2014: The Best Of

December 29th, 2014

Another year. Another couple dozen reviews of sex toys. There were fewer this year than the last. This might be due to me having more sex. Or perhaps there were fewer toys that I really loved.

In fact, while populating this list, I worried I wouldn’t have enough best-ofs. I suppose that’s bound to happen, and I might accept the blame of trying out some toys that wouldn’t work well for me if I had looked past the shiny and read the small print. Oops.

But, there’s definitely some toys I would recommend, so here they are!

Vibrator

Svakom is an up-and-coming company. I had a hit-or-miss relationship with the toys they send to review, but Leslie is a self-heating vibrator with respectable power output.

Minna’s Limon took me quite by surprise, quickly becoming one of the most intuitve vibrators I’ve ever used.

I also quite like Ora 2, but it’s the stuff it does besides vibrating that does it for me.

ceramix 5 and 6

Ceramix 5 (right) left a surprising impression

Dildo

2014 was light on dildos. I only tried a couple, and both of those were from Pipedream’s Ceramix line. Ultimately, I preferred #5!

Erotica

Move over 50 Shades of Grey. Wrapped Around Your Finger is actually a book worth reading, and there are more in the series!

Sexual Non-Fiction

I’m technically a year behind and I didn’t even write a review for Best Sex Writing 2012 (I did write a review for the next year’s). But I think it might be the best in the series and you’re missing out if you don’t check it out.

BDSM

The Bettie Page Spanking Paddle is manufacturer by Lovehoney and full of the details you’d want while offering a sexy spanking.

Lingerie

Designed Intimates sent me quite a lot of lingerie to review. I especially enjoyed the Charming chemise and thong.

Bath and Body Product

SheVibe let me try the Flirty Little Secret Pink Caviar Scrub With Pheromones. It’s slippery but smells great and works well. It’s been a nice addition to my shower routine!

Storage

Lovehoney is rocking 2014’s list. They also made the Deluxe Sex Toy Case, which is probably my all-time favorite option for sex toy storage!

As always, I recommend the best toys from years past. Check out my list of 5-star sex toys!

Don’t forget to let us know about what you loved in the comments.

Have a good new year. I plan to!

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Categories: Articles, Reviews

Lovehoney Satin Drawstring Bags

November 11th, 2012

LonveHoney Satin Drawstring Bags

LonveHoney Satin Drawstring Bags
$4.99 - $6.99 from LoveHoney

So these things have been sitting on my dresser for a while. My cats like to sit on them and, you know, I’m kind of pussy whipped. Also, I’m not sure what to put in them. It’s not an issue of not having enough toys without storage. It’s an issue of liking the design so much that I don’t just want to shove them in my nightstand, but my remote controls don’t really need satin pouches — or do they?

Let’s start with the logo, then. It’s this stylized heart. It doesn’t scream “sex toy” or adult at all, which is why I love it. It’s got clean lines and I’d like to wear it as a hoodie, I really would. Like, even in front of my mom. Whoa. I know.

So, the logo is printed on all of Lovehoney’s bags in a vinyl. It feels like any screen-printed tee. It’s set off to the bottom and corner, which is appealing to my eye. It’s in a bright red, but even though people always tell me that red and purple don’t match, I think they’re dumb. The purple is a cool blue base, but it’s purple.. so that’s a problem for some folks. But, think about the naked sex toys! Aren’t purple togas better than none at all? I rest my case.

LoveHoney Large Drawstring BagI received two different pouches because the folks at Lovehoney love me. The small isn’t even that small at 5.6-by-8 inches. It’s longer than the Don Wands storage pouch, at least, and it’s not puffy so you can actually put stuff inside it. The large is the same width but is significantly longer at 13.2 inches. The awkward measurements are because these are actually in metric, but converting won’t kill me. However, the Lovehoney website tries to explain how large of a toy you can store in these pouches when closed, so the two sets of numbers is a little confusing in my opinion. The large sac is about an inch shorter than it actually measures because of the hem/cinch area. That’s something to take into consideration.

Still, both bags are impressively sized. You can fit a fuckin’ rabbit vibe into the large. The puffy, awkwardly sized storage I’ve used in the past couldn’t do this. The small bag will easily fit cock rings, condoms, small bottles of lube or just a handful of clitoral stimulators if you happen to have them lying around, which I do.

The exterior is a shiny satin, the interior unfinished. There’s no rough edges, and all the hems and stitches seem secure. I imagine the material would get caught on nails, so treat them with caution. Unlike the puffy bags, you could hand wash these and lay them flat to dry if you spilled lube on them, which is always nice.

