“The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart.” — Audrey Hepburn (poem by Sam Levenson)
My trusty thesaurus lists 35 synonyms for beauty: blessing, fairness, loveliness, allure… If you bundled them all together, the result wouldn’t come close to describing the beauty in this fest. I can’t thank you all enough for participating in the second annual BOAW BlogFest. ♥ Whether you’re here as a reader, a contributing writer or both, get ready to laugh, ponder, glean inspiration and possibly shed a few tears.
How to fest (and potentially win a Kindle):
Click on the links below to read bloggers’ posts. For a chance to win a Kindle Fire (or Amazon gift card equivalent), post a comment using the prompts below. For an additional chance, share this post on Twitter tagging me @AugstMcLaughlin and/or #BOAW. For 10 more chances, visit all of the links between now and 5pm PST Monday, February 25th. Post a comment and/or “like” each one, then come back here and let me know you’ve done so. I’ll keep tabs on entries and share the drawing-based winner next week. The best news? As corny as it may sound, we all win by simply participating. (Once you start read contributors’ stories, you’ll understand what I mean…)
Contributors: If you do not see your post, it’s because I wasn’t able to locate it or it wasn’t posted by the cut-off time. Don’t worry—I can still include it! Please post your link in a comment on the registration page and I’ll jump on it promptly.
Without further ado, I’m thrilled to present the The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest II!
- Amber West: A Beautiful Stream of Consciousness – Beauty of a Woman BlogFest
- Liz: The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest
- Bill Parker: On the Multitudinous Beauties of Women
- Coleen Patrick: Service Chic vs. Soul Deep: The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest
- Barbara McDowell: Beautiful Things Blossom From Coccoons
- Kourtney Heintz: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest: Lessons From Grandma H
- Kassandra Lamb (Misterio Press): You Are Beautiful and Strong, Sweet Child of Abuse
- Marcy Kennedy: What Would You Trade to Look Young Forever?
- Rebekah Loper: 2013 Beauty of a Woman Blogfest – Comfortable in My Own Skin
- Lissa Clouser: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest: Part 2—An Unlikely Role Model
- Jennette Marie Powell: Beauty of a Woman: Don’t judge us by our covers!
- Amaryllis Turman: Beauty BlogFest 2012 – What is REAL BEAUTY?
- Kathryn Chastain Treat: The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest II
- Donna Galanti: Beauty is the Place Where Love Resides
- Linda Adams: My Relationship With My Glasses
- Ellen M. Gregg: The Beauty of a Woman: Inside Out
- Audrey Kalman: I want to be like Carol Winfield even when I’m dead
- Catherine Johnson: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest and Giveaway!
- Tameri Etherton: Shakespeare Totally Knew the Beauty of a Woman
- Catherine Krummey: Beauty (tumbler)
- Jenny Hansen: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest: Do Breasts Define a Female?
- Lindsay: Chronically beautiful…
- Inion N. Mathair: Beauty of a Woman’s BlogFest
- Jennifer M. Zeiger: The Eye
- Michel King: BOAW Fest – Eye of the Beholder
- K.M. OSullivan: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest 2013: The Beauty Box
- Kate Wood: The Beauty in Me
- Sabrina Garie: Owning Your Own Beauty
- Kerry Ann: Beauty of a Woman: Beyond Skin Deep
- Kim Jorgensen Gane: The Beauty of Women Friends
- FactoryMaid: Lying in the Mirror
- Renee A. Schuls-Jacobson: The Beauty of a Grandmother
- Jess Witkins: What Makes a Woman REDHOT?
- Sue: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest: Skin Deep
- Misty Dietz: The Paradox and Beauty of a Woman
- J. Keller Ford: The Beauty of a Woman
- David N. Walker: Beauty of a Woman
- Erin/Lux: One sees clearly with the heart
- Reese Ryan: Phenomenal Woman – That’s Me
- Maggie Amanda: 30 Years of Learning About Beauty
- Lena Corazon: Beauty of a Woman Blogfest: The Power of Natural
- Subtextreadalwaysnew: Moments of Beauty
- Nicole Basaraba: Beauty of a Woman – Body Culture
- Ingrid Schaffenburg: The Beauty of a Woman BlogFest
- Clearly Kristal: Mirror, Mirror
- Kristine Erickson Parker: Woman, love thyself!
