Uh, PS: In the third paragraph above, the line, "But there will be another ME!" is supposed to read "But there will never be another ME!" I hate that you can't edit these responses. Boo.

Thank you!

It has taken me a long time to feel confident and sure about myself. We all have that inner dialogue that can be pretty harsh most of the time.

When I start doubting myself or feeling insecure, I remind myself of this: There will always be someone prettier, smarter, skinnier, richer, more successful, more popular, more famous, more talented, etc. But there will be another ME. It's all about recognizing YOUR talents, YOUR particular mix of personality and style, and knowing that they make you, YOU!

And the other thing? I really don't care what most people think. Really. I do what I want and have never let society's expectations back me into a corner, because life is too short to live it according to someone else's standards. I am contradictory at times, and unpredictable too, and I accept that and I don't sugarcoat it.

Someone once told me about a line they read in a book (which escapes me) that went something like this: ALL women are complex. The sooner women own this truth and stop apologizing for it, and the sooner men recognize and accept it, the better we will all be.

And make sure you check out bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, if you haven't. I've heard from others that it is life-changing.

Thanks again!

Gold Elie Tahari platform sandals and bright coral or pink lips!

Um, yeah. A lot. I have very, very, very few friends...basically only the ones I went to college with (women), and several good guy friends. All I can say is, there is a lot of jealousy in the world. Not saying that to toot my horn, but it's the only explanation when I've really not done anything to people.

Reading fashion magazines!

Leather! OK, that's technically not a fabric, but it's my fave! Thanks, Bella!

I customized it myself...check out the DIY Themes blog for Thesis. Though most of the time, I Google for answers to specific questions...that has been the most helpful method. I have found many code snippets that way. :)

Eggs. I love them. And they're very versatile.

This is a great question...I plan to answer it on my blog very soon.

Thanks. I use a customized version of Thesis for WordPress.org.

Rudeness. And slow drivers.

I do very little to it. Single-process color. I blow the roots dry maybe a couple times a week. I don't use a flat iron and use a waver only a handful of times a year. If I'm going to be in the sun, I wear a hat and I spend very little time on the beach or in the pool...when I do, I never wet my hair.

I use Pantene shampoo and conditioner when I wash, about 3 times a week. I only rinse and condition on days in between, for example, after I work out. Aside from that, I get a trim about once a quarter, use a boar bristle brush, and only comb it when it's wet.

I eat lots of eggs, and I swear they help. Also, I take a supplement that is amazing for hair and nails. Check my blog on Sunday, October 3, 2010 to find out what.

Thanks!

I prefer not to discuss religion or politics on my blog and in real life.

I have no idea. I had some kind of crazy dream, but I can't remember what it was. That's probably a good thing.

I'd make the right to bear arms legal in every single U.S. state. Then I'd redecorate the Oval Office—time to modernize a bit, I think. I'd ask Tom Ford if he would help me decorate.

Hi Collette...I'm kind of confused about what you mean. But to be sure we stay connected, I'm following you on Bloglovin' and I've added you to my blogroll on www.gritandglamour.com. Jump on over and leave me a little note so I know you've found me again!

Thanks!

Wow...thank you!

I actually have a Master's degree in technical and professional writing, so yes, I have taken loads of English/writing courses. I'm a professional Web writer/editor, but I deal mostly with marketing and product copy for financial services sites. The writing you have read is quite different from the copy I produce for my full-time job.

The writing I do for my blog and other blogs online is the result of many, many years of writing and reading on my own. To be a good writer, it is my opinion that you must be an avid reader as well. My own vocabulary has grown immensely through reading, and I feel like my writing has grown tremendously because of all the reading and blogging I've done on my own. I do believe, however, that writing is my God-given talent, my gift (especially since I totally suck at math!). It's just what i do, what I always have done. It flows naturally and without a lot of effort.

That said, classes helped me to understand (and employ) literary techniques, grammar and style rules, and the elements of different genres of writing (editorial, technical, creative, investigative, etc.). I've also committed to learning as much as I can through on-the-job training, and by attending conferences and courses on writing for the Web and Web usability. The writer I am today is a mixture of innate ability, education, practice, experience, observation, and never-ending curiosity.

I have written for a couple local magazines and papers, but never a big one. I would absolutely jump at the chance to be published in highly-read publication. What a dream that would be! I'm definitely more of a magazine-style writer, not a book author. I don't have the patience, interest, or attention span required to author a book.

Thanks for your question and compliment!

While I'd like to say that you should wear whatever the hell you want at any age, there are some things your really shouldn't wear late in life. I'm reminded of Ivana Trump (who has got to be near 70), running around in short-shorts with her crepe-y, lumpy legs on display. That's not pretty, and it makes an older woman look like she's clutching desperately at her youth and she is fooling no one. Then I look at Helen Mirren, who looks amazing and shows a little cleavage and wears skirts just above the knee, and she looks totally hot...and classy.

My approach is to dress correctly for your body first, then for your environment, then for your place in life. Celebrate your strengths and mask your weaknesses. I just wrote something about this on a blog recently, and I'm going to repeat it here. It used to be said that a woman over 35 should not wear her hair long, and should not wear minis or sleeveless shirts. I give you Demi Moore, who, pushing 50, has a gorgeous head of hair that looks fantastic long, and an incredibly toned, youthful body. I'm 38 and my hair is super long, and I work out and my legs are fine in a mini, and my arms are toned enough to be able to wear whatever I want. Despite all that, I am not going to wear cheeky denim cutoffs that 20-year-olds wear. I'm not 20; I'm a creative professional, and I am someone's wife and daughter. I don't want to diminish my professional or societal reputation by wearing something that is really inappropriate. I can wear shorts, but they don't need to be that short.

I dress for my body first, then for my stage in life. When I'm 70, I'm still going to wear skinny little above-the-knee pencil skirts, but I doubt I'm going to wear the cutoff denim mini that's hanging in my closet now.

My approach is everything in moderation. Older women can still wear some trends and be just fine. It's all a matter of cut and styling. I say, when in doubt, go without. Or get a second opinion from someone whose style you like and who always gets it right.

Hi, thanks for your question. In terms of fashion mags, in Australia I love Grazia, in the U.S., my favorite is Harper's Bazaar.

Aside from those, I love reading Men's Health (great mag, great insight) and Rolling Stone, on occasion.

I do. With a tripod and a timer.