Written by Loon @ 9:59 pm

Here at the Smitten Kitten, we are committed to learning as much as we can about every single one of our products. When something new comes in we learn about it, try it, and share our information and opinions with coworkers and customers alike.

When we decided to buy the Tenga Flip Hole, many of us were ecstatic about it’s design. Unlike the standard Flesh Light that has become the popular choice for a “like the real thing” masturbation sleeve, this product actually folds open so that the user can more easily clean all the nubs and and bulges on the inside. The Tenga Flip Hole is by far one of the most genius masturbation sleeves we have found on the market; so as you can imagine, I was super stoked to try it out.

The Fisting:

One quiet night at the store, Leo and I decided tonight was the night to really get a feel for the Tenga and contrast it with our popular Stroker sleeve. Lacking the particular biology necessary to utilize this device, we opted for THE FIST. Now fisting as a sexual act conjures up images of plunging a balled up fist over and over into some particular orifice of the body. Not so. That type of fisting may very well hurt a lot; the goal is to feel good. Instead, fisting is a build up and requires lots of good lube (we recommend a Gel lube for anal, like Slippery Stuff Gel). One finger turns into a couple fingers and sooner or later, when everyone is feeling comfortable and good, a few fingers turns into a handful of fingers. Rather than balling up the hand, however, it is best initial practice to have your hand folded into the shape of a beak…or a shadow puppet mouth. From here then you can choose, based on a conversation with your partner, whether balling up completely is gong to happen or not. Tenga and I decided that we were not going to ball up that night (mainly because my hand was to big).

The Findings:

Tenga felt awesome! All of the nubs, bulges, and surprises on the inside provide a like-real experience. It is also incredibly unpredictable to know what the sensation will be because it is not a repetitive texture. Externally, there are three buttons that can be pushed to lend pressure to what is going on internally and also provides suction. My personal favorite was the bottom button. After all was said and done, all i needed to do was flip Tenga open, use some soap and water, and scrub out the insides. Simple!

Stroker felt awesome too! The inside of the Stroker similarly has ridges, but it is a repetitive pattern, so you kind of know what you’re getting. Nonetheless, the sensation rules.

Moral of story: masturbation sleeves rule, penis or not.

**Please Note**

The Tenga Flip Hole is NOT made of silicone, it is made of elastomer. In this way, it is porous and can never be fully sterilized. This product should not be shared between individuals due to its porous nature and is, over time, disposable.

Written by Alley @ 4:49 pm

I say that regardless of your relationship status, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a drag. If you’re single, get yourself something sexy (a new vibe, a masturbation sleeve, some porn) and then barricade yourself in your house, ignore the pink and red decorations outside and masturbate like crazy. Doing something like this is so much easier when you’re single. Enjoy yourself, and cultivate the sense that you are an amazing, fantastic person. Now that’s a holiday worth celebrating.

For the rest of you that are sweating it about what to get your beloved (or your casual hook-up, or whomever) I put together this brief list of things that make great gifts.

PRICE KEY:

$ = $1-$49

$$= $50-$100

$$$ = $100-$150

1. LELO. Anyone on our staff will tell you how much they love this collection of vibrators. Their combination of reliability, power, and innovation is pretty hard to beat. Whether you’re looking at a vibrating cock ring like BO, or the USB-charged MIA, it’s hard to make a wrong choice. $$$

2. We Vibe II. This unique rechargeable vibrator provides simultaneous internal and external stimulation during intercourse. This vibrator is a total game changer. Never before was there a dual stimulation vibe you could use during intercourse, and We Vibe II is even better than We Vibe I because it’s cheaper, has more speeds, and an easier control button. Nicely done. $$$

3. Ophoria Vibrating Cock Rings. Sometimes you just want to try something out, and the Ophoria rings are perfect for that. The rings are silicone, so you can re-use them, and if you try it and love the vibrating aspect, replace the starter vibe with a Power Bullet for more power and longevity. Plus, at $10 they’re a pretty low-risk purchase. $

