#TBT: Gold Medals, Golden Girls and Gold Scrunchies

What happens when you combine two of our favorite things? #TBT, GOLD edition, duh! For this bit of Throwback Thursday silliness, we’re going back to a truly golden decade time, filled with a good mix of scrunchies, gold diggers and, yes, Golden Girls.

1. The Spice Girls, in ALL GOLD: We’ll kick things off with a real life throwback — when the Spice Girls closed out the Olympics clad in all gold. So perfect.

2. Gold Digger: We know this isn’t that much of a throwback, but it takes us back to Kanye’s golden era.

3. The Golden Girls: Thank you for being a friend, a role model and the original cougar Ms. Devereaux.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/embed/6vwNcNOTVzY?feature=oembed&wmode=transparent expand=1]

5. Kerri Strug’s Gold Medal-Winning Ankle Injury: We’ll never forget the knight in shining armor that was Bela Karolyi after KStrug stuck the landing after what looked like a super painful ankle injury.

6. Gold Zippo Lighter ($24): There’s something ’90s about a lighter, right? Or was that just the questionable company I kept in the late ’90s…?

HYPERACTIVE Heeled Sandals

’90s style back with these shimmery nude platforms.

Street Fighter Necklace

’90s kids will understand.

With summer comes short sleeves, which means it’s time to show off some bracelets. There are so many styles out there that we love, but today we are focusing on cuffs. Not fisticuffs exactly… but these awesome jewels are worth fighting for ;) Here are 15 cool cuffs for you to rock.

1. House of Harlow Sun Flare Cuff ($58): Fashionable and basically badass. We can see this one having a great time at a Scorpions concert.

2. Volatus Leaf Cuff ($198): Put a leaf on it. A gold leaf that is. Your wrist will look dazzling with this great cuff from Anthropologie.

3. African Jasper Arc Bracelet ($90): Wearing minerals has never looked better.

Lucite Reversible Cuff

Solid Golddancers. Remember that show? Amazing.

5. Eye Dazzler Cuff ($187): We’ll never get sick of triangles, especially when they look this awesome and minty. This one comes from Azalea, a classy San Francisco store. You know how we love SF!

6. Chevron Cuff ($28): Same goes for chevrons. We’ll never get enough. This one comes in multiples colors. Of course we like the mint here, too :)

7. Arena Cuff ($32): Bold, chunky and hip all at the same time. You can thank Madewell for this piece. That store never fails to pull through with the best jewelry.

8. Bold Cutout Stripes Cuff ($7): We LOVE that this cuff gives the illusion of stripes on your arm. So cool. That’s seven bucks well spent.

Wwake Stick Bracelet

A Christmas Story and don’t poke your eye out.

10. Script Name Cuff ($180): Your name on your wrist, just in case you need a reminder. It’s like the Carrie necklace for your arm.

11. Red Lips Cuff ($585): The lip bone’s connected to the wrist bone in this case. And we like it. This one will cost you a pretty penny. But it’s sooo pretty…

12. Honeycomb Cuff ($720): Another beauty to wear on your wrist. It’s not made by bees, but this cuff will keep you buzzing. This bracelet is one of many incredible designs by the designer at MIRLO. Definitely check her out!

13. Adeline Cuff ($110): This one is so versatile, it goes with fancy attire or an old T-shirt.

14. Layered Sleek Cuff ($15): This one gives the bangled look but it’s just one cuff.

15. Glasses Bracelet ($78): Glasses are stylish, so why not wear some on your wrist? Your far-sighted wrist hairs will thank you.

Tom Holland and Zendaya are the "it" couple right now, and they're both at the top of their game. Tom Holland took a recent break from acting and has been doing phenomenal charity work with his Brothers Trust foundation, while Zendaya's had hit after hit with Euphoria, Dune 2, and Challengers. And it looks like the couple, who met doing Spider-Man: Homecoming, could be doing another new Marvel movie. Here's everything we know about Spider-Man 4.

Is Tom Holland's Spider-Man 4 coming?

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Yes, we're getting a Spider-Man 4! Tom Holland finally confirmed the news during an October 22 appearance on The Tonight Show, and in true Tom fashion, already revealed a huge piece of news: the movie will start shooting next summer. "Everything’s good to go — we’re nearly there,” he said. “Super exciting. I can’t wait!”

Before the movie was confirmed, producer Amy Pascal told Variety (when asked if they're making a fourth film), “Of course, we are."

