Who’s ready for a little drama?

Anyone who is a regular reader of my blog knows I’m not one to do reviews or product recommendations. The reason for this is that rarely do I come across something worthy of a “five-star rating.”

Family and friends think I’m too critical. I like to think of myself as someone unwilling to waste time on an endeavor whose outcome will more than likely be lacking. Sadly, the times I’ve been betrayed by reviews, trailers, and media hype are too many to count.

That said, today I come to you bearing news of a Netflix program I think is worth every second of your time. There’s a caveat of course–you must be subscribed to Netflix. However, if you’re a lucky subscriber, I highly recommend adding “Las Chicas del Cable,” or the “Cable Girls,” to your playlist. While the narration is in Spanish, English subtitles are available and do not detract from your viewing experience.

The setting? A realistic representation of life in Madrid, Spain in the late 1920’s.

The costumes? Clothes that will make any vintage fashion addict drool. Iconic flapper style comprised of cloche hats, long necklaces, and shift dresses with dropped waistlines in luxurious fabrics. (All of which serves to remind me I was born in the wrong era.)

The plot? The portrayal of the interwoven lives of four women who meet at a telephone company on the day when interviews for the position of telephone operator is being conducted.

Once hired, the women will spend their day answering and connecting calls on a massive switchboard. Their connection (pardon the pun) is not immediate. Yet as the story unravels, it paves the way for the kind of loyalty and solidarity that epitomizes true friendship.

The characters? Four women named Angeles, Carlota, Marga, and Lidia. Their personalities are totally different, yet they share the desire to reinvent themselves. All the way from being a victim of spousal abuse to running from the law, they’re all looking to escape their actual circumstances. Each one is struggling to become independent; to assert herself and fight for the rights of women.

Yes, folks, this gem of a show has a feminist message. The characters remind us how far women have come in the fight for equality as well as the many challenges we still face today. Their search for freedom, independence, a career, and love remind us of the sacrifices we make in a world that continues to be unfairly run by men.

Episode after episode, I find myself cheering on these courageous women. And while the male characters are necessary for story development, it is the representation of the sisterhood that keeps me coming back. I am overjoyed by the message of female empowerment and the reminder that women need to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down. If you’re in search of a show that does more than entertain, you’ll find “Las Chicas del Cable,” will not disappoint.

Have you watched the show?

XOXO,

Disclaimer: #notsponsored

Who’s ready to stop the insanity?

cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by Ian Muttoo

I remember the first time I heard poetry slammer, Katie Makkai, define the word pretty.

I remember sitting in my chair motionless; tears streaming down my face; my brain busily trying to commit to memory the words I’d just heard.

I wanted to cheer, to clap, to give this woman a standing ovation.

And I did.

I stood up, cheered, and clapped because this woman’s words had blown me away.

Pretty.

Just a word.

Just an adjective and yet, so powerful, that it has the ability to make many of us feel either elated or miserable.

Yet, who defines the meaning of the word pretty?

Do we assign our own definition, or do we fall prey to society’s definition of beauty?

Do we believe we’re beautiful by sheer virtue of being who we are, or do we allow society to dictate who is or isn’t pretty?

A few days ago, fellow blogger Debbie, from Musings by an ND Domer’s Mom, wrote a blog post titled “Another Fad Diet?”

In it, she discussed how brides to be, in the pursuit of losing twenty pounds, are inserting feeding tubes in their noses for ten days and refusing to eat.

Elizabeth, from Yo Mama, recently blogged about Ashley Judd’s article in The Daily Beast, concerning how Judd found it necessary to provide the public with an explanation of why she appears “puffy” in her new television series, “Missing.”

It appears the media has made speculations and accusations that her puffiness is a result of her having had “work done.”

Judd decided to address the situation as a means to “stop the insanity.”

She makes a valid point.

We must stop the insanity of placing our lives at risk simply to achieve society’s definition of beauty.

And yet, we must ask ourselves, how do we stop?

