bell sleeves and cuffs adds the perfect touch of delicate romance. It's very much like a kimono style robe with wide sleeves and lace trailing along the length of the robe.
My husband and I love adding beautiful loungewear like this to our evenings to bring a sense of luxury, ease, and flirtation to the bedroom. It is designed with a lovely, loose fit and elegant long flowing sleeves that glide effortlessly as you move. Whether you wear it open over your favorite lingerie to add an element of tease and intrigue, or tie the belt tight for a cozy, unhurried night in, it feels completely decadent. It comes in stunning jewel tones like dark green and wine red, as well as classic black and white, making it a gorgeous addition to any collection. I have the dark green as I love green because of its natural and calming tones.
The material is incredibly soft to the touch with a subtle, rich sheen that catches the light beautifully. It is light, breathable, and doesn't feel constricting at all, which is exactly what you want when you are winding down and focusing on relaxation.
Why I Recommend This
Prioritising your comfort and winding down with a luxurious ritual like slipping into a beautiful robe after a warm bath or shower is an amazing form of meditation that grounds you and quiets a busy mind. Taking the time to transition out of your day and into a space of comfort helps reset your nervous system, allowing you to bypass racing thoughts for a deeper, more restful sleep. When we slow down, lower our stress, and focus on feeling good in our own skin, we become more resilient and confident versions of ourselves.
Because this piece is a loose, fluid wrap robe, it is also a fantastic, completely non-intimidating choice if you are currently working through vaginismus or pelvic floor tension. There is absolutely no pressure or tightness around the pelvic region, allowing you to prioritise your comfort, feel incredibly beautiful, and focus entirely on relaxation at your own pace.
Gemma's Discount: This elegant satin robe is priced at £29.07 from AvidLove. Use my code ‘Gemma20’ to get 20% off at the checkout!
3. Sxey - Unlock your senses with intimate perfumed oils - Review
I am so in love with these amazing intimate oils from Sxey. When was the last time you truly honoured your own femininity?
I talk a lot about confidence, relationships, and the importance of self-love, but true confidence starts with how you feel when the world isn't watching. It’s about feeling beautiful in your own skin, and yes, feeling even better naked.
I’ve just been sent some exquisite products from Sxey, and I am in love with their mission. They aren’t just perfumed oils, they are a ritual designed by women, for women, to help us unlock our most 100% unapologetic selves. There are 6 different fragrances in total.
One of my favourites is Dating Queen for a confidence boost. It’s a stunning blend of Rose and Cassis that honestly makes you feel like a Queen meaning you are irresistible to anyone.
I used Control Lost on my legs when I had some dry skin after shaving and it sunk in beautifully. The smell is delicious. It has hints of pear, fig and cedar smoke and the smell lasted hours on my skin. My husband kept saying I smelt good throughout the day, so that's a win win. This is also great for when you want to feel empowered. I also used it on my neck when I had an important meeting to attend. It made me feel so confident and that I could achieve anything. The others are:
Peach me Up: Hints of Peach, Pineapple, Apple blossom, Nectarine, Jasmine, Rose and Cassis. This is great for a self care evening or a romantic evening which your partner.
Call Tomorrow: Hints of Black Currant, Pear, Iris, Jasmine, Praline, Vanilla, Patchouli and Tonka. This is great for when you want some self confidence.
Undress Me: Hints of Bergamot, Melon, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Rose, Plum, Blackberry and Musk. This is great for when you want to feel your best during your sensual or erotic encounters with your partner.
Stay the Night: Hints of Pink Pepper, Pear, Almond, Jasmine, Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Coconut and Musk. This is great for feeling confident and making that lasting impression.
We often rush through our days, but taking a moment to use a dropper bottle, to massage a scent into our skin, and to connect with our bodies changes our frequency. Whether you’re heading into a high-stakes meeting or a romantic date night, these oils move with your mood and your body. I highly recommend these products to feel empowered, amazing, strong, sensual and so much more.
Gemma's Shopping Tip: You can indulge in the full collection for £225 for the box, or grab your favourite individual perfumed oil for £37.90.
4. Black and Blue Lace Bustier with Garter Straps – Review – Pulse & Cocktails
I was so happy to receive this lingerie as I know how well these fit and look on me. It comes in a little white and pink bag with a Ziplock on the top. As I have a lot of meetings in person and on zoom, I always like to feel powerful and sexy, so underneath my suit jacket I wear some sexy lingerie. It doesn’t matter what people think of you, its how it makes you feel and by wearing this it really does make me feel calm, happy and in control.
Does what you wear under your suit affect how you lead a boardroom meeting? This Black and Blue Lace Bustier with Garter Straps comes from Pulse & Cocktails. What we wear underneath our professional attire changes our posture and mindset. This makes us feel so much more empowered. There is a unique power in having a secret that only you know. In a professional setting, this creates a sense of power and control. This then gives you the power to believe in your ability to succeed. According to research on body language, when we feel supported and refined by our lingerie, our shoulders tend to go back, and our spine straightens. This then gives us a higher level of testosterone meaning dominance/confidence hormone and lower levels of cortisol our stress hormone.
This is made from intricate black and blue lace. The lace against the skin acts as a constant sensory anchor. It feels so good against the skin and I know its there so when things get tough, I can think of this, how it feels against my skin and be in the moment, breathing, rather than feeling stressed.
I love the way the thong feels. It has a gap at the front which looks incredibly sexy on and feels soft against my skin. In a high-pressure meeting, this soft, luxurious sensation can act as a grounding mechanism, keeping you present in your body rather than spiralling into anxiety. This is beautifully put together and looks so sexy on my body. It really can make you feel so powerful and in control which I love.