It might feel like a new movie conflicts with the fact Spider-Man: No Way Home set up an MCU without Tom Holland's Peter Parker, especially since Tom said he needed to take a break from acting after The Crowded Room "broke" him. ("I’m now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was," he tells Extra.)

However, Tom's also been very vocal about how much Spider-Man means to him, and how much he loves the movies. He also told Variety at The Crowded Room premiere in 2023 that he was already “having meetings” about the next installment.

“The simple answer is that I’ll always want to do Spider-Man films,” Tom tells Deadline at the Sands Film Festival. “We have the best in the business working toward whatever the story might be. But until we’ve cracked it, we have a legacy to protect...The third movie was so special in so many ways that we need to make sure we do the right thing.”

What has Tom Holland said about returning as Peter Parker?

Jay Maidment/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Tom Holland recently revealed that he's actually already read a script for Spider-Man 4 — and that he loved it! “We have a creative and we have a pitch and a draft, which is excellent,” he tells the Rich Roll Podcast (via Variety). “It needs work, but the writers are doing a great job. I read it three weeks ago and it really lit a fire in me. Zendaya and I sat down and read it together and we, at times, were bouncing around the living room like this is a real movie worthy of the fans’ respect.”

“One of the things is that, with Marvel, your film is a small cog in a large machine,” he continues. “That machine has got to keep running. You have to make sure you can fit into that timeline at the right time to benefit the bigger picture. That’s one of the challenges we’re facing. The time in which we need to get that done is a tall order but definitely achievable with the people we have working on it now.”

Peter Parker is one character fans take very seriously, and I know that with Tom and Zendaya at the front, this movie is going to be just as special as Spider-Man: No Way Home!

Will Zendaya be in Spider-Man 4?

JoJo Whilden/Sony Pictures/Marvel

With the recent news that Euphoria season 3 was delayed — and the cast has been given the greenlight to take other projects — it's totally safe to assume Zendaya will return for Spider-Man 4. And fans are hoping for even more characters they love! "Hopefully Kingpin, Scorpion, Daredevil and Black Cat," says one Reddit user.

Forbes has also recently reported Sydney Sweeney could be joining the cast of Spider-Man 4. Sydney was in Madame Web earlier this year, and after rumors she booked the role thinking she was joining the MCU, this newest Tom Holland film would give her the opportunity to do just that. We could see her as Gwen Stacy, or as Felicia Hardy/Black Cat. Considering we've already gotten an extensive plotline surrounding Peter and Gwen in Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone's universe, I'm hoping we'd see her as Felicia!

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsdirector Destin Daniel Cretton is in talks to take over from Jon Watts, who directed the first three movies.

Has Spider-Man 4 started filming?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Spider-Man 4 will start filming in "next summer" according to Tom Holland, which we're taking to mean the summer of 2025. Based on the schedule for Spider-Man: Far From Home, we could see Spider-Man 4 in the summer of 2026.

What will be the title of Spider-Man 4?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

We don't have an official name for Spider-Man 4 yet, but fans are already coming up with new ideas. Some fan titles include The Spectacular Spider-Man,Spider-Man: Homeless, and Spider-Man: Home Again. I'd love for Spider-Man 4 to continue with the "home" theme, but switching things up with a brand new title would provide a fresh feel we haven't gotten before. I'm excited to see what Marvel goes with!

What are the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies in order?

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures/Marvel

Tom Holland has three Spider-Man movies, but he also shows up in some other MCU titles. If you want to watch all the movies Tom Holland plays Peter Parker, here's how you should watch them:

  • Captain America: Civil War
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming
  • Avengers: Infinity War
  • Avengers: Endgame
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home

What do you want to see in Tom Holland and Zendaya's Spider-Man 4? Let us know in the comments!

This post has been updated.

Cheers to our first official gold week! From a gorgeous gold cake to a glitzy photo booth, we’ve had a blast glittering things up all around Brit HQ. To celebrate, we’re ushering you into the weekend with 40 of our favorite projects that are all about sparkle, shine and gold, gold, gold.

1. Gold Rosette Headband: Ever made a rosette out of mylar? It happens to be one of the most versatile DIY things you can make — use a few to bling out a headband, add them to drink stirrers or create an entire wall art installation out of larger ones!

2. Gold Animal Drink Stirrers: When in doubt, you can always turn to a gold animal toy… right? These are a fun and quick way to repurpose plastic toys and will most definitely be Instagrammed by all your friends.

3. Gold + White Candle Holders: We created this set of candle holders for the holidays last year, but they totally work year round. Assemble a bunch to create a DIY centerpiece, and sprinkle in some color to brighten things up.

