Sweden Rocks!

Today, Sweden stands out as a truly democratic place! The people say they want sex toys, and they respond by selling them in their state-run pharmacy chain Apoteket. All hail Sweden!

"We are aware that sex is a very important part of everyone's life. It is important to help people in this area, and there is a certain demand for the products," Apoteket's spokeswoman Elisabet Linge Bergman told The Local.


Check out the complete story.

Meatballs and a sex positive culture. Sweden sounds pretty good right about now!

-The Porn Librarian

Sex Toy or Baby Toy?

This may be old news to some of you, but I think it's funny!

Over at Homemade Sex Toys, they've put together a quiz to see if the average person can tell the difference between a sex toy and a baby toy! I obviously don't, since I only scored a 6/15 and I spend my day looking at sex toys. I hope you fare better than I did.

Take the quiz.

What makes you Tick?

Watch Designer Michael Young thinks he knows! I found this beauty over at DVICE and have a feeling that if this baby performs half as good as it looks, it's a keeper.

Sleek and elegant, the Sabar Vibe is now on my list of toys to check out right behind the rechargeable SaSi, a vibe that learns what you like and remembers! If anyone has had any first hand experience, let me know if my longing for these new toys is justified.

-The Porn Librarian

Like Netflix, But With Extra Gonorrhea

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Sex Toy Review: Bath Buddy

I really wanted to like this toy. It's cute, a sex toy made for fun in the tub, plus it looks like my favorite fruit (a strawberry!). It's also discreet enough to leave hanging in your shower no one will ever guess that it's actually a vibrator. It comes with batteries, so I didn't have to hunt around delaying my anticipation to get started. I was so excited for my new bath-time adventure, and while I must say it got me going, I must also admit that my hands did most of the work.

The sponge wasn't as super extravagantly soft as I was hoping (although it's far from being cheaply rough), and it kind of buffers the vibrations needed to really climax. I could definitely feel it, but it was really only enough to warm me up. It made me want to reach for the waterproof Inner Desire Love Egg - something that gets right to the punch.

I like my toys more on the intense side, which this is not, but it could be good if you're looking for lighter soothing vibrations (or something so devilishly discreet). It also is nice for just lathering up, not overly massaging, but extra sensations as you wash your body are always nice! Even though I was disappointed with this little berry, I would be interested to see if it's bigger version the Sensual Bath Buddy would be more thrilling... or what about the Magnificent Vibrating Glove!

Get a bath buddy of your very own!

Sex Tips: Want to Get Wet?

I've always had fantasies about getting it on in a pool or hot tub, or maybe even the ocean, but on the other hand, that also seems a bit dangerous, even risky. What do you think about sex in the water?

-Ready to get wet in Washington, DC

Oooh, sex in the water, something that I'll bet frequents many fantasies, not just your own. There's just something about being wet and relatively weightless that makes my mind think dirty thoughts.

A question I get asked a lot, especially by the younger generation, is whether or not you can get pregnant from sperm hanging out in the water (what a visual!). For example, let's say you're in a pool or hot tub where someone ejaculated earlier. No, you cannot get pregnant. Sperm are relatively fragile - they can only live 2-5 days inside you. Once out of the body and hanging out, they're pretty much done for. Add chlorine and other gnarly chemicals to the mix, and they're as good as gone. So that is one less worry at least.

HOWEVER, when bumping bodies, whether in or out of water, there is always the possibility of exchanging STIs Condoms don't really work in the water because the heat of hot tubs degrade them, and they're highly likely to fall, or more realistically, float off), so before you hop into the water together, make sure both of you are tested and cleared for STIs. And if your partner is male and his penis is in you, there is still a chance of getting pregnant. Don't let sex in the water mean having your water break 9 months down the road, unless, of course, that is what you're aiming for.

