This post is sponsored by LELO

Give support, get pleasure!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and our friends over at Lelo are partnering up with Breastcancer.org for Rediscovering Intimacy, an initiative focused on helping breast cancer sufferers and their partners reconnect, and also to encourage people to understand more about this disease that affects 1 in 8 women in North America alone.

All month long, 50% of all proceeds from sales of their LILY personal massager, in Pink, will go to Breastcancer.org, the leading online expert resource of breast health and breast cancer information. When someone or someone you love is given the diagnosis, Breastcancer.org is there to give answers and support, thereby offering comfort and empowerment that their extensive knowledge provides.

So buy a LILY of your very own in the LELO web shop, or visit the Donation Page at Breastcancer.org to get involved; doing your part for Breast Cancer Awareness Month has never been easier, and now, has never felt better!

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• Kegel Week! An Intro to Pelvic Floor Health
• 5 Reasons Why More Sex Can Help Your Career
• How to Buy a Sex Toy with No Buyer’s Remorse

The Nea by Lelo fits all our criteria below

There are countless toys out there to choose from — unfortunately, not all of them will get you to your happy place effectively, or even safely. The sex toy industry is littered with manufacturers and distributors who are more interested in quantity than quality. Fortunately that’s changing, as consumers become more educated and demanding. So keep these 7 important rules in mind when shopping for a battery-operated friend:

1. Say no to novelties. A toy labeled “for novelty use only” means “don’t actually use it on your body!” So unless you’re just shopping for bachelorette party decorations, don’t buy these “gag gifts.”
2. Avoid toys made of cheap jelly rubber: they often have a strong odor, feel sticky, and are impossible to clean thoroughly (because their pores can harbor bacteria). The odor is caused by an outseeping of gasses from plastic softeners called phthalates, which studies have shown to be bad for both the environment and your body.
3. Choose non-porous, phthalate-free materials which can be sterilized, such as high-grade metals like steel and aluminum; seamless acrylic or glass; and, our favorite, 100% silicone – it’s hypoallergenic, boilable (as long as it doesn’t have any electric parts), dishwasher-safe (if your roommates don’t mind), and odorless. For example, all of Lelo’s pleasure objects are  made from body-safe silicone.
4. Read the fine print. Try to invest in toys that state what they’re made of, and include care and cleaning instructions. Unfortunately many don’t (usually a bad sign), so ask or email a sales rep for this info. Lelo actually offers their own Antibacterial Toy Cleaning Spray, so you know they take this stuff (and your health and safety) seriously! (Lelo also offers a 1-year warranty on all pleasure objects — now that’s the kind of fine print we like!)
5. Be selective about stores. Of course, you want to shop at retailers that actually have an educated sales staff who can answer such questions. These are usually smaller outfits with a kinder, gentler, more inclusive approach to sales (i.e. their marketing materials don’t exclusively feature porn stars), like GoodVibrations.com.
6. Remember, you get what you pay for. A high price tag doesn’t always guarantee high quality. But anything with a price tag so low that it seems too good to be true, probably is. It’s worth investing a little in your sexual health and satisfaction. Don’t worry, we’re not talking about a second mortgage here — for example, Lelo’s rechargeable Mia lipstick vibe is $64, i.e. not much more than dinner and a movie. And it’s the kind of date that keeps on giving…
7. Don’t forget that lubes are toys, too! If you invest in only one bedside accessory this year, then make it a high-quality, man-made, water-based or silicone lubricant! It’s affordable, easy to use, and can improve almost any sexual activity for anyone, male or female. Lube can make things more comfortable for much longer for her, it can help prevent condom breakage, and a few drops on the inside of a condom can also enhance sensation for him. Lelo’s Personal Moisturizer is specially formulated with a dual purpose: “for enhancing the enjoyment and comfort of sensual activities, or for application as a moisturizer to your intimate areas.”

