Free Reads

I've had the week off, but my roomie hasn't...which has resulted in a lot of late nights, falling into the internet black hole. Here are a few interesting reads I've found, which are mostly related to feminism and race issues. 

Before you write off the feminist blogs (please, don't!) remember that good, healthy feminism means women are free to shave their legs, wear pink dresses, and love men just as they are free to do refuse to any of those things.* I wouldn't dare direct you somewhere promoting anything but good, healthy feminism!

• Deeply Embarrassed White People Talk Awkwardly About Race
• Why I Am a Black Male Feminist
• Feminist Ryan Gosling (a hilarious and intelligent counter-tumblr to Fuck Yeah! Ryan Gosling)
• Tumblr and blog of Danielle H, who created Feminist Ryan Gosling, full of interesting posts about feminism, race, positivity, and other heavy topics. Plenty of humor to make you giggle between thinking.
• Hairy Pits Club (thanks, Carissa!)
• Lipstick Feminism
• The Definition of Feminism, written by a young man. What is sexier than a male feminist? Nothing, in my book.

I'll round it out with a little eye and music candy from Leslie Hall, one of modern times' most glamorous musicians. Enjoy this smokin' jam, and feast your eyes on body positivity in live, dancing action. You might recognize some of the dancers, too...

*Good, healthy feminism also means all of these things are true for men as well. So go ahead and shave your legs and wear your dresses, gentlemen! Or don't!

Happy November!

November! I love this month. It's Jake Month!

Two Novembers ago, we began dating. Seven Novembers ago, we became friends. THIRTY Novembers ago, Jake was born.

Now, let's commemorate with an embarrassing picture!

The earliest photo I can find of Jake (right) and myself (center) in 2005-ish, about a year after we began working together. YIKES. Thank goodness for that whole "growing into yourself" thing.

Proof we got a little cuter. June 2011, dating 1.5 years and friends for 6.5, working our last coffee shift together before moving to Chicago. 

Couples Crafts

Sunday night, Jake and I stayed in with some beers and decorated envelopes for buddy packages. We also did a little leg wrestling and cat harassing. I love living with my best friend!

I have to trick Jake into crafting with science. Note the hypotrochoid set!

Some of these will be filled with wood earrings for buddies, but there are still so many waiting for new ears to hang out with. The offer is still good--let me know if you want a pair!

Urban Garden

Oy! Like I've already mentioned, Halloween has made me terribly sick for Iowa. I've been a little self-indulgent, staring at the internet and eating too many cookies. Not exactly blog-worthy content.

So, while I snap out of it and get back to makin' stuff, gander at this silly series I will call, "Urban Garden."

Happy Halloween! pt 2

 The artichoke and the carrot.

I made the artichoke costume--in two manic afternoons--out of foam scraps from my carrot, and a few other items I already had on hand: construction paper, craft pain, yarn, and hot glue. 

The artichoke was totally free to make, and created from found materials. 

Honestly, I was a little jealous at how well it turned out and almost had Jake wear the carrot.

Happy Halloween proper! This holiday makes me especially friend-sick for my very best pals in Iowa (and one in Europe right now!), but we are making do here in Chicago.

Be safe and remember handmade costumes are always more fun and creative. Not to mention, much warmer than what's become popular for women's costumes...

PS- Check out Carissa's spot-on Peggy Bundy costume, and keep your eyes peeled for a possible Halloween update from my urinal-wearing, costume contest-winning buddy Ramona (seriously!).

Happy Halloween!

It started with a mile walk and thirty minute rush-hour train ride with this awkward box:

There were three of these:

Materials:

White Polyfoam (think: typically colorful foam found in children's craft aisles)

Two orange plastic table cloths

Leftover faux flower stems from this project

Orange permanent marker

E6000, lots of duct tape, and spray adhesive

Small amount of wire (to help hold the stems upright)

Measuring devices

Scissors

Total cost: About $15.00

 This thing is REALLY warm. I plan on being as nude as possible underneath, while still having the option to remove the costume in public and be decent.

Now, let me see YOUR costume!

Happy Halloween! Be safe and ridiculous!

Crochet Cowl

When it comes to crocheting, I am quite an amateur. Somehow I was able to wrangle up some patience and produce this cowl/hood just in time for my first Chicago winter. It took me about a week and a half of feverish labor, and almost three skeins of yarn. The yarn comes from my collection leftover from my Aunt Marlene, an avid plastic canvas crafter and acrylic yarn hoarder. In a dream world, this cowl would be made of softer, more natural fibers, but I cannot bring myself to buy yarn while Marlene's pile fails to get smaller.

Foolishly, I took photos before I trimmed the yarn tails. Forgive!

Can you guess where my color inspiration seems to come from?