Scandal Corset with Cuffs

October 27th, 2014

I’ve kept my eye out for the pieces in the Scandal line because I love love love the black and red design — even if it matches nothing in my bondage drawer! The control cuffs worked well, and the “corset” is pretty sexy. Unfortunately, the corset is also once-size-fits-most. What do we know about this kids? That one size never fits all and rarely fits most and usually pisses reviews like me the fuck off.

But let’s back up. This corset is really a small waist cincher. There’s no boning, either plastic or metal; although, the fabric is definitely reinforced. There’s a series of hook and eye enclosures on the back that secure it. To either side of the fasteners, which you won’t see in any of the photos, is a thick strip of elastic, which makes this adjustable — and also less attractive from the front. CEN has added another ribbon – 31 inches of it on either side — for you to tie over the elastic and hooks to make it prettier. In the front, it’s laced with ribbon like corset, so you can extend it a bit if you loosen it or lace with with longer ribbon instead. As this stretches, skin will peak out from the front.

The default setting was one that I could just squeeze into. As a general size XL in most tops and lingerie, I could just make this fit, but it wasn’t comfortable, and I worried that I would damage it if I wore it for long or during strenuous play. I would say this is probably most intended for someone in the size medium to large range. Lying flat, it measures 17 inches in half. It will stretch slightly more than 34 inches thanks to the elastic, however.

By default, the corset comes with an extender with 5 hooks, like you might buy for a bra but obviously 4 inches wide, the same width as the hooks and elastic part of the bra. This is a fantastic idea on the part of California Exotics. If you remove it, you can tighten the corset by several inches, and you can gain 2.5 inches if you add it. Technically, you could buy another 5-hook bra extender in black to add more inches, but that’s not something that I care to do. You could do that and have amply ribbon to tie over it, however.

I did find the height to work well. You can wear it over a top — black or red makes the most sense — of course, or with a bra. There’s also the option to wear the corset by itself if you want to bare all.

Of course, this matches everything in the Scandal line, but you don’t need separate wrist cuffs because a pair is included. There is a D-ring on either side of the corset to which the cuffs attach, which keeps arms relatively prone as your sides. The cuffs are detachable, so you can instead attach them to one another or even

Aside from the red and black fabric, the cuffs are secured with long Velcro straps. There’s potential that someone who is strong enough could break out of them, but whether that would happen before a seam in the corset itself would give out is up for debate.

scandal coset with cuffs

scandal coset with cuffs

The cuffs are intended for wrists and just over 2 inches thick but would work for some ankles. They measure about 10.5 inches around with no overlapping. They’re lined with a super fuzzy material that I absolutely love, but the squishiness makes it more difficult to overlap the cuffs to make them smaller in diameter. There are about 5 inches of Velcro that you can adjust to make it wider, but it’s not going to hold as well.

The hardware on this is surprisingly impressive for this line, especially when you consider that there are decorative cuffs connected by a strand of faux pearls. Remember when I reviewed one of those? Nope. There’s nylon wrapped around an O-ring to securely attached it. Each cuff has its own double ended bolt snap — like this — painted black to match. It’s attractive and effective to both connect the cuffs to the corset or to one another.

While the Scandal corset with cuffs certainly isn’t one size fits most, it’s an attractive piece that’s going to work well for some people who care a little more about form than function, which is kind of the purpose of the entire Scandal line. But with a price around $50, you’re better off getting something a little more functional.

CEN Sexpert

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Wrapped Around Your Finger

October 16th, 2014

I don’t know that I’ve ever reviewed a full-length piece of erotica before. I tend to stick to anthologies, and most of those stories are quite short indeed. I’ve avoided 50 Shades of Grey for reasons of sanity.  I’ve read the first book in the Sleeping Beauty series, but it’s not very long at all. In comparison, the approximately 225 pages of Wrapped Around Your Finger seems like a Tolkien tome. However, it’s really not that long. I read this cover to cover in 3 or 4 sittings, and in one of those I consumed at least half of the book.

Wrapped Around Your Finger is actually the third in a series about a BDSM relationship by Alison Tyler. It’s part fiction and part memoir, and I don’t personally know where the line is drawn, but I don’t think I want to know. That’s part of this illusion.  While this is the third in the series, you certainly don’t need to have read the first two. It might help clarify a few things, but it’s not necessary.

I started this book knowing nothing about submissive Samantha and her dominant partner, Jack, but it didn’t take long to get to know them and the dynamics of their relationships, which is 24/7 power exchange. Samantha is young, perhaps in a cliche, but Alison Tyler’s writes a character who is aware of this and what her well-to-do partner’s status means in regards to her youth and perhaps naivete.

In spite of that all, Samantha and Jack manage to pull off a relationship that allows them both to grow through power exchange and the introduction of Jack’s assistant Alex. Samantha isn’t blind or abused. She’s intelligent. In fact, she’s a sex writer in the story, and this plays out in her interactions with Jack.

