#amazon audible refer a friend

[elliottkay]

Hi, I’m Elliott, and writing smut changed my life.

I also write military sci-fi and fantasy and D&D shitposts, but this is about the smut. I promise it won’t get weird. Much.

In 2010, I was scraping by as a substitute teacher and things were not great at home. I had only written gamer fic for friends, my aspiring mil sci-fi novel was stuck, and I needed some sort of escape… and I thought, “Well, I like sexy stories, and Literotica is free, and…”

My story was a feel-good adventure about a college guy with a heart of gold, a jaded demon weary of evil, and Heaven's hottest mess. It was silly. It was sexy. It was polyamorous, warm, and irreverent, and Literotica loved it: high ranking, tons of comments, and holy shit am I getting positive feedback from the internet?

So it became my first book:

…and that book plugged some holes in my life. It didn’t get me out of subbing, but it filled the financial gap, and it picked me up after a break-up. More importantly, it gave me an audience. When I published Poor Man’s Fight, I already had readers, and that led to more readers… many of whom then picked up Good Intentions and loved that, too, though some had the shocking experience of “Oh my god, it’s full of butts!”

If you’ve read this far, it’s probably time for the content warning. I’m a big believer in these, for serious reasons and, um… less serious.

WARNING: “Good Intentions” contains violence, explicit sex, nudity, inappropriate use of church property, portrayals of beings divine and demonic bearing little or no resemblance to established religion or mythology, trespassing, bad language, sacrilege, blasphemy, attempted murder, arguable murder, divinely mandated murder, justifiable murder, filthy murder, sexual promiscuity, kidnapping, attempted rape (which is never comedy), immolation of said attempted rapists, persistent disrespect for vampires (which is always comedy), arson, dead animals, desecrated graves, gang activity, theft, assault and battery, panties, misuse of the 911 system, fantasy depictions of sorcery and witchcraft, multiple references to various matters of fandom, questionable interrogation tactics, cell phone abuse, reckless driving, even more explicit sexuality, illegal use of firearms within city limits, polyamory, abuse of authority, hit and run driving, destruction of private property, underage drinking, disturbances of the peace, disorderly conduct, internet harassment, bearers of false witness, mayhem, dismemberment, falsification of records, tax evasion, bad study habits, and an uncomfortably sexy mother.

…and that’s just the first book.

They've all got those warnings. Even the short story collections.

Credit to the incredible @leemoyer for all my book covers, and for teaching me so much about this biz. And while he's not on the book covers, I've gotta share the other central protagonist as illustrated by the awesome @juliedillon:

...yeah, Alex gets into some shit.

If you're looking for protagonists who really communicate, if you want polyamory instead of love triangles, and if you hate when steamy scenes fade to black, I've got you covered.

If you’ve read this far and you’re interested, or even if you just want to see more content warnings, please give my stuff a look on Amazon (including Kindle Unlimited) or on Audible where they’re narrated by Tess Irondale. Give her a listen and you’d be happy to hear her read just about anything.

#books #bookcovers #good intentions #urban fantasy #polyamory #extremely thorough content warnings

[honeybeesadvice]

self care kit for regressors

be gentle with yourself little ones

hi! i'm in college and i'm researching things to put in a self care box for midterms and finals next semester because my first semester as a college freshman was not it

here's what i found for all my friends <3

this is a long post, get comfy friends

this post does contain links to amazon for reference/recommendations and you do not have to buy anything from there if you can't/don't want to

i found this gift box that's super cute, reusable, and you can choose any color you want. why a gift box? because self care is a gift to yourself

of course, you don't have to spend money on a gift box either! there's many tutorials on making shoe boxes, amazon boxes, and any other type of box i can't think of, to look cute and just your style.

you can also buy cheap gift boxes at walmart or target or any store you like to go to

enough of my waffling about boxes, here's the fun stuff:

emotional self-care

journal for writing down emotions and stuff. i'd recommend making a little agere journal for yourself since it's a lot of fun <;3 i use these pompts when i can't think of things

coloring books are my personal favorite, you can get nice ones for $20-$30 or a kids one of your favorite show!! here's a pack of 16 on amazon if you go through coloring books too another bulk pack(disney and other kids shows) pokemon and sanrio

colored pencils! if you don't already have some i would recommend crayola. this is what i have

cute pencil pouches!! for the colored pencils of course and they can be your favorite color or pattern <;3 this is one i've had my eye on bc it can hold 100 of those colored pencils(floral)

tissues for if you need a good cry. crying is actually super healthy and i wouldn't hold it in

optional: a paci <3 i can't use amazon and get an adult pacifier so i def recommend going to the store(on your own if you can) and get an 18m+ paci, the best for adults are 2-4 years if they sell them

physical

bath time!!:

get some yummy smelling body wash, it's nice

i have little fizzy tabs from mr. bubble and one of those is ~$5

bubbles!!

some little toys like bath crayons and rubber duckies are always fun <3

i would also invest in hair-care and skin-care if you don't already. it always makes me feels better

you can also get your favorite candy and your favorite snack for your box <3 a nice little treat for you

also, warm drinks are always fun! my favorites are angel milk(12oz milk, 1-2 tbsp sugar, a little bit of vanilla extract) and hot chocolate

and get some strong, but really good, scent. candles, scensy melts, and essential oils are perfect <3

mental

books! or if you don't like to read physical books, audiobooks. audible and libby by overdrive are good and you can color while you listen!!!

little puzzles or fidgets are also nice. my favrite at the moment are the little clicker toys(i like the noise) and pop-its

allow yourself to relax a bit with your favorite show!! write down a list of your favorites and put it in the self-care box, then you won't have too much trouble picking what to watch

these are all things that sound appealing to me so definitely look out for yourself and what you like. these are just suggestions that i wanted to share with you guys!!

be safe and take care of yourselves

#🦄💎🔮 thena gives advice 🔮💎🦄 #✨🪞 self-care tips 🪞✨ #💫 helpful tips 💫 #agere comfort #age dreaming #age regression blog #age regression community #age regressor #agere #agere community #agere lifestyle #agere little #agere positivity #sfw age dreamer #sfw agere #sfw agere blog #sfw little #sfw little things #please be kind

[santmat]

The Yoga of Happiness and Bliss - Light On Ananda Yoga - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast

Sant Kirpal Singh: "There lived in India Swami Shiv Brat Lal, a disciple of Rai Saligram [successor of Swami Ji Maharaj], who was advanced in spirituality but he gave out all these things about which I am now referring, in story form. He would bring out these very teachings of the Master in some novel like form in the Urdu language, of course, not in English. He did a splendid work, having brought out two, three thousand books, I think. Somewhere he takes the soul as a prince so that he may bring out a story with all these teachings given here. He did a very wonderful work. He has now passed away. He loved me much. I loved him too. He loved Master too [Hazur Baba Sawan Singh]. In all love, you see, he wrote many stories like that. Novels -- very interesting -- in which all these teachings of the Saints were included -- given out. That will draw many people to the Truth." (The Light of Kirpal, Sant Bani Books)

Today, a Sant Mat Satsang Podcast featuring readings from a rare Radhasoami (Radhaswami) spiritual classic, Light on Ananda Yoga - The Yoga of Happiness, by Baba Faqir Chand's spiritual master Shiv Brat Lal (also known as Sant Daata Dayal Ji). Light On Ananda Yoga, was published in English in 1982 by Sant Bani Ashram with some editing guidance from my good friend Steve Morrow. "Ananda" means bliss and happiness and is Shiv Bral Lal's description of Surat Shabd Yoga: the bhakti (love) of inner Light and Sound Meditation, the spiritual practice (sadhana) of Sant Mat, also known as the Radhaswami Faith.