As far as logistics, let me introduce you to a good friend of mine - silicone lube. Regardless of who your partner is or what you're doing, if it involves your vagina, you're going to want some lube. Seriously. And water, as wonderful as it is, makes all that lovely natural lube go away. And water, while wet, is not lubricant. Water based lubes will wash away in the water, and oil based lubes are not good for lady bits, so silicone is probably going to be your best bet. Use it with fingers, sex toys, cocks - you name it. My personal favorite brand is Eros, which you can get at any good sex toy store, in real life or online.

Once you've got lube, it's time to get some action happening. If you're lucky enough to have a pool, hot tube, lake, or other body of water to yourself, it's much easier. Just hop in naked, and after some delicious foreplay, which may consist of water fights, horsing around, or sensual back massages, get going. It begins to get more complicated if more people are around. I personally wouldn't advise doing it in a crowded pool, as clear water shows all. A crowded beach might be a little easier, as the deeper and darker water can hide a variety of sins. If you're going to be wearing swimsuits, which I'd advise doing unless you're all alone, think about easy access. Most suits allow breasts to come out the top to allow for easy access, and one-piece suits can be pulled aside for access, while two-piece bottoms can be taken off - just hold on to the bottoms so you don't lose them.
Other things to think about: What is in the water? If the water is really dirty, you may not want to get down and dirtier in it…it might be worth waiting to find a clean water source. Also, be careful with any type of penetration - forcing water into your vagina and against your cervix can cause cervical and uterine cramping if you're not a bit gentler. A big plus about water is you can try some new and interesting positions since both of you will be way lighter than usual!

Want to add some oral sex into the mix? This works best in a pool or hot tub - have one of you sit on the edge, and the other person stays in the water and walks up to the feast laid before them, while the receiver dangles their feet in the water. Use the wall as a support for sex from behind, or for balance when trying a variety of positions. And who said inflatable toys were just for kids? Use them to the best of your advantage.

As long as you're careful about it, and think it through, sex in the water can be a fun filled experience. Enjoy!

Jupming into the deep end,

Essin' Em

Get some ideas on getting down while getting wet while watchingA Pool Party At Seymore's Part 2:

Sex Toy Review: The Gigi

Holy guacamole is all I have to say. Yes, this toy is a bit pricey. No, it's not 10" long with beads and whirring animals. Aside from a small "charged" light, it doesn't glow, or light up, or shoot rockets into the air. Well, who cares? It made me make noises I had never made before...and let me tell you, I have made many a sound. This toy carries a punch (and is rechargable rather than battery operated, so you're being earth and wallet friendly too!), has 5 different program settings, and hits your g-spot more accurately than an MLB player can hit a ball (no pun intended). I can't tell you how wonderful this toy is, but you should check out my full review, since I do a better job trying to explain it there. But wow. That pretty much describes it. Yes, there are some small issues with the ergonomically designed handle (ie - if you grip it the wrong way while playing, it switches programs, which is frustrating), but I give it 5 stars anyways. It's just *that* good!

-Essin' Em

Read my entire review and take yourself to a whole new orgasmic place with the Gigi

Sex Toy Review: G-Spot Flexi

It was time…time to try out the G-Spot Flexi. To be honest, I was not excited about this toy. It creeped me the fuck out. It was pink and bumpy…and when I took it out of its package, it was bendy. Not flexible, but bendy. It makes a horrible noise when you bend it, like some party favor from when your best friend turned 10. I showed it to my partner who looked at it skeptically, and after hearing it bend, placed it back in my nightstand. It looked like I was on my own to review this pink, bumpy and bendy bad boy.

To my oh-so-pleasant surprise, this toy is a lot better than it looks. Firstly, it feels nice. So many g-spot toys are plastic only, like the Bullet Wand - Vibrator Reviews @ VibeReview or out of jelly, like the G-Spot Dolphin - Vibrator Reviews @ VibeReview. I don't like plastic in my vagina, and I'm not a huge fan of jelly (both from the cleaning angle, and the wanting to keep phthalates away from my inner bits), so this silicone g-spot toy was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't so much a fan of the pink, but if you check the Vibe Review website, it is also available in yellow AND teal (which matches my hair)!

