We are declaring February 13th Pal-entine’s Day!

Last night I was watching Parks & Recreation’s Galentine’s Day episode and just loved that Leslie Knope (the main character) celebrates her “ladyfriends” each year, independent of any romantic relationship they are in, because, let’s be honest, Valentine’s Day can kinds suck if you don’t have a honey to share it with and having someone shower you with love, even the platonic kind, can take the sting of being alone on V-Day.

And why isn’t there a day to celebrate the wonderfulness of friendships? For some folks, friendships can last longer than any romantic relationship and all of us can probably be better served by taking a minute or to to tell our buddies… “Hey, you are awesome and I appreciate/love/need/adore you”. Yes, I personally have a honey to celebrate Valentine’s Day with but I am now determined to let my “Pals” know I love them on Pal-entine’s Day and I encourage ya’ll to do so too.

Let’s start a revolution of love for all the wonderful people in our lives!

Here are some ideas of how to celebrate!

• Have a party on the 13th just for your friends.. so significant others allowed (well I guess if you are friends with a whole couple…). Feed them sweets and treats and blue cupcakes! (We think Blue & Purple are good contrast colors to the red & pink of V-Day)

• Give your friends little tokens of love: ”I Think You are Awesome” buttons; A note about why you love & need them ; A fun toy or gift they can enjoy on their own (of course we did have to tie this to sex toys! We have some great Pal-entine’s day idea gift ideas from our collection and even made an online gift guide. You can see it by clicking here); A framed picture of the two of your together; A bottle of their favorite booze or bath item;

• Publicly declare your love of your BFF!  Shout it from Facebook! Make your profile picture a picture of the two of you for the day!

• Do something nice for someone else. They don’t have to be your friend even, just make it a point to a smile on at least one person’s face that day.

• Spread a little love anyway you can. There is no such thing as too much love in this world.

The popular Sex Positive Documentary Film Series is holding a free screening of The Happy Hooker: Portrait of a Sexual Revolutionary (2008) on Valentine’s Day, February 14 2012, at 7pm. Come solo or bring a date for an antidote to the traditional Valentine’s Day celebration. This wildly fun documentary explores the life of Zaviera Hollander, New York’s leading madam, who was deported from the USA shortly after publishing her 1971 memoir, considered a landmark of sex positive writing.

The Sex Positive Documentary Film Series is pro-sex, pro-queer, and pro-kink. Films have explored bisexuality, S&M, polyamory, swinging, trans people, homosexuality, heterosexuality, feminism, sex work, and pornography.  2012 marks the series’ fourth year and films are scheduled through December. Each film screening is accompanied by snacks and followed by relevant conversation. The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum is pleased to host this program as a new expression of the Hull-House Settlement’s historic advocacy for sex education.

The full film list is available here. Clarisse Thorn is the series’ original curator and a sex-positive feminist activist in Chicago. She says, “We want you to come to these screenings whether you’re a free speech advocate, an AIDS worker, a progressive pastor, a sexuality activist, a radical feminist, a sex worker, a pornographer, a student, a skeptic, or just someone who likes talking about sex. All are welcome.”

Jane Adams Hull House is located at 800 S Halstead St in Chicago. The screening is on February 14th 7-9:30pm.

Hi, I’m the person who asked about binders! I got a small after all and love it. It was a struggle getting it on for the first time, though, but I figured out a way to make it just a smidgen bigger. I stretched it over the back of a chair and left it there overnight, and now it fits like a dream, makes me completely flat, and is way easier to put on! I just wanted to share my experience in case it helps anyone else!

Want to bring sizzling, sexy, fun, and easy erotic bondage to your bedroom? Don’t want to bother with expensive gear or complicated ropes? This class is designed specifically for combining sex with bondage. Learn fun positions, the easiest way to plan, techniques and how to change positions quickly. Midori will teach you safe non-rope ties for sex in various positions, making a dildo harness with rope, sexual sensation enhancement with good positions, and more.

There will be lots practice time so bring some a beach towel or a yoga mat, and wear comfortable clothing. (All the exercises will be fully clothed.) Scarves and other materials will be provided.

Couples or intimately comfortable friends encouraged!

This workshop is $25 ($20 students/low income). Sign up yourself and a friend/lover for only $45!  Folks of all genders and orientations welcome!

Midori is the author of The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage, among other books, and is an educator and columnist on adventurous sexuality. She is known for her humanistic, humorous, and warm classes that help spice up people’s sex lives and encourage self-discovery and personal growth. Midori travels the world presenting to universities, groups, and media.