How do we stop believing we are not worthy if we are not thin?
How do we stop believing that our physical appearance is the only thing that defines us?
How do we stop thinking we are not beautiful if we don’t look a certain way?

This post is not meant to reaffirm that we are all beautiful, although I heartily believe this is true.

Instead, it’s meant to convince you, dear reader, that we must join forces to stop the insanity.

Together, we must redefine what comprises beauty.

And while we may have different definitions, I’m confident we can all agree that in order to feel beautiful, we don’t have to weigh a certain weight, have a certain shape, or look a certain way.

In her article, Judd states that ironically, the conversation about her puffy face was started by other women.

How sad that competition among women has come to this; to women raising false accusations and speaking ill of one another, when instead, we should be bonding over shared experiences, dreams, and joy.

I say it’s not too late to reawaken the sisterhood.

Let us laugh, giggle, and support each other in our grief, pain, and triumphs.

Let us go back to the time when being best friends meant sharing secrets, helping one another, and splitting a stick of gum.

Let us encourage each other so that we can all come to believe we are beautiful; that we are worthy.

The only way we can stop the insanity is by coming together to say, enough.

Let us demonstrate that the sisterhood still exists and it’s on a mission; a mission to stop the insanity.

What say you, ladies?
Are you in?

Note: Lori, from The Ole Master Plan, wrote a wonderful blog post titled, “Worth Doesn’t Equal a Size 4.” Check it out by clicking on this link. Also, please stop by Debbie’s blog to read her informative post on the K-E diet, as well as Elizabeth’s inspiring post, “Making Ashley Judd’s Moment Last.”

Who wants to join the coffee photo revolution?

It started out innocently enough.

After my blog post, Who’d rather give up sex than coffee?, Kim, from My Inner Chick wrote, “I loooooove that idea. I shall steal it.”

Then Corinne, from Everyday Gyann, offered to take a picture of her South Indian coffee filter.

Amber, from A Day Without Sushi, expressed how much she loved coffee and how it reminded her of her trip to Mexico.

And then Lori, from The Ole Master Plan commented, “LOVE your coffee photos. I may need to copy this wonderful habit.”

This led me to reply, “All us ladies who share in this compulsion could then select a day to post our coffee shots! Now that would be great! A “Coffee Day” post! Lets start a revolution! :)”

And then what happened?

Eden, from PYT to SEA suggested, “I love your idea of starting a coffee photo revolution. Give us a date and time, and the four “roomies” can post our coffee cup of the day!”

A few seconds later, an idea was hatched.

Why not pick a day when any coffee lover, photography lover, or simply any sister who wanted to have a little fun, could post a photo of her coffee cup?

What would this entail?

The photo can be taken in any particular setting or time.

In the morning, while in the comfort of your home? Absolutely!

In the afternoon, while at Starbucks? Bring it!

In the evening, while at a restaurant? Why not!

All you have to do is capture a shot of your coffee.

And post it on your blog.

Anytime between today and Monday, September 5, 2011.

Then come back to this post, leave a comment if you please, and link up with the “froggy” widget at the bottom of the page.

That’s it!

So why go through all this trouble?

Because it’s fun to be part of the “shakers and movers” crowd!

Because you love coffee and want to show the world what’s in your cup!

Because you’re a sister who supports the sisterhood of coffee!

Because it’s a great way to connect with other bloggers!

Because it’s great to show other blogs love!

Because you have nothing better to do!

Remember, your post can be a wordless one, a multiple photo post, or a word and photo post.

It’s up to you!

Lori, Amber, and Eden have enthusiastically collaborated to this effort.

Lori is already taking photos of her coffee, Eden recruited Amber, and Amber has volunteered to tweet the post and come up with a hash tag. This way, anyone who participates can tweet their link and incite others to participate.

I tell you, ladies, it’s a revolution! A coffee photo revolution!

So what do you say?

Do you want to join us?

Come on! Show the world how much you love your coffee!

And remember, even if you don’t post a photo, you can always show other bloggers love by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment!

XOXO,