tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37707535674343993032024-03-13T10:27:21.800-07:00The Fudge Perfection ProjectA small project started by a teen turned into a full blown life mission. A cathartic creative outlet, mixed with body positive discussions, sprinkled with sass. Here is our delicious self-love cake. Want a piece?Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-26017829985487254302015-01-29T13:01:00.002-08:002015-01-30T12:32:09.191-08:00Plus Size Models: A Poem<a href="http://cdn.styleblazer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tara-lynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.styleblazer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tara-lynn.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a><br />
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To those who think plus size models are a bad influence,<br />
I'm afraid I've got some bad news.<br />
Diversity is a language in which you are not fluent,<br />
And my people and I will preach inclusivity from our pews<br />
Sing songs of self-love till we are shackled to our tombs.<br />
<br />
Perhaps you think being plus size is a poor excuse of health,<br />
And hence you and your BMI officers deplore<br />
The fact that more women of more sizes are gaining wealth<br />
Perhaps not in cash, nor in gold, but in amore,<br />
In the admiration of plus size men and women whom they adore.<br />
<br />
Health is not a number, nor is it a size,<br />
So put down your magnifying glass and take a step back<br />
Health cannot be measured by your poisonous eye,<br />
Because if curves are bad, than so are those collarbones sticking out,<br />
Deep and protruded bones; how is that better than fat?<br />
<br />
No, you're dismissal of the plus size world<br />
Has more to do with insecurity, and less to do with worry<br />
Because if millions of differently shaped boys and girls<br />
See Tara Lynn rocking her rolls in all her beauty<br />
Maybe you'll have no one to put down but your selfie.Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-40810374275380547452015-01-24T11:41:00.001-08:002015-01-30T12:31:17.034-08:00Skin Bleaching and Body DysmorphiaHello my gorgeous fudgies!<br />
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I recently learned about skin bleaching from a black friend of mine. We were discussing body dysmorphia, which is a mental disorder that makes one believe their appearance is unacceptable and must be corrected. We were trying to find the line between typical bodily insecurities and BDD, when my friend suggested as an example of BDD "skin bleaching".<br />
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Being as pale a white girl as one can get before being transparent, I did not quite understand what she meant. She then went on to explain that in the colored community, sometimes a lighter skin tone is considered more beautiful than a dark one, or at least that's what the media seems to be saying. So some women of color, and even men, decide to bleach their skin with all types of toxins and chemicals to lighten their complexion.<br />
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Now I must preface this discussion by saying a few things:<br />
1. I am white, so my understanding of the light black vs dark black situation can only be superficial, as I haven't experienced it first hand.<br />
2. I know that skin bleaching can actually be done in a safe manner, supervised by doctors, for health related reasons. Lightening moles and dark spots that could be cancerous, or evening out the spots of someone who suffers from vitiligo.<br />
Taking these 2 facts into consideration, I still want to discuss this issue with you all.<br />
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Firstly, the continuing devaluation of darker girls and boys is simply a product of the still ever present vestiges of racism. After all, back when Africans were brought to the Americas to be enslaved, they were incredibly dark, which is an evolutionary product of sun exposure.<br />
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As mixed children were being brought to this earth, and African-Americans slowly but surely earned rights to get off the cotton and sugar plantations, I can understand why a lighter skin tone could signify wealth, status and proximity to a white person, who was, at the time and sadly still to this day, considered superior.<br />
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But it's 2015, Gabby! Things have changed!<br />
<i>Have they?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Take a long look at this year's Oscar nominees for best Actor and Actress in a leading or supporting role. As milky white as racism gets, children.<br />
And I won't even bring up the problem of police brutality, because if you don't believe there is institutionalized racism in this country after these events, then you never will.<br />
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However, one has to wonder whether skin bleachers are simply a product of their society, or do they suffer from a greater body dysmorphia? After all, only a minority of WOC participate in skin bleaching.<br />
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Well, I'd argue it's both.<br />
There are many reasons to feel attacked by the media if you are a darker skinned girl. But like eating disorders, there has to be an opening. An opening in your brain, a vulnerability, a lack of familial support, an already present insecurity, in order for something so vicious as an ED or BDD to sliver its way in to a person's core.<br />
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I only know so much, so I'd really appreciate it if you left a comment on your thoughts and experiences with skin bleaching.<br />
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xoxo<br />
<br />
Gabby<br />
<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-35249166155807122572015-01-23T07:29:00.001-08:002015-01-23T07:29:40.680-08:00Should You Be Wearing That?Hello darlings!<br />
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While I was researching my dashboard for picture ideas, I fell upon this post. Obviously, we are going to ignore some sort of reality star being, as a real housewife must be, ridiculous. I want to focus today on the topic of expression and conforming to others ideals.<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-traxQWQmVco/UWy0ktUwMyI/AAAAAAAAAPY/d9zF6CV5r4Y/s640/blogger-image--1838255510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-traxQWQmVco/UWy0ktUwMyI/AAAAAAAAAPY/d9zF6CV5r4Y/s640/blogger-image--1838255510.jpg" /></a><br />
Many people believe, consciously or not, that people of a certain figure, a certain weight or a certain structure have to dress a certain way.<br />
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Though we may associate them with a curvier body type, these snarky comments can attack even the thinnest of people.<br />
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Don't know what I'm talking about? How about some examples:<br />
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-OMG have you seeeen her thighs?! She should not be wearing those shorts<br />
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-OMG have you seen that 2 piece she's wearing? You can clearly see all her bones, anorexic twig.<br />
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...sound familiar? (If not, I want the address of the rock you are living under, so I can join you, STAT)<br />
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These remarks are made to mask insecurities, I promise you, yet it can still be hard not to listen to them.<br />
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Unsure about an outfit because you fear it is not appropriate for your figure? Doubtful of a piece of clothing because it doesn't fit the mold other people have prescribed to your body type? Self conscious about ANY expression of individuality you fear may cause some whispers?<br />
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Here is what I have to say to you:<br />
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It is THEIR problem. Their's, not yours.<br />
What kind of sad life would we live if all our decisions were based on other's judgment of us? You can express yourself in any healthy manner you desire!<br />
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So what if they don't like looking at it? As far as I know, no one is holding a gun to their heads demanding that they stare at you all day.<br />
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If your fierceness is blinding these poor souls, they can put on some shades. Don't dim your light for those who don't see the beauty in it.<br />
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Xoxoxo<br />
Gabby<br />
<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-69840887428184334252015-01-16T15:14:00.001-08:002015-01-16T15:14:15.498-08:00Eating Disorders=White Girls Probs?Hello loves,<br />
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If you were to base your perspective of eating disorder demographics solely on young adult literature, media news stories, Dr Phil and Tumblr (oh, tumblr...I just never run out of rants against you<3), you would come to the conclusion that eating disorders are in fact a rich white girl problem.<br />
To be honest, until very recently, when I visualized a severe eating disorder sufferer locked up in a psych ward, <b>she </b>was almost as pale as I am(I've met some of you in person, yall know I'm legally translucent).<br />
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I went to great lengths to debunk the male ED debate in my ANEB article, translated here, but I never really considered the race issue until I found <a href="http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/eating-disorders-affect-us-all" target="_blank">this statistics bank</a> from a study on<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="line-height: 20px;">Eating Disorders in Minority Populations. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>African-American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American; as the webpage demonstrates, no one is spared. The results absolutely floored me, and made me reconsider most of what I thought I knew about the societal body image conundrum. Here are some of my reflections on the topic:<br />
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<h4>
Acculturation</h4>
