6 Women That Inspire Me {Women's Month}

Common Room is celebrating International Women's Month all month long to highlight awesome ladies with women-centric prompts. This week's prompt is all about creative international women, so I wanted to take a look at creative women that have inspired me. 

ONE | Taylor Swift

I've been a T-Swift fan since high school. It all began with her catchy romantic songs and then I realized what an awesome goofball she is and wished we could be BFFs. So not only is Taylor Swift goofy, quirky, not afraid to be herself, not afraid to make fun of herself (ie. Shake It Off), and genuine, but she's created a fan base of young women who build each other up instead of tearing each other down. 

TWO | J.K. Rowling

Who didn't see this coming? Rowling is the woman who made me want to be a writer. It's not an exaggeration to say that the Harry Potter books changed my life (as it did for so many others) and I hope one day to create books that entertain and inspire like her books do for me. Plus she's so eloquent, she tweets encouraging responses to people, and tweets tidbits about the world of Harry Potter. What's not to love? (And she visited a library on a whim and made everyone's day!)

THREE | Lauren Conrad

It's crazy to think that she started out on a reality TV show, but Lauren Conrad used that fame to become a businesswoman and build an empire. Her name is now synonymous with pretty clothing and a lifestyle website by women that encourages other women to become better versions of themselves every day. She's a great role model, I love how into Halloween she is (she creates intricate costumes every year), and all of the clothes she makes are so beautiful. 

FOUR | Emma Watson (and Hermione Granger)

Like the rest of the world, I first saw Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, a witch who is highly intelligent, clever, emotional, loyal, and an ambassador for those who don't have a voice of their own (hello house elves). Turns out Emma Watson and Hermione Granger have a lot in common because Watson is an advocate for women's rights and a bad-ass human being. And obviously an amazing actress. 

FIVE | Alexis Lampley (@dropandgivemenerdy)

Alexis is a bookstagrammer whose lovely bookish and geektastic pictures inspire me to let my geek flag fly and to practice my photography. She is a super nice and super cool human being and she also recently published her first book called The Onyx Vial, which I can't wait to read, so the fact that she can write and care for her adorable baby gives me hope that I can get my act together to write my own novels. 

SIX | Veronica Mars

Okay, I know she's not real and not all that creative (unless how you count how she tracks down bad guys), but I love that show and the movie and the novels. Veronica doesn't let anyone or anything get in the way of her pursuit of the truth, she's confident, she's intelligent, she's not afraid to be emotional and scared, she cares about all people, and she has the best witty comebacks. Can I just be her?

What creative women have inspired you?

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Aerie Bra Fitting Campaign

I was asked by Quality Blue Community to use Aerie's Bra Guide to find the perfect fitting bra, and it couldn't have come at a better time because I really needed a couple new bras. The Bra Guide is easy to find on the website and very easy to use; you simply put in your bra size (as seen in the picture below) and then you can see all of the bras in your size. Because nothing is worse than clicking on a pretty picture of a bra and discovering its not available in your size anymore.

The most important aspect that I want to mention is that Aerie uses real girls to model the bras! When you search via your size, the model has the same cup size as you. You'll be able to tell instantly how the bra will look and fit on you because of how it looks and fits on the model. Wonderful, right?

If you would rather not browse by your size, you can also shop by bra type (push up, lightly lined, and more). The Bra Guide also has Fit Tips in order to help you find your perfect size, and it shows you how to measure yourself as well. 

Since I wear bras obviously to support my girls and generally don't want them to be seen, I always like to have one nude bra and one black bra. I searched via my size and then browsed the lightly lined full coverage bras. I clicked the little gray square in the corner of the picture that says "Details" in order to learn more about the bras, and it helped me narrow it down to Sunnie and Katie. 

My favorite of the two is the Sunnie bra because it molds very well to my body, it's super soft, has encased underwire, has an interesting U-back, and it was more full coverage than Katie, which is also a great bra, but it's more like a demi bra. 

I also wanted to let you guys know that if you post a photo of yourself in an Aerie product or a picture of an Aerie product on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #aeriereal, the picture will be seen on the Aerie website! The #aeriereal campaign is all about is all about being real, unretouched, confident, and healthy!

Aerie | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

**This is a sponsored post. I received an Aerie gift card as part of my relationship with 
the Quality Blue Community. All opinions expressed are my own.**

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BeauCoo: A Body Positive (#BoPo) Community

**This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.**

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Get the FREE app: iPhone & Android

BeauCoo is an inspiring, non-judgmental, body-positive (#BoPo) place where women can share their outfits and recent fashion finds. It's not just an app or website, it's a community for women that focuses on feeling good while also looking good. We all want to look good, but I've always believed that looking good comes from feeling good about ourselves too. 

