And you can thank mainstream vehicles for this rise in girl power. ''If it wasn't for 'Sex and the City,' I wouldn't be in this business,'' said Lizotte, who worked for technology companies before the dot-com bust. ''The show made it OK for girlfriends to talk about sex, pleasure toys and romance-enhancers.''
And local women are open to talking about women's sexuality. And, they're booking parties, too. Police officers. Nurses. Bartenders. Bank tellers. New mothers. Even school teachers and members of the Red Hat Society. Lizotte said that she once had an 80-year-old grandmother at a party who kept laughing and saying, ''We never had this in our age.''
Three-quarters of the KittyLIXX parties in September are on the South Shore. Lizotte, who employs 30 independent consultants, sells the products in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Florida, Georgia, Utah and California.
Since the company's founding in 2002, there have been about 1,000 parties, with a dozen women at each, on average, Lizotte said. Her standard audience is women from ages 25 to 40 (25-30 for bachelorette parties, 30-40 for birthdays) and new mothers of any age who want to reconnect physically with their husbands.
Some of her products - Ruby Slipper, Diving Dolphin, Butterfly Pearl, Jack Rabbit and Space Explorer - sound like they might be toddlers' toys, but they're not designed for the sand box set. In Massachusetts, KittyLIXX party-goers must be 18 or older.
''We give women the opportunity to touch the toys and turn them on,'' Lizotte said. ''Nothing is done sexually at the parties. We say at the beginning that these samples have never been used.''
On a Friday evening in August, a dozen single women, including 10 preschool teachers, gathered at a friend's home in Quincy for a KittyLIXX party. The women, ages 25 to 31, sipped cold brews and sat in a semi-circle around Lizotte, who began the R-rated show-and-tell.
Using clinical terms like a health teacher, Lizotte explained how each product works. She started with the scented candles and body oils and worked down the list to the personal massagers and other romance ehnancers. For an hour or so, the women sniffed exotic scents, rubbed oils and lotions on their wrists and felt the tingle of multi-speed massagers in the palms of their hands. They giggled, asked questions and gave advice.
''Don't buy the swing if you're prone to motion sickness,'' said Sondra.
Then, one at a time, they went into another room to place orders.
''I've been to these parties before and I recently hosted one. They're definitely informative,'' said Leigh, 26, a sales manager from Quincy.
Like Tupperware, Mary Kay and Pampered Chef, these at-home soirees also provide women with escapism and camaraderie, two reasons why the parties are so sought-after. Also, in this setting there's no embarrassment factor.
''It's a fun setting and it's very discreet. You can ask questions in private and no one knows what you purchase,'' Leigh said. ''In adult stores, it's embarrassing for some women. At the cash register, they ask if you want them to put in batteries, like you're going to try it right away. And someone behind you could be thinking, 'look what she is buying!'''
Katie, 31, one of the teachers at the party, agreed. ''The places men frequent are very intimidating for women. You feel dirty when you go in there. This is a nice alternative. I think most girls think about this stuff, but they don't know how to ask questions or find out what's right for them.''
Katie bought the Lava lotion candle that melts into a hot massage oil, a candy-decorated G-string, shaving cream for sensitive skin and the Space Explorer, her first personal massager.
''The girls around me had girlfriends who had tried different things. They knew what would work and what was long-lasting,'' she said. ''We talk about everything, including sex. 'Sex and the City' has made it more mainstream.''
Leigh bought the Patchy Paul massager, which resembles an oversized green gummy worm, and Silky Sheets, a scented spray for the bedroom. She spent $70 - the average purchase amount at a home party, according to a study conducted by Harvard Business School, said Lizotte.
''There is so much to choose from, people end up trying everything and they spend a lot of money,'' said Leigh, who already owns the Space Explorer. ''My boyfriend is very comfortable with my choices. They're not a replacement for him, just something to add excitement.''
Women typically buy something for themselves and something for the couple. At this party, they spent a total of $900, Lizotte said. Nationally, the top-selling product is the Jack Rabbit, which was mentioned on ''Sex in the City.'' Another favorite is the Lava lotion candle.
''This is the fun stuff that mothers and young women want,'' said Lizotte. ''It's not kinky. The kinkiest thing is the furry handcuffs.''
Lizotte builds her product line by reading reviews in trade magazines, listening to the recommendations of popular Canadian TV host and sex therapist Sue Johanson and feedback from her customers. She has tried everything she sells, currently about 60 products.
''My husband has the best job going. He attends trade shows with me and we try some of the products together,'' said Lizotte, who has been married 26 years. ''He never says, 'I'm sick of this; I wish you wouldn't bring home your work'.''

