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..

Rare Assembly Bondage Bow Review

~I received this item for free as a prize from a mini-contest run by Rare Assembly.~

Not too long ago, the American Psychiatric Association decided that just because someone has a kinky streak, that doesn't make them mentally ill.  That's great news for bedroom adventurers everywhere.  How many have tried at least a little bondage?  Tough question, and it seems it depends on which study and/or survey you are looking at.  They mostly seem to hover between 30 and 50% of the population, with some as low as 2% and some as high as 75%.  The only thing I've found studies agree on is that the number of people that at least try light BDSM (like blindfolds or toy handcuffs) is on the rise.  But why the huge variety in survey and study outcomes?  I suspect it has to do with perception.  What one person considers kinky, another considers perfectly vanilla.

So let's say a person that has always been vanilla wants to do a little experimenting.  Looking around at BDSM shops online can be a frightening experience for someone just looking for a set of silk scarves, fuzzy handcuffs, or pretty blindfold.  What to do if you want to see if a little adventure is your thing without the in-your-face aspect?  Enter the Bondage Bow.

A little bit about it: The Bondage Bow (large) is a long band of rubber latex that comes wrapped as a...wait for it...bow.  It's about 75" long and just shy of 1.25" wide.  There are perforations down the middle that slide onto a large metal tack in the package, holding it in a bow shape.  Once unraveled, it lays flat.  It's extremely stretchy and made for exactly what it sounds like: bondage.  Or, as the company says in it's slogan, "Unwind this bow and tie somebody up."

What I loved: The best thing about the Bondage Bow is the aesthetics of it.  The bow shape is sweet and non-threatening.  A lovely, springy bow seems far less scary for a beginner than a coil of rope.  It's pretty without being cutesy, and the colors they offer seem to be changing.  I own it in black, but they currently they offer it in cherry red and honey gold.

Because of the tack that is used to hold the bow in shape when it's in the package, the Bondage Bow has perforations in the center all the way down the length.  I was worried that this would cause the bow to easily rip apart, but it didn't, even when I tugged on it width wise to purposely try to get it to rip.

There's a certain simplicity to the Bondage Bow.  It's not incredibly long, so there is only so much you can do with it.  OK, really, it's for tying wrists or ankles, but if you are brand new to the idea of bondage, that's probably all you're going to be doing, anyway.  So, it's pretty, simple, and pretty much a bit of kinky for those that don't necessarily consider themselves kinky.

What I didn't: My biggest complaint is that it is uncomfortable.  Really, really uncomfortable.  I know other reviewers have raved about how comfy it is, but that's not how I found it.  I even experimented by tying my ankles while doing some computer work, but only got about ten minutes in before the heat of it became unbearable and I had to take it off.  During sex, it's fun but only for a very short amount of time because of the same issues.  I mean, it's latex rubber.  It doesn't breathe.  My skin felt funny for an hour afterward as a result, and no, I don't have an allergy.

If you are interested in experimenting with being restrained in a manner that you can't escape, this is not your toy.  The stretchiness of the material makes it very, very easy to escape from.  When I tied it as tight as I felt was safe, I was able to escape in 3 seconds.  I timed it.  When I tied it slightly tighter than I would think is safe (with NO intention to stay that way and done in a safe and easily undone manner), I couldn't escape, but it pulled my skin and tiny hairs.  Ow.  The fact that you would have to tie it tighter than safe to make it "real" bondage is a big no-no for anyone looking to be actually restrained.  The Bondage Bow, it seems, is for looks only.  There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you are looking for, as long as you know the limits of your material.

Finally, the material sticks to itself.  It's nice to have the friction to help restrain, but it makes tying decent knots almost impossible.

Final thought:  The Bondage Bow retails for £18, or $25-30 (depending on the shop) which is not a bad asking price.  I've seen much worse toys go for much more money, but it's up to you to decide if it's worth it.  It is lovely and non-threatening, making it a nice introductory piece for vanilla people looking to experiment.  Like I said, it's a bit of kinkiness for people that don't consider themselves kinky.  However, any buyer needs to understand that the Bondage Bow is mostly for looks and the accompanying psychological affect.  It is not great for anything but brief wear, due to the fact that it doesn't breathe and can get uncomfortable on the skin.

