Promoting open discussions on sex, politics and even rock ‘n’ roll, Meghan McCain is far from your standard Republican. The 24-year-old daughter of Senator John McCain has become the emerging face of the younger sect of the party and has caused quite the commotion in the process.

Known for her strikingly liberal views when it comes to social issues (she admittedly voted for John Kerry over George W. in 2004), the young McCain garnered a lot of attention when she created her upfront blog, McCainBlogette.com, during her father’s presidential run. She has publicly referred to Obama as sexy and also confessed to being pro-gay marriage.

“I think that the party is at a place where social issues shouldn’t be the issues that define the party,” she informed Larry King. “And I have taken heat, but in fairness to me, I am a different generation than the people that are giving me heat.”

McCain has proven her intellectual capacity by earning a degree from Columbia and flexing her journalistic muscle as an intern at Newsweek (she also interned at SNL). She penned a children’s book about her dad and currently serves as a contributor for TheDailyBeast.com.

“The worst sexual double standard in politics right now is that too many subconsciously believe Republican women are void of sexual desire altogether,” McCain recently blogged on the site.

Such extreme views are usually what push the party’s conservative buttons. But they also manage to lure otherwise disenfranchised younger voters into the folds of the GOP.

“I think we’re seeing a war brewing in the Republican Party,” McCain said at the Log Cabin Republican’s national convention in Washington D.C. “But it is not between us and Democrats. It is not between us and liberals. It is between the future and the past.”

Even if you don’t agree with her politics, you have to give Meghan McCain props for speaking her mind.

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A blank piece of paper stays clean and untouched while I stare at the endless amounts of uninspiring new music releases. I try hard to find something that I somewhat enjoy but I just can’t seem to put my name behind it or recommend it. Where do you turn when you need to write an article featuring the latest music? How do you soothe the monthly urge to find new artists? Somebody or something, please save me from this musical turmoil!

I paced around my office for a bit, wracking my brain whilst jumping up and down, when all of a sudden, my jumping caused my mouse to move and woke my computer. Like a heaven sent, my Internet browser appeared and revealed my answer. Pandora Radio. (Insert an angel choir here.)

As if an immaculate stream of light beamed me towards my computer, I submitted and willingly took a seat at my desk. My stations were all there, ready to provide me with old and new artists.

Can I just say that Pandora is awesome!? It literally allows me to make my own personal radio station. It’s like my TiVo for music. Love it!

I scrolled down my usual radio stations and decided if I need new music I should create a new station. And the new station that was born was, and still is, amazing. Most of the bands I found are not new, but sometimes the right ones need to be revisited and given a second time to shine.

These artists not only emulate my current mood of excitingly happy summer music with a twist of stank but they are also compositionally brilliant. Enough of my chitchat. Let’s get our love child talk on.

Jens Lekman - If Morrisey and Sufjan Stevens had a child who was inspired by children’s books.

The Sounds – If the Ting Tings and the 4 Non Blondes had a baby out of wedlock.

Stars - The Sundays and Death Cab for Cutie had a summer romance.

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Los Angeles is known for perfect weather, good restaurants and Hollywood stars. No one can deny it’s the land of opportunity. It also is the land of the fit and fitter. With impeccable weather and a shot at potential stardom, healthy lifestyles are the utmost priority. It really is almost impossible to ignore the pressures and demands to stay in shape in Southern California.

New, hot workout routines and gyms are as plentiful as Starbucks. Every year a fitness guru comes out with the latest and greatest style to maximize your workout in the least amount of time. As a trainer, I am a fan of traditional workout routines. But even I must admit, some of these gyms have taken the best of tradition and kicked it up a notch or two.

These latest gym crazes have gone the extra yard and taken fitness to a whole new level by making it a ton of fun:

Piloxing. Two popular workouts combine — Pilates and boxing — to form a high intensity, fun, therapeutic and ultimately transformational routine.
www.piloxing.com

Exhale. A fresh combination of yoga and Pilates. These classes incorporate inventive yoga moves, Pilates mat and ballet bar work to create the ideal ballerina-looking physique. You will leave feeling stronger, tighter and calmer — the perfect recipe for a toned body.
www.exhalespa.com

Cardio Barre. This high intensity, ballet-inspired class incorporates high repetitions and fast paced moves using nothing but light weights, a ballet bar and you. The classes are designed to make you sweat and give you a leaner-looking figure. One thing is for sure, no one leaves without their shirt drenched!
www.cardiobarre.com

