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In European Renaissance, those of royalty or upper-class society often married simply for the preservation of bloodlines and social status. More often than not, these men and women sought entertainment and companionship on the side from particular people who were educated, independent, trained in the arts and added a sense of sensuous luxury to life.

These particular people were known as courtesans.

Less than two months ago, fifteen years of planning finally came to fruition in the form of Yaletown’s newest boutique, Qortezan. The shop reflects owner Edie Orenstein’s personal sense of empowerment, manifested in retail form: “I wanted to create a sensual environment of pleasure that includes all the senses.” Edie believes there’s a difference between sensuality and sexuality, and Qortezan has been designed to highlight taste, touch, smell, sound and sight through textures, layers and an expansion of these elements.

Filled with beautiful silks, rich colours, enticing scents, entertaining books and candles designed to flicker just right, Qortezan was a boutique I fell in love with the moment I walked in the door two weeks ago. I should also add that Jordy accompanied me the first time – Qortezan is completely dog-friendly!

Men will find no shortage of handsomely tailored, hand-made shirts, crafted in Montréal from Italian and German fabrics. What’s more, the entire line is accompanied by a number of shiny cufflinks to provide contrast and refined style.

Some cufflinks are just for fun too…

One cannot enter Qortezan and ignore the fact that it’s also somewhat of a treasure chest of pleasure. Too often there’s still a stigma attached to items, lotions and potions designed for romps in the bedroom, but this is one shop aimed at breaking down any potential shame. Instead, Qortezan provides a comfortable and safe ambiance to indulge your carnal side.

Aside from her desire to bring a few of her favourite little things from overseas to our slice of the globe, Edie Orenstein also has an immense passion for flamenco dancing. Not only are traditional, hand-stitched manton scarves and leather flamenco shoes available for purchase (direct from Seville, Spain) at Qortezan, the shop will soon be transforming into a dance space for special events.

My personal favourite part of the shop is the vast array of bras, panties, nylons, bustiers and feathered delights. Largely featured is one of my most-loved lingerie lines, Blush. I should also mention that, in addition to mens’ clothing, us ladies can also find some fabulous pieces that can be worn outside of the bedroom.

Lastly, but certainly not least, Qortezan is fully stocked with everything one would need to bring this sensual environment from the shop to the home. Rare mens’ colognes, sweet perfumes and essentially-scented candles can be found all through-out the shop. I’m not normally a girl who likes cologne on a man, but I certainly wouldn’t kick him out of bed for wearing Pal Zileri’s signature scent or a dab of Lab.

If you’d like to visit Qortezan for yourself, visit the shop in person at 1035 Mainland Street in Yaletown, downtown Vancouver, just south of Nelson Street. No stranger to social media, Qortezan can also be found online, on Twitter, on Flickr and on Facebook.

Regular musical acts (including an upcoming appearance by Jim Byrnes), wine nights, fragrance evenings, phenomenal sales and so much more will be happening on a regular basis, so be sure to sign up for Qortezan’s e-mail list.

Besides the obvious, there’s something else I’m very much looking forward to on the Island this weekend. My mom and I are planning to hit up Atlas for dinner for their scrumptious tofu baked burritos and warm beet salad, followed by Observe & Report at the theatre, Seth Rogen’s latest flick.

Photo: atöm on Flickr

This morning, the thought struck me: I find Chris Meloni and Seth Rogen equally bone-able, yet they could not be more opposite. One is rather “beefy” (as Rebecca would like to describe him), while the other has a much more… pudding-like quality to him. One is a dark, serious and mysterious actor (though he has his moments); the other is a self-proclaimed chubby tub of funny.

This has led me to only one conclusion, and that is that I am not attracted to men basely on their appearances. Let it be said that I am a very picky girl, but I guess it’s not really anything I can control. It’s a man’s mannerisms, his presence in a room and his self-confidence that tend to catch my eye. Everything else is just whipped topping on the…

So what does it for you?

Toothpaste, toilet paper, potato chips, bubble bath, Kleenex and even tampons were among his purchases. Well, the tampons were promptly returned to the shelf. Anyone who’s within my age bracket (and grew up in Canada) must remember Joey Jeremiah’s infamous shopping trip to Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Photo: Playing With Time Productions Inc. through Epitome Pictures

During the second season of Degrassi Junior High, Joey misinterpreted “sexy” signals from the new girl in school, Liz. He assumed that an after school study date was an invite for sex – hence the impromptu shopping trip. As can be assumed, Joey was in the wrong and Liz promptly kicked him to the curb. That detail, however, is moot to this post.

