Breast Cancer: Awarness VS Profit

So in case you didn't know my Mother died of a rare form of breast cancer called triple negative breast cancer.  I am such a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness, finding a cure, and promoting women's health in general. What i'm not a fan of is the use of the cancer as commercial profit for companies. Like a Valentine's display or summer set up mid September hits and the Breast cancer stuff begins to appear like it's on some retail calender. Not only is it a continual reminder for me of the way she died ( I prefer to remember her as the strong amazing woman she was) I feel like it degrades the struggle that every women who has been afflicted with this disease went through or is currently going through. Many products have a 2% of the profit of this item goes to Breast Cancer Awareness........ really is there a foundation called "breast cancer awareness"? (update there's a website but it a vague statement regardless) If packaging says 2% goes to Susan G Komen for a Cure that mean something to me.. a real foundation that impacts the community and continually is fund raising to find a cure for breast cancer. Since I recently got a cash back credit card I have become very aware of how long it takes 2% to add up to anything remotely measurable. However the amount of profit for these mug companies still greatly outweighs any donation. Even my favorite brand of chips puts a pink label on for October. I do think there are some benefits..... maybe every time a women sees a breast cancer mug she'll remember to do a self examine. Maybe every time they use their pink pen at work they'll think of the struggles so many women have endured. Maybe one day a young girl or boy will see that display and ask "what's breast cancer?" then grow up to be the scientist who finds the cure... but for now make sure you really look at the product your buying this October and try to remember the awareness aspect of this upcoming month and not it's commercial value.


This chic agrees with me http://feministatsea.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/october-breast-cancer-fest/

Classic Hollywood in a Modern World

Maureen Aruther 1967

When people think of "Hollywood" certain iconic images come to mind. Of course the sign, the walk of fame, red carpets etc.. I also like to think of classic Hollywood where stars arrived to premieres in Rolls Royces and wore evening gloves al la Grace Kelly. There is a certain air of sophistication, elegance, and charm during that era. Over the holidays I had the pleasure of meeting this amazing women Maureen Rouben. Now she is very old but still has a smile and spark that will blow you away. I spent about an hour, which in the retail world is an eternity, talking to her about acting and life (I was smitten). She said literally the most mind blowing thing about acting and reality that I can't for the life of me even remember a part of now. It was like I was so engaged in the moment and intrigued by her stories I forgot all about all the Christmas chaos around me. When I got home I immediately googled her but came up blank. Last week she came in again with her assistant we chatted a bit more and she told me how concerned she is for the state of the world. It was interesting to me because it's not something that comes up often at work but I asked her what's on her mind so she told me. She almost had tears in her eyes at how she feels the world is going in such a dangerous direction. I also added her and the assistant to my Client book because we have to have clients (people who visit us at least twice) and they had shopped with me back in December (score for keeping my job). Now this part sounds creepy but I was doing it out of my general curiosity about her. When they go in your book you can then see basic information about someone like their address. This time when I went home I just typed her name and the area she lives in. I found numerous articles about her husbands death which also is turned mentioned her career. Like any true actress Maureen Rouben is her real name but not her "stage" name duh!!! it's Maureen Arthur. Well once I had that I could finally learn things about her career (thanks IMDB) like that until the 90's she was a steady working actress and singer most know for her role in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Wow I was floored! Clearly from the moment I met her I was enchanted so I assumed she once was someone not to mention most 70 years olds aren't still shopping in my store with assistants. I find her to be completely inspiring she is so old (how can you say that nicely??!?!!?) but yet her feistyness and spirit are so young. She is an entertainer through and through and always ends up saying something that cracks me up. I thought about this classic hollywood starlet and how she fits into this modern world. Too old to work but still full of life, concerned about the affairs of the world even if she's so frail she can barley walk. This juxtaposition just bewilders me and I am truly in awe. I want to be that amazing and that engaging at 78 I want to have a smile that says i'm strong and mischievous and eyes that could tell a million stories. Today was the third time I saw her. I brought up that I had looked into her career, her face lit up, the hollywood smile came out, and she giggled. I saw the passion in her face the same look and feeling I have when I preform. For a minute I made her happy by bringing up her cherished past it was such an honest sincere moment. It may seem silly but I feel like she's impacted my life in some way I can't quite describe... maybe it's inspiration~S~