Pilates Plus. The Proformer, a Pilates machine specifically designed for this studio incorporates Pilates, weight and circuit training all in one class. Every student gets their own machine and every inch of your body will feel the burn in this 55-minute class.
www.pilatesplusla.com

Pulse. This gym has everything with a variety of classes to choose from such as spinning, boxing and Pilates. Try the Tread & Tone class. It merges 30 minutes on the treadmill with weight training to target different body parts on different days. It is the definitive fat-burning exercise.
www.pulsefitnessstudio.com

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I fell asleep two nights ago with bobby pins and mascara still in place from our late night show. With the next day off, I woke before nine and stayed in bed til noon reading. That’s my dream day off: Eggs fried, bread baked, noodles boiled, never once leaving the house.

My friend Terri is the total opposite. Charming in a word. She’ll spend her nights off at VIP parties with a finger in every drink. I admire her sheen; it’s the marked difference between the classic intro-extro personality types. One gains strength from gardening with her doors locked, the other doesn’t feel she’s truly awake until she’s describing last night’s dream to friends over breakfast.

Large crowds and late nights are inherent in the theater world. Terri seems gifted with the skills to send her star sky high, while I am better off hiding my light under a bush. But after five years on this career path, I’ve got a pretty good handle on balancing personal charms with a professional attitude. In a business where emotions play their hearts out onstage, this separates the divas from the artists.

If you’re like me, these little tips will help you avoid the inevitable pitfalls from forcing your private personality into social situations.

• Deep breaths, kiddo! “I am SO BUSY right now!” is not a conversation starter. As Cassy laid it out in “Over Committed Superheroes,” I choose my three jobs plus kickball. Don’t whine to the party people about your career, save it for those who love you unconditionally.
• My ears perk up when I hear that perennial opener, “What are you working on right now?”  As long as it isn’t dressed in a frazzled complaint, similar interests make me want to know you better.
• Hold up: I’m not suggesting YOU start every conversation with a predictable question—just keep those ears open for the answers. Then get your network on. Which brings me to the most important trait of a professional personality…
• Really listen. I’m not talking about leaning in when the lead of the show starts going on about his “process.” Pay attention to that rambling middle-aged sound designer, flatter the brash director of photography. Practice listening to the folks other people tune out, and those late nights when you’d rather be at home will earn their keep.
• Stop picking your nose! Not really…but we all have those little social habits we’d like to put to bed. Mine is going through my purse as if I was searching for something important instead of interacting. If you catch yourself withdrawing, give it fifteen more minutes in the game, then hit the showers.

The trick is to become that girl who can enjoy her party dress as much as her PJ’s. I consciously remind myself that for every two nights spent rushing out the door as soon as the curtain drops, I will take the time to hang out with the rest of the crew, forging a bond that is deeper than a stipend check.

photo by florian knorn

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I weighed almost 200 pounds, I was a size 14, and I didn’t feel fat. In my early twenties, when I’d first gained the weight, I battled with feeling bad about myself, my clothes didn’t fit well, and I just felt ugly. But with a little Feminist-induced self-esteem, by my mid-twenties, I had embraced my body and learned to love my big butt…and belly…and thighs. I had decided my body wasn’t going to change, and so I should just settle in and love myself for who I am.

As I approached my thirties, I started to rethink things. I was becoming more aware of the dangers of extra body fat in terms of heart health, as well as how difficult it is to lose weight as we age. Adults tend to gain about two pounds a year, so I thought, I should get to losing. I decided I could afford 60 pounds, which would bring me to about 140. For a woman who is 5’4,” that seemed reasonable.

In addition to yoga, I joined a gym and started tracking what I was eating. I was initially hesitant to declare my new-found goals. After being the token “love your body no matter what your size” woman, I didn’t want people to think I was losing weight out of hate for my body, but rather out of love for it! My fears were actualized when acquaintances and friends responded with, “Why do you want to lose weight?”

I brushed off the comments and stuck with my goal. The first ten pounds came off with little effort. Then, I hit a plateau. I added weight and circuit training and higher intensity cardio – another 10 lbs, gone! Then, I stalled again. I responded by adding more fiber to my diet like fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates, and I tried to stay in the 1,500-1,800 calorie range (which is perfectly healthy for a woman my size).