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• And the Award for Best Self-Love Haiku Goes To…

The INA 2 by LELO

Thank you for all your inspired entries in our Self Love Haiku Contest. Rabbit imagery seemed to be a big theme, which makes sense considering the prize up for grabs is a Rabbit-style vibe (one that’s waterproof, body-safe, powerful and quiet). And there were a lot of hilarious haikus that tickled our funny bones (which will always get you further than trying to tickle other body parts of ours). But like the Highlander, there can be only one. So, without further ado, congratulations to Stephanie! You will soon be the proud owner of a fabulous $160 INA pleasure object from LELO! Enjoy it inside and out.

THE WINNER!

Stephanie:
“You should love yourself,
both inside and out,” they said.
“… That’s not what we meant!”

TOP 10 HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order):

Major props to Dannie and Danika, our two most prolific and spirited haiku contributors. So close…

1. The “Dirty Poor” Award goes to Dannie:
Piles of monthly bills,
Economic recession,
But my hands are free.

2. The “Ex Factor” Award goes to Dave W:
Deep in my spank bank
I remember Ramona
This won’t take too long

3. The “Masturbation As Procrastination” Award goes to Danika:
Textbooks are too dry
When I am so wet down there
Books close; zippers drop

4. The “Voyeur” Award goes to Dannie:
Only thing better
Than watching you, is watching
You watch me do it.

5. The “Personification” Award goes to Danika:
Bald man in a boat
I paddle past thick black weeds
Just to pat his head

6. The “Mae West” Award goes to Dannie:
They say: “Good girls don’t.”
But if they only knew me…
I’m good. Very good.

7. The “Nocturnal Emission” Award goes to Johnny:
A crush from my job
Surprises me in my dreams
Well, I’m awake now…

8. The “Nature Lovers” Award goes to Dannie:
It’s not a flower,
not delicate, but sometimes,
a rabbit hums by.

9. The “So Wrong It’s Right” Award goes to Danika:
Bunny Foo Foo bops
All the field mice on the head
Please, my clit, instead?

10. The “Porno Plot” Award goes to Dannie:
Landlord said no pets;
Changed his mind when he caught me
With my pet rabbit.

ALL OTHER ENTRIES… Read the rest of this entry »

Mona 2 by Lelo

We’re conducting an unscientific survey on what people think are the best sex toys out there. As you know, we’re fond of all things LELO. What’s your all-time favorite one? Or at least your favorite one this season — after all, new and/or improved ones are popping up all the time. Please be specific in the comments below (and by “specific,” we mean in product details and — please for the love of the Gods — not in Penthouse Forum details).

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The INA 2 by LELO

***THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED***

We guess we should really title this post “Top 10 Haikus About Self Love That Em and Lo Just Came Up With.” We figured it’s a Friday, so what better time to celebrate the wonders of onanism!  In honor of this joyous occasion, we’d like to give away one INA 2 (LELO’s new and improved rabbit now with 100% more power) to the writer who can school us in a hot haiku-off! Submit your entries (as many as you like) either in the comments below or via our Contact Form (select “Contest Entry” in the drop-down menu) by EOD Monday, Oct 1st, making sure to include an email address so we can reach you if you win. We’ll pick the best 10 as determined by us, with one crowned champion (and the proud recipient of a brand new INA 2). Ladies & gentlemen, start your syllables!

1.
Quiet night alone…
A Rabbit jumps in my pond,
splash! Silence again.

2.
Need understanding?
Nobody knows you better
Than your own right hand.

3.
On the sea of love
The little man in the boat
Takes orders from me.

4.
Spanking the monkey
And choking the chicken are
PETA approved acts

5.
A rough day at work?
Lock your office door for five.
Better than Kit Kats.

6.
Broke up with my boyf
Breaking Bad is a rerun
Break out the “Pink-Man”

7.
Self love is freedom:
STD-free, duty-free
Fat-free, douchebag-free.

8.
Kellogg made Corn Flakes
Bland, boring and flavorless
To curb mass wanking.

9.
Why lose the sweatpants?
Ms. Palm and her five sisters
Don’t care how you look.

10.
Hairy palms, blindness,
Insanity and cancer –
The risks are worth it.

MORE LIKE THIS FROM EM & LO:

• Dear Em & Lo, Toys Terrify My Boyfriend
• Get Inspired by These Kegel Slogans
• Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

LELO just relaunched three of their greatest-hit pleasure objects, revamped according to customer demand. The most important change to the three toys — INA 2, MONA 2, and ELISE 2 – is that they are now 100% more powerful. Imagine if you could make that kind of request of your partner?! No offense to lovers the world over — a toy can never replace you, of course — but we do love a toy company that listens to their customers and responds accordingly. (The toys’ battery life had to be reduced from four hours to two in order to accommodate this extra boost — if your sessions typically last longer than four hours, then we suggest you buy two! Also, er, high-five?!) Oh, and all three toys are now fully waterproof, which means you can use them in the shower and bathtub.

