Evergreen Reads to Empower Your Mind
The Standard Sister
Issue no.4
The Exceptional Issue
Jan 24, 2025
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Be(coming)Exceptional
What does it mean to be exceptional? And who is the one to judge if someone is exceptional or not? In each person's life, there comes a time when we have to be both the teacher and the student. As women who carry the potential to bring life to the world, It is almost a natural habit to put others first. So to be exceptional -in a world filled with so much noise from the media and beyond—means choosing to put yourself first (not all the time, but most of the time): finding your most authentic inner voice, your primordial emotional intelligence, your core values, what you truly desire
from life. It's about understanding how and with whom you want to spend your time, your needs in order to feel alive, and what you genuinely feel and think—from and for yourself, and from and for others. To be exceptional is to choose yourself first because sometimes it's impossible! And therefore, it is an outstanding act—not always, but most of the time—against the odds of life.
In this issue, we're proud to launch an exceptional series of interviews with remarkable women who inspire.
If you find this uplifting, please share this link with a woman you love.
Mary Quant with Goldsmith's Sunglasses, haircut by Vidal Sasson
Q&A With Bar Ben Vakil
Bar Ben Vakil, born in 1989 is a self-taught artist renowned for her vibrant and emotive paintings. After completing her military service, Bar began collaborating with brands and selling paintings to high-profile clients and companies. She transitioned from acrylics to oils and other mediums, continually evolving her artistic expression. Bar’s work is vibrant, lively and eccentric, expressing a heightened sense of contemporary art mixed with street art in her female and tropical subjects. This effect is achieved by using multiple mediums such as oil colors, acrylic, crayons, spray paint ,wax pastel, 24 karat gold 18 karat rose gold , ink and more. Her work has been featured in various exhibitions and publications, including PhotoVogue by Vogue Italia, 2 solo exhibitions , and participated in the prestigious "Salon D’automne" in Paris. Currently based in Tel Aviv, Bar is working on her next three solo exhibitions and will speak at an international conference in Geneva focused on women's empowerment and resilience.
Q: Which quality/ word define your past?
A: Resilience
Q: Which quality/ word defining your present?
A: Excitement
Q: Which quality/ word will define your future?
A: Revival
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
A: “Mode Ani”
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: Hard training’ easy battle. My parent quoting russian war slogans. For real.
Q: If you could be anywhere in the world in a second, where would it be?
A: Garden of Eden, for sure. Above.
Q: What turns you on/ off?
A: On-Authenticity, emotional intelligence, pure heart, cute ass. Off- arrogance, entitlement
Q: What makes you feel at home when you’re away from home?
A: Lighting Shabbat candles
Q: If you could meet any woman, living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: Oprah. Her life story, grit and mental strength is nothing less than mesmerizing and deeply inspiring.
Q: How do you express love?
A: The highest form of love is showing vulnerability and loving the other , with the purest intention of ones heart.
Q: What’s your favorite word?
A: Bliss!
Q: Who is your hero/heroine in real life?
A: Forever my mama
Q: Which fear you will give up to be invincible?
A: My dad, who passed away from heart failure, raised me by His motto: FEAR ISN’T AN OPTION.
Q: Which motto would you send to the next generation of women?
A: Let your intuition guide you—let it, and only it, steer the course of your dreams. Let it lead you in business, in friendships, in family. In life. The first brain knows best.
Exceptional Pleasure
We are often encouraged to think that a great orgasm is one we achieve with a partner. While that can be amazing, this article invites you to consider a different perspective. Masturbation—or as we like to call it, taking the time to explore your own pleasure—is an act of self-care, self-discovery, and self-love.
Reclining Woman with Raised Skirt by Egon Schiele 1918
It’s a moment to focus entirely on your needs, desires, mind, and body.
Achieving an exceptional orgasm isn’t just about physical sensation; it’s about reconnecting with yourself on multiple levels. So, how do you make it happen?
1. Make Time for It
Prioritize yourself. Find a 20- to 30-minute window where you’re alone and free to do whatever you feel like. Put your phone on airplane mode—it’s just for a short time, but it allows you to focus entirely on yourself without distractions.
2. Create the Right Environment
Set the mood for relaxation. Whether that means dimming the lights, lighting a candle, or playing your favorite playlist (might we suggest Cigarettes After Sex?), crafting a safe and soothing space helps you fully immerse yourself in the experience.
3. Give Yourself Permission to Discover
Discovery is key, and it often takes time to reveal what truly turns you on. Use your hands, experiment with different techniques, or try toys if you feel like it. There’s no right or wrong way—this is your journey. Allow your thoughts to flow naturally, without judgment, as you tune into your desires.
4. Learn Your Pleasure Zones
Your body has unique pleasure points that respond to touch and stimulation, from the clitoris to the G-spot and beyond. Don’t rush; take your time to explore these areas with curiosity and patience. At first, your mind may wander to everyday concerns—kids, laundry, or work crises—but with practice, letting go will feel easier and more natural.
