The Basic Bullet

Everybody loves a classic, and what could be more classic than the basic silver bullet vibrating toy? It is simple, straightforward and does not intimidate. Not only that, but many women will tell you it's the first toy they owned - as well it should be! It's great for beginners, yet you'll find at least one or two in even the most well-stocked personal toybox. The bullet can be used privately or with a partner and has as many uses as your clever brain can dream up for it.

Another feature which sets the basic bullet apart as a classic toy is the adjustable speed. Moods change and the bullet's vibration power can be adapted to suit a variety of vibration needs.

So go ahead, pick up a bullet today - heck - pick up a handful and give them to your friends as party favors at your next bachelorette or girls'-night-out. You'll never go wrong with a classic.

More Pleasure Than Pain

Most people I know would not describe themselves as "into pain" - yet there is a certain air of mystique and power that the idea of pleasure and pain. It seems sexy - and it can be.

The key is to ensure you continue to experience pleasure and not just pain. For this, a nice little PVC whip is just the ticket. Use it as a tickler (for pleasure) and also to deliver "lashes" (for pain) - the thongs on this whip are soft and pliable, and won't deliver so much sting that the pleasure ends.

Have some fun experimenting on your own arms and legs to see how many different sensations you can create with this one versatile little item. To enhance the experience for your partner, you may wish to pair this with a blindfold and some hand cuffs. To enhance the experience for yourself, you may wish to pair this with an outfit that means business.

Backdoor for Beginners

Yes, that backdoor. Often people and couples are curious about this final frontier of taboo and not really sure where to begin. Doc Johnson makes a variety of products for posterior play, in fact, the selection can be a little overwhelming for beginners.

Fortunately, there is the Crystal Jellies 6" Anal Starter - it's for beginners, and more slender than a typical dong. Judging by the frequency with which this little beauty crosses my desk, I'd say it is a good place to start.

If you or someone you know is curious about "going there" but not sure where to start, I would recommend something like this anal starter. Also, I would recommend a lot of good lube such as the Sliquid Sassy Booty Formula and the advice of experts like the Guide to Getting It On (which is very comprehensive and covers this as well as a wide array of other topics.)

Use It or Lose It

Ask any dutiful gym-goer and they will most certainly tell you - the way to keep and maintain muscle tone, strength and agility is to regularly work at it. And they are right! But what about the lesser-known pelvic floor muscles? The same principle applies - you've gotta work them!

Specifically, you need to do those Kegel exercises - clench and tighten the muscles and then relax them. Many ladies find it easier to isolate and work these muscles with some ben-wa balls, such as these lovely purple Deluxe Duotone Balls, which crossed my desk today.

Let's review why these exercises are every bit as important (if not MORE) as regular workouts:

1. Better ability to achieve orgasms (yay!)
2. Better continence especially when laughing or sneezing
3. Better intensity of orgasms (yay!)
4. Stave off internal organ prolapse
5. Orgasms, orgasms, orgasms (yay!)
6. Better ability to stimulate (and feel) your partner during intercourse
7. Did I mention - ORGASMS!

So grab yourself some "exercise equipment" like ben-wa balls* and start working on those orgasms, I mean kegel exercises ASAP!

*You'll find a wide array of kegel exercise equipment at www.condomsstore.com - just type in the keyword "kegel" to see our full selection.

Swirl It, Twirl It, Shimmy & Shake It

Whether you are looking to heat things up or set the room on fire, a fun kit like the Showgirl Black Sequined Pasties and G-string is sure to help you make it happen. Have fun shimmying and shaking your best assets as the sequins catch and throw light. Twirl the tassels and be a tease. Whether you are performing your own burlesque or spicing things up with a personal striptease - this little set packs a lot of va-va-va-voom.Go ahead - tap into your own inner sexpot and give yourself license to shake it like you mean it!(This item is also a great gift idea for a bachelorette party, or a pole-dance-class party favor!)

Nothing Says Sexy Like Stockings!

One of the ultimate ways to shout "Hey world, guess what, I'm sexy!" is to don a pair of stockings (and perhaps something racy or lacy to keep them in place.) This 3pc stocking set by Shirley of Hollywood does that nicely and for a very nice price.

Wearing stockings also a great way to convince yourself of this sentiment, should you ever not feel 100% sure. So go ahead, throw on some fabulous fishnet stockings and make your declaration to the world: "Hey world, guess what, I am one sexy mamacita!"

Tres Jolie for Your Trip

The European-designed Natural Contours line of personal massagers are not for the dabblers - these are higher-end, higher-quality performance toys. Each one of their waterproof massagers has a very sculptural-looking ergonomic shape and a pleasant (not garish) modern color.

The Jolie - the smallest in the line, has a gently angled shape which is reminiscent of a curved finger. It is a happy robin's egg blue color. It's also nice and compact - the package claims "Perfectly discreet for travel" and I'd have to agree. You can toss this jolly little vibe into your suitcase or carry-on bag. Heck, go ahead and pop it in your pocket. It's ready to go anywhere, any time.

