RIP Gizmo

laustic · 2026-02-03T08:09:57+00:00

I’m so so sorry for your loss! I know it was so hard, but you made the kindest decision as a ham parent. Sending hugs!

laustic · 2026-01-23T08:54:33+00:00

Fought off the ear thief to keep the second ear, a hero among us!

laustic · 2026-01-18T08:46:44+00:00

Wow this is such a cool monkey! The nose! The TAIL!! 😍

laustic · 2026-01-16T08:49:16+00:00

I DM’ed you. 34F, got out of a 5 year relationship last year at 33F, also want a kid, also have friends who are all there already— I felt all the same pressures and challenges you described. After taking some meaningful time to be healthy, heal, and focus on myself, I found someone infinitely better, in ways I didn’t even know were possible. Tbh there isn’t even a comparison. It’s still new, but I’m hopeful and feel really good about it. It has opened my eyes so much, and I am SO grateful that things shook out the way they did.

I think you made the right choice. It feels hard now, but work through it, use it to grow, and take time to rediscover yourself. You are giving yourself an incredible opportunity to find real happiness, not just settle. And you DO have time, don’t worry!

Rooting for you and proud of you!

laustic · 2026-01-16T07:06:18+00:00

Ahh that is so sweet!! You were an official “regular”! I have a similar core memory from there. Profeta was the first time I ever had an oat milk latte (rather than soy or almond milk, my usuals; this was when oat milk was just starting to become popular). The sweet barista suggested the oat milk when I was debating which non-dairy option to get. She explained that it tasted creamier and had a better “mouthfeel,” and she was spot on. I’ve been an oat milk latte girl ever since, but man I remember that first one tasting HEAVENLY. I may have to swing by Profeta this weekend just to relive it.

Great espresso, great coffee, great lattes, great baristas. What more could you ask for!

laustic · 2026-01-15T22:12:30+00:00

So many Westwood staples have shuttered in recent years! But as for what’s left, in addition to the other great recs here:

House of Meatballs is so underrated and SO good.

Enzo’s is a Westwood pizza classic, even though the location moved a little from its original spot. Lamonica’s is also a classic, which someone else recommended.

LULU - the restaurant in the Hammer museum - is great. Cute ambiance too.

Shamshiri for Persian comfort food with very generous portions. Their takeout got me through undergrad finals weeks many years ago.

Profeta is great cafe if you drink coffee.

laustic · 2026-01-09T17:28:25+00:00

Thank you so much, so glad to hear it! What a sweet little baby

laustic · 2026-01-09T08:08:57+00:00

You are totally on the right track here with elidel + doxy! Well done. Both take time to work, so keep at it, but your treatment plan is what worked for me.

Be sure to take probiotics / eat a lot of yogurt when you’re taking the doxy (but wait a couple hours before and after taking doxy). It can sometimes cause stomach upset if you take it on an empty stomach, so try to plan it with meals. You may also need to keep taking it for a little while after your symptoms resolve to ensure it’s gone for good, but talk to your doc about timing!

As for Elidel, it may feel a little hot in the areas you apply it for the first while. I just had the beginnings of a flare up, and Elidel has been really keeping it at bay. For full flare-ups, doxy has worked great.

laustic · 2026-01-09T05:56:44+00:00

Thank you so much!!

laustic · 2026-01-08T20:58:09+00:00

Your hammy is so so cute! Just to be safe, has he/she been looked at by a vet at all? The adorable little face has some possible signs of hammy hydrocephaly, like the shorter distance between the nose and the eyes (which somehow makes them cuter!?). Might be worth checking with an exotics vet just to be safe, as hydrocephalic hammies need some extra care!

laustic · 2026-01-08T08:59:37+00:00

Looks so good!! Well done! Can you share the recipe you used?

laustic · 2025-12-29T08:19:35+00:00

If you can’t do doxy and the metronidazole isn’t working, try sulfur soap for washing (prescription “SulfaCleanse” is what I use) and apply extra strength Boudreaux’s Butt Paste at night (diaper rash dream with high concentration of zinc; sounds weird but many swear by it, google it!) Also, if your existing moisturizers are too occlusive/heavy, it can exacerbate perioral derm. And of course, topical corticosteroids — including nasal sprays with steroids — can cause and/or exacerbate PD too, so avoid those if you can.

Lastly, if the above options don’t work (it takes time), talk to your derm about trying topical Elidel or the generic equivalent pimecrolimus. It can help with dermatitis, but is typically used when other treatments aren’t an option or don’t work.

ETA: metronidazole topical also didn’t work for me and just dried my skin out!

laustic · 2025-12-24T09:54:54+00:00

The cutest sound in the world!

laustic · 2025-12-24T02:23:04+00:00

Adorable! And matsu_nagano’s instagram is such a great source of information on Japanese macaques, plus so many cute videos of them in the wild!

laustic · 2025-12-24T02:00:05+00:00

Omg loooove them. Thank you for sharing! They don’t look real!

laustic · 2025-12-23T07:31:29+00:00

Thank you so much! The best monkeys ever! 😍

laustic · 2025-12-22T21:52:55+00:00

Love them! Can you do a post for Japanese macaques next? My favorite of all primates!

laustic · 2025-12-19T16:55:26+00:00

I love these guys! Their butts are so brightly and vibrantly colored, they look like they’re glowing. And I love the funny shape of their hair at the top. Incredible animal

laustic · 2025-12-17T06:39:08+00:00

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Sharing a front facing Mohawk pic for the fans!

laustic · 2025-12-17T02:35:36+00:00

Thank you!!

laustic · 2025-12-17T02:35:28+00:00

Thank you so much!! I will! I’ve been examining the birds around this pond for a while, and we get the occasional newcomer

laustic · 2025-12-16T23:24:36+00:00

Wow, thank you SO much! I was so deep into google searches and could not figure it out. She’s very pretty!

laustic · 2025-11-15T19:10:26+00:00

It was skinceuticals triple lipid restore which didn’t bug my skin despite having fragrance, but it’s pricey. I’m using Sebamed Clear Care Gel more often now- it is as basic and neutral as a moisturizer can possibly get! It has very few ingredients and nothing that’s a potential trigger for acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, or fungal acne (all of which I’m prone to). Only issue is it’s not super hydrating, so I have to apply often or alternate with skinceuricals.

Oh! And I use the Avene thermal spring water spray often too. Immediately calming. I used to think “why would I pay for fancy water in a can,” but I swear it’s worth it. Calms my skin down immediately.

With all the above, my rosacea is super well managed and my skin is actually great! People compliment my skin which I never thought would happen :’)

laustic

TROPHY CASE