For as long as I can remember, “use condoms” has been drilled into my impressionable head. It was a lesson taught to us by the kids of Degrassi, through our schools’ sexual education programs and, hopefully, something our parents were comfortable enough to be frank about. If abstinence isn’t the choice, safe sex is the only option.

What I have noticed in the last year or so – and what is completely surprising to me – is how the idea that condoms are a non-negotiable has been completely lost. While the situations are different for everyone and alternate methods of birth control are perhaps more desirable given varying circumstances, it is altogether amazing to me at how many people I come across on nearly a daily basis who’ve waived their right to rubber.

Photo: trec_lit on Flickr

Quite recently, I asked a girlfriend of mine in a fairly new relationship – less than two months – if they’ve discussed using just the pill. She quickly informed me that her and her new boyfriend never used condoms from day one. I was shocked! At 28 years old, I can truly say that since becoming sexually active, I have only had one partner I trusted and communicated with enough to forego condoms in favour of only the birth control pill.

This fornicating phenomenon doesn’t seem to end in real life. Just the other day, another girlfriend of mine seemed somewhat taken aback by this potential topic when I mentioned it to her. Only hours later, while watching Young People F*cking, two of the main characters got busy on a first date without a condom. “Trust me, I’m clean. And I can just pull out…” is all he said – while he was already presumably inside her.

For an idea that was thought to practically be doctrine as I grew up, the concept of condoms seems to have left the building a long time ago. Friends don’t encourage friends to use them (I won’t hesitate to shove a condom in a friend’s pocket if need be) and mainstream media shuns sheaths for more “glamourous” sex. While I could fill this page with more stories, I digress.

This is where you talk to me: have you noticed a drop in condom use, generally? And further, what is your overall take on sexual health and protection?

To learn more about contraception and sexual health, visit SexualityAndU in connection with The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

And just in case you forgot, click here (NSFO).

Earlier this year, I let my lust do the typing and presented you all with a delicious list of men that my fiddle fancies. Unfortunately, there isn’t always room for everyone on that list, and the list itself may not appeal to everyone. Lucky for me, my tastes vary and I certainly don’t discriminate. Most of the men I pointed to were under 40 and rather typical of womanly crushes. It’s time to flip that and acquaint you with those over 40 who get me revved up. Be cautioned: before I go any further, don’t expect to see Brad Pitt or George Clooney pop up in this post.

This one’s for the underdogs…

Colin Firth (47)

Photo: Jim Wright/Montage for People

Often by-passed for the likes of Clive Owen and Hugh Grant, “Mr. Darcy” has an appeal all his own. Without being mysterious or badass, Colin Firth proves that you can still be a gentleman and sexy at the same time. As a matter of fact, I can even forgive him for the hideous jumpers he wore in Bridget Jones’s Diary.

Denis Leary (50)

Photo: Art Streiber/Montage for People

Ask me ten years ago what I thought of Denis Leary and my answer would’ve been less than favourable. Today, it’s a different story. While it’s anyone’s guess what he’s like in real life, his turn as firefighter Tommy Gavin on FX’s Rescue Me has him playing an Irish alcoholic bad-boy without much remorse just ups the sex appeal ante. Twisted? Sure. But I’m not the only one who agrees.

Dean Winters (43)

Photo: FX/Martin Cook for Yahoo! TV

Let’s be honest for a moment here: no one is going to remember Dean Winters as a phenomenal actor. Truth be told, he’s almost painful to watch on Rescue Me, but on HBO’s Oz, it’s as if his single-faceted style of acting was tailor made for the part of “Ryan O’Reily.” It’s that Irish bad-boy thing again – plus his alpha male nature – that makes this girl swoon. Oh and for anyone that’s seen Oz in its entirety, Mr. Winters’ appendage ain’t bad either. Jen knows what I’m talking about.

Sean Penn (47)

Photo: United Nations – Cuba

Can I get a bad-boy intervention here? Notorious in the 80s as Madonna’s husband for his brawling and belligerent ways, it seems as though married life to Robin Wright Penn has tamed the beast. A man with as much talent as Sean possesses will forever be sexy, but what I appreciate most (other than his passion for humane causes), is the tiny glint of Jeff Spicoli that still shines in his eyes from time to time.

