[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

While a little black dress is a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, some much-needed attention should be given to LBD’s sexy cousin: the little red dress. Yes, black is classic and timeless and blah, blah, blah, but red is sexy and draws some much needed attention to the fabulous woman wearing it: me…er…you.

And besides, Fred Flare’s fabulous strapless sweetheart bustier dress is still totally classy and sophisticated, only with some added va va va voom sex appeal from the color and perfect neckline.

Don’t want to go red? No worries; the sweetheart dress also comes in yellow (and we’re talking Rihanna-status neon nail polish yellow) and classic black. It’s perfect for a date party, graduation dinner, or even just a night out with the girls when paired with chunky jewelry and a patent leather flat.

Me likey.

The other day, a guy helped me off a city bus.

“Here you go, sweetheart” he said, standing near the last step and holding out his hand, “watch your step.”

I took his hand and said thank you, walking quickly down the sidewalk and willing the carsickness I had acquired from hours on a hot, crowded, jiggling city bus to dissipate before I threw up on 6th avenue. It wasn’t until my dizziness subsided that I had the energy to think back on my chivalrous gentlemen friend.

The guy who had helped me wasn’t much older than myself. Granted, he was bigger, about 200 pounds and seven inches bigger, but the years between us couldn’t have been more than a few. Here you go, sweetheart. I mean, he had helped me. But had I really needed the help in the first place?

One my biggest pet peeves is when men who don’t know me call me something endearing. Sweetheart. Honey. Used completely on purpose, those words—when uttered by a male close to my own age—are designed to make everyone in the conversation aware of who is in charge. Those words are condescension at it’s worst. I may be short and have the tendency to look young, but if you’re not my dad, boyfriend, or 100 year old neighbor, I’m certainly not your Honey. Read More »