The Yoga of Happiness and Bliss - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast - Play or Download MP3 @

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Collection of Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts @ Apple:

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& @ Wherever You Subscribe and Follow Podcasts - At Your Favorite Podcast APP Just Do a Search for "Spiritual Awakening Radio" -  (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Audible, PodBean, Pandora, Overcast, Jio Saavan, iHeart Radio, CastBox, etc...):

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PRAYER

O August Radhaswami (Lord of the Soul),

Thou Living Self and Living Master,

Beneficent Father and Mother of All!

Be merciful – make us Thine own,

And thus save us from the snares of Time.

Past are the Golden Age and others,

Unknowing of the Heavenly Melody proper,

Yet now art Thou Merciful, in this hard Dark Age,

To chant in loud and lucid strains, the Sacred Word,

O Lord, having descended into this plane below,

Helpest Thou the living entities,

To span the Worldly-Ocean across;

To cast off the Trinity, and reach the Fourth Abode,

Whence the Living Name unfolds,

And the Living Mastership.

Bathed in Glory and Effulgent Light,

Thy servant tenders this Solemn Petition:

Grant us even The Regionless Region,

The Chief Abode, the Sphere of Bliss,

The Holy Refuge at Thy Feet,

MY LORD!

– A Prayer of Sant Daata Dayal Ji (Shiv Brat Lal) of the Radhasoami Faith

In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami,

James Bean

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts

Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts

Sant Mat Radhasoami

A Satsang Without Walls

Spiritual Awakening Radio Website:

https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

#yoga #bliss #ananda #consciousness #meditation #God #spirituality #meditate #sant mat #satsang #podcasts #spiritual awakening radio #spiritual awakening #spiritual books

[djservo]

HI it's that time again end of the month it's warming up it's almost summer how did your may reading go, what's on your list for the summer?

the thread vaguely weaving together may's reads: sex, anger, and neocolonialism

YES the rumors are true YES I slashed my standard (as of the last couple years) reading goal from 50 books to a humble 36 SIGH I have two wolves inside me telling me 1. to commit fully to the bit and 2. to trust my gut/instincts — with enough willpower I could force myself to hunker down and become a lean mean reading machine just to barely scrape by with an even 50 by the end of december for some imaginary accolade/clout/tradition on Amazon-Owned Goodreads Dot Com, or I could #BeReal with myself and accept my reading habits of the past few months as a litmus test of how things have been going + so shall continue to be. I'd rather not turn my goal (and thus reading as a whole) into this looming monster that taunts me ykwim especially when the point is enjoyment so TLDR . we're being Real and Intentional and Downsizing <3 ONTO MAY'S READS, FULL OF HITS BABY!

Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill

I was reading this around the time I watched this vintage gay erotica Equation to an Unknown (1980) where one of the reviews succinctly says it's "Erotic ennui" — this kinda perfectly sums up the vibe of this short story collection. sex-tinged dramas, though not melodramatic, not edge-of-your-seat high stakes, but just enough entangled emotional transactions to feel as if you're on the precipice of something only to be left in the cold. I'd been meaning to read Secretary for a while now and somehow didn't connect that this was the short story collection it came from?? kismet! I have a friend who doesn't like watching black-and-white movies or pretty much anything pre-80s because they "look so old" (bless her heart) — often (moreso lately) I feel the inverse of that with movies post 2000s where sometimes everything looks/feels too new and sleek and sometimes the mere sight of a cell phone is enough to turn me off. all this to say, I did try watching Secretary but turned it off after 15 minutes bc it didn't feel right at the moment and I wanted to sit with the tepid yet strangely alluring bubble of the original story a little longer. the last story was my favorite and made me cry lolol

The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel

there's nothing I could say that would do this justice GOD I'm obsessed with this! somehow I've read every Bechdel work Except any of dtwof, but I'm glad I waited to read it in this collective form rather than in bits + pieces. I love all the details and references Bechdel puts into every panel — I swear I must've added like 20 books to my TBR list while reading Fun Home — and how effortlessly the state of US politics gets weaved into the background of their lives in a way that really puts you in that time and place. there's clearly so much love and humor and dedication she has for her community, but I love how she doesn't shy away from community in-fighting and hypocrisies — the desire to live a happy and fulfilled life without being a liberal "sellout" queer, and what that even means depending on who you are etc etc. it's also strangely assuring to read these arguments and discussions amongst the friends and how relevant and fresh it all still feels? like we're still having the same arguments and worrying about the same things decades later and it sucks but there's also this string of consistent humanity threading it together idk we're never alone in our experiences n time is a circle n all that jazz. loved that no character felt wasted or sidelined for the sake of a "greater" plot, loved how even the children and men had their own motives/personalities, SIMPLY LOVED IT ALL + I'M HEARTBROKEN IT'S OVER! </3 (though I read they're doing an audible version soon with a buncha celebs so I'm Intrigued by that)

Dogeaters by Jessica Hagedorn

Magnolia (1999) but for Filipinos!! thrumming with chaos and desperation and anger. Similar to Bad Behavior with its lack of loose ends being tied up nicely at the end. I fear I'm too cynical nowadays to put much weight in "representation" and the corporate intentions that back it, hallmark movie endings with a very glossed-over + white-approved "see? we're just like you!" message. that sentiment is not present here whatsoever, and I adore Jessica Hagedorn for that. unhealthy family dynamics and power structures and the curse that is American colonialism thrusting itself into your very concept of what you want in life. obviously (and unfortunately) Many can connect to that, but this book is so distinctly FIlipino, so specific and dedicated to a Filipino experience, that I can only laugh at negative reviews from (white) people complaining about what an incomprehensible mess it is or how there should've been a glossary to explain certain terms and aspects of Filipino culture, etc etc. I'd like to think it was intentional of Hagedorn to omit a glossary or footnotes or much explanation at all — a big FUCK YOU / THIS ISN'T FOR YOU and I love it. could even argue that that was one of the messages at the core of each of these intertwining stories. I read The Gangster of Love and watched the play in college and was equally floored with its anger at the world, how it kinda spits in your face when you're waiting for conventions or comfort. love love loved this so much, I do not mean it lightly when I say Miss Hagedorn is my hero