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We often associate the black community with a more accepting body positive mindset, which leads many of us to believe they couldn't face the same body image struggles as other races do. But we know that's simply not the cas<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">e(see stats), and NEDA explains it as a consequence of acculturation, defined as <span style="line-height: 20px;">the process of shifting values to the host culture from the culture of origin. In the occidental world, diversity of culture is generally celebrated, leading to a melting pot-type of atmosphere. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">However, this can become problematic when minority cultures start dwindling at the expense of a dominant "American" (ie white) society. That beautiful body positivity found in Hispanic and African American communities is slowly being assimilated into the dangerous pro-thin movement, which can lead to serious repercussions on influenceable kids and teens: </span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> "</span><span style="line-height: 20px;">In one study of Cuban American women, Jane, Hunter, and Lozzi found that close identification with Cuban culture was associated with lower EAT-26 scores, indicating less negative attitudes toward eating, and may have a protective factor in the development of eating disorders. Chamorro & Flores-Ortiz found that second-generation Mexican-American women, those born in the US to foreign-born parents, were the most acculturated and had the highest disordered eating patterns."</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We letting a thinspo, thigh gap, size 0 obsessed culture win a fight against a healthier counterpart. No wonder eating disorders are on the rise in most 2nd and 3rd generation immigrant households. </span></span></div>
<h4>
Underrepresentation </h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We know women of varying bod<span style="background-color: white;">y types are vastly unrepresented in the media, but the homogeneity of beauty ideals is as equally a race issue. <span style="line-height: 20px;">"Browne (1993) reports that African-American women feel tremendous pressure as role models, and that as a result, feel they must be perfect in order to counteract negative stereotypes." </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Think about the (rare) women of </span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;">colour who were able to break these barriers; Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, and most of the models featured in ad campaigns or fashion spreads. In order to obtain their level of success, they had to b</span>e <i>even more perfect </i>than their preferred caucasian counterparts. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So the young people of similar racial backgrounds look up to the few men/women who look like them on TV and think, for example, that is what I, a hispanic girl, <b>should look like. </b>Moreover, it sends the message that to reach your dreams , especially considering your minority status, you must look a certain way. </span></span></div>
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<h4>
Universal Motivation</h4>
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But most of all, by associating ED with the caucasian race, we are forgetting the ultimate motivator behind all disordered eating behaviours: <b>emotions. </b></div>
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We can argue and bitch about the media, and society, but at the end of the day, as I've said multiple times in various articles, the media alone is not enough to push someone over the edge. </div>
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Depression, trauma, grief, stress: these feelings have never been exclusive to being white! </div>
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<b>They </b>are the main instigators of eating disorders, hence to even insinuate that men and women of color cannot develop eating disorders is to assert that they do not face the daily struggles that white people face. Which would in fact be the most ridiculous declaration since lord knows when. </div>
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We all need to rethink the way we imagine the world around us.<br />
Hope you all have a marvelous day<3<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
Gabby<br />
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Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-28787552766851938352015-01-16T06:38:00.000-08:002015-01-16T06:38:18.268-08:00Dear Male PopulationDear Male Population<br />
I regret to inform you that the rumors are false<br />
Despite what you and your boys seem to think<br />
Girls don't try to look good solely for your cause<br />
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Some of us actually enjoy putting on makeup<br />
So why would we bother wasting our precious mornings<br />
putting on eyeshadow for a doofus<br />
who doesn't even notice that our eyelids are glowing?<br />
<br />
Sometimes I want my hair to be straight,<br />
Is that such a crime?<br />
If you knew how your hair looks to me<br />
Honey you might not criticize my beautifying time.<br />
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I know this poem is quite hetero-normative<br />
For not all girls like boys, and vice versa<br />
Regardless, looking good for us is about feeling good<br />
And trust, it has little to do with impressing ya.<br />
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So if we're late to class and our eyelashes seem longer than usual<br />
Don't assume we did it to make you think we're "hot"<br />
Because if you think we are trying to grab your attention,<br />
let's be real, we probably are.<br />
not.Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-82966723447074208912015-01-11T05:02:00.002-08:002015-01-11T05:02:31.840-08:00Body Policing Poem<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Hello my loves</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I wrote this poem for Derriere Le Miroir, which will be published shortly. (<a href="http://www.derrierelemiroir.ca/taurais-pu-tarranger-peu/" target="_blank">here it is!</a>)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But in the mean time why not translate it for all of you to enjoy?!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Have a lovely day <3</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>2 am, laying on the floor of my school’s library<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>Nose deep in a book, rocking dingy old sweatpants<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>Hidden behind a mountain of books, I bother nobody<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>Until I guy friend of mine gives me a weird glance.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>“Hey, you don’t look like yourself” he said<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>With a smirk carving into his well rested face.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>His stare rests on my broken eyes, begging to go to bed,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>With their deep purple bags too engraved to erase.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i><br />Who does he think he is, telling me such things in a library?!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>« Why yes, I am without sleep, without my jewels,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>I’m going through finals week, I don’t give a fuck if I look pretty »<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>His eyebrows raise, it seems I’ve surprised this fool.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>« Wow, okay, don’t get so worked up<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>It’s just that you could have fixed yourself up<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">You don’t </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">really look like yourself without a bit of makeup»<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>Please tell me he’s kidding, if not I might throw up.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>So who exactly do I look like without my war paint?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>My short blond lashes, are they fake? Are they lies?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>Who are my acne scars trying to impersonate?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>And from whom did I steal pores of such a size?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>I realized the truth had to be revealed:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>« I don’t wake up in the morning looking flawless.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>I have imperfections, I have insecurities,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>Yes, I’m human, to such a sin I confess!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>It’s true, I like embellishing myself, it's my <o:p></o:p></i></span><i>prerogative</i></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>To feel more confidant, to look less exhausted<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>But know that this doesn’t define my beauty<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>I have exams to cram for, so do me a favour and leave »<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>You are your own police, of your own body<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>Your choices, your values, your decisions; it’s your liberty<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><i>If someone tries to control your self-expression<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>Make them realize they’re messing with the wrong woman.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-33923929266489652472015-01-08T10:23:00.002-08:002015-01-08T10:23:52.087-08:00Eating Disorders: Just A Teenager Problem?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA"><i>Hello dolls!</i></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA"><i>Here's an article I wrote for ANEB </i><a href="http://www.anebquebec.com/blogue/2013/12/05/les-ta-juste-un-caprice-dados/">http://www.anebquebec.com/blogue/2013/12/05/les-ta-juste-un-caprice-dados/</a><i> and translated. </i></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA"><i>Enjoy:)</i></span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA"><br /></span><span lang="FR-CA">I already debunked the myth regarding men and eating disorders. Today, older populations! </span></div>
