57. Be a part of the Support System for Women in Crisis

 

 

 

 

Ladylike Commentary on the Bill Cosby Epidemic: 

I will not pretend to be judge nor jury, but we do know the truth will surface - even if it has been more than 45 years for some of the women that have spoken out recently.

The only truth that I can embrace is that there must have been a chronically sad display of cultural empathy for human welfare in the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and 2000's (THAT'S OUR LIFETIME, PEOPLE) if a woman - or anyone for that matter- felt overwhelmed by potential condescension, neglect, and/or mistreatment if she voiced, accused, or reported an instance of rape.  

The thought that is ten times more troubling is that there is STILL an international apathy for women who withstand the indescribable mental and physical torment of rape.
The mental, psychological, and emotional fortitude to withstand rape and molestation - and not see the perpetrator brought to justice - is incredible to me.

No matter how the Cosby case is shaped over the next few months, we know that this scenario - highlighted only because of his celebrity status - is representative of an unknown number of instances (and in many women's lives, permanent conditions) of sexual abuse.

A few thoughts and questions that came in my brainspace.........

1. It's a dark and dangerous topic, but are women having conversations about this? 
2. Are women exploring the layers that plague rape victims from generation to generation?
3. For rape victims, are there community services that are both visible and accessible to them? 
4. Will insurance carriers support therapy sessions without mandating that rape victims carry the label of being "clinically depressed?"
5. For all the federal, state, and private resources that are available, are women's (and girls') issues appropriately funded in the context of national priorities?
6. With Bill Cosby's upcoming tour, will he offer a comedic approach to the extraordinary heaviness of the allegations?

56. Protect your biggest investment and clean your make-up brushes!

We don't use dirty washcloths or soiled toilet paper, right?

I was putting on my bronzer this morning (oh yes, ladies....black girls need bronzer too - especially in the fall/winter months!), and I caught a whiff of something that smelled...well....old.

It's been a minute since I've lavishly laundered my makeup brush collection, and that quaint odor was a horrifying reminder of what else I might be putting on my face besides some iridescent color.

For your reading pleasure, here are a few tips from Lauren Conrad's Beauty School on How to Clean Your Make up Brushes.

Instructions:

1. Begin by running your brushes under lukewarm water, rinsing out all of the residual makeup. Try to focus on the actual bristles while avoiding the part of the brush where handle meets the head, as this can loosen the glue over time
2. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a squirt of shampoo, and gently swirl your brush tip in the water. If you need to, you can also swirl the brush in the palm of your hand to work up a lather.
3. Rinse the brush tip under running water once again. Repeat steps two and three until the water runs clear from the brush,
4. Use a cloth to wipe your brush clean, reshaping the bristles as you go.
5. Lay your brushes flat on a cloth to dry.

And there you have it! Your makeup brushes will be as clean a whistle. It’s also worth mentioning that there are specially formulated brush shampoos on the market. A gentle clarifying or baby shampoo will do the trick just fine though.

I think it's also helpful to know what happens when you don't wash your makeup-brushes as often as needed. 

Many thanks to Mandie Williams from The Gloss for posting an article on what happens when you don't clean them thoroughly. Here are 10 Terrifying Things Dirty Makeup Brushes Do to your Face.

 

1. Dirty Brushes Break You Out

 

2. Dirty Brushes = Terrible Color Payoff

 

3. Dirty Brushes are a Circle Jerk for Germs

 

4. Dirty Brushes Cause Skin Irritation

 

5. Dirty Brushes Give You Poo Face

 

6. Dirty Brushes Could Rip Out Your Eyelashes

 

7. Dirty Brushes Give You Herpes and Pinkeye

 

8. Dirty Brushes Ruin Your Investment

 

9. Dirty Brushes Cause Mystery Breakouts and Allergies

 

10. Dirty Brushes are Just the Gateway Drug

 

55. Among asking about the bells and whistles in your new apartment, be sure to inquire about the duct system.

The woman shall ask about the heating and ventilation system in any new residence she is considering.


It went down to 30 degrees last weekend here in Augusta, and after some financial consideration, I made an informed decision to turn on the heat.  Over the summer, my bill got up to more than $300, and so I've been conservative with the controlled temperature, to say the least.

About 2 minutes after turning out the heat, I heard quaint noises coming from the second bedroom.  I grabbed a neighbor to come with me to check it out.  He went towards the vent, lifted the cover, and pulled out three of the tiniest kittens.

As it turns out, the duct system under the home was in such ill-repair that it had become a resting (and nesting) place to a local four-legged friend who also called it home.  The property manager had made all the necessary repairs and the HVAC guys hooked my system UP!  I now get all the heat I'll ever need, and the system under the house is kitty-free.

Next time around, I'll be sure to listen to the great advice of my good Augusta friend, Perry, and ask some key questions:

1. Is the place winterized?
2. What is the average electric bill each month?
3. Where is the duct system (attic or under the home)?
4. How long has it been since the ventilation system was thoroughly checked?
5. Does my unit power the common area?

Stay warm,
Allyson

54. Pay to run from bar to bar in a coordinated fashion within a specific time frame. And sip (or chug) at each one. For a good purpose (DUH!)

The woman shall participate in a creatively costumed pub crawl.

Cool people reside in every zip code.  So do cool pub crawls and the committees that plan them.

A pub crawl (sometimes called a bar tour, bar crawl or bar-hopping) is the act of one or more people drinking in multiple pubs or bars in a single night, normally travelling by foot or bus to each destination and occasionally by cycle.

I'd never heard of SantaCon, but the amazing folks in Augusta, GA, have brought me into this universe of creatively costumed Santas, reindeer, elves, and other numerous holiday support characters that shift their patronage from bar to bar every 45 minutes.

With 12 bars to populate from 4:00 pm till midnight strikes, that's a lot of holiday cheer in a glass.

Here's a shot of the 2014 SantaCon Augusta volunteer committee at work viewing the newest clip of some marketing material.   The final version will be edited soon, and we can't wait to share!

The SantaCon in Augusta is pretty special, as it is one of the few crawls that raises money for a charitable cause.  Each year, SantaCon Augusta raises funds and contributes them to a local nonprofit.  This year, we're partnering with the Ronald McDonald Charities of Augusta as they prepare to open a brand new home in the Garden City (y'all go!).

We've got a few more weeks of planning, nailing down some sponsorships.....and finding (or making) really unique costumes.  If you're interested in joining the holiday fete, take a visit here to get your tickets.

If you're not in the Augusta area, no need to fret - I bet there's a crawl somewhere near your zip code.
The SantaCon website lists all the events that are happening around the globe (323 US cities and 44 countries!!!).

If there's not a SantaCon in your hood, make your community the 324th host...and be sure it benefits a good cause.  It's a great way to ensure the season is extra merry:)


Ho, ho, ho!
 Allyson