Penetration Station

The Penetration Station was a lot of fun to play with…

The straps are comfortable on the legs and wrists and easily adjustable. As a woman (or a bottom), if you need a little help holding your legs up or open, this gadget is gonna be your new best friend. As man (or a top), if your partner tries to close you out when you get a little vigorous, you’ll be just as pleased that they're unable while strapped in.

The Penetration Station is not exactly intended to be bondage equipment, but it helps hold things where both partners want them. Plus, it gives the visual effect of being tied down. It could lead to more bondage type play for those who are so inclined. The extra strapping on the cuffs could easily be used to tie thighs and wrists in a particular position. Just saying… It was way more fun that way!

All and all, not a bad toy for the investment… and it would be especially useful for those with physical limitations and in need of a little help holding those legs up/out/down for extended periods of time.

The only down side was the somewhat difficult installation which includes a strap that goes around (meaning you have to fish it under) the mattress. Once it's on, however, you can tuck it all discreetly under the bed and use it again and again with out having to reinstall it.

Enjoy!

~ Mari

From the Babeland site:

Description

Working your way through the sexual positions in the Kama Sutra just got a whole lot easier—and way more fun—thanks to the Penetration Station. Easy-to-use nylon and neoprene straps work as hand grips, foot stirrups, or thigh straps, taking the performance pressure off of you and making sex from every angle creative, comfortable and super-satisfying. As a result you’ll be able to amplify your thrust, depth, stability, and endurance (not to mention pleasure) in a jillion or so different sexual positions. Fits all bed sizes, easy to assemble, and includes a how-to DVD.

* This toy graciously provided for review by Babeland.

Jollie

Let me catch my breath... Okay, YUM! And I repeat, YUM! As reported by Fleshbot's Marital Aid Test Kitchen, the Jollie is a big dildo. It takes a bit of patience (and lube) to get it where it needs--no, wants--to be, but once it's there, you'll have no regrets. Trust me on this one.

The photos and the numbers don't really give an adequate understanding of this toy's delicious girth. The manufacturer's website says it's 5.75" in circumference. To put that in perspective, my wrist is 6" around. Got it now? Yup, when likening this product to a sexual experience, fisting is the first thing that *cough* comes to mind.

And, as with fisting, pleasure is not about the piston-style thrust, but the stretching and the fullness and the g-spot pressure. Even little movements provide intense stimulation. That finger ring is a terrific design element, too -- especially when grasping a smooth, slippery toy. The back flange functions as a lever, bringing the "hump" into firmer contact with g-spot. Cha-ching! Grab a towel before you get started. You'll need it.

The only thing I don't like about this product is its packaging, a plastic clamshell case with a bed of polka-dotted tissue paper inside, which makes it impossible to tell if it's been opened. There's a squick factor involved with a toy that could've already been used, y'know? However, an extra diligent pre-cleaning allayed those fears--and they were certainly not in my mind while I was enjoying its girthy, purple bliss.

Until next time...

peace & passion,

~ Alessia Brio

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Product Dimensions
Material: Silicone - Length: 7.5"
Insertable Length: 4" - Circumference: 5.75"
Diameter: 1.75"



* This toy graciously provided for review by Babeland.

Havana Vibrating Plug

It's been my pleasure to spend this past week reviewing the Havana Vibrating Plug.

This gadget is a sweet pink color and made of gentle silicone. The texture is very smooth and there is no offensive plastic odor, even brand new out of the box.

It's a tidy little plug, just 3" x 1-1/4", perfect for the beginner. Even a complete novice to anal play would have little or no difficulty with insertion.

And, unlike most plugs, this toy comes with a bright purple wireless bullet vibrator. Batteries included, the vibe has two speeds: a warm buzz and a much stronger and enjoyable zing. The vibrator slips in and out of the base of the plug fairly easily and the entire unit is waterproof.

This toy is perfect for solo play. Wearing this while utilizing other pleasure enhancing equipment was indeed a true delight. It also added positively to my bathing experiences.

A word of caution: The vibrator protrudes from the end of the toy so make certain to place a washcloth beneath you. If the buzzing bullet vibe loudly connects with the bottom of the tub you may unintentionally alert the entire household as to your adventures.

