I was hired at the shop to cover for Aimee while she took her 5 week extended vacation/adventure overseas. There has certainly been a huge learning curve for me in getting to know about products and becoming more informed through seminars held at the shop.

Although I am now more comfortable and knowlegdeable I have also come to realize that I still have a lot to learn! It has been a great experience for me and I was happy to find out this month that Vera and John have decided to keep me on part-time, allowing me to grow and learn further.

I really just wanted to extend my thanks to the whole team at the shop for making me feel welcome. I look forward to being here in the New Year and continuing to be a part of the team.

See you soon!

Candice.

I’d like to take some time to address all the customers and potential customers out there about feeling awkward when coming into the shop.

A large portion of our clientele we see in The Art of Loving are very comfortable coming in, purchasing whatever they need and asking any questions that they have. I have to say, I love these people! I don’t think that they feel any different when they’re shopping at Safeway or London Drugs.

I never know what to expect when I tell people that I’m working at “The Art of Loving”.

When you first meet someone one of the ice breaker questions is usually; “So, what do you do for work?” Most people don’t really care but feel obliged to feign some interest to keep the conversation going.

Since starting here at the shop a couple of months ago, I’ve certainly had to think about whether or not I should be direct or discreet when answering that question.

A personal message to any males out there who may happen to check in on this blog from time to time…There is absolutely nothing wrong with a little bit of “manscaping” here and there.
A lot of women spend copious amounts of time and money on hair, make-up, toning up, slimming down, dressing up, waxing, shaving, trimming, you name it. Yes, sometimes it’s for ourselves or to look good when we’re out with the girls but we spend a lot of time and effort looking our best to many a man’s benefit.
So, all I’m asking is for the males out there to make a tenth of the effort in keeping yourselves up (down there). I’m not talking about a full on make-over, waxed into the shape of a heart or your lover’s initials. A simple trim once in a while will do! Not too much to ask I think?

As I've mentioned before we have quite an extensive library in the store, much bigger and more diverse than any other sex shop I've been to. 

So I'd like to make my first reccommendation for a great read.  It is Marshall B. Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communication", a language of life.

I was first exposed to "Nonviolent Communication" or "NVC" during a personal development and career exploration course I took earlier this year. 

Over the last few days I have read about and had several discussions with people over the recent article published in the Vancouver “Province” newspaper regarding the mother who felt she was discriminated against for having been refused entry to a Bard on the Beach show with her young baby. She felt that she was wronged and refused admission due to the fact that she is breastfeeding.

Having recently joined the team here at the store I feel the need to express my excitement. Being the curious rabbit that I am, it’s very stimulating to be in the store and learn about all of the products, toys and such. Not only is it fun but there is so much to learn. In addition to the vast array of grown up toys here we also have quite an extensive library! I’ve yet to decide which book will be my first purchase as there is so much to choose from. I am looking forward to making some recommendations once I am able to!

The last two years of my life have been the most unexpectedly revealing, awkward and perhaps challenging. I have had a painful break-up (of a 9 year relationship), new beginnings and a lot of self-discovery.

There have been awkward dates, bad dates, really bad dates, excitement, disappointment, tears, self-pity, soul-searching, new adventures, and lots of laughter as well. I try to stay positive and not get too wrapped up in thinking about the past and the future but sometimes it’s a challenge.

Sitting with 2 of my oldest girlfriends yesterday we were chatting over our different realities, me still single at 36, one of them a single parent of two teenage girls, and the other married, also with a teenage daughter.