To book a KittyLIXX party, call 1-866-844-5499.
Copyright 2005 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Monday, August 29, 2005



» It's A Pleasure Tupperware can only dream of parties like this
IMPROPER BOSTONIAN 3/31/04 ISSUE - By Ezra Dyer

"If you're imagining this will be some type of lesbian sex fest, you're going to be disappointed," Elaine Lizotte, owner of KittyLixx, writes me in an e-mail. KittyLixx is, according to Lizotte's card, a purveyor of "adult novelties and purrfect pleasure toys." I have agreed to attend a KittyLixx party, wherein a group of women meet at someone's house and, fortified with a beverage or two, watch a presentation by Lizotte on the company's myriad wares. "Don't worry, I wasn't expecting it to be a lesbian sex fest," I write back to her, glad that e-mail makes it so easy to tell lies. On the appointed night, I arrive at the home of Ann Marie, the evening's host. About 10 women are present, ranging in age from their 20s through their 40s, and some of them look like they're even more uncomfortable than I am. Lizotte helps leaven the atmosphere by passing out penis-shaped straws. She offers me one, but I decline. I'm a pretty open-minded guy, but as if I'm going to drink beer through a straw. Lizotte goes on to give a little background on herself and KittyLixx. After getting laid off from an Internet company, she started her business to provide a means for women to purchase sex toys in a comfortable environment -"without the pervs watching you," as one woman comments, while I glance around and do my best to look nonpervish. Lizotte may claim that she's no longer working in the high-tech industry, but after seeing the Decadent Indulgence Techno Vibe, I'd beg to differ. The Techno Vibe features row of flashing lights along the base and looks like it could be used to direct 747s into their gates at Logan. But I'm getting ahead of myself. After the introduction, Lizotte hands out door prizes. A woman named Melissa wins a waterproof vibrator, which prompts the woman next to me, Shelley, to say, "I keep mine in the shower. I have a little hook for it." The next prize is another vibrator, this one a "silver bullet" model. "Those are excellent," offers Shelley, who apparently is well acquainted with Mr. Steely Dan. Soon the room is a veritable whirlwind of boudoir goodies. I guess my biggest surprise is that there's more to "pleasure toys" than just vibrators. We're talking creams, oils, sprays, candles, games, body glitter, pube stencils-it's enough to make your head spin like the tip of the Butterfly Pearl Vibe. Edibility is a theme with many of the products, such as a massage oil that Lizotte says "can be used anywhere and tastes delicious." Yeah, but how does it taste with the edible underwear? These are the kinds of tough questions that they train you to ask in journalism school. Speaking of underwear, another item that's been going around the room is a remote-control vibrating thong. Eventually, someone other than the thong-wearer captures the remote and all hell breaks loose as the vibration is set to "hummingbird riding a jackhammer" speed. The presentation grinds to halt because everyone is laughing, as if there's anything funny about remote-control vibrating underpants. Another surprise is the covert nature of some of the products. There's a vibrating pen that looks just like a regular pen-"great for conference calls," Lizotte says. And, in the "That's Just Wrong" category, we have I Rub My Duckie, which is a yellow rubber duckie that-you guessed it-vibrates. No one knows where the duckie's nose goes when the door's closed. Next, a pair of fur-lined handcuffs comes out, prompting Ann Marie to say, "I already have those. I stole mine from my parents. The night of my confirmation I discovered that my parents were screwing like animals. My mom had all those hard vibrators." "Well, that's all they had back then, honey," replies Shelley sympathetically, as if Ann Marie had revealed that her mother used to churn her own butter or wash her clothes by pounding them on rocks in the river. After the parade of products is over, the women head off with Lizotte one at a time to discuss their orders. A guy quietly sneaks into the kitchen and opens the fridge-the man of the house, who'd been making himself scarce the past couple hours. "Hey Brett, wanna see something?" calls one of the women, to which Brett quickly replies "Nope!" and disappears again. Well, Brett old buddy, you might've missed the presentation, but I have a feeling you'll be seeing some of this stuff real soon.



» Are Diamonds Really A Girl's Best Friend? KittyLiXX.com Offers An Alternative To The Same Old Gifts For The Holidays

New Line of Erotic Gift Baskets Provides a New Answer to the Age-Old Question Of 'What To Get?'
MALDEN, Mass., Sept. 10, 2003 - Every year, consumers struggle with the age old question of "what to get" for that special someone on their holiday gift list. KittyLiXX.com now has a unique answer to that question: erotic gift baskets. The baskets are made-to-order and contain many of the most popular sensual and erotic adult toys and novelties from KittyLiXX.com's extensive catalog of products. Featured products include the sensual Lava Lotion Body Candle, The LoveLeash, Jack Rabbit Vibrator, as well as Kama Sutra oils and lotions. Shoppers can select from either pre-packaged offerings or custom offerings that can be tailored to a person's specific preferences.
"Many of our customers who have been to one of our home parties have asked us about creating gift options that they could send to their friends," said Elaine Lizotte, President of KittyLiXX.com. "They wanted their friends or significant others that couldn't be at the party to have a chance to try out and enjoy our some of our best products. The gift baskets take away all the guesswork."

