My Top 10 #LFestLoves!

...Just 10? Jeepers!

*Scribbles out 100 others...*

Still feeling stuck as to whether-or-not head LFest-way this weekend?

Let my (exceedingly condensed) Top 10 #LFestLoves tip you over to the YES side of the pool.

Here is #HumpDayMotivation... And if that doesn't work. I know Ms. Heather Peace is in attendance. Nudge, nudge.


1. The Fire Pit.

S'more of that please! Nights like this are for LFest was made for... That, and toasted marshmallows.

2. Party, on!

Get ready everybody coz' here we go!

3. New Friends = New Family...

#WeMakeLFest. 

Aww, shucks. LFest is a community, as much as it is a festival!

4. R & R

#FreedomInFestivals A little quiet never hurt nobody. 

5. Movie Magic.

Outdoor late night cinema? Erm...yes!

6. WORKSHOPS

Arts, Crafts, ZUMBA... and everything else inbetween!

7. Music

Radio 1, eat your heart out.

8. Camping

Breath in the great outdoors... and exhale

9. Comedy

Lesbian Comedians funnier than a very funnier thing.

10. Lastly... GIRLS, 

GIRLS...

GIRLS!

Did I mention 2,000 lesbians?

Also, GIRLS.

Decided? YAY!

Join the #FacebookLFestival from 1pm Friday when I'll be running the social media show - tweeting, posting and getting stuck in my own sleeping bag live for your entertainment VIA @lfestevents and the LFest Events Facebook page. #LFestTakeOver

Tickets and Day Tickets will be available on the door, or grab them ahead at lfest.co.uk/tickets. 

Keep track of the lesbian low-down with #LFestLive and #TweetsFromATent and #Gulp.

I am very, VERY excited.

Tweet at me & send your LFesty pics - I can't wait to share #LFest2016 with you all...

I hope I've convinced you to join the party!

Happy hashtagging, and HAPPY LFEST!

Love Caitlin X

Guess Who's Back?

 Spoiler Alert -  It's me.

I know, I know. I've been quiet for a while. *Quit with the nagging, Ma!*

Please forgive me, lovely readers and fans of turtle memes, as I tell you the story of how it all went out the window this time...

*No eyerolls, please Madam. You can wait until you've read it all first.*

Now, it wasn't a simple case of downright neglect and laziness. I promise, I really do.

I will give you the reasons for my Murder Mystery style disappearance once and for all.

Life and shizzle got in the way, ok.

Well, namely my mental illness, if I'm really being really truly honest... 

---

For the past few months, I've been burrowing myself away into a little coffee shop shaped shell.

Working hard, licking my wounds and earning my way as a Waitress in East London. 

 Basically, I've been doing all I can to keep my brain quiet and keep going with my life...

You see, last June I had a nervous breakdown.

No, it wasn't like all that. It wasn't like I was crying daily in public, lying helplessly in bed and unable to get out of bed in the morning...It was infact, exactly like that.

Just being, was a difficulty. 

While I was on this so-called 'mini break,' the last thing I could do was think... let alone write about what I was going through.

As much as I wanted to - and to share what I was experiencing with you!

I wanted so much to reach out. But it was not my time to, I guess. 

And in a way, I knew then, as I know now... writing would mark the beginning of my healing process. That was far too scary to think about. And that wasn't something I was prepared to face, until now. 

Waitressing - and dropping Flat Whites onto unsuspecting customer - every day in East London, I've been slowly but surely building back my confidence, chatting and meeting new people and getting a handle myself again, and the community that surrounds me.

I've made friends with a Community Cafe, building relations where we supply them with our leftover bread, and generally immersing myself in the patchwork of people that is ole' London Town.

Check out those crazy cake table skillz

Helping others, running coffee with the shakiest hands on record - (embarrassing confessions to come) -  and being active has really kept my muddled mind at semi peace for a few months.

But I guess my mini break is finally coming to it's end. 

It's time to pick up the quill, and log back in to the real world.

Now, finally - at long last - I AM READY TO WRITE AGAIN!

HORRAY! I hope the Blogging World will welcome me back.

Goodbye, self-doubt! Adios, low self-esteem! And piss off, anxiety!

Yes.

And I CAN'T WAIT this time, to write and write and write... without a pause, this time...

I am back. I am writing. And no one - especially not me - is going to stop...me.  

                                                                      Darn' tootin.'

Meanwhile @ Planet London... Cake Out!

A Moment of Sapho-Searching With...Wegan: Power Couple on all things love, dating & THE launch party to end all launch parties...

Published on Planet London's Pretty-in-Pink Site, on 22.11.15

Lezbehonest, finding femmes ain't always easy.

I'll be the first to raise my hand and say the search for lipstick-love isn't a ride in the park at the best of times...

I mean, most nights you're in better luck of spotting a unicorn on a full moon, playing Scrabble.

Yes, Scrabble.

