I have a lot to be thankful for in my life. In honor of turkey day, I thought I’d go ahead and make a list of the five sex toys that have rocked my world. This isn’t really a list of my five favorite toys today, although you’ll find a couple on here, but a list of those that have enabled my girl and I to explore new sexual realms and experience insane pleasure while bringing us closer!

The Little Flirt

1. Little Flirt – This is the first anal toy I ever used and let me just say it opened the door to all sorts of fun. It’s great for beginners because of the small size and the fact that it’s made out of silicone, so it’s safe and can be sterilized!  I feel super lucky to have started off with such an amazing toy.

2. Mia – I friggin’ love this little guy. While it’s not the most powerful vibe in the world, it’s a must have for women like me that travel a lot. It’s totally discreet, charges via the USB port on your computer and is perfect for a quick O before heading out to woo a potential client! I love having a dependable vibe that doesn’t raise too many eyebrows at airport security.

3. Under the Bed Restraints – Another item that introduced my partner and I to a whole new world of play. While we’ve moved on to more elaborate forms of restraint, we still keep these tucked under our mattress in case the mood strikes. There’s nothing like tying your girl up and teasing her until she begs for more. I recommend these to a ton of people and have never heard any complaints!

4.  Pjur Basic Lube – Lube is basically my best friend and this is the one I use the most. Of course, I have a shoe box full of lubricant for all sorts of different situations, but this is the one I rely on most often. Lube is love, my friends!

5. Ella – I love g-spot stim and this is one of my favorite toys for it. While I still think that the Pjur Wand is the ultimate g-spotter, I love this one because it’s super cheap, really well made and the design works so well with my body. I love being able to recommend a toy to my friends that will rock their world without emptying their wallets !

While I realize that there are more important thing to be thankful for like family and friends, there’s no doubt that a good sex life is part of a satisfying life! It’s actually been pretty interesting to look at my own sexual history through the toys I’ve experimented with over the years and hopefully my experiences can help others get it on!

Lelo's Gigi

Monday’s post about G-Spot stimulation is a really a great primer for those of you who wonder about the magical spot touted by Dr. Grafenberg so many years ago.  While I’m no scientist, I can tell you that I love g-spot stim and most of my favorite toys are designed for it.  While all of my favorites can be found in our new G Spot Sex Toys category, I thought I’d highlight a few today and explain exactly why I love them so much!

First up is Lelo’s Gigi – the ultimate G-spot vibe in my book.  It’s curve fits my body perfectly and is sure to rock my world when inserted, but it’s also great for clitoral stimulation for those of you who prefer external toys.  Like all of my favorite toys, it’s made from a body safe material, in this case silicone, so I don’t have to worry about nasty phthalates.  If you’ve ever run turned on a vibe to find the batteries are running out of juice, you’ll also be happy to hear that the Gigi is rechargeable.  For those of you who are looking for something that doesn’t vibrate or is a little cheaper, Lelo also makes a dildo that with the same shape – The Ella.  It’s equally amazing, especially when paired with a bullet vibe!

Another toy that stimulates the g-spot that I really can’t live without is the We Vibe.  This one isn’t all about g-spot stim though – it’s innovative design manages to stimulate it and the clit during penetration.  It’s absolutely amazing and I really wish that every woman in the world would open their front door to find a package with this vibe in it on their doorsteps.  The world would be a better place.  It’s also made out of silicone and rechargeable.

Lovemoiselle's Aveline

Finally, I would be remiss to not talk about the Aveline dildo by Lovemoiselle.  This is the only ceramic toy that I own, but I will definitely look to right that wrong in the future.  The Aveline is a little heavier than a lot of my toys and as smooth as glass.  The extra weight helps to guide the angled head towards your g-spot and ceramaic is truly a divine material for penetration.  If you’re looking for a gorgeous toy that’s definitely unique, this one might be for you.

In the end, your pleasure is what’s important when it comes to picking out sex toys.  While these g-spot toys are some of my favorites, only you know what’s really going to get you off.  And regarding g-spot naysayers, I think our experts hit the nail on the head in this post:

Let’s say for the sake of discussion that someone scientifically proves that the G Spot is a myth.  If you achieve intense orgasms by stimulating the area one to three inches inside on the vagina’s upper wall, does it matter?  Learning what works for you is an art, not a science.

