Why does a democracy need journalism and the First Amendment?

            Democracy is defined in the Encarta World English Dictionary as the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government, often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the people. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids Congress from interfering with a citizen’s freedom of religion, speech, assembly, or petition – which is also more commonly referred to as ‘freedom of speech’.

            I will never forget learning about civil rights as an elementary school student. It seemed that for every rude or inappropriate comment that came out of my juvenile mouth, I followed it with “But I can say that because of my freedom of speech”. Now as an adult, it seems like this right is far more important than just a tactic to get away with saying something rude. It has become the backbone for my desired profession, and the foundation for relaying news, as we know it today.

            Journalism is designed to deliver an accurate account of events to citizens, and does so within the rights of the First Amendment, while utilizing a key factor outlined in democracy – the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government. This means that any person could be a journalist. Any single citizen can deliver what they believe to be true to the public because it is a right given to those in a democracy to participate as free and equal citizens, while the First Amendment gives such citizen the ability to either print or speak whatever it is that he/she believes to be prevalent information for the people.

            It is this born freedom that allows this art of journalism the room to either flourish or wilt depending on the quality and popularity of the individual piece. Success is in the hands of the writer. Often, the audience is able to feel emotion and character through the words of a journalist, and relate to issues presented. Without the First Amendment, journalism would simply be government-censored information fed to the public; and without journalism there would be nothing for the public to observe, critique, and remain informed on. It is journalism and the First Amendment that keeps democracy honest.

Q&A

On Journalism
My definition of journalism is delivering news in the most unbiased and truest form possible. It should be raw information and facts, and will be open to the public for criticism. Good journalism sparks a conversation. 
There are three models of journalism that exist today. First is advocacy journalism which focuses on social change and justice. Next is traditional elite journalism which focuses on truth for decisions. Lastly, there is public/civil journalism which focuses on common problem solving. 

On Democracy
To me, democracy is a government that is run for the people, by the people. Everyone has an equal voice. Within this democracy, there are many different ways that we can exercise these rights to democracy, including election politics and public politics. Election politics are just what they sound like. These days, the news can make or break a political candidate. Public politics is something that the public can bring in to their own writing and news. Lippmann and Dewey argued about something very similar. Lippmann believed that it was the duty of journalism to convey the message of the elites to the public, while Dewey believed that the public was fully capable of understanding these issues, and public forum should be made to base decisions off of. While you can see both as having valid arguements, I believe that Dewey had a better grasp on the importance of democracy and getting the public involved rather than just feeding them information. 

On the First Amendment

The First Amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." If it wasn't for these protections, women may not have the right to vote as they do today. It is this freedom of speech that allotted Susan B. Anthony the right to give 75 to 100 speeches per year on woman's suffrage, eventually leading to Colorado being the first state to adopt an amendment for women's voting rights. Without these protections, society could not advance. 

On Diversity
Diversity within democracy is so important, not just between the usual and obvious like blacks and whites, but within religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. This diversity is able to show views from so many different walks of life. It gives the public an opportunity to see things from someone else's perspective and helps to advance our society as a whole. 
It is a goal of a journalist to deliver the truth. Each piece of news is different and unique in its own respect. I feel that diversity within each individual story is very important. Every person is able to speak on an issue because of the First Amendment and it aims to cause a diverse and unbiased story. I have yet to encounter a time in my life where my right to diversity protected by the First Amendment has been challenged. However, I do think that as my career progresses I will have to fight harder for my rights given to me in the First Amendment. 

Fabulous Footwear

There's something about a woman that always has on the perfect shoe. Whether it be a jeweled sandal worn to the beach, cute sneakers to the gym, or an amazing pump for a night out on the town, there's something to be said for having that much "sole"!

A few of my favorites <3

Sandals...

When I go to the beach I like to wear things that I will be able to keep on all day. For me, these nude sandals with turquoise and rhinestone embellishment were the perfect staple. They are by a spanish company called exé and are almost impossible to find in this country because they are more of an international brand. I was lucky enough to find them on vacation this summer (and they were quite inexpensive)! But, you can get the same great look with a company named Mystique. www.mystiquesandal.com. Their website is really easy to navigate through (which makes shopping with them that much more fun), and the sandals wear extremely well!



Sneakers...