- Patricia Sands: She Walks in Beauty ~ Beauty of a Woman BlogFest
- Vivian Kirkfield: Martha Washington: America’s First First Lady
- Debra Eve: Beauty of a Woman: An Ode to Erma Bombeck
- Julie Glover: Don’t Hate the Skinny Girl: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest
- Kecia Adams: Beauty of a Woman BlogFest: Beautiful Moments
What has struck you most about this fest? How do you define beauty? Who do you feel most embodies it?
To join our discussion on Twitter, use the hashtag #BOAW.
Girl Boner 
Amber West
/ February 22, 2013I can’t wait to go through all these posts! I’ve already visited a few and, just like last year, am loving it. 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013So glad you’ve joined us, Amber!
renée a. schuls-jacobson
/ February 22, 2013I am LOVING reading all these posts! I’ve already visited a few , and I am struck by how different everyone has interpreted the prompt. Thank you, August, for making this happen! 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013The variety is pretty terrific, right? Individuality’s a beautiful thing. 😉
It’s all my total pleasure. Thanks for joining, Renee!
Diana Beebe
/ February 22, 2013What a great list of posts! I’ll be digging in now. 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Enjoy, Diana! Thanks for being here.
Kassandra Lamb
/ February 22, 2013Oh, I am so looking forward to my day today! I can’t decide between all the wonderful titles above, so I think I’m just going to start at the top and work my way down. Thank you so much, August, for doing this! You are one of the most beautiful women I know, inside and out!! ❤
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013I’m so touched, Kassandra. Thank you!
donnagalanti
/ February 22, 2013What fun, August! So glad to be participating plus I am going to savor these posts by everyone. Fascinating to read what beauty is to everyone – and so different in perspective..
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Agreed, Donna. Thanks for contributing!
susielindau
/ February 22, 2013Hey! I have internet so I have type fast…
Sorry to miss this year’s fest, but I am glad to be back in the land of cheese to celebrate Dad’s 87th!
Such a great celebration and list of writers
I try to make my way through them.
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Thanks for popping by, Susie! I hope your dad has the BEST birthday. 🙂
Catherine Johnson
/ February 22, 2013Wow, you must have worked really hard doing all those links, women are strong 😉 I can’t wait to read them all and fun competition too :0) you rock!
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Sweet of you to say, Catherine—worth every key stroke and brain cell. lol YOU rock!
Psst, everyone! Catherine’s giving away an awesome prize on her BOAW post. 😉
Catherine Johnson
/ February 22, 2013Thanks for the plug, August. Everyone else is pouring their heart out, I’m doing a book giveaway lol
Barbara McDowell
/ February 22, 2013What is impressing me so far is the beauty of diversity in our experiences, yet there is a common thread that links us all together. Like, Kassandra, I’m going to start at the top and work my way down this weekend. Thank you, August, for giving us a place to share our voices!
Kassandra Lamb
/ February 22, 2013Well said, Barbara! Amen!
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013What Kassandra said! 😉 You’re so right, Barbara. United and diversified. There’s so much beauty in that.
K.M. OSullivan
/ February 22, 2013I’ve read a few and am already overwhelmed, in the best sense of the word. We women GET it–beauty is so much more than what the marketplace is trying to sell us. I will spend the weekend immersing in this beautiful writing. I am proud to be a part of all of this.
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013I know precisely what you mean. I think my goosebumps have goosebumps! 😉 Thanks so much for joining us.
Michel King
/ February 22, 2013This is going to be a blast!
And, I had to laugh because everyone does this, but on #25 my name has an extra “a” in there. LOL It’s all good though!