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Oh yes, indeed, young adults aren't the only people in distress.</div>
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According to NEDA statistics, <span style="background-color: #f1f7e4; font-family: Asap, 'Trebuchet MS', verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">In 2003, 1/3 of inpatient admissions to a specialized treatment center for eating disorders were over 30 years old. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">So why do so many people consider eating disorders to be a "teenage problem", and why is this reasoning so faulty? </span></span></div>
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Let's rewind a little bit. What causes an ED? Obviously, the answer varies from person to person, but there are triggers common to the majority of cases. </div>
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First of all, a very prominent theory is the one involving the media and its indirect imposition of impossible physical expectations. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, it <i>is</i> true that young boys and girls in development are very vulnerable to those societal messages because they often lack self-esteem and a definite sense of identity. How-EVER, we cannot underestimate the amount of those messages directed towards a more mature audience. Beauty and skincare ads, like the one featured on the right, can easily make women over 30 feel as though their beauty vanishes at the appearance of a single wrinkle. Let's not forget the boom of the plastic surgery industry, making accessible a wide array of rejuvenating procedures to anybody with access to a credit card and a needle now more than ever. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So how can we possibly imagine that teenagers are the only ones to suffer the difficult consequences of these destructive images and practices? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moreover, a very common trigger among people suffering from an ED is stress. Young adults worry about their grades, friendships, romantic relationships, future; all of these are strong catalysts of psychological distress that can lead to poor body image. </div>
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But does anxiety disappear after adolescence? Of course it doesn't! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Adults work, maintain their friendships and/or romantic relationships, pay their bills, raise kids, all of the stressors! On top of all of that, since adults generally have more responsibilities, they are less likely to get help and take time to recover, which can add to their already-high anxiety, and the vicious cycle goes round and round.<br />
<br />
To top it all off, the hormone changes present in woman experiencing pregnancy or menopause are just as disorienting as puberty's biological mess. </div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Here's the<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> deal: "<span style="line-height: 20px;">Body image dissatisfaction in midlife has increased dramatically, more than doubling from 25% in 1972 to 56% in 1997." </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">But if no one dares speak of this demographic's unfortunate reality, those number won't stop climbing. </span></span></span></div>
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<br />
So talk to you mom, grand-mother, uncle, friend, teacher, whoever! Breaking the silence helps build a better world. </div>
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<br />
<span lang="FR-CA">xoxo</span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA"><br /></span><span lang="FR-CA">Gabby</span><br />
<span lang="FR-CA"><br /></span></div>
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Sources:</div>
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<span lang="FR-CA">http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/whats-age-got-do-it</span></div>
Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-35581871776768097342015-01-02T18:49:00.000-08:002015-01-02T18:49:32.747-08:003 New Year's Resolution That Have Nothing To Do With AppearanceHello my gorgeous fudgies!<br />
<br />
As we start the new year, new year's resolutions are all the rage.<br />
1.Get a gym membership<br />
2.Lose 10 pounds<br />
3.(something my creepy uncle told me, true story): Get toned to get more chicks<br />
<br />
But a new year can be about so much more than your fraking looks, this is an opportunity to learn more about others and yourself. It can be heard, no doubt, with everyone's body negative resolutions clouding your thoughts, so here are my top 5 resolutions that have nothing to do with your weight:<br />
<br />
1. Learn something new<br />
Try learning Japanese, or Italian. Just a few words might come in handy.<br />
Watch cooking videos on how to make that perfect omelette. (and then come to my house and make it for me)<br />
Study art history, or playwriting, or the tattoo industry.<br />
<br />
Information has never been so readily available to humans. No more library books that weight 38499 pounds to study Greek architecture, now you have the Internet! By becoming a more cultivated person, I promise your self-esteem will build, because you will sense that the person you are meant to become is in fact cultivated and interesting. Plus, those odd skills can be attractive to an employer. Maybe one day my random knowledge of Netflix entries and makeup brushes will land me a job. Doubtful, but a girl can dream, right?<br />
<br />
2. Learn something new about someone else<br />
Ask questions to your friends like : "what was the best year of your life? your worst?"<br />
Make a new friend in class or at work by noticing their mood. "Something wrong?" "You look radiant today!"<br />
<br />
Being interested in other people's lives facilitates communication. When people feel they need to talk, they will know you are the person to go to, for you've shown interest in their lives. And let's face it, not all of us can learn Japanese or Italian, because maybe we don't have time, or maybe it won't benefit us, but being a good friend is a rare skill that will benefit you for the rest of your life. <br />
<br />
3. Learn something new about yourself:<br />
Try a new genre of literature. You're more of a John Green type of person, try some Stephen King.<br />
Try a new sport. Maybe badminton is actually your hidden master talent.<br />
Try a new food. This may sound dumb, but after trying mangos, my life was forever changed.<br />
<br />
The point here is that you are a very complex human being, but often times we get stuck in a rut, and forget to explore the unknown parts of ourselves. By trying new things, you discover your likes and dislikes, which can lead to further understanding who you are. Some of my ideas may seem trivial, because maybe they are to a superficial degree, but it's up to you to try the things you always wanted to try, but more importantly the things you never thought of trying in the first place.<br />
-----<br />
<br />
Here's the deal. We have many flaws, and resolutions can be the trick to push us to improve ourselves.<br />
But why do they have to be physical? Our bodies are perfect just the way they are!<br />
And maybe you do want to lose weight. As long as it's healthy, that's a-okay. But just keep in mind all the examples I gave you, because maybe one day you'll realize, after achieving your goal weight, that you're no smarter, or more interesting, or more important than you were before.<br />
That's why appearance based resolutions just don't cut it for me.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
Gabby<br />
<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-32215906661979169262014-12-30T10:51:00.000-08:002014-12-30T10:56:12.690-08:00Passion and Self-Esteem: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Hello my darling fudgies!<br />
<br />
I watched a wonderful video by Connor Manning (which I will link below this post) about finding your passion, and it deeply resonated with me, so I thought I would share my thoughts on passion, what to do about it, and how it can affect your self-worth.<br />
<br />
I must start by saying that I am incredibly lucky, but also a bit misfortunate.<br />
<br />
I found my first passion, reading and writing, at a ridiculously young age. I can remember writing stories when my letters were still backwards, and telling them to my great grandmother, who became senile when I was 7. In that sense, I was lucky. I was kind of good at it, or had a bountiful imagination, as my school's librarian once told me, probably because I had made up a story about my friend Steph who had hair down to the floor, who also did not exist. Besides the point.<br />
<br />
I held on to my love for several years, until the dark ages of many of our lives: <i><b>teenagehood</b></i>.<br />
<br />
Ahhh yes. Cystic Acne, Cripplingly Low Self-Esteem, and Debilitating Anxiety. Who wouldn't want to be 14 again?!<br />
<br />
As I entered my teenage years, I slowly but surely stopped reading, and stopped writing, and suddenly I became very confused.<br />
When asked by adults around me what I wanted to be when I grew up, instead of confidently voicing my love for the book industry, I shrugged and said I don't know, murmuring to myself: when I grow up, I just want clear skin for the love of all that is holy.<br />
<br />
However, as my first true love started to dwindle inside my heart, I discovered a new passion: makeup.<br />
Now I want to make it very clear, as opposed to writing, at which I was naturally pretty decent, I SUCKED at makeup for the first year or two.<br />
But my god did I love it.<br />
It honestly carried me through those rough 15 to 17 years of age where angst dominates your life and high school graduation is no where in sight.<br />
But with a lot, and i mean a shit ton of practice, I got to be pretty good (I'll post a few pictures of my makeup work from this week below Connor's video)<br />
So now I had a new answer to those unsuspecting adults: I was going to be a makeup artist!<br />
<br />
And now, I'm here, at 19.<br />
I rediscovered my love for reading and writing mostly through the blog, so thank you for that.<br />
But my love for makeup has only grown stronger!<br />
I am a creative person, and don't necessarily see myself working in an office 9-5.<br />
But I enjoyed structure and school and academia, and did pretty well in school my whole life.<br />
I want to go to college, but I also want to work at Sephora full time.<br />
ARGH<br />
<br />