5. Embrace Your Fantasies
Your fantasies are a safe space for exploration. Women often fantasize about scenarios ranging from being with an ex or a stranger to public or even rougher, more taboo encounters. Let your imagination run wild—this time is yours, free from judgment. If you find it challenging to ignite your creativity, consider drawing inspiration from visual media.
In recent years, the world of sex toys has undergone a stylish transformation. Vibrators are no longer just bulky, rubbery rotating d****—they've become sleek, elegant, and surprisingly chic. You can now find designs like a delicate pink rose or compact models in burgundy that are perfect for travel. Some of them even won the 2025 German Design award. Two of the leading brands redefining sophistication in women's pleasure products are LELO and Satisfyer, combining aesthetics with innovation to create products as beautiful as they are functional. You might be surprised how a pink rose can get you exceptional orgasms so fast.
Celebrating your sexuality is a profound act of empowerment. It’s about putting yourself first, understanding your needs, and unapologetically owning your pleasure. So take your time, enjoy the journey, and remember: you deserve nothing less than exceptional.
Bar Ben Vakil in NYC by Unkown
Exceptional Mother Nature
If there is anything in our world that is nothing less than exceptional and always keeps surprising humankind, it’s Mother Nature. Endless discoveries and new insights about the natural world flood into science every day. Choosing a single aspect of nature to focus on seemed almost impossible—until we understood that the hype is entirely justified. Enter the mushroom ladies, or as we prefer to call them, The Fungi Kingdom.
George Barbier 1916 Les Champignons, Image by Pinterest
In the article by Adam Sayner on Gro Cycle, he describes mushrooms as "delicious, fascinating, unique, dangerous, and sometimes just plain weird." Intrigued by their exceptional nature, we chose to highlight fascinating facts (For the full list, check out the link above): Often mistaken for plants, fungi are actually genetically closer to animals. They absorb nutrients from organic matter, breathe oxygen, and have cell walls made of chitin—an amide derivative of glucose also found in the exoskeletons of insects. Another incredible fact is that the title of the largest living organism on Earth belongs to a honey mushroom (Armillaria ostoyae) in Oregon's Malheur National Forest. This colossal fungus spans an astonishing 3.5 miles (5.6 km) and is estimated to be over 2,400 years old. Fungi also play a remarkable role as nature’s communicators. Mycorrhizal fungi—a term derived from "mycorrhiza," meaning "fungus-root"—form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, facilitating nutrient exchange. Through their intricate mycelial networks, often referred to as the "Wood Wide Web," trees can share resources and even send warnings about environmental threats, creating a hidden underground communication system.
If you've ever heard someone mention mushrooms for mental clarity or relaxation, they may have been talking about Amanita muscaria, one of the most iconic fungi species. Known for its striking red cap with white spots, this mushroom has been used for centuries in shamanic rituals, particularly in Siberian and Scandinavian cultures. While it does contain psychoactive compounds like muscimol and ibotenic acid, which can induce altered states of consciousness, it has also been studied for potential health benefits when used carefully and appropriately. Emerging research and anecdotal evidence suggest that Amanita muscaria may help with: Relaxation and Stress Reduction, Neuroprotection and Pain Relief. Mushrooms play a crucial role in ecosystems and continue to inspire groundbreaking scientific research, bridging the gap between nature, tradition, and innovation.
The Only Way Is Forward!
This historical lookback is a shining example of exceptional bravery. In a time when women were expected to stay quiet and accept the status quo, a group of women—fierce and resilient—decided they had had enough. The Suffragette Movement, which began in the late 19th century and swept across the UK, the US, and beyond, was more than just a fight for the right to vote. It was a declaration of independence—a statement that women would no longer be ignored or relegated to the margins of society.
The movement marked a shift in the way society viewed women. For centuries, they were seen as incapable of making rational decisions—especially political ones. They weren’t politely asking for permission to speak—they were demanding their right to be heard.
While some championed peaceful campaigning, others opted for militant methods. Hunger strikes, property destruction, and dramatic public demonstrations shook the foundations of societal norms, forcing the world to pay attention. The colours of the suffragette movement were purple for loyalty and dignity, white for purity, and green for hope.
Suffragettes were arrested, tortured, and vilified. In the UK, their hunger strikes were met with brutal force-feeding, and in the US, authorities regularly silenced them with imprisonment and violence. Yet, no matter the challenges, the suffragettes persisted. Their unwavering belief in their cause made them invincible.
The suffragettes were fighting for the right to exist as full, equal citizens in a world that had long denied them a voice. They began reshaping the future for women everywhere.
The 2015 film Suffragette, starring Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meryl Streep, offers a gripping portrayal of this extraordinary movement. The film captures the suffragettes’ resilience and bravery, highlighting the immense personal toll their fight took on their families, careers, and lives. It is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by these women—and a celebration of their monumental achievements.
While we may not face the same obstacles today, the spirit of the suffragettes lives on in every woman who stands up for her rights and refuses to accept less than she deserves. Their legacy reminds us that the only way is forward—and that progress is always worth the fight.
