Your Masque - Blog

Name our Position of the Day and Win Free Sexual Flavors!

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Congrats to Barb for naming our Position of the Day!

How to Give a Good Blowjob

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Walking through the magazine racks of my favorite bookstore, I’m amazed at the number of covers promising to detail the “blow by blow of the perfect blow,” so to speak. I’ll be honest – I didn’t even peek to see what they had to say. I know the secrets of how to give a good blow job – and I’m not even going to charge you for them:

1. Confidence. There is nothing sexier than taking control of the situation and feeling completely sure of yourself. If you show your confidence, your guy will go wild.

2. Intimacy. Don’t get distracted – not by the phone or the TV or the dog barking next door. While you’re turning him on, turn everything else off. Eye contact is key – it shows your attentiveness and (again) your confidence.

3. Playfulness. Enjoy yourself – I guarantee your guy will be enjoying himself. Don’t be afraid to try new things: new textures, new temperatures, new locations.

4. Read him: The sounds he’s making, the way his body is moving – he’s your road map. He’s giving you all the signs you need for a great ride.

5. Follow through: Don’t start something you’re not going to finish. You know as well as anyone that there’s nothing more disappointing than getting worked into a frenzy just to have the ecstasy come to a screeching halt 20 seconds too soon.

So to sum it all up, stop worrying about how to use your mouth...how to give a good blow job starts with your head.

Win FREE Sexual Flavors! Name our Position of the Day!

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Congratulations to DMarq for naming our Position of the Day!

Picnic or Sexnic? We'll Let You Decide

Sat, 11 May 2013 10:56:53 -0400

Looking to spice things up in the bedroom? Maybe you should head outside the bedroom. There’s nothing like a little intimate picnic (or Sexnic) to stoke the fires and get you both ready for an unbelievable time.

Whether your Sexnic starts in your backyard or on a secluded beach, it’s easy to plan a little romp that ends in the bedroom. The only rule is don’t forget a blanket or ice. Here we’ve included a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Indoor Sexnic: Set the picnic in the middle of your living room, and blindfold your lover before feeding him by hand. Hand feeding is an incredibly sensuous form of foreplay, and gets you both excited for the final course.
Impromptu Sexnic: For when you don’t have time (or the inclination) to pre-plan a picnic. Pack a basket with all your essentials (pre-made sandwiches, maybe some wine and some cheese), and head out to a secluded spot. Sit down together, and watch the sunset as you talk and steal a few intimate moments together.
Midnight Sexnic: Prepare the picnic early in the evening, and head out together once the clock strikes twelve for a little late night stargazing.

Whatever you plan for your Sexnic, the most important part is to relax, and enjoy each others’ company in a place that’s exciting, a little unexpected, and that stimulates all your appetites.

Benefits of Oral Sex

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

We all know that oral sex feels good, but did you know that it’s great for you too? It’s true!

Some of the health benefits come from oxytocin – a naturally occurring hormone that relieves pain and makes people feel good. During climax, oxytocin is released into the body. This lowers stress and depression, helps to relieve pain and even helps you sleep better.

Oral sex boosts cardio health and lowers blood pressure. It’s a form of exercise; it burns calories. And it is believed that the more ejaculations a man has, the lower his risk of prostate cancer.

There was a Dutch study which showed that swallowing semen lowered a woman’s risk of preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can occur during pregnancy). And a North Carolina State University study showed that women who regularly preformed fellatio reduced their risk of breast cancer by as much as 40%.

Beyond the health benefits, oral sex spices up relationships. It increases intimacy with your partner because of the level of trust it requires from both parties. And remember the oxytocin? That’s also the bonding hormone – it makes you feel close and generous toward your partner.

So skip the gym tonight. Get healthy at home!

Name our Position of the Day! Win a free Sexual Flavors sample

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:01:50 -0400

Congratulations to Jessica S. for naming our Position of the Day!

Tastebuds Change with Time

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

I was shocked to learn from The National Sex Study that 76% of women ages 25-29 perform oral sex on men, but only 36% of women age 50-59 do so. After doing a little research, I realized there are several biological reasons why that may be the case.

As you may remember from middle school health class, taste and smell are intimately related. The tongue has taste buds and receptors that help us to recognize salty, sweet, sour and bitter flavors. The nose has nerve endings that recognize aromas released by food when we eat. Together they allow us to fully experience our food and drink. And without either, your enjoyment is limited.

We’re born with approximately 9000 taste buds. These develop as we grow up – allowing our palates to become more sophisticated; flavors that you hated as a child generally become increasingly tolerable and/or pleasant as you age (coffee, broccoli, beer, etc).

Unfortunately, like many other things, our ability to taste does peak and start to decline at middle age. Between the ages of 40-50, the number of taste buds on our tongue begins to decrease. And the taste buds that remain shrink (providing less surface area to taste effectively). Additionally, the nerve endings in our nose begin to degenerate. So once again, our tastes change. Flavors that we had enjoyed can become unpleasant. Though this aging cycle is gradual over time, it is unavoidable and irreversible.

This can impact oral sex in two ways:

Where once you may have enjoyed the taste of your partner, the changes to your tongue and nose may mean you no longer enjoy the flavor
Your partner may not be eating as healthy as he ages because foods do not taste the same to him - perhaps he’s using more salt for flavoring or nutritional supplements. This will change the flavor of his semen, as will medications that he needs as he ages.

Fortunately, I keep a good supply of Sexual Flavors strips on hand. Though my husband and I may not age gracefully, we’ll be sure to keep each other smiling long into the future.

Love,

Kate

Name our Position of the Day! Winner will receive a free Sexual Flavors sample

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:37:20 -0400

Congratulations to Scoot for naming our Position of the Day!

Masque's Passion Playlist

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:47:43 -0400

Nothing sets the mood quite like the perfect playlist. Every couple has a special song to get them in the mood and enjoy a romantic night or evening together. We've gathered our favorite mood-setting songs from the couples around the office.

Don't see your song on the list? No worries, this is only the first of many!

Steak and Blowjob Day

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:27:59 -0400

Today is March 14th, which can only mean two things: Pie Day and Steak & Blowjob Day. Men, you’ve worked hard to satisfy your lovers on Valentine’s day. It is your time to sit back and indulge in a juicy steak and happy ending to the wonderful day.

Take advantage of our special with GameLink by using the promotional code “masque” when checking out and receive a free sample of Masque Sexual Flavors.

And remember, treat your partner right, and everyday could be steak and blowjob day.

In case you were looking for a new type of steak, we’ve listed a few from our friends at The Official Steak and Blowjob Day crew!

Types of Steaks:

Chateaubriand Steak: Usually served for two, center cut from the large end of the tenderloin. Sometimes its extra thick top sirloin.

Chuck Steak: A cut from neck to the ribs.

