» Listings for 2026

1. A Little Unexpected Maternity Ward

   Posted on 4:34pm Friday 10th Jul 2026

   A Little Unexpected Maternity Ward

   A few months ago, a very young cat started appearing around us. She was friendly, pretty, and so young that we assumed she must be someone’s new pet. She would pop into the garden nervously, then disappear again.

   After a few weeks, she came back looking rather different. This time she was very pregnant, very hungry, and her long fur had started to mat. She was friendly, but not completely trusting, so we slowly won her over with food and patience. We wanted to gently check her body condition, because she looked so skinny under all that fur, and we also needed to check for a microchip, as suggested by our local animal welfare team.

   There was no chip, which is now the law here in the UK. There was also no response to our local found-cat posters, either on lampposts or on social media, and no charity had a report of a missing cat fitting her description.

   Our local rescue centre didn’t have space to take her in, so they asked if we could keep her safe indoors. That is how we suddenly found ourselves looking after a very pregnant young cat.

   We have our own cats, Lila and Elvis, and suddenly we were trying to work out how to keep everyone safe, separate, calm, and not too offended. Elvis especially knew something was going on and kept looking at us as if we were hiding an entire second cat family in the lounge. Which, to be fair, we were.

   But Mumma cat was heavily pregnant, hungry, and clearly looking for somewhere safe to nest. We just couldn't say “Sorry love, maternity services are closed", so in she came and settled surprisingly well. My partner called her Cleo, after a little black cat in a kids’ TV show from the early 90s (I think!), but to me, she’s just Mumma.

   So our lounge has became a temporary kitten ward.

   This all happened at the end of May. Mumma purred, kneaded blankets, literally ate like a tiny horse, and entrenched herself. She wanted company, reassurance, food, and then a bit more food just to be sure. She is such a lovely little thing, and it was impossible not to care about her and get attached.

   When the time came, she gave birth to four beautiful kittens, all safe and healthy. It was magical and she put full trust in me, which melted my heart. I had never helped a cat through birth before, so that was a lovely little experience, ensuring she was fed, watered and comfortable so she could do her thing. During the first night she was in shock, exhaused and despairing as these blind gremlin-like things climbed all over her whilst trying to find a nipple, but she let me look after them for a while whilst she had a rest. Once she recovered Mumma was simply amazing for such a young cat: calm, gentle, instinctive, and completely devoted to her babies. 

   Then along came the red alert heatwave, because apparently ordinary cat drama was not enough. We had to keep Mumma comfortable, keep our own cats separate, and stop everyone from melting. It required fan logistics and us mere humans melting in the corner. A little shout-out to Meaco.com here, because their fans were brilliant and they got them to us quickly, which made a genuinely stressful week a lot more comfortable.  They are back in use now as the temperature has ramped back up. 

   The kittens are now about six weeks old and thriving. They are running, jumping, climbing, launching themselves at anything that moves, and playfighting like tiny pro wrestlers. They hurl themselves at each other, roll around dramatically, then pop back up as if nothing happened. It is adorable, ridiculous, and when they come out of their pen, like having four tiny chaos machines loose in the lounge.

   Mumma is doing well, although she shockingly started to come back into season while still breastfeeding. Mother Nature can be cruelly efficient. She is currently part devoted mother, part man-hunting menace, and occasionally a terrible parent because her raging heat hormones have completely taken over. One minute she is washing a kitten lovingly, the next she pushing them aside to spend the night scratching at doors and howling like she’s discovered ABBA and decided her favourite song is Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).

   It has really brought home how vulnerable young unneutered cats can be. Mumma was barely more than a kitten herself, around 4-5 months  old according to the vet’s estimate. I am just glad we have been able to help. We don’t know where she came from, but she looks exactly like our boy Elvis, who was around ten weeks old when he was found hiding in my car engine for warmth, covered in fleas and infested with worms. The cycle seems to continue, but not for Mumma, as she is being spayed next week. 

   For us, it has been an intense but beautiful few weeks.

   Watching Mumma go from a hungry, matted, heavily pregnant little cat to a safe, loved, well-fed mum, with four no-longer-tiny, thriving, jumping kittens, has been one of the highlights of my life.  We are going to see how she is after her spay, and see if she fancies moving in permenantly.  Let's see. 