+ 2 journal articles

The Bedroom of Things by Caitlin Blanchfield and Farzin Lotfi-Jam — bedroom as theater + the performance of our living spaces as we portray them in images for the spectatorship of others; connecting our interior lives to physical things/commodities as manifestations of the self

The Transnational Ga(y)ze: Constructing the East European Object of Desire in Gay Film and Pornography after the Fall of the Wall by Nicholas F. Radel — pretty much exactly as the title suggests, the effect the fall of the wall/shift away from communism had in gay porn and general (gay) media depictions of East European men. desire constructed through a nationalistic standpoint, the hierarchies of power at play. I watched a few documentaries this month that would pair nicely for a little lecture on sex work + communism in East Europe: The Fall of Communism as Seen in Gay Pornography (1998) dir. William E Jones; Not Angels But Angels (1994) dir. Wiktor Grodecki; Body Without Soul (1996) dir. Wiktor Grodecki

Currently reading Pornotopia by Paul B. Preciado and I'm about to take a trip which will mark my first time traveling with my kindle so I'm excited for that hehe I have a buncha books downloaded but my priority is getting into Dennis Cooper bc I've been meaning to for so long and I feel like several movies I watched this month had been likened to Dennis Cooper vibes in the reviews + I even saw someone on insta reading The Sluts so if that's not all a sign to finally get with it, then IDK what is!

#asks #cheesehair #reads

[little-cereal-draws]

A Decent Cup of Coffee

I want Jake to get mad at Marc and Steven. I want him to BLOW UP. Obviously, they all still love and protect each other but he’s sacrificed so much already and I want them to recognize that

—

“Jake, I’m not sure if we have enough money for that espresso machine. It’s so expensive and money’s been right since I lost my job,” Steven said. “Maybe pick a cheaper one?”

Jake's brow furrowed as he scrolled through Amazon on their old laptop. “But I want that one. The description says it’s gourmet.”

“It’s probably referring to the type of beans,” Marc said. “And those won’t be cheap either.”

Jake squoze his eyes shut and balled his hands into fists. Knuckles turning white, he took a deep breath in… and then… out. It had been two months since he revealed himself and the new dynamic was hard. It’s like he was still third wheeling in his own head. “I would like to buy this one. I don’t want a different one.”

“You can’t get that one, mate. Pick a different one. I know it looks amazing, I want it too, but we all have to make some sacrifices until we get a bit more money.”

“‘Sacrifices…?’ I have made… so many sacrifices.” Jake stood from the table, the audible strain of keeping his voice level as he spoke seeping through. “I just want a nice espresso machine. I just want something nice! Is that too much to ask for? You guys have… all this stuff…” He motioned around the flat, “and I don’t have anything! I have never asked for anything ever. Why can’t I have something? Because of ‘sacrifices?’ I know money is tight, but I think I deserve it. I know I deserve it. I have taken every hit-”

“‘Every hit?’ Ok, now you’re flat out lying,” Marc venomously spat out, Jake’s clumsily veiled anger infecting him. “You may have helped a few times, but you did not take every hit. You have no idea what I’ve been through. Just shut up and forget the espr-”

“No, you have no idea what I’ve been through, puta madre,” Jake suddenly hissed. He was trying to control his temper but if Marc was going to raise the energy like that… he might as well match it. This was his last straw after continuing to suffer through being an afterthought the last couple of months; this was the thing that opened the flood gates. “Every time you think you’ve been beaten into unconsciousness? That was me getting my brains bashed out. Every time your memory gets spotty after being shot, impaled, or exploded? I was there. Every time you’ve tried to fucking kill yourself and thought it worked only to wake up in the hospital? That was me dragging us back from the brink of death. Because I want to live, Marc!!

“I am forty-three years old and have only made my first friend two months ago! I’ve been a ghost for you guys! I’ve sacrificed my own life to let you live on in peace! And before you open your damn mouth again to say that’s what you tried to do for Steven, Spector, let me just say it's not! It's not even fucking close! Because you got to have a life before that. You had a job, a wife, little adventures with your friends. And I just watched. I've been alone my whole fucking life, since I was eight years old. Marc, you had Steven. And Steven, you were really the luckiest of all, you were happy! I was scared and alone and too afraid to touch the toys or comics strewn all over the room any normal child would've ran to!

"And now, decades later, the only things I own are my flat top and cab! So, you don't you tell me not to buy things -I'm looking at you now, Grant!- you have mountains of shit! Literally mountains! There is not a flat surface in this house that isn't covered in it! If your so worried about money, why don't you sell some of it instead of telling me to continue making sacrifices?? And sure, I love Gina's but after getting the same coffee every fucking day since your life became real, you just want to have a decent cup of coffee!!!!"

All the energy suddenly left him and he knees buckled leaving him slumped forward in the chair, face in his hands. "I just want some good coffee, is that too much?" he said in a half sob.

The apartment was quiet. The distant noises of the street were the only thing that broke the stiffening silence.

"Jake...?" Steven's voice was very soft. "Jake? We can get it. We'll get the espresso machine."

Jake sniffed and looked up, the area around his eyes wet after pressing the heels of his hands into them, trying to force the tears away. Steven's reflection on the widow mirrored his own, slumped in a chair, eyes wet. Marc had his back turned but Jake could tell by the way his shoulders were tensed and head turned down, he was crying too.

"We'll get it," Steven repeated, broken voice barely above a whisper. "We'll get the machine. And- and I'm sorry."

Steven was doing a bunch of little frantic nods and his lip wobbled but he pressed on. "I'm sorry we didn't notice you sooner; you were always here; we just didn't want to see it. And you're right. You've suffered and we owe you so much. We'll do better- for you."

Jake ducked his head down again and quickly wiped his eyes. "Thanks. I won't spend too much on coffee beans, I promise. You won't even notice I'm buying it."

"No," Marc said, turning, voice thick and eyes red. "I want to notice it. I want to notice your shaving equipment on the sink and the car keys in our pocket and the smell of cigarettes on our hands -yes, I know about that- and the coffee grounds in the garbage. I want to notice you. And I'm sorry about all those decades of blindness but I'm happy to say you're not a ghost anymore."

Jake held his gaze, another wave of big hot tears running down his cheeks. "Th-thanks. And... I'm sorry about exploding at you before, I just had a lot I needed to get off my chest."

Marc shrugged and sniffed. "No worries, man. It's in the past. Now put that espresso machine in the cart."

Jake scooted the chair towards the table and could feel Steven and Marc huddle close to the front, watching him. He clicked a few buttons.

