Raves

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Product review: Anal Fantasy Plug by Pipedream

I’ve always got my eyes peeled for beginner-friendly anal toys.  So many people are interested in experimenting with butt play yet so many of the toys that are marketed to beginners are either too large, poorly designed or unsafe.  So when I find a toy that is genuinely suited for backdoor newbies, I am excited to share it.

The Anal Fantasy Plug from Pipedream is ideal if you’re interested in trying an anal toy but aren’t sure where to begin.  The feature that drew me to this toy is the size. It’s only 9cm long and the girth at the widest point is 4cm.  This is a perfectly manageable size for most virgin backsides.  I generally recommend starting out exploring with a gloved finger, then graduating to two fingers and then maybe a toy.  This toy is about the thickness of two fingers, so it’s the ideal step up if you’ve already enjoyed touching your anus with your hands.

The tapered shape makes this plug really easy to insert.  The tip is narrow enough to ease in gently, and the body widens very gradually to the girthiest point. This gives your backside plenty of time to relax and acclimatise before you try to insert the biggest part of the toy.  The narrow neck means that the plug stays in place nicely once inserted, as your anus can close around it comfortably.

The Anal Fantasy Plug is made from beautiful velvety silicone.  I prefer this finish to shiny silicone for anal toys because the softer silicone tends to grab and your lube is more likely to stay in place.  Lube tends to slide off glossier toys, which is the opposite of what you want when you’re putting something in your butt.  Anal play calls for even, long lasting lubrication.  The toy is a medium/hard firmness which means that it offers plenty of sensation without being too rigid to wear comfortably.

If you want a plug that you can wear for an extended period of time, the base is one of the most important features to look at.  Rounded or square bases tend to put pressure on the skin around the anus and become uncomfortable more quickly.  The Anal Fantasy Plug has a rectangular base that squashes inwards like an hourglass.  I like this design for two reasons.  Firstly, the dents in the base follow the curves of your butt cheeks, so the plug stays comfortably in position.  Secondly, they act as handy finger grips when the time comes to remove the plug.  This is one of my favourite toys for longer wear, because it stays in place easily and it’s super comfortable.

Aside from the shape and size of this plug, the other reason that I recommend this one for newbies is the price.  The Anal Fantasy Plug from Pipedream is priced at around $25, which is perfect if you’re just starting out.  It’s a great quality toy that won’t leave you out of pocket if you wind up not enjoying anal play.  And if you do like it, Pipedream make three more sizes in this range that you can try if you’re craving something larger.

The Anal Fantasy Plug comes with a few handy items to make your butt play more comfortable, including a little tube of water-based lubricant and a small bottle of toy cleaner.  Additionally, the box also contained a tube of Anal-Eze, a numbing agent intended to be used before inserting the plug.  I become absolutely livid when I see toy companies including numbing lubes with anal toys.  Firstly, anal play does not hurt if you do it correctly.  If you numb your anus before play, you might miss out on an important pain signal telling you to slow down, add more lube, try a smaller toy or stop altogether.  Secondly, if you use a numbing agent, you won’t be able to feel pleasure OR pain.  So any pleasurable sensations you might have enjoyed will be dulled.  Including numbing lubes with anal toys plays into a lot of fear that people have around anal play, and actually makes it less likely that they’ll enjoy their experience.

If you’re interested in trying a butt plug, I definitely recommend the Anal Fantasy Plug from Pipedream.  The size, shape and material make it easy to use and comfortable to wear.  It’s an inexpensive way to dip your toe into the vast sea of anal play.  If you do buy one, just do yourself a favour: bin the Anal-Eze and treat yourself to a generous bottle of good quality lube to make your butt play enjoyable and smooth.

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New years resolutions 2017

One of my favourite things about starting a fresh new year is setting new years resolutions. I’m a total productivity nerd so any opportunity to self-evaluate and set goals gets my gears turning.  I’d really like 2017 to be a year of self-love and transformation.  And I want to make sure that I make time for the things that I love most.  To that end, here are my resolutions for the next 12 months.

