Pop Culture

Fifty Shades of Grey: Viagra for Women

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Best book group ever: over fifty women, ages 20-70, drinking champagne at the local bookstore in my small town, discussing whether or not they’d like to be dominated in the bedroom. Never in my 25 years of selling sex toys would I have imagined a single book making that possible, but thanks to the meteoric rise of the erotic novel, Fifty Shades of Grey, I was invited to host a discussion at Gallery Bookshop about what and why this book has been tearing up bedrooms around the world. And I mean around the world, it has currently sold 31 million copies and is being translated into 30 languages. It has effectively spanked all other best sellers (DaVinci Code, Twilight) with its rapid ascent to the top of the charts. There are spoofs by Ellen and Saturday Night Live; there’s even a musical.

In case you’ve been under a rock, Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James is the first volume of an erotic trilogy that chronicles, very explicitly, the kinky sexual adventures of rich, handsome Christian Grey and his young, sexually naïve paramour, Ana Steele. We had some fun taking potshots at the writing (can you guess how many times the word “inner goddess” appears? 58!) and debating the female submissive in a post-feminist world (one fan asked if this book would have been popular if the book had been a derivative of Hunger Games with the female character Katniss as the dominant one, what do you think?).

But the one takeaway I wanted everyone in the group to leave with was this: nearly every person who reads Fifty Shades of Grey has at least one orgasm, so that’s a modest 31 million orgasms generated by one piece of writing. That’s a lot of sexual bliss, making for a lot of happy partners and plenty of “thank god I still got it” mom moments. When you factor in all the sex that’s going to come because of the new tricks and toys folks are picking up (at Babeland.com we have sold over 500 of the ben-wa style balls since the book came out, compared with 16 in the same time period prior to its release), we are looking at a mini sexual revolution; folks are even talking about a baby boomlet to come.

I’ve tried to explain the fascination with this book, but what has eluded me is what tipped it into a cultural phenomenon, I mean why now and why this book? There’s something about the combination of the e-book format, the Twilight/romance novel formula, the non-stop sex, and the seductiveness of kink that worked for folks. But I’m offering you my secret theory about why this book caught fire. It’s called “sluts revenge”. Women’s sexuality has taken a beating on the national stage this year (remember Rush Limbaugh calling the female Georgetown University student, Sandra Fluke, a slut for wanting birth control covered by health insurance?). By reading, sharing, talking about, and having orgasms from this book, women everywhere are livin’ the slut’s life in full view of their neighbors. How’s that for a gigantic middle finger (or should I say clit) being waved at Limbaugh and anyone else who attempts to diminish or sideline issues of women’s health and sexuality. What do you think of my theory?

By the way, that's the best cake ever in the photo, inspired by the book and prepared by Shani’s Sweet Creations.

Tenga and Keith Haring Create Artfully Designed Men's Toys

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Our bestselling men's sleeves from Japanese-designer Tenga just got better. Tenga partnered with the Keith Haring Foundation to launch a line of Tenga Eggs illustrated with artwork from Keith Haring, who was a proponent of making art available to everyone and gained international recognition in the 1980's. Haring's art often carried social messages and his murals on buildings in New York City are cherished and still preserved. Haring died very young in 1990 from AIDS related complications and his art continues to inspire and educate people all over the world.

Babeland is offering a selection of three limited-edition Keith Haring Tenga Eggs with the illustrations Dance, Party and Street. The illustrations on the packaging are also reflected in the texture of the egg inside. And best of all? $1 of every sale is donated to the Keith Haring Foundation, which supports organizations that help kids, and others that are involved in research, education and care related to AIDS. Get yours before we run out! You'll probably need two sets- one to display and one to use.

Turning Fantasies Into Reality With Fifty Shades of Grey

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Turning Fantasies Into Reality With Fifty Shades of Grey

If you haven’t yet succumbed to the urge to pick up and read the overnight sensation known as Fifty Shades of Grey, here’s a little cheat sheet to help you figure out whether you might like it. First a little background: Fifty Shades of Grey is an erotic trilogy by E. L. James about the relationship between a young woman, Ana, who is swept off her feet with passion for Christian, a very rich man with kinky tastes who initiates her into the world of BDSM. At the time of this writing, a copy was selling every three seconds!

Does your libido need a boost?
Take this to the bank: read Fifty Shades of Grey and you’ll get turned on. Any woman who’s ever needed a little erotic pick-me-up, will find it here. James doesn’t shy away from the explicit.

Do you enjoy romance novels, but find them a little ‘frustrating”?
Romance novels may have been coined “bodice-rippers” but they usually end abruptly once the ripping has begun. This book takes it all the way to an orgasmic finish over and over again.

Have you fantasized about kinky sex, power play or BDSM?
Ana and Christian give you a playbook for bringing your fantasies to life, all set against the backdrop of a compelling love story. Babeland customers have been asking for toys featured in the book, so think of this as an invitation to let your imagination come to life.

Does your bag of tricks need a few more tricks?
Among the fun things Ana and Christian demonstrate for you:
•    Spanking, flogging, crops
•    Tying your lover up
•    Acting out dominant and submissive roles
•    Safe sex
•    Blow jobs

If you like to read and play, we’ve got two kits for you. Those who haven’t read the book yet should pick up the Fifty Shades of Grey Book and Bondage Kit, since you basically get the book for a dollar when you buy the restraints. If you have read the book and are ready to discover new sensations, we’ve got all the toys you need in the Fifty Shades of Grey Indulge Your Fantasies Kit, which includes restraints, a vibrator, Kegel balls, a riding crop, and Spank Me Baby spanking powder.

Do you like to read fan fiction? Are you a fan of the Twilight series?
Believe it or not, Fifty Shades of Grey started out as a serialized fan fiction, a genre in which writers eroticize well-known characters from popular culture. In this case, the author used Twilight as the story she was retelling.

Ready to play with the toys inspired by the Fifty Shades books?
We’ve put them all here, so enjoy shopping!

