Vogue Parody: 73 Questions with Jaycee of Thinking Moon

Preamble

Thanks so much for the fun tag Megan from A Geeky Gal! I am so excited to answer these questions!

1. What’s your usual Starbucks drink?

Not a Starbucks fan tbh, if I had to order one I would just order a double espresso. Not really into fancy coffees. The fanciest I get is a coconut milk flat white.

2. What does your work station look like?

Messy at the end of the day. Then I tidy it before I go to bed. That way I have a nice clean desk in the morning.

3. All-time favourite food?

Dried, fried, NOODLES!

4. Favourite author?

All-time? Toni Morrison.

5. What do you think of open relationships?

I don’t. Not for me, but you do you, friends.

6. What’s your favourite video game?

Dungeon Keeper from 1997. I still play that ish.

7. What’s your guilty pleasure treat?

Dried, fried, NOODLES!

8. Your favourite movie?

Ugh… this is too hard. Clueless always makes me happy.

9. Favourite book?

I adore Toni Morrison’s “Song of Solomon”.

10. Best advice you’ve ever received?

Be kind, to yourself as well.

11. Twitter or Instagram?

Instagram.

12. Are you a desktop or a laptop person?

Laptop but if I could afford it a desktop.

13. What projects are you working on right now?

My PhD, a novel, and myself!

14. What’s your favourite colour?

Blue, sapphire to be specific.

15. Did you get good grades in school?

Medium. I am pretty smart but I don’t really grade well.

16. Dream job?

An author that gets paid enough to live comfortably. I don’t want to be a millionaire or anything, just enough to have a comfy life.

17. Played any sports?

I was only capable of running in a straight line, as I was too clumsy for team sports. So I ran track!

18. Do you have a degree?

Yes, I have a Masters degree and currently pursuing a PhD.

19. Nationality?

Am Irish. Top of the morning to you Jacksepticeye.

20. What’s your favourite type of blog post to write?

Reflective.

21. What do you like to collect?

Books, rocks and weirdos.

22. Describe yourself in 3 words?

Silly, smart and sensual.

23. If you were a rapper, what would your rapper name be?

Thinking Moon…? ThINKin’ Muun.

24. Who was the last person you DM’d?

My Mama! xxx

25. What’s on top of your wish list right now?

A pair of boots from Koi Footwear. LIKE LOOK AT THEM!

26. Sorting House?

I am a Ravenclaw (with Hufflepuff tendencies).

27. How many tattoos do you have?

Hold on let me count…16… I think! Getting another one the day this post is out!

28. What are you most grateful for this year?

It’s only the second week of January but I’m grateful for shaving my hair and having the balls to do it!

29. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this month?

I got 420 views on my latest YouTube video. That’s my most views ever on a video, and I got that in less than 24 hours.

30. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you today?

My mother-in-law came home with a veggie-friendly dinner for me because she is a badass.

31. What’s the best thing ever?

THE GREEN BABY SQUISH!

32. Favourite season?

I adore autumn. The weather is beautiful and cosy but not too cold.

33. Favourite holiday?

Halloween is basically my Christmas. I can’t wait to have my own house so I can throw a Samhain / Halloween feast on the 31st of October every year.

34. What fictional character do you relate to the most?

Really great question, I’ve always related to Tim Curry’s character Dr Frank-N-Furter in “Rocky Horror Picture Show” because I am also loud and dramatic. Hopefully, I will be a Dr too someday.

35. Do you like surprises?

Sure of course! Le’Boo is good at present surprises, especially books.

36. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve ever had?

Getting a phone call from Professor Amr Arisha offering me a PhD.

37. What surprise made you cry?

When Le’Boo got me a Kindle. It was like in “Beauty and The Beast” when Beast gave Belle the library.

38. What’s the best surprise you’ve ever given someone?

I threw both my besties surprise 21st birthday parties and they had literally no idea. It was so much fun.

39. Do you like muffins?

… eh sure… Blueberry is my favourite.

40. Do you cook often?

Yes, I adore cooking.

41. What’s your favourite dessert?

Not huge on dessert, I prefer starters to desserts. Perhaps some cheese?

42. Is there a dessert you dislike?

Yeah, I don’t get birthday cake. You know the victoria sponge cake with jam and the awful icing?

