For most looking at the history of Ann Summers, there is one main question.

Who is Ann Summers? Not the proprietor, as most people believe, but it was named after the secretary – Annie Summers – of the company founder, Caborn Waterfield.

Anne Summers is a very successful chain of high-street sex shops and online retailer of adult themed products. Sales amounted to over £117 million in results announced in 2008.

But the modern-day Ann Summers owes it philosophy and success to current Chief Executive Officer Jacqueline Gold, who first became involved in 1979.

Ms Gold is the daughter of David Gold, another key player in the Ann Summers business, and it was he who acquired the original four Anne Summers shops in 1972. In 1979, Ms Gold was trying out a management career at Royal Dalton, but knowing that it was not for here, she asked her father to join his company and gain some hands-on experience.

Ms Gold is said to have been a little uncomfortable with the ‘maleness’ of the company when she first arrived, but was astute to see that there was a very viable business if she could develop it her own way. All she needed was the right approach.

And that presented itself when Ms Gold visited a Tupperware style party in 1981. She had the idea that such a party, which attracted an all-female audience and held in a person’s home, could easily sell and promote adult themed products. It was a matter of just swapping the Tupperware, for adult products; the audience was fundamentally the same.

So started the Ann Summers Party Plan which has proved to be very successful as not only a sales distribution outlet, but also as a way of promoting Ann Summers products. They also proved Ms Gold’s credentials when it came to developing the Company. She became CEO in 1987 and has built Ann Summers into an international and hugely successful brand.

It boasts around 140 high-street stores in the U.K., Ireland and Spain, and in 1999 acquired and incorporated the up-market lingerie Knickerbox brand (including five stores) into the Anne Summers portfolio. The Ann Summers Party Plan is still going strong, with the Company making use of some 7,500 party organisers. The Ann Summers website has also proved a great success, offering the brand another lucrative sales outlet.

With its extensive store network, party plan network and online outlet, Anne Summers will continue to be a force to be reckoned with for some years to come.

Tags: Ann Summers, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Lingerie, Sexy Lingerie, Underwear

When it comes to telling the history of Agent Provocateur, the erotic lingerie company, it will be one marked by a fashion team that had a strong philosophy, saw a gap in the market and went for it.

Agent Provocateur likes to shock, with a range of lingerie that is naughty, yet at the same time mainstream. It treads a fine line between what is acceptable and what is over the top for the bulk of the market.

The company believes that a person’s inner passion and desire for intimacy should be indulged, and it’s only when a person explores their inner desires and fantasies, that they can enrich their life. And the range at Agent Provocateur is designed to unlock those inner desires, with a range of lingerie that is both suited for the bedroom, and the boardroom.

It’s a formula which has worked in many respects.

Founded in 1994 by Joseph Corre and his wife Serena Rees, it now employs around 130 people in the U.K. and has a network of shops and concessions numbering 43. It trades in 18 countries which as well as the U.K., includes Bahrain, Dubai, Hong Kong and the U.S.

Ambitious growth plans pencil in a doubling of the number of stores and concessions over the next three years, and it has ear-marked a period of significant investment.

In November 2007 the company was bought for a total of £60 million by private equity group 3i and it continues to forge ahead. Latest figures reveal that it sales figures rose 26% to £21 million in the year to March, 2008.

Founder Joseph Corre is the son of famous British designer Vivienne Westwood and the former manager of Sex Pistols Malcolm McLaren. Corre upset the establishment in June 2007 when he refused to collect his gong (an MBE) for services to the fashion industry awarded in that’s year’s Queen Birthday’s Honours list. He cited outgoing labour prime minister Tony Blair as the reason for his refusal, saying he didn’t agree with the government’s decision to engage Iraq and their erosion of civil liberties.

Agent Provocateur bases a lot of its marketing strategy on controversial advertisements. The one featuring Kylie Minogue in December 2001 was only shown in cinemas due to its raunchy nature. It was then swiftly distributed via the internet as an ‘underground’ clip, demonstrating the power of viral marketing.

Agent Provocateur is a brand popular with many celebrities, including Christina Aguilera, Carmen Electra and Paris Hilton.

Tags: Agent Provocateur, Carmen Electra, Christina Aguilera, erotic lingerie, Joseph Corre, Lingerie, Paris Hilton., Serena Rees, Underwear

For some people, St Valentines Day is all about the prohibition era and two groups of gangsters who fell out about which ones were best suited to exploit illegal drinking.

