This month, ELLE delivers one of the best reader essays yet! A compelling, at times languid and un-put-downable story about an aging wife and mother of three who begins the descent into an extra-marital affair. What makes this story so captivating are a few original themes. We don’t often read about women having a “mid-life crisis,” and/or a female perspective to an affair. We don’t often read such brave and frustrating and colorful writing in a monthly women’s magazine (or ever, dare I say?) and last, her age and experience and intelligence – both intellectually and sexually, lend such insights. I didn’t understand all of her references at first (to history, literature and art) but they were worth looking up! Even if you don’t agree with everything she offers, this is a must-read and must-share item! xox

“The further away that bright shore of youth gets, the more desperately one struggles to reach it.” Writer, Ilena Greewood

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Jennifer Lawrence, star of Silver Linings Playbook. Golden Globe and SAG Award Winner for Best Leading Actress. Kentucky-born. Natural curves, raspy mezzo voice and messy brunette hair. Doll-like skin. Glorious. Embraces her imperfections. Jokes that she has the ass of a 90-year-old woman. An amazing actress just coming into her own. 22 years old.

She said this:

What an inspiration! Unfortunately, today, this Italian magazine cover reveals what gets in the way of THAT awesome message reaching women and other actresses:

Unrecognizable, thanks to Photoshop. Hmmm… me thinks JenLaw needs to speak out on this! And, given her track record, not unlike Kate Winslet, who has numerous times objected to the digital tweaking done on her body, the odds are good that she will!

By Darrah Le Montre

UPDATE 3/17/2013: The two defendants in the Steubenville, OH rape case have been found “delinquent” on all three charges. Delinquent is the equivalent of guilty in juvenile court. Read the full story here.

UPDATE: I’m honored to announce that my article has been chosen as Recommended Reading for High Schools across the nation!

On August 11/12th of last year, a 16-year old girl in Steubenville, Ohio, was allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulted by members of Steubenville High School’s almighty Big Red Football team. When the story subsequently broke worldwide, it divided a small town and forced us to question the future of our men.

A self-described member of a group that call themselves the “Rape Crew,” Nodianos, or “Nodi” as his teammates call him, starred in an incriminating, vile smart phone video that was posted to YouTube on the night of the alleged assault, then taken down, then reposted to the web by KnightSec and Commander X, who are both affiliated with the Anonymous hacktivist hive. This video features “Nodi” – who clearly borders on sociopathic – maniacally laughing and apparently providing a play-by-play of the repeated gang rape of the 16-year old female victim. During the course of his commentary, he frequently refers to her as the “dead body.”

Events like this force people out of their copacetic, pacified state of separateness, and push us to admit we are all connected. Transgressions like these beg questions about social responsibility, technology’s role in our lives, who is teaching what to our children, what it means to be a father and mother, and why we are even debating whether unconscious means consensual.

Read the rest at: SUICIDEGIRLS BLOG

This article was reprinted by GIRLIEGIRL ARMY.

[Mumford&Sons]

I deeply believe in the divinity of timing. The perfect storm comes together and your life coincides with somebody else’s; but for whatever reason, you cannot be together. I get so much advice from varying sources to aid me in my quest to find a lover/soul mate/husband. Whether it’s my mother praying for a grandchild, my married friends trying to live vicariously through me, or my elders who – with fantastic intuition – urge me to be honest and upfront with my lovers. Then there’s my single girlfriends with all of their coy text tricks that confuse even me! – I just get so much advice!

Lately, I’ve been reveling in my new friendships. Wonderful, enriching, fun, carefree, artistic, artful friendships are abound, and I’m SO enjoying the times I’m sharing with reckless abandon. And, yes, I’ve had some incredibly fabulous and intimate times, too. But, what I’ve come to realize, as my latest lover heads back home to New York is this… I can only be honest. I can only enjoy those fleeting moments of intimacy as they come. I can only be myself and indulge, enjoy and sometimes – wait – before I give of myself. At the end of the day, I am elusive as I am a straight shooter and depending on the day, my lovers are afforded the luxury of my varying moods. Lucky for me, I’ve had some wonderful men in my life that embrace me with arms wide open. Regardless of whether I’m heeding somebody else’s guidance, or throwing caution to the wind and texting them that I can’t stop thinking about them…

Here’s to 2013, and all she may have to offer. From here, on my couch with Oscar, I hope you are happy as all get out, and madly deeply in love!

With love, In health,

Darrah xo

“I Will Wait” Lyrics

I fell heavy into your arms…

And I’ll kneel down

Wait for now.

Break my step

And relent

You forgave;

And I won’t forget…

In this Marie Claire first, an article written by a lesbian, about her lesbian relationship is featured – without any fetish, heavy reference or idiosyncrasy. Well, other than that the writer finds herself in a unique conundrum. Stephanie Fairyington is deeply in love with her girlfriend, and desires the physical closeness of other couples. Unfortunately, Fairyington is tied up in knots about revealing the one physical attribute, she feels, makes her equipped to join the Carnivale. Her feet! Read the rest to find out if she overcomes this fear…

Is there a body part you’d never show a lover? Leave comments below this post!

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Don’t worry! I got your back. What cut off from the article? “…a pair. Baby steps.”

Daily sex with your spouse sounds peachy. But who actually does that?! What are the benefits, downfalls – if any? In this month’s Marie Claire, one writer candidly describes she and her hubby’s choice to maintain a spicy sex life; and the repercussions of telling their friends about it.

After a sex-less marriage that better resembled a really close friendship, writer Agnes Dawson met her current man. Together – every spankin’ day – they roll around like thunder under the covers. She says, “A year after my divorce, I met my current husband through friends. It was like opening the best present either of us had ever gotten.” Read the rest of her delicious tale under the picture of the naked people!

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What do you think? Is daily hanky panky something you covet… or is this something of an urban sex legend?

This month, Marie Claire offers unique stories from women whose husbands lost their jobs, and remained unemployed… for awhile. Where some wives took on the role of micro-job-hunting-manager, others found that having a dude around the house that offers career and emotional support, picks up the kids from school, and does the dishes after dinner was A-OK with them! Stay-at-home husband is the new black. Who knew?

What would you do if your romantic partner lost their job, and didn’t exactly find another (traditional) one…?

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Gender role casserole – new and better tasting than ever!

I had a spirited and juicy conversation with Uchitel about how those infamous affairs (Bones star David Boreanaz) changed her life, and who she is now as a wife and new mom. Rachel talks candidly about love addiction and recovery, her proclivity for pills, and why Dr. Drewis the rehab king.

Read the story at: SUICIDEGIRLS. Please re-post, and leave your comments below the piece! Thanks for your support! xox

Our interview was reprinted by GirlieGirl Army.

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