She Bop’s Picks: Halloween

Halloween is almost upon us! Here are our picks for celebrating this night of frights.

Our sex toys themselves are not scary (okay, maybe scary good), but they do come in festive colors! Fun orange toys include Yooo, Cleo, Ina, and Flash. Black is a much more common sex toy color, but the Ella, Acuvibe, Captain, Harmony, Tenga Flip Hole, Zing, Tor, Tristan, and Leo all wear it quite well! One of our toys actually comes in both orange and black versions: the Big Boss.

Want to curl up with a spooky book? Check out these hot, themed erotica books: Red Velvet and Absinthe: Paranormal Erotic Romance, Girls Who Bite: Lesbian Vampire Erotica, and Daughters of Darkness: Lesbian Vampire Stories.

If a sexy movie sounds more your style, you might enjoy the whodunit Bordello, the lusty The Devil in Miss Jones, or the gothic Ladies of the Night: Les Vampyres. Want laughs with your vampires? This Isn’t Twilight: The XXX Parody should do the trick.

Are you dressing up this year? We have some custom-made costume aprons from Naughty Autie available, as well as several styles of pasties. Add some authority to your outfit (or your bedroom) with the Kitty Crop or Skull Crop.

And let’s not forget the treats! We have candy G-strings, nipple tassels, love rings, cuffs, necklaces, posing pouches, and even some gummy boobs to give you a sugar rush.

Happy Halloween!

  She Bop's Picks      books, butt plugs, dildos, DVDs, erotica, porn, vibrators  

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BDSM Part 1: Playing with Power, Sex, and Toys in Bed & Beyond

Thursday, November 17th — 7:30 p.m. — $20

Whips and chains, really?

You’ve been curious for a while… or maybe your partner has been. Truth is, SM isn’t a matter of pain and being mean, it’s a thrilling play of power, sex, and creativity. Come join one of She Bop’s favorite sex and BDSM educators, Felice Shays, as she introduces you to the dynamics, toys, and tools found in the world of BDSM. With humor and straight talk, Felice will discuss the differences between abuse and SM, how safe = sexy, fantasy and role-play, wielding personal and physical power, conscious rough sex, and how to find and grow the seeds of your own desires without shame and with intense pleasure.

You will walk out of this class having (optional) hands-on practice with floggers, bondage, canes, and more, time permitting. The perfect class for beginners. Come alone or with a partner. All genders and sexual appetites welcome.

Known for her straight talk infused with humor, Felice Shays provides personal sexual and BDSM education across the US and Canada. A recent transplant from Brooklyn, NY, Felice provides sex and BDSM counseling to individuals and couples, and has presented at a plethora of events, groups, and private functions for a decade. Felice also produces sex and BDSM parties for women and trans people.

Limited space available — sign up online!

  Events      BDSM, Felice Shays  

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Today is International Fisting Day!

Queer porn revolutionaries Jiz Lee and Courtney Trouble have declared today International Fisting Day — and who are we to argue? Fisting doesn’t get nearly enough attention; in fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find any porn DVD that includes fisting because distributors are afraid of being sent to jail on obscenity charges.

The censorship of fisting is what sparked Jiz and Courtney to create Fisting Day. They are hoping to dispel myths and stigma surrounding fisting, and shine a light on just how pleasurable and sensual fisting can be. As Courtney Trouble writes in her Fisting Day post,

fisting is all about a hand and a hole listening to each other very closely. It’s one of the most beautiful, intimate sex acts I’ve ever experienced. It’s sex positive and builds a deeper connection between sex partners. It encourages deeper communication. And most people who have been fisted will probably tell you, it’s one of the best ways to orgasm in the whole wide world.

Jiz Lee’s Fisting Day post contains an in-depth explanation of why fisting is not shown in most porn, as well as a description of what Jiz adores about fisting.

As someone who loves to receive a fist, what I enjoy about it is an unparalleled feeling of fullness. The most sensitive areas of the vagina are just within the first few inches inside the vagina, which is where I like to use my kegel and pelvic muscles to grip snugly around a lovers’ wrist, which can be compared to the girth of a medium-large dildo . . . Combining clitoral and vaginal stimulation, the network of nerves and contracting of muscles orchestrate some of the most amazingly intense orgasms I’ve had.