4. Iceberg by Love Bumper. I’m a big fan of Love Bumper products. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Liberator Wedge too, but the Iceberg has a few advantages. First, it has a design that allows your body to bend over it in two steps instead of one. This is really comfortable and opens up your back. Second, this is the only position enhancer we carry that has a hands-free vibrator pocket. This way, when someone is pushing into you from behind, it pushes your body down into the vibrator in a really nice way. Iceberg’s pocket works with Laya Spot, BGood, and a bunch of other vibrators we sell. $$

5. Massage Candles. Massage Candles melt at the perfect temperature, transforming into warmed massage oil. These are great because you get romantic lighting plus massage in one product. Pretty smooth. We have a variety of them at the store. Check out the Good Clean Love Candles online. $

6. Kama Sutra Products. The Get-Away Kit has travel-safe sizes of Kama Sutra’s tastiest products. Oil of Love, Honey Dust and Body Souffle are all perfectly lick-able. Get them all in one with kits or buy them separate in multiple flavors. $-$$

7. Chocolate Body Paint. Recently we’ve gotten some tasty new flavors in. If you like chocolate, and you like sex, why not combine them? Just don’t forget to put it in the fridge after it’s opened. $

8. Erotica. If you know your partner likes talking dirty, but you feel a little silly doing it, why not read them a hot story? We’ve got all kinds of stories from the general (Best Women’s Erotica series) to the very specific (whether it’s Aqua Erotica, Surfer Boys, or Sexy Restraint, there’s a book for you). $

9. Condoms. Sometimes nothing says sexy better than knowing you’re not going to get pregnant or get an STI from your adventures. Right? $

10. Prostate Massagers. What is better than prostate massage really? When done right, it feels great, is healthy, and can potentially provide a completely different kind of orgasm than the receiver of the massage may be used to. Pair a prostate massager with a great lube like Ride, Swiss Navy, or Gun Oil. $$

Written by Jonesy @ 8:49 pm

If you haven’t been into the store lately, you may not have seen the shelf full of gorgeous, brightly colored boxes in our vibrator section. LELO, the Swedish toy manufacturer our whole staff has a crush on, makes very pretty, very fun toys for every gender.  We recently got a big box of their awesome products in the mail, and let me tell you, there were some barely contained whoops of excitement around the store.

In order to spread the word about the fabulousness of LELO’s new stuff, Cuffy and I decided to shoulder the burden of testing out the Ina.  We both selected the orange and white model to take home, and then agreed to each run the toy through its paces and meet online the next day to chat about our individual reactions.

Here’s our chat transcript.  Overall we both loved the toy!  But it’s a little more complicated than that.  Read on, and learn from our misadventures (and ultimate success!)
Jonesy: Ok, so.  The Ina. LET’S REVIEW.  Letter grade?

Cuffy: that is hard to assign. a + in some ways and b- in others.

Jonesy: Hm. I would say an A+ in unexpected ways, and a C+ on what I imagined I wanted it to do.

Cuffy: I bet we had similar experiences, then!

Jonesy: I totally thought it would work for peenetration (typo, it stays) but it so didn’t.

Cuffy: ha.  I agree.  I was suspicious if that would actually work or not, but I was hoping it would. The problem I found was that the smaller part that you think is going to vibrate on your clit when you insert the big part is too stiff, so instead of flexing towards your clit, it just gets in the way of good penetration.

Jonesy: Exactly. And I was actually scared to bend it too far and break the technological innards… or have it rub too hard on the urethral opening and give myself the christmas gift of a UTI.

Cuffy: I decided to throw caution to the wind and bend the arm farther than it seemed I should.

Jonesy: What happened? Still no good penetration?

Cuffy: It worked alright for me…but yeah, that probably isn’t good for the toy.

Jonesy: When I was looking at the floor model I stuck my finger between the two “pleasure points” and was like “hoo doggy, that is going to rock the G Spot from all sides.”     A dream deferred, I guess. I’m guessing that’s what the We Vibe can do.

