I wish I was this cool when I was 12

When browsing through the technology section of Trend Central, I found this freakin' awesome 12-year-old's blog. Her voice and writing are way beyond her mere 12 years, I think I was still brushing barbie's hair and dressing her in 80s wedding dresses...

The greatest thing is, she still seems like a kid. My favorite list one her site:

Listening: The Last 5 Years
Feasting: gatorade
Watching: It Takes Two
Reading: Random Archie comics
Wanting: a cape
Doing: reading
Thinking: I would not for my life. He has toad, he should be happy.

Favorite picture:

Tavi is arty without being overly sexualized, since she is creating her own media instead of catering to the big wigs. She could be a huge influence on other girls her age, that one can be smart, artistic, poignant, and a kid, all at the same time.

My coworker also just brought up an interesting point, will more and more kids like Tavi start popping up on the web? Blog are something children have become increasingly exposed to and it is only a matter of time before they start taking advantage of the medium.

Go check Tavi out!

Great Vintage Inspired Jewelry!!

I am always on the lookout to find vintage inspired items to add color or edge to everyday looks. The pieces usually add that "little something" to an outfit that might otherwise flop. Recently at BlogHer I met the sweetest women Lotta with some great vintage inspired pieces, one of which I have been wearing since I bought them at her booth.

While at BlogHer I bought a pair of her coral drop earrings. They are awesome. I wore them out last night to dinner with friends and everyone was asking me where I bought them, and I have just found out where I can send them.

Lotta sells her line at Etsy, paticularly Momomatic, and I have found more great stuff there that I love. My favorite on the site right now, the Jell-O charm necklace. The charm is ironic, colorful, and fun. It reminds me of something you might pick up at Urban Outfitters, but has much more authenticity, style, and a lower price tag.

Go check her out!!

Marriage in America

I came across an interesting article today about black women in America and marriage. Although I am not black, I thought the article lent an interesting perspective on traversing the dating world in today's society. 45% of black women and 23% of white women never get married in the United States. As the writer, Dionne Hill (pictured left) remarks:

"Why are you still single? I hate that question. Yet I am forced to confront it. What's the state of your relationship?

One reason: personal responsibility. Among the men I have dated, there were definitely some who were ready for something a little more significant than I was willing to give. Did I drag my feet because I wasn't ready? Or was it because those men weren't right for me? It's debatable and probably a combination of the two."

I also loved the remark:

"My outlook: optimistic. My honest fear: It may never happen."

I believe that no matter what our race, there are still problems every women faces. It is a great article about staying true to yourself, no matter what the statistics.

A Little Sample

Growing up in Maine is both a wonderful and terrifying experience, especially rural Maine. When I tell people I am from Maine they occasionally look at me as though I am from a foreign mythical place in the Northern woods. Then when I tell them I grew up in a town with a recorded 1,103 inhabitants (from Wikipedia) I might as well be an alien. So I thought I would share a little more about where I come from, because Tim Sample is a Maine staple and listening to his comedy in the car was a big part of my childhood. It also exhibits why I had to get out...

I Didn't Know Scrabble was a Doubles Sport

So as we all know, sometimes being single is tough. You occasionally find yourself eating alone in your apartment since your roommates are out with their boyfriends, you walk by couples in line for brunch as you carry the NY Times, a bagel, and coffee back to your apartment, or you are the only one at family functions getting nudges from uncles with the question "Got a boyfriend yet?". However, I never thought the playing Scrabble would be one of those moments.

I thought I would recount the moment for you. I came home last week exhausted from driving an hour and a half to a concert featuring my favorite country artist Eric Church and wanting a night at home with minimal talking. I picked the wrong night. Both my roommates' boyfriends were there. I am friends with all of them so it is all cool.

My roommate comes out of her room and peaks her head out on the porch where my other roommate and her boyfriend are having dinner. She asks them if they are interested in playing Scrabble. My ears perk, Scrabble, I love Scrabble. So I chime in, "hey, I would love to play Scrabble."

