Aug 29, 2012

At our downtown Blue Boutique location, we currently have a lovely display case in our adult room filled with a few different brands of our high-end toys, including, my personal favorite, Fun Factory (Available IN-STORE only)! In the case are a set of Flexi Felix beads. If you’ve never seen them, they are probably one of the most adorable items we carry in the store. They have the cutest little caterpillar-shaped pull handle, with little Flexi Felix smilin’ back at you! They’re made of 100% medical grade European silicone, which is the best material for your body. I have had customer after customer point them out and say, “Ooo! Those are CUTE! What are they?” When I respond, “Anal beads!” most customers usually stare at me in shock and/or horror. A lot of people are shy and stand-off-ish when it comes to back-door pleasure in general. Hopefully this blog can shed some light on the wonderful world of anal beads!

Anal beads are defined as “a sex toy consisting of multiple spheres or balls attached together in series which are continuously inserted through the anus into the rectum and then removed with varying speeds depending on the effect desired (most typically at orgasm to enhance climax). Those who use anal beads enjoy the pleasurable feeling they receive as the ball passes through the narrow sphincter of the anus.” Anal beads come in an array of shapes and sizes. Usually the beads will start small, and then gradually increase in size as you get closer to the handle or pull-hoop. Anal beads also come in a wide variety of materials. Some have plastic beads and are threaded with a nylon rope or cord, some are glass, metal, rubber, or latex. Higher end anal beads are usually made of a high-quality silicone, and are not threaded onto a porous material.

Before we get to the fun part, it is always important to remember three things about anal play.

One: ALWAYS BE STERILE. If you are using anal beads threaded onto a cord, these cannot be fully cleaned and sterilized. These really are intended for one time use, as lots of poo particles can get stuck in those fibers. Also, make sure that the knots on the cord are securely fastened to the bead to prevent one popping off and disappearing into the abyss of your butthole and intestines. In that case, please seek medical attention immediately! Okay, don’t be scared… The most sterile AND safe solution is to choose anal beads that are made of silicone, or another non-porous material that are NOT attached by a fiber or cord. I would recommend anything by Fun Factory or Hustler. If you’re intending on sharing your new toys, thoroughly clean your beads with a toy cleaner before you let your partner use them. That, or use a condom!

Two: USE LUBE. I cannot stress this enough. As awesome as it would be, your bumholio does not produce its own natural lubrication. Sliquid Naturals Sassy is an AWESOME water-based anal lubricant. It’s all-natural, glycerin and paraben free, 100% vegan, and is a thicker formula than your normal lubricant to add a little more cushion and comfort for your derriere. When using sex toys in general, it is very important to use a water-based lubricant. A silicone-based lubricant will break down and destroy your toy’s material.

Three: JUST RELAX! Anal play isn’t supposed to be scary or painful, but fun and pleasurable! Start slow until you’re absolutely 100% comfortable with your partner, your surroundings, and, well, the fact that you have something up your ass.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard from friends and customers, “Well, aren’t anal beads/butt plugs/anal toys in general meant for men?” Anal toys are meant for EVERYONE! Men, women, gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender, transsexual, pan-sexual, etc… Anyone who wants to add a little somethin-somethin’ to their sex life! Anal beads are a GREAT introduction to anal play for the beginner, or even the novice! Pop these suckers in one at a time once you’re all hot and bothered, and RIGHT at the moment of climax just pull ‘em out. Slow or fast, whichever you’d prefer. You’ll be blown away at how much harder they will make you cum. They can be used solo during masturbation. A man can use them on himself while boning-down with a lady or man-friend. Have your partner reach around and pull ‘em out with a pop-pop-pop! Same with you, ladies! Have your man take you to Plowtown and slowly pop ‘em out at that glorious moment. Gentlemen, having your lady use anal beads during vaginal intercourse is simply fantastic for BOTH partners! The reason being? The skin between the rectal wall and the vaginal wall is extremely thin. If your lady is wearing anal beads, you will feel the texture of the beads rubbing on your dick. HOW AWESOME IS THAT. Not to mention any anal play is very pleasurable for women as your rectal wall and vaginal wall share nerve endings! Yay!

So, do your ass a favor, and head over to Downtown Blue Boutique to pick up some anal beads and lube. Your tush will be forever grateful.

