Minted Magazine | Summer 2012

UP CLOSE WITH JACKIE MIRANNE pg. 28 |ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION FINDS pg. 35|5 WAYS TO THRIVE AS A WORKING MOTHER pg. 76|

M nted

Eco-friendly, Mother Nature Approved Mallory Curlee’s Impact on the Fashion Scene and the Environment

2

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

3

Minted | Summer 2012

IN THIS ISSUE...

ON THE COVER 52

Eco-Friendly, Mother Nature Approved Mallory Curlee of CurleeBikini (the name alone is pretty awesome, right?) is on her way to changing the face of eco-friendly fashion with her custom-made swimwear line.

4

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

PHOTO BY EVAN ROGERS

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

5

in this issue SUMMER 2012

25

IN EVERY ISSUE 13 Contributors The people who help make Minted your favorite online magazine

Note 16 Editor’s Big Changes are Brewin’ at Minted

FEATURES 37

The 3%

67

Show Off That Baby Bump

What’s with men creating ads for a female-driven industry? Find out why women only make up 3% of creative directors Soon-to-be-mommy and entrepreneur Sunny Arada models the best in fashion that you can sport during AND after your pregnancy!

on the cover Photo of Mallory Curlee by Evan Rogers of Houndstooth & Caroline Photography. Mallory is wearing the Two Tone Floppy hat in Boysenberry by Jessica Simpson and Shiny Jersey Maxi Dress in Mocha by Maggy London. Wardrobe provided by Zappos.com.

6

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

28

MINTED STYLE 20

36

Day to Night Style

Ways to work one outfit into two with a simple swap of accessories

Q&A 28 Style An interview with fashion model, TV host and all-around awesome woman Jackie Miranne

35

Extras

Eco-friendly accessories and special items for mothers-to-be

67

BUSINESS TALK Art of Improvisation 43 The How improv can be used in the workplace

46 Spotlight Jen Frick of The Tulip Grove LIFE AFTER FIVE 76 5 Ways to Thrive as a New Mother

Newlywed, new mother and entrepreneur Kamila McDonald-Alcock shares tips on how you CAN have it all

Diary 87 Travel Hong Kong Happenings

90

Bookends

The Write Teachers’ summer reading list

87

in this issue SUMMER 2012

96

HEALTH & BEAUTY 91 Spike Up Your Life 92 Get Fit ... Fast 95 Meditative Mindset Goddess 96 Golden The best of the best in summer bronzers, sunless tanners and more!

102

Green with Your 98 Go Beauty Routine

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 99 Sweet Summer Sips 102 Dischcrawl Progressive dining with a twist HOME & LIVING 105

Bold and Bright

108

Homes of Different Hues

8

Home decor

Homes across the country designed with vibrant splashes of color

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

107

PROMOTION

The Minted Family Publisher MINTED MEDIA GROUP, LLC Founder & Editor-in-Chief SHIRLEY LAU Editorial Writers DYANA CANAVAN, ANGELINE EVANS, JANICE JANN, STEPHANIE JIROCH, JENNY LAPAT, KAMILA MCDONALD-ALCOCK, MEGAN MINUTILLO, CIARA NORTON, PAIGE A. RICKS, LISA SAFRAN, AYUMI SUZUKI Art Photographers ROBERTO DAZA, EZEQUIEL DE LA ROSA, CHANCE JAMES, JANICE JANN, TYLER ORSBURN, PAIGE A. RICKS, EVAN ROGERS, SONYA YRUEL Minted Magazine Phone: 646.543.5288 Email: editor@mintedmag.com ISSN 2164-9138 (print) ISSN 2164-9154 (online)

Minted Magazine is published four times a year as a digital download and hard copy via MagCloud.com. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written consent is prohibited.

Copyright 2012 Minted Magazine. All rights reserved.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

PHOTO BY CHANCE JAMES

11

CONTRIBUTORS EVAN ROGERS, PHOTOGRAPHER Evan Rogers is a photographer and art director in living in Los Angeles, Calif.

When not working long hours in the Pixel Mines he spends his time with his friends and family in the Golden State’s landscapes. Check out his work in this issue’s story about eco-friendly swimwear designer Mallory Curlee on pg. 52.

CHANCE JAMES, PHOTOGRAPHER Chance James is a photographer and artist based in Fresno, Calif. He is enjoying the new stages of parenthood and is overflowing with creative inspiration that is generously produced by his son and new muse, Major. When Chance isn’t working with his camera, he can be found painting and exploring other artful mediums. Visit ChanceJames.com to view some of his latest work. You can find his photos on pg. 67 in this issue’s special maternity fashion shoot.

VONAE DEYSHAWN, STYLIST Vonae Deyshawn is a writer, editor, life coach, and overall style enthusiast pursuing her dreams. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing which has provided a varied amount of avenues for her to explore including Young Adult novels, screenplays, life coaching, and magazine writing. Most of all, she enjoys spending time running her website, building her styling business, and inspiring other women to be the best they can be. She lives in Sunny south Florida with her husband, two dogs, and soon to be precious little baby boy. Get a dose of her styling on pg. 19 in our summer fashion feature.

MEGAN MINUTILLO, WRITER Megan Minutillo is an English and theater teacher on Long Island, NY. When she is not teaching, she can be found directing in various theaters and schools, most recently for the Young American Writers Project at Stony brook Southampton. Megan obtained her B.A. at Binghamton University, and received her M.A. in Educational Theater and English Education at NYU. Her newest project, The Write Teacher, combines her love of writing, theater, literature, and education. The Write Teacher is a blog that reviews literature and theater for an extensive audience, stemming from adolescents to mothers of the latter, and everyone in between. Read Megan’s piece about model and TV host Jackie Miranne on pg. 28.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

13

CONTRIBUTORS LISA SAFRAN, WRITER Lisa Safran is the founder of ImprovConsultants, a group of creative professionals, provides engaging staff development for businesses, schools, and organizations using improvisation.

Lisa Safran has over 12 years domestic and international teaching experience. She has served as a master and supervising teacher to student teachers. She recently published Reading and Writing Come Alive: Using Improvisation to Build Literacy.

Combining her expertise in theatre and education, Lisa now leads corporate development training that offers specialized and detailed presentations and workshops tailored to the client’s needs. Learn Lisa’s tips on the topic on pg. 43.

CIARA NORTON, WRITER Ciara Norton lives in Fresno, Calif., and writes articles for local media outlets such as His Magazine, The Sanger Herald, The Madera Tribune and The Reedley Exponent. She is a double major at California State University, Fresno studying print journalism and fashion merchandising. She enjoys running half marathons in her spare time. Upon graduation in June 2013 Ciara hopes to find herself working for a magazine or in the fashion industry where she can put her two passions to use. Read Ciara’s first piece for Minted on pg. 37 about the lack of women in the advertising industry.

STEPHANIE JIROCH, WRITER Freelance writer, yoga instructor and sexual empowerment coach, Stephanie incorporates an integrative philosophy into her approach to health and wellness.

A graduate student based in San Francisco, Calif., she studies Traditional Chinese Medicine and works with women around fertility, sexual fulfillment and women’s health issues. When not with clients or in front of her computer you will most likely find her hiking the hills of Marin or planning her next trip to New York City.

You can read Stephanie’s piece about ways to get fit (fast!) on pg. 92.

JANICE JANN, PHOTOGRAPHER & WRITER Janice Jann is a storyteller with a a passion for living out of her suitcase (aka traveling). She currently resides in Hong Kong marveling at all the good food she gets to eat, musing at the cultural differences (and the fashion choices!), and working on doing her part to make a positive impact on the world. You can find her at her blog www.themediamaid.com and www.janjanntravels.blogspot.com. Journey through Janice’s eyes on pg. 87 as she discovers hidden hotspots in Hong Kong.