Cube Steak: A cute of meat, usually top round, tenderized by fierce pounding with a mallet or mechanical blades.

Filet Mignon: A cut from the small end of the tenderloin; the most tender and usually the most expensive cut by weight.

Flap Steak: A cut from the bottom sirloin.

Flank Steak: From the underside. Not as tender as steaks cut from the rib or loin.

Flat Iron Steak: A cut from the under the shoulder blade.

Hanger Steak or (French) Onglet: A steak from near the center of the diaphragm. Flavorful, and very tender towards the edges, but sinewy in the middle. Often Called the butcher's tenderloin or hanging tender.

Popeseye Steak: Thinly sliced rump steak, originating in Scotland and available in the UK.

Rib Eye Steak: A rib steak consisting of the longissimus muscle and the spinalis or cap. This comes from the primal rib used to make prime rib which is typically oven roasted as opposed to grilled as is typical with rib eye.

Round Steak, Rump Steak, or (French) Rumsteak: A cut from the rump of the animal. A true grilling steak with good flavor though it can be tough if not cooked properly.

Sirloin Steak: A steak cut from the hip. Also tends to be less tough resulting in a higher price tag.

Outside Skirt Steak: A steak made from the diaphragm. Very flavorful, but also rather tough.

Inside Skirt Steak: A steak made from the flank or bottom sirloin similar in appearance but more tender than the outside.

Strip Steak, AKA Kansas City Strip, New York Strip: A high-quality steak cut from the strip loin, a muscle that is relatively low in connective tissue, so it is particularly tender.

T-Bone Steak and Porterhouse: A cut from the tenderloin and strip loin, connected with a T-shaped bone (lumbar vertebra). The two are distinguished by the size of the tenderloing in the cut. T-Bones have smaller tenderloin sections, while the Porterhouse - though generally smaller in the strip - will have more tenderloin. T-Bone and Porterhouse steaks are among the most expensive steaks on a menu because of the large individual portion size.

Tri-tip Steak/Roast: Also known as a Triangle Steak, due to its shape, it's a boneless cut from the bottom sirloin butt.

Steak Cited-Source

Masque Invades Daytona for Bike Week 2013

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:22:57 -0400

How would you like to hand out free sex toys at a biker rally?

That’s how I spent my weekend. And it was fantastic!

Masque worked with Adam & Eve (http://www.adamevestaugustine.com/) and Planet Earth (http://www.planetearthwholesaleusa.com/) to hand out grab bags of free toys to attendees of the 72^nd Daytona Bike Week. Main Street was packed, so the bags (about 2000 each night) were gone in a flash.

This gave the Masque team lots of time to walk the crowds, handing out samples of our great product. And we were very warmly received. The science behind our product really impressed people – not just another flavored lube. The women of Bike Week were especially excited to try a strip.

So what did I learn from Daytona Bike Week?

No 2 bikes are exactly the same. But they’re all extremely loud.

Bikers may seem tough on the outside, but they’re generally big teddy bears.

Give a biker a free sample of Masque and you’ve made a friend for life.

If you happen to be in Daytona for Bike Week, stop by the Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street at dusk to get your own grab bag of free sex toys. Adam & Eve will be there all week! Tell them Masque sent you!

For more photos from our bike week experience, be sure to check out our Bike Week album on our events page.

SEMEN IS 'GOOD FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH AND HELPS FIGHT DEPRESSION'

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:56:03 -0400

Oral sex is good for women's health and makes you feel happier, according to a study which studied the effects of semen's 'mood-altering chemicals.'

The State University of New York study - which scientists carried out via survey rather than through practical experiment - compared the sex lives of 293 females to their mental health.

It follows research which shows that seminal fluids contains chemicals that elevate mood, increase affection, induce sleep and also contain at least three anti-depressants.

The researchers also claim that women who have regular unprotected sex are less depressed and perform better on cognitive tests.

Semen contains another of chemcials along with spermatozoa, including cortisol, which is known to increase affection, estrone, which elevates mood and oxytocin, which also elevates mood.

It also contains thyrotropin-releasing hormone (another anti-depressant), melatonin (a sleep-inducing agent), and even serotonin (perhaps the best-known anti-depressant neurotransmitter).

Given these ingredients - and this is just a small sample of the mind-altering 'drugs' found in human semen - Researchers Gallup and Burch, along with the psychologist Stven Platek, hypothesised that women having unprotected sex should be less depressed than suitable control participants.

To investigate whether semen has anti-depressant effects, the author rounded up 293 college females from the university's Albany campus, who agreed to fill out an anonymous questionaire about various aspects of their sex lives.

Recent sexual activity without condoms was used as an indirect measure of seminal plasma circulating in the woman's body.

Each participant also completed the Beck Depression Inventory, a commonly used clinical measure of depressive symptoms.

The most significant findings from this study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, were that, even after adjusting for frequency of sexual intercourse, women who engaged in sex and 'never' used condoms showed significantly fewer depressive symptoms than did those who abstained from sex altogether.

Importantly, these chronically condom-less, sexually active women also evidenced fewer depressive symptoms than did those who abstained from sex altogether.

By contrast, sexually active heterosexual women, including self-described 'promiscuous' women, who used condoms were just as depressed as those practicing total abstinence.

The research suggests it is not just that women who are having sex are simply happier, but that happiness levels might be related to quantity of semen within their body.

Original Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2190863/Semen-good-womens-health-helps-fight-depression.html#ixzz24LOOS93w

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:33:53 -0400

Daylight savings time starts this Sunday. We lose a whole hour – which is panic-inducing for anyone who feels they don’t have enough time in the day as it is. I much prefer the autumn, when we gain 60 minutes.

I feel like I can be frivolous with my hour: a slightly longer nap, a few more chapters of a good book, an extra long soak in the tub. But now I’ve pare down my weekend – two days that are never long enough to complete all my best-laid plans.

My solution: have sex in the morning with the lights on and cuddle by candlelight before bed.

Trust me on this – I’ve done my research. You need to adjust to the subtle differences that are occurring: going to sleep and waking up an hour earlier, eating meals an hour earlier, the sun rising and setting an hour earlier. We need help with all these changes. That’s where serotonin comes in – it’s a chemical from your brain that helps your body adjust. Serotonin is released when you exercise, and what better exercise than sex?

Additionally your circadian rhythms (how your body handles a 24 hour cycle) need to readjust to the time change, so introduce yourself to more light during the day to help you energize, and less light in the evening to help you wind down.

So Sunday morning, wake your significant other up with mind-blowing sex in the brightest light you can find. And Sunday evening, snuggle up in candlelight and be still with each other.

Just to be sure, you may want to repeat this for several days.

How to Mask the Taste of Semen

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:48:03 -0500

If you’ve done even the quickest internet search on how to mask the taste of semen, you’ll find a lot of advice on changing your diet. Just a brief look told me that bananas, pineapple, honey, strawberries, large volumes of water and a full vegetarian diet are the key. Oh, and no alcohol or red meat.

