Cool Things About Being a Girl, pt. 1

I’m a little ashamed to admit it, but I am one of those girls that complains (particularly during my time of the month) about how being a girl is so goddamn difficult. I’m jealous that dudes can pee standing up and that they don’t have to wear make-up everyday. But it’s not like girls don’t get a few perks too.

Example: red lipstick.

I don’t know if there’s a more recognized icon of contemporary femininity than bright red lips. They’re saucy and fun, and something boys don’t have.

Guys see red lipstick as sexy. I see red lipstick as confident.

I honestly don’t know very many women that wear red on their lips. They usually stick with the safer and more subtle shades of pink. Red stands out. It attracts attention. And that’s why it requires a certain confidence to wear it. Red lipstick comes with an attitude – something like “I am woman; hear me roar” in a very good way.

I couldn’t live without my two go-to reds: Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red, and Covergirl Lipperfection in Hot. So, unleash your inner lady and don’t forget the lip liner.

The Republic of Imagination

Last night, Drake University held the 25th Bucksbaum Lecture (it was also the 15th anniversary of the series). The speaker was Dr. Azar Nafisi.

This is my first vlog post. Ever. So enjoy.
& Please don’t judge me too harshly (the whole world will know I’m fawkward now anyway).

Aggravating Archetypes

I’m sure that I am far from the only person irritated with how women (especially young women) are depicted in vast amounts of literature. I’m willing to bet I’m hardly the only one that wants to hit things after especially frustrating passages.

I just finished A Flaw in the Blood by Stephanie Barron (literally. I just shoved the book back in my backpack). It’s a “suspense” novel set during Queen Victoria’s reign, in late winter 1861. The scene that so upset me involved the female protagonist being raped – only to be rescued by her much older male companion/guardian, whom she immediately declares her undying love for.

Dr. Georgiana Armistead, the female in question, is supposed to be the anti-Victorian woman: well-educated, career-ambitious (as opposed to marriage-ambitious), and stubborn. Yet somehow, she is desperate and constant need of a man to solve her problems.

I’ve read (& completely enjoyed) some of Barron’s other novels – she’s known for a series of Jane Austen mysteries. So anyway, I was pretty excited about reading something a little different. Unfortunately, I was largely disappointed. Barron’s other novels have strong, quirky female characters. Of Flaw‘s two prominent female characters, neither one is relatable. Georgiana is a hypocrite and the Queen is oddly overzealous about traditional female roles.

I guess I just don’t understand why so many authors continue to portray women as weak, infantile individuals. I don’t believe that I’ve ever met a woman that could not stand up for herself in some capacity – especially if her life depended on it. I understand that not everyone is He-Man strong and courageous, but I would much rather read about a character, male or female, that has a realistic personality with believable flaws – not archetypes.

Images from A White Stone, and Good Reads.

P.S. Enjoy the alliteration.