holidays Archives - So About What I Said

Thursday, December 13, 2018

🎄Holiday Gift Guide #4: Emoji Presents For the Tech-Obsessed🎁

Do you speak in emojis? You know, the language of people who practically live on their phones. Emojis are sort of like hashtags, only instead of words, they’re pretty pictures. I’m a huge fan of these words-but-not-words icons and since everyone seems to have their favorite (I’m partial to the pink heart with sparkles), who wouldn’t want to find some emoji presents under the tree on Christmas morning?

So, without further suspense, feast your eyes on these 10 emoji-themed gifts that are ridiculously cute, bright and happy, starting with this sparkle stars pin ($11) because they really do shine and light up your life…

These adorable plush pillows for some quality lounging and relaxing time, $29.95 for a pack of 8

This kissing face necklace to show them just how much you care, $12.80

A pretty scarf so they can express their love of emojis through fashion, $18.90

This emotional backpack (get it?) for making a statement, $20.98

A delicious gumball machine for dispensing some sweet treats, $7.95

The magic mystic ball for all those important questions in life, $7.95

Cute socks for a color explosion on their feet, $9.99

Some cool stickers so they can always leave their mark, $5.84

And, a fun makeup case that could double as a purse for going on adventures, $8.99

Are you emoji-obsessed, friends?? Which of these emoji presents would you love to give to that person who is glued to their phone 24/7…? Ms. Bear, I’m looking at you here… xoxo

P.S. Why disability emojis are so important…

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

On the “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” Song Controversy

I’m sitting here in the doctor’s office waiting room and thinking about the “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” song controversy. I’ve always had mixed feelings about the song itself. But in light of everything that’s happened since the #MeToo movement galvanized the public consciousness, there’s no denying the song’s deeper, lecherous undertones. To put it mildly: It’s dangerous.

We’ve all heard the winter ditty, which was written in 1944 by Frank Loesser as a duet that he and his wife Lynn Garland performed at parties. The song went on to win the 1949 Academy Award for Best Original Song for Neptune’s Daughter and has since been recorded by the likes of Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Robert Palmer, Zooey Deschanel, Rod Stewart and Meghan Trainor.

It’s not without its detractors, though, despite the song’s endurance and longevity. This year, some radio stations banned the song following complaints from listeners. Still, Loesser’s daughter Susan Loesser maintains that her father didn’t have any malicious intent with the song.

Yet in 2018…? Things just aren’t that simple.

On the surface, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” just looks like a fun, harmless song. It’s full of flirty banter — banter that tries to play itself off as a coy cat-and-mouse chase. Oh, look at this cute couple! How romantic that the man wants the woman to stay! The woman is trying to resist, but gosh darn it, the guy is just so charming and she wants to say “yes“!! He’s making his case and doing everything he can to get her to stay just a little longer — warm fireplace, no cabs in sight, all that treacherous snow out there! It’s just too dangerous! This guy is shameless!

But, just like those dangerous men (coincidence? I think not…), looks can be deceiving. Very deceiving, if you will. Our little jaunt eventually leads us to lines like this: “Say what’s in this drink?”

DANGER, DANGER.

Let’s just be real for one second and get to the root of the problem. People objecting to “Baby It’s Cold Outside” (and rightfully so) is only a symptom. It’s not the cause. Instead of being mad at people who object to the song, maybe we should be mad at men for ruining our ability to enjoy a Christmas bop. Maybe we should be mad at their entitled behavior. Maybe we should be mad at their failure to understand what the word “no” means. It’s the whole displacing blame that I have no time for! It’s akin to victim-blaming. It’s men who have done these horrible things. Time to place blame where it’s deserved.

And also, maybe we should also stop shaming ADULT women for wanting to enjoy themselves. In the forties, a woman who decided to stay would be slut-shamed, even though she’s an adult and capable of making her own choices. Yet she’s worried about how people would perceive her — her sister, father, brother, the neighbors, I’m sure. IF this man wasn’t a lecherous creep and she genuinely wanted to stay longer, my gosh, let the woman enjoy herself without all the side-eye judgment!

As Emily Crockett wrote for Vox, the dangerous undertones can’t be ignored, especially in a climate where men seem to feed off the power of chasing a woman (and not in a good way)…

The “rapey” reading, on the other hand, finds the events of the song troubling given our modern understanding of how sexual consent and sexual assault work. Regardless of what Loesser intended, it’s a lousy model for romance that normalizes sexual coercion and date rape.
The “rapey” reading allows for the possibility that the woman really does want to go — and if that’s the case, it becomes much more obvious why the man’s behavior is a problem. Sure, maybe she’ll end up staying because the man won’t stop bothering her and it seems easier to just give in at a certain point. But just because she gives in doesn’t mean she really wanted it, or that she’ll feel good about it afterward. And whether or not she enjoys herself, and whether or not she feels violated or ashamed afterward, the ends of how she feels about it later still don’t justify the means of how he got her to stay.