If you’ re interested in exploring g-spot stim, we recommend you start by checking out the cream of the crop when it comes to g-spot toys in our new For Women category.

GiGi

I don’t want to steal Ginger’s wish list thunder, but I thought it might be interesting to create my own. I mean, I’ve been in this biz for years and this list is truly the answer to those of you who want to know what to get for the girl who has everything! I’ve been reviewing toys for a long time and I definitely know what I like – these are a five items I would love to get my greedy little hands on.

1. Lelo’s Gigi – I have quite the collection of Lelo toys, but somehow never managed to score a Gigi. It’s a real shame because I love g-spot stim and think this might quickly become my favorite vibe if it ever finds it’s way into my arsenal.

2. Tantus’ Suction Cup – This is truly a gift for the woman who has it all. While there are a bunch of Tantus dongs I would love to own, this one simple item would make a number of toys I already own new again! What an investment.

3. Ophoria Pleasure Dildo #6 – I have a lot of super awesome silicone dildos, but I’ve never tried anything from Ophoria. I really feel like it’s my job to have first hand knowledge of any new and exciting lines, so I need this one to be a good employee! This looks like a pretty standard toy, but I figure that’s the best way to get an idea about what this company is all about.

4. Alumina Flow – Each of the four toys in the Tantus Alumina line is made up of two pieces that screw together. You may think that’s not important, did you know that you can mix and match the pieces from each of the four toys and create your own! I already have the Pace and love it, but I’m itching to create my own sex toy. Because of that, I need this toy.

5. Share – I have and love the Feeldoe, but I definitely want to compare it with this awesome double ended dildo from Fun Factory. I’ve heard so many good things about the Share from friends and I will never say no to a quality silicone toy!

So, there you have it. Five toys that this very picky reviewer would love to welcome into her home! I’ve got so many toys that I’ve become a little hard to please, but I have few doubts these would rock my world.

Iris by Lelo

Apparently Walgreens is a lot fancier than I thought!  According to a recent AVN article, Walgreens, one of the top three largest drug stores in America, is now carrying “sensual wellness products” from Lelo, just like us!

“We are very pleased to see LELO products next to Durex, Trojan, K-Y, and other well-known reputable brands that are improving the sensual quality of people’s lives,” said Shaye Saldana, sales and marketing manager in LELO’s California office. “Sensual wellness is a natural part of individuals’ overall physical and mental health, and it is a natural fit to see these products offered by these pharmacies.”

I think it’s pretty fantastic that Walgreens has decided to go with such high-end products from a company that creates safe, quality toys.  Hopefully their next move will be to bring in some quality lube so housewives will have access to something besides KY and Crisco.

Check out Lelo’s products on Sextoys.com!

We’ve talked about the importance of looking after your own sexual health a lot on the blog. One thing we haven’t discussed thoroughly is the importance of pelvic exercises for women. Often referred to as Kegel Exercises, after inventor Dr. Arnold Kegel, these simple exercises are used to strengthen the pubococcygeus (PC) muscles. Most women have probably heard of Kegel’s from their doctor or from the pages of magazines like Cosmo, but more information is never a bad thing!

For those of you who have never done Kegel Exercises, I’ll break it down quickly for you. The first thing you need to do is locate your PC muscle, because there’s no sense in wasting your time working out if you aren’t targeting the correct muscle. The easiest way to do this is to head to the bathroom and empty your bladder! All you need to do is stop the flow of urine mid-stream. I suggest doing it a few times to be sure you are clear what muscle you are using to do this because that is your PC muscle and you just did a Kegel!

There are many reasons why these simple exercises are worth your time. Strong PC muscles can decrease your chance of facing problems with incontinence, will help prevent a prolapse of the uterus and bladder and are crucial for women who are planning on giving birth. Personally, the fact that numerous studies have shown that women with stronger PC muscles are more orgasmic is enough to convince me to give up ten minutes a day! Age, gravity and the stress of childbirth (if it applies) can all contribute to the issues I mentioned above, but a quick daily workout can help prevent them.

Luna Beads

While you can definitely whip yourself into shape without the aid of a pelvic exerciser, many women (myself included) can vouch for the benefits of the added resistance you’ll gain by using one. Most exercisers fall into two categories – ben wa style balls or wands.