14

PROMOTION

KEEP CALM AND WRITE ON

editor’s note SUMMER 2012

Big Things Are Brewin’ Over Here LIFE HAS BEEN BUSY. REALLY BUSY.

I can’t believe a journey that only started in October of last year has resulted in this being the third issue already! As cliche as it sounds, time really does fly by when you’re doing something you love.

PHOTO BY ROBERTO DAZA

What’s also added to the chaos are all the changes going on here at Minted—and I’m talking big changes. For one, New York City is our new home! As much as we loved being in California, it’s nice to be smack dab in the middle of a city known for its fashion and culture. Another exciting change at Minted is ... brace yourself ... it’s no longer going to be in a digital magazine. Before you start to fret, I want to let you know that the content is going to be the same! We’re going to provide you with the same kinds of articles we’ve had in each issue. The only difference is how you’ll view it and how often you’ll be getting your dose of all things Minted. It’s going to be a platform for people to learn, engage with other readers, shop and be inspired.

Nobody likes change (and trust me, it took me a while to do it!), but sometimes it’s for the better. We’re sure you’ll agree that when we unveil the new Minted, that it really is the best way for us to showcase our content. Not to mention the fact that instead of being a quarterly digital magazine, it’s going to be a dailyupdated site—that means more content, more often! You can’t really argue with that, now can you? I’ll keep everyone posted on the launch of the new Minted so be sure to look out for that!

I hope you enjoy this last “issue” as much as we enjoyed putting it together. You’ll notice there are special sections dedicated to eco-friendly fashion and living as well as for expectant mothers. Our cover girl Mallory Curlee was the inspiration for us to draw on how we could all easily “go green” in so many parts of our lives. And, through interviews and talks with so many successsful entrepreneurs, we noticed a lot of them were mothers, juggling a full-time job being on diaper duty while also managing their own business, so we wanted to give them a nice dose of advice from other working mothers to help them get through.

Enjoy!

16

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

Shirley Lau, Founder & Editor-in-Chief

18

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

(inside: day to night style | Q&A with Jackie Miranne | eco-friendly finds)

ILVA DRESS, $295. PHOTO COURTESY OF NORDSTROM.

MINTED style

From maxi dresses to relaxed blouses, this season is the time to play with your wardrobe, taking a simple daytime outfit to something that’ll make your date drool at later that night. We also have some great fashion style tips from Dianna Baros of the popular style blog, The Budget Babe. editor VONAE DEYSHAWN

minted style DAY TO NIGHT

day

The Maxi Dress Lulu’s $43

night

H&M $10

H&M $50 H&M $15

H&M $13

Head Over Heels $56

Kate Benjamin $76

L.A.M.B. $354

“One of the easiest ways to take a look from day to night is by adding a statement necklace and a bold red lip,” says Dianna. “Both accessories are flattering for everyone and draw the eye upwards towards your lovely face.”

20

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINT VELVET. DHALIA MAXI DRESS.

minted style DAY TO NIGHT

day

The Relaxed Blouse Rachel Comey $368

night

Wendy Nichol $380 Steven Alan $148

Steven Alan, $149

Wood & Faulk $79

Apricot $39 The Branch $90

Plenty by Tracy Reese $140 Luxury Rebel $100 “Now more than ever, women can really express themselves with fashion in the workplace,” says

22

Dianna. “Almost any trend can work in small doses, just aim for balance: If you’re wearing a vivid color, make sure the cut and silhouette is simple. Want to try the neon trend? Try a skinny belt over a grey sheath. Love bold prints? Consider adding a beautiful scarf to a blazer and crisp white blouse. mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

DAY TO NIGHT minted style

The Sixties Flair Dress

day

Lulu’s $73

Kate Benjamin $51

night

H&M $10

Michael Kors $45

Moroccan Bazaar $32

Dream Collective $172 Tassia Canellis $46 Chinese Laundry $60

Marais USA $88

“Carry a slim clutch inside your work bag,” says Dianna.

“When it’s time to go out, you can grab your chic clutch and leave that big, bulky bag behind.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

23

minted style DAY TO NIGHT

day

The Tunic Top H&M $44

night

Tassia Canellis $48

Ray-Ban $160

Basta $202 (both pieces)

Francesca’s Collections $48 La Botte Gardiane $146

Clare Vivier $405

24

“Follow your favorite stores on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and even exclusive deals,” says Dianna. “Many stores such as Banana Republic and Nordstrom even have their own style blogs, offering styling advice and outfit inspiration.

Luxury Rebel $135

TRENDS minted style

SIPPING IN STYLE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISSION US.

Alice + Olivia is known for its playful patterns and designs. It’s not surprising to find that designer Stacey Bendet took something we all love—a bottle of bubbly—and used it as inspiration for a special limited edition piece: the Alice + Olivia for Chandon Limited Edition Romper.

Through this partnership, Chandon is offering up a beautiful label design as well, incorporating patriotic stripes of red, white and blue. Too bad you can’t wear the bottle!

Limited Edition Romper available now in select Alice + Olivia boutiques; Chandon Limited Edition American Summer Bottle available now through September 1.

Editor’s Pick!

THE MAD HATTER You may have seen these beauts covering the manes of celebs like Leighton Meester, Hilary Duff, Blake Lively and Betsy Johnson. Designed

by New-York based hat house Sherel’s, the collection consists of more than 2,500 wooden hat blocks, some dating back before 1900. This family-run business, recently taken over by brothers Tomer and Omri Amar, isnt like your typical millerny—every hat is finished by hand using sewing machines built from the 1880s to the 1920s. Why? It helps execute the vision of recreating hats from the 19th century. Are you in love yet?

Styles from the top: Gale SL R, $160; Fedora Straw Hat, $295; Charlotte SR, $229.

- Shirley Lau SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

PHOTOS COURTESY LZ MEDIA GROUP.

25

minted style TRENDS

SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS FASHION Is it possible for fashion to be both sartorially pleasing and politically correct? If you ask designer Abi Ferrin, the answer would be an unequivocal yes. Hailing from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the current Texas resident has added a distinct twist to her popular fashion line by giving disadvantaged women a voice with the purchase of each garment. With fashions sold in department stores like Nordstrom’s and small boutiques across the country, each design includes a handcrafted adornment made by women who had been rescued from abusive situations as part of Ferrin’s Freedom Project.

Majoring in Political Science and Journalism while in college, Ferrin moved to Washington D.C. with the goal of becoming a political journalist. Though after realizing a career in journal-

ism was no longer of interest, she headed out west to pursue something more meaningful.

Starting with just a sewing machine and $500 in her pocket, Ferrin began creating designs for women in Hollywood after celebrities noticed her own style while working on the red carpet for Paramount Pictures events. With little experience running a business in the beginning stages, Ferrin mentions, “that smart and steady growth is always a good idea. It’s tempting to want to jump at every opportunity, but reaching for the stars while remaining pragmatic has been key.” As an entrepreneur, particularly in the fashion industry, Ferrin’s advice is to, “remember that fashion is not always glamorous. It’s easy to see the big events and the red carpets and think it is all fun and games. However, my team and I work hard and long hours to accomplish what we have. If fashion is your passion and your calling, be prepared to work hard.”

Riding on the success of her fashion line, Ferrin wanted to find a way to incorporate her lifelong commitment to empowering women into her business and thus began The Freedom Project.

The idea was to create ‘Fashion and Freedom with Purpose’, so there could be a social consciousness created for women of abuse and help give a voice to their cause. As Ferrin notes, “We know that everything we do, each and everyday, affects the lives of those we are trying to help.

We are not just selling a dress or a top; we are helping to change peoples lives.”

Abi Ferrin

With the success of her growing fashion line and the continued interest of The Freedom Project, we cannot wait to see what Abi Ferrin has in store for the future.

- Jenny Lapat

26

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

TRENDS minted style

COLOR TAKEOVER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABI FERRIN.