Keanu Reeves (43)

Photo: MMB

Ah, my love…my long-time love. Since the days that he, Bill and their cohort of historical figures totally rocked San Dimas High School in 1989, I was charmed. Though there are others who hold a spot in their hearts for Keanu as I do, he tends to get a bad rap for some reason. Let’s all get over it (and forget that The Matrix ever happened), because his perfectly chiselled face and everything mysterious about him secure his spot in my over 40 list. And much like my husband-to-be, who missed out on this list by only a year, Keanu’s voice is one that would simply slay you were you to hear it in the dark.

Dougray Scott (42)

Photo: ABC/Bob D’Amico for Yahoo! TV

Nope, I don’t watch Desperate Housewives. I first caught on to the charm that is Dougray back in the late 90s in Ever After, in which he played Prince Charming (appropriately enough) to Drew Barrymore’s Cinderella-like character. His sweet demeanour and hasty abandon for following the life expected for him made my heart go “ga-gung.”

Patrick Swayze (55)

Photo: Unknown Source/Archival Image

I couldn’t have asked for a better segue myself. This guy’s got the solid lockdown on many a girl’s hearts, quite literally, around the globe. Though he’s made some stinker flop films (Ghost not included), Patrick need not worry because Dirty Dancing’s Johnny Castle could quite possibly go down as the greatest lover in cinematic history. You know you dreamed about being Baby at one point or another in your life.

Powers Boothe (60)

Photo: HBO

And last, but certainly not least, the man who inspired this post altogether. Being the oldest in the list, he’s certainly the grand-daddy of them all (pun not intended – I swear). Surely I’ve seen him in other roles, but this man’s taken the cake only recently. It was his role on HBO’s Deadwood as Cy Tolliver, the powerful owner of the high-end whorehouse, the Bella Union Saloon, in which his dominant and sexually-charged character appealed to the submissive within your humble narrator. I’ve already said too much. I simply cannot get enough of him.

Hmmm…maybe it’s just the moustache.

For quite some time now – probably close to a year – I’ve had several requests from readers to write an entirely shallow post, highlighting men in the spotlight that I think are the most bone-a-licious. Funny how something so seemingly easy to write about has taken me this long to finally getting my booty around to actually doing.

So, without further adieu, I present to you ten men who wouldn’t have to ask me twice to hop on top. They are, in no particular order…

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Who: Malcolm McDowell (only circa 1968-1975)

Where You Know Him From: If…, A Clockwork Orange, Caligula

Why He Makes Me Weak: One only needs to look at the one-two punch of his arched eyebrow combined with the curl of his lip. It instantly causes me to wonder about all the naughty things he’s thinking that he’d like to be doing to a girl like me.
Photo: BFI UK


Who: Michael Bublé

Where You Know Him From: Burnaby, B.C.-born crooner, entertainer and lady killer

Why He Makes Me Weak: This is a man who’s seduction routine is so complete, between his looks and his smooth voice, that he doesn’t need to be calculating in the slightest – he just chooses to play that game.
Photo: All Hands On Deck



Who: Colin Farrell

Where You Know Him From: Irish actor, beer drinker and all-around badass

Why He Makes Me Weak: It took Mr. Farrell quite some time to win me over, but his take-charge attitude in everything brings out the submissive girl in me…not that it takes much, mind you.
Photo: indieWIRE



Who: Timothy Olyphant

Where You Know Him From: Sex and the City (as 20-something Sam), Catch and Release, Deadwood

Why He Makes Me Weak: When he’s not, he’s not (see Gone In 60 Seconds); but when he’s hot, he’s hot. What girl wouldn’t want to sit on the bathroom sink for him (see Catch and Release)?
Photo: Yahoo! Movies UK




Who: Lukas Haas

Where You Know Him From: Boys, Brick, 24 and Last Days

Why He Makes Me Weak: I’m a sucker for lanky guys with dark hair and always have been…plus Lukas has that whole “I’m kinda emo but super hot” thing going on. Word is, however, that he’s a modelizer so I guess I can forget about that one.
Photo: 24 Neoseeker





Who: Clive Owen

Where You Know Him From: The Bourne Identity, Children of Men, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and “The Hire” series of BMW commercials

Why He Makes Me Weak: It’s hard not to notice a man who oozes equal amounts of sex appeal, confidence and coolness…all behind the sexiest British accent I’ve ever heard (and I’m not an accent girl). Plus, have you seen those BMW commercials? Hot damn!
Photo: Publishers Weekly

Who: Kanye West

Where You Know Him From: The man behind some of the sexiest beats and flashiest videos to grace MTV’s screen since Duran Duran reigned supreme in 1983.