Here's what I try to tell myself, and here's what you should live by, whether you have a passion, or five, or none:<br />
<br />
It's okay to change your mind.<br />
We have this fixed idea that once you choose a path, you cannot go back.<br />
But that's not true!<br />
<br />
People change majors, careers, life paths all the time!<br />
You can major in economics at Harvard and work as a painter in France after deciding Wall Street isn't for you.<br />
We may live in a society that values decisiveness, which is probably why we don't value teenagers all that much. But you have to do what feels right. So try things out, experiment, and give it your all: You can always try again.<br />
<br />
And to those of you who don't have anything you're crazy passionate about, just wait.<br />
Try new things, new clubs, new activities, don't be afraid to make new friends.<br />
But don't try too hard, not everything is going to fit.<br />
Okay, I'm contradicting myself here.<br />
Basically, do what feels right, and the right will come to you. That may seem vague, but I promise you will find what you love.<br />
You may seem lost, and some have emailed me saying you feel like a failure.<br />
Hey. HEY. Don't. Not everyone finds their passion at the same time, so give yourself a break.<br />
<br />
My 11th grade English teacher explained this to me, and I think this sums it about up:<br />
"Don't stress about your major or your career. Because guess what? Some of you, your passion will be motherhood/fatherhood, or being a supportive wife/husband, going to ballet recitals and baseball tournaments, making lunches, cooking dinner, gardening, volunteering, and being a good person. Does that sound so bad?"<br />
<br />
So to the adults who ask you with a judgmental twinkle in their eyes:<br />
"What do you want to do with your life?"<br />
Give them the truest answer. If that's "I don't know just yet", then don't be ashamed.<br />
You have a lifetime ahead of you.<br />
Just breathe, try new things, and breathe again.<br />
An eyeliner fell into my hand one day, and I know someday your passion will fall into yours.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
Gabby<br />
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<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-48618471331714577242014-12-24T07:12:00.002-08:002014-12-24T07:13:45.773-08:0010 HoliDAYS of Self-Love: Day 6Happy christmas eve, my angels!<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">What are the 10 holiDAYS of self-love? Well, it's very simple! During this very stressful holiday time, especially for those of us who struggle/have struggled with eating disorders, social anxiety, and low self-esteem in general, the abundance of food and holiday parties can be very stressful. So join me in the journey: 10 days, 10 challenges each day to improve your self-esteem and make this holiday season more pleasurable. Enjoy!</i><br />
<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></i>
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Today's challenge: The Cute Outfit Challenge</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Today is a special, special day. In my family, we get very glam and dressy on the 24th, to look like ogres the 25th. You of course don't have to get all fancy, but I do want you, amid all the stressful parties and bloating cookies, to feel your best. Today's challenge is simple:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">wear your favorite outfit.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I want you to analyze it. What makes this shirt better than the others? Why do these jeans flatter your body? Is there a specific physical feature your outfit emphasizes?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Getting to know your body as a whole, flaws but more importantly qualities, will help you shop better for yourself in the long run, knowing what to buy that makes you feel beautiful. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Look, at the end of the day, it shouldn't matter what we wear, but sometimes it does. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">And if looking your best means feeling your best in the darkest times, then girl, you do you.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Gabby is off to paint her nails and eat Fruit Loops. Gotta love Xmas.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">xoxo</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Gabby</span></span></span>Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-4067732038442274012014-12-22T17:45:00.002-08:002014-12-22T17:45:49.619-08:00The Best Books I Read in 2014Hello my angels!<br />
<br />
Today is a special day, for I will be talking about books, something I rarely do.<br />
I am not a book blogger, nor do I intend to be, but I truly believe that books can not only stimulate the intellect, but your mental health as well.<br />
<br />
It takes you to another world, where you don't have to deal with your ED/low self-esteem/anxiety/depression etc. or it can take you to a place with a character who <i>gets </i>you like no one in your real life does. So without further ado, here are some of my book recommendations.<br />
<br />
<i>If you like books, you'll love...</i><br />
<a href="http://www.psyke.org/img/bookstore/belljar_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.psyke.org/img/bookstore/belljar_l.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a>1. <b>The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath </b><br />
Obviously, it comes to no surprise to my friends/family members that my number 1 book is "The Bell <br />
Jar" by Sylvia Plath. Guys, I got a "bell jar" tattoo for crying out loud, this has got to be an important piece of literature. It chronicles the beautifully tragic downfall of a young woman, similar in age and mindset to me. I found this book immensely accurate, you could tell Plath knew what she was writing about. The ending may not be the happily ever after of a Disney movie, but it's true, it's authentic, and it gave me hope. You'll see what I mean when you read it. because you will read it.because I'm making you. now.<br />
<br />
<br />
2. <i>If you like Ellen Hopkins, you'll love...</i><br />
<b>Ugly Girls, by Lindsay Hunter</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://flavorwire.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/51e7zmxt0sl-_sy344_bo1204203200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://flavorwire.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/51e7zmxt0sl-_sy344_bo1204203200_.jpg" width="133" /></a>Never mind that this title might make you believe this is a body politics thesis, it's not. It's a terribly gritty and raw "sort-of YA sort-of waaayyy to hardcore to even come close to being young adult" story of 2 Southern teens, Baby Girl and Perry. This book had me on the edge of my seat, let me tell you, I finished it in only a day! There were no lulls, no plateaus, just back to back action and tension and Oh My the ending Oh My Lord In Heaven. This is no bestseller, so please encourage this author, buy this book, and make sure she can write us some more awesome stuff.<br />
<br />
<i>If you like Girls (HBO), you'll love...</i><br />
3. <b>The Group by Mary McCarthy</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://frisbeebookjournal.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/the-group-mary-mccarthy-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://frisbeebookjournal.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/the-group-mary-mccarthy-new.jpg" width="127" /></a>When I mentioned to the Chapters lady that the Bell Jar is my favorite book of all time, she immediately suggested The Group. It follows the story of 8 recent Vassar graduates through their trials and tribulations as sort-of adults. This fantastic coming of age can be quite confusing with the multiple narrators, but ultimately it was both an amazing novel and a great piece of social commentary on the 30s and 40s. A must read feminist book, in my humble opinion.<br />
<br />
<i>If you suffer from anxiety, you'll love </i><br />
<b>Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HGJKFdW3L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HGJKFdW3L.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a>This book, written by a writer for Arrested Development, which I love, was a no-brainer favorite of mine this year. The humor is so witty, but the story itself is at times <br />
heartwarming and at times gut wrenching. One of the main characters suffers from what appears to be agoraphobia, so for anyone who suffers from anxiety or who knows somebody who does, this book is a terrific insight on an anxiety-ridden's mentality. Didn't adore the ending, but overall a quick, funny lovely book.<br />
<br />
Voila! those were my 2014 picks for best books I've read this year.<br />
Hope you check 'em out.<br />
Until then,<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
Gabby<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-80267231609030770502014-12-21T15:44:00.000-08:002014-12-21T15:44:10.107-08:0010 HoliDAYS of Self-Love: Day 5Day 5 is upon us, my fudgies!<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">What are the 10 holiDAYS of self-love? Well, it's very simple! During this very stressful holiday time, especially for those of us who struggle/have struggled with eating disorders, social anxiety, and low self-esteem in general, the abundance of food and holiday parties can be very stressful. So join me in the journey: 10 days, 10 challenges each day to improve your self-esteem and make this holiday season more pleasurable. Enjoy!</i><br />
<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></i>
