I feel really honored to be here today with the sole purpose of sharing a beautiful and important movement with you.

Press play.

Because I couldn't have said it better myself, I borrowed some words from the description of the above video:

"The Half the Sky movement is cutting across platforms to ignite the change needed to put an end to the oppression of women and girls worldwide, the defining issue of our time. Inspired by journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book of the same name, Half the Sky brings together video, websites, games, blogs and other educational tools to not only raise awareness of women's issues, but to also provide concrete steps to fight these problems and empower women. Change is possible, and you can be part of the solution."

Let's make a difference! Start by getting involved:

Follow Half the Sky on Twitter.

Like them on Facebook.

Subscribe to the Half the Sky Youtube channel.
(And make a donation while you're there).

Get the book.

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This post (+ my sharing on social media) was inspired by my participation in a compensated program initiated by Women Online/The Mission List to raise awareness about the Half the Sky. All commentary and opinions are, of course, my own.

Happy Friday, friends! This week has been a long one--adapting to long-distance isn't always that fun. I've decided to start sharing some links of things I've loved on the web recently--I always have stuff to share but I never actually share it, so here we are! I'm not really a "feature" person, but I'm hoping to stick with this one. I'd love for you enjoy some of the following as much as I did!

[Always a favorite: this little owl statue on top of a jewelry box in my bedroom. August, 2012.]

This guy came in the mail this week and I'm totally obsessed with him.

I'm digging the general style of Everlane. These tee-shirts look amazing and I can't wait to buy a few for myself. And maybe one for Rob!

This post by Joy the Baker was just beautiful.

I am so, so, so proud of my hometown right now for this. And of my good friend Andy May for shooting the video!

I love this dress and it's on sale but they don't have it in my size! Cripes.

This interesting article about religious pluralism got me really excited to read Eboo Patel's new book. I think he is so smart and inspiring.

Perhaps a little not-safe-for-work, but a hilarious rendition of Call Me Maybe nonetheless. I guess people are still on Chatroulette! I'm laughing just thinking about this video.

Melissa shared this Paleo chocolate chip cookie recipe with me after my post yesterday. She borrowed it from Jenna, and while I'm excited to try the recipe, I mostly just think it's hilarious that there was actually a time when we didn't all know each other.

I'm giving away a medium ad space for September over here!

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I'm off to Tyson's Corner after work today to spend the weekend with Rob. I can't wait to see that guy! What are your plans? Have a great one!

This past Monday, there was nothing in the world that I needed more than a chocolate chip cookie. You know what I mean? So, after daydreaming about cookies all afternoon, I did a search for "Paleo chocolate chip cookies" in the old Google machine and found a recipe, which looked awesome.

They really looked amazing, and I couldn't wait to make them. I followed the recipe and was rewarded with what looked and felt like chocolate chip sand. Is there really no liquid in this recipe? I wondered as a cloud of coconut flour dust floated through the air. The "batter" wouldn't stick together when I rolled it, but I was fully committed, so I finally just threw some almond milk in the bowl, gave it a stir, and hoped for the best. That helped.

In the oven, they smelled like cookies. That was a good sign. I have to say that in the kitchen, I'm pretty damn good. So by this time I was frustrated. It's not hard to follow a recipe, and it's annoying when you do and it doesn't work. I started to wonder if the blogger behind the recipe I had found just made a batch of cookies from one of those sausage-looking rolls of pre-made batter and then told us all that they were Paleo. Probably.

They finished baking and I tasted one to decide that I think they're pretty good. My mom, however, hates them. I proclaimed excitedly (because I'm always excited when I discover something new that's Paleo--you should have seen me when I realized what the hell a Larabar was), "I'm going to call them shortbread!" (because they're not cookies),  to which she very quickly responded, "Ew--no--I wish they were shortbread. They're more like crab cakes."

I don't know what she's talking about, because at least a crab cake is moist. I guess they kind of look like crab cakes. They are a little on the thick side, if that's what it really takes to be a crab cake. They're pretty decent dipped in coffee, though.

I understand that there are some things that coconut flour and honey just can't do. I get it. Paleo people don't get to eat cookies anytime like normal people. I'm okay with it, but some days I'm going to need a cookie.

So yeah, they look a little like crab cakes. But they taste a little like chocolate chip cookies.

And the search continues.