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We are three best friends who are mothers of teenage daughters (and a son!).... read full story →

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Home: Welcome! Grab a comfy chair and settle in for a while. This is where the best of style, substance and soul comes together. Check out our weekly theme - you never know how we'll play with it and twist it around.

Indego Africa: Changing Women’s Lives by Design

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I have always had a thing for Africa. It, by far, tops my bucket list, and I feel so deeply that it will be a life-changing experience for me when I finally get there.

In the meantime, I was lucky to be invited by The Mission List to review some products from the amazing Indego Africa website. Indego stands for Independence, Development and Governance, and this fair trade nonprofit is providing all of those by partnering with cooperatives of women artisans in Rwanda to sell their gorgeous handcrafts around the world. All – yes, all – of the profits are then used to train these women in business, literacy and computers. The social impact Indego Africa has already made is astounding; just check out the statistics here.

This is a fantastic social enterprise in itself but the products are so beautiful, they raise it to a whole different level. In fact, because it’s design-driven and considers itself a fashion company with a social mission, you can find many of Indego Africa’s pieces at places like Anthropologie, Nicole Miller and J. Crew. … read full story →


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Khaled Hosseini on His New Book, “And the Mountains Echoed”

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With his first two novels, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, becoming book club classics, Khaled Hosseini is in that rare strata of authors who are so beloved by readers that the publication of a new book becomes a major cause for celebration. Well, get ready to take the day off work tomorrow because Hosseini’s new novel, And the Mountains Echoed, is coming out and, believe me, once you start it, you’re not going to want to do anything but read.

I am so honored to have been invited to do this interview with Khaled Hosseini, and can’t wait to meet him at a special reading/book signing through Warwick’s in La Jolla next month. … read full story →


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An Open Letter to Angelina Jolie by Sharon Stanley

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In 2010, we posted a personal story from a reader, my friend Sharon Stanley, about her experience having the breast cancer gene and deciding to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy. You can read that post here. When Angelina Jolie announced publicly last week that she had done the same thing, Sharon was so appreciative and wanted to send an open letter of thanks to the actress. Here is her letter: … read full story →


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image of Sharon Stanley

The eSSSence of Sharon Stanley

Style: I love denim; jeans, purses, jackets, anything! I also love the Beatles and I have a vast collection of tee shirts, salt shakers, purses and other Beatles paraphernalia.
Substance: I have been a New York City school teacher for 30 years.
Soul: My husband, my son and I belong to the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island and we consider this our religious affiliation. Ethical Humanists strive to make the world a better place through congregational, social action activities.


Stevie Nicks, Sarah Polley and Bergdorf Goodman

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It may seem like action heroes are taking over at the movie theaters this summer but, if you're craving some real human drama, consider taking the road less traveled and check out these new documentaries: STORIES WE TELL Sarah Polley, who directed the beautiful and powerful Away From Her, turns the camera... read full story →


Finding Forgiveness by Linda Joy Myers

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"I forgive you" are powerful words. They sometimes come as a surprise to us, and we have to make a decision. Can I forgive? Do I want to? Since I was twenty-four years old, I've held in my heart this memory, this blessing of forgiveness given me by my grandmother, Gram,... read full story →


Adolescence is a Tough Gig by Lyn Collins

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I have two daughters who have just come through the difficult teenage years. As a mother, I’ve watched with so many different feelings and emotions. I’ve often felt helpless and unable to ease their pain and confusion as they courageously try to adjust to life. Being Australian, one of my favourite... read full story →


We’re Giving Away “A Spear of Summer Grass” Prize Package Worth $90

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Travel back to 1920s glamour with A Spear of Summer Grass! Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julie Grey series enters a new era with A Spear of Summer Grass. Paris, 1923 The daughter of a scandalous mother, Delilah Drummond is already notorious, even amongst Paris society. But her latest ...read full story →