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My husband and I aren't really good at playing sexy. I wear cotton briefs and Cookie Monster pants to bed. Meanwhile, Michael sometimes pretends to strip for me, which usually just makes me snort.

So I thought I'd give some sexy dressing a shot and see if three supposed turn-on accessories really worked.

Experiment 1: Love Glove
I knew that I would have to approach any seduction attempts with a sense of humor. Which is where the Hand Hugger (a fleece mitten for two similar to The Smitten) came in.

The Hand Hugger was the corniest thing I had ever seen. If you are so attached to your significant other that you can't let go even for a moment, perhaps couples therapy is in order. Still, a part of me was charmed by the concept.

My moment came as my guy and I walked from our distant parking spot to our weekly salsa class -- I slowly presented the Hand Hugger. His reaction -- "Are you kidding me?" -- did not deter me. We each slipped a hand inside, our fingers automatically clasping each other's.

Click here to read about two more pieces of clothing that supposedly turn guys on.




10 Supposed Aphrodisiacs

    Avocado Avocado trees were called Ahuacuati, or "testicle tree," by the Aztecs. And they were forbidden by Catholic priests for their sex appeal (no joke).

    ulterior epicure, Flickr

    Chocolate The Aztecs worshipped this treat for its supposed aphrodisiac properties. While that's not scientifically proven, it does affect serotonin and the circulatory system. When both of those are kickin', it's definitely a lot easier to get in the mood.

    karenmcallister, Flickr

    Asparagus On top of making your pee smell funny, these phallic-shaped veggies are rich in Vitamin E, which is essential to a healthy sex drive and to producing sex hormones.

    geishaboy500, Flickr

    Cinnamon Buns Cinnamon buns are the number-one smell that turns guys on, according to research from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.

    zebble, Flickr

    Eggs Eggs are a symbol of fertility (duh) dating back to ancient Greece and the Indian Kama Sutra. Choose eggs that are naturally fertilized -- many factory-laid eggs are not produced with an actual rooster, resulting in eggs with less hormones. A study showed that men who ate naturally fertilized eggs showed increased libido, sexual activity and stamina.

    aubergene, Flickr

    Epimedium grandiflorum This plant is known by many as Horny Goat Weed for its er, happy effect on goats. It's popular in Chinese medicine and has been around for over 2000 years. It's frequently found in pill form and is considered to be safe.

    halle, Flickr

    Spanish Fly The most famous of aphrodisiacs is made up of crushed beetles and more than a little is believed to be fatal.

    Muchaxo, Flickr

    Ginseng Thought to posses "aphrodisiac properties," Ginseng is also a popular Chinese medicine. It also translates as "man root." So maybe that explains it.

    GeekySpaz, Flickr

    Spicy Stuff Chilies and peppers are known to pep up the sex drive, so if your guy can handle the heat, bring it into the kitchen. Chili peppers can stimulate the nervous system and pump up the drive in girls and guys alike.

    adactio, Flickr

    Turkey If you thought you felt a little tingle on Turkey Day, you were probably not alone. Turkey is often blamed for making us sleepy, but it turns out it is the same element that causes drowsiness, tryptophan, that's actually sending us to bed for a different reason.

    Country Living



Then I started to feel silly. "This is ridiculous," I muttered, edging closer to him so that no one could see how dorky we were. My personal humiliation emboldened Michael, who sped up to catch up with two friends so he could show off our winter wear.

Their reaction: "Are you kidding me?" One of them also mentioned that our Hand Hugger looked like a giant, hanging testicle. I was relieved to make it inside and rip off the mutual mitten.

Cost: $9.95
Pros: The warmth of the fleece ... the closeness of my husband's skin.
Cons: Abject embarrassment.

Experiment 2: Sexy Socks
Later that night, I pulled on some Sexy Love Sox, designed to exploit reflexology's alleged libido-boosting properties.

"Why don't you give me a foot massage?" I asked my husband, wiggling my toes at him. He didn't bite.

"Come on," I begged, handing him the instructions that had come with my socks. (C'mon, socks that require instructions?) The bottoms were labeled, allowing him to pinpoint the spots on the foot that stimulated various erogenous zones.

I read from the sheet of paper, instructing my husband to massage the spots that correspond to "heart" and "breasts." While there were no sudden stirrings of my libido, I soon relaxed, moaning with pleasure.

