Feminism and Social Influencers

Feminism and Celebrity Influencers 

Feminism has been a social issue for years to this date. The fact that women still get 78 cents to a man dollar seems more than unfair. In more recent days we are seeing celebrities open up about how they feel about this issue. Both men and woman celebrities have been openly for the idea of gender equality. Ashton Kutcher, Miley Cyrus, John Legend, and Beyonce are a few names we all know in the media who are open about gender equality. Sadly, even though these big names are supporting the cause there was a time where not only did celebrities not want to touch on the case of gender equality but they would flat out state that they were not a feminist.

http://www.mtv.com/news/1822259/celebritiy-feminists-pharrell/

Taylor Swift is a known pop star reaching to our younger demographic. She is an idol to many young woman everywhere. Her lyrics are constantly about speaking your mind and she is known to help out her fans with all their everyday problems via her social media platforms. In 2012 when asked if she is a feminist Taylor Swift replies "I don't really think about this as guys versus girls. I never have. I was raised by parents who brought me up to think if you work as hard as guys, you can go far in life." To many this was a huge slap in the face to the power of women. But you have to admit the lyrics to her music are all about boys who broke her heart, so what more did you expect?

http://www.thefrisky.com/2012-10-22/taylor-swift-doesnt-consider-herself-a-feminist/

Once Emma Watson became the UN speaker for #HeForShe more celebrities decided to jump on the feminism train, including Taylor Swift. The Huffington Post quoted Taylor basically saying she has been a feminist all this time stating "As a teenager, I didn't understand that saying you're a feminism is just saying that you hope women and have will have equal rights and equal opportunities. What is seemed to me, the way it was phrased in culture, society, was that you hate men. And now, I think a lot of girls have had a feminist awakening because they understand what the word means." The one comment I have to make about this is that don't speak up about an issue then if you don't understand it's true definition because it will later come back to you. But sadly Taylor brought a true statement. When a common person is asked about a feminist, they have a stereotype played int heir head that it is some man hating person who believes woman should be superior which is farthest from the truth. The idea of feminism is in truth equality of gender.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/24/taylor-swift-feminist-_n_5704691.html

Yet there are also celebrities that call themselves feminist that many look at hurting the cause. Beyonce is known to be a huge influencer to the media. She is probably one of the most talked about celebrity feminists and shows her feminism during her performances. During the 2014 VMA's Beyonce's performance had a huge background of the word "FEMINIST" lighten up.

 While some praised her with this stunt many looked at her and questioned her motives as a feminist. Her recent album's major hit was Drunk in Love with featured her husband, Jay-Z. In this song The Guardian mentioned the "lyrics referring to domestic violence and abusive men have passed largely unchallenged in discussions of Beyonce's hit song. That is disturbing." The lyrics had to do with Tina Turner(whose bro name is Anna Mae) and Ike's abusive relationship which later turned into a film called "Whats Love Got To Do With It." There is a specific scene in the film where the couple was at a diner and he ordered her cake and later demanded for her to eat the cake and became violent about it. In the Drunk In Love lyrics stating "I'm Ike, Turner, turn up/ Baby no I don't play/ Now eat the cake, Anna Mae, I said eat the cake, Anna Mae."

As for Katy Perry, while accepting the Woman of the Year award she quotes "I am not a feminist, but I do believe in the strength of women."Much like Swift's 2012 reaction, in 2014 Katy Perry spoke to TIME magian and changed her thoughts on feminism. "A Feminist? Um, yeah, actually I used to not really understand what that word meant, and now that I do,  it just means that I love myself as a female and I also love men."

It is evident that the definition of feminism is becoming more understood as an equality rather than a superiority. Now that we have Emma Watson demanding our culture to understand the true meaning behind the "f word", celebrities are slowly starting to voice their opinions publicly in favor of the #heforshe movement. 

It's sad but true that celebrity influences will help the younger demographic feel the need to look into this matter and later will have more insight on social matters like this. But, in truth the fact that celebrities are starting to become spokesmen for organizations such as gender equality will help our society be aware of social issues more. 

Documentary Reviews

The Square

The Square is a documentary about the battle of freedom of the Egyptian people.Taking place at the Tahrir Square, the demonstrators spent hours, days and months here begging for freedom and demanding the removal of President Hosni Mubarak. 