43. Cake or pie?

Pie. I love Rhubarb tart…

44. What’s your least favourite food?

Mushy peas… like… why?

45. What’s your favourite condiment?

Mustard! It has to be English mustard though. I don’t like the generic mustard you get in diners.

46. It’s 4am on a Saturday night, what would you eat?

If I had a choice of anything, dried, fried, NOODLES!

47. If you could teach a college class, what would it be called?

Creativity 101: How to be more creative.

48. Best animated film?

“Beauty and The Beast” or “Toy Story.”

49. What has a guy done or said to impress you?

My darling Le’Boo impresses me every day. However one day I was having a particularly bad anxiety attack and he said, “don’t let the darkness get you.”

50. The best thing to do on a first date?

Get some food, go for a walk, and have a chat. (I’m looking at you Le’ Boo).

51. The worst thing to do on a first date?

Go to the cinema. How can you talk? You just sit in silence in the dark.

52. What’s the funniest pick-up line a guy could use on a girl?

If he runs up to her, throws some ice on the ground and says, “just breaking the ice.”

53. Best comic book character?

I don’t read a lot of comic books, but I’ve always found Deadpool’s tendency to break the 4th wall hilarious. So yeah, Deadpool.

54. What are three things that are always in your purse?

A book, lip balm and water.

55. Favourite drink?

Water for every day, Spanish red wine for occasions.

56. If you could play a historical figure in a movie who would it be?

Slyvia Plath. I love her and she was such a tortured soul, I feel like I could really portray that. (I’m so emo).

57. Kittens or puppies?

So tough but probably kittens.

58. Tell me your favourite sushi roll?

I don’t have one, I’ve only ever had California rolls.

59. What kind of lipstick do you use?

Liquid Lippy preferably. I love purple on myself. Especially the kind with grey undertones. I also prefer matte lipsticks.

60. What kind of foundation do you use?

Boots own brand No7. It’s not full coverage it’s more like a tinted moisturiser with SPF. Sometimes I use Wet N Wild but it’s not great. Actually do anyone you have a medium coverage foundation that lasts? Suggestions in the comments.

61. Blow-dry or air dry?

I rarely blow-dry my hair.

62. Who is your fashion icon?

I’m really feeling Billie Eilish at the moment, comfortable, androgenous and loud.

63. Favourite Disney Character?

This is really tough for me. I have Buzz Lightyear tattooed on my leg, but I’ve always loved loved loved Mulan. I’ll give it to Mulan because I love a strong female character.

64. What are you doing tomorrow?

It’s Saturday so having a chilled out morning with Le’Boo.

65. A movie you laughed the hardest through?

I saw “Step Brothers” in the cinema and I nearly peed my pants I laughed so much.

66. A movie that made you cry?

“Steel Magnolias.” I watch it with my Mama and it makes us cry every time.

67. If you could sing a duet with someone, who would it be?

With Le’Boo! We could sing “don’t’ go breakin’ my heart.”

68. If your life was a song, what would the title be?

Synchronicities.

69. What’s your favourite animal?

I’ve always loved pigs.

70. Favourite illustrator?

I’ve always loved Bill Watterson and his Calvin and Hobbs series. I have loads of the books.

71. A person you want to have coffee with?

Stephen King.

72. What country do you wish to visit?

Le’Boo and I are dying to visit Japan!

73. Best way to decompress?

Reading in bed. My favourite past-time.

***update!

I forgot to nominate people for the tag because I am a dopey dope!

Lee Hall from – Lee’s Hall of Information

Meagan from – Quibbles & Scribbles

Sheree from – View From The Back

Ricard from – Richard Bist

January 31, 2020 21

My reading list 2020

Sustainability - Read books you already own!!!

Preamble

Hello, fellow bookworms! I see you there! You’re the people who bring books with them wherever they go. (They’re like having a friend with you). The ones whose TBR pile is getting out of hand. The ones who could have a tidy house if it wasn’t for all your books!

Last year I managed to read 49 non-academic books. So this year I stuck my challenge at 60 because I think that’s plausible.

I decided that I wanted 12 of those books will to be a self-help / inspiring / science / sustainability-related. These are all things I’m interested in but I’m less likely to pick up these books than say, a Stephen King novel.

Come join me on Goodreads and set yourself a goal, even if it’s 3 books. Tell me just one book you want to read this year, or more if you have ideas! Without further ado, here are my 12 must-reads for 2020.

