Let Them Eat Cake!

A few months ago I posted some of my favorite wedding photos and people seemed to like them. I've decided to do a second installment. So, here are a few photos of my favorite wedding pastries. Savor the beauty :)

Magical Monday: Royal Weddings

I have been glued to the tv today. I’ve literally been living, breathing and eating royal wedding. How can I not? Its the combination of two of my FAVORITE THINGS. British History and Weddings!!! So in honor of the wedding, I’ve compiled a few of my favorite royal wedding photos. Congratulations Prince William and Princess Catherine, you’ve won our hearts forever!

Grace Kelly & Prince Ranier III of Monaco   April 19, 1956

Chelsea Clinton & Marc Mezvinsky   July 31, 2010

Princess Victoria of Sweden & Daniel Westling   June 19, 2010

Jackie Bouvier & John F. Kennedy   September 12, 1953

Lady Rose Windsor & George Gilman   July 19, 2008

Crown Prince Naruhito & Masako Owada   June 9, 1993

Princess Elizabeth & Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark  Novermber 20, 1947

Princess Alice of Battenberg & Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark   1903

Mary Donaldson & Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark   May 14, 2004

Lady Diana Spencer & Prince Charles   July 29, 1981

Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano & Prince Felipe of Asturias   May 22, 2004

Princess Margaret & Antony Armstrong-Jones   May 6, 1960

Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones & Daniel Chatto  July 14, 1994

Marie-Chantal & Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece     July 1, 1995

Autumn Kelly & Peter Phillips  May 17, 2008

Princess Anne & Captain Mark Phillips   November 14, 1973

Prince William & Princess Catherine Middleton  April 29, 2011

(My new favorites!)

Polly In My Pocket

Just dug these out of my attack, haven’t seen them in forever. And nothing has changed. I. love. Polly. Pocket. I swear, if my house were burning down, I’d consider trying to save them. (Assuming all people and pets were out of course) UGH that reminds me…Littlest Pet Shop!!! 

P.S. Why have these two toys changed their image so much in the past few years? I think they were perfect the way they were. Then again, nostalgia does that to you.

Bebe Gluton...um what?

I’m sure you have all heard about the newest toy to hit the market…”Bebe Gloton”, or for those of us who don’t speak Spanish, Baby Gluton, the breast feeding baby doll. I’ll say RIGHT AWAY that I am conflicted by it, BUT I’ve chosen to blog about my feelings because I’m interested in what others have to say. Plus, writing it all down might help me come to an opinion! Though in reality, I’ll probably weigh the pros and cons, copy and paste the opinions of fellow bloggers/youtubers, offer my opinion on a less controversial route that the company should have taken, then politely cop out of forming any conclusion. But at least you didn’t have to do the research, right?

Bebe Gloton is made by the Spanish company Berjuan. I’ve perused the website a bit (click the British flag at the bottom if you can’t read Spanish) and found out the company’s name in English is New Generations and they create a variety of dolls to educate children. Looking through the catalog, this seems to be true. There are many different cultures, races, and genders represented in each of the dolls they have posted.

So, this supports something I’ve heard lately. Berjuan seems to be quoted on television or in the news as saying they created Bebe Glotun as an educational toy that teaches young girls the importance of breast feeding. Whether or not thats the reason, the website seems to support it and…what company is going to create a breast feeding doll for kicks and giggles? (surely not one with a PR department)

Do young girls need to be educated about breast feeding and is a doll the way to do it?

Breast feeding is one of the biggest health benefits you can give your child. According to Breastfeeding.com it can help prevent numerous diseases and infections, give your baby a higher IQ and its CHEAPER. No doubt, the more people who know this the better and certainly the stigma attached to breast feeding needs to be done away with. (Many commenters on blogs about Bebe Gloton said they felt that breast feeding is looked down on for being gross and “intrusive” when its actually necessary and incredibly responsible.

But is there no other way for young girls to learn the importance of breastfeeding than to breast feed a baby doll themselves?? Are we unable to push breast feeding through alternative means like “example” or through a baby doll that breast feeds from a mother doll? Do little girls need to know the importance of breast feeding and why does it have to be emulated on her…someone who doesn’t have breasts and shouldn’t be making a decision about whether or not to breast feed her baby for a really, really long time…

Well all be, no cliff hangers today folks, apparently I have taken a stance and I don’t support breast feeding baby dolls! Good to know. I guess I’ll remember this when they come out with dolls that help little girls “appreciate the beauty” of giving birth! Let me know what you all think and remember, August is Breast Feeding Awareness Month! (but not for children)

Good night and good luck…

P.S. Does anyone else think the little girl in the commercial looks horribly uncomfortable and weirded out?

Is Gay the New Black?

There is a Civil Rights movement growing bigger every day in the United States, the Gay Rights movement. The LBBT community along with straight allies are seeking equal rights among all. For those in their twenties, this may seem like the biggest Civil Rights revolution of all time. People may feel it is unique or that issues like these have never been brought up before. Though this is true, the Gay Rights Movement is unique anddoes bring up new issues, it actually comes on the heals of a revolution and a rejection of the social norms that are exactly like the issues being brought up in the current debates and controversies.