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Day 5: Drop the phone</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">It's been proven that social media can drastically reduce self-esteem.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Sure, it's tempting to see what other people are up to, but at the end of the day, we are all edited, and seeing everybody's perfectly edited lives can make our imperfect <b>real</b> lives seem blah.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Today is then the day to put down the phone, the computer, the tablet, the desktop, although you're probably not actually holding the latter, and enjoy the non digitized world.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Go outside, spend time with your family, friends, and pets. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Or if you're a hermit like me, read a book. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Snuggle with your bae (Taco Bell). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Catch up on Sherlock for the 3433o5th time with your Johnlock shipping friends. Or Mystrade. Or whatever ship you desire. (confused by my last sentence? you probably don't spend too much time on the internet, kudos to you!)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Instagram is fun, and watching my idols sculpt their brows like drag queen perfection is addictive, but there is a lot to do outside of Facebook too. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">There's also Tumblr.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I'm kidding, there's also real emotions, real feelings, real connections to be made out there. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Go getchu some</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">xoxo</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Gabby</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-14027736844456926482014-12-20T14:56:00.001-08:002014-12-20T14:56:52.573-08:0010 HoliDAYS of Self-Love: Day 4Welcome to day 4, my lovelies!<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">What are the 10 holiDAYS of self-love? Well, it's very simple! During this very stressful holiday time, especially for those of us who struggle/have struggled with eating disorders, social anxiety, and low self-esteem in general, the abundance of food and holiday parties can be very stressful. So join me in the journey: 10 days, 10 challenges each day to improve your self-esteem and make this holiday season more pleasurable. Enjoy!</i><br />
<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></i>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Today's challenge is....get kitschy. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Boys and girls, it is the holiday season.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Wether you celebrated Christmas or any other religious/kinda super commercial holiday, it is vital to your self-love that you embrace the times.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">For many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter, and as I'm sitting here writing this I am freezing my butt of in Montreal, Canada. Many people get sad when it gets dark earlier, leading to seasonal depression. But fear not, there is a solution!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Instead of absolutely dreading this time of year, you must embrace the kitsch; the sappy, commercial, cheesy Holiday spirit is a drink, and you must chug that sucker!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Why? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Well look. We all know the holiday season is kind of a Hallmark holiday, for companies to make money and for our wallets to get thin. We could be cynics about it. Or...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">We could:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">-rock that ugly Christmas sweater</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">-make hot chocolate</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">-watch our favorite Xmas movie</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">-scream out "All I Want For Xmas" by Mariah Carey, which I do nearly everyday of the year, but my mental health is besides the point. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Getting into the season could teach you a few things about letting go of the negative, embracing the positive, and making the best of what can be a really important self-loving time of the year.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">So turn that frostbitten frown upside down, and get down with Santa! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">(I feel like my christmas expressions are getting worse from sentence to sentence)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">xoxo</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Gabby</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-84076967947305951572014-12-18T11:08:00.000-08:002014-12-18T16:59:20.213-08:0010 HoliDAYS of Self-Love: Day 3<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">What are the 10 holiDAYS of self-love? Well, it's very simple! During this very stressful holiday time, especially for those of us who struggle/have struggled with eating disorders, social anxiety, and low self-esteem in general, the abundance of food and holiday parties can be very stressful. So join me in the journey: 10 days, 10 challenges each day to improve your self-esteem and make this holiday season more pleasurable. Enjoy!</i><br>
<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></i>
<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></i>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Day 3: <b>GO BOLD</b></span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b><br></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Alright, so we went out of our comfort zone on the first day, and pampered ourselves on the second. Now is the time to go bold!</span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">It's important to be able to be confident no matter how you look. </span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Because one day you'll be stuck in the rain and meet the love your life and if you're too shy to talk to him/her than your whole life will be wasted.</span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I may or may not have taken that out of a rom com, but seriously, confidence no matter what ></span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">So let's test it out!</span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Go bold! </span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Dark lips or eyeliner? Sure</b></span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Fake fur vest? Why not!</b></span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Zebra print? Hell yeah</b></span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Braided Heidi hairstyle? Okay!</span></b></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></b></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Whatever makes you feel good but slightly off because the voices in your head tell you others will laugh is the way to go, my angels!</span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Go bold or go home.</span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">And don't go home. </span></span><div><font color="#660033" face="Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#660033" face="Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Here's mama Fuddgie's take on a dark eye<br></span></font><div><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ugpA7XDRSu8/VJN4ZozsrqI/AAAAAAAAAis/Sb5gCD2oDYg/s640/blogger-image--246238423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ugpA7XDRSu8/VJN4ZozsrqI/AAAAAAAAAis/Sb5gCD2oDYg/s640/blogger-image--246238423.jpg"></a></div><br></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">xoxo</span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Gabby</span></span><br>
<span style="color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br></span></span></div></div>Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-47712368302341623742014-12-16T12:18:00.000-08:002014-12-16T12:18:05.346-08:0010 HoliDAYS of Self-Love: Day 2<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #660033; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">What are the 10 holiDAYS of self-love? Well, it's very simple! During this very stressful holiday time, especially for those of us who struggle/have struggled with eating disorders, social anxiety, and low self-esteem in general, the abundance of food and holiday parties can be very stressful. So join me in the journey: 10 days, 10 challenges each day to improve your self-esteem and make this holiday season more pleasurable. Enjoy!</i><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or is it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Cramming for final exams, watching your bank account dwindle due
to Christmas shopping while your weight takes a hit from all the delicious
holiday treats; this time of year sure can be stressful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But you don’t have to let it take over your entire life, especially
not your health and beauty. So sit back, pour yourself some hot cocoa, and
treat yourself to some homemade, all natural face treatments! Here are some
ingredients you can’t go wrong with:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sea Salt<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If you don’t have sea salt in your
beauty cabinet, you better get yourself to a supermarket-quick! Mix this secret
ingredient in with a bit of water, honey or olive oil to create a gooey consistency
and gently use as a scrub. Not only does it act as an exfoliator when removed,
scraping off dead skin cells and leaving your skin silky smooth, but it also
has numerous health benefits. It controls blood pressure, regulates sleep
patterns, detoxifies skin, but most importantly during this hectic season; it
relieves stress! Ancient Greeks and Romans used warm sea salt baths to help
them relax-why can’t you? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">*pro tip: leave the scrub on your
skin for a few minutes to let your body truly absorb the sea salt <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Avocados<br />
</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This fruit is the
holy grail of DIY beauty treatments. In these cold winter months, the natural
oils of avocados can work miracles on dry patches and flaky skin. Plus the amino
acids and antioxidants with which this creamy fruit is packed target fine lines
and crow’s feet! Slathering this mask on your skin also helps you to calm down:
rich in glutathione, a substance that combats internal oxidative stress,
avocadoes wash those worries down the drain!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">*pro tip: avocadoes also make for a
great hair treatment: pair it with olive oil or eggs and you have an instant
parched-hair solution! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Blueberries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Jam packed with antioxidants (one of
the highest rate in all foods!) </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">and
phytochemicals, a blueberry face wash helps protect skin cells from damage,
making the skin look younger for longer. Mash a few dozen fruit in a bowl, mix
with water or yogurt, and apply to the skin and wash away to find radiant skin.
