Guest User 2/20/17 Guest User 2/20/17

8 Tips on How to Stock Your Period Survival Kit

by Emery W.

It’s that time of the month again, ladies, and it is a doozy. That’s right, Aunt Flo, the queen of all that is evil, has arrived for her monthly visit, and while she’s a blessing to many of us who want that indication that we are NOT with child, she has a tendency to over stay her welcome.

Menstruation is becoming less of a taboo topic to talk about because most of us women have one fairly regularly, so what do you do when your lady parts hate you, and decide to be a bitch while you’re not at home? No worries, I’m giving you wonderful readers the inside scoop on what’s inside of my mobile period kit.

1. Tote Bag/Large Purse

If you’re the kind of lady like I am who absolutely HATES carrying purses so when you do, it’s the tiniest one possible, then for these on-the-go period essentials, you’ll need to invest in some form of tote bag, or large purse. Personally, I use an old hand-me-down laptop bag my best friend gave me when we moved out of our apartment, but you can pick one up cheap at your local thrift store, or Walmart.

2.Pain Killers

The worst part of menstruation is probably the pain. Seriously, I could handle accidental blood leakage so much easier if it didn’t feel like Mount Vesuvius was erupting in my lower abdomen every two minutes. My product of choice is Tylenol Extra Strength, but choose whatever option is best for you. I pop two as soon as I wake up because I don’t know about you other ladies, but the first hour after waking up is the only time during the day I’m not cramping. After that, I’ll take two more every 4-6 hours depending on my level of pain (day 2 is seriously, the worst). Just remember to watch your intake, and to follow the directions on the bottle. No two bodies are exactly the same so what works for me, may not work for you.

3.Extra Underwear

It’s no shock that sometimes our periods are a bit heavier than expected, and it looks like the Red Sea is making its way out of our vaginas. That’s why it’s always important to carry extra underwear in case of leakage. You could also opt (like me) to wear the tampon + pad comp for extra security, but just in case, get you a nice, comfy pair of underwear to place in your bag.

4. Flannel/Light Cardigan

For those days when pads or tampons just don’t cut it, and you spot through both your underwear and your pants, it’s always nice to have an extra layer of security. Put a light flannel shirt, or cardigan in your bag to wrap around your waist in case of emergency. I got a super lightweight one at Walmart, but once again, your local thrift store should have something that works. Not only is having a long-sleeved something tied around your waist international woman code for, “Help me, I’m bleeding!” it’s also a cute fashion accessory so it’s as much of a win as you’re going to get during your cycle.

5.To-Go Kleenex Packs

Along with cramps, and uncontrollable bleeding comes the uncontrollable mood swings. I quite often find myself crying because I don’t have a family size pack of Pull ‘N Peel Twizzlers at work on a semi-regular basis. If you find yourself in this exact same situation, or anything similar, pick up a pack of Kleenex so that you’re ready for those unexpected water works.

6.Wipes

One of my least favorite parts of menstruation is how icky I feel after being on the toilet. Even after I’ve just wiped with toilet paper, I still feel gross. I mean, I know I can’t be the only one who looks after wiping so you know, there’s a mess. Plus, there’s the blood residue that gets on your hand too. I’m used to it, and I still think it’s gross. An easy fix for that could be to get some type of wet wipe. Be sure to get the flushable kind, and even if you wipe your hand with it, wash your hands afterward. Good hygiene, ladies; it’s a necessity. I promise you’ll feel so much better, and it also helps with odors (along with changing your pad/tampon regularly).

7.Chocolate

I don’t know what it is, but something about hormones going out of whack makes me crave chocolate. I’m usually not much of a chocolate fan. In fact, I don’t buy it at all unless I’m on my period. I’m a preschool teacher, and if there’s one thing I’m known for, it’s having an emergency supply of chocolate (along with extra tampons, pads, and a bottle of Ibuprofen) hidden in a treasure box at work. See, us women have to take care of each other. However, when I’m not a work, I keep some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in my period bag. I’ll freeze it overnight to counteract the inevitable melting caused by Texas heat, but when you’re craving, chocolate in any form is Heaven on Earth.

8.Notebook/Pad + Pen

Maybe this one is more of a personal preference, but I keep a journal during my period. It’s so important for me to write down my feelings and thoughts during this time so that I don’t lash out at anyone else. With the influx of hormonal abnormalities (that sounded smart, huh?), tempers have a tendency to flare. Instead of taking it out on someone else, write it down. Once you’re back to being categorized as normal-woman crazy, the things you wrote down will sound either hilarious, or incredibly profound.

Every woman, and every period is different so of course, not all of these things work for every person, but hopefully these help. At a time in our lives as women when it seems like everything is awful, and the world is obviously ending, we all need a little help.

Kirsten Fagin 2/20/17 Kirsten Fagin 2/20/17

The Importance of My Girl Gang

by Kirsten Renee

“We’re dysfunctional at best, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I didn’t grow up appreciating my fellow lady friends, my friend circles were always full of catty ways and kicking people out. If you’ve ever seen that episode of Lizzie McGuire where Kate breaks her arm + the cheerleaders demote her… It was like that. Now though I have an army of bad ass women by my side + they aren’t going anywhere. I am a solid feminist, my love for my fellow women stands tall. Having your girls by your side is something that can’t be explained, It’s like “who else is going to know what sneezing on your period is like?” Girl gangs are like a sisterhood in a sense, a super tight knit community of warrior princesses.