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Journal at least once a week

Regrettably, I’ve neglected my journal badly this past year.  I’ve gone entire months where I haven’t put pen to paper once.  That makes me sad, because not only is journalling really cathartic for me, but it creates a wonderful record of my experiences.  I used to journal every single day, but that’s not really realistic with my current schedule.  I think aiming for a minimum of once a week is much more do-able.

Read all the books in my to-read pile.

I have a huge stack of books waiting to be read on top of my bookshelves.  Some of them were gifts from two Christmasses ago, and I still haven’t gotten to them.  I read a lot, but lately I’ve been getting a lot of books from the library.  This year, I’d really like to zero in on those books I already own, and start making headway on them.  By this time next year, I’d love to have that pile down to nil, or to whittle it down considerably.

Knit a whole garment

I adore knitting and crocheting, and in the last few years my skills have grown in leaps and bounds.  I’ve taken a few chances with patterns I’ve found scary, such as knitting socks and mittens and crocheting placemats.  This year, I’d really like to have a go at knitting a whole jumper or cardigan for myself.  I think I’m ready.

Continue transitioning to a vegan-ish diet

Over the last two months, I’ve been learning about veganism and begun making some significant changes in my diet.  And I’ve felt so much better for it.  I’ve lost a little weight, I’ve had more energy and I feel more creative with my cooking.  I’ve been referring to my diet as “vegan-ish” because I’m finding it practically difficult to be full vegan.  I often dine with my parents and they both eat meat and dairy.  And I live in a small town and most restaurants offer limited vegetarian options, and no vegan options on the menu to speak of.  I don’t want to make a huge fuss, because I’m self conscious. So ultimately what I’m aiming for is to cook vegan food in my own home, and make the best choices I can when I’m out and about.  I’d like to continue to learn more about vegan cooking and work towards creating a diet that works for me.

Declutter my flat

About two months ago I started a ruthless declutter of my belongings.  I just have so many items that I don’t use and it was overwhelming. I’ve already gone through my wardrobe and gotten through a huge stack of items that no longer fit me, items I don’t wear and things that were worn out.  I’ve gone through one of my bookcases as well, and my makeup.  By the end of the year I want to have done a massive purge, clearing out the items I don’t need and actually removing them from my home.

Buy fewer things

On the flipside of decluttering and throwing away stuff I don’t need, I’d really like to be mindful of what I’m bringing into my home.  I want to try to buy fewer things, and really think carefully about what I’m buying.  I’d like to buy better quality items that will last longer and avoid purchasing items on impulse.

Write more sex-positive posts.

This year, I began writing more posts about one of my favourite topics: sex.  I’ve written a number of sex toy reviews, shown you my haul from Oz Kink Fest and chatted a little bit about BDsM.  And so many of you enjoyed those posts and gave excellent feedback.  This year, I’d like to review loads more toys for you, as well as delve deeper into some specific sexual health topics and do some more BDsM posts.

Build an aftercare kit

I’ve been exploring the world of BDsM a lot more deeply this year, and I’ve been playing with my Dom often.  Aftercare is an essential part of any kind of BDsM play, and one thing I’ve been thinking about making myself is an aftercare kit.  I’d like to pack up all the essentials I need after a scene into a little bag so that they’re all together and ready for use.  That way, when I’m all head-foggy after a scene I don’t have to go searching through the house for what I need to bring myself back down to earth.  And it will be so handy to just pop the kit into my luggage when I travel.

What are your goals for 2017?  Do you have any questions about my resolutions?

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The three common principles of BDsM

I’ve had a few requests for some posts about BDsM.  Some of you might know that I’m interested in BDsM.  I’m both a scholar who likes to learn about new techniques, fetishes and relationships and an active participant who likes to indulge in BDsM  play in the bedroom and in day-to-day life. I’m by no means an expert, but this is something that I’m fascinated by and passionate about. I’m happy to write about this part of my life as long as my readers are interested.  And since I casually mentioned it and got a few responses asking for more information, I’m guessing that at least a couple of you are.