"Bought."

#it's time for jake angst again! #(also a little bit venty but ignore that) #i really REALLY want him to explain all the shit he's been through and how horrible it was #and for them to reassure him it won't ever happen again #i think the reason why i love jake so much is bc of how much protecting he does in silence #he deserves to scream and cry a bit. as a treat #marvel #mcu #moon knight #moon knight 2022 #moon knight fic #jake lockley #marc spector #steven grant #my fics #tw suicidal thinking #tw violent language #tw sui attempt #tw childhood abuse

[top100k]

Earnings en español ⏩⏩⏩ https://kahgo.ru/YY5NHYj

❗ AN $250 INVESTMENT IN CRYPTOCURRENCY MADE BROTHERS MILLIONAIRES. READ THEIR STORY

Imagine getting up one early morning to find that youve end up being a millionaire overnight? Given, it doesn't happen to everybody-- unless youve purchased cryptocurrency. Brothers Tommy, 38, and also James, 42, found themselves because extremely circumstance after spending $200 right into shiba inu coin, a spin-off of Dogecoin.

Originally set up as a joke, Dogecoin as well as its spin-offs became the most rewarding cryptocurrency to buy. Dogecoin was unknown for the majority of financiers for a long period of time until Elon Musk started tweeting regarding it. After that it obtained momentum as well as its price went through the roof.

Among the siblings stated that he considered just how Dogecoin was as soon as a portion of a penny and also now its tens of countless dollars so perhaps the very same might happen with Dogecoin. Ends up he was right and also hes got millions on his account to confirm it.

Tommy as well as James claim:

Prior to coronavirus, we utilized to make a living recording wedding celebrations. Our organization almost broke down as pairs cancelled their events during the pandemic. We had videoed no greater than 8 rather than 30 or 40 that year. We were on the edge of insolvency.

The government stimulation checks werent enough to sustain us. Im a favorable individual yet it was really hard, as well as not knowing the future was sort of scary. Make money doing surveys online zoom. says Tommy. Earn hunter.

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While shooting a wedding celebration video eventually, the siblings discovered their investment skyrocketed to $100,000 and maintained increasing. Audible by amazon how to make money legit way.

Tommy proceeds:

We got up the following early morning as well as it increased. Quickest way to make money gta online. We were like, Oh my god, Tommy claimed. Earn extra money at home depot 2023.

Then it increased to $700,000 as well as I told my bro its mosting likely to strike a million. Earn free crypto tamil. I maintained revitalizing my phone. Make money surveys 5 minute crafts.

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Earnings en español #Earnings #en #español

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[princess-of-the-worlds]

Do you know where I can listen to the Torchwood audios?

Of course! So there’s the Torchwood BBC audio plays, which you might be able to find through Audible or BBC iPlayer if you’re in the UK. There’s also the Torchwood audiobooks which you can purchase or find through your local library maybe.

The ones I believe you might be refering to are probably the Big Finish Torchwood audios, which you can purchase right here on their website. Their monthly audios are reasonably priced - when I say reasonably, I say that considering all the effort and hiring costs and the pay for the writers and directors and sound mixers and graphic designers that should be considered before even the actors get paid - at $8.99 USD for digital downloads (and more expensive if you buy the physical CD), which I believe is also something like 7.99 euros but I might be wrong there, as I am American. 

There are also the occasional special release, including an audio set that includes the full original cast, along with a range for Torchwood One, featuring Yvonne Hartman and Ianto Jones. Plus, there’s also other collections, like one centric on Captain John Hart and a whole range of boxsets devoted to Jack called the Lives of Captain Jack. 

THEN, there’s Seasons 5 and 6, all great audios of 12-13 episodes a piece, featuring Jack and Gwen and a whole range of new but wonderful and interesting characters set closer to the modern day. The lack of Ianto, Tosh, and Owen may deter you at first, but I assure you, from my experiences still going through Season 5 and from reviews from my friends who have heard both seasons, that the new seasons are phenomenal. Some argue they may even be the best seasons of Torchwood, but that’s for you to determine.

Of course, if you’re worried about price, I would advise, as I do, to either pre-order the audios when they are at their cheapest or wait for a sale, during which their prices do go down a bit, but keep in mind that the sales are not too frequent. Still, sometimes, you’ll get lucky.

But what you shouldn’t do, and what I beg, beg, beg of you not to do is, PLEASE DO NOT PIRATE BIG FINISH. 

They are a small company of creatives, and it’s not cheap to keep hiring John Barrowman or Eve Myles or Gareth David-Lloyd or Naoko Mori or Burn Gorman. These are individual people, not the BBC. These are writers and directors and soundmixers and graphic designers and actors for whom this is their livelihood or part of their livelihood, and they deserved to get paid. If you pirate Big Finish audios instead of buying them, you take money away from Big Finish as well as proof of purchase that we want these audios and we want Big Finish to keep making them. Money sells.

You don’t want Big Finish to lose the Torchwood license and stop being able to make audios, do you? (Rhetorical question, because no one should want that.)

Plus, on that note, it’s also better to buy directly from Big Finish rather than Amazon because of the exact reasons listed above. Also, it just doesn’t feel right or feel ethical.

So basically. Tldr: The Torchwood audios you are most likely refering to are the Big Finish audios, which can be found on their website. There are many varieties and ranges you might enjoy. Above everything, don’t pirate Big Finish or you’ll make a lot of fans angry. Additionally, in conclusion, I hope this post helped you, I’m sorry about the length, and I hope you enjoy the audios if you are able to purchase them!

#nik answers asks #torchwood #torchwood big finish #big finish #don't pirate big finish y'all #elwenn-dreaming

[santmat]

Light On The Saints of the East - The Light of Ajaib Satsang - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast

Explored today during this spiritual podcast, A Satsang Without Walls, A Sant Mat Satsang Podcast: The Book As Guru? Baba Bishan Das discusses a beautiful scripture from India known as the Adi Granth (Shri Guru Granth Sahib), a huge collection of hymns of praise and love (bhakti). Santji: "I went to Amritsar and bought three copies of Guru Granth Sahib. I had two other friends who were with me and for six months continuously, we three people read that book many times. We studied it and we worked very hard in order to find those lines that would say that 'there can be no Master after Guru Gobind Singh'. However, we did not find those lines and we realized that the statements which we believed in were not there. We came back to Baba Bishan Das and surrendered to him. We said, 'Baba Bishan Das, you are the true one. The words which we thought were in the book are not there. What you have said is true.'"

