starless @starless@pixie.town

@bryanhansel I've felt this about a big chunk of online marketplaces. The best luck I've had has been browsing review photos, or ordering something custom.

It's wild to see how much stuff (garments are what I've noticed most) of a really low quality is being made and sold. Stuff that, if folks could assess in person, they wouldn't buy. It is almost impossible to shop for something that's made of actual, real silk from a place like Amazon. Anyone can use it as a listing tag, even if what they're selling is a polyester satin without a scrap of silk in it.

What stuff have you noticed problems with getting?

I'm curious what the impact of online-first shopping has been on waste (and, ideally, what a nice way to address it might be).

@futzle I'm down! :)

@aurynn I'm sorry to hear that.

When my knees were giving me more trouble, I picked up a cane and found it very helpful for sending folks a nonverbal message of "don't make me dodge you, it might injure me".

I'd suggest getting one before you "need" need, if you can. I've found mine handy around, and since they're based on your leg length/ height, it'll probably be good for a while. You can get removable ice spikes and such, too, for winter. My cane was nice because it helped prevent my knees from over-exerting and getting further injured.

I got mine from fashionablecanes.com because of course that's a website, and the older people in my life recommended it.

I got a solid wood one that isn't adjustable, but it is very sturdy and I've always felt a bit safer carrying it at night. It's the kind with the smooth, curved handle, rather than a more ergonomic grip. It's easier to put on my arm for a bit, or to flick up to gesture for someone not to run into me. I used mine a lot to claim space near me (preventing me from doing a pivoting motion that was causing damage to my knee), or as a way to reduce some pressure on a leg if i was standing for a while. There's a chance that this kind of handle might not be as useful for you, but it was just what I needed.

My advice when looking for one is to follow your heart/ body and listen to what it wants, to try out grips in person (if feasible), and to measure the length based on how you want to use it.

If you're thinking about it, my unsolicited suggestion is to go for it when finances allow, if you can. I found mine to be liberating, but it was a positive experience for me, so I might be biased. :p

@bright_helpings dude that story was great and you look so freaking dapper.

@bright_helpings @diffrentcolours@tech.lgbt I hope he's careful about the hot cheese burn potential. They are hazardous!

@kf huh. Rolls of towels, as in, like, paper towels?

https://www.wayfair.com/Symple-Stuff--Over-the-Door-Wall-Mounted-Paper-Towel-Holder-X114176408-L1291-K~W003065397.html

https://www.amazon.com/SYIDINZN-Stainless-Kitchen-Organizer-Cabinet/dp/B07GCF9Y78/ref=asc_df_B07GCF9Y78

I'm doing an elf project thing this summer and decided to put together a perfume blend since I found an empty atomizer. I was aiming for something that smells like a forest the afternoon after a thunderstorm, and I think I nailed it!

I mostly used dirt and wet garden, with a healthy dose of mushroom, but I think the linden really adds the impression of tree pollen to the mix.

I wish it were feasible to share smells on the internet, but alas.

Ironically, this smell is way more magical indoors in the winter, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

Any thoughts on the most magical place/way to experience the smell of a forest?

#art

@thufie congratulations!