Whipspider Rubberworks Tentacle Review

~I received this item at a discount.~

Some time ago, I remember whispering excitedly to a friend that I found a toy shaped like a tentacle, and I was going to buy it.  When she asked me why, I told her that even though I don't exactly have a love of tentacles (some people do), the toy was way too unique to pass up.  Penis shaped toys?  Got 'em.  Toys that can double as art pieces?  Check.  Toys with colors so vibrant they should come with a hazmat warning?  You betcha.  Tentacle shaped toys?  No!  That I didn't have.  And with the Whipspider Rubberworks Tentacle being blue and green (two of my favorite sex toy colors), how could I pass it up?

A little bit about it: Although the name of the company contains the word "rubberworks," their toys are actually silicone.  The Tentacle is a shimmery, multi-tone blue on one side, with seafoam-colored textured suckers on the other.

The circumference starts small at the tip and wider as you get to the base.  At the tip it is about 3.25" in circumference, while at the base it's around 9.25".

What I loved:  The Tentacle is fantastic for G-spotting.  The tip has a dramatic curve that hits juuuust right, which is a huge plus for me since I've run into several toys that don't have enough of a curve to provide the right stimulation without contorting into weird positions. It's firm enough to provide solid G-spot stimulation for me, but it's slightly squishy and flexible, so it's comfortable, too!

And the suckers!  Oh, the suckers!  I've had textured toys before.  Some textures I couldn't even feel, some were great against my G-spot, but the suckers on the Tentacle are far different, and much more pronounced.  They feel rough and bumpy in use, which for me is nice.  I like textures.   If you don't like textures, that's going to be a huge drawback for you.

The final thing I love is the fun shape!  I mean, it's a tentacle.  I've found so many toys that look unique and fun, but only come in jelly or rubber, neither of which are completely body safe.  But this is silicone!  And did I mention that the sucker side of the Tentacle glows in the dark?  Because it glows in the dark.

What I didn't:  Even though I love the texture of the suckers, it feels a little odd that they run up the side instead of along the inner or outer curve.  That means I feel it only on the left side of my vagina, as opposed to the top or all around, which is what most toys have.

The only other issue is cleaning.  Those suckers can sometimes be difficult to get fully clean and occasionally need a going over with a toothbrush for that reason.  Personally, I keep a toothbrush that I only use on toys.

Final thought:  The Tentacle retails for about $80 and will likely last many years with proper care.  It's a wonderful and worthwhile addition for those that like girth, G-spot curves, unique shapes and extreme textures.  If that's you, you'll want to have this one in your collection.  However, if you do not like larger toys or textures, you'll want to skip it.

Finally, I'd like to note that there have been rumors between bloggers and shops--and just rumors, mind you--that Whipspider may be going or have gone on hiatus.  Having no idea what's rumor and what's true, I've contacted Whipspider directly on the matter and am currently waiting for a reply.  I will update if/when I receive a response.  In the meantime, if this sounds like a toy you'd like, it would probably be prudent to go ahead and buy, just in case.

~I received this item at a discount.~

Tantus Echo Review

My love of Tantus products continues.

During the last sale, I discovered the have a Grab Bag section.  Same fun toys, but with unique, one-off colors and a lower price.  I knew I wanted the Echo, and since I didn't particularly care what color it was, I went with the Grab Bag instead of the standard Midnight Purple and Pearl White.  I'm so very glad I did.  I received this gorgeous color, which I think is black.  Or, it may be a very, very, very dark purple.  Either way, I don't have any other toy this color.  And if you look closely, it's got teeny, tiny little sparkles.  It is gorgeous.

And did I mention it came with stickers?  Stickers, ya'll.

Echo next to B-Bomb and stickers

A little bit about it: The Echo is a textured dildo made of silicone.  It has an insertable length of 6.5 inches (total length of about 7.5 inches), with a circumference of roughly 5 inches at its widest point.  It's covered in wave-like ridges along one side with a smooth underside.  At the base there is a hole where you can place the included bullet vibrator or use your own, like the Salsa.

What I loved:  Let me say the obvious.  The ridges are amazing.  They hit my G-spot with every move.  With my muscles relaxed, I can barely feel the ridges, but can definitely tell it's not a smooth toy.  It's like a gentle vaginal massage against my G-spot.  When I tighten my muscles, I can feel every single ridge as it bumps past my ring of muscles.  Unlike most G-spot toys where only the head of the toy hits the G-spot, this one hits it with every ridge.

Now about that bullet hole.  Most toys with bullet holes create a suction on the bullet vibe so that it's hard to remove, even with lubricant. [Side note: always use lubricant when placing a bullet vibe in a bullet hole.  It will be much easier to remove.]  This is even a problem with some other Tantus toys.  The Echo, however, has an extra ring of ridges on the inside of hole, helping to greatly reduce the suction problem.

