Reviewers Spotlight – March 3rd @ 6 pm: Tori Rebel & Champagne and Benzedrine

Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Tori Rebel
Thanks Sam! I actually just went back and looked at my very first review to snag the link and it was published on March 18, 2010 so I'm coming up on a year in the next few weeks!
Yay! Happy almost one year reviewing anniversary!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
(and his Champagne and Benzedrine blog is really awesome!)
It is, I've sneaked a few peeks at it.
03/03/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Tori Rebel
You beat me to it!

I actually came upon EF completely by accident, while shopping for sex toys online. I saw the words "free sex toys," and the rest is history.

The first toy I reviewed was for the Blu Toys Prince link. ... more
Cool, we started about the same time.

That Blu Toys looks..uh, interesting...
03/03/2011
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
Yay! Happy almost one year reviewing anniversary!
Thanks!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Gary Gary
Quote:
Originally posted by Tori Rebel
Thanks!
Aw - One year Eden Birthday!!!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme) Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
Don't worry, I was confused for a while too. It wasn't until I was looking him up again for this that I realized he also used to be Red Roulette, and that his review of the Red Headed Slut was the one that convinced me to buy it for my husband.
Ohhh! Did he like it? I whipped that out the other day for old time's sake.

That review was really fascinating for me because I learned - through the comments section - that you've got to be really careful about toys that describe themselves as 'silicone.' The Red Headed Slut, bless her, boasts that it's 'silicone' on the package, but is actually plastic with just 10% silicon. That 'e' makes all the difference.

I love the fact that EF have comments on the reviews, because it means people can help correct mistakes well-intentioned reviewers (like myself at that time) make.
03/03/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Ok, so whats the worst toy you two have tried?
03/03/2011
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Cool, we started about the same time.

That Blu Toys looks..uh, interesting...
It's definitely a little unique. But with a collection like mine, a lot of toys end up at the bottom of the bin, and this is one I actually still reach for frequently. Its flexibility works really well for me and it's got a nice small size which is nice if I'm in a hurry.
03/03/2011
Contributor: Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme) Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
(and his Champagne and Benzedrine blog is really awesome!)
Coming from the writer of Tales from a Porn Store, that's a real compliment! I need to update it A LOT more.
03/03/2011
Contributor: Gary Gary
Ok, I have a question for both of you...

Of all the community changes and new programs that have started since you joined the community, which do you like the most?

... and which do you like the least?
03/03/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
Ohhh! Did he like it? I whipped that out the other day for old time's sake.

That review was really fascinating for me because I learned - through the comments section - that you've got to be really careful about toys that describe ... more
He does like it. We found that she kinda eats lube, but he did find that conditioner works really well for shower lovin' with her.
03/03/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
Ok, I have a question for both of you...

Of all the community changes and new programs that have started since you joined the community, which do you like the most?

... and which do you like the least?
Good question!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Gary Gary
Quote:
Originally posted by Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
Coming from the writer of Tales from a Porn Store, that's a real compliment! I need to update it A LOT more.
Thanks!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Unfortunately, I just get to poke my head in here for a moment, but I was wondering, C & B, what made you choose your avatar? I wonder each time I look at it (I always wondered about it even before you changed your name). Any special significance?
03/03/2011
Contributor: Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme) Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Ok, so whats the worst toy you two have tried?
I have two.

For me, the Shakers Vol.3 was the worst in terms of just being flimsy and poorly made. link

But the Tenga Fliplite White was so disappointing because it was such a great product with such a great design that I just couldn't use because it was too small. It's almost MORE frustrating when a product misses out by inches, rather than the Shakers Vol. 3 which you would never have expected much from in the first place. link
03/03/2011
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Ok, so whats the worst toy you two have tried?
Hmmm...that's a tough one. I like to think that most toys will work well for someone even if they're not a good fit for me.

Out of the toys I've reviewed, it would have to be the Cal Exotics butterfly kiss. It's tiny, floppy, uneven, and weak. It just seems like a total design failure to me.

Out of the toys I haven't reviewed, I'd have to say it's a toss up between some of the first cheap realistic jelly (one also had glitter in it) vibrators and dildos I bought when I first turned 18 and didn't know any better - what a disaster those toys were! I can't stand that they're still sold!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme) Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
Unfortunately, I just get to poke my head in here for a moment, but I was wondering, C & B, what made you choose your avatar? I wonder each time I look at it (I always wondered about it even before you changed your name). Any special ... more
I see we share the same airbrush!

I'm really big on the aesthetic of retro America in the 70s, so this one had it all - a pretty girl with a shotgun and a muscle car in the background (parked outside of the Brady Bunch house.)
03/03/2011
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Quote:
Originally posted by Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
I see we share the same airbrush!

