The Number Between Her Legs Review

After reading this I began to wonder if I am a victim of the fear of being slut shamed or evening slut shaming. This book is one that should have been written hundreds of years ago as that’s how long it’s been needed. It is refreshing to hear a young woman have such a liberating outlook on sex. Exploring your sexuality is not a crime, it’s an option!

A great line in this book is “we are made to think our value lies in our vagina”… WOW…spot on!!! Women are made to think that this is their most valuable asset and if too many men enter, it “depreciates in value”.

Catcall or Compliment????

Please watch our response video surrounding the issue of Street Harassment. Is there such a thin line between objectifying a woman and admiring her that we should avoid the two all together?

I have a few reservations. Have we taken the definition of harassment and twisted it one step too far??

 Please watch, comment, debate and share!!!!


Here's the link to the original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1XGPvbWn0A

"Are Women Only Confident When Naked?"

I thought I’d start this article with a witty first liner comparable with that of Carrie Bradshaw but unfortunately that’s not going to happen. I’m sitting in a coffee shop, pondering over a discussion I had with my fairly misogynistic male friend. He remarked that I could not be as confident when relating to men, as men could be with women. I’m not talking about the ole’ double standard of men being able to sleep with lots of women and being praised and women doing the same and being called ‘sluts’ (we know, Lilly Allen, Eve etc have taught us that already). I’m talking about the idea that women who are confident are seen as intimidating, ‘man eaters’ and sometimes as lesbians, because they play hard ball. Pardon the pun. However when men are trail blazers, cocky and full of bravado-they’re simply manly, a man’s man. Since when did confidence become a male only attribute?

Attention Seeking Men!

Last night I had an epiphany or a revelation if you will … men are just as, or if not more, attention seeking then women. Let me take you back to last night. I had a conversation with one of my guy friends and he started explaining his weekend “frenzy” (in his eyes). He and his friends went to a party in Essex and popped champagne (Cristal and Dom Perignon) in the pursuit to attract the attention of four blonde haired, blue eyed, big boobed and massive assed women. They spent over £5000 in club; just to get their attention. Not to give credit to £5000, it’s definitely not life changing, but to a lot of people that’s a lot of money to spend to get the attention of a bunch of strangers. However, this group of men felt that it was money well spent because the women had sexy bodies and were “Instagram famous”, meaning they had over 100,000 followers. The women were so impressed, that they posted a picture of one of the guys on their instagram and he received thousands of likes. This whole conversation made me think, ‘is it possible that men seek just as much attention as women but use their money to gain it?’

You see, I figured out why men’s attention seeking is not as obvious as women’s, it’s simple…. Women seek attention through their bodies and sexual gestures whereas as men use their money. Let me break it down…

School Blues..

I’m in my final year of secondary and things are beginning to get very serious and very stressful. We all know that in times of hardship we have to try and keep our head up high and not sink beneath the waves. However, it’s easier said than done. It’s like none of my teachers help!!! All they do is pile on more and more homework expecting me to do it in the two days I have to relax…And so the waves get higher and like all other 15/16 year olds, we are drowning ourselves in problems and stress.

In recent news we’ve seen that grade boundaries have gone up, meaning much more is expected of our generation! We have to grow up yet still be kids for the comfort ability of “adults”? I’m failing to understand how this works and the pressure is on for me to know how NOW!

In all of this you can lose yourself, lose direction and lose hope.

 I’ve noticed my attitude is sinking deeper into negativity and I sometimes don’t realise how hard it is stay positive. For instance, maths is not my best friend, nor my associate; we can litro call maths my enemy! But putting myself down about it isn’t going to help! All I’m doing is sinking deeper and deeper while everyone else seems to be walking on water.

Yes, No, Maybe?...

When we talk about sex and consent, it is usually in one way. We often associate the right to consent with a woman and it seems as though only a woman can determine whether the act of sex occurs or not. This only emphasises the poor general assumption that guys always want sex and do not have the ability to turn it down. This is in fact a generalisation made by plenty of women who haven't experienced being turned down for sex just yet. When I told a friend about the topic of this article she said to me 'guys don't say no to sex though', as a man who has said no to a woman who wants to have sex, I can vouch that some men do say no.

Meet our bloggers!

We’ve been on the search for some great writers to come on board as contributors towards our blog. We asked the writers to share their opinions and views on different topics such as love, sex, relationships, self esteem and body confidence!!! Watch this space! #TakeOver

Stylist 'Life Lessons' Event

Last week Thursday, I attended the Stylist Magazine ‘life lessons’ event, with guest speakers Leyla Hussien, Kirstie Allsopp, and June Sarpong.

In case your wondering who these women are, here is a quick run down for you:

- Leyla Hussien is a psychotherapist and Co-Founder of Daughters of Eve ( a non profit organisation that works to protect girls and young women who are at risk from female genital mutilation (FGM).

- Kirstie Allsopp is a British Television presenter (location, location, location) 

- June Sarpong MBE is a broadcaster and co-founder of WIE (Women: Inspiration and Enterprise network)

Looking for writers to contribute to our blog!

