Boston Vagina Monologues 2013 Recap

Hi strangers!

I'm sorry I've been absent from blogging for almost a month. I'm finding more and more that taking pictures of and talking about my clothes just doesn't feel like a priority. I love blogging, and my online community, but this month I've been focusing on my real life community.

The weekend of March 22- 24 was the Boston community production of Eve Ensler's Vagina Monologues. This was my 4th year involved with this talented group of women, and my third year as an organizer. I absolutely loved directing a team of about 40 talented, diverse, and passionate women in a benefit performance.

With Lori and Leah, two of my co-organizers for the show.

Yes, that is a giant fabric Vagina. There were also chocolate vaginas...

... and vagina cupcakes! 

We had an amazing time and raised over $6000 to benefit VDay, Boston GLOW, Victory Programs, and the Young Black Women's Society.

All photos courtesy of Kaylyn Leighton Photography.

These Hips are Rising

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Being involved with the VDay movement for the past seven years has transformed February 14th from a silly holiday about candy hearts, girlish romance and flowers to a day of power, community, and self- love.

This year's theme is One Billion Rising. There are approximately 3 billion women and girls on this planet. One third of them will experience violence or rape in her lifetime. I don't know about you, but that is not a statistic I can accept!

I can't accept that having hips and breasts means you can objectify me,  or that wearing a short skirt or having a drink too many means I want to have sex with you. 

I can't accept the cat calls, the whistles, the man coping a feel, the boy undressing with his eyes. 

I can't accept femicide, genital mutilation, forced trans-vaginal ultrasounds, slut shaming, street harassment, anti-choice legislation, or misogyny as facts of life.


Today women and men all over the world are rising in dance, in song, in protest and in memory. We're rising for our sisters our mothers, daughters, friends, our lovers, and ourselves. Visit www.onebillionrising.org for information about events in your area.  Bring your date with you. Everyone is welcome. 

If you're in Boston, and you'd like to rise with me. I'll be in Copley square at 5:30pm! 

Blog Birthday, Blog Future

Image via

My blog is a year old! It was officially a year ago on Saturday that I published my first post, but better to celebrate late than never. 177 posts later, here's a look back at some of my favorite moments from my first year of blogging. 

1. I wore a really cute sundress and vented about street harassment. 

2. I took some pictures in a bikini while on my Connecticut vacation. 

3. I shared my five reasons for being a feminist.

4. I shared my secrets for dealing with chub rub. (and I realize now that I never posted part two of that series)

5. I threw caution to the wind and broke all the rules. 

You're probably noticing a trend here. All of my favorite posts are focused around body image or feminist issues. Anyone who knows me "in real life" would not be surprised to hear that, but I'm not sure that I've represented myself the best in the blog world. I've been feeling a little disenchanted with blogging lately. For one, I've been incredibly busy. I also haven't really felt like taking pictures of myself and talking about my clothes all the time. I love clothes but I hate feeling like I don't have the freedom to write about other things. 

So I'm going to mix things up a little on here, and I hope you'll stick with me. I'm definitely not doing away with outfit posts or wish lists, but I anticipate a little more feminism and a lot more personality. 

What would you like to see from Hips and Hangers in my second year of blogging? 

VOTE!

It's not just about the president. For information about what's on the ballot in your district, visit Project Vote Smart. 

Friday's Five Facts: What makes me a Feminist

 Y'all know that I love fashion. This is a fashion blog isn't it? But today I want to talk about the other major F word in my life- feminism.

I am a feminist. Unlike girl genius extraordinaire Tavi Gevinson, it took me about 20 years of my life to be able to comfortably state that. This was partly due to the social stigma around the word, but mostly due to the lack of a label for feelings of frustration I can trace back to when I was labeled a slut by other girls just for having lots of guy friends and a boyfriend in 9th grade.

What makes me a feminist?

1.Equality. I hold a deep seeded belief that all people are equal regardless of gender identity, sex, race, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, weight, health, ability etc.

2. Opportunity. Going in line with the belief that all people are equal, I believe that all people deserve equal opportunities. I support equal pay, Title IX, and goddammit I want to see more women, LGBT people, and people of color in positions of power!

3. I hate double standards. I spent three semesters studying the sexual double standard as part of my undergraduate thesis. Double standards go beyond sexual activity. Women are held to different standards than men, and it's not fair.

4. Choice. I believe that all people have the right to make the decisions that affect their health, happiness, and well being. For me choice goes beyond reproductive rights. Choice is about options and freedom. It is the choice to marry, or not marry, whomever you want and to have children, or to not have children. It's the choice to stay home with those children or the choice to be a working parent. It's the choice to live where you want, wear what you want, eat what you want, and practice whatever religion you want.

5. Empowerment. Everyone deserves to find their own voice. Being a part of the VDay movement, working with Boston GLOW, and even starting this blog have helped me find mine.

Want to hear more? Next Wednesday, October 3rd, I'm partnering with Boston GLOW for "These Clothes Were Made for Talking". It will be a discussion and networking event for women, exploring fashion and feminism- what our clothes say about us and whether they should shut the hell up!

If you're in New England please come by! If you don't identify as a feminist, please don't be intimidated. We're just looking to have a good discussion, maybe a few drinks, and a lot of fun!  If you use the discount code "Spitfire" you'll get admission for $2! Purchase tickets HERE.