Newsletter No. 46: SUMMER 2009

Let’s Talk About Sex!

It’s an irony not lost on us here at Come As You Are that almost all sex education resources are geared to people under 18.   Not that teens don’t have a right to information and resources that help them understand the benefits and risks of whatever kind of sex they’re having.  They do.  But the truth is that for most of us our sex lives get more complicated and more interesting as we age.  People of all ages need and deserve sex education.   

Good sex education is about more than just how not to get pregnant or how not to get a disease.  Good sex education opens up possibilities.  It reminds us that sexuality can be a powerful form of personal expression, discovery, and communication.  It can also feel amazing.

One of the most unique ways we contribute to this kind of education is through our educational workshop series.  Over the past twelve years we’ve hosted over 100 workshops, seminars, movie nights, and panel discussions on every aspect of sex.  From Tantra to porn, from female ejaculation to infidelity, it’s been our pleasure and great learning experience to bring folks from across the country and around the world into our store for our monthly workshop series.  

The workshop is a curious and unique experience.  It’s an opportunity to be in a public space talking about something that can be deeply private.  This contrast of public and private creates in most of our customers a kind of friction that results in a lot of learning.  Coming into our store, or even calling on the phone requires some risk taking, and we never forget that it’s our honor to be trusted by our customers in this way.

Every day in our store and on the phone with our mail order customers we have people tell us about how scared they were to call or come in, and how surprised they are at how comfortable and fun the interaction ended up being.  These comments are what keep us going through the less glamorous parts of running a sex store co-operative.  Because while we do all tire of having to mop the floor one more time, or having to call our web host for the fourth time today to tell them our site is down, none of us ever tire of talking about sex.

News

Recharge Your Sex Life Contest
We’ve been thrilled to see a surge in sales of our high quality rechargeable vibrators.  They’re better for the environment (no more throwing out batteries), long lasting, and come in so many beautiful designs.  We want to share the love, so this month we’re giving away one of our top rechargeable vibrators.  To enter you need to email us and give us your top tip on how to recharge your sex life.  It could be something you’ve done or something you want to do.  Include your name, shipping address, and phone number and email contests@comeasyouare.com before May 15th.

Intensive Weekend with Midori
Experience a unique, in-depth program on how to bring the joys of sensual power play to your relationship with this women’s weekend retreat.  This small group weekend offers personalized classes, discussions and demonstrations plus one-on-one attention and guidance in how to develop your negotiation skills, enhance scene setting, choose special equipment, and learn play techniques including whipping, various bondage types and more. Midori also covers emotional and psychological issues of loving SM in a healthy relationship. Cost: $475/per person

Guelph Sexuality Conference, June 15-17
This is our second year sponsoring the Annual Guelph Sexuality Conference, the largest conference for sex educators and therapists in Canada.  It’s their 31st year and the theme is “positive approaches to sexuality and sexual health”.  Our own Cory Silverberg is giving a keynote on positive implications of sex and technology (it’s not all cyber stalking and internet porn addiction!)

Toys

Canadian-made and cost-effective, the Dragon Silk Blindfold from LeatherBeaten may be economical but it is also exceptionally luxurious in both look and feel.  Available in red or black, these embroidered-style fabric blindfolds are held comfortably in place with a durable elastic strap.  $20

At long last, a non-latex condom that’s affordable and provides protection equal to latex.  Let us introduce you to LifeStyles SKYN, condoms made of stretchy polyisoprene to provide a more comfortable and custom fit than traditional polyurethane non-latex condoms at half the cost.   $16 

Love Bumper's Love Lounge combines several position shapes in one piece of sexy sex furniture.  Great for anyone looking for more freedom and variety in their sex play.  Plus you can have all the fun you want without worrying about making a mess - the Love Lounge comes with a removable and machine-washable cover for easy clean up. $300

When Vixen's classic dildo Randy was discontinued a while ago we were flooded with requests from fans of the shape.  Obviously we weren’t alone, Vixen has re-released Randy in new-and-improved, realistic-feeling Vixskin silicone.  $115

The classic One-Touch Vibe is back, boasting shiny new colours and five different speeds and modes.  The Five-Speed One-Touch Vibe is a cheap and easy way to upgrade any ring, dildo or harness that came with a classic one-speed One-Touch vibe.  Waterproof & wireless.  $20

Books

Starting 2009 off with a bang comes the boldest edition of the Best Women's erotica series. Editor Violet Blue sets the pace of Best Women's Erotica 2009 at hot and heavy with the first story Fly by Valerie Alexander. An updated and seductive version of a classic - think lost boys, pirates and a little lady by the name of Wendy. Continuing onwards to a scandalous story by Janne Lewis about a neurotic, dominant business man who becomes submissive during his sexual escapades with a sex worker. Full of stories from the sweet and tender to the rough and raunchy, this collection has something for every mood. $20.50