Ben Wa style balls are inserted into the vagina and typically contain a small weight within that causes the weight to shift and your muscles to work. Many women also find this sensation stimulating. Lelo’s Luna Beads are, in my opinion, an improvement on traditional Ben Wa Balls. Their pelvic exerciser kit includes two sets of non-porous plastic balls with different weights that allows you to change vary the resistance to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.

Wand, or barbell, style exercisers are also very popular. Once inserted, you just contract your muscles around the wand and the resistance provided helps to increase strength. Some women find it helpful to be able to feel the muscles contract around a physical object. Natural Contour’s Energie is a good, affordable resistance trainer made out of phthalate-free plastic.

Whether or not you decide to use a pelvic exerciser, there’s no denying the importance of training this important muscle. Of course, I suggest you talk to your doctor about how you can benefit from Kegel exercises as this article is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice.

For more information, here’s a great article by Beverly Whipple, PhD, RN, FAAN and Talli Yehuda Rosenbaum over from The Alexander Foundation for Women’s Health website.

And ps. yes, men can and should do kegel exercises! Keep an eye out for more information in the future!

Sometimes a woman needs to feel special and I personally think there’s no better way to treat a lady than with a fancy pants orgasm machine!  Whether you’re someone who wants to make sure your girl knows you think she’s great, or a strong independent woman looking to treat yourself  – Lelo’s Nea is a fine gift.

This high-tech vibe is powerful, discreet, and rechargeable!  That’s right, your days of stealing batteries out of the television are over.  Once fully charged, the Nea will provide you with six hours of sexy massage and and the five stimulation modes will send you into an orgasmic bliss.

The Nea is shipped in an elegant black box that is perfect for discreet storage.  It even comes with a one year warranty – how many sex toy companies are willing to do that?

On this blog, we’re always highlighting products that will enhance your sex life and help you get that big O we all crave. That’s all well and good (oh boy is it good) but if you’re in a long term monogamous relationship like me, you’re probably also looking for ways to keep things intimate. Unfortunately, it’s easy to take your partner for granted and forget about the little things like foot rubs and love notes when you’re trying to figure out how to juggle everything life can throw at you.  Here are a few items that will hopefully remind you to turn off the tv and reconnect.

1. Kama Sutra Massage Oil (Sweet Almond) – I had to start with my favorite massage oil of all time. It smells great, leaves your skin feeling soft and is the perfect excuse to put your hands all over someone you care about!

2. Sensual bath buddy – Nothing will bring you together like a long soak in the tub together. This sponge massager is perfect to work out the kinks after a long day, and if it wanders below the belt, who am I to judge?

3. BWarm Soy Massage Candle – Fig – My girl and I always make sure we spend at least one weekend night with the tv off and the lights down. Candle light, of course, adds to the atmosphere… Even if we just exchange foot rubs and read the paper out loud, it’s a fabulous night.

4. Fukuoku Five Finger Massage Glove – Add a little extra something to a full body massage with this vibrating glove. This glove is waterproof and offers multiple speeds and is another item that will come in “handy” if things progress beyond a shoulder rub!

5. Nea – The Nea is the most luxurious item on my list, but one of my favorites. The contours and power of this little vibe make it perfect for deep tissue massage. Plus it’s rechargeable and comes with a one year warranty!

Of course, these are just a few of my favorite items that help me connect with my partner.  There are tons more on sextoys.com and a lot of little things you can do that don’t cost a thing!  Never underestimate the power of a good hand massage or the comfort of being read a short story.

Lelo’s Lily is proof that sometimes good things do come in small packages.  This tiny luxury vibe is only the size of my little girly palm, but it packs quite a punch in the bedroom.

I was impressed right off the bat because the Lily arrives in a gorgeous black box that is perfect for storage.  The rechargeable vibe sits in a tray and the charger can be stored underneath the tray out of the way.  I love that the cord can be stored with the Lily, so there’s no risk of confusing the 800 chargers I have around the house!

The fact that this discreet vibe is rechargeable makes me a very happy girl.  Besides being inconvenient, batteries are expensive and most likely going to end up in a landfill.  I’d rather pay a little more for a quality toy that is rechargeable since it’s better for the earth and my wallet in the long run.

The Lily is made out of smooth phthalates-free plastic and is really easy to operate.  There are two buttons, one turns it on and increases the speed of the vibe, the other decreases until it turns off.  I like to take this Lelo toy on the road with me because you can hold both buttons down and lock the toy so it won’t accidentally turn on in my bag.  Nothing will put a damper on your trip like a bomb scare or a drained battery!

