What we used: standard riding crop
From: Jack’s Floggers
Material(s): leather, glass fibre
Price: £12.00
Reviewer(s): Lizzie & Thomas

A crop is a crop is a crop. Or is it? Find out what Lizzie and Thomas think of their newest purchase from U.K.-based Jack’s Floggers.

First thoughts

Lizzie
So, can I just say that my eyes were going all over the place when I saw Jack’s line up of truly beautiful implements at LAM (the London Alternative Market), which is where Thomas and I bought this lovely, lovely riding crop a month or two back. The quality of Jack’s products was abundantly clear but, not only that, they were all, without exception, incredibly stylish. This crop stood out to me, first and foremost, because of the colour – I’m a sucker for red – but as soon as I picked it up, I thought ‘ooh!’. Our current Bondage Boutique crop, the one we reviewed a while back, is now a little worse for wear and, lately, we’ve noticed the keeper has started to part company with the shaft.

Thomas
Like Lizzie, I noticed straight away that this crop of Jack’s looked and felt far superior to our current one. And although they’re both about the same length overall (approximately 27.5 inches from end to end) the leather strop/keeper on his design is much longer (7.0 inches at the attachment point as opposed to 4.5).

Construction

Lizzie
I’ll say it again. This is an absolutely stunning crop and the quality of the craftsmanship is evident everywhere you look: the beautiful braided handle in gloss red leather; the black braided handle butts; the slim, tapered shaft; the soft leather keeper embossed with the Jack’s Floggers logo. Everything on it is neat and tidy, the finishing impeccable, and, basically, it’s just really well made. This isn’t an instrument that’s going to fall to pieces on you in a hurry.

Thomas
This crop is far whippier than our old one (I gave Lizzie a few experimental whacks before buying it and the difference was immediately evident) and it’s definitely better put together as well. The leather keeper is more securely attached to the shaft and the shaft material itself, which is glass fibre, is superior, too. I like that the handle is braided as the uneven surface helps with grip. Overall, the finish is very, very good.

In use

Lizzie
I love the crop. It’s become one of my favourite toy bag items. The threat and tease of it as it’s run or tapped over my body prior to or during a session; the sting of the tip and shaft when it’s applied to my bottom and thighs with force. The ‘smacking’ sound the keeper creates when it hits the skin, too, never fails to send a little thrill of fright through me.

Thomas and I liked our last crop a lot but, wow. It pales in comparison to this one. For starters, Jack’s creation has far (far) more bite than the Bondage Boutique version. The slim, stiff shaft really smarts when it hits and the split keeper seems to give far more sting to the wielder’s flicks and swings. Thomas had to strike relatively firmly to generate bruises with our previous crop. This one? Well, I had some truly spectacular purple keeper-shaped marks on my bottom for far less effort on his part.

If you’re someone who enjoys stingy sensations, this crop is a slice of heaven … and maybe just a little bit of exquisite masochistic hell, too :-).

Thomas
Jack’s crop is far more aggressive than our last one. The shaft is slimmer and stiffer, and the leather strop is softer and longer. This all combines for a lot more whip and a lot more snap in the end – and so a lot more sting. Lizzie wriggles about far more than usual when I use this crop, which tells me I have her undivided attention.

Any downsides?

Lizzie
None that I can think of. Although I would say that the slightly longer-than-we-were-used-to keeper dimensions caught us out a little; Thomas mis-judged a relatively firm hit by a fraction of an inch and ended up catching me between the legs before he intended to do so (he normally warms me up a bit more before going for that spot). I can tell you categorically that a firm swat with this on the clitoris will make you jump about like nobody’s business!

Thomas
As Lizzie mentioned, the only issue with this crop was that I made the schoolboy error of not practising enough with it beforehand and assuming if would behave the same way as our old one. The lesson? Always put a new toy through its paces, even if the overall style is familiar, so that you get the reach right. This one caught me out because I placed it fractionally further into the buttock than I should have (although I don’t think Lizzie minded too much ;-).) If you are used to a crop with a short, unsplit keeper, you will need to be extra careful with your aim until you get used to it.

The verdict?

Lizzie
A superb riding crop that is amazingly priced, beautifully made, and a joy to be on the receiving end of. If you like sting with style, this is £12.00 you won’t regret parting with.

Thomas
A very nice crop nice to hold and use and very effective (especially when applied to the clitoris!).

