As we get close to the end of the year, we were thinking about the coolest toys we’d experienced this year.  We decided to do a list of them and share it with you.  These are the top 3 toys we fell in love with this year:

1. Running away with our top choice, bar none, no competition, the “uber-ultra-super-best” toy of the year by far, was April Flores’ Voluptuous Cyberskin Pussy.  Here’s a small sampling of our expert’s review:

“Guys, you can go ahead and read this to get the details, but you’re going to want this toy.  Seriously.  My time with this toy hit a 9.8 on the get-off-o-meter, only because I deducted .2 points for it not actually being April Flores.  This toy is simply awesome.”

And this:

“The toy is substantial and even has her ultra sexy curves for the realistic effect.  If you’re a guy who likes the curvy woman, you’ll love this toy.  Topco Sales and Wildfire made this one feel completely realistic.  Oh, and if you really like your women curvy, you’ll love the little jiggle this gives when you move it around.”

Gotta have it

And the conclusion:

“I’ll spare you all of the sordid details, but you should know that this toy and I have started a beautiful friendship.  And I have a new crush on April Flores.  The best of both worlds, watch and play, that’s what April and her toy provide!”

You absolutely have to try the April Flores Voluptuous Cybersin Pussy to believe how good it feels.

2. Coming in second, still making a strong showing in our opinion polls, was Tantus’ Alumina Flow.

Alumina Flow

“Tantus Alumina is made of 100% aeronautic grade aluminum and designed to play anatomically with your body’s pleasure zones. Aluminum is a lighter metal than stainless steel, it doesn’t feel so heavy.

Each toy is anodized which not only adds to the beauty, but increases corrosion resistance and wear resistance. Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. It makes up about 8% by weight of the Earth’s solid surface. It is recyclable and safe.

Tantus Inc. uses only the highest quality materials in the manufacture of their sex toys. These sex toys are an excellent choice for consumers who suffer from allergies, or sensitivity to chemicals. Whether it is medical grade silicone or quality controlled, body safe and treated aluminum, you can be sure that the use of a Tantus sex toy is safe and healthy.”

Some readers may remember our interview with Tantus CEO Metis Black.  She made a tantalizing suggestion:

“Sextoys – Tantus recently introduced the Alumina line of aluminum toys.  Do you plan to work with other materials as well in the near future?

Metis Black – Oh yes and they will all be safe and healthy for the body. But first we’re working on making the Alumina line vibrate.”

We can’t wait!

3. And our final selection was released a little before 2009, but we got it in this year, and we wanted to show a little love to one of the highest quality fetish wear companies in the world, Axovus.  Their Bolts and Spikes Gauntlet is absolutely HOT!

“Now this is how you make a statement!

This gauntlet just SCREAMS METAL!

Spiked with 59 – 1/2 inch nickle plated brass tree spikes and stainless steel nuts and screws. These leather gauntlets are laced for maximum adjustability.

Another great Fetish accessory by Axovus.

Main piece is 8 high; and fits approx. 6 to 11 wrist. And approx. 8 to 14 forearm. Priced per gauntlet.”

So sexy and hot

We had a great 2009, and hope that you’ll check out these sex toys and our complete selection of great products still in inventory before the new stock comes in for 2010!

We’ve received many requests lately from customers asking which is the best toy for them.  It’s understandable that people can be overwhelmed with the number of sex toys that are on the market.  But it is also tough to answer that question.  If someone asked you which dildo was right for them, where do you begin? That’s a tough question.

Think about purchasing a vehicle, for instance.  A large family might want a mini-van, a carpenter would probably want a truck, some people buy cars to show off, others want hybrids for good gas mileage.  The point is, when you’re ready to buy a vehicle, you think about why you want a vehicle before you go shopping.

The last time we wrote about this subject was January, in a post titled Which Toy is Best?.  And if you’re looking for a bunch of extra details, that’s a great post to read.  But today we’re going to simplify the process (just in time for your holiday shopping).  Here are the basic questions you should ask yourself before you make a purchase:

1. What turns me on? The first key to selecting a sex toy is knowing what stimulation “does it” for you.  For women, do you like clitoral stimulation, G Spot stimulation, penetration, or all of the above?  For men, do you need something to help you take it slow and easy and enjoy the ride, or do you need something for a quickie?  Also guys, do you know the joys of prostate massage?  And for couples, what do you want to do together to spice things up, and what sex toy will accomplish that goal?

2. When and where will I use it? It’s pointless to purchase a sex toy that is impractical for your life.  Say you share a house or apartment and want something you can use privately.  What good is it to buy a vibrator that is extraordinarily loud?  Or you want something to use while you bathe or shower, but you buy something that isn’t water proof.  That doesn’t make much sense either.  Always make sure that a sex toy’s features will match up with the realities of your lifestyle.

