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“Girls” Isn’t The Next “Sex And The City”- And That’s OK

christinasheckys — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:00:40 +0000

Are you watching HBO’s new show Girls? Well you should be—hell, at least to see what all of the fuss is about. The blogosphere’s been blowing up with polarizing reactions to Lena Dunham’s brainchild (which she stars in, writes, directs and produces—go girl!), with some touting it as the second coming of Sex and the City, while others criticizing the lack of diversity amongst the principal cast (all Caucasian, all brunette, all from well-off families, yada yada yada). I’ll admit, my initial reaction to Girls was a bit like this, but now a few episodes in, I’ve come to not only respect the show, but actually like it, and realize that Girls is definitely not the new Sex and the City and that’s A-ok with me. Let’s break it down:

-Christina Izzo

Don’t expect glitz & glamour: Let’s just say you’ll never find this foursome wearing Jimmy Choos atop camels in Abu Dhabi. Girls’ version of Mr. Big is a tattooed twenty-something with his mattress sitting on the floor. Sure, Sex and the City was pioneering in looking at female friendships and sex from a woman’s perspective, but it was a glossed over, glamorous fantasy world that didn’t really exist then and definitely doesn’t exist now. The age of donning designer shoes and taking cabs everywhere is long gone (head’s up Gossip Girl!) and it’s refreshing to see something on TV today that grittily, unflinchingly looks like today.

Actually Does Show Diversity: When critics haven’t been jumping on the anti-diversity bandwagon, all they can talk about is Dunham’s less-than-modelesque figure, which has been frequently put on display in Girls’ hilariously awkward sex scenes. But to a carbohydrate-loving lady like myself, seeing a female body that’s similar to my own and the ones I see on a daily basis is something new in the sea of leggy Blake Livelys and bodacious Sofia Vergaras. In the film version of Sex and the City, Samantha puts on weight much to the incredulity of her best friends and they actually have to have a sit-down discussion about it. Here, Dunham’s Hannah shows off her wobbly bits without even batting an un-mascared eyelash—what a breath of fresh air!

It’s pretty freakin’ funny: Between the aforementioned hilariously cringe-worthy sex scenes (one of which begins with shocking dirty talk from Hannah’s friend-with-benefits and ends with him offering her an orange Gatorade), surprising gay announcements from an ex-boyfriend and been-there interactions with everyone from bosses to parents, Girls will have you actually laughing out loud, and with the crappy comedy on TV nowadays, that’s definitely something!

Image Credit: thegrio.com

Girl Talk Time: Have you been watching Girls? What do you think? Is it the new Sex and the City? If you haven’t been tuning in, will you be watching it tonight at 10:30 pm (on HBO)?

10 Ways To Treat Yourself This Mother’s Day

Shecky's — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:00:54 +0000

Every year, my mother and her best friend wake up the morning of Mother’s Day, hop in the car and leave their kids behind. They rarely even let us know where they’re headed, but we all know not to ask. On Mother’s Day, we simply let them do their thing, whatever that may be! You’re a mother 365 days of the year, so why not take just one day (or at least a few hours) off from mommyhood? Call up your fellow mothers and best friends and have a day to yourself doing all the things that you used to love but rarely have the time to do anymore. Here are ten ideas to help you treat yourself to the ultimate Mom’s Day off!

-Jade Hall

Boozy Brunch

Mimosas, Bloody Marys and Bellinis are the perfect way to cheer the start of your Mom’s Day Off. Maybe you haven’t seen the girls lately and your gossip sessions have been reduced to an email chain and phone call once a month. It’s time to reunite in the name of motherhood! Locate your city’s best bottomless brunch, get comfortable and tell your waiter to keep the champagne flowing. Or invite the girls over and have the fam cook brunch for ya! Fancy frittatas, cute cinnamon rolls, cocktails and girlfriends, what more does a mother need? And the best part: no cooking, no serving, and no cleaning up!

Image Credit: hwtm.com, isabellenicolas.wordpress.com

Mother’s Day Movie Marathon: Flicks You’ll Both Love

christinasheckys — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:30:36 +0000

You can buy her all the cards and flowers in the world, but what mom really wants this Mother’s Day is time spent with you. What better way to spend some quality time with mom than by snuggling up together for a Mother’s Day movie marathon featuring some of your favorite mom-centric flicks? From weepy mom-and-daughter classics like Terms of Endearment and Steel Magnolias to more unexpected Mother’s Day movie choices (hello Carrie!), there’s a film that will please every type of mom, so sit back, relax and enjoy some fun flicks with mama!

-Christina Izzo

Mamma Mia!