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I thought a good place to begin talking about BDsM on this blog would be to introduce you to the three core principles of BDsM.  BDsM covers a vast range of practices, scenes, fetishes, fantasies, lifestyles and roles.  It can be something very extreme, involving complex equipment and dedicated participants, something light and gentle or anything in between.  Even though the scope of the term BDsM is incredibly broad, there are three core principles that apply no matter whether you’re tying someone up and hanging them from the ceiling or giving your lover a few playful swats with a hairbrush.  Those are the principles of Safe, Sane and Consensual.  These three words are the cornerstone of all BDsM play and should be considered very carefully by all players involved.

So what do I mean by Safe, Sane and Consensual?  Let me break it down for you.

“Safe” means that you have taken into consideration the potential risks and how to eliminate or minimise them.

  • You understand any and all equipment that you are using during your scene.
  • You have practiced the techniques that you will use.
  • You are aware of what warning signs to look for that may indicate that your partner is in distress.
  • You are able to administer first aid or quickly obtain assistance if necessary
  • You have safety equipment such as rope cutters close at hand.
  • You have discussed any physical ailments or limitations with your partner.
  • If your BDsM play involves sex, you will practice safer sex.
  • Safe words or signals should be decided upon.  If the word or signal is used, play must stop immediately.

“Sane” means that you are in a rational and clear-headed state of mind.

  • You will not practice bondage, impact play, sharps play or other dangerous scenes under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • BDsM should not be undertaken to harm another person, to vent anger at your partner or to exact revenge.
  • Proper aftercare should be employed to ensure that all parties are feeling safe and stable after play time is over.
  • The person who takes on a Dominant or Top role must be aware of the vulnerability of their sub or bottom and not take advantage of them or abuse their position.
  • Extra care must be taken if you have a mental illness.  Potential triggers should be discussed with your partner, as well as any additional needs or aftercare that you may require.
  • You must act responsibly and with self-control.

“Consensual” means that all activities are undertaken with full and informed consent of all parties involved.

  • All scenes are negotiated well before play begins.
  • Parties should discuss their limits and boundaries, and those limits should be respected.
  • Honesty is essential to achieve informed consent. You must not lie or mislead a partner about what you intend to do to them during a scene.
  • Make sure that you tell your partner if they are approaching your limits, or if they are doing something that you do not like.

As you can see, there is a tremendous amount of care and consideration which must go into the practice of BDsM.  The amount of planning and negotiation is proportionate to the level of danger or the degree of power exchange involved, but it is always a vital part of BDsM.

 

I’m certainly interested in writing more about BDsM or play.  If there are any topics you’d like me to touch on in future posts, please let me know.  As always, questions are welcome but I ask that you keep them respectful.

 

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Product review: Lelo Ina Wave

At the beginning of the year I reviewed my then-favourite vibrator, the Lelo Soraya.  After that review went live, I was contacted by the awesome folks at Lelo asking if I’d be interested in reviewing some of their other products.  Naturally I jumped at the chance.  The representative I spoke with suggested that as I like rabbit-style vibrators, the Ina Wave might be a good fit for me.  Fast-forward to a few weeks later and I was sitting in my kitchen with a brand-new Lelo Ina Wave compliments of the good folk at Lelo in my hot little hands.

 

 

 

Upon opening the box, I was greeted with a a contraption that looked more like Dr Zoidberg’s claw than any sex toy I’ve ever seen in my life.  However I was impressed with the hot-pink shade and the gorgeous packaging.  I was curious to try the Ina Wave out, but  I also felt a tiny bit afraid of the extreme shape.

 

Upon removing the Ina from the box, I was taken aback at how awesome it felt.  The silicone is velvety and super soft, and even the handle is silicone.   There is a slight lip where the handle meets the rest of the toy, but it’s very tightly closed so it’s a lot easier to clean than the Soraya.  The buttons are set into the handle, and the overall look is very smooth and modern.

The Ina Wave promises a “blended orgasm” by simultaneously stimulating the clitoris and the g-spot.  Now, a lot of rabbit-style vibrators offer this kind of dual stimulation, but the Ina Wave has something extra special going for it.  The insertable portion of the toy does this unique ‘wave’ motion, curling upwards to apply pressure to the g-spot.  I have been experimenting with g-spot play recently, so I was very keen to see if I could use the Ina Wave to achieve the coveted blended orgasm it so confidently promised.