Because of Jack’s money and status, the couple is afforded a somewhat more lavish life, which Samantha isn’t accustomed to, but it’s not limitless. Jack has connections, but he’s not magical. He has power and dominant characteristics, but this isn’t all he is. As the characters learn more about one another and themselves, we understand how intricate these relationships — any relationships — can be, and how that can both be damning and a blessing. This, folks, is good storytelling.

With the impending 50 Shades of Grey movie and a miniseries featuring Sleeping Beauty in all her erotic glory, I could see Samantha on screen. Not only do I think it would make a better movie, but I think that Ms. Tyler’s descriptive writing would work well in live action, especially when it comes to Samantha’s intricate outfits.

I cannot help but compare this to 50 Shades of Grey. There are obvious similarities, but skilled writing, more three-dimensional characters and general forethought on the part of the author makes this read both more interesting and more sexy. In fact, I can say that I am not a fan of Samantha’s personality or even her relationship with Jack as a whole, and I still found Wrapped Around Your Finger to be rather enjoyable. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a more realistic view of BDSM or simply a sexy story that’s decently written.

You can buy it from Amazon or any of the retailers that stock books from the publisher

 

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Scandal Control Cuffs

December 15th, 2013

I have got to hand it to California Exotics — wow! Who ever would have thought I’d use that sentence? When it comes to the entire Scandal line, the design is quite attractive. If I hadn’t already started a purple bondage theme, I’d seriously consider getting everything in this line. It’s got that sort of boudoir feel to it.

These cuffs have a red and black damask style exterior. It’s classy. It’s sexy. I like it.

The interior is a plush velvet type material. It’s classy. It’s sexy. It’s comfortable, too. I like it.

I suppose you could wipe clean any spots with a damp cloth. Blood might be an issue so be careful when playing.

The cuffs themselves are connect by a length of nylon. Think backpacks. You can adjust the length, and the box described it as a “handle.” Sure, you can grasp it, but to call it a handle seems a little like a stretch.

The cuffs themselves secure with velcro. This could potentially be a problem if the bound person pulls her wrists or ankles apart with enough force. People with long hands can also often grasp velcro straps with their fingers to undo their binds. This was my main complaint with the cuffs that come with the Under the Bed system.

The major downfall with these cuffs is that they only attach to the other cuff with the plastic buckle. It’s good for leverage during sex, but it’s not versatile enough that you’ll use them with other restraints. The Scandal line does intclude it’s own bed restraints, hog tie set and universal cuffs, but it would be nice if more of the items were more versatile.

Although the package suggests these as ankle cuffs, they’ll work just as well on wrists. The cuffs are 2.5″ wide and 11 inches long. You can adjust the circumference so that it’s a few inches narrower or wider. These probably won’t work well if you have especially wide ankles.

The handle adjusts to just under 3 inches, and stretches to 9 inches long. It’s long enough to grasp with one or both hands.

Overall, I like these cuffs. I’d prefer them to be more versatile, like I mentioned.

CEN Sexpert

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Things I Hope to Explore Sexually

September 29th, 2013

AKA part of my sexual bucket list (but not everything).

Threesomes

I always figured that my ex-husband and I would get to some point where we were comfortable to invite other people into our bedrooms, sexually at first and the, perhaps, emotionally. That was obviously a pipe dream with him, but now that I’m not longer married to him, it could become a reality. Not only is the feminine form incredibly alluring, I’m a self person who wants to experience vaginal and clitoral stimulation simultaneously in a way that only two people are going to be able to satisfy.

Exibitionism

Show and Tell

Now, I’m not so bold that you’ll see me on a cam site like PerfectCam (bless the thousands of souls who do that have confidence!) but I do like performing for people — visually and vocally. It’s why I enjoy phone sex, and it’s why I spend so much time pleasuring myself for others to watch. In the same vein, I enjoy watching and hearing. The fact that I don’t necessarily mind having sex while others are nearby or I could get caught is somewhat related.

(Me in) Bondage

Part of me could never really let go with my ex. I wasn’t able to submit in any reason because I didn’t trust him to. The thing is, I need to do that. I have to be able to let go sometimes. Sex already helps a lot because it’s one of the few activities where I stop counting, worrying and comparing. I just enjoy. Even activities like video games and reading don’t offer the same kind of relaxation. But when I’m in a situation where I am not in control and I’m safe? I am free to just be. So happy that  I could cry, and sometimes I will.

And Serious Impact Play

I’ve got a whole closet of things that I’ve never gotten to use. It’s such a bummer. I guess I just want to get my money’s worth, no matter who’s on the receiving end. A little pain and blood isn’t much when it comes to a lot of pleasure, is it?

Sex.. Everywhere

My sexual repertoire has mostly taken place in a bed, in my own bed. Now, I love my bed. It’s a great place for my under the bed restraints, after all. I want sex in public places, mere feet away from other people, in cars, on cars, outside, on a boat. All the places where I might be with someone who can’t keep their hands off of me.

I suppose it could be wishful thinking, but I really do see myself being able to do most of these things with the bartender. That’s one of the reasons why he’s so appealing. Even if he’s not involved, I’m certainly grateful for the second chance that I seem to have received.