Our Excitement Builds for Hysteria, Film Opens May 18th

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Our Excitement Builds for Hysteria, Film Opens May 18th

We couldn’t think of anything better than a romantic comedy about the invention of the vibrator that addresses the issues about women’s right to control their bodies. Hysteria, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy, opens in theaters on May 18th and we’ll be there! Literally. Claire Cavanah, Babeland’s co-founder, is doing an introduction to the 9:30pm showing at the Sunshine Cinema on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She’ll showcase vibrators from Babeland’s vintage vibe collection and show their modern day counterparts. If you’re in New York City, please join us there. The first 50 ticket holders also get a sexy surprise with a Babeland Gift Bag.

Make a Date Of It
Plan a date night and go see Hysteria with your lover. After the movie, stop by Babeland with the glow of the romantic-comedy in you and show us your ticket stub to get 15% off your purchase. You can check out our Vintage Vibes Exhibits in our stores in Brooklyn, SoHo and Seattle and learn more about the evolution of the vibrator, then pick out sexy new toys to take home and try out. The offer extends through June 30th in all stores.

If you want to learn more about the history of the vibrator and why it passed in and out of social acceptance, visit our Vintage Vibes Museum for information, interviews, and images of toys from our collection.

Kandi Burruss Debuts New Sex Toy Line at Babeland

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:11:39 GMT

Whether you know Kandi Burruss from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, or from one of her Grammy award-winning songs, or from her web show, Kandi Koated Nights, you’ve come to expect a frank, sassy, strong woman. When she came out with w new line of sex toys developed with OhMiBod, we knew it would be hot. Now that the toys have arrived, they don't disappoint. Babeland is thrilled to be the first store to carry her Bedroom Kandi line and we’re welcoming her at Babeland SoHo on Thursday, December 15th for a special party to debut the line. Come and meet her!

Bedroom Talk with Kandi Burruss from the Real Housewives of Atlanta
Thursday, December 15, 7pm,
Free Babeland SoHo, 43 Mercer Street
You’ve enjoyed watching Kandi Burruss’ sassy and down-to-earth presence on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, now help us celebrate the launch of Bedroom Kandi, her elegant new line of discreet toys. Meet Kandi and hear about her inspiration for the toys, as well as her experiences on the Real Housewives of Atlanta! Bring your BFFs for a ladies night out with Kandi, including manicures by the Polish Bar of Brooklyn, cocktails, Bedroom Kandi raffle prizes and more.

Here’s what Kandi had to say when we chatted with her about the toys.

Babeland: You’ve had such an interesting career in entertainment, how did you decide to create your own line of sex toys? In some ways, it seems like, “well, of course she did!” and it also seems a bit risky. As women in this industry, we understand that vibrators and women’s sexy time are still challenging for mainstream America to handle.

Kandi: I was invited on the Dr. Laura Berman show. She’s a medical doctor and she also has her own line of intimate products and I was like, wow, with my show, Kandi Koated Nights as a springboard, I can do the same thing. Then I found out about this woman in Europe that became a billionaire in the adult product industry and from that point on, it was a no brainer.

Babeland: How did your family and friends react when you decided to launch a line of vibrators?

Kandi: My family and friends are always very supportive of me in everything I do. When I did my research and decided to step into this endeavor, I really wanted to make sure my mother did not think I was making the wrong move. As long as she was fine with it, then I was comfortable doing it.

Babeland: We’re huge fans of the colors and shapes you’ve chosen. We’ve seen other lipstick vibes before, but Kandi Kisses has an unsurpassed weight, shape and quality. Why did you decide to go with the make-up design?

Kandi: The beauty of these pieces is that they’re not intimidating. They were designed to be very discreet. You can throw them in your purse and walk around with your own plaything and feel comfortable. They’re a combination of pleasure and style.

Babeland: What drew you to the unique powder-puff shape for the Make Me Over vibe? It’s a shape and design that is completely new.

Kandi: The whole idea was to create discreet packaging so that a woman can enjoy an orgasm on the go and so that if the product were mistakenly left on her dresser, no one would be alarmed! I decided to go with the make-up angle because it brought an elegant feel to the product line.

Babeland: Do you think that you’re part of destigmatizing vibrators for women? You have a high profile and many women look up to you. Have you found that launching this line is opening a new dialogue with your viewers and fans?

Kandi: I feel Bedroom Kandi will change the perception of how people view intimate products and open up the conversation, especially in the African American community. Sexual pleasure has such as huge stigma and it should not.

Babeland: What was the most fun part of designing a sex toy?

Kandi: Working on it has allowed for a healthy dialogue about sex.

Babeland: You’ve written Grammy award-winning music, so it’s no coincidence that one of your vibrators, the Happiness & Joy, vibrates to the beat and rhythm of music. What type of music sounds the best on Happiness & Joy? What’s your personal favorite song to play on this vibrator?

Kandi: Anything that you feel comfortable listening to in the bedroom works with this vibe! It does not have to be a specific type of song. It can be very passionate songs about love, dance songs to make things fun, or heavy bass club songs to give it that extra "edge" in certain encounters with your mate. I do not know if I have a personal favorite song, maybe I have a personal play list!

Babeland: Do you have advice for women who are new to vibrators on trying a Bedroom Kandi toy for the first time?

Kandi: Yes, it’s the best fun you can have by yourself. Try it; I’m confident you will like it!

Babeland: Do you have a favorite that you like to recommend?

Kandi: My favorite piece is the Happiness & Joy dual-action vibe. It brings you happiness on the inside and joy on the outside at the same time. idea was to create discreet packaging so that a woman can enjoy an orgasm on the go and so that if the product were mistakenly left on her dresser, no one would be alarmed! I decided to go with the make-up angle because it brought an elegant feel to the product line.

Babeland: Do you think that you’re part of destigmatizing vibrators for women? You have a high profile and many women look up to you. Have you found that launching this line is opening a new dialogue with your viewers and fans?

Kandi: I feel Bedroom Kandi will change the perception of how people view intimate products and open up the conversation, especially in the African American community. Sexual pleasure has such as huge stigma and it should not.

