Originally intended to simply focus on book reviews, over time, KaliDesautelsReads has morphed into its own entity.
I write about issues that are near to my heart, be they political, feminist, motherhood, mental health, or, as the title holds, books.
A thirty-something Canadian woman in my mid-thirties, I have been “super married” to my high school sweetheart since 2006, and together we have two crazy, clever, kind, hilarious, wonderful kids.
My first book – How Not To Blog: Finding Myself, One Post at a Time is available on Amazon (in eBook formats for you clever tech readers, and paperback for those of us who love that new book smell!)
I have tried a podcast – it’s still on Apple and Google Podcasts – but writing is where my heart is.
My life changed dramatically when my husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer in 2018, and I am now a writer for a leading Canadian Cancer Non-Profit.
I am lucky enough to have a family that loves me and pushes me to be my best, even if it is outside of my cushiony comfort zone. I have a village of friends that nourish me, mentally, and spiritually.
Welcome to my thoughts. Sit down. Stay a while. Enjoy a cup of coffee!
Sooooo who wants to win some tattoo time??? One of our local tattoo shops is hosting a social media giveaway – tattoo time in exchange for wearing these sunglasses and hashtagging them… …
Want a chance to win and you’re in the Maple Ridge, BC area?? Head into @wickedtattoos_, book some time OR donate $5 to a local charity, wear the sunnies, and hashtag your summer!! Good luck! …
Les droits de la femme sont les droits humaine – Hillary Clinton
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When you find Hillary Rodham Clinton’s timeless speech on women’s rights on a tank top in French? Yeah… you have to buy that… and buy a second one to send to your sister (aka your feminist mentor).
I am so excited to share this with you!! A few weeks ago, I won this gorgeous metallic rose gold 90XGoalPlanner and it just showed up!!!! I will post in my story the inside of the planner, but the gist of it is that you set a goal, and this planner helps you build and achieve it in 90 days! Seriously, you guys! It is so pretty on the outside and full of super helpful and fun features on the inside!! …
Comment below what you could use a 90XGoalPlanner for and then follow the tag and GO GET YOURSELF one!! Treat yo’ self, 2018!!! They come in so many colours! (Not just this beautiful pink…)
#Repost @mspackyetti ・・・”Otherwise you’re holding on to something you didn’t even earn. •
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@rcoke54 said this to me yesterday, and all I could do was say Amen. •
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Here’s the thing: you didn’t actually earn your privilege. It was the luck of the draw to be born white, male, cis, straight, able bodied, and able-minded. You didn’t hit a triple: you were born on third base. •
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And the privilege you enjoy comes at someone else’s expense in this zero-sum, winners and losers society they set up. •
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That privilege you’re hoarding could be put to good use. It could be used to create space, resources, opportunity, amplification, and room for someone else. Not because they need your saving-but because that is what you do with what you didn’t earn: you give it away. •
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And yes, you can have an identity that’s oppressed and still have other identities that are privileged. White women still have white privilege. Straight black men still have privilege. Able-bodied LGBTQ folks still have privilege. •
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We dare not fight for freedom for our kind, and leave others out. Spend your privilege, whatever kind you have. •
I am so excited to join the #ChicTribe to see Rachel Hollis Presents: Made For More! My mom and I are ready to Rise!!!! I cannot wait to be inspired tonight!
Sooooooo… do you like WINNING FREE things??? How about books? How about gifts from sponsors??? Any of these sound appealing??
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Wellllllll, when @kalidesautelsreads hits 5000 followers, we will be giving away our BIGGEST PRIZE yet!!!! You do not want to miss out! I’m not even kidding – this one will be a great, great giveaway!! …
How do you become entered to win in this awesome, exciting giveaway? I’m glad you asked:
I am so lucky to have these people. When I was growing up, my parents said that family was everything, and that my siblings and I had better get along because when we were grown up, we would be sorry if we weren’t friends. When I was little, sometimes I would think “god! My parents have no idea how ANNOYING {insert offending sibling here} is! Why do we have to get along??” But they were right. I am so grateful that my siblings and I are friends. I am so glad that I can still finish a phone call with them in my 30s with “love you” and always get a “love you, too”. I am so glad that my kids have so many people to love and turn to for comfort and inspiration. I am proud that my son wants to try to keep up to his athletic aunt and uncle. I am honoured that my sister will sit on FaceTime from across the country to talk my daughter down from a crisis. I am blessed that we care about each other, and can have fun together and enjoy each others’ company.
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(And B – imma tag you in this even though you aren’t in the pic, because you are my sister and I love you and this caption is for you, too!!)
Kali J Desautels 