Hello Everyone,

First, I am sure you are wondering why the title contains a language warning ripped from the Motion Picture Association of America, and the answer is simple:  Out of respect for readers with differing views on acceptable language, I opt to write more conservatively on the blog, but today, I am breaking out the F-bomb for a very special pair of panties.  A couple weeks ago, Sweet Nothings hosted a giveaway for ChickenEye Designs Inner Truth panties, and while I had never heard of the brand, I became intrigued by their twist on the classic “words on panties” gimmick.  Instead of writing sometimes-clever, sometimes-sexual words and sayings meant to be read by others, Inner Truth panties are written for the wearer to enjoy while looking in a mirror.  For these Seattle-based designers, the words on the underwear are meant to inspire love and healing for yourself, to encourage you to look in the mirror and find acceptance.  Did I mention you can also use them to affirm body positivity while you pee?  Personally, I have never seen any other product like this before, and when I learned more about the company through their website, I instantly felt their passion:

ChickenEye Designs is based out of a small design studio in Seattle. We’re dedicated to body positive causes, supporting women and creating panties that both feel great on and remind you to love yourself.

Each of our panties are hand embroidered with love and positive vibes in our studio.

About Joy
Our founder is appropriately named Joy! Joy’s idea for InnerTruth Panties developed after a particularly hard day at work when she needed a pick me up during a private moment in the bathroom. Then it came to her: since so many private spaces that women occupy are filled with negative messages, what would happen if we took some of that space back and filled it with messages of love, support and hope? InnerTruth Panties was born.

 

ChickenEye Designs features three different collections—All About Me, Encouragement, and Get Healthy, and each collection offers a variety of “truths” designed to give encouragement, affirmation, and a heaping dose of body positivity.  Joy and I connected through Sweet’s blog, and she offered me a free pair to review for the shop.  Naturally, choosing which message spoke to me was a challenge given how many related to my recent personal and health struggles.  Some of my favorites are: 

• My own path is ok
• I like who I am
• I can handle anything
• Focus on the Good
• HEAL BABY HEAL

And so on, because there were literally a dozen expressions I would love to have, but for my sample, there could be only one!  (My brother was talking about Highlander yesterday.)  After a tough decision, I choose . . . *drumroll* . . . “I am fucking awesome.”  This is why I issued a language waring because I, dear readers, did not want any regular ole pair of undies that says I am just “awesome.”  No, no, no I wanted a pair of panties that say I am “fucking” awesome.  And I fucking love them!

What makes this situation all the better is how Joy and I connected in the first place.  I briefly referenced in the comments of Sweet’s post about my grandmother’s thoughts on underwear, but I’ll elaborate more here.  My grandmother was adamant that none of her children or grandchildren leave the house in any dirty, stained, sewed up, or otherwise damaged underwear because if we were ever in an accident, she didn’t want the paramedics to think we were not presentable, respectable members of society with decent undies.  Where this worry that paramedics and doctors would start making assumptions about us and our underwear instead of, you know, saving our lives came from, I will never know.  But, when I saw the “I am fucking awesome” underwear written in such a way you need a mirror to see it, I heard her voice say “Erica Lynn, what in the hell are you going to do with those underwear?  What if you get into an accident?  What will the paramedics think?”  Naturally, that made me want them more.  This is the same grandmother I reference frequently with all of her sagely, humorous advice, but this underwear thing is definitely eye-brow raising weird.  Should I ever get into an accident during which a paramedic sees these underwear, my grandmother will look down on me and shake her head (probably saying “I told you so.”)  But, you only live once, right?

After finalizing my order with Joy, the countdown began for them to arrive.  Because I hate tight underwear, I ordered a size Large which fit my 42.5″ hips, and I feel the decision was perfect.  I probably could have worn a medium, but I doubt I’d be as comfortable given my preferences.  ChickenEye uses a classic bikini shape as well as a thong, and the bikini gave me the perfect amount of coverage.  Made from a soft, breathable cotton, the underwear is so comfortable you can dance around the house wearing only them, a t-shirt, and a sports bra.  They’re just so much fun, and when you look in the mirror, they give you a mood boost.

I would be remiss if I did not show photos of the packaging and adorable tag here because presentation can be important too:

The slogan at the bottom made me chuckle, and I find myself looking at the reverse embroidery from time to time.  Speaking of the embroidery itself, I was concerned about the potential for irritation, but I don’t even feel it because of the soft, tightly packed threading.  These are one of those easy everyday panties you slip into and never worry about (although checking yourself out in the mirror is a must in the morning).  The sewing on the leg openings, while fairly flat, does create a mild VPL depending on the thinness of the fabric, and the panty itself is devoid of the laces found in similarly priced pieces.  However, the star quality factor is really in the uniqueness of the message, and I feel the prices match the quality and design.

Given how some of my friends and family reacted, I know not everyone will enjoy this idea as much as I do, but this is the kind of business I love to support.  A small US-based company produces interesting, hand-made products, and I look forward to ordering some for the shop.  ChickenEye will write custom messages for you because they make them to order, but I am curious to know:  Which are your favorites?  What expressions speak to you?  Let me know in the comments because I’m open to suggestion for which phrases make it on our first order.

Erica