 

Let me begin by saying that this toy has a real learning curve.  To begin with, I found it a little tricky to insert.  The insertable part is quite girthy, and has a large bump on the front edge.  Initially I found it difficult to maneuver that shape past my pubic bone.  I also had difficulty with the clitoral arm, which is a much tighter fit than any rabbit vibe I’ve ever owned.  The arm was really hampering my ability to insert the toy, until I realised that the arm is very flexible and can be bent back quite easily.  Once I figured that out and found the right angle, the toy slid in easily.

 

Once I had the toy inside me, the tight fit of that clitoral stimulator became all the more apparent.  I mentioned in my review of the Lelo Soraya that the clitoral arm on that toy was too widely-set to hit my clit squarely.  This toy was the exact opposite.  The clitoral stimulator sat perfectly on my clitoris.  In fact, the tightness of the toy caused it to kind of clamp down on my clit, applying a lot of pressure to that area.  I’d never experienced that sort of pressure in that spot before, and I actually really liked it.  But if you know that you prefer a lighter touch on your clit, this might not be the toy for you.  Similarly, if you know your clitoris and vaginal opening are more widely-set, then you might have difficulty getting the toy to reach all the important zones.  But for me, it was a perfect fit.

 

The Ina Wave has a good variety of settings, and it’s very easy to use.  The arrow buttons cycle through the settings, and the + and – buttons control the intensity.  The button in the centre turns the toy on and off.  I liked this immediate-off switch, which was missing from the Soraya.  I find that once I have an orgasm, I become quite sensitive and it’s nice to be able to switch the toy off quickly to rescue my poor genitals from over-stimulation.  The Ina Wave has a variety of internal and external vibration patterns without the wave function, so you can use it like a traditional rabbit vibe.  But you can also cycle through several wave functions, which combine vibrations in the shaft and clit arm in different ways.  You can also just turn on the wave function with no vibration.  There are a lot of settings to choose from and play with on this toy.  The vibrations are very deep and rumbling and the toy is one of the quietest I’ve used.

 

After a bit of playing, I switched on the wave and was instantly aware of the handle of the Ina flapping about between my legs.  As the toy was lodged firmly in my snatch, the motion of the wave transferred to the handle.  Like I said, this toy has a learning curve!  I quickly learned that I had to hold the handle quite firmly to steady it so that the shaft had enough leverage to stimulate me internally with the magical “come hither” motion.

 

 

And it is magical indeed.  If you’re looking to experiment with g-spot stimulation then this is the toy for you.  That bulge in the front is perfectly angled and hits my g spot effortlessly.  If you’re not sure where your g-spot is, I’m confident that this toy would be a great help in finding it.  One thing I’ve learned over time is that my g-spot, and indeed many g-spots, prefer pressure to vibration.  And that gorgeous wave motion is like a couple of strong fingers pressing firmly into that sensitive spot over and over.  Couple that with the deep, rumbly vibrations and you’ve got a recipe for a delicious orgasm.  I got that coveted blended orgasm on my very first try, and countless times since.

 

(Psst!  If you are intrigued by the idea of the come-hither g-spot stimulation, but don’t like rabbit vibes, then you might enjoy the Mona Wave.  It’s basically the Ina minus the clitoral arm)

 

As I mentioned, the Ina Wave does put a lot of pressure on my clit.  But one thing I really like is that the flexibility in the clitoral arm perfectly accommodates the shaft’s motion.  So instead of pinching your clitoris, it gives this gorgeous massage.  The best way I can describe the sensation of this toy is that it’s like having my clitoris massaged from the front and back all at once.  It feels so pleasurable.

 

Another awesome feature of the Ina Wave is that it’s waterproof!  It can be submerged up to 1 meter.  This makes cleaning a snap, because you can wash it off in the sink.  It also means that you can take your toy into the shower or tub for extra fun.  This is great if you have roommates and the only private time you have is in the shower or bath.

