My Lelo Lily
[ 12 February 2008 ]
The other day, one of my wishes came true: I was the incredibly fortunate recipient of a Lelo Lily. I recently made the acquaintance of Liz from Madame Rouge, & she asked if I’d like anything from her shop. Since I have had my eye on the Lelo Lily for a while, I mentioned it, & within two days, it had arrived at my door. The glee was overwhelming; I couldn’t believe I owned something so fabulous!
I really think that if you’re a woman over the age of 18 & you’ve never been into a dark sex shop, browsed an upscale erotic boutique or looked at toys online, you are missing out! Pleasure objects are a staple of every stylish girl’s bedroom, & there is a huge variety available for all tastes, budgets & inclinations.
However, having said this, there is one thing upon which is generally agreed: Lelo of Sweden make truly top-shelf, fabulous, unsurpassed toys. In fact, Lelo are such an elegant company that they call their products “luxury erotic lifestyle objects”. I tend to think of them more as beautiful pleasure artifacts.
So, what is the Lelo Lily? It’s a delicate, light & deliciously-shaped device that fits easily in the palm of your hand. They named it Lily because it is the shape of curved petal (all together now: “Awwww!”). While it looks like it could exist quite happily in a Takashi Murakami exhibition, thankfully there is more to the Lily than just appearances. Its silky exterior hides a powerful — & yet somehow, whisper-quiet — motor, as well as beautiful functionality & up to 7 hours of continuous playtime! Who says you can’t mix style & substance?
The Lily, Nea & Yva are all the same brilliant design, just with different finishes (& consequently, price-points). The Nea (US$110) feels like porcelain, the Lily (US$140) is silky-smooth & the Yva (US$1600)... well, the Yva is hand-crafted from either stainless steel or 18K gold plate. You can choose your own level of luxury!
The packaging is sublime, too. I know it sounds weird to say that, but I get a huge kick out of really good packaging. The packaging of the Lelo Lily is on par with any packaging by Apple — beautifully-made boxes, perfect little plastic containers & clear slip-covers. As soon as you see the box, you know, without a doubt, that there is going to be something magnificent inside.
While the Lily might look like a pansy, it’s anything but. With vibrations ranging from a subtle fizz to a tumultuous tickle, it’s sure to thrill even the most exacting vixen. It’s also multi-use. While you can use it alone (swaddled in Egyptian cotton sheets, no doubt!), the design is such that you can easily slip it between you & your partner for hands-free orgasms during intercourse. BRAVO! Applause! Thunderous roar from the congregation!
Lelo have really thought about the design of this product. For example, you can easily ‘lock’ the Lily so that you won’t have one of these moments! You can control the level of vibration by using one of two little square buttons — they are perfectly positioned for your thumb & light up when touched. There are many different levels of intensity, which is fantastic. So often it’s either all or nothing! The Lily charges easily & quickly, too — from whoah to go in 2 hours. & it comes with a multi-purpose power point, with three different plugs so that you can use it anywhere you travel. The perfect item for the jetsetting fashionista, n’est-ce pas?
The Lily even has a little home. In the box, you’ll find a black satin bag for safe-keeping — this will help protect it from dust & any other toys you might have. (Sometimes the colouring on cheap latex or rubber can bleed — & marring the surface of a Lily would be pure sacrilege!)
At US$140, the Lily is definitely a high-end treat for the working girl. But when you think about what we spend on shoes, make-up & haircuts, it makes sense to spend a little money on private pleasure too!
Carrie: I just can’t believe she opened your goodie drawer. I mean, everybody knows the nightstand is private.
Charlotte: What do you have in there?
Miranda: You know, the usual. Condoms, vibrator.
Carrie: Massage oil, cigarettes.
Samantha: Nipple clamps.
Carrie: Really?
Samantha: Not for me; for them!
Charlotte: That’s freakish.
Miranda: What’s in your goodie drawer? Robert’s Rules of Order?
Charlotte: I don’t have a goodie drawer.
Carrie: Oh, everybody has a goodie drawer.
Samantha: I have a goodie closet!
When it comes to luxury products, it’s all the little details that make the difference. Take the last page of the Lily manual, for example. It says,
“The clitoris is the only feature of the human anatomy whose sole function is to convey messages of sensual pleasure. Use it wisely, often & with care.”
Truer words were never spoken.
Love letters & feather headdresses,
Tags: consumption,
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drool! if i only had $140 spare…
tee hee!
this article makes me giggle like a schoolgirl.. love the quote about a goodie drawer/closet!
& so topical for me right now..
getting out of a long term relationship I feel a big phase of sexual freedom & empowerment coming on and a ‘beautiful pleasure artifact’ sounds like the logical next step…when I get the guts..think online shopping may be the go!
thanks gala for another honest, useful and great article!
xxoo
P.S. since it worked for you…hey universe: where’s my free lelo lily?? please.. :D
Ooohh, sweet. I’ve been looking into some stuff lately, this was a great review :D
I think it’s especially excellent that you not only publicized your wish for the Lily but also that you wrote up this lovely article. I think there’s so much shame associated with female sexuality, and that’s just nonsense. Enjoy yourselves, ladies! Don’t be embarrassed! Your body is a gift.
