Living on my Nightstand

It is not often that a new toy replaces my Hitachi Magic Wand. Of course I am willing to try new things and sometimes they work better in certain situations, such as with a partner or if I want a slow long buildup, but sooner or later I return to my old faithful. In February I got pleasantly surprised. CalExotics sent me the Jumpin' Gyrator Power Scoop (kinda lame name in my opinion since there is neither jumping or gyrating involved in the toy - though perhaps it's talking about the user's response). I tried out this toy for longer than usual since I wanted to know if it was really as good as I initially found it to be.
The Jumpin' Gyrator has not disappointed me. It continues to live on my nightstand (despite my husband's fear that someone will see it) and is the toy I reach for 80% of the time these days. It is the perfect combination of size and power. It uses 3 AA batteries which seems pretty amazing considering the amount of vibration it produces. The whole toy vibrates in a quiet manner yet get-the-job-done-quickly manner. The single button on the bottom of the vibrator easily allows you to cycle through the 2 speeds, but is thankfully not so sensitive that you might accidentally change settings. It is made of ABS with Polyurethane to give it a soft, satin finish. The smoothness certainly feels good against the skin. And since it is waterproof, using it directly on my body in the shower is a lot of fun. Size-wise it is nice and girthy for penetration and long enough, at 6.5 inches for insertion and 1.75 inches around.
One of the surprising nice features of this toy is the scoop. I have never seen a vibrator that had a head with this shape and would never have thought it would make a difference, but wow. The indentation cups all female curves so nicely, from the clitoris to the nipples to the g-spot, it fit perfectly. This is definitely a keeper for me.
The only warnings I would give are - this may not be the best first vibrator since it is girthy and provides intense vibration, otherwise this toy rocks!

Dual Lover = Dual motors

The Lia Dual Lover 4 is quite a powerful and fun little toy. I really seem to enjoy the Lia line of products, they are always smooth and pretty. However, when I got this package in the mail from CalExotics, I will admit that I thought, "oh great, another rabbit vibrator." But this one does not disappoint. It may be a permanent fixture on my bedside table. The dual motors makes it wonderfully intense and easy to reach a climax. It is made of a super smooth and pliable silicone. It is also waterproof.
The insertable end is 4.5 inches long and 1.25 inches around. It feels adequate in size without being especially large, a perfect first vibrator and with the intensity it has, it is also a good toy for a more advanced and discerning user like myself. Also, I do not always feel the need to insert it when the powerful tip works so well on my clit. The 10 vibrations, pulsations and escalations provide for plenty of variety for buildup. The carefully placed ridges and rabbit ears add a little bit of extra sensation to the experience.
My one complaint is that the on-off button and change setting button are both flush with the base, easy to press (often accidently since that's where I'm holding the toy during use) and hard to distinguish from each other. But the fact that a kill switch exists in this toy makes me very happy, since it is easy to shut it off and then pick right back up where you left off. I think of that feature as a mother's best friend.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Lia Dual Lover - with 2 motors, 10 functions, good design and quality, this would certainly be a good choice as a first or to add to your rabbit collection.

Posh Butterfly

I've tried little Butterfly shaped and wearable toys before. In fact you can find my review of another Butterfly here. So when I got the package in the mail from CalExotics and opened it my first thought was I already have one of these. But the Posh Butterfly is quite amazing. The vibration was strong enough for me to have an orgasm without much work, which is saying something for a toy that looks more novelty-esque than power-tool.
The Posh Butterfly is a 10 speed silicone toy, shaped like a small butterfly that fits right over the clitoris with little antennae that vibrate as well. It has straps for the waist and legs that fit fairly comfortably. The control box is attached by a wire and is powered by 2AA batteries.
This butterfly has almost all the qualities I was dreaming of (and some I didn't even think to wish for) when problem solving upgrades/fixes to the last butterfly I reviewed. I love that this toy has 3 speeds and 7 escalations and pulsations. The variety is perfect for slowly and effortlessly building to a great orgasm. Plus the power button is designed as a kill switch, so if I'm worried my kids have woken up from a nap while I'm off relieving some stress, I can suddenly stop my fun and get back to exactly where I left off once I've checked that the coast is clear.
The straps are long enough to adjust easily for someone my size and larger. They are also wider and softer than others I've tried, so they don't dig in as much. And this butterfly does a good job of staying in place during masturbation or intercourse for easy movement. The butterfly is also nicely curved so that it fits right over the clitoris (a design that to me says made by a woman).
I would highly recommend this little toy. The only shortcoming I found was that once again it is not cordless. While my partner can control the vibration, I think I'd find this toy to be so much more thrilling if my lover could hold the little box from across the room and surprise me with random jolts of pleasure.