3. What will it take to maintain it? Silicone, glass and hard plastic sex toys clean up in a snap, are usually very durable and require much less maintenance than most other materials.  They also last longer.  If you get a porous, or skin-like sex toy, are you willing to spend the time and energy to clean it properly, and store it according to manufacturer specifications?

4. Will this affect my body? If you have a latex allergy, you don’t want a rubber toy.  Remember also that your nose is a part of your body.  Some sex toys don’t have any smell associated with them (yes, silicone, glass and hard plastics – again).  Other sex toys do.  Jelly sex toys and rubber sex toys can carry strong smells in some instances.  You don’t want the smell of your dong to ruin the moment.

5. What am I willing to pay? Notice that this question comes last.  It’s pointless to buy an inexpensive sex toy if you can’t use it because it’s too loud, too big, too weak, not waterproof, and the list could go on.  Once you know what you want, then you can price shop.  For a first sex toy, it is always better to spend a few dollars more and get a high quality product.  The healthiness and happiness it can bring is far preferable to a few dollars saved leading to massive disappointment.

We hope this helps you in your shopping.  Good luck!

Getting Started

You’ve decided that you want to spice up your play time, or you want to get your playtimes going again.  Congratulations, and we believe you’ll have more fun than ever.  Before you get going, we want to give you three simple questions to ask yourself to help you make a good selection.

Question 1 - Do I want a toy for me alone, or do I want a toy I can share with a partner?  If you’re looking for a toy that you alone will enjoy, you’ll need to know what it is that stimulates you.  Know where your “hot spots” are before you begin, that way you’ll pick a toy that hits them.  If you’re looking for a toy to share, check out our Sex Toys For Couples or (if you’re a more adventurous type) Fetish Categories for great ideas.

Question 2 – How much experience do I have with toys?  If the answer is, “very little,” we suggest you start in our Sex Toys For Beginners category.  We stock it with a variety of sex toys that are perfect for learning about use and care for toys.  If you have a great deal of experience, you’ll love our wide selection of toys in a variety of styles and price ranges.

Question 3 – Which toy will make me happy?  That’s a question only you will ultimately know.  But if you need more information to make your decision, you can use our Expert Team to get all the information you will need before you make a purchase.  We can answer questions about toys and how to use them.

You’re close to getting the spice back in your play time.  Once you decide to make a purchase, we’re here to help you get what you want an reignite the flames of passion in your life.  So have a look at our selection, find what you want and let us help you get going!

Yes, we realize that title sounds odd.  But we’d like to show you why we suggest it.  Golfers have a variety of clubs for a variety of situations.  On the tee box, a golfer can use a club designed to propel the ball a longer distance.  Golfers also have clubs designed for fairways, the rough, hazards and the putter for the green.  Wherever they are on the course, they have a club to suit the situation in which they find themselves.

For different kinds of clubs

You can do the same with your toy chest.  Let’s take a tour on the sexual golf course.

The Tee Box. 

The tee box sets the tone for each round of play.  In play time, the tee box is setting the mood and warming up for having fun.  Like the golfer, you’ll need the right tools.  If you want to maximize your distance, you’ll probably have some warm up tools like massage oils, lubricants, and toys that stimulate the right spots for her and him.

If you get things started correctly, you’ll find play smooth and easy.  We should also mention that the first swing should be sensuous and fun, that way, everything after is easy too!  If that first swing is right, you end up in:

The Fairway.

Could be too much club

Ah, the fairway, the place where you can casually work in comfort.  Golfers love to be well positioned in the fairway.  It allows them to aim for the sweet spot.  If your playtime has you and your partner in the fairway, you’ll want to make sure you have what you need to hit the sweet spot.  There are numerous vibrating cock rings that will allow you to hit that sweet spot.  If your partner isn’t a guy, no problem there either!  Try one of these vibrators or dildos to get you there.

But say, like everyone else, you enjoy a casual round alone.  If you find yourself alone in the fairway, club selection is absolutely crucial.  Pick a club that is too big, and you’ll find yourself out of bounds.  Pick one that is too small and you’ll never get there.  Make sure that you have the perfect sized club for what you want to do!  Guys sometimes have a problem with club selection, always wanting the biggest and strongest.  Hold on there, your caddie says to give yourself options with these hybrid clubs that let you take a few practice swings.

Having the right tools makes fairway play much easier.  Even so, from time to time the best golfers find themselves in:

The Rough.

The rough is where you end up when your play is even a little off.  Golfers don’t quit when they end up in the rough, and neither should you!  Some guys tend to find that visualizing their next shot will help in the rough.  Other guys find that trying a different approach shot helps in the rough.  Women have a variety of toys that can help them out of the rough stuff and back into the fairway.  But what if you missed the fairway and hit:

.

