Stiletto Diaries

It seems that I’ve found myself testing a lot of lubricants lately (more reviews to come!) which makes for entertaining evenings.  Today’s featured product is Wet Body Glide Original Gel, care of Extreme Restraints.  This being their ‘original’ lube, it’s a fairly average water based lubricant.

Lack of bells and whistles aside (hey, plain can be good) this lubricant is non-staining, completely safe for condoms, and compatible with ALL kinds of sex toys.  I would use it for anal sex, masturbation, or as I just mentioned, use with sex toys.

What I wouldn’t use it for is fisting, because I’ve never found a water based lube that gave enough ’slide’ to last.  Silicone is always my top choice for such activities, but your mileage (and the size of your partners fists) may vary.

Like most basic lubes, it has that ‘lube smell’ and ‘lube taste’ which I find…unpalatable, but it really doesn’t seem to bother some people.  It also seemed to leave a bit of a residue.  You know what I mean, that tacky feel between your legs.  Nothing a little soap and warm water won’t cure of course.

When tested we found this lube to be fairly long-lasting.  Adding a little water/moisture revitalizes it’s lubricatativeness…lubricational…luberi…it makes it slidey again.

Plain may seem boring, but this particular product is functional, affordable, and basically gets the job done.  Suitable for sensitive skin and apparently, doctor recommended.

I will add that it’s actually nothing like ‘gel’ however.  It’s less viscous than KY jelly or similar products.  I personally prefer lubricant that is less jelly-like, since it just seems less like lubricant and more like…well, jello.  Thought that was worth pointing out at any rate.

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Rabbit-style vibrators have been all the rage for years now, but the one that started it all was the Rabbit Pearl.  Some of you will remember it from Sex In The City, which popularized this style of toy, and spawned a generation of variations on the original design.  I’ve tried a couple of other rabbit vibes, but now I’ve had the pleasure of testing the original, thanks to Pink Cherry.

What sets the rabbit pearl apart from other vibrators I’ve used is the fact that the controls are separate from the toy itself.  This is actually a lovely feature, because we all know how irritating it can be to try fiddling around down there when you’re all lubed up and about to have an orgasm.  The functions are controlled by two separate sliders, which is a fairly common feature amongst rabbits.  One slider for the vibration, another for the swivel of the shaft.

This particular rabbit is made out of elastomer, which is latex and phalate free (and therefore less likely to cause irritation or an allergic reaction).  Since this toy is NOT waterproof, care must be taken when cleaning.  Anti-bacterial soap and water, or an anti-bacterial wet wipe should do the trick.  Please do not expose it to extreme temperatures.

Due to the fact that rabbits have two motors, they unfortunately tend to burn out after only a few months of use.  I would recommend that you do not run the average rabbit for longer than 15-20 minutes at a time.  Like the furry mammal variety, these rabbits are sprinters, not long-distance runners.

I found the vibration intensity of the clitoral stimulator to be WAY more than adequate.  It was fantastic actually, and certainly got the job done in a hurry ;)  It’s easy enough to position the little bunny ears juuuuuuuust right!

The pearls are situated low enough down on the shaft to be more stimulating that other varieties of the rabbit.  I found the fact that they bulge out from the rest of the shaft to be delightful.

The shaft portion was…meh.  Nothing to write home about really.  I LOVE the sensation of dual stimulation, and the shaft is certainly long and wide enough, but the motor seemed a little weak.  It did the trick for sure, but I think it could be a tad stronger.

That aside, this is a great little toy, and one of the more affordable rabbit toys out there.  As they say, there’s nothing quite like the original

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It’s been a while since I reviewed any sensual/massage products, so when Babeland offered to send me a bottle of their Himalayan White Tea massage Oil Spray, I said “Yes please!”

My first impression of the particular product was the attractive and inconspicuous label.  This is not the sort of thing you need to worry about tucking away if you have company over, unlike some sensual product which are plastered with suggestive images.  Nothing wrong with suggestive images so long as my mother doesn’t come across it.