After he finished, I returned the favor. Ticklish Michael truly suffered at first. I was not deterred, however. "You will submit to this foot massage and you will enjoy it!" I snapped.

He was laughing so hard he was dry heaving. Finally, I was rewarded with a sigh of pleasure as I pressed the inside of his arch with my thumb. After that, he was begging for more.

I decided to give it to him, but I wanted to touch his actual erogenous zones, not his corresponding sole spots. The socks may not have worked in exactly the way they were intended to, but they definitely increased my husband's chances of getting laid that night.

Cost: $14.95
Pros: The foot massage revived me, giving me more energy for the night. (I'm usually too tired for sex by bedtime.)
Cons: My feet were slightly ripe from marinating inside my fleece-lined boot-style slippers.

Experiment 3: Lacy Undies
Done with the novelty extremity-wear, I was ready for the pièce de résistance. I told my husband to close his eyes, and then wriggled my way into some sexy lingerie, stunned that it actually still fit.

Some say that men's attraction to lingerie is overrated, so I was a little nervous about how my getup would go over. I crawled my way across the bed. My boobs looked amazing. Michael rolled his body in toward me, reaching out as I turned off my light...

Cost: Priceless

Steph Auteri is a writer specializing in sex, dating, relationships and the freelance life. You can find more of her work here and follow her day-to-day here.

Ten Famous Sex Myths, Debunked

    Myth: Women have to be in a relationship to enjoy sex.
    The Truth: Your orgasm potential has nothing to do with whether you're single or committed. Having great sex has to do with physical sensations, not your status. What's more, many women report having stronger orgasms when they masturbate than they do with a partner.

    Getty Images

    Myth: Women don't (and shouldn't!) masturbate as often as guys.
    The Truth: Ha! There is absolutely no rule as to how much you should get yourself off- do it is much as you'd like. In fact, the more you do it, the more you'll understand what it takes to reach climax and that can help you guide your guy when your in bed together.

    Getty Images

    Myth: Guys love lingerie.
    The Truth: Many men just find lingerie complicated. Think about it, all those snaps and ribbons and straps are confusing and a pain in the ass to get off of you when he wants to get some. Most guys will tell you they much prefer a woman naked.

    Getty Images

    Myth: Vaginal orgasms feel better than clitoral orgasms.
    The Truth: There is no such thing as a better orgasm... they're all pretty fantastic. They definitely feel different because they originate in different spots. Try experimenting and achieving the various types- clitoral, vaginal, g-spot- to see which you prefer.

    Getty Images

    Myth: A woman should be able to orgasm during intercourse.
    The Truth: Putting that kind of pressure on yourself may prevent you from having an orgasm at all. A lot of women are unable to reach their peak through strait penetration. Most need clitoral stimulation as well. So don't feel bad touching yourself, having your partner touch you, or even using a vibrator while thrusts.

    Getty Images

    Myth: Women don't get turned on by porn.
    The Truth: There's no hard rule on this one. Some chicks like naughty flicks, others don't. If porn doesn't do the trick for you, try erotic literature- lots of women prefer it because it allows them to use their imagination when picturing what's going on.

    Getty Images

    Myth: If you're good in bed, you should be able to please anyone.
    The Truth: Some people have instant in-bed chemistry, others have to work on it. That means, you could sleep with ten guys and they would all have a different opinion of your skills (and you of theirs!). Communication is key to being able to have good sex with someone. Tell them what you like and don't like and ask them to do the same. If you're too shy to say it, show them by guiding their hands.

    Getty Images

    Myth: Men prefer women who sexually pursue them.
    The Truth: Evolution tells us the exact opposite. Most men like to feel like they've worked for a women's attention. However, that doesn't mean that you have to sit in the corner and wait for a man to approach you. Go ahead and signal to a guy that you're interested by flirting. Just avoid things like grabbing his crotch in a crowded bar.

    Getty Images

    Myth: Happy couples always have good sex.
    The Truth: No one always bats a hundred in the bedroom. You could be in the best relationship and have an off night if one of you isn't feeling well or is stressed. If you are always having bad sex it may be a bigger problem. If this is the case, discuss what you both need in bed to enjoy yourselves more

    Getty Images

    Myth: African American males have bigger penises.
    The Truth: Sorry, but there's no evidence to support this one. A study from the Porterback Clinic and Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield and St. James' Hospital in Leeds, United Kingdom found that the size of a man's package has absolutely nothing to do with his race.

    Getty Images