Cuffy: I would say the We Vibe is better designed for that, for sure.

Jonesy: Anyway… the vibration patterns were akin to getting a magical handjob from Zeus.

Cuffy: True!

Jonesy: I am not usually a big fan of elaborate pulse patterns, but man.

Cuffy: I loved how even when you weren’t telling it to do a pattern, there was just a subtle suggestion of pulsing. Amazing.  And that last pattern seems like a song…doesn’t it?  tell me you thought that too. Those were the best pulse patterns I have ever experienced…and I have a lot of vibrators!

Jonesy: Yeah, and when you’re on a pattern and you hit +, it actually varies the tempo as well as the strength. It’s like they wrote more intense versions of each pulse pattern, instead of just ramping up the motor.  And yes, IT IS TOTALLY A SONG.  I showed you how the new Touche vibes sing that little song…Without getting overly poetic, Ina sings like a freaking aria. It’s a long, unpredictable pulse pattern.

Cuffy: totally!

Cuffy: I was super impressed by the options for vibration strength! Like, dang. this thing can be powerful.

Jonesy: Yeah, I’m always afraid that a vibe won’t have enough strength for me.  I actually think this wouldn’t have been quite strong enough for my tastes as a simple, solo vibrator… but coupled with the patterns, it was perfect.  It kind of punches you in the clit unexpectedly. But, you know. In a fun way. That sounds terrible and anti-sexy. You know what I mean, though?

Cuffy: Yes.

Jonesy: lol

Cuffy: The way that I found it unexpectedly awesome was just flipping it so the clit side was towards me and just using it externally.  and the bigger end can then vibrate on the rest of the vulva with the little part focused on the clit.

Jonesy: Yep, totally. Wait. I’m trying to picture what you mean.

Cuffy: I LURVED that.

Jonesy: Yes. Got it. Totally.  I had to kind of readjust my brain on the controls (pushed the wrong button a couple of times at first) but it was so. amazing. when used that way.

Cuffy: and you can still get an inch or two of the big end inserted into the vag…it just doesn’t go very deep.  so that is still cool.

Jonesy: It’s shallow… in a sexy way.

Cuffy: totally. I love how firm the lelo toys are. You can totally press hard and it doesn’t give in…but it doesn’t feel like hard plastic.

Jonesy: Yeah, I’d say it’s perfect for simulating a fantastic hand job when used like that.

Cuffy: for real. So…it didn’t do what I expected, but I absolutely love what it does do! It is funny how sex toys can be unpredictable like that.

Jonesy: And I actually like the color now. Probably because the toy gave me such an awesome orgasm. I’m willing to forgive the hunter orange.

Cuffy: I like the fact that it matches my orange Love bumpers Tilt!

Jonesy: Nice.

Cuffy: This toy taught me new things about how to use toys.

Jonesy: Yeah, I felt sort of Macgyver-like when I was puzzling out the best way to use it.

Cuffy: Sometimes you just need to spend a little time getting to know each other, right?

The lovely Ina. Available online or at our store!

Written by Leo @ 10:02 pm

Tis’ the season for giving (and frost bite, and icy roads, and chocolate, and crazy Uncle Dave).  Gifts run from the useful sweater that grandma crocheted for you to the six bottles of lotion from all your aunts. Both are nice, you appreciate them, but they are as expected.  I totally encourage this holiday season to inspire a new direction in gifting.  Come in the Smitten Kitten! Sex toys are perfect for your close relationships.  Now, I don’t encourage putting sex toys under the tree along with the Ninja Turtle and EZ Bake Oven for the kids - wait for the right moment (where everyone can consent).  It’s cold outside. Perfect weather for staying in, snuggling up with yourself or your sweetie and getting some holiday play time in.