What used to make adults ooh and aah over in the children’s clothing department is not a noticeable trend for all: bright colored denim. The explosion of red, mustard and turquoise-colored jeans came almost overnight, with popular brands like J Brand and Rag & Bone joining the bandwagon.

Like any other seasonal trend, be weary of exactly how wear this new look—simply throwing on a pair of red jeans with any ol’ top isn’t going to cut it. Here are a few ways on how you can be sexy and subtle or bold when you slip on a pair of your own.

Be subtle: You can never go wrong with a neutral top when it comes to any trend that is on the bolder side. Try a plain T-shirt or tank top in black, brown, white or beige.

Be bold: Colorblocking was another trend this last season, and you can use that same method for colored jeans--trade in that simple top for another complementary bold color.

Be younger: Well, we mean, look younger. Yes, colored denim reminiscent of your younger years can give the perception that you are indeed a few years younger than you really are! Instead of a plain top, pair the jeans with a crisp, tailored jacket and heels.

Left: Desi dress in Animal Imprint and Freedom Project Clutch in Black; right: Candice dress 27

PHOTO BY EZEQUIEL DE LA ROSA. HAIR BY DENINE SMITH. MAKEUP BY D’ANGELO THOMPSON

STYLE Q&A minted style

Jackie has pioneered the red carpet at MercedesBenz fashion week for Afterbuzz TV, producing the first ever fashion content with style expert and co-host Pamela Pekerman, and is currently covering the weekly excitement on what happens on the hitTV series Dancing with the Stars.

Jackie Miranne is a fashion model, television host and style expert. The 26-year-old is the face of the LaylaJoy Shoe Collection, an advocate and supporter of many emerging designers, and a host of Afterbuzz TV, a new media “after-show” series, founded

by Maria Menounos and Keven Undergaro—it’s the “post-game” show for everything TV-related!

text MEGAN MINUTILLO

Whether it’s New York, Los Angeles, Spain, Italy, Barbados, she is always on the go! But no matter what city or country she finds herself in, she makes it her business to update her self-titled blog where she shares easy tips for all women to see the fashion treasures that she discovers … whether it’s for your closet or your home.

When she’s not filming, blogging or modeling, she continues to work and contribute to the restaurant her family owns in her hometown of Huntington on Long Island, NY. Despite her schedule of trekking around the world, she always manages to be there for those people in her life who mean the most: her friends and family. She truly embodies who the Minted Girl stands for—being the modern career girl.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

29

Far left: On set on TV show Dancing With the Stars; Middle top: At Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show at Hammerstein Ballroom; Middle bottom: Hosting for AfterBuzz TV at Tadashi Shoji Fall 2012 during Fashion Week ; Far right: Layla Joy Collection photo shoot

Minted Magazine: First things first, how do you multitask so well?

Jackie Miranne: I believe organization is the key to juggling so much in life. This is only natural, being that I grew up as the daughter of an inventor of home, organizational, and travel products, Joy Mangano!

I organize my life in my iPhone. I especially like the Notes feature, as it saves a lot of paper and I always have my to-do list in hand. I believe in staying ahead of yourself so you don’t get overwhelmed, and always taking things one step at a 30

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

time. Start your day with your list of things you need to accomplish, followed by the things you want to accomplish, and then focus on one task at a time.

MM: What are your must-haves for this year’s summer wardrobe?

JM: That’s an easy one—printed pants! My tally is already at five pairs. Wide-leg, lightweight, python and floral print … you name it, I have it!

Also, a peplum top! It’s a spring basic and a trendy piece at the same time. One peplum

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACKIE MIRANNE

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

31

PHOTO BY EZEQUIEL DE LA ROSA. HAIR BY DENINE SMITH. MAKEUP BY D’ANGELO THOMPSON

32

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

STYLE Q&A minted style top can take all of your skinny skirts and pants into Summer 2012! As for color schemes, forget the adage something borrowed, something blue. The mantra for spring is something neon, something nude! Neons and soft blush neutrals or pastels are the hottest palettes on the spring style menu.

MM: In an economy that is rather rough, what are your suggestions on how to get the most out of your wardrobe?

JM: I recommend small but frequent shopping doses! I never go shopping with the hope of snapping up my entire seasonal wardrobe in one day. It’s easier on the wallet and better on the wardrobe to pick up a few great finds at a time; it keeps things fresh.

Plus, I know where to shop. I might browse couture in the windows of New York City as my guide, but when it comes time to purchase items, I go straight to where I can find the best bargains. My favorite discount department store is Marshalls. I also tend to scoop up a piece or two at Zara and H&M; sometimes the price is less than the price of a Starbucks coffee. You can still be unique if you shop at affordable mass-retail stores; no one wears the same piece the same way. Mix it up and make it your own!

Don’t forget the power of online shopping these days. There are sites like Yoox, Asos, and Mikkat Market that offer a great selection. My best tip for online shopping: Set your limit before you shop. Only search in the price range you know you can afford.

MM: How do you find that balance between a successful career and a healthy personal life?

JM: I find that no matter how much I branch out, no matter how many places I’ve been, family is the most important thing to me. I call them my core. I constantly stay in touch with them through group texts, and I e-mail them throughout my busy work schedule. We share some pretty funny [email] chains!

“

I find that no matter how much I branch out, no matter how many places I’ve been, family is the most important thing to me. I call them my core.”

minted style STYLE Q&A When I’m not working, I make it my business to focus solely on my family. I turn work off completely to spend focused time with them. What good is a dinner if everyone has a phone out?!

There comes a time when I have to force myself to shut off the phone, sign off of Facebook and Twitter, and just have a conversation.

Social media has become the biggest tool in both my work and personal life, but you have to remember that it’s a double-edged sword—use it at the right time. I save [work] for nighttime when everyone is sleeping. That’s probably my biggest secret—I do a huge portion of work on my computer before I go to sleep, which always keeps me up too late!

MM: What advice would you give for young female entrepreneurs, and those who are trying to make it in the fashion industry?

JM: My most important piece of advice is: Don’t be afraid to go for what you want. If you don’t go for it, you will never get it; be prepared to work for it. Know that there will be a lot of people who will tempt you to question yourself, but try not to hear them. Listen to yourself, and trust yourself. Finding confidence is a struggle (especially in the fashion business), but confidence is a vital necessity to achieving success in any arena.

As for the fashion industry, it helps to stay upto-date! You don’t have to be in New York or Paris to know about fashion (though it certainly helps). New York just happens to be my favorite city in the world, and yet, I have never been to Paris. Window shop, follow fashion on Twitter, check WWD and Style.com, subscribe to every fashion magazine you can think of—no matter where you are, bring the fashion industry to you.

You are your biggest calling card, so always dress the way you want people to see you.

34

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

“

Don’t be afraid to go for what you want. If you don’t go for it, you will never get it; be prepared to work for it. Finding confidence is a struggle (especially in the fashion business), but confidence is a vital necessity to achieving success in any arena.”

EXTRAS minted style

Peggy Li Creations $29

Sprout prices vary

ECO-FRIENDLY FINDS // Recycled materials skillfully crafted into treasures that prove going green can be fashionable

Mu‘umu‘u Heaven $35

Beledien $28 set of 3

Naya $145

Gifts with Humanity $25

Peggy Li Creations $49 SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

35

minted style EXTRAS

Uncommon Goods $100 each

Petunia Pickle Bottom $62 each

Perpetual Kid $17 Uncommon Goods $80 each

FOR MOMMY AND ME // Show your new bundle of joy some love with these luxe accessories.