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An Introduction to Santji/Ajaib Singh Ji;

Introduction to, The Light Of Ajaib Book;

The Many References to Sant Tulsi Sahib in, The Light of Ajaib;

Remembering God During This Life;

Getting Up Early to Meditate: Amrit Veela, the Hour of Elixir;

Even Meditating for a Minute is Counted: "Whatever minutes or seconds you are spending in His remembrance are all counted, and He keeps a good account of those moments, that time which you have spent in His remembrance. According to what one has done, He rewards them." (Santji)

Always Meditate. Always Repeat the Names of God. Simran! Do the Meditation.

Initiates As Soulmates: When Man and Woman Agree;

Salvation is by Divine Grace. Our Spiritual Progress is By the Grace of the Masters. When the Student is Ready, the Master Shall Appear, As the Saying Goes.

An Old Friend Wearing a New Coat... Recognizing and Appreciating the Sant Satgurus.

To Bathe in the Dust of the Master's Feet;

In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhaswami,

James Bean

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts

Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts

Sant Mat Radhasoami

https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com

#spiritualpodcasts #meditation #GodIsLove #pathofthemasters #santbaniashram #sant_mat #radha_soami #radhasoami #radhasoamiji #radhaswami #santmat #suratshabdyoga #meditation #spirituality #santmatsatsangpodcasts #spiritualawakeningradio #kirpalsingh #santkirpalsinghji #hazurbabasawansingh #adigranth #gurugranthsahibji #santbaniashram #gurbani #santbani #mastanaji #bhakti #religion #applepodcasts #spotify #withoutwalls

#spiritual awakening radio #podcasts #spirituality #meditation #santji #ajaib singh #sant mat #radhasoami #satsang #adi granth #gurbani #sikh #shri guru granth sahib

[panatmansam]

Sutta Talk with Sam: A little Background

Hello friends,

This is another installation of what I hope will be a regular series of short posts to assist those folks who would like to add reading, or my suggestion, LISTENING to the suttas, the discourses of the Buddha. The primary sources of the Buddhist tradition.

Now, as I have written previously the Buddha taught for a half a century. His teachings are arranged in ways which may seem a little odd to us. The primary grouping of the teachings are the Tipitaka The Pali Canon. These are the “three baskets” of the older of the two main Buddhist traditions the Theravada. These older suttas are revered and taught by all traditions so I will start here.

I am going to focus on one basket at first the Majjhima Nikaya The Middle-length Discourses. This collection is my favorite for two reasons. First it is complete and features all the main lessons in forms long enough to be thorough but not so long as to be mind numbing. The suttas are repetitive. They are meant to be chanted. If a poor sleepy monks mind wanders to that pretty shopkeepers daughter he can snap it back to the lesson and not miss anything. It works for us the same way.

The second is because Audible has the entire thing on audiobook read by Taradasa. I am not a fan of Amazon. Bezos is rich enough as it is. But this is 152 suttas 47 hours and it's beautiful. So, they offer a free trial. Hey, if you download it and cancel and KEEP IT what can I say? It's their business model.    

If you follow this link you will be taken to Access to Insight’s full index of the canon. Many of the best suttas are recorded here for FREE.

Don’t be alarmed at the amount of text there. Much of it is repetitive. The core teaching of the Buddha are not really that complex. As you listen to these discourses you will hear what Alan Watts and others were interpreting for you. Only this time you hear it directly from Tathāgata himself.

Here is a note on names. Tathāgata is the Buddha referred to himself. It just means he who is gone and not coming back. Buddha is a title and it means he who is awake. Siddhārtha Gautama is the man’s family name while Shakya is his clan. He was born into the caste of warriors.

In the Buddha’s day princes were drawn from warrior families. Strong men. They controlled villages where farmers did most of the work. There were also traders, craftsmen, servants and slaves. There was conflict in the land. In a generation Kosala would destroy the Shakya domains and incorporate them into their budding Empire. Siddhartha as prince would have been responsible for defending his country. He deserted it, his family including wife and infant son and his duty to his father. A deep and shameful violation of his duty as a kshatriya, a noble warrior.

The Buddha’s World

In this setting there were famines, plagues and warfare. People were afraid as they are now. They were looking for security and finding none. Many new religions arose including Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism. They all competed for favor among the HOUSEHOLDERS the ones who did the actual work, the farmers and shopkeepers who fed these holy men. Who in turn taught them, performed rituals, healed the sick and the like for the people.

Often in the suttas you will find the Buddha debating these other teachers. So, there’s the scene. Northern India. 2500 years ago. This man, he is a man. He makes that clear. He teaches a few basic things. First the Four Noble Truths. Then, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Precepts. If you think you are going to read the suttas and find some secret Buddhist mojo, well, you just might.

It’s there. More later,

#text #sutta talk #Buddhism #meditation

[scouthearted]

How To See Theatre Cheap!!

What’s the number one complaint I see about theatre from people both into it and who want to get into it but haven’t yet? It’s the price. I get a lot of friends who don’t understand how I can afford to see so much theatre, or who just assume I’m personally rich. Really, being a third year theatre student has just granted me a lot of knowledge about the tips and tricks on how to engage with this art form for cheap... and sometimes even free.

Bootlegs are the obvious choice that I know most people know about as far as cheap and accessible theatre goes. However, even if you wanna say “fuck you” to rich producers, know that bootlegs put the theater itself at risk, and can impose huge fines on them, which can bankrupt smaller theaters... just because they didn’t catch someone filming! Because of this, it’s not the most ethical choice and it’s especially bad if you want more theatre to be accessible. I’m choosing to keep this masterlist bootleg-free for that reason, and while I encourage people to add on their own tips and tricks, I ask that they also follow that rule!

Note for the super broke: tips and tricks that are 100% free are in bold for quick reference! Bolded but starred are those that may be free, or are free with caveats.

SEE THEATRE IN PERSON:

Usher. Contact your local community and small professional theatres and see if they are looking for volunteers. Many times, those that need volunteer ushers allow them to see the show for free! Ushering is easy and a good opportunity to get to know other theatre fans. Keep in mind: there may be a dress code or physical requirement for the job.

Shakespeare in the Park. TONS of cities across the world do this... if you don’t see your city on here, that’s not a dealbreaker either, as my city is going into its 26th year of SitP and still isn’t on the list. It’s a great chance to see Shakespeare performed, an absolutely different experience than reading Shakespeare in high school English.

High school productions. Often, these are a lot better than you might expect, especially if you are near a performing arts high school or just a school with a good theatre department. High schools often do big-name shows, usually for $10 or less per ticket!

College productions. They operate similarly to high schools, but with (usually) a larger budget and better talent pool. They may also be more experimental or obscure in their season selection. I recommend attending shows at schools that have a theatre major, as those productions often are classified as “pre-professional...” think professional theatre with lower prices, often under $15 a ticket.

Hamilton lottery. If you live in or relatively near NYC, London, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, or San Francisco, you can and should enter the lottery to win two $10 tickets. You can enter every single day, and I’ve personally known people who have won, so the chances may not be as small as you think!