Here are just a few of the posts that have gone up today:

• Fisting Day by AAG
• Vaginal Fisting Basics by Scarlett Chaos
• A Celebration of International Fisting Day, Or the Incredibly True Story of the First Time I Was Fisted by Lux Alptraum
• International Fisting Day! by Sugarcunt
• Gone Fisting by Amiewee
• Relax and open up (your mind) for International Fisting Day, an interview with Courtney Trouble

Even more blog posts are being quoted on the Fisting Day Tumblr.

If you’d like to celebrate Fisting Day, we carry a great how-to guide on vaginal fisting called A Hand in the Bush. You may want to work your way up to a large toy first, like Randy. Gloves are also perfect for fisting, as they can make your hand feel slicker, and they don’t absorb lube the way skin can. Of course, you’ll need lots and lots of lube!

And this is really cool: Courtney Trouble and James Darling will be hosting an online fisting workshop tonight at 8 p.m. Pacific. They will discuss fisting preperation and setup, communication, safer sex, and beginning and andvanced techniques for penetration and movement.

  Community News      Courtney Trouble, fisting, Jiz Lee  

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Exploring Burlesque: Striptease Salon

Wednesday, November 16th — 7:15 p.m. — $15

Have you ever wanted to rock your boa? Peel your stocking? Shimmy your hips? Get your glamour puss on because this class is for you! Join Portland’s Queen of the Tease, Madison Moone, for Striptease Salon, a flirty evening of classic bump and grind perfect for beginners or just the curious.

Students will be guided through a sexy burlesque movement study including bumps, grinds and struts, followed by a tantalizing round of peeling techniques and prop dancing. We will also explore classic burlesque characters before constructing a series of short teases as a group. Together, we will discover a deeper sense of our personal erotic beings while developing a greater appreciation of our feminine power!

Students should dress in comfortable clothes such a yoga or dance wear. Please bring your favorite heels, your prettiest bra and a zip up or button down blouse for layering. Music and demo props will be provided by Miss Moone. All levels of fitness welcome, no dance experience or nudity required. Please avoid alcohol consumption before attending and arrive by 7:15pm – class will begin promptly at 7:30pm, no late entrance after 7:45pm. Also no photographs are permitted. There will be time for shopping after the class!

Grab your best girlfriends and join Miss Moone for and evening of fun, laughs and celebration of the female spirit. See you in class!

Limited space available — sign up online!

  Events      burlesque, Madison Moone  

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Steve Jobs and the lesbian erotic revolution

It was 1984 when On Our Backs, the first ever women-run erotica magazine — and geared toward a lesbian audience, to boot — debuted. The magazine was groundbreaking in many ways, and it played a major role in the development of sex-positive feminism.

What does this have to do with Steve Jobs? Well, as Susie Bright recounts on her blog, the magazine was originally composed via typesetting. Then one day, publisher Debi Sundahl hauled a big box into the living room and, in one fell swoop, thrust On Our Backs into the digital world. Sundahl was convinced that the computer was about to change everything about publishing — and she was right.

Within a year, our “entertainment for the adventurous lesbian” magazine took PageMaker 1.0 software, tossed out the typesetter, and published On Our Backs completely on Mac software.

We didn’t realize it at the time, but we were the first magazine to do so. We printed our 13,000 copies, and sent them all over the country.

Our On Our Backs Winter 1986 edition was what the first magazine — on any subject, anywhere — looked like, built on a 1984 Apple machine with Pagemaker.

The kerning is atrocious. You could only choose from Helvetica or Palatino fonts. I remember crying about that, too. But we could afford it; it was the only thing we could afford. And considering our content, which no one else in the printing industry would touch, that was saying something.

. . . I am very sad today about Steve Job’s passing. I know many of us are thinking about how his life touched ours, through good times and bad. For authors, artists, and publishing outlaws of every description, the Mac revolution was the puzzle piece we had pressed for, longed for, and finally achieved.

Susie Bright’s blog post is a lovely ode to the far-reaching influence of Steve Jobs. And you have to read her account of bewilderment, trepidation and intrigue as she assembled that first computer; it’s a reminder of just how foreign computers seemed not that long ago.