    

2. How I Use AI in My Tiny Business

   Posted on 11:05am Saturday 9th May 2026

   How I Use AI in My Tiny Business

   I wanted to write a little note about AI, because it is something more and more people are talking about now, and I think it is better to be open about these things.

   Jo Thornton is a tiny business. It is not a big company with different departments and lots of staff behind the scenes. It is me - Jo - doing the ordering, packing, stock checking, website updates, customer questions, accounts, product planning, problem solving, and all the other bits and bobs that come with running an online shop.

   My lovely Mum helps me with some product wrapping, which I am very grateful for, but the day-to-day running of the business is very much me.

   So yes, I do use AI as a business tool.

   Not in a scary “robots are running the shop” sort of way. More in a “Jo has a lot of spreadsheets and needs to check her maths” sort of way.

   It helps me with the background jobs: checking sums, planning stock, organising ideas, looking over wording, and thinking through the many little decisions that come with running a business by myself.

   The final decisions are still mine. The customer care is still mine. The slightly obsessive checking of details is definitely still mine.

   What I do not put into AI

   One thing I want to be very clear about is customer privacy.

   I do not put customer personal data into AI tools.

   That means I am not putting your name, address, order details, private messages, emails, or anything personal like that into AI tools. Customer emails stay within my Google Workspace email system and are only ever read or seen by me. Orders are kept securely within my ordering system, and your personal details go no further than they need to for me to process and send your parcel.

   Customer privacy matters to me, and I treat that information carefully.

   The environmental side

   The other thing I have been thinking about is the environmental impact.

   AI is digital, but that does not mean it is weightless. It uses energy, and data centres can also use water for cooling. I cannot calculate the exact impact of my own AI use, and I am not going to pretend there is a neat little sum that works it all out perfectly.

   But I do know it is not impact-free.

   So I have decided to make a small monthly business donation to WaterAid.

   I am not saying this perfectly cancels anything out, because I do not think it works that neatly. But clean water matters, and making a regular donation feels like a practical way to acknowledge the issue and put something positive back.

   It is only a small monthly donation, but small things done regularly still matter.

   Keeping the human bit

   The human side of this business matters to me more than anything.

   AI can help me check, plan, organise, and think things through, but it is still me choosing the products, answering questions, packing orders, checking details, and trying to make sure customers feel comfortable and supported.

   So that is my little AI policy, really: use helpful tools, be honest about them, protect customer privacy, be aware of the impact, and keep the heart of the business human.

   That feels like the right balance to me.

3. Can Silicone Bra Inserts (Chicken Fillets) Go on a Plane

   Posted on 4:55pm Monday 16th Mar 2026

   (Yes — your little beauties are cleared for take-off.)

   If you're packing for a holiday and planning your outfits, a small but surprisingly important question can suddenly pop into your head:

   Can silicone bra inserts go on a plane?

   You might call them bra inserts, silicone bra inserts, breast enhancers, or the classic nickname “chicken fillets.” Whatever you call them, the question usually appears right when you're deciding what’s coming with you in your suitcase.

   It’s one of those things nobody tells you… until you're halfway through packing.

   The reassuring answer is simple:
   Yes — silicone bra inserts travel perfectly safely on aeroplanes.

   Your little beauties can absolutely come on holiday too.

   

   ---

   Why Flying Doesn’t Damage Silicone Bra Inserts

   Silicone bra inserts are made from soft silicone gel sealed inside a flexible outer layer.

   The key thing is this: they don’t contain air or gas.

   When planes climb to altitude, cabin pressure changes slightly. Air-filled things expand (crisp packets puff up during flights, which always feels a bit dramatic).

   But silicone inserts aren’t filled with air, so nothing inside them expands or bursts. They simply sit there quietly doing their job — helping your outfit look exactly how you want it to.

   The same applies to silicone breast forms too, because they are made in a very similar way.

   Think of them as very well-behaved travel companions. They don’t complain about the flight, they don’t need snacks, and they definitely don’t try to recline into your personal space.

   So flying isn’t a problem at all.

   ---

   Airport Security

   Yes, you can wear bra inserts through airport security.

   Airport scanners sometimes notice unusual shapes or density differences under clothing. If that happens, a security officer may do a brief pat-down to confirm everything is normal.

   This is routine and handled professionally.

   If you'd rather avoid the possibility of that entirely, simply pack your inserts in your hand luggage instead.