Here’s a little bit more about each of the revamped classics, which like all LELO products, come in a stylish gift box with a full 1-Year Warranty and 10-Year Quality Guarantee….

INA 2
This is the completely revamped version of Lelo’s best-selling rabbit-style vibe. In addition to all that extra power, it also has an extended shaft that can go deeper during dual stimulation, and an even more flexible external pleasure point. Every woman needs a rabbit vibe in her collection and this one goes like a — well, like a rabbit. Available in purple, orange and lime green for $159. (Use code Em&Lo1 for 15% off for a limited time.)

MONA 2
The pink toy above (though like all Lelo’s pleasure objects, it comes in multiple colors, in case pink isn’t your thing) is the upgraded version of Lelo’s popular G-spot vibrator. It’s got six stimulation modes, curves in all the right places — it can be enjoyed both externally and internally — and is made of smooth, body-safe silicone. Available in purple, pink and red for $139.  (Use code Em&Lo1 for 15% off for a limited time.)

ELISE 2
This is the new and improved edition of Lelo’s classic, “full-bodied” massager. Like all of their pleasure objects, its design is simple and pleasing. Dual motors inside offer double the sensation. And even though the charging port is exposed, it’s fully waterproof due to a vacuum seal (as with all waterproof Lelo products). Available in black, pink and plum for $169.  (Use code Em&Lo1 for 15% off for a limited time.)

This post is sponsored by Lelo

We’re pleased to announce the winner of a beautiful new set of Lelo Luna Beads, the number one best-selling Kegel accessory in the world three years running: Mark Luczak! (Or should we say, his new wife is the winner of the Luna Beads!) Mark may be one of our very own Wise Guys, but just reading his entries will convince you he received no special treatment — his were simply the best. In fact, they were all so good we couldn’t pick just one as winner: read his below and pick your own favorite. Thanks to everyone else who participated — the ten fabulous honorable mentions are listed after the jump! You can read all the entries on Lelo’s Facebook wall.

Mark Luczak

The Old-School Headshot T-Shirt:
Dr. Arnold Henry Kegel…At Your Cervix.

The Acronym:
K eep
E xercising
G enital muscles,
E nhance
L ovemaking!

The Political (topical!):
Enhance Pelvic Floor Health: Vote Kegel!
Enhance Sexual Responsiveness: Vote Kegel!
Yes We Kegel! [picture that headshot of Dr. Kegel with signature red and blue shading]

The Billy Madison:
If Kegeling is cool,
then I’m Miles Davis!

The Olympic (also topical!):
2012 Gold Medalist, 200m Freestyle Kegel

The Periodic Table:
[Picture the big square with "Kg" in it...]

OUR KEGEL CONTEST’S HONORABLE MENTIONS….

Read the rest of this entry »

AVN’s Novelty Expo (ANE) is coming to the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas this September 10th through the 12th, where manufacturers and retailers of sex accessories come together (probably in more ways than one — after all, this is Vegas and these are sex toys we’re talking about) to promote and pick up new products. Hopefully ANE’s promotional copy is not a reflection of the quality and organization of the actual event weekend: “ANE brings together the latest & greatest items from a ride [sic] range of cutting end [sic] companies.” Joining the festivities at the Rio this particular weeked is the International Lingerie Show, so you get more bang for your buck (oh, the puns are irresistible!).