And when it comes to stress, the vitamin C levels in blueberries are hard to
beat! In fact, </span><span style="color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">German researchers tested this by asking volunteers to
give a speech, and then do hard math problems. Those who had been given vitamin
C had lower blood pressure, hence less stress! What’s not to love?! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">*pro-tip:
Try to mix in other types of berries to find a texture that works for you; most
berries have high vitamin C concentrations!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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this helps some of the anxious butterflies out there! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Have a
lovely day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Fudge Perfection Project<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">fudgeperfection.blogspot.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">sources: 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/emotional-health/healthy-foods-reduce-stress-and-depression/berries"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/emotional-health/healthy-foods-reduce-stress-and-depression/berries</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2. </span><a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/156225-benefits-of-sea-salt-for-the-skin/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">http://www.livestrong.com/article/156225-benefits-of-sea-salt-for-the-skin/</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3. </span><a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/top-10-superfoods-for-skin-and-hair/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/top-10-superfoods-for-skin-and-hair/</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-16371420828575606562014-12-15T07:10:00.000-08:002014-12-15T07:13:59.475-08:0010 HoliDAYS of Self-Love: Day 1Hello my fudgies!<br />
<br />
<i>What are the 10 holiDAYS of self-love? Well, it's very simple! During this very stressful holiday time, especially for those of us who struggle/have struggled with eating disorders, social anxiety, and low self-esteem in general, the abundance of food and holiday parties can be very stressful. So join me in the journey: 10 days, 10 challenges each day to improve your self-esteem and make this holiday season more pleasurable. Enjoy!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>Day 1: No hair/makeup</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I don't know about you, but during this crazy holiday season, my skin and hair go through World War 3. For some reason I feel the need to look like Megan Fox for my grandmother's brunch.<br />
So during this time where many of us, including yours truly, are studying for finals, give yourself a break to anticipate the wreckage of constant beautifying that accompanies the 420350 holiday parties coming up.<br />
<br />
Step 1: clean your face, moisturize, tone, do your thing.<br />
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Step 2: DON'T do your hair or your makeup.<br />
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Step 3: BONUS: if you can take a selfie with an "ugly" grimace and post it on your social media #fudgeperfection, I will send you one of my limited edition Fudge Perfection bracelets. I am dead serious. Email me if you do so:)<br />
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Here's my picture!<br />
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Before, looking glamorous as fudge: After, looking slightly like dirt:<br />
<a href="https://38.media.tumblr.com/047f7b400f8789f1d390a0dc8458cbed/tumblr_ngmq1fL7P71s08bl0o1_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/047f7b400f8789f1d390a0dc8458cbed/tumblr_ngmq1fL7P71s08bl0o1_1280.png" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://38.media.tumblr.com/455f88f9e47c9bee6486962fd0d88079/tumblr_ngmq1fL7P71s08bl0o2_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/455f88f9e47c9bee6486962fd0d88079/tumblr_ngmq1fL7P71s08bl0o2_400.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Enjoy my angels!<br />
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GabbyGabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-15088942631176942112014-12-13T10:22:00.000-08:002014-12-13T10:22:02.530-08:00A MUST SEE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-36180358253079396002014-12-09T12:22:00.000-08:002014-12-09T12:22:34.338-08:00Medication for Eating Disorders?Hello my darling fudgies!<br />
<br />
Preface: For the people constantly googling where I'm going to college next year (I see you in my stats, children!), the answer is...I don't know yet. The moment I do know however I <i>promise</i> to tweet, blog, Instagram, scream it at the top of my lungs. We cool, bros? :) On to the real topic of today:<br />
<br />
I must say I am, once again, what else is new, incredibly torn about this topic.<br />
When I started this blog almost 3 years ago (!), I was adamantly opposed to the use of medication to treat eating disorders. But as my understanding of the ED culture and more importantly my understanding of medication has grown exponentially since then, so here are my thoughts on the topic.<br />
<br />
<b>Why I was against:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
My argument against the use of pharmaceuticals to treat EDs was based on 2 things:<br />
1. my understanding of my own experience with bulimia<br />
2. my understanding of medication<br />
<br />
Firstly, I felt that eating disorders could be recovered from without meds. After all, I did it!<br />
Sure it's long, and painful, and requires lots of conversations with others and with yourself that you <i>really </i>don't want to have, but my God is it worth it when you cross the finish line!<br />
So why use meds when they simply are not required to beat the monster growing inside your brain? Especially when some anti depressants are known to cause weigh gain, talk about triggering!<br />
<br />
Secondly, I considered medication to be a last resort, for long term, clinical, chronic illnesses, like schizophrenia. This attitude probably stems from my upbringing in Quebec, a province not too keen on pill pushing. And even as I did more research, studies suggested that the use of SSRI (mainstream anti-depressants) to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitor#cite_note-pmid21414249-22" target="_blank">treat anorexia or bulimia had generally great relapse rates. </a><br />
<br />
<b>Why I am now torn</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Here's the deal: my experience with an ED can help me empathize with others suffering or who have suffered, but at the end of the day, everyone's journey is different. Sure, I was able to beat my ED with talk therapy and blogging, but someone else might not be able to, no matter how hard they try.<br />
To use solely my experience as a measurement for what is right or wrong would be foolish!<br />
<br />
To top that off, medication can be used for all types of problems. Sometimes depression can be so deep rooted and intertwined with an ED that recovery is not possible if we don't clear up some of the mood issues in order to get to the root source of the problem. Besides, NEDIC says that the average <a href="http://www.nedic.ca/know-facts/statistics" target="_blank">sufferer deals with Bulimia Nervosa for 8.3 years</a>!!!!! Fine, that's not a life time, but that sounds pretty long term to me, so if medication is needed to survive that period of time, than that's the way it's gotta be.<br />
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This topic is delicate, because people's health, physical and mental, is on the line here, but I think this is an important topic to discuss.<br />
<b>Please leave your thoughts down in the comments, I'm really interested in what you have to say. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
xoxo<br />
Gabby<br />
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<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-77295546089073312902014-12-06T08:39:00.003-08:002014-12-06T08:39:45.175-08:00Size Blank: A Spoken Word Poem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-77899021413528948992014-12-01T17:26:00.001-08:002014-12-01T17:26:58.588-08:00Is Makeup Body Negative?!Hello my darlings!<br />
<br />
As some of you may know, I, Gabby of Fudge Perfection, have a problem:<br />
I am a makeup addict.<br />
<br />
Now some people (cough, cough, Tumblr misandrists) like to believe that my addiction causes not only a serious dent in my wallet (because it does), but also a serious dent in my credibility.<br />
As if loving makeup and also being body positive could not be true for a single person.<br />
"Hypocrite", I was called. Fake. Liar.<br />
<br />
<b>56.63 billion dollars</b><br />
That was the revenue for the cosmetic industry in 2013 in the US ALONE.<br />
So clearly I am not the only human who uses cosmetics, and looking at those numbers, I statically cannot be the only body positive cosmetics user.<br />
<br />
But more than that, I believe, hear me out, that not only is makeup not body negative, but in fact, it can be body positive! Here are my thoughts:<br />
<br />
<u>The Smudged Eyeliner Conundrum: </u><br />
<br />
Many of you will read the last sentence and scoff.<br />
"Makeup is to conceal your flaws, not embrace them".<br />
<br />
And perhaps you are right.<br />
I had horrendous acne as a young teen, that's how I got into makeup in the first place, so I understand the conceal, hide, and never show your real face approach to beauty.<br />
But consider this scenario:<br />
<br />
A woman (or a man, because believe it or not, men compose a serious portion of the cosmetic profit) wakes up, feels like death, and slaps on some eyeliner to feel a little bit less like death.<br />
Key word here: feel<br />
<br />
Anyways, he/she goes to work, and chats up his/her hot coworker, working that charm because he/she feels sexy as all hell, knowing that his/her eyeliner is on fleek.<br />
However, what he/she does not know is that during lunch, his/her eyeliner smudged like hell, and now he/she looks like Pete Wentz circa 2006 (children, google it).<br />
<br />
But it doesn't matter you see, because the <i>feeling</i> of confidence, the feeling of beauty is vastly more important than the <i>looking</i> of beauty.<br />