Decision time, friends: Where do you stand when it comes to the “Baby It’s Cold Outside” song controversy? Is it romantic or rapey? Flirty or fearful? Innocent or icky? Let’s chat about it… xoxo

P.S. Remember Tuesday Tunes?

[Photo and video of Neptune’s Daughter]

Monday, December 10, 2018

Holiday Gift Guide #3: Healing Crystal Gift Ideas to Soothe and Protect

In case you haven’t opened a newspaper or been on Twitter lately, the world is continuing to feel like a toxic cesspool. And I think we would all agree that 2018 takes the trophy for toxicity of late. But as I was falling asleep one night recently, this Gift Guide came to me: An assortment of treasures devoted to all things healing crystal gift ideas!!

Seriously, it was like a light bulb moment — one that shown extra bright since, as you’ll recall, I was lying in the dark. Anyway, this revelation was like a message from the Sweet Spiritual Goddesses; it was as if they were telling me, “You need to calm down! Here, take my hand (err, crystals) and let me help you!”

And who am I to argue with that kind of logic? I’ve written about my love of those powerful stones before, but, really, healing crystals come in all shapes, sizes and forms. Here are 10 healing crystal gift ideas, starting with a starter kit ($12.95 for 12) to let the healing and good vibes begin…

This book called The Modern Guide to Crystal Healing for those bookworm types, $13.49

A pretty ring for a dainty touch of energy, $13

An essential oil roller infused with healing crystals, $8

This 7-layer chakra pyramid to bring life to their office, $12.95

A clarity bracelet for, well, a dose of clarity, $24.95

This soy candle with a hidden crystal inside, $11.99

Some zodiac-specific stones for those who always read their horoscope, starting at $10

This pendant necklace for a pop of color and charm, starting at $20

…or, an all-natural energy necklace for a bit of a softer touch, $15.75

Are you a big fan of healing crystals, friends? Do they have a favorite? Which of these picks would you love to get on Christmas morning? I’d love to hear your crystal stories, too!! xoxo

P.S. More holiday picks for you!

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Holiday Gift Guide #2: Taco Bell Fashion For a Spicy Life

So…I bet you didn’t think I’d be able to top yesterday’s Golden Girls extravaganza, did you? Well, just feast your eyes on these Taco Bell fashion statements!!!

Is your mouth watering? Are you hungry yet?

I know I’m starving!!! Honestly, that’s just the effect that Taco Bell has on me! When I first saw that they were coming out with a line of stylishness, I immediately wanted to order my favorite nachos and cheesy rice and bean burrito and then eat said food while wearing those pants emblazoned with the restaurant’s logo. I mean, it doesn’t get more meta than that, does it?

While we all desperately try to resist the urge to order takeout for dinner tonight, check out these great gift ideas for the Taco Bell fanatic in your life, starting with this colorful pin set ($15) to add a pop of pizzazz to any outfit…

This hot sauce pillow, so they’ll be dreaming of tacos, $20

This cool tumbler to keep those cool drinks cold, $12

A notebook to jot down important information, like your standing Taco Bell order, $15

This hot sauce packet key chain because you just can’t pick a favorite one, $10

Some sweatpants for the ultimate lounging experience, $40

And finally, some cute stickers to personalize their laptop, $3

Well, friends, which pick is your Taco Bell fashion favorite? What is your go-to order at The Bell, as my sister calls it?

(Please note: This post is not sponsored by Taco Bell. I’m just a hardcore, crunchy-shell loving aficionado of their fine establishment)

P.S. More gift guides and food fun!

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Holiday Gift Guide #1: The Golden Girls Gifts To Thank Them For Being a Friend

Welcome to the first installment of this year’s holiday splendor!! I wanted to start out with some picks that could work for a whole bunch of people in your life — moms, sisters, aunts, best friends, your pop culture twin! Yes, it’s time to round up all the The Golden Girls gift ideas!

You could be thinking right now, “Why doesn’t she just do a general pop culture gift guide?” I could (and I have in the past!), but The Golden Girls have such a special place in my heart. It’s one of the shows my mom and I love watching together, so I thought maybe one of these gift ideas will be perfect if you have your own Sophia to your Dorothy — or, of course, your own Blanche to your Rose. There are lots of possibilities in these 10 favorite picks, starting off with these cool enamel pins ($19.99)…

This Shady Pines key chain since their favorite part of the show was all of Sophia’s stories, $8

Trivial Pursuit so you can prove, once and for all, who is the biggest fan, $23.98

A chic pencil set to brighten their desk and make them smile when working, $10

Some quotable coasters for fun nights in, $22

This tote bag for wild adventures around the city, $12.95

A wise mug to remind them of the important things in life, $12.99

An iPhone case so they can proudly display their fan status, $12.99

This comfy cozy throw blanket to curl up on the couch and watch the four friends, $39.95

And this t-shirt to truly thank them for being a friend, $27.99

Just for funsies (yes, I did just use that word!), here’s a great Golden Girls GIF to go with these swell The Golden Girls gifts! Gifts and a GIF — what more could you ask for? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s (spicy!) treasures. That “spicy” was a hint in case you were wondering! xoxo