Stop pretending you don’t like ABBA. Everyone likes ABBA. You cannot tell me that you don’t have pants-off-dance-off sessions to “Take a Chance on Me” when you’re home alone (what…just us?). Throw in some Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, gorgeous Greek island scenery and seasoned hunks like Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgård and you’ll have a fun flick that both you and mom will love. Sure, the ’08 movie may be about a girl’s search for her father, but Streep and Seyfried perfectly play up the mother-daughter bond, especially during their rendition of “Slipping Through My Fingers.”

Similar movie options: Hairspray, Dreamgirls.

Image credit: nydailynews.coma

Easy Ways to Go Green At Home, Work & Play

christinasheckys — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:00:02 +0000

I know, I know, between long days at the office, time with the hubby/bf, taking care of the kids and trying to have some semblance of a social life, there’s not a lot of extra time leftover for saving the planet and all. Usually I don’t have time to do more than throw a soda can into the recycling bin, but I still want to do my part for Earth Day, so I’ve rounded up some super easy tips and tricks to lead an eco-friendly life for Earth Day and beyond. They’ll take little time and little effort, but definitely have a big impact!

- Christina Izzo

At Home:

Use Cloth Napkins: Swapping paper napkins with cute cloth ones will not only reduce your paper waste in your home, but it’ll make every meal, even the most simple breakfast, feel fancy!

Repurpose Mason Jars: Reuse glass mason or sauce jars as containers and bulk storage in the kitchen or bathroom instead of using plastic or throw-away containers. It cuts own your waste and is a cute, country-chic way to store items around your home!

Frequent Farmers Markets: Spring is bountiful with fresh produce, so why not take advantage of the season and pop over to your local farmers market instead of your chain supermarket? Not only will you be supporting your local economy, but by buying produce free of pesticides and fertilizers, you’re guaranteed the freshest, yummiest fruits and veggies around!

Unplug Gadgets: Unplug that curling iron, phone charger, iPod dock and all your other electronic gadgets when you’re not using them. Even when they’re not in use, plugged-in gadgets still use up energy, so unplug and conserve!

Plant an Herb Garden: Full-fledged gardens require a lot of maintenance, but you can still get your grow on with an easy, windowsill herb garden. It’s a great way to reduce waste, save money, plus you’ll always have fresh herbs like basil and parsley on hand to spice up your favorite dishes!

Sport Eco-Friendly Decor Decorate your digs with eco-friendly finds like recycled paper picture frames and decorative baskets made of renewable reed. Environmentally conscious has never looked this cute!

Image Credit: googleusercontent.com

Hollywood’s Hottest Celeb Veggievores

Shecky's — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:15 +0000

The veggievores are taking over! It seems like more and more celebs are taking up the ever-trendy vegan and vegetarian lifestyles, not only stopping at animal-free fare, but also in clothing and products as well. Some of our fave A-list actresses are embarking on their own eco-friendly adventures to try and inspire people to go green. From clothing lines, books, documentaries and volunteer help, these lovely ladies are striving to plant the pros of this veggievore lifestyle, all while looking fabulous!

-Nicole Debari

KRISTEN BELL

Bell may be known as Veronica Mars and Sarah Marshall, but many people probably don’t know that she’s also a vegetarian! Since going vegetarian at age 11, the blonde beauty’s kept her lean figure by noshing on mostly plant-based food and stocking up on healthy snacks at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Her veggie-loving lifestyle isn’t all for her own benefit though—she’s also a big animal lover (particularly—and hilariously—sloths!) and is actively involved in the protection of animal rights, frequently fundraising for the ASPCA. Gorgeous and goodhearted—what a gal!

Image Credit: gossipgirl.alloyentertainment.com

Awesomely Bad Karaoke Songs You Just Need to Sing

Shecky's — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:00:24 +0000

I’m what you’d called a karaoke connoisseur—hell, I even grew up with a karaoke machine in my own house! The first song I belted out into a metal microphone was Ace of Base’s “The Sign” when I was a wee 6-years-old. Think that’s bad? I’m guilty of committing all kinds of karaoke crimes, from hogging the machine to picking the worst songs, but when it comes to karaoke-ing, rules are just meant to be broken. In honor of National Karaoke Week, I’ve picked some of my fave awesomely bad songs—tunes that would normally be put on your burn list but are simply too fun to pass up. Get your vocal chords ready to smash the competition with these tunes!

- Jinee Son

Donna Summer – “She Works Hard for the Money”

Girl power is the theme to this disco-pop record and if you practice what Donna preaches, then sing it with some attitude! Sure, the song’s super campy, based on the plight of a bathroom attendant, but this tune will make them boys know you’re an independent woman, so let your inner diva teach those fellas an important lesson. Other tunes with the same R-E-S-P-E-C-T rockability are Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” but Ms. Summer sure makes ‘em know how to treat a lady.

