BDSM gone refined: this classy kink gear is sleek AF & your partner’s dream gift
In the BDSM and kink communities, the search for elegant and lovely accessories can be a little limiting. There’s a whole lot of clunky and less-than-delicate options for D/s jewelry, collars, and leather. Thankfully, we’ve got a connection that offers high quality, classy kink gear handmade from fine-as-hell materials for the discriminating D or s. It’s time to get to know Restrained Grace, a woman-owned kink gear and jewelry provider that takes everything up a notch.
How to explain BDSM to your family without getting embarrassed
I’ve been writing about kink online for over a decade. I used to sometimes write under a pseudonym to protect my identity. Now that I’m older and wiser, I’ve realized that there’s nothing to be ashamed of as long as I keep it appropriate for the audience and circumstance. Do I talk about kink out of nowhere, with strangers or acquaintances, using “I” statements and sharing anecdotes? No. Never. Would I talk to my family about it? Would I be embarrassed? Would you? Here’s how to explain BDSM to your family without getting embarrassed…
How The Addams Family does BDSM right
While it was unfortunately many people’s introduction to the topic, bloggers from all corners of the internet have derided the relationship pictured in Fifty Shades for what it really is: abuse masquerading as kink. But twenty-four years ago, a family comedy centered on a couple who liked to torture each other for pleasure gave audiences a much healthier glimpse at BDSM.
How to share BDSM with a vanilla partner
I wanted my man to be assertive and to take charge. I wanted to be swept off my feet by our romantic encounters. Malik, however, is a sub. He wanted me to take charge. He wanted me to be commanding, to dominate him. I had no experience with that whatsoever. He wanted to be paddled, blindfolded, gagged. And he wanted to do all of this with me. If your partner wants you to try something new, be it anal play, bondage, role play, ice cubes, or anything else, here are a few tips I learned from exploring the world of BDSM as a vanilla partner.
BDSM in mainstream media: Why I taught my kids about safe words
Kinky sex has made its way into mainstream culture in places other than poorly written erotica-gone-NYT-bestsellers-list. Music videos like Rihanna’s S&M, Christina Aguilera’s Not Myself Tonight, for instance. Our kids are seeing it, hearing and some of them are even reading the book. I anticipate that the majority of learning on the topic will not be from me but they’ll likely see videos and ads, or hear things from peers that could use some context, and I prefer to be the person who provides that context.
BDSM DIY: The acronym-free guide to home pervertables
As a practicing sub in my personal life, I can assure you exploring BDSM and other sexual fantasies doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg (or any other interesting body part). You can find common household item that can be repurposed for sex play with your partner!
How sex toys empowered me after trauma & shame
In December of 2009, I bought my first sex toy, and it was incredible. Here was an entire industry dedicated to the act of bringing my body pleasure. Not for anyone else, but for my own enjoyment. And it wasn’t presented as secretive and embarrassing and shameful: it was bright purple. And for the first time, my body felt like mine and my sexuality belonged to me. Since then, sex toys have been an active interest of mine, and I’ve learned a lot about them — and about how important they are.
25 offbeat Valentine gift ideas for a sweet, sexy, & smoldering Valentine’s Day
If you celebrate the silliness of Valentine’s Day, this roundup of offbeat Valentine gift ideas is for you. And if you don’t, I totally get it. But it doesn’t have to be all about partners and love and junk. It can be about friendship, self love, and lots of, ahem, playtime, too. Here are 25 Valentine’s Day gifts that are sincere, goofy, spiritual, glam, and maybe totally for you or your partner(s).
Keep an eagle eye out for a shout-out to our publisher’s new passion project (literally)…