Kicking The Holidays Off with a Sexy Gift Guide from Unbound

Now more than ever, I’ve realized how important it is for me to support brands that align with my values. Unbound is one of those brands. You may remember them from a few months ago when I reviewed their Unbound Delta Box (with rave reviews!) Since I wrote that post, I’ve fallen into a full on brand crush with the ladies at Unbound. They’re a 100% a female owned & operated company, they’re sex positive and they’re feminists. And while there’s lots of great sex-positive female business owners out there, Unbound is one that suits my design aesthetic perfectly. Like, if I was going to create a sex store, it would look exactly like theirs – cheeky product photography and all. (Also, can we talk about how I want to buy EVERYTHING from their lingerie section?)

That’s what I’m elated to announce that I’ve partnered with Unbound this holiday season to create a sexy gift guide for you. People are always asking me for suggestions on what to buy for themselves and their partner. This gift guide is chock full of sexy suggestions and my favourite toys. The best part?

Use SIMONEKATRINE25 at checkout to get 25% everything listed below.

(a great deal if you’ve finally decided to pull the trigger on a new pricy vibrator.)

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Curious about why I chose these items? Here’s the ‘skinny’ on everything in the gift guide-

1. Follies Bergere Soft Underwire Bra: What I love about this piece is that it’s sexy yet incredibly wearable. Wear it in the bedroom or under a tee, so the straps are semi visible along the neckline.

2. Body Straps: I’m obsessed with this barely there “lingerie” set. Ridiculously sexy and fits a variety of different bodies.

3. Follies Bergere G-String: Unless your partner hates wearing thongs, you can’t really go wrong with a high-quality, simple black g-string. Gartner belt sold separately.

4. Handcuff Bangles: I think the name says it all. I love dual purpose accessories and these are totally bad-ass.

5. Holiday Box: Get your jollies off with this curated Holiday box of sexy goodies. And yes, that’s a candy cane shaped dildo. You’re welcome.

6. The Crave Vesper: You might remember this one from my review of the Crave Vesper. A luxe vibrator that’s also a chic piece of jewelry? Yes, please.

7. We-Vibe Tango: This little bullet vibe is still one of my favourite sex toys, period. It’s compact, ridiculously powerful and perfect for toe-curling, pin-pointed sensations.

8. BDSM Box: Curious about BDSM but not sure where to start? This curated box has got you covered.

9. iScream Dildo: Because this wouldn’t be a Skinny Dip gift guide without at least one item that’s just slightly ridiculous. Freeze this popsicle shaped dildo for temperature play or just use it on it’s own. Perfect for a gag gift or the person in your life that already has everything!

10. Lelo Ina Wave: Read my original review here. The Ina Wave is still one of my favourite toys. Now you can grab one at a discount.

11. Viviane Babydoll: When it comes to buying lingerie online and/or for someone else, I’m a huge fan of pieces that aren’t too structured and have some stretch. This sexy chemise from Oh La La Cheri fits the bill. This would look amazing on a variety of different body types, and it comes in regular and plus size.

12. Womanizer Pro: A terrible name for a sex toy, but a wonderful product. I’ll be reviewing this soon! TLDR: instead of vibrating, this toy “sucks” your clitoris. The end result is delicious and feels like a million sugar plum fairies taking flight.

Got a question? Let’s chat!

We Tried It | XConfessions by Erika Lust

It’s funny, as someone who writes about love and sex, I’ve discovered there’s a big descrepancy between what people think I do and what I actually do on a daily basis. Spoiler alert: my average day probably isn’t anywhere as sexy as you think it is. Think less lying around in lingerie, musing about modern romance and more wearing real pants & getting shit done. However, yesterday was an anomaly. I spent the afternoon doing what I think people probably assume I do, which is watch hours of porn at my desk.

When people ask me for “good” porn suggestions I never know what to say because frankly, I don’t watch very much. It’s not because I have a problem with it (unlike Governor Gary Herbert, I don’t think porn is a “health hazard” as long as it’s made by consenting adults), I just find that the majority of mainstream porn doesn’t do it for me. Most of the porn I’ve seen seems really fake and mechanical. There’s way too many close ups of isolated body parts and not enough kissing and/or authentic passion. It’s just a bunch of parts going inside other parts.

Add to that the fact the majority of male performers aren’t people I’d necessarily be attracted to in real life, and well, I’m not exactly turned on. I mean, what does a girl have to do to see some regular, attractive people who are into each other boning on camera?!

Enter Erika Lust, the renowned, award winning erotic filmmaker known for creating unique female-led, sexually intelligent, cinematic adult films. Her latest project XConfessions is a crowdsourced website where fans post their fantasies and Erika chooses two to turn into short cinematic erotic films each month.