What I didn't:  I'm not crazy about the bullet vibe that came with it.  It's buzzy and one speed.  But...meh.  I never really intended to use it with a bullet anyway, and if I want to use a bullet vibe with it, I'll use my Salsa.  But, to be thorough, I tried it with the bullet it came with.  It was tingly, pleasant even, but hardly orgasmic.  I'm not too disappointed, though, since I just wanted it as a dildo, not a vibrator.

Final thought:  I love the Echo.  It's large enough to be satisfying without being so large that it takes lots of effort to use it.  And the ridges...oh, the ridges!  It's like my G-spot getting bumped every time I move it an inch.  Worth the price?  Oh, yes.  Yes, it is.

Want your own?  Choose your color or snag one from the Grab Bag.  Have mobility or reaching problems?  Tantus also sells an Echo with a handle, but it does not vibrate..

Tantus Splash Review

~I received this item at a discount in exchange for an honest review.~

Tantus has always been on my sex blogging radar.  Most bloggers sing in praise of their high-quality, silicone products.  One day, I wondered how many of their products I already owned.  Five?  Ten?  I checked my toy box and was shocked.  One.  Just one.  Just the Ace that I bought long ago, when I first started exploring toys.  I owned one product from one of the most reputable, sex-positive, customer friendly, quality companies.  How did I let this happen?  This must be fixed!  I set my sights on the Splash.

A little bit about it:  The Splash is a textured, silicone dildo that is O-ring compatible.  It starts with a wide, pearly white head about 5.5" around (by my measurements) that tapers down in size until it reaches the purple base, totaling about 7.5" long.  It's covered with texture that changes as it goes down.  Near the top, there is a series of mild ridges, followed by smooth, raised drip designs.  Past the drips where the color changes from white to purple, the texture also changes from smooth to slightly rough, almost grainy.  I know "grainy" doesn't sound like a very pleasant texture, but it's the closest word I can come up with to describe it.  It's not an uncomfortable texture, just different from the super smooth drips.

What I loved:  The Splash is one of those toys that's both simple and elegant.  The smooth drips are just present enough to be felt, but not so much texture that I find it overwhelming.  It's almost a massage kind of feeling that stimulates all over, instead of just one specific spot.  The drips are kind of like elevator music: it's pleasant, but not the main event.

The ridges near the head, meanwhile, command a little more attention, but still not so much that they are uncomfortable.  The ridges aren't very deep, but combined with the gentle curve of the shaft they are simply amazing for G-spot stimulation.  The ridges drag across my G-spot, but in a good way.

The firmness is just right.  I'm one of the many people that need firm pressure on my G-spot to get any sort of sensation out of it.  The Splash is firm enough to deliver, but at the same time, the silicone has a little bit of give so it's not completely unforgiving.

The size is wonderful.  The head, shaft girth and shaft length are large enough to be filling, but not so huge that it's unwieldy or challenging.  Please note that I do tend to like larger toys, so my "not huge" may not be your "not huge."  However, I will say that if I had to classify it, I would say that the Splash is a toy on the larger side of medium.  For me, that makes it a great go-to dildo when I want great stimulation but don't want something so big that it takes a warm-up.

What I didn't like:  I don't really have something to say here, but if I were pressed, I guess I would say that it would be nice if it came in other colors.  Purple/white mix is the only option at the time of this review.

Final thought:  Worth it.  The Splash runs about $75, which I know sounds like a lot for a toy that doesn't even vibrate.  I thought so, too, at first, but I was quickly won over.  The size, shape, texture, all of it is just perfect.  I don't have to say this toy is good for ____, but not good for _____.  It's filling but not overly so, has great texture but not to the point that it's irritating, great for G-spotting, and is firm enough to allow pressure with just a bit of pleasant give.  It's easy to clean, body safe, will last a really, really long time, and is just fantastic.  It's easy to buy a curved dildo from another company for less, but I guarantee that it won't compare to safety or quality.

~I received this item at a discount in exchange for an honest review.~

Follow-Up Friday: LELO Mona 2

~I originally received this item at a discount in exchange for an honest review.~

How I felt about it then:
I was floored by the sheer awesomeness that is the Mona 2 when I first reviewed it back in June.  The vibrations nearly rival a Magic Wand, and although it's not particularly girthy, the shape combined with the vibrations make it so I don't even notice the lack of girth.  For me, that's really saying something.  I've had other toys that fall flat with me because they simply aren't big enough.  And can we say G-spot stimulation?  My G-spot has never, ever responded to vibrations before, and has never responded in the same way with any toy since.  In short, I loved the thing.  I wasn't expecting to love it, and in fact wouldn't have bought it if other reviewers hadn't sworn up and down that it's incredible.

How I feel about it now:
Nothing has changed.  I still love the Mona 2.  In fact, it's the only toy I took traveling with me over the summer.  And why not?  Rechargeable, waterproof, has a travel lock, strong, and very, very quiet.  It's the perfect travel toy.  I still love it and have had no problems with it dying on me, battery life issues, or any other malfunctions.

