Dear Gwyneth,
Happy Valentines Day! Hope you get to spend it with the ones you love most!

As a single gal, this is supposed to be a dreaded holiday spent hating on love in one way or another. Though I tend to think we should show our loved ones how much we care regularly, I don't have a problem with giving one of the greatest forces on the planet its own day. But, and brace yourself because this is about to take a selfish turn, there are many types of love and in addition to showing your friends, family, and possibly that crush or significant other some tlc, there is also love for yourself. If you don't have a valentine, if you are lonely, don't beat yourself up, or try to stuff down your emotions with your weight in Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream...or banana bread (but damn, it's good isn't it?). You have to keep taking care and loving yourself, because you deserve it. Go for a run, help someone out, do something that makes you feel amazing. I don't mean to sound self-righteous. Given that I am not sure anyone out there even reads this, it is mostly as a reminder to me. This is what I told myself today as I polished off a loaf of chocolate chip banana bread in less than a 24 hour period.

Earlier this week, my best friend sent me along an email with this clip of the editorial from last month's Glamour by Eve Ensler (as part of her new book: I am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World). I have been thinking about it all week. I think it could also apply to men sometimes as well. Made me think of all this pressure society puts on us, and that we put on ourselves, which can weigh us down and perpetuate negative stories we keep telling ourselves. Enough is enough. Take some direction, control, initiative and love back. Own every part of you.



Stay brave lovelies, and watch out for that banana bread. It's dangerous!