In summary

Things we liked:

• The finishing. Truly beautiful.
• The design. Sting city!
• The price. At £12.00 this is a total bargain.
• Being able to try before we bought. Jack (and his stall) were fab. But he also offers a great online service, with worldwide shipping, if you can’t make it to the London Alternative Market.

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• Nothing!

Tickle your fancy? Click on the following link to visit the Jack’s Floggers website. (You will need to navigate to the Canes, Crops and Paddles etc. page.)

• Jack’s Floggers

*LAM (the London Alternative Market) runs the first Sunday of every month. Entry is £4 per person. Full details here.

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Spank Ÿ v. slap with one’s open hand or a flat object, especially on the buttocks as a punishment. Ÿ n. a slap or series of slaps of this type.

How can something that’s painful be enjoyable? Create sexual satisfaction?

Erotic pain is a very hard thing to describe and quantify. In the words of Jay Wiseman:

‘One of the great fallacies is that people vary in their pain threshold. Medical research has proven that all persons begin to feel pain at almost exactly the same degree of stimulation. What is true is that people vary a great deal in how they react to painful stimuli …’

Whenever I read about spanking in the mainstream (outside of an erotic book or BDSM instructional text, basically) it’s invariably portrayed as something that’s met out as a unenjoyable punishment. Indeed, the idea that someone would willing submit to a spanking for the purposes of pleasure alone is confusing to a lot of people. Equally, the notion that there are those who like to inflict pain (responsibly) can be a difficult concept for some to get their heads around.

So, I’m going to show you a video. For those of you with a confirmed love of spanking, I’m willing to put money on the fact that you’ll be hot and bothered by the end of this. For those who can’t see the appeal of a pinkened bottom? This may just sway you …

Watch the face of the lady wielding the crop. Watch the movements of the woman receiving it.

In my opinion, this clip is breathtakingly beautiful.

*Please note that The Fashion Body – Buttocks is not overly explicit but does contain nudity and is therefore NSFW (not suitable for work).

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This Christmas, we have a full house. I’m even having to borrow a trestle table to fit everyone in for Christmas lunch. It’s going to be awesome. Lots of chatter, over-excited kids, plenty of Buck’s Fizz, good food and good conversation.

But once everyone’s gone home, the mess is cleaned up, and the small ones are fast asleep, I’ll be opening a few sexy presents with my OH, just the two of us. And I’m very much hoping that I’ll receive one or two things from my Christmas wishlist …

• Red Passionate Birthday Suit Suspenders from Agent Provocateur (those red ribbons are to die for – seasonal, too!)
• Lux-Me White Swarovski Crystal Riding Crop from La Belle Epoque (sparkly things are always welcome)
• Jimmyjane Afterglow Massage Candle in Grapefruit from Lovehoney (an excuse to touch each other – not that we need one)
• Kitty Gold Ouvert backless knickers from Lascivious (easy access and very, very pretty to look at)
• YESforLOV Intimate Pleasure Caress After Spanking Cream from Coco de Mer (no explanation needed)
  

And lest you think I’m completely self-indulged, rest assured that I’m on the lookout for sexy presents for my husband, too. He’s actually quite hard to buy for, but I’ve found a few goodies I think he might like …

• Truth or Dare – A Game of Passion from Amazon (an interesting alternative to Risk)
• Luxury Soft Black Bondage Rope from Bondara (since I used his good one to do the Shibari Christmas Turkey shot for Toy with me Tuesday)
• Maximus Anal Lubricant from Lovehoney (to go with the Kitty Gold Ouvert knickers above)
• Godiva Deeply Dark Chocolate Collection from John Lewis (my OH adores chocolate)

Cross your fingers for me!

Hope your Christmas shopping is going well.

The post Giving a little sexy Christmas love appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

Image: Kris de Curtis 

There are quite a few things I’d like for Christmas. I think it’s fair to say, though, that some of them won’t make it under the family tree. No, they’ll be opened in private with my own personal Santa Claus. Ho, ho, ho.