Revised Final Thought:
I had said that if you buy only one toy this year, you should seriously consider the Mona 2.  I stand by that.  It works for both clitoral and G-spot stimulation, and most important, it does both well.

~I originally received this item at a discount in exchange for an honest review.~

LELO Mona 2 Review

~I received this item at a discount in exchange for an honest review.~

When I first saw the Mona 2, I wasn't particularly impressed.  It looked like it would be too small and I was unsure if the vibrations would be strong enough. But it was so...gorgeous.  There is a definite elegance to the design, and those that aren't crazy about penis-shaped toys will be pleased with the artistic curves.  But as your mother always told you, looks aren't everything.  I've seen many beautiful toys that didn't really do much for me.  The Mona 2, though, definitely lives up to the hype.

A little bit about it:  The Mona 2 is a G-spot vibrator that also works well as an external clitoral vibrator.  It's waterpoof, rechargeable, multi-speed and multi-pattern, comes with a travel lock feature, and is made of silky matte silicone with a plastic handle.  By my measurements, it is about 4.5 inches around at the widest point, and 8.75 inches long if you follow the outer curve. On the upper side of the widest part of the shaft, the shape comes to a rounded point along the length.  I haven't seen that particular shape in a toy before, and I'll admit it is very hard to describe.  I've rewritten my description several times.  Let's see if a picture will do:

What I loved:  Let's talk shape.  As I said before, I wasn't too sure whether the Mona 2 would be big enough.  It almost looks tiny in comparison to other toys, but let me say that I found in this case, size doesn't matter.  The Mona 2 really does have curves in all the right places, so even though it's not particularly filling, I don't really feel like the size and shape is lacking.

And now, let's talk vibrations.  Wow.  Mona 2 really does deliver in the power department.  I'm talking almost as strong as the Magic Wand.  No kidding.  The vibrations are deep and rumbly (not buzzy) and amazing for clitoral stimulation.  As for G-spotting, I have to say that I am beyond impressed.  You see, my G-spot has never responded to vibrations, and vibrating G-spot toys were kind of a waste for me.  Then I saw that some other reviewers claimed that their G-spots never responded to vibrations either, but they did with the Mona 2.  I admit I was skeptical that my vibration-ignoring G-spot would take notice, but I held out hope.  They were right.  I'm not sure if it's Mona's shape or the vibrations are just right, but suddenly my G-spot is paying attention in amazing ways.

So, let's talk battery life.  Do you remember in my Salsa and Touch reviews when I said that the vibrations were excellent, but the battery life was something to be desired?  That's not true here.  I used the Mona for 3 sessions of about 30 minutes each before I felt like it was time to recharge.  That, to me, is a huge deal.  Who wants to grab a toy just to realize you forgot to charge it?

What I didn't: Well, if I have to say something, I would say that the tip is a little more sharp than I'd like.  That's it.

Final thought:  I'm not sure that I've ever said this before, but if you can only buy one toy this year, you should seriously consider the Mona 2.  I actually uttered the words, "I think this will replace my Magic Wand."  Husband said, "What, really?"  Really.  It is both a clitoral and a G-spot vibrator, and does both jobs amazingly well.

~I received this item at a discount in exchange for an honest review.~

Je Joue Ami Review and a Giveaway!

My experience with the MiMi was such an utter fail that I never wanted to even consider another Je Joue toy.  EVER.  For a year and a half I let my eyes skip over any and all Je Joue toys, even if they looked interesting.  Then I saw the Ami and was sucked in.  I drooled over it and then I saw the dreaded information on the product page. Manufacturer: Je Joue.  I was instantly disappointed.  I ignored the Ami for a few months, but in the end I had to have it.  Now I'm so very glad I gave the Ami a chance.

A little bit about it: The Je Joue Ami is a set of 3 Kegel exercisers made of smooth, waterproof silicone that has very little drag.  I recommend using a lubricant if you are on the dryer side, but use a water-based lubricant only.  Since the Ami balls are silicone, silicone lubricant will damage them.

If you are new to Kegel exercises, you start with Ami 1 and progress slowly through the course of several weeks to Ami 2 then Ami 3.  If you are intermediate or advanced, you can skip Ami 1 and move right to Ami 2 or Ami 3.  Ami 1, 2, and 3 are all included, along with some instructions on how to begin working your Kegels.

Ami 1: Single ball and weighs 47g.  Roughly 5 inches in circumference at the widest point.

Ami 2: Large double ball.  Weighs 78g.  Each ball is roughly 4.25 inches in circumference.

Ami 3: Small double ball.  Weighs 106 g.  Each ball is roughly 3.5 inches in circumference.  That's not a typo.  Ami 3 is smaller but heavier than the Ami 2.

What I loved: I love being able to step up or down depending on where I am in my pelvic strength.  That is a huge attraction for me.  There have been times when I tried other Kegel exercisers that didn't work for me, but there was nothing I could do.

