In 2 Days! Ladies Night Out: Exploring Female Orgasm

Just 1 day left to register! After our chat with Cheryl Sloane of G Boutique, we got a call from Michelle Herzog, MSMFT about her upcoming event at G Boutique. We were already set to feature the event and now there's even more of a reason. Michelle Herzog explains more why she's leading an event on female orgasm and why you must attend! RSVP directly here.

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Female Orgasm: It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination.

Female orgasm is something I have become very passionate about in the past few months. In preparation for a workshop I am giving in early November at G Boutique in Chicago, I began researching the female orgasm and all of its glory. What did I find? A Lot.

As a clinician, I see a variety of people who experience difficulty with intercourse and orgasm. In the U.S., we are taught a traditional model of intercourse, which frames sex as an activity and orgasm as the final goal. Think of this model as a game.

A game with a beginning, middle and end. Maybe a little bit of foreplay to start the game off right, throw in some intercourse when the players are ready, and by the end, everyone orgasms and calls it a night. Sound familiar?

It is my belief that how we feel and treat our sex lives should not be based on a standard (and very limited) way of thinking. Sex is fluid and different for everyone. Whether you orgasm or not, experiencing pleasure and connection with your partner or on your own can be a very powerful part of your sexual journey. I believe people can have fulfilling and amazing sex lives without the pressure of orgasm hanging over their heads. This is hard for people to hear because of how we are socialized to think about sex. Being open to new ways of thinking about and exploring sex are the first steps towards new levels of pleasure and excitement in the bedroom.

In my upcoming workshop, I will be inviting women to think outside the traditional box of what sex “should” look like. I will be educating about the different aspects of female orgasm, including the G-Spot and female ejaculation. Other topics include masturbation, mindful sex and orgasm-inducing techniques. Cheryl Sloane, the owner of G Boutique, will be demonstrating and educating about orgasm friendly products throughout the presentation. This is sure to be a fun and female friendly night out! More details can be found below.

Where: G Boutique 2131 N. Damen Ave. Chicago
When: Monday, November 5th at 7:15pm
Cost: $20.00
RSVP: Registration required. Please visit here to RSVP.

More about Michelle:

Michelle Herzog, MSMFT, is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in adult individual, couple and sex therapy. Michelle received her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago. Michelle is a staff therapist at the Center for Mindful Living, a boutique group practice specializing in the confidential treatment of sexual constraints. Learn more about Michelle at the Center for Mindful Living.

See the map below for G Boutique below.

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Podcast! Cheryl Sloane on Pleasing Your Partner & Owning Your Sexuality

G boutique opened in Chicago in 2002 as a lingerie and sex toy shop owned and operated by women, for women. Ten years later, it is one of the city's premier boutiques for selling top-notch products in an environment that is both comforting and empowering for women. At GetLusty, we're all about taking control of your own sexuality, so we caught up with owner Cheryl Sloane and recorded it for your listening pleasure. Here's what she had to say:

More on what we talked about:

• Why the need for a shop like G Boutique? According to Cheryl, "To create an environment that promotes sexual education and a place where women can feel comfortable buying anything they needed for sex and romance."
• Her advice to newer couples who are still getting to know each other? Take time to find out what pleases your significant other and learn about them — while orgasms are great, there is more to a healthy relationship than just climaxing!
• Having difficulty achieving an orgasm with your partner? There may be lingering emotional, biological and physical factors involved, but relaxation and communication are key, Cheryl believes.
• What are Cheryl's recommendations for couples looking to keep things fresh and exciting? If you have an interest in something, research it and get the information first before discussing it with your partner, so you can have an educated conversation and explore those secret fantasies together. (Hint, hint — Check out GetLusty!)

More about Cheryl:

Born and raised in Chicago, Cheryl Sloane lived and worked in Bucktown in Chicago for 15 years before opening g boutique. Here's how it happened: Cheryl and (former co-owner) Kari wanted to write erotic fiction. 

After many brunches they got this crazy idea that Chicago wanted a boutique where women would feel comfortable buying everything they need for romance. Without a retail background, Cheryl called upon her theatre friends to help design a comfortable boutique where people would enjoy shopping. G boutique was always imagined as a place to build and support community. That was in 2002. Now, ten years later, she is thrilled to be helping people explore their intimate relationships in a safe, friendly environment. Connect with Cheryl and the g boutique staff on their website, on Facebook and Twitter @gboutique, or visit G Boutique, located at 2131 North Damen in Chicago, Illinois.

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30 Must-'Like' Sex-Positive Facebook Pages

Facebook is a great place to connect with like-minded people and get daily updates from your favorite sex-positive communities and businesses.

GetLusty for Couples loves seeing our articles being 'Liked' and shared by our viewers and we love to share other people's articles as well. Here is a list of 30 sex-positive Facebook pages that we love seeing posts from everyday!