We are looking for writers to contribute towards our blog!

Get in contact if you would like to feature or contribute for:

-Love, sex and relationships 

- Self esteem & body confidence 

- Events 

Email: info@smovement.co with 'SM Blog' as the subject! 

We look forward to hearing from you!

X

Valleys

There will always be darkness. It's our decision whether we find peace within.

I've come to a stage where I've been stifling the sounds of my anger, anxiety and all other repressed issues that can no longer be bound and are screaming right in my face. I've lacked in energy, focus...EVERYTHING. I'm tired. After church on Sunday and a subtle but mind awakening talk with Cherelle, I realised that I don't have things under control that I have tricked myself in to thinking I did. These insecurities and issues had started to pour into things that are important to me; like the Shunammite Movement, family and work. I had so many blinding lights of negative voices, comparisons to others, lack of faith that then lead to my decreasing productivity; and I refused to see the signs. I've realised that when you find yourself in a hole; you must stop digging. 

Cut Myself A New Path..

Quite recently I wasn’t satisfied with the path I was on, so instead of complaining and feeling defeated, I made a bold decision and cut myself a new path.

You see, in life most of us are lucky enough to have the power of free will and choice, so why do we choose to stay stuck in situations that stagnate our growth? Make us unhappy? Or don't fulfil some sort of purpose? Whether it be our relationships, work, friendships, or life. 

Booty Talks

So, I’m minding my own business, doing my normal morning Instagram scroll and BOOM! BOOTY GALORE!! I’m sure we’ve all Nicki Minaj’s new cover work for upcoming single ‘Anaconda’; which ironically doesn’t correlate with the title or cover but that’s neither here nor there. As soon as my eyes glanced her perfectly shaped, thong infused derrière; I knew all hell was about to break loose on this one! We all know that Nicki isn’t in any way shape or form Miss Prim & Proper, but even I (a pro big butt committee member) was taken back on first sight. Especially since Nicki was always very coy about having her massive rump on show, and now after the wigs and crazy styling has gone, she has reverted to what she knows works.. BOOTY! Donning a way too late parental advisory sticker and seeing flashbacks of Lil Kim flash before my eyes, the question stands. Too much or just Nicki?

RELATIONboat

I’m currently in a relationship, well I like to call it a relationboat, as the word ship seems to be huge and overwhelming, whereas the word boat is very small and cosy, just enough space for two people to fit in and no extra baggage. Unlike the titanic, if our boat capsized we’ll just flip it back over or swim our individual ways and build another one. My relationboat is very free and open, there’s no space for compartments of secrets and doorways to a dark past. There’s only space for me and him!

Why can’t ‘Run #LikeAGirl’ also mean WIN the race?

 While I was growing up I was quite tomboyish, so I always used to hear “you hit hard for a girl” or “you don’t act like a girl,” and I was always in a way proud of that fact. It was like an accomplishment not to be labelled ‘girly’ as it had connotations of being inferior, which I definitely knew I was not! After seeing the #LikeAGirl campaign, it really resurfaced some questions I had when I was a young girl living in a boy’s world.

No More Page 3

To be honest before I came across the #NOMOREPAGE3 campaign I really didn’t think about nor have any issues with page 3 or the half naked women in it. But when I read “the 6 reasons page three must go” on nomorepage3.org it really opened up my eyes to the impact that page 3 has not only on those who seek it, but also on the innocent readers who just want daily news. 

“IT MUST BE ILLUMINATI”

Yesterday I was having some typical girl talk with some friends about the usual, Kimye’s wedding, Rihanna getting banned from Instagram, and the Jay Z and Beyonce ‘On The Run Tour’, then the inevitable was said… 

“It must be Illuminati”

All I could think was “not this again!” Not another regular person thinking they have the inside scoop on the worlds secret society. In the conversation, my friend went on to say that she knew everything, including the sacrifice that each member has to make in order to be in the Illuminati. In my most sarcastic and undermining voice I asked “Where did you get all this information from?” Obviously there was 10 seconds of silence followed by “trust me, I watched a documentary” which I took as “don’t trust me! I’m just a young, naïve and powerless girl who bought a pirate DVD (along with 2 others for a tenna) from Mr Ling on my way home from work”.

The Truth About Beauty

If you haven’t read this article http://www.stylist.co.uk/beauty/woman-has-her-face-photoshopped-around-the-world-to-prove-theres-no-one-definition-of-beauty#image-rotator-1 or currently follow this amazing project I think it’s time that we all hopped on the bandwagon.

After reading this article on Stylist Magazine we immediately followed Esther Honig’s Before and After project.

Esther said that “In the U.S. Photoshop has become a symbol of our society's unobtainable standards for beauty,” We think that is true for the UK also. We are becoming a society where women, especially young women, glorify those glossy magazines with celebs printed on the front cover - and most women (even myself) forget that ALL of the images have been photoshopped!

She Said What?!

Who else saw this headline a few weeks ago and was completely taken back?