There are also beautiful clips for the garter or stockings. I love the colour and the way the lace feels to touch. Its very soft and delicate, exactly how I like my lingerie to be.
Gemma's Discount: Ready to feel sophisticated and powerful? This set is priced at £39.95 from Pulse & Cocktails, and you can use the code ‘GEMMA’ for a 15% discount at the checkout!
5. Fifty Shades of Grey Play Nice Vanilla Scented Candle 90g - Review - Lovehoney
I love the Fifty Shades franchise, so I thought, "Why not add something new to our sexual antics?" and gave this a try. The box is very nice, with shades of black, grey, white, and purple.
As with all Lovehoney products, it was beautifully packaged and arrived discreetly. When I opened the box, a lovely waft of vanilla filled the room. We put it on the bedside table, and even without it being lit, the vanilla aroma filled the room. It smells so divine and certainly sets a sensual and romantic mood. It was easy to light, and after a few minutes, the wax started to melt.
We poured some of the hot oil onto our bodies and massaged it in. It felt very silky and rubbed in easily without leaving a waxy feeling on the skin. The wax is warm when applied and is made of a high-quality soy wax that can be used as a massage oil. It spreads well and smells amazing on the skin. It’s a very sensual candle, and we will certainly use it again, even just to set the scene for a nice evening if we don't fancy a massage. I would highly recommend this to spice up your sex life or just to feel connected to each other.
Gemma's Discount: Grab yours and set the scene using my link to get 15% off with code AFF-GEMMA15!
6. Lovehoney Dark Orchid Navy Satin and Lace Chemise - Review - Lovehoney
Beautiful and very sexy
I chose this nightwear as I wanted to feel even sexier. The way it drapes over my body feels great. I love the roucheness of the front of it, the way the satin gathers up at the front just in front of the chest. The lace at the bottom of the garment looks lovely.
There is a little discreet Lovehoney silver heart on the left shoulder strap which is cute. Little touches like this I love.
I love the styling of the halter neck. I hadn't really thought about how the straps would feel as I don't usually wear halter neck dresses but this one is great. Easy to adjust straps on both sides so can make it longer or shorter at the neck.
The dark orchard navy is a very sexy beautiful colour. Good sizing. I'm a size 10 and this is medium. Quite short but gives a nice figure from all sides. Very nice to sleep in as it is so soft against my skin and is great for warm summer nights. My husband likes this a lot and can't keep his hands off me.
Would highly recommend if you want to feel sexier in your nightwear.
Gemma's Discount: Give your nighttime look a boost with 15% off using code AFF-GEMMA15 at the checkout!
7. Liberator Fascinator Faux Fur Moisture Proof Throw – Queen - Review - Lovehoney
What an incredible piece of equipment this is!!
We got this because we like doing food play and messy play. It is big at 54 -72 inches, and it pretty much covers our king size bed. It is very soft on both sides with one side being furrier with the faux fur and the other side being velvety. We’ve tried cream, mashed banana, chocolate, oils and different forms of drinks including champagne and everything that was put on it never came through the other side. Its great absorbency and when used for a little while and then washed, the absorbency gets even better.
If you are a squirter then this is definitely one for you, you don’t have to worry about towels or worry about getting the bed wetter. We put it in the wash afterwards and it came out looking like new. It looks really nice against our bed and looks just like a luxury throw at the bottom of the bed against the cushions. It doesn’t look out of place if someone were to come into the bedroom. It just looks like a normal throw which could be used as a throw on the sofa in the winter as well as the bed.
It feels really nice to wrap up in naked feeling the very soft textures against the skin when dry.
When it’s wet it doesn't feel cold and doesn’t pool when the blanket gets pushed down with the weight of your body into the bed. It also absorbs very well so there is no slipping and sliding (although a negative if you wanted that). Sometimes with the weight of the body when kneeling, you have to be careful that the edges don't fall away into you, making the blanket crease up slightly. This wasn’t really a distraction though. The packaging is great. It comes with a cardboard wrap with a couple laying on the top of the blanket, very sexy styling. I love the little insert which tells you a little about the blanket that it gets better over time, like a fine wine.
You can’t hear the waterproof lining at all in the blanket which is good because it can put you off sometimes when the mood strikes and you hear a lot of rustling. Which some of them you can do.
We tried it on the sofa and tucked it behind the back sofa cushions. It stayed there well and did its job again. It felt different on the sofa compared to the bed but in a good way.
I would highly recommend buying this one at the higher price point due to the more luxurious feel to it and the size as some of these blankets can come up on the small side, but we certainly weren’t disappointed. It's well worth the money.
I’m looking forward to taking it on a romantic picnic for us to get up to some naughty fun in the sun.
Gemma's Discount: This is an incredible piece of investment luxury! Get 15% off using code AFF-GEMMA15 at the checkout.
Gemma's Homework For This Week:
Your homework this week is to pick just one of these rituals to step into your power.
If you have a high-pressure Zoom call or an important in-person meeting, try wearing a beautiful lace bustier underneath your professional suit jacket. Notice how it straightens your spine, changes your body language, and acts as a beautiful sensory anchor to keep you feeling calm and in control.
If you are winding down with your partner on a quiet evening, light a warm soy candle, put on some calming loose loungewear like a fluid satin robe, and massage a delicious perfumed oil into your skin. Bypassing your busy thoughts and focusing purely on touch and smell is a beautiful way to feel connected to each other!
See you next week for Week 3 of The Pleasure Edit, where we will be talking about Date Night Ideas!
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