I bent the toy the way I thought would be best, lubed up, and went at it. Holy moly! It hit my g-spot PERFECTLY after one little bending adjustment! I left good, I like that it had an on-off button rather than the twisty end (although different speeds would have really added to it). With a little additional clit stimulation, I was headed into the sea of ecstasy in no time at all.

No, it's not my favorite toy (which just so happens to be the Hitachi Magic Wand - Vibrator Reviews @ VibeReview), but it definitely works the way it's supposed to, and for the price? Hell, everyone should get one. A great beginner's g-spot toy…just turn up the music or do the bending before sex, as I found it tends to kill the mood.

Get to all those hard to reach pleasure zones with the G-Spot Flexi

Sex Toy Review: The Straight Girl's Guide to Sleeping with Chicks

The Straight Girl’s Guide to Sleeping with Chicks

While I wasn’t sure what I, a queer woman, was going to do with a guide for straight girls, I resigned myself to reading it - the things we do for the good of humankind, it’s horrible, I know. Luckily for me, the book was quite well written, and actually provided some good information (particularly on safer sex for women who sleep with women, something many queer and lesbian sex books often leave in the dark). She explains her useage of the word straight, which I appreciated, and gives a plethora of tips in many areas related to sex with women. Yes, I had some issues with a few things, like her usage of the word “tits” and her emphasis on imbibing a little before getting it on, but over all, this book had some excellent points, and would be a good addition to the library of most people, queer, straight, or straight who are sexually queer. I go into far more details if you click below, promise!

-Essin’ Em

Read the rest of my review and get it on with the ladies

Sex Toy Review: Water Proof Beaver

The toy I got to review this week was none other than the Waterproof Beaver , a busy little creature looking to make me happy. As we are all well aware, I am not a huge fan of animal toys, so I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this toy…but at least it wasn't pink (the picture makes it look pink, but really, it's much more of a purple). If I'm going to get a dual clit/penetration vibe, I usually look for those outside of the animal kingdom, like the Japanese G-Spot Squirmy.

At the very least, the batteries were easy to install, and given the fact it only takes two AA batteries, it certainly seemed to have a lot of juice. The feeling of the toy was soft and jelly like. Although it claimed to be silicone, I'm not quite sure what type of silicone was, since it emitted a jelly like smell (good quality silicone does not smell whatsoever), and did not feel like the silicone I'm used to on toys.

It's waterproof, which is really cool, because most waterproof toys are either clitoral only like the Water Dancer , or penetration only, like the Krystal Vibe. It's great to find a 2-in-1 toy that you can bring to bath, shower, or hot tub playtime with you. I found that the sizing of the toy was pretty good, although I had to hold the beaver itself (the clitoral part) on to get the kind of stimulation I wanted. It has a twist bottom instead of buttons, and the shaft does not rotate.

My biggest concern with this toy was that the silicone/jelly/whatever it was started pulling up from the bottom of the toy after just one session. I mean, I know I'm hard with my toys, but I've had most for at least a couple of months, if not years, and I can't understand how the metal was starting to get exposed after 20 minutes. Maybe it was just me, but it's something to think about.

For the price, I can see this being a good starter toy for someone new to the scene of dual stimulation vibrators, or for someone on a budget. However, there are other toys I feel would work just as well, if not better, for a similar price, such as the Pearl Butterfly which has pearls that rotate in the shaft, and two sets of controls.

Want to get busy as a Waterproof Beaver? Or browse a variety of other toys? Click here!

Sex Toy Review: Sport Massager

I will never cease to be amused by sex toys that bill themselves as massagers (does anyone remember that episode of Sex in the City, where the store clerk keeps telling Samantha that her Hitachi Magic Wand is really a "massager" since they don't sell "vibrators." I'm just waiting for that to happen to me someday). However, this massager was quite worth its weight in batteries (2 AA), so I was willing to look past the packaging and move onto the fabulous toy itself.