The base of this spray is sweet almond oil, which is a personal favorite of mine.  It’s a lighter oil, more easily absorbed, and doesn’t leave a lot of residue.  It’s also generally safe for sensitive skin types, although in this case, fragrance has been added, and so I would suggest you test a little on your hands before you apply it anywhere else.

Both V and I liked the scent of this product.  It wasn’t overwhelming, even when applied in liberal amounts.  I dislike scented products that are so strong they leave a ‘taste’ in your mouth, so we were pleased in this case.

I really love the spray bottle, because it allows for better control over the amount of oil you are applying, and it doesn’t get all over the place.  You can pump on as much or as little as you’d like and you’re off to the races.  I’m thinking I’ll put ALL of my massage oil products in spray bottles from now on.  Much better than trying to pour out the right amount.

You may want to warm up this oil before using it.  You can do this by filling a bowl with hot water and dropping the bottle into it for a few minutes before use.  I would also recommend removing rings, watches, and other jewelry before giving a massage (or getting one, in the case of a hand massage).

V has very sensitive skin, she reacts to pretty much everything that isn’t 100% all natural, and she found this massage oil pretty ok.  It did cause a bit of redness on her hands, but it didn’t burn, and it didn’t bother her back at all.  As I said above, test a little on yourself to be sure before you get it all over.

Since it is an oil product, it must be washed off with soap and water.  I wanted to see if it would leave visible stains on fabric, so we applied a liberal amount to a scrap of cloth and left it overnight.  When I checked it in the morning you couldn’t see where I had sprayed the oil, but even so, I’d be careful on good sheets or when putting on clothes after a massage.  Around here we have a couple of cheat flat sheets I use to cover our bedding for massages and the like.

Please note that people with nut allergies should never use products made from almond oil.

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It’s unfortunately common for women to worry about the tightness of their vagina, particularly after giving birth to children.  Some even go so far as having corrective surgery (also known as ‘vaginal rejuvination’) to make them tighter.  While I certainly do not think it’s inappropriate to have surgery if you so desire, some of us, like me, are reluctant to go under the knife for such procedures.

The sex toy industry has been happy to cater to those of us who wish to develop stronger kegel muscles and tighten ourselves up naturally, without the invasive surgical intervention.  One such product, which I’ve had the pleasure (and benefit) of testing is the Natural Contours Energie, brought to you by Adam & Eve.  This weighted pelvic floor exerciser is specially designed to provide the right amount of resistance to get those PC muscles in tip top shape.

Aside from making your vagina feel tighter, stronger pelvic muscles can result in longer and stronger orgasms, and a more fulfilling sex life overall.

I particularly like the shape of the energie, because the curve and bulbous ends work very, very well for g-spot stimulation.

To use this exerciser, simply stand with your feet a littler wider than shoulder width apart.  Begin with the larger end, and insert into the vagina until the toy is half-way inside of your body.  Then, clench your pelvic muscles and let go of the end you are holding.  Continue clenching, holding the energie inside of you for the count of 10, then hold onto the end while you relax and release.  Repeat this 12-15 times at least, increasing the number of repetitions as you feel able.  I would encourage you to do this daily, for no less than two weeks in a row, before you make any judgement of this product.  It’s a process, these things don’t happen overnight ya know.  Be mindful to do these exercises over carpet or a folded up towel/blanket.  This is just *my* personal preferred method, but you can also use the energie while laying on your back.  Simply insert it as described above and then imagine drawing it inside of you while you work your muscles.

Once you find the larger end is not much of a challenge, start using the smaller end in the same way.  Remember that once you achieve the desired result, you must continue to exercise those muscles or they will lose tone again.  10-12 reps every other day will be enough to keep those muscles tight and fit.

The energie is easy to clean with a little anti-bacterial soap and warm water.  I wouldn’t advise you to boil it, since the outside material is a sort of hard plastic and I have no idea what effect extreme temperatures might have on it.  Besides, it doesn’t have any seams or places for bacteria to become trapped, so a thorough washing will do the trick.

