Sex Tips

Vibrators 101: things that make you go hmmm!

When you walk into one of our stores, we make a point to greet you with a warm welcome, as well as offer to answer any and all questions. We want you to feel safe and comfortable, like we’re a close friend with which you can share your secrets. Lots of customers jump right in and pick our brains for what’s hot. But, there are always the customers who quickly offer, “I’m just looking”, then hurriedly skitter away. Here’s what happens next… They wander around for a few minutes. They try NOT to look at any of the toys. Then, they sheepishly return to one of us and say, “I need help. I have no idea what I am looking for! I’ve never, ever bought something like this before!” We smile and jump right in to what I call our “101 talks.” Whatever you’re looking for, we know what to use, what’s the best of the best, and how to make the most of it.

One of the types of items we sell the most of would be vibrators. But, vibrators come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors. Not to mention, the can serve a variety of functions in the bedroom. Therefore, we frequently give “Vibrator 101” talks as we guide nervous, yet curious customers around the store. So, here’s my run-down on vibrators, just for you:

The Basic – This is also called a “starter vibe.” It’s not phallic in shape and is usually made of a smooth plastic material. These vibes usually have limited functions and speeds (think slow/medium/fast). Basic vibes run from small to medium in size, but run small in girth. They are great for someone who is looking for a starter toy, or just wants something inexpensive and basic. I suggest the Velvet Touch Vibe, by Doc Johnson. If you want a little more excitement from a basic vibe, try one of our Climax Gems by Topco for a textured experience!

The Bullet – This is also often referred to as an egg. Bullets are usually bullet-shaped, wand-shaped, or egg-shaped. They are usually made of a smooth plastic, or may be covered in a soft gel or silicone material. These vibes can range in function from a simple 3-speed to a 10 function ability, complete with pulses and patterns. Often times, they are attached to a remote. But, you can buy wireless versions. They range in size from 1″ to about the size of an egg. They are great for someone who wants clitoral stimulation during sex or masturbation. They are also good for vaginal use, if you’re looking for something on the small side. Bullets can range in price and quality, but here are my top 3 suggestions:

Vibrating Dildos/Dongs – Now we’re getting into some serious trouble! This is where you will begin to find more variety in the selection of toys. If you’re looking for a vibrator that may resemble your lover, this is where you want to start. Vibrating dildos are phallic in shape and resemble penises – veins, ridges, curves and all. They are made of soft gels and silicone. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Sizes range from 5″ to 12″ (unless you special order). Girths can range from the slender to the very hefty! And, these vibes come in colors from natural skin colors to wild colors like pink, purple, and blue. They may have only 3 speeds, or they may have multi-function settings that include pulses and patterns. They will range in price and quality. I suggest you try one of our EZ Bend Dongs, by California Exotics.

Rabbits/Multi-Stims Rabbit is the generic term to describe a vibrator that has both a vaginal shaft, as well as an external stimulator for the clitoris. Sometimes, these toys also have a 3rd stimulator for anal penetration. Like vibrating dildos & dongs, they are made of soft gels and silicone. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Sizes range from 5″ to 10″ (unless you special order). Girths can range from the slender to the very hefty! And, these vibes come in colors from natural skin colors to wild colors like pink, purple, and blue. They may have only 3 speeds, or they may have multi-function settings that include pulses and patterns. They will range in price and quality. Where they differ from vibrating dildos & dongs in that they often do not look realistic and may have see-through shafts which contain rotating beads. I suggest these toys, if you’re looking for a rabbit:

  • For beginner’s – Try a Platinum Butterfly Kiss, by California Exotics. It’s small and has multi-function vibrations.
  • For serious fun – Try the Thrusting Jack Rabbit, by California Exotics. Thrusting action and multi-function vibrations – YES!
  • For premium fun – Try the Thrill by We-Vibe, or the Ina by Lelo. High quality, rechargeable, multi-function toys designed for maximum pleasure!