The most beautiful thing about this film was that it didn't just show you the struggles of the protest but it engaged the audience by following specific people throughout their everyday life and made you feel like you were experiencing the struggles with them. The best thing about this documentary is that it gives you the insight of what it is like to be in this scenario that the media often leaves out. These people would get beaten, abused and objectified by their government. Also it shows the division of religion and how important it is in this part of the country. The idea of a "brotherhood" is very important and often conflicted people from what they believe is right and what they had to believe was right to fit in. Surprisingly enough though towards the end of the documentary you feel a sense of unity between all the religions which was the climax of the film.

 Once the unity took place that was when the people overtook the government and the president finally stepped down from office.

Citizen Four

This is your typical favorite TV show happening in real life. Laura Poitras recieves emils from a person calling themselves "citizen four". Citizen Four who we later find out is Edward Showden claims he has information of government wrongdoing. Edward tells Laura that he was proof on the governmnet's massive covert-surveillance programs. Laura is told to take reporter Glenn Greenwald to Hong Kong with her to meet Citizen Four. This is when we begin to see the hotel interviews with Showden. The content of his findings is underwhelming only due to the fact that we have already heard about it in the news but his actions and seeing everyone there is an intense feeling. The fact that these people risked their lives and freedom to show the truth behind their own government and having the whole moments broadcast on film to watch was beautiful to experience.

Amy Porhler's "Yes, Please" Book Review

The moment I met Amy Poehler's character Leslie in Parks and Rec I knew there was something special about her. I valued the ability to be both a successful, woman but knew when to let the hair down and be silly. I was honored to be able to attend the comedy awards in New York last year where Amy presented and accepted awards. Hearing her speeches were booth thoughtful and funny, just like the Lesie I grew to admire on the show. 

Once I heard she had a book coming out I was eager to read it. I idolized her in ways for being able to be so strong minded yet carefree at the same time. Most women these days feel the need to be stern in order to be taken seriously but I completely disagree. Amy Poehler's "Yes, please" is both of the things I love about her: strong and silly. She touches major politics about being a comedian in the spotlight, mostly as a female in the business. Yet she is playful the other times which is a breathe of fresh air. My fellow classmates stated the structure of the text wasn't appealing for them but I have to disagree. The way Amy writes makes it seem as if it's an old friend writing to you. The scattered subjects and jumpiness is hands down the Amy Poehler I have seen throughout her fame. If the structure was perfect the book wouldn't have her persona in it. 

I have never read a book where I couldn't hold in my laughs or tears. After reading Poehler's "Yes, Please" it furthers my overwhelmingly optimistic opinion of her. 

GRAMMY GIFS

One think that I love about GIFs is that they  give you a good summary of what's going on in society on a daily basis. GIFs gives you a summary of what happened with a funny short moment. For instance a few of my favorite GIFs from last night's Grammy awards...


Click Here: http://www.vogue.com/10291793/best-grammy-gifs-audience-2015/

Class Assignment: Celebrity Influencers

 Many celebrities are learning to brand themselves via social media. As some tend to focus more on their social lives consisting of skimpy dresses and boozy nights while others are using this tool as a way to show awareness.

There are many celebrities such as Emma Watson and George Clooney who have used their stardom as a way to enlighten their followers on current social issues such as feminism and global destruction. As much as I applaud them I believe they are overly talked about and want to discuss how a few celebrities are using their social media pages as a way to start an empire for their own corporation.

As I mentioned in our introductions I am fix aided on Lauren Conrad and Blake Lively. Both of these stars aren't that famous yet have created their own business that has become well known. Lauren Conrad began with a clothing line and how has opened a store called The Little Market where they sell homemade décor and organic products. I value her empire because it is such a unique company that I have never seen a celebrity begin.
Blake Lively has done a similar approach to social media and began her company called Preserve. Similarly to Lauren's idea of American-made and hand-crafted products. This just proves that celebrities are normal people like us and although it is amazing that some use their status in society as something so very meaningful like global issues, others can be like the rest of us and think of little ways to make a difference.


link to Lauren Conrad's company The Little Market: http://www.thelittlemarket.com/
link to Blake Lively's company Preserve: https://www.preserve.us/

Olive Juice: Valentine's Day Edition

As much as I love beginning a new year I always find myself getting anxious when Valentine's Day is around the corner.

As you all know by now I have an abnormal obsession for holidays. My friends have always made fun of me for it but in the end they all value my weird shaped cupcakes and unnecessary cheesy decor I was inspired from a photo off Pinterest(epic fail).