But rather than call a Board meeting, or organise a management take-over, the South Side Italian gang, led by management guru Al Capone, decided to reinforce their cooperate growth strategy by getting in hired help to gun down key members of the North Side Irish gang, led by chief executive officer “Bugs” Moran.

It’s a management coup that has gone down in history as the St Valentines Day Massacre and infamous not only its violence, but also for its effectiveness.

But for others, maybe of a more academic bent, they will know that much of the day’s notion of romance on the particular day of 14 February comes down to the great writer Geoffrey Chaucer. It was in his circle, in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love became the big thing. But the title of the day, St Valentines, actually comes from a number of early Christian martyrs who were named Valentine.

In the West, St Valentines day marks a day when people swap presents, often of a romantic nature, such as lingerie, flowers and chocolate, to show their love for each other.

And, for men and women, especially men, buying presents such as underwear for their loved one, can be a trial. Women tend to have a better idea as to what their men folk would not only want to wear, but also look good in. Men tend to see underwear for women as an erotic fantasy which they will enjoy, without stopping to think how their partner might feel wearing such garments.

Women also tend to have a better feel for sizing, when it comes to choosing underwear, whereas men will often select something, think yes, that’s about right (thinking back to some previous embrace) and choose it.

So, the tips that follow aren’t really targeted at women who, a round of applause, tend to know what’s what in the underwear department, but for all the men out there who can’t help feeling slightly guilty wandering through the lingerie department in the local department store.

Right men. When choosing underwear to mark the romance of St Valentines day, don’t look for inspiration on those websites whose material would be banned in most countries. Most women love lingerie and even more, love lingerie being bought for them by their partner. And when it’s a token of love on a very special day, it calls for a degree of subtlety that expresses femininity, sensualness and love; not carnal desire. The design and colour should be warm and sexy, a sign of intimacy between two people.

And it should be underwear that can be worn on more than one occasion.

For clues, pay attention to what your partner wears for work, for play and for pleasure. The clues are all there in the wardrobe and knicker draw. On the obvious theory that women buy underwear they want to wear, have a good snoop around and see what turns her on, both from a design point of view, but also colouring. Get either wrong and the romantic gesture might just well backfire as another example of your inability to do anything right. And by the way, don’t get caught prying around in the knicker draw; it could lead to complications.

Also, while you’re absorbing your partner’s style, take a look at the sizes. For some reason your senses might pick up on the numbers and letters 34DD, but the question of picking the right size can be a minefield for the novice.

And finally, if you can’t get access to the current examples of her underwear, have a chat with her mother (careful here, ensure you make clear the reasons for checking on underwear facts), or one of her best friends (but again, caution, don’t leap into some conversation about knicker sizes without explaining the reasons first).

One thing’s for sure though, I bet Geoffrey Chaucer, Al Capone, or Bugs Moran didn’t worry themselves too much about picking the right kind of lingerie.

Tags: Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Lingerie, Sexy Lingerie, St Valentines, St Valentines Day, Underware

How to introduce sex toys into the bedroom requires a bit of thought.

Coming home from work and rushing over to your partner brandishing a foot long piece of vibrating plastic and a tub of jelly, might not be the best opening move, especially as some people have yet to experience the delights of modern sex toys.

Sex toys are designed for the enjoyment of both partners, whether one is giving, or receiving pleasure, or both. But both parties have to be comfortable with their use, whether you’ve known your partner five days, or five years. And they are highly recommended by many sex experts, who believe that they add an extra, exciting dimension to a relationship.

So, here’s some tips if you feel ready enough to experience the joys of sex toys.

Firstly, and this cannot be stressed enough, make sure that both parties are willing participants. Find out if your partner has the same idea as you. Glibly getting the sex toys brochure out over the breakfast cereals is not the way forward. In your more intimate moments, bring up the subject with some degree of subtly. Environment is key here. In the bedroom, the bathroom, occupied with each other, the subject is appropriate. Suggesting it while watching East Enders is inappropriate.

One clever way of introducing the idea is to buy your partner a sex toy as a ‘joke’ present, something that is an adult gift, on a birthday, or Christmas, and one that can be seen as a bit of fun, between consenting adults. Just make sure no relatives, friends, or kids are around when the unwrapping takes place. Adopt the same sensitivity as if you were buying sexy clothes, or handing over a naughty card. And again, pick your moment to hand over the gift. A darkened room, soft music and few glasses of wine can all help to create the ideal mood.

