Have you read RED?

Red: Teenage Girls in America Write on What Fires Up Their Lives Today (Plume ISBN 978-0-452-28983-3) is a wonderful collection of essays edited by the enormously talented Amy Goldwasser--as in Elle, Seventeen, The New Yorker, Vogue, Runner's World, The New York Times, New York... etc. (Okay, I also think she is exceptionally jazzy for having also hailed from the Midwest, smile, but I digress...)

After recently meeting Amy, I read, in one weekend, my autographed copy of RED, now out in paperback. In regard to how the eclectic list of teen essayists was compiled, Amy says in her introduction, "It was really important to me that Red not be based on the stories of a privileged few in large cities on the coast. This book is a true representation of girls across the country, writing across the spectrum of geographic, socioeconomic, political, racial, and religious upbringings."

DON'T. YOU. JUST. LOVE. THAT?!?!? I sure do.

Teen Vogue calls Red, "A must-have." And I agree.

I attended a panel discussion this evening with Amy as moderator. Three of the essayists were present--Kelly Otterness, Olive Panter, Zoe Mendelson and Maya-Catherine Popa--and I thought it remarkable that, while on one hand I wanted to encourage them and applaud these young talented women, clearly they don't need such validation. These women know who they are. Hopefully, after reading this book you will, too! Out now in paperback, I highly recommend it for gift-giving... (Sorry, the season is approaching and why not start making suggestions now? smile...)

I love Red and particularly admire Amy's colorblind inclusiveness of its authors. I hope she's igniting not a trend but a new truth in literature.

Sigh.

I'm a bit inspired tonight. (Those closest to me would say... Philana when are you NOT inpired? LOL) But seriously, our country is evolving into an America where so many previously unheard voices are carving out ways to co-exist and tonight I'm particularly thankful for that.

I don't think it necessary, in our progress, to eradicate any voices in order for others to be heard, yet balance in literature is in desperate need. Entertainment is a force of influence on young girls and it is warming to have some of the void of diversity filled via this book. There is so much room for everyone at the table. And it is okay to have a selection of books from which to choose, no?

Red is a new classic, a quiet storm collection of voices--not shouting--but just speaking... and being heard. You've gotta dig that.

Dr. Maya Angelou put it best last week, when she simply concluded, "I'm an American, baby!" Thank God for a country where everyone has a right--and is getting more opportunities--to be heard. Amy Goldwasser has made a way for 58 teenaged girls to do just that.

Get this book! Read it. And, as always.... love!

xoxo...
pmb

UPDATE: For any New Yorkers reading, this just in via email from Amy Goldwasser: 

Please join two sensational lineups of local and visiting RED authors, reading from new work:
THURS, DEC 11, 6:30p
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum
108 Orchard Street (two doors south of Delancey)

TUES, DEC 16, 7:00p
Community Bookstore
143 Seventh Avenue (in Park Slope, between Carroll and Garfield Sts.)

Hope you can make it out and support! pmb

Winter Divas...

So, the other day my friend Jae sent a "girl talk" email, a list of "5 things that every woman should have in her wardrobe." She wanted to know if we all agreed. And, for the most part, I did. The black slacks. The perfect white shirt. The perfect pair of jeans--though I rarely wear them--okay, yes. I agree. I can't remember what the other two were but it was definitely a list of staples. Okay, I did think to myself that added to the list should be an essential black leather skirt for those dump him and move on goodbye dinners--Oops... Did I just say that?

;)

Anyhoo, so I pondered further...

What then are the five things that every diva--in the fabulous sense of the word--must have in her winter wardrobe?

1. A cropped leather jacket, preferably black. My personal favorite is by Kenneth Cole who managed to keep the cut sexy but classic.

Love it. This year, I've also got my eye on Andrew Marc.

2. A distinct accent hat, at least one. Fashionistas are buzzing about the resurgence of hats but actually true divas--from the Kentucky Derby to the Cowgirls in Dallas to church ladies to England's most fabulous--never stopped rocking them--and not just on bad hair days. The key is to downplay accessories when wearing one and to always wear it as opposed to vice versa. A hat should be an accent not a statement. A true diva, I have a hat box collection full of everything from cowgirl hats (including the one from Blame It on Eve's author photo) to Kangols to fedoras to the Cooley High looking floppy one I swiped from my dad's 1970's collection on its way to the Goodwill :)

*BTW, In regard to hats, stay tuned for a very VERY special guest in "The Love Spot"!!!

3. Knee-high boots. My current favorites? The "Nora" by Gabriella Rocha.

4. Studs. Now, I happen to be a pearl or diamond stud diva, but birthstones are nice. What a fabulous statement--a glistening stud revealed after the removal of muffs or a
lovely glisten against a low pulled wool hat.


5. A lovely fur jacket. DSCLAIMER--in true diva fashion, it is fine, celebratory in fact, if it's faux. Those of you who recall the orginial "It's all love blogspot" know that I must say that it is--as I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER RUN IN WITH the you know who people from the ethical treatment of the you know whats--okay to rock faux, ladies. Rock! Faux! It's fine ;) even fabulous. Just keep it fly...

Love!
pmb

Random thoughts... why I love NYC...

Having exhausted the cash I had in my wallet, I had to have the cashier at Walbaums charge the balance to my debit card.

So, I really was sincere when I left the store, when a panhandler asked if I had a dollar to spare.

"I'm sorry," I said, "Just spent my last dollar. I don't have any more cash on me."

His reply?

After smacking his lips, "You could have just used your debit card."

Only. In. New. York. Only here, yall. What a city.

Heart cha!

pmb