So, is it worth it?  That depends on why you want it.  If you are just looking for an introductory toy, this is nice to have.  If you are interested in restraint that actually restrains, this is not for you.

~I received this item for free as a prize from a mini-contest run by Rare Assembly.~

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.~

Njoy Eleven Review

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

Did you ever see something just beautiful and fall in love with it, and then you saw the price tag?  But what if you really, really want it?  Is it worth making that happen?  A lot of sex toy users see the Njoy Eleven and want it, but since it carries a $300 price tag, not many are willing to take the chance without assurance that it is awesome.

A little bit about it: The Njoy Eleven is a huge stainless steel G-spot toy.  Did I mention huge?  Seriously, it's huge.  It is 11 inches long with two usable heads.  The smaller head has a circumference of around 5.5 inches, and the larger head has a circumference of around 6.5 inches.

Packaging: I don't always talk about packaging, but seriously, I need to talk about the packaging here. The Eleven comes packaged in a leather clutch lined in hot pink material, and closes magnetically.  If you live a vegan lifestyle, the leather may be upsetting.  For everyone else, it's a very nice touch of class that shows attention to detail.

What I loved: The Njoy is a beautiful piece of metal.  Shiny, smooth, hefty, with two large, usable ends.  Each end is gently curved for G-spot stimulation.  Although the steel has a lot of drag to it and lubrication is recommended, you can use whatever lubrication you want and a little goes a long way.

The solid, large, heavy sensation of the Eleven is not like any other toy.  I can't say it's like ___, because it's not really like anything.  Like the Stronic Eins, it's totally unique in the toy world.  You can squeeze your vaginal walls against it all you want.  In fact, work your Kegels while you're at it.

I didn't love the Eleven by itself, as it's not quite right for me to get satisfying stimulation from it alone, but when I pair it with a clitoral vibrator, it's pretty fabulous.

What I didn't:  I'm not sure why, but I had to reapply lubricant with this toy more than other toys I've owned.  However, since it is perfectly smooth stainless steel, only a little lubricant at a time is necessary.

Since the two ends are pretty bulbous, it's easy to hit your G-spot, but it's not that simple to stimulate it.  Although the slight curves allow the G-spot to be hit, it doesn't allow it to be hit well.  Because of the shallow angle coupled with the large size, I find it difficult to reliably hit the G-spot in a way I find satisfying.

Final Thought: I like the Eleven.  It's a unique sensation from a toy that's made with high quality materials and comes in classy packaging.  The size and heft of it provide pretty great stimulation both at the vaginal entrance and along the vaginal walls.  But the question is, do you need one?

Do you like metal toys?
Do you like heavy toys?
Do you like large toys?

If you answered yes to any one of these and can afford the price tag, then the Eleven is worth having in your collection.  However, if you can't afford it or you're not sure the Eleven is for you, don't panic.  Really, even though the Eleven is perfectly lovely, you can live without it.  If you are looking for a high quality stainless steel toy, but aren't too interested in the size, shape, or price of the Eleven, I'd suggest getting the Pure Wand instead.

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

iGino One Review

~I received this item from iGino for free in exchange for an honest review.~

Companies more and more are recognizing vibrators can come in more shapes than have already been explored.  Rianne S came out with the Matryoshka, a small vibrator that resembles Russian stacking dolls.  Lelo has the Mia 2, shaped like a lipstick. Fun Factory has a UFO.  Joining the tradition of it's-not-what-it-looks-like is the new iGino One.


A little bit about it:  The iGino One is a compact, rechargeable clitoral vibrator (external use only) that at first glance looks nothing like a vibrator.  It's rectangular in shape (about 4 inches long by 2 inches wide), and has a removable cap. Under the cap is a little vibrating nub, which is the business end, so to speak, of the vibrator.

The iGino One comes with a USB extension cord, an EU wall adapter, US wall adapter, storage pouch, extra gaskets that go between the vibrating head and the body, and one SkinTouch head.  The SkinTouch head (made of EVA, aka foam rubber) is an optional attachment that gives the vibrating head a different feel.  According to the manufacturer, the vibe is compatible with water based, silicone, and "natural oil" lubricants.

