When you're growing up, it's easy to assume that everyone experiences life the way you do. All families have the same idiosyncrasies yours does, and all schools are very similar to the one you attend. Once you start visiting friends' houses or move to a different school, some of those assumptions start to fall away... Continue Reading →
Polyamory: in it for the long haul
A few conversations I've had in the last couple of months have made me realise that it's been a while since I last wrote about my relationship(s), or discussed the topic with anyone I'm not already close to. Friends and long-time readers of this blog will already know that I'm not straight and I'm not... Continue Reading →
Recipe for a fun festive season
As we enter the festive season, designed to bring cheer to the dark days of winter, I thought I would share my recipe for the perfect secular Christmas. NOTE: All quantities can be adjusted to taste, and substitutions can be made wherever specific ingredients cannot be located. Enjoy! Preparation Begin the festive season by giving... Continue Reading →
Introducing… Rubyyy Jones’ new sex column!
Hello there! Lovelyyy to meet you, my name is Rubyyy Jones and I'm going to be your non-expert, sex expert here on Rarely Wears Lipstick. I'm planning on covering a range of topics about sex, sexuality and sexual identity and would also love to hear from you, in the comments or on twitter, about what... Continue Reading →
Does poly have to mean ‘many’?
Once a month, for the last 15 months, I have been writing about various aspects of polyamory for a blogging project I set up called Poly Means Many. But, although poly means many, that doesn't necessarily mean that all polyamorous people have many partners. After all, if you're single, you don't stop being straight. If... Continue Reading →
Relationships, bad stuff and blame
In every relationship, much as we hate to admit it, there is bad stuff as well as good. There are times when you are feeling so sad you want to cry, so angry you want to scream, and so frustrated that you want to smash things. Whether it's an argument or a break up, bad... Continue Reading →
Feminism Friday: Media, research and poly
Earlier this afternoon, I was alerted to an article on the BBC News website entitled Philpott fire deaths trial shines light on polyamory. This dreadfully biased piece not only confuses polyamory with polygamy, but it also references some research on the latter by Dr Thom Brooks of Durham University. Dr Brooks is quoted in the... Continue Reading →
Relationships: Finding what’s right for you
Did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? Most kids have an idea of what they think their grown up life would look like and usually it's all pretty straightforward, based on what they know about grown up life so far. They've seen that some adults have jobs as things like... Continue Reading →
Communication: Up front and personal
Effective communication in relationships is a tricky business. How do you know what to say and when? Is that little thing important, will they take offence and... should I just say it anyway? It can be tricky to get the right balance, but the more you talk (and listen!) the easier it becomes. However, the... Continue Reading →
Ooh, shiny! The blinding powers of NRE
Do you remember what it feels like embark on a new romantic and/or sexual relationship? That wonderfully blissful high where your new partner can do no wrong, you just can't wait to see them again, and you really don't think you could be any happier? Your heart overflows with joy and it's almost impossible to... Continue Reading →