Since this toy is plastic, it’s hypo-allergenic, doesn’t have any scent, and as long as you keep it clean, should not cause you any irritation.

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I don’t think I do enough lube reviews around here, so I’m working on rectifying that situation. This lubricant review comes to you courtesy of Extreme Restraints.

Wet Warming Lubricant is one of many Wet brand products available pretty much everywhere.  They offer an extensive product line, so there is something for just about everyone.

Wet warming lubricant is a water-based lube so it’s safe for all of your toys, and condoms.  While I always get nervous about using flavoured or warming lubricants for penetrative sex, it IS safe for such things.

The problem I often have with water-based lubricants is that they become sticky, sometimes very quickly.  I was impressed with this particular lubricant because even after prolonged friction, it still felt like fluid.   V and I both tested it and were pleased with it’s lubricating ability.  It stayed wet longer, so it scores points there!

We were also pleased with the warming sensation it provided.  It was noticeable, and when you blew on it, the warming sensation increased.  Hmmmm, that could be a LOT of fun!  Due to the warming action, this lubricant is also suitable for massage if you are so inclined.  I’d also encourage it’s use during masturbation, and on nipples!  You can get flavoured versions as well if that’s more to your liking.

Even though it’s long lasting, it still wipes fairly clean, and is easily washed away with a little warm water.  It won’t stain your sheets or leave a greasy feel afterwards.

A little of this goes a LONG way.  A dab will do ya, as the saying goes.

I have a 4 oz bottle of strawberry flavoured Wet warming lubricant to give away to one of you lucky readers.  Leave me a comment if you want it and I’ll choose someone at random.

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When a new toy hits the scene I’m always thrilled to be invited to review it.  I was contacted nearly a month ago by We-Vibe™, and offered a sample of their product, which is a rechargeable, silicone G-spot and clitoral vibrator.  Unlike most dual stimulation vibes, the We-Vibe™ is tiny and designed to be used during intercourse.  Now, if you’re a girl like me, who can’t cum from penetration alone, this could be the answer to so many prayers.

First of all, I LOVE that it’s rechargeable.  Not having to fiddle with batteries is a relief, and unless you are planning to store it for long periods, the instructions encourage you to leave it plugged in so that it’s always ready for use.  Abandoning the batteries also allows for the diminutive size and particular shape of this product.

Unlike MOST dual-motor vibrators, you can run the We-Vibe™ for longer than 20-30 minutes without rest.  You won’t risk burning the motor(s) out if you use if for prolonged stretches (so many rabbits have come to bad ends in this way).  The motors have been tested extensively, and are desingned to run right until the battery begins to die, which will give you about 1.5-2.5 hours of bliss, depending on the speed you use.

It should be noted that the We-Vibe™ is nearly waterproof.  There is a tiny hole in the silicone where the charger is plugged in, so I wouldn’t recommend using it in a bathtub, but have at ‘er in the shower!

That said, cleaning this thing is super easy.  Just use warm water and a gentle antibacterial soap.  Please do not boil or freeze your We-Vibe™.  Running it through a dishwasher or washing machine is also not advised (glass toys and non-electric silicone toys are dishwasher safe, but please never put any toys through your washing machine).

I gave this toy a shot solo first, to see how powerful it was and to familiarize myself with the controls.  It looses points for only having two speed settings, but what it lacks in variety, it makes up for in comfort and shape.  The power switch is underneath the silicone and is changed by pressing on one of the dimples located on the clitoral stimulation end.  There are low vibration and high vibration settings, and the off position.

The We-Vibe™ has a comfortable fit and is flexible enough to conform to the specific shape of your body.  It rests on the clitoris just right, and provides surprisingly strong internal stimulation.

When used with a partner, this vibrator actually delivers!  Jack didn’t find it uncomfortable to share the space in my pussy with this particular toy.  The G-spot vibrator also provided some stimulation for him, and having him pressed against me, and hence against the vibrator increased the pleasure.