But, if you’re partner throws the sex toy straight in the bin and starts throwing kitchen knives at you, then think again.

Second, start slowly. How about something ‘lite’, such as creams, lotions, or oils? Don’t kick off with the device that delivers multiple orgasms every five minutes and needs to be powered by the national grid. Make it a fun learning curve; start with something that is non-threatening and doesn’t give anyone a complex.

Thirdly, don’t see the sex toy as a way of compensating for a poor relationship. They are there to enhance enjoyment, to add an element of spice into a relationship, but not to address a serious problem. They have to be seen as a bit of fun, a way of adding a twist on certain techniques and pleasures. They must not threaten, or inhibit either partner. And, they must not become addictive. You don’t have to use them all the time. Rushing to the drawer to unleash the one foot monster everytime the moment happens, is not the most sensitive approach.

How to introduce toys into the bedroom is a delicate subject, but if you have patience and take a little care, the rewards could be huge, literally.

Tags: Adult fun, Ann Summers, Sex toys, Sexy Lingerie

There are some key lingerie buying tips that every woman should be aware of.

Firstly, make sure you’re partner has had a recent heart check-up and also make sure you choose your moment. Arriving in the room in full regalia of basque and stockings, and high heels, might be a lot of people’s dreams, but if its just as they’re unwrapping their fish and chips and dying to watch Corrie, then don’t be surprised if you get a non-plussed reaction.

But appreciate your partner’s mood, because if you’re feeling up for it and they are definitely not, then the sense of rejection you might get will kill the moment stone dead, and for a long time as well.

Secondly, enjoy the experience of selecting and acquiring your lingerie. Half the fun is in the preparation. It’s good to appreciate that there’s sexy lingerie, and there’s sexy lingerie. There’s sexy lingerie that any woman might feel good in on a general basis; even to do the weekly supermarket shop. But then there’s the sexy lingerie that is there for a purpose; to trap the target and pull him, or her, into your web. This might not stay on long and be discarded a few minutes into the carnal act, or it might be the backdrop, a sexy aide memoir for both parties.

Now, if we turn to the lingerie that is there for a purpose, to woo your partner, then the best place to buy that is online. Few women, and fewer men, are comfortable striding up to the shop counter and asking for different coloured frilly suspender babydolls. No, the choice can be discreetly made online, and then sent to your home without anyone being the wiser.

You can of course get your partner involved in this part of the process, as flashing through the various options on offer, and how they look when worn, might raise more than a smile.

Which brings us to another tip. Wear something you find sexy, comfortable and alluring; don’t just wear something you think you’re partner might find attractive. If you’re there decked out in a pretty awful version of a Parisian can-can girl, feeling like the Parrot that escaped from the zoo, it’s going to do nothing for your ardour, or ultimately, your partners.

Buy something that makes you feel sexy and worth a million dollars, that feels good on the skin. Sensual silks and satins bring out the best; but watch out for harsh lace, especially in those more sensitive parts of your body, which might rub when the action starts.

And be critical with yourself. Have a quick deckers in the mirror. You know what to show and what to hide; where the emphasis needs to go, or where a few enhancements can be made. If you don’t possess the cleavage of some famous Hollywood movie star, and why should you, then its amazing what you can buy that will push you up and out. Also think about the colours. Blondes can get away with black tones and pastel colours; brunettes can go for red, purples and other strong colours; and redheads, they can exploit bright colours, as well as earthier tones.

Final tip, make sure you get your size right. You can always get down to the shops and get professionally measured for your day-to-day wear, but use those measurements when ordering the goodies.

So, when the mood hits you, don’t forget the lingerie buying tips that every woman should be aware of.

Tags: Adult Gifts, Ann Summers, Lingerie, Sexy Lingerie

Planning sex without losing the spontaneity is worth the effort.

Sex is great when spontaneous, especially if you have no worries or responsibilities in life, but when you get to that stage, they might also be emptying a bag at the side of your bed and wiping the drool of your chin.

So, for most people, there’s a lot of stress and a lot of other commitments that get in the way of foreplay: an ever-increasing workload, mounting bills and demanding kids are all things that are designed to kick the whatisname out of your libido.

Right, so what can you do? Over-plan a sexual encounter and you kill the moment, simple. It’s not all about soft lighting, mood music and a condom on the bedside table.

