Tough times in this economy have women treating themselves to gifts that keep on giving - Sex toys! Women, whether in relationships or single are starting to take their libido back! Sometimes our libidinal energy can take a hit and get displaced during hard times, but the result has been quite the opposite. Sigmund Freud concluded that human nature is governed by the pleasure principle to avoid pain (in this case - stress). Sexual love is the most intense form of pleasure. Claire Cavanauh, owner of Babes of Toyland, says that when the AIG bailout began, sales increased by 26 per cent. So go out there ladies and do your part for the economy and distribute your libidinal energy at the same time! For the best selection of women’s sex toys try adameve.com.

Check out this list from the frisky.com of 100 qualities your boyfriend should posses. Kudos to Amelia for compiling this thoughtful list. Well She Knows readers, how many of these qualities that matter to you does your man posses? Amanda Writes, “My Next Boyfriend…

1. …will not cheat on me.
2. …will recycle, donate to a cause, volunteer, and otherwise be a contributing member to society’s well-being.
3. …won’t put others down to make himself feel better.
4. …will treat everyone with respect.
5. …will have a job.
6. …will not smoke pot.
7. …will talk when the need arises versus trying to put it off until later. Read the rest here!

Here are some love tips on how to motivate him to become the man of your dreams!

How do you deal with your feelings about your partner’s previous romantic relationships, especially when they remain friends? Are you feeling super-irked whenever your boyfriend mentions a friend that he once used to date? And even though you have met his ex, who is in a seemingly happy relationship, you still can’t help feeling a little jealous and insecure whenever they talk? Once feelings of insecurity and jealousy surface, it’s a short jump to negative and self destructive behavior. These emotions can cause major stress to your otherwise healthy relationship. Here’s some advice on how to snap out of it.

1. Talk to your man. Let him know the emotions you feel when this person(s) comes up. He should be saying all the things to reassure you that there is no need to worry.

2. Let go and trust him. Realize you can’t control him.

3. More importantly, realize that it doesn’t matter who your partner dated. Without these previous experiences, he would not be the man you love today. All of our previous relationships color who we are in our current relationships.

4. Love them for who they are, not who you want them to be. You’ll be stronger as a couple and have fewer wrinkles.

Read this for some more general tips on how to be stress free!

So you and your boyfriend just broke up, your probably in a great deal of heart ache and pain. I understand. I have been there too. I am not going to go on about the pain you feel, because I know that you already know it all too well…but there is hope. Trying to get your ex back is not as impossible it may sometimes seem. However, when charting your course of action to win him back, you must also consider the dont’s so you stand a chance. Sometimes when two people part it makes them stronger. If he’s the one that ended the relationship, here are 5 dont’s to keep in mind when you’re trying to win him back:

1) Calling your ex several times a day

You’re only going to drive them further away. They need space. You will benefit from a little space too.

2) Text messaging and emailing constantly (Text Message Terrorism)

 Again, avoid contact. At least for a few days. Giving him space allows him to miss you too. He will then start to wonder, “Hey, why isn’t she calling?”

3) Constantly checking your email and voice mail to see if he called.

This will only depress you more. Of course you’re going to check. But you must set some rules for yourself. Like, “I’ll only check once a day” versus constantly checking and then not going out because you’re afraid you’re going to miss a call or email.

4) Feeling urges to spy on them

If he finds out, this will virtually guarantee the relationship is over - Be warned!

5) Endlessly rehearsing what you should have said or what you will say if you bump into them

Honestly, we all do this - But it’s not good for your self-esteem. It will only keep you thinking non-stop about the failures of the relationship. It will drive you crazy!

*Bonus tip - NO binge eating for comfort (Trust me, that comfort will only go so far, like your waistline!

Here are some useful and easy to follow tips on how to clean your sex toys that I have found. Horray for blogger’s em & lo at “Daily Bedpost.” Here’s what’s written on this blog and a link to the rest of the article:“1. First, try to buy toys that come with specific cleaning instructions — if it doesn’t (and no “novelties” do), be sure to ask or email a nice sex-toy salesperson for advice. But keep in mind that cheap novelties are often so poorly designed that they can’t be cleaned properly. For instance, if a toy has seams but can’t be taken apart without it breaking, it’ll never get really clean; those nooks and crannies can harbor bacteria that’s harmful to sensitive vaginal and anal canals.

2. Wash a toy before its first use, immediately after every use (as opposed to just waiting to clean it before the next time), and immediately before each use, too, if you’re not storing it correctly (i.e., if it’s gathering dust bunnies under your bed).”Read the rest.

AdamEve.com has come out with a toy cleaner that works with any adult toy regardless of material! Check it out here. Also, here’s a great intro to the wild and wonderful world of sex toys.

Short and sweet. Four tips from SheKnows.com on how to maximize sex in a jiff. Perfect for the girl on the go who is ready to go.