Image Credit: last.fm

Chick Lit Flicks: Fave Big-Screen Adaptations

christinasheckys — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:40:04 +0000

Don’t have time to sit down and read an entire book? Ugh, join the club! These ever-busy days, my reading time’s been relegated to thumbing through Vogue on the subway to work—not exactly the stuff of literary scholars. But just because we don’t have the time doesn’t mean we have to neglect our favorite reads—you can hang out with the chick lit characters you know and love thanks to a magical little invention known as the movie. Revisit your literary loves with these great book-to-big screen adaptations!

-Christina Izzo

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Ms. Jones and me, we go way back. But when I can’t fit a reread of Helen Fielding’s hilarious ’96 novel into my sched, a few hours spent cracking up with Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth is the perfect way to get my Jones fix. The 2001 film hits all the hilarity of Fielding’s novel, and while some diehards were worried about Zellweger’s Brit brogue, the American actress more than rose to the occasion to play the lovably accident-prone protagonist. And casting Firth and Grant definitely didn’t hurt either. Having those two fighting over her—is this chick lucky or what?!

Image credit: amazon.com,goodreads.com

Why Making Mistakes Can Be Awesome

christinasheckys — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:00:26 +0000

Sure, making mistakes can be a major bummer and can sometimes be costly, but if you look at mistakes as opportunities, what we get out of them can be worth every uncomfortable moment! The ever-fab Sophia Loren once said, “Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.” In other words, if you’re out there living, making things happen and going after what you want, occasional screw-ups are all part of the deal!

Image credit: zoeticgeek.com

When it comes to making mistakes, consider these three things:

1) Sometimes happy accidents come from mistakes.
Even some major contributions to humanity started out as mistakes—bread, penicillin, even coffee (and yes, I do consider coffee a major contribution to humanity!). So, when a mistake happens, examine the result that it produced. You could discover something awesome.

For instance, I once sent out an important email blast a day early by mistake. At first, I was frustrated because the email was sent unfinished, but to my surprise, a magazine reporter who received the email happened to be working on a story that day and needed a quote. She emailed me back right away, asked for an interview and voilà! If I hadn’t accidentally sent the email out early, I would have missed out on a very cool opportunity!

2) Mistakes can provide us with valuable life lessons.
For me, many times when I make careless errors, it’s a sign that I need to slow down and clear some things from my plate. When I start to notice things like typos, forgetting my cell phone, or missing appointments, I resist the temptation to beat myself up over them. Instead, I choose to view them as reminders that it’s time to take a break and recharge my spirit. They can be like little warning signs, telling you to be more present, take better care of yourself, and slow down before you hit the wall!

3) Mistakes can open the doors to discovering better ways to do things.

Whether it’s making better dating choices or streamlining systems at your office, each mistake we make can offer lessons on what to avoid next time, how to simplify, and even how to be more true to yourself (mistakes and poor choices often happen when we’re out of step with who we truly are).

When it comes to handling things after a mistake is made, take responsibility, apologize if it’s called for, look for a possible solution, and then be open to the messages and lessons you may receive as a result. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move forward… stronger, wiser, and more experienced. One of the biggest screw-ups of all is being afraid to screw up. So step up, step out and live like you mean it—exciting discoveries are out there waiting for you!

-Kristi Blicharski from creatingyourbliss.com

Kristi Blicharski is a happiness and success catalyst working to help others create joy and realize a dream life. She’s a speaker, writer, and empowerment coach offering online courses, live workshops, and more. You can download her free eBook, Empower Your Day, learn more about her work, and check out her blog at: creatingyourbliss.com.

Girl Talk Time: What do you think about these tips? Have you ever made a mistake that surprisingly turned into something great?

“Sexy” at Work Without Crossing the Line

Shecky's — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:00:31 +0000

What follows is one of the least controversial statements of the 21st century: Angelina Jolie may very well be the sexiest human being on the planet. But just what quality makes her sizzle? Her pouty lips? Her ever-present oversize sunglasses? Her multiple adoptions from underdeveloped nations? Her ultimate accessory, Brad Pitt?

Correct answer: Angelina Jolie is the sexiest human being on the planet because she carries herself like the sexiest human being on the planet.

Locating your inner Angelina probably requires some form of prodding, be it from a personal mantra, a Justin Timberlake song, or an item of clothing or wardrobe accessory (alas, Brad Pitt is not currently available). And you shouldn’t need more than one wardrobe item at a time to reach that Jolie-esque confidence.