SkinTouch head attached to the iGino

The iGino One charges via a USB port, is splash-proof but not waterproof, is one speed, and does not have a travel lock function (what keeps vibes from coming alive in your suitcase at embarrassing moments).

A brief note about the type of vibration.  iGino is equipped with "vibraMoove," which combines vibrations with movement.  They claim this is a unique sensation when compared to other vibrators.

Packaging:  The iGino One comes in a heavy duty, pink and white cardboard box.  You know how I feel about pink.  But more on that later.  The box itself is nice, simple, and classy.  It's neither discreet nor particularly indiscreet.

What I loved: The shape of the iGino One is truly unique.  It's roughly the size and shape of a smartphone or mp3 player.  The hinge the USB plug swings on even looks vaguely like a camera lens. In short, when the cap is on it looks nothing like a sex toy, so no need to panic if you leave it out and someone sees it.  Unless of course they pick it up and turn it on.  It's pretty obvious what it is at that point.  Anyway, it's a completely different design that doesn't follow traditional bullets or phallic-shaped vibes.

The vibrations, though only one speed, are relatively strong.  Seriously, for a rechargeable vibe, I'm impressed with the strength.  In fact, it is one of the strongest compact rechargeable vibrators I've seen. The vibrations are somewhere between buzzy and rumbly, but lean toward buzzy.  I usually can't (or don't) orgasm with buzzier vibes, but the iGino has just enough mix of rumbly that it isn't a problem.

The shape is easy enough for me to hold comfortably, although the comfort level of holding it will vary from person to person.  I do have to say, though, that most of the vibration stays in the head instead of the body.  Although the body does vibrate somewhat, it's not so much that it is particularly bothersome.

What I didn't: I'm going to start with the obvious.  If you've been reading my reviews, you know one of the big things that annoys me is assuming that women love pink.  Some women love it, not all.  I hate that pink is the go-to color for toy manufacturers.  I would have loved to see the toy in an accent color that was more neutral as far as stereotypes go.  Like yellow.  Or green.  Or grey.

The tagline, "What women want," which is written on the package, is kind of annoying.  To be honest, I really find it kind of insulting.  It's like saying, "Here, try this.  You'll love it.  If you don't, there's something wrong with you."  No one knows better than me that not all toys are for every body, and no toy should pretend to be.

The SkinTouch head didn't particularly do anything for me but dampen the vibrations.  For those that find the vibrations too powerful, the head is an excellent attachment.  For everyone else, skip it.

The iGino One is supposed to be slim enough to fit between lovers during intercourse.  I will say that yes, it is slim enough, but when Husband and I tried to use it during lovemaking, the vibrating head didn't hit my clitoris.  It just sort of hung out in the netherspace between us, not really vibrating anything except diffusely when the head somehow managed to hit something.

I was particularly excited by the idea of the "vibraMoove" technology, but was disappointed in it's implementation.  Although the vibrating head does move, it does so at such a rapid pace that it feels like most other vibrators.  In short, to my clitoris, the fact that the head is moving as well as vibrating doesn't feel any different than just vibrations.

Since the iGino isn't waterproof, that leads to the question of how to clean it.  I asked and was told that alcohol-free wet wipes are the way to go.  I happen to have a collection toy wipes that work great for this, but not everyone has toy wipes on hand.  Further, I prefer to wash my toys whenever possible instead of wipe them down.

The iGino is only one speed, and they told me:

The "Vibramoove" allows to vary the intensity of the stimulation simply by changing the inclination of the contact surface. This is the reason why the first version of the iGino has only one speed.

 Eh...I'm still going to say multi-speed is better, but it looks like they are still working on the design.

The last thing I really need to say is that the iGino is loud.  Like, really, really loud.  It sounds like electric hair clippers.  It's great that the shape is discreet, but in a situation where you would need the shape discreet, there is a really good chance you need the sound to be as well.  The good news is that iGino is aware of the sound issue, and they are working on it.

Final thought: The iGino has a lot going for it, but there is still a good deal of room for improvement.  It will retail for a cost of approximately $99, which is pretty standard for a high quality vibrator.  However, most luxury vibes of this price point tend to be multi-speed and often have a pattern function, a travel lock, are waterproof, and are extremely quiet.  The iGino is very new to the market, and doesn't have any of these features.  A vibe of that price that can only be used for clitoral stimulation should be, at the very least, multi-speed, waterproof, and quiet to be able to hold its ground against more well known manufacturers like Lelo, Fun Factory, and We-Vibe.  In my opinion, either new features need to be added, or the price needs to come down.