Typically, when I use Kegel balls I just put them in and go about my business, relying on my muscles to keep them in.  When I tried this with Ami 1, it took no effort to keep it in.  It was too light and too big.  The size alone kept it in place.  I moved on to the Ami 2, which did take a little more work.  It wasn't particularly difficult, but it certainly wasn't easy.  The next day I tried the Ami 3.  Now that one took some effort to keep in place!  I'm delighted to say that I will actually have to work up to that one!  I wore it for a little while and then I sneezed and lost it.  You post-childbirth moms know exactly what I'm talking about.

What I didn't: I'm hard pressed to find something I didn't like.  I guess if I had to pick something it would be that Ami 1 wasn't enough of a workout, but that's why there's Ami 2 and Ami 3.

I think I should note here two things that weren't bothersome to me, but might annoy others.  First, I can not feel the inner balls rattling around.  In case you didn't know, each Ami ball has a smaller ball inside it that rolls around.  Many people love this sensation.  Some claim it actually helps them get a better workout.  I simply can't feel it with the Ami the way I can with Smartballs, but that really doesn't bother me.

Smartballs comparison shot

Second, if you are used to something like Smartballs with a very flexible neck between the balls, you need to know that the necks on the Ami balls are much stiffer.  It's not really a problem, but I didn't think to check the stiffness and accidentally jammed my cervix.  Ow.  Again, I only did that once just because I wasn't paying attention.  Now that I know, it's not a problem.

Final thought: Worth it.  Worth it.  WORTH IT.  Being able to step up or down in size?  Awesome.  Velvety silicone?  Also awesome.  And guess what?  They are reasonably priced!  They cost around $50, which is not that much considering how long they will last you.  Do you know how much I've spent on Kegel balls I didn't like as much?

~This product was given to me by Eden Fantasys in exchange for an honest review.~

Giveaway Time!!!

Eden Fantasys has generously given me a second Je Joue Ami set to give to you!  And guess what else?  I know many of my readers have been in contact with me privately because they don't want to leave a public record of them being on a sex blog.  Hey, I get that.  Really, I do.  It's a legitimate concern for many of us Clark Kent types.  So guess what?  The first entry on the list is for my private readers so you can enter the giveaway, too!  Yes, you!  All you'll have to do is sign in to the giveaway with your email, then shoot me an email from the contact tab at the top of the page, then click the button in the giveaway widget saying you sent me an email.  That's it!  This option is only for those that won't be using the other entry options.  For everyone else that doesn't mind leaving comments and likes social media, move on to the the second option.

Now, I hate to do this, but this is my first giveaway and I want to keep it simple, so I'm opening it to  US residents only.  I know, I know, it's mean and I have so many UK readers.  Cut me some slack while I'm learning the ropes, OK?  I'll make it up to you later.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lelo Ella Review

I'm the type of person that knows pretty quick whether or not I like a toy.  The Ella, however, really had me stumped.  I didn't seem to have any feelings about it.  It didn't blow me away, but it didn't disappoint me, either.  My sexy self viewed the Ella the way my non-sexy side would view a pencil: it's just an item that is in my house that I have no emotional attachment to.  It took some real pondering to be able to put into words how I feel.  Honestly, I feel meh about it, but I had a lot of trouble figuring out what exactly was wrong.

A little bit about it:  The Lelo Ella is a double-ended silicone G-spot dildo.  On one end is a curved neck with a flattened head that reminds many people of a hammer.  On the other side is a wider shaft that tapers down to a point.  It's waterproof and easily cleaned with soap and water.

Ella is about 7.5 inches long, if you follow the outside curve.  The "hammer" end is around 4 inches around.  The other end (the one with the point) is also around 4 inches at the widest part.

Packaging: I love classy packages.  Not a duckface-making porn star in sight here.  There is an outer cardboard box, then an inner, heavy-duty, but beautiful box.  You know what?  I'm going to let the photos do the talking here.

What I loved: The texture on the Ella is amazing.  It's not glossy and dragging like the We-Vibe Touch, but doesn't have the powdery matte feel of the G4 Big Boss.  It's something in between, and oh how it just glides.  The Ella feels better to my fingers than any other toy I've ever had.  I carried around for at least half an hour just playing with it in my hands.  I didn't want to put it down.  Unfortunately, my G-spot is a little less picky over such things.

Ella calls the color "Deep Rose" but really it's more like a fuchsia.  Even though it is pinkish it is not the standard bubblegum pink that so many toy companies firmly believe that women want.  And, they had the forethought to also offer Ella in white and black.  Kudos.

The Ella is not too big around, nor is it so small that it is unsatisfying.  It's not phallic shaped, so those that are new to toys or those that want more art than reality in their toys will appreciate the beautiful aesthetics that can still get the job done.