I’ve been looking to replace my blueberry buzz, have you seen the sasi? If only I could afford it…
It sounds sublime.
I would be far too embarrassed to purchase such a thing though!
I plan to [hopefully] buy my best friend something similar to this for her birthday this year and hope that she returns the favour =P
I’m just tickled as hell that you wrote a sex toy review without being either coy or embarassed. Thank you!
cookie — Yay! Good for you. I think that lots of personal experimentation after a relationship ends is a really important thing to do. Plus, you’re taking matters into your own hands… er, so to speak ;D I hope you take the plunge & get a Lelo, they are so delightful.
telis — Glad you liked it, kitten! I agree with you wholeheartedly. & so many people are intimidated by a woman who buys sex toys or watches porn or is at all forthright about her sexuality! It’s all incredibly silly to me.
McCall — I just looked it up, looks pretty awesome! I like that it’s customisable. But it doesn’t seem to have any super-special features or anything; why do you want one so much? Am I missing something?!
Claire — Aw, don’t be embarrassed! & if you can’t avoid it, buy online! Then no one will ever know :> It is the ultimate “I am an amazing woman & here’s how I can prove it” gift to yourself!
Nurse Jo — Hee! Well, thank you. Life is too short for being embarrassed about who you are… !
You quoted US$ but I think it may be AU$... or have I just looked at the wrong thing?
Great article, I know sooo many girls that want to give it a go but don’t want to go near a sex shop. I don’t blame them! Now they can browse for as long as they want without constantly looking over their shoulder, and order online. Perfect!
Missy — I gave the price in US$ because I have so many American readers :> But the website also lists it in AU$, Euros etc.!
I think shopping online is definately more for me – our local sex shop is more seedy than most, even to the point where you see guys getting escorted out for trying to do their thing under a trench coat inside the shop. yuck.
There is another upside to female masturbation – it gives you fabulous, fabulous abs if your the kind of girl like me, who tenses up in a crunch position!!
Song — Oh yes, I’m in total agreement! I think multiple orgasms are the best way to tone your stomach! & ick re: your local sex shop. That is unpleasant. Boutiques that cater specifically to women are so much more pleasant.
Gala you are such a legend, I just read this at work and everyone could see me grinning, ha ha I think I’m going to treat myself to one they look wicked!! Xxxxx
Oh my God I have wanted one of these since I saw the gold and stainless steel ones! Unfortunately, unless I snag one of the rich German businessmen my friends and I always joke about, they’re a bit out of my price range right now. I really like black shiny porcelain-ish one: it looks so futuristic and sci-fi! Totally geek-chic ;)
I remember seeing a documentary sometime ago about a chain of sex stores that were opened specifically with women in mind. The inside looks just like a normal store, a lingerie shop or whatever- it’s cheery and roomy and with decent lighting (none of this seedy dark corners business!). They mostly employ women and on the show they all seemed to be extremely frank, helpful and happy. Wish I could remember the name! I’ve never been into a sex store … I can’t muster up the courage! I like the idea of this toy though. Maybe I shall lok into online ordering …
Thanks for writing such an honest and down to earth article Gala!
xx
Hahaha, when I started reading this I immediately thought of that episode of SATC. I’d be totally creeped out if that happened to me & suddenly a statue of the Virgin Mary showed up in my drawer.
The Lelo Lily sounds absolutely fabulous. I wish I had that much to spend; perhaps I shall save!
Ohhhh, I remember seeing these a while back and was seriously tempted.
I’ve just started rejigging my life (new boyfriend, new attitude, new specs!) so I might have to invest :D
The only thing you didn’t say is if it’s as… efficient as it’s pretty. I assume it is?
Hannah — Haha, awesome :D
Elizabeth — Did you ever see those sex toys with religious figures on them?! http://www.divine-interventions.com Scary!
Héloïse — Haha! Oops. Yes, it’s efficient! The Lily definitely lends itself to fast & extremely intense orgasms. :>
MJ- The place you mention sounds like it might be where I went for my first vibrator a few weeks ago. The store is called Good Vibrations, and there’s one right outside of Boston and I think a few in San Francisco. Female friendly, all the employees there when I was there were women, and very very helpful. It was a fun place!
Yeah, that was it! I didn’t realise they were an American chain. Boo! I accidentally walked into the seediest sex shop in the whole word yesterday, I thought I was walking into a second hand books store. Ew. Lol.
i couldn’t believe how scared i originally was of going into somewhere like DVice, but they are really helpful & friendly & sweet!
The goodies made by Fun Factory are really great too, only a little cheaper than the Lelo but high-end materials, easy to use & lots of fun so treat yourselves girls! You won’t regret it ;P
1 year warranty on a sex toy?
