Tag: beauty

Roses are Perennial and Women are Too

Lela Casey

Until recently, I considered myself to have been a late bloomer. My high school understanding of boys came largely from Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy. The little nubbins on my chest had plenty of breathing room in their A cup dwellings, and I got my period roughly around the same time Read more

Lela Casey

Lela Casey grew up on magic and get-rich-schemes. She learned from a very early age that nothing is as it seems, and behind every facade lies a portal to places unknown. When not seeking out rabbit holes or chasing after her three little imps, she spends her time writing about deep thoughts and big adventures. You can find her writing on kveller.com, themid.com, brainchildmag.com, and jkidphilly.com.

I Lost 200 pounds and I Still Feel Fat

SA Smith

How can you lose 200 pounds and still feel fat? I don’t know. That’s a question I still ask myself. Why, when I lost all that weight, do I still look in the mirror and see that same sad, overweight woman? I know … I lost a lot of weight, Read more

SA Smith

SA Smith has always loved the magical life. She is the bestselling Amazon author of FOREVER, her four part young adult paranormal romance series. She is an advocate for women of all shapes and sizes. Believing that we are all enough just as we are, and needing to spread that word far and wide. Having been diagnosed with CRPS over 12 years ago, SA also uses her writing to increase social awareness of the disease. Writing is her passion. She often tells friends that writing is a journey for her. It’s like spending time with friends. "I just follow my characters along on their adventures, like a fly on the wall, and see where they take me." SA currently lives in Florida with her best friend/husband and their one son.

I Call My Daughters Pretty ALL the Time

Byron Hamel

I have two little girls, and I tell them they’re pretty all the time. I’m their daddy, and I think they really want me to see them as pretty. So I acknowledge that I do in fact think they’re pretty. I think they should grow to want to receive regular Read more

Byron Hamel

Byron Hamel was raised by a violent man who got the death penalty for torturing and killing a baby. As a result of his upbringing, Byron dedicates his life to fighting child abuse. He lives with Complex PTSD, Depression, and Anorexia. Despite his obstacles, he’s an amazing dad to his two lovely daughters. An award-winning Canadian journalist, and television producer, his documentary film, “A Breaking Cycle”, is a powerful journey into the world of tough bikers who protect abused kids. Byron is currently writing for his blog Trauma Dad, and his book "I Am A Killer", to be released in 2016 by the Gravity Imprint of Booktrope Publishing. This post is an excerpt from his work in progress. His writing challenges readers with both depth and simplicity. It’s raw and funny, but leaves you feeling hopeful and inspired.

I See You

Leslie Lippa

I see you looking at me when you think I’m not looking. Always whispering, and judging, and letting me know that you know I’m not good enough. Just when I think I have finally gotten everyone fooled, I see your little pink nose sticking out – all up in my Read more

Leslie Lippa

I am a 50-something-year-old lover of hippos, books, and the beach. I currently work at the Greensboro Fire Department in North Carolina in Public Relations. I wrote this piece in 2014 while struggling to climb out of the depths of despair after losing my mother to a long battle with cancer. My momma and I shared a special bond over the beach, and I recently added a tattoo in her handwriting of a line from the last note she wrote me - "the beach calls and I sure understand that. Love, Mom". I had the opportunity to attend “Summer Camp at the Barn”, a week-long writing workshop at the Highlights Foundation this past July and was honored to work with Megan McDonald, of the Judy Moody series and the renowned Peter Jacoby. I shared my essay with the other authors at the camp and was encouraged to send it out into the world.

I will never, ever, ever do Botox! Or will I?

Erin Righetti

For years now I have been saying that I will never, ever do Botox. I will gracefully pass through the hallowed halls of aging: the crows feet, the laugh lines, the sagging chin, those little droopy folds at the corners of your mouth. This is a vow I made years Read more

Erin Righetti

Erin Righetti is a professional writer across multiple media channels. She has over 20 years experience as a freelance writer/reporter, and has been a contributor to newspapers and online magazines and blogs. Erin works as a public relations and social media strategist in Carlsbad, California.

Exploring ID with Susanne Junker

Julie Anderson

Interviewed by Julie Anderson Susanne Junker is a photographer and former top model who knows what it’s like to be judged on appearance. I had the opportunity to interview her about her ongoing ID-identity project—a work in progress spanning the globe— in Asia, Europe and America. The project consists of 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.

French Savoir Faire

Patrice Bisiot

As a celebrity and fashion hairstylist, I often find myself living out of a suitcase. The majority of my time is spent in the USA, splitting my home between New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Today, I’m landing in Paris, where I was born and raised, for some rest and well-deserved time Read more

Patrice Bisiot

Patrice is a celebrity hair stylist working in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Paris. He was born and raised in Paris, France. His work can be seen on his website at PatriceBisiot.com.