Up for a Little Competition?

Boosting a woman's dopamine levels outside of the bedroom could pay dividends between the sheets. "Your brain can't differentiate between the external anxiety caused by a novel situation and the internal anxiety caused by being attracted to someone," says Victoria Zdrok, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist (and former Playboy playmate). "A boost outside of the bedroom can carry over for when it matters most."

The best way to increase her anxiety, sans cardiac arrest? Competition, says Zdrok, which also helps release sex drive-boosting testosterone. Men's Health recommends signing up for a couples adventure race or just bellying up at the local pub's trivia night; by competing on the same team, you'll also improve communication and cooperation, the two behavioral foundations of sexual success.

Better than a slice of pizza

While there's a widely held belief that a half hour of energetic sex burns the equivalent calories in a slice of pizza, it's just not true.

Let's look at the math: A half hour of vigorous sex burns about 85 calories, and a slice of plain cheese pizza is about 230 calories, while a slice of pepperoni is about 290 calories. So, it's pretty clear that it takes more than 30 minutes of active lovemaking to burn off a single slice.

Do Unto Others...

According to a recent Glamour poll, 89% of guys polled say they'd rather give their woman a mind-blowing orgasm than have their own.

Bad Sex in the City?

According to an interview in the New Yorker, the authors of the new book Women Want More discovered that only 17% of New York women rate themselves “highly satisfied” with their sex lives, compared with twenty per cent nationally and twenty-five per cent globally.

But regardless where they live, 30%of American women who are married do not intend to be with the man they are with five years from now.

Can't blame that one on the Big Apple.

20 Minutes Is All It Takes

After 20 minutes of exercise at 70% of their maximum heart rate, women showed a 150% increase in arousal, according to the new book Why Women Have Sex by Cindy Meston.

Is the Economic Recession Affecting Your Relationship?

How is your relationship weathering the economic recession? Has it affected your relationship - for the better or worse?

We'd like to learn how couples are being impacted by the economic downturn. And we'd love it if you'd spend a few minutes (just a few - there are only 9 questions) to answer the following survey. To take the brief, and confidential, survey just click here - thanks!

We'll post the results for all to see!

Indulge Without the Guilt

According to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, a compound in dark chocolate called phenylethylamine releases the same endorphins triggered by sex and increases the feelings of attraction between two people.

And that means you don’t have to decline that piece of rich chocolate cake after all.

The Journal of Sexual Medicine reports that those who consume at least one cube of dark chocolate daily experience greater desire and better overall sexual function than those who don't partake.

So go ahead. Indulge.

It's Not the Destination...

Think sex is a race to the finish? Think again.

Gloria Brame, Ph.D., author of Different Loving says slow down and remember that the journey is more important than the destination. "Goal-oriented sex isn't sexy," Brame says.

So slow down and make getting there half the fun.

Foods the Feed Your Desire

Eat your way to a better sex life? Maybe.

1. Eggs: crambled, poached, or hard-boiled, eggs are a good source of B vitamins, a key nutrient for keeping your sex drive roaring and your mind stress-free.

2. Celery: Every stalk of the stuff is packed with androstenone and androstenol, two pheromones that can help men attract women.

3. Vanilla ice cream (yummy): When it comes to sex, ice cream is endurance food. It has high levels of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that build your muscles' energy reserves and boost your libido.

4. Breakfast cereal: Too tired for sex? Check the label on your morning cereal and make sure you're eating a brand loaded with thiamin and riboflavin.

5. Steak: Visit your favorite steak house and chow down on some lean sirloin. The protein in the meat will naturally boost levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemicals in the brain that heighten sensitivity during sex.

For more sexy foods, visit the complete list here.

The Spice of Life...

Imagine eating the same thing for dinner every night, and breakfast every morning... and lunch. Even eating cupcakes 24/7 eventually would get old! Not to mention unhealthy and unsatisfying. According to Self, when it comes to feeding our sexual appetite, many of us rely on one mode to sate all of our romantic cravings. Turns out, women who order the same meal at the same restaurant every time, so to speak, are missing out.