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After listening to Erika’s TEDxVienna talk “It’s Time for Porn to Change” and checking out the gorgeous imagery on XConfessions, I could tell even before pressing play that this would be the kind of erotic content that I’d probably enjoy. Erika and her team kindly gave me a free month to enjoy the videos on XConfessions & I’m now ready to report back on my findings.

Let’s start by talking about the cover art. Notice something different? If you’ve ever perused adult videos, you’ll notice that these covers look completely different. They’re sexy without being raunchy; well designed and even a bit retro chic in some cases. Aesthetically speaking, the artwork for Smut on Speed (below) seems very Skinny Dip-esque, don’t you think?!

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They’re pretty right? I also got a kick out of the quirky titles like Hello Pool-Boy, I Fucking Love Ikea and A Feminist Man (who hasn’t fantasized about that?!)

Erika’s motto is:

“I believe that sex is greater than porn, don’t you?”

And as she explains, “XConfessions strives to offer an alternative to the repetitive formula in adult film, creating a new wave of imaginative, artistic and explicit erotic film driven by sex-positive narratives. Unlike many other adult sites, at XConfessions you won’t find the same story or setting twice. Every short film is a story on its own, displaying a huge variety of situations, characters, fetishes and ways of having sex.  It’s adult cinema like you’ve never seen it before.

After watching more porn in the last twelve hours than I did last year, I can say that Erika nailed it (pun intended.)

The films you’ll find on XConfessions are actually good. They’re beautifully shot, well made and decently acted. Some of the films like My Moaning Neighbour (which features the adorable, handsome Mickey Mod) are actually humorous and giggle worthy. Whereas some of the other films like the sexy Pachisi play more like gorgeous, erotic music videos with good soundtracks. There’s enough of a storyline to keep you interested but not so much that it distracts from the purpose at hand, which is to show really hot sex.

For example, if you have ever fantasized about hooking up with your airbnb host (and enjoy boozy brunches) you’ll enjoy I Wish I was a Lesbian – a film about a woman who goes to stay with a lesbian couple. The threesome share what looks like a really delicious meal before going to town on each other. (The brunch looks really, really good. Like, almost as good as the sex. So, really you’re getting the best of both worlds here.)

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What I liked best about XConfessions is that the performers seemed to actually be having fun with each other on screen. There’s an element of playfulness and spontaneity that I think is lacking in a lot of adult films. Also, the people in the films look like people I’d actually know or want to fuck in real life – which is huge.

As someone who tends to date outside of her own race more often than not, I also appreciated the diverse cast. There’s black men with white women, black women with white men and all kinds of variations in between. But, unlike mainstream porn, it’s not fetishized. Instead, it’s just presented as, “hey, here’s some sexy couples having sex with each other.” It’s modern, it’s inclusive and I like it.

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Overall, I was really impressed with XConfessions. Not all of the videos are going to spark your fancy but there’s enough diversity that everyone is sure to find something they’re into. If you’re looking for an alternative to mainstream porn to watch either alone or with a partner, I definitely think Erika Lust is a great place to start.

If you’d like to experience XConfessions.com for yourself, Erika Lust would like to offer one of you a month’s free subscription!

To enter, all you need to do is sign up for my newsletter & leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so. 

FYI, if you’re not already subscribed to my newsletter, it’s a lot of fun! Once or twice a month I’ll send you a  message with updates on my book, special events & exclusive discount codes.

Get extra points overtime you tweet:

Hey @simone_paget! I want to #win a month of #XConfessions from @ErikaLust – http://wp.me/p1Yilp-2op

I’ll choose a winner Thursday August 18th.

Good luck!

Your Top Sex Toy Questions Answered

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Even though I haven’t been actively reviewing sex toys over the past few months, I still get tons of questions sent to me on a regular basis. I love, love, love receiving emails from readers. I’ve spent the past several years writing about sex toys online, so if I can use some of my self-acquired knowledge to help people, that’s pretty awesome.  With that said, it seems like a lot of you are wondering about the same kinds of things. So, I thought I’d take the opportunity to address some of the most common questions I get on the blog. I have the feeling this will be a recurring feature.

What’s a good first vibrator?

I get tons of emails from people who have either never purchased a sex toy or are looking to replace an old vibrator that has kicked the bucket and/or was never very good in the first place.

When it comes to vibrators, there’s toys that can be used externally (for clitoral stimulation) or internally. There are also toys that offer both (usually referred to as rabbit vibrators or dual stimulation vibrators.)

If you’re not sure where to begin, I always recommend people start with a small, versatile clitoral vibrator. The toy I usually suggest as a good starting point is the WeVibe Touch. It’s one of my favourite sex toys and is a great option for beginners and/or anyone who is looking for an all around good clitoral vibrator.

