Is Outer Beauty the New Universal Sign of Acceptance?

Hannah and Marnie from HBO series “Girls”

Lena Dunham, the writer and producer for the HBO hit series “Girls," detailing the lives of 4 New York ladies navigating through their mid-twenties would beg to differ seeing that her rather unsavory looking, socially awkward character, Hannah, seems to lure in the most attractive suitors on the show in my opinion, the most recent being Joshua, a middle aged doctor played by the insatiably handsome Patrick Wilson. Most would argue that “Girls” is only a TV show, and that it is, but one that mocks life experiences or lack thereof, so no matter how staged the scenario, reality is wedged in there somewhere. With that being said, if we were only exploring Hannah’s character, outer beauty as a new universal sign of acceptance would have to be no, but because of her attractive bff, Marnie, the answer has to be yes, or does it?

Why do I ask?

Up until my last 3 years of high school I was incessantly teased, had an atypical case of pizza face, and an even worse body odor situation thanks to my schizo anxiety, all coupled with a bad case of Awkward Black Girl. In short, I was far from prom queen cool, and basked in the celestial ambiance of the popular girls from time to time to retain warmth and adopt their glow. It royally sucked, but was necessary to my growth and development. [#longlivetheuncool] What I envied most about these now women during our adolescence was the universal acceptance that seemed to come with their looks. It appeared nothing was withheld from them; were they actually the chosen people Lord? As I’ve gotten older and grown into my looks I’ve realized, not so. This could be because I’m not yet an official member of the ‘good looking’ club or it could be that outward beauty only gets you in the door, but not beyond the lobby. 

Marnie and her egotistical art fling, Booth Johnson

What Would Lena Dunham Say?

Hannah’s best friend Marnie has the looks thing down: she’s skinny, fair skinned, has polished hair, and did I mention skinny? Basically all the things that seem to get you that response of immediate approval when you're attractive. Despite her looks, Marnie has landed in some pretty sketchy situations this season in man land. After dumping her last lover for having a bad case of the boring boyfriend, the serial dater sleeps with Hannah's gay roommate, mutual friend, and ex boyfriend Elijah. While cleaning up after a house party and venting to Marnie about his alcoholic boyfriend, Elijah briefly alludes to his confused sexuality or rather bisexuality, while playing with Marnie's hair. I'm sure he was struck by the ambiance of her fresh perfume, soft skin and supple breasts, and fell in love with just how pretty and perfect Marnie appeared, so much so that he socially accepted her as a desirable mate despite being gay. Of course after his hasty test drive, he comes to his senses a minute or so after entering her and is disgusted with what he allowed to take place. So outward beauty is a universal sign of social acceptance, not only for the attractive individual but both parties involved, in this case, Elijah. 

Marnie’s next love affair is with the egotistical artist, better known as Booth Johnson, who audaciously proclaims he’ll sleep with her within minutes of meeting her, she’s flattered. Yes, she sleeps with him, only after realizing she only did so because of the socially accepted idea of his profession and his looks. In this case Marnie approaches his looks and success as a universal sign of acceptance. Hannah, on the other hand is short, chubby, tatted, and quite tackless. But attracts men just the same, 2 of which, her ex boyfriend Adam and latest fling Joshua, fall for her witty personality, honesty, and satirical confidence. But in both cases, as with Marnie’s interactions, it only gets her so far. While with Adam, Hannah quickly realizes how clinically insane and co-dependent he really is, only after accepting his mountaineering charm and brawniness as socially cool, and pushing herself onto him until he's forced to ignore her looks, and by default fall for her charm. Same backwards story with Joshua, the middle aged doctor that is completely smitten with Hannah's sociable wit and confidence when he first meets her, but after 2 days is turned off when she proves how outwardly insecure she really is. Based on Marnie and Hannah’s circumstances we can conclude that both outer and inner beauty are universal signs of acceptance, but on their own are incapable of taking you the full distance, and the point in any relationship and or anything in life is to go further, right?
 

Hannah and her middle-aged doctor fling, Joshua

Where Do We Go From Here?

So, outward beauty is a universal sign of acceptance, but it only takes you so far if you’re battling insecurity on the inside, and inner beauty gets you no where if you’re not equally confident on the outside. Meaning, the total package is necessary, and despite what you’ve heard, is very obtainable. “Girls” is a modern day interpretation of young women looking to complete their package. Although it can be difficult with the media constantly vomiting up new fashion trends to follow, new weight loss goals to try, and new lash extensions to buy, it makes the picture of perfection seem surreal. Much is the case when you spend too much time idolizing someone else’s idea perfection as I did as a young adult instead of finding my own. But if it’s our perfection we're after, I doubt it'll be difficult to obtain because it's already ours.

What does a completed package look like you might ask? Well mine may be different from yours, but each of ours will embody 3 main components. The mind: including spiritual wealth and wellness, (you have to know you’re inner man, more about that later), the body: which is like a machine, keep it well maintained and nourished and it will never fail you which is why physical health is so important, and lastly fashion: how you adorn yourself outside speaks of what’s inside, and you want to make sure you’re aware of the first 2 components so that when you get to this step it’ll be easy to finalize your package.

After many moons of carving it out, I’m pleased to share the mind, body, fashion blog with you. I'm looking to grow into my perfection, would you care to join me, and on the way, find your own?

Learn Your Daily Calorie Intake Just In Time For Spring

So we all want to look and feel our absolute best, right? The 1^st step to ensuring that doesn’t necessarily involve surrendering to extreme levels of diet and exercise, that would be the 2^nd step, depending on your fitness goals. Instead, 1st become aware of your suggested calorie intake so you can identify the appropriate amount of calories needed to achieve your fitness goals. I say this after years of being physically active, and only truly seeing the beginning results of the body I've dreamt of in the last several months, after discovering my daily calorie intake. I'm telling ya, without those numbers you mights as well be shooting arrows in the dark. #wompwomp 

All you have to do is set a start date, the finish line will meet you!