$0.00 - 30.00
1. Vibrating Cock Ring - $27.50
This device can add some extra hands free stimulation for your partner. Guys, if you like vibration this can be used with the bullet down by the perineum or turned to have the bullet on the top of your shaft for some partner excitement. Fun, fun!
2. Beyond Seven Condoms $4.75
I love the idea of getting condoms as a gift! I mean, buying condoms can rack on someones budget if they are the only ones picking them up. Condoms are a necessity and what a sweet gift? Not too pricey. I’m a big fan of this brand. They are thin and reliable.
3. Hathor Aphrodisia Lube - $18.50
This is my favorite lube. It has a great medium consistency and stays pretty long. The bottle looks pretty as well - holiday appropriate.
4. Sex: How to Do Everything - $25.00
Written by Em & Lo, this sassy book is great for your coffee table (if you dare) or bedside. The photos are amazing (by Rankin). Perhaps the gold shiny cover is appealing to me right now, but it is certainly sexy. Also a fantastic read/coffee table book, “The Big Bang”.

$30.00-65.00

5. The Meanie (Fun Factory) - $56.00 (on sale!)
I love this toy! It’s like a 3-way tie for my favorite vibrator! Don’t be fooled with its size. The hooked head is perfect to grab and stimulate the female g-spot. It is also fantastic because it has pulse patterns. I highly recommend it.
6. Smart Balls - $36.00
Yes, yes you should. Not only does this toy feel great and push fantastic pressure on the g-spot, but it also is a great workout for the vagina. There is no battery, so it wont conk out on you an opportune time. It keeps the body strong and teaches the user about how their body responds to pressure. Highly recommend it!
7. Charlotte Harlot Pasties!! $25.00-35.00
They are beautiful! I am such a huge fan of her work. They make you want to dance! She has hand made all different types of pasties for the burlesque dancer in all of us - very nice gift. The peacock and Lady Gaga pasties are my favorite.
8. Comstock Series Documentary DVDs - $36.00
I LOOOVVVEEE this series! It is so sweet. A couple gets interviewed about their relationship. They talk about all the awkward feelings about what its like when first becoming intimate with someone. It almost too cute! Then they film a sex scene with the couple. You can really see how much the couple is into each other - so sweet and so hot! There are six different couples in the series. My favorite is Ashley and Kisha - you can go wrong with any of them.

$60.00-100.00
9. Ribbed Wave - $88.00
Glass can be intimidating cause, well, it can break. But it is so beautiful; it has barely no surface drag. Sigh…Fortunately this Ribbed Wave is actually made of pyrex, so you get the same aesthetic of glass (smooth finish and firm texture), while being less breakable! Thank you, technology!
10. The Tilt - $89.00
This position enhancer is small enough that it is easy enough to maneuver to different positions. It is also discrete, I mean, if I saw someone walking through a hotel lobby with this I’d just think they like their comfort in specific forms.
11. Hottie (by Happy Valley) - $84.99
The new generation of Happy Valley toys are great. I’m so “happy” about the changes they’ve made to their vibrating dildos. The holes in them are wider at the bottom. This allows the bullet to go farther into the silicone and makes it easier to get the bullet in and out of the toy. BONUS: Because the bullet is so far into the toy is wont shut off when using it in your harness!
12. Alumina Revolve - $100.00
How sleek and sexy is the dildo?! It is made of aluminum, so it responds well to temperature - make it warm for chilly winter evenings. BONUS: It’s recyclable!

$100.00 +
13. We Vibe II - $119.00
Vibrating pulse patterns, rechargeable, clit and g-spot pressure AND you can be penetrated at the same time?! I don’t think I could ask for more. This thing is beyond fun. Look, these are on back order like whoa. But get someone a gift card and a photo of it - they are worth the wait.
14. Lelo’s - Iris - $160.00
Finally! It’s holiday season. Here’s the time for you to that Lelo! We’ve all been waiting for this moment and now the moment is just a few days away. If you’re not familiar with Iris, she is the Caddy of vibrators. She has dual motors as well as multiple pulsating patterns, speeds, and power levels. All of that wrapped up in rechargeable toy with a year warranty backing it. Oh, Lelo, I’m so glad you were born.
15. Liberator Ramp - $150.00
The mother of position enhancers. The Liberator Ramp is sturdy and makes positions you’re already used to new! Because of its size it is a great way to revamp the old moves and create some new ones. There is also a bondage version that comes with cuffs.