Pay What You Want Theatre Nights*. Often, community and smaller professional theaters will have nights where you can contribute as much or as little as you choose (some theatres have lower limits, but not all). These nights are often ones that aren’t as popular for audiences, such as Wednesday or Thursday, but they’re a great way to see things cheap.

Improv class graduation performances. Improv classes are becoming a huge thing among people who want to socialize without drinking. Often, these classes will conclude with a performance that’s open to the public and super cheap (my local improv school has $6 shows). Check local improv theatres or acting schools for more details.

Local festivals. Some local festivals are home to children’s performances (such as are orchestrated by Missoula Children’s Theatre), local improv, free musicals, etcetera. They’re a great place to scope out a little bit of the scene.

Discounts! If you’re a student, a senior, active military, or a veteran, you are almost guaranteed to get a discount. Other discounts may be available... see the next point.

Call and ask! If you can’t find any ways to see cheap theatre on your local theater’s marketing or website, don’t be afraid to call and ask for deals, promotions, or opportunities not listed. Theatre professionals want butts in the seats, and we want people to be engaging in this art form! We’ll do our best to help.

Playwrights Welcome*. On the off-chance you’re a member of the Dramatists Guild, you can see shows at certain theaters for free. A full list of the participating theaters is at the link, as well as further details on the program. You do have to pay Dramatists Guild dues, so not very free... but if you’re already a member, take advantage of this!

LEGAL RECORDINGS

Movie musicals. Yes, I know, we hate them, but they’re readily available and easy to get for cheap on DVD, or streaming online legally. Check out The Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, Into the Woods, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, and many more. Many are available on Netflix!

BroadwayHD. This streaming site is exclusively for high quality professional theatre. If you have $8.99 a month, you can watch SO MUCH theatre. They also do individual rentals, but it’s more expensive to do an individual rental than to just pay for the month. The selection used to be small, but is growing quickly, and showing your support might convince other productions to put legal recordings up!

National Theatre Live. Performances from an absolutely fantastic theatre, broadcast to movie theaters around the world. Tickets run a little more than a movie ticket, but less than a live theatre performance, and they’re INCREDIBLE. 

DVD and Blu-ray selections. Often, shows are in fact recorded and available for purchase, usually older or closed shows. While the article is a little bit old, the linked article makes some suggestions, but more can be found with a little bit of looking (or check out this wikipedia article).

PBS Great Performances. Opera, musicals, concerts, plays, dance, and more... the complete theatrical experience, for free on PBS. You can watch some of them free no-strings-attached online, too, but others require a subscription service.

Starkid. This theatre company does parody and original comedic musicals (with surprising depth!), and they’re posted on Youtube for free. There’s a ton to choose from, and they’re a really good time and a great gateway if you’re intimidated by the PBS stuff.

AUDIO RECORDINGS

LA Theatre Works. Performing plays in the style of radio plays, you can stream some very good stuff if you’re interested in just listening. It’s a lot like a podcast! I also recommend poking around on their website to find more shows than on this page (and if you ever get a chance and have a little more money than this, they tour and you can see them live. It’s really cool!). 

Off Book: The Improvised Musical. Think Starkid, but audio only, smaller casts, and also, completely improvised. Every week, the podcast weaves a brand new improvised musical, along with a guest or two (including people like Travis McElroy and Felicia Day). 

Audio plays* (like what LA Theatre Works are doing) are a little tricky to find sometimes, but a little research can get you a long way. Here’s some that I found just in trying to dig more up, including Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and the famous production of War of the Worlds. Audible is known to have a growing selection of audio plays, if you’re okay with using and paying for Amazon services.

THEATRE EDUCATION

Podcasts. Continuing on the audio theme, there’s a ton of amazing theatre podcasts that can teach a lot about the business and the art form alike. Here’s a list of twenty podcasts ranging from the explicitly educational to the news-oriented. Note, it’s about five years old. 

Theatre classes*. These are often astronomically too expensive for this list, but there is a little trick (though your ethical mileage may vary). Many theatre schools offer a free first class, like a trial offer. This is meant to help the student and teachers alike determine if the class is a good fit, but it’s also a great chance to go and learn something for a couple hours. You may then decide not to pay for further lessons at that theater, or you may decide you like it so much you want to splurge!

Guest workshops and masterclasses. If you don’t want to do the above, or if you have exhausted your local theater options, be aware of guest workshops and masterclass opportunities near you. While proper classes often run in the hundreds of dollars for a six to eight week course, these one-off classes can be as cheap as $10 sometimes, with the majority I’ve seen where I live being around $25 or so (the upper limit I I placed on things that make this list). You may be surprised at who is leading your class, too (plenty of Broadway actors run classes), and if you want to pursue theatre as a career, a masterclass or workshop looks nice on a resume.

Playing Shakespeare. The entire series can be found on Youtube, and it’s a series one of my professors personally recommended for those who want to learn how to do Shakespearean roles better.

Youtube in general. Honestly, just looking up “theatre masterclass” brings up a ton of credible and amazing stuff.

Volunteer. Learning by experiencing is truly something you can do, and there’s plenty of community theatres that would die for a good volunteer. Even if you don’t want to be on stage, there’s plenty of technical positions that cater to any and all skill sets.

#please boost this I worked for three hours I'm dying #theatre #theater #masterlist

[thehandmaidstalehulu]

The Handmaid’s Tale is nominated for 20 Emmy Awards this year, after winning 8 for Hulu last year including 2017’s Outstanding Drama Series. The first season of the television show is based on the novel of the same name, set in an oppressive, dystopian future in the Republic of Gilead which has overtaken the United States.

Not only was the television adaptation a critical success, Amazon lists The Handmaid’s Tale as the most read non-fiction book on Kindle and Audible in 2017, beating ‘A Game of Thrones’ and all of the ‘Harry Potter’ books. Author Margaret Atwood published the bestselling novel in 1985 and is not surprised that the totalitarian theme of the book is resonating with audiences today.

“We live in a very anxiety-producing moment because a lot of the received wisdom is being challenged and overturned,” says Atwood in her hometown of Toronto, Canada. “The world players are moving rapidly around the stage, taking positions that we’re not used to having them take, so it makes a lot of people anxious.”

Atwood started writing The Handmaid’s Tale in 1984 while living in West Berlin on a grant that provided funding to filmmakers, writers and musicians to live and work in the West German district occupied by the allies.

“At that time it was a very dark, empty city, by which I mean there were a lot of vacant apartments,” says Atwood. “People didn’t want to live there, because it was surrounded by the wall. They brought in foreign artists to be there just so people wouldn’t feel so cut off.”

She says living through the Cold War in divided Berlin was instructive to the mood she created for Gilead in the book.

“We also visited East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland at that time,” says Atwood. “It informed the atmosphere but not the content if you can see what I mean. The experience of having people change the subject, being fearful of talking to you, not knowing who they can trust, all of that was there.”