One feature that I’m less than thrilled with is the memory function.  This function remembers the last setting that you used, so when you turn the toy back on, it defaults to that setting.  This is good if you’re jacking off and you get interrupted, but for regular use I find it a tad annoying.  Like most people, the setting my vibrator is on when I begin masturbating is not the same setting I like it to be on when I finish.  Usually I start on a low setting and work my way up to a dull roar.  So if in my orgasm-addled state I forget to turn the Ina Wave down before I switch it off, I get one hell of a shock when I flip the switch on my next play session.

The Ina Wave has a travel lock feature too, which is essential for rechargeable toys, because you can’t simply remove the batteries.  The battery life on this toy is phenomenal.  I’ve had it for several months, have used it a couple of times a week and I’ve only charged it twice.

 

The Ina Wave retails for $279 on Lelo’s website.  At this price, it is definitely a luxury vibrator.  However based on it’s performance, I think the price tag is reasonable.

 

I would most definitely recommend the Lelo Ina Wave, particularly to those who enjoy g-spot stimulation, those who are looking for a twist on the traditional rabbit vibrator, and those who have petite vaginas that usually find most rabbit vibes a poor fit.

 

Another huge thank you to the folks at Lelo for sending me this toy to review.

 

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Picobong Remoji

Yesterday I woke up to an email that left me positively jittering with excitement.  You all know how much I adore my toys, right?  And I’m a sucker for a good gadget.  Well, the newest offering from Picobong has the potential to make a huge splash in the world of sex toys.

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Picobong, who have already created so many fun toys, have announced that they are working on a revolutionary new pleasure gadget call Remoji.  Remoji is so much more than just a vibrator.  It’s a line of vibrating toys that synch to a smartphone app.  The app basically turns your mobile phone into a remote control, allowing you to control the intensity and pattern of vibration with a few swipes and taps.

I’m pumped about this toy line because I feel like it has the potential to create a variety of ways to explore your own pleasure.  The Remoji toy line will feature four toys: A butt plug, a vibrating egg, a cock ring and a sleeve.  I am pleased by the variety here.  There really is something for everyone, whether you have a penis or a vagina, whether you’re single or coupled, whether you like insertable toys or external stimulation.  So many toy lines seem to focus only on toys for women, or only include one sort of toy.  The Remoji line is so varied, which I feel gives plenty of scope for play and experimentation.

I also find it exciting to consider the possibilities for uses of the app.  For example, imagine how fun it might be to have your partner use their phone to control your toy from afar.  As someone who spent years in a long-distance relationship, I know how difficult it can be to create intimacy when you’re miles away from your partner.  Even though we’re a long way away from being able to transmit your partner’s touch through the phone lines, I feel like this app could bring us a step closer.  I can conjure up so many ideas of how this toy could be incorporated into playtime for couples.

Of course, you don’t have to be partnered to enjoy the Remoji app.  From the information that’s already been released, it seems like the toys will have the capability to access a variety of vibration patterns, including those inspired by different types of music.  To me, that sounds like loads of fun. I enjoy trying the pulses and sensation setting on my vibrating toys, and I relish the thought of having a wide range of patterns to play with.  It also opens up the door for exploring sensation play without a partner.

It’s early days yet, and the Remoji line is not yet available to purchase.  Picobong are still developing the app to ensure that the finished product is as polished and pleasurable as possible.  To assist with this, Picobong have set up an Indiegogo campaign to help raise funds. If you’re as excited as I am about the Remoji, and you want to be a part of this campaign, you can sign up on the Remoji page.  Subscribers get the opportunity to be the first ones to buy the Remoji, at super discounted prices (we’re talking 40% off).

I’m really looking forward to learning more about this app.  I can’t wait to get my mitts on it to truly explore it’s full potential. And of course, I’ll be writing about it here when I do.

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Product review: Thinx Period Underwear.

So everyone knows how excited I am about alternative menstrual products, right?  I mean, I talk about menstrual cups all the darn time.   But as much as I love my Lunette Cup, I’m always eager to try out new products when they hit the market.  And I recently caught wind of a clever-pants item that I wanted to take for a spin.

