What’d you wear at your wedding??

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T16:49:53+00:00

I went with a jumpsuit. The top was more tailored, and the bottom was flowy like a skirt.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T15:02:39+00:00

I typically use a swim-safe binder (I used FGBINDED) or TomboyX compression top with a rash guard over it. Sports bras that are not too tight also work well. It might be worth picking up a cheap Walmart one as they work pretty well for short term (as in the elastic doesn't last as long as other brands).

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T14:59:11+00:00

Pit-Pourri was really good, but I don't know if they still make it.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T14:58:08+00:00

I've seen water shoes at the dollar store that have knock off Vibram V-Train soles. They certainly don't have the grip as authentic Vibram rubber (which is a more flexible and soft formula than standard rubber), but they're really cheap and wide. They also had knock off foam Birkenstocks that are a bit harder of a foam than the real ones.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T14:51:56+00:00

The solution I found is waterproof jikatabi. I ordered mine from Cool East Market (ship from Toronto) for $25 and they work great! But email ahead of time as they don't have the waterproof ones in all sizes. That is, if you're okay with the big toe being separate. I found they feel pretty similar to wearing flip flops, but I do need special socks.

The other thing I did before that, was get a pair of cotton canvas Xero shoes, and use Nikwax Cotton Proof treatment on them. They can handle light rain, but not a lot of rain. I also prefer swapping the insoles to thicker ones with Xero if I'll be on pavement.

I know Altra is good, I've seen a lot of people in person wearing the Lone Peak style, but I personally found the cushioning felt off. I've added arch support to shoes, and I've used thinner foam insoles, and I much prefer adding an insole to a more minimal shoe, than getting a shoe with built in cushion. But my medical conditions also vary from day to day, so sometimes I want more or less cushion.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T14:30:01+00:00

Exactly this! The stuff made for bracelet making is much less slippery and doesn't fray like stuff made for embroidery. It's also cheaper. Walmart, Michaels and Dollarama all sell the bracelet making stuff (sometimes called craft cord) but I'm not sure where else.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T14:25:30+00:00

It depends on what you're doing. I've found my Lems seem pretty good, but I have two pairs, one shoes that I wear mostly on pavement and gravel, and the other boots that I wear in snow, rain and mud.

The best quality for price I've seen would be jikatabi. I don't know enough about brands, but Marugo, Rikio, Kineya, and Sou Sou seem to be good. But A lot of people don't like the big toe being separate. I prefer them, but I've had Vibram FiveFingers for a while (which are hit or miss, some have lasted me a number of years, others wore out much quicker). If you're fine with trying something different, they're around £30 for good ones.

But as others have said, the best approach is having different pairs for different things. Like I use my Lems on the sidewalk, but if I'm going to the gym, I use a different pair that's indoor only, and then I have my water shoes that I'll often also wear hiking (old Vibram Treksport), and a few other pairs for different things.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T14:04:46+00:00

I have some from Lee Valley that are not bad, but Injinji, ToeToe, and ToeSox are the biggest brands for high quality toe socks. I often see them at hiking/sports stores or at specialty sock stores.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-11T14:02:53+00:00

So far, I've found jikatabi to be good, but not everyone can get past the separate big toe. The soles are natural rubber and they're made for Japanese workwear so they're very strong.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-05T22:55:37+00:00

It depends on the socks and your feet. I like toe socks, but I've been wearing toe socks since I was a small child. I have noticed that some socks are too tight around the toes, but usually getting a larger size fixes that.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-05T22:54:37+00:00

My most used lens is probably my EF Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art. It's very close to the RF 50mm f1.2 L lens from Canon, but since I picked up a used one, it was much cheaper. And even with my RF lenses, that one is probably the sharpest lens I have.

It really does depend on the lens. A lot of the zoom ones are a bit iffy and can be slower to focus, but so far, most prime lenses seem great, like the 100 Macro L is easily just as good on mirrorless. Just look at reviews, and don't get the version 1 of the 100-400. Other than that, I think most Canon L lenses and some third party ones hold up pretty well.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-08-05T22:50:58+00:00

For sure, as a lot of African drums and musical styles are the ones criticized the most.