Uncommon Goods $20 a pair 36

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

(inside: improvisation of business training | recovery from the Recession )

BUSINESS talk

the

3% Despite the fact that women pour $20 trillion into the economy each year, the very people driving that spending power through advertisements aren’t even women. Men have flooded the advertising industry as creative directors, leaving only 3% of women to target an audience primarily made up of their own sex. Can men really do it better ... or are women just not being given the chance? text CIARA NORTON

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

37

business talk TREND REPORT

In magazines and newspapers, plastered on

billboards and sprinkled in between TV shows are the images and ideas of advertising’s creative directors. These creative directors are influential, innovative, controlling and clever.

And, for the past three centuries, these creative directors have been primarily men.

“Advertising kind of started out as a male-oriented business, and I really think that through the first part of the twentieth century that was pretty much the way it was in anything,” said Roberta Asahina, a mass communication and journalism professor at California State University, Fresno who specializes in advertising. “In every field it was male-oriented.”

But, finally things are slowly starting to change.

“One of the ways that women have made in-roads as top executives is in the area of research and what we call account planning,” Asahina said.

“Account planning is where you are the expert for the consumer. You know everything about the consumer and then other departments are asking you.”

“

PHOTO BY SONYA YRUEL

Every single statistic and trend shows that the woman consumer is already calling the shots and that number is only going to increase.”

38

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

Asahina knows what it feels like to be the only woman in a male-oriented career. As the first female professor as well as the first Ph.D. holder to join the mass communication and journalism department at Fresno State in 1984, she has had to work against the odds.

“Advertising is an extremely competitive business and it demands a lot of time,” Asahina said.

“I do think it’s imbedded in you to be a creative because there has to be this confidence level and this drive.”

One such person with the confidence level and drive that it takes to succeed in the advertising business is 33-year-old Ayesha Mathews-Wadhwa.

As the founder and creative director of PixInk, a design microagency focused on serving brands that are marketed towards women, MathewsWadhwa is aware of the odds that she is up

against. PixInk markets brands such as Sephora, CAT Footwear and Savor the Success, a business website focused around female entrepreneurs.

“Only 3 percent of creative directors are women,” Mathews-Wadhwa said. “When you think of that number and the fact that over 80 percent of consumer purchase decisions are made by women you realize that’s a really big gap. That’s where PixInk comes in—we work with brands that are looking to reach the $20 trillion female economy and share our practice on what its going to take to effectively engage with her in today’s digital world.”

According to the Harvard Business Review, women control about $20 trillion in annual consumer spending, and it doesn’t look like they will be stopping any time soon. That number is expected to climb up to $28 trillion within the next five years.

“

I saw that women were often absent from pitches to new clients and important sales meetings and they just weren’t very well represented.”

“Every single statistic and trend shows that the woman consumer is already calling the shots and that number is only going to increase,” MathewsWadhwa said.

Another recent study conducted by the Harvard Business Review found that even though women control consumer spending, for the most part female consumers feel that advertisers don’t understand them.

Kat Gordon, founder and creative director of Maternal Instinct, has worked in the advertising industry for over 20 years and strongly feels that it is time to deal with this problem.

By organizing The 3% Conference that will be held on Sept. 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Gordon, 46, is hoping to bring female creative directors together.

“I worked as an advertising creative at two big agencies in San Francisco and I saw that women were often absent from pitches to new clients and important sales meetings and they just weren’t very well represented,” Gordon said.

Eventually Gordon left the large agencies and decided to start her own small agency, Maternal Instinct, that specializes in marketing to women.

PHOTO BY PAIGE A. RICKS

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

39

“I just became acutely aware of how powerful the female consumer became over the years and I just connected the dots that not having women creating advertisements is a real liability to motivating consumers because consumers are largely women,” Gordon said.

Gordon feels that the importance of having both men and women involved in the advertising process is important for a company as well as its consumers.

“This isn’t a gender issue, it’s not about being an activist movement saying that women need to be everywhere that men are,” Gordon said.

“It’s more saying that if you’re a brand and you’re spending millions of dollars on the creation of new ad campaigns and they’re almost exclusively being created from a male sensibility, then we’re leaving a ton of money on the table because women are reporting overwhelming dissatisfaction with the way they’re marketed to.”

According to the Marketing to Women Conference website, www.m2w. biz, women control 65 percent of new car purchases, 93 percent of food purchases and 91 percent of new home purchases. The site also noted that 70 percent of new businesses are started by women.

Even with these overwhelming numbers, 74 percent of women still feel misunderstood by automotive marketers and 59 percent feel misunderstood by food marketers.

“If you can just have more women involved with the creation of your material and more enlightened men who take the time to understand how to market to women, then you’ll prosper,” Gordon said. “Creativity knows no gender.”

40

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

DID YOU KNOW?

business talk TREND REPORT

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

41

42

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

IMPROVISATION business talk

THE

Improvisation OF

Business Training text LISA SAFRAN

Improvisation, something often associated with the television

show, Who’s Line is it Anyway, is becoming more and more of what businesses turn to for staff training and development. The skills involved in being a strong improviser are the same skills needed to develop highfunctioning teams and strengthen leadership skills. In other words, they’re “21st century skills” necessary for successful businesses.

business talk IMPROVISATION Imagine you are walking into a business meeting. You glance around the room and, with the exception of one or two colleagues, everyone is a stranger to you. What crosses your mind as your eyes meet the dispassionate stares of strangers?

If you are like most people, regardless of your level of competence, there is usually slight fear and a small internal voice (or sometimes a loud voice) that yells, “Run!” But if you are Deborah Trette, human resource and operations manager of 21 Tech, you will walk in confidently knowing that your colleagues will have your back and that you have the confidence to handle any situation that comes your way. Deborah participated in two improvisation staff development sessions designed specifically for 21 Tech, and finds that many of the activities presented during the training have been instrumental in supporting day to day teamwork and collaboration.

One of the games, “Trust Circle,” involves walking with your eyes shut across a large open space and trusting that colleagues around the circle will be there to guide you in a new direction and keep you safe in the process. Deborah reflected on how Trust Circle impacted her during a business meeting. “When I’m walking into a business meeting, I may not know the people who are in attendance, and sometimes it has that ‘blind’ feeling of not knowing where you’re walking, but you have that confidence in yourself and also in your abilities and skills so you walk on blindly into that meeting anyway.”

There are several tenets of improvisation that can be equally applied to a successful business: - Say yes and build on what you receive - Be open and trust your partners - Be flexible - Listen attentively

44

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

- Make your partner look brilliant - Look for connection - Serve the bigger picture - Mistakes are gifts, so risk failure One of the doctrines of improvisation is “Mistakes are gifts, so risk failure.” This supports the idea of being willing to take those risks, meet those failures straight on, and use what is learned from each situation to build something even more successful. Improvisation involves risk—risking failure or walking out onto a stage (or into a room with strangers) without a solid idea, but committing to the scene regardless.

When applied to business training, improvisation becomes a medium to support staff members working collaboratively, while gaining confidence to take the risks necessary to move the company forward.

Now let’s go back to that business meeting. We left off where you had stepped into the room only to face the dispassionate stares of strangers and because of the “Trust Circle” you have bravely walked in and taken your seat at the head of the table. Next, if we apply the tenets of improvisation, we would “look for connections” with others. What do we have in common with the people in this room? Deborah says another activity, “60 Second Life,” supported her in making a deeper connection with a colleague.

“We listened to one person and then took time to introduce them to the group. A lot of us were surprised at the amount of information that we gathered in such a short period of time even though we may have been working side by side with this person for two to three years; we may not have known that they went to a school in New York or that they studied abroad or had different hobbies we typically don’t see in the workplace.”

PROMOTION

This activity opens up the possibility that the dispassionate strangers may also have facets of their life with which we can resonate. Improvisational training begins to have a larger reaching impact.

Improvisation works on and off the stage due to the fact that its sole purpose is to support a team working together to produce a dynamic result. Deborah summed it up well by saying, “When we called the staff and asked them to participate in this activity, there was some push back and not everyone was jumping up and down like ‘Oh, this is gonna be so great because it’s thinking outside of the box.’ And so we came in as individuals.