Take a peek at the On Our Backs Winter 1986 edition as well — it’s a piece of history all in itself.

  Community News      Deborah Sundahl, On Our Backs, Susie Bright  

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Ms. GK ladies’ night at Ground Kontrol

Do you have plans on Sunday, October 16th? We hope not, because you should attend ladies’ night at retro arcade and bar Ground Kontrol!

From 7 p.m. to close, Ground Kontrol will be hosting a night of free play and lady-centric gaming, complete with DJs, food and drinks, tournaments, a raffle, and a geek craft swap!

We have donated a few sexy things — tickets to our sex toy class and a goodie bag — to the raffle, so that’s even more incentive!

Ground Kontrol is located at 511 NW Couch St. Admission is $3 for ladies, $8 for gents.

  Community News, Events     

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New costume aprons from Naughty Autie!

In addition to our usual handmade aprons from local designer Naughty Autie, we now have three costume aprons available in the shop!

Here we have a French maid, beer girl, and pirate! These costume aprons are one-of-a-kind and were made exclusively for She Bop. They can be worn for Halloween, for roleplaying, or just as regular ol’ aprons. They are equipped with long ties, so they fit all different sizes. Each is $62 and comes with wrist cuffs and a hat.

Come visit us to see these adorable aprons in person!

  News      aprons, Halloween, Naughty Autie, roleplaying  

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HUMP! 2011 submission deadline this Friday

It’s my favorite time of year: the time of apple cider, pumpkin pie, and amazing amateur porn! The Pacific Northwest’s only locally-produced adult film festival, HUMP!, is back for its seventh year, and we’re sponsoring again. With a cute tagline of “The film festival that allows you to be a porn star for a weekend — not for life,” HUMP! promises the usual hotness and hilarity of years past.

This is the final week to submit films for consideration at HUMP! 2011. The deadline is this Friday.

The Mercury and the HUMP! 2011 jury invite local filmmakers, actors, kinksters, exhibitionists, and notorious sex-havers to get to work on their films for HUMP! 2011. The HUMP! jury is composed of local sex experts (ahem), sex-positive film critics, and sex-obsessed porn fans. The HUMP! jury looks for hotness, humor, and originality. Films do not have to be slick or professionally produced. They do have to be hot or funny or hot and funny.

Films selected for HUMP! are screened over two weekends in Seattle and Portland. The Mercury returns or destroys all copies of the films after the festival. Films are not released on the internet, and all screenings are monitored to prevent bootleg copies of HUMP! films from being made.

. . . Entries can be erotica, hardcore, softcore, live-action, BDSM, animation, gay, straight, bi — whatever turns your crank!

To sweeten the deal, the prize packages have been bumped up from last year! The runners-up in the Humor, Kink, and Sex categories will get $500 this year, and the “Best in Show” grand prize is now $4,000! Winners, as always, will be determined by audience vote.

To submit to HUMP!, drop off your entry at the Mercury offices by 5:00 p.m. this Friday, October 7th.

HUMP! will be taking place at Cinema 21, November 17-19. Tickets go on sale this Thursday.

  Community News      HUMP!, porn  

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How to choose an anal toy

Anal play can add variety to your sexual repertoire, not to mention awesome pleasure and enhanced orgasms. And you know what especially rocks about anal play? Anyone can enjoy it! The anal opening is full of sensitive nerve endings that just love to be stimulated. Inside the butt, there is even more fun to be had. Female-bodied folks experience anal pleasure because the clitoral legs extend to the anus. Male-bodied folks are blessed with a prostate gland, which can facilitate intense orgasms when stimulated.

Of course, we are big fans of utilizing sex toys during anal play. Introducing toys is a good way to experiment with the many sensations of anal stimulation. Selecting an anal toy can seem like a daunting task, but we’re here to take the guesswork out of the process. Don’t worry; it won’t take too long, and you can get to playing with your butt very soon!

Before we get started on helping you find the butt toy of your dreams, here are a few important rules for anal play.

