topics


Friday, August 16, 2019

Aunt May Eyeglasses | Wearing Your Glasses Beautifully



Today's video is inspired by the eyeglasses worn by Marisa Tomei,  playing Aunt May in the latest movie installments of Spider-Man. I actually found a pair of frames very similar to Aunt May's at my local optometrist's office. I wear bifocals, but I had these made as reading glasses only. Here is my inspiration:



And here is my version: 




A couple of years ago I wrote a post about this younger, more attractive version of the iconic character and how I coveted Marisa's Aunt May style. Since then I've dreamed of having glasses like hers, but because of a special deal at my eye doctor, when I needed a new prescription, I had to choose a different frame.

So I'm talking here, as a beauty specialist, about looking your best wearing glasses. This seems to be an overlooked topic that I think is very important in so many ways. I discuss my everyday, no-line bifocal transitionals, wearing glasses by the pool or on the beach, eye makeup for glasses wearers, reading glasses, and more. I hope you enjoy it and begin to think in fresh ways about how your glasses are not only utilitarian, but are a unique expression of your personal style!




Thursday, August 1, 2019

On Self-Possession & Setting Boundaries | Social Media



I created this video last month on an exceedingly hot day, and I was very tired. The message is perhaps not as succinct as my previous #WalkAway videos, so I've debated publishing it here at the blog. However, I think the topics presented are important, and I've taken some additional steps in regard to social media since I posted this at YouTube. 

I've deactivated from Facebook. I had two accounts and deactivated one of them months ago, and the other just last week. I'm considering permanently deleting both accounts. I will probably write a more detailed post with all the issues I've encountered, once I've had time to fully detox. 

I've also turned off the comment option here at the blog for the time being. I'm going to be honest about the reason for this. For many years I've been cyber bullied by someone I know. I feel stalked. I thought this abuse had ended, but when I recently discovered comments awaiting moderation that I had received no notification for, I found a barrage of vitriol from this person.

It's alarming that conservative views are increasingly being censored on large social media and news platforms. I want to be able to fight the good fight against this, but doing so puts me in the firing squad of personal attacks. Publishing hateful, obsessive comments of the kind I've been getting would make my blog look unprofessional and would create a hostile place for well-meaning folks to visit. When I set boundaries to protect my personal space and emotional health, I am being told that I'm "censoring" liberal views. 

My refusal to continue futile arguments on Facebook when I'd already allowed persons ample space to express their divergent views is not censorship. It's a healthy response. So many people do not respect the boundaries and rights of others, and this is simply more proof that the political left has gone off the rails. It used to be that "hijacking" a thread was bad manners, but more and more we see good manners going the way of the dinosaur. 

Conservative author and media personality Milo Yiannopoulos, who has been banned from every social media imaginable, has stated his feeling that these platforms are not going to last the long haul. I think he's right. We are going to have to find other means for protecting free speech, and other methods that will produce more productive means of communication. 

I have closed comments on my YouTube channel as well. It's very unfortunate that I can't feel safe, but that is the sad situation. I would love to be able to welcome all views, in response to the actual content I create, and to be able to take joy in these things that bring me happiness and that help other people to feel inspired and supported. 

I don't have the answers yet for how to proceed, but I will keep readers posted. Thank you for your patience and understanding as I navigate these tempestuous waters. I am safe under Mary's mantle, and I pray that all will feel so protected and blessed.