I have some doubts about these theories.

To begin, let’s have a quick flashback to high school sex ed class: semen is produced in the prostate solely as a mode of transportation for the sperm. Semen is constantly regenerating itself; it tries to be ready when needed, but the more frequently a man ejaculates in a short time, the less semen volume there will be. A constant supply of these masking foods would need to be ingested in order to impact the taste of semen.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy prostate diet includes a low-fat diet with lots of vegetables, foods high in zinc (including lean beef) and 2 glasses of alcohol per day. Did you catch that? The best diet for your prostate (the place where semen is produced) is contradictory to what will mask the taste of semen. Which leads me to believe that your body has no reason (or need or intention) for your semen to taste good.

This brings up a whole school of thought by evolutionary biologists that say your semen isn’t supposed to taste good (regardless of the diet you impose on yourself) because the mouth isn’t where semen was intended to go. If semen naturally tasted like pineapple or honey, it would end up in the belly, not the vagina. Ejaculation needs to enter the vagina for us to make more of us and keep the species going. The theory held by some evolutionary biologists is that semen tastes bad for a reason, so we don’t swallow it. But I believe we just haven’t evolved enough for it to taste good yet – sex for pleasure (not just procreation) is fairly new. Oral sex is extremely new. Perhaps at some point in the future we’ll evolve with great tasting semen…but, until then consider your options: pineapple in bulk or something more reliable – Masque.

As always, feel free to "Like" Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at Facebook.com/YourMasque!

Love,

Kate

How did you meet your partner?

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:40:00 -0500

I love hearing stories of how couples found each other. When I’m out with new friends, it’s one of the first things I ask about – tell me the story of how you two met.

Regardless of the details, there’s something magical in that moment, the start of something new and exciting. Maybe there was an immediate spark or maybe it was slow to flame, but it’s part of a bigger, growing story. And I love a good story.

Attraction is a funny thing – you might think you’re drawn to his blue eyes or her straight smile, but there are deeper elements at play here. Your brain is figuring out if this person is a good mate – any hint of illness or bad genetics will be a turn off to your brain despite what your heart is feeling. And though you may require several dates to figure out how you feel about your new love, your brain can size them up rather quickly by how they smell, the symmetry of their face and the shape of their body. Fortunately, behavior plays a big role in long term relationships; just because someone meets the initial criteria for your brain to be attracted doesn’t mean that you will fall for just any old fool.

I met my husband at Planned Parenthood. I worked there as an educator and he was part of the crew who painted our offices. He was shy, so I invited him to dinner. I can’t say whether it was love at first sight, but somehow our brains and our hearts figured it out. And 12 years later, I’m still drawn to his blue eyes.

Tell me your story – how did you two meet?

As always, feel free to “Like” Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at Facebook.com/YourMasque!

Love,

Kate

Valentine's Day

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:07:09 -0500

There are two types of people in the world: those who love Valentine’s Day and those who do not. I happen to fall into the latter category. It’s not that I’m not happy in my marriage, because I am. And it’s not that I don’t love eating chocolates, because I do. It’s that it feels like an insignificant celebration for something as significant as love. I want more than one single day to commemorate how I feel about my husband. And I want my husband to show his love for me everyday.

So I’ve been reading up on the Valentine’s Day and acts of love. Here’s what I learned:

· There will be approximately 200,000 marriage proposals uttered today.

· The earliest love poem was found on a clay tablet from the Sumerians from around 3500 BC.

· The most extravagant gift of love was the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife.

Amazing, right? But it’s seldom that our Valentine’s Day gestures endure. The more than 50 million roses sold worldwide will be dead by next week. And the $1 billion worth of chocolate we buy will be nothing more than empty boxes and regret in a few days.

So here’s my solution – it’s easy and you can do it too - I have my pad of post-it notes here on my desk and I’m finishing these sentences over and over again:

· I love you because…

· You make me smile when you…

· Do you remember the time…

When my husband gets home from work, these notes will be plastered all over the house – on the front door, on his beer in the fridge, next to his toothbrush, on the TV – so he can spend days finding them and smiling about all the things I wrote. No, it’s not the Taj Mahal, but it’s a gesture that reminds us both to appreciate the everyday, not just the holiday.

As always, feel free to "Like" Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at Facebook.com/YourMasque!

Love,

Kate

Kiss your partner more often

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:16:59 -0500

The other night I was trying to remember the last time I had a make out session - where kissing was the main event, not a prelude.

And I realized it’s been a while. Certainly there are pecks on the mouth on my way out the door. Or a quick kiss goodnight before flipping the page of my book. But a true kiss – from the eye contact, to the closeness, to breathing each other’s breath, to the initial touch of the lips, to the taste - can feel like electricity traveling from one to the other.

Kissing is your body’s ingenious way of assessing your lover’s compatibility. Research has shown that women prefer a mate with immune proteins different from her own (presumably to give her off-spring a better immune system). It’s thought that women can smell that protein when up close during a kiss. Regardless of compatibility, kissing shares germs, which help build your immune system.

Some other benefits of kissing?

It produces extra saliva, which helps to keep your mouth healthy.

You’re working over 30 muscles in your face when you kiss – using those muscles keeps them long and smooth, and keeps you looking younger!

Kissing causes your heart to race and increases your metabolism. You can burn 2-5 calories per minute while kissing.

Kissing releases oxytocin and endorphins into your system, which improves your mood, helps you relax and reduces pain.

Most importantly, kissing brings you back to each other. Very likely, kissing was the first tender, intimate moment in your relationship. To sit quietly with each other and kiss like you’re teenagers again could be the best way to get healthy together this weekend.

“A kiss is the height of voluptuousness, an expense of time and an expanse of spirit in the sweet toil of romance.”

Diane Ackerman – A Natural History of Love

As always, feel free to "Like" Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at Facebook.com/YourMasque!

Love,

Kate

5 Ways to Flirt After the Honeymoon Stage

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:45:28 -0500

Relationships play out in a series of phases, always growing and evolving. Often times, the honeymoon stage consists of flirty dates and dozens of nervous butterflies associated with many marriages. But all too often the flame fades into a faint flicker as a relationship progresses. Moving to the next phase with your partner doesnt mean you should stop flirting or playing "hard-to-get." The psychological effects of flirting with your partner can leave you feeling more connected.

Here are some helpful tips for flirting after the "honeymoon" stage:

1. Get "Touchy-Feely"

Try communicating your feelings for your partner through your body language and actions. By running your hand through their hair or rubbing their shoulder, they will get the message. Something as simple as keeping eye contact will let your partner know you are completely focused on them. While you're out, make the first move by squeezing your partner's leg under the table or sneaking a kiss. They'll be excited to get you home!

