If you walk into a play party carrying Babeland’s new Bow Restraints, two things are going to happen:

1.  You will attract a crowd which will make appreciative ohhing and ahhhing noises while stroking the restraints.

—and—

2.  You will get restrained by a cute dom-type who’s interested in seeing how well they work.

How do I know?  Because I walked into a play party not long ago carrying this pretty set of restraints.  Within moments several people were fooling around with them.  Before too much more time passed I found myself with my hands bound in front of me, hoping that my new dommy pal would eventually see fit to let me out.

He did.  But not until after he’d bent me over a bed and taken a few playful swipes at my ass with a flogger.  Not that I minded.

The Bow Restraints consist of a black leather strap with a metal loop riveted to the midpoint.  Each end of the strap can be looped over a wrist (or an ankle).  Slits in the leather allow the strap to be slid over the fixed metal loop and secured by an included silver lock.  That’s the functional part.

For a decorative touch, add the shiny patent leather bow to the metal loop before locking and your favorite sub will look like a fetchingly wrapped present.  A pair of tiny keys comes attached to a red leather thong for when it’s time to let your prisoner free.

I really love the looks of these restraints.  Whether fastened around a person or a toy storage bag, or just hanging out with the rest of the sex toys, they have a classy and playful look that will be sure to draw attention.  I can imagine that they’d also look mighty fine as the main prop in an otherwise naked photo-shoot.

Your sub will need to be somewhat cooperative when it comes time to put on the Bow Restraints.  It takes a bit of doing to manage both ends of the leather strap, the decorative bow and the small lock.  And it takes both hands.  Plan on bringing outside help if your sub is particularly rambunctious or unruly.  Once the sub is bound, however, he or she is secure ’til you bring forth the keys.  There’s no way to wiggle free from the Bow Restraints if they are properly secured.  Trust me.  I tried.

Now go on and order a pair.  Take lots of naked pictures of the Bow Restraints in use.  And then send them to me for approval.

Coco de Mer sells some of the most exquisitely luxurious adult supplies in the world, and the Bondage for Freedom Blindfold and Cuff set is no exception.

Previously I tried their Ruby Sunrise Lubricant, and oh boy I was not a fan.  But one less-than-stellar experience with a company’s products does not serve as an indicator of everything on a website, so I kept high hopes that I’d like the Bondage Set better.

And I do.  Made from 100% silk and featuring subtle orange embroidery, the set felt luscious on the skin and did exactly what it was designed to do.  I blindfolded a pal; she reported that even when tied tightly she was perfectly comfortable.  She also coudln’t see, which was exactly what my other friend and I wanted as we laid her out on the bed and proceeded to flog her silly.

Later, we bound her wrists, just for fun you know.  I liked that the Bondage for Freedom cuffs have a reinforced slit in the middle, so we could artfully slip the ends through the slit to keep her secure as we did other nefarious things to her.  This makes it much simplier for the novice knotter such as myself to secure her playmates.

Even better, when you purchase this item you’re helping Coco de Mer support charities worldwide which encourage freedom and human rights.  Additionally, this set is made in India at a fair trade project.

Let’s recap.  Coco de Mer’s Bondage for Freedom Blindfold and Cuff set works well, feels great, is made ethically, and helps support human rights charities.  Really, this set could only be better if it also did the dishes for you.

I caught a glimpse of a paddle from Leather Thorn Paddles on a blog devoted to the art of turning pretty bottoms pink and immediately I knew that I needed one.

Not, mind you, that I wanted one. I needed one, and so with blatant paddle-lust in my heart I sent off an email to Leather Thorn’s proprietor, John. He suggested the Turntail Rosy as a good choice for a relative novice such as myself, and within the space of a few short days the implement was in my hands.

And oh-my-goodness isn’t it a pretty one.  The rich scent of leather almost brought me to my knees as I lifted the toy reverently out of its nondescript mailing package.  I turned it in my hands, admiring the heavy stitching and maker’s mark on the handle, as well as the pretty brown leather on the paddle’s business end.

But the most remarkable thing about the Turntail Rosy paddle is the leather-working on the paddle’s business end.  One side is perfectly smooth while the other features a gorgeous pattern that looks almost like fish or dragon scales.  I showed it proudly to my spanking-loving friend.  “It looks like a beaver’s tail,” she pointed out, and while I cannot lay claim to having ever seen a beaver’s tail up close, I’d have to agree.

Whatever it looks like, it’s visually stunning.  It’s also pretty stunning on the skin.  The smooth side feels thumpy and hard to me, while the decorated side feels more stingy.  A delicate hand is definitely needed for beginners, however; the heaviness of the paddle means that it can deliver quite a wallop.

Leather Thorn paddles are crafted by hand in Kentucky.  I found the prices to be more than reasonable, especially considering their high-quality craftsmanship.  John is happy to accept special requests for shapes and designs not featured on his site; these products will take extra time to ship.

And now that this review is written, I believe I have someone to spank.  Later!

I will tell you right off the bat that the Penetration Station from Blowfish.com made my partner yee-haw just like a cowboy riding a wildly bucking bronco.

