It’s official- I’m in the ‘I-leave-Seattle-in-less-than-a-month’ era. And I’m only sliiiiiiightly freaking out about it! (It’s ok, the general existential dread of the world rn is providing a great distraction hehehehe *sobs*). The art in my apartment has been packed up, there have been several donation runs to Goodwill, the lease is signed on the new apartment in Milwaukee, and the drive to Milwaukee has been mapped out. BTW if I haven’t already gushed to you about the new building I’m moving into- prepare yourself. Because bitch trust that I will. The best way to describe it is: Sante Fe, Southwestern, Art Deco, geometric fantasyyyyyyy. Sounds fucking amazing, right???? If you’re down for some pics of the unit when I move in, let me know!
On a side note: if I had some pictures available on the blog to buy prints of, would y’all be interested? I’m considering multiple options to help fund living as a grad student and thought hey, I have all these pics, I have friends, why not?? If you’d be down, comment or like this post and/or contact me directly. I have no idea how pricing works so I’d still need to figure that out, but if I add a spot to order prints on the site I will have all that figured out (pinky promise!)
Ok- life updates done!!! Let’s get to the good stuff.
Sunday Slice- 7/13/2025
Fashion and Mutual Aid: Fashion 4 Reparations (Seattle)
I stumbled across Fashion 4 Reparations thanks to my friend Jenna (who has also helped connect me to so many other awesome resources featured on the blog- shoutout to you Jenna!) and it is honestly something I wish I would’ve known about years ago! F4R is truly an amazing concept for mutual aid (I mean, a mutual aid, pay-what-you-want clothing store?? Sign me the fuck UP). Some more on how Fashion 4 Reparations operates from their website: “F4R collect clothes from the community and offer them back at whatever price people want to pay – no one turned away for lack of funds. Visit the store on Wednesdays or email to coordinate your clothing donation.The project started in 2020 as a way to help a queer black mom of 3 and DV survivor pay her rent each month. F4R also contributes funds to the Cherry Street Village community hub (where the store is located) as well as to local direct aid (giving money to people who need it), mutual aid projects with boots on the ground, and support for local organizing efforts. In addition to selling clothes at our Cherry Street Village location, F4R also provides clothes for mutual aid projects in Seattle and works with local artists who repurpose excess clothes in creative ways.” I plan on donating some of my items in the moving process here, and would be so happy to make a joint donation run with someone if you’re interested! If you’re interested in shopping, their store is open on Wednesdays from 5-9 PM at Cherry Street Village.
Look Out For Your Neighbors: Build an ICE Defense Network with Defend & Recruit
I shouldn’t need to say anything here about how absolutely fucked everything happening in the US is right now. Folks are continuing to be abducted every day. I know a lot of people don’t know the best way to get involved to look out for people, leading to indecision paralysis. Well: one extremely helpful way is to build and/or join networks of vigilant folks informing one another of ICE movements. Defend and Recruit is here to help teach folks how to best mobilize. From the event page: “Looking to build an ICE Watch in your community, or want to learn more about them? Join us for a training on How to build an ICE defense network, hearing directly from folks who have done it themselves, talking about what we’ve learned.” If you’re interested in joining, RSVP at this link here. Once registered, the link to join will be emailed to you. This training will be this upcoming Tuesday (7/15) at 4:00 PM PST (7 Eastern).
LGBTQ Youth Care Kits: Our Center (Reno)
It might not be “Pride Month” but if that dictates how you show up for queer people, then you’re fake and performative AF anyways. And queer folks in Reno need our help. Our Center Reno hosts a bi-weekly mutual aid event on Sundays: Care Beyond Boundaries. From the Our Center site: “Care Beyond Boundaries is a community initiative that assembles Compassion Kits filled with essential items for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to have volunteers create packs that include items like toothbrushes, deodorant, hand sanitizer, menstrual products, and snacks into kits that provide immediate relief.” So many LGBTQ youth experience homelessness at some point in their life which is heartbreaking. In addition, summer in the desert is especially brutal for folks who don’t have any type of climate controlled shelter. Please consider donating of volunteering time at one of these sessions (one is happening TODAY from 3-5 PM, but remember that it’s biweekly, so the next one will be on July 27th). For questions or interest in volunteering or donating please contact Our Center by email at carebeyond.outreach@gmail.com.
And there we have it folks! 3 fulfilling slices of community goodness we can all be part of. I hope you’re all having a fantabulous Funday full of fuckery and food and….fruit? (IDK I ran out of f’s ok?? gimme a break). But for real- I hope you all find some peace today, whether its out in the sun, reading a book, playing with your fur babies, playing Pokemon or, idk, giving handjobs at the Arbys down the street. Giving y’all a big hug!
XOXO,
Matt/Vel
La Vida Veeta 
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