Strap in and take off

In August Cal-Exotics provided me with the 7-Function Silicone Love Rider Dual Action Strap-On to test drive and review. The idea of using a strap-on, being the partner with the phallus, was both exciting and scary - something I'd fantasied about but never really expected to actually act upon.
Years ago I had read about a couples course in San Francisco called "Bend Over Boyfriend." I was titillated  Men always seemed to want to "try out" anal sex, so I figured getting a chance to try it out on my man would be fair play and a fun change in power dynamic. At first he seemed resistant but as the years have gone by he agreed to give it a go. I have looked at strap-ons every once in awhile but thought it to be a pricey proposition to invest in a harness and dildo for something that might only be a one time use, or only for rare occasions. When I received the Love Rider Strap-On in the mail I was unsure how it would all work out.
The silicone phallus at 6 inches was rather larger and more rigid than I had expected. It seemed like the perfect toy to use with a woman, but not necessarily a man. And when I tried it out on myself as a dildo, it did feel pretty damn good. I ran through a mental list of all the women I could possibly think of with whom I could try it and realized I wasn't in a one night stand or potential relationship position currently, with any woman I know. Also, seeking one out at the moment just didn't seem very plausible.
The next step was for me to put on the strap-on. It was super uncomfortable right away. The straps were awesomely adjustable and the clasps worked really well (easy to open and close), but the hard nubbly plastic of the "the butterfly" against my clitoris felt awful and no matter how I repositioned it, it hurt. The dual action mentioned in the name of the strap-on refers to the vibration feature, along with the penetration "probe." This toy has a wide variety of vibration settings which is wonderful. There are 7 different vibrations, pulsations and escalations that occur both in the butterfly and phallus.
I slid a condom over the end (important with all shared toys, especially ones used for anal play) and gave it a whirl with my husband. There was never a point when wearing the strap-on was really comfortable against my clit, but with the excitement of the vibration and the act of penetration it was at least tolerable. The final downside of using this strap-on also related from using it for anal sex. I couldn't thrust with intensity (like with vaginal sex) as I had fantasized about. Also I'm not a fan of the bootyhole smell which was ever present, even if faint (whether in missionary or doggy-style).
For now I think this toy will sit in a drawer, waiting for a future in which I can try it with a woman. Maybe I'll still be the receiver since I didn't especially enjoy the inner side of the harness. However, it would be fun to have sex using a vibrating phallus attached to a person with a nice rack.

Hawt and cold

With summer officially here, it seems like the perfect time to bring on the ice cold sex toys. CalExotics has kindly helped by letting me try out their Foreplay Ice Chill Massager.  This is a silicone toy that sits in a textured base in your freezer to provide fun teasing partner play.  A small metal vibrator fits into one end of the silicone to add stimulation to the experience.
On the back patio or in a chaise lounge next to a pool this toy is awesome.  The heat of the day burning onto minimally clothed bodies and a kiss begins the ritual. He leans over and our soft lips meet.  He grabs my bikini top that I placed next to me and ties it over my eyes.  "I'll be right back" he whispers in my ear. Inside the house he grabs the Foreplay Ice Chill Massager from the freezer.  He removes it from the base, ice glistening all over it.  I'm sitting there quietly, biting my lower lip with the blindfold still on.
He places the toy on my stomach and I shiver at the sudden chill.  He giggles slightly and begins drawing shapes on my lower abdomen.  I reach for it and he stops what he's doing and ties my hands behind me with rope he must have gotten from inside as well.
He returns to teasing me, now lowering my bikini bottoms.  Ice is now melting and dripping down my sides and between my thighs.  I shiver again.  He slowly moves toward my clitoris and I gasp.  My legs tremble with anticipation and he moves back to my stomach and around my breasts.  I moan a little.  Eventually, after a few minutes, he returns to my clit and adds the vibration.  This is a fun teasing feeling, but that's where it ends.  On to the main course :)
While I enjoyed the tantalizing fun that could be had with this toy, there were a few drawbacks.  This is not for indoor play as it melts and makes a mess on the bed.  The vibration is mild enough (3 watch batteries) that it was almost not noticeable for me through the silicone and ice. You must keep this in your freezer if you want to use it (both requiring foresight and possibly having to explain to your mother-in-law or babysitter that the weird purple and white icy thing in the freezer is not a fancy icepack for your children's injuries).