What I didn't: The shape isn't quite right for me.  The most obvious (to me) issue is the pointed end.  I've seen a lot of reviewers complain that the point smashes painfully into their cervix.  Honestly, I like my cervix being bumped, but not like this.  This is a sharp, intense feeling and is in no way pleasurable.

The length also needs to be a little bit longer.  If you use it as a thrusting toy, there isn't a whole lot left outside of the vagina to grab onto.  If you have a particularly deep vagina, this is going to be a problem.

Something about the size and shape of the Ella makes it very hard, ergonomically speaking, for me to use.  I find I need to almost hyper-extend my elbow to be able to use it effectively, and that is certainly uncomfortable.

Final thought: I like the Ella, but I don't love it.  If I could redesign it, it would end up looking more like this:

It's not a particularly fantastic toy.  It's not a horrible toy, either.  I would recommend it to new people who are just starting in on toys and don't know what they're looking for, particularly those that are new to luxury and silicone toys.

While the Ella isn't the worst toy I've had, and it is fairly decent at G-spot stimulation, I'm going to have to stick to my Pure Wand for G-spotting.

Stronic Eins Review

I told you that I was going to get it.  And I did.  I basically wiped out my points to have it, but now it's mine.  The much celebrated, much coveted, much blogged about, Fun Factory's Stronic Eins!  You can picture trumpet fanfare here if you'd like.  Go ahead.  You know you want to.

A little bit about it: The Stronic Eins, according to Fun Factory, is not a vibrator.  It's a pulsator.  It doesn't vibrate as much as it shakes forward and back.  It sort of, but not quite, mimics sex.  It's rechargeable, waterproof, comes with 4 speeds and 6 patterns, and is made of silicone with a plastic handle.  The total length runs about 9.5 inches total from end to end, but only about 4.5-5 inches is insertable.  The circumference gets gradually wider as you go down the toy.  It's about 4 inches in circumference towards the tip, finally becoming 6 inches toward the handle.  I know that sounds really wide for most people, but don't worry.  You likely won't be inserting it that far.

The packaging: I know some people really hate tacky packaging (*cough* me *cough*), but this one comes in the typical coppery box with outer informational sleeve that other Fun Factory toys come in.  It's neither tacky nor particularly discreet.

What I loved: Honestly, the size of this thing is perfect.  It's not so wide that most people would have problems, nor is it so small that it's unsatisfying.  There is a small amount of flex to the silicone, but not so much that there is any trouble hitting the right spots with some oomph.  The G-spot curve, combined with the specific kind of movements the Stronic Eins offers, is phenomenal.  My favorite way to use it is to set the G-spot tip at the right place and then just let go.  I mean literally, hands off.  Holding on to the toy, especially if you hold on tight, reduces the movements and therefore the effectiveness.  You can hold it loosely and be fine, but really I think just not touching it is the way to go.  And since I've recently discovered G-spot orgasms, this is now one of my favorite toys, right up there with the Pure Wand.

The pulses cause the Stronic Eins to shake back and forth (or, in and out, if you will).  It only moves about an inch in each direction when it does, but it feels like it is moving so much further!  The strength of the pulses shake my whole lower abdomen.  However, if I can be perfectly honest, the toy does not feel like having sex.  I know a lot of people, myself included, were really hoping it would mimic sex.  Although some of the patterns sort of mimic the same kind of patterns you'd find in sex, it's not quite the same.  Let's be honest here: sex is sex, a toy is a toy, and one can't truly feel like the other.  That being said, the pulses instead of vibrations are a truly unique sensation.  I wish I could say the Stronic Eins feels like ______, but at the moment there is nothing on the market like it.  The closest way I can describe the sensations from the Stronic Eins is to say that it is like combining the rhythms of sex with the steady predictability of a vibrator with the motion of a favorite dildo minus the arm fatigue.

Oh, and because I have to fit this in here somewhere, let me say that the Stronic Eins is super quiet.  You may be able to hear it in the same room, but not from behind a closed door.

What I didn't: When I tried using the Stronic Eins in different positions, even standing up in the shower with it, it reduced the effectiveness.  It isn't an issue with the toy losing power, but more an issue of it needing to have the room to move freely.

Final thought: At $200, I have to say whether or not the toy is worth it.  To me?  Yes.  Totally worth it.  If I had a star rating system, I'd rate it 4.5 or 4.75 out of 5 stars.  It is a truly unique and amazing toy, and the shape of it is great even if you don't like the pulses.  However, not everyone is going to be madly in love with the motions.  It's one of those toys that is so unique that you will not know if you love it until you try it.  Personally, I love it and Husband is rather amused by it.


~I received this toy at a discount in exchange for writing a review on another site.~

Bimini Ocean Review

I had been eyeing Fun Factory's Bimini Ocean for months.  It seemed like the perfect size and shape for me, and, it's ridiculously cute looking.  Not cutesy in the worst-combination-of-pink-and-sparkles-I've-ever-seen kind of way that seems to practically be a trademark of lower quality toys, but an aesthetically appealing, fun-without-overdoing-it beauty.

