Cheap Thrills: The Best of the 'Everything to Do With Sex' Show

I had always heard that what went on at Toronto's Everything to Do with Sex Show was the stuff of legend.

It was there that convention goers saw the latest and greatest innovations in getting off and learned the newest techniques in love making. I was under the impression that the trade show was the Canadian equivalent of the world famous Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas.

When I finally made the trip last November, I was surprised that there was nothing there I hadn't seen before. Much of what was available on the showroom floor were the same sex toys, bondage gear and guide books that you can find in any neighbourhood sex shop. Still, maybe that's a good thing.

One person's blasé is another person's bow chicka wow wow and with Valentine's Day coming up, most would rather keep their hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times anyway. With that in mind, we've put together a list of the sexiest products I found for small money on the showroom floor at the Everything to Do with Sex Show.
Good for Her Workshops - Good for Her is a Toronto sex shop aimed at providing a comfortable place for women to buy and talk about sexual products without feeling awkward or uncomfortable. The store has sat on Harbord St. for 13 years since founder Carlyle Jansen gave a sextoys seminar at her sister's bridal shower. Now they offer a wide range of products, buying guides, so you know what you're getting and workshops, so you know how to use them. Valentines can be the perfect time to expand your sexual horizons. Workshops and seminars are running at the store all year with topics like, "Spicing It Up: Hot Sexy and Sustainable or "The Sophisticated HandJob" for only $33. Plus, entering coupon code "SEXSHOW10W" before April 30th gets you $5 off. Book at the store or online.

Safer Sex Lube - Canadian company Triesco creates lubrication products for the medical community, but their self-professed crowning acheivment is their Safer Sex Lubricant. Supplied to AIDS organizations across North America, Safer Sex Lube combines distilled water, glycerine and other natural compounds to create a lube that does not break down latex, is naturally sweet and edible, does not leave a sticky residue and contains ingridents that are naturally broken down by the body. A 2 oz. bottle can be purchased for $9.00 and a 4 oz. bottle can be bought for $15.50. At the moment, the 2 oz. bottle is also being offered as a free sample.

Aslan Leather - If you are one of those couples looking to dip your toe in the bondage and S&M world, Carrie Gray's Aslan Leather would be a good place to start. The harnesses are designed with the contours of a woman in mind and the leather is hand picked by Gray herself from the finest hides available. The rubber is the strongest grade, the vinyl is premium, the hardware is nickle plated and the welds are the most secure of their kind. Gray also conducts seminars on the safe use of her products and if something breaks, you can send it back for repair or replacement free of charge. Aslan even carries vegan products that are completely animal free. Gray will even create custom pieces for couples if you can dream it up, but the best feature of Aslan gear is the price. Often, getting into the fetish scene at any level can cost big money, so for those who just want to experiment, inexpensive quality products are a relief. Whips, floggers and paddles start at between $35-$40.