WWE.com Photoshoot: It's Snow Wonderful!

So..um...yes...it is totally ridic to be reviewing a holiday 'shoot in February and I have nothing to plead for myself but lack of time and  rather challenging collages. I'm trying to make this seem appropriate to post by doing so on a day when it is snowing around me, but that probably isn't going to help my cause in the sunny elsewheres. Sorries? *apologetic hopeful smile (while making self appear small and ingratiating)*
 First, a note on the background: the painted scene was simple, but well done and really worked well! I love the effect of that, especially with the glitter faux snow some of the divas were tossing about. I could have done without the cotton batting-type snow on the artificial pines though. That looked awkward and not especially artistic or tasteful, which is a shame because there are so many amazing options for creating a snowy effect these days, including artificial pine that is already snow-covered. Or spray snow and spray glitter. Or frosted pine cones and branches. (I worked in flower shop during college, so I got to play with all that stuff :)) So here's the take-home, Big Dub: do it right, or do without. Either is good, but the half-cheeked thing...meh. 
Moving on from there, let's talk about Alexa! Her white mock-neck bodycon dress gets spiced up with insets in two fabrics: sheer and lace. The effect is gorgeous: the clean, strong panelled silhouette is interspersed with touches of gauzy and frilly textures that soften and uplift it. Alexa accented it with a pile of slim silver bangles, which enhance the snowy, festive effect. Her poses are mainly standards, well-executed, but a few - like this one where she steps into the shower of "snow" are not only unusual, but so beautiful as well! They are a joy to view and make me so excited about the possibilities for her future 'shoots!
Carmella's choice was a white strapless dress that jumped on that particular aspect of the side cutout trend that bares a lot of skin at the hip. The trend is a risky one in that it can go from just enough to way too much very easily. Carmella's piece gets closer to the "too much" line than I generally prefer, which is unfortunate because the classic strapless silhouette suits her. She also shows a real flair for accessorizing, going with a standout crystal statement necklace that I adore and magnificent jeweled strappy heels, which I definitely want to see again! (Maybe in my closet ;)). She does a nice job with her poses, playing with her hair and rocking some fun angles. She seems to be smiling in nearly every shot, which gets predictable, even if accidental. Possibly because of that, one of my favorite snaps in her set is the one showing her open-mouthed expression of innocent joy - it comes off as authentic and endearing and its novelty is just one more reason to love it. Despite a few uneven moments, Carmella's snaps show great promise because of slayed shots like this one!
Becky is one of the few ladies to ditch the dress - I applaud her choice of a sequined romper. Its unique and fits her offbeat style...and happens to be spot on trend at the same time ;). The piece's center clasp lets the center slit create a dash of flirty-ness without revealing way too much and the sequin stripes bring a wonderful modern flash to the look. Like Alexa, Becky's accessory of choice was a stack of bangles ranging in tone from sterling to hematite. They coordinate precisely with her outfit, which could be boring in a simpler piece, but works flawlessly with this bold one! She finishes the outfit the same way she started: with a twist - green wedge sneakers instead of the expected heels. Not everyone could pull this off, but Becky makes it work with her sporty confidence. I'm also in heaven with her facials and poses - she's worked on her glare and nails it - no deadpan expression here! It's all confidence and subtle strong energy that doesn't have to be in-your-face. Glorious! Equally perfect is her over-the-shoulder laugh as she pulls the sleigh full of packages - she captures the effervescent magic and an elfin quality in the snap and it's superb! Brava!
Maryse's set is just what you would expect from her -stellar in every way! Her mesh-embellished lace dress perfectly matches the snowy vibe of the 'shoot, while the scalloped edge adds a lovely touch of femininity. Unlike the other ladies, she went with gold accessories and they add an appealing hint of warmth to the 'shoot. But the real fire in the snaps comes from Maryse's sure hand with poses and facials: the soft smile, the smirk (in combination with her trademark hand gesture), the sideways glance - she moves from strength to strength. Her hair and make-up are stunning. The whole set bespeaks a thoroughly competent diva rocking the heck out of a simple 'shoot and taking it to a new level with her poise and beauty. Reason #158435168 why I adore Maryse!

I'm not 100% sold on the over-skirt trend; it has to be done just right. With Naomi's dress, it comes off as an unnecessary indulgence and something of a distraction from an otherwise fantastic  piece: a minimalist sheath with a ladder-like cutout at the center. Minus the overskirt, I love this choice: it's simple but with the kind of bold detail that makes for a standout look.  Naomi completes it with wonderful strappy silver sandals. Her lime hair color adds a fabulous element to this 'shoot, creating a surprising but super-fun burst of color that enlivens the series. She gives us a nice range of poses and expressions, including smashing the challenging half-laying pose in my favorite snap of her collection.
 If Renee's sandals look familiar, that's because they're the same as naomi's - but in coppery gold, instead of silver. I love them just as much in the alternate color :). They also bring an interesting detail to this outfit because they very determinedly create a mix of metals, since Renee's outfit includes a silver lamé pencil skirt - a funky and daring piece which works incredibly well here, due to being surrounded by neutrals. She pairs it with sheer-sleeved, deep-v-front bodysuit and a lace-up belt, the one part of her look I think I could have done without, although the additional texture does provide visual interest. Her amazing statement necklace adds an unexpected earthy vibe and ties the metallic together with its mix of white, coffee and graphite. As usual, Renee's personality just explodes through the screen, whether she's playing with presents, tossing snowballs or dreaming snow-covered daydreams. Her set is unique, vibrant and stellar!
 Natalya chose a studded dress that echoes the black piece that made the rounds with a number of wrestling ladies during the summer and fall. Her choice of white makes it just right for this 'shoot, where the studs glitter like snow. She adds a trademark touch of classic chic by finishing the look off with minimal strappy sandals in grounding black. Her behind-the-snow shot is a lovely exploration of depth and she totally kills the over-the-shoulder glance, as well as the kneeling pose, conveying joie de vivre with beauty and grace.