What I love about the We-Vibe Touch: It’s super compact, rechargeable (no batteries needed) and has a good range of sensations – from super gentle to quite powerful. It’s also great to use with your partner(s) because it’s small & has a neutral, non-intimidating appearance (although, I always joke that the original red hued version reminds me of a clown’s tongue.) Plus, it feels awesome. You can read my original review here.

Should I get the Lelo Soraya or the Lelo Ina Wave?!

I know, I know. I’ve waxed poetic about both of these dual stimulation toys, so it’s understandable that people are curious about which one I really like best. The truth is, I don’t really have a favourite. They’re both awesome and I love them for different reasons.

Rabbit style (dual stimulation) toys are not one size fits all. As I’ve learned through lots of trial and error, not every rabbit toy is going to line up to your anatomy.

Personally, I really like the Lelo Soraya because it’s a decent length and the bulbous head seems to reach my g-spot perfectly. On the other hand, I love the Lelo Ina Wave because it has finger like motions that massage your g-spot (similar to how a real life partner would stimulate you with their fingers.) If you enjoy this kind of stimulation, you’re probably going to dig this toy.

When comparing these two, it all comes down to shape and pressure. The Lelo Ina is very curved both in the shaft and the clitoral stimulator. The clitoral stimulation is intense and very pinpointed. If you don’t like a lot of pressure on your clit, you might find this toy to be a bit much – especially if you’re a beginner. So, when choosing between the two, I’d probably go with the Soraya because it has a flexible clitoral stimulator – meaning that you can bend it & hold it in place to better shape to your body.

How does the Lelo Ella work?

A few years ago, I wrote a review of the Lelo Ella aka “Super Dildo” for EdenFantasys and I’m still getting questions about this  toy.

What you need to know is that the Lelo Ella is a dildo, not a vibrator. Not sure what the difference is? This article on the difference between dildos and vibrators can help. The TLDR version: vibrators vibrate; whereas dildos don’t.

Simply put, the Lelo Ella works like…well, a penis. It’s meant to rub against your g-spot and stimulate the other nerve endings located inside the vagina. Instead of holding it in one place like you would with a vibrator, you move/thrust it yourself. So, it stimulates using friction instead of vibration. If you want to kick things things up a notch, you can always use a small bullet vibe on your clit while you have the toy inserted. This might take a bit of practice at first, but I guarantee it’s worth it once you get the hang of it. Read the original review of the Lelo Ella – it’s also great for partner play!

Do you have a question that you’d like to see answered on Skinny Dip? Drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you!

Giveaway | WIN the Lovehoney Desire Wand Vibrator

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You didn’t think I’d let Valentine’s weekend go by without an awesome giveaway, did you?!

To make your February just a little bit more pleasurable, I’ve teamed up with Lovehoney for a chance to win a gorgeous, luxury wand vibrator from their new Desire collection. This new line of high-end silicone toys was inspired by years of customer feedback and designed with one goal in mind: “ultimate sexual happiness.” I haven’t tried any of the toys yet, but they look really great: streamlined, ergonomic and made of medical grade silicone. So far the customer reviews have been off. the. charts (in a good way!)

What I have up for grabs: The Lovehoney Desire Luxury USB Rechargeable Wand Vibrator (worth $99).


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Here’s how Lovehoney describes the toy:

“Silken silicone envelops the Desire Wand’s undulating handle and curved head for unrivalled sensuality and stimulation. The wand’s 8 patterns of waves and pulses and 12 levels of adjustable intensity ensures sublime satisfaction is yours for the taking.

The contours of your wand have been lovingly crafted to align with your natural curves for unbridled exhilaration, while whisper-quiet yet powerful vibrations ensure discretion when required. Elevate pleasure by coating the head of your wand with water-based lubricant before use.

Keep your Desire Wand Vibrator to yourself for blissful solo arousal, or hand it to your partner to add a thrilling new dimension to foreplay.” 

It comes with:

  • 8 modes of vibration, each with 12 custom speeds of intensity
  • USB rechargeable for worldwide use and eco-friendly play
  • Fully charge for 120 minutes for 60 minutes of play
  • Fully waterproof for use in the bath or shower
  • A luxurious storage case, in which the toy can be charged discreetly

Uh, yes please?

If you need some visual encouragement, here’s a little video about the Desire Wand.

To enter the giveaway, all you need to do is Subscribe to my newsletter & leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so. 

FYI, if you’re not already subscribed to my newsletter, it’s a lot of fun! Once or twice a month I’ll send you a  message with updates on my book, special events & exclusive discount codes.

