Built for two, felt by both. This week's edit is for the both of you.

The xdipx Notebook

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Things worth knowing. Things worth trying. Things Emma dug up so you don't have to.

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AllCare and StorageComparisonsFor the BeginnersGuidesPodcast NotesReal TalkWellness BasicsGlossarySearch
Sliquid Shine organic toy cleaner spray bottle standing on a sunlit counter in warm coral daylight, ready for a quick clean after every use
Real Talk7 min

Why Does My Sex Toy Smell, and How Do I Fix It?

A sex toy that smells is almost always about how it was cleaned and stored, not about you. Here is what the smell is telling you, how to fix it for your toy's material, and when a toy is simply time to replace.

EmmaJul 24
The 100 Questions About Sex conversation card game, its box standing upright with a few cards fanned beside it in warm daylight on a plain paper surface.
Podcast Notes5 min

What Is a "Sexual History," and How Does Knowing Yours Improve Your Sex Life?

A sex therapist's podcast makes the case that self-knowledge comes before any fix. Here is what episode 541 gets right about mapping your own sexual history, where it needs a caveat, and the honest tools that help you have the conversation.

EmmaJul 23
Sliquid Naturals H2O water-based lubricant standing boldly against a soft coral backdrop, the water-based pick in a water-versus-silicone-versus-hybrid lube comparison.
Guides6 min

How Do You Choose the Right Lube for You?

A friendly guide to choosing lube by feel and body: what sets water-based, silicone, and hybrid apart, which one suits your skin, your toys, and your partner, and how to read the label with confidence.

EmmaJul 22
We-Vibe Tango X cherry bullet vibrator standing upright in warm daylight on a white surface, a simple beginner-friendly pick for easing first-toy overwhelm
Real Talk5 min

Why Does Buying Your First Sex Toy Feel So Overwhelming?

Too many options, no vocabulary, and a cart you never finish. Here is why the first sex toy is the hardest one to choose, and the small, honest way to start.

EmmaJul 21
Sliquid Naturals H2O water-based lubricant bottle standing upright in warm golden daylight, the post's recommended pick for pairing lube with sex toys
Guides5 min

What Lube Should You Use With Your Sex Toys?

The safest all-around answer is water-based lube. It works with every toy material and every condom. Silicone lasts longer but can damage silicone toys, and oil-based belongs nowhere near latex. Here is how to match lube to what you own.

EmmaJul 20
A pastel-pink Playground Free Love water-based lubricant bottle standing tall and bold on a bright plum-tinted studio backdrop, its label facing forward.
Comparisons7 min

Silicone vs Water-Based Lube: Which Should You Use?

Water-based lube is the everyday default that plays nicely with every toy and condom. Silicone lasts longer and shines in the shower. Here is how to pick, and the one pairing to avoid.

EmmaJul 19
A bottle of JO H2O Original water-based lubricant standing upright in warm daylight on white paper with soft sage-green leaf sprigs and water droplets nearby, evoking gentle cleaning and safe care for silicone toys.
Care and Storage5 min

How Do You Care for Silicone Toys?

Silicone toys are simple to look after once you know two things: how to clean them and which lube is safe to pair with them. A plain guide to washing, storage, and compatibility.

EmmaJul 18
A cherry-red We-Vibe Tango X bullet vibrator held in a hand against warm coral bedside linens.
Real Talk7 min

What Do You Do When Your Sex Drives Don't Match?

Wanting sex more or less often than your partner is one of the most common things couples ask about, and it rarely means you are mismatched. Here is what usually drives the gap, and what genuinely helps close it.

EmmaJul 17
A black Womanizer Enhance clitoral stimulator standing on a warm sunlit surface as a hand reaches toward it.
Podcast Notes5 min

How Do You Get Out of Your Head During Sex?

A recent Sexology Podcast episode reframes male performance anxiety as a shift from performing to connecting. Here is what it gets right, where it needs a caveat, and the body-safe picks that fit.

EmmaJul 16
A single curved silicone vibrator with an upward-hooked tip, standing on a bright coral background.
Guides4 min

How Do You Choose a G-Spot Vibrator?

Choosing a G-spot vibrator comes down to the curve, the firmness, and how the motor feels once it arrives. Here is how to read those three, plus honest in-stock picks.

EmmaJul 15
A bottle of JO H2O Original water-based personal lubricant, 4 fl oz, on a plain white background.
Real Talk5 min

What Helps When Sex Feels Dry?

Dryness during sex is common and ordinary, and it is rarely a sign that something is wrong. Here is what tends to cause it, and the calm, practical things that help.

EmmaJul 14
Three graduated plum silicone kegel balls from the Je Joue Ami set resting on a small ceramic dish on a bedside table with a brass lamp, dried lavender, and a folded towel.
Wellness Basics7 min

Do Kegel Exercisers Actually Work?

A weighted kegel trainer will not do the work for you, but it makes pelvic floor training easier to feel and easier to stick with. Here is how they actually work.

EmmaJul 12

Series worth following

Field Notes

FIELD NOTES · 2 PARTS

Field Notes

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