It's so refreshing to go onto the BeauCoo app and find women who are the same size as me. It makes me feel included instead of insecure about not being skinny. While I love Instagram and Pinterest, all I see are skinny girls in beautiful clothes who make me feel bad about the body I have. Those thoughts of, "Why don't you look like them? Why aren't you thin?" start to invade my mind. When I go onto BeauCoo for outfit inspiration, it genuinely makes me feel amazing to see women who look like me. If those lovely ladies who have the same measurements that I do are confident, then it shows that I can also be just as fierce and self-assured. 

BeauCoo makes me feel honored to have this busty, curvy, petite body of mine!

Not only does the BeauCoo website and app, and the women who use it, inspire me, but they also give me new ways to dress myself every morning. If a dress looks good on someone with the same measurements, there's a pretty good chance that the same dress or a similar-looking one would look good on me too. BeauCoo is helpfully ridding us of the problem of ordering ill-fitting clothes online by having its members show us what size to get before clicking the buy button.

You can post your own outfit photos to hopefully inspire someone else, and can also include fitting room pictures to rave about a particular piece or warn people before buying something. Wouldn't you like to know if that shirt you've been eyeing fits wonderfully, or if it's too tight in the arms? I sure would. 

You can "like" other people's photos and even "want" what their wearing, so that you have inspiration for later. One of the best things about the app is that you can browse by fit match (you know if the person is a fit match if they have the little pink measuring tape in the corner), by everyone, or by clothing type. BeauCoo makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for. 

As part of BeauCoo's devotion to body positivity, they have started The Stories Project, a place where women share inspiring stories and messages. In these videos, women reveal their poignant and at times funny thoughts on clothes, media, and self-image to encourage others to live a more body positive life. 

I want to invite you all to take the #BoPo Pledge! What is the #BoPo Pledge? On BeauCoo's site, it says: 

By signing the Body Positive Pledge, you agree promote acceptance and to be a body positive warrior. To stand up against body shaming, stand up for women and share the message to anyone and everyone you can. 

Take the #BoPo Pledge here and watch the video on the meaning of body positivity!

Be sure to follow me on BeauCoo!

sincerelysara22

Will you be downloading the app? 

Have you taken the #BoPo Pledge?

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, and that the chance of a woman having breast cancer in her life is 1 in 8? Because of this, the American Cancer Society invests more in breast cancer research than any other cancer type. Luckily, since women have been getting more life-saving screen tests, death rates have been decreasing. Right now, there are 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States.*

 

If you want to help with the fight against breast cancer, so that families don't have to lose loved ones anymore, you can find out more, learn how to get involved, and donate. Or you can help by buying something {more cute things to purchase here}, which will show the world that you contributed and hopefully that little pink ribbon  will inspire others to help out, too.

{Click for item info}

 

Reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by being physically active, by eating healthy, and by limiting alcohol intake. If you're over 40, get a mammogram and breast exam every year, and women of any age should check their breasts reguarly for anything unusual.

 

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(Facts found on Making Strides)

Outfit: The Power of Painkillers

Several hours before these pictures were taken, I was curled up into a ball on my bed wearing leggings and a loose tank top. I didn't want to do anything or go anywhere. I just wanted my painkillers to kick in. Yep, it was that time of the month. After a little while, the pain receeded and I was back to being human again. I'm sure all know what I'm talking about.

Since it was my little sister's birthday dinner that night I put on a real outfit. At first I was like, "Ugh, I don't want to wear clothes," but I don't think they would've let me into the restaurant wearing slippers. But putting on a top and jeans made me feel instantly better. Go figure.

The Single Girl's Valentine's Day

The day of love is only eight days away. But what if you don't have a person to share it with? If you're single, like me, then you can instead spend the day pampering and appreciating the magnificence that is you. It's a day of romantic gestures, so why not show yourself a bit of love?

Why not paint your nails?

Deborah Lipman nail polish in Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?

(Yes, you do think you're sexy.)

Why not watch your favorite movie(s)?

Why not make your face as smooth as a baby's bottom?

Freeman Cucumber Peel-Off Mask

Why not light some candles?

De-Luxe Maison Soy Candles in Lavender Fields

Why not indulge?

Russell Stover Assorted Chocolates

Why not buy yourself a pair of shoes that make you feel sexy?

Modcloth's Glamorous Gait Heel

Why not make all women jealous of you?