Loans or Life: Our dependence on money

I "can't help" but laugh at the reality of my horoscope today: "You can't help but feel that your life would run much more smoothly if there were no such thing as money! You can't help but feel frustrated by the amount of time and energy you spend sorting out your financial affairs. Unfortunately, Shannon, today will be another day of doing just that. It seems some bills were neglected recently, and today you need to sit down at your desk and sort out the mess. It's no fun, but at least by the end of the day you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you straightened everything out." Well it's the end of the day and instead of sorting it all out I have instead managed to spend a shit load of money on groceries... 90 bucks. For fuck sake I try I REALLY try- this month I budgeted each week paying my loan first then rent and using the measly 50 left to eat so spending 90 isn't an option but I needed it all. I felt really happy today I got so much accomplished but then I look at my bank account and feel like a failure. What was the point of college where did it really get me?!?!? Of course in 2005 no one knew how the economy would suck in 2012 and how none of the people I graduated with have a decent job in their field. Can't you learn just as much from life as you can from school? I am happy that my well rounded education allows me to comment gracefully on many topics but it certainly has not contributed financially to any job I have had since then. I think it's sad that so much of our "security" is based on money. We feel so threatened when we don't have any money because society has brainwashed us. There were times of trade and communities who worked together for everything they had there was no fear they just did what was necessary to survive. I just think it is important for us to examine how we tend to let money control us and instead focus on real tangible things that will help make us follow our passion and in turn bring us financial stability. I refuse to let money have any control over my dream to be here. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-student-loan-push-helps-him-court-crucial-135330798.html

How to End a Bad Habit

Which path do you choose?

So depending on when I am scheduled I inevitably ending up taking my lunch break during either the Ellen Degenerous Show, The Windy Williams Show(how you doooinn), or Anderson Cooper. This also usually runs into TMV Live and the People's Court..... not my choice but it's the breakroom's standard. Today is was Anderson, and the topic bad habits. Immediately when one mentions bad habits you suddenly think about all of your own. I think my worst habit is laziness, followed by the common girl problem of emotional eating, and of course as mentioned in an earlier blog drunk texting. Charles Duhigg explains the 4 step process to changing any bad habit:

1. Identify the routine- what is the habit you are doing?
2. Identify the reward- what do you get from completing the routine behavior?
3. Isolate the cue- what is triggering your behavior?
4. Have a Plan- “The next time I see the cue, I’m going to do ‘x’ and my reward is going to be ‘y.’”

Lets take emotional eating something girls do ALL THE TIME!!

1. I think I have worked so hard I deserve to eat this pain au chocolate as a reward for my efforts and dedication
2. I get a sense of satisfaction a treat for doing a good job
3. Feeling like I do so much that it not appreciated
4. Next time when I am at work and feel that way I will instead take a break at the scenic overlook of LA/the hills and remember how much I accomplished by coming here!

Good plan! right?!?!? When it's broken down to those simple steps ANYTHING becomes possible. It even works for mental behaviors which apparently is all explained in Mr Duhigg(what an amazing last name)'s book The Power of Habit if you would like to see the interview and tips you can watch it at http://www.andersoncooper.com/2012/04/10/dr-charles-duhigg-tips-on-how-to-break-a-bad-habit/

There are some other things I am currently working on "breaking" considering I need to be a complete open book to act it's all a part of giving it 100% plan a step closer each day~S~

The "Aspirationals"

         If you know me you know that I love meeting new people, studying them, and trying to figure out what makes them tick. One thing I have learned since entering the corporate retail world is the idea of the aspirationals. These "aspirational" people don't have "it" but they certainly aspire to. For instance if you can't afford $300 sunglasses you probably should not be shopping in a high end store (the logical assumption). However we will market to these people and they will come in and buy said sunglasses and the either A- not pay a bill/ buy necessary items or B- buy them wear them realize 300 is there car payment and return them a few days later. I see this EVERYDAY!!!! I think why??? why do you do this to yourself?!?!? I don't even go in stores right now because I know I can't afford it (logical reasoning) not to mention I develop strong emotional attachments to things like "I NEED that bag"- really I don't and neither do the "aspirationals." Then again don't I want to have those nice things, luxury handbags and high end fashion? Sure... but at what price when is too much- too much?
     I then expanded this thought to LA in general there are the people in this town (why do we call it the town... it is a CITY???) who have "made it" and of course everyone else who is trying. This whole town is full of "Aspirationals" literally everyone I meet is aspiring to something bigger then what they are. Not that it is a bad thing because it is what makes people strive and have goals. Of course I am an aspiring film actress and I aspire to be happy- aspiration is what makes us work for our future but I really don't think we need to aspire to shop at high end stores.