If it's Monday through Friday, you are almost guaranteed to see me running errands, going to class, or headed to the gym in my Nike AirMax sneakers. They come in such great colors for both guys and girls. My pair is a dark grey with hot pink accents. But most importantly, they feel like I am walking on air. I can run for days in these! (and the compliments on my cute footwear definitely don't hurt).






Pump it up! My go-to pumps for any and every occasion...

These nude pumps match every piece of clothing in my closet. I have worn them nearly to death, and because I got them for such a great price, I don't feel bad to say that I am now on to my second pair! I got my first pair at Aldo almost two years ago, and when they wear out, I replace them with a new pair. The only downfall to these is that they are a patent-leather material, so they can scuff easily. But it's worth a little scrub every time you wear them, and most of the imperfections are minor and unnoticeable. I've worn them to cocktail parties with a LBD, and threw them on that same weekend with jeans, a tee, and a blazer to make my casual look a little more sophisticated.





My dream shoe!
Christian Louboutin Swarovski crystal embellished pump

Absolutely gorgeous. (maybe my lovely mother will surprise me for the holidays!) Mom, if you're reading... I looove you :)








For more of my favorites, or tips on the perfect shoe to go with any outfit, just ask!

Decoration Dilemma

Decorating can be an absolute nightmare... Especially on a budget and in a small space. If your are trying to achieve fabulosity, for a good price, and not look like you're cutting corners on your already-tiny space, these simple tips and sites can help you achieve the impossible.

Tip 1: Choose a color scheme that suits your personality.
This can be difficult, especially if you are already a colorful person, and enjoy a wide range rather than something easier to find matching items for, such as neutrals. But, as hard as it is to narrow down your options, it can be made a lot easier! Try to find a focus point for your design. For example, I found these great baby blue and brown pillows which now serve as the color pallet for my living-room and its connecting kitchen. Once you know which colors you are looking for, it is a lot easier to sort through all of the riff-raff.

Tip 2: Start by finding your basics.
Because my apartment came furnished, all I was really left to do was find things to accent my chocolate brown couch, and dark wooden tables. (However, if your apartment is not already furnished, I suggest looking for major furniture pieces first (such as a couch and coffee table). Try googling "discount furniture" and see what comes up.)
Once your major pieces have been selected, find things that compliment them, such as pillows, an area rug, and curtains. Bed Bath & Beyond has a great selection, as well as Target. You can shop online for both of these stores, but I find it helpful to actually visit the store in-person. (I took my pillow with me so I could match colors).

Tip 3: Splurge on must-have's.
There are few things in this world that cannot be substituted for something else. But there are also a few things that you just cannot live without. These tiny splurge items will be what bring your room to life and let your personality shine through it all. For me, my must-have items were two ruffled pillows, deep brown and blue striped curtains, and crystal coasters that I purchased from Z Gallerie, and these silver napkin holders that I found at Bed Bath & Beyond. The thick vertical stripes in my curtains help to elongate the walls, making my ceilings look higher and the coasters are always a conversation piece when we have guests over.

Tip 4: Don't be afraid to craft!

Home-made flower vase

Home-made crown for artwork

There are several things in my apartment that are made by yours truely <3 (not to mention it was a ton of fun doing it) Things like flower vases and pot holders can be a lot of fun to make and definitely help to bring the space together. My roommates and I searched ideas for fun crafting pieces that we could make easy and cheap. We found an oversized champagne glass that we bedazzled to make into a flower pot, and saved wine corks that we glued together to make hot-plate holders. You can also make your own artwork with a large canvas, paint, and a couple brushes. Abstract art is so in right now!

Tip 5: Shop for deals.
Discount stores such as TJ Maxx and Marshalls have simple, inexpensive things that help to pull a room together. You can find cheap picture frames, art, candles, dishes, and much more! This way, if you find something you love (such as a great picture frame) and it isn't the right color, you won't feel bad to paint over it to make it match your new space! You may even be able to find an extra chair or lamp from a yardsale. One person's trash may be your new room's treasure!

Tip 6: Don't over-do it.
Less is more. Especially working with a small space. It can be fun (and mildly addicting) to shop for little nick-nacks to fill your room, but try not to overcrowd a small space. There's no reason to waste money, especially when you still have to shop for things like pots and pans that easily add up to a big expense.

Tip 7: Bring it all to life. 

There is nothing like pictures of you and your friends, or a bouquet of fresh flowers you picked up at the grocery store that will bring a room to life quicker! You want your space to be trendy and sophisticated, but actually look like people live there! 

