Sometimes, speaking up can be hard. During my college years, I developed a kind of “stage fright.” No, I wasn’t reciting Shakespearean monologues on the theatrical stage. (Though I did have the lead in our middle school play back in

Meet Murryn Payne—she’s 16, a high-flying tenth grader at Andrews Aviation Academy and the winner of our iPad sweepstakes. (Lucky girl!) We sat down with her to learn more about this Heart of Gold girl and what makes her tick. … Continue reading →

It’s Arts Month here at Heart of Gold, and what better way to kick off the month than by celebrating a female-powered concert? Sponsored by Gucci, Chime for Change took place in London on Saturday (the first day of June, 

One of the best qualities I have realized I possess is my proactive nature. This go-getter spirit has led to countless connections and opportunities, all because I put myself out there and went for something. Most of the time, this … Continue reading →

It always seems to rain on my graduation day. When I graduated from high school in June 2009, I spent commencement in a sticky gymnasium because rain had soaked the football field earlier in the afternoon. I remember my gown … Continue reading →

Since I first read about 19-year-old Lani Lazzari on Heart of Gold, I have admired her potion-making abilities and hard-working demeanor. This week, I had the opportunity to interview Lani, who recently pitched her line of all-natural body scrubs, Simple

By the time Heart of Gold hits “Publish” on this post, this “Mawrtyr” (i.e. Bryn Mawr student) will have eight days til graduation. Count ‘em—eight. The number of days on two hands. I never knew the full richness of bittersweet

My hair can’t make up its mind. My hair has a lengthy history of change. Different stages of my life present different states of hair. As my life has spiraled through different experiences, places and opportunities, my hair has spiraled, … Continue reading →

After the bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon, I became glued to Twitter. In 140 words or less, each new tweet from the people, media and organizations I follow shed light on a new fact, a new image, a new … Continue reading →

My squeamishness has always gotten the worst of me. One time, I ran away from my twin brother during recess after a student accidentally smashed a ball into his face during a rousing round of kickball, which knocked his front … Continue reading →

Ever felt like your study session needs a soundtrack? Sometimes I enjoy listening to music or sounds in the background while I type away—the clickety-clack of my keyboard alone is not enough to keep me focused and inspired during paper-writing

From my point of view, the modeling industry needs to get its act together. Last week, I blogged my repulsion for airbrushing, and this week, I just watched a documentary that proves how much the industry needs to provide their … Continue reading →

When I was nine years old, I secretly dreamed of becoming a model. (I still wanted to be a writer, of course, but hey, a girl can dream, right?) My family doctor had told my parents that because of their

Spring break should be time for, well, a break – but for the past week, I have been wading in schoolwork. Such is the life of a college senior, and quite frankly, I love working on my senior thesis and … Continue reading →

Dear Heart of Gold go-getters, Happy March! It is a month of leprechauns and gold coins, springing forward and a holiday you may not have heard of before: International Women’s Day. Happening every year on March 8 (today!), International Women’s … Continue reading →

Spring break has sprung, and you’re rounding the home stretch for the rest of the school year. How can you make the most of it? Let us count the ways: Beat procrastination. Leaving things until the last minute can leave

Amanda gives her favorite celebrity pick as part of our “Celebrity” month! Amy Poehler is most known for her hilarious portrayal of Leslie Knope in NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” or as part of the “Saturday Night Live” cast, but Poehler … Continue reading →

Valentine’s Day may be a time to celebrate romantic love or the love of family and friends. But you could also consider Valentine’s Day—and the days following it—as a way to profess your appreciation for the causes you care about. … Continue reading →

Dear Heart of Gold go-getters, This past December, I turned 22 years old. With all the exciting birthdays behind me (apart from 25, when car insurance rates go down—what a blast), I took time to do some reflecting on life … Continue reading →

With 2013 here, all of you high school seniors out there have something else to look forward to—regular admissions deadline for college applications! Most colleges have deadlines between January 15 and February 1. Let’s face it—baking cookies and spending time

As a young woman who has been active in the Democratic Party from a fairly young age, I’m often questioned about why I’m a Democrat. Some people assume I must come from a family steeped in Democratic politics. Others attribute … Continue reading →

Being a Republican in today’s society is somewhat frowned upon, and at times, Republicans are called “small-minded” or “greedy,” among lots of other scrutinizing names. I believe that being a Republican represents a working class of people who believe in … Continue reading →

I’ve never been able to stand by and watch while someone else was getting hurt and I think, in the end, this is what compelled me to write TRAFFICKED, and to keep writing it again and again until I got … Continue reading →

“You can. You should. And if you are brave enough to try, you will.” – Stephen King Dear You, You can do this. Trust me on this one. Never been to sleep-away camp. Cried when you went to your first … Continue reading →

Dear Heart of Gold Go-Getters, As summer winds down, I remember the moments that have meant the most to me these past few months: spying fireworks from a rooftop hotel the night of Fourth of July in New York City, … Continue reading →