When you feel you look your best, whether you do or not, you accomplish more.<br />
That's the beauty of the smudged eyeliner conundrum.<br />
<br />
<u>Self-Expression Eyeshadow</u><br />
<br />
So the previous scenario covers many regular ole folks who use cosmetic products to feel better. YAY!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://33.media.tumblr.com/63e8462043b4599bc5543edb703532ca/tumblr_nfrgnjpqVY1s08bl0o2_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://33.media.tumblr.com/63e8462043b4599bc5543edb703532ca/tumblr_nfrgnjpqVY1s08bl0o2_1280.jpg" width="150" /></a>But some of us take it a step further.<br />
Some of us use it not to feel more beautiful, to look like Megan Fox, no.<br />
Some of us use it to feel more like ourselves.<br />
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<a href="https://38.media.tumblr.com/8710810d290a0d21c1227972bfbc2418/tumblr_nfpg6zdmwk1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/8710810d290a0d21c1227972bfbc2418/tumblr_nfpg6zdmwk1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://38.media.tumblr.com/5abba5b1c8841b262fca58b16b078198/tumblr_nfhyatPBKH1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/5abba5b1c8841b262fca58b16b078198/tumblr_nfhyatPBKH1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
And that "ourselves" can metamorphose in a variety of ways, depending on the day. <br />
<br />
Some days I feel grungy, like Eddie Vedder's 1994 girlfriend (see the flannel).<br />
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Others I feel like being a classic pin up beauty, a la Monroe (see that hella winged liner)<br />
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And some days I just want to slap everything on and be a colorful bird (see the sunset on my eyes).<br />
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For me, on those days, it's not about being the most beautiful.<br />
It's about expressing myself in a creative way, the way painting or dancing helps others express themselves.<br />
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Yes, I try to have good lighting, and yes, I take about 18232932 selfies, but at the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about the art.<br />
<br />
<u>Powder to the People</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
Here is my final word on the subject.<br />
I think makeup can be body negative if not used correctly.<br />
But if someone can't leave the house without makeup, it really has nothing to do with the makeup, Rather it's a psychological issue the person (14 year old me) needs to work on.<br />
<br />
But it can be body positive because it gives women the power to their own beauty.<br />
Do they glam themselves up? Do they keep it natural?<br />
The power to express themselves, to show the world who they are that day, it's up to them.<br />
It's up to them, and a little bit of powder.<br />
<br />
Oh, and by the way, women don't always wear makeup for men.<br />
I rock false lashes alone in my dorm room and wear nothing when I go to the library during finals, surrounded by my male peers. Deal.<br />
<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
Gabby<br />
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<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-7339620535835482532014-11-27T19:40:00.000-08:002014-11-27T19:49:07.315-08:00November FavoritesHello my darling fudgies<br>
<br>
Many of you seem to enjoy it when I post about my personal life once in a blue moon, so here are a few things I've been loving recently, non body politics related:)<br>
<br>
1. <b>A Clockwork Orange</b><br>
<b><br></b>
I am currently reading this morbid classic by Anthony Burgess for AP Senior Lit, and no I'm not done, so don't spoil it or I shall punch you square in the rot. The fact that much of the vocabulary is actually not english, but a made up language called Nadsat is difficult, I'll admit, but incredibly stimulating. Makes you think about the use of language as a theme on its own, like languageception. Mind blowing. Violent as all hell, but even as a squeamish girl, I'd recommend.<br>
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2. <b>Kat Von D Tattoo Liner</b><br>
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<a href="http://img.makeupalley.com/thumb.asp?sb=w&maxSize=666&f=5_6_7_5_2677638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.makeupalley.com/thumb.asp?sb=w&maxSize=666&f=5_6_7_5_2677638.JPG" height="238" width="320"></a></div>
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If you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/darlingmakeupmua" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, you know that I am a die hard makeup addict. Some would say it contradicts my position as a body positive feminist, but I'd argue, and will in a post soon, that it only compliments my ideologies of men and women taking their beauty and self-expression into their own hands, not giving the power to others to define their beauty.<br>
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<a href="https://38.media.tumblr.com/5abba5b1c8841b262fca58b16b078198/tumblr_nfhyatPBKH1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/5abba5b1c8841b262fca58b16b078198/tumblr_nfhyatPBKH1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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Anyway, as I was saying, I am all about that rouge life. I don't get to do very dramatic looks whilst at school, but at home, watch out neighbors! And there is no better tool to help me create dramatic cat eyes than the kat von d tattoo liner in trooper. Smudgeproof, long wearing, super thin and precise, it's the bomb.com<br>
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Here are a 2 of my creations!<br>
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3. <b>My Septum Piercing!</b><br>
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Yes, I know, I won't shut up about my damn septum piercing. But<br>
1. it makes me feel 1323242x more like myself<br>
2. the healing has been divine<br>
3. i can hide it<br>
4. deal<br>
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<b>4. Kati Morton, the queen of Mental Health on Youtube</b><br>
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Kati Morton, a licensed MFT, devotes an insane amount of time helping those struggling with mental health issues, or people who simply have questions about such topics. She is always a sunny ray of sunshine, promotes beautiful and healthy habits such as self-care, provides free workbooks for EDs and Self Harm, and is overall an amazing person.<br>
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Props to you Kati! Here is a good example of what she does:<br>
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<b>5. </b><a href="http://destinyboswell.tumblr.com/">http://destinyboswell.tumblr.com</a> <b>Destiny Boswell</b><br>
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It seems I've made a new Tumblr friend;)<br>
<br>
She's nice, her blog is filled with hilarity, social commentary, and overall wonderfulness.<br>
Plus she has survived depression and is always reblogging my stuff, so props to her for being such a great blogger.<br>
<br>
I think my mom believes that online friendships are weird, but in a world where social media is everywhere, and social anxiety is rampant, why not use the resources we have to communicate and share and create a smaller community in a way that makes us comfortable and not have a panic attack. just my 2 cents!<br>
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<i><u>Let me know what you think of Tumblr friendships in the comments:)</u></i><br>
<br>
xoxo<br>
<br>
Gabby<br>
<br>Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-80036444699192566962014-11-24T13:57:00.000-08:002014-11-25T09:18:28.445-08:00My Septum Piercing (the importance of self-expression)Hello my darling fudgies,<br>
<br>
Today, after months of vying and piercing jealousy, I finally got my septum pierced!<br>
(pics below, slightly crooked, but still badass)<br>
<br>
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<a href="https://38.media.tumblr.com/b56d0281f06c9040edb84a76308b1cc7/tumblr_nfkce0ofRY1s08bl0o2_400.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/b56d0281f06c9040edb84a76308b1cc7/tumblr_nfkce0ofRY1s08bl0o2_400.png" width="239"></a><a href="https://31.media.tumblr.com/c2e81e91c74c0c08225f1eb1caededbf/tumblr_nfkce0ofRY1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/c2e81e91c74c0c08225f1eb1caededbf/tumblr_nfkce0ofRY1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" width="320"></a><a href="https://31.media.tumblr.com/c2e81e91c74c0c08225f1eb1caededbf/tumblr_nfkce0ofRY1s08bl0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br></a></div>
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<b><u>The experience (3 Ps): </u></b></div>
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<b>Pain: </b>Honestly takes longer than most piercings, so I can't give it a 1/5, but maybe a 2.5/5? </div>
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You do cry like a loser afterwards, because the nose is connected to the tear ducts so there's that. </div>
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<b>Parents: </b>No, they don't like it. My mom tried to bribe me out of it, but there was no stopping moi. Good thing is you can flip it up and hide it from jobs and school, so your future isn't on the line with this simple piece of metal. </div>
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<b>Price: </b>Obviously depends on where you go, but I always go to XS tattoo and piercings in Pointe Claire, QC, CA, and it cost me about 70 odd dollars. </div>
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<b><u>The importance:</u></b></div>
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Piercings might not seem like a big deal to you, or maybe you don't understand the hype. </div>
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To me, they are an integral part of my being. </div>
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I left my high school to attend a preppy, shmancy prep school in CT, where piercings are certainly not cool (or allowed).</div>