  

Suggested Calorie Intake for Men and Women

If you want to discover your magic calorie number, you have to understand that a persons calorie intake rests on several factors: including age, height, size, sex, and lifestyle. For example, an extremely active middle aged woman will have a different calorie intake number than a woman of the same age and height who is sedentary or inactive. According to the National Health Service, UK the average male adult needs to intake 2,500 calories per day to keep his weight constant, while the average adult woman needs 2,000. US authorities suggest 2,700 calories a day for men and 2,200 for women, so let’s just say the average adult woman should be taking in a little over 2000 calories per day to keep her weight constant and or steady.

Find Your calorie Intake 

The Harris-Benedict equation is the most popular way to calculate your calorie needs and thus, the calorie number desired for weight loss. The equation is pretty simple; just input your information where it applies.

Harris-Benedict Equation for Women (shape.com):

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) = 655+(4.35 x weight in pounds)+(4.7 x height in inches)-(4.7 x age in years)

The number you get is basically the total number of calories you need to exist or your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). Because we’re obviously moving and shaking throughout our day, we’ll burn more calories then this number shows. To estimate how many calories you burn while doing your activities use the chart below, compliments of shape.com!

- - Sedentary: minimal movement [chilling] = 1.4

- - Light Activity: office work [from the desk to the copy machine] = 1.5

- - Moderate Activity: light physical/manual labor [out and about] = 1.6

- - Very Active: active, athletic [yoga, turbo fire, hauling ass] = 1.9

  

Now multiply your activity number above, by your BMR. Your new number is your total “caloric needs” or the amount of calories needed each day to maintain your weight. If you’re looking to lose weight, you should be eating less than this. That’s where the diet and exercise comes in! Now that you know your daily calorie intake needed to maintain your current weight, you can begin to properly assess how many more or less calories you need to digest to reach your desired fitness goals, and the foods that will get you there. Happy fresh eating and calorie computing!

Amaluna Seattle

They came, we saw, they conquered! The critically acclaimed Cirque du Soleil, Amaluna show set up shop here in the Emerald City, Redmond’s Marymoor Park to be exact, and I had the lovely pleasure of witnessing the show with my familia Saturday the 23rd. The performance was so moving I just about shed a tear. I was already emotional from the mushy dinner I experienced prior to the show with my sister and mum; add a cocktail or 2, hypnotic body contortionists, cello seduced melodies, and you’re just asking for the droplets to join in.

Seafood Penne at Kirkland’s Top Shelf Broiler

What to Expect

Broadway mastermind and Tony-award winning, Diane Paulus is the genius behind the Cirque du Soleil “Amaluna” show. It combines several Shakespearean favorites, like “The Tempest,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to tell the story of 2 lovers torn apart by disagreeing family backgrounds. Lover 1, and soon to be Queen Miranda falls in love with the incredibly chiseled young sailor, Romeo – lover 2, who is ironically stranded on Miranda’s home island after her mother, Queen Propsera summons a mighty storm. Now Miranda is no ordinary Princess, chick appeared to be a double jointed gymnast capable of performing the most majestic tricks in a glass water bowl, while her Romeo, eager to rescue her from her overly uptight family, effortlessly glided up an aerial rope using only his 2 arms and some insane upper body strength. Of course there were other magical performances, like that of the incandescent Moon Queen who worked the hell out of a suspended hula hoop, the Amazon gymnasts and their Amazonian boyfriends, the twirlers, cyclists, dancers, and uuuuhhhh, you just have to go see it, my lack of Cirque du Soleil type verbage is not doing me justice! It’ll be playing until March 24^th. If your sense of imagination has likened itself to a dull blade, I highly suggest seeing the show for a nice sharpening.

Vintage Rhinestone Necklace 

Pulling off Casual Elegance
 
Because I was indeed attending a “circus” of sorts, I wanted to dress comfortably yet elegant. Casual and comfort are 2 of my favorite words when it comes to style, and I wanted my wardrobe for the show to be as unfettered as possible. That meant one of 2 things: jersey knit fabric and no heels. I opted for both. If ever you want to appear elegant and casual, pair a fitted maxi skirt or pencil skirt with a super casual top: like a t-shirt, button down, or even a fitted crewneck. Use your jewelry to hype up the glamour. I'm talking chunky bijoux bling - the Man Repeller's Leandra Medine best epitomizes this. I sported this lovely vintage, double strand pink rhinestone necklace and equally blingy earrings to up the elegance. If you choose a maxi, try flats, kitten heels, or sandals with the look instead of heels; I threw on my cowboy boots, they never fail me.

Beloved Versace Handbag   

Steak Dinner at Kirkland’s Top Shelf Broiler   

Steak Lovers Delight

As stated earlier, my sister, mum, and I had dinner prior to the show at Top Shelf Broiler in downtown Kirkland. It has 2 separate entrances, 1 for their lounge which houses a live DJ Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after 10pm, and 1 for their dining room. We randomly discovered the spot while cruising through Kirkland for a restaurant that had “that something different” feel. There was a special party being held next door at the restaurant's lounge, so we were the only ones in the dining room which was nice. We watched the sun set off the Kirkland beach from our window while being serenaded by a pianist specializing in Louie Armstrong hits. Although seafood seems to be their specialty, they do serve other dishes, including the most succulent steaks. I ordered the Seafood Penne and my sister, the steak. Despite being incredibly delicious, my penne was no match to her steak and annoyance quickly ensued after I requested a 3^rd bite. All and all great find. Warm ambiance and service, and good eats.

Happy new day. Meow.