January

“No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference.” – Greta Thunberg.

Starting off the year with something short, sweet and to the point. Greta Thunberg might only be 16 years old but she is inspirational. To all those hating on her, you are sheep. You have not opened your mind to her reality. She is fighting for all of our lives, and learning takes place in the world. Not just in school.

February

“Minimal: How to simplify your life and live sustainably.” – Madeleine Olivia

As I write this, this book is not yet in my possession. I had to pre-order this book because it was not out until January this year. Madeleine is one of my favourite YouTubers, I’ve learned so much from her on my sustainability journey.

When she told us she was writing a book I genuinely felt relieved. Here is a guide that I can hold in my hand to simplify my life.

Also, Madeleine and Alex just got engaged. She’ll never read this but I just wanted to wish them congratulations and all the best in their journey. They are a gorgeous couple and deserve all the happiness. I hope Roxie is at the wedding!!!

March

“A Mind of Your Own.” – Kelly Brogan, MD. Another gift from the glorious Booblé Bear. It’s basically a book about depression in regards to women, and how it affects them differently. I.E hormones, period, social challenges.

April

“On Writing Well.” – William Zinsser. In case you didn’t know, I am writing my PhD thesis this year… did you know that? Haha well anyway, this is a book about writing non-fiction well so I think it’s time to read it. Another gift from Le’Boo. He knows me so well.

May

“Women who Changed the World.” – Various Contributors. My Mama got me this for Christmas. She wrote a beautiful inscription inside it, and I will cherish it forever. I love her so much, thank you, Mama.

June

“Other Minds: The Octopus & The Evolution of Intelligent Life.” – Peter Godfrey-Smith. This was a gift, (a trend eh?) from one of my besties Jes. She got me this for my birthday last year, and I actually want to get around to reading it! She knows me so well and I trust her judgement when it comes to books. Also OCTOPUS!

July

“Clifford Geertz by His Colleagues.” – Edited by Richard A. Shweder & Bryan Good. This is a book I’ve wanted to read for a while. Clifford Geertz is my favourite anthropologist, he has a wonderful sense of humour that I cannot get over. This is a book about him both as an anthropologist and a human. So really looking forward to this one.

August

“A Life Less Throwaway.” – Tara Button. I meant to finish reading this like in March… of last year… so I really need to finish it. I enjoyed what I did manage to read of it and hopefully, it will inspire my 2021 sustainability goals.

September

“You are a Badass.” – Jen Sincero. This was a Christmas gift from Le’Boo and I really think he’s trying to tell me something. Also, I love yellow book covers.

October

“The Kybalion.” – The Three Initiates. I’ve read this before technically, as I’ve listened to it on audiobook, however, I wanted to absorb it with my eyeballs!

November

“The Emerging Mind.” – Vilayanur Ramachandran. Le’Boo brought this home from work, a likely story… However, it piqued my interest. Look a monkey!

December

“A Room of Ones Own.” – Virginia Wolff. I read this many a moon ago when I was a young idealistic person. I would very much like to read it again as I have totally forgotten it except for the very famous bit. “For a woman to write, really write. She must have a room of one’s own.” This is also nicely tied in with the book gave me at Christmas, “A Mind of Your Own.” Also, look at my manky old copy of it!

My Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/44595266-j-c

January 24, 2020 27

Sustainability Goals 2020

Preamble

Hello Moonlings, maith an lá, how are you all? Normally this post would come earlier in January however my life was stupid crazy coming up to Christmas. Also, I had to move it to suit my impromptu post of last week.

I’ve made some wonderful changes already like using bamboo toothbrushes and reusable coffee cups. I find spacing out the changes make them easier to handle.

The main process to remember is this:

Refuse.
Reduce.
Reuse.
Repurpose.
Recycle

So in case you are interested in previous sustainability posts they can be found here. Otherwise, let’s jump right into it!

January

So last January I gave up beef forever. I had a few mishaps in November / December. No excuse I was just ill and needed/wanted beef. However, I’m back to that again. Then in February I only ate meat on weekends, which I mostly stuck too. Except for again November / December. Ya girl was sick ok?!

Anyways to narrow it down, even more, I am only allowed to eat meat once a month! So it will be a treat that I have to choose carefully, like if it’s a day I’m going to a nice restaurant or Christmas day for example!