1. Have an adventure together.

No, you don’t have to fight off angry mummies while searching for Egyptian treasure, but do get out of your comfort zone. Go on a rock climbing date or take a weekend jaunt to the next closest country.

2. Flirt with each other while you’re apart.

Instant messaging and text messaging are perfect mediums for heating things up when you are away from your partner.

3. Get involved.

While it is healthy and normal to have separate interests, take interest in what each other does once in a while. Cheer him on at his Sunday pickup basketball game. Get him into your yoga class or book club.

4. Break your routine.

Never have sex on Tuesdays? This week you do — with the lights on, in filmy lingerie and in a different position than the usual. Always watch Lost on Thursdays? This week, set the Tivo instead and take your mate on an impromptu date.

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Wearing the right pair of jeans can make you feel sexy and confident. With so many Jean trends out there, it’s important not to forget to source out the jeans that are the best fit for YOUR figure. Here are 3 tips you should consider when shopping for those sexy jeans!

1) Clean silhouette. Sexy = hour glass. Men love curves, but even thoughthe muffin top has become a popular look, it’s not sexy. End of story. Maybe low-rise isn;t the fit for you. Choose your jean syle like this: If he were to reach around and grab you around your hips, will he be squeezing a smooth curve or a fistful of flesh pushed up by a ill-fitting waistband? Don’t add extra curves with poor fit! Add curves by maximizing your assets. Keep in mind, Sofia Loren would never sport a muffin top!

2) Buy them tight. For skin-tight fit, make sure you buy jeans one size too tight so when they stretch, they don’t go baggy.

3) No matter your shape or size, there is a perfect jean for you. Listen to your body, as your shape will do most of the talking here and tell you what feels right. Find the jeans that will hug your body in all the right places.

Keep these points in mind and you’ll strut with confidence!

 Here are a few tip to max out your sexy this winter.

1. Smooth your silhouette. Yes, tights pinch. I hate/love them. (If Wolford is listening…I love you!).  But men are all about the eyes, so make sure when you are down to your office/cocktail party layer, you’re not looking like a link sausage because of too tight tights. Try low rise tights for low rise pants or buying them just a little bit bigger.High waisted skirts and pants are great for those who suffer from up-to-the-chin tight-waistbands. (Tip: One pair of Wolfords, though expensive, lasts all season long. There is something to be said about getting what you pay for.)

2. Dress for the season! Don’t be silly: Strawberry colored knees and ice-blue thighs are not a fashion accessory. Better to be sensual and elegant than, well, cold, and showing flesh that is BEGGING for some fabric!

3. Maximize the skin you do show. Collarbones, neck, face. Invest in a good moisturizer and drink plenty of water. Zipping in and out of the cold and artificially heated is brutal, brutal on the skin. Treat yourself like an ice princess, milady.

4. Make it all about your eyes. Darling snowbunnies, now is the time to perfect that smoky eye!

5. Be sexy just for you. A naughty pair of knickers makes it just that much more thrilling to go about your day…especially if you have some hot chocolate at home.

6. Play with texture. Yes, keep your skin and hair soft and strokable with with extra care, but on the outside, think about wearing softer fabrics that will make you man want to touch you all over every where you go. One Word: Cashmere.

Now that the summer tan is going they way of your new bathing suit, back in the drawer with carefree, sunny, lazy days, you might find yourself stocking up on bronzer to keep that glow glowing. Well, ladies, there is another use for bronzer that helps you rock you bod. These tips will take you through the winter, through party season, and give you that extra sexy edge that’ll leave them wondering…what your special something is. Here’s how to make your breasts look bigger with bronzer, from Shenows.com. Case in point is Keira Knightley (image from The Duchess), who famously refuses digital and other enhancements.

1) Put on your bra (a push-up is great for this situation) and, if possible, get dressed. Protect the top edge of your shirt or dress by tucking in a facial tissue or even a little toilet paper.

4) Check in the mirror and see if your breasts look ample enough. If not, add more dark color in the center to build and deepen the color. However, when in doubt, go with less makeup enhancement rather than more.

Do you accidentally leak when you sneeze/laugh/etc.? This is quite common when you have just given birth. But it doesn’t have to stay that way and you can prevent it in the first place by strengthening the muscles of your pelvic floor. Like the athletic child/teenager who laid a fine foundation for fine muscular tone as an adult, women can keep their selves taut down there by doing Kegel exercises. Ben wa balls, if you want an toy to use while exercises, are like dumb bells for your sweet bits. Here’s how to do Kegels (from a SheKnows article):

The target area for Kegels is called the pubococcygeus, or PC, and it can be tricky to find. While urinating, try to slow or stop the flow without using the muscles in your abdomen, buttocks, or legs. Concentrate on tightening the muscles around the opening of the vagina, pulling inward and upward.

As with any workout, consistency is the key to success with Kegels.