iinventory

2009-11-16T15:54:00.003-06:00

In our society, there are endless pressures to "better" ourselves or our lives, mostly through the pressure to consume. We are continually seeing ads telling us to better our skin by using some new cream that reduces the appearance of pimples or wrinkles. To better our waist size by trying a diet pill or pre-prepared, pre-portioned, preservative-filled meal delivery system. Better our homes (and lives!) with this or that new fancy duster contraption. The list goes on and on.

But today I challenge you to think less about how you can better yourself and how you can be better TO yourself.

We can start by putting these messages that are constantly telling us we aren't good enough, and replace them with what we love about ourselves. We are already good enough. We don't need products to improve our value. You are beautiful the way you are.

We can be better to our bodies by eating healthier, but not starving ourselves. By putting it to use, but not overexerting it.

We can be better to our minds by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Thinking of all of the things we are grateful for and remembering to cherish those close to us.

We can be better to ourselves by devoting as much time and thought to our relationships as we do our school work or our jobs.

We can be better to ourselves by remembering to take a moment to breathe. Take a hot bath, give yourself a pedicure, have a cup of tea and read a good book. Create something - it doesn't have to be a masterpiece. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Give yourself permission to daydream. Cuddle more than you cook today. Kiss more than you Google or Etsy Forum today. Give your pets more attention than you give the house. Tell everyone you love how much you love them, and receive others' love and praise. Say "thank you" when complimented. Say "yes" to the friend wanting you to go out to dinner. The dishes can wait, the laundry can wait. Say yes to yourself today.

Illustration Credit:
"You Are Just Here To Be Yourself"

Jessica Maertens
BeautyOnTheFire.Etsy.com

Feminists Fuck Better

2009-10-07T02:38:00.003-05:00

I recently listed these on 8x10 prints on Etsy. The idea had been bouncing around in my head for a while, and I mean, really. What is better than strong statements in the form of innocent and passive cross-stitch? Oh, yeah, right.

So, why do feminists (men & women) fuck better?

1. Partners who are genuinely interested in participating in mutually respectful sex will inevitably care more about the other person's experience. Therefore, they will put in more effort into pleasing them and not be 100% focused on only their personal wants. Also, partnership brings out shared effort - meaning, everyone is being pleased and no one is doing ALL of the work.

2. Choice. If you know that you are deciding to participate in this act - not because you think you "should" or because someone else wants you to, you will be so much more into it. You can choose to have sex, not to have sex now, or not to have sex at all. You are more than your sexuality, but when you decide to harness it - it is a powerful thing.

3. Feminists don't sleep with people who treat them as a lesser creature. If they are having sex with someone, this person at least sees them as their equal...and that makes everyone feel good.

Further Reading:

Fucking like a Feminist

Sorry, Rush: Feminists Are Sexy

Best of LGBT Etsy -- Coming Out Week Edition

2009-10-05T15:29:00.006-05:00

This week, the week of October 5-11, is National Coming Out Week!

This is the week before National Coming Out Day, which is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. It is observed on October 11 every year by members of the LGBT communities and their supporters (often referred to as "allies").

In honor of this week, I bring you my personal picks for Best of LGBT Etsy!

Love Card - Equality Series - Girl and Girl, Boy and Boy
By WheelerStudio

Rachel Maddow Stencil Painting
by ArtbyMags

My Home is Where You Are - Paper Collage Prints
By NoelleHorsfield

Hand-Stamped Sterling Silver Necklace - EQUALITY
by BellaWish

Thanks to all of these shops for supporting equality and the LGBT community. I hope you'll give them a look. :-)

Feel free to post your picks for Best of LGBT Etsy -- maybe they'll be picked for the next edition!

Happy Coming Out Week!

Pet Portrait Giveaway @ Sitting Pretty Studio!

2008-12-12T19:20:00.003-06:00

Zana at Sitting Pretty Studio is giving away a free pet portrait! All you have to do is leave a comment on her post and hope for the best.

http://sittingprettystudio.blogspot.com/2008/12/pet-portrait-giveaway.html

Free download of "All About LGBT Activity Book"!

2008-12-12T17:56:00.016-06:00

All About LGBT Activity Book
by Taylor Ridling

An activity book for children and adults to learn about
the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community
in an interesting and fun way!

This 8-page activity booklet includes:

Word Search of Famous LGBTers
Matching Game
Color Popular LGBT Symbols
Information on homosexuality, heterosexism, "that's so gay", what it means to be "in the closet", and more!
More important learning cleverly disguised as fun!

P.S. there's a secret word hiding in the word search that I did not put there. Ironic and amusing.

And it's all free to download!

Please leave me a comment if you download and let me know what you/your children think, suggestions, etc. :-)
If you would like a printed, half-size, stitch-bound copy just let me know - I'm sure we can work something out.

ridling.taylor@gmail.com
iinventory.etsy.com

Download PDF here!

You Never Forget Your First Time

2008-11-06T21:10:00.004-06:00

The election this past Tuesday - you know, the one for the Presidency (real low profile, you probably didn't hear)- well, it was the first one in which I have been able to vote. And man was this a good election to start with.

Whether you were for Obama, McCain or Ronald McDonald, there's no denying the history that was made and it's time for us to come together and Barack this thing!

Victory History Obama Button by mindseyecards.etsy.com

($1.75)

O BALM ah RESTORATIVE BALM

by theme fragrance.etsy.com ($7.50)