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Swoon-worthy Tie Gallery

11/28/2012

40 Comments

 
What's even hotter than a bunch of Butch Wonders readers?  A bunch of Butch Wonders readers in ties!  You can click on most of them for a larger pic.  Oh--and when you're looking at these, don't forget to breathe.
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Whew!  Thanks for these wonderful photos, and keep rocking those ties, butches.  You look terrific!
40 Comments

Finish Your Shopping Today: 15 Stocking Stuffers Under $15

11/26/2012

1 Comment

 
In an bout of productivity, I've been buying my Christmas gifts early--mainly because my DGF and I have to buy gifts for people we don't know super well (my brother's in-laws and their family).  They're doing a "stocking exchange," meaning that everyone puts a small gift into everyone else's stocking.

The upshot?  I'm turning into a semi-pro stocking stuffer. I figured sharing my ideas might save you some time finding cool gifts.  So forget the bubble bath and candy canes and check out these ideas.  My categories are food, practical, and fun.  All are under $15 (and most are under $10!).

5 Edible Stocking Stuffers
Who likes food?  Answer: everyone.  If you're strapped for cash and short on ideas, here are five sweet and savory selections.
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#1: Bacon chocolate bars are sooo 2011.  Update your bacon-lover's stocking with this $8 bacon-maple-salt caramel.  What's not to love?

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#2: My main question is: how could you not buy a seasoning called Bad Byron's Butt Rub?  $7.09 for a small bottle.

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#3: Everything imported from France is vaguely classy and expensive, right?  This 5-star mango lime ginger jam by L'Epicurien is no exception.  There are several other flavors, most around $8-14.  These include confit of rose petals (edible?), banana flambee jam (how do they light a fire in that tiny jar?), and confit d'ananas au poivre de penja (whatever that is).

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#4: I'm a serious coffee drinker, and buy mine on Go Coffee Go.  They select some of the best roasters in the country, often have free shipping deals, and send your coffee within days of roasting.  Two of my favorites are 1000 Faces and especially Klatch.
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#5: Flavored bitters are a terrific gift for any semi-adventurous cocktail lover: brothers, aunts, fathers-in-law, friends--you name it.  Bitters are versatile mixers that come in an astounding array of flavors, including orange, celery, black walnut, peach, rhubarb, and chocolate.


5 Practical Stocking Stuffers
Sometimes the most commonsense gifts are the ones we overlook.  For the more practical recipients on your list, check out these five ideas.
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#1: At $5.90, Foot Rubz are one of the best personal massage tools around (not that kind of massage tool--get your minds out of the gutter, kids).  While you're at it, pick one up for yourself, too.  I did, and my feet are grateful.  A related idea: a scalp massager.

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#2: These Panasonic ear buds come in purple, orange, blue, green, black, white, grey, and pink.  They've been rated 4.5 stars by over 1500 users, and somewhat amazingly, are under $6.  Or try these Coby ear buds for about the same price.

#3: Whether you're buying for a teen going off to college or a grandma who likes to hike, you can't go wrong with multi-tools--but they've got to be well-made.  Some of my favorites under $15 are this multi-tool micro tool box (pictured right, top) this 6-in-1 camping tool, and this classic swiss army knife (pictured right, bottom).  An emergency fire starter's not a bad idea, either.
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#4: Chico bags are great for groceries, books, or stashing sweaty gym clothes.  You can never have too many.  They're machine-washable, come in eight colors, and you can get a 4-pack for $21.  If you're looking for something more distinctive these are similar and have designs on 'em.


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#5: You can get a colorful watch for under $15.  Even if they don't wear it every day, they'll have fun changing it up.  Check out this iron samurai watch, this lime green Timex, and this red Crow Sprout.

5 Fun and Frivolous Stocking Stuffers
These are great gifts for kids, people in their 20s, or anyone who you think would appreciate something kind of colorful/fun/frivolous.
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#1: Astronaut ice cream!  Fun and unexpected.  You can pick up a 10-pack for $22.25, or singles for $5, or... a whole astronaut food sampler.

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#2: Uuum, did you know that you can get temporary tattoos custom-made??  I didn't, and these are rad!  Several companies that do it, including Imprint and Print Globe.

#3: Got a bored smartie in your family?  Check out this alternative cube puzzle (pictured right).  Not only does it get ridiculously high ratings, but it's marked down 74% right now.
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#4: Gender-neutral soap.  The awesomeness is self-evident.  $9.50.

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#5:
Fact #1: I am a dork. 
Fact #2: So are some of the people you know. 
Fact #3: The idea of playing Scrabble on your fridge is awesome, especially for $12.98.