The Penetration Station is meant to allow folks whose beds don’t have good tie-down points to practice a bit of light bondage.  The product also will give some support and positioning help to those who need it.

Straps wrap around the mattress for stability, while four longer straps can be positioned over the top and bottom or over the sides of the bed.  Each strap clips to a Velcro-fastened wrist or ankle binding.

The positions possible with the Penetration Station are limited only by your wicked imagination.  An included dvd illustrates dozens of possibilities (and serves as an extended commercial for other products made by the same manufacturer).  It’s useful to have the visual instructions; however, the dvd shows only clothed performers (dammit!), so it comes off as pretty darn cheesy.

Also, the actors move seamlessly from position to position, adjusting the length and location of the Penetration Station’s various straps without a hitch.  They must have practiced a lot.  Or had great side-line coaching.  Because I can tell you, it’s not quite so easy to make adjustments when you’re in the heat of the moment.

My partner and I first played out a little light bondage with the Penetration Station.  It’s certainly not the most hard core bondage apparatus out there, but it’s perfectly effective for beginners or those who like bondage as an occasional game.

The Penetration Station works best as a positioning aid.  It’s possible to hold the legs open with less strain when they’re supported by the Penetration Station’s straps.  This can be a great help during oral sex or intercourse.  Folks with mobility issues or people who just like to relax into their fun will most appreciate this feature of the product.

Positioned correctly, the Penetration Station can also be grasped by the penetrating partner during doggie-style sex.  This will allow for deeper penetration without needing to dig fingers into the other partner’s hips.  I personally adore having fingers sunk deeply into the soft flesh of my hips, but I’m sure others aren’t so appreciative.  The Penetration Station makes a real difference in this aspect of sex, and it was during this particular bit of fun that my partner imitated a cowboy’s call.

I’d recommed the Penetration most for those wishing to practice a little light bondage, or those who can use some extra help in positioning during sex.  Bring some spurs and a 10-gallon hat for even more fun.

Clearly I am too silly to be trusted with the receipt of sex toys, because when I opened the sweet little box containing my new Silk and Suede Blindfold and Restraints, I thought Black Label had left out the promised restraints.

No no!  The restraints are attached to the blindfold!  The restraints are actually an integral part of the blindfold, in that they can be used only to hold on the blindfold, or they can be used to secure the blindfold and the wrists, or they can be used all by themselves.

Confusing, but nifty.

Also included in the small presentation box is a fabric storage pouch and a deck of “hint” cards emblazoned with pictures of other products created by the same manufacturer, JimmyJane.  These could be left on a pillow, in a briefcase, or in a pocket to suggest future gifts for a lover.  Clever, and nice advertising there.

Made of silk, the restraints feel suitably luxurious in the hands or around the wrists.  However, we found that they had a tendency to slip off way too easily when tied around the head, especially if said head was thrashing about on a pillow.

The restraints were far more secure for the tying of wrists or ankles together; however, only one appendage at a time could conveniently be tied to the bed.  Or the china hutch.  Or the plumbing under the bathroom sink.

Black Label suggests that the Silk and Suede Blindfolds and Restraints would be a great present for a sexy bride and groom.  I agree.  They are beyond luxurious, as well as packaged discreetly enough to be given in front of grandma.

For everyday use, though, there are more affordable and effective options.

Ever so long ago, I owned a set of self-assembled bondage ropes. They traveled with me once to an out-of-state booty call (don’t judge), and due to a hotel room mix up, they never came back home with me.

Whoops!

Since then, I’ve wanted something for bondage that could be hidden easily away when not in use. I think finally I’ve found the right set, in Sportsheet’s Under the Bed Restraints available at Babeland.

The restraints come in a sedate plastic clamshell. Included is a set of instructions that shows how to configure the restraints in a couple of different ways. After pulling a wad of black straps from the package, it took me about three minutes to untangle everything and figure out how to attach the cuffs to the part that’s meant to go under the bed.

Sliding everything into place took about two minutes. It was a simple matter of lifting up one corner of the mattress, scooting one side of the restraints into place, and then repeating on the other side. Just a bit of futzing and things were set.

Five minutes to rig up a bed? Not bad. Not bad at all.

My partner and I are but novice bondage players. We’ve acquired only the basics of BDSM equipment, and truth be told, we’re not really willing to try out anything too heavy duty. So the Under the Bed Restraints worked out quite nicely for us. We took tuns strapping each other in, and while we both felt certain that we could free ourselves if we really wanted to, the restraints kept us in place while the opposite partner had free rein for fun.

When we were done, I was able to tuck the ends of the restraints under my mattress. Since then, I’ve not worried in the least about my children (or my mother, or my cats) coming upon the restraints and being either shocked or amused.

I like that the Under the Bed Restraints can be used to secure someone either over the top and bottom of the bed or from side to side. Or to be extra devious, the arms could be secured straight up while the legs are secured off to the side. Or the opposite.

The Under the Bed Restraints provide a lot of possibilities both for creative light bondage and discretion. They’d be a really good solution for beginners to bondage and those who would like to keep their bound-up activities on the down low.

This is just about the cutest darn kit I’ve ever seen.