Engaging in different shagging styles not only prevents boredom in the bedroom, but "it also fulfills your many physical and emotional needs, allows you to express different aspects of your personality and enables you to grow sexually as a couple," explains Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a sex and relationship therapist in New York City.

No one is saying you have to install a trapeze in your bedroom or invite the neighbors to join in. But just as following the food pyramid's guidelines will improve your overall diet, integrating different types of sex into your regular routine can recharge your romance.

What's Your Erotic Personality?

Knowledge is power, and what greater power than knowing what you like and what you don't, what makes you tick and what ticks you off.

To take a quiz that will help you figure it all out and discover which erotic personality fits you just right, you can take the quize here.

Not So Out of the Ordinary

In a recent The New York Times article, The Adult Store Goes Mainstream, writer Michael Winerip looked at results from two recent studies of vibrator use in the United States. According to one of the studies, more than 53% of women, and nearly half of all men reported having used a sex toy.

We've come a long way, baby!

By the Numbers

In a Women's Day poll of 35,000 married women they asked, How's Your Sex Life? The results aren't terribly encouraging:

What sex life? 36%
Good and satisfying 19%
Pleasant enough 18%
Dull 16%
Amazing 10%

Wow! More than half of the women are bored in bed or can't even remember the last time they got intimate. No wonder an overwhelming 79% of women want to have sex more often!

What About Us?

Back in February, for Valentine's day, we had our first email asking, "We're a single sex couple, do you have a surprise just for us?" And because we think everyone deserves a fun Valentine's, we made up a special package just for that couple.

Since then we've received lots more emails asking about single sex surprises, and that's why we're currently in the process of creating them. The thing is, we want to make sure they're fun and that's why we're actually talking to single sex couples to make sure we get it right.

So check back in July, when we hope to have our Single Sex Surprises page up. Until then, if you're a single sex couple, shoot us and email and we'll be sure to put a special surprise together just for you.

A Long Hot Summer

It's June 1, and even though the official start of summer is 20 days away, we've always felt that June ushered in the season.

That's why we're introducing the Summer Sizzle Surprise, a special surprise designed to make the summer months even hotter.

Each elegant package contains adult items chosen to capture the essence of the season – hot, steamy and fabulously sexy.

Shades of Fun

Did you know that the act of coloring your hair may make you feel more adventurous - in and out of the sack?

According to Women's Health, women study volunteers rated how alluring they felt before and after hitting the bottle. Post-colorfest the women's feelings of confidence and attractiveness increased - regardless of the new shade they chose.

And, they also reported feeling sexier, says the study's co-author, Mark Sergeant, Ph.D.

So go ahead, color yourself sexy.

Earth Day! Celebrate by Going Green... with a Smile!

We all know that green is better... who doesn't want a cleaner, greener earth? But does going green mean giving up things that are fun? No way!

That's why we have our All-Natural Surprise, filled with things that feel good and are good to the earth. 

With the All-Natural Surprise it is easy being green!

In Case You Were Wondering About Hair Plugs...

In its annual romance survey, which draws data from 1,467 Canadians to reveal a snapshot of what men and women want in the bedroom and beyond, Harlequin Enterprises also looked at what turns a woman off.

Hair plugs proved to be women's No. 1 turn-off in a partner (30%), followed by excessive tanning (25%) and cosmetic surgeries (16%).

Annoys Everyone Else, But Go Ahead!

That cutesy, lovey-dovey language—even your own—can be so corny it even makes you sick, but according to Women's Health, researchers think it might not be so bad. It might even be good for you!

Pet names, inside jokes and code language pave the way to a playful, resilient, and satisfying relationship. One study on couples' "insider language" published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships reported that the more goofy names, made-up terms, and covert requests for nooky a couple used, the higher their relationship satisfaction tended to be.