The gift baskets are designed to fulfill a number of potential gift buying needs, including:

- Holiday gifts for significant others
- Valentine's Day, Anniversaries or other romantic events
- Bachelorette or Bachelor gifts
- "Just Because" gifts for couples looking to spice up their lives in the bedroom

"Many people consider erotic items as taboo or 'dirty'. Often, this is because there is no real means of accessing or gaining any experience with the products." continued Lizotte. "Our mission is to provide discreet access to innovative erotic adult products that mix fun, excitement, and romance to enrich a couple's sex life together."
The gift baskets are available immediately through the KittyLiXX.com web site ( www.KittyLiXX.com ) as well as through KittyLiXX Home Parties. Prices start at just $90.

About KittyLiXX
KittyLiXX is a woman-owned and -operated business dedicated to providing discreet access to sensual and erotic products for mature, open-minded adults. We focus on offering a wide variety of unique products for all orientations and interests including sex toys, marital aids, lingerie, and other adult novelties. These products are available conveniently and discreetly through our web site ( www.KittyLiXX.com ) and our entertaining and informative home parties. KittyLiXX.com also offers customized gift-baskets designed for a truly distinctive gift option for those people that have everything. For more information on booking a KittyLiXX Home Party or becoming a home party consultant, please contact us at homeparties@KittyLiXX.com or 866-844-LiXX.

Contact: Elaine Lizotte
Phone: 866-844-LiXX
Email: info@KittyLiXX.com
KittyLiXX.com
8 Winthrop Street, Suite 2
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: 866-844-LiXX



» KittyLiXX.com Offers Erotic Gift Baskets
By: Frank Majors 10-28-2003

MALDEN, Mass. - Sex toy/lingerie/adult novelties Website KittyLiXX.com has a special treat for holiday gift-givers: erotic gift baskets.
"We received many calls from men wanting to buy gifts for their woman from the KittyLiXX.com Website," said Elaine Lizotte, president of KittyLiXX.com. "They were looking for gift ideas and suggestions." The baskets are made-to-order with popular erotic adult toys and novelties from KittyLiXX.com's catalog of products. Featured products include Lava Lotion Body Candle, the LoveLeash, and Jack Rabbit Vibrator, as well as Kama Sutra oils and lotions. Shoppers can select from either pre-packaged offerings or custom offerings that can be tailored to a person's specific preferences. "The baskets fit it all," Lizotte added. "One order gets the gift bought, wrapped, and delivered. Each ready-made basket has a theme. One is called 'In the Mood' for romantic nights, and includes rose petals, bubble bath, massage oils, Lava lotion candles, pearl panties, bullet vibrators, and much more. The 'Nothin But a Sex Party' basket is a bit rougher with cock rings, anal beads, the Diving Dolphin Couples vibrator, XXX DVD, a Love Leash, hot wax candle, body oils, and more. Everything you would need for a wild night! The 'Doin' it in the Dark' basket includes all types of glow in the dark vibrators, body paints, a black light, glow bubble bath, glow condoms and more glowing surprises. There are others and the baskets can also be custom made based on gender or preferences." The gift baskets are designed to fulfill a number of potential gift buying needs, including holidays such as Valentine's Day, bachelorette or bachelor parties, anniversaries, or sexy "just because" gifts for couples looking to spice up their sex lives. Prices start at $90.
"Many people consider erotic items as taboo or dirty," said Lizotte. "Often, this is because there is no real means of accessing or gaining any experience with the products. Our mission is to provide discreet access to innovative erotic adult products that mix fun, excitement, and romance to enrich a couple's sex life together." KittyLiXX is a woman owned-and-operated business dedicated to providing "discreet access to sensual and erotic products for mature, open-minded adults." They offer a wide variety of products for all orientations and interests including sex toys, marital aids, lingerie, and other adult novelties. These products are available conveniently and discreetly through their Website and private home parties. "KittyLiXX.com allows access to sensual and erotic sex toys, lingerie, and adult novelties for mature open-minded adults," explained Lizotte. "Our goal is to allow both men and women an opportunity to actually turn on the toys or taste the oils before they buy such an intimate product. This is not an option they have in most adult stores. All of this is done in the comfort of their own homes in a home-party setting. Like Tupperware parties but spicier."