We tested this in several missionary-style positions, as well as from behind, and it worked wonderfully every time.  You may find it more satisfying to press the external portion against your clit during positions where your partner is behind you, or when you are on top.

I certainly found it adequate to provide an orgasm, and it has taken up permanent residence beside our bed.

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I know it’s been ages since I’ve posted a review here.  To be perfectly honest, my stats took a serious hit after my other blog was flagged by blogspot, and it’s difficult to drum up products for testing when you’re not getting the number of visitors retailers expect.  If you’re really into the reviews here, please help a girl out and tell your friends, or Stumble/Digg my page.  No, I am not begging for traffic, but I’ve had some feedback from people who miss the reviews, and this is the issue I’ve been facing.

On to more lascivious things!

A good friend of mine over at Extreme Restraints was generous enough to send me a stainless steel kegel bar, which is designed to strengthen your vaginal muscles.  Why would you want to do that?  Well, it improves your muscle control and can make your vagina feel tighter.  When you ‘clamp down’ during sex, the sensation will be more intense.  Also, if you have any issue with bladder incontinence (meaning you sometimes pee a little when you laugh, sneeze, or cough) it will certainly help.  Don’t be embarrassed, it happens to many women, particularly if you’ve given birth.

This particular product is a weighted bar with three differently sized balls, one on each end and one in the middle of the shaft.  The idea is that you begin with the largest ball, and eventually work up to the largest.  There are several ways to use the kegel bar.  I began by standing with my feet a little wider than shoulder width apart (please don’t stand over hardwood or tile or any other sort of hard surface, in case the bar falls out) and then inserted the largest ball into my pussy, with the remainder of the bar outside of it.  Alternatively you could insert the entire bar, with the largest ball last.  Then you clench the muscles you use to hold or stop the flow of urine, let go of the bar, and hold for 5-10 seconds.  Hold onto the bar and relax your muscles for a few moment, and then repeat.  Much like lifting weights, repetitions are the idea.  Just putting the bar in and holding it for half an hour will not accomplish as much as alternating relaxing and clenching.  Do at least 12 repetitions, or more if you feel so enclined.

When you feel like it’s too easy using the largest ball, try holding in the medium one.  You can begin with the larger and medium ball inside of your vagina, and the smallest one on the outside, and then flip it over eventually.  The idea is to work up to having just the smallest ball inside of your pussy, and the rest on the outside.

If you use your bar at least once a day, you should begin to feel a difference after two weeks.  When I used mine consistently, Jack noticed that my muscles were stronger/tighter after about three weeks, and I wasn’t using mine every day.

I like that this bar is easily sanitized.  A little warm water and antibacterial soap before and after each use and you’re set.  You can also boil it in a pot of water (please NEVER leave toys unattended when you’re sanitizing them in this way).

Another attractive feature is that this toy is fantastic for anal play.  You can heat it up in warm water before use, or if you’re feeling cruel, throw it in the fridge for an hour before you impale your victim.  I’d only recommend this particular toy for more experienced anal enthusiasts.  Also, please never insert the entire bar into the anus.  Be sure to leave at least one of the balls on the outside of the body.

Both Jack and I can enjoy this toy, and I have to give it props for actually doing what it’s supposed to do.

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Since buying my Smart Balls over 2 years ago, I hadn’t really given a lot of thought to trying out any other form of Ben Wa Ball. Why bother? I love my Smart Balls, and there just didn’t seem to be any reason to look for anything else. Then I was browsing the Adam&Eve website, looking for potential products to review, when I came across this set of Glass Ben Wa Balls. They caught my eye because of the beautiful glass flower embedded in each ball. I’m drawn to pretty things like this, I enjoy items that are beautifully made, even sex toys!

When they arrived I was surprised at their diminutive size.  I suppose I was expecting something a little larger.  I wasn’t certain that I’d even be able to move around without one of them slipping out.  I mean, I’m not ‘loose’ by any stretch, but these balls are hardly larger than a regular sized marble and I was skeptical that my vagina was that tight.