Small LoveHoney BagThe bags secure with loops of purple ribbon. It’s thin and easy to use but not so pretty. You could cut the knots at the end of each side to replace with some pretty ribbon, but I think that’s silly. On the other hand, if your ribbon did fray, replacing it wouldn’t be so hard. Removing it altogether is also an option.

When you close the bag, you lose some length, of course, so you should be wary of that. As this is thin satin, it’s not going to protect your toys from a drop off the Empire State Building but you probably won’t care when someone sues you for murder. At around $5, these bags are a steal. The one option that I really liked is no longer available. Although Devine Toys has a nice option, it’s almost three times the price of these from Lovehoney. These are definitely the better option for frugal folks. Plus, Lovehoney has a ton of other branded gear to match!

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Categories: Reviews, Storage

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For Your Nymphomation Adult Toybox

March 23rd, 2010

For Your Nymphomation Adult Toybox

For Your Nymphomation Adult Toybox

FYN no longer makes toy boxes, but I highly recommended Lovehoney’s deluxe toy cases, which come in multiple sizes. 

I was really excited when I found out I was going to get to review the FYN Adult Toybox from TabuToys. I have tried a variety of toy storage options but nothing which is super portable or as functional as the For Your Nymphomation products are purported to be. In addition to that, nothing I have would fit under my bed because of the low side rails, except for this box.

Obviously, a box which someone might pick because it is especially shallow is not a box which will hold every toy in your collection (unless, of course, it is a fledgling collection). Still, I was a bit surprised at just how small the Adult Toybox is, as I removed it from the shipping box. The measurements are 12″ by 9″ by 2.25″. I guess “12 inches” sounds kind of big but, once you get down to it, it’s not. It looks a bit like a mini, rounded briefcase and even has the handle to boot! But because the sides are thin, the interior is not much smaller than the exterior, thankfully. The rounded corners do reduce the storage space a bit but, then again, it makes it a bit more robust and you won’t be squashing the corners. It’s also small enough to be easily portable; although; I wouldn’t mind it being wider but this is definitely the smaller version of the toy boxes (the other is 12″ x 18″ and still quite portable).

One of the unique features of the toybox is how the hardware on the zippers slide together with a small hole through which a lock can be slipped. FYN includes a tiny padlock and 2 keys (which come attached on a chain) and it is much like the Devine padlock: more of a novelty than anything (definitely easy to pick). While the idea is good, only a lock of a similar size will fit. I am sure some exist but I have never seen a legitimate lock of that size. Also, the zippers glow in the dark to make it easy to find (if you make sure to position it so the locks are visible).

The exterior is a purple faux leather. It is is visually “textured” to look like leather with a slight shine that won’t really fool anyone. The exterior is what is considered hard case and I would wipe it down with a damp cloth if it needed cleaning. It’s also easy to manipulate and could easily be slid under a bed. I have a small bag which would fit under my bed but wouldn’t get under there so efficiently. On the front of the case is a handle, a strip of purple nylon (like a backpack strap) which is covered with a similar faux leather in the center (where you would grasp it). Overall, the craftsmanship seems secure.

In terms of colour, I personally do not love the purple. It’s kind of dull and dark and not pretty. I also find the trim and nylon parts do not really match the faux leather. FYN does make the case in other faux leather colours and even other materials, however. Purple is also not super discreet.

Upon opening the case, there is a thin, elastic strap sewn onto the inside of the lid. The elastic is sewn in permanently with 4 separate spaces for toys, bottles or other items; however, because these spaces are not adjustable, they will not work well for everyone. If the handle is facing you, the elastic spaces get progressively smaller toward the right measuring just under 5″, 3″, 2″ and 2″. The two on the very right are quite narrow and would fit a very thin toy, like the Alumination or, I imagine, some of Jimmyjanes narrow toys. I can fit a couple of smaller bottles of lube in the third space and two larger ones in the last but remember that items you might place in these spaces are 3D and you have to compare the width of the spaces to the circumference of the toys.

On the lid I have:

In the main compartment, there is a soft pocket with a stretchy edge, like in much luggage. It is the entire length of the case and about half the width. I find this works well for chargers or packets of wipes. The more you put in there, the less you can put atop of it inside the compartment, however. The compartment will definitely hold a couple full sized rabbits and a variety of smaller toys.