Tip 8: Have a house-warming party!

What a better way to break-in a new space than by celebrating the change with friends and family! Pop open a bottle of Prosecco (or sparkling cider for those of you who prefer a non-alcoholic beverage) and pour it into that set of six champagne flutes (that you got on sale). Prepare a nice cheese spread for your guests, and enjoy! Because you're new space is obviously fabulous, it will be fun to share your "how-to's" and "this is where i got it's"

One of my favorite sites for room ideas is ZGallerie.com. They have so many great color-schemes and definitely give ideas on how to pull a room together.

The Delightful Down-Under(wear)!!

Must-Have's for your underwear drawer!

Choosing the perfect undergarments for an outfit can be difficult, but hopefully this will be an easy guide to help you make the right choices.

I call this trick my $50 boob job ;) .. It really is a miracle bra. Imagine walking in Victoria's Secret with an A and walking out with a C... Because before i tried their Bombshell bra, all i could do was imagine!

What to wear it with? For starters, how about just a plain white tee. You might need to get used to wearing that much padding (but I promise it will be more comfortable than the tube socks you were stuffing in there before).. Once you get used to your new bustiness, you can try it with your favorite dress! Or tunic top! And when the upper-half of your outfit fits a little snug, smile :) And when you're out to dinner and drop a bite of your food and it hits your shirt rather than falling straight to your lap, smile then too :) because chances are if you're anything like me, you probably have paid more for those flossy jeans than you did for that tee anyway!

Here's where to find it! http://www.victoriassecret.com/bras/hello-bombshell

For 'No-See-Em' undies.. Go Commando! Bare necessities makes a great line of commando panties that are literally impossible to see (even under that skin-tight Herve Leger dress that costed you a month's worth of paychecks!).. These bad-boys have even been featured on the Oprah show! 

Check them out for yourself! http://www.barenecessities.com/search.aspx?search=commando&ft=1

For every-day comfort... Play Hanky Panky! These are literally my favorite panties. Not only do they come in a plethora of adorable colors (two-tones, vibrants, and neutrals), but they are so comfortable!! Say "bye bye bye" to bunchiness!

Get them here! http://www.barenecessities.com/search.aspx?search=hankypanky&ft=1

Post comments with any specific questions/concerns !! I'd be happy to help :)

xo, yours truely

My Favorite Sweats!

Although they may be expensive, the Free City line of cotton goodies by Ron Herman is literally my favorite lounge-wear on the planet. The cotton is so soft and the designs couldn't be more fabulous. My favorite items are the sweatpants and hoodies. They have a full range of neutral to neon colors to choose form, so everyone can find a color that suits them.

The only major drawback from these sweats is the price. However, I felt like after my purchase was made these were something that would last me forever. So I tried to tell myself it was a good investment rather than an impulse buy (easing my shoppers remorse ;) ).. But now I couldn't be happier.. I pretty much live in these sweats.

Here's where to browse!! http://www.ronherman.com/category/47/1/freecity.html

And here is a pic of my personal fav !! <3



For a comfy and trendy alternative for fashionistas on a budget, Victoria's Secret PINK collection has a great line of lounge wear that is super cute and super comfy!

Tie it all together! My new favorite scarves!

As the summer came to a close and fall continues to breeze by, I am still a little bitter about not being able to wear a t-shirt without a jacket or sweater. I found a great designer, Tolani, that makes the most beautiful scarves in all kinds of patterns.

I think they are great to throw on for those moments when it's in between being cold enough for a jacket and not quite warm enough to just wear a tee.

Also, they are made in a "green" way.. who doesn't want to help save the environment? My favorite Tolani scarf is a leopard print one. It is light-weight and super soft. Sienna Miller owns the same one!

Just google, "Tolani Scarves" and start your search for the hottest new scarves!! xo

J BRAND Jeans: My Personal Favorites

There's something about my favorite pair of jeans that make me happy every time i put them on... For me, it's my pair of J Brand's that I've had forever. They've had holes repaired, tears, fading, and through it all, they still remain my favorite denim to throw on no matter what the occasion.

Sure, there are a ton of jeans that will look okay, and feel like they fit. But every girl usually has one pair of their "favorite'" jeans. Perfect wash, perfect fit, and perfect length. They don't hug you too tight or not enough. It was love at first fitting with the low-rise cigarette leg in ink.