Though terrific for solo toying this plug was not very practical for partner games, including double penetration. I'd really hoped that the slender size would be an asset to this sort of play but was disappointed.

Because of the narrow shape it tends to not remain in place during extended sexual activity. Even with minimal lube the stem isn't designed to stay solidly embedded.

With my partner vaginally inserted and us in motion, the anal plug quickly slid out and disappeared amid the sheets. We lost track of it until much later.

And, as previously mentioned, the bullet vibrator does stick out of the base of the plug. During a bit of spanking play my partner accidentally hit the on/off switch and managed to stop the vibration completely.

This led to giggling, then some minor adjustments and then more spanking. Which led to the vibe accidentally being turned off yet again followed by more giggling and more adjustments. And then more spanking, of course.

Though not the expected or certainly the desired outcome, it was still enjoyable.

On the plus side, the vibrator held up to the wooden paddle quite well. Ahem.

Overall, with the narrow size and gentle buzz, I think this is a perfect vibrating plug for anal beginners. It's also a nice toy for tub play and for other solo activities. It just isn't as practical to use with a partner or for lengthy sexual play. But there are certainly enough reasons to keep this toy in my nightstand.

~ Sarah Rose

From the Babeland site:

A sweet silicone Havana butt plug with a vibrating heart will have you smiling from cheek to cheek. Slip the waterproof, wireless vibrating bullet into the soft silicone plug to relax muscles and provide extra stimulation, or slide it out to set your other pleasure points abuzz. Pink silicone.

• Size: 3” x 1-1/4”
• Material: Silicone
• Batteries: 3 watch batteries (included)

* This toy graciously provided for review by Babeland.

Nexus Glide

Right Up There with Chocolate and Red Wine

It's always refreshing to discover that something one enjoys greatly is actually good for you. I believe red wine was determined to be the first pleasure that one should actively pursue in a campaign for good health, and dark chocolate came right after. Now we can add the Nexus Glide Male Prostate Stimulator to the list. A quick Google search reveals that the benefits of regular prostate massage (PM) are well-established within the medical community. Any man lucky enough to have had one will tell you they feel really, really good. Unfortunately, PM is difficult to do to oneself and getting a willing partner to perform it isn't always easy.

Over the last decade, several devices have come onto the market designed to allow a man to massage his prostate "no hands" and enhance the quality of his orgasms, as well. They have not proven uniformly successful. While there are enough different shapes that each man can find one that provides an individual fit, there are several drawbacks to the majority of the massagers out there. Comfort isn't always achievable, and often there is a long learning curve for many of us before the healthy pleasures promised are delivered.

Enter the Nexus Glide. This new massager, by the makers of the first intelligently-designed double dildo, is a marked improvement over the competition. The difference in shape of the massaging body may or may not be what so improves its performance, but there is as well a rolling ball-bearing that stimulates the perineum. This adds greatly to the experience and is a feature unique to the Nexus brand.

The Glide's instructions are clear, its operation simple and the results... Let us just say that it was the most intense solo orgasm that I can remember, and I've been around a long time. What it might be like with a partner boggles the imagination but is definitely something that is going to be researched very soon.

So there you have it. For those of us entering (or already well within) our middle years, PM is something that we know we should be doing. One man in six will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime, and those are such scary odds that anything we can do to prevent the condition should be encouraged. Add improved orgasms on top of the health considerations, and I must really wonder why we don't all have and use the Nexus Glide regularly. Mine is now in my drawer with the socks. Where are you going to keep yours?

~ Mario Vacchi

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From the Babeland site:

The Nexus Glide is the latest innovation in prostate pleasure. The medical-grade plastic fits comfortably in the butt to cup the prostate, while the rolling, stainless steel ball bearing in the handle glides smoothly back and forth over the perineum. Plus, gentle ribbing at the base stimulates the anus. The icing on the cake? The Glide is a snap to clean; the sturdy plastic can be washed with soap and water, while the steel ball pops out for rinsing or boiling. Assorted colors.

• Size: 6" (4-1/2" insertable) x 1-1/8"
• Material: Medical-grade hard plastic

* This toy graciously provided for review by Babeland.