I’ve yet to write out my wish list but, in the mean time, I thought I’d have a little fun with the 1953 classic song Santa Baby, the original version of which was famously sung by Eartha Kitt, to get me in the mood …

Santa Baby, slip a paddle under the tree, For me.
been an awful bad girl, Santa baby,
so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa baby, a multi-speed vibrator too,
Light blue*.
I’ll wait up for you dear,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Think of all the punishments I’ve missed,
Think of all the canes my skin hasn’t kissed,
Next year I could be just as bad,
If you’ll check off my Christmas list,

Santa baby, I wanna crop,
And really that’s not a lot,
Been misbehaving all year,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa honey, there’s one thing you really do need,
The deed
To this submission of mine,
Santa honey, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Santa cutie, and fill my life with a Dom,
And sex.
Sign your name on my skin,
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Come and trim my Christmas tree,
With some clamps bought especially for me,
I really do believe in you,
Let’s see if you believe in me,

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing,
A collar.
I don’t mean for the dog,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry, tonight.

*Pants. They don’t do them in blue!

Hope you’re all having as much fun as I am writing your letter to Father Christmas.

Jane
x

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Title:

A marriage on the rocks. A wife who longs to be taken in hand. A husband who wants nothing more than to recover the control he’s relinquished. Reclaimed Surrender is a fabulous exploration of what happens when the equilibrium is upset in a D/s relationship; of the havoc that ensues when a Dom, with the best of intentions, cedes to his sub.

Rene and Alexis Tanner are having major problems. Something has happened (I won’t spoil the book for you by saying what) that’s severely affected the level of trust between them – and it’s absolutely killing their relationship. To the point that they’re unable to relate to one another, to exchange power, in the way they both desperately need to.

When we first meet Alexis, she’s pretty much resigned herself to the fact that her marriage is, for all intents and purposes, over. In her heart, she doesn’t want it to be (she can’t bring herself to officially end things) but she’s accepted that it’s not working. In fact, she’s doing everything she can to push Rene away from her in an attempt to get him to call time. The problem is, Rene loves his wife – and he’s not about to let her destroy them. He’s tried stepping back and giving Alexis space in an effort to get them back to where they were, but it hasn’t worked and he’s reached his limit. So for one week they’ll do things his way. He’ll assume complete control once more. And if Alex baulks? Well, yeah. Then things really are over.

Verbal sparring, clashes of will, bratty behaviour, delicious punishments – Reclaimed Surrender ticks all the boxes. This erotic story moves at a really good pace and watching Alexis rediscover her submission – and Rene reclaim it – makes for very compelling reading.

‘“You’re a spoiled, self-indulged brat who’s gotten too big for her britches.”
“How dare you!”
“I haven’t finished. Those britches I mentioned? They need to be stripped from you so I can spank your ass until you can’t sit down. How dare I? How dare you?”’

While laced with some incredibly hot play passages – the sublimely cathartic crop scene springs immediately to mind – Reclaimed Surrender also includes beautiful demonstrations of power exchange and submission in their less ‘physical’ forms (specifically, the text message and errand list sequences). This is very much a book about connecting, mentally as well as bodily.

Of course, the backbone theme of Reclaimed Surrender ­­is trust – having it, losing it, getting it back – and the way Riley Murphy articulates and explains the nuances of it within a Dom/sub relationship though her characters is both thoughtful and moving:

‘“ … where a deep trust is perceived to be broken? I can only imagine that this would devastate a fully committed Dom because that would mean his honour comes into question.”’

One final point worth mentioning … There’s a certain human curveball in the Reclaimed Surrender mix – one who keeps you from getting too confident about how it will all end between Rene and Alex. Yet although he was both troubling and obnoxious for most of the book, I unexpectedly warmed to him in the last few pages. In fact, now I must confess to being rather curious about his future. Will Mr Curveball pop up in another of Ms Murphy’s books? I kind of hope so …

Tickle your fancy? Click on the following links to purchase a copy.

Amazon.co.uk:

• Reclaimed Surrender - Kindle

Amazon.com:

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Title:

This isn’t the first book in the Sweet erotic romance series by the ever-popular Maya Banks, but, in my opinion, it is the standout title in the line-up. In other words, if you’re going to pick one, this is the one to go for. Sweet Persuasion is a cracking, singe your fingers read. Put the cat out, dim the lights, grab a friend (breathing or battery operated) hot.

Serena is in the business of making dreams and wishes come true for other people. She spends her days fulfilling fantasies and making others happy, but what she really wants is to indulge in a secret fantasy of her own. Serena wants to be a sex slave. To give up complete control to a man, temporarily, and then return to her normal life once her slavery is complete.