Having good sex is about creating the mood, but the best bit of advice is to create a long enough time period for the mood to develop.

Rushing upstairs with the announcement that the kids have gone next door, most of the office is at lunch and your sure you know where the Batman and Robin outfits are, and you can spare three minutes 30 seconds before the mother-in-law arrives for the weekend, is hardly going to entice your tired partner whose sexual urges left home about three weeks previously.

Plan for a window of opportunity long enough so that spontaneity can develop naturally and doesn’t become forced.

If you have kids, then seriously consider offloading them with the grandparents and get a cheap break at a hotel, even if its just down the road. Bear in mind that the home reminds people of their pressured life. Home is where the telephone rings, the dogs bark, the kids run riot and the neighbours argue about the bins.

A hotel room might not be a Parisian bordello, but it represents privacy (unless of course you prefer the blinds open and the local residents getting an eyeful). But you get the point. Hotel rooms are neutral territory. No-one can disturb you. And hotel rooms have an atmosphere of illicit affairs, of dubious goings on, which will add a certain excitement. Things can be allowed to develop. Book a business-orientated hotel on a Saturday night and you’ll get a great rate.

Get there early and have a day together. Lunch, a movie, an intimate table for two in a romantic Italian eatery, and back to the room for a long, hot bath, a few glasses of champagne and some of your favourite chocolates. And make sure you tease aplenty – don’t just jump into bed. Build the moment, the anticipation. And once you can’t wait any longer, treat yourself to one of those films that require a payment – then sit back and learn a few tips. If nothing spontaneous happens then, perhaps it never will.

And in the morning, once you’re over the night before, you might well rise to the occasion again. Sleep in late, order breakfast and see if you’ve recovered enough to test the positions from the previous night’s movie.

Planning sex without losing the spontaneity; just give it time.

Tags: Adult Gifts, Adult Toys, Sex

Sourced From http://www.adult-lingerie-store.co.uk/

Global warming is touching us all and the ways to combat it are numerous. Now, thanks to innovative thinking at Ann Summers, women can enjoy world-shaking orgasms without shaking the future of the world.

IntraMedTM

IntraMedTM is a medial grade material used to make many top sellers from Ann Summers, including the Rock Chick. This soft, sexy material is also 100% recyclable meaning that it works to combat global warming with reduced carbon emissions.

IntraMedTM is also completely phthalate free. Phthalates are plasticizers that help increase the flexibility of materials. There is concern that over-exposure to phthaltes can have a hormonal effect on the person, including liver and teste damage.

Green Sex

It is not surprising that the green movement is starting to take on sex as well. In face, what is surprising is how long it has taken. In addition to purchasing toys made with IntraMedTM here are some other ways that you can environmentalise your sex life…

1. Purchase high quality sex toys such as those available from Ann Summers. High quality items last longer and limit the number of products manufactured. By buying items that will not have to be replaced frequently, you are reducing the carbon footprint you create.
2. Purchase toys from reputable companies like Ann Summers. Large corporations are accountable to their shareholder and their customers. They are always looking for ways to meet your needs, including your desire for environmental sustainability.
3. Purchase organic products such as lubes and massage oils whenever possible. Not only are these products healthier for you and your partner, they are also friendlier for the environment.
4. Ask questions and make requests. You are a valued customer and your input is important. Talk to representatives from companies you support and ask them questions about ways they are going green.

Even the dirtiest sex can be clean for the environment. With a little research and a conscious mind you can keep things green while you are spicing it up in the bedroom.

Tags: Adult Gifts, Adult Toys, Ann Summers, Environmentally Friendly, Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!), Orgasms

Sourced from http://www.adult-lingerie-store.co.uk/

Sex toys are an exciting and enticing way to spice up your love life and experience your sexuality either with a partner or on your own. As the demand for such products grows, manufacturers and retailers are responding with a staggering variety of products.

Do you know the difference between a vibrator and a dildo? Have you ever heard of a cock ring before?

This article will explain the what and how of sex toy names, plus offer a little guidance on which toys are right for you.

Vibrators and Dildos

There are two main types of vibrator for you to choose from. The first is the hard shell vibe, which is firm and provides a very powerful vibration. The other is the soft shell vibe, which is softer and quieter than the hard shell.

