Positive Self Image

Why are tweens so preoccupied with weight?

Why are they judging their peers and telling them things like "You're fat" especially when they are not?

Do they realize some of their utterances have a profound impact on their peers and will have a lasting effect on them for the rest of their lives? Especially when it comes to appearance. Of course, the true culprit to them being so hung up on weight and how they "look" to their friends is directly correlated to what the media dishes out. The media deems rail thin girls like the young actresses on "90210" as acceptable. If you are not waif thin, then you are considered "overweight" or "fat". To be honest, to me, these actresses look like bobble heads on the verge of snapping in two like a twig. But to an impressionable teen or tween, all they see is the throngs of fans and media attention these young ladies get and directly relate it to how they look. So in order to get this type of attention, they must look like them.

I associate with moms of tweens on a daily basis. I volunteer my time working with young ladies in this age group as well. I hear the stories from both sides. Parents, some of whom suffered eating disorders as teens, not wanting their girls to suffer like they did. Girls, being told by their classmates they are fat, or them looking in the mirror and sucking in their stomachs and saying "I need to go on a diet". What I try to do is deter them from looking in the mirror and instead look within themselves.

Young girls need to realize their life happiness is not determined by the reflection in the mirror. As the wonderful idiom goes "Beauty is only skin deep". A person may be incredibly gorgeous and thin but be incredibly miserable inside. These young ladies shouldn't alter their physical appearance in order to please society. If they want to make a change it should be for "themselves". They need to question themselves "Am I happy the way I am?" If they are perfectly content the way they are, then why conform in order to please others?

These young girls need to tap into their own positive self image. They need to define it for themselves and embrace it. They need to be taught that they will encounter individuals who have nothing better to do than find something to criticize. Unfortunately, some of these people will even say things to you just to see if they can "see you sweat". The world is filled with mean & nasty individuals who prey on the positive, happy ones. They are miserable in their own lives and want to find a way to make everyone just as miserable. It's very important for them feel secure and confident in their own skin. That way, they can spend their time enriching their lives with positive experiences rather than worrying about the reflection in the mirror.

Getting Ready for Summer

Did I ever mention I have a shoe addiction?

On any given day you can hear me complimenting at least one person on their shoes. Pretty shoes, funky shoes, comfy shoes....you name it. I am very particular too. I have a penchant for the unique ones. I am known to search high and low till I find the perfect pair for the occasion. I sometimes wish I would win the lotto...because my dream book is filled with beautiful shoes by Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and Manolo Blahnik to name a few. A girl can dream, right?

Seeing that Mother's Day is around the corner, my very wonderful FIL decided to take me out shopping for a gift. Since I am counting the days till the warm weather comes upon us, I decided I would pick out some funky new sandals for Summer 2010. Here are the two pairs that found their way home with me:

So Dota sandals

Elle Marcy gladiator sandals

What made this deal so sweet? Typically, the two pairs of shoes would have cost $89.98. My total? $48.98.

A New Pair of Kicks

I have to admit, I am a self professed Girly Girl. I've never been the girl to so into a sports store and Ohh and Ahh about sneakers. If you leave me to my own accord, I would live in my comfy 3 inch leather boots in the winter, or my wedge sandals of the same height in the summer. Naturally, this means that I have a closet with several pairs of barely worn sneakers. They just don't scream girly to me, that's all.

It came to much of a surprise when perusing my monthly collection of magazine subscriptions that I would actually WANT the above pictured kicks. They are Converse by John Varvatos Jack Purcell Slip Ons. Of course, I needed to first try them on and see if I coveted them.

So off to Nordstroms I went with Mr. Man in tow. I tried them on in black and they just seemed too boyish. I spied the "Optical White" pair and decided to give it a whirl.

The verdict: I loved them. They are comfy and stylish and are perfect for the summer season.

Sandra Bullock - Best Actress

You couldn't help but fall in love with Sandra Bullock when you saw her in Love Potion No. 9....but she became one of my favorite American actresses when I saw her perform alongside Keanu Reeves in Speed. Spunky, funny, talented....all words that quickly came to mind when I watched that movie. After which, I was one of those fans who, when I saw her name as one of the leads in a movie, I knew I had to watch it. That is why I was so extremely happy when I watched her win Oscar Gold last night.