First Time

Receiving a toy in the mail called First Time brought up mixed emotions. I kind of felt like it was wrong for a married mother of 2 to be the best candidate to try out and review a toy called "First Time."  On the other hand it brought back fun memories of going with my college roommate to get my first vibrator. Oh that feeling of youth, innocence, and naughtiness of my first (semi) reliable orgasmic aid.
I have decided to go back in time and compare the First Time Bunny Teaser, courtesy of California Exotic Novelties, to my first ever vibrator. I feel like this is more fair, than comparing with my serious power-tools of today, as the First Time appears to be a gateway toy - pink or purple, penis shaped, not extremely strong and not too big or long.
In the summer between my junior and senior years of college I was staying on campus for part of the summer with one of my best friends.  We had been suite-mates the previous year and were sharing a room over the summer.  I was horny and not dating anyone at the time, and her boyfriend who was also living on campus over the summer had been encouraging her to get a vibrator.  One afternoon we went to a nearby sex shop (being in Los Angeles, it wasn't too hard to find a place to get sex toys).
The store was a bit overwhelming for 2 college women who had never been in such a place before.  There were toys for every orifice, some as large as an arm.  There were devices for men, of which we had never conceived.  I found a plain, smooth, blue vibrator with a dial on the bottom to increase or decrease speed.  It was sufficiently lengthy and of average girth.  It reminded me of a penis, despite its blue and smooth appearance, and I felt comfortable with it.  Actually, I think I may have been excited by it.  My roommate got a pink toy that was similar except that it actually looked like a penis, with bumps and ridges in appropriate places.
We took our toys back to our room and each tried them.  I was on the top bunk and she was on the bottom.  We promised not to look at or talk to each other.  It took me about 10 or 15 minutes to orgasm. Compared to my best toys nowadays that is a long time, but it was much quicker than how long it had taken when using my hands, and about equal to using a shower.  I loved that toy - Mr. Blue or Mr. Smurf.  It was a good first.
So if I compare the First Time Bunny Teaser to Mr. Smurf, the First Time is by far better.  Granted, this is a decade later and vibrators have improved, but I am envious of the girls who buy this as their first toy.  It has nine settings which is really impressive - different speeds, pulsations, and escalations, all with the push of a button.  The pulsations and escalations are the most pleasing of any I've found since they vibrate longer and leave me more satisfied.  Also, it is pretty strong for something that runs on 2 AAA batteries (weak enough to frustrate the present me, but would have gotten me off significantly faster than Mr. Smurf).
The texture is pretty average on this toy, a silicone feel.  It has all the bumps and ridges of a penis including a well defined head.  However, it also has flowers along the shaft, which I find a bit bizarre and disturbing.  The part of the shaft used for penetration is a mere 3 inches long.  This seemed far from sufficient, though for anal penetration it might be perfect.
The bunny teaser aspect of this toy was the most disappointing to me.  This toy was made for someone who prefers the vibration on the penetrating part of the toy with minimal vibration on the clitoris.  In my ideal world, where things vibrate strongly on my clitoris, there would be a separate motor in the bunny part. As it is, if I don't use this toy for penetration I can orgasm with the head of the "penis" on my clit.  Perhaps that's fitting, since the first time I had a naked make out encounter with a real penis that is about the extent of the interaction (though orgasm was not included).

