My IUD expired in April and I can’t get it replaced until August at the earliest. The science says it’s not a hard deadline and it’s probably good for an extra year at least, but it’s still a pretty anxiety inducing situation to be in. An unplanned pregnancy would really be the poop cherry on top of this year’s shit…

Other non-pandemic themed books that are great for your long alone-time:

Highly recommend Severance, by Ling Ma. It’s a darkly funny novel about a global pandemic and how society copes... or doesn’t. And of course you can’t skip Station Eleven for your pandemic-themed content. 

Ah yes the old “You won’t let me sleep with other people so I have no choice but to sleep with other people.” Solid logic, Ashton.

I’ve started referring to those super-masculinized thrillers (Lee Child, Vince Flynn, Matthew Reilly) as “dick lit” and I’m hoping it catches on.

The way people talk about the romance genre upsets me so much that I just try to avoid thinking about it too much. It’s the best selling genre in the world, a huge number of smart women read these books, and people act as if it’s the dumpster fire of publishing. There is obviously a lot to unpack in this particular…

Hello I also hate potatoes and it’s nice to see someone else feel the same because they seem so universally beloved. #TeamNotatoes

It’s interesting to also see this reverse direction, too. I’m a 1980s Caitlin, when it peaked in North America, but there were no Caitlins my age in NZ. Then I started working retail in my early 20s and there were dozens of pint sized Caitlins getting yelled at. So jarring to hear “Caitlin, don’t touch that!” in Mom…

I wouldn’t go as far as saying they’re tacky, but a lot of the most common names in New Zealand are rare in the US. I went to school with half a dozen Charlottes and Olivias, plus a handful of Harriets. Some of those are becoming more common for children, but there aren’t many adult Olivias or Charlottes wandering…

Mountbatten is Prince Phillip’s last name. Sort of. It’s the anglicized version of his last name. Apparently back in the day he threw a bit of a strop about his name not being passed on and some of his kids/grandkids are including it but it’s not consistently used.

All my tattoos are by women, for a number of the reasons listed above. I’ve looked for women-owned shops in my city and there are quite a few, but most are one or two artist spots, as opposed to the bigger studios. As people get more aware of the opportunities around creating spaces for women and non-binary people I…

In New Zealand and Australia “turbuhalers” are much more common and easier to use. As an adult with mild asthma when I moved to Canada I really struggled to adapt to the “puffer”.

In New Zealand and Australia “turbuhalers” are much more common and easier to use. As an adult with mild asthma when I moved to Canada I really struggled to adapt to the “puffer”.

I love this. I spent months in low power mode when my anxiety was high, and I remember when the SSRIs finally started helping suddenly I had all this energy. I Kondo-ed my apartment, signed up for a sewing class, and organized a few events with friends. It wasn’t really until my energy came back that I realized how…

OB is just a brand name, but they make applicator-less tampons. I’ve literally had people ask if I had a spare tampon and then hand it back to me saying they didn’t know how to use it!

Interesting - I might give them a go. The best bra I’ve found for me is now only available through Amazon, and I don’t like supporting that company. ThirdLove has been promoting up a storm at me but it’s good to get a separate opinion.

I always used OB style ones - they’re the norm in New Zealand where I grew up - and when I moved to North America I was very WTF about applicators. Thank goodness for OB! If I have to borrow one with an applicator from a friend I take it apart to insert my normal way.

As someone living in a place with legal weed, the legality (and therefore easier access) has probably slightly increased my pot consumption, but it hasn’t reduced my drinking at all. My preferred drink is red wine, not beer, but if anything I’ll have a toke as well as a glass of red wine and then sleep like a happy dru…

I have so much good quality stuff I’m giving away. The show was actually only part of the motivation - I was halfway through a big clean up/clear out/reorganization of my apartment and the show just helped me figure out a good approach. I’m really excited about the prospect of someone getting some of these high…

I’m obsessed with this look and am now officially Team Manila.