Mikaela Moody, Bratz, and Embracing Your Inner Child

January 20, 2024Leave a comment

By Sophia-Joelle McDowell

When was the last time you played with dolls? For Mikaela Moody, the answer is pretty recently.

Moody, who has over 100 Bratz dolls to her name, is all about play. And after moving to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue an acting career, Moody, now 27, is a self-proclaimed Life sized Bratz doll.

Moody continues to act here and there (you may recognize her from the popular short inspirational Dhar Mann videos), but you’re more likely to find her making her own videos and posting them online. First it was cooking videos on TikTok, but as she lost interest in posting cooking content, Moody found herself creating videos that scratched a more nostalgic itch.

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Leave the Gaylors alone, your internalized homophobia is showing

January 12, 2024January 17, 20241 Comment

By Emily Laptad
Photo by Travis Young

I never had an official “coming out” moment. In a way, this very article might be the closest thing I’ll ever do to officially “come out as bisexual.” But here’s the thing. I am already out to everyone who is paying attention.

And it wasn’t until I was ranting to my husband about the latest drama around the dialogue of Taylor Swift’s sexuality that I came to a colossal realization. As words flew out of my mouth at 100 mph, my insightful spouse pointed out that I am so upset with what’s happening because I see myself in what seems to be Taylor’s story.

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Jaspreet Kaur and her powerful message for brown, female, marginalized, and opinionated readers

January 7, 2024January 27, 2024Leave a comment

By Sophia-Joelle McDowell
Photos by Whitney Young

Jaspreet Kaur’s love for poetry began at age 13. Now, at age 42, she uses her own pen and her voice to display her passion for social justice.

This was her therapy. “In 2015, I finally plucked up the courage to share my poetry with the world, and my journey as ‘Behind the Netra’ began,” Kaur explained. “Since then, I’ve been using the power of poetry for social, political, and cultural change, specifically on gender discrimination, mental health stigma, and the postcolonial immigrant experience, performing on stages across the UK.”

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I tried clothing rental services so you don’t have to

November 18, 20231 Comment

By Bella Rainey
Photos by Bella Rainey, Art by Kelcie McKenney

Fast fashion: the buzzword of the century. We’re all doing our best to avoid it—but with trends moving faster than they ever have before, it’s easier said than done.

Whether you’re a fashion-forward girly or simply looking for event-specific pieces, renting a piece instead of buying one full price (and never wearing it again) could be the move for you. Renting clothes can put money back in your pocket (girl math?), while promoting a more sustainable way to dress your best.

As clothing rental services grow in popularity, it’s getting harder to find your right fit. Let’s break down the pros, cons, and my overall ratings of three fashion rental services.

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Meet Mercury Stardust—Trans TikToker and Author—at Helianthus Books

November 13, 2023Leave a comment

By Nicole Mitchell

Over two years ago, Mercury Stardust—aka the Trans Handy Ma’am on TikTok—responded to a comment that went viral. Since then, she’s been giving out her expert DIY and other home maintenance advice to renters on TikTok, began her podcast “Handy Ma’am Hotline,” and wrote her first book, titled Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair.

Safe and Sound gives readers tips on over 50 home projects from her perspective as a maintenance technician of over 16 years. Chapters cover a wide variety of maintenance, such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and safety needs—plus QR code links to videos to help you along the way.

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