You might scoff at wearing more than one sexy item at a time, and you should: Many of the places we find ourselves during the workday aren’t venues in which to flaunt all our goods. But one item? Definitely doable. We’re not talking fishnet stockings, patent leather stilettos, and the other fetishistic items you’ll find in a porn store; we’re talking “sexy armor” that gives you the inner sass to carry yourself like the sexiest human being on the planet without drawing attention away from who you are. Bonus: You might catch your own Brad Pitt accessory in the process. Sexy isn’t what you wear, but how you wear it, and these sexy wardrobe items might be the tools you need to unleash your inner Angelina:

A bit of bling. Diamonds are indeed a girl’s best friend…as are Swarovski crystals, semiprecious stones, hammered gold, sterling silver, and the dozens of other materials used to build some damn fine pieces of jewelry. Well-chosen earrings can catch the color of your eyes or elongate your neck, while long necklaces are great to play with (distractedly, of course) during oh-so-innocent flirtations.

Well-applied warpaint. In the right hands, a tube of mascara (or lip liner, or a flatiron, or a killer shade of nail polish) can revive an aura of sexiness grown stale. Red lipstick, smoky eyes, manicured fingers, and healthy hair spell confidence and a “finished” look (think Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, or Reese Witherspoon). Know when to put down the makeup, though. In the wrong hands, that very same tube of mascara could turn the sexiest human being on the planet into Krusty the Clown.

Lacy lingerie. Your bra and panties might only ever be on display for a select few, but, when well-chosen, they can make you feel sexy. Don’t sacrifice comfort for undeniably erotic underthings (crotchless panties might float your boat in the bedroom, but you might feel très awkward wearing them under your work clothes). Instead, seek out items that make you feel sexy in your body. You’ll ooze sensuality and confidence and no one will know why—unless you want them to.

Subtle flashes of skin. The pencil skirt with the slit up the leg; the sweater that draws the eye to your décolletage; the black minidress that works best with your long black trench. These are the classics (and have been for decades) that unquestionably enhance your best features. Because these items scream sexiness, err on the side of subtlety (especially if you’re heading out for work). Let the power of suggestion do the rest.

The perfect shoe. It doesn’t take much more than this to make me feel sexy (I’ll never forget the moment I found my perfect shoe in 2004: a leopard-print pump by GUESS?). Yours might be a black leather boot that hits the knee, a three-inch wedge, or, like me, a printed pump. It’ll add bounce to your step, lengthen your leg, and feel most seductive when you’re crossing your legs.

-Sabrina Mehra for WORKS by Nicole Williams

Nicole is the bestselling author of three books, the latest of which, Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success, has been optioned by Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, the producers behind the Academy Award winning films American Beauty and Milk. The company she founded, WORKS by Nicole Williams, is the go-to resource for career-minded young women and was named one of Forbes magazine’s Top 10 Career Websites for Women. You’ve seen her on TV—as a regular guest on Today, Good Morning America and CNN—and in print, where her advice has appeared on the pages of ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire and the Wall Street Journal. Nicole was recently named LinkedIn’s Connection Director. She is also Shape magazine’s career contributor, where she’ll continue to spread her sexy mix of dating tips turned career strategies to young women everywhere.

GIRL TALK TIME: What do you think of this? What do you wear to feel “sexy” at work? What’s crossing the line?

Inspirational Site We Love: ClaudiaChan.com

Shecky's — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:00:02 +0000

Sure, Sheckys.com is your source for Girl Talk and we know that the articles on our site inspire you, but where should you turn if you want exclusive advice and interviews from powerful CEOs, motivational speakers and more in the realms of everything from media to charitable organizations? Welcome to Claudia’s Chan’s brand-new website, ClaudiaChan.com, which appropriately launched last week—just in time for Women’s History Month!

ClaudiaChan.com brings forth a new era of mentoring with over 1000+ inspirational pieces. What’s more, ClaudiaChan.com provides statistics, exposing its readers to relevant information good for their personal growth. The site’s goal is to inform and uplift women, while covering topics that range from depression, low-self esteem, domestic abuse, cosmetic surgery, employment, and a series of present issues a lot of us are bound to relate to.

The site comes from Claudia Chan, women’s lifestyle expert and entrepreneur. In addition to posts with advice from big-names like Donna Karan, you can also watch Claudia interview amazing women like Lauren Ruotolo, Gloria Feldt, Elena Brower and more. We encourage you to visit the site; it’s like Chicken Soup for the Soul for today’s go-getting woman.

-Kenia Mazariegos

GIRL TALK TIME: What do you think of this new site? What is your fave, go-to site for inspiration? Who is the most inspirational woman in your life?