If the iGino One sounds like it might be for you, you can purchase your own from iGino.

~I received this item from iGino for free in exchange for an honest review.~

Leaf Vitality Review

~I received this item free of charge in exchange for an honest review.~

Oh, the Leaf Line!  How I've lusted over them for a long time.  They're high quality and just gorgeous, but I've put off owning one because they seem to be one of those toys where you either love or hate it.  I'd like to thank Vibrator Kingdom for providing this piece of lovely for me to review!  They are quickly becoming one of my favorite shops.

A little bit about it: The Vitality is part of SWAN's Leaf vibrator line.  This particular one is a rabbit-style vibrator in that it has a clitoral arm and a vaginal arm.  Each arm contains their own motor controlled by separate buttons.  Arm 1, and what I think of as the clitoral arm, is just under 3 inches long, and flatter than Arm 2, which is more rounded and just under 3.5 inches long.  the entire toy itself is roughly 5.5 inches long.

The Vitality is silicone, waterproof, rechargeable, is equipped with a travel lock (so it doesn't start to vibrate in your suitcase), comes with a precious storage bag, and is multi-speed.  However, to change the speed, you press and hold the buttons.  Just pushing them once turns the motor on and off.  The vibrations themselves are not silent, but nearly so.


Packaging:  The Vitality comes in a heavy duty cardboard box with magnetic closure.  It's sort of classy minimalist.  Well, a picture's worth a thousand cows.  Or something.  So here:

What I loved: First off, it's green.  I mean the color.  It's green!  It's not any shade of pink at all!  This, friends, makes me very, very happy.  I know not everyone exactly loves green, but it's such a welcome departure.

I love the fact that the arms are controlled separately.  Maybe I want clitoral vibration, but not vaginal, or the other way around.  Or I want strong vibrations in one place, and slightly weaker in another.  The separate controls makes it easy.  Only two buttons makes it simple.  The vibrations are nothing to sneeze at either, being a 4 out of 5 as far as strength goes.

Moving on.  The bulbous handle on the end makes the Vitality ridiculously easy and comfortable to hold and move without my hands getting tired.  I used the Vitality multiple times and never got any muscle cramps.

What I didn't: Although I tried--oh how I tried!--to orgasm with the Vitality, it is just not happening.  The strength is fine, although the clitoral arm is a little buzzy, while the vaginal arm is more rumbly.  But the buzzy isn't so terribly buzzy that it causes a big problem.  The problem, it turns out, is that I can't use any pressure with the Vitality.  Where the arms meet is just too flexible!  As I get close to climax, I need to be able to increase the pressure of the toy against me.  This is true both for my clitoris and my G-spot.  The Vitality just bends away from me if I try to use pressure.  For this reason, I can not have an orgasm with the Vitality.

Final thought: This is a fun and beautiful toy, but not being able to use pressure with it is a deal breaker for me.  However, if you only need the vibrations and don't care about the pressure, then you will likely love this toy.  It has a lot of really great aspects going for it.  It's quiet, beautiful, and has decent vibrations.  Being too flexible is my main concern, and it is unfortunately what makes the Vitality not work for me.  Still, if you like your toys to be slightly flexible, then you may well love this one!

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

Little Deeper Cushion Review

It is my firm belief that everyone should give sexual support cushions a try at some point.  They can take a lot of unnecessary strain off of your joints, making sex more comfortable.  Personally, I've found that support cushions also allow our love making sessions to last longer.  I've made no secret about how much I love my Liberator Wedge and Ramp, but when I saw the Little Deeper Cushion with it's dips and contours, I was intrigued.

Note: I received the Little Deeper Cushion free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

A little bit about it: The Little Deeper is a sort of jack-of-all-trades of support cushions.  Not only is it a sex positioner, but can also be used as a yoga tool and a body support pillow when you are just lounging.  It does a little bit of everything and does each one fairly well.

Unlike the typical pyramid/wedge shapes of other support cushions, the Little Deeper is contoured to support the body while remaining firm but comfortable.  The cushion itself is made of polyurethane foam with a polyester cover.  The cover can be removed and hand washed.

