The Short List

Look at him checkin us out! We know Luda...tall is beautiful!:-)

You can call me shallow but I prefer a man taller than me.  I am open to anything but that is what I prefer (until someone changes my mind lol).  With that said, there is still a small group of men that could gaze into my knee-cap and I would care less.  For years I have inappropriately called it the ‘Short List.’ Check out My top 5 celeb shorty doo wops of all time:

1. Mehcad Brooks.  Although he stands at 6’3” (which is indeed tall), he is still shorter than me and by far at the top of my list.  I am not mad at you Eggs.
2. Adrian Grenier.  5’10” but looks are in the 9’ range.
3. Ludacris. 5’7”. When I was interning at a radio station I interviewed him and he told me I was going to fall in love with a short man one day…only if it’s you boo:)
4. Justin Timberlake. 5’10.” The swag on that man is at least twice my height.
5. Idris Elba. 6’2 ¾ . Have you heard that British accent? Just talk to me Idris.

*Honorable mention: My Starbucks guy. Ok…he’s not a celeb…but he’s on the list and deserves a mention. About 5’8”, from Brazil and rocks my white chocolate Mocha.

Who’s on your short list?

Tall vs. Ugly: Let the Battle Begin

Since when does tall = ugly?

I can’t tell you how many times someone has approached me and said “you’re tall ANNND cute.”  Why the elongated “and?”  Is there some unwritten rule that says tall women have to be ugly? 

It really offends me when someone says that because we all come in different shapes and sizes but for some reason a large part of society has labeled the ENTIRE tall race of women ‘homely.’  I have never seen anyone go up to a short woman and say “you’re short ANNND cute.” It just does not happen. 

Every time someone says this, I correct them because if I don’t, I feel like I am part of the problem.  Ignorance is NOT bliss. You (and tall) are amazing and you have to let them know!   

In the end, it doesn’t matter what anyone says because I know for a fact that TALL IS BEAUTIFUL.  Nobody can tell me different. BUT…I really wonder how this wide-spread opinion started? Who decided that tall women are supposed to be hard on the eyes and furthermore why did people take it and run with it?

Who decided that tall isn't 'normally' cute? Photo courtesy of Mao-Yang.com.

Size Matters...?

It never fails. You see a fine, tall man coming towards you. Score! You fix your hair and put on that “hey, how ya doin?” smile only to look down and see that he is holding the hand of a person half his size that you couldn’t even see because his tall shadow eclipsed her. Recognizing he’s off limits you walk by singing “another one bites the dust” in your head.

Now, I am not knocking love. I would never hate on someone in a relationship. I just don’t get how it works.  How do you have a passionate kiss without sitting down?  How do you dance without having to have back surgery afterwards?  Isn’t it annoying face planting into someone’s belly button every time you hug them?  How do you hold hands without one person having to keep their arm bent the whole time? And let’s be real, we all know that the saying “we are all the same size laying down” is not true sooooo…well you know what I’m getting at.

This is a question that I have had for many years.  I myself have dated someone shorter then me but only by 3 inches.  Let’s make it clear.  I am not saying I would never date someone significantly shorter then me but to date it has never happened.  I really just don’t get the technicalities of the whole thing.

So, I say all of that to say this…somebody tell me how this works! Please and thank you.

Photo courtesy of Playle.com.

Strong Foundation

I was walking down the street in 5 inch wedges when a lady around 6’ tall stopped me and told me that “she loved my confidence and could never be brave enough to wear heels.” I thanked her for the compliment and told her that she was "beautiful and could rock anything from flats to heels."  She looked at me like nobody had ever given her a compliment.  She said thank you VERY much, gave me a hug and walked away.  I didn’t even get her name.

I have had interactions like this with tall women before but the look she gave me really stuck with me. I teared up many times throughout the day thinking about it.  Had she never heard a compliment before? Was she teased as a kid and never recovered? What happened to her for her to feel like she couldn’t wear heels?

I love my height now however I thought back to my adolescence and how hard it was for me.  I was teased left and right. Felt awkward and ugly.  Never felt like I fit in. I Cursed my height many times but my mother NEVER let those feeling become permanent.  She knew it was hard for me because it was hard for her growing up tall and no matter how long it took, always brought me back to a place where I knew I was special. 

In addition to my Mom, there were many people and programs that God placed in my path to reiterate that our differences are what make us beautiful.  I am thankful for each and every one of them and pray that every person that struggles with self-confidence will have an amazing influence placed in their path.

The following are 5 examples (in no particular order) of AMAZING programs to help our youth become strong and confident.  Thankfully, there are many brilliant programs.  You have a suggestion? Please share:)

Girls Inc. – Girls Inc. was created in 1864 and “inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through a network of local organizations in the United States and Canada.” Through a series of programs developed through research, thousands of girls are strengthened and educated.  Over 1,000 affiliates world wide provide classes from self-defense to finance to athletics, all aimed to promote self growth and awareness. Follow: @Girls_inc Friend: http://on.fb.me/1aEBan Visit:  http://bit.ly/SpnP Watch:  http://bit.ly/145qJH

Women’s Sports Foundation – Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s mission is to ‘advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.’ They give endless grants for many things including; education and sport participation.  They fight for gender equality in all sports.  Endless women and girls have been empowered by the countless endeavors of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Follow: @WomensSportsFdn Friend: http://on.fb.me/lpmKGA Visit: http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org