Like a Raise Only Better

Doctors Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz, authors of the book "You Being Beautiful" are saying that upping your sexy time is like striking it rich.

According to Oprah's favorite docs, increasing sex from once a month to once a week creates an increase in happiness that's the equivalent of $50,000 of additional income for the average American.

That's like giving yourself a raise. Without the extra work.

The Three S's

According to Self Magazine, 26% of couples only have sex on weekends.

Saturday, Sunday and Sex seem to go together. Maybe 26% of couples just appreciate alliteration?

A Good Giggle

Sue Johanson of the Sunday Night Sex Show gave George Stroumboulopoulos this advice on his show: Laugh about your sexual escapades with your partner.

This natural tip for healthy sex helps reduce the embarrassment or awkwardness you may feel – and laughing with your partner increases feelings of connection.

A very good friend of ours has created a cocktail too good to pass up. It's so good, she's entered it into a contest, the Mionetto Cocktail contest. And if she wins she'll be headed to NYC to mix it up for the grand prize. This would have been a great cocktail to celebrate Valentine's day, but since we're a day late, how about celebrating that we turn back the clocks and welcome in spring in less than a month?

MIONETINI
Created by Stacey BallisChicago, IL

INGREDIENTS:
1 oz Mionetto Brut1 oz premium vodka
1 oz Elderflower Liqueur
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz pineapple juice
For rim of glass:1 T lemon juice1 T sugar in the raw1 t grains of paradise, ground
For Float:1 T Mionetto Brut

PREPARATION:
Fill shaker with ice, and shake all ingredients well.
Dip rim of martini glass in lemon juice and then in the combined sugar and grains of paradise.
Strain cocktail into glass and float 1 T Mionetto Brut on the top for extra fizz.

Cooking Up Some Love

A survey from Whole Foods Markets says that an astonishing 81% of married people would prefer a meal cooked by their spouse to a restaurant meal. While half of the respondents acknowledged the weak economy as part of their preference, 64% also say they also believe a home-cooked meal is more intimate or special, and 73% believe it's more personal and thoughtful.

The Economic Impact

Stress -- financial or otherwise -- can cause levels of libido-stoking testosterone to drop, says Beverly Whipple, Ph.D., a neurophysiologist and coauthor of "The G-Spot: And Other Discoveries About Human Sexuality."

And when a guy loses his provider status it's a blow to his ego and manhood - not exactly the feeling he wants to bring into the bed.

If you're the one who's been let go? Research reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that when a woman's income is reduced by just 20 percent, her self-worth and sex drive can plummet.

One more reason to hope our economy is on the road to recovery.

Valentine's By the Numbers

- Half of the U.S. population celebrates Valentine’s Day by purchasing at least one greeting card, according to Hallmark.

- Last year, according to an MSNBC report, Americans spent as much as 13.7 billion last Valentine's Day 2006, up 22 percent from just five years ago.

- 73% of flowers are bought by men, and only 27% are by women.

- Chocolate and candy sales reach profits of $1,011 billion during Valentines.

- Approximately 1 in 4 Americans do not celebrate the holiday at all.

- 15% of American women (and even men) send flowers to themselves on Valentine's Day.

At the end of the day, regardless of why you do something nice or who you're doing it to, isn't it great to have a day where people remember that it's nice to appreciate someone?

We Heart Valentine's Day

Valentine's day is for lovers and that's probably why we've been receiving so many orders for our Valentine's Surprise. And you know what? We don't blame them! We just started shipping the surprises out so they arrive in time for the big day, and the items in this special surprise are just so cool.

Honestly, it's a really great surprise. Almost makes me wish we could make it part of the regular surprise packages.

A Hallmark Holiday

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, and the economy continuing to look gloomy, the traditional fancy restaurant dinner, roses and jewelry are now on lots of people's "way too extravagant" list. So American Greetings and Hallmark are preparing for Valentine's Day, recession style.

More than 191 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year (and that doesn't even include the kind kids pass out in school).

