Five-Stars, Two Thumbs Up, Absolutely Fabulous – I’m wearing it right now and I’m not even on my period – that’s how much I love the Diva Cup.

I was skeptical. I didn’t want to spend $20 in case it didn’t work.

But the thought of never having to buy tampons and pads again pulled me in. As much as I’d like to declare that it’s because I’m terribly concerned with how my period impacts the environment, it’s really because I’m terribly concerned with how my period impacts my underwear.

There were leaks every month. Super tampons just don’t stay where they used to stay when I was young and before vaginal births. Pads shift and feel like wearing Depends.

The Diva Cup is a silicone cup. It’s flexible enough to fold up to insert (I recommend sitting on the toilet to insert, then standing to adjust depth and angle for comfort) but, rigid enough that it won’t flop around or tip over when you’re pulling it out. There is a small silicone stem to pull it out. You simply pour the blood into the toilet and reinsert it. I only had to empty it twice a day. There are no known health risks.

Let me tell you what I love about the Diva Cup:

Post from: Blisstree

Green Period, Post-Birth Incontinence & Ovulation – Diva Cup Review

If the saw my post Mood Shaper, they should know its a pretty risky marketing move to send me a girdle for review. Every time I read Adam Glassman, from O Magazine talk about how wonderful Spanx and body shapers are I want to tie him down and force him wear a full body girdle for 12 hours and see how “comfortable” he really thinks it is.

The commercial on EatDrinkAndBeYummy.com is super catchy and oh.so.very.hip. Except, it’s also cynical and I’m just feeling too optimistic and excited about the future to buy into the idea that I should eat my fear away and then wear a girdle to hide it.

It’s also January and I’m dedicated to losing 35 pounds so I won’t be visiting the oh so delicious recipe, dessert and cocktail Indulgences section.

Contrary to my belief that girdles suck.

I love the idea of a tank top that holds you in just a touch. In fact, I wear a nice long stretchy black tank top quite frequently. I think the tank is sexy under a button up shirt and adds an extra dimension and yes, it does smooth out and hold in my tummy. Since the damn mid-rise pants let the tummy hang out, I’ve been using the tight tank for quite some time.

Overall, I liked this Yummy Tummy tank top.

The style of Yummy Tummy could not be more right on to what I really love to wear. These long tight tanks do make me feel sexy but not over-exposed. I still like to show a little cleavage , and less stomach.

Maybe it looks like I lost 5 pounds as the company advertises, but no one said, Oh my gosh have you lost weight?

It features a middle panel which is double layered slick, smooth exercise material. The bust was in t-shirt material and had a shelf bra that wasn’t half bad. I even wore it without my regular bra one day and it did an okay job. If I were 20 it would have been enough bra.

You can order the Yummy Tummy tank top in “long.” Which I did. Because I reserve the right to use my arms and recent past fashion history has left me with short shirt anxiety.

Yet, I wish I hadn’t ordered the extra 3-4 inches on the bottom of this particular shirt because 1) the shirt was plenty long to begin with and 2) it was back to the regular t-shirt material which felt incongruous to me. The two different materials bothered me. I see the logic, I just didn’t feel the two fabrics went well together.

Also, I found the Yummy Tummy sizing chart to be “off.” They had me wearing a 1X based on my bust, waist, and hip dimensions. Do not expect me to love a company who wants me to order a size 1X. That’s why we love Old Navy and Lucky Jeans isn’t it? Because they are kind to us in the sizing. It’s not rocket science. I’m ordering a girdle, don’t make me feel 3 sizes larger than I actually am and expect me to feel good will toward your company.

Of course, I revolted. On the chart it had regular sizes as well and the size of clothes I really wear is 10. So I followed that number on the chart and ordered a Large instead of the 1X. This is likely why the mid-section of the Yummy Tummy Tank Top did roll up on me quite a bit – I ordered the size too small. But, never fear, I’m exercising a lot and counting calories so I can fit into this new generation of shapewear. How’s that for irony?

See, Oprah and Heidi Clum love Yummy Tummy. Cause you know Heidi likes to hold her extra stomach in. But, let’s not kid ourselves no Yummy Tummy Body Shaper is going to make 35 pounds vanish.

I have a friend who isn’t at all overweight. I think she would absolutely adore this tank top because she’s got extra skin going on in the tummy area post-kid. I can see some definite use for that.

The really great part about this Yummy Tummy tank top is that it did not feel too much like a girdle. It was not so restrictive that I couldn’t breath or move.

I’d like to try this: Gives new meaning to “slip” and “full body girdle” doesn’t it? Maybe when I lose the 35 pounds this will be my treat to myself.