Currently, the large compartment holds

It’s quite the collection. However, I was a bit eager to pack everything in there when I got it and the way I had it arranged looked good.. until I closed the box. Silly me forgot that stuff that takes up room on the lid will take up room in the box when closed so I had to rearrange. Additionally, I find that the lining, which is the same smooth nylon-type as some suitcases or umbrellas is quite slippery. Unless the items in the elastic band are a really tight fit, they tend to slide down into the box when closing it. It would be nice if the lid was lined with something else that is a bit grabbier (or if the straps were somehow adjustable). Fleece might work? However, FYN claims that this material is water resistant and can easily be cleaned with soap+water damp cloth which is a plus and I do like that the nylon isn’t going to lint all over my toys either.

When everything is secured and zipped up, there will be movement when picking up the Adult Toy box but it is minimal. Of course, if you have yours less packed, things will move more. It feels secure when carrying it, not like the bottom is going to fall out or anything and the handle is well sewed, too. Plus, since I can lock it, I know the zippers won’t come undone, either. You mean your zippers don’t have a mind of their own?

Obviously, this is a handy dandy toy storage solution but there is still room for improvement. Less slippery lining and adjustable straps on the lid (and perhaps an extra strap to hold things in place) would be awesome. It’s not critical but it would be great if TabuToys also carried the black version which would offer more discretion, even in public places. Plus, the purple is just a little disappointing.

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Categories: Reviews, Storage

Sugar Sak XL

April 11th, 2009

Sugar Sak
$15.35 from Amazon

The Sugar Sak which is distributed by the Sugar & Spice Boutique is definitely a sweet treat when it comes to storing your sex toys. Billed as a “sexy designer toy bag,” I must agree. My extra-large (Maxx) Sugar Sak came in a very bright pink satin, and while I know a lot of folks are sick of all the sexy toys and accessories in pink, it matches my bathrobe perfectly. LOL Different retailers also sell red and black satin Sugar Saks in a range of sizes from Small to Extra Large, like mine, which is only available in the pink. You could easily carry this with you to a party or a date, and it would look stylish. The inside is also lined with a cute black and white spotted “cow” type print.

The bag is cinched with a black ribbon and a cute, faceted, black plastic bead. At first, I must admit, I didn’t think the beads would do the trick because they don’t “lock” into place, but they do seem to hold well. The strings are also loops, which make for a handle to hold, or you could tie them around the opening of the bag for extra security instead. I don’t plan to put too many or too heavy toys into my Sugar Sack and use the ribbon to carry just because it is only plain ribbon.

And while sex toy storage is nothing new, there is something very unique about the Sugar Saks, which comes folded neatly in a plastic bag: Bioshield 75. The package describes this technology as “an invisible, exclusive patented EPA-approved coating that inhibits the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, years and viruses,” which is good for up to 50 washes. This is made of win! No one wants any of those microscopic intruders on their sex toys. I particularly like the idea because I don’t like to wash my toys before and after. If I can wash it once (after) and keep them stored with the assurance that nothing can touch them in my Sugar Sak, then I’m happy. Plus, the Sugar Sak won’t deposit any lint on your toys and protects them from any fleeting particles like lint and dust. Furthermore, I expected the inside of the bag to feel a bit like plastic, but you can’t tell at all. This is definitely a great device – so much better than Ziploc bags!

So it protects your toys and you can take it almost anywhere in style, but how much does it hold? Admittedly, I looked at my Sugar Sak, saw that it was only 9.5″ x 13.5″ and thought, “That’s it?” Yet, it has proven to hold quite a few toys I was able to round up all the loose toys in my nightstand as well as a few from the “Meh” box (you know, the ones I don’t really love) and stuff them in there. It was a little tight, and I will keep markedly fewer toys in it on a daily basis, but I was impressed. It would be easier to fill this bag if it had a flat bottom, though.

The list of toys and accessories I fit into my XL Sugar Sak includes:

Now, all of the toys in the main part, except for the Wild G, are hard plastic, so I know there won’t be any sort of reaction, but it’s something to make note of when storing your toys. What’s nice is there is another little pocket inside with a velcro closure where you can store something which might have a possible reaction or smaller things that you don’t want to become lost (cock rings, batteries, little lube bottles/packets, jewelry, clamps, wireless toys/controllers so on and so forth). It’s about 7″ in length and 5 1/2″ in width, so while it probably won’t fit any rabbit vibes, you could fit smaller vibrators or dildos in it. I placed my silicone plug in there just in case it wouldn’t do well with the TPR Silicone rabbit.