I'm not your candles and rose petals girl

I guess I'm kinda kinky.  Not hardcore, draw blood and leave large bruises all over my body kinky, but I'm not that big on romance in the traditional sense.  It just doesn't get me all that excited.  For that matter you can leave out a lot of the foreplay and I'll be happy too.  I like situations that bring me to my edge - some mild BD/SM.   A little something to get the adrenaline pumping - spanking, hair pulling, restraints.  Now perhaps you're wondering if I'm trying out a personal ad on my blog or my new self-summary for OK Cupid.  I'm not.
This is actually to provide you with a little background for my review of the Tantric Binding Love Universal Cuffs that I have been playing with courtesy of California Exotic Novelties.  This is a romantic looking bondage device (which in my mind screams VANILLA).  It is a loop of black ace bandage type material, sewn together in the middle to create two "cuffs."  It is universal in that the cuffs can stretch enough to fit anyone's arms or legs.  This one size fits all approach may be appealing in thought, but in practice it leaves much to be desired for those who actually enjoy being bound, as it is also trivial to wiggle free.
The other unique qualities of this toy are the red satin ribbon, both tied in a bow and separately attached to a heart shaped metal ring.  While these qualities may add a sensual component, they did little for me other than get in the way.  Also, when my husband tried to create some "intimate play" using the "T-ring" as the box suggested, he simply tore the stitching.  This cute novelty is just that, fun for those aroused by the thought bondage, but not actually wanting to be tied up. For a mere $12, couples wanting a simple role playing prop or a cheap way of finding out if bondage actually excites your romantic but conventional partner, this may be just the thing for you.

Paint, lick and repeat

The box of Kama Sutra Lover's Body Paint from Bliss Connection sat on my dresser for a long while.  I looked at the jar of milk chocolate and the little included paint brush, thinking that there wouldn't be any way this product would do anything for me and my sex-life.  My husband and I finally tried it a few weeks ago, quickly realizing that I had been mistaken.  Surely it was no orgasm in a box, but wherever my husband or I put it on each other we were guaranteed to do a thorough job licking, sucking or kissing it off.  The tender ritual that the use of this edible and delicious body paint created was quite enjoyable.

We started by placing the paint on breasts, necks, fingers and stomachs.  We were both smiling and laughing throughout.  After about 15 minutes I came to the realization that we were genuinely having fun, no longer just testing out the body paint because I felt obliged.  And who wouldn't have fun when chocolate and loving caresses are combined.  In fact it seems like the perfect addition to any truth or dare game.  Anyone wanna host a game?  I'll provide the body paint :)

The only downsides I found with regard to this product were that the chocolate is very thick, so when I tried to make specific designs with it, I was left a bit frustrated.  But I know that's not it's main purpose so I'll forgive this flaw.  The other problem is that we were left a bit sticky even if it was licked completely off, so a shower afterwards is essential.  Luckily showers are a great opportunity for continued passionate adventures - the only thing I need now is more time in which to have these romantic encounters.  Good thing I have this product staring me down and begging me to toss aside the tedium of everyday life and use it.