   ---

   Packing Bra Inserts for Travel

   Bra inserts can go in hand luggage or your suitcase. Either works perfectly well.

   A few simple tips keep them in good condition:

   • Place them inside a bra or soft pouch
   • Avoid heavy or sharp objects pressing directly on them
   • Keep them away from very high heat

   Keeping them in your carry-on bag does have one advantage: if your suitcase decides to extend its holiday somewhere else, your inserts are still with you.

   Arriving somewhere sunny without them would feel a bit like forgetting your toothbrush — not a disaster, but definitely annoying.

   ---

   Can You Swim With Bra Inserts?

   Silicone bra inserts can be worn in the pool or sea, provided they’re held securely in place — usually inside a well-fitting bikini top or swimsuit.

   After swimming, it’s a good idea to rinse them with fresh water, pat them dry, and let them air dry properly before storing them again.

   Salt water, chlorine, sunscreen, and sand won’t ruin them, but a quick rinse keeps them clean and happy for the next outing.

   ---

   The Quick Answer

   If you searched this while packing for a trip:

   Yes — silicone bra inserts (chicken fillets) can safely travel on aeroplanes.

   Cabin pressure won’t damage them, and you can either wear them through airport security or pack them in your luggage.

   They’ll behave themselves perfectly on the flight.

   What happens after you land, however, is entirely up to you.

   Piña colada anyone?

    

4. Crossdresser, Trans, Transvestite, Non-binary: What These Words Usually Mean

   Posted on 6:25pm Monday 2nd Feb 2026

   If you’ve searched “crossdresser vs trans” or “transvestite meaning”, this post explains the terms in plain English.

   ---

    

   Crossdresser, Trans, Transvestite, Non-binary: What These Words Usually Mean

   If you’ve ever paused mid-message to me thinking “I don’t even know which word to use”… you’re not alone. Language around gender has changed a lot, and people also use the same word in different ways. So this is a plain-English map of the terms I see most, and what people usually mean by them.

   Use whatever words you use with me — or none at all.

   Crossdresser

   Most often, crossdresser means someone who wears clothing associated with a different gender than the one they were assigned at birth. For lots of people it describes presentation (how you dress / how you look / how you feel in yourself), and it doesn’t automatically say anything about identity.

   People use it for all sorts of lives — occasional dressing, regular dressing, private, social — and the reasons can be as simple as “this makes me feel good” or as complicated as “this is the only place I feel like myself.”

   Trans

   Trans generally means someone whose gender identity doesn’t match the gender they were assigned at birth. Some people use “trans” as a broad umbrella word. Others prefer more specific language like trans woman, transfeminine, non-binary, or gender diverse.

   When I started in 2007, I heard “trans” used more narrowly a lot of the time — often implying living full-time (or aiming to), sometimes with medical transition as part of that plan. These days it’s often used more widely, covering a much broader range of experiences — from people who present femininely sometimes, right through to trans women living full-time, with or without gender-affirming medical care (including surgery). That shift is one reason conversations can get confusing: the word has expanded.

   Transvestite

   Transvestite is used less now than it used to be, but it definitely hasn’t vanished. Historically it was often used in a similar way to “crossdresser.” These days some people are comfortable with it and some people really aren’t — it can feel old-fashioned, medical-ish, or just a bit loaded depending on someone’s experiences.

   You’ll still see it, especially from people who learned that word first. And who knows — language goes through phases. It might yet come back around like a fine wine having a dramatic little renaissance.

   Non-binary / Gender fluid

   Non-binary and gender fluid are often used by people who don’t feel fully “man” or fully “woman,” or whose experience of gender shifts over time. Some people like these terms because they leave space and don’t force a neat box. Others don’t connect with them and prefer different language entirely.

   ---

   For some people, a lot of confusion disappears once you separate these:

   Gender expression is how you present: clothes, hair, makeup, voice, mannerisms.
   Gender identity is who you are inside.

   They often line up — but they don’t have to. And that’s why two people can use the same word and mean slightly different things by it.

   ---

   If you’re not sure what fits

   You don’t need to solve your identity like it’s a crossword clue.

   Some people use one word forever. Some people try a few words on over time. Some people keep it private and only talk about it in small, safe circles. Some people just describe what they like and how they feel, and leave labels out of it completely.

