Good Vibes - Fantastic Sex Shopping in San Francisco

Good Vibes is the first adult store from which I ever made an online purchase – way back during my time in New York. It changed my life, because the atmosphere of their website encouraged me to learn about what I was buying, as well as myself, without shame.

When I finally found myself in San Francisco I knew I must make the pilgrimage in person and I was not disappointed. What a fantastic store! I know good vibes was recently acquired by a larger company, but rest assured that the independent, feminist, service-oriented spirit is very much alive.

I walked into this store and was immediately greeted by their inspiring and entertaining selection of antique vibrators. As a proud owner of an early 1900s vibe myself, I was thrilled to see her sisters on display here. As one might expect, this excellent store sells a variety of toys for all genders and sexualities, as well as some uniquely tasty BDSM gear and plenty of books, condoms and lubes. Toys are usually on display, so you can check them out, and the lay out of the store is comfortable and easy to navigate.

Let me take a moment to compliment the staff, who are all far more trained and approachable than those are your typical (smuttier) store. As a professional sex educator, my questions tend to be picky and unusual. I was thrilled that staff were able to advise me on their items without hesitation, in spite of my detail-oriented needs. I left feeling well educated about the products that I was interested in, and confident that I could call later, if needed.

I should also mention that they have an art gallery space in the back are easily accessible by bus.

View all of my sex store reviews here on ExploringIntimacy.com.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gEwzKrHS5A]

I do hope you enjoy my first video review, complete with catchy intro music!

  • FemBlossom by Emotional Bliss

    FemBlossom by Emotional Bliss

    Toy: The FemBlossom

  • Type: premium battery powered vibrator, heating (rechargable)
  • Manufacturer: Emotional Bliss
  • Material:  hard plastic, with antibacterial silver ions in the plastic
  • Cost: $99.95
  • SMT rating: 1 – 3 (depending on settings), with accompanying heat

The Femblossom comes from Emotional Bliss, a wonderful company with a unique approach to designing toys that stand apart.  They produce especially great products for women just learning to explore their own bodies with toys or who have not been satisfied with other products on the market.  The FemBlossom is no exception, and proves to be a fantastic outty vibe!

My Femblossom was sent to me for review and arrived well packaged, including an AC adapter, two small bottles of lubricant (water and silicone based), and a wonderful instruction manual.  The manual goes over the functions of the toy, including all 9 settings at 3 different levels of power annnnd it also heats!  I should mention that it is made with a silver ion technology in the plastic that gives it anti-bacterial properties when wiped down with water.

The Femblossom is designed as an outty toy, for use on the vulva including the clitoris, but not for insertion.  As you can see from the video, it’s curved to match the body and lay at the outside of the vulva, or directly stimulate the clit by pressing the curved section against the vulva or using the tip of the vibe.  It has subtle texture, not enough to overwhelm but enough to notice.  As you turn up the vibrations, you also turn up the heat.  The power button is located within easy finger’s reach, and you can scroll through the 9 settings using the + and – buttons.  It gets very powerful and very warm, but can also have a mild thrum with lower heat for those who prefer a softer touch, or who like to warm up gently.

Like its inny-outty sister, the Womolia, this is an excellent premium toy with dynamic uses.  Most toys with a powerful motor are good for getting off but not warming up, this one has a range that goes from sweetly seductive to very intense.  The heat function can be both relaxing and stimulating, and proves to be highly enjoyable.

For those who prefer an outty-only vibrator that does not look anything like a phallus, this is a phenominal choice!  It’s easy to use with partners, and to accompany penetration, solo or partnered. The buttons are easy to press and do not require a great deal of finger strength or dexterity and the toy is light and easy to hold. The battery even holds a charge for a long time!  Like the Womolia, I can’t find anything wrong with this toy, and am very happy to give it my whole hearted recommendation as a fantastic toy for beginners and experienced toy lovers!

Check out all of the toys that have been Play Tested here on ExploringIntimacy.com.

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Sensual Art - the Cecile by Lovemoiselle

Sensual Art - the Cecile by Lovemoiselle

  • Toy: Cecile
  • Type: premium battery powered vibrator (2 AAAs)
  • Manufacturer: Lovemoiselle
  • Material:  Ceramic
  • Cost: approx $100
  • SMT rating: 1 (on high), vibrations are not terribly strong but they carry very well due to the ceramic body

Cecile is a delightful, artistic vibrator designed to please its owner’s senses of touch and sight with its smooth, undulating body and light-to-moderate vibrations.  Those who love sensation play will adore this vibe, as will those seeking a lightweight, very firm toy with far more style than her hard plastic sisters.  The unique sensation of the ceramic is extremely smooth and offers added depth to the transmission of the vibrations.  With its single, well-placed button, control is easy.  This toy is best suited to those who enjoy a perfectly texture-free surface, light to moderate vibrations, a firm phallus, and one that widens gradually toward the base.  And, of course, for those who are ready to be visually seduced.