And when the activity was complete, after all the activities and games that we played and the interactions we had, I really felt that we all came away as a team and as a group. It felt like we’d all gone through an experience together and we did it as a team. I think we felt a better understanding of each other. I would imagine it would be like if we were all taking a hike together and we finally reached the top and together we planted the flag.”

Under what circumstances would you implement a staff training using improvisation?

- The business is going through major staffing/organizational changes - General lack of morale within company - Need to realign staff on core mission/values of company - Develop greater collaboration to support company’s bottom line - To facilitate board retreat and create consensus - Support staff in taking greater risks - Need to teach or review something - Reward or honor employees

GET EXCITED, PEOPLE! Minted is getting a facelift!

Stay tuned for exciting changes, including: - a new website with special features including an online shop and more behind-thescenes videos and photos - more content updated DAILY - more Minted Monday Giveaways

MintedMag.com

- (and yes, even for ) Entertainment

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

45

SPOTLIGHT business talk

The Tulip Grove

What do you do when you invest years into a business only to be faced with the possibility of losing it all? Jen Frick learned that customer loyalty and a great idea can help overcome that obstacle. text AND photography PAIGE A. RICKS

I

t started off pretty simple. Jen Frick had an idea. She was becoming a new mom (again) and saw that there wasn’t one place mothers could go in the Bay Area and get the best of the best—the best retail, the best information, the best help, and the best classes.

“I felt that all the classes out there were very antiquated and weren’t utilizing new technology in order to provide education,” Frick said. “So it was still VHS tapes and flip charts, and somebody’s story from 1970-whatever.”

With a background in healthcare and experience working in a children’s hospital, Frick saw a need for parental support not only for the mothers while they were pregnant, or for the child while they were growing, but support for the mothers before and after birth.

So, she put her idea into action and in May 2008 opened The Tulip Grove in Montclair, Calif., a place where new mothers can shop for mother and baby products and get information and support through classes. The Tulip Grove offers CPR classes, breast feeding assistance, and group discussions to help mothers transition into motherhood.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

47

SPOTLIGHT business talk But then things got a little complicated ... really complicated. Six months after opening, the stock market crashed.

“It was a huge struggle,” she said. “I found myself with a four-week old [baby] and running an entire business day and night.”

She had to lay off all of her employees, leaving Frick the owner and sole employee managing the store. “I would open the store at 10am, close at 5pm, go home, fix dinner, come back, and teach classes from 6:30 to 9pm every single day.” Some days she would have to close the retail store while she taught classes, and then re-open.

Did she think about closing completely? “Absolutely,” she said. But, Frick said she believed her business was too good of an idea to fail.

“If this business, or this type of business can’t survive, I don’t know what can survive,” she said. “And if the community can’t recognize that, then it’s a shame to them.”

Thankfully for her, many of her customers recognized just that. Frick began to tell her community of mothers that her business was in trouble.

“

It was a huge struggle.

I found myself with a four-week old [baby] and running an entire business day and night.”

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

49

50

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

run their business,” she said. “Whatever they think it’s going to take, they should triple that.”

Frick said she learned from other businesses in the recession not to grow too big, too fast, so last summer she decided to expand her business, without expanding the entire business.

Although 2009 and 2010 were rough years for her business, in January of last year is when Frick said things started to pick up “slowly, but surely.”

Just as Frick had helped these women through their new adventures of motherhood, these women were now helping Frick. About 15 to 20 mothers volunteered at The Tulip Grove for the next four months.

If it were not for the support of her family and the community, Frick said she would have been able to push through. “To think you can open a business and be able to clock out or take a day off, is not going to happen, especially if you have to juggle working and being a mother, ” Frick said. “Because both of those jobs are full-time and you never clock out.”

Frick wouldn’t say she’s an expert on how to run a successful small business, but she said her experience definitely gave her knowledge.

Truthfully, she said she doesn’t think there’s anyone out there who really knows what to do in our economy, but her piece of advice to entrepreneurial women is to be very critical of their business plan. “I think people completely underestimate how much money it’s going to take to

The Tulip Grove is now connected to two other infant and children’s stores, Rockridge Kids and Baby and Kids Company in Oakland and Mill Valley, respectively. By only offering classes and information to those other stoers, Frick is able to expand with a low overhead. Although she is still paying off her debts from the previous years, she is in a better place.

With businesses, large and small, closing left and right, Frick said she was on the brink of it, but she said she did not open her business so that two years later she would have to close it and declare bankruptcy.

“That was not an exit strategy for me,” Frick said.

“It was all blood, sweat, and tears and me being creative.”

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

51

52

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

53

Earrings and scarf are model’s own.

Vintage fabrics and recycled materials are the cornerstone of the eco-friendly swimwear line CurleeBikini. Less than three years ago, Mallory Curlee joined the few designers who had aspirations to create high fashion using only what Mother Nature gave them. editor SHIRLEY LAU photography EVAN ROGERS

Off a busy street

in northeastern Los Angeles is a cozy one-bedroom home. Inside, the living room and entryway are cluttered with swatches of vintage fabrics and bags of recycled materials. One corner of the living room, which doubles as a workspace, hangs a makeshift laundry line—the latest collection of CurleeBikini swimsuits, all 15 delicately handsewn, are draping off the rope.

This is the CurleeBikini studio, where founder and designer Mallory Curlee spends hours on end, before and after her 9-to-5 job, to shine a new light on eco-friendly fashion. “[Being eco-friendly] gives me a wider creative range,” says Curlee. “I find fabric and new designs come to my mind. Although some people would look at it as being restrictive, for me, it opens my mind up to greater creativity.”

With two collections under her belt, and shortly after this interview, the start of a new life and marketing avenue in Las Vegas, Nev., Curlee is set on making high fashion highly accessible—all without leaving a carbon footprint.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

55

Floppy Hat with Woven Boucle Boy by Jessica Simpson; St. Tropez Maxi Dress by Jigsaw London

“

I’ll go into a collection with a vision. I’m not making my own fabric so there’s an element of thrifting and pulling together what I can find; that’s a really creative inspiration for me.”

CURLEEBIKINI cover story

Minted Magazine: When did you realize that CurleeBikini, or a fashion line in general, was your calling?

Mallory Curlee: When I was 10, I decided I wanted to be a fashion designer. [laughs] I remember vividly that I used to draw a lot; I’ve always drawn a lot and have been very creative since I was a little kid. I spent Saturdays drawing a lot of clothing in detail of these people—I connected that to being a fashion designer, drawing clothes. In my mind, that’s all you had to do. And so I went to my mom and I told her ‘I want to be a fashion designer one day. Look at these clothes I just drew. It’s so cool!’ That turned into going to fashion design school and basically all my work experience has been in the fashion industry. So that’s what it led to from that 10-year-old’s dream.

MM: What spawned you to go out on your own?

MC: I lived in Costa Rica for a while prior to starting fashion design school. I fell in love with Brazilian swimwear, and that was sort of where the concept of making my own swimwear began.

When I came back to the United States, and I was trying to find a swimsuit that I loved, I tried on swimsuit after swimsuit after swimsuit and did not like the way any of them fit. I was thinking, ‘I’m going to have to copy the swimsuits that I have from Costa Rica.’

In 2009, when I started the concept [of CurleeBikini] in my mind, a lot of people were classifying themselves as eco-fashion, but they were

Pleated Maxi Dress in dark orange by Ted Baker

59

cover story CURLEEBIKINI

just using organic cotton, and [to them] that meant they were eco-fashion. That was getting underneath my skin. Just because you use one tiny part of your business—like organic cotton—it does not necessarily mean you’re ecofashion.

I’ve always been pretty independent. At the time I had a lot of things I didn’t like about the fashion industry as a whole, so I wanted to do it differently and be a rebel, but still make clothing because that’s what I love to do.