Be sure to 'Like' them on Facebook and get their awesome updates on your feed! Speaking of Facebook, have a spare minute? End boring sex and enter to win a VulvaLoveLovely creation by 'Liking' GetLusty for Couples on Facebook!

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Without ado, below are our best recommendations for sex-positive individuals and pages on Facebook! 

1. The Mama Sutra

"Mother of two girls. Holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and a Certificate in Women's Studies from UW-Madison. Graduate of IASHS as Master of Human Sexuality. I strive to normalize conversations about sex and sexuality between parents and their children."

2. Bring Back Desire

"Mission: To help women rediscover their sensual pleasure and fulfillment while creating deeper and more intimate relationships, with their beloved Self and their beloved partner."

3. NotSoSecret

"Mission: We're coming, we're coming... but not quite yet. To shine a bright light on feminine sexuality in a way that inspires women to enjoy the fullest possible spectrum of awesome sex in a way that is informative, entertaining and inspiring."

4. Pleasure Coach

"The Pleasure Coach is for women, men and couples, who come from all walks of life, different backgrounds and philosophies. However, even with all of that, they can be invited to come here and find information about sex, sexuality, intimacy and much, much more about the intimate side of life."

5. Lady Cheeky

"Writer and sex-positive activist Lady Cheeky started her erotica and sensual images blog in 2010 as a way to communicate with her faraway lover. Since then, Lady Cheeky has evolved into a place of candid self-discovery for her and her readers."

6. Good Vibrations

"Mission: Good Vibrations is a diverse, woman-focused retailer providing high-quality, sex-positive products and non-judgmental, accurate sex information through our clean and comfortable stores, catalog, web site, wholesale division, product and movie production lines in order to enhance our customers’ sex lives and promote healthy attitudes about sex."

7. The Turned On Woman

"Mission: To awaken. Ourselves and others. To start fires. To ignite. To catalyze. Turned-on women are changing the world. Your presence is requested."

8. The Feminist Porn Archive and Research Project

"Canada’s only funded academic study of feminist porn, the Feminist Porn Archive and Research Project seeks to document, research, support and collect materials, films, videos, dvd, online websites, posters, magazines and 'zine, news and articles about porn made by feminists."

9. Cliterati

"The original erotica site for women: sex-ed for adults, artcore (erotic art of all kinds), sex news, analysis and comment, reviews, advice and style."

10. The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health

"A physical space for adults to learn medically accurate information relating to sexual pleasure, health and advocacy."

11. The Passion Doctor

"This page is for couples & singles who want to have more passion in their lives. -Dr. Adam Sheck"

12. Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance

"Mission: To Affirm Sexual Freedom as a Fundamental Human Right"

13. Sexy Living with Dr. Carlen

"As a Sexologist, 'Sexy Living with Dr. Carlen' is the creation of a safe space in order to discuss concerns, desires or general questions in regards to your relationship with your partner, yourself, and others."

14. Sexy Grammar

"Arouse The Writer: Custom Edits, Private Sessions, and Intimate Workshops for academics, entrepreneurs, and creative writers since 2003."

15. Ducky Doo Little

"Ducky is a frequent guest lecturer and performer for events that focus on welcoming new students, safer sex practice, STD education & awareness, health & wellness resources on campus, LGBT rights, sexual assault prevention, intimate partner violence awareness, alcohol & substance abuse awareness, and boosting self-esteem."

16. ErogenoUS

"Navigating the erotic life of one woman, without a helmet or a safety harness."

17. Hey Epiphora

"Mission: To conquer the world one sex toy at a time."

18. Joan Price 

"Enrich your sex life with the expert tips and real-people stories in Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex, my award-winning book about sex & aging."

19. The Sensual Life 

"Mission: The Sensual Life is nothing more…or less…than a reminder that life itself is a sensual journey. And that living a sensual, turned-on life includes feeling and experiencing everything… work, art, music… arguments, lovemaking, eating… poetry, dance, stories… walking down the street, gardening, being quiet… …as an expression of our sensuality, alive in the world."

20. Make Love Not Porn

"We like great porn. We like great sex. They're not always the same thing."

21. Feelmore510 

"Oakland's 1st Progressive Adult Store located in the Uptown District of Downtown Oakland. 1st Impressions are very important. Give us a try."

22. My Sex Professor 

"Mission: We aim to help you learn how to have better sex and optimal sexual health and pleasure. Toward this goal, we want you to have top-notch information about sex, your body, other people’s bodies, communication, relationships, tips, tricks, techniques, gender, sexual orientation, sex research, health and wellness, and the latest and greatest sexual enhancement products. We’re here to help, to educate and to entertain."