As any seasoned traveler will tell you, it's best to avoid mysteriously buzzing and vibrating luggage, so be sure you pack your Jolie and batteries separately!

Get into the Rabbit Habit

Kick-start a new habit - the Rabbit Habit. Made by Vibratex, a leading producer of the finest toys around, this fine vibrator does - well everything! (This is THE toy from that famous episode of Sex in the City - you know the one where she would not leave her apartment? Try one out for yourself and you'll understand why...)

We have bundled the Rabbit Habit with a few of the basics that everyone should have in their toy collection - a mini-mite, a vibrating bullet, and the ladyfinger vibe. So fire-up your Rabbit Habit and pump up your toybox at the same time - you won't be sorry!

Play it Smooth...

Sliquid Smooth, that is! Pair up your shower-shavin' with the fabulous Sliquid Smooth Shave Creme. I've already talked about how much I like the Sliquid brand - they are cruelty-free and kind to animals - but they also have some wonderfully lovely scents. Try their Grapefruit Thyme Shave Creme in the morning to awaken your senses. Cool off in the evenings with their Honeydew Cucumber scent, or, if you prefer flowers to fruits, there's the lilac-scented Spring Blossom Shave Creme.

Of course if you want a truly, deliciously bare shaving experience, Sliquid Smooth Unscented might be your choice.

For a fun summer "spa" gift pair up a bottle of the Sliquid Smooth with a bottle of Sliquid Splash Body Wash of the same scent, and you have a lovely (and cruelty-free) present that is sure to please.

Let Your Fingers Do the Walking

When feeling frisky, it can be mighty fun to remember old phone book commercials and "let your fingers do the walking."

To get things started with a buzz, try the Frisky Fingers stimulating massager. It's clean and modern-looking and straps on to your finger of choice. Strategically placed nubs deliver the vibrations to wherever your fingers may roam. If friendly woodland creatures are more your style, perhaps the Sutera Finger Rabbit is the better choice. Again, the same principle - this cute little bunny-vibe straps on to your finger and the rabbit ears conduct the vibrations wherever you point them. Both of these items take watch-style batteries, which are included with the vibe.

If this sounds great but you're not ready to commit just yet, perhaps the disposable nymphO double finger fun 2-pack is right for you. These finger vibes are a curved half-moon shape and provide twice the fun you can have at one time (one for you and one for your partner!)

Swish and Flick

It's an oldie but a goodie - the classic feather tickler. Use this little number to set the mood for romance and tease your sweetie into a tickle-induced frenzy. Or make a spectacular show of tickling yourself! You can even use it to punctuate your statements of intent to your partner - how you intend to use it and where and for how long... (meow!) Your only limit is the extent of your imagination.

The feather tickler is a boudoir basic and comes in a wide array of styles and colors - everyone should have at least one.

Games for Lovers Who Aren't into Games

So many people associate the word "games" with unspoken expectations, tests of a partner's true feelings and high levels of melodrama. In actuality, those things are not games at all, they are the stuff of soap operas and they certainly aren't fun.

Actual games, the fun kind played between two people in a close relationship, are quite enjoyable! For example, this mini sex game is perfect for a weekend getaway. It's small, discreet and easily tossed into an overnight bag or glove compartment. Or hide it in your lover's briefcase or purse to build their anticipation for a later romantic encounter. The game features two kinds of fill-in-the-blank cards - foreplay and X-rated - such as "massage my _______" and "lick my _______" which can be mixed up as many times as the game is played. Further fun comes from the "probing questions" a partner can spin on the mini-wheel included in the game.

The game lasts as long as the two players can stand to keep playing, and everyone wins in the end. So I say save the drama for the daytime soaps - the sex game is what games in a relationship should be about - playful fun for all involved.

Boyshorts That Buzz

For so long, everything was about the thong. Thong, G-string, butt-floss - there are a million ways to say it but unless you have embraced wearing the thong, you didn't have many sexy new options in the area of vibrating panties...

...until the boyshort's star began to rise. Now, not only are there many boy short options to choose from for regular lingerie - there are also vibrating panty options like the Doc Johnson Vibrating Boy Shorts. Woo! A hot little boy short panty packing the power of the Doc Johnson brand's buzz**. Can you feel the excitement?

So if you are one of the many gals who is tired of thong-only options, this vibrating panty is just the ticket. Throw them on to take yourself over the edge or "surprise" your partner as you sit on his lap - these boy shorts pack a buzz!

**The vibe is fully removable for every-day wear and laundry purposes.

See It, Feel It in the Dark

Today in the course of my regular work, the Omazing Glow in the Dark Ring crossed my desk. I think this product is a much better buy than the disposable one-use vibrating rings in that this little item was designed for multiple uses. It even comes with refill batteries - double your pleasure, double your fun!

Vibrating rings are a great way to mix things up. Also, let's face it, even though we're all adults here, things that glow in the dark are fun - especially when they are involved with frisky fun in the dark.