MM: What are the pros and cons of being an eco-friendly fashion designer?

MC: [Eco-friendly] is where my creative inspiration began as a very young child and it continues to be that way. I’ll go into a collection with a vision, but it tends to be a very overarching vision because my collection is based on the fabrics I find. I’m not making my own fabric so there’s an element of thrifting and pulling together what I can find; that’s a really creative inspiration for me. You never know what kind of surprises you come across; you end up being really inspired by some crazy piece of fabric you never expected to find.

The cons, I would say are that I might find a great fabric and I’ll come up with a great design ... but once that fabric is gone, it’s gone! That’s the one thing that is sad for me, because I want to sell what people love, but it’s also hard to explain that to customers sometimes. That’s the element of education that is required in ecofashion: You can’t mass produce.

Two Tone Floppy hat in Boysenberry by Jessica Simpson; Shiny Jersey Maxi Dress in Mocha by Maggy London.

60

CURLEEBIKINI cover story Fabulous Short Print Tie Belt Kaftan in green by Jigsaw London.

“

My ultimate dream for CurleeBikini is to have a very lovely, comfortable working environment ... Everyone and myself will be ethically treated and not working crazy hours.”

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

63

Editor's Picks

Here at Minted we we chose our top choices from CurleeBikini’s summer Isla Collection.

MM: How do you explain what eco-fashion is, exactly?

MM: How would you describe the styles of your collections?

MC: I immediately cut to focusing the eco definition around the business practices—where I source my fabric, how I make my swimsuits, that I don’t mass prdocue and they’re made-to-order.

I try to focus the eco-centric stuff on the business side of things, and keep that separate from the design because the design itself is high fashion and has a very wide range of different sizes and cuts for a variety of personalities and tastes.

MC: The first [collection] I had this whole gypsy focus—I was really in that mindset with lots of mixing and matching prints. This [summer collection] has those elements in it, but it’s meant to be a bit more ethnic rather than gypsy. I was inspiried by Queen Khalifia and that’s kind of how it started—the African princess of a tribe of women and empowering women. I got similar elements of the mixing and matching prints and the bright colors—that might be one unifiying thing, that I like to mix and match.

One thing I’ve become really used to saying and expressing really clearly is that I’m not recycling someone else’s old bathing suit. People get weary of that. And yes, I do and I have for certain clients who want me to, I can take apart a vintage swimsuit. Across the board, the majority of the stuff I use are scraps left over from other companies and that’s a really easy way for me to say ‘Look it’s still new fabric. It’s just new fabric that someone else was going to throw away and I’m retrieving it.’

Then their ears perk up and they get really interested in that.

64

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

MM: You also have a 9-to-5 job in the fashion industry—how do you juggle both?

MC: It is difficult, sometimes more difficult than others! I think one of the places I started was not giving myself a full weekend off from work.

I only get one day off, and that’s Sunday. That was my one rule—I have to spend a full day on Saturday working on stuff [for CurleeBikini].

I like to try to space things out; I like to give myself an hour or two after work or if I’m feeling

PHOTOS BY CAMERON JORDAN

Far left: Brazilian Bandeau Bikini ; middle: Twist Halter One Piece; Far right: Back Drape Plunge Monokini

energetic, an hour or two before work at least a couple times a week. On busy moments with CurleeBikini, I make it a point to take that hour lunch that you’re supposed to take at your 9-to5. I make it a point to take my laptop to work, set computer stuff aside that I can do on my lunch hour and use that hour really wisely. So much so that when lunchtime comes around, my coworkers say ‘Go get that hour’ because they know I’ve committed myself. You gotta do what you gotta do.

to put that knowledge into my own store.

Collaboratively, I have tons of ideas on working with other artists, somehow working on collaborative projects and helping other people grow in line with environmental organizations and supporting them.

Beyond that, I think it involves more travel. I’m open to all the options that come my way.

MM: How do you plan on expanding the company?

MC: My ultimate dream for CurleeBikini is to have a very lovely, comfortable working environment and not too big—I don’t ever want it to be crazy big. I would love to have some seamstresses working with me in a CurleeBikini studio that’s really amazing, with a kitchen with organic food, a garden in the back, and yoga on your lunch break. Everyone and myself will be ethically treated and not working crazy hours, but have a team of five to 10 seamstresses.

That’s how I would love for it to be.

MM: Where do you see CurleeBikini in the next few years?

MC: One thing that I’ve really wanted since the beginning is to be a thriving e-commerce business. I’ve moved around a bit and I’m inspired by that; I’ve always wanted to have a clothing line that I could take with me, that I could keep moving around with.

I’ve attempted to do small realms of e-commerce since I’ve started CurleeBikini, but I had some more things to learn about e-commerce, which I have been doing at my 9-to-5 job. Now I intend

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

65

66

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

(inside: 5 ways to thrive as a working mother | Hong Kong travel diary)

LIFE after five

life after five STYLE: MOMMY EDITION

show off that

b

ABY UMP

Between the morning sickness, swollen ankles and bouts of fatigue, the last thing you should have to worry about when you’re expecting a bundle of joy is what to wear in the morning!

Even when you do stumble upon stylish maternity wear that doesn’t resemble a parachute, it may be tempting to forgo shelling out the money for something that you’ll likely only wear once ... or so you thought. For all the mothers-to-be, here’s a roundup of fashion finds that you can sport during and after your pregnancy.

photography CHANCE JAMES text SHIRLEY LAU hair/makeup JUAN SALCEDO styling JENNIFER HOWARD

68

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

PREVIOUS PAGE: Top by A Pea in the Pod, $75 THIS PAGE: Dress with belt

by Motherhood Maternity, $40

Top by A Pea in the Pod, $125; jeans are model’s own.

STYLE: MOMMY EDITION life after five

Sunny Arada, Founder and designer of Endure Jewelry Age: 28 Due date: July 8, 2012 Boy or Girl: Boy! Names: Andrew Cruz, Marcelo, Daniel or Andres Favorite outfit: The geometric print dress on pg. 69 by Motherhood Maternity. “It fit well and was super comfortable. I loved how it had a belt to show off the curves of my belly. During pregnancy is the only time I would ever say that!”

Thoughts on maternity fashion: “I’ve been trying to invest in clothing I can wear not only during, but after my pregnancy. It’s been really hard to justify spending money on new clothes that I only plan on wearing for a few months.”

Working while pregnant: “It’s nice to be able to take a day off if I need to. But if I don’t get any work done it just means I have more work to do the next day! Traveling got a bit tough and there have been days where all I wanted to do was sleep, but there’s so much work to do and nobody else to do it!”

Dress with belt by LOFT 72 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012 Maternity, ask for pricing.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

73

Top by Motherhood Maternity, $35; cuff

by LOFT, $30; jeans are model’s own 74 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

75

5

Ways to Thrive as a Working Mother

text KAMILA MCDONALD-ALCOCK

photography TYLER ORSBURN

In less than two years, Jamaican-born entrepreneur and media personality Kamila McDonald-Alcock became a new mother and wife, all while juggling graduate school in the States and her own health and fitness website based overseas. Needless to say, Kamila has learned many lessons in this short time on how being a working mother can be trying at times and she shares her tips on how she’s been able to thrive.

76

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

77

life after five ADVICE: MOMMY EDITION

“Are you crazy?!” was what a fellow colleague of mine said when I

shared the news that a bundle of joy was on the way. She was referring to what most would consider a ludicrous decision: To have a baby while completing graduate school.

It’s not surprising that these were the cards that I dealt for myself when considering I am from a thoroughbred line of “Do-it-all-women-turned-do-itall-moms.” I, myself, was born just before my mother completed her master’s degree at Harvard University before continuing to earn her doctorate—all the while caring for five children. My pediatrician grandmother was seven months pregnant with my mom when she won the All Jamaica Tennis Championships some 50 years ago! I was also roommates with my sister who was on a full scholarship while completing undergraduate studies at Stanford University … and she was only a sophomore when she brought my nephew into the world. At just two years old, he received the diploma on her behalf at her graduation.

