And Almost Immediately I Felt Sorry

Unbelievable.  PA Judges Accused of Jailing Kids for Cash.  More from one of the attorneys allegedly involved.

A good post on the response to the Rihanna-Chris Brown situation (don't know what else to call it at this point).  Salon: "She's so beautiful and nice.  How did you hit her?"  A personal account, from Lemondrop, "It Could Happen to Rihanna.  It Happened to Me."  And from The Angry Black Woman, "Tales From A Survivor."  And, finally, from The Frisky, "Blaming the Victim: Can We Stop Looking for Excuses for Chris Brown's Actions?"

A mainstream women's magazine actually addresses a real issue!  Glamour: Opening Up A Dialogue About Abortion.

An interesting article about Nadya Suleman and "the Glorification of Family Freakshows": "Nadya Suleman may have been the one to selfishly create an entire litter of children she could barely take care of, but a lot of people within the media told her there was no harm in what she was doing."  Also: Bitch Magazine reviews the media attention.

From Jezebel, Susie Orbach: "We Need A War on 'Beauty Terror'."

I might sorta need one of these sweet lunchboxes...

A good introduction to the world of women Buddhist bloggers.

Fewer Women Winning Jobs in Executive Suites.  I gotta say, not a surprise to me that they didn't see much female advancement in Miami....It's still a man's world.

Via the Bilerico Project: "We are taking a stand today because gay students are entitled to a safe and secure education. Gay and lesbian students deserve schools that heed the rule of law. These students are trying to bring a message of equality and openness, and the lesson they are being taught is that Yulee High School administrators believe discrimination against LGBT students is an acceptable policy."- Robert Rosenwald, Director of the ACLU of Florida's LGBT Advocacy Project, on why the ACLU is suing the School Board of Nassau County, Florida for refusing to allow a GSA on campus.

She looks awkward on the cover, but I think the rest of the photos are great and I'm happy to see Michelle Obama on the cover of Vogue.

Work and/or Life

Loving Your Day Job Is A Privilege.  This is something I have been thinking about a lot recently.  I went into law primarily because I wanted to have a career, not just a day job - a career that I believed in and that I was intellectually challenged by.  Only now am I truly realizing how privileged I would be to have such a job.  And that I may not have it.  In my ignorance I somehow lost track of the fact that most people work because it pays the bills, and they do what they can to make the best of it.  All three of my parents have different jobs and different levels of satisfaction with them - my mom is an occupational therapist, my father is a employment law and labor lawyer, and my stepdad is a laborer.  These three different fields have challenged them all in various ways, offered different rewards and disappointments, and provided a good life for us.

Facing my graduation from law school, my job search, and a struggling economy, it is only now that I am honestly asking myself - what do I want from a career and what can I reasonably expect?  Ideally everyone should have a job that fulfils them.  But is that even true?  There are plenty of jobs and parts of jobs that aren't going to fulfill people, but need to be done.  So how and why did we get so focused on jobs as the way to happiness?  This is, obviously, a conversation I think I will be having with myself and others for a very long time...

I think my generation is pretty spoiled.  I think a lot of us - at least amongst my well-educated, middle class friends - expected not only to have jobs we loved, but also to strike a work-life balance.  I don't know how possible this is.  I also don't know that we should be looking for work to be the center of a happy life.  I don't think everyone should give up - of course you don't want to spend 8-10 hours a day doing something you don't enjoy or believe in.  But I also don't want to have those 8-10 hours define the rest of the hours left in my day.  Anyways, all of this is still jumbled in my head right now.  Luckily for me, there are a lot of other people thinking about the same issues, starting with....

• Brazen Careerist: Why I Gave Up Trying to Balance Work and Life and Decided to Stay Sane Instead.
• The Pursuit of Harpyness: We're All Overeducated and Underemployed.
• Feministe: Thoughts on Feminism, Class, and Context.
  
• Jezebel: Feminism Is The Supposed Key To Women's Unhappiness.
• A lighter take on the recession....Consumerist: How A CEO Can Live On $500K A Year.

Cinch.

Let's talk belts! I'm not much of an accessorizer, but I've been trying - accessories are a good way for to try some color or shimmer (in my bland black wardrobe, especially) as well as to experiment without breaking the bank. Right now, probably partially due to my love of layering and the new-again Mad Men aesthetic, I'm getting into belts. I like to think they show off my curves and are a great way for ladies to create a bolder silhouette. Here are some of my favorite recent finds. Stylish ladies courtesy of The Sartorialist (love love love).