 

Thinx period panties are basically underwear that you wear when you’re on your period.  They have an absorbent core that wicks fluid away from your skin and prevents it from leaking.  So you can wear them on their own (in place of a pad, tampon or cup) or use them as a backup method of protection in case your tampon or cup leaks.

 

Admittedly, I wasn’t interested in using them as a backup.  Since I’ve started using my Lunette Cup I haven’t had a single leak so I don’t bother with such things.  And even when I was using tampons I never worried about throwing on a pad or pantyliner as well.  What I was really fascinated by was the idea that I could forgo the need to even use a cup or pad and just wear a pair of underpants instead.  So I jumped online, ordered a pair of Thinx and then waited patiently for them to arrive.

 

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And it didn’t take long at all!  In barely more than a week I had my Thinx package in my hands. And what a package!  I adore the sweet little designs on the envelope so much that I didn’t want to tear it open.

 

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Before I get started talking about the actual product, I want to chat a little about price.  See, a lot of the time alternative period products are initially more expensive than their disposable counterparts.  But over time they work out to be a lot more economical because they can be used over and over.  So I don’t mind paying a bit more for these items.  However, I did find the Thinx to be on the pricey side.  A single pair of the hiphugger style costs $34.  By the time I paid for postage to Australia I was looking at around $50.  Which is about the same amount I paid for my Lunette Cup.  However, while you only need one cup to see you through your menstrual period, you would need a minimum of five pairs of Thinx to get you through a period (assuming you menstruate for five days, and you were using a pad at night, or doing a wash during the week).  That makes the initial outlay very expensive.  Thinx do offer discounts when you buy multiple pairs, which is a bonus.  But I find the price very steep compared with other menstrual products.

 

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Thinx come in a range of styles, including full brief, bikini and thong.  I chose the hiphugger because they were the most absorbent and looked as though they would be comfortable to wear.  The sizes do run a little on the small side, so I recommend choosing a larger size than you would normally buy.  I picked the medium, which were a perfect fit for me, particularly when I encountered a nasty bit of mid-period bloating.

 

dscf0810_zps3lbx0v4eMy first impression upon taking the Thinx out of the package was how ordinary they looked!  They are available in black and nude, and I chose the black because it seemed a little cuter to me.  The gusset is reinforced but it isn’t thick or bulky at all.  The material is very stretchy and I found them extremely comfortable to wear.

 

In fact, on the day I chose to test them out I found them almost too comfortable.  I was a wee bit nervous because I didn’t feel like I was protected.  It felt like walking into battle armed with only a paper sword.  I deliberately decided to wear them on the heaviest day of my period to give them a proper test, and I was very aware of the possibility of a Shining-esque disaster in my trousers.

 

But I was most pleasantly surprised.  Not only did they feel great, but they actually worked!  I wore them for the entire day at work and didn’t have one hint of a leak.  The Thinx also did a brilliant job of wicking the moisture away, so I felt dry and comfortable for the whole day.  There was none of the odour that you get with disposable pads either.  (I have never noticed that smell with reusable pads, and so I believe it has something to do with the chemicals in commercial pads).

 

The Thinx hiphuggers are supposed to be able to hold two tampons worth of fluid. I’d say this is pretty accurate, based on how much I usually bleed during my heaviest days.  I should note that I don’t have a super heavy flow.  If you have a heavier flow then you might consider saving the Thinx for your lighter days, or bringing an extra pair to change into if you feel you might leak during the day.

 

This brings me to the other aspect of the Thinx that I don’t like.  Although they are super discreet to wear, they aren’t so easy to change.  If you did have a heavy flow and wanted to freshen up during the day, you would have to carry around a spare pair of undies and then smuggle the soiled ones into your bag.  When compared with, say, a menstrual cup, this is far from discreet.  That being said, from my experience I don’t think you’d need to change throughout the day, so this problem is a bit of a non-issue.