What I loved: I want to say right out that the thing I loved most about the Little Deeper is that it is not Liberator.  It's not trying to be Liberator.  It's not copying Liberator.  It is it's own product and that is refreshing.  I'm tired of seeing cheaper products that try and fail to copy Liberator designs.  Seeing that the Little Deeper Cushion is not trying to copy anyone or anything (although you could make the argument that they are trying to improve old designs) is just gravy.

The Little Deeper is a pretty decent sex positioner.  It's not uncomfortably hard, nor is it so soft that you sink in.  It's about the same firmness as the Liberator Wedge and Ramp.  It's the same height but longer than the Wedge, but not as long and shorter in height than the Ramp.  It's a nice in-between size.

I need to say, flat out, that my favorite use for the Little Deeper has nothing to do with sex.  It has to do with meditation.  I suffer from a lot of anxiety and tension issues and sitting for meditation for a few minutes helps me a ton.  However, I find if I sit on the floor to meditate with my back straight, it hurts.  A lot.  It feels like someone is sticking shivs of ice into my spine.  I have not yet been able to figure out what I'm doing wrong.  I tried sitting in a half lotus position on the Little Deeper and was perfectly comfortable.  No pain in my spine at all.  However, it was hard to meditate because I was distracted by just how comfortable I was!

What I didn't: The only thing I really didn't like about the Little Deeper is the cover.  The material feels wrong to my fingers.  It reminds me of cheap Christmas stockings or a holiday dress from the '80s.  There is just something about the material that feels off.  Even Husband, when he first touched it, made a face and declared that he didn't like the way it feels.  I much prefer the cover of Liberator products.

Final Thought: Oh, boy.  Tough call here.  I'm going to have to say I still like my Liberator better, but only slightly.  The Liberator Wedge and Ramp fit our anatomy just a little bit better.  And that's the problem with position cushions in general, isn't it?  Not every cushion will fit every body.

Most of the time I don't like a product or choose to not use it any further I can point to a specific design flaw as the reason. This time, I can't do that.  There isn't anything wrong with the Little Deeper Cushion.  It just isn't quite right for us.  The Little Deeper is very similar in size to the Liberator Wedge but we actually use our Liberator Ramp more often.  We need something longer and higher.  The Little Deeper is just not quite the right size for us.

That being said, I would heartily recommend this cushion if you are in one of three groups of people: those that find wedges too small and ramps too big, those that need contoured cushions for proper support, and those that can't meditate without pain!

Want your own?  You can get them through the Little Deeper website!

~I received this item free of charge from Little Deeper 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

We-Vibe Salsa Review

Note: Before I go on with the review, I need to tell you that the We-Vibe Salsa is getting discontinued.  If you like my review, go, NOW, and get yours.  We-Vibe currently has them for 30% off.  Once they're gone, they're gone.  If you miss it, don't panic.  The We-Vibe Tango is a very near cousin, and the only difference between them is how the very tip is shaped.  Only the Salsa is being discontinued, not the Tango.

I have owned a lot of vibrators at this point.  Some were good, some were great, and some immediately went into the garbage in disgust.  I'm always on the lookout for a new clitoral vibe, especially one that Husband and I can use together, and I found it in the We-Vibe Salsa.

A little bit about it: The We-Vibe Salsa is a small clitoral vibrator, about 3.25 long by my measurements.  It's waterproof, strong, rumbly, and quiet.  You can't hear it outside of a closed door unless your house is absolutely silent.  I don't know about you, but my house is never silent, so this would be hard to hear.

The Salsa comes in a really neat trapazoid-shaped box very similar to the We-Vibe Touch, and includes the vibe, charger, and storage bag.

The Salsa is made to be an external vibrator.  Even though it is waterproof and lubricant friendly, it would not make a good vaginal toy.  Also, I need to stress that this is not an anal safe toy.  The attempt would likely end in an embarrassing trip to the emergency room.  External use only, people.

What I loved: Wow.  Just wow.  The Salsa has deep, rumbly vibrations.  None of this surface buzzy nonsense you get from cheaper vibrators.  Husband was concerned that the power may equal buzziness, but that is certainly not the case.