From top to bottom: studded belt (F21, $11), red double wrap belt (J. Crew), yellow belt (J. Crew), striped double-buckle belt (F21, $10), red wide belt (Gap, $39 - WANT!), green-brown belt (Old Navy, $12.50), blue patent belt (F21. $4!), gold belt (J. Crew), brown elastic belt (F21, $12).

That's How I Knew This Story Would Break My Heart

Love this idea and execution!  Weather + Fashion = Feather....check it out.

Yet another fancy hotel I can't afford opens in Miami....the world's longest infinity pool does sound pretty dreamy...

Who doesn't need two minutes of Corgi Zen?

Dreamy: white wood floors.

Sarah Haskins takes on chocolate.

Check out the animated shorts nominated for Oscars.

Is there a racial element to the public/media response to the octuplets?  Racialicious says yes.  Jezebel joins in the conversation.

More coverage of the Rihanna-Chris Brown incident.  The coverage has ranged from insanely insensitive to probing and thought-provoking....

Always One Foot On The Ground

Oh man, I just started taking a multivitamin!...and I was so proud of myself..."Supplements May Be Ineffectual, Even Harmful To Women's Health"

Will the recession turn the best and the brightest to new fields?

Feminist Law Professors: Student Describes "Black Exodus" at U Florida Levin College of Law.

Bitch Magazine rates how much our favorite teen shows really taught us about sex.

Obnoxious for there being only 10 and it still being a pretty limited list (and why does it have to be a separate list...), but I have to say it was nice to see at least a few gorgeous curvy ladies get a shout out.

"Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it." - William James

And I'm Waiting For Someone In the Know, Like Pirner Tells Me On The Radio

Probably seems simple to most, but some of us could use help....How to Declutter an Entire Room in One Go.

One of the many reasons I'm resolutely against the death penalty....error.  Texan who died in prison cleared of rape conviction.  What a tragedy not only for the incarcerated man and his family, but also for the victim whose real attacker went free while another man suffered for his crime.

Bring back tie clips!  I do love a man in a classic tie clip....There are great (and inexpensive!) vintage ones for sale all over.

I usually don't get very excited about new animated releases, but Coraline looks intruiging.

Love this idea: tea tin vases.

Good news: Justice Ginsburg to Remain Quite Active.

Chaos at Guantanamo continues.

Because we should all know how, in order to help ourselves or others.  How to file for unemployment.

The "W" word, re-engaged and re-examined, via NYTimes.

Listening to: The Traveling Wilburys "Handle With Care" and "End of the Line."  GREAT stuff.

Florals Galore!

Today a nice woman on the street complemented my blouse (which I proceeded to immediately text my friends about). In addition to brightening my day (and reminding me to be nicer to strangers and free-er with the compliments) it also reminded me of the cheap clothing haven that is Old Navy. The blouse I'm wearing today (here-ever-after known as the Lady on the Street Blouse) is much like the one here, both from Old Navy. While Old Navy often goes awry (all their men's clothes look like clothing for 4 year olds blown up into epic proportions, for instance), they also can have some great finds. I think this blouse is one of them, and it's currently on sale for $9.99! The rest of the finds are inspired by this bold floral. The earrings are from Urban Outfitters and come in a few other cute colors. The two sundresses are adorable finds from Forever21 (is F21 paying me for these endorsements yet?), as as the very cute bobby pins. Finally, if you are really bold, you could wear this Frida-inspired hair clip. I, for one, would be impressed. (As always, click on the photo to enlarge!)

From top L to R, clockwise: blouse (ON, $9.99), earrings (UO, $18), pink dress (F21), bobbypins (F21, $3), multi-colored dress (F21, $24), Frida pin (Etsy - still looking for the sellers name!), nude pumps (ON, $25), jeans (ON, $35).

They Say I'm Free To Sell All I Am, Move Where I Can, And Be As Happy As I Can Be

A great post on Lipstick Lobbyist rounding up the recent collection of articles on how the economic downturn is uniquely affecting women sparks some interesting comments.

The reality of Amendment 2.  The reality of discrimination.

Oregon 150th Birthday Art Show.  I love you OR!  Thanks to ELM for the link.

Food deals for my chilly Boston loved ones.

I want to learn more about the Asian American experience, including (but not limited to) internment camps and current discussions about being Asian American in the US.  Any advice about articles, books, movies, etc would be much appreciated!

The NY Times: One in 8 Million. 