2. Show a Little Skin

Instead of throwing on a pair of sweatpants after work, try changing into lounge wear that makes you feel sexy. Showing your partner you're feeling sexy will get them in the same mindset. When you're feeling feisty, sneak away to bed first and surprise your partner with love and affection.

3. Text (or sext) Your Partner Throughout the Day

At various points in the day, send your partner text messages describing what you'd like to do later with them or reminisce about something you both did the night before. ;-) Try to be as detailed as possible -- it'll give them something real to think about and make you both want to rush home at the end of the day.

4. Leave Love Notes in Unexpected Places

Take some time to put together a few short, old-fashioned love notes to hide around the house. Stick one in their car and another on the mirror. These cute notes will remind your partner that you're thinking about them and show you care.

5. Cozy up During a Movie

On your way home from work, pick up a redbox you know you'd both enjoy. Share pillows and a blanket and get ready to snuggle up just like you used to when you first started dating. This simple, romantic gesture is a fun way to get close!

Even after the honeymoon days are over, it's important to continue to find unique ways to flirt with your significant other. Taking the time to plan a night alone or send a flirty text will allow you to relive the early days of your relationship.

I hope these tips have helped and be sure to like Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook.com/YourMasque.

Love,

Kate

Also featured on http://www.yourtango.com/experts/kate-cassidy/5-ways-flirt-after-honeymoon-stage

Strengthen your relationship during this new year

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:41:59 -0500

We’re very quickly dashing through this holiday season – soon New Year’s Day will be upon us. After all the countdowns, the champagne popping, the kissing, and the Auld Lange Synes we get a fresh start on a brand new year. We get to try it all over again with (hopefully) better results.

This is the time for making resolutions – some people love them, some people hate them, very few people ever follow through on them. They’re made with the best intentions to be better people, to break bad habits and start good ones. I’m terrible at keeping my resolutions, so for years I stopped making them entirely. But this year I’ve got a list – things to do to strengthen my relationship. Feel free to borrow any of these for yourself.

· Be present - I listen to my husband, I know he’s talking, but I find myself constantly saying, “what did you say?” and “can you repeat that last bit?” I need to stop getting so easily distracted (by the TV, the internet, the children, the phone, the pets) and hear what he is saying to me.

· Kiss more – We’ve decided to rename my 4 year old Wedge. Whenever my hub and I get close to one another to kiss or hug our 4 year old pushes herself in between us. In spite of this, those kisses are a great way to connect during a busy day or week. And they’re a great way to recharge.

· Have a weekly date. Schedule it if necessary. Dinner and a movie would be great, but a quiet walk or a snuggle on the couch after the kids have gone to bed would be just as good. This time is for flirting, making out, laughing and being a couple. Try to leave the other junk behind.

· Try new things. Sexually, I mean. There are loads of great toys, books, props. Go shopping together or be adventurous and bring home a surprise. Talk about our fantasies and agree on things to try together.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

Love,

Kate

Top 5 Ways to Celebrate the Longest Night of the Year

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:45:16 -0500

December 21^st is the first day of winter – the longest night of the year. What better reason to find some nice, warm, indoor activities to make the most of each and every additional minute of darkness.

1. Take a bath or shower by candlelight – soaping each other up in the twinkling light will give you time to explore each other.

2. Have a picnic in bed – don’t worry about crumbs, just enjoy feeding each other something sweet.

3. Get a couple’s massage – or better yet, give each other massages. There’s nothing like being rubbed in the dark.

4. Make out – there’s nothing better than extra time in the dark with your favorite pair of lips.

5. Use Masque - try out all four flavors on each other and choose your favorite.

Be sure to also check out Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at Facebook.com/YourMasque.

Love,

Kate

The 12 Sexy Days of Christmas

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:55:23 -0500

I’m not going to beat around the holly bush here; the holidays can be hell on a relationship. Between the Christmas cards, the work parties, the neighborhood parties, the secret Santa’s, the travel arrangements, the school pageants, the baking, the weather, the decorating, the shopping (ugh – the shopping) you find you have absolutely no energy to jingle his bells.

Let’s not think of your lover as just another chore that needs to be done. Relationships deserve some special treatment during this festive time. I propose the 12 Sexy Days of Christmas!

On the 1^st day of Christmas my true love gave to me: a blow job – with Masque, of course!

On the 2^nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me: two strong hands for a foot massage.

On the 3^rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me: three deeply passionate kisses.

On the 4^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: four minute shoulder rub.

On the 5^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: five earlobe nibbles.

On the 6^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: six rounds of strip poker (or strip scrabble, or strip tic-tac-toe).

On the 7^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: seven minutes in heaven – making out like teenagers.

On the 8^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: eight candles around a warm bath for two.

On the 9^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: a nine-minute quickie.

On the 10^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: ten nimble fingers for a back rub.

On the 11^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: eleven uninterrupted minutes of conversation without the phone, TV, kids or other distractions.

On the 12^th day of Christmas my true love gave to me: a twelve-minute soap-up in the shower before work.

Be sure to also check out Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at facebook.com/YourMasque.

Love,

Kate

Holiday Sex

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:40:50 -0500

Some people would argue that holiday sex has the potential to backfire: we get so worked up by the romance of the season that we try to put high expectations into a sexy rendezvous and may end up causing ourselves more stress and disappointment. I say if you’re in the mood, take the chance. But here a few things to keep in mind:

1. Preparation is sexy. If you’re going out of town for the holidays make sure you bring the essentials: birth control, condoms, Masque, etc. Forget your toothpaste and you can borrow your grandmother’s.

2. Save your family issues for the therapist’s couch. So you had a heated debate with your overly-political Uncle George? Don’t assume that will translate into great, clothes-ripping passion. You’re angry. And your focus will not be on your partner, but on all the comebacks you should have said to your uncle over dinner. You’re better cooling off with a long walk through the snow than a roll in the hay.

3. Take some time for each other. Make sure you pencil in some alone time amongst all the holiday cheer. (Shopping for last-minute gifts or groceries does NOT count). Find the mistletoe and spend a few minutes underneath reconnecting.

4. Listen to your own needs. If all you want are a few minutes of human contact, sex could be very disappointing, and a snuggle in front of the fireplace might just suffice. Tell your partner what you want so you’re both on the same page and no feelings get hurt.

Be sure to also check out Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at facebook.com/YourMasque.

Love,

Kate

top 5 sexy toys for the bedroom

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:16:11 -0500

Gone are Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But how about Sexy Tuesday? Here are five fun gifts to bring in to your bedroom that can turn up the heat on these cold winter nights.

1. A massage candle – add ambiance and sensual touch to your evening in one great gift. These candles melt into a body lotion that you can use to massage your partner into total relaxation.

2. A silky scarf – this has multiple uses. Cover the eyes and heighten your partner’s other senses. Or around the wrists and your partner will submit to your every touch and kiss.