"In times of economic uncertainty, we see people being reminded of what's most important in life," says Rochelle Lulow, creative director of the Cleveland-based American Greetings. "That means focusing their efforts on nurturing their relationships with friends and family. Valentine's Day is all about reaching out and telling someone that you love them."

Based on research that found consumers want cards that differentiate the various stages of romance--from the frisky beginnings to the schmaltzy ever-afters--the company has introduced a 26-card line called Lovematters. "We've learned that it really is the little things that define a relationship. Gestures don't have to be grand or expensive, but they do need to be genuine and heartfelt," she says. "Couples today strive to celebrate their relationships in unique ways, and we tried to capture that."

Here's an idea: forget the stereotypical roses and cupid-cutout cards, which, honestly, don't take much imagination and certainly don't express true feelings. And instead do something that says, "I want us to spend time together, just the two of us, having fun, being playful, and remembering how much we actually enjoy one another."

Yep. Give your love a Valentine's Surprise and you'll both be happier than Snoopy with a big old heart in his hands.

Less Stress, Better Number Crunching

The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine has long reported the benefits of massage, including reduced stress levels.

And who doesn't have stress these days?

Touch can not only improve your physical health (who hasn't wanted a good massage after a grueling workout), it can improve your mental health as well.

Even the International Journal of Neuroscience found that massage has benefits - people who participated in a massage study completed math problems in less time than the control group. Even better, they made fewer mistakes!

Less stress and an easier time balancing the check book? Sounds like a good massage can make life a little more tolerable for all of us.

The Honeymoon Doesn't Have to Be Over Just Yet!

Listen to this, thanks to USA Today.

New brain scans of people who say they are still in love after being married for decades are similar to scans of those who have just fallen in love, leading researchers to conclude that long-term relationships can be just as passionate and romantic as new love.

"We're confident it's real," says psychologist Arthur Aron of the State University of New York-Stony Brook, one of the researchers involved in the study. "That's what the brain scans are telling us. People can't fake that."

"A lot of other research always suggested romantic love is over by 12 to 15 months. This suggests that may not have to be the case," says Richmond Thompson, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Bowdoin College, who was not involved in the study.

And just in case you think this is all scientific bunk, we can prove it's true!!

We have received more than 8 orders from people celebrating over 20 years today - isn't that crazy? After all these years they're still sending each other gifts they can share and enjoy.

And the cards are so nice.

So I believe what the scientists have proven. And I didn't even have to put on a lab coat!

Au Naturale

We've had several requests for organic or "vegan friendly" products. So we went on a hunt, searching for products that these members would feel comfortable using.

And we found some! The thing is, we like them so much, and like that they're made from all natural ingredients and most come in earth-friendly packaging, that we're going to include them in our standard surprises as well.

We hope that more manufacturers take a hint here and pursue the development of more products that contain or are made from natural, renewable ingredients. We'd love to find more!

Sweet Dreams

Ready to hit the pillow?

A little sensual massage followed by some dancing in the sheets releases sleep-inducing endorphins.

Nighty night.

But Does It Pay the Bills?

Tax time is right around the corner, but even if you dread the tax man, don't distress.

Sex makes you happier than having money does, according to a recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

A marriage that included regular sessions was figured to bring the same levels of happiness as earning an extra $100,000 annually.

Change it Up

Every couple needs to change up their sexual routine every now and again so it doesn't become just that -- a routine. Sexual experimentation is key for keeping a long-term relationship fresh, fun and fulfilling.

Opening up about your desires can also bring you and your partner closer together.

"Experimenting with each other requires a willingness to be vulnerable, which improves intimacy," says Mort Fertel, a Baltimore marriage counselor and creator of the Marriage Fitness Program.

Welcome 2009!

The start of a new year, and it's been a good one (all 12 hours of it so far).

This morning we've been receiving so many orders from The Boston Globe article that ran today.

Happy New Year to everyone!