Tag Archive: valentine’s day

Spotlight on: Laura Corn & Valentine’s Giveaways

My five-year blog anniversary is today, and we’re celebrating with playful pics, saucy tips, and hot giveaways! Just in time for Valentine’s Day…

I recently had the total pleasure of doing a photo shoot for Laura Corn, sex expert, radio personality and author of nine best-selling books on sex, love and intimacy. We were shooting for her latest venture, her new mobile app, 101 Nights – launching soon. I took this opportunity to interview her on her books, her best tips for feeling & getting sexy, and how she got interested in writing about sex in the first place…

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What do you do?
I’m an author of nine best-selling books, and I help couples achieve deeper intimacy through the use of what I call ‘Secret Sealed Seductions.’ My book 101 Nights of Great Sex is loved by over one million couples around the world! I get tickled when I think about Gwenyth Paltrow and Britney Spears being fans.

What made you write your first book on sex?
I was lousy in bed. I wrote my first sex book because I hated sex. I couldn’t have an orgasm with a man! I couldn’t afford therapy so I went to the library & read (and studied) every sex book on the shelves for two years. I taught myself how to orgasm in the library (well maybe not right in the library) and then said, ‘Wow! I know a lot of stuff. I think I’ll write a book.’christa_meola_photographer_new_york_boudoir_nude_33christa_meola_photographer_new_york_nude_boudoir_0011

What’s the central idea of your book, 101 Nights of Great Sex, and how is it different?
My books are unique because they are not books you read, they are books you do. There are 101 Secret Sealed Seductions in the book. Every page is sealed! There are 50 Secret Seductions written for his eyes only and 50 Secret Seductions written for her eyes only. There is also one very special seduction shared by both partners.

Here’s how you play:

Once a week, (or whenever you want to add a little spice to your relationship) you and your lover each pick a sealed page and tear it from the book. There’s no turning back now – and no peeking at your partner’s seduction.  Just follow your secret instructions, and sometime during the week you’ll each be getting an erotic surprise. Talk about anticipation – you’ll both be on the edge of your seats.

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Tell us a favorite inspirational story of someone who’s been helped using your book’s philosophy.
101 Nights of Great Sex has saved a lot of marriages. Its best stated by New York Times best-selling author Dr. Lisaa Rankin, “As an OB/GYN and blogger, 101 Nights is one of my most frequently recommended books. I prescribe it to patients suffering from decreased libido, recommend it to mentoring clients seeking more pleasure, and blog about it as a way to explore the true desires of your authentic self. Plus, (don’t tell my mother!) my own copy of 101 Nights is well loved, tattered, and torn up. My husband thanks you!”

Has anything changed over the years in regards to what people struggle with sex-wise?
For the most part, a low sex drive is really a low desire for the same old thing. Aside from any medical issues someone might have, the sense of excitement, surprise, and butterflies comes from trying new things. There have been so many surveys done on what keeps a long-term relationship exciting, and scientists have discovered that exploration and surprise thrill our sexuality.

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You also have a new app now too right?
Yes, in addition to my books, I’m proud to say that 101 Nights the App is about to be released. This is a mobile App on Apple and Android, which will put the power of my book in the pockets of millions, through their phones.

What inspired you to create the 101 Nights app?
Your beautiful photography, Christa Meola! So seductive! I thought, ‘Damn I need to create a mobile app with your images and my seductions.’ Haha! Which we did! Yay.

Plus, as the world around me grew in technology, it seemed only natural that the ideas and techniques in my book would be a perfect fit for a mobile app. I had map apps on my phone, weather apps on my phone… why not my seduction app? 101 Nights is the world’s most seductive app for couples.

Tap. Tease. Seduce.

It’s a full seduction toolkit, that fits discreetly in the palm of your hand.

It’s really an exciting product.

Thank you Christa!

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What’re your best tips on re-igniting romance with a long-time partner?
Someone has to make a change. When romance and sex stop, its usually because both partners stop nurturing the relationship. Someone has to step up to the plate and get the playdates rolling. That’s why my interactive books are so helpful

How can you best treat your partner to a sexy evening?
Plan it, be intentional, and by all means, build up anticipation. Tell your partner, early in the week that you have a planned a sexy surprise for the two of you for Saturday Night. Keep your sweetie in the dark. Don’t give too much away but drop hints all week long. Every hint allows your partner to relax, and feel special. Your partner will enjoy allowing someone else doing all the work, and feeling truly treasured. Rarely do we get fun sexy surprises as adults.

What is the most essential thing to feeling sexy on the inside?
Believe in yourself. And by all means don’t lose your sense of humor. Laughing and being joyful is sexy at it’s best.

What’s your favorite trick to feel sexy fast?
I put on red lipstick & sky-high heels!

What’s your #1 tip for fellow entrepreneurs who want to write a book?
You have to be passionate about your subject. Passion will carry you far. A book takes a long time to write and even a longer time to publish and market. So if you don’t have passion you won’t go the distance.

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Thank you Laura! And even more gratitude for gifting us with these hot giveaways!

