Category: Columns

Speedball

Julie Anderson

magic tricks glisten with tears wishing on faraway dreams dancing with angels of reality singing songs of redemption for only the deaf to hear blind because of the truth there is no such wisdom in this realm of impossibility salvation comes in secret slices whispers, slate grey tinged with frost 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.

Don’t Build a Wall, Build a Bridge

Stephanie Ortez

It will cost twenty-five BILLION dollars to build a wall between America and Mexico. Instantly, several issues pop into my mind. Money. Social impact. Security. Money. I mean, it’s not like building a fence between your property and your neighbors and splitting the bill. Mexico will not pay, which only 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.

Bitches Brew

Julie Anderson

Her mind is confused. Her thoughts bubble up from unconscious literature, written in dreams. Her ideals, a compilation of conflicting truths. Her heart pumps red, squeezing drops through the constricting black membrane of rage. She drinks from the well of insanity, smiling to hide the riddle inside. She remembers, a movie 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.

Music Makes The World Go Round

Stephanie Ortez

A Simon and Garfunkel record plays in the background as the clock announces that it is past midnight. I am not tired at all. It must have been all that coffee I drank earlier or perhaps – like any other parent – I stay up late because this is only 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.

Sports Illustrated, Pubic Hair and Botox: My Full Frontal Battle With Aging

Julie Anderson

Sports Illustrated’s latest porn edition finds it’s way from the coffee table, to the bathroom, under the bed, stuffed in a backpack and back again. Yet again, it initiated an in-depth, conversation about women, body parts and age with my young son. “Mom, are her boobs real?” “I dunno.” “Her’s?” 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.

In Between the Rain

Jacqueline Cioffa

Have I been good enough, Mother? Oh how I miss the days when your skin was smooth, and bronzed How your smile beamed when you saw my little face Remember when you let me stay up late, way, way past bedtime To watch scary movies curled up on the cozy 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.