Maîtresse Nuit's list of favourite necessities and extravagant wishes
"If women didn't exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning." Aristotle Onassis
I appreciate the attention and effort you put into the difficult task of choosing a gift for your Maîtresse.
I have thus compiled a little ABC of things I like.
A
is for Adventure! A ticket to a foreign location.
B
for Boots and Shoes.....Mmmm, here we are becoming serious as your Maîtresse is a true fetishist and an ex-Ballet dancer.
My size is 37,5 / 38 or 5 (UK). I like classic ankle boots by Louboutin, Finsk Pony ankle boots or vertiginously high stilettos made by Natasha Maro who has my measurements and makes my boots.
And since we are discussing feet and shoes, my toes like being looked after. A really good pedicure is welcome.
Now, here are my favourite Chausseurs. For simple classic black high heeled pumps: Manolo Blahnik or Christian Louboutin. I also adore heels that are extravagant and really mad like the Wing-Embroidered Platform Sandal by Alexander Mc Queen!
Books.
An old edition of the writings of Albert Camus, Georges Bataille, J.K Huysmans, Voltaire or Marguerite Duras in French.
Where I come from, Graphic Novels and Comics Books are treated with as much respect as Cinema. I love Moebius "Le Garage Hermétique," "Les Yeux du Chat", "40 Days dans le Désert," Guido Crepax's heroines like Valentina and his revisiting of Erotic literature, Philippe Druillet, Winsor McCay's "Little Nemo," "Maus" by Art Spiegelman.
B is also for Beauty,
a voucher from Selfridges is always welcome!
C
Is for Champagne, bien sûr. I like my bubbles dry and cold. Pol Roger cuvée Winston Churchill 2000, Laurent Perrier rosé, Moet & Chandon Brut, Cuvée Impériale.
and for...
Chocolate! Dark, intense, smoky or fruity.... Valrhona have a very good selection of chocolate bars and pralines. I am always on the lookout for good chocolate and true to my Swiss upbringing, I consume rather a lot of it. My favourite chocolatier is Bernachon in Lyon.
It is also for
Cinema. Vouchers to go to the movies and dvd's are welcome. I am a true amateur!
Corsets..... Last but not least: I love wearing these tight contraptions! Miss Katie makes divine corsets, they can be found online. The House of Harlot in London also makes divine corsets ... they have my measurements for made to measure.
D
is for Delight and Delicious ....
E
for Effort and Elegance...
F
is for Flowers... A simple rose, with thorns, and subtle hue rather than a bouquet...
And, yes, it is also for Furs!
I love Silver Fox
G
Gloves.... size 7
H
Hats and Hoods
I
Incense: pur Frankincense, myrrh or benzoin
J
K
Knives: Japanese multi folded steel
L
Latex & Leather. My Latex comes from Atsuko Kudo, Breathless and House of Harlot (S or XS, black or nude) and my leather corsets are made to measure by Miss Katie who has my measurements.
M
Music.... From Arias to World music, I love it all! Opera, film scores, contemporary serial music, electro, jazz, free jazz, blues, rock, from Bjork to Zappa, via Adele, Lady Gaga, Queen, Rufus Wainwright, Nico Mulhy, Steve Reich, Verdi, Satie, Debussy, Stravinsky, Chopin, Schubbert, Lisa Gerrard, Gainsbourg and the Gotan Project.... I am always on the lookout for new Music. Indulge me!
N
Nature
O
P
Perfume... Bien sûr. I have a penchant for leather, wood, citrus, pepper, ginger, saffron and cloves, a small quantity of oppoponax and neroli - but nothing sweet. No vanilla or tuberose.
I wear Serge Lutens' Fille en Aiguilles - literally: Girl in Needles, which is the technical term that describes stiletto heels! Daim Blond, Fumerie Turque, Vitriol d'Oeillet and Borneo 1834 can also be found in my boudoir.
Some of you may not have the time to pop to Selfridges or Liberty before an appointment so here are a few classics that I like:
From the House of Guerlain: Shalimar, Jicky and Eau de Fleurs de Cédrat
From the House of Chanel: Cuir de Russie
From the House of Comme des Garçons: Incense - Zagorsk & Kyoto
From the House of Diptyque: L'Eau de l'Eau and L'Ombre dans l'Eau
Q
Quest
R
Rest
S
Silence and Sea and a Suspension Sling.
T
Theatre and Tea. Green Sencha, Black Darjeeling with rose petals or Real Morrocan mint tea.
U
Ubiquity
V
Voluptuous bath oils from Neal's Yard or Ren.
W
Wine... I do like a good wine: A Pinotage or Shiraz from South Africa, An elegant Pinot Grigio or a good Sauvignon. And from France... from the Rhône Valley: A Condrieux or a Côte Rotie. From Burgundy: Mercurey or Vosne Romasnée, Pouilly Fussé, from Bordeau a Pauillac, Château Lalande. I like to discover wines...
X
in Xanadu...
Y
Z
Zest !