On the Ball

Sex on an exercise ball?
Sounds like something the yoga, pilates and fitness nuts out there have probably tried. But I never dreamed that a sex specific variation of such balls existed. So when I opened the box from Bliss Connection and saw the Fetish Fantasy Inflatable Bondage Ball by Pipedream I thought it was just another gimmicky product.
The ball is black and made of plastic, rather than the rubber material of your typical exercise ball, feeling more like a pool raft. On each side there is a handle.
We followed the instructions and inflated it, at first trying by mouth, but soon gave up and used a hand pump. Unfortunately it fails my aesthetics test, as the ideal amount of air leaves the ball looking like a somewhat shriveled raisin. And sadly, it sat in our room unused for just over a month (admittedly, I was gone in Hawaii for three of those weeks).
I was also slightly scared of the ball for several reasons. The idea of placing my naked body on a cold plastic surface in winter was not appealing. I didn't really see how this ball was going to make sex any more enjoyable. I was scared that if we were both placing our weight on the ball it would suddenly pop and the fun of sex would be ruined by a broken tailbone. And what did the whole Bondage part of the name mean? Was I supposed to be tied to the handles? That seemed too athletic a feat even for me.
Now, after finally getting up the courage to play around on the ball, I'm just annoyed I didn't buck up and try it sooner. Let me tell you folks, this ball helps provide quite an amazing, wild ride.
Once I sat on the ball I realized it warmed right up. The buoyant and fluid movement it provided, rolling easily in all directions was really fun and relaxing. It allowed me to have lazy but very fulfilling sex, with more of my attention focused on my own pleasure. I do have to admit that there were one or two moments when I briefly lost my balance, but I was provided with the opportunity to get a slight abdominal workout with no real fear as I was fairly close to the floor. And yes, the ball could accommodate all of our body weight without popping (so far, at least). I still haven't figured out the bondage part of this toy, but I do like holding onto the handles and would be willing to to tied to them in a doggy-style position.
I found myself orgasming even more easily than usual while on this ball, which is saying something. Perhaps it's because I was more relaxed, or the angle was better or the rolling of the ball helped better synchronize my pelvic movements with my husband's. Whatever the reason, the ball made sex even fun and satisfying.
The variety in positions (lying on my back, sitting up, doggy-style over the ball) that are possible while on the ball was another pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the versatility, and being slightly ADD, liked that I could easily and quickly roll from one position to another. My husband however didn't have quite as much ability to vary his position and ended up with sore knees after the first go-round. A pillow for the male partner nicely complements this spicy piece of equipment.

Let's Make Love

A sensual massage is supposed to be just that - appealing to the senses. And while I feel like an advertisement saying this, I highly recommend the Making Love Massage Oil.  It will certainly help set the mood for giving and getting more frequent massages, and may lead to some good nookie.  I purchased this product from Bliss Connection after tasting each of the flavors at a Bliss pleasure party that I hosted. It feels, smells, and tastes great.  Containing vegetable oils, ginseng and vitamin E, this product is not too thick or greasy.  It remains slick throughout long massages which is wonderful and seeps nicely into the skin for a pleasant post massage feel.   It comes in Kiwi Pineapple, Vanilla and Strawberry & Champagne, so licking it off your partner can be as much fun as rubbing it in.  I found each flavor to taste more like the real thing than I had expected, not the artificial fruity flavors in medicines or at the dentist's office.  Being a huge fan of vanilla I ended up selecting that flavor.  I find that the oil reminds me of vanilla/sugar cookies.
My only problem is that like all oils, while it feels good on the skin, it does tend to leave grease stains on the sheets if we go straight into the main event without showering - though showers certainly can be part of the foreplay.  It's just sometimes hard to carve out that much time on an average night, so for us this massage oil has remained a spicy treat when used for whole body massage.  Another idea for simple, everyday use of this product is during oral sex, as a fun form of lubrication with a great taste that makes you want to keep on licking that lollipop.

Life is short. Have a what?

The first time I visited the Ashley Madison website, I couldn't believe that was their tagline - Life is short. Have an affair.

I had heard about the service before and thus wasn't shocked by it's existence, but I was amazed that they would actively flaunt and sell their service as something that married people need. I have no problem with non-monogamous relationships, but I just don't fancy the dishonesty that having an affair implies.

For research purposes (to more thoroughly understand what Ashley Madison is like) my husband and I decided we would join the website and were soon get winked at, given virtual gifts, provided with keys to private photo showcases and emailed constantly (mostly by people we would never want to hook up with even if it was all out in the open).

The crazy thing about the service is that people pay a significant amount of money looking for someone with whom to have an affair - they charge credits to do almost anything. In order to possibly find someone, or even to get a basic response you have to send out lots of requests, each of which costs money. The service appears to give women the upper-hand, with men needing to sow more email seeds to get anywhere.

I have had fun browsing through the profiles, looking at some naughty private showcases and watching fleeting fantasies about a few of the guys drift through my head. I guess it's just the eHarmony, Match.com, or OkCupid of the cheating world. Once upon a time in college I had fun fantasizing my way through online dating profiles as well, but for me that kind of connection feels distant and slightly creepy. Also, I feel slightly nervous that I'll end up seeing a profile for some married man I know. And then what?