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Whoops! Fixed. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the fest!
Michel King
/ February 23, 2013Yep! It was awesome! Thank you so much for doing this. I am definitely on board for next year!
Kathryn Chastain Treat
/ February 22, 2013http://allergictolifemybattle.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/the-beauty-of-a-woman-blogfest-ii/ For some reason my site cannot be accessed from either google or internet explorer.
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Seems to be working now!
Kourtney Heintz
/ February 22, 2013What a terrific list of blogs to check out! This was such a fun activity, August. One thing I’m noticing in the blogs I’ve read is how much we value internal beauty over external looks. And I love it!
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013That’s really true, Kourtney. We may value the outside “stuff,” but nothing compares to inner gorgeousness—i.e., the real deal. 🙂
Kourtney Heintz
/ February 22, 2013It’s a refreshing change of pace to elevate the inner. 🙂 So much is about looks and external attractiveness in today’s media (as you put so well in your last blog post). It’s nice to celebrate personality and intelligence and wit and humor. 🙂
Jenny Hansen
/ February 22, 2013I’ve been completely looking forward to today. 🙂 And just so you know, I’ll be pimping BOAW out on the Social In network, so expect a lot of pingbacks. 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Rad. Thanks, Jenny!
Joe Cardillo
/ February 22, 2013This is great! I only know a couple of the women on this list, so I’ve got some reading to do. Super rad idea August, and I’m excited to meet and learn from some folks.
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Pleasure to meet you, Joe! So glad you’re enjoying.
renée a. schuls-jacobson
/ February 22, 2013Thanks for reading, Joe! Your comments are wonderful. You are a great cyber-friend.
Joe Cardillo
/ February 24, 2013Shucks. Thanks Renee =) I’m amazed at how y’all create / foster community through blogging. Truly inspirational. Now back to reading more BOAW..
David N. Walker
/ February 22, 2013Glad to be a part of today’s fest. Thanks, August.
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Thrilled to have you, David. 🙂
gingercalem
/ February 22, 2013So excited to read al these posts. I wasn’t able to participate this year and I’m already looking forward to being a participant next year. You asked, “How do you define beauty?” I define true beauty when the joyful spirit of a person shines from the inside out. It’s not make-up, clothing, perfume or jewelry. It’s not ‘perfect’ anything — skin, body, hair. Perfection is sharing love and gratitude with others.
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Beautifully put, Ginger. 🙂 Thanks for being here!
Tameri Etherton
/ February 22, 2013Thank you August for bringing so much beauty into the world! I’m getting misty eyed just reading down the list of contributors. I love it! It might take me a day or two, but I’m going to read every single one and comment. And I love that a few men participated as well.
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Aw. Me too! I may have to get Kleenex to sponsor it next year. 😉 Take your time and enjoy!
Kathryn Chastain Treat
/ February 22, 2013August, as I still sit here in my bathrobe (10:30 a.m.), I have been reading all the posts. I am now finished and have liked or commented on every one of them. Is this what I do, or do I have to mention all of them here? The only problem was accessing #26 (The Beauty Box). I am not able to access it (won’t open) and my blog (http://allergictolifemybattle.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/the-beauty-of-a-woman-blogfest-ii/) won’t open either.
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013That’s all, Kathryn! Thanks for supporting the fest and everyone involved. Both links are functioning—from my end, anyway. If you have further trouble, let me know. @AugstMcLaughlin
Kathryn Chastain Treat
/ February 22, 2013I finally got to read “the beauty box”. Thank. I have thoroughly enjoyed participating and reading all these wonderful posts. I have plans of reblogging some of them on my blog in the very near future.
