Mr. Pinup

The “It Girl” label is one that pops up when no one can quite put their finger on what makes a person worth caring about, despite the fact that her popularity is seemingly effortless. So, how should we define the Internet It Girl? Is she a podcast’s talking head? A startup employee who photographs well? Maybe. But if the whole point of the It Girl’s celebrity isn’t her employment but her public persona, then there’s probably a more direct analog. Truth be told, the Internet It Girl is probably a vlogger.

There is a big ol’ Internet full of young women using video to share their insights with the world, and so the fact that Molly McAleer has gotten the attention of some big web entities — first, the now-defunct Defamer, where McAleer did videos on a wide range of pop culture topics, and now Justine Batemen’s FM78.tv, which is executive producing McAleer’s new official show, The Molls Show.

Beyond a snazzy Tumblr layout, there’s not a lot to differentiate The Molls Show from any other vlog, except that McAleer is a lot more mobile; in tightly-edited segments, McAleer responds to questions, goes on field trips, and in general exposes herself to the outside world. If The Molls Show consisted of nothing but McAleer parading down Hollywood Boulevard in a vagina costume, it might get tiresome, but the stunts are balanced out by more thoughtful pieces — critiquing bad advice books or offering tips on where to find boyfriend-quality boys. She’s comfortable on camera, has a sharp and self-effacing sense of humor, and is unashamed to admit that she wears hair extensions. It’s a nice mix.

via Online Video – GigaOM – Salon.com.

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In today’s Daily Beast, Casey Schwartz reminds us of a 2005 study that “now cries out for our renewed attention.” The study, led by doctors Leif Nelson and Evan Morrison and published in the February 2005 Psychological Science, “investigate[d] the question of whether men’s preferences in female bodily dimensions change during times of ‘resource scarcity,’” that is, times like now. And it found that they did. According to the study’s abstract, the hypothesis “that men who feel either poor or hungry prefer heavier women than men who feel rich or full” was confirmed.

How much heavier? Two to three whole pounds! There go my plans to find my next husband by hanging outside the unemployment office and/or Burger King at lunchtime. Nelson, whom Schwartz interviewed, “interprets this ultra-thin margin as the products of statistics, arguing that what is likely going on is that one group of men is swayed, fairly substantially, toward heavier women, while others might not be as affected” — but I find that even more incredible than the thought that a bunch of individuals, under certain circumstances, display an unconscious preference for women who are a couple of pounds fatter. Is he seriously saying that some men, because they’re hungry, suddenly become attracted to noticeably heavier women, but then go back to liking thinner gals when they’re full? (One of the experiments testing the effects of hunger involved polling different men entering and leaving a college dining hall.) Since I don’t know if “fairly substantially” here means a margin of 5 pounds or 30, I’m not sure exactly how much I should boggle, but boggle I shall.

Nevertheless, one theory of why this might be — offered not by Nelson but by Dr. Terry Pettijohn II, “a psychologist who has done related research,” sounds fairly logical. “Pettijohn believes that one major factor that determines what men consider sexually attractive in women is something he calls ‘the environmental-security hypothesis.’ Men are likely to choose the women they’re involved with at least in part from an instinctual sense of what is in their own best interest, given the current state of the ‘environment.’ During challenging economic times, men would gravitate toward women they intuited were mature, independent and protective; when times are flush, men wouldn’t prioritize these same values, and instead seek a woman who appeared to be ‘less emotionally strong, less physically strong,’ Pettijohn says.” His research has included comparing the facial features of popular American actresses between 1935 and 1992, and the faces and bodies of Playboy Playmates between 1960 and 2000. During times when resources were more scarce, “the most popular actresses appeared more mature, with smaller eyes, thinner faces, and stronger chins,” and the Playmates of the year were a bit bigger than in good times. “By contrast, when things were good, the popular actresses had more baby-faced qualities — bigger eyes, chubbier cheeks — and the playmates tended to be ‘shorter and lighter.’”

via Does a recession change the beauty standard? – Broadsheet – Salon.com.

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WebMD Feature from “Redbook” Magazine

By Lisa Sussman.

It’s a fact: Putting the moves on your man is one of the best things you can do for your sex life. Why? Well, for starters, making the first move makes you feel powerful, in tune with your own erotic energy, and in charge of your desires. That’s pretty sexy stuff. And it makes him feel great, too: Believe it or not, no matter how long you’ve been together, your guy’s ego is on the line every time he asks you to make love. He needs to know you want him just as much as he wants you. By initiating sex, you’re showing your enthusiasm for him and for your partnership. Everybody wins!

It may not be your style to blatantly say, “Let’s make love tonight.” Perhaps you’re more of a nudge-and-a-wink kind of girl. Which is fine, as long as he understands your subtle moves. You may think that your over the-shoulder smile as you head toward the bedroom speaks volumes, while he may think it means you’re thrilled to be getting to bed so early. Try these silent but unmistakable love zingers to signal that you want him…tonight…right now. He’ll get the message.

No Time for Sex?

Try one of these 15 superhot moves, made to fit any schedule!

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Just one missed blouse button and your “girls” can suddenly go from classy to trashy. Learn how and when to give your cleavage its stage time with our six rules for “best breast etiquette.” Plus, are you wearing the right bra size? Find out with our quiz…

The average breast size has grown from a 34B to a 36C since the 1970s and clothing styles are smaller and snugger. So it’s no wonder the line between “Nice!” and “Look at those!” has blurred.

“I don’t think women are stupid,” says Elisabeth Squires, author of bOObs: A Guide to Your Girls (Seal Press). “I just don’t think anyone knows the rules.”

via The 6 Rules of Cleavage | Lifescript.com.

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