I know tons of people have met through online dating sites and made wonderful and fulfilling connections, and I'm sure Ashley Madison is no different. I, however think I'll stick to the real world and have my extra-marital relations with people who are open and honest in their relationships and the boundaries they and their partners have set together.

No More Sucking Please

I feel that I need to put a couple of disclaimers at the beginning of this review as my opinion is definitely skewed. If you love nipple stimulation then you may want to ignore my review totally and try out this toy (with a partner).

I have recently (think 3.5 of the past 4 years) breastfed two children and used a breast-pump in addition, for when I was away at work as well as pumping milk for a friend's adopted baby. I got used to the feeling of suction on my breasts meaning that I was sustaining little human beings and not part of sexual play.

Also, for most of my adult life (even prior to having children) I was part of the 5% of people who just happen to lactate for no reason. This meant that milk could be expressed with minimal nipple stimulation - not something either my partner or I found sexually appealing (though I appreciate that some people do).

So now onto the toy I recently tried out courtesy of Bliss Connection - the Nipple Suckers. This cute little pink device, made by Pipedream is intended to increase the size and sensitivity of nipples. When the suction cups are placed over the nipples and the medical style pump ball is squeezed, the nipples immediately plump up. The less pleasant part of when I do it is that milk still comes out. And I'm over milk coming out of my nipples, at least for now.

I found that getting the suction cups to attach to my nipples was a very frustrating, if not an impossible feat for me to do alone. They had to both make a seal at the same time which seems like a poor design. However, with another person's assistance I was able to easily get them attached and pumped up. I did enjoy the tingly sensation that the suction created and the resulting large, eraser shaped nipples. My favorite feature is that once you either make the suction too intense or are done, there is an easy release valve that immediately breaks the seal.

Wicked Sexy

You may have noticed the unusual and sexy (if I do say so myself) underwear I wore in my last post. I enjoy collecting and wearing panties and found these Chastity Heart ones at Wicked Temptations. They are part of a set that comes with heart shaped pasties. I know this is another photo of the back of these underwear, but really that's the most interesting part, with the front just being a very minimally covering strip of fabric that is actually somewhat uncomfortable.

Lewinski-esque

Thanks to Bliss Connection, I have recently been orgasming with the aide of the Slender Sensations vibrator. This toy is a very thin and powerful little gem. At 6 inches in length, it's the size of the presidentially famous cigar, and little bigger than a pen. I was able to easily tote this vibrator with me on my vacation to Maui in my purse.

California Exotics has pleased me with several of their products, and this one is no different. Made of phthalate-free hard plastic, this vibrator actually felt comfortable both inside of me and out, and did not have any smell. The multi-speed functionality is controlled by twisting the bottom, and while I sometimes have a problem with this style of vibrator because the setting slips with accidental finger movement, I have not had this happen to me even once with this toy. Perhaps it will become looser over time, but right now it works perfectly.

I've found that with it's lack of girth, it does minimally well on my g-spot, but is amazing on my clit. The tip is tapered making it ideal for intensely stimulating the exact right spot. I've read that when inserted with a penis it can be a great g-spot addition, but found that with the size of my spouse's member this was not feasible, and only painful.

The one problem I have with the Slender Sensations is that if I get excited and press it more firmly against my clitoris sometimes the power decreases because of a faulty electrical connection. I've also heard that it's very easily broken by any water entering it, so this is definitely a wipe to clean toy. And speaking of that, baby wipes (any brand) are the best choice for cleaning your intimate toys as they work well, prevent the destruction that water can cause, can be kept right in the bedroom and are cheap.

Lacking sensual love

I love the Silver Bullet, a plain and simple, no frills toy. It's not cute or fancy, but it is cheap and gets the job done. But of course with such a good and basic design, companies are going to spruce it up, change it, and in my opinion, overdress it.

There are variations on the bullet that please me, but the Sensual Lover's Ring was not one of them. My husband and I spent a few weeks experimenting with this toy, courtesy of Bliss Connection, trying to find a way that would allow us to have a pleasurable experience. I believe that we failed to enjoy it for a few reasons.