She has absolutely no idea how to go about making her dream a reality, but as luck would have it, her friend Faith (the female lead of the previous Sweet book, Sweet Surrender) steps in and provides an introduction to the incredibly suave Damon Roche, owner of The House, a private club that caters to those with particular sexual appetites. Damon and Serena meet, as a result of Faith’s introduction, and thus begins a blindingly hot arrangement between the pair that sees Serena playing the submissive slave to the sophisticated, dominant Damon.

Damon’s characterisation is very well done. Banks manages to balance his character traits to create the stereotypically perfect Top; he’s ruthlessly dominant, yet wonderfully intelligent and compassionate. He’s no pushover, but nor is he an overly aggressive, arrogant wanker. His relationship with Serena is all about trust and care and, despite the depth and intensity of their BDSM play, his regard for her is always very clear. And when I say deep and intense, I really do mean it. This book contains some relatively graphic encounters and unapologetically gets into the psychology of consensual power exchange. We’re talking public scening, flogging, anal sex, etc., etc., etc., so be warned.

To boot, Serena is equally appealing. She resonates with the reader because she’s not a doormat. She’s a strong woman struggling to accept that giving up power to someone else takes a lot of guts. Her willingness to acknowledge her desires, to express them, and the trust she places in Damon is very moving, and her ultimate struggle to accept that her wants and desires are more than a fantasy even more so.

Hey, if Damon turned up at my door, I’d absolutely be inviting him (and his crop) into the sitting room before you could say ‘sweet’.

Tickle your fancy? Click on the following links to purchase Sweet Persuasion from Amazon.co.uk (Kindle ; Paperback), Amazon.com (Kindle ; Paperback), Kobo (ePub).

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‘The Fifty Shades of Grey official collection is beautifully packaged, discreet and couple-friendly. Products are supplied with a luxurious, branded storage bag and each comes with suggestions for use and tips on introducing the toys into a relationship.’

Yes, fans of the series will soon be able to buy ‘Inner Goddess – Silver Pleasure Balls’, ‘You. Are. Mine. – Metal Handcuffs’, a ‘Submit To Me – First Time Bondage Kit’, ‘All Mine – Deluxe Satin Blackout Mask’, the ‘Sweet Sting – Riding Crop’, and the ‘Twitchy Palm – Spanking Paddle’.

Which begs the question: will we see a move towards more book-branded sex toys in the future? I’ve long believed that erotica and erotic romances can have a direct influence on the adult toys we choose to buy, as well as our sexual experiences – in fact, that’s the main premise of this blog! – but I’m curious to know just how many of us use what we read to inspire our purchases (sex-oriented or otherwise). So tell me: does J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood make you want to rush out and buy Biolage, Patek Philippe, and Diamonds by the Yard? Or Maya Banks’ Sweet Persuasion a crop and a butt plug?

Enquiring minds want to know!

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What we used:

The second in our series of posts on Christian Grey’s playthings, in which we discover that crops with slightly imperfect handles are extremely flexible and feel very, very nice when applied to one’s bottom.

Important: If you haven’t already, please read the Behind the Chintz Curtain Disclaimer.

First impressions …

Lizzie
The crop arrives in a long, plain, brown box the day after I order it. Quick, prompt, discrete. I wait until Thomas arrives home from work before breaking into the packaging as we want to examine the crop for the first time together.

Some frenzied ripping of tape from the box later and we find the crop encased in a clear plastic sleeve and tagged with a Bondage Boutique swing tag on the wrist strap.

The crop itself is 27.5 inches (69.85 centimetres) long, with a red leather tab at the business end. The shaft appears to be made of a flexible plastic cane (which Thomas takes great delight in flexing and bending into a U-shape to see just how malleable it really is – gulp). A leather wrist strap is fixed immediately below the painted wooden handle and, to be honest, the latter is the only visually disappointing feature; on the crop we receive, it is slightly scratched and chipped. That said, for £14.99 I’m more than happy to live with the imperfection, especially since I’m not sure if I’m going to like how it feels when applied! (Hey, there’s a recession going on.)

Thomas
The crop looks okay but the slightly damaged handle is not the best. The business part of the crop (the leather tab) is of good quality, subtle leather and looks to be well attached and not flimsy. The handle is flexible but stiff enough so you can still have good control (and most importantly, aim).

