Be a bedroom mistress

Power dressing is not just for the office - creatively adorning your body allows you to take on different sexual roles. And bunny boilers aside, a woman who knows how to take control is a powerful aphrodisiac. At sex boutique Coco de Mer in London\'s Covent Garden, Mistress Absolute shares her secrets on how to dominate spectacularly while your partner worships at your feet

Dress sense

As well as thinking about the sort of materials you\'d like rubbing against your own skin, choose your bedroom power dress to tease and titillate each and every one of your partner\'s senses too

Music to your ears

PVC can be a powerful turn-on and it also makes a great swooshing sound as you walk. And high heels not only make you feel a million dollars, they also create a great sound on wooden bedroom floors

Killer looks

Leather looks, feels and smells great in the bedroom; short skirts are fabulous for your partner to look up from his begging position; and red-hot scarlet lipstick is simply the icing on the cake

Get it on

A strap-on lets him know you mean business (especially if he\'s tied up). Even if it\'s just for show, the sight of one of these contraptions on a woman can be strangely thrilling

Belt up

 Once you have picked out that special outfit that makes you feel like the power princess wear it with aplomb! There\'s nothing more cringesome than dressing like a sex kitten and cowering behind the bedroom door like a terrified puppy!

Wear the trousers

A bedroom mistress is always in control so even if you don\'t feel like it, try to maintain this illusion: you are the one calling all the shots. And make sure your partner knows it!

Top that

To exert your authority, tap into a past situation where you felt at your most confident. It doesn\'t have to be sex related - it could even be passing your driving test or getting a pay rise

Pay back

You could take something from real life that you\'re angry with your partner for and bring into mistress bedroom play: \'How dare you enter the room without doing the washing up!\' or \'You\'re going to pay for that late night out with your work mates!\'

Breathe easy

Mistress mints are a must: evil smelling breath is really not the kind of bad that either of you is aiming for!

Off the cuff

All the fun sex play ideas apply: spanking, restraining, role play... Think creatively as you go about it - oh, and it\'s a good idea to swap a list of likes and dislikes with your partner so you\'re clear on that

Check up

 When engaging in bondage play, do check if your partner has any serious illnesses eg a heart condition or diabetes. Of course, you\'re likely to know this already if playing with a long-term partner, but if you\'re with someone new, it\'s definitely worth asking

See red

Work out code words to halt proceedings eg amber for \'I\'m in pain\' and red for \'Stop before I conk out\'. \'Mistress, please stop,\' is too confusing - it sounds like a come-on

Play safe

If you\'re going to tie your partner up, steer clear of pressure points. Subtly check you haven\'t cut off circulation as part of your play by running your hands over his body and feeling for cold spots

Pillow talk

In any good relationship it\'s important to be able to communicate. Don\'t take offence at criticism as talking about your play with your partner only makes you a better mistress

Call it quits

Don\'t feel forced into something you don\'t feel comfortable with or feel is unsafe. Remember you\'re the one in control!

To find out more about Coco de Mer\'s Lessons in the Art of Loving series, visit www.coco-de-mer.co.uk or call 020 7836 8882.

To book an appointment with Mistress Absolute, visit www.mistressabsolute.com