   If you’re messaging me and you don’t know what to call yourself, you can simply tell me what you’re aiming for — comfort, confidence, a more feminine shape, a better fit in clothes, something that feels more like you. That’s enough. I’ll understand what you mean.

    xx

   ---

    

5. Why Your Bra Size Feels Wrong: Bra Fit, Shapes & Easy Fixes

   Posted on 8:35pm Monday 19th Jan 2026

   

   Bra Sizing Without the Tears

   Why your “right bra size” can still feel wrong (and what to try instead)

   If bras have ever made you feel like you’re the problem — you’re not. Bra sizing is a starting point, not a promise. Two bras with the same bra size on the label can fit completely differently, and it’s usually down to bra shape and bra style, not anything about you.

   I’ve got separate bra sizing guides for cis and trans customers if you want the step-by-step measuring side. But this post is about the part nobody explains properly:

   why your bra fit can feel “wrong” even when the size should be right — and what that usually means.

   ---

   Why bras aren’t universal (even when the size matches)

   A bra size gives you a rough idea of band size and cup size (and cup volume), but it doesn’t tell you:

   • where your fullness sits (top, bottom, centre, wider-set)

   • whether you’re more shallow or more projected (how far forward volume sits)

   • how tall the cups are, how wide the wires are, or how stretchy the band is

   • how the bra is constructed (moulded, seamed, padded, unlined)

   So when something feels off, it often means the bra style isn’t matched to your shape or your comfort goals — not that you’ve “failed” at bra sizing.

   ---

   Bra shapes that change everything (and why)

   Think of these as different “cuts,” like jeans. Same size on the label, wildly different results.

   T-shirt bra (moulded cup bra)
   Smooth under clothes, but the cup is pre-shaped and doesn’t adapt much. If you don’t match the mould, you can get gaping or spillage even in the “right” cup size.

   Balconette bra
   More open at the top, lifts from underneath. Often great for a rounded look, but can cut in if you’re fuller on top.

   Plunge bra
   Lower centre gore (the bit between the cups) and a deeper neckline. Often brilliant for cleavage and also helpful if a high centre feels uncomfortable.

   Full cup bra
   More coverage and a “contained” feel. Can be very secure, but sometimes gapes if the cups are tall and you’re not full at the top.

   Unlined bra / seamed cup bra
   More flexible and often more forgiving because the fabric shapes to you instead of expecting you to match a fixed shape. A great “reset” option if bra fitting has started to feel like guesswork.

   ---

   “Why does this bra feel wrong?” The most common reasons

   1) Gaping at the top of the cups

   Often a bra shape mismatch: the cups are too tall, too stiff (hello, moulded T-shirt bra), or the straps sit too wide and pull the cup oddly.
   Try: a plunge bra, balconette bra, or an unlined bra before assuming you need a smaller cup.

   2) Spilling over the top or sides

   This can be cup volume, but it can also be a cup that’s too closed on top or too narrow for your shape.
   Try: a more open cup style, or one cup size up in the same style (brands vary a lot here).

   3) Band rides up at the back

   Usually the band size is too loose (or the band fabric is very stretchy), so everything shifts and the straps end up doing the heavy lifting.
   Try: a firmer band, or a style with more supportive band construction.

   4) Underwire feels stabby or sits on tissue

   That’s often underwire shape, not “you picked the wrong size.” Wires vary hugely in width and height, especially at the centre.
   Try: a different bra style (often a plunge bra helps if the centre feels pokey), or a different brand whose wires suit you better.

   5) Straps dig in

   Often the band isn’t providing enough support, so straps try to do the band’s job.
   Try: prioritising a secure band fit first, then adjusting straps.

   ---

   A quick note for trans customers

   A lot of standard bra fitting advice is written as if everyone’s body is built the same way. In reality, ribcage shape, spacing, and where volume sits can change which bra styles feel best — and that’s why one person’s perfect T-shirt bra is another person’s gaping nightmare.

   Comfort and confidence are the goal. The label is just a clue.

   ---

   The kinder way to bra shop

   Instead of “What’s wrong with me?” try:

   “What is this bra designed to do — and does that match my shape and my comfort goals?”

   If you want the step-by-step measuring side, my bra sizing guides (cis and trans) are there. But if you’re stuck in the loop of “my bra size should fit and it doesn’t”… it’s usually the bra style that needs changing — not you.

   As always, if you have any questions or need any help, just send me an email