1 Comment

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/22/2012

8 Comments

 
Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers!  I wanted to take a second to tell you:

Whether you're gay or bi or queer or straight,
Or have turkey or tofu or yams on your plate--

Whether you're single or looking or coupled or married,
Whether you're chillin' or stressed out or sleepy or harried,

If you're hanging with family or if you are not,
If you're stuffed to the gills or not eating a lot--

If you're sick or you're well or somewhere in between,
Whether you love today or prefer Halloween,

Whether you're watching football or reading a book
Or condemning those Pilgrims for land that they took--

If you voted for Romney or voted Obama,
Or if you're a a grandparent, auntie, or mama,

Whether you find yourself happy or sad,
Or Black Friday makes you incredibly glad,

Whether you live in Milwaukee or Texas,
If you're taking the bus or if you drive a Lexus,

Whether you're in the snow or huddled by heaters,
I'm thankful for you, all my Butch Wonders readers!

Cheesily yours,
BW
8 Comments

Do Some People...

11/18/2012

3 Comments

 
Sometimes I get questions from readers in which the reader is essentially asking me if he or she is some kind of weird outlier.  For example:
  • Do some gay men find trans men attractive?
  • Do some femmes date other femmes?
  • Are some people mostly attracted to older lesbians?
  • Are some FTMs into bi cis guys?

Due to the sheer, huge, incredible range of human interests and preference, whenever you're asking if some people X, or whether some people of type Y find people of type Z attractive, the answer is always the same: yes.

In fact, we could make a mad lib of it:
Do some [type of person, plural] find [adjective] [gender or sexual orientation] attractive?

Yes, yes, yes.  Some butches are only into other butches (BW raises hand).  Some non-binary trans people only want to date femmes who wear leather.  Some guys who identify as gay are attracted to masculine cis women. 

Whatever your preference, identity, interest, or sexual proclivity, I feel safe saying: you are not alone.  Just because you haven't met anyone in your town who's like you doesn't mean that there aren't tons of them in the wider world.  Heck, it doesn't even mean there isn't anyone in your town like you.  Many people are scared to be out and proud about their preferences because they're afraid other people will laugh at them, or tell them they're weird.

Well, I'm here to tell you that there's nothing "weird" about knowing what you like.  There's nothing odd about having preferences that seem different from other people's (assuming those preferences are legal and don't hurt anyone, of course).  And there's nothing wrong or strange about having your attractions change over time. 

After all, you didn't come out as queer to be like everyone else, did you?  Why the heck would you want to start now?

3 Comments

Stuff You Need to Know About Wearing a Tie

11/17/2012

6 Comments

 
I thought I'd lay out some crucial, basic tie-wearing tips I've been asked about.  Even if you know nothing else about ties, you need to know this stuff:

Q: Where should my tie end? 
A: At the middle of your belt.  Most people know not to let it land too far above the belt, but letting it land a couple inches below is just as bad.

Q: But then I have to re-tie my tie about 20 times to get it right.
A: Yeah, at first--eventually you'll get good at it, though.  This is the price we pay for looking dapper.  Just be glad no one's making you wear high heels.

Q: How wide should my tie be?
A: If the tie is between 2.5 inches and 3 inches at the widest point, you're good.  This is a "narrow" tie.  A skinny tie is about 2 inches wide at the widest point.  I'm not against skinny ties per se, though I think some caution is prudent.

Q: What's the most common butch faux pas you see re: neckties?
A: Okay, admittedly no one actually asked me this, but I feel compelled to share.  At fancy events, I often see butches in too-wide ties that land a couple inches below their belts.  This makes a butch look like she's raided her father's closet.  Please stop.

Q: I never know what knot to wear.
A: A four-in-hand is the easiest to learn, and safe for all except the most formal occasions.  If you're going to learn only one knot, this is the one.  Have a friend teach you, or watch this British guy, whom I find amusing.  And: practice, practice, practice!

Q: What's the deal with the "dimple?"  Do I need one?
A: Yup, you do.  A "dimple" just means that if your knot doesn't do it naturally, you push in the fabric right below the knot.  Here's a picture. 

Q: Do I need fancy shoes?
A: Absolutely not.  As long as your look is pulled together, there are all kinds of different ways to dress down a tie.

Q: You've suggested wearing a loosened tie.  How loose is too loose?
A: I undo the top button of the shirt, then pull gently at either side of the collar.  You're going for this or this, not for this.

Q: Is it okay to wear a tie bar?  Where do I put it?
A: Sure.  Just make sure it's not wider than your tie, and wear it between the third and fourth buttons of your shirt, clipping the whole tie to the shirt.

If you have any more questions about tie-wearing, just let me know.  Meanwhile, I'd love it if you'd send me pictures of yourself in a tie.  I'll post a bunch of my favorites as fashion examples for BW readers!


6 Comments
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