Blog Love

Well, it’s not Sunday, but another one doesn’t roll around for a while, and you all deserve some lovely links.

& Did you know that there is literally no regulation within the sex toy industry? Like, none at all? If you’ve ever seen me mention flame testing materials, I do it because you simply cannot trust that every package that says “100% silicone” really does contain 100% pure silicone.  Fucked up, right?  Thankfully, the brilliant minds of Dangerous Lilly and The Pinkness bring you… Dildology.org!

& Epiphora and SheVibe have teamed up to give away a FunFactory Stronic Eins pulsator! What is it, you ask? Why don’t you read her review!

& I’m really late to this party, but Jes of the Militant Baker is AWESOME. I feel like at some point, I found her blog, forgot to Bloglovin’ it, and sadly it slipped through my sieve of a brain. NO MORE! I’m linking her amazing Body Image(s) project here so you can all check out the glory of her blog!

& Sarah of SillyGrrl is launching her Nerd School ebook on May 21st, and you should probably register to get an email notification. Why? Because she knows her shit, and unless you’re already a professional web designer, your blog will thank you. (I’m on the list, ’cause this girlfriend needs help.)

& The Onion is sometimes spot on, and sometimes… Plainly, they really fucked up with this one, and Britni brilliantly called them out. (Trigger warning: Abuse, assault, Christ Brown’s asshattery.)

Kristen is participating in a Blog Every Day in May challenge, and today, she answered the questions “What do you do?” and “What are you most afraid of?” How would you answer those questions?

& In case you missed it, I now work at my local Lush shop, so you know I’m basically spending every waking hour smothering my body with vegetarian goodness. Let me tell you though, if you were to walk into Lush and purchase just one product, I would suggest you pick up a Buffy. My backside has never been smoother, and my arms have never been so soft.

See you soon!

Vibratex Mystic Wand

Because 2013 has really taken off for me, you’re going to be seeing a LOT more toy reviews! I’m so lucky to be working with some amazing companies, and one of them is Vibratex.

Fun fact: Vibratex made the Rabbit that was featured in the iconic Sex and the City episode, in which Miranda (not Samantha) introduces the ladies to their new dual-action friend. I actually hate rabbits, and that’s neither here nor there. What we’re talking about today is not a rabbit, but the Mystic Wand.

If you’re familiar with the Hitachi Magic Wand, the Mystic Wand shape is already familiar to you. It has a 6″ long handle that’s easy to grip and comes in either pink or black. Where the Mystic Wand really sets itself apart from the Hitachi is its materials. The head of the Mystic Wand is made out of silicone, and has a lovely smooth texture. Usually, I prefer rechargeable toys, because I just don’t have my shit together enough to keep batteries on hand. However, I love that the Mystic Wand takes 4 AA batteries – usually, to find power like the kind it provides, you have to use plug-in toys. Plus, you get 3 speeds and 3 vibration patterns, instead of the Hitachi’s 2 speeds.

Right off the bat, I was amazed by the power. Speed 1 is rumbly, you can actually feel the head of the vibrator shake. Speeds 2 and 3 are noticeably stronger, and actually proved to be too much for me. I’m not big on vibration patterns, but the Mystic Wand comes with 3. Not too shabby at all.

Now, unfortunately, I’ve discovered that I absolutely need pinpoint clitoral vibration. The strength of the Mystic Wand cannot be beat by any of my smaller vibes, but the shape just doesn’t work for my body. I actually find that the strength of the vibrations when they’re spread out across the vulva to be a little distracting. I tried several different hand grips trying to make pinpoint contact with my clit to no avail.

However, I still would recommend this toy if you fit any of these descriptions: If you like to be able to feel vibrations in your labia. If you need a toy that packs one hell of a punch. If you’re a Hitachi devotee and you want something smaller, easier to travel with, or less restrictive. If you have used/currently use massager-style, non-pinpoint vibrators with orgasmic success.

If the Mystic Wand sounds like it might fit your bill, you can purchase one from SheVibe for $49.99.

Thanks so much, Vibratex!

Vixen Creations VixSkin Mustang

Earlier this year, Vixen Creations was kind enough to send me the VixSkin dildo of my choice. Since I’m quite the opposite of a size queen, but wanted something I wouldn’t grow out of, I went with the special Tie Bright edition of their best selling Mustang.

The Mustang measures 6 1/2″ long, and is 1 5/8″ in diameter at its widest point. It’s a realistic dildo, and because of the VixSkin material, might be the most realistic one on the market. It has subtle veins, a lovely pronounced head, and what looks like a foreskin ridge about 1/2″ under the head. I love that the toy is textured realistically, but it’s done with such attention to detail. If they used a penis model, I have to find that man and shake his hand.

VixSkin is very special because it’s actually dual-density silicone. The inner core of the dildo is firm, while the outer core is soft and plushy. The vast majority of dildos that I’ve come across are rather stiff and unyielding, which can be awesome for G-spotting but makes toys of a certain size potentially difficult to take. The outer layer of plushy silicone has a lot of grab to it, so I definitely recommend using a good water-based lube. I did flame test the silicone, and it passed with flying colors, meaning this toy is 100% non-porous and body safe.

As for use, I really love using the Mustang when I’m also using a clitoral vibe. Being able to clench around it really helps prolong my orgasm. The squish of the outer silicone makes it easy to insert, and the pronounced head gives me a little bit of G-spot stimulation. It’s not a toy that I can use by itself to bring me to orgasm, but it absolutely makes a difference when I use it in combination with a good clitoral vibe.