78

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

life after five ADVICE: MOMMY EDITION

“

As tempting as it is to read that important business text message that just came in ...

I know Kailani can sense when I’m not 100 percent concentrated on her.”

80

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

ADVICE: MOMMY EDITION life after five me a fulfilled person and therefore a happy and well-rounded mother. I also made a promise that amidst all the inevitable challenges, I would not only survive, but find a way to thrive.

And then … I birthed reality.

It was February 19, 2012, at 8pm. After 26 grueling hours of labor, I had what was probably the most out-of-body experience I could ever conceive—my precious Kailani Belle was born.

But, as any parent knows, the schedule that comes with being the parent of a newborn is brutal. That is, until I, thankfully, discovered some method to the madness.

It wasn’t that my daughter got on a schedule that I was finally able to predict or that my body (which was constantly in a state of shock) adapted overnight to the chronic feeling of overtiredness. Instead, I found myself making simple yet critical discoveries, which fueled my transition to the thriving state I had promised myself I’d end up in. It was at this very monumental point when I officially fell in love with my new life … and, of course, the life I had just created.

Was I ready and prepared for such a drastic life change? Grad school alone is a mountain to climb, but I’ve been running up a range of other mountains at the same time, including continuing to run a fitness business in Jamaica from overseas and being an executive producer of a television show that went into pre-production when I was five months pregnant.

I knew I didn’t want to give it all up for motherhood—my career is a large part of who I am. On the other hand, this baby meant everything to myself and my husband from the day we learned of her existence. So, somehow, I convinced myself of two very important realities: One, that as a career woman there is never truly a “right time” to have a baby; and two, that continuing to be productive in my work would make

The Wind Under Superwoman’s Wings It is humanely impossible to do everything by myself. We millennial women sometimes believe we possess superwoman powers, which is true to a certain point. But when the priorities of a baby kick in, superwomen definitely need some extra wind underneath their wings!

In the beginning, and a bit even now, I would feel a little guilty asking a loved one to watch Kailani for me just so I could take a quick shower or go for a short run. Over time I coached myself in to accepting that it is ok, and even necessary, to ask for some wind. This acceptance formed the basis of my self-preservation, which I have learned was all in the best interest of the baby.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

81

life after five ADVICE: MOMMY EDITION

Learn the art of cat-napping and be proactive No one knows the true meaning of sleep deprivation until they experience life with a newborn.

Days blur into each other and thoughts quickly become skewed. The chronic fatigue can leave you emotional, barely functional and stressed as the world awaits you to accomplish a long list of never-ending tasks.

As a personal trainer and sports nutritionist, I’ve always been the one to preach to my clients that sleep deprivation releases cortisol in the bloodstream, a hormone that triggers fat storage—yikes! After weeks of no sleep, not much productivity and high levels of stress, I quickly coached myself in to the “sleep when the baby sleeps” rule to avoid a cycle I was not willing to begin. The other rule of thumb I now live by is throwing the word “procrastination” out of my vocabulary. There’s not much downtime that’s not sleep time. No more saying “tomorrow” for what can be done today. It’s the “just do it” mentality for both sleep and work that I find is getting me through.

One Day Cooking Marathons Keeping yourself well nourished and eating healthily (especially when breastfeeding) is such an important aspect of being a good mother.

Not only does this provide the necessary energy to take care of dependants, but it also sets the tone for the healthy lifestyle you want your children to adopt.

Unless you are a stay-at-home mom or can afford to pay a cook, you will set up yourself (and your family) for disaster if you leave meal decisions and preparations for the last minute.

I’ve found it helpful to make a menu for the week, shop accordingly, then on the weekend have a cooking marathon, sometimes with the help of friends or family preparing my healthy meals. I store them in the freezer next to Kailani’s good “old” breastmilk and enjoy them throughout the week … saving lots of time and money!

82

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

ADVICE: MOMMY EDITION life after five Making Workouts Work An effective way to combat the effects of cortisol and release feel-good endorphins—which reverse the fat storage problem—is getting a great workout in.

I know, I know, we barely have time to brush our teeth so how could you possibly fit in a workout? Well, let me tell you, a great workout will save your life, especially a truncated, but intense one! I make sure to fit in at least four cardio interval training sessions each week for 20 to 30 minutes. The best part? I also created a creative workout strategy that involves the baby! Doing leg raises and abdominals with my daughter lying snuggly on my stomach is a great way to exercise and burn calories while Kalani is enjoying the ride.

I can promise you that an at-home-mommyworkout will be the most effective supplement for your weight loss and fitness goals and will leave you a happier and more capable mommy.

Exclusive Baby Time While multi-taking is an inevitable survival skill, there also needs to be moments of undivided mommy-baby time. As tempting as it is to read that important business text message that just came in or work on the paper that’s due in the morning, I know Kailani can sense when I’m not 100 percent concentrated on her. Now I have a policy of setting aside some time every day as “exclusive baby time.” My parents and peers with older children have always pressed upon me how fast each stage of childhood comes and goes— that has been an important enough reminder for me to set aside some time to savor, cherish and protect some “now” time with the new me!

I would be lying if I said all this hasn’t been a huge adjustment for me—some days yes, it’s still easy to feel completely overwhelmed. But I don’t have any regrets. I wouldn’t give up my favorite job of being Kailani Belle’s mom for anything. In just eight weeks I have felt the most fulfilled and driven than I ever have before in life. Motherhood and starting a family has brought an inexplicable meaning and purpose to my existence and my desire to be a successful career woman has only deepened. Now I have even more conviction that being a career woman is not enough. Being a successful entrepreneur has become that much more important because by running my own businesses, I will be able to control how, when and where I work alongside being the type of mom I want to be. I think if you’re smart enough you truly can have it all and seeing and learning from other supermoms along the way has been my biggest source of inspiration!

So if you’re already a mom going through the day-to-day challenges, embrace them! Motherhood is a beautiful and colorful journey that’s made up of both the highs and the lows. Just take a deep breath and promise yourself that you can conquer this and be the best mother imaginable. For all you expectant mothers wondering how you will make it all work, even with a career … stop worrying and it will happen.

Just buckle up, breathe and make sure you are well-rested because you are preparing for a rollercoaster of a lifetime.

New city?

No problem!

Finding your way in a new city can be daunting, but with a little strategy, effort and patience, you can find where you belong. text ANGELINE EVANS

84

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

RELATIONSHIPS life after five

Whether it’s the lure of a big city lifestyle,

the commitment of a relationship or the demands of a career, relocating to a new city is an intimidating task. While some welcome the fresh start more than others, nearly everyone grapples with the same challenge—how do you build a new life in a new city with few familiar faces and places?

First things first: what will you do there? If you aren’t relocating with a job, you’ll want to start your search before you arrive. The internet makes job searching more convenient than ever, but the long distance does have its drawbacks.

Set an arrival date and state it in your cover letters, but have a transition plan in place as well.

Working with your current company or contacts through location transfer or finding freelance or contract gigs can buy you time to find the right job.

“We always tried to find a way to continue what we were doing,” says 37-year-old Melissa Conner who has moved four times since college with her now-husband. “The only time I didn’t have a job lined up was when we moved to Sacramento [after stints in DC and Los Angeles]. I started sending out resumes before I moved, but the best resource was working with friends.” It took about three months of searching after the move, but she landed a paid internship through a local contact, where she made the connections that led to her current position.

Finding that local network can be a challenge in

itself, but the effort is well worth it. The benefits of friendship are tangible, reach far beyond warm fuzzy feelings and can ease the rest of your transition.