4. Gold Patterned Cactus Planters: Dearest Spiky Cacti, you are the apple of my eye! Grab gold paint or a gold paint pen, and get to work on a plain ceramic planter to create our own take on this stylish piece of decor.

5. Gold Photo Booth Props: If you missed our gold photo booth popping up on the site throughout the week, then you don’t visit us often enough! All you need is a can of spray paint and leftover props from parties past to create a gorgeous gold theme.

6. Gold-Dipped Leather Feather Earrings: Say that five times fast! Inspired by the seemingly evergreen boho trend, we created a trio of leather feather-shaped earrings, dipped in gold.

7. Chic Gilded Pyramid Rings: Want to walk like an egyptian… on your hand? Okay, admittedly that made zero sense, but we had to figure out a way to incorporate The Bangles into this post. So, there you have it. Pyramid rings FTW.

8. Gold Hex Nut Bracelet: Got a hex nut or 20 taking up room in your junk drawer? Turn ’em into this fetching little bracelet!

9. Glitter-Dipped Mason Jar Mugs: What would make a mason jar mug even more Pinteresting? Dipping it in gold and glitter, of course.

10. Gold Animal Wine Stoppers: This little dino is here to keep your wine fresh and your guests entertained.

11. Gold Confetti Champagne Cake: What would a holiday (especially a made up one) be without an epic cake? ;)

12. Gilded iPhone Cases: Back when those ritzy gold iPhones came out, we took it upon ourselves to create copycat cases. They still look pretty glitzy to us!

13. Fancy Gold Bar Cart: Can’t afford a super fancy bar cart? Take an industrial one and spray paint it! Then feel free to cheers yourself after a job well done.

14. Gold Rosette Cake Topper: We meet again, mylar rosettes! This time, an adorable mini cake bunting is getting the golden treatment.

15. Gold Hair Cuffs: Hair cuffs are back, and they’re actually pretty easy to make! We particularly love the cutout pattern on the one of the right.

16. Gold-Tipped Ballet Flats: Warning: If you make these, you will immediately want to dance your face off upon wearing them.

17. Gold Light Bulb Chandelier: You know what’s extremely meta? Making a hanging light out of light bulbs. #lettherebelight

Clear Gold Chain Collar

You clearly need this.

Gold Dipped Ceramics

If you’ve got an addiction to fresh flowers, you need some vases to put them in! Grab a kit to make a whole bunch of bud vases over in the B+C shop!

20. Gold Star White Russian Cake Pops: White Russian in cake pop form? NOM.

Gold Glitter-Filled Tube Necklace

Inspired by the beautiful netted necklaces by Peppercotton, you can fill these tube necklaces with glitter, confetti, sprinkles or beads.

22. Gold Glitter Heels: These heels were made for dancin’ — as are any pair of kicks made by the ladies of Brit + Co.

23. Gold Desk Decor: More animals! You can use these to hold place cards for a wedding or dinner party or just as decor.

24. Glitter Mousepad: We love the idea of using a crazy sparkly mousepad like this in a super minimalist workspace.

25. Gold Thumbtack Wall Art: Thumbtacks + canvas = awesome textured wall art!

26. Gold-Dipped Bud Vases: For yet another take on the gold dipped vase, try using tall glass vases and wrapping them with yarn. We love this idea for a wedding or holiday party centerpiece. You could also try wrapping it a thick strip of patterned paper for a totally different look.

27. Gold and Green Chevron Bar Set: The green bottles of the world don’t all have to turn into sea glass — transform them into gilded glassware for a different take on the painted bottle.

28. Gilded Polar Bear Bookends: Equal parts morbid and cute, this was created by sawing a toy bear in half!

29. Gilded Pet Bowls: Brit + Co pup Mister Porter is very… luxe ;)

30. Gold Pop-Up Pencil Holder: Guess what we made this out of? An old school straw dispenser! Such a fun desktop throwback.

31. Gold Animal Vases: These vases are pretty absurd, but we still love them.

32. Gold Paint-Splattered Travel Case: Love carting around your essential makeup and accessories, but sick of having a million pouches swimming around in your weekender? DIY this cool case.

33. Gold Leaf Flower Pots: The natural pattern that is created when using gold leaf is what makes us love it — the uneven textures have a vintage vibe we dig.

34. Mylar Rosette Swizzle Sticks: What did we tell you about mylar? It’s SO good.

35. Luxe Gold Tray Table: Looking to try building your own furniture? This simple CB2-inspired DIY is a great place to start.