Babeland: What was the most fun part of designing a sex toy?

Kandi: Working on it has allowed for a healthy dialogue about sex.

Babeland: You’ve written Grammy award-winning music, so it’s no coincidence that one of your vibrators, the Happiness & Joy, vibrates to the beat and rhythm of music. What type of music sounds the best on Happiness & Joy? What’s your personal favorite song to play on this vibrator?

Kandi: Anything that you feel comfortable listening to in the bedroom works with this vibe! It does not have to be a specific type of song. It can be very passionate songs about love, dance songs to make things fun, or heavy bass club songs to give it that extra "edge" in certain encounters with your mate. I do not know if I have a personal favorite song, maybe I have a personal play list!

Babeland: Do you have advice for women who are new to vibrators on trying a Bedroom Kandi toy for the first time?

Kandi: Yes, it’s the best fun you can have by yourself. Try it; I’m confident you will like it!

Babeland: Do you have a favorite that you like to recommend?

Kandi: My favorite piece is the Happiness & Joy dual-action vibe. It brings you happiness on the inside and joy on the outside at the same time.

Yes, A TSA Agent Might See Your Vibrator and No, You Don’t Have to Be Ashamed

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:28:09 GMT

If you were on a news blackout this week, you might not know that a woman opened her suitcase after a flight to find a note from the airport security agent who searched her checked bag with this message, “Get your freak on, girl”. She was traveling with a Babeland Silver Bullet vibrator and was so creeped out knowing that someone had handled it, she threw it away. We took notice and sent her a new one (having to replace your sex toy after inappropriate conduct from a government employee is just adding insult to injury) and we included a nice gift, too. The woman, Jill Filipovic, blogs at a site we love, Feministe, and posted an articulate and insightful follow-up to the incident today when news hit that the Transportation Security Administration had disciplined the note-writing employee. She was frustrated that the issues about privacy and the government’s invasive security measures post-9/11 weren’t dissected in the media coverage. We agree, but also have to point out the positive side here, that a woman traveling with a sex toy didn’t become the issue. In the dozens of articles and posts we read, the vibrator was a non-issue, and that’s progress. Culturally and socially, a woman's right to sexual pleasure is gaining mainstream acceptance. Many people could relate to this story and wonder about the many times their personal items have been reviewed by security agents. We always worry about what someone else is thinking about our personal choices, it’s a good thing that we tend to worry less about our sex toys. If you want tips about traveling with sex toys, you can view our tips here. Do you have a story about traveling with a sex toy? Share it in the comments. We'll choose a random winner and send you the infamous Babeland Silver Bullet! A winner will be chosen at noon on Monday, October 31st and notified.

All Abuzz About Vintage Vibrators

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:56:19 GMT

Have you ever wondered where your Minna Ola or Gigi came from, technically speaking? Sex toys have been found in the world since prehistoric times when they were carved out of rocks. The toys we know and love today are evolutions of basic shapes that fueled the fantasies of our ancestors. The history of vibrators has some fascinating high points and tells the story of the social movements that have brought us to our hedonistic contemporary view that sexual pleasure is our birthright.

Babeland’s social history project debuts online at www.vintagevibrators.com. History buffs, techies, collectors, and sex toy fans should all enjoy these novel antiques.

Scroll through the exhibits, imagining yourself being treated for “hysteria” by one of the more tortuous looking devices, or marvel at the beauty-aid imagery used to market early-model vibrators to consumers. Wow your next dinner party guests with vibrator history anecdotes, including the ultimate proof that necessity is the mother of all invention: doctors experienced repetitive motion stress from manual stimulation of their patients, which ultimately led to the invention of this labor-saving device. You can even trace the lineage of your vibrator to its nineteenth century predecessor in the entertaining Modern Classics section.

One thing we learned during this project is that vintage vibrators come with stories. What’s yours? Did you find one in Grandma’s closet? In the attic of your new house? Share your story with us here or email a photo and the backstory to us at marketing@babeland.com and we’ll post it. We want to start a collection of your vintage sex toys, so if we post your photo, we’ll send you a coupon good for $10 off your next order.

Inspiration, Information and Just Because - Link Love

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 05:49:31 GMT

Have any links to share? Tell us what you’re reading in the Comments section

Cosmopolitan surveyed women about sex, dating and relationships. Only 20% of the women who responded said they were "Completely satisfied - wouldn't change a thing" when asked "How satisfied are you with your sex life?". That's really upsetting and means we have our work cut out for us here at Babeland. Maybe a survey of our own is in order, too.

Trojan hopes its 'Good Vibrations' truck will stimulate a discussion about sex -- and we do, too. Babeland's co-founder and the co-author of Moregasm: Babeland's Guide to Mind-Blowing Sex, Claire Cavanah, was there for the debut Thursday, July 28th and was interviewed by one of our fave sex educators, Logan Levkoff. We'll post a video from the truck soon. Meanwhile, check out the Tri-Phoria vibe if you want a versatile new toy.

A male porn star speaks: James Deen sits down with Salon to wax poetic about sex as art -- and begs you not to learn your moves from him. This is an insightful interview from Salon that let's us get to know a person that most mainstream media outlets aren't profiling. If you're curious about James, you can see him in Pirates II: Stagnetti's Revenge.

10 Famous Ladies Who Like It Kinky Rihanna, Nicole Kidman, Britney Spears and more! By the way, RiRi, you can shop privately at Babeland anytime you want and we promise we won't call the National Enquire or any other paparazzi.

Inspiration, Information, Just Because – Link Love

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:39:39 GMT

Have any links to share? Let us know what you’re reading in the Comments section. This article sounds techy but the Luddites will appreciate it, too, and it features our friends at Jimmyjane prominently. Lessons Interface Designers Can Learn from Teledildonics: Third-wave human-computer interaction, where users engage with machines on an emotional and even physical level, saw little expression in the marketplace, until a bunch of geeks jumped ship for the sex toy industry. Joan Rivers teaching sign language for "orgasm" on The View. Hilarious! 20 Songs About Cunnilingus, can you think of others? German Greens Warn of Dangerous Dildos Phthalates are an issue we've talked about extensively and Babeland's toys are all phthalate-free so you can shop with confidence and peace of mind for your health. Top 5 Female Sex Fantasies ... And What They Mean by Ian Kerner What's with the "sexless" trend? Recent reports of a backlash against sex are bogus, but they do reveal very real fears.