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I felt as though I was losing my identity; my alternative, modified, "edgy?" identity. </div>
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This piercing allows me to be within dress code, when it is flipped up, but also be my own self, once the last class bell rings. </div>
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Best of both worlds!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think what I'm trying to say here is that the goal of the FP is to promote body positive ideals, but it can be hard, nay impossible, to love yourself when you don't feel like yourself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For me, tattoos and piercings help me express who I am to the outside world, but mainly and most importantly to myself.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My message is that you should always do what others tell you, except never. </div>
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okay?</div>
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xoxo</div>
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Gabby</div>
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Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-15087671565758367842014-11-19T10:58:00.000-08:002014-11-24T15:52:50.341-08:00Size: A PoemDo you know that she diets everyday<br />
Fights everyday, is hungry everyday,<br />
So that one day she can burn her size blank dress<br />
And wear a bikini to the beach,<br />
Do you know?<br />
<br />
No, you don't.<br />
You think she eats candy day,<br />
lays all day, is full all day,<br />
So that one day she can rely on the government<br />
To take care of her diabetes-ridden size blank dress<br />
Do you know?<br />
<br />
Do you know she clutches her fat in the mirror<br />
Cries in the mirror, smashes the mirror<br />
So that maybe the reflection will change right before her eyes<br />
And she can finally see beauty smiling back at her<br />
Do you know?<br />
<br />
No, you don't.<br />
You think she's never seen a damn mirror<br />
Doesn't know her size, doesn't know she has fat<br />
So you have to remind her every day,<br />
And watch her smile fade away.<br />
Do you know?<br />
<br />
Do you know that one day she'll be done<br />
Done hating her body, done hating herself,<br />
So that she'll break out of societal chains<br />
And scream Fuck You, I'm beautiful<br />
Do you know?<br />
<br />
No, you don't.<br />
You don't think she deserves that.<br />
Deserve self-respect, deserve any respect at all.<br />
So next time you call her ugly and she whips around<br />
choking you out with her size blank dress,<br />
Then you'll know.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-35719670931963640372014-11-14T12:34:00.001-08:002014-11-14T12:35:31.697-08:00Confidence Without Makeup!<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">Whether it's concealer for your "pores as large as Jupiter" or
inky black mascara for your "non-existent blond eyelashes", makeup
can be our most trusted ally, helping us face the brutal days in full
confidence. But as much as we'd like to deny it, makeup can also be an
enemy. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black;">If we get used to seeing the flawless, perfected version of ourselves in
the mirror, the sight of our naked face can be a tad traumatic. We <i>know </i>we
should let our skin breathe, and be content with with what we were born with
and blablabla, but sometimes it feels like that advice is clearly coming from a
man who doesn't know a darn thing about our self-acceptance struggles. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA">So for all of you who need a bare face confidence booster, here are my 3
tried and true tricks to being confident without makeup:</span><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">1. Practice Makes Perfect</span></b><b><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA">Once upon a time, I could not imagine leaving my own room without makeup
on! But if you want to reach makeup-less nirvana, you have to put yourself out
there, <i>literally. </i>Start with baby steps: </span><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA">First, if you don't already do so, go bare faced to the gym or to any
active activity. No one on this earth looks good while working up a sweat, so
why should you? Then you can slowly work your way up to grocery stores,
malls, dinner with friends, the sky is the limit! </span><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you will realize is this: nobody cares about you. Obviously, this
might sound a bit harsh, but it's true: whether or not your eyebrows are
plucked, people will go on with their day. Don't live your life in fear of
other people's judgements, do what's best for you. So if your pores need a
break from their camouflage, set them free!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Rediscover your face<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ladies, take out your compact mirror: it's time to get
reacquainted with your pretty face! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are so eternally focused on the bad that we don't take the time to
enjoy the good. In a world where everything must be as big, wide, bright,
glossy and perfect as possible, simplicity can be a new beauty concept we are
not so used to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don't need the entire Selfridges makeup department to be, or feel,
beautiful. There is so much going on already; your eyes have just become
accustomed to all the wonders!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Redefine Your Beauty Ideals<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's just make something clear: all the ads you see on TV or in the
magazines that portray a "natural" look are in fact more artificial
than plastic. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hours of makeup, lighting, editing, and retouching have been put into
the final product. Unless you plan on walking the streets toting a Photoshop
editing program, a team of stylists and a few dozen spotlights, you should
probably give up on the idea of replicating the image. Even the model doesn’t
look like that when she stumbles out of bed!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So next time you see a spread in Harper's Bazaar and you wonder what
kind of magical cream this young girl uses, look at it with new eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Imagine her with bags under her eyes, flyaway hairs, wrinkled clothing
and a few other flaws here and there. Because that is what this picture would
look like had it been taken in the realm of reality. </span></b><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">----------<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong, makeup is an absolute blessing! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there are times when we need to be comfortable with what's
underneath it all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The people who care for you can (<b>should</b>, or else they can walk
themselves out of your life) appreciate all your intricate layers, so why
shouldn't you? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a lovely week!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gabby<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3770753567434399303.post-90215168588679742482014-11-11T16:43:00.002-08:002014-11-11T16:43:53.514-08:00Freckles: The Comeback Poem<i>Hello my sweets!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This poem I wrote was chosen among thousands and will be published in Teen Ink Magazine. How lucky am I?!</i><br />
<i>To celebrate, here is the illustrious piece of creative writing. </i><br />
<i>Enjoy<3</i><br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I stare at her freckles, and I just don't understand;</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I don't understand why she stares down her reflection,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">blaming a mirror that will never tell her what she wants to hear.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Won't these miserable spots ever leave her be?</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">She asks, she pleads, she begs, as a long drawn-out sigh escapes her lips.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I don't understand the toxic chemicals with which she scrubs her face.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The home remedies, the beauty creams, the crackled layers of foundation –</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">they can barely fade the defiant freckle spatter.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Perhaps she will never stop scrubbing,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">in hopes of peeling off her treacherous skin.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And I don't understand,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Because I love her adorable little freckles,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">sprinkling the tops of her nose and the apples of her cheeks.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I find it adorable the way they dance around the crinkles of a timid smile</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">or a burst of laughter.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I use to draw little brown dots on myself</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">to imitate the lucky ones.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And perhaps she will never know,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And that would be a shame.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Because when she looks at my naked nose,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">She thinks the same.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">So tell her now, tell her loud,</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Tell her to be proud!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And the world will be a little better</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As she goes to sleep tonight</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Thinking of your voice's sound.</span>Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425511857796535274noreply@blogger.com0