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Nick Hawk GIGOLO Keyless Cuffs

June 8th, 2013

Nick Hawk GIGOLO Keyless Cuffs

Nick Hawk GIGOLO Keyless Cuffs

While these specific cuffs are no longer available, you can find similar sliding styles on rope cuffs.

Let me preface this by saying, WTF “Gigolo?” That’s not sexy. That’s not a selling point. What is wrong with the branding here?

And then I’ll say something nice, like, I really enjoy the look of these cuffs. The chain rope that connects them and the leather appearance are different, and it’s just different. The chain that connects them is a tube of chainmail, while the cuffs themselves are a braided rope. The braid is thick and tight, and the material is softer on your skin than metal cuffs, even with something soft around them. However, the material is pretty stiff, and that’s a difference I noticed between my cuffs and the product image. The keyless cuffs look quite round by default, but they’re not. They are folded in half in the box, and the crease remains in the cuffs as you can see in my photo.

However, they’re really made for form and not function, unfortunately. These are the type of cuffs you’d keep around for a photo shoot, but they’re not the cuffs you’re going to reach for in the heat of the moment. I’ll tell you why.

Rather than band-type cuffs that connect via snaps or an O-ring or metal cuffs, with which I’m sure you’re all familiar, these are two loops that do not open. Instead, there’s a small faux-leather strap on each cuff. The strap is permanently attached to the one side, while you wrap it around the other side and fasten a snap to secure it. You slide the leather enclosure up and down the cuff to make it tighter. Ideally, this design would work for both wrists and ankles because it’s adjustable.

However, it just doesn’t work very well. When the snap is fastened, you can’t move the strap up and down the cuffs. So, to adjust, put on or remove them you must completely undo the strap and then re-wrap it around the cuff. The strap really is quite tight. In fact, I can barely put this one with two hands let alone one.

What this means is that I would have to spend a lot of time just getting this on or off or in the right position, which could be a real downer when it comes to the mood. It’s much too much effort, and while it might loosen up a bit over time, I don’t have the patience to deal with it. I can’t imagine many people would.

When it comes to specs, these keyless cuffs has a circumference of about 12″ each, so they should work for ankles as well as wrists. There’s no minimum, really. I guess you could lock someone’s finger up in this. Because the strap is so tight, I cannot get out of these cuffs even though it’s just a single snap securing them. There is a little less than 4.5″ of slack between the cuffs, thanks to the chain and hardware. This is more than the tiger striped cuffs that I have, so this design, if it worked better, might be good if you’re not so flexible or have short arms like I do.

The connectors between the chains use a “swivel design.” This means added flexibility because you don’t need to keep your wrists in a single position. You can squirm as it were.

Maintenance is, well, iffy. I would consider these porous, and the braining provides lots of nooks and crannies for liquids to get into. You can wipe them down to preserve their appearance, but I wouldn’t share them with non-fluid bonded partners.

CEN Sexpert

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Under Bed Bondage Restraint System [Giveaway]

January 30th, 2013

Maybe you’re not into couples kits like my previous giveaway. That’s okay. Some people want something a little more advanced. Maybe you need to break out from your routine, and you want to try something new. One of the first items I was able to review was the Under the Bed Restraints by Sportsheets. At the time, this was really the only brand offering such a product, and the system is easy to use even if you’re not experienced. It’s a versatile way to tie someone up spread-eagle or straight up-and-down.  You don’t need a headboard or footboard. Your bed, as simply as it may be, is perfect with this setup.

underbed restraint system
I’m happy to give away an underbed restraint system, this one by brand Tied and Teased. It’s available from UberKinky for just over $40. It includes the straps that go under your bed as well as four cuffs; although, you can swap them out with any cuffs that you prefer. It’s perfect to completely immobilize your partner as their own strength contributes to their bondage.

Still, it’s not intimidating with the velcro cuffs, which also mean you can get out of it quickly.  You can adjust the restraints to fit with your mattress. I use mine on a queen, but it would fit on a full, too.

One of the things that I like about this system is that I can tuck it under my bedskirt to hide it. If you just have a mattress, you can slide the straps and cuffs under your mattress. It’s a permanent installation without letting your family or friends know that you like bondage. You can just reach down and pull out the cuff to surprise someone. It’s.. awesome.

I haven’t gotten as much use out of my under the bed restraints as I would have liked. However, I want to after writing this post. I’m also glad to give one of my readers the chance to win their own set. It just might be the alternative Valentine’s Day gift that you need. To enter this competition, simply use the Rafflecopter form below.  I will collect your shipping and contact information by default and send that to my contact , so there’s no need to contact you first. However, this means youmust use your actual contact information; otherwise, you’ll never get your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway will end on February 5th, and I will use a plug-in to randomly  generate a single winner. The winner will be contacted by me  via e-mail and UberKinky will mail the prize directly to the winner. Of Sex and Love is not responsible for delivery.

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Ready [Saw This on Tumblr]

November 21st, 2012

Ready

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