 

One thing I will note that, while it didn’t bother me, might be an issue for some.  As any person who menstruates will realise, periods don’t just consist of blood. There is also some *ahem* solid matter that is excreted.  The Thinx don’t absorb this matter, and it just kind of sits on the top.  However, this same thing happens with pads and I found it was easy enough to use a piece of toilet paper to pick up the offending globs and flush them so I felt dry again.

 

The Thinx underpants are machine washable and came up brilliantly after a wash.  I’m  not sure how well the nude ones would resist stains, but the black ones look good as new.  There was no smell after washing and no residue on my other clothes.

 

I would definitely recommend the Thinx for women who are fed up with pads and tampons and want something very comfortable and effective to wear during their periods.  If you can get past the price, they are a great alternative to traditional menstrual protection.

 

Have you tried Thinx?  What did you think?  Would you give these a shot?

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Four things…

My darling mate Nina from Le Fancy Geek tagged me in her Four Things post, and I just couldn’t wait to join in.  It’s been a long time since I’ve done a tag post, and this one seemed like it would be a lot of fun.

I’m not going to tag anyone in this post, but if you want to do your own Four Things post, please leave a link in the comments, I’d love to read your answers to the questions.

Four places I’ve lived.

–My parents house.  Until I was nineteen I lived with my parents in a brick house in Benalla.  It was a really great home and my parents still live there now.

– College in Melbourne.  I lived in a dorm with eleven other people for three years.  It was crowded, noisy and smelly and I loved it (most of the time).  I did crazy things like riding a mechanical bull and taking off all my clothes to add them to a chain of my dorm-mates clothes to see how far we could make it reach.  It was amazing.

– A share house in Heidelberg.  The house I lived in was dingy and literally falling to pieces.  No joke.  We once awoke at five in the morning when a chunk of our loungeroom ceiling collapsed.  It was in a terrible area and a year into my time there a man was murdered on the corner of my street.  But despite all that I loved living there.

– A flat on my own.  I currently live by myself in a flat in my hometown.  It’s actually pretty great.  I have lots of space and a lovely garden out the back and a beautiful corner window in my bedroom.

Four jobs I’ve had.

–Sales assistant at Target.  I worked at Target all through high school and then again after college ended.  Although it was pretty trying at times it was actually a pretty good job.  I worked with some awesome people and I particularly loved working in the lead-up to Christmas.

– Waitress at a pub.  This was probably the worst job I ever had.  At the time I was working two jobs to save for university and I was utterly exhausted.  I would work until ten most nights and come home smelling of beer spills and chip grease.  I got burned with hot plates and grabbed by creepy customers.  The night I quit was one of the happiest of my life.

–  Avon Lady. I briefly sold Avon cosmetics in the year between high school and university.  It was a lot of fun, but I had to put in a huge amount of work for very little payoff.  The best part was visiting old ladies and doing their nails while chatting over tea. In fact, I kept doing that after I quit.

– Receptionist for a legal centre.  I’ve had a few reception jobs, but the best one was when I worked at a legal centre in Melbourne.  The centre provided free legal advice for people who couldn’t afford to pay for legal council.  It was a very difficult job and I saw a lot of very upsetting things.  But I loved working there because I felt like I was doing something that really mattered.

Four things I don’t eat.

– Tomato sauce.  I can’t stand it, which sucks because in Australia people seem to put it on everything, and I always feel like a total weirdo that I’m the only one eating a pie not slathered in disgusting goopy redness.

– Pavlova.  Yet another traditional Aussie dish that turns my stomach.  Every woman in my family hates pav, from my Nana to my Mum.  None of us can stomach it, and I wonder if our aversion is genetic.

– Oysters.  Although I love seafood, I’ve never enjoyed oysters.  I’ve tried them a few times but I just can’t stand the texture of them.

– Chai.  Although I adore the scent of chai, the taste triggers my gag reflex like nothing else.

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Four of my favourite foods.

– Pizza.  Pizza is my go-to food for any occasion.  If I want to celebrate or treat myself, I’ll order a pizza.  Long day at work and can’t be arsed cooking?  Order a pizza!  My turn to pick the takeout?  You know it’s gonna be pizza!  I can’t get enough of it.  And a cold slice of leftover pizza for breakfast is my idea of heaven.