To see a list of all our current workshops you can click here

Ah, the misunderstood and under appreciated prostate. Only taking center stage during men’s annual physicals, the ol’ “doctor’s finger up the ass”  is often mainly associated with the fear of cancer. But it doesn’t have to be that way! In this playful class we’ll break the prostate out of the overly medicalized context it’s usually constrained by and learn about the pleasures of stimulating the prostate solo or with your partner.

Open to people of all genders, sexual orientations and experience levels, this prostate class will cover everything from prostate location and lubrication to butt toys for men and the mechanics of erotic prostate massage.

Instructor: Rebecca Steinmetz has enthusiastically been a sex educator for Early to Bed since 2003. She has created and presented numerous workshops on everything from flirting to strap-on sex. She has presented at venues including universities such as Columbia, University of Chicago and Northwestern, Lawrence College in New York, LGBTIQ organizations, activist collectives and non-profit agencies. She has an undergraduate degree in Gender Studies from DePaul University and an MSW from the University of Chicago. Her sex ed related work has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Reader, TimeOut Chicago and Eight-Forty-Eight on Chicago Public Radio.

$15 / $10 for students/ low-income

This workshop is being held at Early to Bed •  5232 N Sheridan rd.

Sign up now by clicking here or calling us at 773-271-1219

To see a list of all our current workshops you can click here

Are you already experienced and enjoying giving a helping hand or mouth to your partner when his dick is in need of some loving? Or has the blow job you once looked forward to giving become a dull, routine step on the way to vaginal sex?

Let’s breath some life back into those blow job skills and brush up on the variety of ways you can use your hands to stimulate your partner penis. This class is for the experienced hand job and blow job givers who want to expand their existing repertoire. The focus will be on techniques to stimulate your man below the belt - there’s more to it than just your mouth!

This workshop is for women-identified folks only.

Instructor: Rebecca Steinmetz has enthusiastically been a sex educator for Early to Bed since 2003. She has created and presented numerous workshops on everything from flirting to strap-on sex. She has presented at venues including universities such as Columbia, University of Chicago and Northwestern, Lawrence College in New York, LGBTIQ organizations, activist collectives and non-profit agencies. She has an undergraduate degree in Gender Studies from DePaul University and an MSW from the University of Chicago. Her sex ed related work has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Reader, TimeOut Chicago and Eight-Forty-Eight on Chicago Public Radio.

$15 / $10 for students/ low-income

This workshop is being held at Early to Bed •  5232 N Sheridan rd.

Sign up now by clicking here or calling us at 773-271-1219

This class starts by exploring the male anatomy and our feelings about it. After a brief lesson on pleasure points we move on to instructions for what makes a stellar handjob and then techniques to give a mind-blowing blowjob, all without gagging or getting a sore jaw! We’ll even show you how to put a condom on without using your hands! This is a fun class that takes sexual pleasure seriously. Great for any women who wants to be more confident in her man-pleasuring skills.

This workshop is for women-identified folks only.

Instructor: Rebecca Steinmetz has enthusiastically been a sex educator for Early to Bed since 2003. She has created and presented numerous workshops on everything from flirting to strap-on sex. She has presented at venues including universities such as Columbia, University of Chicago and Northwestern, Lawrence College in New York, LGBTIQ organizations, activist collectives and non-profit agencies. She has an undergraduate degree in Gender Studies from DePaul University and an MSW from the University of Chicago. Her sex ed related work has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Reader, TimeOut Chicago and Eight-Forty-Eight on Chicago Public Radio.

$15 / $10 for students/ low-income

This workshop is being held at Early to Bed •  5232 N Sheridan rd.

Sign up now by clicking here or calling us at 773-271-1219

To see a list of all our current workshops you can click here

Toys that Pinch

Clover Clamps

Clips and clamps can range from playful to painful. They feel best when placed slowly at the very base of the nipple or on the surrounding areola. Avoid leaving them on for longer than 20 minutes at a time. And remember, the most intense sensation comes when the clamps are removed and the blood rushes back!

Our adjustable nipple clamps are versatile, easy to use, and come in three different styles. Start off easy and then increase the pressure as you grow comfortable with using them. Try pulling on or adding weights to the chain for extra fun.

Want an adjustable clamp with a little more style? Mandible clamps are great for medical fetish scenes or just for when you need a little bit more precision. You can even dress up your favorite femme with our Beaded Tweezer Clips.