Coleen Patrick
/ February 22, 2013You rock August! Looking forward to reading. 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Aw. Thanks, Coleen! Loved your sparkly post! 🙂
patriciasands
/ February 22, 2013Hi August – Fabulous job, yet again! My blog was a teensy late last night … sorry (house guests and waaaaay too much fun are my feeble excuses)
Here’s my link: http://patriciasands.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/she-walks-in-beauty-beauty-of-a-woman-blogfest/
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013It’s in now! I can’t wait to read it. 🙂
viviankirkfield
/ February 22, 2013August…my post is doing double duty…both an entry into the ‘Beauty of a Woman BlogFest II’ and an entry into my weekly link-up with Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday. Today is also Washington’s Birthday…and I thought a post about his courageous wife, Martha, would be appropriate for both. If you agree and feel it is appropriate, I’d love to join in: http://viviankirkfield.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/martha-washington-americas-first-first-lady/
I’m excited to visit these wonderful posts!
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013You’re in, Vivian! Thanks for participating. I hope you enjoy reading the posts as much as I am. 🙂
Grass Oil by Molly Field
/ February 22, 2013This was a wonderful thing you did, August. Fantastic. Next year… (I just found out today!) Congratulations!
August McLaughlin
/ February 22, 2013Thanks, Molly! We’d love to have you next year.
jansenschmidt
/ February 22, 2013Wow – there is just so much here. This is an awesome display of beautiful people honoring the beautiful women. Thanks so much for putting this all together.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
August McLaughlin
/ February 24, 2013So glad you dig it, Patricia! It’s been a joy for me, too.
Raani York
/ February 22, 2013I’m so sorry I can’t participate. 😦
August McLaughlin
/ February 24, 2013You’re missed! Love to have you next year, as a reader, contributor or both. 🙂 Hope you’re well, Raani!
Raani York
/ February 24, 2013I will try whatever I can to participate next year!! 🙂
Ingrid Schaffenburg
/ February 22, 2013Thank you so much for this beautiful BlogFest!! You are such a wonderful example of what true beauty is. Can’t wait to read all the entries 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ February 24, 2013Aw. Thanks, Ingrid! Means a lot from you. 🙂 Thanks for joining!
kindredspirit23
/ February 22, 2013August, I have read the first one and will try hard to read the others.
Exhausted tonight.
Do I need to make a comment to you for each post I read if I don’t get to them all?
Or is the entry made just by posting? Couldn’t follow that well.
I meant to add my own to your list, but didn’t get the time to do it.
Maybe next time.
Scott
August McLaughlin
/ February 24, 2013Hey Scott, Comment on or “like” each blog you read, then come back here and let me know that you’ve visited them all. For that, you’ll get 10 entries. You also get one entry by posting a comment here. We’d love to have you next year.
kindredspirit23
/ February 24, 2013Ok, I will publish here for the one entry by telling you that I enjoyed this post and did read some of them. I have, for once, been really busy this weekend, so I didn’t get them all read. Buy, you have my mind working on this topic. It is reflected a bit in my post for tomorrow.
Scott
August McLaughlin
/ February 24, 2013Groovy, Scott! I’d love to read it.
Jess Witkins
/ February 22, 2013I am really enjoying this blog fest August. Everyone’s stories are so inspiring and beautiful. Thank you for hosting this amazing festival! Happy Beauty of a Woman Blog Fest! We should do this more often!
August McLaughlin
/ February 24, 2013So glad you’ve enjoyed it, Jess! Thanks for joining us. 🙂
renée a. schuls-jacobson
/ February 23, 2013Just made it through every single post. Wow. These pieces were delicious. I am do proud to have been included in this wonderful collection! Thank you again for including me!
Jenny Hansen
/ February 23, 2013Delicious is the PERFECT word, Renee! 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ February 23, 2013Aw. Thanks, you two! So grateful for your participation. 🙂
Kathryn Chastain Treat
/ February 23, 2013I came back this morning to read those lovely posts that were added later. I have loved every minute and hope you continue next year with Blogfest III.
August McLaughlin
/ February 23, 2013You can count on it, Kathryn! So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thanks for your wonderful contributions.