23. The Body is Not an Apology 

"Mission: The Body Is Not an Apology is a resource to promote, demonstrate, and assist in the development of a global movement toward radical self love and body empowerment. We believe that each time one of us unapologetically owns our beauty, loves our scars, heals our shame; we in turn give others permission to do the same! We believe that discrimination, social inequality and injustice are manifestations of our inability to make peace with the body, our own and others. Through education, personal transformation projects and community building, The Body is Not an Apology fosters global, radical, unapologetic self love which translates to radical human action in service toward a more just and compassionate world."

24. Sex Nerd Sandra 

"Currently, Sandra works and teaches at an adult boutique in Los Angeles. She enjoys teaching workshops to curious couples and singles on a wide range of topics. When not facilitating sexually-charged laughter for large crowds, she enjoys sassy and meaningful discussionswith her coaching clients."

25. Rachel Kramer Bussel 

"Rachel Kramer Bussel is a New York-based author, editor, blogger and event organizer. Rachel conducts reading and erotic writing workshops worldwide."

26. Early to Bed 

"Early to Bed is a feminist sex toy shop in Chicago. Women-owned and oriented, boy and trans-friendly, the store has a relaxed atmosphere that is different from your average sex shop."

27. Tristan Taormino 

"Tristan Taormino is an award-winning author, columnist, editor, and sex educator. She is the author of seven books and editor of twenty-five anthologies, including founding series editor of the Lambda Literary Award-winning Best Lesbian Erotica. She runs her own adult film production company, Smart Ass Productions, and she has directed and produced twenty-four adult films. She was a syndicated sex columnist for The Village Voice for nine and a half years, and writes an advice column for Taboo Magazine. She is the host of “Sex Out Loud” on The VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network. She lectures at top colleges and universities and teaches sex and relationship workshops around the world."

28. Petra Joy Films 

"Porn from a female perspective!"

29. Megan Stubbs 

"Dr. Megan Stubbs is a Grand Rapids-based Sexologist. She holds a doctor of education in Human Sexuality from San Francisco’s Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality and a degree in Biology from Grand Valley State University. She is also Board Certified by the American College of Sexologists (ACS)." 

30. Sexual Intelligence Blog

"Sex -- and Culture, Politics, the Media -- and Sex, by Dr. Marty Klein"

Comments, questions or other recommendations we missed? Comment below!

Don't forget to also 'Like' GetLusty for Couples on Facebook, too!

Rachael is our own marketing specialist and on special occasions a writer. She spends her time researching and creating art revolving around sci-fi, the internet, and now sex! Rachael lives and works in Chicago with her boyfriend and kawaii pet guinea pig Tony Hawk. Find out more at rachaelmilton.net.
 Have any questions? Get in touch via rachael@getlusty.com.

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Hustler Hollywood in Chicago!

When infamous porn kingpin Larry Flynt makes a public appearance to christen the opening of another endeavor under his grand empire, you know it’s a big deal.

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That’s exactly what happened in 2011 in Chicago. Flynt opened a well-placed branch of his Hustler Hollywood retail shops. Located in the heart of the flamboyant East Lakeview area, the store couldn’t ask for a better location. In fact, with the recent opening of Chicago’s Laugh Factory several doors down, the neighborhood could be turning into one of the greatest areas for the sexually healthy adventurists in the entire country.

Walk through the doors, you will be greeted by some of the warmest and welcoming girls in the city. This place could be considered downright dirty to some. However, walk in and  the customer service makes you feel like you’re in a frickin’ Gap!

Apparel

The naughty apparel and outrageous get-ups are the highlights of this particular branch.

With no shortage of sexy lingerie and erotic costumes, this is the go-to place for sensual Halloween celebrations or any other special occasion. Ladies, want to surprise your man with a mind-blowing piece of clothing (or lack there of), mosey on down to Hustler Hollywood. Guys, the store caters to men just as much as women in every category you can think of. The joint doesn’t stop with the attire. Not by a long shot.


Toys, bondage; oh my!

You will be happy to find all your needs for sex toys for him and her, a vast adult DVD collection, vibrators, sex games and everything bondage.

Take one look around and the stimulating products will prompt you to start planning your night, guaranteed! There’s even a section from the man himself entitled “Larry’s Picks.” Given that Mr. Flynt created the magazine that made Playboy look like Good House Keeping, I would trust his judgment. It’s his vision that makes this store that much more intoxicating.




This is a guest post by our own Greg Dorn.

Greg is a self-employed day trader who loves writing. He aims to think about sex whenever possible, including enhancing his own love life! If you don't see Greg crunching numbers, you'll find him enjoying the beauty of his wonderful girlfriend around Chicago. Greg also writes for a History of Cool, a perspective on the changing definition of cool. Besides sex and numbers, Greg geeks out on the ever-changing analytical definition of coolness. Find Greg on Twitter @ahistoryofcool.

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