outsidevoice

Answer: Because we’re Jewish.  You would think that’s a pretty easy answer, wouldn’t you?   It’s easy, but it’s not enough these days. For as long as I’ve been a parent, I’ve had the same conversation with kids of a certain age in this house.  “Why don’t we celebrate Christmas?”  For the older girls (many years [...]

As a rule of thumb, smaller boxes bring more excitement than larger ones. Know what else makes for a great gift? One that is well thought out and personal. What better way to pull off that trifecta of awesome than a gorgeous initial pendant necklace. They come in every option under the sun for any [...]

Image via Southern Living Leave the coat in the car. It’s bulky and will be entirely too warm inside – especially if you are heading to an indoor mall. Think in layers that are flexible – I prefer a wrap sweater like this DKNY Cozy. It’s lightweight and warm and endlessly stylish. Put it on [...]

If you look at my resume you will notice a distinct message: Change. I’ve had several “careers”, none of which I actually planned for – I just merely saw an opportunity that looked interesting and turned in that direction. Each turn built on something I had done previously, but there was no plan. (Just for [...]

You would love my dad.  Everyone does.  He is, quite frankly, the easiest person to get along with on the planet.  If you are at a dinner party you will want him to sit by you.  Much like his dad, he can talk to anyone, tell a really good joke, and, from what I can [...]

Image via Daily Mail The whole world lost its mind when the official announcement about Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement hit the wires. It’s been 30 years since the planet witnessed the most watched wedding in history – that of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. In a most sentimental gesture, Prince William [...]

One of the things the 15:30 Challenge taught me was to have a clear focus – both on what was currently part of my wardrobe and also what needed to be added. On any given month I have a stack of 6-8 style magazines, 8-10 catalogs and hundreds of shopping site emails waiting for me [...]

Growing up we always ate dinner relatively early and we always ate it together. At least as long as we were all home and not scattered about at hebrew school or activities. Maybe we ate early because of the activities. I can’t really remember – and it’s been a long time. I’ve always thought dinner [...]

I am forever looking for cool little gifts that are interesting and, well, different. And, as you know, I am a big fan of the vinyl decal. Really I’m a big fan of anything that has personality and snap, and nothing says snap like Jules looking at you from your laptop cover. I’m thinkin’ the [...]

Yesterday, Cecily was alerted to a book that was being sold on Amazon that is a “How-to-Guide” for pedophilia. Specifically how a pedophile might be able to receive a lesser sentence by modifying his/her approaches – but that pedophilia is ultimate okay and should be celebrated. Not surprisingly, the Internet lost its mind. There was [...]