Newsletter No. 27: WINTEER 2004

It is almost impossible not to reflect on the year gone by, especially as we approach this long, hard Canadian winter.  For the most part, we here at Come As You Are tend to delight in all things long, hard and Canadian; but winter just isn’t one of them.  For us, and many Canadians, the winter is something we suffer through, while holding on to faint memories of summer, and hoping against hope that this will be one of those ‘mild winters’ they always talk about.  For some reason, we can only remember the cold winters and the snowy winters and the winter when they had to call in the army.  Even the most dedicated environmentalist might be tempted to wish for a little global warming when their mittens have gone missing and their boots are still cold and wet from slushing home the day before.

Spring is the season that excites us.  Summer is the season that made us excited in the spring.  Fall smells like home, drives us all inside, and prepares us for winter.  The inevitable hibernation in winter is what makes us excited in the spring again.  We often romanticize crackling fires and snuggling under blankets in our winter newsletter, and while these images reflect part of the Canadian winter experience, the reality is that it is often too cold in this country to even think about taking your clothes off.

As the worker-owners of Come As You Are, we think this situation is unacceptable and frankly, we’re not going to take it lying down!  I mean, we are going to take it lying down, and furthermore we might even give it standing up.  We encourage you to beat off the inertia this winter (wait – that didn’t come out quite right) and we’d like to lend a hand (that didn’t come out right either, did it?)

As far as we’re concerned, it is never too cold to think about taking your clothes off – it might be too cold to actually take your clothes off, but start by thinking about it.  The ritual of bodies touching seems so effortless in the summer, in comparison to the winter, but the same passion and bliss are possible in any season with some forethought (and maybe some foreplay?)

Start by thinking of the warm things in the place you live.  The fireplace is a wintertime classic, but candles can certainly warm up a room too.  Maybe the cold is a good excuse to take a shower with someone you’d like to be naked with – hey, why not bring the toys in with you?   Maybe the cold is the perfect excuse to pick up some of those fun-fur restraints you’ve been eyeing or some of that tasty warming lotion.  Cook your sweetie a big dinner in the oven, and then cook-up something else entirely while the kitchen is still warm and toasty.  We’ve got lots of ideas, and we’re more than happy to share.

News

Room Service
We’re taking room service to new heights with the announcement of our very exciting relationship with Toronto’s uber-trendy Drake Hotel. Over the summer Come As You Are labored with the folks at the Drake to bring its guests the best in high end sensuality via a selection of exclusive gift kits and an à la carte menu worth staying in for.  The old hotel, built in 1890, served as a bohemian culture spot but sadly fell into disrepair over the years.  Now it has been restored to its heyday of glamour and glitterati as art hot spot and romantic weekend getaway. What’s better than a chocolate mint on the pillow? Find out when you check into The Drake Hotel, www.thedrakehotel.ca.

Sex Toys from Santa 

Finally Santa has help for those daunted by the task of surprising their loved ones on Christmas morning. On December 18 in the Toronto store at 701 Queen St. West, we will be presenting an in-house personal shopping workshop with all the know’s-and-how’s of finding that perfect sex toy. Admission is $8 and customers get 10% off all purchases made at the workshop. If you prefer a yuletide gathering in your home with merriment, holly, and sex toy learning, our team of workshop facilitators will come to you. For more information please call 416-504-7934 in Toronto, and 514-495-0444 in Montréal. 

Project 10/Max

Great News! Project 10/Max (a Montréal support organization for gay, lesbian, transgendered, transsexual and questioning youth) in collaboration with Venez tels quels have a brand new project for you… It is now possible to have access to inexpensive binders and packers in Québec. Call us at 514-495-0444 or call Project 10/Max to get more info. Binders and packers can also be purchased online at www.comeasyouare.com

Appeler sans frais pour service en français!

Venez tels quels is still at work in Québec : we are always searching for new ways to prove it to you and here is an example! People from all around Québec (and elsewhere for service in French) can now call us toll free at 1-866-725-0444. It’s always a great pleasure to offer you excellent service while placing your orders online! 

Toy Kits

One of our most popular sex manuals, The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Men /Women has come together with our most popular anal toy to create the Smart Ass Kit. A kit made for fun exploration. With this great book, you will find many of the questions on everyone’s mind, plus the Little Flirt silicone butt plug to start you on your way (and of course some Maximus lube to make it all a slippery and safe good time). $47

Everyone needs a little naughty and nice this winter and these two kits offer both sides of the coin. The Naughty Kit includes a soft leather blindfold, thumbcuffs for bondage on the go, the highly educational Hot Wax Book, and a candle to keep the heat going. Or for those with a concern for the niceties of a romantic evening, the Nice Kit provides the know-how in great detail in the Erotic Massage Book which you can then put to sensual good use with a bottle of chocolate body paint, some beautifully scented Hathor massage oil, and a luxurious Pleasure Feather for the ultimate massage.
Naughty Kit $64 Nice Kit $54

Toys

Ecsta-Sleeve is a great new sleeve for men. In this highly rated toy, soft and very snug cyberskin ribs create a long enveloping sleeve for a fabulously feeling friction experience. $62 

The Pocket Rocket Jr. is an ever so cute, small vibrator that holds a lot of power for a very tiny package (and a great price!). An exciting new addition for both novice and veterans, the Pocket Rocket Jr. will put a smile on your face and a great stocking stuffer for those hard-to-buy-for-people on your list. $14

Finally a great way to preserve your very own special member for prosperity. The D.I.Y. Silicone Dildo Kit gives you the opportunity to create a high-grade silicone dildo from your own or someone else’s penis. Easy to use, and the most fun you will have with arts and crafts and penis casting. Available in peach or chocolate. $180 

Book Kits

Read the book and then check out the action in our The Jenna Jameson Kit.  A great gift for the avid porn fan (or anyone who likes inside gossip) our kit includes Jenna Jameson's new autobiography How to Make Love like a Porn Star and a Jenna Jameson DVD. Sure to please anyone who loves Jenna (which, as far as we know, is everyone!)   Read about her early life, how she got into the business, and learn some tips from the most famous porn star of all time. Then, watch her perform in one of her steamy movies and try out some of her moves yourself! VHS $64, DVD $75 save $10!
 
