Things a lady DOESN’T need when traveling abroad

So I am new to this international travel thing. Therefore when I packed my three-piece Ralph Lauren luggage like I was taking a month-long trip to New York City, I was completely misguided. As soon as I arrived, I realized that half the things I packed would be useless in the La Paz environment. I must admit I am a high-maintenance lady – the type who can’t leave the country without my MAC makeup and ALDO patent pumps (both are still in the suitcase). BUT La Paz has taught me to live a little less glamorous and a little more relaxed. Below you will find a list of the things a lady DOESN’T need when traveling abroad.

1. Every REAL traveler uses a hiking pack to get around because they are constantly picking up to go. Now they aren’t very stylish but they are VERY efficient. The lady equivalent would be one medium –size suitcase, and leave the Louis V at home.
2. Heels of any sort are a stupid choice. It is the rainy season in La Paz so I could have used some rain boots but of course I have two pairs of heels. You are likely to walk everywhere and not every country has the paved roads of America. Therefore you want to get some shoes you don’t mind getting dusty or worn (I chose a comfy pair of sneaks).
3. Makeup? Really what was I thinking? I lugged all my beauty products down here only to have them lay in wait for a month in the baggage. The bolivianos don’t care if my hair is done or my eyebrows are plucked, and frankly neither do I.

Ladies I wouldn’t worry so much over the little luxuries that you think you can’t live without when packing for a trip abroad. You will be surprised at the products you can find in a pharmacy overseas, so leave the clutter in your closet! While I was packing multiple poolside cover up options, I should have been packing a towel because summer in Bolivia means nothing but rain.

Heed my advice ladies, pack light and enjoy the freedom of getting a little dirt under your fingernails (at least while no one is looking).

Lady Travels: La Paz, Bolivia

Hello ladies,

I know it has been so long since we spoke last but my fall semester at university was crazed to say the least.  However now I’m off on holiday and traveling the world for the first time! So we should be talking more often. A lady needs to know the ups and downs of traveling…

Lady Reads: Little Bee by Chris Cleave

This is the story of two women…According to the back cover, I have been sworn to secrecy on the plot. But if you did or didn’t read Little Bee this summer, here is what you should take away from Chris Cleave‘s New York Times Bestseller.

Money = Power

“Most days I wish I was a British pound coin instead of an African girl.” (p.1.)

Money is bilingual, accepted and welcomed everywhere. Cash is comforting, elusive and transformative. Most importantly, money yields freedom.

Be prepared

“The Queen and me, we are ready for the worst. In public you will see both of us smiling and sometimes even laughing, but if you were a man who looked at us in a certain way we would both of us make sure we were dead before you could lay a single finger on our bodies. Me and the Queen of England, we would not give you the satisfaction.” (p. 50)

No matter her rank, a lady watches her own back and is prepared to sacrifice in order to maintain her dignity. Whether the threat is deportation or dethroning.

Men ain’t sh*t

“The men came and they… That was how all of our stories started.” (p. 79)

History gives men a bad name – the Great Depression (men), 9/11 (men), current economic whirlwind (men). Don’t let the bogus boyfriends and dead-beat daddies getcha.

Play Dress Up In Knee High Sandals

3 ways to turn the latest trend in footwear into a character exploration.

1. Goddess

“None are as beautiful as I.” You’re so vain, you probably bought me this shirt all about YOU!

2. Dominatrix

“How dare you defy me?!” Crack of the whip on your boyfriend’s bum.

3. Gladiator

“Put’em up, put’em up.” In 2007, these got Mary Kate on People’s Worst Dressed List. Look how stylish they are now!

In the News this Week: The French

Today is Bastille Day! It’s the French version of Independence Day, and this week the frogs have been all over the American news radar. “Lorsque, en Amérique, faire comme le font les Français,” meaning when in America, do as the French do. Don’t use soap, don’t wear face veils, but do wear couture.