—-VALENTINE’S GIVEAWAYS—-

Giveaway No. 1
A dozen copies of Laura’s best-selling book, 101 Nights of Great Sex

I have a dozen copies of Laura Corn’s best-selling book 101 Nights of Great Sex! Who wants one? Follow me on Instagram or Facebook, Comment, and Tag a friend to enter. Winners will be chosen at random on Vday, and you can comment as many times as you want with a different friend tagged in each comment. You and your friend tagged will both win a signed copy!

“This is not just another sex book. 101 Nights of Grrreat Sex uses ‘secret sealed seductions’ with special instructions for a love task or favor that each partner tears out and completes for one another. Sounds simple but the anticipation and mystery makes even the smallest gestures pretty thrilling.” – Gwenyth Paltrow

Giveaway No. 2
His & Her’s Seductions

If you’re short on time, but still want to give big-time thrills on Vday, we’ve got you covered.
This Rated R giveaway is available for you to instantly download now at the links below.

Warning: Wildly adult content.
For HIS eyes only: Honeylingus & For HER eyes only: The Velvet Tonguechrista_meola_Laura_corn_101_sexy_nights

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Lots of love,

Christa

Get Ready for Valen-tease Day!

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Karen first contacted me with the idea of doing “sexy pictures” as a surprise wedding gift for her husband-to-be, all the while telling me it’s “so not” her and that her fiance would never expect this from her. Karen is a very talented writer with a wonderful sense of humor and a self-proclaimed shy plain Jane. I was fond of her immediately, and our scheming began!… We giggled like little girls and had secret phone calls about different types of high heels and thongs. We decided to incorporate her love of writing, her Chinese heritage, and her husband’s love of the Cubs all into the shoot. “Old Hollywood, Veronica Lake” was her inspiration.

Soon after, we hit the Biltmore Hotel in Downtown LA and let the sexy out! At first Karen was a bit nervous, but that quickly faded. A glass of wine later and after my silly antics, she was completely relaxed and we were having a blast!

My favorite part of the process is when a client sees her images for the first time, and Karen did not disappoint. She got real teary-eyed – the sign of a successful shoot in my book. Here’s part of an email Karen sent to me after she saw the pictures:

“…I cannot believe the confident, vibrant, beautiful, and dare I say, sexy, woman in the photographs is me. I honestly can’t remember a time when I felt so alive and exhilarated in my own skin. Thank you for these stunning photographs that I will treasure forever and for capturing a side of me I had no idea existed.

Oh, and my husband thanks you, too. A lot!”

I love that while in the process of creating something sexy and unexpected for her man, Karen gave herself the gift of a beautiful lasting record of who she is in this moment of time. And I want to thank them both for a memorable experience and for allowing the posting of a few of the more modest pics on my new blog.

Enjoy!

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Karen’s shoot was so much fun – and she had the same “obstacles” as most women. So here you are, my little Valentine’s gift to the girls!

Ten Tips on How to Feel Relaxed & Sexy when being Photographed

1. Focus on Having Fun
Make your goal to have fun, not to get great shots – that’s my job 🙂 Everyone looks their best when they’re genuinely having a great time.

2. Visualize
I know this is very Tony Robbins of me, but he’s not the only one who recognizes the power of visualization. Make it a practice to see the experience of having a great time, feeling sexy, everything going smoothly, seeing the photos and loving them. Be specific and visualize from your point of view, as if you’re in it.

3. Get Inspired
Look at movies and art for inspiration, tear pages out of magazines and begin to recognize your style and sensibility… what is sexy to you? This will help you communicate with your photographer and help guide the shoot.

4. Show Up With All You’ve Got
When I say show up, I don’t mean to just show up. Bring it. And be open. Karen deserves all the credit for the success of her shoot, because she showed up, really stretched way outside her comfort zone and gave it all she had.

5. Be Sensual
Use your five senses during the shoot: play music, have a bite of chocolate, a sip of wine, put on a favorite scent, wear a kick-ass outfit you feel great in, and think of memories that make you blush, smile, and sweat… Do everything and (well, almost) anything that gets you hot.

6. Be Silly
Any shyness tends to go right out the window after the first few minutes or so of being silly. I am the biggest ham during a shoot, and I embarrass myself frequently (not always on purpose), but this serves me well as it usually puts everyone at ease. Just goof off and have fun! See how outrageous and silly you can be – it’s easier for the photographer to tone you down, rather than fire you up!

7. Create Movement
I often hear but I don’t know how to pose. Well that’s good, let’s not do that! Create a little action, however, so there’s energy in every shot. C’mon you all know how to flirt! If you’re on a shoot with me, I can show you some sexy moves (hey hey).

8. Remember the Context
The sheer fact that you’re in front of the camera being photographed is damn sexy… it’s powerful and vulnerable at the same time, which is an unbeatable combo – enjoy it!

9. Fake It
I’m not telling you to fake the real deal, but if you don’t feel 100% confident and sexy while on a photo shoot, FAKE it. Works every time.

10. Be Yourself
Honor who you are, in this moment. Don’t wait to lose a few pounds. (Besides, I’m a pro at retouching, and Photoshop is the best personal trainer in the world – more on that in another post!) But it’s important that you FEEL sexy, so if working out for a few weeks is going to do that, then great. But let’s not wait for all the planets to be aligned and your bangs to be the right length. The time is now. You are sexy and beautiful just as you are.

Bonus Tip: And of course, add alcohol 🙂