• Always use lube when playing anally! We recommend a thick, cushioning lube, such as Sliquid Sassy, Almost Naked, or Sliquid Organics Gel. For a super targeted lube experience, pick up some Lube Tubes. If you are using a toy that is not made of silicone, you can use a silicone lube such as Pjur. Lube is absolutely necessary because the butt does not self-lubricate. The walls of the rectum are sensitive and thin, and they can be irritated by too much friction. Lube greatly reduces the amount of friction, making for a smooth and pleasurable experience.
• Make it a rule that only toys with flared bases are welcome in your ass. Without a flared base, the toy could get lost in your colon, resulting in a trip to the emergency room.
• Relax and don’t rush. If you’re new to anal play, try having an orgasm first, or have someone give you a massage, so your anal sphincter muscles will be more relaxed. If someone is using an anal toy on you, communicate with them constantly. If, in the midst of using your toy, you begin to feel pain: stop.
• To avoid vaginal infection, never take a toy that has been in the ass and put it in the vagina. If you want to do this, use a condom on the toy and replace it when switching orifices.

Gauge your experience level — and be honest

Above everything else, size is the most important factor when it comes to anal toys. It can be tempting to get all gung-ho about things and try to challenge your ass, but you must resist. The butt is delicate, and toys often feel bigger than they appear. A few of our anal toys come in multiple sizes, so you can graduate to bigger diameters on your anal journey. If you’re interested in that, take a look at the Pleasure Plugs, Silks, and Pure Plugs.

If you’ve used fingers for anal penetration before, that is a good way to determine what size of anal toy you’ll want (toys are usually measured by diameter, so try to estimate diameter). Here are some guidelines for choosing a size based on your experience level.

Beginner: You’ve never used an anal toy, or have only used small anal toys or a finger for anal penetration. Stick with a diameter of 0-1″ or so, and a lightweight or pliable material (hard plastic or silicone). Don’t get a toy that looks especially long. Avoid crazy shapes or textures, or toys that bulge out a lot in the middle. Ultimately, just keep it simple! Our favorite beginner toys are the Bootie, small Pleasure Plug, Bob, Aneros Helix, and small Silk. You’ll probably want a butt plug (more on them below), as they allow your body to adjust to the sensation of anal penetration.

Intermediate: You’ve had experience with anal toys and feel ready to try something new, or something a bit larger. Stay in the 1-1.5″ diameter range, roughly. You can graduate to heavier materials, like glass, or introduce some texture or vibration (or both!). Perhaps anal beads sound interesting?

Advanced: You know who you are. You want something large and in charge, with a diameter of 1.5″+. The large Pure Plug is probably right up your alley, with both its weight and size (not to mention its shininess!). If you can handle more length, you can look into dildos with flared bases. If you would consider yourself a very advanced player, check out the Tristan 2 or Pure Plug 2.0.

What do you want it to do?

Moment of truth — do you want this toy to stay put in your ass, or do you want it to move around? Keep this answer in mind. If you are male-bodied, you may want a toy that is built specifically for stimulating the prostate. Or perhaps you’re looking for something to penetrate a partner with, so you may want a harness-compatible and butt-compatible dildo. There are several types of anal toy, all meant to stimulate in different ways.

Butt plugs: Butt plugs are the most popular type of anal toy, for both beginners and veterans. They are meant to be inserted and then left inside. Butt plugs come in all shapes and sizes, but they generally have a narrow “neck,” which the sphincter naturally closes around, right before their flared base. Because butt plugs stay inside, they help to relax and open up the anus. They can be worn during virtually any activity, from intercourse to masturbation to grocery shopping, to create a sensation of fullness. During sexual activity, a butt plug may even intensify your orgasms, as your muscles contract around the plug.

Anal beads: Anal beads are a series of connected, often graduated spheres, and they’ve come a long way in recent years. They used to be horrifying little PVC beads on strings (yes, actual strings). Now, there are body-safe options such as the Flexi Felix and Bendybeads, which are made entirely of pure silicone. They’re floppy and can be manipulated any which way. Anal beads are meant to be inserted one by one, so you can take your time and allow your body to get used to the feeling before inserting more beads. The best part is, you are in control of the amount of fullness you feel!