Men, Sex Toys and Double-Standards

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:29:31 GMT

Recently, The Frisky ran a post identifying ten famous men who allegedly enjoy sex toys. Among this list were supposed kinkster Drew Carey, dildo-replica-hopeful 50 Cent and John Stamos (who apparently is not known for owning toys but rather attending “naked parties,” which, although mouthwatering, doesn't really count). Yet while there has been a trend lately of female celebrities publicly pledging their love for their vibrators, no men have actually come forth to declare their love for their toys. How come?

Well, this author acknowledges the double-standard surrounding the possession of toys between the sexes: it's cool for a woman to own a vibrator, but a man owning a masturbation sleeve? Gross!

And that makes all of us at Babeland very sad because there are some amazing toys for men on the market that belong in happy homes. I, for one, can't imagine a world without my Tenga Flip, and think that every man should own both colors.

So, where do these ideas come from and how do we fight them?

In my observation, it all comes back to the age-old battle of Man vs. Machine. In our culture, sex toys are still often perceived to be a token of shame. The common misconception is that a woman will purchase a vibrator because she can't get “the real thing,” that a toy only exists to fill an empty space in her life that should be filled by a man.

I've also witnessed circumstances in which a man felt threatened by a toy. I've talked to a lot of women shoppers at Babeland who told me that their male partners didn't want her to buy a vibrator because “he should be enough” (in which case I often wonder if he watches porn, because the same argument could be applied). I've also met some of these men, who are looking for a toy to use with a female partner, but that she wouldn't use alone. It's amazing how much fear a motorized piece of shaking silicone can inspire.

The theme here seems to be that sex toys are supposedly designed to replace human partners. While some toys attempt to emulate certain body parts, a sex toy can never be considered an alternative to a living, breathing partner. It won't make you pancakes in the morning, either.

I think that men still hesitate to partake in the pleasures of sex toys because it feels like a form of surrender, that buying a masturbation sleeve would be considered an admission of defeat. This would be considered a very brutal blow to the ego for some.

Likewise, it seems that men are judged as sex maniacs, desperate for a hole with or without a body attached. I assure you it is not the case. Sometimes a standard wank just doesn't cut it, and it's nice to have a layer of silky, textured silicone to switch it up a bit, whether it's realistic or not. It's no different than poking a vibrator in your region of choice.

Let's be honest here: While a sex toy does make an excellent companion or accessory, a human being and a sex toy are not the same thing. Silicone is a wonderful material, but it will never be a replacement for the combination of flesh and personality of my partner. Likewise, have you ever met a person that can vibrate? If so, please introduce me. Sex with a human and sex with a toy should never be compared to one another. They are two completely different kinds of amazing that work well separate or apart.

So join me, fellas. There's a sexy world of toys designed especially for us. By the way, the Cobra Libre, Babeland's bestselling vibrating sleeve, is 40% off June 17-19. Try it, you'll like it! Share your favorites in the comments.

Win the Cobra Libre Men's Vibe from Fun Factory!

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:22:36 GMT

If you are a lover of men, or a lover of men's sex toys, win the raciest men's vibe on the market, by commenting on this post!

When it comes to sex toys men tend to fall into two camps: those who think 1) "toys are an insult to my manhood", or 2)" I like ‘em, but I’ll never admit it." Number one seems to have a more tenacious hold on the male psyche--men often equate the use of a sex toy, especially a penis sleeve, with a lack of sexual success. Intrigued? You can learn more about this in the recent article on male masturbation on the Frisky. The second camp, those who use sex toys but won’t admit it, is starting to change. Even celebrities are jumping on the sex toy bandwagon, as you can see in 10 Famous Men Who (allegedly) Like Sex Toys. Even still, those celebs who are out about their sex toy use are more open about their preference for kink and less forthcoming about male masturbation. Fortunately, sex toy manufacturers like Fun Factory are figuring out that if you want to sell a guy a sex toy, you gotta make it appealing to guys. Forget names like “penis ring” which seem like something you might see in an X-rated rom com. You gotta bring out the toys that conjure up images of fast cars, power tools, or fine cigars. Witness the introduction this year of our best-selling male masturbation sleeve: the Cobra Libre vibrator. This toy sounds like a fast car, and Fun Factory even released a hysterical demo video (watch it at the end of this post) which depicted the toy as a race car. So, friends, here’s your challenge: leave a post here and tell us either what you’d name a guy's sex toy, or what you'd like to see turned into a guy's sex toy. To get you started, enjoy the photo at left! We’ll take posts until June 12, at which time we’ll choose a winner and send you your very own Cobra Libre, (a $139 toy) just in time for Father’s Day, Gay Pride, or graduation, take your pick! httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnTgkgYf5Mc

Celebrating Mother's Day, One Bottle of Lube at a Time.

Sun, 08 May 2011 12:46:51 GMT

When I started working at Babeland, I immediately purchased my mother a bottle of her favorite Astroglide, our version being free of parabens and glycerin. While my mother and I don't talk extensively about sex, she's well aware of my passion for sexuality education and it was a nice way to offer up a discussion without any strings attached - just a free bottle of lube! Not everyone is so inclined to discuss such topics with their mothers, though. Pamela Madsen, author of Shameless, recently discussed the possibility of giving your mother the gift of sexual health on a recent Psychology Today blog; some people, she said, find the idea a bit odd. She spoke specifically about how a recent press release from a vaginal moisterizer company suggested that for Mother's Day, giving the gift of vaginal moisture to your mother might be one way to show her you care. Many other online bloggers, though, seemed to regard this idea as either funny or questionable. As you might think, as a Babeland educator, I agree with Pamela; I love the idea of just going for it and starting the conversation. More and more in the Babeland stores, I see women come in with their daughters to help them pick out their first vibrators. Sometimes, it's the other way around: women bringing their mother in to get their mother a vibe! Normalizing sexual pleasure and sexual health for any one in your life is a wonderful gift that lasts a lifetime. And at this time of year, why not let it be your mother? Readers, have you ever purchased a sex toy for your mother? Share your stories with us here!

