Haute Sex II

by Letizia Rossi

In the first installment of Haute Sex we brought you luxury sensual products  that put the sexiness of good design back into sex toys. Our second installment includes a whole new crop of the latest innovative erotic accessories that deliver the goods without the sleaze factor.

Kiki de Montparnasse
Launched in May 2006, Kiki de Montparnasse offers exquisitely-designed luxurious products that are the ultimate embodiment of Haute Sex. With an elegant Soho Flagship store and plans to expand to other cities in addition to an online store, Kiki de Montparnasse brings class and sophistication to the intimate clothing and erotic accessories shopping experience. The store features a wide range of beautiful lingerie, jewelry and bath products alongside erotic toys, books, films, bedding and even some unexpected accoutrements like a selection of discreet cameras. The Instruments of Pleasure Department offers high-end sex toys featuring jewels and precious metals, like the Titanium Vibrator which is made from light weight hypoallergenic titanium and purports to be quiet as well as powerful ($450), and the Tension Set Cock-Ring with 5MM Cubic Zirconia, designed both for pleasure and to be worn as jewelry ($795). Some of our favorite items include the line of playful accessories like the silk and leather restraints and blindfolds, the all-encompassing Restraining Arts Kit ($595) and the Tickler Two-Way ($95), which brings new refinement to the concept of naughty and nice. Another favorite is the fragrance- and flavor-free Kiki de Monteparnasse lubricant; packaged in a bottle so beautiful you won't be embarrassed to leave it lying around. Available in both water or silicone-based versions, 3.5 fl oz. runs $40.

The Cone
A new innovation in adult entertainment, The Cone (below left) has a contemporary non-phallic, hands-free design that can appeal to both men and women looking for something different in the bedroom. Made from firm pink silicone the multi-use Cone boasts a powerful 3-volt motor, 16 automated programs and a high-intensity orgasm button for the less patient. $140 from Blowfish.

Vulva
Formulated by scientists to mimic "the scent of a woman," Vulva (above right) is a new fragrance designed to play on the uniquely powerful olfactory sense. Though it caused quite a stir at CH HQ, we can't say it actually fulfills its promise—but the spicy, musky aroma does have a distinctly human quality that's slightly unpleasant and attractive at the same time. €20 from Vivaeros.

Je Joue
Je Joue the self-described "sensual essential for the iPod generation" was designed by award winning product designer Geoff Hollington with a mission to "bring the aesthetic and technological excellence of the mobile phone and laptop markets to women’s sensual products." Pre-programmed with 10 different digital foreplay "Grooves," the handset includes simple-to-use software—or "PleasureWare"—for composing your own patterns which can later be downloaded directly to the Je Joue's microchip. Grooves can be created on any computer with PleasureWare (which can be downladed from Je Joue's site) and then emailed to your partner. Featuring an innovative Pleasurepad that moves up and down, in a circle or left and right at varying speeds and intensity levels (depending on the Groove you’ve chosen or composed), the Je Joue comes with an included carry pouch for £124.

MasterClass: Sex Toys
For those with questions and concerns about sex toys and their usage Dee McDonald's MasterClass: Sex Toys is a graphic primer for the uninitiated. With photos illustrating answers to all the questions you never had the nerve to ask, McDonald's guide is thorough enough—she scoured the market and test-drove all the toys featured—to be useful for aficionados as well. Available from Atomic Books for $22.

Griffin iKaraoke

by Josh Rubin

Though likely already in the works before the mini-scandal back in April prompted by Apple's corporate form letter reply to a Northern California 3rd-grader who suggested a karaoke feature for iPods, Griffin's upcoming iKaraoke accessory should at least be validating for the young correspondent. Due out this coming Winter, the new microphone-based device plugs directly into iPod's universal dock, transmitting instrumentals and backup vocals (minus lead vocals) to your stereo using an in-line connection or an FM transmitter. With a switch to toggle lead vocals off and on and three levels of reverb—now all you'll need are lyrics.

The Condiment Packet Museum

by Josh Rubin

As a design object, to-go condiment packaging's fussy "tear-here" notches and single-use wastefulness leave a lot to be desired—not to mention our general dislike of condiments themselves. But we do have a soft spot for the cheap pleasure of looking at obsessively-compiled and well-presented inventories of compact consumer goods, like the Condiment Packet Museum. Categorized by condiment and including over 900 different specimens, the curator finds the packets in restaurants, poaches them from other people's kitchens, and welcomes submissions.

via Neatorama

What's Going On?, Part I: Pop Gets Its Groove Back

by Ami Kealoha

With the recent resurgence of old-school hip-hop beats in Top 40 R&B, including this season's new releases from three of the heaviest pop hitters Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera, the trend is undeniable: The breakbeat is back.

Christina's "Ain't No Other Man," Beyoncé's "Suga Mama," and Justin's "Damn Girl," all funkier and dirtier than most mainstream hip-hop, are three examples of this "new" old sound. And speaking of hip-hop (or whatever we are supposed to call this) Sean Combs' attempt to make himself over as The Godfather, James Brown himself on his latest single "Get Off" is a fourth.

Of course hip-hop and funk's influence on bubblegum R&B is nothing new. But this latest wave can be rightfully traced to pop-boundary-pushing producer Rich Harrison (see Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" and Amerie's "One Thing") who singlehandedly put the breakbeat back on the plate on Top 40 radio in recent years.

In the wake of big hits drawing heavily on golden era hip-hop production (remember sampling?) hip-hop innovators and originators like DJ Premier (who produced "Ain't No Other Man") are getting a chance to do what they do best for pop icons. Christina takes these new directions furthest with a double cd whose adventurous disc two includes the symphonic country rock ballad "welcome," the retro jukejoint blues of "I Got Trouble" and more.

Kanye West deserves some of the credit too. He had the vision to sign John Legend who made it okay to do acoustic R&B ballads again, like Justin's rootsy piano ballad "(Another Song) All Over Again," Beyoncé's true-school makeover of Curtis Mayfield's "Think" (borrowing from the Mary J Blige playbook), and Christina singing softly with acoustic guitar sounding downright singer-songwriterish on "Save Me From Myself."

Maybe R&B is for grown folks again.

by DJ Scribe

The Knork

by Letizia Rossi

Combining the performance of a fork and knife in a single utensil The Knork was conceived as a solution for eating pizza but has developed into a versatile tool aiming to revolutionize the dining experience. With an edge sharp enough to cut through many foods—but too dull to cut your mouth—and a finger platform for comfort, the Knork is available in various grades of stainless steel as well as heavy-duty reuseable and disposable plastic. Perfect for picnics and camping, yet classy enough for restaurants or home dining, Knorks can also serve as a great asset to the disabled or for busy mutli-taskers who need a free arm while eating. Starting at $4.50 for a single stainless steel Knork or $1.50 for a set of four in reusable plastic, they are available from Knork or Amazon.

Also on Cool Hunting: Feeding Desire