The Lily is easy to maintain, you can wash it with soap and water or clean it with a toy wipe.  Just mind the hole the charger plugs into because water and electronics, as you well know, don’t mix.  Because this vibe is made from plastic, it is compatible with any kind of lube.

Of course, I’m sure many of you are more concerned with how this baby performs before researching health and safety concerns.  While the Lily isn’t going to blow your mind with it’s sheer power, it’s a really nice personal massager.  It’s not the toy I grab for when I’m looking for a quickie, but it’s perfect for a long evening by yourself!

Personally, I think that the Lily is best for partnered play, whether you’re sitting on it while going down on your lover or using it on your clit during penetration, it really enhances the situation.

On a less dirty note, I’ve found that this vibrator is great for a neck and back massage during a long drive.  I also like to curl up with it resting on my belly when I’ve got cramps.  I would pick this one up for that alone!

Overall, Lelo’s Lily is a really nice personal massager.  It’s well crafted and even comes with a one year warranty!  Even the biggest size queens should be intrigued by this pint sized vibe.

Lelo is a company that is equated to luxury, with good reason.  From elegant design to cutting edge engineering, LELO products are a benchmark for quality and style.  The Sunday Sex Toy Review is pleased to interview Shaye Saldana from LELO about the company’s unique place in the sex toy industry.  His expertise will help our readers to better understand why LELO stands out in the crowd, while blending in with the most elegant environments.

Sextoys – When we think of LELO, we always begin with how well crafted the products are, and how innovative the construction of them is.  Everything from a locking mechanism to ergonomic design comes into play with a LELO product.  What makes the design of these products so unique, and what processes drive these design innovations?

LILY

Shaye Saldana – Let me first just shortly introduce LELO: LELO, the company was formed in Sweden 6 years ago, with the purpose of creating quality vibrators that are safe, reliable and well designed.  These have all been created with the end consumer in mind. Although LELO’s products are highly aesthetic as well as functional, it is the quality of the materials that are used that completely set LELO vibrators apart from the competition.  They all feel fantastic because no expense is spared. Only the best medical grade silicone or plastics are used, every product is rechargeable and the electronics inside create a specially designed range of modulations that are unequalled. All LELO products are fully sealed units that are designed to last.
 
Back to your question, usually design innovations are driven by competition on market and need to distinguish yourself from the rest.  In our case especially, from the beginning, due to a lack of professional competition we have had to set internally high standards that we borrowed from other industries (medical, mobile phone, etc.).

Sextoys – We have to ask this, out of our own curiosity.  Are there any new design twists coming out soon?  Maybe a vibrator that has something revolutionary built into it?

Shaye Saldana – We constantly get great feedback from our customers. We have been overwhelmed by the response of two of our innovations.  The first is the double vibrating system of the LELO IRIS and LELO ELISE that creates a sensation of movement even though the vibrator remains stationary. Second is the LELO BO,  the first ring vibrator that is designed for the comfort of the wearer.  In fact, based on the “joint” feedback of the product that was released in November 2008, we are looking into adding a “simply touch” system to vary the modulation of the rechargeable vibration unit – even during intercourse.

IRIS

Sextoys – The New York Times labeled Lelo as a maker of luxury sex toys.    We agree that LELO products are among the most luxurious on the market.  We’ve learned about LELO’s commitment to design, and that certainly has to play a part in the process.  Does LELO view itself as a luxury toy company, or a producer of products that happen to be luxurious? 

Shaye Saldana – LELO uses the quality of the design and a fashionable aesthetic to appeal those customers naturally used to shopping in the luxury end of the market. In fact we have created a limited addition of medical grade stainless steel and gold vibrators that sell for over $1,950. The reality is, that for various reasons the sex toys market still creates many products which are at the low price, low quality end of the spectrum. From that perspective we may be perceived as luxury, however as customers get used to certain standards, we believe that we will become seen as much for our value, rather than just as a luxury brand.

Sextoys – One of the fascinating aspects of LELO is the range of products in your inventory.  Everything from the bargain of the NEA, up to toys that cost many thousand dollars is available.  It is somewhat like being able to buy a cute sports coupe all the way up to a luxury sedan from the same manufacturer.  Was your idea to create such a range, offering toys to everyone at their budget level, or was the addition of higher priced toys a function of demand?