There will be the floor exhibits (think rows and rows of sex toys stands), seminars (e.g. “Supply=Demand,” “Selling to the Seasons” and “The Fifty Shades Phenomenon – How You Can Ride The Wave While The Surf’s Up!”), and the highlight of the weekend, “The O Awards,” the Oscars of the sex accessory industry. Categories include things like “Outstanding Product for Women” (e.g. Lelo’s Lyla 2, We Vibe 3, At First Blush Vibrating Makeup Brush) and  ”Outstanding Product for Men” (e.g. Tor 2 by Lelo, Flight by Fleshlight, Helix Syn by Aneros).

You’ve now got until EOD Friday, August 24th to come up with a slogan for pelvic floor health — something that would be catchy on a bumper sticker or a t-shirt. Yes, it is possible! Think ”I’m Kegeling right now” or “iKegel” or “Kegel is German for good sex.”  You get the idea! Our favorite sloganeer will win a pair of Lelo’s luxury Luna Beads, the best-selling vaginal balls in the world three years running.

When you’ve come up with your slogan (or slogans — you can enter as many times as you like), post it on Lelo’s Facebook wall (you must also “Like” their page, too, if you haven’t already).

We’ll post our favorite slogans on this site, so even if you don’t come in first, you’ll still win the admiration of your peers. And that, combined with a healthy pelvic floor, will vastly improve your sex life!

****POST YOUR SLOGANS NOW ON LELO’S FACEBOOK PAGE!****

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• Sales of LELO’s Luna Beads Soar Thanks to Fifty Shades of Grey

“Trust me?” he asks softly.

I nod. He holds out his hand, and in his palm are two round, shiny, silver balls, linked with a thick black thread.

“These are new,” he says emphatically.

I look questioningly up at him.

“I am going to put these inside of you, and then I’m going to spank you, not for punishment, but for your pleasure and mine.”

This, of course, is one of the famous scenes from Fifty Shades of Grey, the first book in the erotic trilogy by EL James, a series that has made it acceptable for morning shows to discuss spanking and safe words, for women who never considered sex toys before to start investing in their pleasure. What Oprah did for books, EL James is doing for bedroom accessories.

Case in point: sales of LELO’s Luna Beads Kegel exercise balls recently and very suddenly jumped by a whopping 400% in the US alone! And they’re thanking Fifty Shades for it.

In the excerpt above, Christian and Ana are using the classic ‘Ben Wa’ or ‘Geisha’ balls, which are weighted silver balls worn inside of the vagina. But if you ask us, those silver numbers with the fabric thread are old-fashioned and outdated, cold and not easily cleaned. Much better, in our opinion, are modern versions like Luna Beads, which are made of soft, body-safe, phthalate-free materials that are easily sterilized and — in the case of Luna — are customizable.

While Fifty Shades would have you believe vaginal balls are an orgasm generator, the sensation most of them radiate is super subtle. They are actually geared more towards future orgasms you’ll have without them inserted. Here’s why:

Items like Luna Beads work to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles — just by having them inside you, you’ll automatically start doing your Kegel exercises, probably without even noticing you’re doing them! The weighted balls inside each bead move as you move, prompting unconscious muscle contractions that result in an efficient workout with minimal effort. And strong pelvic muscles mean all sorts of good things:

• Better blood flow to the area, which means more sensation for you, which can increase your libido and lead to more satisfaction during stimulation (yes, we’re talking longer, stronger orgasms)
• Fuller, deeper and more satisfying sensations for both partners during intercourse
• More bladder control and fewer pelvic floor disorders – problems which affect 1/3 of women worldwide
• Easier vaginal childbirth
• And a faster return to tone and tightness after giving birth

We’re thrilled to have Luna Beads as our Special of the Month for all that they come with:

• 4 beads in 2 different weights that you can mix and match to increase resistance as your pelvic floor strength grows
• An antibacterial storage pouch
• A 5ml sachet of LELO Personal Moisturizer
• A user manual
• A 1-year warranty
• A 10-year quality guarantee
• A 15% discount when you use the code Em&Lo1 on Lelo.com

All those features have made Luna Beads the best-selling Kegel aid in the world for the past three years. (Impressive!) Women over 30 or who’ve been pregnant should go with the original Luna Beads; women under 30 who haven’t been pregnant should opt for the Luna Beads Mini.

Happy Kegeling! (And if you can get someone to spank you while you’re doing them, all the better.)

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