Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter and other social media are sending mixed messages about the
way we, as women, are to live our lives. Catch phrases like “YOLO” and “swag”
are distorting the ideals that we should strive for. Women have more to
contribute to society than being sexy, and we certainly shouldn’t attach our
worth to how many likes we get on a selfie.
As a mother
to a tween daughter and a teenage son, I have learned a few things about life
along the way. This book is full of valuable tips or bits of wisdom that I have
learned, or heard from my parents, while growing up.
Some of them
are quite spiritual and have helped me through some difficult times. Some of
them are practical and certainly would have helped me to avoid some major
overreactions to the silliest of things. Some are just plain amusing. They stem
from those eureka moments where I was like “That is so true!” Like, who knew
that the thread count of sheets really does make a difference?
This is not
just another book where a mother and her daughter walk hand-in-hand in the
garden as the mom passes along life lessons. This book is more of a
woman-to-woman guidebook for life.
Now about
mascara...how many of you look at celebrities and are like, there is no way
their lashes can be that full! You’ve tried to layer coat after coat with your
mascara and wonder why your lashes still look like, well, your lashes. You
think, am I applying this wrong? Maybe I need a special brush? No.
All mascara
is NOT created equal! This was news to me. I don’t care how much your current
mascara costs, it still might not be good. There ARE mascaras that are superior
to others. You just need to find the right one.
So, as you
read through the pages of this book, grab a cup of tea, and let these tips sink
in. Don’t get distracted by what society is trying to tell you to become; walk
in the plan God has for you. You are God’s beautiful creation, and He has a
wonderful plan for your life.
A Q&A
with Jessica Landmon, founder of Women Get Real
and author
of All Mascara is Not Created Equal
1. Can you give us a brief summary of
your book, All Mascara is Not Created
Equal?
All Mascara is Not
Created Equal is
intended to present lighthearted, witty, and spiritually
sound advice to young women and girls in “tweet-like” form to help them live a life
God would approve of.
2. Where did you get the idea to write
this book?
I actually
started writing the book specifically for my tween daughter and intended to
give it her as she entered
middle school. Those years can be tough. As a parent, I’m very concerned about the message culture
is marketing to our youth. It contradicts the way God has called us to live.
3. How did you come up with the playful
title?
Anyone who
knows me, knows that I love mascara. I had tried several brands over the years and finally discovered a fantastic
mascara that I just loved. It was full of minerals and actually nourished your lashes. Plus, it created a
very full lash. I would always joke with
daughter, saying that if you remember anything I tell you remember that ‘All
Mascara Is Not Created Equal.’
4. How long did it take you to write the
book? Do you have any stories you can share of how you gathered specific quotes
or advice?
You could
say the book took most of my life to write, as my experiences growing up and
parenting are what shaped it. But, in actuality, it only took about a year to
record them and fine-tune them. Most of them wrote themselves. I would be
having a conversation with my kids, and all of a sudden I would give some
advice. If I liked it, I would later record it. In fact, as I was compiling the
tips, my kids would remind me of the things I had told them through the years.
Some of the
tips are just reflections of the advice my mother and father passed on to me.
Of course, they needed a little tweaking. I didn’t have to deal with the
pressures of social media and cell
phones when I was growing up.
5. Did you have any challenges when
writing this book? If so, what were they?
The only
challenge I really faced was stopping. At some point, I had to say, this is
enough. I will most certainly continue to give my daughter (and son) advice as
they continue to mature, but there definitely needed to be a stopping point for
the book.
6. We would love to know more about the
woman behind the book. How would you describe yourself?
Practical. Organized.
Planner. These are some words that my close circle of friends and family
would use to describe me. And I can’t argue with that. But, when the
Holy Spirit asks me to do something, all that goes out the door. Jesus’ love
for me is the most important thing in my life. My goal is that everyone would
experience this type of love,
which is why I am so quick to abandon my plans and do what God wants me to
do.
On a fun
note, I am married to my high school sweetheart. I was only 16 when we started
dating. He was a football player and I was a cheerleader. You don’t get any
cuter than that! God has blessed us with two beautiful children who are my
absolute joy.
Also, I just
love Yorkies, which is why you see them all throughout the book. One day, when the timing is right, I will add one to
our family.
7. What do you hope readers take away
from All Mascara is Not Created Equal?
I hope women
learn that pop culture shouldn’t define the kind of women we become. I hope that they see that life is hard, but
Jesus will be your comforter and strength. I hope that every woman sees her
beauty, even before she puts on her mascara. Our inner beauty is so much more
important than anything on the outside.
8. Can you tell us more about the
ministry behind the book, Women Get Real?
Women Get
Real Ministries is all about “getting real” with other women. All too often, women put on the façade that everything is
just perfect. But, in reality, they are silently suffering with issues like fear, anxiety, depression,
body image, and faith. We break the rules
about what is and is not acceptable to talk about, to try and reach the hearts
of women providing them with
hope and healing.
9. Where can we find you online and
purchase the book?
Books are
available through my website, www.womengetreal.org and on Amazon. It is also being sold
at many boutique stores in Connecticut.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love comments, so please leave some! If you are a new follower and have a blog yourself please let me know so I can follow you back! Have a great day!
Emily, AKA Mrs. Mommy Booknerd