My roommate gives me an awkward look, and actually says, "Oops, this is awkward." Why is it awkward...to her, only 4 people can play at a time aka couples night only. WTF!

First I breakup with my boyfriend and then I am bared from simple Scrabble play? I did join the game after some discussion that 5 people could indeed play Scrabble is the box was used as an additional holder. So, there I sat, with the box in my lap in a living room full of couples. Why did I choose to play in the first place? Oh yeah, because I am more competitive then any person I know and would never turn down a challenge of Scrabble.

I didn't win, but I thought it was worth the fight.

Who Said Being Perfect Was So Much Fun

I am having a moment, so, let it happen. I have told you about my fight with growing up and part of that is because I forever strive to find perfection. I know, withhold judgment for the time being.

My worst fear is failure. It haunts me when I can’t make that last two minutes on the treadmill, when I am at work at 7 pm and can’t finish my last project, when I am not there for my sister when she may need me the most. Possibly I could blame this on my childhood, I was a middle child and you know how that turns out sometimes. Possibly I could blame this on my high school ski coaches. They fucked up a lot of us up. Possibly I could blame this on my innate personality, but that would mean blaming myself, which is never my first option.

In the end, I say throw it all away. Perfection is no fun (yes I say that now as I contemplate my outfit for tomorrow). But I do mean it. Although I try my damndest to not worry about perfection, it haunts me. I can’t be perfect, just not in me. I can be my best, which is pretty close, or so I like to believe.

Cyberboy (as I will refer to date I met while on the internet and am now dumping) made me see my imperfections, which are worth talking about. I usually keep my going away bag unpacked for at least a week after returning home. Some may consider it messy, but I believe I don’t like to let vacations go. I am a night owl and an early bird, I don’t need much sleep, which drives some people crazy, but I think they are crazy to waste a day. I’m a dreamer. Even when I am told something can’t be done, I believe there is some way to get there. Even if I do procrastinate along the way, another flaw. With Cyberboy I was cultured, clean, and driven. I do exhibit all those things, but I wouldn’t be myself without the rest.

And if I want to say “bitch” in a restaurant and people notice, I don’t want to feel as though I have to apologize.

Back Again...in more ways than one

So, as I proclaimed in my previous post, I am back. But, recently I am coming back in more ways than one. So, I had my heart broken (cumulative aaaawwwww here). I know some of you read about it. Although it came out subtly (or maybe that was my secret hope) it was there. Surprising part, I am just digging my self out again.

I guess it doesn't help that Mr.J (my ex) keeps calling me even though I have asked him to stop. I get it, he still likes me but isn't ready for the commitment, I have stopped feeling bad for his immature plights. He is 27 years old, grow up!

However, sadly, I am not ready to grow up yet. I recently met a very nice guy (cough) online. I was feeling a little desperate to move on from Mr.J and thought it was a good way to catch a date. I caught him, but now I don't want to keep him. With his investment banking, sports loving, beach going portfolio it seems weird for me to want to run away, but that is what I want to do. The hard fact, I am not ready to grow up yet. Honestly, I feel as though you have to meet MANY Mr.Wrongs before you can comfortably move on with Mr.Right. It is all about timing. Mr.J was not grown up enough to commit to us and I am not ready to be a stockbroker's girlfriend.

Awww...so it is back onto the organic dating scene. I can't say I am jumping for joy, but I am sure I will be soon...hopefully.

I've been bad

I know, I have been a bad blogger. It has been a month since my last post, however I have been inspired. I am attending BlogHer in San Francisco as a business trip, but am loving taking it all in as a newbie blogger. Every woman here has a unique voice, opinion, look, and goal for who they are and what they write. I think it is pretty clear, no one is making a million dollars off the hundreds of hours (per week) they are spending on their blog, but that is what has made this so inspiring. Blogging is about the passion, stories, and connections that are made.

So, mostly, I want to say thank-you to all the fabulous people I have met this week, and look for more from me in the future ; )