When used during vaginal intercourse, anal beads may shift around and stimulate you that way. They can also be gently tugged on before or during orgasm, so that the popping of the beads pairs with your muscle contractions for an enhanced climax.

Prostate toys: Prostate toys have a specific goal in mind: to stimulate the prostate gland in male-bodied folks. The prostate is located about 2 inches into the anus and, when stimulated, can produce unique pleasure and powerful orgasms. Like the G-spot in female-bodied people, the prostate responds best to curved toys. Many toys that were designed for prostate stimulation — like the Duke and Rude Boy — are meant to work their magic hands-free. G-spot toys may also be used as prostate massagers, but only if they have flared/pronounced bases. (Hint: if you’re an advanced player, the Pure Wand might just blow your mind.)

Dildos: As long as a dildo has a flared base, it will work for anal play. Anything labeled “harness compatible” (vibrating and non-vibrating) is safe. Dildos are often longer than butt plugs, so ensure that you can handle length first. Dildos can be hand-held, or used in a harness. If you’ll be anally penetrating someone with a strap-on, look for a dildo with a gentle curve, a smooth texture, and a diameter that your partner can handle. We like the Mistress and Silk series, or if you’re looking for realism, Spur or Mustang. Double-ended dildos like the Share XS can be used in a similar way, with or without a harness.

Just a couple more questions!

You probably have a good idea of what you want at this point! You know what size and type of toy sound good to you. Now there are just two more questions to ask yourself. These should seal the deal.

Which material do I want? Silicone is a pliable, all-purpose material that warms quickly to body temperature. Then there are smooth, hard materials — wood, stainless steel, plastic, and glass — which are best for targeted stimulation. The weight of a material can also add intensity to the stimulation. Stainless steel is the heaviest (most intense), followed by glass, silicone, wood, and plastic. All of these materials are non-porous and body-safe, but the heavier materials should be used with extra care.

Do I want it to vibrate? Vibrations can help your butt relax, but they may also tickle! Still, one of the great things about vibrating toys is that you don’t have to turn on the vibrations if you don’t want to, so if you’re intrigued, check out our vibrating plugs, vibrating prostate massagers, and vibrating dildos. Most of these offerings use regular batteries, with the exception of the high-tech Billy and Duke — they’re rechargeable!

What now?

Hopefully, this guide has helped you find the perfect anal toy for you! For more in-depth information on everything anal, we carry several books about anal sex, such as Anal Pleasure & Health, The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women, and The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Men. These are great for a comprehensive look at pleasure, anatomy, and safety.

If you’re a visual learner, check out Tristan Taormino’s educational porn DVDs: Expert Guide to Anal Sex, Expert Guide to Advanced Anal Sex, and Expert Guide to Anal Pleasure for Men. For the quintessential guide to pegging, try Bend Over Boyfriend and Bend Over Boyfriend 2.

And of course, if you have more questions, stop in the shop and ask us. We’d be happy to help.

  Guides      anal beads, anal toys, butt plugs, dildos, prostate stimulation  

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New product round-up for September

Hey hey! Wondering what’s new in our shop?

Well, on the dildo front, we have two awesome additions. The first, Tango, is a fantastic double-ended dildo that just made its U.S. debut. We’re excited about this toy because its unique bulb shape will help it stay put inside the wearer. Plus, the vibrating bullet is angled so that the wearer gets good vibration!

Then there’s Harmony, a gently-rippled dildo with a textured handle. It can be used solo, but it is meant to excel in a harness — providing stimulation to the harness-wearer by way of its ridges!

After much anticipation, we are proud to carry Tristan Taormino’s new erotica collection, Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica. And in time for Halloween, we’ve picked up two spooky erotica books: Red Velvet and Absinthe: Paranormal Erotic Romance and Girls Who Bite: Lesbian Vampire Erotica.

And of course, we could not resist picking up two new vibrating things: the Big Ben cock ring and the Acuvibe Mini 2-speed (a rechargeable wand-style vibe that is a step up from its one-speed predecessor).

Psst, one more thing: very soon, we’ll be adding some new LELO toys to our collection! Keep an eye out for a post about them.

  New products, News      books, cock rings, dildos, erotica, Tristan Taormino  

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