G-Spot Vibrators – A G-spot vibrator is any of the about toys, but with a curved shaft specifically designed to put pressure on the g-spot. By applying pressure to the g-spot, you increase sexual pleasure, as well as the likelihood and intensity of orgasm. For maximum g-spot stimulation, I suggest the Gigi, by Lelo. The Gigi is the ultimate mid-size G-spot massager with a flattened tip is designed specifically for that erogenous zone. It’s also rechargeable and whisper-quiet, with 5 adjustable stimulation modes.

Wands/Personal Massagers – These toys are essentially the same as a personal back massagers. They are wand shaped, high-powered, with a large vibrating heads. Wands are not used for penetration and are external toys only. These toys usually do not have multi-function patterns or pulses, but instead have ranges in speed from low to high. Wands are best for women who have difficulty achieving orgasm, or do not climax with traditional vibrating toys. They range in price and size – from mini to full length (about 10″ long). Wands usually have a plug-in cord, but do come in battery-powered and rechargeable styles. For someone interested in a wand, I suggest trying the Bodywand Mini, by Bodywand. Start small to see if this is the type of toy for you. If so, invest in something bigger and more powerful!

So, that’s Vibrators 101. I hope you learned something new! There’s also vibrating glass toys, vibrating anal toys, vibrating panties, vibrating cock-rings, vibrating tongue rings, and many, many more things that can make you go hmmm… But, I will save all that for another day, another blog, another 101 class!!

A nurse, a cop, and a maid walk into a bar…

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Let me set the scene… My lover and I are having lunch. I am getting very animated and excited about an idea I have for the bedroom. It’s a scenario I’d like to play out. He listens intently. Then, my lover begins laughing heartily and says, “Let me imitate you… ‘I want to role play tonight, and these are top 5 ideas!’ You’re going to give me multiple personality disorder at this rate, honey!”

Now, let me explain… One of my favorite things to do to spice up the mood during sex is role playing. I love it, absolutely love it. Why? It adds excitement, mystery, and fun. With role play, your inhibitions can disappear. You’re not you anymore. You don’t have to be confined to yourself. THAT makes sex friskier and more fun! It’s also empowering because it puts YOU in control of your sexuality and your sexual experience. Not to mention, it keeps things from becoming stale between you and your partner. Plus, role playing sex allows you to enact your fantasies, without straying. And, it increases the anticipation for sex by creating the scene for a slow build-up.

Another fun part of role playing? You get to dress up! If you raided my closet, you’d find a huge assortment of wigs, in all sorts of colors and styles. I also have tons of costumes – school girl, hot pink scrubs for the doctor, border patrol guard, cop, French maid, Elvis, bar maid, waitress, Minnie Mouse, pin-ups of all kinds, the dominatrix, nurse, sailor, firefighter… even pants, a shirt, and tie for a little cross-dressing! And of course, it doesn’t help that I work for a sex shop. We have the cutest, sexiest assortments of costumes – from bedroom only outfits, to those suitable for a Halloween party. So, I’m like a kid in candy store!

Want to give role playing a try? Here are some great ideas to get you started:

BAD COP – make your lover a sexy prisoner for the night!
OBEDIENT ROBOT – program your robot to do exactly as you say!
HOT HANDYMAN – you’ve got the tools to get the job done right!
THE STRANGER – meet at a bar & be each other’s one night stand!
THE COED & PROFESSOR – what will you do to make an “A”?
THE CASTING CALL – audition your lover for a homemade movie!
THE NAUGHTY NURSE – give your patient a sexy sponge bath!
THE STRIPPER – get out the “fuck me” heels and thong, and then give your regular a lap dance!
THE MASSEUSE – grab the warm oil and get touchy-feely!
THE FRENCH MAID – feather dust your partner and play at housekeeping!
THE PHOTOGRAPHER & MODEL – grab a camera and snap some racy photos!
THE CAR SALESMAN – show them what’s under the hood, then hit the backseat for a test drive!
THE ROCK STAR – be a groupie and have fun backstage!

Need a costume? Check out our fantasy lingerie by DreamGirl, Leg Avenue, 7 Til Midnight & more!