Post from: Blisstree

Yummy Tummy

Mainly because I tried that Instead Cup in the 90s and it was not a pretty sight. “Use this Instead of cleanliness and hygiene.” B.J. Morris, an Amazon review had an experience with Instead that mirrored my own, I do believe it’s possible to use the Instead cup without making a mess, I never achieved it. I had to take a washcloth with me to the bathroom to avoid looking like I’d just violently murdered someone. . . So, I did a bit of research and discovered Diva cups. And, WOW! Since they’re shaped differently than the Instead, they are easier to use, plus I can remove mine without reenacting the Boston Massacre.

I didn’t see how the new Diva Cup could be that much better.

But, I keep thinking about it.

I would not have to buy tampons ever again because Diva Cups are reusable.

Yeah, that’s right. Ever.

You just dump it out, wash it and put it back in.

I already abandoned my deodorant this year in favor of a rock crystal and I’m loving that. What could be bad about a lifetime expenditure of $5? Nothing.

I read the reviews on Amazon and they are all pretty positive.

I’ll be menopausal in 10-20 years – could it be possible not to ever have to buy another tampon or pad?

Really?

OK Jennifer, of Tree Hugging Family. I’m sorry. I’m going to try the Diva Cup.

Post from: Blisstree

The Diva Cup

Last year I wrote about how I wear men’s Hanes Briefs because they actually cover my ass in Her Way Sucks, I Prefer His.

I discovered accidentally, about 10 years ago, that men feel entitled to wear comfortable underwear that covers their entire ass. The whole thing.

Once I made this discovery a decade ago I became oddly entitled. Yes, entitled. Entitled to have underwear that doesn’t ride up my ass or give me a wedgie. I feel my best when I have no need to find a wall to sidle up against to femininely and discreetly tug the panties out of my crack.

One of my friends, Rebecca, commented in the post that she wears Hanky Panky Thongs. She said they were comfortable.

A comfortable thong is like unto this urban legend, “women love anal sex.” Yeah, sure they do. Some may be willing to do it a few times – but I doubt it’s her favorite.

A comfortable thong. Isn’t that an oxi-moron?

A thong is resignation to a perma-wedgie. You give up picking the panties out of the crack of your ass and just accept that the panties are going to remain there – for the whole freakin’ day.

HerRoom gave out coupons for a free pair of undies at BlogHer. Because they are smart. An online store gives free product to online writers? Brilliant.

Since the lure of a comfortable thong has been percolating in my brain for a year I sent an email and asked for a pair in nude. (I saw on Oprah’s undies show that this is the secret to hiding underwear under white pants – match your skin color and not the pants.)

And I’ve been wearing them here and there. I wore them all day and twittered my experience – well, cause I’m new to Twitter and experimenting with being funny in only 140 words – I’m a word geek – that’s fun for me.

wrote about wearing men’s briefs. Reader said to try Hanky Panky Thong. HerRoom sent

Testing this theory: Is a thong essentially just perma-wedgie that you just accept?

I just picked the Hanky Panky out of my crack.

It’s 3 pm and my patience with the Hanky Panky thong is wearing thin. Sitting with perma-wedgie is . . . not my favorite thing.

OK I didn’t hate the Hanky Panky at the gym. I kind of thought they were pretty good for gym shorts.

Anyway here was my brilliant panty insight.

A thong really is a perma-wedgie. There really is not such things a comfortable thong. Technically.

But, I learned something about myself that I was never prepared to admit before. . .

Sometimes I’m willing to resign myself to a perma-wedgie. Over the ensuing laundry cycle I found myself sifting through my underwear drawer looking for my new Hanky Panky thong three times.

* to wear under my very thin dress for church

* to wear under my light-colored gym shorts for kickboxing

* to go to a book club meeting with other women

And every single instance was motivated in part by peer pressure – what will the other women say about my pantyline?

OK, not every single instance. My need to wear them to kickboxing was motivated half by the women behind me looking at my ass, and half by the fact that I actually have to crescent kick my leg OVER my male instructor’s bald head. There are 1-2-3-4-5 moments where the guy is basically looking right at my crotch. So, I wear the longest gym shorts I own – to the knees – and they are very light beige and I don’t want my panties to show.

Read Visible Panty Line Cure and “Clean” Bikini Line and Mood Shaper for hysterical musings about feminine hygene.

Oh and as for a photo – while I have photographed myself in a girdle for you (see Mood Shapers) I will spare you the sight of my thonged booty. Mostly because I write an Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me website and I’m afraid posting a picture of myself basically nude would be misconstrued and considered inappropriate. So I will leave you with this HerRoom photo of the low-rise nude Hanky Panky Thong, $18. Of course, this is exactly what I look like in them.

Post from: Blisstree

Resigned to Perma-Wedgie