Don't let a hazard ruin your score

The Hazard

Hazards are all over the course, but concentrated right around where the golfer is about to score.  Hitting a hazard means a golfer has to take the time to select the right club to get out of it and safely on the putting surface.  Play time can have many hazards.  Men can suffer physical hazards that require a special tool to work out of.  Women have a variety of hazards too.  Sometimes, little things like extra lube can help. 

We should add that if you are experiencing prolonged physical problems, you’ll want to seek out a caddy who was trained in a Medical School and is a licensed doctor.  Sure, that’s an expensive caddy, but even the pros have to shell out a little money from time to time to stay on top of their games. 

After all of that work from the Tee Box, you finally find yourself in a position to score at: 

The Green.

Now comes the most important club in the golfer’s bag.  Every golfer has a different set of clubs.  Some carry fairway metals, some have several lofted clubs, some don’t even carry a driver.  But the one club every golfer has is a putter.  He or she can’t score without it.

Never play without a putter

If you’re looking to score, you should never be without the most necessary tool in your selection either, ever.  Having that club will make sure your scorecard isn’t disqualified for unsafe play later.

And guys, remember that the journey is as important as the destination.  Take some time to thoroughly enjoy the course before you decide to score.  You’ll remember the round far longer if you do!  The old saying goes, “The only two things on earth you don’t have to be good at to enjoy are golf and sex.”  That’s probably true, but if you want to improve your game, have the right clubs in the bag and know how to use them!

Massage Oil Aphrodisia Roses

For the sake of this discussion, let’s say that you can get a nice dinner for two for $75.  If you’re the type who thinks nice begins at $200 or more, drop us a line at Ask an Expert and we’ll give you a list that will make your weekend. But back to the regular “Nice.”  What if you could turn play time into something memorable for the cost of a nice dinner?  Would that interest you?  If so, here’s a short list that you can use to spice up your Friday!

First, start the evening with a sensual, tantalizing massage with Shunga Massage Oil: Aphrodisia/Roses scent:

“Set a truly sensual mood by enjoying this fragrant and silky massage oil together. A special blend of several different oils glides on smoothly and provides a sexy sleek sensation as you touch one another.

Beautifully scented, the 9 aromatherapeutic varieties available offer an assortment of erotic choices to suit your mood. Flip top cap allows for easy dispensing. Please note this is an oil-based product, and therefore can not be used with latex condoms.

Scent: Aphrodisia / Rose Type: Massage Oil Volume: 8 oz Ingredients: (may contain) Almond, Grape seed, Sesame, Avocado, and/or Safflower oils, Vitamin E, Ylang Ylang, Fragrance.”

Our appetizer costs $16.19.

For drinks, let’s order up some nipple shots with  Nipplicious Banana Flavor:

“Edible nipple gel comes in 4 Nipplicious fun flavors: Banana, Strawberry, Chocolate and Watermelon. Sure to ignite a roaring fire in your lover’s libido! Spread it on, lick it off your lover! 2oz tube.”

Adding $6.89 for drinks, our total now stands at $23.08.

For our main course, let’s have the Screaming Ovation Intimacy Kit:

“The Screaming Ovation intimacy kit is a collection of pairs of sensual products, conveniently packaged for a mind and body tingling experience. After the first Ovation you’ll be screaming for the encore, and you’ll be ready!

Kit Includes: * 2 Screaming O Vibrating Rings * 2 ID Glide Lube Packets * 2 ID Sensations Packets * 2 Lubricated Condoms * 2 Sensual Wipes * 2 Mints * 1 Info – fun positions book Disposable with a duration of 30 minutes.”

We even get after dinner mints with this kit, but let’s add a side of Kinky with the Vanilla Bondage Kit:

“Let the sweetness of vanilla bring sensuality to your bedroom. A creamy blindfold with a swirl of silky ties. Indulge yourself and your partner.”

Body Painting Chocolate

After our main course, we’ve only run up a bill of $56.16.  For desert, let’s have a delicious Chocolate Body Painting Experience:

“Unleash your artistic passions and slowly savor your work as you stroke edible designs on your partner with this erotic set. A generous bottle of chocolate paint is paired with a special paintbrush to allow you to draw designs, words, or pictures using your partner’s sensitive skin as a canvas.

Flavored with chocolate and a hint of vanilla, you’ll have as much fun cleaning up as you do playing. Washes off skin easily with soap and water.

Type: Edible Body Paint Flavor: Chocolate Volume: 3.5 oz Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Cacao, Citric Acid, Salt, Potassium Sorbate, Vanillin.”

The total cost of our Friday feast?  It comes in at only $71.35.  Now for the best part, this feast can happen more than once for only $71.35.  No doggie bag required, all you have to do is put the caps back on the bottles and store the toys.  And you don’t have to tip us!

And if you want to look at the full menu, you can find it here!