One of the most exciting things to happen during 2015 was arriving at work one morning and finding a handsome submissive kneeling on the pavement outside the shop. At first, I thought he might be a gift from satisfied customer, but it turned out he was partaking in a photo shoot for Expectations – the gay male sex shop around the corner from us. Nevertheless – it was a joyous start to my morning!
ETO Awards
The ETO Show is the annual, exciting trade event held in Birmingham. The show is a fantastic opportunity to check out new sex toys, meet old friends and perhaps make some new ones too.
The highlight of the show is the ETO Awards, a gala dinner for people working within the adult industry – designers, suppliers and retailers. Having never attended the ETO Awards before, I was excited and a little bit nervous – having been shortlisted for Best Store Manager, I was keen to check out the competition and get a good seat (not necessarily in that order).
As luck – and hard work – would have it, we walked away with two awards that night! Sh! won the award for Most Innovative Brand and I got a shiny award with my name on it! Champagne corks were popped, dancing ensued and a great time was had by all...
Positively UK
My colleague El and I had a wonderful afternoon at Positively UK in Islington towards the end of 2015. We were invited to the women’s group for a themed Saturday afternoon; it was all about pleasure. For anyone believing that a HIV-positive diagnosis is the end-of-all-fun-as-you-know-it has clearly not met this group!
The assembled women threw themselves into it; our talk on female sexual arousal and orgasm was met with laughter, cheers and applause.
Bottles of lube were passed around, vibrators were played with and anal breads were handled curiously. El and I left feeling uplifted and keen on joining the group for more fun afternoons. Thanks for having us, ladies!
The ABC of Sexual Dysfunction Conference
Having been invited to Manchester to attend the ABC of Sexual Dysfunction Conference, I was looking forward to a nice stay in a plush hotel. Looking at available rooms online, my plan of staying in a luxury suite were quickly dashed and I ended up in a budget room at Premier Inn instead.For those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure of a stay at Premier Inn, I’d like it be known that their rooms are not the slightest bit romantic - especially not if you are flying solo. I had a suitcase full of sex toys, but the moss-green walls and basic bed linen played havoc with my mojo and I settled for a zen experience in the flashy shower instead (disco lights - I kid you not). It’s mood lighting, apparently.
The conference itself was an interesting day and without blowing my own trumpet too loudly, I can confidently say I had the best table. (Not hard when you’re competing with erection enhancing tablets and Teena Lady-type products. They have their uses, but exciting they are not!).
Cafe V Nominated for a Sexual Freedom Award
Cafe V is a spin-off of My Body Back Project - a support group for survivors of sexual violence, founded by the amazing Pav Amara. We host Cafe V in collaboration with my Body Back Project, and we were thrilled when we found out that Café V had received a nomination for a Sexual Freedom Award. It wasn’t a win on this occasion (there is always next year…), but it's an honour for Cafe V to have been shortlisted.
We have lots planned for 2016 so keep an eye on our website for Café V updates.
Sexpo UK
Team Sh! took part in the very first Sexpo UK and whilst it was a long, tiring weekend, it was also lots of fun. We spanked some willing bums, we talked about vibrator history and we got a whole room to try ON Arousal Oil on their tongues – a making it a very fizzy afternoon!
So, there we have it – a few of my best bits from 2015. Having written this has really made me look forward to all the fun that’ll (hopefully!) happen in 2016.
Happy New Year to you all!
Renee xx