As with most glow-in-the-dark items such as decoder rings, alarm clock hands and so forth, to maximize the glow properties of this ring, your best bet is to leave it out in the light for a bit before the lights-out fun begins.

Doctor Recommended

Today a tube of Slippery Stuff Water-based Gel Lubricant crossed my desk. The tube is their medical-style packaging, and that reminded me of a conversation with my doctor. She was asking where I work, and what we sell. When I told her about my job, her face lit up as she excitedly asked "Do you sell Slippery Stuff?" When I told her that yes, in fact, we do, she was very pleased and wanted details she can give her patients.

Apparently she recommends this product to her patients all the time, but they have a hard time finding it since it is not readily available in most supermarkets and drug stores. So I'd say this is not only a nice slippery product in the world of water-based personal lubricants, but a doctor-recommended best bet.

Sexy Summer PJs

When the weather gets warmer, it's time to rethink your wardrobe from sunup to sundown. Out come the capri pants and floaty sundresses, but often this seasonal makeover stops short at bedtime. Why is this?

You might think "Oh I always wear an old tshirt or any old thing to bed - it's no big deal - I'm asleep!" but I only agree with half of that statement. It's true you will be asleep. That said, it is a big deal to think what you wear to bed should be something old and ratty - something you would be embarrassed to be seen in by the light of day. Even the most fashion-forward by day can fall into this trap, but what is the solution?

The solution is some Sexy Summer PJs. Just because they're sexy does not mean they need to be uncomfortable - stretch mesh is actually one of the coolest and most comfortable things to wear - even for sleeping. And it is damn sexy, too. (You may not want to wear this in the light of day either, but for a whole 'nother set of reasons...)

If you're sleeping alone - do it for yourself, and if you're sleeping with your partner - do it for yourself. I am sure your act of self-love will be understood and appreciated. Bottom line - everybody should have some sexy summer PJs.

The Written and the Practical

As a retailer of personal pleasure products, we get a fair amount of questions about this-
or that- product. Many questions are valid and they seem to come from people who are just beginning to think about getting a toy and are not exactly sure what to expect. These questions range from battery size/duration, proper care and cleaning, and volume. Often people will forget to include the name of the specific product they are considering with their questions

This makes answering those questions difficult. The range of toys, their properties and battery-usage rates is vast. Also, the range of people and their particular definitions of "loud" or "goes through batteries too quickly" (or whatever other criteria they may be wondering about at the time) is vast. A vast, vast range - oh what to do about it?

Enter the Sexpert! Dr. Sadie Allison has written a book called "Toygasms" which is chock full of answers to many common questions about owning and saving and using toys. We sell this book, and in fact, we bundle it with a toy. If you, like many people are just getting started - this is like getting the materials for the written and practical aspects of the whole experience.

Other than that, I would hope customers use their common sense. If some toys seem confusing or like something you would not like - don't buy it. If something is interesting to you - sounds like it's worth exploring. And finally, if the item costs less than a crew-neck tee at Eddie Bauer - just buy it and see how things progress. At the worst, you are out one Eddie Bauer t-shirt but have a better understanding of what works for you.

My advice is to start small and work your way up. Not sure you'd like a $150.00 super-silicone-tastic toy with a bazillion functions? Perhaps you should try finding out a bit more information (from a reputable source such as Dr. Sadie Allison) and a less expensive option first - you can always upgrade and fill out your toy collection later.

For the Gal on the Go - the Go Vibe

This little item crossed my desk today, and I think it is a fantastic toy, especially for travelers. It's the Doc Johnson Go Vibe, which comes in four color choices. It's waterproof, has no wires, and it's like a cross between a bullet vibe and a pocket rocket. The Go Vibe takes one AA battery and turns on and off - no monkeying with settings and speeds - but this does not strike me as a problem. In fact, I think the simplicity lends a certain elegance to this little toy. It's extremely straightforward and has a nice rounded shape - perfect little travel pal for the gal on the go.

Unbelievably Popular Pocket Rocket

Today, as happens nearly every day, plenty of the Doc Johnson Velvet Touch (White Nights edition) Pocket Rockets crossed my desk. It's an unbelievably popular product - it sells like hotcakes! Hot, hot, hot hotcakes!

While nearly every adult toy manufacturer has some version or other of this - pocket rocket, mini mite, handy massager, mighty med - the list goes on - Doc Johnson is the company that introduced this fabulous item to the world. The history of the pocket rocket is even more interesting - did you know that this item was dreamed up when a Doc Johnson employee was traveling in Asia? The lore is that he forgot to bring his razor and so purchased a cheap mini electric razor from a vending machine. Sadly, it did a mediocre job with the shaving, but the vibrations produced by the razor were notable. And note that he did! Excited, he hung onto his cheap, bad-shave razor and developed the pocket rocket from it.

As a person who loves finding out the back-story and history of products, I found the history of the Doc Johnson Pocket Rocket to be interesting and amusing. I hope you did too.