Apparently, getting older does not automatically come with wisdom, dignity or the ability to use a public bathroom without strategy. I used to think there would come an age when I would finally have my shit together. Not mostly together. Not holding it together with dry shampoo and a decent bra together. I mean really together. I imagined becoming one of those effortlessly sophisticated older women who travels beautifully, knows exactly who she is, doesn't give a damn what an

How to Stop Comparing and Start Celebrating Your Real, Gorgeous Self Let's get something straight. Your reflection isn't the problem. The filter is. Somewhere between early social media selfies and today's wrinkle-smoothing, pore-erasing, face-altering technology, many of us forgot what real women actually look like. We became so used to edited images that normal skin, natural aging, and authentic beauty started to feel flawed. But they aren't. At Amber Dea Lux, we believe co

The Sex'n'Fries Podcast Belief, Faith, and the Messy Middle This episode — and this post — is a reflection on believing in something. Not necessarily God, not necessarily religion, but something bigger than us. The kind of belief that anchors you when life feels uncertain — or when you’re sitting in your car trying to remember why you walked into Target in the first place. I didn’t grow up with a consistent religion. There wasn’t one faith that shaped our home or dictated how

The Sexnfries Podcast I knew I could do it, well, I know now! Season 2 Episode 4: Holy crap I did a photo shoot! Is That Really Me? So, there I was — 55, standing in front of a camera, wearing lingerie I hadn’t touched in years. Was it crazy? Absolutely not. Was it terrifying? Oh, yes. But also… exhilarating, empowering, and honestly, life-affirming. Sharing my photos with a few people, I realized: this experience wasn’t just about pictures. It was about reclaiming my body, m

The Sex'n'Fries Podcast Toss the Negative Thoughts Away Take all the negative thoughts about yourself and throw them out. Seriously — you don’t need that crap anymore. I often wonder how young people navigate the constant noise of social media, advertising, and society while trying to maintain a positive self-image. Back in the 80s, it was hard enough. I struggled with comparing myself to models and celebrities — wondering if anyone would ever see me as enough. When Self-Imag

The Sex'n'Fries Podcast What We Don’t Owe Anyone Being shamed, guilt-tripped, or emotionally manipulated does not create debt. Holding someone emotionally hostage to force them to act—or act the way you think they should—is not a thing. You and I owe nothing when it comes to emotional currency. Not our time, not our energy, and certainly not our peace. This episode reflects on life lessons that sneaked into a current situation, reminding me (and you) that: “You do you, and I

The Sex'n'Fries Podcast Her wheelchair didn’t fit easily between the table and the kitchen island. I finished helping her get ready for the day — the same routine we’d shared for months — brushing her hair, fixing her breakfast, and making sure the morning ran as smoothly as possible. That day, though, I was bursting with excitement. I had something to show her. The Mango. My new car.Bright. Bold. Orange. I couldn’t believe that I — the woman who hated attention and proudly c

The Sex'n'Fries Podcast Why Do Women Need to Feel Beautiful? Every day, we’re bombarded with images of women that set unrealistic standards for beauty. From magazines and billboards to social media feeds, we’re constantly told what sexy looks like. Professional models, filters, and Photoshop have created ideals so polished they’re nearly impossible to match—and yet we try. It’s no wonder many women question their bodies: “Am I enough?” “Do I measure up?” The beauty and cosmet

The Sex'n'Fries Podcast Fifty seemed like a never number. When you’re in your twenties, it doesn’t exist. And then… suddenly, there it is. Right in your face. Like someone spun you around and you are standing in front of the 50 door. All you have to do is wake up and walk through it. Fifty has so many perks—but until you get there, they are a well-kept secret. A Fifty-Year-Old Walks Into a Bar A fifty-year-old woman walks into a bar… and the rest is history. This episode expl

Be Yourself When the sadness starts to take over, the phobias start to win. Feelings of being powerless in my surroundings begin to take over. The walls grow thicker in my head, and the heaviness makes me feel weak. Usually, people with anxiety disorders hide it well — though in their minds, they think everyone can tell. Social anxiety is a very self-centered condition. Your mind tells you that everyone is looking at you and judging you. This is where you lose yourself — when