Guess How Much We Donated to Arkansas Women's Outreach...

Strong as Hell Bracelet by Arkansas handmade jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty to benefit Arkansas Womens' Outreach in Little Rock. 

Y'ALL! 

Thanks to your generous support, I've been able to give almost $800 to Arkansas Women's Outreach! I KNOW!! RIGHT?!

Thank you so much for buying the Strong As Hell bracelets over the last couple of months and for sharing it and the mission of Arkansas Women's Outreach with your friends and families. And thank you for sharing your stories with me! I've had so many people reach out to me and tell me their "Strong As Hell" stories of battling cancer, going through rough times and more reasons that make you sometimes need a reminder that you're strong as hell. 

PLEASE, read up on the very real issues homeless women face on a regular basis. Check out this fantastic story by Becca Bona at AY Magazine to hear from Arkansas Women's Outreach founders Katy Simmons and Rachel Achor. They've got an Amazon wish list, too, if jewelry isn't your thing, or you can donate directly to them here. The bracelets are still available here. 

Left to right: Arkansas jewelry designer Bang-Up Betty, Arkansas Women's Outreach founders Katy Simmons and Rachel Achor

And can I just say that the conversations these women have started in the community have been FANTASTIC?? Internet "meninist" trolls, be damned. These gals have got a real thing going here.  

How You Get the Girl: Jewelry She'll Say 'Yes' To

If you're reading this, it means that Taylor Swift hasn't sued me yet for using her lyrics in my post title. It also means you're probably about to have a wave of warm, mushy, lovey-dovey feels wash over you.

Twice in my "career" as a jewelry designer has a guy asked me to make something so awesome that it would convince a woman to spend the rest of her life with him. TWICE have I succeeded in inspiring matrimonial bliss. I'm just kidding. They were both super awesome dudes and obviously INCREDIBLY thoughtful and I'm sure their soon-to-be-fiancées were already completely and totally head over heels for them, but I like to think I helped.

Exhibit 1: Adam and Shelley

Adam really wanted to sweep Shelley off of her feet, so he decided to shower her with bracelets stamped with heartfelt promises and this "Adventure Girl" necklace, which is completely appropriate because he then DROVE HER TO THE GRAND CANYON AND PROPOSED TO HER. Sorry. I didn't mean to shout that, but SERIOUSLY CAN IT GET MORE ROMANTIC THAN THAT?? NO. THE ANSWER IS NO.

Exhibit 2: Scott and Hannah

Scott thought of this all on his own, which makes him brilliantly clever and charming in my book. I can't take anything but stamping credit on this.

Scott takes Hannah to a damn fine dinner and gives her a classic monogrammed necklace, but... wait... why is the monogram wrong? BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE HER MARRIED MONOGRAM. THAT'S WHY. Confused, Hannah flips over the necklace. BOOM. It says "Marry Me?" on the back, and eternal swooning ensues because NO ONE SAW THAT COMING AND IT WAS FANTASTIC.

And that's how it works. That's how you get the girl. Bravo, gentlemen. Bravo.