Debra Kristi
/ February 23, 2013Dang! My internet has been so twitchy. I have really loved what I’ve seen so far. You always host such a great blogfest. Sorry I missed it this time around. Doesn’t mean I value it any less. Just recovering for being “soul-tired.” Thank you for being so beautiful and helping spread the importance of true beauty and worth.
August McLaughlin
/ February 23, 2013Aw. I understand soul-tired. I hope you’re feeling better. Thanks for the sweet support!
journalpulp
/ February 23, 2013Kecia Adams wrote a lovely post on this subject.
August McLaughlin
/ February 24, 2013Thanks, Ray! She’s been added. (Lovely indeed!)
Sabrina Garie
/ February 23, 2013August, this has been a wonderful experience. The patchwork quilt of posts cover so much breadth and depth its hard not to raise our heads high and be proud of the strengths, bravery, compassion, persistence, empathy, dedication and commitment that women bring to the world. Just a lovely experience. I hope you’ll do it again next year.
August McLaughlin
/ February 24, 2013Beautifully said, Sabrina! I was actually listening to Carole King’s “Tapestry” while reading on Friday, because I felt the precise same thing—swatches of unique, colorful fabric united. Thanks so much for joining us! You can count on #3. 🙂
Jenny Hansen
/ February 24, 2013I’ve been by everyone, August, and now I’m working through the comments. What a gorgeous grouping of posts. 🙂
August McLaughlin
/ February 25, 2013Agreed, Jenny. Thanks for the wonderful support!
jennifermzeiger
/ February 25, 2013Wow, there are some awesome posts here. I spent half a day looking at them and it was a wonderful afternoon.
August McLaughlin
/ February 25, 2013So glad you’ve enjoyed, Jennifer!
Kassandra Lamb
/ February 25, 2013I’m trying to get to everybody’s post but I am such a slow reader. I will read them all though, because every one I have read has been fabulous. Thanks again, so, so much for doing this, August! It has been a great experience.
August McLaughlin
/ February 25, 2013That means a lot, Kassandra, to me and, I’m sure, to all festers. 🙂 It wouldn’t have been the same without you!
Joe Cardillo
/ February 25, 2013@ K – I’m kinda slow myself, only about halfway through but every post makes me want to read more faster=)
Kassandra Lamb
/ February 25, 2013Exactly, Joe!
Jess Witkins
/ February 25, 2013I’ve made it through all the posts and commented on each one! Such inspiring stories and I love the variety of them! Great festival, August, truly inspiring!
Ellen M. Gregg
/ February 25, 2013August, this has been (continues to be – still reading!) brilliant. I remarked on one participant’s blog today that I didn’t expect to get so much out of the posts. I feel as though I’m having a master class in defining beauty. Inspiring, thought-provoking, humorous, brave, sad… The entire womanly experience, summed up in a little over four dozen blog posts. Magic.
Clearly Kristal
/ February 25, 2013August: Just wanted to drop you a note to say that the gift is truly reading these amazing stories of strength and beauty. What a priceless gift. Thank you for hosting.
Kim Jorgensen Gane
/ February 25, 2013Wow, August. What a fantastic Beauty of a Woman Blog Fest this has been. I’m still working my way through the last couple posts, but I’m deeply honored to have been a part of it with so many beautiful women and men who love them. Thank you for that. I was brought to tears by some, laughter by others, and still others compelled me to write a complimentary piece about chronic illness over at GlutenNaziMom. Here’s the link if you or your readers feel compelled to visit, and aren’t bug-eyed at this point:
http://www.glutennazimom.org/1/post/2013/02/infertility-and-chronic-illness-and-what-might-be-eating-youand-if-it-werent-wwyd.html
Air Cooled Underware
/ February 28, 2013August, I just this week wrote my view of women losing their sense of beauty in this post below. What triggered it was a young lady who is very lovely deciding to get Enhanced.- She really did not need it. Had I written it a week ago I might have submitted it to your BOAW fest.
I offer it for your readers thoughts.
http://aircooledunderware.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/ladies-please-leave-the-boobs-alone/
‘Nuff Said