Also from the Times, "In Florida, Despair and Foreclosures."  

As someone deeply concerned about civil rights and also over-criminalization and incarceration, I find the debate about hate crimes legislation to be really interesting....over on The Bilerico Project, the discussion continues about the Matthew Shepard Act.

Postcards to the President.  "Never before has our country been so poised for change. For this reason, it is imperative that the LGBT community act now. The request is simple, flood the White House with postcards to President Obama asking him to urge Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. This grassroots effort has ignited with a strong focus in college communities - understanding that this generation of young gay friendly students has the power and resources to fan the flames. Our mission is to create an effect: thousands upon thousands of personalized American voices speaking directly to our newly appointed and inspirational leader, demanding equality."

“If I had my life to live again. I’d make the same mistakes, only sooner.” - Tallulah Bankhead

Listening to Neko Case, "The Needle Has Landed."

Ask What Your Interests Are, Who You Be With

I've never heard of Steve Alan before this month but I'm loving all his stuff!  The flannel shirts and the short casual skirts are great, and I'm super coveting the blue open backed dress....gorgeous!

Fancy pants! Gmail Labs adds multiple inboxes.

Left: loving the hair, the coat, the shoes, the colors...

I'm excited to see this movie (and I usually couldn't care less about mainstream animation).  Wish my favorite animator was around to see it with me!

Another article about RBG, this time focusing on reproductive rights.

An adorable bird necklace!  I think my friend Natasha would rock this hardcore.

World Nutella Day!  There's a holiday I can believe in....

I totally am fascinated by this.  I think there is such a phenomenon of parents doing the work for their children in terms of cookie sales and fundraising....which makes it awkward when your coworkers or friends or family are pressuring you to make purchases....for their kids!

Glass blowing is so cool....Great to go watch if you get a chance.

Listening to: Sean Hayes "Balancing Act In Blue"

A Cozy Weekend

This outfit is maybe the most like "me" - cozy cozy cozy! This dress is a new one for F21 (as you can see, I'm a bit obsessed with their stuff) and I'm loving it - stretchy fabric, a bold color, and a bit of detail (check out the exposed zipper on the back!). I couldnt choose between these two bags so I thought I would let you choose...both are by the awesome Canadian company Mat & Nat. All of their products are vegan, stylish and very high quality. I have had a wallet by them for over a year and it's still in GREAT condition. Even if you aren't a vegan or vegetarian, their stuff is a great way to get an unusual piece of great quality, and make an eco-sustainable choice! Finally, who wouldn't want this coat? It's like the perfect combo of sweatshirt, bathrob, and high fashion!

Top from L to R clockwise: initial necklace (Urban Outfitters, $16), dress (F21, $27), jacket (Pretty Birdy Etsy shop, $220), purple bag (Mat & Nat, $275), silver grey bag (Mat & Nat, $275), boots (Ralph Lauren from Piperlime, $198), cabled grey tights (F21, $8).

Fidelity. Love. Equality.

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Spring 2009: Take Two

Another spring outfit, this time office ready (with the addition of a cardigan, perhaps). Once again, it's a mix of the cheap and pricey, the chain store and the one of a kind. Top from L to R, clockwise: bag (Urban Outfitters, $68), blouse (F21, $19), earrings (Etsy Clementine, $30), shoes (Cutesy Girl, $8!), necklace (Etsy Clementine, $29), skirt (F21, $12!).

Hang In There, Justice Ginsburg.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has reportedly been hospitalized for treatment of pancreatic cancer.  Read Lipstick Lobbyist's brief tribute.  Best wishes for a quick recovery, RBG!

I hope to have a collection like this one day....26 Years, 85 Notebooks.

A Salon writer complains about oversharing...and Jezebel (one of my favorites!) defend their position.  

From the HuffPo: The Price of Justice: Time To Invest in Criminal Justice Reforms.

Finding the blue room....The NYTimes reports on the effects of color on the psyche.

An adorable birthday ring (I had never heard of one either, but am loving it).

A completely outrageous video of a cop punching a woman in the face 4 times after unsuccessfully attempting to arrest her for riding her bike on the sidewalk. From Current TV: "A video released as part of a lawsuit against police in Millville, Philadelphia, shows an officer forcefully punching a woman in the face four times after he bungled an attempt to arrest her for riding a bike on the sidewalk. The newly released video shows Drogo attempting to use pepper spray on Stevenson while she is still on the bike, but instead spraying himself in the face."