Bisexual women are often stereotyped as being indecisive, not knowing what they want, or wanting it all…but who doesn’t want it all?  There really is something to be said about having your cake and eating it too!  In this intelligently penned collection of dirty stories, discover the best of the best of bi-themed tales that include emotionally charged essays, a playful romp about coming out, and stories that range from obscenely funny to wickedly dark and sexy.  Best Bisexual Women’s Erotica is a very well put together array of tales, smartly written and tantalizingly captivating. $22.50

Rubber sex is a well-written and clever collection by real enthusiasts who understand the allure of materials that are like a second skin.  The reader will find titillating tales of dressing up, sexy nights out on the town and steamy ensembles, while other stories talk in detail about how rubber and latex can transport you to another realm sexually.  Whether you are familiar with the intense feeling of rubber against your skin, or are simply an admirer, this fantastically fetishized collection of tales will make you weak in the knees. $19.50

Orgasmic and provocative, Best Gay Erotica 2009 will leave you breathless! In Jay Neal's Physical Therapy a patient/doctor relationship takes a sexual turn while in the story Abducting Frodo, a consensual abduction takes place during a long country drive and the best: in Temporary a sexy transgendered woman meets the man of her dreams one late night. These explicit and sultry tales are a great choice for anyone who loves raunchy yet intelligent gay erotica. $20.50

This expanded and revised 6th edition of the tongue-in-cheek educational favorite, Guide to Getting It On, features 15 new illustrations, five new chapters, 48 additional pages and 2753 updates. For all your tough to answer questions (and maybe a few you didn’t even know you had), this book promises to keep you entertained with loads of great information and fun facts from necking, to oral sex, to romance. Mostly heterosexual focus. $27.95

DVD’s

Give him a little extra attention and learn the erotic art of penis massage. Best of Penis Massage features segments from the best of the best films on the topic, and experts explain and demonstrate techniques that will surely heighten and enhance the sensuality and intimacy in your relationship. This film is geared to all orientations and anyone with a penis. $40

Is your copy of Bra Bustin 1 almost worn out? Here's Bra Bustin & Deep Thrustin 2
Volume 2, with all the same high-quality filming, actors and sets that you've come to expect from the dynamic mom and daughter porn team, Suze & Holly Randall. With tops names like Bree Olsen and Hillary Scott, this movie with a focus on larger breasts and a lot of fellatio is one to add to the collection. $29

Burning Lust is a perfectly delivered sexy, sensual couple's porn is narrated by the women in each scene, describing their erotic fantasies as we see them live them out.  Shot well with a great looking cast (the guys are hot too). Highlights include a sudsy car wash on the ranch and a dramatically lit cityscape at night.  Burning Lust is romantic and explicit, without crossing a line many would rather not cross. $40

Most bisexual movies come up lacking in the quality of filmmaking and the aesthetic quality of the actors (sorry, it’s true).  Bisexual Dreamer from Private exceeds expectations in both areas.  Following the dramatic ups and downs of life as a fashion designer, Bisexual Dreamer is jam-packed with over two and a half hours of well-shot sex, featuring genuine enjoyment and satisfaction on the parts of all the actors.  Most scenes feature guy/guy/girl triads, this one is a stand out Bi film, which makes it a rarity.  $29

The tables have turned! Raw: Straight Up is all hot, ripped guys in solo masturbation scenes. There’s no dialogue but the interviews at the end suggest that the film is geared to women (since the guys all talk about what they love about women). Thankfully these smoking guys just get down to business, so anyone who enjoys the male form and the voyeuristic thrill of watching hot guys do themselves can enjoy. $29

 
Workshops

April 27, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Sword Swallowing 
With Jamye Waxman
all genders

April 28, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Uncovering the O
With Jamye Waxman
all genders

April 29, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Pump Up the Passion 
With Jamye Waxman
couples only – all orientations

May 3, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Anal Play for Beginners
With Andrea Zanin
all genders

May 25, 7:30 – 10:00pm
Anatomy of Her Pleasure
With Dana Shaw
all genders

June 8, 7:30 – 10:00pm
Women Flirting with Women
With Dana Shaw
women and trans women only

June 19-21
Forte Femme: Sensual Dominance Weekend Intensive
With Midori
women and trans women only

June 22, 7:30 – 10:00pm
Hands On Rope Bondage
With Midori
couples only – all orientations welcome

June 23, 7:30 – 10:00pm
Joystick Secrets
With Midori
all genders

June 24, 7:30 – 10:00pm
Improve Your Flogging Skills
With Midori
all genders