No matter, I put one, and then the other into my pussy and walked around.  If you put them in high enough, you probably won’t be able to feel them.  They are designed to strengthen your kegel muscles, not really for sexual pleasure.  The only sex-related side effect that I have experienced is that my pussy feels wetter than normal the entire time I am wearing them, which also sort of keeps me semi-horny the whole time.  Not a bad result if you ask me

Keeping them up inside seems to require a constant esmi-cleanched state. Knowing that you have them in also serves as a reminder to do your kegel exercises. After 2 hours of wearing them, I can certainly tell that my muscles have been working, LOL.

Eventually you become accustomed to wearing them, and because they are glass and therefore non-irritating, you can wear them for up to 12 hours at a time, although I don’t recommend doing so.  Three hours is plenty of time to wear them in a day, and you can do this consistently every day if you wish and it shouldn’t cause any problems.  Keeping anything in your vagina for long periods of time can irritate some people, so listen to your body.  Glass will also NOT give you Toxic Shock Syndrome, although please take care to wash your hands and the ben wa bells thoroughly with gentle anti-bacterial soap before you insert them.  This will also help prevent other irritation or yeast infections.

Speaking of cleaning, that’s one of the best characteristics of glass toys.  You can sterilize them quickly and easily using the above mentioned anti-bacterial soap, or boiling.  Please never leave a toy unattended in hot water, even glass.  Bring the pot to a rolling boil, allow the balls (or other glass toys) to boil for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat, scoop them out carefully with tongs or a slotted spoon and leave to dry on a paper towel or clean cloth.

These balls come with a lovely case, although it will not keep them totally clean between uses.  Always wash your toys before and after every use.

Please note that ben wa balls are NOT suitable for anal use.  Please do not ever put anything in your ass unless it has a string for retrieval, or a wide base to prevent it from getting lost.  Certainly you could argue that these balls could be pushed back out from whence they came, but it’s not a theory I would advise anyone to test.  Do you really want to be visiting the good Dr to have him retrieve flowery balls from your back end?

Another somewhat precarious situation is trying to go to the bathroom with these in.  My best advice is to take them out for sure if you need to have a bowel movement.  Having them drop into the toilet would be very bad for the enamel on the bowl itself, it could possibly (although unlikely) crack or chip the balls themselves, not to mention having to SCOOP THEM OUT so as not to damage your plumbing when you had to flush.  You can master the art of peeing with them inside you, although it will take a little practice.  You have to unclench the muscles required to allow urine to pass out of your bladder, at the same time not bearing down which could push them out.  So I would suggest either removing them before you empty your bladder, OR (and this is going to seem kind of gross) peeing into a container or through a strainer until you are confident you can manage it.

If you are a person who is fond of ice play (particularly ice inserted into the vagina, which is fun but not the best idea) these are ideal for such uses.  Leave them in the fridge (not the freezer, they can frost bite your insides) for a few hours or overnight and then try using them during masturbation or sexual play for extra fun!  Please do NOT leave them in during intercourse.

Inserting them and then gently inserting a vibrator so that it buzzes against them can also result in some very pleasurable sensations.  Don’t worry about them getting ‘lost’ up inside you.  Your cervix would certainly let you know, LOUD AND CLEAR, if you tried pushing them up too far.

I am so glad I decided to give these balls a chance.  They are much less intimidating than the Smart Balls if you have a narrow vagina, although large enough to be effective for the intended purpose.  If you’ve never given ben wa balls much thought, I encourage you to give these a try.

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Although I normally shy away from cutsie sex toys that are shaped like animals, because honestly, it’s a little creepy, I decided to make an exception for this particular item. Nia has been singing the praises of the I Rub My Duckie for months, and thus I decided I’d better try this popular toy for myself. Adam&Eve sent one over just for me, so I too could experience the hum of a rubber duck between my legs.