Feminist Porn Awards Continues to Highlight Diverse Sexualities in Porn

Fri, 06 May 2011 11:02:11 GMT

On April 15th on Toronto, performers, directors and consumers celebrated at the 6th Annual Feminist Porn Awards. What began six years ago as a group of around 250 people is now a celebrated event that takes place over 3 days, attended by over 1,000. It is hailed as "the longest running celebration of erotica focused on women and marginalised people." Presenting a variety of sexual selves in a respectful, authentic light has been the goal of these awards since the beginning. The awards aim each year to find new ways to draw attention to diverse, unique and sex positive sexual expression in pornography. This year, a lot of the performers and directors spoke about including a more diverse representation of masculinities alongside celebrating presentations of authentic female experiences. For instance, Shine Louise Houston, creator of the Crash Pad series, was honored for her new website, HeavenlySpire.com, which focuses on masculine beauty and sexuality. Speaking about the site, Houston noted, “I watch mainstream gay porn and it’s very cookie-cutter. This is completely different. I like to break the fourth wall at the end of my movies. I want to humanize my models. I ask the guys what they think is sexy about their bodies, and it’s really interesting how they respond: it’s not always their cock. Sometimes it’s their arms or their ass or hands. When they tell me how they eroticize different parts of themselves, I can highlight that when I film.” In the same way that feminist porn directors have previously spoken about authenticating female expression in porn, Houston seeks to bring the same realness to male sexuality in pornography by including both transgendered and cisgendered men in her alternative porn work. Also acknowledged this year was Tristan Taormino's Rough Sex 2 (for Hottest Kink Movie), Courtney Trouble's Billy Castro Does the Mission (for Most Tantalizing Trans Film) and Ilana Rothman's Open Invitation (for Sexiest Straight Movie). For the full list, check out the awards website. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you, GoodForHer's Feminist Porn Awards, for continuing to highlight genders and sexualities in an inclusive manner! Kudos!

Happy National Teachers' Day!

Tue, 03 May 2011 15:51:57 GMT

Happy National Teachers' Day, everyone! It's part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, actually, so if you didn't give an apple (see left) to your favorite sex educator today, it's ok, you still have some time. There are so many amazing sexuality educators that have changed my life and made a difference for me, inside and outside of Babeland. When I heard Tristan Taormino talk about anal sex for women for the first time, it totally changed the way I thought about having anal sex with a partner. When I watched a video of Betty Dodson's Bodysex group and saw her amazing consciousness raising strategies, I knew I wanted to work with people radically around their sexuality too. And working alongside other amazing sex educators, like my fellow Babelanders, reminds me every day of the importance of having a supportive community around you to propel you forward. Who is your favorite sexuality educator? It doesn't have to be someone professional in the field, it could be a friend, lover or relative. How has some informed your sexuality in a way that changed your life?

