5 Beautiful women and why they're on my wall...

If you walked in to my room, you might get the wrong idea about me. While I have no male 'hotties' lining my wall (minus my beau John Lennon) I do have multiple women. It's not because I'm gay (not that there's anything wrong with that... get it? get it?) but because each of these woman represent beauty in a different way. Of course, they're all nearly flawless, but it's something beneath the surface that really calls to me.


5. Natalie Portman

Why She's Beautiful: She's not afraid to be smart

Women tend to have a fear of putting everything on the plate too soon. But rather than hide our annoying habits or brooding jealousy we hide our intelligence. Natalie, though, attended Harvard while continuing to work. Oh, and she's not one of those starlets who buy their way in she got over 1400 on her SATs, putting her above George W. Bush, Al Gore, and yours truly. Her characters, even pregnant teen Novalee Nation in 2000's Where the Heart Is, have a keen awareness to the world that make them 'deep.'




4. Gwen Stefani

Why She's Beautiful: She's not afraid to be vulnerable

No Doubt's breakout hit album, 1995's Tragic Kingdom, was almost completely fueled by Stefani's break-up with bandmate Tony Kanal. This girl not only continued to work with her ex (from a 7-year relationship) but wrote about it and broadcasted it to him and the world. I use her as a reminder not to get to caught up in being a "STRONG WOMAN" and remember that we can be human, too.




3. Blake Lively

Why She's Beautiful: She's not afraid to rock it

I love this girl. She's gorgeous in a way that makes all women jealous. She exudes girl-next-door likability and a go-with-the-flow attitude. For use as an inspiration, though, I have to admire her confidence. She seems completely unfazed by the fact that she's so often gawked at. She seems to wear whatever she wants, and she looks amazing in it. Sure, it might be her amazing body, but I'd like to think at least some of it is attitude.




2. Lily Allen

Why She's Beautiful: She's not afraid to say what's on her mind/Make her own destiny

What does a young woman do when no one will listen? If you're Lily Allen, you make a myspace account and create your own following. It's easy to see why she's so loved: with her controversial, tongue-in-cheek lyrics she's not only lovable but real. I've learned that listening to her music is an amazing stand-in for girl talk with my best friends. Her ability to say what she's thinking and how she feels, without loosing classiness in the process, is incredibly inspiring for everyday life.


1. My Mother

Why She's Beautiful: She's My Reflection

I can be intense. Everyone I know can attest to that. My mother and I had a rocky relationship in middle and even most of high school. When I went away to college I really began to appreciate her. My mother grew up with a horrible home life and never had much. Her and my father have worked from nothing to produce a home, family, and two kids who couldn't (legitimately, anyways) ask for more. She's strong-willed and over-emotional. She's anxious and motivated. She's a wise-ass and clever. Mostly, I've learned that everything about who we are is a reflection on our parents. Talking to my mom, on a mother-daughter or friend-level, allows me to realize the things I love about her (and then appreciate in myself) and that things that frustrate me (which make me realize I may need to change as well). Out of all the inspirations I keep on my wall, and near my heart, my mother will always be number 1.