But, fear not...my fellow lady-lovers... YouTubers, Megan Evans and Whitney Bacon - collaboratively known as Wegan -  are here to make our love lives that the incy bit easier.

Much like the work of some Wonder Women...or GODS... the pair have dreamt up the ultimate solution to our woes.

Say a hearty hello to  Find Femmes! 

The new dating website that brings together fem lesbians from far & wide.

Horray!

And guess what?! I was lucky enough to get an invite to their London launch party! 

Horray, X2! 

During the night, I found a cheeky moment or two to have natter with the girls..

...And let me add before news hits the press... I may have had to be air-lifted out by 11pm as a matter of emergency...

Their cake was that GOOD... Ok?!

Hey, Hey, Wegan! It's so amazing to finally meet you both.

I have actually just signed up to Find Femmes today, and have to say I am mega excited to be apart of the community! I'd love to know what you think makes your site different from other dating websites out there?

There's no other site that really does what we do.

We used to get asked all the time by our followers, "how do we find a femme lesbian?" and "how did you find each other?" And we never really had a reply to give!

We were so frustrated that we didn’t have a clear cut answer and thought to ourselves, “What can do we do to help?”

People were always asking how we met, and we were getting a real impression from them - and of course from our own experiences - of just how difficult it is to meet feminine girls out there. 

And thus, Find Femmes was born!

Yes! And you yourselves met on MySpace, right?

We did! Back in 2006. I mean, how we found each other was actually online! 

We are so lucky to have found love, and now we just want to help others find what we have. 

That's so lovely. I believe you have another reason to party tonight, girls? 

Yes, we do indeed! We recently celebrated seven years of being together, and our third Civil Partnership anniversary. It feels like we've known each other forever! It's gone so fast. It's hard to believe...

Oh, amazing! Congratulations both of you.

Ahh, thank you!

And I love your reasons for creating Find Femmes. 

I can't wait to have a proper go later on! It looks like a lot of time and energy has gone into it's creation. Can we expect to see a Find Femmes app soon?

We hope so! It's all very new and exciting. There are lots of plans being discussed at the moment... Stay tuned! 

This party really feels like a celebration of everything falling into place for you both... a party, and also a recognition for a sparkling lesbian identity that's so often overlooked and made invisible...One of pink and prettiness! It's brilliant to see...


We're so happy you're having fun!

Your dresses -  and Muse Soho - both look stunning tonight! We can't wait to see the vlog...

 And I have to say, I am loving all the glitter!

Thanks so much! We've spent a lot of time planning it. Now we're so excited to see it all come together!

 I bet. And those balloons...and CAKES.

 Well, I am one happy blogger.

Lipstick Lesbian, anyone?!

*I may - or may not - make a drunken appearance*

Documenting their journey from long distance  sweethearts , to happily-ever-afters & I-Do's, Megan and Whitney now live blissfully together in the UK and continue to share their inspirational love story with the world wide web via their YouTube channel, What Wegan Did Next. Check it!


#FindFemmes

Hit up Wegan's channel here!

#WhatWeganDidNext

Meanwhile, @ Planet London ...

#GetEllenOnThePhone 

10 Reasons why we NEED a new L-Word

‘This is the way, it’s the way that we live… And lovvvvveee’

It’s 3am, and I’m still awake.

And, guess what? Bette and Tina are in couples’ therapy… Again.

Now, there’s a shocker.

*But, lets’ face it. With this episode-indicator, it could really be ANY season of The L Word I’m watching right now…

Although, one thing is for certain:

The only thing keeping me warm on this long, lonely night, is a subscription to Netflix and Kate Moenning’s face.  

Well, that and a medium-sized pepperoni…currently scolding its brand name into my lap.

But tonight’s binge-fest has got me thinking… Really thinking…

 Just what keeps The L Word popping back onto my laptop screen in the cold dead of night…like a baby reaches for its comfort blanket, or Bette Porter turns to verbal abuse?

I mean… going back in true Marty-McFly-style to early noughties, and the happy –go-lucky days of braless lesbians running around Hollywood, chilling at The Planet and oversharing on sexy escapades from the night before… what is there NOT to miss?  

But now I’m calling for the new.

Brace yourselves, Lez Girls…It’s here: My 10 hearty and heartfelt reasons WHY we need a new L Word in our lives.

Because let’s face it, that theme tune’s getting a little annoying…

1) There are NOT ENOUGH lady-loving characters on the Telebox. Period.

Call me crazy, but I’m hungry-ing for a new drama that features REAL and RELATABLE lesbian and bi-characters for longer than 3 episodes.

I mean, not all Sappho-sisters need to be hit by a car, or fall off their bike before anything REALLY gets started.

Can anyone remember the last time we got a happy ending for realsies?

Who can forget the too-soon-demises of The Last Tango in Halifax and Call the Midwife…

It’s just not good enough.

Yes, I’m looking at you, Mr Head of the BBC Drama Department. *Shakes fist.