Papillon

A Toys for Tarts guest review:

I had high hopes for this toy as I am always looking for something new for clit stimulation to spice things up a bit. Unfortunately, I ended up disappointed. The toy did not deliver to my expectations, and I gave it three runs to be sure.

Papillon feels smooth, and the little butterfly on the top is a nice feminine touch. The batteries slipped in easily, though the cap didn't cooperate without difficulty. There was no click to let you know if it shut properly. (I did not test it in water for this reason).

Papillon has a small button on the top which allows you to switch speeds with a quick tap of the finger. Low speed emits a nice vibration, and high speed revs it up a notch. It fits nicely in your hand and is lightweight. The sound is a bit louder than a bullet but not so loud that you have to worry about someone in another room hearing what you are up to.

My first use of the Papillon was pleasurable but not an earth-shattering experience. Low speed gave a pleasant buzz but failed to deliver more than slight arousal. High speed managed to kick things into gear, but it took longer to achieve climax than with my trusty bullet. Also, if you wish to reach maximum clitoral stimulation, it's likely your hand is going to get cramped and tired long before you ever get to the point of no return.

My second and third attempts with Papillon were frustrating and disappointing. Neither effort brought about climax after a sufficient amount of time, even when the toy was used on high speed.

If you are looking for a masturbatory toy to help you achieve a good orgasm, the Papillon is not for you. However, if you are simply searching for an aid in foreplay to help stimulate and arouse, then this toy would probably fulfill the need. Part of the proceeds of the sale of the Papillon do go to a worthy cause, the Living Beyond Breast Cancer organization, so if you wish to add a new toy for foreplay to your chest, do give this a try.

~ Savannah Reardon

* This product graciously provided for review by Babeland.

Toy Care & Cleaning Tips

Information in this post is courtesy of Babeland. Receive 10% off your first online order from Babeland when you enter the coupon code babecat during checkout.

Non-porous Materials

• Glass should be washed with soap and water. Do not expose glass to extreme temperatures.
  
• Pyrex, a heat-resistant glass, can be boiled, put in a dishwasher, or washed with soapy water.
• Silicone is our material of choice because it will clean easily and thoroughly. To clean, wash the toy with soap and water or place it in the top rack of your dishwasher. Immersing silicone in boiling water for 10 minutes will disinfect it. Silicone may be shared safely after disinfection. Never use silicone lube with silicone toys; this will break down the surface of your toys.
• Stainless steel can be boiled, soaked in a bleach and water solution, or run through your dishwasher.

Porous Materials

• Acrylic toys should be cleaned with soap and warm water.
• Cyberskin (also known as Ultraskin and Softskin) is a delicate material; wash it gently with soap and warm water. Air-dry, then powder lightly with cornstarch (do not use talcum powder; it has been linked to cancer). Store the toys in a plastic bag containing a small amount of cornstarch to keep them from getting sticky. Cyberskin may contain some of the same chemicals found in jelly-rubber. We recommend using a condom on Cyberskin toys.
• Elastomer is a soft, phthalate-free plastic. People who wish to avoid contact with rubber softeners can choose Elastomer toys as a hypoallergenic, durable alternative. To clean, wash with soap and water. We recommend using condoms if sharing the toy and for easier clean-up.
• Hard plastic toys should be wiped down with a soapy cloth and warm water.
• Jelly rubber is a soft rubber that cannot be completely disinfected. To clean, wipe the toy with a soapy cloth and warm water. Store it in a cool, dry place away from other objects. Jelly-rubber contains latex and phthalates (pronounced “thall-eights”). Phthalates are chemicals used as softeners or solvents. We do not have conclusive information on the health effects they may have. Because of their porous nature and chemical components, we believe the only way to safely use jelly rubber toys is with a condom, every time.
• Leather will wipe clean with a damp, soapy cloth or with leather cleaner. Do not soak leather. Wiping with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution (rubbing alcohol) will disinfect leather toys. After cleaning, you may recondition your toy by using a leather conditioner. Protect metal parts from tarnish by applying a coat of clear nail polish. Always let leather air dry and store in a cool, dry place.
• Neoprene is a synthetic, rubber-based polychloroprene. Wash it with warm water and mild soap, then air-dry.
• Nylon can be hand or machine washed.
• Soft vinyl toys have a smooth, flexible surface that is easy to clean with soap and water. These toys typically contain much lower levels of chemicals than those made of jelly-rubber.
• Vinyl will wipe clean with a damp, soapy cloth or rubbing alcohol.
  