Evaluating my relationship to food, I noticed I would reach for a glass of wine and macaroni ‘n cheese when stressed, which ultimately made me feel worse. I combated these habits by ensuring I got at least eight hours of sleep every night and concentrated on keeping my work and personal life in balance. I also started drinking more water. All the while, feeling great about the fact that for the first time in over ten years, I could run 3.5 miles!

With a good amount of dedication, I am now half way to my goal and weigh about 165 pounds. And, people have started to notice. Comments like, “Wow, you look amazing” or, “Hi skinny Minnie” (my personal favorite) have been encouraging. People have recognized the positive shifts in my life and, because I feel good, it is radiating in my physical appearance as well.

Of course, I have also received negative comments. “Wow, you are looking really skinny” (scrunched-up judgmental face). Or, “You eat like a bird,” when I am eating nuts and an apple. Although these reactions have been few and far between, they certainly drudged up my initial fears about starting this process in the first place. I wanted people to understand I was changing my lifestyle out of love for my body – not just trying to look good.

I have to admit, as those single digit dress sizes come into view, vanity is kicking in a bit. If I have some degree of control over my body size, how do I want to look? Setting aside, or at least trying to, all of the images that society has handed me, I ask myself, what is my own standard for health and beauty? Is it okay to want to be “skinny”?

While I still believe that being a particular size will not bring me ultimate contentment and fix all of my body woes, one of the most important shifts that I have noticed is my level of confidence. Although I never felt “fat,” I had accepted that my body was in control of itself, it wasn’t going to change, and I was at the whim of my emotional needs when it came to food.

With a little education and hard work, I am learning what my body really needs to be healthy and it is not being skinnier that is making me feel different. It is the process of making smarter choices and creating a better mentality around eating, exercise, and my interactions with myself and others. Losing weight is simply a symptom of changing myself from the inside.

Do you want to contribute like Kelly has? Email our editor-in-chief, Kenzie Rochelle, with your article and see our Contribute link for more details

photo by d sharon pruitt

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Fashion has so many facets, from lingerie to ball gowns, high street to haute couture, and from design to styling. But it isn’t everyday that you can quiz those embroiled deep within the belly of the fashion beast – and that’s where I come in.

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing one of London’s most up-and-coming fashion stylists, Lucinda Dickens. Lucinda completed a Styling Course at the London College of Fashion, and went on to carve her career through hard work, perseverance, unpaid work experience, and then styling jobs with the likes of New Look and the Daily Mail newspaper.

These days, Lucinda is at the cutting edge of London fashion, working with some amazing designers and boasting some impressive celebrity clients.

“A lot of what I do is wardrobe styling and personal shopping,” says Dickens. Styling can sometimes including completing a wardrobe audit at a client’s home to give them a good idea of what colours and styles suit them before we hit the shops.”

Lucinda, however, remains a down-to-earth, quietly glamorous individual, with a genuine passion for what she does, which is tangible within minutes of meeting her.

A cursory glance at some of the glossy editorial images of past photo shoots styled by Lucinda, you can immediately recognize her signature style. Heavily influenced by Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson, Lucinda embodies the quintessentially English style, with a progressive twist.  Embracing everything from Victorian glamour to the English gent, her approach is sharp, contemporary and inspirational. Her daring mix of classic dandy style with aristocratic overtones, subtly mixed with market trader chic and just a suggestion of the Carnivalesque, has got London talking.

She works closely with Ian Cole, a fantastic, edgy and influential photographer, who has produced some really exciting images when working alongside her.

“Working with Ian is such an inspirational journey – I feel as though I am at my best when under the pressure of a photo shoot. Creating and capturing your vision is incredibly satisfying.”

The weeks of a busy fashion stylist are packed with exciting shoots, meetings and personal shopping consultations, but when Lucinda’s not working she spends her time scouring Portobello Market for vintage pieces, or watching old movies for inspiration.

I asked Lucinda what advice she could give to aspiring stylists.

“The most important thing is to be open-minded and be prepared for anything. Getting as much work experience as possible in order to build up your portfolio and resume is essential … and taking risks, being bold, assertive and, most of all, confident.”

Lucinda and Ian’s latest shoot is featured in Dapper Magazine online, it’s free to register, and so all you nascent stylists should get online and head to pages 46 – 47 for some inspiration!

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The California Supreme Court voted on Tuesday to uphold Proposition 8’s ban on same-sex marriage, but agreed to legally recognize about 18,000 same-sex couples married in the state last year.

Amid cries from protesters who gathered across the state, the justices voted 6-1 to keep intact Proposition 8. Proponents of the proposition hailed the decision as a victory, but opponents called the decision a “painful setback” and vowed to continue to fight for same-sex marriage in the state.