Continue reading for all of the details of the Cecile’s playtest.

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The Womalia - Best of the Best

The Womalia - Best of the Best

  • Toy: Womolia
  • Type: premium rechargeable vibrator with 3 speeds spread over 9 settings… and it also heats
  • Manufacturer: Emotional Bliss
  • Material:  Hard plastic, with silver ions that make it anti-bacterial
  • Cost: $99.95
  • SMT rating: 0-2, depending on setting

Sound the trumpets and wave the flags, because this is a day I never thought would come.  

For the first time in six years, I am proud to announce a new favorite toy.  Yes, my friends, the amazing Hitachi Magic Wand must now yield its cherished seat of honor to the Womolia.  

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The Femblossom by Emotional Bliss - offers sensual heat and is antibacterial with water

The Femblossom by Emotional Bliss - offers sensual heat and is antibacterial with water

 

 

I got a neat product announcement from Emotional Bliss in my email this past week and thought I would share it with all of you.  Now keep in mind that I get a lot of product announcements in my snail-mail and email boxes, but this one stood out to because it was both unique and from a well-respected company.   They have recently introduced products that offer two fantastic features: they warm at the touch of a button and they are also created to be antibacterial when wiped with water!

 

Femblossom Heat from Emotional Bliss

Femblossom Heat from Emotional Bliss

The sensation of heat can be very sensual, but until now a hot vibe usually means your motor is in trouble.   Emotional Bliss is now offering the Femblossom Heat and Womolia Heat for those who want to warm things up in an intimate way.  They’re both uniquely designed items, and it shows that they came from the mind of an experienced sexuality expert who also happens to be female.  Basically, the Femblossom Heat is designed to be an outtie vibe that curves and cups over the vulva – a great place to apply warm vibrations.  The Womolia Heat is meant for more direct clitoral stimulation, and can also be inserted.  I will be reviewing a Womolia Heat as soon as the box arrives and will let you know what I think!

 

So what about this antibacterial claim?  I asked ‘em and was informed that their vibes are the first to use silver ion technology for antibacterial purposes.  Now, I don’t know about you, but I was a bit skeptical; however, it turns out that there has been some recent research on adding silver ions to plastics and then testing it for antibacterial purposes.  I even found a study in which the silver ion treated plastics were exposed to lab-created bodily fluids and old bath water, and the results were quite promising.  While I couldn’t find a copy of the original source, I also found information suggesting that silver ions may be useful against viruses as well.  Don’t quote me on that one, but do let me know if you have any insights on the topic.  

Womolia Heat by Emotional Bliss

Womolia Heat by Emotional Bliss

 

 

Anyway, it seems that plastics with silver ions in them slowly release the ions when exposed to water.  The silver ions aren’t a happy thing for bacteria, and they trigger a reaction in single-celled bacteria (and possibly other single-celled things) that gets rid of them.  It doesn’t poison them or create a toxic leftover, it just inspires them to self destruct, making it a safe way to keep things clean of bacteria.  From what I read, it can last for quite a while, too.  I would suggest washing your antibacterial toy well, all the same.  However, I think many folks will be glad to know that wiping it down well with a wet washcloth will have a non-irritating and effective antibacterial effect.  I can only imagine how great this could be for folks who are very sensitive to soaps and other cleaning products!  

It’s exciting to see companies like Emotional Bliss that prioritize our health as well as our pleasure.  I will be sure to let all of you know what I think of the Womolia Heat as soon as it arrives!

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A We-Vibe in the hand actually isn't quite as good as 1 in the...

A We-Vibe in the hand actually isn't quite as good as 1 in the...

Toy: We-Vibe

Type: rechargeable, innie & outtie, vibrator (also includes case and charger)

Material: Silicone (medical grade)

Cost: about $130

Power: moderate, but with an SMT of 0.

Back during the last time I was single there was a period of several months when I declared a refillable travel mug to be my new partner.  His name was George, but I lovingly called him Mug-mug.  Mug-mug would give me cheap refills of hot coco from a local gourmet chocolate shop, thus providing warm and sensual comfort on demand while asking very little of me in return.  My ex even confessed that he was a little jealous of Mug-mug, adding to its attractiveness.  All he needed was a gentle hand washing and about $1 per refill, which is a remarkably good deal for constant, soothing companionship.  Mug-mug was a fantastic rebound partner and when I started to tire of him he graciously got lost, as a good rebound should.

If only the We-Vibe had been around I could have saved myself many trips to the chocolate shop and serveral thousand callories.  Actually, I would have probably tried to get the three of us together, but that’s completely besides the point!  I’m writing to review the We-Vibe, the perfect companion for female lovers of: books, blogging, porn, strapping it on, cowgirl sex, bondage bunnies, and lazily blissful erotic stimulation.  That should cover nearly everyone (with a vagina) that reads my stuff!  Keep reading for the review, and my list of 10 sexy ideas for your We-Vibe.

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