Girls of Height Inc. – Girls of Height Inc. is a mentoring program for tall girls ages 9-17 years old. The program provides “motivation, inspiration and the know how to help our young ladies to move forward in the right direction.” In addition to the mentor program, Girls of Height Inc. has amazing books. According to founder Rae Ashe,“each book gives great everyday advice & tools for adults on how to address their daughter, niece or sister when approached with a sensitive situation such as bullying or other children making them feel bad about their height. Each are also filled with some of my very own personal experiences growing up as a tall girl.” The Girls of Height Inc. is an amazing program that is on the rise and already changing lives. Follow: @GirlsofHeight Friend: http://on.fb.me/lgMRXt Visit: http://www.girlsofheight.org

The Hall Pass Tour – The Hall Pass Tour presented by College for Every Student “uses music to advance education” and provides “a creative space for communities to support their youth.” Hosted by Holley Monelle, The Hall Pass Tour is a series of after school concerts featuring artists SienZe, j.RENEÉ and DJ Kraff Swagger.  Students are selected to participate in the concerts showcasing their own talents.  Through music and performance, The Hall Pass Tour uses music as a platform to uplift countless kids and provide a path to continued education. Follow: @HallPassTour Friend: http://on.fb.me/fD8vjM Visit: http://www.hallpasstour.com Watch: http://bit.ly/fgO2Lz

T-Zone Foundation– The T-Zone Foundation is a “fierce cause for girls.” Founded by Tyra Banks in 1999, the foundation “empowers girls and young women to live their dreams, discover new possibilities within themselves and take on life's challenges with fierce determination and drive.” Since its inception, T-Zone has “provided resources to a network of community nonprofits recognized for their impact on girls and young women; they share TZONE's mission to empower girls to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams. Whether through community activism, dance, film making, leadership, sports, writing, or as young entrepreneurs – many girls are creating their best futures.” Endless girls have been uplifted and strengthened due to the countless efforts of T-Zone. Visit: http://tzonefoundation.org

UnbeBREEDable

All I want to know is, when did I become a breeder?  I have no kids and although I want some in the future, at the current moment they are not in the plan.  However, men keep asking me to have “babies” with them because they want my tall genes.  I know you are laughing, but I’m serious.

This is the usual approach (if you want to call it that): “hey girl, we need to make some babies together so my son can be Jordan.” No hi, my name is, can I get your number, nothing.  Just straight to the baby making.

I usually give them a yea-HEEECK NO! and walk away but this last time (yesterday to be exact) I stopped and said “you don’t even know who I am why would you want to have babies with me?” and this ignorant dude goes, “because I need a retirement plan and your kids are going to make that money playing some kind of ball.”   

The statement was SO WRONG ON SO MANY LEVELS that I could not even dignify it with a response.  Think of the odds.  What are the chances that 1) I will have a tall BOY (and why couldn't a tall girl be a star?) 2) That he will want to play sports (people have free will) and 3) That he would be good at it because my genes are cool but anyone who would ask a question like that HAS to have moronic genes and what if they dominated? All bad.

But look.  While this is an annoyance, it’s not something I should waste my time with anyways because this would NEVER, neva, neva, eva happen.  I am going to have beautiful babies with my intelligent husband (whoever he may be).  And they will have the choice to do WHATEVER they want in life and be super happy.

Morons like this one and every other man who has wanted a tall woman to ‘breed’ with them, need not apply!

I AM NOT A HORSE! Just because I am tall does NOT mean that I share my genes with others. And while we are on the subject, calling a woman a stallion is NOT a compliment. Take in the information and adjust. Thank you. (photo courtesy of Karenwhimsy.com)

Closet Diving: New Fits on a Dime

We are in the in-between stage where it’s not hot enough for summer clothes but fall clothes are out of the question.  It makes me want to go and buy a whole new wardrobe but alas, my bank account does not agree with me.  I tried talking to it but it rolled its eyes at me and walked away.  Damn you bank account!

So what’s a girl to do? Well, walking around naked is just not an option (believe me, I thought about it), so I brainstormed some ways to look fresh without your money going bad.

1) Look harder.  The best ‘new’ outfits are in your closet.  Stop telling yourself you don’t have any clothes when your closet is so full that you can’t shut the door.  Re-organize, identify and create.  There is a new outfit waiting for you in your own backyard. Find it. Check out: Your closet.

2) Shop vintage. Vintage clothing is a great way to update your look on a dime.  Amazing one of a kind pieces that make you stand out without making your money stand down.  Check out: Urban Vintage and Nelda's Vintage Clothing.

3) Accessorize like a mad woman.  Accessories can change an entire outfit from blah to boom pow with little investment. Check out: Forever21, Stella & Dot and Candid Art.

4) Sell and Buy.  There are plenty of used clothing shops that will purchase your clothes from you.  You can either buy new clothing or get a credit from the shop and buy gems that other people sold.  Check out: Resaleshopping.com and Crossroads Trading Co.

5) Flash sales. These are exclusive, online sales that a lot of stores are offering to people who sign-up for newsletters or online offers.  The sales usually last a couple of hours but if you can catch them, the savings can be GREAT.  Check out: Banana Republic and Nine West.

6) Sign-Up.  There are a plethora (love that word) of sites that find designer sales and bring them to you all at once.  Personal sales shoppers.  All you have to do is sign-up and savings are on their way.  Check out: Shop It To Me and ideeli.

7) Borrow.  Look.  If you have a roommate, sister, friend etc. that is the same size as you, put your clothes together and watch your outfits multiply. Just make sure you wash them thangs before you return them.  Dirty returns are not OK. Check out: a friendly closet.

Well, there you have it.  Now go, be fashionable and money conscious.  They both make you look sexy and smart.

You have an idea that I didn’t think of?  Please share.  Good day fashionistas:)

Get in those closets and find a new outfit! Trust me. It's there. You can do it! (Image courtesy of Clipartguide.com)