2) ALL the Guest Stars...*Sigh

Just imagine the possibilities… Alex Vause meets Carmen, who meets Ruby Rose…who meets Frankie from Lip Service… Cue melting of keyboard to a hot pool of plastic.

3) Shane. Need I really say more?

We could really do with some more eye candy.

(Well, when can’t we?)

4) And THAT theme tune.

The L Word become like the backing music to our lives. But we now surely need a new soundtrack that makes us laugh so hard we need gas and air, and a show to cuddle up to with the girlfriend over a positively delectable array of chicken nuggets and Jaffa Cakes…

#DateNightsAtTheirFinest.

Yes, we’re calling for more girls in tight dresses who drag with moustaches. Goddammit.

5) The marmite lesbian we all love to hate. AKA Jenny Schecter.

We need someone besides Katie Hopkins to throw pillows/heavy objects at.

6) Okay, on second thoughts…maybe let’s miss out the-Jenny-Schecter-element. (I had a Jenny-related flashback). *Shudder.

7) A show to Come-Out with...

Hands up – who wouldn’t give due credit to the steamy-Sharmen-sexy scenes in their personal coming out story?

The show sure helped a lot of folks venture out of their queer bubble and realise their own sexual identities.

Heck, y’all know it’s true. #HeartSharmenForevZ

                                              

8) We all need a Lezzie Drama to laugh with/cry with

True story.

Frustrating as the plotlines can sometimes be, *Cue Kit Porter’s general onscreen presence, The L Word has always been there for us… like a bunch of loyal uber-hot friends, or peanut butter cups. They’re always there.

Oh, and not forgetting, their oh-so-relatable stories and characters.

What we NEED is a wacky and wonderful show to sob alongside in the dark hours of heartbreak, or laugh with before a long day at work. Dagnabbit.

It’s fair to say, The L Word makes us all feel far less alone.

We are reminded that there are others out there like us, and our lives can be something amazing, too.

That’s what it gave me.

9) The L Word meets 2015...

I hate to say it, but our beloved L Word is showing its age.

Long gone are the days of spikey-noughties hair-dos and flip-cell phones. Sadly.

Now we need a new L-Word to take us in, and remind us who we are TODAY.  

A few wrinkles are a'showing.

I mean, who doesn’t wanna see a new L Word move into the here and now?

An Alice on Instagram…yes, please.

After all, it’s totally true: We’re pining after a show that ended six years ago.

10) That is why we need a NEW L Word to step up and take the biscuit.

C’mon writers, get writing! Preferably featuring characters with a steady pulse, this time...

  

 Published on Planet London's Pretty-in-Pink Site, on 21.04.15

Professional scribbler and wearer of scarves, Caitlin is a freelance, comedy blogger and aspiring great lesbian novelist. *So she likes to think. 

When Caitlin is not picking her brain for a half-decent poem, or tip-toeing around potentially hazardous social situations, she is ordering raspberry daiquiris and re-watching the L Word. Again. Follow her on Twitter@caitlin_maggs and Instagram Caitlin.M.Maggs. You may be sorry.

Check out more of Caitlin Maggs' escapades over @PlanetLondon! 
PLUS! Let me know YOUR #DatingDisasters. I promise not to laugh (much).

Meanwhile, @ Planet London ...

Thank God, I kept the receipt #DatingDoneBadly

Published on Planet London's Pretty-in-Pink Site, on 22.04.15

’Try not to scare away all the girls, Caitlin.’

My Grandfather has always managed the softest of touches with his words of romantic wisdom.

‘I mean, if I were them, I’d be running a mile too.’

Thanks a bunch, Grandpa.

Evidently, the Disney Store was not the IDEAL place for a gift during the early stages of lesbian dating.

Who knew?

Probably the part of day where I was left struggling to leave the store with a life-size plush toy of Olaf, (and a bag of her ‘favourite’ bananas & shrimps sweets), was not one of my BEST dating decisions…

…Especially it being in aid of Date No. 2 and all…

Did I forget to mention that? Silly me.

Lesbians move fast, who knew?

But it’s CHRISTMAS! I say to myself … while carefully finishing off the last of her handmade Christmas card with all manner of love, sentiment and glitter glue.

(I don’t think beavers come more eager than this).

That’s my #DatingDoneBadly, guys.

Thank God, I kept the receipt.

Professional scribbler and wearer of scarves, Caitlin is a freelance, comedy blogger and aspiring great lesbian novelist. *So she likes to think.

When Caitlin is not picking her brain for a half-decent poem, or tip-toeing around potentially hazardous social situations, she is ordering raspberry daiquiris and re-watching the L Word. Again.
Follow her on Twitter@caitlin_maggs and Instagram Caitlin.M.Maggs. You may be sorry.

Check out more of Caitlin Maggs' escapades over @PlanetLondon!
PLUS! Let me know YOUR #DatingDisasters. I promise not to laugh (much).