A little bit about it: The Bimini Ocean is a rechargeable dual action/rabbit vibrator.  There is a curl on the end for G-spot stimulation, and a curl towards the base above the operating buttons for clitoral stimulation.  The shaft and curls are made out of silicone, and the base is made of plastic.  It's rechargeable, waterproof, has multiple speeds and patterns, and is relatively quiet.

Packaging: The vibe came in two piece packaging: the outer sleeve and the inner box.  The outer sleeve is classy, but not really discreet.  One side there is a large photo of the Bimini Ocean, on the other is a small photo of a woman in a camisole, but it's tastefully done.  The inner box is that strange copper/gold/silver color that I've only seen on Fun Factory packages.  I don't even know what to call that color.  Like...bronze with a touch of silver?  Anyway, it's a nice box that can be used for storage or even gifting, if you so choose.  The only graphics on the inner box are a red circle with "Fun Factory" written in white, and "Your Perfect Moment" written in red.

What I loved:   The intensity of the vibrations is just right.  If Hitachi is a 5, the Bimini Ocean is a solid mid-to-high 4, which is strong enough to have some definite pleasurable oomph without being too strong or too weak.

I'm not really sure what to make of the vibrations themselves.  I can't really call them rumbly, but I certainly can't call them buzzy.  It's a mix between the two.  Although I hate buzzy vibrations, this mix is not too bad at all.

I've found that the Bimini Ocean is also great to use as an external clitoral vibe during sex with Husband.  It's nice and soft, and not so big that it's intrusive, especially in the woman on top/cowgirl position.

What I didn't:  The angle of the G-spot curl isn't quite steep enough for me to get pleasure out of it unless I tilt the base way down so the tip goes up.  Then it hits my G-spot nicely, but the angle takes the clitoral curl off my clitoris.  It seems, unfortunately, that with the Bimini Ocean I can have clitoral stimulation or G-spot stimulation, but not both at once.  I have to say that was actually somewhat expected since everyone's anatomy is different.  No toy is going to work for everyone.

Final thought:  I like this one.  I'm not over the moon in love with it because it doesn't fit my anatomy just right, but I quite liked it.  The fact that it can easily double as an external clitoral vibrator and do it well is enough for me to recommend it.  Even if it doesn't fit a person's anatomy, it will be far from useless.



~I received this item at a discount in exchange for writing a review on another site.~

Jopen Ego e3 Review

If you've done any research on sex toys, you've probably run across the Jopen line at least once.  Jopen is California Exotics's luxury line, and one that I've stayed away from for a very long time.  Not only are they very pricey, but I tend to stay away from anything made by California Exotics due to some negative experiences I've had.  However, with my We-Vibe Touch replacement not here yet (but it is on it's way) and many, many glowing reviews about it, I decided to give the Jopen Ego e3 a shot.

A little bit about it:   the Ego e3 is a penis ring made to be used during intercourse.  The penis slips through the opening in the ring and slides down to the base (you may or may not need lubricant for this part).  The vibrating shell shape then, in theory, sits against the woman's clitoris.  

The Ego e3 is rechargeable with the included USB charging cable, multi-speed, and waterproof.  To turn on, you press and hold the button on the top until the desired strength is reached, and push it once to turn it off.  There is a travel lock function to prevent an embarrassing vibrating suitcase moment which can be activated by pressing the button rapidly 3 times, and unlocking the same way.  The e3 is made of silicone, so remember that if you need some lubricant to use water-based lube only.  Silicone lubricant does not get along with silicone toys.

Packaging: This part was actually pretty nice.  The e3 package has several parts.  The outer sleeve is black, textured, and although not discreet (there is a large photo of the e3 on the back), it's not really tacky, either.  When you remove the outer sleeve, there is an inner blue box.  The box is lined with foam with shaped recesses for the vibrator and charger.

What I loved:  Um...it's waterproof, rechargeable, rumbly (not buzzy) vibrations, and made silicone.

What I didn't:  Everything else.  This vibe was a valiant effort by Jopen/CalEx to produce something amazing, and a lot of people are very pleased with it, but I hated it for several reasons.  

First, there is the strength of the vibrations.  If Hitatchi is a high 5 in strength, the We-Vibe Touch is a mid-4 in strength, then this one is a low 3.  That's extremely disappointing because for me, I need at least a 4.  A 3 doesn't cut it.

Second, even though I was really attracted to that shell shape, it failed me.  Miserably.  I thought the ridges stood out much more than they actually do and the center ridge would hit my clitoris nicely.  However, the ridges were barely raised so it didn't help anything and just gave the sense of broad, mild vibrations, where I need something a little more exact.

Third, the battery life is horrible.  And I mean horrible.  The e3 only lasts for about 20 minutes on high, and with the vibrations being so weak, 20 minutes is certainly not enough.

