When you think of Cosmopolitan, politics don't exactly spring to mind, unless they're the sexual kind. But the magazine's editor-in-chief is aiming to change that. With Joanna Coles at the helm, there is hope that Cosmo will become a thinking woman's magazine yet.
Coles claimed in an interview with NPR that it's not inconceivable for a woman to "handle both choosing an outfit and a suitable candidate for the Senate." With its seemingly endless orgasm-centric fare, however, the magazine hasn't exactly helped dispel reigning gender bias. In fact, you could argue that the likes of Cosmo have contributed to the problem.
Sure, girls want to have fun, yet as Coles rightly points out, they are equally "interested in mascara and the Middle East." Unfortunately in trying to make her point, she draws on the tropes of men who are able to talk about sports "relentlessly" and still be taken seriously.
Yes, it's true that we 'gals' can be frivolous and business-minded and high-brow and silly. Still, talk of any kind of feminism feels rich coming from a magazine whose remit for as long as I can remember has done nothing to reflect the deep layers of its readers, but which has instead taken us as a collective of nymphomaniacs whose only concern is ever more creative ways of pleasuring men.
If Coles has her way, the magazine deliver in-depth features on elections under its #CosmoVotes hashtag. If Coles delivers on her promise, Cosmo could well become Playboy for women, strategically balancing titillation with serious journalism.
If Pinterest only leaves a massive dent in your self-esteem, then you'll want to join forces with Kim Bauer. The mom who blogs at One Classy Motha! staged a revolt against the overachieving Bento Box trend—in which parents with too much time on their hands take to making mini masterpieces out of little Jayden's lunch to show just how much she is loved.
Well, phooey to that shit, I say. Pinterest is my sworn enemy. I honestly don't need the exercise in inadequacy and self-loathing. I know my strengths. After the panic attacks brought on by critter cupcakes on my son's first birthday, I threw in the towel and in the years following handed over the glory to Metro's fine bakery staff. A cupcake's a cupcake and besides, my son will like me better without the panic attacks.
But back to Bento. Bauer daringly put herself out on the ledge after her daughter came home from school one day lamenting the ordinariness of her lunch box contents:
"...Wednesday’s lunchtime was spent watching little Hayden nibble on Elsa’s certified organic noodle braid, while Ana despondently ate from a zip-lock bag filled with pretzels and an enormous amount of apathy," writes Bauer. "Her tale of woe was really quite heartbreaking."
To combat the lunch perfection of the other kids in her daughter's class, Bauer created the “I ain’t got time for that. Here’s some lunch money” Bento Box, which consists of neatly folded triangle dollars, carefully arranged coins, basic drawings and a sense of humour.
But in Bauer's attempt at rejecting the Pinterest phenomenon, is she actually producing something as time-consuming as that which she is rejecting?
Whether it is more work or not she has at least made her kids (and many jaded moms) belly-laugh in the process.
You tell me: Do you leave creative notes in your kids' lunches, or do you take the 'ain't got time for that' approach?
This dad took lunchbox notes to a new level with these designs.
Health Canada has recalled the above novelty squish ball, which has been marketed for Halloween in Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores.
The liquid-filled ball covered in black netting has the following UPC code: 057800879657.
The cover and netting pieces may detach or the squish ball may burst, both of which pose a choking and ingestion hazard.
While no injuries or incidents have been reported, customers are advised to stop using the balls immediately and return them to any Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharmaprix for a full refund with or without a receipt.
For further information, please contact Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix Customer Service at 1-800-746-7737.
From September 6 to September 29, 2014, approximately 1,154 of the balls were sold at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores in Canada.
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