The Sensual Lover's Ring is a cock ring made of a jelly material with the bullet encased in the plastic as well. There are bumps/nubs on the plastic covering the bullet to enhance the tactile experience. Neither my husband (when the bullet was over his perineum) or me (with the bullet on my clitoris) found the bumps pleasurable (they were pokey and painful).

It also turns out that my husband does not enjoy vibration, so using this toy while giving him a blow job was distracting and didn't enhance or speed things up, which I've heard really works wonders if the male enjoys vibration.

Honestly, if I were to choose a toy made from a bullet to pleasure myself during sex, it'd be the Micro Butterfly. It's compact, has 3 discreet settings and does not move away from my clit for a second.

Somewhat Delightful

I have been testing out the Slimline G Orchid Delight, courtesy of Bliss Connection. This vibrator by Wildfire is unique in design from others that I own. It is created from a hard plastic and is completely rigid, a design that somewhat disturbs me since I prefer softer things in my sexual encounters, with the rigid stuff being used at the less pleasant gynocologist visits. While I have successfully achieved a number of orgasms with the Orchid Delight, I have mixed feelings about this toy.

The Orchid Delight is touted as a G-spot toy, and with a bulbus head and angled design, it certainly looks like it could be perfect, but alas for me it was not. I could barely feel it inside, perhaps because of the slim and smooth shaft there was minimal stimulation to my vagina during penetration.

Fear not dear readers, it worked well for clitoral stimulation. This toy has twist on power and can provide variable strengths of vibration, from low to pretty darn high. It was a strong enough intensity to really please me - but unfortunately even when I was able to stifle moans, the hard plastic made the vibration rather noisy. I do like that this toy is waterproof and have enjoyed it in the shower, where its own noises are drowned out.

I have also read that the Orchid Delight is enjoyable for anal stimulation and I can imagine that with the slim design and intense focused stimulation it could feel wonderful. I personally do not find anal play very arousing.

This is something I will use from time to time, especially in the shower, but it's not an all-time favorite.

Mmmmmm nipples

I've had nipple clamps in the past. You know, the cheap kind that just open and shut and squeeze the life out of your sensitive little nips. After trying those a few times I thought I hated nipple clamps, so when I got a set in the mail a few weeks ago from Bliss Connection I was kind of disappointed and certain it was going to be a toy I wouldn't like. I was wrong.

These nipple clamps are different. Pipedream makes these adjustable "fetish fantasy series" alligator nipple clamps. You can choose the setting that matches your sensitivity the best - minimal pressure all the way to death grip. They look like real fetish gear, with a weighty chain connecting the shiny metal clamps covered with black soft rubber in the right places.

These clamps can be adjusted by tightening a screw (in each clamp) to decrease the pressure, or loosening it to increase the pressure. While I am aware that nipple clamps in the BD/SM world are often placed on the nipple at a low pressure setting and slowly loosened to increase the pressure, I could not tolerate this technique. While my nipples are not extremely sensitive, this kind of play was not enjoyable for me. Perhaps the springs on these clamps are also very sensitive, as they seemed to go from fun and painful to ouch with minimal adjustment.

Overall, I found this product to be a bit of spice for my sex life. I enjoy when the chain is pulled and like the way I look and feel having sex with the nipple clamps on. For the first time (and then a few more times in the past few weeks) I've really been turned on by this form of nipple play.

One word of caution with nipple clamps - they restrict (or cut off) blood flow to the nipples and should not be left on too long.

Pet rock, 2010 version

I purchased the Nea from Bliss Connection after getting a chance to hold it at my pleasure party. I drooled over the wonder of owning this toy for a few weeks before making the purchase. While it's sometimes challenging to grasp that I could still NEED another vibrator, this one is unique. It reminds me of a pet rock, but so much more satisfying. The Nea is a very small, ornately decorated, and relatively weighty clitoral stimulator. The curve of this toy allows it to rest snugly over the pubic bone. It is made by Lelo, a reputable Swedish sex toy manufacturer of fairly high end toys.

I was in love with the Nea from the moment I received it. The packaging was amazing, a beautiful black box, with the Nea resting inside on a stand, beneath a clear plastic cover. Included was a white satin drawstring bag in which to carry the Nea, a detailed but not too lengthy instruction manual and the charger. Yes, this toy is rechargeable!