Shaye Saldana – I wouldn’t necessarily call NEA a bargain toy, it a product that is a lower in cost to produce so we want to pass that on to the consumer. It is priced to be affordable for a wide range of people. Our high end models are a function of demand from the super rich. We understand that they have also become highly collectable.

Sextoys – One of the most important aspects in any toy is construction.  That goes from design all the way down to the raw materials from which the toy is constructed.  LELO incorporates many different styles, from G-spot bends to curves for pelvic comfort.  Does your material choice come strictly from form and function?  What elements play a role in how you choose to construct a product?

Shaye Saldana – Material choice comes down to safety and the ability to work well with many if not all body types. We wanted to make sure our products would obviously not contain phthalates but also be of a quality that is used by medical professionals day after day.

The elements that play a role in how we construct a product are pulled from the very ergonomics that play a role in our lives. The NEA is form fitting to the palm of a cupped hand, the subtle curve of the IRIS mimics that of the flower with the power behind it of a strong vibration. LELO takes many things into consideration when designing, but to disclose all would be giving away our secrets.

Sextoys – We always like to ask this because the answer is usually unusual.  We know that LELO has a commitment to produce a high quality product that will appeal to women and couples.  But we have learned through experience that other groups of consumers, some that surprise us, develop from time to time.  Who buys LELO products?

Shaye Saldana – We have a variety of people who purchase LELO products. They range from the college student to the discreet couple to the rock star or movie star. People fall in love with the design, the discretion and beauty of LELO. To date we have not had too many surprises.

Sextoys – Many women are going to wonder how it is that a man can design a toy that they enjoy.  After all, G-spot vibrators and other toys that are designed to go into the body would seem to require some input from women.  Does LELO involve women in the design process from the first curve – or prototype – on a vibrator, or does it use feedback to modify designs?

Shaye Saldana – LELO products have always been built based on functional requirements coming from our customer and advising sexologists, and then appealing forms have been given by the designer. LELO always takes into consideration the opinion of women when creating the product. We feel that it is a product mainly designed for a woman (now we design for men too)  and want to always be sure that the forms are functional, attractive and easy to use by a person or a couple.

Sextoys – You’ve been great to spend so much time with us and we appreciate your expertise.  We’d like to give you the opportunity to tell our readers what’s on the horizon for LELO, what big events are upcoming, or anything you felt we might have passed over here.  Anything you’d like to add?

Shaye Saldana – LELO is always interested in the comments and opinions of our customers.  We intend to carry out a major survey on the likes and dislikes of those people who enjoy sex toys, which will include some major give aways of LELO products. If any of your readers are interested in participation, please email me at sms@lelo.com.

Sextoys – I think it’s a safe bet that our readers will take you up on that offer!  We appreciate the time you’ve given us and the great information.  Thank you.

NEA White

1. The NEA White by LELO.  I wish I had it.  It comes with its own pretty little box.  It is a vibrator, but also a paper weight.
 
2. I wish Buck would come back to the office and clean up his toe nail clippings.  He took it upon himself to go on Spring break.  Oddly, I miss the faint snapping sound of his clippers.

3. The coming of Spring makes me think of beautiful Easter lilies.  Speaking of which, the LILY Plum by LELO is something I wish I could spend my Sunday with.
 
4. Barbeques!  Spring is the perfect time of year for outdoor gatherings with close friends.  What better way to lounge around eating chicken and ribs than in the Fantasy Swing?

5. Lizards!  No, not barbequed lizards.  I need to finish my Lizard costume before the show in D.C. next weekend.  I wish I had an extra week to work on it.

6. The GIGI is certainly something I wish for when throwing coins in the fountain.  Although, I don’t want it until this blog comes to an end.  It is said to make all other sex toys obsolete!

7. Now I wish I had a Diet Coke from a soda fountain.

8. I wish the Easter Bunny would put the LIV Cerise in my Easter basket instead of those icky marshmallow things.  Who eats those anyway?

Ultimate Douche

9. I know who eats them, the Ultimate Douche!

10. Unique carrying cases, velvet touches, hygienically superior materials, LED control panels, vibrators that fit perfectly in your little paws, maximized G-spot stimulation; I wish I had all of the toys by LELO!