If you love your adjustable clamps and crave more intensity, try out a pair of Clover Clamps. These bite down hard and do not adjust. If you want to be extra mean, put the chain in your “victim”’s mouth or connect it to some bondage and tell them to stand up straight– these babies actually tighten when the chain is pulled!

Not ready to throw down your cash on some clips? No problem! Clothes pins work wonders. They come in bulk, so take advantage of their numbers. Branch out from the nipples and turn your buddy’s breasts into clothes pin flowers; carefully place them on labia, the skin pulled away from the underside of a penis, or a scrotum (never put a clamp on a testicle); bet your partner on how many you can place all over their body. Get creative and play safe!

Nipple Bulb

Toys that Suck

Suction feels absolutely yummy on nipples. Our mouths are a great tool for this, but sometimes we want to have suction on our nipples and suction (or licking or kissing) elsewhere. This is why nipple suckers rule: hands (and mouths) free suction! Mini nipple suckers are adorable and unobtrusive without lacking in strength. For extra suction and staying power, you can’t go wrong with our classic suckers. With the Snake Bite Kit, you can keep those nips at attention and save your lover from deadly venom if the occasion arises. The Nipple Bulb makes nipples hard and then keeps ‘em that way with tiny silicone rings. More serious players will rejoice in the fierce screw-style suction of the adjustable Falcon Nipple Suckers.

Other Sensations

Breast bondage makes nipples more sensitive by impairing blood flow. Tie your honey into a chest harness with some bondage rope and they’ll have heightened awareness of every little pinch or

Bondage Rope

kiss you give them.

Vibration isn’t only for below the belt! Nipple vibration can be a thrill. Try it out by holding your favorite vibrator to your nipples or go hands-free with our vibrating nipple clamps. Want to get real fancy? Dress things up incoqnito.

Get those titties tingling with your favorite minty chapstick or up the anti with ice or Tiger Balm. Nipple Nibblers is a tingly fruit-flavored balm that make nipples taste delicious and stand at attention.

If you enjoy the sensations of flogging on your back and bottom, why not try it on your frontside? Our small rubber floggers are perfect for getting up close and personal with breasts and even genitals!  Sensations range from massage-like to stingy.

Join Searah Deysach from Early to Bed for an evening of honest discussion about sex after baby. You will learn tips for how to fit sex back into your life when there is a new baby in the house as well as ideas to get the ball rolling when you don’t have all night. She will also cover how to accept things that might have changed and how to learn to love your new mama-body and have a better sexual relationship with yourself. AND you’ll leave with a goodie bag from Early to Bed as a bonus!

Papas need to stay home for this one - the workshop is open to mamas only. Interested even though your “baby” is older? Mamas with “babies” of all ages are welcome to participate.

$30 if registered by 1/22, $35 thereafter

Presented by Hip Circle Studio, this workshop is held at 709 Washington, Evanston. You can Register here

These are the toys that we have had since we opened our doors over ten years ago, and they continue to outsell their fancy new peers. Tried and true, these playthings are great choices for first-timers and sex toy veterans alike.

Lefty is our classic masturbation sleeve. Super stretchy TPR and hundreds of little stimulating nubbies make this a perfect cock toy. Use it on your own to change up solo play or spring it on your partner for an extra-special hand job. The open end makes clean-up a snap and makes it so you can add oral stimulation on top!

Simple, elegant, and deceptively powerful, the  Silver Bullet is perfect for direct clit stimulation. This multi-speed vibe is an excellent choice for for beginners, an essential tool for the advanced, and costs less than ten bucks! Its small size and separate controller also makes this bullet ideal for use during partner sex.

Mary is that quintessential vibrator that we imagine when we picture a vibrator. Her sleek silhouette makes Mary perfect for easy internal stimulation, and two C batteries give her an extra oomph for clits that enjoy serious power. She’s even waterproof to boot!

The Rabbit Habit is famous world-wide for its high quality Japanese motor & fantastic design. With tantalizing buzzing bunny ears, tumbling “pearls” and a rotating shaft, you’ll find this baby gives you her all. Your job is to just lean back and enjoy the simultaneous internal & external pleasure with almost no effort on your part…

Tula, one of our best selling vibes, is unassuming and perfectly angled for great G-spot action or powerful clitoral stimulation. The longer handle helps you to easily manipulate the toy, and helps you hold it in place during partner sex. The speeds are variable and go from a low rumble to a nice buzz that can really satisfy.

The Hitachi is so powerful that some of us affectionately call it the Jackhammer. This toy has been the favorite of many folks for years! It plugs into the wall so you’ll never have to worry about batteries and because they are built like appliances, they last for years.