After removing my Nea from its pedestal, I eagerly tried to turn it on, but was unable. I was sad that it came uncharged and that I would have to wait. I started flipping through the manual and soon found that it can be locked during transport (if you hold down both buttons at once). Genius! I picked it up, pressed the buttons and was able to unlock it and have it come to life.

I gave it a whirl. It is simple and elegant in design. It only has 2 buttons and because of the curve in the toy, they were easily accessible to me during use. It has 10 speeds, from super low, to intense. It also has 3 different speeds of pulsation as well as one escalation. Besides being discreet with regard to size, it is a relatively quiet vibrator.

I have used the Nea in multiple different ways now and have enjoyed them all - tucking it in my panties, lying on top of it, holding it against my clit, placing it between me and my husband during sex. The toy itself comes in black, white or dark pink. All colors have a beautiful floral pattern on the hard plastic exterior. And as with all of Lelo's toys, it comes with a 1 year warranty.

The god of sexual love is a lubricant?

After my post about Liquid Silk (a water based lubricant), Bliss Connection sent me a bottle of Eros silicone lubricant to try. I had never tried a silicone lubricant, being very satisfied with Liquid Silk, but I was happy to give it a whirl.

I took a few minutes to read about it since I have gotten yeast infections with the use of some lubricants, but this product met my criteria - glycerin-free, hypoallergenic and non-toxic. I rubbed a drop on the back of my hand to see what it felt like. It was silky smooth and the single drop seemed to go a long way - soon the entire back of my hand felt slick and lotiony feeling, but not wet. I was also easily able to wash it off with some soap and warm water after the trial, another bonus.

The next time my husband and I were going to have sex, I put a few drops on my fingers and slid them inside my vagina. Immediately with penetration, I noticed that while I didn't feel wet like I do when I'm either really aroused or using a water based lubricant, the sex felt extra slippery and smooth. I must admit I felt slightly weirded out at first because in my mind good sex is associated with a dripping wet vagina, and this wasn't exactly that. As the minutes went by and easy penetration continued, my mind slowly began to accept that this new sensation could also signify good sex.

I've now tried Eros several times during intercourse and enjoy it's effects. In my opinion it's more than just a lubricant, as it has a different feeling from my body's natural lubrication. My husband and I agree that it makes sex feel tighter (nice) and creates more friction while not feeling at all dry. I still think we will switch back and forth between Eros and Liquid Silk since we enjoy variety and I am still more used to the wet feeling. We haven't taken the dive into anal sex with this lubricant but apparently it's the best for making it comfortable. Also for condom users, this lubricant is latex safe.

This wand is magic

I got a Lia Magic Wand a few weeks ago from Bliss Connection and have been giving it some good use. I handled it for the first time at the pleasure party I hosted and decided right then and there there that I needed to have it. This vibrator is so different from anything else I own.

The texture is smooth, a little squishy and reminiscent of skin. It came with no smell whatsoever, which made us friends from the start. The Lia Wand by California Exotics is made out of matte silicone and is waterproof. It is a g-spot vibrator with great flexibility and a slight curve at the tip, which makes it easy for me to manipulate internally. It has three bulges, which are still relatively slender, but adds a nice contoured aspect for penetration. The fact that it's so slender and soft make it a perfect first g-spot vibrator. I find it highly enjoyable, but sometimes just wish it were a little girthier. Some people have mentioned the potential use of this toy for anal penetration since it is not very large and has ripples, but I don't have personal experience with this yet.

I noticed that the vibration appears to be focused in the tip, making it great for clitoral stimulation as well as vaginal penetration. The quality of the vibration is very unique. It has 10 different settings - they can be categorized as 3 different speeds/strengths; 6 various frequency pulsations and 1 escalation. It is not the quietest of toys but does have the lovely kill button. I can stop it without having to cycle through to the off position and when I turn it on again, it goes right back to my last setting which means I can pick up exactly where I left off after the interruption dealt with. The buttons are, like the rest of the toy, high quality and require little effort to press. It is also very simple to use as there is only the on/off button and the one to change the setting.

The Lia Magic Wand is a new favorite and will be in my regular rotation of toys.