Month: October 2012

  • A Soon-to-Be-Happy Halloween

    I have been a Halloween crank with my kids. The decorations didn’t go up until yesterday. Frankenstorm was here to destroy the outside decorations, but I can’t use that as an excuse; there was nothing inside either. Last night pumpkin carving was a disaster. We had a rotten pumpkin that smelled like decomposing seafood when…

  • Frankenstorm Update: Naked Girl Opines on Hurricane Compatibility

    Hurricane Sandy, also known affectionately as Frankenstorm, is coming. What it meant for our area was mass panic over the weekend. Purchasing water, food, and any other item deemed a hurricane essential became the priority. Securing outdoor items, filling up gas tanks, and preparing for the loss of power was also part of the preparations for…

  • Defining Real Beauty

    Today’s guest writer, Patricia Iles, is one of the newest members of Studio30 Plus. After reading a piece she submitted to the S30P Community Blog, and reading her writing at Contemplating Happiness, I knew I wanted to invite Patricia to write for Naked Girl in a Dress. She has a beautiful outlook on life with…

  • What is Love?

    Beginning to fade from the extended exposure to sunlight was a child’s artwork project on my friend’s refrigerator. Her daughter was asked to fill in the blank inside a heart glued to pink construction paper. It simply read: “Love is…” Here was her response: “Love is happiness in your heart.” How simple, yet accurate. Children…

  • Life Lessons and Music from Katy Perry

    When my friend Brahm from Alfred Lives Here asked me to guest write for his blog while he is on a fabulous two-week cruise, I was happy to accept. But then the bomb was dropped; I had to write about pop culture. My understanding of pop culture is limited to what I scan daily on…

  • Living with No Regrets

    “What are your dreams?” Someone asked me that soon after I separated from my ex. The question stumped me. I didn’t have an answer, and I was embarrassed I could not conjure up one thing I dreamed to do in my lifetime. To fill the awkward silence, I started rattling off things I wanted for…