Happy Holidays!

Written by Frances Meowington @ 12:23 pm

with so many options to choose from, picking your very first vibrator can seem overwhelming at first, but it need not be a frustrating ordeal. there is no right or wrong vibrator (unless its made from toxic materials, see c.a.t.t. for more information on those), in fact i’ve rarely met one that i didn’t love using. however most vibrators tend to be suited for a particular position or style of stimulation, and some vibrators are much more convenient for partner sex, while others are designed primarily for solo use. because different vibrators have different talents, i am a big advocate of having a well-rounded collection. but for a first vibrator i am a big fan of those that are versatile in letting the user experiment with many kinds of stimulation. so i’ll go through some of the things you need to consider when picking out your first vibrator:

do i want a vibrator for external use only or one that can be used both internally and externally?

vibrators generally fall into one of two umbrella categories: those that are used only for external stimulation of the clitoris, vulva, and anywhere else external that feels good, and those that can be used for both external stimulation and the internal stimulation of the g-spot and the vagina.

external only vibrators can be many different shapes and sizes because they don’t need to fit inside of you. they can range from the very small, such as the yoni or the nea, to the very large, like the cone or the magic wand. smaller sized external vibrators are fantastic for partner play because they won’t come between you and your sexy someone. some of these smaller vibes are ergonomically shaped to fit against your body, like the layaspot or the lily, allowing you to focus more on your partner(s) and less on the positioning of your vibe. this is particularly nice for rear-entry positions where there is not always a lot of room for vibrators in the first place. the advantage to bigger vibes is having a larger vibrating surface area to stimulate your self against, allowing you to move the vibrator less if you want.

vibrators made for both internal and external use tend to be within a certain size range, suitable for vaginal insertion, and are either straight like a wand like the bgood, luv touch slim, or velvet desire, or have a curve or ridge that is designed to make the g-spot more accessible like the venus, meany, or gigi. the benefit of getting this style of vibrator that it allows you to experiment with clitoral and g-spot stimulation with one toy. just remember it won’t allow you to do both at once, for that you will need a dual stimulation vibrator.

dual stimulation vibrators, such as mary mermaid or the rock chick, provide the user with clitoral and g-spot stimulation at the same time. these toys are immensely popular because they are seen as an all-in-one toy that can do everything. while dual stimulation vibrators can be great, i don’t usually recommend them for a first time buyer for a couple of reasons, centering around the fact that they are not as versatile as other types of vibrators. for one thing, while dual stimulation vibrators is really effective at providing one type of stimulation, they only provide that one type of stimulation, not allowing the user to experiment with many different types of stimulation. secondly, because of the way dual stimulation vibrators are shaped, they don’t work well for partner play because they are usually too cumbersome to use with another person.

do i want a 1-speed vibrator or a multi-speed vibrator?

while many women love vibration, not everyone wants the back-massager power of the magic wand. some women enjoy really light vibration, or prefer to vary the speed of vibration throughout their use. if you’ve never had a vibrator it can be hard to know what your perfect speed is, so for a first time vibrator i always recommend getting one that is multi-speed so you can adjust until you find the right setting for you.

do i want an electric vibrator, battery operated, or rechargeable?

not for the faint of heart, electric vibrators are as strong as they come. so if you’re feeling the need for speed, a well-built electric vibrator is a great toy to have. a lot of electric vibrators either come with attachments (like the wahl coil or eroscillator) or have attachments that you can buy for them (like the gee whiz made for the magic wand and acuvibe) giving you many different options for added stimulation. the only downsides to these vibes are that they are generally rather large, loud, and have long cords.