Do’s & Don’ts for Hotel Sex

It’s Summer, and that means travel. And if you’re like me, travel means lots and lots of hotel sex. So, here are my do’s and don’ts for hotel sex…

DO bring extra batteries for your toys. It may not be convenient to run out and grab some AAA’s when you need them.

DO bring one of our water-proof lubes. There’s the potential for sex in a pool or hot-tub. And, well, there is unlimited hot water in a hotel shower.

DO invest in a Fascinator Throe by Liberator. Hotel bedding can be sketchy. Think of all the fine folks who’ve had sex there before YOU. These plush throws are specially lined to slurp up love juices, lubes, lotions and all the leftovers of sexual play.

DO role-play. You’re in neutral and unfamiliar territory. Take on the role of call girl. Or, meet as strangers at the bar.

DO stay hydrated, or pack a quality lube from System JO. Vigorous activity can leave you dehydrated and make lubrication an issue. Plus, proper hydration prevents muscle cramping, which could ruin that new position you’ve wanted to try.

DO plan to try new things. New surroundings can make everything more exciting. Agree on a few things you’d like to try before you check in. Then, hang up the “do no disturb” sign.

DO bring a sexy playlist for the trip. Playing a little music can go a long way in masking the soundtrack you’ll be creating. This is especially helpful when thin walls abound, when you’re bunking near friends and family.

DON’T run out of towels. You’re bound to need more than your usual share for clean-up and all those long hot showers you may take.

DON’T forget to hang up the “do no disturb” sign. In the heat of the moment, you might not hear the knock-knock-knock of the cleaning staff.

DON’T eat anywhere off the beaten path. Stick to foods and restaurants you know. A little food poisoning can go a long way in ruining your hot and sexy vacation escapades.

DON’T forget your lingerie and toys in the room. The hotel staff will throw them away once you’re gone.

DON’T be stingy with the tip you leave the cleaning staff. They’re used to sketchiness when cleaning rooms. But, a little extra “thank you” would be the right thing to do. I mean, they are cleaning up all those used towels and dirty sheets. And who knows what they may have found under the bed!

10 Sizzling Sex Tips for the 4th of July!

Ahhh, the 4th of July… It’s one of my favorite holidays – cookouts, fireworks, friends, the pool, and freedom. Not to mention, a day off work! What else could make the holiday any more fun? I’ve got a few ideas…

Here are my top 10 ways to make this 4th of July extra HOT, with loads of fireworks:

  1. At party with friends? At the local pool? Sneak off with your lover to the bathroom for a quickie or some fooling around. You don’t have to go all the way to keep things hot. Get each other revved up, then save the rest for when you’re all alone.
  2. Try one of our warming or cooling lubes. The warming sensation will create fireworks between the two of you. The tingling cooling sensation will add a thrilling chill to the heat of the moment.
  3. Streak! That’s right – strip down to nothing and run! The feeling of being naked in public can be exhilarating. And, being naked increases your libido!
  4. Don’t want to be naked in public? Stay indoors all day… in the buff! Make it a clothes-free day at home and let things heat up whenever and wherever you want!
  5. Too hot for the pool? Have some fun in the shower or bath. We carry an extensive line of Sex in the Shower products, including wall attachments, vibrating loofas, and waterproof lubes. We also carry some fantastic, 100% water submersible toys by Jimmy Jane and We-Vibe.
  6. Want to cool things down? Try one of our glass toys that’s been chilled in the freezer! Want to heat things up? Drop the glass toy in a hot water!
  7. Be the master of CHILL! Keep a spray bottle filled with ice water next to the bed, and give each other a spritz! Aim for nerve-packed areas like the nipples, the back of the neck, the inner thighs, the tailbone, or the backs of your knees.
  8. DRINK! Alcohol naturally loosens your inhibitions!! Don’t drink? Try one of our tropical flavored lubes, massage oils, body gels, or lickable dusters! From pina colada to tropical pineapple, we have just the flavor to mix things up!
  9. Ice, ice, baby… That’s right – experiment with ice! Or, keep it sweet with a popsicle or some ice cream. Dab small amounts onto places you’d like to lick or be licked!
  10. Want things to get really HOT? Turn off the AC! Sweating allows you to release your natural pheromones. Don’t want to do it the old-fashioned way? Try one of our many pheromone infused body sprays, lotions, or massage oils!