My partner and I don’t usually use the Mustang together, on me or on him (he’s not really into the bend over boyfriend phenomenon…). For couples who like to use strap on harnesses, the Mustang would be an awesome choice, as it does come with a nice sturdy base.

If you’re looking for something realistic, body safe, and beautifully crafted, seriously consider something from the VixSkin line! You can purchase their products either from their Website or from SheVibe.

Thanks, Vixen Creations!

FAQ that.

First of all, thank you to everyone who commented on my last post.  I have read them all, and I really appreciate your honesty, support, and the general “fuck the haters” attitude.  Let’s form a band of pirates.

So, in the spirit of my blog being a place for me, I want to do a little personal post in the form of an FAQ.  Because while I don’t actually usually get asked a lot of questions, I frequently pretend to be famous and have given many an interview in my head.  That’s not embarrassing because you’ve all done it too.  Don’t you lie to me.

1.  Who are you and why should I trust your opinion?

Good question!  I see we’re starting strong.  I’m Sarah, a 22-year-old recent college graduate with a Bachelor’s in Economics, but in my spare time I study sex toys.  I started reviewing for Eden Fantasys in December of 2011, then started this blog around January of 2012.  I work at my local Adam & Eve store, where I’m a full-time sales consultant and the new director of social media.  You should trust me when it comes to toys because literally 1/3 of my net worth is tied up in sex toys and accoutrements.  I take sex toys very seriously.  I want to know why they work, how they work, what they’re made of, what that material can do to your body, and how to keep it as clean as possible.  I will tell you if a toy is buzzy or rumbly.  I will tell you if a lubricant is gloopy, sticky, or smooth as George Clooney.  And I will subject myself to all of these things in your name.

2.  So what about dating?  Have you online dated?

This blog used to be about dating!  For a very short while, anyway.  I spent the summer of 2011 dating on OKCupid.  I learned a lot.  I’ve actually had 3 separate online dating stints, all on OKC, and all somewhat successful.  (I’ll get to that in a minute.)  My dating history is pretty sordid, and I’ve mentioned a few guys on this blog.  I’m now in a stable, long-term relationship with a guy I half met at a cafe and half met online.  For as much flak as online dating gets, I think it’s great.  I actually plan to start a new post series focusing on online dating for college and early-20-something girls.

3.  Who is Steve, and is he actually ok with you posting about him?

This is a question I actually do get asked!  Steve is my boyfriend/partner/best friend.  I used to work at an independent coffee shop, which he used to frequent.  The first French press I ever made on the job was for him.  About a year and a half later, in March 2012, he messaged me on OKCupid.  I actually cancelled our first date because I was still reeling from some nasty romantic mishaps, but something compelled me to reschedule and here we are.  I moved in with him 2 months into the relationship, and now we’re planning a big move together whenever he finds out which University wants him to teach or do a post-doctorate program!  (Also, yes, he knows I post about him, and he’s perfectly okay with it.)

4.  What is your absolute favorite toy?

Short answer: I don’t have one.  Long answer: I think that generally, most people have too many separate needs for one toy to suit them all.  Sometimes I want my Lelo Mia because it’s great for pinpoint stimulation.  Sometimes I want my Tantus Splish because it’s the perfect small, textured g-spot dildo.  I have a lot of toys that I love, and I would never want to give them all up for one “perfect” toy.  Quality is definitely important, though – if I had to choose between just one luxury vibrator and 5 cheapies, I would choose the former, of course.

5.  Ok fine but if you were headed to a desert island and you could only bring one toy, what would it be?

We will ignore the fact that you didn’t tell me if this island has any electrical sockets or batteries for the sake of simplicity and say the Lelo Mia.

6.  What’s currently on your toy wishlist?

I think I’m soon receiving a Vibratex Mystic wand, so that will cross one major player off my list!  I’m dying to try something from Vixen Creations made of VixSkin.  An internal vibrator would be nice to have, too, I think – maybe a Lelo, a FunFactory, or another JeJoue.  I really just want to try as many things as possible.

Now it’s your turn!  Answer any of these questions for yourself, or pose more questions for me if you’re so inclined.

Oh, YES: Vibratex Tulip Mini

If you have a clitoris, you need this vibrator.

When I received the Vibratex Tulip Mini (henceforth, the Tulip), I was expecting to enjoy it.  What actually happened?  I was blown away.  I need to include a picture of the Tulip, because otherwise, it’s going to be very hard to explain what’s so special about this little wand-style clitoral vibrator.

The entire toy is only 6″ long, with those petals making up about 1.5″ of overall length.  The petals themselves are made of soft, velvety, flexible silicone, and they surround a bullet coated in pink silicone in the middle of the wand’s head.  The effect is pinpoint stimulation combined with fluttering petals, which in my opinion combines the two best methods of clitoral stim.

Using the Tulip is very easy.  The base (which brilliantly allows the wand to stand up by itself) easily twists off, and you then load 2 AAA batteries into the compartment.  The presence of a dedicated ON/OFF button is welcome – far too few toys have one.  The other button allows you to cycle through 6 functions, but honestly, I only ever had to use the first 2 speeds.

While in use, I actually had to back off my orgasm a few times because I wanted to continue using the toy.  This was on the first vibration mode, which is a low, steady rumble.  This toy is really shockingly powerful and effective.  Every time I used it, I needed about 10 minutes and settings 1-2.  That’s it, and it was guaranteed bliss.

If you’re looking for an amazing clitoral vibe, or if you want to try a new combination of sensations, I highly recommend the Vibratex Tulip Mini.  At $25.99 from SheVibe.com, it’s a steal.  Thanks, SheVibe!