• Nitrile safe sex supplies are compatible with oil-, water-, and silicone-based lubricants. They protect against STDs and pregnancy. Masturbating with gloves, condoms, or dams can be a great way to further eroticize them. Buy differently-sized gloves in different colors to make it clear in the heat of the moment which are medium and which are large. To avoid cross-contaminating, use different color gloves for the butt and the vagina or use a marker to put an “X” on the gloved hand you will be using for the butt. Use dental dams or non-microwavable plastic wrap for cunnilingus and analingus. Put an “X” on the outside so when things get good and slippery you can tell the sides apart.

For more about sex toy materials, click HERE.

General Tips for Longer Toy Life

We strongly recommend using a condom with toys that are made of porous material. This will help prevent transference of body fluids that can carry bacterial and/or viral infections.

• Remove batteries when storing vibrators.
  
• Never submerge electrical components in water. Use a damp, soapy cloth to clean electric toys.
  
• Protect your water-resistant and waterproof vibes by making sure the rubber O-ring stays tight around the battery compartment. If the O-ring is missing or broken, the vibe is no longer safe to use in water.
  
• For vibrators with cords, wrap a small piece of electrical tape around the vibrator/wire and wire/ plug connection points to strengthen them.
  
• Rough edges on hard plastic toys can be filed down with a nail file.
  
• If you are using a bullet vibe internally, put it in a condom and use the condom, not the power cord, to pull it out.

Share Double Dildo

I really wanted to like this toy. Seriously. In fact, I began to question whether my desire to find it all flavors of magnificent would interfere with my objectivity. I needn't have worried. *sigh* I do not like this product. I have read some glowing reviews elsewhere, though -- so don't base a purchasing decision for such a high-priced toy on just one person's opinion. Women come in an infinitely delicious variety of shapes and sizes, so one product is never going to fit every woman perfectly.

It looked, from the photographs, like the designers had incorporated the best features of the Feeldoe and the Nexus and left the worst on the cutting room floor. Pretty packaging, too.

Size-wise, the shaft of the Share is comparable in length to the Nexus and slightly less girthy than the Feeldoe Stout.

Weight-wise, it is also comparable. In other words, it's heavy. It's made of solid silicone, as are the Feeldoe and the Nexus. Kegels of steel are required to use any of these products in the traditional on-top thrusting position without a harness. Not saying it can't be done, mind you, just that it--like all physical achievements--takes some training. Don't expect to slip any of them in and have them stay put during no-holds-barred fucking unless you work your Kegels religiously.

Texture-wise, I do like this product better than the other two. It's softer, more flesh-like, and not as smooth. (Plus, it's a more natural color.) As a result, however, it requires more lube than either of its cousins. (Two packets are included in the box.) That's not necessarily a bad thing, but the more lube floating around down there, the more likelihood that pony end is gonna slip right out of its vaginal stable.

Speaking of the pony end -- it's big. Too big for my comfort, actually. In order to "sit" in the saddle, I had to push and squirm and maneuver to the point that I totally lost my enthusiasm for the task at hand. YMMV, of course. I have been surgically altered (complete hysterectomy -- including my cervix), which may very well be the reason I couldn't get comfortable with the Share. I will note, however, that this hasn't been an issue with either the Nexus or Feeldoe. The pony ends of both cousins fit quite comfortably.

But the aspect of the Share that I dislike the most is the floppiness of the saddle. The Feeldoe is somewhat floppy. It dangles at the same angle when held by the pony end. However, the Share has more bounce. Give 'em each a jiggle, and the Share takes twice as long to return to a resting position. That's WAY too much play, in my opinion. Of the three, the Nexus is the most stable in this regard, but I think even it could use a bit of stiffening. The glowing reviewer mentioned above considered this "flexibility" a plus. I don't.

So, alas, what could have been the be-all-and-end-all ended up being a disappointment. Hopefully, the engineers will keep trying. We walked on the moon, after all. Surely we can design the perfect strapless double dildo.

Until next time...

peace & passion,

~ Alessia