The Salsa is perfect both for alone time and couple's time.  The pointed tip is great for those that need pinpoint stimulation, while the side can be used for people who really like to have broad stimulation.  The Salsa is small enough that it fits between Husband and I really well, making it perfect for extra stimulation during sex.  However, because of the size and shape, it does move around a little bit.  You either have to hold it, or readjust it every now and then.  Neither are really an issue.

There are 8 vibration settings total: 4 speeds and 4 patterns, so there should be something for everyone. For those that need really strong vibrations, the Salsa delivers.  If the Hitachi is a 5 in intensity, the Salsa is a mid to high 4.

What I didn't: The Salsa has a similar flaw to the We-Vibe Touch in that it doesn't last too long on high power.  After about 20 minutes on high, it gradually loses power, finally dying at around an hour. All We-Vibes I've had do that.  I would suggest that you don't reach for the Salsa until you are very aroused.

Final thought: Love it.  Even though the battery doesn't last as long as I'd like, the pros outweigh the cons.  The Salsa is essentially a luxury version of the cheap bullets, and I must say that We-Vibe really got it right.   I would highly recommend it to those that want something small but high quality.

~I received a discount for the Salsa in exchange for a review on another site.~

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.~

Njoy Pure Wand Review

Every now and then I find a toy that Husband and I just fall completely in love with.  We found that kind of toy in the Njoy Pure Wand.  Like many luxury toys, I wavered over whether or not this one was going to be worth the asking price, but the stellar reviews and the "You must get this toy!" sentiment among toy testers had me taking a second look.  I realized that though I have a glass toy that is similar in shape, I am always dropping and breaking things.  I've dropped my glass toy no less than three times, and I knew eventually it was going to shatter.  Enter the Pure Wand, which is darn near unbreakable.

A little bit about it: The Njoy Pure Wand is a piece of stainless steel awesomeness.  It is double ended, having two separate, distinct heads.  By my measurements, the larger head is 4 3/4 inches around, and the smaller is 3 1/4 inches around.  The length, if you measure from the outside curve from end to end, is around 11 inches (9 1/2 inches if you measure down the inside curve).  It's made of solid stainless steel, pretty hefty, and fabulously shiny.  It's also hailed as the toy for female ejaculation.

The Pure Wand is made to be both a G-spot toy (women) and a P-spot/prostate toy (men).  However, Husband isn't crazy about P-spot massages, so this will be solely a G-spot toy for us, which is fine with me.

Did I mention I love with this thing?

Packaging and care:  The Pure Wand comes in a really strong cardboard box.  I do mean really strong.  It has the solidness of wood, but much lighter.  Seriously you could probably take this box and punt it like a football and not hurt it.  Inside, the lid is padded with a black, velvety feeling foam.  In the base of the box is a foam insert that has a recess the same shape as the Pure Wand.  The foam is then covered in a pink, satiny, material.

Care is very simple.  Wash with soap and water.  If you wish, it can also be boiled or cleaned with a 10% bleach solution, as long as you are very careful to rinse well afterwards.  Don't use abrasive pads.

What I loved: Everything.  Having the choice of a thinner, but still satisfactory head or a larger and filling head depending on my mood is delightful.  It's like two G-spot toys in one!

It turns out that I really need firm pressure or rubbing on my G-spot as opposed to vibrations or gentle massage, and the Pure Wand definitely excels at that.  The curve is absolutely perfect and hits the right spots without having to contort or hold it in an awkward manner.  Remember when I talked about the Bimini Ocean and how I had to hold it in an uncomfortable manner?  Or how I wished the Pink Flowered Friend had more of a curve?  That's not a problem with the Pure Wand.  In fact, this toy has Husband and I wondering if I may be capable of a G-spot orgasm after all.

What I didn't: The Pure Wand is a bit heavy, so my arm eventually gets tired, as does Husband's if he's using it on me.  Also, the firmness and shape make it a bit hard for him to tell how much pressure he's using on me, so every now and then I have to tell him to back off.  But those are problems that will come with a solid and hefty toy, and are issues I am more than willing to overlook.

Final thought: The Pure Wand runs about $110.  It's one of those toys where I can say with complete honesty that it is worth every penny they are asking for.  For such a deceptively simple looking stimulator, it's simply amazing.