Atwood finished writing the novel the following year in the United States, while working at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.

“When I was writing it, we were still in an age in which America was seen as a beacon of light, of liberal democracy, a model for the rest of the world,” says Atwood. “We’re not there anymore, because the rest of the world has changed and so has America. That is why I think people are seeing The Handmaid’s Tale as more possible than they did when it was first published.”

A third season of the series that narrates the life of enslaved handmaid Offred, played by Elisabeth Moss, was recently announced by Hulu. The streaming service has 20-million subscribers and doesn’t release viewership numbers, but said in May that 2018′s season 2 premiere was streamed by twice the number of viewers as the season 1 premiere last year.

Atwood is currently a consultant on the television show and notes that she has no veto, though says she is generally happy with the direction the series has taken. She says she would like to see the oppressive Aunt Lydia survive the cliffhanger season 2 finale in which she was attacked by a handmaid, and hopes to see more of Offred’s best friend Moira who escaped from Gilead, in season 3.

Atwood is quick-witted in person, unpretentious and doesn’t miss a beat. She acknowledges that the cultural impact of Offred’s story has been significant.

“It’s become an international symbol of protest,” says Atwood. “Especially in situations in which women’s rights are in question, or are being removed from them.”

Dozens of women took to the streets in Buenos Aires this month wearing the red cloaks and white bonnets made famous by the subjugated women of The Handmaid’s Tale. The protestors are in support of a historic bill to decriminalize abortion that will be voted on by the Argentinian Senate on August 8. Demonstrators across the United States have worn similar outfits to protest a woman’s right to choose in the past.

It is not just abortion rights that The Handmaid’s Tale represents. Atwood mentions fair laws, fair pay, and equal pay for work of equal value as issues that need to be addressed today. The 78-year old resists labeling herself a feminist, noting that there are many definitions of the word, but sees Iceland as a shining light in terms of women’s rights.

“Iceland is probably a country that we should be studying because they’ve gone pretty far with equality, and their happiness quotient seems to be quite high.”

The Nordic country ranks number 1 in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index. Women make up 48% of elected representatives in parliament, and a new law introduced on January 1, 2018 mandates that companies prove that they pay men and women equally, or face fines.

“Does it make for a happier society on the whole if women have more equality? That does seem to be the case. Does it make for a more prosperous economy if women are engaged in the workplace and in decision making around the economy? That too seems to be the case,” says Atwood.

Atwood herself was born in Ottawa, Canada, the middle child of an older brother and younger sister. She credits her female relatives with providing her with invaluable lessons early in life.

“They were all pretty tough in their various ways, so my image of a competent woman did not come with a negligee and a box of chocolates,” says Atwood. “Being from a country that was pretty close to the frontier experience, I would say ‘Granny on the farm’ was more of a viable role model for me. I’ve got nothing against having your own toolkit, and knowing some elementary plumbing.”

Her no-nonsense attitude led her to a B.A. at The University of Toronto and a Masters at Harvard’s Radcliffe College. One of Atwood’s first jobs out of university was as a market research interview writer. She moved back to Canada in 1964 and taught English at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and published her first book, a collection of poetry the same year.

“When I first started in Canada, it wasn’t just that women weren’t viewed as serious writers. Writing itself was not viewed as a serious pursuit. One of the things we did to overcome it was we started publishing companies, some of which are still going, and I was the founder of one of those,” says Atwood, referring to the Canadian publisher House of Anansi.

The 78-year old has since lived and written in 7 countries and published 40 books. She received a writing fellowship from the Guggenheim Foundation at age 44, just before starting work on The Handmaid’s Tale. Atwood is pleased to see the contemporary options now available to writers looking to finance their work, such as crowdsourcing platforms Patreon and Unbound.

“The main thing writers have to figure out to do is how to pay their bills,” says Atwood. “Patreon, they sponsor your project, whatever it is, and Unbound, they will crowdfund a book that they wish could be published. What writers need is time, and all of these things buy time. Are you going to stay up all night and have a day job? I’ve certainly done that. Or, are you going to not have to have a day job, and maybe get a bit more sleep?”

In addition to being an author, Atwood is a vocal advocate for environmental issues. The impact of climate change is a theme that runs through her work, and she notes particular concern at the state of the oceans and how food supply may impact women and children in the future.

Atwood’s Toronto-based company, O.W.Toad, states that it does not use air conditioners or purchase plastic water bottles, and when airplane travel is necessary carbon neutral credits are purchased. Publishing contracts specify that acid-free paper must be used.

In The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood attributes Gilead’s declining birthrate on pollution and environmental mismanagement. She notes that everything that went into the novel had a historical precedence and that the producers of the television show have continued that principle in subsequent seasons. I asked her if when she was writing the book she believed the circumstances in the novel would come to fruition.

“Did I think it was going to come more true? No,” says Atwood. “But, I understood that that possibility was there.”

#the handmaid's tale #margaret atwood #elisabeth moss #forbes #article

[ourlittleorganiclife]

There’s no better way to get excited about your upcoming summer holiday than by going shopping for all your beach essentials.  Even the most eco-conscious of us aren’t immune to this pleasure, but some of us – quite rightly – temper that excitement with our concern for the environment and the health of ourselves and our children. So here’s some greener and healthier ways to join in with the summer joy of planning for your beach holiday.

Sun Protection

Sun protection of one kind or another is so important, especially for children.  Getting just 5 blistering sunburns can increase your risk of skin cancer by up to 80%. So make sure you have a variety of ways to protect your skin.  Many drugstore sunscreens are full of parabens, oxybenzone and other chemicals linked to various types of hormone-disrupting cancers. But there’s no need to worry – there are plenty of options open to you. You can wear a beach cover up which covers the arms and chest well – and there are plenty of good second hand ones about, like this one which I’ve featured from the Oxfam online shop (click here to check out their full range of colours and options).

You should also invest in a good ocean-safe, reef-safe SPF sun cream each summer.  Some people make their own suncreams with coconut oil and essential oils, and if that’s your thing, go for it, but be aware there’s always the risk that you end up making a basting oil for your skin rather than a sun protectant.  While many oils and essential oils do have a natural SPF quality to them, there is no way you can guarantee that level of protection is still in the base ingredient product you’ve purchased without expensive testing. Instead, buy a non-nano, paraben-free, oxybenzone-free sun protection product which is as natural as possible. Suncreams like this new one from Weleda which I purchased at my local health food store last week are a great option.

