Glamour.com Smitten, September 2011

Dirty Talk: 3 Easy Ways to Pull it Off

Babeland, one of our favorite adult shops around, employs sex educators who share all sorts of helpful sex and sexual health information with customers. Today, Audrey, the Sex Educator and Education Coordinator from Babeland Seattle, gives us the scoop on how to pull off dirty talk, even if you’re feeling bashful!

"The cheapest, easiest way to spice up your sex life is to talk dirty. There are three easy ways to get started. Say what you are doing, i.e. "I love being on top! This is so hot!" Say what you want to be doing i.e. "I want you to wrap your arms around me from behind," or talk about a total fantasy that isn't really going to happen, but that turns you on i.e. "I want you to tie me up to the mast of a ship and have your way with me in the middle of the ocean!" Well, I guess that could happen, but you get the idea. If you have a hard time saying anything during sex, start by practicing while you are masturbating. It will feel silly at first, but after a few times you will be stringing together hot and sexy words that will get you what you want while you're getting down."

Shape September 2011

XXX-tra Credit

Your high school health class taught you the basics-now it’s time to learn some bonus moves

Forget reading, writing and 'rithmetic. We've found a "school" where it's actually fun to do your homework: Babeland, an adult-toy store in Seattle and New York City, offers classes and workshops in the art of burlesque, improving orgasms, and more. "Even couples who start out with an amazing sex life can find themselves bored after years of doing the same thing," says Audrey McManus, education coordinator for the Seattle outpost. "That's where we come in-we help shake things up." The boutique offers about five different courses a month ($35 each, babeland.com for more information).

Glamour.com Smitten, August 2011

Get a Grip With This New Vibrator!

Introducing a vibrator into couple's play is all sorts of hot, but when it comes down to it, even the most tech-savvy guys can find themselves befuddled by a vibrator's control panel. There's a new vibrator on the scene that's ridiculously easy (and fun!) to use. Vibrations on the Minna Ola are controlled by your (or your partner's) grip. Simply squeeze the soft pad at the base of the toy to indicate what sort of vibration strength or frequency you'd like.

Read More at Glamour.com.

Cosmopolitan, August 2011

Summer's Top Sexual Health Hazards

The last thing you want ruining your fun this season is a V-zone emergency. Avoid the following common pitfalls that could put your girl parts in peril. Underwater Sex: "When you have sex in water, your natural lubrication washes away, and that ups your odds of getting tiny tears in your vagina as your guy thrusts," says ob-gyn Lissa Rankin, author of What's Up Down There? The solution: Pack silicone-based lubricant (such as Sliquid Silver, sold at babeland.com) in your bag and apply it before you hit the water. The silicone-based kind will take longer to wash out of you during sex, and it'll prevent friction that can degrade a condom. 

Women's Health, July-August 2011

Smooth Moves

There's one place where it's OK to let your guy slide: in bed. Experts reveal why the right amount of lube can make lovin' even more amazing.
Five hot new lubes to try: 2) Flavored lubes like dessert-y BabeLicious ($8, babeland.com) or herb-and flower-infused Good Clean Love ($14, amazon.com), an eco-friendly pick, take the "job" out of the BJ. Since they're glycerin-free, he won't have to rinse off pre-sex.

Redbook, July 2011

Intimate Answers

Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., weighs in on your hot-button health issues, including plastic surgery down there.

Q. I'm thinking about having vaginal rejuvenation - things aren't the same in that area since I had kids. Am I insane? What are the risks?

A. You might be sane, but in my opinion, this surgery is not! ... Or, for faster results, try vaginal weights, such as the Kegelcisor ($84, babeland.com), a small barbell that you place in your vagina to add resistance while you're doing Kegels. It works!  

Women's Health, June 2011

Ask the Guy Next Door

Q: I'd like to use sex toys, but how do I broach the topic with my boyfriend?

A: Unless they're diesel powered or way too anatomically correct, most toys aren't a big deal for guys these days. But if you're worried about how he'll react, start with the simplest toy you have: you. Next time you're on top, reach down and lend yourself a helping hand. Afterward, size him up. If he seems weirded out, you'll have to be careful about busting out your toy box of fun. Otherwise, say, "That was great, right? I was thinking about doing some shopping. Want to help?" Then check out lelo.com, babeland.com, or Jimmyjane.com.