3. I know I’ve mentioned this one before, but it’s just so fun I had to say it again: Love is Art (I got mine from Liberator.com). Roll around with your partner in body-safe paint and create a one-of-a-kind painting of your passion. Prepare to get messy!

4. A fun toy for couples – the We Vibe – a vibrator that will stimulate you both at once! It’s a very well-made toy that will add another level of thrill!

5. Masque – of course!! Add a tasty flavor to your oral and make your partner feel amazing!

Don’t forget to experiment. Try new things. But most of all: have fun!

Be sure to also check out Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at facebook.com/YourMasque.

Love,

Kate

Top 5 things you can do to show your thanks

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:02:47 -0500

With all the craziness of the start of the holiday season, it can be too easy to forget how thankful you are for a strong relationship. Travel, crowds, shopping and parties can make for a stressful time. Remember to show your significant other all the ways you’re thankful:

1. Leaving little notes (on a bathroom mirror, in the refrigerator, on the steering wheel) make a huge impact. It’s a simple way to let your love know that you’re thinking of them.

2. Reconnect amongst the chaos – even something as simple as locking eyes from across the dinner table can bring you back to each other.

3. “Let there be spaces in your togetherness” – Khalil Gibran. You don’t have to spend every waking moment together. As a matter of fact, it’s best that you don’t. Time apart gives perspective and allows you to recharge as individuals.

4. Don’t forget to kiss each other (and not the way you kiss your grandmother or new nephew). No pecks on the cheek here. Let your bodies lean into each other and breathe each other in for a few moments.

5. Certainly wherever you’ve ended up this week, there is a powder room or an out-of-the-way closet that you and your significant other can slip into. Sneak away for some “under the shirt” action. Or better yet, bring along some Masque, and see if you can find some creative ways to show your gratitude.

Be sure to also check out Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at facebook.com/YourMasque

Love,

Kate

Top 5 ways to fit romance in your day

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:38:59 -0500

We live in a world that’s always busy. Between work life, personal life, and home life it can be hard to squeeze any time for your love life. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be romantic. Try our Top 5 Tips to fit some romance in your day.

1. Say I love you. Anytime before you leave the house, make sure to say I love you to your partner. This is the simplest and easiest way to be romantic.

2. Leave a note on the mirror. After you take a hot shower, write a sexy message on the mirror with your finger. It’ll be a little surprise for your partner when they’re done showering.

3. Find a song just for them. Pick a song that reminds you of your significant other and send it to them during the day. You can send it via email or as a post on their Facebook wall.

4. Send them a text. A simple text saying “just thinking about you” is a real easy way to be romantic.

5. Surprise them with a date. Without letting your partner know, show up to their workplace and take them out on a lunch date. This will surely be the highlight of their day.

Be sure to also check out Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at facebook.com/YourMasque.

Love,

Kate

Top 5 Sexiest Presidents

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:58:14 -0500

In light of the big election, I wanted to make a top 5 list of our sexiest U.S. Presidents. Let’s start with a disclaimer: different people find different things sexy. This is my list with my reasons.

1. Abraham Lincoln – 16^th President (1861- 1865): Our tallest president (at 6’4”), who stood by his ideals despite huge criticism – abolishing slavery and re-uniting the Union. Sexy is following your moral compass.

2. Thomas Jefferson – 3^rd President (1801-1809): A true renaissance man, Jefferson spoke five languages and was well-educated in science, architecture, religion and philosophy. He was a great speaker, but also an excellent writer (author of the Declaration of Independence) – imagine the love letters he’d have written.

3. Franklin D Roosevelt – 32^nd President (1933-1945): Handsome, wealthy and responsive to the needs of others – he developed long-standing relief and recovery programs that helped the US through the Great Depression and World War II and on to more flourishing times. Got to love a man with a nurturing heart.

4. George Washington – 1^st President (1789-1797): Here we have brains and brawn – Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, presided over the Constitutional Convention, unanimously elected president. He was number one, without the ego: he turned down the title of “king” in favor of “president” for the good of the country.

5. Theodore Roosevelt – 26^th President (1901-1909): Of course, anyone known as a Rough Rider has to be on the list! He was a handsome, rugged, outdoorsy war hero with a passion for the environment. I always imagine him as Robert Redford in Out of Africa – he saves you from a charging animal and seduces you by washing your hair.

Is your sexiest President not on my list? Check out Masque Sexual Flavors on Facebook at facebook.com/YourMasque and let me know your Top 5!

Love,

Kate

Top 5 Scents for wooing men

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:22:32 -0400

Apparently designing perfumes is a very complicated business – top notes, middle notes, base notes and bridges. But choosing a scent that appeals to you is far less complicated – you trust your nose. Next time you’re at the perfume counter, keep in mind the scents that men find most attractive while you’re making your selection.

1. Cinnamon – the scent causes increased blood flow to the genitals

2. Vanilla – perhaps it reminds them on sugar cookies baking, but it is the most sexually arousing scent for men.

3. Lavender – The scent that Cleopatra used to seduce both Mark Anthony and Julius Ceasar will likely work on your guy too.

4. Jasmine – another floral scent that’s very alluring to men – especially when it’s coupled with rose.

5. Frankincense – intertwined with Christmas lore, it’s a scent that raises spirits and calms nerves.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Top 5 Scents for wooing women

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:44:18 -0400

Women are fairly complicated when it comes to scents that appeal to them. Fluctuations in hormones can heighten women’s sense of smell and, therefore, make women more sensitive to the strength of fragrances. Overall, there are scents that most women find pretty alluring, even if they don’t always recognize them.

1. Cinnamon – the scent causes increased blood flow to the genitals

2. Citrus – Increases energy and lightens the mood

3. Black pepper – Improves circulation and increases stamina

4. Cardamom – the spicy, sweet scent is uplifting and energizing. As an essential oil, it’s considered an aphrodisiac.

5. Cedarwood – perhaps it’s the woody aroma, or maybe the manly outdoor smell, but cedarwood is also an aphrodisiac.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Top 5 Sexy World Records

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:55:45 -0400

Maybe it’s the unpredictability of the Halloween season, but I tend to read a lot of Guinness World Records this time of year. And I’ve found some very interesting sexy records to share with you:

1. World’s longest kiss: Occurred in Thailand by Nonthawat Charoenkaesornsin and Thanakorn Sitthiamthong and clocked in at 50 hours, 25 minutes and 1 second on 12-14 February 2012 during a contest organized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

2. World’s longest tongue is owned by California student, Chanel Tapper, measuring 3.8 inches (from tip to top lip) – about twice the average tongue.

3. World’s longest penis belongs to New Yorker Jonah Falcon, who measures 9 inches flaccid and 13.5 inches erect.

4. The record holder for the longest time spent masturbating is porn star Sonny Nash, who pleasured himself for 10 hours and 10 minutes in 2012 during San Francisco’s “Masturbate-a-thon” (to raise money for charity).