This toy is built for choice and options. It comes with 5 (five!) different head attachments you can use, from a cup like thing, to a flat option, to 3 more choices, including bumpy! I like a variety of stimulation, so this toy was like 5 in 1, and let me choose exactly what I wanted, when I wanted, without having to get a variety of toys. It's actually really similar in format to the Wahl 7-in-1 vibrator, except the Wahl plugs in with two speeds, and this bad boy runs on batteries, and has a speed dial.

I loved that I could make all kinds of different types of sensation by changing the heads and the speed, although I'll admit it took me a little bit to figure out how to change the attachments. And by a little bit, I mean about 15 minutes…but once I figure that you have to pop-off the original head, and replace it with a different one (rather than putting it over the slightly protruding bump of the attachment it comes it), it was super easy to change them as I went.

There are a variety of speeds, but the highest isn't quite as high it feasibly could, although it still packs quite a punch for the types of batteries on which it runs. Moreover, it does in fact double as a legitimate back massager and even looks relatively un-sexual (unlike the Blissful Blue Massager which is clearly a vibrator disguised as a massager). It has many uses, and is a great asset to anyone's sex toy box. I wouldn't put it as my favorite toy EVER, but it does its job, and it does it well. Would be good for those just starting out, or for anyone with a nightstand chock full of playthings. However, it is NOT as powerful as some other massagers (I mean come on, it doesn't plug in), so that is something to think about. All in all, worth checking out!

Enjoy some fabulous clitoral massage with the Sport Massager

Sex Toy Review: I Love Female Orgasm

Are you female? Or is your partner female? If so, this is my number one recommendation for your book collection. This book combines academic research and know-how with fun facts, anecdotes from real women, and easy to understand writing, making it an excellent book that embodies both academia and pop-culture. With everything from oral sex to anal sex, biology to sexology, it covers pretty much everything you might ever need to know about female orgasms. Even better, it's a female-friendly (obviously) and queer-friendly book, making it accessible and relevant to everyone, regardless of your identity and orientation. These authors know their stuff, and present it in a fun and exciting way that should appeal to all females and those with female parts, whether you're on your way to being queen of the climaxes, or you've never gotten to the "big O." 5 ooohs (out of 5), and two thumbs up!

-Essin' Em

Read the rest of my review, and add this excellent book to your collection!

Sex Toy Review: The Superbe!

The Superbe is a toy made by Candida Royalle's sex toy line Natural Contours, and you can tell this toy is made by a woman, for women. In addition to being a pleasing color (read: NOT bright pink!) and a non-phallic shape, the Superbe is quiet, easy to use, 3-speed AND comes in a nice little black box that is reuseable for storage purposes. All in all, it's a fantabulous starter toy for any woman, and a great toy for people that aren't HUGE sensation junkies (it wasn't quite strong enough for my liking, although I certainly was able to get off with it). I felt that the Superbe's only real short coming was being made of plastic, which is not exactly a warm and friendly material to be cuddling up to your vulva. However, the cuteness (and non-pink) factor, along with the ease of use and storage (and ability to take it anywhere) bumps this toy up to my top 10 list. Ladies (and gents who like vibes), step on up and give the Superbe a try!

-Essin' Em

Read my whole review and see how superb the Superbe truly is!

