As anyone with access to the internet, television, or a newspaper knows, these summer Olympic Games have put the city of Beijing under an international microscope. From the city’s pollution, to China’s record of human rights abuse, to the somewhat bizarre public facelift the city has undergone in preparation for the Games, nothing remains unscrutinized in the world media. Coverage of the Chinese athletes themselves is no exception, or more specifically, their performance, and the intense pressure from family and …

When I tell people that I was raised with no religion, it’s usually met with a certain amount of skepticism. I never realized what an anomaly it was until I moved away for college, and childhood stories, stories from home, were a matter of course in the ‘getting to know you’ conversations, and bitching about abandoned family religion was a hot topic.

“Never? You’ve really never been to church? What about Christmas? Easter? Seriously?”

Nope, never means never. At the …

As I wandered near the site of New York City’s Sex and the City premiere yesterday, dodging small bands of women united by a common interest in over-accessorizing for daytime (and being in my way), I found myself compiling a list of people and things that owe much of their current popularity to said show:

Manolo Blahnik

The concept of brunch

Cosmopolitans

Clubs Bungalow 8 and Bed

Cupcakes

The Rabbit

The word fabulous

Retardedly over-thought outfits

Next on my list …

As I walked into work this morning, I was confronted by a strange, strange sight. In my post-commute, pre-coffee stupor, I almost ran into someone, and it took me a minute to figure out what was going on. Why was I eye level with a shoulder blade? Why was I surrounded by resort wear on a 45 degree day? Why did I see miles and miles of legs? Being the shortest one in the room I’m used to, but having …

Perhaps it’s just a matter of timing. Like it or not, I am now of an age where my cherished childhood memories have come up for recycling. Movie adaptations of books are nothing new, but what began as a trickle in my teens has risen to a flood in my 20s, and time has not softened the blow of seeing these stories re-vamped for the 21st Century. On the contrary, as I cling to these last vestiges of my rapidly …

Step aside, Spanx!

There’s a new brand of body shaper in town, but this time it’s…for men?

WHAT?!

Now, ladies: we all do it. Whether it’s a padded bra (oh, excuse me “lightly lined bra”. Honey, you’re still faking it), control top pantyhose or even the aforementioned, miracle-working Spanx, we’re all guilty of some, shall we say, false advertising.

I am the first to admit it, and frankly, I think it’s great. Seriously, some dresses just require that I …

Dear Friend On A Diet,

I am so proud of you for making such a positive, health conscious change in your life. Also, you look hot. However, that does not mean that I want to know the calorie/fat/transfat content of the food I am CURRENTLY EATING.

I am trying to be very supportive of you, not asking you to share an order of nachos, not pushing you to match me beer for whatever low-carb crap you are drinking. This is …