He’s cute enough for sure, and very inconspicuous.  You could leave him by the tub or really any old place and no one would be the wiser that he’s a sex toy in disguise.

He’s also waterproof (naturally) so you can have plenty of bath time fun with his head and tail, which are the part of his body with the strongest vibration.

He also comes in a few different colors and ‘themes’.  I’ve been Bondage duckie and I think Nia had one that was dressed like a devil.  I don’t know if that makes them more appealing or less, LOL, I suppose it depends on what you like.  I think I also saw one that was painted gold, which was a little too much, even for me.

The duckie requires one of those small screw drivers in order to open or close the battery compartment, which I find extremely inconvenient.  You shouldn’t leave batteries in your toys between uses, and what a pain in the ass to have to track down a screw driver before and after you use this thing.  I docked it a lot of points for that because sex toys shouldn’t be a lot of work.  They are supposed to be fun after all, and the idea of hunting down the right sized screw driver just so I can wank kills it for me.

Another feature that I disliked is that it only has one speed.  I am generally ver critical of single-intensity toys, because different people like different speeds of vibration.  Personally I found the vibration to be quite enjoyable, to a point, but I couldn’t for the life of me reach orgasm with this toy.  It was one of those almost-but-not-quite-there kind of experiences.  The kind where you hoveron the brink of an orgasm but whatever you are doing it just not hitting the spot.

I found the shape to be impractical for the kind of stimulation I enjoy.  Also it just reminds me too much of the rubber ducks my kids like to play with in the bath, and that just makes me never want to masturbate again.

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I’ve greatly enjoyed dabbling into BDSM toy reviews, being honestly VERY skeptical of quality when it comes to purchasing such things from ‘mainstream’ sex retailers.  Often I feel it is wiser and even cheaper in some cases to support local or non-commercial crafts people who do leather work.  However, not everyone has that option, nor is it always necessary to go for super durable or heavy duty, particularly for novice or very casual players.  If you’re in the market for a pair of non-locking, buckle closure, leather cuffs, you won’t be disappointed with Rascal Wear Leather Wrist & Ankle Cuffs.

Provided to me by Sensual Direct, these are actually some of the better ‘mass produced’ cuffs I’ve come across.  Sturdy, durable, and adjustable, they each have one D-ring, opposite the buckle, for attaching to things.  You know, like collars, or a post…

The particular cuffs are also somewhat padded inside, making them very comfortable for extended wear.  While they don’t appear to be lockable, almost any set of buckling cuffs can be made to lock.  Simply purchase small padlocks (I suggest purchasing a set of 4 or more which are all keyed the same, this makes it far easier to keep track of keys) that will fit through the buckle holes on these cuffs.  Once you have your victim securely buckled into them, simply slip the lock through the first hole that protrudes out of the ‘back end’ of the buckle.  The lock should make it impossible to pull the strap back through the buckle.  While this isn’t important to most people, I figured it was worth mentioning.

The only negative remark I can make when it comes to these cuffs is that the metal backs of the rivets used will be against your skin while you wear these.  For most people that is not a problem, but I know a few people who have sensitivities to metals such a nickel, and this could potentially irritate them.  Fortunately that is easily remedied with a couple of strips of faux fur or some other fabric which you can use to line the cuffs, or just over the rivets themselves (think along the lines of covering them with small circles of something).

I like that these cuffs aren’t overtly intimidating for beginners, and yet sturdy enough for more experienced players.  I keep them in my toy box as a pair of ‘extras’ for play parties or times when I don’t want to go to the hassle of wearing the set I had custom made some years ago (mine cannont be closed except with a padlock, which can be tedious and inconvenient at times, particularly for removal).  They also come with a nice double-ended snap, of which you can never have too many.

To keep these clean between play, I suggest applying a very small amount of gentle soap, such as Dove, to a damp (but well wrung-out) soft cloth, and then wiping the insides of the cuffs well, particularly around the rivets, where sweat and skin oils can collect.  Wipe again with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue, and then dry thoroughly with another clean, soft cloth.

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