Cosmopolitan, May 2011

Slippery Tricks You'll Both Be Into

It's a proven fact: Women who bust out the lube experience more satisfaction than those who don't. Need some ideas for unleashing this lightning in a bottle? We thought of a few...

Sources: Claire Cavanah and Rachel Venning, authors of Moregasm; Sexologist Jessica O'Reilly; Sex Therapist Natasha Janina Valdez, PhD

Redbook, June 2011

8 new things to try with your guy

Shop in the "adult" department "I don't feel sexy" was exactly what I said as we walked in the door at the sex toy shop Babeland. My guy and I had both had horrible days at work, and thanks to a lingering cold, it had been two weeks since we'd had sex. So having to buy a sex toy seemed like a chore. Plus, I felt silly. I've always been too shy to tell him my fantasies, and I'd never been inside a sex toy store, so walking up to the massive gadget displays was making me blush. Finally, to break the ice, my boyfriend made a joke about a vibrator shaped like a rubber ducky. I laughed and thought about why I love him: He’s funny and he makes me feel comfortable. We browsed the shelves, discussing if something would be fun to use together. I loved how he knew my likes and dislikes. I felt closer to him than I had in days. So close, in fact, that I came out of my shell and remembered that it's actually not embarrassing to share my turn-ons with him. We left with a 'couple's vibrator' which gives simultaneous his-and-her stimulation during sex. We tried it the moment we walked through the door at home. The toy was amazing! We're talking instant O. I'm surprised to say so, but we'll be going back to see what else we might like. Passion factor: Sizzing hot

Women's Health, May 2011

The ABC's of Sizzling Sex: W

We Vibe

The first vibrator that can be used during intercourse. Inserted into the vagina, the U-shaped device stimulates your clitoris and G-spot simultaneously, and it's narrow enough to allow your partner in. ($99, babeland.com)

The New York Times, April 20, 2011

Vibrators Carry the Conversation

By Hilary Howard

Glamour online, March 2011

Sex Moves to Try for Every Occasion

Experiencing a little sexual déjà vu with your bedroom M.O.? We asked the experts to spill their sexiest ideas to turn every occasion-from a lazy morning to a big birthday - into a steamy one. Read these sex moves, learn 'em and, um, go practice!

Sexy Situation: His Birthday

Say happy birthday by making sex all about him. Babeland's Claire Cavanah, co-author of Moregasm, recommends tying him to the bed frame. Using satin restraints or even his tie, "gently cuff his hands either around a headboard or just together. You can make him feel like a king while he's free from any pressure to perform." Just don’t be surprised when he wants to return the favor!

Sexy Situation: Your Birthday

It's your day, so "become a complete pillow queen while your lover gives you long and luxurious oral sex," says Babeland's Rachel Venning, co-author of Moregasm. "Be sure you make an extra effort to make some noise or give him some clear cues that you like what he's doing so he'll keep doing it and feel confident." For extra-special fun, Venning recommends using flavored lubes, like Sliquid in Pink Lemonade or Green Apple.

Read all 10 moves on Glamour.com.

Fall issue of The Nest

How to upgrade your goodie drawer

If you’re still stocking your bedside table with the same old tricks, it may be time for an upgrade. Not to be confused with your average toy, these new devices could be mistaken by the untrained eye.

3. Good old rubber duckie is all grown up. I Rub My Duckie Vibrator, $25

9. Finally, packaging that’s pretty. Birds ‘n Bees Vegan Condom and Proper Attire Dots Condom, from $1 each.

O, the Oprah Magazine, September 2010

Find Your Bliss

If you can’t catch a plane to Italy, India, and Indonesia, a la Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love (in theaters now), here are a few shortcuts to culinary, spiritual, and erotic fulfillment — no passport required.

Love:

"Remember, you are sexy — the whole of you, inside and out," say Claire Cavanah and Rachel Venning, owners of the famed Babeland sex boutiques and authors of the terrifically un-shy Moregasm: Babeland's Guide to Mind-Blowing Sex. The writers are as down-to-earth and funny as your closest friend — and just as willing to offer the advice you always wanted (but were afraid to ask for).