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Aug 28, 2012

SPIRIT: LEAF VIBES REVIEW

 

First Impressions

This handy little vibe is amazing!  If you think it looks sheik in the pictures, wait until you get your hands on one!  It’s a bit smaller than you may expect, a little smaller than the WeVibe Touch.  It looks like it should be on display in a modern art museum, but then all of Leaf’s products have that quality.  You could literally leave it sitting out on your coffee table and no one would know what it is! (Not recommended, but true.) It has a certain “eco-friendly” feel to it; not only because it’s shape and color resemble shrubbery, but even the packaging looks like it should be sold at Whole Foods.  The company claims the box is made of recycled cardboard and comes with a hemp little bag to carry the vibe in.  The fact that the vibe is rechargeable with no batteries does make it more “green.”

Experience

We’ve had this product for about 10 days now and have used it every time we’ve had sex since. When we first brought it home, we plugged the charger into the wall and it took about 2-3 hours to fully charge.  Later that night, we used it during sex and it worked wonders!  What I really like about it, is that the shape fits the natural contours of your vagina perfectly.  It can sit with the pointy edge facing up towards the clit for those who like pin-pointed vibrations.  Or, it can point downward and rumble your entire loins as it sits on the pubic mound.  (Do I get bonus points for using the word “loins” in the review?)  Most small vibrators are shaped such that holding it in place during sex is difficult.  The Leaf Spirit is thin enough and shaped just right that you almost don’t even need to keep a hand on it during sex!  The first time we used it, I was on top in the reverse cowgirl and kept the Spirit held tight against my clit.  I came within minutes.

Pros

• Very soft and smooth silicone with very small, unnoticeable seams.
• Completely waterproof, which is GREAT!
• Very powerful for a cordless vibe.
• Small, quiet, and discreet.
• Only one button, which makes it easy to use.

Cons

• Only 40 minutes of battery life.
• No “bouncy” settings where vibrations pulse in fun patterns.  Just slow, fast, and fastest.
• Not shaped for internal use.

Conclusion

There’s not a lot to dislike about the Leaf Spirit. It’s very soft and feels great up against the skin.  It packs quite a punch, more so than the LELO Mia we reviewed last time, which was no pansy!  At $169 it may be an investment, but if you’ve been searching for a luxury vibe that will last and is GREAT for couples play, please check out the Leaf product line!  You can buy one here.  http://store.blueboutique.com/Leaf-spirit/sku-CNVELD-LF28613?a=blueboutique

 

Score

We give this toy a 9 out of 10 and can safely say that it has earned a spot in the little black chest that sits by our bed!

 

(Leave a comment below on the sex toy you’d like to see us review next.  We’re pretty much up for anything!)

 

Kristen and Stan

 

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Aug 23, 2012

Sexy News & Stuff Right To Your Email

Everyone at Blue Boutique is excited to offer you a 20% discount on one purchase when you sign up for our mailing list. We periodically send you news about Blue Boutique’s sales, events and sex-positive articles (We promise, they’ll be safe for work) a few times a month. Discount coupon is good through September 30th, 2012.

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Aug 21, 2012

Ben wa balls are something we have always carried here at Blue Boutique, but it hasn’t been until recently that they have become one of our top-selling items. Thanks to Fifty Shades of Gray, I can barely keep these babies on our shelves! Despite the fact that they’ve read about them or were told by a girlfriend they needed to come get some, I find that many women are still a little confused about these magical little balls and their many uses. Luckily, I am hear to break it down for you and explain while you’ll soon be clamoring for your very own set.

First, there are several kinds of ben wa balls. Most of them are hollow and have a smaller weighted ball that moves around inside them. They come in a variety of sizes and materials. Metal balls usually come in 1/2” and 3/4” versions, but I have seen even larger. Some balls are coated in a softer material, such as silicone and are often connected with a removal cord. These are generally called duotone balls. We carry a version of these made by Fun Factory called Smartballs that are incredible. The heavier, smoother and smaller the ball, the harder they are to hold in, so I would recommend a larger or duotone ball for a beginner. We also carry a set of interchangeable balls made by Lelo that I love. It comes with four different balls total and a connector piece so you can use two balls at once. Because they are weighted differently, you can mix and match the balls as your train your muscles. They come in two separate sizes, so they are perfect for any woman.

The most common reason women request ben wa balls is to strengthen their pelvic, or kegal, muscles. These are the muscles you use when you pee…and also when you have sex! There are many reasons someone would want to tighten up these muscles: stress incontinence (nobody wants to pee their pants every time they laugh), to strengthen your muscles prior to childbirth (push that thing out!), to regain your vaginal elasticity after childbirth (for you and your husband’s sake) or simply to have better orgasms (for everybody!). For kegal training you simply insert the balls into your vagina and tighten the pelvic muscles to keep them in. You can start with one or two balls and you may need to use a little lube to get them in. The first few times you do it, I would make sure to wear panties and stay at home…nobody wants to go chasing after their ben wa ball down a grocery store isle! Once you get a little stronger, you can try using them when doing more physical activities and even venture outside with them in. With consistent use, you’ll definitely notice what a difference these little balls can make.

