Willamette Week | Gift Guide 3

sin care
BY CHRISTINA MELANDER

Reading in Bed
Give your favorite bed partner a bundle of sexy reading material whether or not s/he has expressed an interest in smut. Two new books offer a brilliant mix of raunch and enlightenment: Penthouse Uncensored ($14.95, Time-Warner) and Full Frontal Fiction: The Best of Nerve.com ($14, Three Rivers Press). Finally, throw in Aqua Erotica: 18 Stories for a Steamy Bath ($14.95, Three Rivers Press). This unusual paperback is waterproof, offering some obvious benefits--be it a sexy submersion scene in a pool or a case of female ejaculation on a houseboat (Powell's, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651).

Hurts So Good
You don't have to be into S&M to appreciate a solid smack on the ass. While cat-o-nine tails and various clamps may seem much better suited to the medieval torture chambers, a simple paddle ($51, Spartacus Leather & Lingerie, 302 SW 12th Ave., 224-2604) will suffice for the boudoir. The plain black leather accessory (sleek! sophisticated! painful!) is smooth and firm; and it makes a pleasing thwack sound when applied appropriately...or inappropriately.

Not-So-Wailing Wall
I always thought those table-top "meditation" fountains were unattractive, not classy enough for the home. Yet during a recent stay at dad's, my disdain was erased by the continuous tinkle from one such fountain in the dining room. They may never grace the pages of Wallpaper, but they do exert a soothing effect. Best bet: the mini water wall ($68, Discovery Channel Store, 700 SW 5th Ave., 222-0015). It's small, discreet and vaguely Frank Lloyd Wright-ish.

Like to Watch?
Not all pornographic movies are super-trashy, super-fake and super-degrading; only the best ones are. The trick is finding something smart and pretty enough to tickle you or your partner's fancy. Andrew Blake's videos feature very attractive women in beautiful settings getting it on with each other much of the time. He is highly acclaimed for Hidden Obsessions, the Night Trips series and House of Dreams. (All videos are available for sale, about $44.95-$49.95, at Fantasy For Adults Only, 3137 NE Sandy Blvd., 239-6969, various locations.)

Better than Bearskin
A sheepskin rug ($69, Sheepskin of Oregon, 1218 NW Glisan St., 242-0079; 3899 SW Hall Blvd., 644-1826) may not seem sinful--until you have sex on one. White as virgin snow, these luscious floor coverings are crying out for naked tumbling. This sheepish store has all the skin to suit your needs. There's car seat covers, slippers, mini-rugs for baby, and sheepskin dyed in different colors, cut in various sizes. The best bet for your money is the classic white, fluffy, one-sheep size mat. Let the good times roll.