Illustration by Sarah Mensinga It has been almost 2 months since I have moved into my new flat and realized that I never got myself a house warming gift. Having the place come already furnished and equipped with kitchenware, bedding, towels and even a case of Heineken, I didn't feel the need to buy anything other than some scented candles to warm up my surroundings a bit. I wanted to treat myself to something and couldn't quite put my finger on what. And then it hit me. It was all too obvious.
Now that the initial shock of the break-up is fading and the idea of pleasure doesn't make my eyes well up with memories of past passion, a purchase was meant to be made. Too early to share my bed with someone, I opted for plan b: I needed to buy a vibrator. I don't know if this would be categorized under self-improvement but I do know that it was time. Time to start being a functioning 20-something year old.
I snuck over to Passage du Désir with a baseball cap and sunglasses to explore the world of self-love and other delights. To clarify, I was not disguising myself because I felt shame of going into a 'Love Store', the disguise was necessary because the store is down the block from Monsieur Flâneur's restaurant. Could you imagine? That's all I needed him to see me doing on his way to his many coffee breaks. Replacing him. Replacing him with something with feathers and vibrates at a speed that no man could even attempt. So undercover, I went.
After the helpful shop girl showed me their full and somewhat overwhelming selection as well as their vinyl costume collection including an 'Alice in Wonderland' get-up. I decided to skip 'Alice' as I don't need visuals for myself and opted for a lovely little hot pink toy with a functioning glitter bunny 'feature'. It amazes me that sex toy designers even bother with these aesthetic details. I don't plan on showing my 'new gift' to anyone and if anything will need to well conceal this accessory that looks like it could come with Malibu Barbie's Mansion.
Not ready to jump into fits of passion with someone who will feel like a total stranger, a girl still has needs and today was the day to explore them. Roar.
Passage du Desir22, rue de Pont NeufParis 75001
© 2011 Ella Coquine