5. The world record for the most orgasms is 226 by Deanna Webb, which occurred during 2009’s Masturbate-a-thon in Denmark.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Top 5 sex-boosting foods of fall

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:01:44 -0400

Fall is perfect for snuggling up under a blanket with the one you love and enjoying the tastes of the season. These foods can help get you both in the mood:

1. Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which is needed for testosterone production and helpful in sustaining desire in women. Diets heavy in pumpkin seeds can help with potency, drive and fertility.

2. Apples, the forbidden fruit, are high in pectin. This gives a sugar rush for sustained energy for sex.

3. Cinnamon is a spice the produces heat and increases the appetite (including the sexual appetite). It also lowers high blood sugar levels that can cause erectile dysfunction, loss of libido and low sperm count.

4. Cloves and clove oil (as found in pumpkin pie spice) heat up the body and stimulate the sex organs. Sprinkle in your hot chocolate or coffee for an extra jolt of sex drive.

5. Maple syrup, like pumpkin seeds, is high in zinc for healthy blood flow. But it also contains manganese which helps in the creation of sex hormones. Additionally it’s great for the immune system – excellent for getting extra close.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Top 5 ways to celebrate your anniversary

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:28:46 -0400

Today my hub and I celebrate our 8^th anniversary. After the first anniversary it’s easy to downplay the significance of this occasion, especially with children, busy work schedules, travel, etc. But here are some easy and fun ways to celebrate your commitment to each other:

1. Waking your partner up with some celebratory sex is a great way to start the day. Set your alarm 30 minutes early and ease him into his day (a perfect time to use Masque).

2. Pick up something little that your sweetheart will enjoy. My hub happens to enjoy beer, and this weekend he tried a porter he was particularly fond of. A six-pack of this in this fridge waiting for him when he comes home from work will be a great ending to his day.

3. Take a little walk down memory lane by perusing your pictures. Whether it’s your wedding album, a slideshow on your computer or just grabbing photos out of that old shoebox, talking about those forgotten moments can spark some serious romance.

4. We did this over the weekend: http://www.loveisartkit.com/ . It was a blast (the filthiest fun you’ll ever have)! It’s an art kit with everything you need to make an original work of art with your love. Cleaning up was pretty fun too!

5. Candles go a long way to setting the mood – whether you’re in the tub together or sitting across the kitchen table from each other catching up on your day – candles can make the craziness around you slow down for a while so you can focus on each other.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

TOP 5 FUN FALL DATES

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:06:28 -0400

Despite still using air conditioning in some areas of the US, it is officially fall. And it is a great time to find the romance of the season. Let’s talk about some of the top dates you can have in the cooler weather.

1. See red – take a drive to the country to see the changing colors of the leaves. Bring a blanket and a picnic for a little splendor in the grass.

2. Get cooking – apples are a great fall fruit, so grab some and head to the kitchen. Cooking up something sweet together could be a sensual afternoon.

3. Carve it up – pumpkin carving is a creative way to get a little messy. But the cleanup won’t be a drag if you shower together.

4. Turn up the heat – whether or not you bring the s’mores, cuddling up in front of a fire pit in your yard (or a fireplace in your living room) can end in something sweet.

5. Get lost – find a nearby corn maze to wander through. As long as you’re together, getting lost won’t seem so bad.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Five Forgotten Hot Spots on Your Woman

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:06:49 -0400

Let’s not be predictable, shall we? There are many parts of a woman’s body that respond to attention, so let’s review 5 you’ve probably been neglecting lately.

1. Very few women will be offended by a nice foot massage. Some gentle rubbing and care of her feet, particularly if she spends a significant part of her day on them, will go a long way to relaxing her into a very appreciative mood.

2. The neck is a very sensual place. Remember Ralph Fiennes’ obsession with the suprasternal notch (the notch at the base of the neck) in The English Patient? Kisses go a long way here.

3. Ears are another tender place – lots of nibbling and kisses (keeping the saliva to a minimum).

4. Wrists could use a lot more attention – they’re so easily forgotten, but really take on the weight of the world. A nice hand massage that focuses on the wrists will help her relax after a day on the computer.

5. Let’s not forget her inner thigh. Remember: it’s the journey, not the destination. There are a lot of nerve endings in that tender skin that can build excitement with some kissing and nuzzling.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Five Forgotten Hot Spots on Your Man

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:26:12 -0400

It’s pretty obvious the penis is packed with nerve endings – and thus, is where most of the action (sexually speaking) takes place. But let’s talk about some of the forgotten areas of his body that can also excite.

1. Ears, given they’re clean and trimmed, some licking and nibbling of the lobes can get his motor running.

2. Women aren’t the only ones who love a foot massage. Relax your man from head to toe by using this technique: apply firm pressure directly above his heel with your thumbs and kneed your way upward to ball of his foot using circular motions. Repeat this process until he’s putty in your hands. This area holds pressure points that are sure to prompt sexual arousal.

3. His back, down to his tailbone. This sensual trail down his spine can be very sensitive to a tender caress with fingers or, better yet, a tongue.

4. Light scratches on your man’s chest will get him to purr like a lion and get his blood flowing in more places than just his upper body.

5. The nerves on the scalp are orgasmic at any time of the day. Gently massaging the scalp will have your man in a whirl of passionate ecstasy.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Top 5 ways to stay connected to your significant other when you’re apart

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:08:34 -0400

As someone who travels a bit for work, I know how hard it is to stay connected to your significant other when you’re not under the same roof. Here are my top 5 rules when traveling away from my hub.

Use an erasable marker to leave a message on the bathroom mirror – a sexy promise to be fulfilled on your return.
Text when your plane lands – even just a layover. It’s nice to know when the person you love is safely on the ground.
Send a few funny pictures of things you see on your trip that will make your significant other smile.
Depending on the time difference, my hub is either the last person I talk to at night or the first person I talk to in the morning.
Pick up a little something for your love – no, not a commemorative shot glass. Find a local adult store and pick up a new toy. Or underwear. You don’t need a lot of room in your luggage for these great gifts.

The best part of a trip away is coming home to your own space, your own bed and your own love. Your homecoming should include lots of kissing and making good on that sexy promise.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Romance is in the air: August is Romance Month!

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:07:00 -0400

Yes, it seems there is a month or day celebrating absolutely everything (you did party for National Horseradish month in July, didn’t you?). But August celebrates something I can really get behind – romance.

Don’t confuse seduction with romance. Seduction is a journey to a specific destination (sex). Romance is a gesture of love or affection (which can frequently, but not always, lead to sex).

Romantic gestures evolve throughout a relationship. Where flowers, candlelight and wine seem particularly romantic at the beginning of a relationship, turning off the TV and having an uninterrupted conversation is swoon-inducing once you’ve had children. So let’s meet somewhere in the middle.