February

Books. I love them so much. They are my friends, my distraction, and my portal to other worlds. However, I could be better with my hoarding of them. Firstly, buying second-hand. Secondly getting it from a library or borrowing from a friend. Thirdly If I need to buy new for whatever reason buy on kindle or audiobook. Secondly, reading the actual mountain of books I actually already own!!!

March

Still working through my plastic razors, but I would very much let to finally get a reusable, metal razor. The kind my grandfather would have used. I will get around to this. Eventually.

April

When the spring hits, the fashion world pulls in the winter colours and throws so many pastels at us. Greens, pinks, blues, they are so beautiful. Do we really need them though?

For April I will be doing another Jeffree Star Lipstick inspired lookbook, using all my own clothes. No new clothes for April whatsoever.

Now I only buy from sustainable companies or second hand, but what is more sustainable than not buying at all!? I will begin at the top of the sustainable list. REFUSE!

May

This is the month where I finally learn how to recycle properly. Ireland is pretty awful in fairness. In some countries, you get money back for recycling like Germany. No. Here we need to pay for certain items to be recycled. Especially certain plastics. Now we do have

I’m pretty ok in general with recycling. I try to refuse first, so I make my own sparkling water now. Which reduces the need for buying it in plastic bottles, which yes can be recycled, but less is always better.

Reuse, I have a reusable coffee cup, water bottle and cutlery (for eating in places like Boojum).

However recycling is something that still needs to happen, and I need to really learn how. There are a lot of plastics in Ireland that people throw in their recycle bin that can’t actually be recycled.

June

Ok so April was to do with Fashion and clothing and June will be the same. I will be going through all my clothes and sell on depop and donating what I don’t wear to charity. I do this about 2 times a year anyway so it doesn’t get out of hand.

I want to only keep what I actually wear, maybe try the Marie Kondo method. I am a bit of a divil for keeping clothes I don’t wear because they’re uncomfortable but are so cute, or they are too small and I’ll lose weight.

I am not losing weight unless it’s a result of eating healthy and my yoga routine. I’m not overweight the internet and society just like to tell me I am.

July

Plant a tree! My lovely Sister-in-law bought me a tree for Christmas from Grown Together. You get the location (which is Lacakamore in Co. Clare), the coordinates (!) and the certificate number. See their mantra below!

Sustainability - 2020 Goals — Sustainability – 2020 Goals

However, I would love to actually volunteer and plant a tree, or donate to a plant a tree place, or plant a tree at my home! Ok, maybe not a tree, but a plant. I love the trees!!! They are our friends, and they give us our oxygen.

August

Stop buying beauty products that are sold to us but really have no purpose. For example micellar water. My make up is mostly vegan and skin-friendly, which means it’s easy to wash off with warm water.

This will give me time to use up everything I have that is store-bought as I am writing this in January.

Toners and moisturisers, they can be made with natural products. I’m hoping Madeleine Olivia can help me out there. I got her new book in January also… Yes, here she is!

September

Ok now for the single-use items, they are everywhere! Cotton pads, baby wipes, cotton buds, paper towels. Why do we do it, our parents got through life just fine reusing things.

Like paper towels in the kitchen. Every time I use a piece I feel guilty, so no more. A dishcloth is just fine, and you can wash them!!!

Also my darling sister-in-law Nicole also got me reusable cotton pads for Christmas. Here is a picture.

Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without her, she keeps me grounded. She is the zero waste sustainability queen. Perhaps she would come on my channel?

October

Y’all know how much ya girl loves Halloween. It’s my Christmas, it spooky, and horrific! Love it so much. What I don’t love is the plastic, single-use decorations. Honestly, I’ve been prey to them myself, I won’t lie, but it’s time to invest in ones that I’ll have my whole life.

Like this beautiful ‘snow-globe’ with a crow and tiny bats from, yes, you guessed it, NICOLE!

November

Ok for real this time, I would like an electric car. Now I know they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, I mean the electricity doesn’t come from politicians farts. Hopefully, I will be finished my PhD and have an actual job where I get paid consistently again.

December

We decided this Christmas that Christmas crackers from shops are cancelled in our house. They are awfully wasteful with nothing good in them. We are going to make our own Christmas Crackers this year. Nicole from Mullen Crafts will have to be the creative director but I will happily write the jokes!