An Earth Day Interview: Annie Sprinkle Talks About Ecosex

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:22:53 GMT

Happy Earth Day, everyone! The perfect day to talk about ecosex with one of its pioneer, sex educator and performance artist Annie Sprinkle. Annie and her partner, environmental activist Beth Stephens, collaborate on the Love Art Lab, a art project born as (in Sprinkle's words) a "response to the violence of war, the anti-gay marriage movement and [a] prevailing culture of greed." As part of the project, they've married each other (and an earthly element) each year; they celebrate their 7th marriage this year. Annie discusses ecosexuality and her current projects with Babeland's new sexuality educator and blogger, Lila, and also shares with us her 25 Ways To Make Love to the Earth. Lila: So, tell us more about ecosexuality. How and when did it start? What does it mean to each of you? Annie: I first heard the term “ecosex” as a dating term a few years ago. It meant that a person was interested in meeting other folks into things like environmental cuases, vegetarianism, bicycle culture…But my partner, Beth Stephens, and I have usurped the term to give it much broader definititions. Such as a person into nature fetishes, a new sexual identity, a person that takes the earth as their lover, or finds nature really super sensual. We are making it into a whole new movement, currently writing an ecosex manifesto. In retrospect, I was very ecosexual as a kid. Ecosensual really. I was really pleasured by nature. Swimming, for example. Sitting by the campfire. I taught sacred sex for ten years and always sent the participants out into nature to “have sex with something in nature for a couple hours.” They would come back and tell us all about it and some women said “that was the best sex I ever had.” I told them to use their senses, kiss and lick a rock, sniff the dirt, make love with the sky, things like that. It was pretty sexy. So, I’ve been ecosexual for a long time. I just didn’t have a name for it. Of course, many ancient earth religions, fertility rites, and pagan rituals were pretty ecosexual. So while these are new concepts, they are also ancient. Lots of people, when the stop to think about it, have had an erotic or sensual experience with nature at some time in their lives. Lila: What kinds of practice and philosophies are ecosexual? Annie: Generally we think of the earth as a mother. But we are switching that up to think of earth as a lover: to try and create a more reciprocal relationship with our planet. The Earth has been used, abused, exploited, raped…the earth can’t continually breastfeed us. We have to give back and take care of the Earth. And what better way than to make love with it? Appreciate it more. Care for it, like we would care for our beloved. As for practices…nature fetishes we have figured out can be divided into several categories: earth, air, fire, water. Earth proclivities include things like tree hugging/humping, covering your body in sand, using vegetable dildos. Some Air proclivities include getting excited in strong winds, or sucking and blowing air in and out of your lover’s mouth. Some Fire proclivities would be nude sun bathing, or getting hot bee’s wax dripped all over your body. Water proclivities would be deriving erotic pleasure while standing under a beautiful waterfall, or enjoying the sensations of skinny-dipping in a tropical ocean. How many of you have laid down in the bathtub with your legs spread wide apart with the water splashing down on your vulva? Be honest. You can be hetero, gay, bisexual, trans, anything you want, and also be ecosexual. My friend Dallas, who is a self proclaimed asexual tells me she’s not ecosexual, but “ecoromantic!” So if you love laying naked in the sun, getting pounded by a waterfall, and like fucking in nature, you are probably ecosexual. It’s a self proclaimed thing. But maybe you are simply ecosensual, or ecoromantic. Lila: As I understand it, Love Art Lab is a collaboration between the two of you where you committed to do seven years of performative, activist weddings and surrounding events with different locations and themes. Can you tell us a bit more about that and how it relates to ecosexuality? My girlfriend Beth and I now consider ourselves out ecosexuals. We’re really hot about this topic. It all sort of started when we married the Earth as an art project. We had a huge wedding, with 400+ people, and 150 people helped create the wedding. And together we all vowed to love, honor and cherish the Earth until death brought us closer together forever. That day I fell madly in love with my beautiful planet, and just sort of started doing more recycling, being more aware of my water and electricity consumption, and my love just grew to Universal proportions. It was really exciting. So now, Beth and I have done eight ecosexual weddings, with environmental themes. In five countries. We have married the Sky, the Sea, the Snow, the Appalacian mountains, and the moon. Thousands of people have participated in our ecosex weddings. Sometimes they are controversial. But they're really beautiful and fun. We aim to make the environmental movement more sexy, fun and diverse. The documentaion of our weddings, with videos, is on our website. Lila: What have been some of the most memorable interactions with the public that you've had around your ecosexual art and activism? Annie: We have done about fifteen ecosex walking tours. They’re really fun. We take people around a park, or neighborhood, and point out the ecosexy sites. We invite people to hug trees, sniff and lick the earth, find their “e-spots” (spots in nature that are sexy) and share stories of the times they have found nature erotic. People really share great stuff. Then at the end of the tour, we invite them to take vows to the earth and we give them a diamond ring. But its made of cubic zarconia, so no mountains were harmed. And people really feel more connected to the Earth, and they always have a wonderful lover. Lila: Do you have any advice or tips for someone who lives in a city or otherwise has limited access to nature, but is still interested in dabbling in and exploring ecosexuality? Annie: I have lived in cities most all of my life. Being ecosexual in a city is easy. There are parks, there are trees, there is beautiful nature everywhere if you just take time to notice it. Stop and smell the roses. Eating fruit, for example, can be ecosexual if you let it be. Its about giving yourself permission to really get into it. To really make it sexy. For example, you can watch a sunset and barely see it. Or you can give yourself over to the sunset completely, marvel at its magnificence, become one with the sunset, and bring yourself to tears of ecstasy. Have a sungasm, if you will. It's up to you. How much pleasure are you willing to have? Just start noticing nature more. I remember, when I lived in Manhattan, on the 11^th floor of a high rise, I used to use my vibrator and look at the sky and sort of fantasise being with the sky. I became the sun, the moon, and all the stars. Once I said to myself, this is crazy, I’m making love with the sky. But it was so beautiful. So I sort of silently asked the sky, is this crazy? Show me a sign. And a red helium balloon went up into the cloud at that moment and passed through the cloud and I just wept. It was beautiful. If it's real or not, I don’t even care. Its all a big beautiful fantasy that makes me excited. Ecosex is very sexy. I have prided myself at being a sex pioneer for 38 years now. And let me tell you, Ecosex is going to be BIG. Lila: Babeland carries a lot of