Kirstie Allsopp tells young women: ditch university and have a baby by 27

Location, Location, Location presenter calls for frank discussion about female fertility and shaking up 'order of things' 

My initial reaction was ‘She said what?!’ This article caused a big debate and stir amongst many women all over social networks. I even remember sending this article to my friends, and to work colleagues asking their thoughts all of which varied from “that b**** don’t know nothing” to “she’s right, women need to remember the reason that they were put on earth”.

Allsopp told the Telegraph that if she had a daughter, her advice would be: "Darling, do you know what? Don't go to university. Start work straight after school, stay at home, save up your deposit – I'll help you, let's get you into a flat. And then we can find you a nice boyfriend and you can have a baby by the time you're 27."

The Fat Zone

CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP!

So, as I enter the topshop fitting rooms; I already know the deal. Benika you will probably leave with 1 out of 11 items because either, It doesn't fit right or doesn't cover your tits or doesn't suit you’re..... Yada yada yada. Millions of excuses to hide the fact that I'm too FAT for topshop, Zara and any other European shop that haven’t yet come to the realisation that I've been consuming plantain(yes, the Jamaican way) since I was 5!

Believe them the FIRST time!

      

I learnt to do this the hard way. I didn't pay attention to the signs that were shown to me from the very beginning. You’re probably wondering what I’m talking about. My ex, who didn't treat me well. You see I should’ve known that when a guy doesn't call as often as you call him or barely takes you out to lush restaurants, bars or on dates in general, it’s probably not going anywhere regardless of what he says. His actions or rather lack of them, are probably never going to change.

Don’t get me wrong, yes, some people do change, but how long will it take for that change to come around? I realised that he had already shown me his true colours from the start, however, the question is why was I shocked when he revealed himself year in year out? When would I start believing his character and realise the relationship was rubbish and he was taking me for a ride?

The “I QUIT” Step

The “I QUIT” Step

    It’s easy to say “be fearless and have faith in the unseen,” but when the seen is unpaid bills and debts, fear is very much inevitable. Soon I’m going to have to take that step … the “I QUIT” step. That to me is like taking a step into a dark cellar with no clothes on hoping that the pimps (O2), Vultures (EDF) and Monsters (Natwest) don’t force me into prostitution or bloody JSA. Not saying there anything wrong with a little help from David Cameron, but after 3 years in Uni and 2:1 in Business and Law you can imagine that Mr Cameron’s £90 weekly hand out is not my idea of a credible future.

    I’ve seen a couple people fall on their face after taking that “I QUIT” step and I have no role models of anyone who has taken that step and continued stepping on a grand staircase through success, (in my world that shit is unheard of). But F it, I’m going to succeed regardless of any obstacles that come my way because the 9-5 lifestyle is NOT for me. I need to be more than just a self proclaimed “Boss Bitch” on Instagram stuntin’ in a pair of borrowed Loubs. I need to be THE BOSS…Bitch!

    I currently work in sales and marketing. In actually fact my official job title is ‘Marketing Director’, which seems pretty decent position for a new graduate with no previous marketing experience (except for a piece of coursework in 2^nd year of Uni) to be in … So I should be happy, right … No!!! No way, I will never be happy living a mediocre life that any Stacey, Sally or Shantel can live or relate to. I want to live a prosperous life, one that is an example of excellence and greatness. How the hell am I going to achieve that by sitting at a desk getting cussed out by Yardie and Asian shop keepers because our prices are too high? Can someone please answer me!?

    One day, while he sat down correcting all the daily mistakes, my boss (who is self-made and a true inspiration to me) said “why can’t people just do what they are suppose to do and do it properly, like me?” I was silent, a thoughtful silence, but silent. Then it dawned on me, the reason people don’t work like him is because they are working for a different reason.

‘The Boss works for profit, the employee works for wage’

    It’s simple; the profits go up the bosses pockets gets bigger, the profits go down and he struggles to feed the family. However, profits don’t affect the employee, (at least not where I work). Up or down, you still have your job and you still get paid the same dull basic wage at the end of the month. I repeat… this lifestyle is NOT for me!

   I am an innovator, creator, opportunist and motivator. How can I exalt any of these attributes by sitting down at a desk all day? I am young and free, with some responsibilities, but nothing massive like a child or husband, so now is the time. It’s time for me to be bold and courageous, full of faith and hope and always remembering God’s promise, (the “I got you” promise). I think it’s time for me to take that step into the unknown and focus on my purpose rather than the obstacles ahead.

   There’s only one thing left to say … “I QUIT!”

Cherelle x

 

Welcome To Our Blog!!!

Hi everyone! 

We are the Shunammite Movement, made up of three girls with one vision in mind; to spark ambition within young women! 

We're a start-up female empowerment social enterprise aiming to inspire, encourage and motivate women! You're probably thinking we've heard this all before, but we're very different from your average female empowerment organisation. 

We have 3 different personalities blended together to create an amazing platform for women who seek to unlock their unlimited potential.