Reading is Sexy: Kelly Cutrone, “If You Have To Cry Go Outside, And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You”
I’ve never been a fan of The Hills or The City, but I started watching the shows religiously once I got wind of Kelly Cutrone. From the moment I heard her open her mouth, I was smitten. She’s the kind of business woman that I want to be – successful, but most importantly, honest. She says what other people think, but are too afraid to say.
It was just a matter of time before network executives would take note and offer Ms. Cutrone her own show, Kell On Earth, and before she got a book deal. When I heard about her book, If You Have To Cry Go Outside, And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You, I immediately got in touch with the publishing company so that I could get a preview copy. HarperOne obliged and I’m here to tell you 3 words: Read this book!
I read my copy in 1 day – it’s a very quick read – but it’s the kind of book that I will refer back to and re-read certain sections throughout my life. Kelly Cutrone is the big sister we never had – she’s savvy, been through it all and tells you like it is. She bares her soul on the pages – not hiding anything from her quick rise to the top of the NY scene to her equally quick fall, tales of drug addiction, joblessness and homelessness. Like a phoenix, she rose from the ashes and she shares her experiences so we don’t make the same mistakes – sort of a Cliff’s Notes for life.
This is an important lesson to remember when you’re having a bad day, a bad month, or a shitty year.Things will change: you won’t feel this way forever. An anyway, sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones your soul needs most. I believe you can’t feel real joy unless you know what it means to fail. You can’t know what it’s like to feel holy until you know what it’s like to feel really fucking evil. And you can’t be birthed again until you’ve died. (p.57)
Many would say that Kelly Cutrone comes off as a “bitch”, but, if you listen to what she says, and the intent behind what she says, one would realize that she’s no bitch. Instead, she’s got your back and is giving you the kind of advice that you normally would only learn the hard way. She’s gone through the hard stuff, she’s giving you the insight so you can skip over a few potholes instead of making the same mistakes.
Even though I am sometimes perceived as a bitch or a witch, the office atmosphere I cultivate is nothing like the cultural stereotype of striving women clawing each other to death to get the queen bee’s job. Women have been taught that, in order to get ahead, we have to be secretive and plotting and manipulative, because a straightforward route to the top hasn’t always existed for us, and in many industries it still doesn’t. But I don’t believe in playing into these stereotypes. We don’t have to stab each other in the back, we don’t have to take things personally and break down when we’re criticized, and we don’t have to advance at each others’ expense. (p.158)
She’s an honorary M.I.S.S. member for sure! In many ways she embodies the ideals that M.I.S.S. was founded on – we too are trying to break the stereotype that women can’t work together. And, rather than tear each other down, we can help build each other up – power in numbers ladies! I highly recommend If You Have To Cry Go Outside, And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You as required reading for all ladies in the school of life.
If You Have To Cry Go Outside, And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You releases on February 2nd and you can purchase it on Amazon.com. Kell on Earth premiers on Monday, February 1, 2010 on Bravo at 10/9c.
