Category: Columns

Online Dating Insider: Single Mom Seeking Romance

Stephanie Ortez

The world of dating it always seemed too complicated for me. How do you keep things casual when it’s time to move things forward? In my case, the romantic mishaps have been messy ones. After my divorce, I wanted to break new ground, not so easy for a single mom Read more

Stephanie Ortez

Stephanie is a highly caffeinated mother of two wonderful boys. She is hopelessly addicted to non-fiction books and literature that moves her to tears. She is an admissions advisor for George Washington University online where she assists homeschooled students internationally. Stephanie lives with Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She is a passionate mental health advocate, member of Stigma Fighters. Her writing has been featured on The Elephant Journal, The Mighty, The Organic Coffee Haphazardly and Feminine Collective.

Dad, I Forgive You

Dave Pasquel

Raise your hand. Who’s had a perfect childhood? Who has perfect parents? Who has the perfect family? Unfortunately, most of us experienced a less than perfect childhood. Most of use have a less than perfect family. Most of us have less than perfect parents. After decades of being angry, disappointed, Read more

Good. Better. Best. Do not rest until the GOOD becomes BETTER and the better becomes BEST.

Elizabeth Regen

My father was known for his positive and motivating adages. I have dreaded the mere thought of this day for my entire life. I have thought that the day my father’s heart stops beating will be the day that I take my very last breath. I have thought I can not Read more

I Saw Myself Naked Today

Dave Pasquel

I saw myself naked today. Like most people, I typically take a quick glance at myself in the mirror after my morning shower—with a towel wrapped around my waist of course—to confirm that there’s nothing weird or abnormal with my body compared to the day before. I then move on Read more

When I Was Twenty-One

Jacqueline Cioffa

Our eyes met across the smoke filled bar The Boss playing on repeat on an 80’s jukebox I was a big girl doing shots Laughing, dancing and singing with my girls Not a care in the world or one fuck’s sake In my short skirt, ripped tank, fishnets and combat Read more

Jacqueline Cioffa

A retired, international model, and celebrity makeup artist. Co-Author of Model Citi Zen, the guide. Founder of http://modelcitizenmakeup.blogspot.com/. Author of numerous prose pieces in various literary magazines. Most recently published in Little Episodes Brainstorms the anthology, among esteemed artists Sadie Frost, Melvin Burgess and Todd Swift.

Blow (A Love Story)

Julie Anderson

Your eyes, dark chocolate melted and mixed with sin. Impetuous daring, I slipped into the bucket seat. You said, Fasten your seatbelt, this will be the ride of your life. Charming, sinister candor. Boisterous bravado, you could give not one fuck. Daring, dashing, insane. Possessive. I mean, stalking me in Read more

Julie Anderson

Julie Anderson is the Creator and Publisher of Feminine Collective. Julie was inspired to create this safe place for women to share their secrets, desires, triumphs and pain as the antithesis of what mainstream media offers women today. In her column Pursuit of Perfection, she explores the importance of rectifying the balance of inner and outer beauty through essays, poems and articles on self-esteem, shame, family, and self- acceptance.

I Am Your Mother

Elizabeth Regen

I’m your mother, but no I’m not listening. You’re talking in the backseat of the car. I hear you, barely. I’m your mother. You say my name “Mom? Mom!” I can’t really hear you, not really. But I will always be your mother. You’re talking more in the backseat of Read more

Vixen

Julie Anderson

Sex in her hair, panic in her heart eating away at subliminal cravings, standing before the gates of hell, thrashing wildly against the torrential beat of fucked up sentiments. Slick madness, cracked coherence smashed reality, light shines bright from purgatory. Who will save our vixen, the one who drinks from Read more

Julie Anderson

Julie Anderson is the Creator and Publisher of Feminine Collective. Julie was inspired to create this safe place for women to share their secrets, desires, triumphs and pain as the antithesis of what mainstream media offers women today. In her column Pursuit of Perfection, she explores the importance of rectifying the balance of inner and outer beauty through essays, poems and articles on self-esteem, shame, family, and self- acceptance.