Not only did she look lovely, and dressed to win.....her acceptance speech moved me to tears. She graciously thanked each one of the nominees individually. She thanked all those the people in her life that helped her, as well as those that treated her badly. But most of all, she thanked all moms, and especially her deceased Mom. Her mom, like mine, and like any good mother, protected her child. She encouraged her child's dreams and told her if you want to achieve greatness as an artist, you need to work hard and practice. These moms give their children the tools they need to attain their goals, regardless if it means having little time for themselves. In her speech she stated that often times mothers seldom get the thanks they deserve. She is so right. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world. When we do remember to say thanks Mom, many times it is too late.

Sandra Bullock is a class act and well deserving of the Academy Award. Congratulations to her.

A Couple of Quirks & Pet Peeves

Do you have quirks & pet peeves? I am sure you do. I don't think there is a person alive that can say they do not have anything that doesn't make them cringe or that makes you itch to correct the offense. I am no different. My family actually thinks some of mine are quite comical. Here are a couple of mine.....

Cabinet doors & closets must be in the closed position....No IF, ANDS, or BUTS

This has to be one of my biggest issues for as long as I can remember. Did I once think the Boogey Man was peeking at me through the crack of the door, who knows...but I do know, whether I am in my home or am a guest at someones house, if I spy doors open, I have the intense impulse to get up and close them.

Funny story....last year my sister came to visit me from Florida. One day, she thought it would be really funny to pull a prank on me. While I was in the garage, she ran to the kitchen and opened every single one of my cabinet doors. She also decided to open the pantry door as a bonus. I walk back in, take a look to my right as I closed the door and saw the horrible offense. My sister, meanwhile, sat at my dinette table, holding my niece and hiding her face behind her to suppress the laughter. She said the look on my face was for the record books. She compared to the look of shock someone would have when witnessing a bad accident happen before my eyes. "I can't believe you did that!" I shouted. To which she responded "Sit....leave them alone. Don't close them. You can do it. Beat this illness!" I sat across from her for a whole 10 seconds. The sight of the cabinet doors open in my peripheral vision was too much for me to handle. I spran up and closed every single door in probably 5 seconds flat. I just can't stand seeing it open, not even for 2 seconds.

Must have clean and clear countertops

This is one that bothers my man beyond measure. I can not see anything on top of my counters....ever. Countless times hubby has left ads or papers he needs for the next morning on top of the kitchen counter, and I have just as quickly picked them up and put them away, or placed them on our entry table. "WHY! Why can't you just not touch it." he'd ask emphatically. I really and truly don't know why, but it just irks me to see anything on there. Love me as I am....don't try to change me.

What are your pet peeves or quirks? How does it affect those around you?

More Bang For Your Buck

I love shopping. In particular, I love shopping for clothes & shoes.

Of course, I have not won the lottery yet, so this means I can not do it as often as I'd like to. But when I do have the cash, I like to stretch it as far as it can go. So on a recent trip to CT, I had $50 burning a hole in my pocketbook.

There were two things I was in the market for..... a nice pair of black skinny jeans and a casual dress.

I consider shopping an art form. And I have to say, I take shopping very seriously. Normally, $50 can get the average shopper either a black pair of skinny jeans or a dress, if you're lucky. But, me, I like to challenge myself. I was on a mission to find both items for $50.

Did I accomplish the mission? YES, and then some. Here is what I bought and how I accomplished it.

NY&Co Black Skinny Jeans $9.95


These jeans were originally priced at $46.95. I knew they were being clearanced, but I didn't know for how much. I thought the most they can be were 50% off, which still would have been a great deal. Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were priced at $9.95!

Express Dreamweight Flutter Sleeve Dress $31.15


I went into Express with the intentions of finding a nice sweater or blouse I can dress up and pair with my skinny jeans I would wear to a bridal shower luncheon. This beauty was inconspicuously hanging on a rack at the back of the store. The color caught my eye...I pulled it out and thought, Hmmmm, pretty....lets see what it looks like on. Into the fitting room I went, and was so excited to see this dress fit like a dream. Very figure flattering. I took a look at the price tag...$44.50. This would take me a little over my budget, but then I remembered I had a coupon for 30% off! This brought the total price on this darling at $31.15!

Along my way to the checkout counter I spied this:


Triple Bow Beaded Leather Bracelet......
Originally priced at $12.00, but with 30% off this made it $8.40.

My grand total for the day $49.50.....Mission Accomplished and then some!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Valentine's Day with those they hold near and dear to their hearts! <3