As I wrap up this review, I’d like to say the Sugar Sak seems like a great bag for storage at home or while on the go. The quality seems decent; the sewing was good when I flipped the bag inside out to measure the inner pocket; although, there was one loose string on the outside bottom. I think it’s overall a quality product that is easy to use, fits a surprising number of toys, is cute and will keep my toys nice and clean.

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Categories: Reviews, Storage

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Devine Toy Box in Wine with Lace Overlay

January 25th, 2009

Devine Toy Box

This is an archived review of a discontinued product.

When I first saw this toy storage container from Devine Toys, I fell in love. It was exactly my style and the red with black lace was gorgeous. It looked classy with perhaps a touch of gothic style, well made and the ability to lock away my most personal items from prying eyes was definitely a plus.

When it arrived, the shipping box was smaller than I expected, but there was not a lot of wasted space or packaging. The Devine Toy box comes with some promotional material as well as a sample of Afterglow wipes which are made by the same company. One of the flyers is folded in three parts, and with some organizational creativity, you see a different message depending on whether or not the flaps are open or closed. The inside of the flyer includes information about Devine products, and the back introduces Devine’s “new” Afterglow wipes. Another promotional piece focuses on the Afterglow wipes themselves.

Lockable Sex Toy CaseThe Devine Toy box, as described in the flyer, is 10″ by 5″ by 5″ and made of faux leather. There are six style options total, 2 of which are made with lace, including mine. (The other colour listed is purple but I have seen blue so I wonder if it has been discontinued).

The lace parts seem to be sort of pillowy and I suspect have another layer of fabric and foam beneath the fabric which is visible. Black lace is laid over red fabric on the top, back and front panel which folds over and through which a small metal loop is placed to lock this box. When the box is opened, the top does not fall all the way back. Rather, it’s held open with a ribbon sewn into the inside of the box which is lined with a red satin material.

The rest of the box (top, bottom, front and sides) and is made of a very nice faux leather. On the bottom of the right side, toward the back, the Devine logo is stamped/etched into the material but this is not overly noticeable nor does it take away from the appearance of the box.

Put it all together and you have a fine looking storage solution for your sex toys. In fact, I was really blown away by the aesthetic appeal of this piece. It was the main reason I wanted it and I certainly wasn’t let down when I gazed at it, face to face. My husband was even impressed and it was immediately obvious that this box would not be shoved under the bed nor tucked in the closet. Its size and appearance make it perfect to sit atop a bedside table, and the lock provides extra security if that’s an issue.

The padlock and 2 keys Devine provides with this toy box are a polished silvery metal which matches the hardware o the box itself. The flyer depicts the Devine logo on the lock, but this is not true. This set isn’t exactly an impenetrable force. I was able to pick the lock with 2 paperclips and the keys are rather generic. The bad news about this is that it means it doesn’t take a lot of effort to break into your toy box. If security is an issue. I would buy a stronger lock (although not all sizes may fit) The good news is, if you lose the keys, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to break into your toy box.

Lockable Sex Toy Case And losing these keys is probably easier than I’d like it to be. Although there are holes in the keys so that they can be slid onto your keyring, they’re rather small. I found it more difficult than usual to slide the tiny key onto my keyring and think a necklace or ball chain might be a better option especially because a smaller key becomes a little hard to use on a ring full of keys.

Lock and keys aside, because I honestly may never use them besides for show, I really enjoy this box. It works perfectly on my nightstand. Now, this isn’t the box you used to store every toy you use, nor is it the box you cram as full as you can. No, this is the box you use to display and keep the best of your collection close at hand for those moments, both expected and unexpected. It will have a permanent home next to my bed.

In order to easily access all my toys, I do not want to overload the Devine storage box. I have only one layer of items in it, save for a packet of toy wipes, which move easily out of the way. I can comfortably fit these items inside the box:

Lockable Sex Toy Case I think this is a fair assortment of toys to always have at hand. If the box were just a tad larger, I could fit my Miracle Massager in it but I am only a bit disappointed. The Devine toy box will also not fit taller bottles of lube and bigger vibrators and dildos comfortably, but this is okay for me. The one reservation I do have is I’m not sure how sturdy the ribbon that holds the top of the box is, and even its existence is a bit sketchy. I am constantly pulling the box open too far because I forgot about the ribbon, and I think I could break the ribbon or possibly damage the inside lining. I personally wouldn’t mind if the top of the box went further back, so I don’t think the ribbon is necessary.

However, that concern was misguided because while the ribbon has remained intact, the lock mechanism has come apart, and I cannot fix it because I lost some of the tiny pieces. This means I cannot fully close the box, although it still works well on my nightstand. I just wish that it was in pristine condition. Nevertheless, I’ll keep it because it’s no longer available.