Sex Toy Review: The Rolling Stud

The Rolling Stud... I mentally call it Rolling Thunder for 2 reasons: 1. the word "stud" makes me giggle and I think "thunder" is sexier, and 2. this thing is loud. Not buzzing loud, but mechanical loud. If you like to play in silence, this is not the toy for you, but if you like loud music (or don't mind the noise), then you should be able to drown it out. Regardless, that's my only complaint. The Rolling Stud (thunder!) has a thick and beefy main shaft which is wide and long (awesome), with a smaller compadre attached by a stretchy coil. The main shaft rotates, so that the head tickles your insides (yes, exactly there, just like the Quicksilver G-Spot), as well as internal beads towards the base that roll around, giving great sensations around your vaginal opening when inserted. These are offered in 2 speeds, good to begin stimulation and then to take it to the next level. The other smaller attached piece vibrates (also at 2 different speeds) and is an always welcome companion to any insertable toy. The box says it's good for clitoral or anal stimulation and small enough for anal insertion, but without a flared base you may want to be careful on that second part. No matter how good it feels at first, no one wants the little compadre getting lost up their behind! If you're really good with your hands, I must admit this is a good anal play addition though. However, we don't recommend inserting it fully - if you're looking for a toy that just screams "anal play," check out the Pro Touch. For additional clitoral stimulation, the little compadre is also a hit! I like the Rolling Stud because it offers multiple sensations in multiple ways to multiple areas - not vibrating all over… which, if you're like me, still need to keep moving because plain vibration (while excellent) isn't enough. With this toy, once it's get going, I can pretty much go hands-free and just enjoy!

Get your hands on your own Rolling Stud (or Rolling Thunder, if you will)

Sex Toy Review: The Raquel Dildo

It's another pink toy...I know you're all expecting a negative review, and a few comments about my negativity about toys of the pink variety. Well, SUPRISE! The Raquel dildo is probably my second favorite toy EVER (behind the Wand, and seriously, can anything beat that?) and is certainly my favorite dildo I've ever tried. The Vixskin from which it is created feels absolutely divine (and warms up to body temperature quickly), and the properties of this toy combine the feel-good benefits of jelly (but without those pesky phthalates), and the fabulousness of silicone (like being easy to clean). Rock on! Anyways, this toy is freaking amazing, and well worth checking out. Read my full review and learn more about the Raquel by clicking on the link below (or above)! It is the perfect size, material, and shape (and has a well flared base for either strap on use, or to use as a handle for thrusting, alone or with a partner). It's pink, but I love love love it anyways. Oh, and did I mention that we share a very deep bond? My middle name!

-Essin' Em

Buy my favorite dildo ever. No, seriously. It's *that* good.

Sex Toy Review: Sunshine Vibe

Oh, little Sunshine Vibe, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways... to start off, it's not so little! It's about 5 inches around and about 4 inches long (a big bullet or a skinny-minnie it ain't!), comprised of 3 sort of bulbous shapes together, almost like a snowman - so externally the big parts line it up almost perfectly with your sensitive bits in row (from front to back). Another plus (or minus, depending on your views) - it's jelly so it's nice and mushy soft, not a hard solid piece mashing up against your own softness (take precautions with this sort of material - chemically it is not good for internal, and it cannot be sterilized as well as other materials, such as silicone). If you have a condom and strong and willing desire for fullness, you can insert it - and by strong and willing desire, I mean this sucker is thick... not a quick and easy in and out, but again, I like.

It is especially nice if you've got another vibe around for clitoral stimulation (like a handy little bullet; my personal favorite is both at once), but all in all I prefer this toy for external stimulation myself. Another excellent quality of this bright translucent wonder - it's waterproof. I'm a girl that likes options, and anything that includes "being able to do in the bathtub" as an option is a plus for me (this also goes for anything really, but back to the subject at hand!). Adding to it's greatness: 4 speeds. The low speed is a good starting vibration, yet not too dull that it's pointless, and then it goes up noticably but not too drastically with each speed. In all honesty, I have yet to get past the third speed, but I'm glad to know there's a fourth speed still there just in case I'm having a rough day. :)


Sunshine Vibe

Add a little bit of sunshine to your life with "the Sunshine Vibe"

Sex Toy Review; Krystal Vibe

Krystal Vibe

To be honest, I was more than just a little wary of The Krystal Vibe. It was long, thick, and more then a little intimidating (not to mention pink, and we all know how I feel about that). I’m a big proponent of the “size doesn’t matter…and if it did, big things come in small packages” faction, and wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about this larger vibrating dildo even nearing my nether regions. I like my toys a little more petite, like the Ruby Slipper or the Purple Twist and while the Krystal Vibe certainly wasn’t quite as large as the Double Trouble, it was still a bit more than I thought I was ready for.