Slap & Tickle from UK-based Nookii is a beginner’s bondage and sensation kit, all neatly packaged in a sweet cardboard cylinder with a loop of ribbon on top. You could hang this from the holiday tree. Or let it dangle from a hook in the closet. Or ask your lover to hold out a finger to that it could be slipped over, ring-like.

The possibilities are endless.

Stowed neatly inside you’ll find the elements necessary to set a novice bondage-curious couple on the path to restrained bliss. Included are two wrist restraints, two ankle restraints, a blindfold, feather tickler, instruction/suggestion cards, and a gold satiny storage bag.

Let’s start with the cards, shall we? One card unfolds to become a door hanger, printed with a plea for privacy. This looks rather cheap, I’m sorry to say. You’d probably do better with the hotel sign.

The rest of the instruction/suggestion cards contain information about beginning a very gentle power exchange. These would be perfect to soothe the mind of a partner nervous about getting into deep water with this type of play. Suggestions include the basics of how to bind and some fun things to do to a bound partner. The hints stay entirely in the realm of “mild,” which fits perfectly into the low-key nature of this kit.

The blindfold, a shiny golden affair with elastic to hold it in place, doesn’t look very effective. Surprisingly, it turned out to be quite functional. It prevented me from seeing anything, even when I was thrashing around. I’ll definitely use the blindfold again.

I wish I could give as good of a report on the restraints. They close with a hook-and-loop strip, and while they’d probably be fine for someone who was content not to struggle, that’s not me. I struggled, and I was able to break free without much difficulty.

Now I realize that this kit is intended for very mild play, so if users keep things at that level, they’d probably hold quite well. The restraints have long ribbons meant to attach to a chair or bed frame; perhaps these would work to hold down a struggling bottom.

A feather tickler rounds out the kit. It’s cute, functional, and absolutely mind-blowing to have this run over the skin during sexual play. This is another part of the kit that will definitely see plenty more use.

The best part of the Slap and Tickle Kit is the fact that it allows beginners to experiment with gentle restraint without spending a lot of money on scary looking gear. There’s a time and place for hard-core BDSM supplies, of course, but for someone new to slightly rough play, this kit would work very well.

The construction on this belt is sturdy, so there’s no need to worry about them breaking free. As with most leather products, the Bondage Belt becomes more comfortable with use. Holes line the majority of the belt’s length, meaning that it will adequately bind nearly any size of wrists. Or ankles. Or even thighs. And that’s the great thing about the Bondage Belt: its versatility. It can be used any number of ways to tie someone up, and as soon as you’re done with them, you can use it to hold up your pants…once you’ve pulled them up from around your ankles.

Even its price ($40) is more than reasonable when compared to leather belts designed only for traditional use. I only have a couple of knocks against it. One, when brand new, the Bondage Belt is pretty stiff. I highly recommend wearing it around your waist several times before using it on someone else. And two, it only comes in black (you have to match the shoes, of course). Those small quibbles aside, the Bondage Belt is a great buy for those into fun, spontaneous sex and also for those who can hotwire a car with a toothbrush, a postage stamp and a dishtowel.

Notice how when you tie someone up, they’re almost always lying down? Not with the Doorjam Cuffs, they’re not. The only things you need are a door and a willing partner, and you’re on your way to some fun vertical bondage. The Doorjam Cuffs consist of a pair comfortable yet secure Velcro cuffs attached to straps. On the other end of each strap is a small bar. Just loop the straps over the top of the door with the bars on the outside and close the door. Voila! Now you can tie your partner up, literally.

In trying these out, I thought that perhaps the Velcro wouldn’t be strong enough to keep someone helpless. As soon as my partner secured me in the Doorjam Cuffs, I found out how wrong I was. I found the cuffs themselves were inescapable, but the small metal ring that attaches the cuff to the strap wasn’t as sturdy. I didn’t get out of my bonds, but I bent the hell out of the metal ring (Mind you, I was really putting these puppies through a stress test, using all my strength and weight to pull on them). The good news is that the metal ring is easy enough to replace just by using a quality key ring.

All in all, this product is a winner. The cuffs are comfortable, easy to use, and hard to escape from. Plus, you can change up your bondage routine without drilling into ceiling beams and dealing with incriminating eyehooks. The Doorjam Cuffs will damage neither your door, nor your wallet. At $26, they’re a great way to get your kinky fantasies on their feet.

Fortunately, the Soho Blindfold is here to bring style into your bondage sessions without sacrificing comfort or function.

The Soho blindfold is made with a super-soft leather that feels terrific against your skin. The blindfold is also padded in a way that blocks out all light without putting undue pressure on the eye. A thick elastic band holds it in place extremely well, and the front of the blindfold comes in either a lush velvety material or a shiny red PVC that sends the whole thing off with a smashing sense of style.

Sure, compared to making a blindfold out of a discarded stocking, the Soho isn’t exactly cheap ($32). But if you do a lot of sensory deprivation play, it is worth it to invest in a quality blindfold. And of all the ones on the market today, none combine form and function as well as the Soho Blindfold. Besides, your tied up partner will be happy to know that, while they can’t see a thing, they sure do look good.