36. Gold Paper Strip Garland: Step 1. Cut paper strips. Step 2. Sew them in a row. Step 3. PARTY!

37. Gold-Dipped Tote: Add a chic edge to a floral fabric by “dipping” the bottom in gold leather.

38. 5-Minute Cement Coasters: We used a cookie pan to create this quick set of coasters!

39. Gold Studded Weekend Totes: The paint and stud combinations are endless with this one — these would make an awesome set of totes for bridesmaids or even favors for wedding guests.

40. Gold Laurel Wreath: And finally, a crown of laurels. Because you’re an Olympian like that ;)

Every year since I was old enough to choose my Halloween costume, I've gone with my current fictional character hyperfixation. We're talking Amy March from Little Women, Lucy from Narnia (twice), Belle from Beauty in the Beast (three times), and even Eurydice from Hadestown. So I know a good pop culture Halloween costume when I see it.

New York Comic Con 2024 was filled with people who love movies, TV, and comics — and who know how to put together a good costume. This past weekend I saw everything from Disneybounds (a catchall term for easier, streetwear version of iconic costumes) to cosplays involving lights and smoke. And I catalogued them all away because they make incredible Halloween costume inspo. The best news is these are all pretty easy and they're definitely recognizable. So no more having to explain who you are! Here are 17 of the coolest pop culture costumes I saw at NYCC to use for your own 'fits this year.

Glinda & Elphaba from 'Wicked'

Universal Pictures

My jaw literally dropped when I saw two cosplayers in full head-to-toe costumes from the new Wicked movie. And when I say full costume, I mean it — people were having to step around Glinda because her ballgown was so big! If you're not so sure about a full gown, opt for a pink corset and mini skirt for G, or a little black dress for Elphaba, instead.

'The Handmaid’s Tale'

Brit + Co

A white cap and a red cape? Babe, it literally doesn't get easier than this.

'Agatha All Along' Costumes

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Agatha All Along is Marvel's newest hit show, and as a costume girlie I was so excited to see outfits from the series IRL! I was also shocked at how easy they are to recreate. Billy just wears a sweater and jeans (which you probably already have in your closet), while Agatha opts for a teal trench.

Scarlet Witch's Suit From 'WandaVision'

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

And of course it wouldn't be a comic con without dozens of Scarlet Witches! Wanda Maximoff is such a beloved character, it only makes sense that fans would wear full cosplays, or turn her iconic costume into a sweater & jeans look like I did! If you're feeling crafty like me, I was inspired by @MagicWithMeg's jeans and painted the design on a pair of black jeans. The only thing you'll want to note here is that I made sure to paint white on the base before the red — it made it stand out perfectly.

Obviously, I wore my Scarlet Witch shirt to meet Wanda herself, Elizabeth Olsen.

'Game of Thrones'

Brit + Co

Winterfell will never go out of style! Reuse that red cape from The Handmaid's Tale costume, or go for a leather look. Either way, you'll look very stylish.

Megan

Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures

One pop culture costume that made me laugh out loud was M3gan from the 2022 flick of the same name. Buying the costume dress will save you a ton of hassle (meaning you can focus on scaring your neighbors), but all you need to recreate it is a khaki mini dress.

Anne and Marilla from 'Anne of Green Gables'

Ken Woroner/Netflix

Anne of Green Gables is one of the stories I hold closest to my heart, and I was so excited to see a duo dressed up as Anne Shirley and Marilla Cuthbert! Especially since it's just an excuse to wear cottagecore dresses all Halloweekend long.

'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Costumes

Allyson Riggs/A24

Everything Everywhere All At Once costumes are so easy to recreate — and this Elvis costume x pink wig combo is simply too iconic to pass up. I'll take any excuse to have a bagel in-hand.

Princess Irulan and a Sandworm from 'Dune 2'

Warner Bros. Pictures

Dune 2 has a lot of iconic duos. Paul and Chani, Feyd Rautha and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. But the combo I didn't expect to see at Comic Con was Princess Irulan and a sandworm. But now I need this tan dress and chainmail ASAP.

Harry Potter and Hermione

Brit + Co

I also saw plenty of Hogwarts students during my time at NYCC, and Harry and Hermione are always a great choice for a Halloween costume. Grab some Wizarding robes — after you figure out your house of course.

Troy and Gabriela from 'High School Musical'

Disney Channel

Troy and Gabriela might be the easiest couples's costume of all time. An East High jersey and a red mini dress are all you need! (Microphones not needed, but encouraged).