Books

The Little Bit Naughty Book of Sex makes a fabulous stocking stuffer sized manual with a no holds barred approach to a great sex life. Packed with explicit colour photographs and uninhibited advice, this little gem is a fun way to maximize the pleasure of both partners. A great gift chock full of fantasies and games, this is a great accessory for those waiting to explore new areas of their sexuality. $14.95

Supersex Pocket Book is the pocket sized companion to our best selling “Supersex”. Try any of Tracy’s “twelve sex treats” and find out why her books are so popular! Full of beautiful photographs, this is a witty yet instructive approach to have fun while having super sex. $13

The author of “The Ultimate Guide to Cunnilingus” and “The Ultimate Guide to Fellatio”, among others, has brought us another playful and creative way to spice up our sex lives with the The Ultimate Guide to Sexual Fantasy. Whether living single or enjoying coupledom, find out how to make your hottest fantasies come to life. Learn how to talk dirty, strip for your lover, make your own porn, and create thrilling scenarios. Also includes some hot new stories by best selling author Alison Tyler. $20.95

Anne Semans, co-author of our best selling sex guide, has done it again with The Many Joys of Sex Toys.  Learn how to choose the toy that’s right for you, and how to have a blast learning the techniques! Find out how to add a “buzz” to oral sex, incorporate sex toys into your favorite sex positions, liven up solo sex, and get comfortable with anal sex. The top ten techniques are all laid out in spicy stories, each featuring a favorite toy to get you started and give you inspiration. An amazing manual, this is a must have for those venturing into the world of toys.  $17.95

The art of origami has been around for over 800 years, but this is the first time we’ve seen it like this! Pornogami is a great new book where you can actually learn how to create paper handcuffs, breasts, the amazing 3D penis and many, many more. What a great way to break the ice! This makes a great gift, plus, you can make tips your bartender will never forget! $20.95

Video & DVD Kits

Our G-Marks the Spot Kit is perfect for everyone looking for a guide map to the erotic potential of the G-Spot.  Begin your tour with Dr. Carol Queen’s informative and fun video G-Marks, and then do your own homework with our bestselling G-spot vibrator (batteries and lubricant included!) DVD or VHS $83

For lovers of explicit porn, The Voyeur Collection is on the top of our holiday suggestion list. We’ve picked three of our favourite titles from this award winning series, full of hot actors, voyeuristic angles, and beautifully shot hardcore, and increased the temptation by dropping the price.  DVD $110, save $15!  VHS $82 save $20!

Kick start your porn collection this season with The Ultimate Pornography Package.  Maybe you like it quick and dirty one night and soft and romantic the next? Or do you and your partner have wildly different porn tastes?  The Ultimate Pornography Package offers something for every preference. Three titles featuring both art and hardcore, raunch and romance, wrapped up in one pretty bundle. DVD $115, save $10! VHS $87 save $15!

Videos & DVD’s

Staff favourite Jenna Haze stars in The Experiment in Sex, a coy and sometimes catty porn version of the reality TV show Big Brother. Ten actors are forced to live together, each playing their own psycho-sexual mind games, utilizing the best of their sexual skills for our entertainment. DVD $45.00

In The Connasseur, our fave talented and tattooed femme fatale Belladonna is back to direct and co-star in her newest girl-on-girl feature. We sure caught her on a good day--this sizzling hot and raunchy sex romp has just the right amount of playfulness and sensuality. A strong focus on anal interwoven with a touch of foot fetishism and some powerplay. Truly for those with the most explicit taste in porn, the unstoppable and unbeatable Belladonna brings us another hardcore all-girl raunch fest.  Glass dildos, hot wax, private school uniforms, and prisons are just some of what Belladonna is offering on today’s menu. DVD $50.00 

Workshops

Tuesday November 16 
7:30 – 10:00 pm
Girl Parts & The Big “O”
With Carol Camper
Female sexual anatomy & orgasm learn about the what & the where of women’s sexual anatomy the what & the how of orgasm.  This workshop is for those with girl parts.

Tuesday November 23 
7:30 – 10:00 pm
Restrained Loving 
With Morpheous
Take rope bondage to a whole new level!  Learn how to tie your partner to the bed, chairs, stair railings or whatever your deviant mind can dream up, safely, securely and with confidence. 
 
Tuesday January 11 Women Only
Tuesday January 18 Couples of all orientations
7:30-10:00 pm
Take It Off with Confidence
with Jade
Learn the ins & outs of stripping and lap dancing for your very own 
in-house experience. This course covers: appreciating your own body & your unique allure, unleashing your inner exhibitionist, and the "Tricks of the Trade". 

Monday January 10 
7:30 – 10:00 pm
Erotic Writing
With Judith Burfoot
This workshop is ideal for writers who want to focus on writing erotica or for those who want to spice up their sex scenes. Learn to articulate desire, explore reality and fantasy, and discover what works for the writer and why.