That in itself tells me very good things!!!
Goodness me. Looks like I need to save up. I’ve been wanting to get something that works and lasts instead of the usual stuff I buy that burns out within a few short, happy months.
I’ve noticed the best way to set myself up for a happy day is a morning orgasm. The best way for a good night’s sleep is a nighttime orgasm!
I think happiness and healthiness is WELL worth the $159 AUD
Thanks for a great review and for reminding us girls of one of the really important ways in which we need to look after ourselves!
Yes yes but buying online tends to be somewhat of an issue also – I live at home with my parents and I am sure they would be just a bit curious to know what kind of mysterious packages I was receiving in the mail!
I crave the day that I finally leave home [and have a credit card!] Hehe.
Well, just ordered myself a Lelo Neo – I actually like the look of its finish better! Shiny… hur hur hur…
Also, I’m surprised by how many people are embarrassed to walk into sex stores – it’s really not bad at all! Everyone in the store is there for the same reason and I LOVE going up to the shop assistants and asking them to explain how things work and to recommend good porn for girls!
Eh heh.
I second Natasja about Fun Factory.
If you’re looking for something like the Lelo with a lower pricepoint, check out the Layaspot ($40 and totally worth it).
bbbbbbbzzzzzzzzz…......mmmmmmmmm….hehehehe ;) reading this made me feel mmmmhhhh totally “hot” for some action in the office. I wish I had one in my handbag right now. wooo hooo!
This sounded so good, I just went to my local sex shop & ordered a purple one in! Yay, perfect for Valentines Day!
i am far to shy for anything to do with the bed room, but yesterday i brought one of these, while my boyfriend had to pick him self off the floor as it was such a bold move from me.
I’m 18 next month and I’m so entertained by the thought of being seen as old enough and mature enough to legally enter a sex store.
Congratulations on writing a non- sleazy sex toy review, also!
xx
I loved my Lelo Lily. At first it seemed like a great idea to have a toy that doesn’t need batteries – until it inexplicably dies on you! I have one of the little Fun Factory ones now – and a bulk order of batteries!
I’m all for toys and fun and experimentation. Don’t be shy about going into a sex shop, everyone is in there for the same reasons you are! Of course online ordering is always possible; but I find shops better for being able to ‘try’ the merchandise as in feel them , see what the vibrations are like, etc.
I just recently went to the Naughty But Nice Sex Show: (http://www.canwestshows.com/sexshow/)
here in Vancouver. All sorts of booths featuring all kinds of toys, fetish gear and fun stuff. I ended up buying a remote control vibe(fun!), some bondage rope…and a few other things. The next thing I would like to purchase would be a lovely glass dildo.
That SATC episode is my favorite. Its the one that got me hooked. Mainly because not just did the maid empty the drawer, she put a Jesus figurine in instead.
The Laya Spot by Fun Factory is similarly cute, and it’s amazing. Best part, it’s a bit cheaper but it’s still good quality.
Oh, new toys! That’s an excellent review for a charming little object.
My boyfriend took me to Babeland in Manhattan on Friday to help me buy my first vibrator. I don’t know how I managed to get to 26 and have the long and sordid history I do without having ever owned a toy of my own. I guess it helps that he’s the only guy I’ve been in a LTR with that wasn’t horribly (and unfoundedly -if that’s a word) intimidated by vibrators. The whole experience was so good, the staff was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and he and I bonded over giggling about some of the stranger, sillier things, and plotting future possibilities.
We both spent quite a bit, but we finally have a goodie drawer now, and it’s rad!
Hmmm… this is all very fascinating Gala.
I have a fetish for gorgeous packaging too!
Possibly a great travel friend for my jounrney to London? hee hee!
im so pleased you added in the fight club clip;
oh how i wish i had the money to buy a tiny little pretty petel like that of my own.
I am proud to announce my very own Lelo Lili just arrived!
After reading your article I was deeply intrigued by the idea of a pleasure object which is beautifully seductive in design and inoffensive in shape.
I spoke to my lovely fiance about it, basically letting him know that when I had saved up enough there was going to be a new addition to our household.
To my surprise not ten minutes later he came bounding over to me to let me know my very own Lelo Lili was on its way.
What a wonderful man. What a wonderful product!
After reading this review and doing some more research, I waxed poetic about this gem (I prefer the Nea’s finish, though).
I suppose it’s lucky that he waited two months (it’s sort of a tradition
grins) to buy me a birthday present, because not only did he buy me a gorgeous black Nea, he also charged it before giving to me.Does that not say “love”? =D
Great article!
lovely to see that you’re so pleased with your lily,
I just ordered me one yesterday, I’m definatley exited to get it home and to try it myself! :D
I see I could have bought it in pink, but i bought the black one, The pink actually looks sweet in these photos.
Is it waterproof?? I havent found an article where it stands that its waterproof, could it be used in the shower etc?
friendly greetings from Norway :)