Martha Stewart's Modeling Career

Did you know that before Martha was Martha, she did modeling gigs to put herself through college?

Also two more articles on the best Martha take-away for female professionals, and how Martha became Martha.

The Cooperative Paradigm

This article is an in-depth and interesting examination of the role of women in the LDS church. I'm putting it up here on my blog because I want to have access to it in the future, and because I think it is a worthwhile read for men and women who engage in Church service.

As a woman in the church I have always felt that my worth and value were professed emphatically. The doctrine has never portrayed women in an inferior capacity. I also believe that there is room for improvement in the way that this translates into leadership and administration. The cooperative paradigm described in the article is an approach that respects church structure and revealed truths while opening the right doors for moderate change.

Dead Poet's Society

"So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women - and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do."

Ha!

"Flick Chicks"

Such a fun a insightful article by "The Office" writer Mindy Kaling... All about the stereotypical rom-com female roles.

How To Talk To Little Girls

Joanna brought up a really good point yesterday about the way that we talk to little girls.

With our move up here to Utah, I find myself surrounded by babies and children everywhere I go; and when I meet a little girl for the first time, my first impulse is to say something liker, "Hello gorgeous! I love your hair! And those are very pretty shoes." I'm a little ashamed to say that I have a similar impulse when meeting women for the first time. "Hi, it's very nice to meet you. That is a great dress, by the way, and who does your hair? It's fantastic." Because what better way to break down the competitive barriers and endear yourself to another woman than by complimenting her appearance?

Don't get me wrong here, I am fully aware that my blog devotes a lot of attention to fashion and hairstyles and all things aesthetic. It is not the only thing I reference, but it represents a significant portion. I still believe that they way you dress, style and present yourself is a valuable form of expression. What I want to bring attention to (for my own education more than anyone's) is the danger of conveying the idea that being attractive is more valuable than being honest, or hard-working, or intelligent, or kind, simply having a good character. Women have a responsibility to come to these conclusions on their own, but young girls are still in the formative stages of their identity and their value system. The scary truth is that they take their ques from us, and we can make the world a better place by sending the right message.

I am resolved now to ask my young nieces and cousins what they are reading, or if they have gone camping this summer, or what think of the budget crisis, instead of where they got their shoes.

Courage, Sincerity and Flaming Self Respect

“I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self respect. And it's these things I'd believe in, even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn't all she should be. I love her and it is the beginning of everything.”

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

{image from The Sartorialist}

Four Generations

My mother, my grandmother, my great-grandmother and me.

You Can Have It All

Licia Ronzulli with her newborn daughter voting at the European Parliament.

You know you want to hop on that trend...

Speaking of the love epidemic... Have I mentioned recently how many friends I have right NOW that are engaged and almost engaged... Like a TON.

Me, Amanda, Sarah, Kathryn, Marlene, Amy, Suzanne, Evelyn... And by a ton I mean 8. But still, doesn't that seem like an awesomely high percentage?

AND these are all girls OVER the age of 25... all of those amazing wonderful girls that I always thought totally deserved to meet someone amazing and be really happy, despite the odds. (Not that younger girls don't also deserve that, but after a decade of dating disappointments, finding the right guy just means something different...)

Hooray for the educated, traveled, accomplished, wonderful women in pre-wedded bliss!


Cheers!