But what about the “other” uses of ben wa balls? Well, as the book points out, you can also use ben wa balls for pleasure purposes. When they are inside you and you move around, the small weight in the ball creates a subtle, yet sensual, gyrating feeling. In order to achieve this, you will probably want to lie down or sit in a chair and rock back and forth with your legs pressed together. This will really get things rolling, so to speak. For an even stronger sensation, you could have your partner spank you, or tease your clitoris with a vibrator while wearing them. And yes, last but not least, you can use them during sex. If you want to try this I would suggest using fairly small balls in order to make room for, umm, other things. The collision of the balls during the thrusting of intercourse will actually stimulate both partners at the same time. I don’t think you’ll hear any complaints about that!

So, if your interest about ben wa balls has been piqued (and how could it not be at this point!), come in to any Blue Boutique and let us show you our selection. I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you see what a big difference in your love life a few small balls can make.

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• Fun Factory Smartballs Review
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Aug 15, 2012

THE LITTLE BLACK CHEST (that sits beside our bed): LELO Mia Review

First Impressions

This sleek little beauty comes in slick packaging and is easy on the eyes.  It’s designed to look like lipstick so it could easily fit inside your purse and not look suspicious. LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact there’s no batteries, but rather it’s charged using a USB port.  There’s nothing I hate more than buying batteries for sex toys, ESPECIALLY those stupid watch batteries that last 6 minutes. It comes with a nice satin black bag to carry the little guy and the charging cable.  It’s much lighter weight that I expected it to be.  It feels like you’re holding just a hollow tube of plastic, but it certainly packs quite a punch!

Experience

I am the type of girl that can only orgasm with a toy or oral sex (surprise surprise) and my go-to toy is the Hitatchi Wand. It is HUGE, loud, and we have such a hard time taking it anywhere which means it stays in our little black chest next to our bed. I was a bit skeptical of the LELO Mia at first because I thought it wouldn’t be strong enough for me. We’ve used smaller vibrators before and I usually throw them aside after a few minutes and demand Mr. Hitachi Wand to come get the job done.  I was surprised at how many different modes the Mia has and just how powerful it can be! There are many different speed settings which pulsate and bounce around but I’ve never been one for those extra settings.  I feel they’re just too…theatrical and I get bored. I prefer a steady, full blast vibrator! The best part about the Mia is the vibrations are focused right on the tip, right where they should be.  Battery life lasts about 90 minutes on a single charge, which is great! It never lagged halfway through play, but it stayed strong to the end!

The first time we used it my husband ripped it out of the box, spread my legs and held it there.  Let’s just say I wasn’t exactly turned on.  I told him, “there’s no way that little thing is going to make me come…”  4 minutes later… “Wow!  I was wrong!”

The second time we used this little guy my husband and I were much more romantic and thorough.  Although it’s meant for external clitoral use, he lightly penetrated me with it (which felt amazing) and we even tried a little bit of anal play as well.  My husband even got a little lovin’ when I held in on my clit during sex. He said the vibrations were strong enough he could feel them on his penis and it helped him come faster.

Pros

• Small and discreet
• Quiet – no awkward loud buzzing
• TSA friendly!  There are no batteries so you can take it on the plane with you for a little mile-high action!
• Powerful – packs a bigger punch than you probably think!
• USB charging cable
• Easy to clean
• Multiple speeds and pulsating modes – for those that are into that sort of thing
• Comes with a 10 year warranty from LELO and a 1 year warranty from Blue Boutique!  That’s a LOT of orgasms!

Cons

• Not waterproof (but it is shower friendly!)
• Some may not find it powerful enough – I thought I would be one of those people, but it got the job done!

Conclusion

The LELO Mia is a great option for beginners or those looking for a new travel companion.  It’s so mobile and discreet and a no-brainer to take on vacation.  This would make an excellent bachelorette party gift if you’re looking for a more modest, less “scary” sex toy gift.  LELO makes some great toys, and this is no disappointment.

Score

9 out of 10!  The LELO Mia has done something that many sex toys have attempted, but few have succeeded in.  It has earned a permanent spot in our little black chest that sits beside our bed!

 

Author: Kristen & Stan

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