Glen Powell in 'Twisters'

Universal Pictures

White tee? Check. Cowboy hat? Check. Tiny, adorable dog? Check. My friend, you've got yourself a Twisters Halloween costume!

Cinderella

Jonathan Olley/Disney

The 2015 Cinderella rewired my brain, and seeing someone show up to Comic Con in Lily James' gorgeous blue ballgown rewired it all over again!! If the full gown is too much, try our easy DIY Cinderella outfit instead!

'Star Wars'

Brit + Co

Dressing up as a Jedi really just means wearing the most comfy Halloween costume ever. Just grab some leggings and wrap some fabric around your body and you've got an easy Rey costume for the holiday.

Baby Yoda

Disney

And in the Star Wars of it all, I also saw a baby dressed up as Grogu and I couldn't handle the cuteness! This onesie is a must.

The Powerpuff Girls

Amazon

While I saw someone rock a Powerpuff Girls tee, you can also grab a matching set in blue, green, or pink to make this costume more screen-accurate.

A Camp Half-Blood Student From 'Percy Jackson & The Olympians'

Matthias Clamer/Disney

I'd definitely consider Percy Jackson'sCamp Half-Blood my home away from home, and if you snag this camp shirt, you can wear it all the time — not just on Halloween. Grab some cosplay armor and your favorite pair of denim shorts and you can be a camper ready to fight evil!

Check out 65+ Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas Perfect For Procrastinators for more!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

The perks of having an older sister means I've been able to ask her all my more embarrassing questionsgrowing up. My whole life, we've chatted about everything from periods to sex to giving birth. Then one day, right before I graduated high school, she gifted me a book that changed everything: Nancy Redd's Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers. It not only helped me understand my body more, but it also helped soothe some of the insecurity I had before my postpartum body developed into what it is today.

I eventually gifted Body Drama to someone else, but I never forgot about how beneficial it was, and I always thought there should be more work like it out in the world. As it turns out, Nancy Redd wasn't done normalizing bodies and questions bout sexual health — the author and Wirecutter journalist just released The Real Body Manual: Your Visual Guide to Health & Wellness! Not only is it a great resource for those who are looking for answers to more specific health questions, but it's something I continue to revisit on the days my insecurity dampens my mood!

I chatted with Redd to understand more about her work — and I came out understanding even more about myself and how I want to help raise the future generation.

The Difference Between 'Body Drama' And 'The Real Body Manual'

Amazon

If you've had the pleasure of sticking your nose in Nancy Redd's Body Drama, you're familiar with how well-researched and thorough it is. In that regard, The Real Body Manual is no different — but Redd highlights it's still a "totally different book." She says, "The world has changed dramatically, and we're talking so much more about bodies, and we see a lot more bodies."

Despite seeing all those "real" bodies on TV and otherwise, women — and people in general — still don't feel great about themselves. According to a 2022 study, 32% of teens had a negative opinion about their acne, while 31% weren't comfortable with their weight. Meanwhile, another study shows that 80% of women have referred to themselves as "fat."

To combat troubling statistics like those, Redd hopesThe Real Body Manual can help. "I think we're all operating with not enough information about the world we live in, and I think the more information we can receive in a safe, educated, medically-accurate space, the better," she explains.

Centre for Ageing Better

Redd also really wanted to write a book that taught both her son and her daughter about their changing bodies — and she feels this is the perfect time for everyone to come together and learn about the way bodies not only look, but function. She likens these lessons to learning about world geography. "We don't just need to know about the small town we live in. We need to know about the state, country, the world-at-large," she stresses. And she thinks The Real Body Manual can help you "learn about your own body, your friends, and the people in society you live with."

If you look at the group of friends I have today, everyone doesn't have the same body shame. One of my friends is a little taller and curvier than I am while another is shorter and rounder. I dealt with acne-prone skin and dark spots while my best friend Cookie didn't really struggle with that. It's honestly rare that everyone will look the same — and that's okay! But learning about what's going on with all of us helps bridge our experiential gaps and creates better shared understanding.

And with that in mind, here are the 4 things I learned about my body — and all bodies — when chatting with Nancy and reading The Real Body Manual.

1. Understanding Your Body Doesn't Have To Look Like Everyone Else's

MART PRODUCTION

I grew up during a time where certain body types were celebrated more than others in media, and it had a negative effect on how I perceived my own body. I believed I wasn't supposed to have stretch marks because video vixens didn't, and became horrified when I discovered them in middle school as a slender girl. Not only that, but I didn't really develop curves until after I gave birth which made me feel like an outlier in my community.

