THE LAUREN PROJECT

May 31

I just can’t. [via reddit]

From the Montblanc Princess Grace de Monaco 2012 Collection

Actual photo of Grace Kelly’s birth.

“I am an unapologetic marriage abolitionist, which means that I believe that the financial and legalized structural advantages currently attached to the institution of marriage in this country should not be linked to the practice of marriage as such, but should be available to all people who want to collaborate on home, family, support and love on their own terms.” — Alexis Pauline Gumbs

(Source: feministquotes, via riotsnotdiets)

May 30

(via laughingsquid)

May 29

Corey Arnold is good at taking photos.

(Source: butdoesitfloat.com)

why is thith so funny

(via thethirst)

May 28

So this is a thing.

May 26

Zara (mumbling): I have that song stuck in my head.
Me: What?
Zara: I have that song stuck in my head!
Me: What song?
Zara: The song! The song you said everyone loves even though they hate! The "Call Me Maybe" song!
Me: *single victorious fist pump*

Beginning to understand why people don’t text me back.

Whisky is about 40% cheaper in New Hampshire.

May 24

Graduation season has triggered some memories for me, memories of sitting in my friend’s backyards as their parents toasted their futures and we lavished well wishes upon each other.

But specifically, I remember hearing time and again my female friends being complimented thusly: “You are such a beautiful, smart, talented young woman, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

I have one request for anyone with a graduating daughter/sister/friend—do not praise her appearance as the first thing in your toast. Don’t mention her appearance at all.

Teaching young women that their appearance is the first thing you notice tells them that looks are more important than anything. By telling her that she is “beautiful, smart, talented” (and believe me, it is almost always said in that order), you are suggesting—if unconsciously—that it’s most important she not lose her looks. You are prizing her face and body above her accomplishments and hard work. In a world where over 50% of young women say they’d rather be hit by a truck than be fat, this mindset isn’t something that should be encouraged, especially at such memorable events.

This has been a post.

“… and I left my floaties in the office.” — Vincent, on why he’s working from home until the rain lets up.

May 23

i don’t care if it’s fake or not it’s still perfect

(Source: iraffiruse)

May 21

Last week (aka Internet Week New York), I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel at Likeable Media’s LikeableU conference. I was joined by Bing Chou of QuickLeft, Kelly Rice of Kinvey, Dan Herman of ChatID, and #bestpanelever moderator Clare Tischer of Techstars. We all had very different stories to tell, and mine was (naturally) about goats.

I offered Project G.O.A.T.S. as a case study on how to pull off a buzz building campaign/stunt with a lean startup philosophy. In our case, the most successful aspect of the project was renting real goats and letting them hang out with us on the streets of Austin during SXSW. After returning to New York, we discussed where we had been successful, and where there was room for improvement, and distilled our thoughts into little nuggets of advice I’m now pleased to share with you:

Pretend you have $0 and be as creative as possible. Then, increase your budget as needed.
Make sure what you’re doing is in-line with your brand promise. Start by asking, what do we promise our users/clients as a company, product, and brand? What hasn’t been done before? What can only our brand do?
Listen to your audience. If, in the middle of a campaign, they’re indicating a desire for more X or less Y, be prepared to deliver.
Create an experience people not only want to tell their friends about (in a public way, such as on Twitter), but HAVE to tell their friends about. If you’ve actually done something cool, your brand evangelists will make themselves known. You don’t gain a meaningful following by shouting at people to “LIKE us on Facebook!” Remember, ideas are worthless, execution is everything.

Thanks to Likeable Media for inviting me to participate, and especially to my fellow (wonderful) panelists and now-BFFs.

cajunboy:

Own it, Paula. Just fucking own it.