Final thought:  Many people have used the e3 with great success and are head over heels in love with it.  Not me.  It didn't even kind of get me close to orgasm, and it's too uncomfortable for Husband to wear if it doesn't do anything for me.  Now, if the vibrations were stronger, the center ridge more pronounced, and the battery life longer, I would love it.  As it is, I just don't like it.

~I received this product at a discount in exchange for writing an honest review on another site~

Fun Factory G4 Big Boss Review

Every now and then, I find a toy that is just so delightfully different I have to have it and at least try it.  That was the case with Fun Factory's G4 Big Boss.  It's big.  It vibrates.  It's a radioactive kind of orange.  Husband and I both love it, both for my solo time and our couple time.  However, for those people that don't like realistic looking toys, you have to be aware that the Big Boss does, in fact, look like a penis...in a weird, florescent orange kind of way.

A little bit about it: The G4 Big Boss is a large, waterproof, silicone vaginal vibrator that can also be used as a clitoral vibrator.  It comes in your choice of black or orange, is rechargeable with Fun Factory's "Click 'n' Charge" magnetic adapter (included), and features several speeds and vibration patterns that can be scrolled through by using the buttons on the plastic handle.  The "+" button increases speed, "-" decreases speed, and "*" cycles through the patterns.

I have to say that I find the "Big Boss" to be a corny name, but it does get the point across.  It is about 9 inches long (in total, including the handle), and 5.5 inches around.  That's pretty big, perhaps bigger than some people are comfortable with, and there's no shame in that.

Since the vibrator is made of silicone, silicone lubricants can not be used with it.  Use a water-based lubricant instead.

What I loved: Wow, what didn't I love?  For starters, the vibrations are very strong.  Not quite Hitachi strong, but a good 4.5 out of 5.  The gentle curve of the shaft is great for hitting the G-spot, as long as you don't mind the girth of it.  The loop in the handle makes the BB easy to hold, although I have heard that some people feel differently about the way the loop is designed.  And the buttons!  Oh, I have to say those buttons are just neat.  As long as the battery in the BB has been charged, if you rub your hand or thumb over the buttons, not pressing them, but just brushing by them, the buttons light up.  How cool is that?

The texture is mostly smooth, but there are some stylistic waves here and there, but nothing really noticeable.  As far as firmness goes, the Big Boss is firm yet flexible.  You won't have trouble with it bending when you don't want it to, but there is some flex to it.

I also have to say that I liked the packaging.  The outer sleeve was...meh.  I'm neither here nor there on the huge picture of the contents on the sleeve.  It's tasteful, but just OK.  Certainly not discreet.   But, if you remove the outer cardboard sleeve, there is a beautiful plain box inside that I also use to store the Big Boss.

What I didn't: Short battery life.  The BB only lasts 20-30 minutes running on high on a full charge.  This, in my opinion, is the main drawback.  That being said, I think the pros here definitely outweigh the cons.

Final thought: I recommend the G4 Big Boss to those that aren't new to toys and aren't afraid of size.  It's one of those toys that we're so glad that we bought, but I really don't think it is for the shy or those just beginning to look at vibrators for the first time.  Those that have had little exposure with sex toys may find this intimidating.  (Do you hear me, gentlemen?  NOT a good first vibrator for your wife.)

There are those that will find the dimensions of the BB to be too much, and the shape will be a turn off for others.  For those people, I would suggest they look at other items that Fun Factory produces.  They manufacture vibrators of every shape, size, and color along with other sexual/health items (remember Smartballs?), so you are bound to find something you like.



~I received this product at a discount in exchange for writing a review on another site.~

Fun Factory Smartballs Teneo Uno and Teneo Duo Review

I firmly believe that working my Kegel muscles is an incredibly important thing.  Not only is it thought to prevent uterine prolapse, but it leads to stronger orgasms.  And who doesn't want that?

I never noticed how much stronger my orgasms had gotten since I started practicing my Kegels and wearing Kegel balls...until my orgasms became extremely weak.  When I worked my muscles, my husband could actually feel my muscles spasm around him when I reached orgasm.  When I got busy and forgot for several weeks, my orgasms became weak and, frankly, unsatisfying.  When I went back to using Kegel balls, guess what happened?  Yep, stronger orgasms again.

I'm now going to tell you about my favorite (at the moment) Kegel balls: Fun Factory's Smartballs Teneo Uno and Teneo Duo.

A little bit about them:  Teneo Uno is a single Kegel ball weighing .4lbs.  It has a smaller ball inside of the larger ball.  Fun Factory says that the smaller ball rolling around the inside of the larger one makes your vagina think it's about to drop something, and therefore your muscles struggle to keep it in.  The Duo works on the same principle, except it is two weighted balls attached to each other (total of .3 lbs).  The Uno and Duo can be purchased separately or as a set.  Both Uno and Duo are made of silicone, and feature a removal loop and a finger depression for easier insertion.  Remember, silicone toys should NEVER be used with silicone lubricant (water based only!) and should be kept away from other silicone toys.