battery operated vibrators are often more economical, smaller, and you don’t have to worry about being near an outlet to get them going. and while not quite as powerful as electric vibrators, many battery operated vibes like the pocket rocket and clit exciter still have super strength. the downside to battery operated vibrators is that they tend not to last as long as electric or rechargeable vibrators, they can be loud, and you have to remember to keep extra batteries on hand, or be prepared to raid your remote or other household devices.

rechargeable vibrators are a godsend for those of us who hate dealing with either batteries or cords. while they are a little more expensive than other vibrators, rechargeable vibrators like those from lelo are very well made and will last much longer than most battery operated vibrators. so in addition to saving money on batteries, it will be longer before you need to buy a replacement. they also tend to be quieter, so if you have roommates you don’t want to disturb, a rechargeable might be the right vibe for you.

do i want a vibrator with pulse patterns?

some vibrators come with pulse pattern settings programmed into them, such as the ivy, the elise, and little dolly. for some people pulse patterns are another way to vary their vibration and explore new types of stimulation.

do i want my vibrator to be made with silicone coating or hard plastic?

while many vibrators are made of hard plastic, there are also vibes that are coated in silicone (the thickness of which depends on the toy) giving it a softer feel. some people prefer this softness, while others prefer the frictionless smooth touch of a plastic vibrator. both are great options, just be aware that silicone has more surface drag than skin, so you will probably want to use a water-based lube with your toy if you choose silicone. if you are a fan of silicone-based lubes (which are not compatible with silicone toys) you might want to pick a plastic vibrator.

do i care what my vibrator looks like?

some people care a tremendous amount about what their toy looks like while other people couldn’t care less. on the one hand, you generally don’t spend a lot of time looking at your vibe. on the other hand, how could having a sexy looking vibe be a bad thing? only you can decide what importance aesthetics have in picking your vibrator.

suggestions for a great first vibrator at every price:

external only:

$ clit exciter - i’ve sold more of these to first timers (and veterans) than i can count. the clit exciter is a great external waterproof vibrator that is super adjustable and goes from soft buzz to very strong at its max speed. it’s slender design with slanted head designed to encase the clitoris is perfect for partner play, and a bargain at 24.99.

$$ layaspot - the layaspot was designed to rest against the body making it easy and comfortable to use. it has adjustable speed and 3 pulse patterns programmed into it, giving you many different options for stimulation. i don’t sell people vibrators based on what’s a “bestseller,” but the layaspot is a bestseller deserving of its popularity.

$$$ nea - like the layaspot the nea was designed to cup the body, and at almost half the size of the layaspot it is ideal for use during any position. It is adjustable speed, has 5 pulse patterns programmed into it, and holds a charge for 7 hours (after only 2 hours of charge time). It comes with a small satin bag to stow it in, a 1-year manufacturer warranty, and a small charger that looks like a cell phone charger. discreet, beautiful, and finely crafted, this little vibrator can go anywhere and do everything with you.

internal and external use:

$ dream massager “the g” - curvaceous and perfectly seamless, “the g” is a luxury item at an incredible price. a waterproof vibrator with decadent multispeed capabilities, “the g” has a pointed tip designed for the elusive g-spot and curves that seem to gyrate inside you, this is a vibrator to fall head over heels for.

$$ little dolly or meany - either of these fun factory mini vibes make for a great all-purpose vibrator, both are long enough to reach the g-spot and compact enough to use for external stimulation during partner play. they are both multi-speed and have 3 pulse patterns programmed into them and their silicone coating is perfect for those looking for a softer feel. little dolly’s nose curves to meet the g-spot, but if getting off with a small dolphin isn’t for you, meany’s gentle ridges also work great for g-spot stimulation.

$$$ gigi - shapely and seductive, gigi’s firm silicone shaft offers the finest in ergonomic vaginal penetration.  rechargeable with adjustable speed, 5 pulse patterns, and a 1-year warranty, gigi is one of the most versatile and popular vibrators around.  if you’re looking for a vibrator that delivers, look to your new friend gigi.