environmentally friendly sex toys and products, like rechargeable vibrators, dildos and butt plugs made from materials that will virtually last forever, vegan, organic lubes, and much more. We even have a solar powered bullet vibrator. Could these be considered ecosexual or used in an ecosexual manner? Annie: Absolutely! Babeland is doing some great environmentally conscious stuff that’s really sexy. Babeland is a hot bed of ecosexuality! I love what you are doing. Lila: Do you have any plans this Earth Day? Annie: For me and Beth, every day is Earth Day. Sky day. Sea day… Lila: Is there anything el se I'm missing or that you'd like to share? Annie: If you resonate with this idea, of ecosex, bring me (and Beth) to your country/state/city, and I will do my presentation, a walking tour and a show. We will have a great time. In celebration of Earth Day, we are creating an ecosex lexicon. Here are some words we have made up and gathered, just as some food for thought! If you think of any others, send me an email at annie@anniesprinkle.org Vegesexuals, ecovestite, biosexual, treebadism, snow balling, pollenamourous, ecoslut, seadomasochism, ecophile, compostgasm, treedonism, vegan-sexual, ecobondage, hortisexual, ecocurious, environmentally frisky! When you think about it, all sex is really ecosex. We are all part of nature, not really separate. We just feel separate often. But we are the earth. We are made of water. So when we make love to each other, we are making love to the Earth, to nature. So have fun! And don't have too many babies, because over population hard on the planet. Another possibility...instead of switching the metaphor from Earth as Mother to Earth as Lover, we could at least do Earth as MILF! In any case, ecosexuals come out come out for Earth Day! And Ecosexuals Unite! s, anything you want, and also be ecosexual. My friend Dallas, who is a self proclaimed asexual tells me she’s not ecosexual, but “ecoromantic!” So if you love laying naked in the sun, getting pounded by a waterfall, and like fucking in nature, you are probably ecosexual. It’s a self proclaimed thing. But maybe you are simply ecosensual, or ecoromantic. Lila: As I understand it, Love Art Lab is a collaboration between the two of you where you committed to do seven years of performative, activist weddings and surrounding events with different locations and themes. Can you tell us a bit more about that and how it relates to ecosexuality? My girlfriend Beth and I now consider ourselves out ecosexuals. We’re really hot about this topic. It all sort of started when we married the Earth as an art project. We had a huge wedding, with 400+ people, and 150 people helped create the wedding. And together we all vowed to love, honor and cherish the Earth until death brought us closer together forever. That day I fell madly in love with my beautiful planet, and just sort of started doing more recycling, being more aware of my water and electricity consumption, and my love just grew to Universal proportions. It was really exciting. So now, Beth and I have done eight ecosexual weddings, with environmental themes. In five countries. We have married the Sky, the Sea, the Snow, the Appalacian mountains, and the moon. Thousands of people have participated in our ecosex weddings. Sometimes they are controversial. But they're really beautiful and fun. We aim to make the environmental movement more sexy, fun and diverse. The documentaion of our weddings, with videos, is on our website. Lila: What have been some of the most memorable interactions with the public that you've had around your ecosexual art and activism? Annie: We have done about fifteen ecosex walking tours. They’re really fun. We take people around a park, or neighborhood, and point out the ecosexy sites. We invite people to hug trees, sniff and lick the earth, find their “e-spots” (spots in nature that are sexy) and share stories of the times they have found nature erotic. People really share great stuff. Then at the end of the tour, we invite them to take vows to the earth and we give them a diamond ring. But its made of cubic zarconia, so no mountains were harmed. And people really feel more connected to the Earth, and they always have a wonderful lover. Lila: Do you have any advice or tips for someone who lives in a city or otherwise has limited access to nature, but is still interested in dabbling in and exploring ecosexuality? Annie: I have lived in cities most all of my life. Being ecosexual in a city is easy. There are parks, there are trees, there is beautiful nature everywhere if you just take time to notice it. Stop and smell the roses. Eating fruit, for example, can be ecosexual if you let it be. Its about giving yourself permission to really get into it. To really make it sexy. For example, you can watch a sunset and barely see it. Or you can give yourself over to the sunset completely, marvel at its magnificence, become one with the sunset, and bring yourself to tears of ecstasy. Have a sungasm, if you will. It's up to you. How much pleasure are you willing to have? Just start noticing nature more. I remember, when I lived in Manhattan, on the 11^th floor of a high rise, I used to use my vibrator and look at the sky and sort of fantasise being with the sky. I became the sun, the moon, and all the stars. Once I said to myself, this is crazy, I’m making love with the sky. But it was so beautiful. So I sort of silently asked the sky, is this crazy? Show me a sign. And a red helium balloon went up into the cloud at that moment and passed through the cloud and I just wept. It was beautiful. If it's real or not, I don’t even care. Its all a big beautiful fantasy that makes me excited. Ecosex is very sexy. I have prided myself at being a sex pioneer for 38 years now. And let me tell you, Ecosex is going to be BIG. Lila: Babeland carries a lot of environmentally friendly sex toys and products, like rechargeable vibrators, dildos and butt plugs made from materials that will virtually last forever, vegan, organic lubes, and much more. We even have a solar powered bullet vibrator. Could these be considered ecosexual or used in an ecosexual manner? Annie: Absolutely! Babeland is doing some great environmentally conscious stuff that’s really sexy. Babeland is a hot bed of ecosexuality! I love what you are doing. Lila: Do you have any plans this Earth Day? Annie: For me and Beth, every day is Earth Day. Sky day. Sea day… Lila: Is there anything el se I'm missing or that you'd like to share? Annie: If you resonate with this idea, of ecosex, bring me (and Beth) to your country/state/city, and I will do my presentation, a walking tour and a show. We will have a great time. In celebration of Earth Day, we are creating an ecosex lexicon. Here are some words we have made up and gathered, just as some food for thought! If you think of any others, send me an email at annie@anniesprinkle.org Vegesexuals, ecovestite, biosexual, treebadism, snow balling, pollenamourous, ecoslut, seadomasochism, ecophile, compostgasm, treedonism, vegan-sexual, ecobondage, hortisexual, ecocurious, environmentally frisky! When you think about it, all sex is really ecosex. We are all part of nature, not really separate. We just feel separate often. But we are the earth. We are made of water. So when we make love to each other, we are making love to the Earth, to nature. So have fun! And don't have too many babies, because over population hard on the planet. Another possibility...instead of switching the metaphor from Earth as Mother to Earth as Lover, we could at least do Earth as MILF! In any case, ecosexuals come out come out for Earth Day! And Ecosexuals Unite!