I’m also leaving wrapping paper that isn’t environmentally friendly in 2019. It’s

https://www.plasticfreedom.co.uk/lunch-bags

https://lucyandyak.com/

January 17, 2020 10

Our world is on fire, and I’m frightened.

Preamble

This is not the planned post for today. I did not plan on making this YouTube video.

My anxiety has been extremely heightened lately, and one of the main reasons is our world is on fire.

We need to change, all of us. Greta Thunberg is correct, none of us are too small to make a difference.

Three Small Changes

Acknowledge there is a problem.
Think about what you do and why you do it.
Make small actionable changes, one by one.

The Video

Sustainable Options

Metal water bottle.
Keep Cup.
Metal/bamboo straws.
Reusable shopping bags, preferably cotton.
Buy second hand.
Buy sustainably.
Swap clothes with your friends.
Reduce your meat and dairy intake.
Compost your food waste.
Bring your own toiletries on hols and avoid hotel toiletries.
Get a bamboo toothbrush.
Bring your own cutlery to fast food places.
Use soap instead of shower gel.
Look up sustainable bloggers/vloggers for help.
Read books about sustainability.
Pick up items you buy if you can rather then get them delivered.
Get a safety razor.
Adopt don’t shop.
Be mindful of how you handle rubbish.
Make homemade cleaners.
Make homemade beauty products.
LED Bulbs.
Switch your electronics off.
Get toothpaste and mouthwash tablets.
Get biodegradable floss for your teeth.
Natural and locally produced candles.
Get a hybrid or electric car if possible.
Use deodrant bars or zero waste deodrants in general.
Plant some vegetables.

Donate

Australian Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org.au/news-and-…

Wires: https://www.wires.org.au/blog/emergen…

RSPCA New South Wales:

https://www.rspcansw.org.au/bushfire-…

GIVIT:

http://www.givit.org.au/

Research

Madeleine Olivia – Has a book coming out very soon. I’ve pre-ordered it. She has helped me so much in my journey to become more sustainable.

Tara Button – A Life Less Throwaway.

Greta Thunberg – “No One is too Small to Make a Difference.”

January 10, 2020 7

I Shaved My Head! – Also Goals & Intentions

Preamble

Hello Moonlings, you are all still here and I am so grateful. Thank you for your patience. This post will introduce my intentions, goals and thoughts for the coming year and decade.

You may find some of this strange, as my belief system is a mixture of paganism and Wicca (I’m still finding my way).

Please be kind we all have our own beliefs and my journey to spiritualism has been rocky. I might talk about it someday, but please know this is very real to me and I’m not joking around.

Intentions for 2020

I meditated on NYE using a piece of turquoise my parents got me from a trip to Montana USA. I spoke to myself in 10 years and she told me 3 important intentions for the coming decade:

Be kind, to me as well.
Remember I’m in control.
Mind Le’Boo.

While these might seem odd to you they make total sense to me. You can never have enough kindness in the world, and we need to start with ourselves.

When I think about her saying “remember you’re in control,” I get chills. Part of my anxiety is the thought that I haven’t got control. Except I do have control, over my own actions.

Finally, when you find your soulmate you need to look after them.

Goals for 2020

Yes, I have so many goals for 2020 that they will all be in separate posts. I was so busy in October / November / December that I didn’t get to write any of them. So you’re getting them now!

Basically, I had actual time off over Christmas which I never do. So I was able to write more in two weeks than I have in months.

Sustainability goals 2020! I still have them, don’t worry! I will do a review of the latter half of 2019 too.
What I will count as wins for 2020? There will also be a list of my wins / what I was grateful for in 2019.
I have a list of experience I want to try in 2020. These are a bit scary but worth it. Starting with number 1: SHAVING MY HEAD!
List of books I want to read this year. I have 60 on my good reads but there are 12 (1 for each month) that I want to read.
Everyday goals. Batch cooking, yoga and cleaning.

The Video

Rose McGowan is my inspiration for shaving my head. She felt she wasn’t being taken seriously as a woman because all people could see was her long beautiful hair.

Rose McGowan – Shaving my Head

Please watch it if you have time I’m really proud of this one.

“I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.”

– Maya Angelou

January 3, 2020 29