If Weleda is difficult to find in your area, consider the Thinkbaby and Thinksport sunscreens which I tried out on two separate occasions earlier this summer when visiting friends and I had to borrow some sun protection.  Thinksport do SPF 50 creams, but also a great SPF 30 face and body stick which is easy to apply to your face – kind of like a mini deodorant stick.  It’s a clean range of products which is easy to find in Canada, the US and the UK, and it’s been designed for serious athletes – so it will definitely be able to withstand your beach holiday demands! Plan ahead and make sure you have enough for your trip – you don’t want to end up like I did on my trip to Italy, having to buy horrible overpriced chemical-filled sunscreen at the pharmacy (you don’t want to know how much sun protection costs in Europe).

For kids I also recommend getting UPF 50 sun protection suits for the beach. When paired with a good wide-brimmed hat, it means you don’t have to worry about when they spend a bit too long in the sunshine – as they inevitably will.  I do buy these suits and shirts second hand for my daughter but do keep in mind that the sun protection factor in second hand suits might not be as high as it will be in a new suit.

Swimwear

You can get some great bathing suits and bikinis second hand like these ones at the Oxfam online shop (just give them a good boil wash after buying them). I’m a bit busty, however, so have never had luck finding second hand bikini tops that fit me.  In fact, finding any gorgeous bikini tops that will fit over a D cup is actually quite difficult. I was gifted this beautiful black Boho Chic bikini from Hunkemoeller (I saw their gorgeous lingerie and swimwear boutiques all over Germany last month). It fits me so well – in fact this model ran a bit on the generous size, so I had return my first bikini top (thank you free returns!) and go a cup size smaller than my usual Panache bra cup size which looks amazing on me.  It ties at the top and the back , so you don’t need to worry about whether the band will be too tight or too loose, and the metal U bar in the front, allows the front of the bra to open easily for topless sunbathing (or easy breastfeeding, if you’re still nursing your child). They also had a variety of styles of bikini bottoms, so I was able to find the right cut to suit my derrière. (That’s not me below, btw!)

After Sun

Don’t overthink this one.  Buy some pure organic aloe gel (like this one from Amazon which comes in a handy 200ml size).  Avoid those livid green and totally transparent Aloe-based concoctions you see at the supermarket and pharmacy – they have a lot of other stuff in them other than healing aloe. You can mix the aloe gel with a few drops of a good quality lavender essential oil (I use Young Living – see why here) to boost the skin soothing quality of the aloe. If you do get a bit too much sun, just rub in some of this into your skin and it will help cool you off and start to nourish your sun-damaged skin. Just keep reapplying as your skin sucks it in (and it will, depending on the severity of the burn).

Beach Bag

Don’t forget a beach bag to schlep around all your stuff. You don’t need to invest in something really expensive – if you’re travelling on your own or with your partner, a small canvas shopping tote will work. If you’re travelling with kids the best thing are those big tacky re-usable supermarket bags which are fantastic for this purpose because they’re waterproof and hold tons of stuff like flippers, goggles, snorkels, sand-encrusted swim shoes, gazillions of towels, etc.

But I know that if you’re going back and forth to the beach club, you might want something a bit more chic than a massive orange Sainsbury’s bag proudly branding it’s elephant design emblazoned on the side. I’ve decided to splurge and treat myself to this black & white one from Hunkemoller UK to match my new bikini. It reminded me of some of the gorgeous bags I’ve seen in Anthropologie.  (I remember the days of disposable income. They’re long gone, but I do remember them!)

Sunglasses

For Pete’s sake, don’t forget a pair of sunglasses or you’ll be squinting in agony for the next two weeks. On my way back from Canada in June, I treated myself to a new pair of Oakley matte tortoiseshell Latch sunglasses. (Yeah, I’ve given myself a few treats lately – what’s up with that?) I had been planning to get the folding Ray Ban Wayfarers, but discovered that they come in a leather case, which kind of didn’t flow with the whole vegan vibe.

edf

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Water Bottle

It’s pretty easy most places to access clean drinking water, so unless you’re travelling somewhere at particular risk for waterborne pathogens, just take your water bottle with you and for each member of your family so you can stay hydrated throughout the day.  Even if you go to a resort, its great having your own reusable cup bottle with you, so you can have the bar staff refill it with water for you from their filtered water systems.  I love my Yeti bottle because I can attach it to my bag with a carabiner – and yes, I bought it second hand.

It’s also a great idea to take a reusable coffee cup (like a Keep Cup) or an insulated wine tumbler (yes, there is such a thing) so you don’t have to use plastic cups for your wine or cocktails, and they’ll stay cooler for longer in the sun. (Amazon have a wide range of insulated wine tumblers at various price points, and Yeti do a cool one too).

Sun Hat

Sun hats are such a personal thing, I’m not even going to show you an example here.  I have a great soft brushed cotton baseball cap I love from ethical clothing company Absolutely Bear which I wear for day trips and hiking all the time, but I probably won’t wear it on the beach on my trip to Spain, as I might want something which channels a bit more of a Sophia Loren vibe.  But whatever suits your style.

One thing I will say is, just take a sun hat.  Something foldable might be wise, so you can pack it in your luggage.  I have a gorgeous Panama style hat which I love, but it isn’t the easiest to travel with because I have to wear it for the whole flight, or make sure it doesn’t get crunched up in the overhead luggage compartment.

Sun hats are such a great and easy way to keep the sun off your face without worrying about whether your SPF cream has worn off and panda eyes are developing.  And as the (not so) proud wearer of many, many panda eyes in the past, may I say I have expert knowledge that it is worth avoiding.   (No make up will really cover those puppies up.) Just wear the hat.

Reading Material

It’s really important to have enough reading material on your trip.  On shorter trips I’ll usually just take a library book, but I also have started to enjoy borrowing my husband’s Kindle and I absolutely love Amazon Audible, so I can listen to audio books on my phone while on the plane and so I can keep an eye on my daughter on the beach. (Getting lost in a book isn’t really possible when you’re looking after children near the sea, lakes or the pool.) Here’s the link I used to get a free 90 day trial of Audible so you can see if it’s the kind of thing you would enjoy too – at the very least it will last you your holiday! They’re often read by the author or by someone with a delicious reading voice, like Mariella Frostrup. I recently listened to Swing Time by Zadie Smith and can highly recommend it.

And have a great holiday!  For more tips, check out my posts on eco travel, how to pack light and travelling with kids. Have I forgotten anything?  Let me know in the comments below.

Resources/References:

Sun Protection – https://www.nhs.uk/news/cancer/just-five-sunburns-increase-your-cancer-risk/, https://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/sunscreen-report/index.html

Photo Credit: Hunkemoeller bikini shot – from https://www.hunkemoller.co.uk/uk_en/47-boho-chic-bikini-bottoms-black-123295.html, Hunkemoeller beach bag shot – from https://www.hunkemoller.co.uk/uk_en/47-doutzen-beach-bag-black-134253.html

      Beach holiday essentials for the green, eco-conscious traveller. There's no better way to get excited about your upcoming summer holiday than by going shopping for all your beach essentials.  

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