Nike Training App

(It's free and totally awesome!)

What are you doing on Valentine's Day?

(Posters via Bing & Bing, NTC app pic via Bing)

New Girl Quote

Do you watch the show New Girl? I absolutely love it! It's hilarious, has believable and charming characters, stars the wonderful zooey Deschanel, is at times weird and zany, and makes me wish it was more than just a half-hour. 

This past episode (titled "Jess and Julia"), Jess (played by Deschanel) said something to Julia (Lizzy Caplan) that I really liked.

"I've got something to say to you, man...I break for animals, I rock a lot of polka

dots, I have touched glitter in the last twenty-four hours, I spend my entire day

talking to children, and I find it fundamentally strange that you're not a dessert person;

that's just weird and it freaks me out. And I'm sorry I don't talk like Murphy Brown,

and I hate your pantsuit; I wish it had ribbons on it or something to make it just

slightly cuter, and that doesn't mean I'm not smart and tough and strong."

You go, girl! I totally, 100% agree with Jess that women can be feminine, intelligent and strong all at the same time. 

(Pictures via Facebook)

Women of New Midseason Television

This seems to be the year of the woman, at least in entertainment. Women are the frontrunners in many movies that will soon be coming out (Haywire, The Hunger Games, Underworld Awakening, Brave, etc.), and it seems like television is doing the same as well. Finally!In many new midseason shows women will be taking over and you won't want to get in their way.

Alcatraz

(FOX) Sarah Jones plays Detective Rebecca Madsen, who initially goes on a search for a man who recently commited murder but died decades ago as an Alcatraz inmate. For help, she turns to Dr. Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia, Lost), who is an Alcatraz expert. They eventually come to find that the murderer is still alive, still young, and that the other inmates from 1963 are also still alive.

Don't you just love a good government conspiracy? And this looks really interesting. Why are the inmates back? And where did they go in the first place? (Premiere January 16)

Are You There, Chelsea?

(NBC) Laura Prepon, That 70s Show, plays Chelsea Handler in this comedy. The character Chelsea will undoutedly be as outspoken and loud as the woman she's named after, but it looks pretty funny. It will follow Chelsea's life as a young woman in New Jersey. (Premiere January 11)

Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23

(ABC) Much like 2 Broke Girls but a lot snarkier, it's about two very different women who move in together in New York City. Dreama Walker plays June, who lost an upscale job and now works as a barista, and Krysten Ritter plays Chloe, a con artist. I'm guessing they don't get along at first and that will certainly be a part of the fun. When can I move my stuff in? (Premiere April 11)

Good Christian Belles

(ABC) Leslie Bibb plays Amanda Vaughn, a divored single mother who moves back to her hometown of Dallas and has to interact with the women she used to make fun of in high school. It also stars Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies, Glee).

I loved the original title Good Christian Bitches, but I'm guessing some people weren't too fond of it. (Premiere March 4)

Lost Girl

(Syfy) This Canadian import is about Bo, played by Anna Silk, who knows she's different (and later discovers that she's a succubus) and has been running all her life from her past. She grew up in a human household and is unaware of the Fae world until they discover her and want her to choose a side, either light or dark. Instead, she chooses to side with humans, and with the help of her new friend, Kenzi (Ksenia Solo), they create a detective agency.

Having watched several episdoes already, I can tell you that this show is really great. The characters are fleshed out and realistic, there's a good mixture of investigations, a love triangle, character's pasts, politics of the Fae world, and interesting storylines. You'll really come to love these characters. (Premiere January 16) 

Smash

(NBC) A musical, like Glee, but I would say that's where the similarites end. This show gives a backstage look at the making of a Broadway show about Marilyn Monroe. Katherine McPhee plays Karen Cartwright, who is the favorite to play the title role. Looks like she has some competition with Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty, Wicked) who also wants the role. Debra Messing and Angelica Houston also star.

This looks like it's going to be wonderful mix of drama and musical with hopefully plenty of game-changers, backstabbing, romance, and showtunes. (Premiere February 6)

Scandal and Missing are also shows with women at the helm, but are premiering later in the season on ABC.

Are you going to be watching any of these new shows?

(Image via Wiki, Wiki, Bing, Wiki, SciFi Mafia, Wiki)

It Only Takes A Girl

I saw this video yesterday and had to share. It's emotional, informative, heart-breaking, and shocking, but it also gives me a sense of hope that things can change if we want them to.

Please take a look.

For more information, go to It Only Takes A Girl or her blog. To donate, go to Girl Effect.