Get an extra entry every time you tweet about the giveaway. Ie:

Hey @by_simone! I want to #WIN the Desire Wand Vibrator from @Lovehoney_com http://wp.me/p1Yilp-27U

I will choose a winner Friday, February 19th, 2016.

Happy Valentine’s Day…may the odds be in your favour! xo

Thanks again to Lovehoney for facilitating this review. 

Get 25% off 25 Lovehoney Favorites!

“Spoil Me” – Lingerie That Will Make You Want To Stay in Bed All Day

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I’ve always been what people like to call “girly” when it comes to my taste in lingerie and sleepwear. As a child, I preferred night gowns in lieu of pyjama pants because I liked the idea of being comfortable and feeling pretty while I slept. When I was 14, I used my Christmas money to buy my first silk nightie and never looked back.

But, despite my taste for all things lacy and silky, I never thought to identify myself as “girly” until an ex-boyfriend used the word to describe me. I was living in Toronto and boy briefs had recently become trendy for women. The guy I was dating at the time was clearly into that American Apparel-esque look, because the first time he saw me in one of my many pairs of lacy, silky underwear he said, “god, you’re so girly, Simone.” It wasn’t a compliment. He thought my love of lingerie was “silly” and a “waste of money.” One afternoon, he took me to this store called Chocky’s that used to be on Spadina. He pointed me towards a 12-pack of Hanes women’s briefs and told me, “you’d have a lot more money if you just bought these.” He didn’t get it and never would, which is why we’re not together.

But, that experience reconfirmed what I already knew: that I like what I like. The lesson here: whether you’re a fan of Hane’s value packs or Agent Provocateur, don’t let the person you’re dating try and sway you. Own it. I do. However, I prefer the term, “grown woman who likes sexy things” to “girly.”

Anyway.

A few years ago, I wrote about updating my sleepwear collection, but, aside from this pyjama review, I haven’t really written much about what I’ve been wearing under the sheets. (Truth is, my sleepwear drawer is once again in need of an update.)

So, when Lovehoney offered to send me a piece from their new lingerie line, I chose this gorgeous “Spoil Me” Satin Babydoll Set in Plum. The funny thing is, it’s been long documented amongst my friends and family that I hate purple clothing. I think the colour looks terrible against my already very pink skin. But, for some reason I was really drawn to this plum coloured set. I fell in love with how bright and vivid the colour looked in the photos. The majority of my lingerie is black, white, pink or red so I thought this would be a nice change of pace.

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I’ve tried a handful of Lovehoney’s private label lingerie line and every piece has been more impressive than the next. Some of my favourites include the open back panties, the “Adore Me” lace chemise and the “Thrill Me” mesh baby doll (review coming soon.) The “Spoil Me” satin baby doll is no exception. Like the other pieces, the fabric and overall quality is really great. Best of all, it’s super comfortable.

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Let’s take a look at what we have here. The “Spoil Me” Babydoll is made from super soft stretch satin and is trimmed with black lace. It has delicate elastic straps and flirty slits up the side that are also trimmed in black lace & little bows. It comes with a matching thong that is made with the same plum coloured stretch satin.

The fit is very much like in the photo. The bust is fitted but the rest “skims” rather than clings to your body. This makes the piece not only comfortable, but also really flattering. Length wise,  it falls just below the bum on me. (it might fall longer or shorter on you depending on your curves.)

The straps come together in a t-back, which I think is a really fun and modern detail on an otherwise very classic piece.

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As you can see, the thong is really minimal but it includes a cotton lining so you can wear underneath your regular clothes if you wish. Also, check out those sexy lace trimmed slits!

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I love how this piece is detailed, but the real winning factor is the material. If you’ve never tried stretch satin, you need to, stat. Unlike some of my other regular satin pieces, this one stretches and moves with your body, which makes it even more comfortable for sleeping in (or doing, uh, other activities I would assume.)

The only potential downside to this piece is the bust doesn’t offer that much support or coverage. It’s about the same as your average string bikini top. I’m a 32DD and while the Small fit perfectly everywhere else, I found I could have used just a little bit more coverage in the boob area. I’m totally OK with the coverage when I’m at home in bed, but I felt a bit exposed when I tried to photograph this piece (hence, the reason you don’t see any full body shots!) If you have a large bust and like your lingerie to be supportive, you might enjoy The Adore Me chemise or one of Lovehoney’s underwire styles more.

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With that said, if comfort is what you’re after the “Spoil Me” is a real treat. It feels super luxurious & sexy and is easily something I could lounge around in while in bed all day. In fact, I think that’s what I’m going to go do right now.

Screen Shot 2016-01-30 at 3.53.13 PMI received the Spoil Me Baby Doll free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. All views are my own because that’s how I roll. 

Find the perfect sexy Valentine's gift at Lovehoney

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