In the past month, the topic of one's tone of voice - how one speaks, as well as how one speaks about themselves has been brought up in conversation. And it was when I watched Taylor Mali's video which addresses the concept of speaking with conviction for what must have been the fifth time in the past three years that I realized I wanted to broach this topic with specific regard to women.

It has been my experience that when I have equally intelligent female and male students in the classroom that more often the girls will speak meekly and with an uncertain and wavering tone versus more often my boys will speak with conviction, certainty and assuredness. Now mind you, both are professing the correct answer, yet how they share their knowledge is starkly different. Why is this, I wondered? 

In another instance with women my own age who are amazingly talented, intelligent and successful, I have on occasion noticed that some will either speak with a high pitched voice of questioning or the content of their conversation dismisses their authority, wisdom and ability. Now, most definitely, this is not the case with all women, but when I do notice it, it is more with women that I notice this quality being exhibited from than men. So my question is, why are women more often than men conditioned to behave in a manner that strays from confident, secure, intelligent mannerisms? 

While we search for the answers, consider today how you speak and what you say when commenting on your own behavior, successes and knowledge. Whether or not you are with others or own company, what impression do you convey to others and yourself about your abilities and the respect and treatment that you deserve? And even more long-lasting, what are you modeling to other women, especially those younger than you? I often find myself thinking about the last question quite often as I have a young impressionable niece as well as my students at the high school. After all, no matter what we instruct someone to do, it is our actions that will be most impressionable. 

So today and from this day forward, speak respectfully about yourself.  When you speak, speak with tact and confidence and never shrink to make someone else feel comfortable. Someone who demands such limiting behavior is not someone to keep around.

In this week's newsletter, a dose of fashion for those who adore their shoes, as well as the readers' first Outfit of the Week is revealed. Also, over the weekend the second petit plaisir was unveiled and perhaps you, like many readers based on their comments, will want to enjoy it for breakfast this weekend.

And as we peek ahead into the weeks to come, after a trip to Portland last weekend, I was ecstatic with some of the treasures I found for my living room. So when February arrives, you can be certain I will be revealing glimpses into how I am pulling the facelift in my living room and dining room together. I must admit, I am quite excited, as this has been something I've been wanting to do for years.

Whether you are enjoying a weekend or extended weekend due to the US's federal MLK holiday, I hope you have a wonderful time relaxing, unwinding and simply having fun. Until next week, I'll see you on the blog!