– Jelly beans.  Specifically, the special glucose jelly beans that you buy at the chemist.  I love those chubby little bastards.

– Hokey Pokey ice cream.  Caramel ice-cream with shards of butterscotch swirled through it, amazing.

– Earl Grey tea.  I’m a big-time tea drinker, and Earl Grey is my favourite.  It’s sweet and comforting with a beautiful aroma.

Four films I’ve watched more than once.

– The Wizard of Oz

– Beetlejuice

– Heavyweights

– Ghost World

Four TV shows I watch.

– Bojack Horseman

-Orange is the New Black

– Game of Thrones

-Parks and Recreation

Four things I’m looking forward to this year.

– Christmas!  I seriously love Christmas.  I’m always looking forward to Christmas, no matter how far away it is.

– My girlfriend’s birthday.  I get mega excited for birthdays, and this will be the first time since we started dating that I’ll be able to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday with her.  I want it to be very special for her, because she’s an incredible person.

– Getting an article published in one of my favourite magazines.  It’s happening in September, and I couldn’t be more pumped.

– Spring.  I’m so over Winter, and I can’t wait for the weather to begin to warm up again.

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Four things I can’t live without.

– Pets.  I am so much happier when I have a pet. At the moment Miss Jelly and Mr Ringo are my constant companions and they bring so much joy into my world.

– Lip balm.  I hate having dry lips, and I feel so much more comfortable when my lips are slathered with balm.  My favourite brand is Lip Smackers and I usually have a few of these on the go.

– An internet connection.  So much of my life is online.  I connect with my friends over the internet, I keep up with my writing online and I don’t know what I’d do without Netflix.

– Pretty lingerie.  Boring undies are for boring people, and I like having a wardrobe of gorgeous underthings to slip on under my clothes.

Four celebrity crushes.

-Kit Harrington

– Dawn French

– Chris Pratt

– John Goodman

Four pet peeves.

– When people say “pacifically” when they mean to say “specifically”.

– When people walk in large groups in a line across the footpath so you can’t get past.

– People who are rude to waitstaff or shop assistants.

– Minions.  I just don’t get why they’re so popular.  It infuriates me that minion-based memes keep popping up on my Facebook feed.

Four things I wish I could do.

– Sing.  I’m not a bad singer, but I’m not really a good singer either.  I wish I had the ability to really belt out a tune.

– Play a musical instrument.  I’ve tried learning a number of instruments, including piano and guitar.  I just don’t have an ear for music.

– Draw.  My drawing skills are woeful and I sometimes wish that I were able to express myself on paper with images.  But I suppose that I’m good at expressing myself with words, which is nothing to be sniffed at.

– Be more assertive.  As a very introverted and anxious woman, I find it so hard to stand up for myself and speak up to get what I need.  I tend to let myself get passed over and I don’t like that.  I’m working to be more assertive, but I’ve got a long way to go.

Four subjects I studied at school.

– Drama.  I loved drama in high school and I was particularly good at comedy.  I used to have a blast recreating classic sketches from Rowan Atkinson and French and Saunders to crack up my classmates.

– Literature. I’m a reader at heart and my awesome literature teacher taught me how to really delve into a book and appreciate it on a deeper level.  She introduced me to Oscar Wilde, Harper Lee and Charles Dickens and also showed me the creepiest book I’ve ever read: The Collector by John Fowles.

– Neuroscience. I have a degree in psychology and I spent a good part of my time at uni studying pictures of brains and dissecting actual brains.  It was fascinating and something that I’m still very interested in.

– Human rights law.  For a long time I dreamed about working in a community legal centre and helping disadvantaged people find justice.  Sadly, I nearly had a nervous breakdown pursing that dream and decided it wasn’t feasible for me to do that kind of work for the rest of my life.  I hope that I’ll be able to go back to it one day, in some form.

Four things near me right now.

– My knitting

-An empty water bottle (I drained it while I was writing this post)

– The remote control for the television

-Darkness be my Friend by John Marsden.

 

Don’t forget to leave me a link if you do your own version of the Four Things tag. I’d love to read your answers.