“The decision is a terrible blow to the thousands of Californians who woke up this morning hoping and praying their status as equal citizens of this state would be restored,” said Shannon Minter, the legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, in a statement released Tuesday. “Today’s decision was a painful setback, but if we stay united and reach out with love and respect, we will prevail,” said Minter.

Andrew Pugno, of the General Counsel of Protectmarriage.com said in a statement, “We are very gratified that the California Supreme Court has upheld Proposition 8.” He added, “This is the culmination of years of hard work to preserve marriage in California.”

It was a decision that sparked protests across California. Although he voted “no” on Proposition 8, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would comply with the court’s latest ruling. The decision will not invalidate the over 18,000 marriages which occurred in 2008 from June to May, following a 4-3 court ruling to eliminate the ban on same-sex marriage.

States such as Connecticut, Vermont, Maine and Iowa permit same-sex marriage. But, the issue of same-sex marriage in California has a complex history. In 2000, Proposition 22 was passed, defining marriage as a civil union between a man and woman.

Then, in 2004, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newson allowed same-sex marriages in the city, leading to the California Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Proposition 22. In November of 2008, Californians passed Proposition 8 with 52.3 percent of the votes. The voters’ decision banned same-sex marriages and sparked lawsuits from the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Lambda Legal.

Now, in the wake of the high court’s decision, those on both sides of the argument all agree to continue fighting for what they believe in. Opponents to the proposition said they hope to take the fight to the ballots, putting the question of same-sex marriage to the voters again in 2010 in an effort to repeal the ban.

photos by fritz liess

andrew pugno, arnold schwarzenegger, california, connecticut, gavin newson, gay marriage, iowa, Lambda Legal, maine, marriage, national center for lesbian rights, proposition 22, proposition 8, shannon minter, supreme court, traditional marriage, vermont Hide

A job interview is a lot like a first date. The same anxieties and sweaty palms hack away at your confidence when all you really want is for your interviewer to like you. But before you psych yourself out, give these tips a try and you’ll be ready for the best (professional) first date you’ve ever had.

Don’t procrastinate. Prep for the interview ahead of time, meaning days (not hours) in advance. You want to be comfortable in your interview, so anticipate the questions and practice your answers to make them natural. To prevent last minute rushes, choose your outfit the night before, and print out extra copies of your resume before going to bed. And remember, be punctual. Arriving late is the worst way to start your big day.

Act the part. On average, interviewers judge job seekers within 10 minutes of meeting them. And since nonverbal cues make up a majority of communication, every detail counts. Dress professionally for the position you’re going for. Reach out and greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and a bright smile. Act positively and don’t fidget even if you’re nervous. And most importantly, maintain eye contact to show interest and convey confidence.

Get connected. Your accomplishments got you the interview, but it’s your personality that will get you the job. Interviewers want to know how well you’ll fit in with the company, so work on your people skills and strike up some chemistry. Break the ice with small talk to show off your personality. If you find something that you have in common with your interviewer, share it. If not, share your common enthusiasm for the industry. Make your interviewer like you by connecting with them on a personal level.

Be yourself. But only to a certain extent – remember that you’re still in a professional setting. With that caveat aside, be sincere and genuine with your responses. Interviewers know what stock answers sound like, so say what you really mean. Personalize the moment by talking about your goals, accomplishments, and motivations. If a subject comes up with which you’re unfamiliar, don’t lie about it. It’s better to admit that you don’t know something than babble on about something you don’t understand. Interviewers are more interested in learning about a potential employee than hearing the “right” answers.

It’s not all about you. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. So don’t cross that narcissistic border, and turn the attention onto your interviewers. This is where you can show off your research with thoughtful questions about the company and its future projects. To figure out how much room for growth you can expect at the company, inquire about your interviewer’s background. Express interest in the company and the company will express interest in you.

Remember your manners. You’re not only being interviewed by the person asking all the questions. Oftentimes, the interviewer will ask each person you interacted with (like the receptionist in the lobby) to comment on your behavior. This means playing nice with everyone, not just the execs. Also, send a handwritten thank-you note or a short email afterward to stay in your interviewer’s head. Not only will this prompt them to give you a second look, but it’ll show how persistent and interested you really are.

photo by billie, partsnpieces

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It can be both an honor and a headache to be in a friend’s wedding. There is the dress you’ll never wear again, shoes, alterations, endless gift giving, and even hotel rooms or plane tickets. With wedding season is in full swing, I have heard horror stories from both the brides and their maids. There are a few simple things to remember to ensure that your wedding party doesn’t turn into a friendship funeral.