Why He Makes Me Weak: The man can sing, the man can dance, the man can keep a rhythm and the man can dress. I can only imagine how tasty he smells…perhaps the scents of leather, cash and glistening sweat.
Photo: People Online

Who: Ashton Kutcher

Where You Know Him From: That 70s Show, Dude…Where’s My Car?, The Butterfly Effect, The Guardian and the end of Demi Moore’s short leash

Why He Makes Me Weak: It’s that tall, lanky dark guy thing again. Plus, he has this undeniable, just-can’t-refuse boyish charm that commands pretty much anything and everything he wants. I also love it when guys are comfortable enough to be slight goofballs, so he’s definitely got that going for him.
Photo: WENN on Superior Pics

Who: Chris Noth

Where You Know Him From: He’s Mr. Freakin’ Big! Oh and he’s on that Law & Order show or whatever…

Why He Makes Me Weak: He’s the man who has won, broken and won again the heart of the one woman every other woman dreams of being (or at least dreams of owning her closet). He’s suave, charming and dare I say debonaire? Not to mention that eyebrow thing he does. There will be plenty of that. Oh yes…
Photo: Movie Snobs

Who: Leonardo DiCaprio

Where You Know Him From: This Boy’s Life, Romeo + Juliet, The Beach, Catch Me If You Can, Blood Diamond, The Departed and some movie about a big boat on the Atlantic…

Why He Makes Me Weak: Leo’s the quintessential boy-next-door. He’s sweet, courteous and definitely the kind of man you could take home to mom (as long as mom doesn’t steal him from you). However, there’s also the flipside of him that exudes bad boy. Take me home Leo, will you? Leonardo’s known to run around town with Lukas Haas and their gaggle of models so he’s another one of those “off limits” boys. But a girl can dream, right?
Photo: TeamSugar

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Other very honourable mentions:

Okay, your turn…who have I forgotten?

So much to write, so little time. Let’s get started, shall we?

Just in case you didn’t catch it the first time or heard about it through Becky, here’s your reminder that tonight is the first night of free ridin’ at Mount Seymour for all the lovely ladies. Simply pick up your voucher (as Amy and I already have) at any of the participating locations, strap on your board and shred!

Guys’ Night Out, in support of breast cancer research with the BC Cancer Foundation, is happening Monday nights through to March 24, 2008. Visit Mount Seymour’s website for more details.

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A little while back, I made mention about my new-found love for easy listening radio. My station of choice is 104.9 Clear FM, and with that switch to a new radio station, I found myself falling for the music of Michael Bublé. You can imagine my excitement when I found out he was playing at GM Place in January. You can imagine my disappointment when I found out that all the tickets were gone before I’d even heard of the show.

Photo courtesy of Moadh on Flickr

It wasn’t long, however, before Clear FM announced that they’d have a few tickets for the show to give away. Since converting Amy into both a Clear FM listener and a solid Bublé fan, her and I both decided to use our tens of thousands of Clear Rewards points to purchase entries in the contest for tickets.

The winners were announced today.

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Looking for something a little saucy to entertain you this weekend? It’s once again time for ‘Taboo: The Naughty But Nice Sex Show‘ at Canada Place in Vancouver. Now that the Christmas trees and twinkling lights are packed away, vendors from all over haul out their stashes of condoms, oils, lubes, toys, harnesses and more obscure things than you can shake a…stick at.

Photo courtesy of Magalie L’Abbé on Flickr

Running from January 10 – 13, 2008 in Convention Halls A, B and C, a one-day ticket will set you back $15.00, while a weekend pass runs for $30.00. My opinion is that it’s worth going once, but it’s pretty much the same fanfare each and every year. (19+ only)

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And lastly, while I am on the subject of snowboarding this fine afternoon in downtown Vancouver, it’s time to fill you all in on my little adventure planned for February 1. My vixen-in-crime, the divine Rebecca Bollwitt, is accompanying me to Vancouver Island on the eve before. This is huge for me because I never, ever bring people back to the Island with me. This time I’ll let it slide…

Friday, February 1 is the second annual ‘Kokanee Day For Dudes‘ at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Being that snowboarding at Mt. Washington is my first love, beer my second and men my third, could such an event be any more spectacular? True, the event is geared towards the endowed species, but the eye candy alone will be worth the price of the lift ticket. For $59, men can enjoy a lift ticket, afternoon lesson and Kokanee-sponsored aprés.

Need another reason to go? How about gorgeous powder and a base just shy of 400cm? Check this out, but try not to drool too much.