How being a nanny to a three-year-old has taught me self-acceptance
As I evaluate my role as a strong, positive role model in Johannah’s life, I am particularly cognizant of the image of myself that I share with her, that I unconsciously project into the world. I may be found, at times, in front of a full length mirror scrutinizing the lumps and bumps of my body, rough patches of skin, the crookedness of my front teeth.
My breakable piggy bank: worked when I was 5, still works to help me save today
his year I’ve been struggling to save any money. Keeping it in the bank meant online shopping was too easy and keeping it in cash meant I always spent $20 when I walked out the door. To cure this, I purchased a pig bank that I absolutely love!
I dislike being a housewife: My struggle with being financially dependent on my spouse
Many women dislike the word “housewife” because of implications of feminism and the stigma of gendered domestic roles. I dislike the word “housewife” because I am one. Well, I don’t dislike the word itself but the actual role. I dislike being a housewife! My husband is not to blame for this; he even tries to mitigate the situation. Its all in my head. But I can’t be the only who feels like this. Whether you prefer the term “housewife/husband,” “homemaker,” or another term entirely, how do you deal with the discomfort of financial dependency on a spouse?
Ukulele-playing taught me to enjoy bad art
In today’s society, with its emphasis on performance, it’s so easy to feel pressured to be the best. Things aren’t worth doing unless you can do them perfectly. But I call bullshit on that. Here’s how my ukulele helped me get over the pressure to be “the best” and just have fun with the things I love to do.
Throw this party: Doctor Who-themed Bat Mitzvah
Over on Offbeat Families, reader Reva posed this question: “My daughter is planning her Bat Mitzvah and REALLY wants it to be Doctor Who-themed… but we have no idea how to pull this off. If your readers have ANY ideas, solutions, or schemes… we’d love to hear them!” Oh Reva, you came to the right place.
Ok yes fine, I got a haircut: on ditching your signature style
After I off-handedly changed my Gravatar over the weekend, several Offbeat Empire commenters asked if and why I cut off the pink-tips off my hair recently. As one said, “I guess this is the kind of staff gossip we want.”
These days, I mostly my personal life private, but heck: it was sort of a weird thing to cut off the pink tips that have defined my head for the last seven years, so fine: let’s talk about it.
Why I’m saying no to maternity leave
Now that my husband and I are expecting, of course the issue of maternity leave has come up. I think I initially just thought that a standard 12-weeks would be assumed. I have so many friends who wish they had more, who would tell me “after the baby comes, you won’t want to go back to work!” And I tried to believe that. Really, I did. The problem was that I never, ever felt that way.
Wrap, pin, and win: an edgy zipper headband
This tutorial from mega-talented DIY blogger Stacie over at Stars for Streetlights is the epitome of easy-peasy DIY with big impact. Two ingredients + one step = edgy and awesome wedding hair accessory.