I have a core circle of gal pals that I went through teenage angst with , we don’t ever see each other but we always keep each other up to date. Some of them have kids, others are married, and living life. These ladies knew me at a very young and wild age, where partying was more important than anything. However, as most adolescent friendships do we went our separate ways, and that is perfectly okay. One thing still stands though, we are always rooting for one another.

“I have an army of bad ass women by my side + they aren’t going anywhere.”

In my late teens and early twenties, the higher power blessed me with my sister squad. The five of us make up the oddest, but purest blended family. We’ve all grown up together in our small hometown, but we didn’t become a complete family until our late teens. These women helped see me through the most pivotal phase of my life, they watched me transform from a person full of self deprecation and depressive episodes into the confident and self assured fairy that I am today. We’ve all watched each other transform into stronger individuals. Through heartbreaks, triumphs, drunken nights and every moment in between we have rooted ourselves in the foundation of our friendship. We have moved and graduated college, gotten engaged, and had real adult experiences. Our conversations have gone from Joe Jonas vs Nick Jonas and first kisses to home decor talks, and sex tips that we read on Buzzfeed. We have grown into women together, and that’s an experience that only we get to say we had.

I also have two women in my life who are possibly extra heartbeats in my chest. These two transcend sisterhood and family, they are what I call my right hand and my life partner. My right hand I have known each other for six years, but it has felt like a million lifetimes. She is my soul twin and you would think that we’re actual sisters, but we’re not! Life partner and myself have been best friends for 11 years and one would argue that we date with how close we are. Her husband reminds us of it all the time! However we are as thick as thieves because she was the first friend to ever have my back without a second thought. No matter what the situation is, she is down to ride with me until the wheels fall off. She protects me, cares for me like one of her own kids even though I’m older and she’s never afraid to check me when I go left. That sort of friendship is the rarest and most special in my opinion. We are blood even though genetics say we are not, but we were never they types to listen to anyone else.

“We have grown into women together, and that’s an experience that only we get to say we had.”

Having a group of women who inspire you, love you and care for you is something that every lady on this planet should experience. There is something about being bonded together in womanhood that is thrilling. We are unstoppable, and together we can make mountains move if we tried hard enough. If you have your own girl gang / sister squad / BFF call them and remind them why you love them so much. Ladies of the world, I leave you with this “Go out and inspire each other’.

Kirsten Fagin 2/20/17 Kirsten Fagin 2/20/17

5 Perfect Movies For The Ultimate G.N.I.

by Kirsten F.

There’s nothing like calling up the girls and having them all over for a fun filled night of drinking, cookies and eating so much that you poop your life away. Of course on any good G.N.I you HAVE to have great movies! So I came to your rescue with my own list of favorite films!

1. Fired Up!

There is nothing better than getting together with your girls and quoting every scene from this movie. Tbh if you haven’t seen Fired Up, You are surely missing out on “pee your jammies” type of laughs. Not to mention, Shawn and Nick are the ultimate babes!

2. She's The Man

In what I personally feel is Amanda Byne’s best film EVER, “She’s The Man” is the PERFECT movie to kick your G.N.I off! Who doesn’t want to watch a movie about a badass lady taking down a bunch of jerks? I know me and my girls surely do. This movie is full of feminine power, and a half naked Channing Tatum . . . So that's an ultimate win. #BadAssHunkyDude

3. Clueless

You can’t have a girls night + not include the ultimate 90′s classic “Clueless”! Cher, Dionne and Tye are the perfect trio to get you and your girls in the lady bonding mood. Clueless is a classic, and it teaches you valuable life lessons like; Make sure your shoes are on tight so you don't almost knock someone out while you dance. Also, it’ll make you want to go shopping because the outfits are LEGIT.

4. 21 + Over

21 + Over is the film that’ll probably turn your Your G.N.I into a G.N.O. There’s nothing like watching Miles Teller and Skylar Astin walk around with nothing but a sock on. Although, don't be like them and lose a friend. Make sure you and your girls are near each other at all times! Sister safety!

5. Sixteen Candles

You can’t have a G.N.I movie night and not invite everyone’s favorite 80′s princess Molly Ringwald! Sixteen Candles is a movie that not only makes you wish that you got to wear 80′s fashion, but it’s a film that you and your gal pals can relate to. Everyone and I mean everyone, has had a Jake Ryan…Am I right?

Tell us what your favorite G.N.I movie’s are!

MagickGAL 1/23/17 MagickGAL 1/23/17

The Importance of Period Food.

by Kirsten F.

For me it happens the week before I start my period, that instinct to find and hoard all of your favorite foods. In my case, that would be mangos, pizza, celery, peanut butter and s'mores flavored granola bars. Sometimes the occasional apple fritter and key lime pie find their way onto that list too. Now I don't know about you ladies, but when that moment clicks in my head I go into a sort of nesting mode. I check out for a week, and get to be with myself and all of my favorite things.

Period food is my sense of comfort when I'm laying in bed with my tea and my hot hands. (Seriously hot hands were sent from heaven, and you can wear them anywhere.) I'm apart of a pretty bad ass ladies group on Facebook. So I reached out to my girls to ask what their favorite period food is. These women lit up with excitement to talk about what brings them comfort during a time where we get to physically cleanse our bodies in a sometimes draining way. These foods may be sugar filled, natural, or it may just be a fruit but they all have one thing in common. They make us feel good and we should be proud of what brings us joy, can we spend this year doing that? Just celebrating what makes us happy, and be an unstoppable force.

Think about that this week gals, and do what makes you happy! Check out this list of women who get real about their period cravings!

What are your go to period comfort foods? Leave a comment below!