Me vs. the We-Vibe 3…

When I first saw the We-Vibe, I’ll admit… I was skeptical. I had friends who SWORE by it, said it changed their sex lives, that it was a miracle for couples. It’s a strange looking toy, not like your average phallic, rabbit-laden styles. It kind of resembles a boomerang. I’ve used a lot of sex toys in my life. I mean, I work for a sex shop. But, this toy confounded me. I held out and wouldn’t believe the hype… until We-Vibe gave me their latest model, the We-Vibe 3. And who can turn down a free sex toy? So, I charged up my We-Vibe 3 and accepted the challenge.

Later that day, my partner stared at me with a confused look on his face. “What is it again? And, you said we do what with it?” You see, the We-Vibe 3 is a couple’s toy. You insert one end in the vagina and the other end sits on your clitoris. The whole thing vibrates. Your partner slides in under the end that’s in your vagina. It results in a tighter fit and vibrating stimulation for both your vagina and clitoris, and also his penis. And, the vaginal end pushes up against your g-spot – a triple whammy for the clit, g-spot, and residing penis. Yay! Now, maybe you are starting to see where my skepticism came from… How does it fit in there? How does that create life-altering sex? Wouldn’t your average bullet do something similar?

Despite our reservations (and maybe a smidge of confusion), my partner and I experimented with the We-Vibe 3. I’ll admit, it was awkward at first. But, once things got going, it heightened everything. My g-spot was being pressed on like it was a magic button of love. My clitoris was so excited it didn’t even know what the hell to do. And, the vibrating against my partner’s penis… well he wasn’t complaining!! So, yeah, yeah, we were convinced.

But, we got to thinking… and you know how dirty minds are once they get to thinking. The We-Vibe 3 happens to have some nifty features. It’s completely submersible under water. It comes with a wireless remote control. And, it’s made of body-safe silicone that grips to your skin. When you take into consideration those three features, it opens up a world of possibilities. Boy did we think up some possibilities! Here’s the top ways we use our We-Vibe 3:

  • Wrap it around his balls while giving him head – my partner loves extra attention to the boys. The gripping silicone gently clings to the balls, providing a light squeeze AND vibration. He loves this!
  • Use it as a wireless panty vibe – He keeps the remote; I wear the We-Vibe 3 in my panties. With the click of a button, he can tease me anywhere, anytime. We’ve utilized it on many dinner dates… check please!
  • Use it as anal toy – if you like a little backdoor stimulation, the We-Vibe 3 is an awesome choice. One end slips in your bottom, while the other end vibrates against your perineum. He’ll love that he can feel the vibration through your vaginal wall.
  • Try it on his prostate – My partner likes anal stimulation, as well. The shape of the We-Vibe 3’s head puts the pressure on his prostate, making him act like a crazy man. So, he’ll use it while I am giving him head or during sex.
  • Use it for double penetration – This is my favorite way to use the We-Vibe 3. I slip the bigger end inside my vagina and have the other end resting on my clit. Then, my partner and I lube up for anal penetration. The gripping silicone holds the toy in place really well.
  • Use it as a solo toy – The We-Vibe 3 is powerful enough to use for masturbation. Why buy a rabbit when the We-Vibe 3 can do double duty as a couple’s toy AND a solo toy?!
  • Update on 7/19/13 – This just in… We came up with yet another use! I used the bigger head inside, with the smaller head placed on my perineum. Then, my partner went down on me. It was amazing! Unlike traditional toys, the shape of the WeVibe makes it so the toy is not in the way during oral sex!

So, in the end, I am a believer. It has changed my sex-life! We keep it charged up and ready to go in case we’re ready to go! The We-Vibe 3 wins every time…

 

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