28

No discount and freebie thread last Friday (sorry, my review of Truth had to take precedence) but I think this week’s round-up more than makes up for it. The summer sale season is upon us and there are some serious, serious lingerie bargains to be had over at Coco de Mer, Agent Provocateur, and Figleaves.

 

TOYS AND LINGERIE

Agent Provocateur
AP is one of my favourite, favourite under-thing brands but at full-price their stuff, while beautiful, is death on the old wallet. This is definitely the time to buy. These corset-style Ilya Big Briefs? Reduced from £110 to £55.  This Mercy Waspie? £185 to £95. These Syble tie-side knickers (similar to the ones I wore in my Sinful Sunday pic a while back)? Reduced to £35 from £65.

 

Coco de Mer
Is offering up to 50% off selected items, including lingerie, bondage/fetish wear and sex toys. There are some beautiful, beautiful items in this sale, including FYI’s Binding Briefs (£64.00), the Coco de Mer Jade Petite Rosebud Small Butt Plug (£60.00), the DL & Co Lady Rhubarb Ombre Collection Scented Candle (£32.00) and this beautiful Crystal Flogger from Bo’s Tit Bits (£98.00). Continue reading

10

What we used: Rubberwood Spanking Paddle
From: Coco de Mer
Price: £20.50
Material(s): Rubberwood

First thoughts …

Lizzie
I am likely to be a little biased in my review of this Rubberwood Paddle because, straight up, spanking is one of my favourite bedroom activities – receiving rather than giving. With the right partner, the right mood and the right delivery, nothing beats it – no pun intended – although, as those of you who have read my previous reviews will be aware, I am a bit of a masochist, so please keep that in mind when digesting that statement!

Thomas and I tend to purchase most of our toy box items online, but this particular paddle was the result of a browsing session in Coco de Mer and something that I picked out for Thomas to use on me rather than the other way around. To that end, I had the opportunity to handle it and experiment with it before purchasing, so was pretty sure I was going to enjoy its various charms. Continue reading

18

Sex education – and not the kind they teach in schools. I’m a big fan of it and have a fair number of non-fiction books devoted to various sex-related subjects: sexual psychology (Dirty Minds by Kayt Sukel), oral sex (Masterclass: Going Down by Ian Cameron), and sadomasochism (SM 101: A Realistic Introduction by Jay Wiseman) to name just a few. But, sometimes, there’s no substitute for practical experience.

Just over a year ago, I attended an adult sex education class for the first time with my other half and, hands down, it was probably one of the most interesting and liberating things we’ve done as a couple. Being able to talk to someone with the experience to answer topical sex questions in a practical and non-judgemental way and having the opportunity to see things demonstrated (and try a few things ourselves under the watchful eye of the tutor) was wonderful. Even better, that first class opened the door to a whole lot of other lines of thinking and exploration for us. Some new adventures, if you will.

Earlier this week I received a marketing email from British-based sex toy retailer Coco de Mer, reminding me of their new salon season and, I have to say, they’re running some great classes this November, including An Introduction to Sensual Massage, Sensual Spanking, Mistress in the Bedroom (this one has the fabulous Mistress Absolute at the helm), Backdoor Antics: Practicals of Anal Sex, and Female Ejaculation and the G-Spot. Continue reading

04

What we used: ’Freedom is deciding whose slave you want to be’ blindfold
From: Coco de Mer U.K.
Price: £25.50
Material(s): Silk

The first in our series of posts on Christian Grey’s playthings, in which we discover that silk blindfolds feel lovely but are very, very hard to keep in place …

First impressions …

Lizzie
This blindfold is beautiful. It’s gorgeously soft, feels wonderfully silky to the touch, and the words ‘Freedom is deciding whose slave you want to be’ are stitched in a pretty scripted font in the middle of the outward-facing panel. The Coco de Mer logo is embroidered at the right-hand end. All-in-all, very seductive and a million miles from sleazy and cheap. I’m impressed – and a bit surprised! – that Thomas has chosen this for me; it’s far sexier than a hanky or one of my pashminas, but being an average bloke, they’re exactly what I’d expect him to be wrapping around my head in place of this!

Thomas
The blindfold came in quality packaging from Coco de Mer along with several other items, none of which looked cheap or tacky, which is to be avoided at all costs if you are shopping for toys. The blindfold is of decent silk and is well made with black embroidery on one side. It has a nice look and feel and you won’t be embarrassed to whip it out (so to speak) on your partner. Continue reading