Earth Day Celebration: Eco-Friendly Sex Tips for Cyclists and Yogis!

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:39:10 GMT

This Friday is Earth Day and Babeland is celebrating some of the countless ways we can make our bodies and the earth feel good simultaneously! If you are a yoga aficionado, head over to our LES store at 7pm for tips on how to combine yoga and sex for a double boost of endorphins! We are joining forces with the Lower Eas t Side Bikram Yoga Studio to demonstrate the yoga postures that will get you in the mood for sex and compliment the classic positions you know and love. If cycling around the city is your source of fun and exercise, our kinky crafting event at our Brooklyn store is more your speed! At 6pm customers will learn how to create their very own floggers out of recycled bike inner tubes donated by Ride Brooklyn. And don’t worry; both of these events will have lots of information about how to choose an eco-friendly sex toy to end your Earth Day right as well as complimentary Blossom Organics products to the first 15 attendees! The event in Brooklyn starts at 6pm and the LES event starts at 7pm. Find out more info here. Happy Earth Day, everyone!

A Modern Life of All Stress, No Sex?

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:51:17 GMT

I probably don't have to tell you that we live in a busy, busy world, with iPhones, second jobs, credit card debt and stress, stress, stress. I think we may have gone so far past the point of being stressed out, we're, like, post-stressed at this point. And in addition to everything else we try to holistically cram into our days (the efforts to exercise and be healthy, hang out with friends, spend quality time with our families and partners), we also want to have successful, satisfying sex lives. No easy feat, for those who are already stretched passed the point of being busy and are full on totally overwhelmed. Recently, the Observer, the New York Times and the Village Voice all published articles on the possibility that "sex was dead" - it simply isn't something we can fit into the daily schedule. And it makes sense. If a person works 14 hours a day, or they have children (or they work 14 hours and have children), sex might as well be the last thing on their mind at the end of a hard day. I know for myself: talking about sex at work all day, while it may seem like a natural aphrodisiac, can actually have the opposite effect. Sex can start to seem painfully like work, especially when it is your work. It's not just simply being busy that stops us from getting horny, though. There has been studies that suggests that especially in women, sexual function can be adversely affected on a physical level by life's distractions, financial concerns, fatigue, workaholism and anxiety about sexual performance or a potentially negative sexual experience. So not only aren't you in the mood, but your lifestyle can also be contributing to you not getting in the mood. Luckily, there is also recent research that suggests that reading erotic literature, masturbating and getting physical exercise are great ways to enhance sexual desire and improve sexual stimulation. So maybe now is a good time for those of us who can't even conceive of fitting something else into our schedule (including, well, sex with our partner) to start thinking about sex differently. It doesn't always have to be an obligatory 15 minutes well after our bedtime, it can also be the sexual and emotional connections we make with our loved ones. Spend time with your sweetheart doing the things that are intimate, be it a romantic dinner, shopping (maybe toy shopping?), or just a casual TV night. Attend a workshop; we have some great ones this month that focus on ways to get relaxed, re-focused and turned on, such as the NYC Yoga Positions for Sex workshop or the Seattle Healthy Communication in Relationships and Sex, Sanity and Sleep workshops. But most of all, take this opportunity to acknowledge yourself as a busy person who can't do everything. Unless human cloning happens sometime soon.

Some Extra Tax Time Motivation: 15% Off Everything!

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:07:48 GMT

Sometimes you need something more buzzy than coffee to get you through your taxes, so this weekend, Babeland will automatically be offering 15% off your order (use code GOLD15)! For today only, every customer who spends $25 or more will also get a free gold bullet (worth $15)! Maybe tax time isn't looking so bad after all...

An Interview with The Redwood Plan

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:11:06 GMT

Babeland is sponsoring Seattle band The Redwood Plan at SXSW this year--you can catch their li ve performance on Friday, March 18 at Noon. We had the chance to catch up with the lead singer, Lesli Wood, and the drummer, Betty ST, in between busy recording and touring schedules. Here's what they had to say about the band's music, their inspirations and what they're looking forward to at SXSW this year: Shannon: How did you all start playing music together? Lesli: Betty and I started playing together casually a few years ago. I was still in Ms. Led at the time and I had a couple of song ideas that didn't quite fit with Ms. Led's style. The songs were dancier and not as political and I thought it would be fun to see what Betty and I would do working on them together. The songs had potential, so we decided to bring some other friends in and of course, Syd and Larry perfected the lineup. Really, it was just a bunch of friends getting together playing music we enjoy. Betty: Lesli and I applied our success in hanging out together drinking whiskey, to hanging out together, drinking whiskey and playing instruments. It grew from there, with Syd and Larry, into an incredible chemistry. I feel very lucky to play music with these three people. Shannon: What tends to be your muse for music? Lesli: For me, the lyrics/energy of the songs tend to come from a place of inspiration and motivation to live the shit out of every second of every day. Whether it's in my relationships, my career, my outlook on life, I want the best in everything and I never want to settle for anything less. I sing as hard as I can, live, work, and play as hard as I can and I don't believe in putting obstacles up for myself. Betty: Connection. And personally, a ridiculous amount of idealism and romanticism. Shannon: Why the Red and Black color scheme? Lesli: It matches my hair! Shannon: What are you most looking forward to at SXSW this year? Lesli: We're so honored to be representing Seattle at SXSW especially amongst such amazing bands as The Young Evils and Campfire OK. I love the energy at SXSW and it's always a lovefest seeing your friends there. And to actually share a stage with all these great Seattle bands will definitely be a blast. Betty: I'm looking forward to margaritas on a patio with most of my favorite people. Shannon: Are there any bands you are really excited see/ share the stage with this year? Betty: I didn't get to see You Say Party! when they came through Seattle last year. I'm not going to let that happen this year! Here's a clip with more details about SXSW, the upcoming album and the band's plans for touring in the next year: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8oTiRAQaoo

Introducing the Redwood Plan

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:04:40 GMT

Music and sex have long been a fantastic pairing, but Babeland's recent collaboration with the Seattle band The Redwood Plan is taking that partnership to a whole new level. Babeland will be sponsoring the band this year at South by Southwest (SXSW), one of music's largest independent festivals in Austin, Texas, held March 11th to the 20th. Check the schedule for live show times and don't miss this free Redwood Plan song download available only to Babeland customers and fans. The Redwood Plan burst onto the Seattle music scene with their high energy, dazzling riffs and hooks that get an audience moving: raw, energetic, sexy music (just like the band itself!). The band features vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Lesli Wood, best known as the charismatic front person of the band Ms. Led, along with bassist Larry Brady, guitarist Sydney Stolfus and drummer Betty ST. As frontwoman, Wood brings her high-energy showwomanship and in-your-face lyrics to The Redwood Plan's groove-heavy stylings. All veteran musicians, the members' accomplishments include extensive tours in the U.S. and Europe and features in Time Out New York, Venus Zine, The Advocate, and Devil in the Woods. Collectively, the band's chemistry is undeniable in creating a unique and addictive sound. The band has a full length debut, "Racing Towards the Heartbreak," that will be available in the Seattle Babeland store as well as a single, “Green Light Go," which will be available in the Seattle, Brooklyn and Rivington Babeland locations. Because the band is also sex positive and queer identified, their presence as well as their politics make them a perfect fit for Babeland. Visit our blog for video interviews with the band and updates from SXSW. Plus we'll share more details about the brand spanking new music activated vibrator we'll be raffling off at The Redwood Plan's booth, March 18th and 20th. Don't forget to download the Redwood Plan free song available only to Babeland customers and fans! Without further ado, meet The Redwood Plan! httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQvTOEE4omU