Recent studies found there's a link between teens aged 16-18 years old developing body dysmorphia and social media...which doesn't sound surprising. And while there are countless body positive accounts that also exist — and I really do promise I'm not saying to completely ditch your socials — sometimes you have to take a step away from it (and other influencers) if it's having a negative impact on your self-esteem.

"Some bodies naturally look like those in music videos. I think separating that from being able to find love or have purpose in your life — they're completely separate things," Redd insists. She breaks things down even further by explaining why you not looking a certain way doesn't discount you from enjoying life. "Some people are born with the ability to be tennis stars, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't pick up a tennis racket because you're not Serena Williams."

The main point she drives home is that "every person can have a great time with their bodies" which is why The Real Body Manual reads like an encouraging, evidence-based love letter to readers.

2. Loving Yourself Is A Choice

Anna Tarazevich

Just like I had to make the decision to fully accept the body I have, it's something Nancy says everyone has the ability to do. "It's literally a choice," she says before one of her kids quickly pops into our convo. In a tender moment, she asks her child, "Hello, do you love your body?"

This brief encounter circles back to the reason why The Real Body Manual matters — it opens up these conversations with our kids, offering a tangible resource for others. I know I try to have more conversations like this with my son, and I've even encouraged him to hug himself when he needs a little dose of self love.

"The things that matter — having purpose in life, feeling love, being a good community member — don't have much to do with whether you have hyperpigmentation, freckles, cellulite, etc.," she says. "The more you know from the beginning of your journey that bodies look different, the easier it is for you to accept [yourself]. But if the only bodies you're seeing are sexualized in pornography, videos, and magazines, you don't have a real basis."

It's one of the biggest reasons she intended for The Real Body Manual to be a visual guide.

3. Your Naked Body Is Beautiful

cottonbro studio

"I really like showing people what the body actually looks like for the most part," Redd says. Yeah, that's right — The Real Body Manual features real people's bodies, not just illustrations. In doing so, she says, "Everyone can see someone who resembles them." It doesn't matter if you're heavy-set, a person with different sized breasts, or anything in-between. The point is that you'll be able to find yourself somewhere in The Real Body Manual.

My mother told me how little information her own mom shared with her about bodies. Because of that, my mom always stressed that she wanted my sister and I to have access to whatever information we needed. She wanted us to be informed, and never inhibited by her own lack of comfort over a topic. But not all parents feel comfortable sharing with their kids.

Redd says, "I don't think it was done with malice. I think people are just working with whatever they have which is not a lot." She further notes people have chosen to refer to genitals as "down there" for both men and women instead of saying the proper term for them for their autonomy. I'll be honest — growing up in a religious background often means sexual shame was attached to very normal things like breasts and penises.

Not everyone was on board with me telling my toddler he has a penis instead of saying "pee pee" — or not talking about it at all, if we're being honest. But I wanted him to feel comfortable with what he was born with, and to know that his dad having the same anatomy is normal. "We just don't use the proper names for things which increases this shroud of secrecy about it. We aren't taught health literacy," Redd says.

4. 'The Real Body Manual' Is A Must-Have For Pre-Teens, Teens, And Adults

Yan Krukau

Funnily enough, Redd informs me that October is actually Health Literacy Month, making all this really round out. We should know what's going on with our bodies, whether it's the proper terminology, what changes we're going through, what we can look like. Ignorance only makes our experiences more confusing and harder — especially when we're young and probably have a million different questions.

She explains that if you ask people specifics like 'How does a period work,' then they may not know the answer. "The same goes for if you ask what's the difference between a freckle and a mole," Redd explains. "It may not seem like these things are a big deal, but when something goes wrong, you need to know 'I need to get this thing checked out.'"

Information is power, and when armed with information about our bodies we can lead safer, healthier lives. Instead of wondering why we don't talk about things enough, Redd decided to take the bull by the horns and talk about them — and she thinks you should talk about them, even (and sometimes especially) when they're uncomfortable. She says, "Any time you feel shame or discomfort discussing your body, that's a sign you don't have enough information."

If you find yourself unable to ask other people questions, but want to start feeling comfortable in your body, I highly recommend that you read both Body Drama and The Real Body Manual because they're equipped with detailed explanations — and helpful imagery — about how bodies actually look, work, and feel.

Buy 'The Real Body Manual' Here!

Amazon

The Real Body Manual

Looking for more incredible books to read right now? Check out our fave new reads here!