Back in skinny jeans

Blogus Interruptus

Just wanted to drop a quick note to let ya'll know that I'm not lying in a hospital bed or on the side of a road somewhere. Haven't been posting because I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment and need a moment to catch my breath. Nothing to worry about. I'm in the midst of one of those "good problems" to have. Those of you who emailed, sorry to have worried you. It was very sweet of you to check in. 

I'll have a regular post up Thursday of Friday afternoon. Those who have noticed, I'm starting to post in the afternoons now because I've decided that it's more important for me to get a good night's sleep at a decent hour, then to stay up til 2-3am to get content out. I was staying up late really to have new stuff up for the morning for the East Coasters where most of the big media sites reside. But they are not paying me, just offering the promise of "exposure", and my traffic has not been affected so if  the media sites want my content then they have to wait til I'm up, so there ya go. I get to sleep normal people hours now, and I'm happier ;-)

Til I'm back, enjoy this grapefruit and jicama salad with red cabbage, pickled carrots and candied pecans from the Slanted Door in San Francisco. If you're in SF, the Slanted Door is a must. In fact, Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal have been spotted there. The SD is dee-lish!

Maintenance mode: Recovery is a journey not a destination

In today's guest post, Jen from Semi-Charmed Wife shares with us her story of recovery from "refunding" and anorexia, and what those EDs really meant to her. I remember back in my late 20's my friends and I would call bulimia the "debit and credit" diet. It's interesting how money terms can be used as metaphors to describe eating issues. There's kind of a synergy there I suppose.

Jen's blog is a great place to hang out because like me she focuses on the bigger picture of life, and that our experiences both good and painful are here to help us grow and evolve. Jen likes to help others find their life purpose and live their dreams. In the process, she shares her own experiences of finding meaning and passion in this place called life.

Jen shares with us today when and how her eating disorder issues started, and how over a 10 year period she has come to a place of recovery that can be an inspiration to others.

Update: I'm so excited! Jen's picture is highlighted in a NYTimes article about the BlogHer 08 conference. Woo-hoo!

Viagra helps women on the happy pills and other noshins around the skinny-sphere

• Here is just another reason for pill companies to get you to swallow more pills. Apparently, if you are on the "happy pills" because you're depressed, you can experience sexual side affects which in my estimation would probably make you even more depressed. I know I would. But not to worry, a new study reveals that Viagra can help the ladies get back to getting it on. However, one of the side affects of Viagra is headaches, so doesn't that kind of defeat the whole purpose? To note as well, the study was only conducted with 98 women and was paid for by Pfizer, um, the makers of Viagra. Me wonders value of study. [NY Times]

• 'Mamba Christy Turlington one of the original supermodels back in the day? Well, she's here in August's W magazine posing in some far out couture, but damn! At 39 with 2 kids, girl is rocking! [Luxist]

• Ann E. Dunwoody has just become the U.S. military’s first woman four-star general. Her new job will be commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command at Fort Belvoir, Va. Yay! [Fay Observer]

• Now that he's retired from Microsoft, one of Bill Gates' first activities is teaming up with Micheal Bloomberg to put up $375 million of their own combined dinero to get people around the globe to stop smoking. Me thinks Bill is doing retirement fabulously. [The Associated Press]

• 8-year-old Reece Fleming's parents helped their son fit in as much as life as possible in his short life including "marrying" his school sweetheart before he passed away from leukemia the day after their wedding. There is so much love in this story, and it reminds me that the best way to go is filled with love in your heart. [Current]

Picture: My BlogHer 08 panel lolcats style

From her seat, Pasta Queen took this picture of my BlogHer 08 panel, "Coming Out Via Blog". I added some Icanhascheezburger fun.

From, right to left is Susan Mernit our moderator, moi, Sarah Dopp of Dopp Juice, JenB of Jen & Tonic, and hidden behind my pal Ani is Jess Howard of Drowning in Kids. Such wonderful ladies!

Thanks for the pic Jennette!

The emotional toll of blogging

I have learned many fabulous things about the business of blogging, but a topic that is not often talked about is the emotional impact blogging can have on a person, positive and adverse.

When I started blogging, I was excited by the unlimited potential to make money writing about things I love. I was thrilled to be my own boss, and most importantly, I was ecstatic about creating a voice online. Gandhi told us to be the change we want to see in the world, and to me blogging is the perfect venue for me to be that change I so eagerly desire to see.

The change I want to see in the world is…

Thoughts: Is curvaceous a trend? Calvin Klein thinks so

Get ready for Calvin Klein's "Seductive Comfort" underwear featuring ads with curvaceous Eva Mendes. Tom Murry, president and chief operating officer of Calvin Klein Inc. says of the new campaign:

"This is a departure from more slender body types that have typically been used in Calvin Klein Underwear ads. But this is not so much about a trend of being more curvaceous. This [bra] product is made for a curvaceous woman."

First thought in Steph's head: So Tom, really, insert foot in mouth. More Seductive Comfort ads with Eva.

Thoughts folks?

Mannequin humor: Victoria's Secret Window

Is blogging as a profession worth it?

I’ve been professionally blogging for 3 years now, making money through my two blogs, Back in Skinny Jeans, and Noshtopia, as well as through blogging consulting work, and on occasion writing for other blogs. By far, professional level blogging has given me the greatest happiness and fulfillment in my entire working life because I get to spend my day fully engaging my talents and strengths on topics I genuinely love.

As well, I have the freedom to work anywhere, any place, at any time of the day, as long as I have a laptop and internet connection. Pro level blogging has also helped me grow as a person, and I have developed relationships with others online and with my readers which at times have gotten me through some of the toughest times of my life like when I broke up with my boyfriend of 3 years, broke up with my business partner, and got canned from a 9-5 job which I got to make ends meat during a blog revenue slump. Although I really miss having co-workers to bond with, I really don’t miss having a boss demanding TPS reports from me and corporate politics.

I also enjoy that I am almost completely void of censorship. I say almost because although I write what’s on my mind, I still do take in consideration a writing style that is attractive to high quality advertisers and mass media appeal. Through Blogburst some of my content does appear on the likes of Fox News, USAToday.com, Reuters, and Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong. I also have had the fortune of having some of my blog posts featured as Editor’s Choice on Yahoo Shine. For advertising, I’ve been fortunate to have high quality ads from well known brands.

Blogging professionally has been very fulfilling for me; however, it is by far, far from easy. The idea of it sounds fantastic and simple, however, is pro blogging, the level at which you make your living from, for everyone? I would definitely say no because it is not just a job it is a lifestyle. Yes, that sounds cliché, but it really is true.  Here are some reasons professional blogging is a lifestyle and not just a job:

Healing beginnings: How blogging can help you heal from an eating disorder

Today's guest post is from Melissa, who is in her late 20's, and has decided to use blogging as a way to help her and others in her journey to heal from disordered eating. Back in December of 2007, I linked to Melissa about her story of the changes her body went through after going off the pill which indeed included weight issues.

Her blog, Tales of a Disordered Eater, is one month old, so she is in the very beginning of her blogging journey. I wanted to feature her blog because Melissa is a good example of how to use blogging to start coming out about healing from an eating disorder. What I think is very healthy is not only is Melissa honest about her feelings and struggles, but she also shares some of the great moments in her life like this post, "On Top of the World," about her trip to Peru and hiking in Machu Picchu. The picture of her on the mountain is magnificent.

In this guest post, Melissa shares how she first came out to her family and friends about her eating disorder and why she is blogging about it, and how coming out to them has made her feel.

Quote on living