 Hey, look, there's a video!

What I loved: Both the Uno and the Duo do what they are intended to do: work the Kegel muscles.  The proof is in the stronger orgasms that even Husband noticed!  The silicone is lovely, the color choice is fantastic.  They are funky and fun looking while still maintaining some class.

When I use these, I find that they are just the right size and shape for me so that my muscles definitely have to work to keep them in, but I don't have to struggle to keep them in.  It's a nice balance.

What I didn't:  The removal loop on both the Uno and the Duo are just too long.  They hang down between my labia and freaking annoy me.  I can ignore it...eventually.

I should probably add that some people have said that the Duo in general is too long for them.


Final thought:  I loved both the Uno and the Duo.  They definitely work my muscles.  However, I have to say that if I had to pick just one, I'd go with the Uno.  The Duo is fine, but the structure is just short of being too long to fit, and no, I don't have a tilted uterus.  I just find the Duo to be very long.  Add the length of the two balls together, plus the extra long removal loop, and, well, I just prefer the shorter Uno.  All in all, I'm glad I bought them and will continue to use both Uno and Duo.






~I received this product at a discount in exchange for writing a review on another site.~

The MiMi Review

Ah, the MiMi, clitoral vibrator by Je Joue.  Remember when I said that the Touch was my first successful foray into luxury toys?  Well, the MiMi was the first luxury toy I ever owned, unless you count the Hitachi (I don't, but more on that in another post).  But I wouldn't quite call it successful.  Not completely.

First off let me give a big thank you to travelnurse, a member over at Eden Fantasys for sending me the photos for today's post!  I don't have my MiMi anymore, so no photos from me.  But we'll get to that.

A little bit about it: The MiMi is a silicone (or silicone covered plastic?) external clitoral vibrator.  It's rechargeable, attaches to the charger with magnets (how cool is that?), comes in a variety of colors, and just feels so darn elegant in my hand.  It looks a bit like a squashed egg shape, with the control buttons and charger port being on the widest part of the narrow edge.  Two buttons allow me to cycle through 5 vibration modes and 5 patterns.

Like all silicone toys, there is a down side: silicone toys should never touch silicone toys and silicone lubricant should never be used with them.  But I've said that before.  Moving on.

What I loved: The first thing I fell in love with, no joke, is the packaging.  An elegant black box with silver printed letters, no pictures.  Ok, there was an outer cardboard box that had the photo and all the info, but I'm talking about the inner storage box.  No naked porn stars.  No crude wording.  Just elegance.  Ahhh.

The vibrations aren't insanely strong, like a Hitachi, but are strong enough to get me there and with style!  If you are used to cheap toys, you will be pleasantly surprised by the vibrations and luxury of the MiMi.

The flat-ish shape of this piece of awesome made it perfect for sitting between Husband and I in the woman-on-top (cowgirl) position, but with him on top it hit our pubic bones pretty dang painfully.  That being said, it is light enough that I can hold it on my clitoris in a variety of positions without it getting heavy.

Both the narrow and the broad sides of the MiMi provide stimulation, so whatever I'm in the mood for, it's covered.

What I didn't love: Now we come to the part why I *sigh* don't have my MiMi anymore.  Settle in.  It's quite a tale.

For Mother's Day this year, I asked Husband for the MiMi and he readily agreed.  Sweet!  After waiting for it to come in the mail, I eagerly tore into it and plugged it in to charge.  However the charge indicator light blinked erratically (it's supposed to blink, but not in the way that it was), and there was a quiet, but high pitched sound.  I tried to readjust the charger and everything else I could think of, but no luck.

I contacted Eden Fantasys, where I bought it, and they were kind enough to get a replacement out with no hassle on my part except sending back the defective MiMi at no cost to me.

I was ecstatic with the replacement, until it also showed itself to be defective only a few weeks after receiving it.  I again contacted Eden and this time was given a very, very hard choice: another replacement or a refund.

It was a very tough choice.  I loved my MiMi, but the thought of a third defective one had me more than spooked.  My time is limited and I didn't want to have to go through going out of my way to the shipping center again to return another defective one.  I opted, with much trepidation, for the refund.

Final thought: Although I loved my MiMi and wanted to try other items in Je Joue's line, this experience put me off a bit.  Even though the MiMi did have a year warranty (at the time of my purchase), it irritated me to have to jump through so many hoops to get a working one.  However, after talking with some other owners, some of which went through the same thing, I found they pretty much have this to say: "Sometimes you get a defective one, but you can always return it.  When you get a working one, it makes all the hassle worth it!"  Personally, I'm not ready to try again, but maybe in the future!
Update 7/17/13: I'm giving the MiMi another chance.  I really did love it, and I hear that Je Joue updates their items to fix past problems.  Fingers crossed for better luck!