Romance is private jokes, holding hands, kissing hello and kissing goodbye. Romance doesn’t require extra money or extra time; it just requires your full attention. And yes, flowers and jewelry are wonderfully romantic, but so is sitting together in a quiet bubble bath and talking about your day.

As the unofficial sponsors of Romance Month, Masque will be doing a little romancing of our own. Check out our Facebook page daily, http://www.facebook.com/YourMasque, for tips on how to woo your partner the entire month of August.

Love, Kate

@KCassMasque

Re-light the Spark

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 10:19:10 -0400

Just because all the sparklers have burned down doesn’t mean the fireworks should end. Fourth of July is a great time to light a fire in the bedroom.

My husband and I recently wrote our own declaration – after 8 years of marriage, 2 kids, a lay-off, a struggling business, countless house projects, in-laws and the parade of other everyday stresses, we thought we should reclaim our relationship. So in the same vein as Lifetime Television’s “7 Days of Sex” my hub and I pledged to spend a week focusing on us.

We started by talking about the things we did well in our relationship (equality in the household chores, disciplining kids, talking through the stress) and the things we didn’t do well (PDA, setting aside the laptops to talk undistracted, cuddling). We figured out what we wanted to gain at the end of the week and we set out like Washington on the Delaware (determined – not cold, wet and surrounded by stinky men).

The result? Great sex. Really great sex. Fireworks andmarching bands kind of sex. Streamers and ticker-tape parades kind of sex. And not because of any new toys or a roomful of candles. It was because we spent every day wooing each other, listening to each other, talking to each other, so when we finally fell into bed next to one another we felt entirely connected – the heat was already there. No matches necessary.

Sexy Top Fives

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:58:49 -0400

One of my favorite books, and one that I read and re-read (and recommended) throughout my twenties, is Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity. Rob, the main character, spends a lot of his free time creating “top five” lists – best movies, best albums, even most memorable break ups. So in homage to Nick Hornby and Rob, I give you my top fives. Now, keep in mind, these are the opinions of one married woman. But you should use these as suggestions to make your own top five lists. Grab some sexy movies, some sexy music and your partner to do your own sexy research.

Top Five Movie Sex Scenes:

The Big Easy – Anne & Remy
Unbearable Lightness of Being – Sabina & Tereza
The English Patient – Laszlo & Katharine @ the Christmas party
Risky Business – Joel & Lana on the stairs and on the train
Fall – Sarah & Michael

Top Five Movie Kisses (I like some build up to movie kisses – very sexy):

Mr. & Mrs. Smith
It’s a Wonderful Life
Bourne Identity
Say Anything
Brokeback Mountain (the reunion kiss)

Top Five Sexy Songs:

Wicked Games – Chris Isaak
Love & Happiness – Al Green
Beautiful – Meshell Ndegeocello
Crash Into Me – Dave Matthews Band
Somethin’ Somethin’: Mellosmoothe – Maxwell

Smart Is Sexy

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:48:56 -0400

So, I just found out that May 25^th is Geek Pride Day. Now, of course, we all know “Geek” wasn’t always so mainstream. Early geeks were often persecuted for their single-minded focus and drive, but now we celebrate them! And let’s be honest – smart is sexy!

Intelligent and passionate about their interests, geeks have been leading the way throughout history: Galileo, Leonardo de Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein are just a few of the great geeks whose passion has changed our world.

And we here at Masque know the brain is the body’s biggest sex organ. It is where all your lust, attraction and attachment with your partner begin. Your emotional responses to your partner’s touch and smell happen because your brain tells your body how to react: increased heart rate and saliva production, release of pheromones, glandular secretions. Your brain takes care of all the details without you having to do a thing – it’s the perfect wingman.

Although sagging and fine lines aren’t a worry when it comes to your brain, it does need to stay fit and sharp. So grab that crossword puzzle and your favorite flavor of Masque, then grab your partner and climb between the sheets with that extra boost of hormones pumpin’. It’s the perfect way to exercise your body and your mind.

The Importance of "You Time"

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:41:23 -0400

A girls’ night out is the perfect prelude to a passionate evening with your significant other.

Let me be clear: when I say “girls’ night out” I don’t mean drinking a glass of cheap chardonnay at some dive while your BFF complains about her ex. I’m talking you put on an outfit that you feel great in, you do a lot of laughing with friends, maybe some dancing and you come home feeling rejuvenated. And kinda sexy.

An evening out with girlfriends is a great way to de-stress. Catch up. Get your gossip on. Maybe you a get a drink compliments of the cutie at the end of the bar – flirting is something we forget to do with our SO – sometimes it takes a stranger to remind us how great it feels. And all this revelry reminds you how wonderful it is NOT to be single anymore.

So you go home to the one who knows exactly how you like to be touched and kissed. And you remind them how grateful you are to have them warming up the sheets.

Finding Common Ground in the Bedroom

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:39:33 -0400

Here’s a conundrum: men need sex to feel close while women need to feel close to have sex (that is, according to Sheila Wray Gregoire and her new book The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex).

While I don’t agree with everything Gregoire says about the nature of relationships I do think that she’s definitely on to something here. When my husband has a rough day, sex is the way he winds down, de-stresses and feels connected to me. When I have a bad day I want to wind down, de-stress and connect with him BEFORE I can begin to think about sex. Makes you wonder how we’ve survived as a species.

So what’s the solution? Do we go against our nature and do it anyway to please our partner, or do we expect him to bend to our will and wait until we’re good and ready?

The answer is yes. This is one of those times in relationships where compromises are made and everyone ultimately gets what they want/need. I have sex with my husband, he feels closer to me because of the release of oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and shows me more affection, which I need to connect with him and have sex with him, which makes him feel closer to me. It’s cyclical. And everybody wins.

Gregoire suggests women take control in the bedroom – making us feel powerful and leaving him like a quivering puddle of afterglow (which will presumably result in heaps of affectionate gratitude). If that’s a bit too much compromise for you, try some massage – it’s sensual, it’s intimate, and it’s a chance to truly give and take. And give some more.

Let's Talk About Sex(ually Transmitted Infections)

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:16:41 -0400

I want to address a not-so-fun issue, but one that is extremely important – your health. Not the “take your vitamins, eat your vegetables, get some exercise” health, but your health as it relates to your sexual activities.

One of our biggest goals at Masque is to open the lines of communication with your sexual partner – talk about your fantasies, your hesitations, your turn-ons and turn-offs. In these conversations, we want you to talk about your sexual health. Any kind of unprotected sexual activity can lead to sexually transmitted infections – like Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or HPV. Some people have no symptoms, but may be carriers of these infections which can then be passed on to their partners. Some infections are easily treatable, and those that aren’t can be managed with regular health care. Left untreated, some of these sexually transmitted infections can lead to major health issues, like infertility or cancer.