After this initial distinction, there are hundreds of directions that vibrators can take with variations on size, accessories, and speeds. Some vibrators do as the name implies and vibrate, while others undulate in more of wave-making motion.

One of the most popular features for a vibrator is a clitoris stimulator. A clitoris stimulator nuzzles the clitoris with stimulating vibrations. Similar features also offer G-spot and anal stimulation.

What is the difference between a vibrator and a dildo? A dildo is always designed for insertion, but does not necessarily vibrate. A vibrator always vibrates, but is not necessarily designed for insertion.

Bullets

Unlike vibrators that can be inserted, bullets are small vibrating toys that can be used externally and on openings for stimulation. These flexible toys often feature a variety of speeds and are popular for stimulating the vagina, clitoris, anus, testicles, and nipples.

Cock Ring

As the name implies a cock ring is designed to fit snugly around a man’s penis. This toy’s primary function is to aid nature in restricting blood flow away from the penis, thus keeping the erection harder.

Additional features of cock rings can include ball rings, vibration, and clitoris stimulation. Cock rings are also available in a wide variety of materials with features such as nubs and nodules designed for the enjoyment of you both.

Honey Pot

A sex toy designed specifically for him, the honey pot is an insertion sex toy that simulates vaginal intercourse. The penis is inserted into a soft love canal and this toy can include features such as vibration.

Butt Plug

Specially designed for anal insertion, butt plus feature a tapered shape and flat blocking bottom. It is important in anal play that only toys specifically designed toys are inserted into the anus – toys without the safety bottom can become lodged.

Butt plugs are designed to stimulate the anus and also enhance vaginal intercourse. Butt plugs come in a variety of sizes and feature different textures and vibrations.

Anal Beads

Anal beads are a secure string of beads that are inserted into the anus. At the end of the string is a safety bottom to ensure that the beads do not become lodged and that they are easy to remove. Anal beads are designed to stimulate during both their insertion and removal.

Strap On

Strap on dildos are a popular toy for both straight and same sex couples. Allowing women to take the drivers seat, strap on dildos offer a variety of sex toy features including a range of sizes and vibrations for both the giver and receiver.

Tags: Adult Gifts, Adult Toys, Ann Summers, Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!)

Sourced from http://www.adult-lingerie-store.co.uk/

Ann Summers offers a 100% guarantee on all of their products, with freepost return and no quibble refund. Therefore, you don’t have to worry if you purchase the wrong fit – Ann Summers will make sure you get the piece of lingerie that fits like a dream. But who wants to wait for a return? When it comes to great sexy lingerie, you want to pull it on and feel confident as it flows over the contours of your curves. So, this article will explain how to measure yourself for the perfect fit every time.

Measuring for a Bra

Sales clerks in lingerie stores estimate that well over half of women today are walking around in the wrong size of bra. If your bras tend to create bulges on the top or side, if they rise or fall as you move, if they leave red marks on your shoulders, or if the straps keep slipping then you are wearing a miss-sized brazier.

Finding your actual size is fairly easy and requires only a soft tape measure and a little basic math.

First, strip down to your birthday suit and measure the circumference of your rib cage just below your breasts. Be careful that the tape measure remains level all the way around, since it can have a tendency to slip down in the back.

Take this measurement and add either 4 or 5 in order to obtain an even number. For example, if you’re measurement is 30, you will add 4 and come up with 34. If your measurement is 33 you will add 5 and come up with 38. This is your band size.

Next, wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your breasts. On most people, this is across the nipple, but just to be sure, evaluate yourself by looking at your profile in the mirror.

To obtain your cup size, subtract your band size from your bust size. If the resulting number is zero you are an A cup, if the number is one you are a B cup, 2s wear a C, 3s wear a D, and 4s wear a DD.

Take your band size (number) and cup size (letter) and start shopping that perfect 34A, 32C, or whatever size you need!

Measuring for a corset or basque

In addition to your bra size you will also need to know your waist and, depending on the length, your hips. The best guideline for where to measure is to look in a mirror and determine where the narrowest part is for the waist and fullest part for the hips.

Of course, all bodies are different. For most people the natural waist occurs in line with, or just above, the naval. You will also find that the hips are usually found about 8 inches below the natural waist. His hip measurement is the same one you will use when determining your size to purchase lingerie bottoms. After locating these areas, use your soft tape measure to take the measurement.

Tags: Adult Gifts, Adult Toys, Ann Summers, Gifts, Gifts For Others (And Yourself!)