The roots of the Gay Rights Movement are very similar to those of the Civil Rights movement in the 1950’s. The aim was to give all races, especially African Americans, equality. Likewise, the aim of the Gay Rights Movement is to make gay relationships equal to that of straight relationships. This means that familial rights in medical facilities and adoptions would be recognized, marriage would be possible and views would change from homosexuality being “different” to it being normal. Just like black people in the 1950’s, gay people are treated as if its better not to address sexual orientation, almost ignore it. Black people were treated much the same way when it came to the color of their skin. The army stated “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” would consider segregating gay soldiers from straight soldiers. This is similar to the segregation felt by African Americas during the 1950’s. The practices of “simple, inalienable rights” are denied to gay people, as well. For example, the privilege to marry is a struggle reflective of the earlier struggles by African American’s to vote.

The similarities between these two movements therefore, pose a very serious question, is gay the new black? Tyra Banks recently hosted an episode of her show that asked this question for the first time. The episode was appropriately titled, “Is Gay the New Black?” During the hour-long show, she compared the strides made by African American’s to achieve equality in the United States during the 50’s (and still) to the steps currently being made by those in the Gay Rights Movement. She points out the similarities between the two movements and between the opinions and viewpoints of those on either side of the issue.

“Brutality/Murder” The recent reports of gay bullying and death that have occurred in the LGBT community are reminiscent of the deaths in the African American community during and prior to the Civil Rights Movement. Campaigns like The Trevor Project  and It Gets Better are reflective of efforts made by The Free Riders and The Rosa Parks Bus Riots. 

“Stereotypes”  Stereotypes, assumptions and fear have also played large roles in both movements. For example, the creation of the black sambo and popularity of “black face” prior to the 1950’s initiated the stereotype that blacks are stupid or uneducated. (black-face.com) The same thing is true in the gay community with the rise in popularity of Drag Queens and exceedingly gay characters on television/ film (Christian Siriano from Project Runway) Oppositionists begin to associate these things with the entire culture rather than individuals (in the case of homosexuality). However, they are by no means true for each or for anyone. (in the case of the black sambo)

“Inferiority”  The incorporation of a social norm and precedence of one group over another is also a key part of the arguments being made during the Gay Rights Movement and its similarity to the Civil Rights Movement. The idea that marriage is between a man and a woman expresses the idea that this is the norm and anyone deviating from this is abnormal. (Much like the idea that white people are the norm as compared to black people.)

“Religion” This also brings into play the issue of religion. Many of the oppositionists to Gay Marriage use religion as their defense. Saying that being gay is a sin against God. Often quoting verses like: Leviticus 18:22 - “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” When African Americans sought freedom the bible was used against them as well. Turning stories like that of Noah and his son Canaan into a story supporting slavery and racism. (http://www.gci.org/)

The similarities between the Civil Rights movement in the 1950’s is very similar to that of the Gay Rights Movement currently influencing our society. Though these two groups obviously had many different struggles and both are equally important and individual from the other, the basic structure for freedom is the same. One group is being oppressed by another, pain is felt (especially by the oppressed) and the issue of what is right or wrong must be established for an entire society of people who think very different things for very different reasons. In the end each movement has brought major issues into play such as religion, freedom, equality and the idea of a social norm. Though the Civil Rights Movement has seen its prime, the Gay Rights Movement is just getting started. It will be interesting to continue to analyze the similarities of the two movements and when the Gay Rights Movement has seen its prime, to find out what the outcome is and how the overall structure of the movement reflects that of the Civil Rights Movement. In fact the two movements have already become meshed and “The Civil Rights Movement” is now used interchangeably. Establishing that equality for Gay Rights and African Americans are part of a larger picture, that of equality for all, rather than for each group. When analyzing the words of Martin Luther’s famous “I have a dream” speech, it is hard not to hear his sentiments ring true all over again today for a whole new race with a very similar dream.

Kate and William Engaged!!!

I can't believe it, the day is finally here! Kate Middleton and Prince William are finally engaged!!!!!!! I really want to say how happy I am for them. Also, since I am somewhat of a wedding fanatic (if you couldn't tell from my previous posts) I would like to say that I'm really proud of them for waiting as long as they did. Considering all of the sad events surrounding William's parent's marriage, I think the royal family has learned a hard lesson. This wedding will be the first grounded marriage we have seen from them in a long time. 

Kate herself is a wonderful addition to the media. Though a lot of people are uninterested in her because she is a "commoner," I think thats exactly what makes her shine. She isn't worried about living up to anyone's expectations and so has lived her life like a normal, happy young woman. She is a great role model for young girls with her classy style and positive values. She is so easy to respect. (Something you don't see very often these days)

I can't wait for the wedding (I'm still trying to find a way to get there) and I can't wait for them to start their life together. 

Congratulations William and Kate, you really deserve all the happiness in the world!