@mwa: I'm right off of 30th Avenue too! So beware, they're around. ;)

@mwa: My building is full of encroaching hipsters, consider yourself lucky.

@CleverPseudonym: I totally agree, and also if any of these women "look" homeless I can't imagine they'd be getting a ton of job offers. So if a makeover makes them feel better and look better to a prospective employer I call it a win/win.

I think it's a nice idea actually. Job skills, housing, substance abuse treatment and education are all important without a doubt. But if this project gets these women to feel good about themselves and that they matter, that's not so insignificant.

This is fabulous. The only way it could be better is if it were signed: Betty Bowers

I love a good trashy novel! I didn't see it mentioned here, but Love Play by Rosemary Rogers had me enthralled at about 12 or 13, I'd love to read it now to see how it stands up to my memory.

@Ipomoea: Yes! I read both of them. I have to say for trashy novels they were very well written IMO. I wonder if the author wrote anything else, I must check now.

@bowleserised: Apparently that's ok when the woman is a "goldigger" and "slutty".

@belle TL: It's on cable periodically and also try Amazon you may be able to get a used copy there. I first saw it when it originally came out. It's sexy, and funny but in a very weird way. Like me!

@Mrs. Beeton: I strongly suggest you rent the first film they made together: Jamon, Jamon.

Great suggestions thanks. I have a hard time also w/ jeans because I have a small waist and fuller hips (and thighs) so like Jenna I like a higher rise but no "mom jeans" thank you.

I love that dress but still loathe her for the "I'd kill myself if I was as fat as Marilyn Monroe" comment.

@Sugarbeetle: I was a volunteer at the N.OW. convention back in the early 90's (also just out of college age) when it was held in NYC. I was lucky enough to meet the late, great Bella Abzug and hear Gloria speak. And the irony to me is if any "anti-feminists" really listened to her they would probably like what she…

@FiendishThingie: If you ever get the chance to see her live, either doing a reading or giving a speech, please go see her. She is amazing with a side of awesome sauce.

Ugh, I also remember this ad which hit a sore spot for me as the not gorgeous daughter of a gorgeous mom.

@angelina jolie-laide is a mavericky bish AGAIN: It's sad we're programmed to be so hard on ourselves. My "shape" is ok basically an hourglass but of course I find things to pick at but I think part of my issue is that I had the blonde haired, blue eyed model mom and I'm multiracial (Dad was Latino and Native…

This is interesting, while I certainly had things about my body I disliked my neurosis was always that I was the ugliest girl in the room. I'd almost rather feel overweight (which I am now a bit but wasn't when I was young) because that can be changed. They never seem to do studies about that.

@Benevolent_Dictatrix (patently absurd): Most places let you have either a free or discounted session with a trainer and they all have different styles so don't let this scare you. Just try a few out until you find the one you like!

My grandmother HATED snakes, nothing else bothered her, but snakes she couldn't abide. A couple of times the cats would of course bring them into the house and they were alive so I was tapped for snake-removal duties. I would be just like Salma if it was a waterbug or large spider.

@wreath of lights: Honestly I was fine to stand most of the time (except once when I almost fainted) until my third trimester which was during the summer and I was anemic. You're lugging an amount of weight you're not used to (and I only gained 25 pounds total and felt the difference) and heat can affect you far more…