Sex &
Here I am during a trip to Syren last year being polished by then Manager, Byron, and you can see for yourselves that I love Sex Stores and shopping as much as the next pervert. When I travel, one of my favorite things is to search out new kinky stores and see what new experience it will bring. I have ended up in some of the most bizarre places. I found my way into a back room of a seedy Las Vegas S&M Club where through a half open doorway I could see some poor male slave getting his ass beaten by a leather whip-wielding Mistress. I once watched a pregnant stripper in Memphis dance on stage and I have been lost in Orlando for hours in a storm because I was looking for some sex shop listed in the phone book. You name it; I have probably tried to investigate it when on my travels. I enjoy being on such devilish quests as a sidetrack to normalcy.
So, with the sexual consumer in mind, is Sex & yet another attempt to bring sexual deviancy to the masses under the umbrella of acceptability? What kind of people will we encounter at Sex &? Is this where the bankers, accountants and aristocrats will shop for high end massage wands and fantasy kits? I can envision a well dressed & self important sales woman asking me if I would like to try a sample of the new scented oils or try on some fur trimmed heels. The symphonic sounds of Bach hitting its stride, caresses my ears in the background. As I bite into a lemon flavored biscuit and wash it down with hot tea, several women carry out samples of jewel encrusted vibrators and lay them before me. Maybe I should ask, "Darling, can you tell me which is the house favorite"? I don't know, that does not sound like me.
Is this really the sex inspired shopping experience I am looking for? I am not sure that I need crumpets and tea with soft classical music playing while I decide on a standard inflatable butt plug or one that vibrates. The concept just disturbs me for some reason. I do not want anybody to say "Hello, and welcome to Sex &" or "Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you". I enjoy the silence of the seedy stores (other then the sound of porn playing from hidden rooms) and the odd glances from the other patrons. I like that there is a Goth inspired, tattooed and pierced character smoking a cigarette perpetrating as a sexual sales clerk. It makes me feel less judged and more comfortable. There he or she is, sitting behind the counter ready to answer any bizarre question I have without a second thought. It goes something like this:
Gwen: "Hi, I was looking for a latex fisting mitt and a cock cage with tiny spikes lining the inside, do you know if you hav..."
Clerk: (without even looking at me) "Back aisle all the way to the bottom left. "
Gwen: "Oh cool, thanks."
Clerk: (now glances at me as if I am stupid) "Uh-huh."
Gwen: (ever appreciative) "Thanks again."
You see? That is how it goes for me, simple and easy. Who better to go to for information concerning which double headed vibrator offers ample penetration without losing speed on the rotating head? Who else can tell you which is the better video to purchase when trying to decide between "Lustful latex Vixens 2" and "Vixens who Lust for Latex 5"? I don't know, maybe I am getting off track here, but it just seems to me we don't need to mix our sexual deviance with stylistic department store branding or methods. All that being said, maybe Sex & will offer a different experience that is enjoyable and unique. One that has little to do with erasing my current definition of a sex store but rather providing me with the same options consumers have in dining choices. With food, we can choose between Burger Squid and Messieurs Le Grandeur’s Fine Dining. I definitely want to have options for my sex toy cravings. I guess I need to have an open mind and remember I am here to communicate my thoughts because I opened my mind to kinky and bizarre sexuality to begin with. I will refrain from judgment until I can check it all out for myself. Maybe it will be everything I never knew I wanted in my "shopping for sex" experience!
Sex &...,
I am more than a bit curious to see what they have to offer, as it seems there is to be a store planned for Los Angeles in the foreseeable future. I am informed that you must be a member to even enter the store, but I am not sure what the annual fee will be. It might be worth it jut to see their "special events" that are said to have Victoria blushing. Somehow I think that Victoria's idea of a worthwhile secret and Sex &'s promise of "special events" may differ a great deal from what I consider interesting.
The store concept beyond what I have described is to offer items not attainable in the US. Uh, hello... internet anyone? Try it some time. I am usually just a few clicks away form anything I want. The store is set up obviously with a very high end look and feel. They have divided the store into 11 sections and offer upscale sex toys. How "upscale" does my dildo collection need to be exactly? I can bedazzle my silicone cocks for a lot less then they will rpobably be selling them for. I will say this; from the photos the store sure looks ultra cool.
Although a conclusion cannot really be made at this time, I will continue to be curious about this new type of sex mart. I can't speak for all Angelino's, but JT Stockroom and Pleasure Chest won't have to worry about losing my business. I can just see myself showing up at Sex & in head to toe latex on my way to a party, in need of a new ball gag & riding crop. I would have to take off my gloves to get a thumb scan and then lay down my blue American Express for a $500.00 crystal encrusted mouth piece? I am not sure that is going to work, but I would probably take a moment to hang out and sip champagne while listening to one of my favorite Serge Gainsbourg songs. In the end, I am still just a girly girl who loves to shop and be pampered. I am so conflicted!
Well I will keep you posted if I ever am allowed in to one of these establishments. In the meantime, stop by JT Stockroom and The Pleasure Chest. Be sure to tell them I sent you. You don't have to worry about paying your membership dues when there. At the Pleasure Chest or the Stockroom retail store, you can touch the merchandise all you want and they even sell LATEX!!
XOXO
Gwen
For Great LA Shopping:
JT's Stockroom
(www.Stockroom.com)
2809½ W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
1-800-755-TOYS (domestic)
1-213-484-3882 (local & international)
(Mon-Fri 7-5 PST, Sat-Sun 10-5 PST)
Store hours: Wed-Sun, 12-10pm (or by appointment)
The Pleasure Chest
7733 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
800.316.9222
fx 323.650.1176
www.thepleasurechest.com
By the way, if we are going to talk high end fetish, has anyone been over to the Coco de Mer store in LA? They have this equestrian inspired chair that I am dying to own. Here is a picture for you to salivate over. "Giddy up" is what comes to mind when I think about using this fine piece of furniture.
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