• Paris Haute Couture Week: Designers like Armani, Chanel and Valentino showcased their autumn/winter collections. Glitzy – oui.
• Unveiling Sexism:1900  French women could face penalties of $185 for wearing burkas, a traditional face covering that aligns with Muslim beliefs. The legislation, which has already passed through the National Assembly, is expected to start a trend in European politics.  Dear President Sarkozy, Thanks for sending a big F-U to women’s rights and religious equality.
• Political Rouge: What’s worse then a zit on a first date? A finagling photographer, a sneaky butler, and a domineering daughter. Lady L’Oreal is poised to bring down the entire French government’s financial sector in her $20 billion dollar tax scandal.
• 10 French beauty secrets: Take the French outlook to beauty – no surgery, no makeup, no exercise required. Just spend all your money on creams (no L’Oreal affiliates, s’il vous plaît)!
• Bastille Bonbon: Luckily the French eat more glamorous foods than French fries and franks on their Day of Independence. Crepes, French onion soup, quiche and croissants are all a part of French cuisine. Flambe something!

Monday Maven: “Lady Power”

Lady Gaga is a known conversation starter. Are those contact lenses FDA approved? Does she like girls or boys? Is she a feminist?

In the June 20^th Opinionator Blog for nytimes.com, Nancy Bauer weighed in on Lady Gaga and her effect on Generation Y’s sexuality (check out the post, “Lady Power,” here). Bauer teaches philosophy at Tufts University and has written many articles and books on feminism.  Read on to see what Bauer has to say…

Q: In the article you mention that college students no longer use the term woman, they prefer girl. What does the term “lady” evoke for you?

A: College students started calling themselves women in the 1970s, during the height of so-called “second-wave” feminism.  In the 90s, we had The Spice Girls advocating “girl power.”  Their message was meant to appeal mostly to little girls and tweens — in other words, the young women who are now college-aged.  What I was calling “lady power” is different from both “woman power” and “girl power.”  Lady Gaga sends the message — especially to a certain class of contemporary young women — that it’s powerful to wield your sexuality in an ironic, playful way.  I wanted to put some pressure on that idea, to suggest that the kind of power Gaga is advocating is, at best, not stable.

Q: How should young women avoid the “hook-up hangover”?

Tags: Feminism, interview, Lady Gaga, Nancy Bauer, Nytimes, opinion

Lady Loves: One Haute Mani

When Lauren Conrad started the multi-colored nail revolution last spring, it was just a college girl fad. But this summer decorated nails have made the transition into the work place. Make nail art classy by pairing demure gray with bright pink, or try a moon manicure which screams fashion sense without looking sweet 16.

Chivalry is (Un)Dead

Like thousands of unabashed over-aged mystical creature fans, I tousled with teenyboppers to see Eclipse during opening week.  And it occurred to me while watching Edward and Bella’s almost-sex scene that chivalry is dead, or in this case, undead.

Don’t get it twisted – I am on Team Jacob, but the vampire is a true gentleman!  Like Bella says, he is old-fashioned – practically virginal. Most likely because he is transported from the era of carriages and chaperones. But back in this century you would never have to worry about going Dutch on a first date with Edward.

Tags: eclipse, edward cullen, Entertainment Weekly, entertianment, movie, robert pattinson, stephenie meyer, taylor lautner, twilight, vampire

A Lady Defined

Lady (noun)

A well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior. A woman regarded as proper and virtuous. A woman who is the head of a household. A woman, especially when spoken of or to in a polite way. A woman to whom a man is romantically attached. A wife (from thefreedictionary.com).

This definition like a true lady is multifaceted. She can be all of these things, none of these things, or a combination of everything.

Welcome to Behold a Lady: the ramblings of a modern mademoiselle! I am writing this blog for the woman who exudes strength and independence, but also loves the daintiness a woman can possess. Just like a woman this blog is all over the place. There will be commentary on news, pop culture and style tailored to contemporary ladies.

What is a “lady” in the 21st century? Keep reading and find out with me…