I'm really big on the aesthetic of retro America in the 70s, so this one had it all - a pretty girl with a shotgun and a muscle car in the background (parked outside of the Brady Bunch house.)
LOL, that's pretty funny (particularly about the Brady Bunch house)! I also love retro art (as you can see)!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
What's the biggest hangup either of you run into when writing a review?
03/03/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
I have two.

For me, the Shakers Vol.3 was the worst in terms of just being flimsy and poorly made. link

But the Tenga Fliplite White was so disappointing because it was such a great product with such a great design that I just ... more
I had one that just did not work, so frustrating. I hear ya.
03/03/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
I have two.

For me, the Shakers Vol.3 was the worst in terms of just being flimsy and poorly made. link

But the Tenga Fliplite White was so disappointing because it was such a great product with such a great design that I just ... more
I totally agree on the first one.

I thought the same on the 2nd, but if you take the little nipples off the side, it works a LOT better!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
I also really like Tori Rebel's avatar (for reasons you can all ascertain on your own, given prior discussion, LOL!).

I'm glad to see you both highlighted this month and wish I could stay, but I have to run.

I look forward to reading this thread later though! Have a wonderful evening.
03/03/2011
Contributor: Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme) Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
Ok, I have a question for both of you...

Of all the community changes and new programs that have started since you joined the community, which do you like the most?

... and which do you like the least?
I have been SO impressed with the evolution of the site and the community since the very beginning. I really saw you and the rest of the current EF generation take it light years from where it was (which was pretty amazing already) and run with it in a way no other adult store has been able to match.

For me, SexIs has to be one of the most impressive projects (not just because I write for it) but my favorite is Eden Cafe, because it gives the whole community a voice and a forum and I love the way you give people real freedom to write on a wide variety of topics.
03/03/2011
Contributor: CassandraL CassandraL
Forgive my n00bness since this is my first discussion on here and I don't know the format yet, but I have a question for the reviewers.

What do you do if you absolutely do not like a product? Do you give it another try? Do you give up on it? How do you go about writing your review in a non-biased way (not everyone likes the same things--you might not like a product but someone else might love it)?

Thanks so much!
03/03/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Tori Rebel
Hmmm...that's a tough one. I like to think that most toys will work well for someone even if they're not a good fit for me.

Out of the toys I've reviewed, it would have to be the Cal Exotics butterfly kiss. It's tiny, floppy, ... more
Glitter scares me to no end. I was cut by a stroker that had glitter in it and yup. it was jelly. OUCH!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
Ok, I have a question for both of you...

Of all the community changes and new programs that have started since you joined the community, which do you like the most?

... and which do you like the least?
I love the Eden Tasks/Proofreading program. I'm a stickler for grammar, spelling, and punctuation (if you can't tell now, it's because I'm typing fast and I do apologize), so it's a good fit for me and I'm happier seeing much more readable reviews on the site in general. One of the few things that really irked me before that started was the reviews that would get through with a lot of misspellings and punctuation errors.

Also, the Eden affiliate stores - well those just rock. I'm working on getting mine completely operational by March 15th and I couldn't be more excited. Having my own little corner of the sex shop world is an absolute dream come true.

The least? I can't say there's really anything I completely dislike. I honestly think everything here is useful. Does it count if I dislike that there are only 7 days in a week and I don't have time to participate in everything? I'd love to start attending the CEC again and make sure I'm at every Naked Reader meeting but between my full time job and well, the rest of my life, there's just not time to be involved in everything I wish I could be. Sometimes everything moves so fast that I feel like I'm missing out.
03/03/2011
Contributor: Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme) Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
What's the biggest hangup either of you run into when writing a review?
I think coming up with something original to say is really, really tough - especially when you've done a lot of reviews of similar products. I try to come up with an 'angle' and attack it that way and attempt to make my reviews useful, but also entertaining reading. I don't always succeed.
03/03/2011
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
I also really like Tori Rebel's avatar (for reasons you can all ascertain on your own, given prior discussion, LOL!).

I'm glad to see you both highlighted this month and wish I could stay, but I have to run.

I look forward to ... more
Thanks for coming, SS - your avatar is adorable too. I love pinups!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
I have been SO impressed with the evolution of the site and the community since the very beginning. I really saw you and the rest of the current EF generation take it light years from where it was (which was pretty amazing already) and run with it in ... more
You think we've brought Eden light years from what it was 3 years ago? hmmm, do elaborate

And THANK YOU, sweetie!
03/03/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Champagne and Benzedrine (Roland Hulme)
I think coming up with something original to say is really, really tough - especially when you've done a lot of reviews of similar products. I try to come up with an 'angle' and attack it that way and attempt to make my reviews useful, ... more
I have the same problem I've noticed. That's a good way to go about it
03/03/2011