 

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Categories: Reviews, Storage

Lockable Sex Toy Case

January 20th, 2009

Lockable Sex Toy Case
from

This case no longer appears to be available, although you can buy a similar smaller case, medicine storage case, or even an attache, although not all of them have trays or compartments for organization.

Words cannot really explain how excited I was to receive a package in the mail containing the large-sized Lockable Sex Toy Case,  which TabuToys sent on over for me to review. It is my first item in the way of toy storage and I think it’s high time. Originally, I stored my toys in a shoebox under the bed, and, when we bought our bedroom set, the shoebox moved to a drawer in my nightstand. As I added more toys to my collection, they overflowed into the drawer itself, then the other drawer and the shoebox became a final resting place for the toys I seldom used. Finally, toys wound up on the nightstand, my dresser, and even on the desk. Add to this the bottles of lube that never fit in the nightstand itself, and I think you can see why some toy storage was needed.

This is a stylish case measuring 15,” by 8″ by 7″ and features a keyless combination lock so that snoopy friends, curious children, and even pets cannot get into it. The exterior and interior are both lined with a sort of faux leather, and there is even a smaller tray that works great for batteries, condoms, and other smaller items. There is a sturdy metal handle on the top which makes it easy to take from room to room or party to party, should you feel so inclined.

When this locking case first arrived, it came with no packaging, which surprised me. I also could not find any instructions on the outside so I was curious about how to initially open it. I figured the default combination would be simple, so I eventually experimented until it came open (It wound up being 0-0-0, 1-1-2). There is a combination on each side with a button you push outward to pop open the locks.

Inside, instructions showed how to set the combination: when it’s unlocked, hold the button out and change the combination to your preferred setting. I must admit, I need more storage than the lock so I will leave the case unlocked. I found the buttons to be a bit finicky and not as easy to use as I would like; I think this would definitely be frustrating if you are in the dark or your hands are covered in lube. So I would definitely recommend setting up beforehand. Hopefully, the buttons will become a bit easier to use over time.

Lockable Sex Toy Case When the locks pop open, either side of the top of the box comes open, revealing the main area of the chest as well as a small tray. The interior isn’t much smaller than the exterior, and there isn’t any hardware that got in my way. Initially, some of the lining in one of the lid wasn’t glued on all the way, but I added a loving touch (read: superglue), and all has been fine. I was eager to start piling in my toys.

The tray can be pushed up and out of the way to access the chest or remain toward the center. That center position is where the tray sits when the box is closed. Because it covers half the open space, the tray will block tall items when the chest is closed.  If you’re careful, you could place taller items like the bottles of lube to the side of the tray and keep them standing when the container is closed. 

While it doesn’t fit my entire collection, it does fit an assortment of vibrators, dildos, batteries, lubes, cock rings and batteries, none of which were too large. But it’s big enough to fit a few wands or rabbit vibrators.

Currently, my toy case includes (in the main space):

The tray holds these items:

  • Deep Sea Pleasure
  • Silicone Cock Rings
  • Clit Tease Her
  • Assorted Batteries (AA, N, AAA, C)
  • Make Me Cum Clit Sensitizer

Lockable Sex Toy CaseI was pretty impressed with everything that fit into this box and could fit more in it if I layered toys, although that might make retrieving some of them difficult. While I like the tray, I think each lid could have some sort of pocket or strap added for extra storage without piling everything in. This would be awesome for toys you do not want to store together or perhaps even a flogger or whip.

Another thing that stood out is that this is not discreet. Although prying minds may not be able to see in this box, they will more than likely know what it contains if they see it in the bedroom. Its size may tell a little more than you want to let on, so I would still recommend keeping it tucked away if that is an issue. Unfortunately, it’s slightly too large to fit into my nightstand.

My final concern is about weight limits. Because it has a single handle, the box really seems to pull down when it’s fully loaded. I currently have my nail polish collection in the box, but to be safe, I grasp the bottom rather than using the handle. This may not be necessary, but the glass bottles are far more likely to break if I drop the box than sex toys would.

When it comes down to it, the Lockable Sex Toy Case in large looks nice while being functional. It gives your toys a safe place to rest while preventing intruders in your private life. The included tray works wonderfully for smaller items, so they don’t get lost in the bottom of the case. While it’s definitely a step up from my shoebox, a few improvements would make this perfect!

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Categories: Reviews, Storage

Image © MisterUnlucky; used with permission.