Bridesmaids
It’s important to be conscientious of a few things before accepting the invitation of being in the wedding party. If you can’t follow this simple checklist, it might make everyone happier if you just politely decline.

• Bite your tongue. Words to the wise from one blushing bride: “Be supportive, don’t be too picky, go with the flow, and always SMILE! Also, try your hardest to get along with the other bridesmaids. There’s nothing more stressful for a bride than bridesmaids not getting along.”
• She wants YOU, not your wallet. If cost is an issue, talk to the bride long before the wedding. Explain to her your financial situation and come up with a compromise. Many of the women I interviewed said if a bridesmaid could not afford the dress, they would help.
• It’s not all about you. Take yourself out of the spotlight. Remember this is your friend’s big day and the favor will be repaid—so whatever is going on in your world you need to suck it up for one day and be a supportive friend/bridesmaid.

Brides
It’s your day and everyone is following your lead. Do yourself a favor and be aware of a few things before picking and partying with your bridesmaids.

• No one likes “Bridezilla.” We’re all aware this is the day you’ve been dreaming about since you were 7, but that does not mean that friends are subject to verbal abuse, belittling, or being your sounding board for frustrations. Nothing is worse than coming home from your honeymoon to the reality of lost friendships.
• Help a sister out! It is unfair to expect your friends to shell out hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to be a part of your big day.  Ask them (individually) what they are comfortable spending and wearing; if it doesn’t meet your expectations, come up with compromises.
• Choose wisely. If you know that there are vicious friendships/past relationships in the wedding party ask them to respect you and keep it out of the wedding. This is something that should not affect your wedding day. If it becomes an issue, then you may want to rethink who should be in your wedding.

Long story short: this day is supposed to be beautiful, not full of stress and strife! Everyone needs to keep an eye on the prize and not get sidetracked by the little details that don’t matter in the big picture.

photo by kathleen lawton-trask

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I didn’t grow up wanting to be an interior designer. In high school, I planned the Senior Prom. The experience was fun and slightly glamorous, but was also extremely stressful.

I went to film school, graduated and started writing for an entertainment magazine. But I didn’t really have an outlet for my creativity, so I headed back to school. Design school was so much harder than I imagined. Between writing papers on different styles of furniture and taking color theory classes, I had huge projects to complete in very short periods of time (just like a real interior designer).

Interior design is like creating a 3-D collage. Not surprisingly, it requires more than a good eye to be successful. I had to use math I learned ages ago, and draw in perspective. My architectural drawings were a little messy and weren’t perfectly straight. (Thank God for computer design programs!)

Here’s what I learned it takes to be an interior designer:

Passion. Just like any profession, it’s important to be excited about the job. Do you love shopping for antique fixtures? Do you rearrange your friend’s furniture? Then interior design might be a good fit.

Organizational Skills. Fabric swatches, floor plans and paint samples are involved, but half of the work revolves around paperwork. When you start out as a design assistant at a firm, you’ll probably be in charge of ordering furniture, fabrics and accessories. You’ll need to expedite these orders and make sure everything happens on time. So it’s imperative you’re organized.

Teamwork. There are so many people involved in the design process, including vendors (like painters and upholsters), as well as fellow design team members. You have to work well with others.

Communication Skills. Since interior design involves communicating with both clients and vendors, you must be a descriptive writer, cordial on the phone and in person. Interior design is not for the timid. You need to appear confident in front of a client, and be able to communicate your vision. You’ll also have to make calls you don’t want to make (like pressuring vendors to deliver the product sooner).

Knowledge of Color, Fabrics and Furniture. As a designer, other people are relying on your eye. You need to know what looks good. Color theory is important in deciding how to design a room. You must know the basics in order to communicate with other designers and vendors.

Computer and Math Skills. Drafting tables once played a huge part in interior design. Now a successful designer must be able to use AutoCAD (a computer drafting program). Learning AutoCAD is like learning another language. Large design firms have special programs that require specific computer knowledge. General knowledge of math and measuring is necessary.

Stress Tolerance. There are tons of deadlines and pressure from clients to get everything done as soon as possible. There’s a lot of room for errors, since so many measurements are needed. Nobody’s perfect — but designers try to be.

photo courtesy of carrie kravetz

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