The road test …

Lizzie
Unfortunately, we aren’t able to try out our new toy immediately after unpacking it, other than giving each other a few playful swats (real life intruded) so Thomas puts it away until we had the time to put it through its paces properly. When it does come out … I’ll be honest, I’m nervous. Full disclosure, we’ve been dabbling with impact play for a while, but have always avoided the long, thin, instruments, such as canes and, well, crops like this one. I don’t know why – I just have it in my head that the sting might not be something I can tolerate.

My worries are unfounded. To start with, Thomas simply holds the crop and runs the leather tab very, very lightly over my body to get me used to the feel of it. The feeling is absolutely delicious and the gentle teasing makes me feel much more relaxed about what is to come. And when he does eventually connect a proper blow, the feeling is different to what I’m expecting. Although the sting is quite localised, confined to the area around the leather tab, it leaves a lovely burning sensation in its wake, rather than the cutting sharpness I’m anticipating. The leather tab makes a very satisfying sound when it hits the skin, too (a sharp ‘thwack’), which only serves to enhance all the other senses and sensations that are in play.

Once he starts using the crop in earnest, Thomas continues to vary the force and placement of the blows (although keeping them to my fleshy padded parts, i.e. my bottom and thighs), intermittently stopping to rub the sting with his hand and the leather end of the crop.

All in all, the experience is a very good one, as evidenced by the fact that the crop is eventually cast aside and we became distracted by … other things.

Thomas
The crop is a nice toy to use in conjunction with a blindfold or a mask. The leather tab on the end is quite soft and so can be gently used to tease and caress parts of the body and increase anticipation before the ‘shock’ of a blow. That said, the crop works well when applied with more force as it is stiff enough so the blows can be aimed accurately – quite important as you want the tab to impact and not the stick support. Also, the tab is large enough to make this easier but not so large that it feels like you are slapping her with a fish. I would recommend a few practice whacks on yourself first to get your aim and reach right and to gauge how hard you are actually hitting. Lizzie responds very well to the crop and her reaction to some good, firm strokes with it are extremely satisfying.

The verdict?

Lizzie
I really like this crop. Really like it. For the price, I think it was well worth taking the time to experiment with and I’ve discovered I love the way it feels when applied to my skin – both softly and with more force. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, but I can see that a crop in the flesh – as opposed to on the pages of a book – won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. This is definitely one for those who like their pleasure edged with a little bit of bite and have a partner they trust to dish out the latter.

Thomas
A good item, well worth buying if your partner is up for something more intense, although it can be used very effectively in a more limited way as a tease or a implied threat to heighten the tension as a prelude to other things …

In summary

Things we liked:

• The feel. The leather tip feels delicious when stroked gently over the body and gives a very lovely localised burn when applied to the flesh with more vigour.
• Using it. It’s easy to handle and control.
• The price. Relatively inexpensive. (If you decide you don’t like how it feels, you haven’t lost a fortune.)

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• Finishing could have been better – the handle on our crop was a bit scuffed and scratched – but for the price, it wasn’t a big deal.

The post Christian Grey’s playthings, part two: the crop appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

Okay. You’ve read Fifty Shades of Grey and you’re curious. What exactly happens when people play with all those things in the bedroom in real life? You know, those, er, ‘toys’?

Before Fifty came on the scene, the items that Christian Grey uses during his sexual encounters with Anastasia Steele were probably a bit outside the standard sexual behaviour box for a good many people. But if this book has done one thing by going mainstream, regardless of what you think of its origins, the writing, and the way it portrays the BDSM lifestyle, it has opened the door for candid conversations between partners and – hopefully – allowed them to communicate more openly about things they’d like to try in (or out of) the bedroom.

That said, it’s one thing to read about these sorts of things in a book and quite another to go out, buy up the hardware aisle at Homebase, and experiment with your significant other. So, to quench your curiosity, we’re going to roadtest (well, our reviewers Lizzie and Thomas are) four of the items from E.L. James’s record-breaking novel – the blindfold, the crop, ‘the beads’ and the handcuffs – to help you decide whether you’d like to try them out yourself.

We’ll be posting the reviews in instalments, so make sure you visit Chintz later this week for the first in the series.

Fifty Shades of Grey is available from: Amazon.co.uk (Kindle ; paperback), Amazon.com (Kindle ; paperback), Barnes & Noble (Nook ; paperback), Kobo (eBook).

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