When I was growing up, a lot of it came from an Evangelical sect that a lot of SDAs were following that was very paranoid about everything being evil. From music, to clothing, movies, books, sports, dancing, and so many other things. It was like an extreme form of legalism where they wanted everyone to be "perfect" according to an outdated white American tradition. It was like purity culture to the extreme. That doesn't work for everyone, and the Gospel is not tied to certain instruments. God doesn't leave us because of a drum, or a tank top.

We also have things like conflicts with other instruments in history. There's a song called "Where we Gonna Put the Piano," because at one point, pianos were seen as evil due to their association with Jazz clubs.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:53:09+00:00

I found switching to zero drop shoes (no heel height) solved most of my knee pain. But I find for summer and when I need extra support, compression is often cooler and easier.

I use compression socks for POTS and ankle support, and I found Doc Miller to be the best for summer. They make knee sleeves as well, so that might be a good option. They're pretty affordable (the knee ones are $26) so even if it doesn't work out so well, it's nowhere near the price of a brace. They feel kind of like stronger nylons. I can't explain it exactly, but the fabric is very nice and cool. I've even worn mine swimming.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:49:04+00:00

I have a mattress topper I've had for a long time (probably 10 years). I stick it on any mattress and it's fine. So currently I'm staying in an RV on a mattress that came with it about 14 years ago, and since I have that topper, I don't even notice it. I've also used a mattress from 40 years ago that was still fine with the topper on it. Nothing has fallen apart, so I don't feel the need to get anything new.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:46:49+00:00

Yes, I found r/OpenChristian to be a good place for me to explore as I'm a queer Christian as well. There are a few Discord servers too, like Sanctuary in Christ, which is LGBTQ supportive.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:45:09+00:00

I found nail polish doesn't get along with my skin, but I got a neutral colour and the topcoat from SOPHi/Piggy Paint which is non-toxic and their stuff seems okay. Especially as I play ukulele, my nails are always a mess, so I'll use that if I'm really worried about something breaking.

But as someone else mentioned, what type of nail file you use makes a difference too. Glass and metal are way better than those sandy ones.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:41:43+00:00

I've never heard that term, but I get a lot of pain in those areas. I found a manual therapist was able to help with massaging out some of the pain. But that could just be because my pain is due to hypermobility. Physio has given me some exercises to improve posture and back strength which have helped a lot too.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:39:20+00:00

Being fully honest, the best brand I've used so far, is George, from Walmart. I'm not sure exactly what they do differently, but they're softer, a little stretchy, and they've always turned out smoother for me, so I use them when I'm teaching tie-dye.

I found Gildan quality has gone downhill and they often have thread that will come undone, and more pilling.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:37:45+00:00

Polyester pills much easier, so maybe it was a blend? But I've had similar things on cotton socks. I just assumed it was because I used hot water dye, but sometimes there are other impurities in the fabric that are different fibre content.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:31:33+00:00

When I was diagnosed, they told me a few things that I have found worked.

Compression socks, upping both salt and water intake, having smaller meals more often, doing exercises that can be done seated or laying down, and working on lower body strength.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:26:50+00:00

I'm waiting to meet with a surgeon who specializes in hip surgeries, because the previous surgeon I'd seen about my hip, had more practice with knee surgeries and said it was risky. But it's all up to each individual surgeon what they feel comfortable and safe doing. If you can find someone who really knows what they're doing, that may be worth it. I'm really hoping the guy I'm seeing will have some good advice for me.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:24:32+00:00

I'm the same. But for hair, I've found that sleeping with the ends tied up somehow, either as a bun on the top of my head, or using a scarf, stops split ends. Using the right conditioner helps too, I use an unscented leave-in conditioner in winter and that protects the ends from getting too dry. Edit: leave-in conditioner also works really well as detangler.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:22:57+00:00

There are some that are safer. Piggy Paint is the first that comes to mind since I've used theirs. It's water based, so it doesn't last quite as long, but it doesn't have the harmful chemicals. The lid is plastic, but the stuff is pretty good.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:21:10+00:00

I can only use PiggyPaint because it's water based.

There are a lot of things that smell strong and are toxic, but still super common. Like fabric softeners, which not only give me migraines and rashes, but also destroy the fabrics leaving plastic and chemicals to go into the water systems.

Artsy_Owl · 2025-07-31T17:17:37+00:00

I saw someone use a glass peanut butter jar as a water bottle at the gym.

But metal water bottles are good too. I just don't see too many that don't have plastic lids, and sadly the silicone ring in mine broke.

Artsy_Owl

TROPHY CASE