It sat next to my bed for a week or two, still in it’s package. I had to get my vagina used to the idea of it, the size of it, the look, the color. Friends visiting would ask me where exactly I thought I was going to be putting that (many know about my more petite size down there), and laughed when I told them I’d never backed down from a challenge, and that this wasn’t going to be my first time. 

Well, once I finally got to the point I was ready to try it, I inserted my batteries, added some lovely lube, and gave it a go. Let’s just say that all that apprehension was for nothing. With a bit of lube and lots of being turned on, the Krystal Vibe was perfect, and fit me in all the right places, and also made for a good external vibrator as well. Personally, I used a condom with it, because it’s made of jelly rather than silicone (meaning no boiling or sterilizing it), and would suggest that to others was well. It wasn’t *quite* as stiff as I’d like it to be, but it’s flexibility definitely kept me on my toes. Another interesting feature is that it is in fact water proof, so this vibe can be taken for a shower or a bath. 

It comes in two sizes; thick and slim. As much as I enjoyed the challenge of the thick version, I’d like to give the slim a go at some point; it’s really up to personal preference. It works really well with an additional vibrator for the clit, like the Silver Bullet or the Wanachi Vibe since I needed a little extra stimulation to get off. All in all, a decent, inexpensive AND waterproof vibe that is a great starter. 

-Essin’ Em 

Spice it up in the shower, bedroom, or wherever you’d like with the Krystal Vibe

Sex Toy Review; Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex

One of my favorite (if not my number one favorite) women in this industry is none other than the amazing Nina Hartley. I love her personality, her look, her education guides, and her feminist and sex-positive views on sex and sexuality. She is wonderful, and just got better - she wrote a book called "Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex" and I was lucky enough to get to review it - FABULOUS! It is well organized, and has chapters on basically each "main" genre of sex; from cunnilingus to BDSM, threesomes to anal, it's all in this very special book. Better yet, she approaches sex in a healthy and a happy way, focusing on individuals and communication - just what I like to hear! I recommend it to everyone, and have copies on order for all my friends. PLEASE get yourself a copy, and you just tell me if you don't read it cover to cover!

Click here to read my whole review and buy the OUTSTANDING book that is "Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex"

Sex Toy Review; Blowfish Love Balls!

I have to say that at first glance, I didn't think I could handle the Blowfish Love Balls. They violated two of my main principles regarding sex toys; the Blowfish were both pink, and had faces, which are generally big no-nos in my book. However, like the brave little sexpert that I am, I decided not to just a book by its cover (or a sex toy by it's colored faces). While this wasn't a toy I'd use to bring myself to orgasm, it certainly provided a variety of different sensations, and its cuteness (pink faces and all) definately grew on me. The weighted feeling I had from having them inside me is definately worth a try. Definately not a vibrator, these balls as funky and fun, and would make a great gift.

Check out my whole "Blowfish Love Balls" review, and buy a pair for yourself, by clicking here!

Sex Toy Review; The Snugglepuss!

The Snugglepuss!

It looks slightly like a pink jellyfish that mated with a sea anemone, but none the less, I was excited to get my Snugglepuss in the mail. This toy operates slightly differently than your average dual clit/G-spot stimulator; rather than having an cumbersome buttons or dials, the motor starts when you pull the two sides apart, and continues going until the two sides touch each other again (IE, when you’re done and take it out). The vibrations were relatively quiet, and I liked the feel of the material. The size of the G-spot side was ideal, but I wasn’t quite as big of a fan of all the bumps (although they might be heaven for others) on both sides. Additionally, the vibrations were a little weak for me (but remember, you’re talking to the girl who likes her toys to plug into the wall!), but I certainly enjoyed the sensations from the toy, and was all kinds of turned on by it. Coolest part? It’s hands free; use it as foreplay, or make a boring day at the office that much more exciting!

 

4 ooohs (out of 5) 

-Essin’ Em 

Cuddle on up to your very own “Snugglepuss”