For Valentine's day though I am never in control. Well, unless I don't have a crush at the time and my day is spent on baking too many cookies with my girlfriends and having one too many bottles of wine (each). But in reality Valentine's day is a gift for the girl. It is so hard for me to sit down and be complacent to a man (out of all people) taking over a holiday with my unrealistically high expectations.

To let my mind at ease though I focus less on the actual holiday and more on the outfit, naturally.

This Valentine's day I am grasping on to French Connection as my muse. They have so many of those LBD's we all lust for in our closet. Although I love the classic date night wear this year I wanted to go a little outside the box. My first real winter in NYC has been filled with dark color cashmere and leather. I want to go back to my California girl look and opt for a white lace dress with a splash of red ( because I have to be spirited, duh!).

For the dress I picked out the Nebraska Lace Dress. I love the exposed skin on the quarter sleeve and the way the lace drops at the bottom. It is so feminine and sexy in all the right ways.

Since it is still freezing in NYC I have to bring a coat even if it is just to go in and out of my Uber to the restaurant. As a California girl a coat is needed for anything below 65 degrees. But I took this opportunity to pop a little vday color into the wardrobe. You see many girls trying to wear red dresses for Valentine's Day but for me I think it is a little too much. I always like to look subtle and classy for date night. I am currently obsessing over this Imperial Imperial Wool Oversized Coat!

Maybe it's because it's on sale or that the name of the color is burnt whiskey(my fav drink) but I've been eyeing this bad boy for a while and what a better opportunity to buy it!

Since the dress is delicate and the jacket is vibrant I wanted to go for a nude pump so these Elvia Heels were perfect!

Another purchase I have been eyeing was this textured white Ines Crossbody Bag I have an obsession for white and I think it would really compliment the dress and look amaze with the red coat. (and also with my new spring wardrobe I have already planned out on a board on Pinterest).

With this outfit I was just going to throw on my go-to gold watch in addition to this subtle but modern Rectangle Bar Cuff because you don't want to distract the attention from the dress.

So whether it is dinner with some cute guy or drinks with the girls. This outfit is the perfect vday attire for any occasion!

(all items are from http://usa.frenchconnection.com/)

This post is a part of a sweepstakes with prizes! For more info visit click HERE

xx

A very Merry CALI Christmas

As I sit here in three layers of Uniqlo's signature heat protecting clothing I can't help but think of the warm California sunshine.

It is currently in the teens in New York which means your face is completely numb within the first block you walk. Any desire to look fashionable has gone out the window and you find yourself grabbing those long johns your grandma bought you that you used to make fun of (thank goodness you decided not the trash them during spring cleaning). And to top it off your social life turns into binge drinking at home with your cat watching Netflix(it's not as dreamy as it sounds I promise).

Welcome to January in New York City ladies and gentlemen.

For Christmas this year I decided to pack my bags and head back to the good ol' west for a very Merry California Christmas. When booking my ticket I was a bit hesitant because I began to believe LA was too boring for me now. I am now an avid New Yorker, who wears black all day and can't help but be a backseat driver to the annoying cab drivers trying to make an extra buck by going the long way. I decided to come for one week although my break was over a month long. Why would I want to spend my New Years in California when anyone and everyone was going to be in NYC?

 The week went by too fast to say the least, During the days me and the girls hopped from one brunch to another while escaping to Santa Anita race tracks for opening day. As we sipped on one too many complimentary champagnes (and even more vodka shots) the past memories with these girls felt like yesterday. I almost forgot how much fun my life in LA actually was.

In my first post I expressed how the duration of my time in California I was desperate to seek more with my life that I actually forgot to enjoy the NOW, the present. We constantly are looking for the next best thing whether it is with work, relationships, cities, exc. that we forget how amazing is right now, at this current place and time. I want you right now to look up and around at your surroundings. Think of your life now, every little detail. And never forget this time of your life because whether you plan on changing your life completely this year or staying the exact same there is something so beautiful and raw with today, this week and this year already that we often overlook.

California was, and despite my snooty New York attitude, still is beautiful. Still is a home of mine and still lingers in my heart and all the memories with it. This last trip back home added many more memories from sing-alongs in the car to serious conversations with my dad over a nightcap on the couch. As I sip on my cappuccino hoping that somehow it will take me back to the sunny and 75 LA winter. I will miss California today, and maybe tomorrow but I will continue to put on my down coat and not let a little bad weather ruin this very moment.

Because, hey, you never know where you'll end up soon (mostly with my track record of one way tickets).

And the every-so-popular Karlin's last advice
never, every take for granted In-N-Out burger (shake shack doesn't compare!)

bon voyage babes
xx