Make a date with your partner to get tested – you may think it’s not a very romantic thing to do, but there’s nothing sexier than worry-free sex.

Get lucky this St Patrick's Day.

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:07:59 -0500

The great thing about the Irish is they’re pretty generous folks – they welcome everyone to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Perhaps it’s the centuries of abuse and famine that have softened their hearts, or perhaps they’re just immune to the sound of all the terrible “they’re after me lucky charms” impersonations.

The legend of Saint Patrick involves him coercing the snakes out of Ireland (insert your own innuendo here). Whether or not that is true, as a people, the Irish are hopeful (4-leaf clovers and leprechauns) and know how to have a good time (whiskey and Guinness). Who wouldn’t want to be Irish for the day?

However, there’s no need to wait for St. Patrick’s Day to have the luck of the Irish: Masque can keep you lucky all year long. Forget the Blarney stone and kiss your partner. But definitely remember to use watermelon Masque on March 17th – it’s green, so you won’t get pinched – unless that’s what you’re into.

The other 364 days of the year.

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:53:54 -0500

I recently went to dinner with a couple about to celebrate their 25th anniversary. I guess I assumed “25 years of marriage, 8 kids (yes, 8)...the magic must be gone by now.” But I was completely wrong. Though they were both involved in the conversation at the table, they also had their private conversation running quietly between them, lots of arm rubbing and hand holding, gazes at each other and quick smiles.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, was the moment that renewed my faith in romance.

Romance is usually the thing that always falls to the bottom of the priority list. We’re too busy, too tired, too far behind on projects at work, too many late nights with the kids, too many early mornings at the gym. It’s all too much. And romance suffers because of it. Sure, Valentine’s Day is a great day for grand gestures – the dinners, the flowers, the jewelry. But remember that romance is for everyday. It’s the little things that keep you connected. It’s the inside jokes, the quick smiles, and the hand holding. Those tiny gestures, with a little bit of effort, just might add up to 25 years and beyond.

The Perfect Way to Ring in the New Year

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:10:41 -0500

Did you know that the most common birthday in the US is October 5th? Did you also know that October 5th is 9 months after New Year’s Eve?

No, I’m not trying to kill the mood.

New Year’s Eve is the last holiday hurrah – a chance to soak the last bit of magic out of the season before returning to the routine. And it is magic – the sparkle, the music, the drinks, and the hours-long build up to the perfect midnight kiss. My advice? Get completely wrapped up in it. Enjoy every bit of it. It could be a long, hard winter – so make that kiss really count...

But plan ahead. Pack some Masque in your wallet or your clutch and stick with some New Year’s affection that won’t end in midnight feedings and tiny socks.

The 12 Sexy Days of Christmas

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:14:32 -0500

I’m not going to beat around the holly bush here, the holidays can be hell on a relationship. Between the Christmas cards, the work parties, the neighborhood parties, the secret Santa’s, the travel arrangements, the school pageants, the baking, the weather, the decorating, the shopping (uuggh – the shopping) you find you have absolutely no energy to jingle his bells.

Let’s not think of your lover as just another chore that needs to be done. Relationships deserve some special treatment during this festive time. I propose the 12 Sexy Days of Christmas!

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a blow job – with Masque, of course!

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two strong hands for a foot massage.

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three deeply passionate kisses.

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four minute shoulder rub.

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, five earlobe nibbles.

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, six rounds of strip poker (or strip scrabble, or strip tic-tac-toe).

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, seven minutes in heaven – making out like teenagers.

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, eight candles around a warm bath for two.

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a nine minute quickie.

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, ten nimble fingers for a back rub.

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, eleven uninterrupted minutes of conversation without the phone, TV, kids or other distractions.

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a twelve minute soap-up in the shower before work.

And feel free to incorporate more blow jobs as you see fit!

'Tis the Season

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:41:32 -0500

Let’s put some jolly back into the holidays and start thinking about how you’re going to make the season bright.

Masque is the perfect gift – already beautifully wrapped – and you don’t even need to add a bow. Great for that special someone who is both naughty and nice. Mistletoe optional.

Give new meaning to “stocking stuffer.” No need to print up “love coupons” – Masque is the best promise of good things to come.

Spice Up Your Romance

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:17:20 -0500

Wouldn’t it be nice if all it took to spice up your romance was adding one of the cinnamon candles that are everywhere this time of year?

It’s pretty easy to find yourself in familiar patterns and let your sex life fall victim to your other holiday commitments. Men tend to have no trouble switching from work to play, but women need some time to switch gears. Keeping the romance involved in the little everyday things will make a big difference:

Kiss each other hello and goodbye
When sitting next to each other (in the car, on the couch, at the dinner table), hold hands
Take care of a task that your partner hates to do – load the dishwasher, clean your whiskers out of the sink, make the bed
Call or text during the day just to tell them you’re thinking of them
Write a romantic note on the bathroom mirror in lipstick (or dry erase marker)
Want to put a little more effort in? Try these:
Write reasons why you’re attracted to your partner on small slips of colored paper that you post or tape around the house (on the cereal, in a coffee cup, taped to the toothpaste, inside their wallet)
Completely take care of a task that your partner is dreading – like cleaning the house for holiday guests, or shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.
Send your partner out for an evening with friends – a Girl’s Night Out is an excellent way to get your partner relaxed (and appreciative). Don’t forget to leave the Masque on the nightstand just in case!

The New Black

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:25:11 -0400

Let’s be honest: blow jobs are the new black. They go with everything. They’re perfect for every occasion – half time at the big game or the coat room at a black tie fundraiser. They go from day to night without having to change so much as your shoes. They pack easily for a long weekend and are even great in the car. It’s the perfect “get-to-know-you” at the beginning of a relationship and an excellent “I-know-you-so-well” deep in the middle of a romance. Need a quick pick-me-up? Or a long breath of fresh air? Either way, the blow job is the perfect choice. Dress it up or dress it down, you’ll find it’s all the rage this fall.

Not Just a Warm-Up

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:10:24 -0400

I’m not sure when oral sex got filed under the heading of “foreplay” but it’s time to change that. Although tasty, it’s time to stop thinking of oral sex as an hors d'oeuvre. Take your time. Stop rushing like there’s a plate of ribs waiting for you when you finish. There’s so much more pleasure to be gained from oral sex when you use all your senses. I think we’re in such a hurry to get to sex that we’ve forgotten how hot, how naughty, how sensual it is to really focus on oral sex.

Do you remember your first teenage romance? Do you remember all the kissing and nervous fumblings over and under clothing? Do you remember your heart beating fast and the first naked skin and the absolute lust for every moment?

Be that teenager again. Kiss for hours on the couch. Take each tiny grope of skin as a major victory. Lust. That’s your foreplay. Then, and only then, move on to the main course.