Author Rachel Bertsche chronicled her own oneyear quest for friends in her book MWF Seeking BFF. “The actual health benefits of friendship are so striking,” says Bertsche, “Everything you can think of is improved by being socially integrated: sleep, immune system, longevity, brainpower.”

Meeting people through other friends is often the most successful method, since you’re more likely to have something in common. Start before you move by asking your current network to connect you with anyone they may know in your new city. Once you get settled, look for similar groups or activities to those you participated in back home. The key is to create a routine. While researching for his book Social Animal, David Brooks found that joining a group that meets monthly can boost your happiness roughly the same amount as if you doubled your income.

After relocating to Houston from California last year for work, Elizabeth Simas used that same logic by signing up for adult sports leagues upon her arrival—something she had success with back in California—and connecting with her sorority’s young alumni group. But it doesn’t always mean you’ll meet your new best friend.

“I’ve learned that friending is much like dating: you don’t hit it off with everyone you meet.”

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

85

life after five RELATIONSHIPS

It is difficult to think of unsuccessful forays in friendship when you’re already at a disadvantage in a new city. Bertsche hit several snags on her way to reaching 52 friend-dates. “It was easier for me because I was reaching out to a lot of people,” she says. “When someone said no, a lot of other people were saying yes. ‘Date’ multiple people at once so the fall is a little softer.”

Whatever it is that prompts your move, a new city can be an exciting adventure, so get out there and explore. Take in any tourist hotspots while you’re still new, before the novelty has worn off. Give yourself time to adjust and remember—we were all new once.

“It’s hard sometimes not having the network I had, but I just have to remind myself that I was in the Sacramento area for six years,” says Simas.

“At month 10, I wasn’t far from where I am now, so I just can’t be too hard on myself.”

Moving for Two Relocation is a difficult transition for one person, but throwing a significant other into the mix can kick stress up a notch. San Diego-based marriage and family therapist Lydia Eng offers tips on how to handle the move as a couple.

Carve out time together Set aside some time regularly (it doesn’t have to be long) to sit with your partner, just the two of you. Eng encourages couples to tune out other things, “It’s not about giving a report on your day,” she says. “It’s a very intentional time to connect and to say how you feel.”

Establish a routine Sleep, nutrition and hydration are key to maintaining a clear mind and mood. “If you don’t sleep right, a lot of things don’t happen that need to be repaired. Things don’t feel as manageable as if you slept well,” says Eng. Remember the big picture Have your partner gently remind you why you moved or write your reasons in a journal to look back on. Calling a friend can help, too; Eng recommends picking one person and have them agree to be on-call so you’re not afraid to reach out or feel like you’re imposing later on. “Have an outlet so it’s not just the two of you in the middle of stress.”

86

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

Hong Kong A Visit to The Pearl of the Orient

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

87

During her most recent venture—moving from Southern California to Hong Kong—Janice Jann shows you her new home through new eyes. text and photography JANICE JANN

Lan Kwai Fong (previous page) For those itching for the ultimate big-city party experience, there’s no better place to venture than Lan Kwai Fong (aka LKF), the party hub of Hong Kong. From cheery expats drinking their fourth beer of the night while singing aloud to Rihanna on the side of the street to the dolled up locals getting ready for another night of clubbing, LKF’s tightly-squeezed clubs and bars are a perfect fit for the ultimate good time.

Stanley Beach On this crowded island, it’s nice to be able to find time and space for a small getaway every once in awhile. That’s why Stanley Beach is such a good place to take the afternoon off for. With a tranquil view of the ocean, the relaxing beach is frequented by many tourists and locals just seeking a peaceful day off. Go hiking in one of the famous hiking trails nearby or just soak up the sun while laying out on the beach. There’s also plenty of shopping and dining options.

Shanghai Street Studio They often say that the business and finance-oriented cosmopolitan Hong Kong is not heavy on the creative arts but I’ve now learned it’s just that you’re not looking hard enough. True, bankers and financiers still outnumber artists and creatives in this city but there are still close-knit communities devoted to the art of creating. Shanghai Street Studio is one such creative space. Located at Yau Ma Tei, the creative space is home to many artists & designers interested in engaging the Yau Ma Tei community through creative & socio-cultural projects. On any given day, you can stumble into a candle-making class, or a chess competition.

Man Wah Dim Sum at the Mandarin Oriental If you’re going to be in Hong Kong then you must do dim sum.

And there’s no place better than at the luxe cantonese restaurant Man Wah. The Michelin-starred eatery is often referred to as the city’s most beautiful dining space. Nosh on delicately-made bbq pork slices and xiao long baos as you gaze at the Victoria Harbour cityscape. The interior of Man Wah is not too shabby, decorated in the romantic 1920’s-Chinese style. One thing’s for sure, there will be no screaming ladies pushing dim sum carts at this place.

88

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

Reunion Towner is an observation tower and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Dallas, Texas.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

89

life after five SUMMER READING LIST

Summer Reading List Check out The Write Teachers’ choice reads for the season. reviews MEGAN MINUTILLO

By Erin Duffy, $25

By Jill Smokler, $15

By Sarah Pekkanen, $15

90

Bond Girl is an absolutely amazing read, and no, it has nothing to do with James Bond or 007. Bond Girl deals with another bond, as in bond sales at a prestigious brokerage firm. At the heart of the story is Alex Garret, a Wall Street rookie. Alex’s childhood dream job had nothing to do with princesses, rock stars, movie stars, doctors, or lawyers. Her dream was to conquer the street, as in Wall Street. When she finally lands her dream job, she is in for a hard cold dose of reality. Working at the firm is hard enough for a kid right out of college, and as a woman, she has even more to prove. Yet, with every curveball that is thrown her way, Alex manages to hit it out of the park, and then some. Duffy writes with humor, wit, and refreshing candidness. This is a story that will hook you from the very start.

Parenthood, well, motherhood, is no easy feat, and anyone who pretends like that it is easy, well, is just lying. These themes and more are discussed in Jill Smokler’s debut book, Confessions of Scary Mommy, An Honest and Irreverent Look at Motherhood: The Good, The Bad, and the Scary. In one word?

It’s hysterical. From pregnancy cravings, to hospital visits, to poolside antics, carpool charades, sick days, husband antics; Smokler touches on everything.

The beauty of this book is that while it is a collection of essays written by Smokler, the start of every chapter is punctuated with a list of scary mommy confessions from those who have left anonymous comments on her website.

They are often funny, some are serious, but they all remind mothers that they are not alone, and that is a beautiful thing.

These Girls is nothing short of outstanding; I could gush about this book for forever. These Girls centers around three different women, Abby, Cate, and Renee. Abby, a nanny and graduate school student, flees to NYC to recover from an affair. Cate, just six credits shy of a bachelors degree, has recently attained the job of features editor, and is petrified that her secret will soon come out.

Renee longs for the beauty editor job, but has trouble squeezing into the size four that seems to be a job requirement, she and will stop at nothing to shrink herself into the image that is required. Despite their differences, they have two things in common, New York City and Trey, the ruggedly handsome award winning journalist, who also happens to be Abby’s older brother. These Girls is a story of heartache, of family, of self-exploration, of identity, of friendship, and the bonds that tie all women together.

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

(inside: get fit ... fast | meditative mindset | tanners and bronzers)

HEALTH & beauty SPIKE Up Your Life The idea of laying on 8,820 spikes may not sound too pleasant, but hälsa’s wellness mat will give new meaning to painful pleasure. Accupuncture has been proven to provide relief from aches and pains and increase energy levels, and this mat simulates the same medical treatment. The spikes make your body release endorphins and oxytocin, which are the body’s own pain relief hormones.

All you have to do is lay down on the mat, elevate your knees and simply relax. We tried it here at Minted and after a week, we were hooked!

PHOTOS COURESTY OF HALSA.

hälsa, $40. Available in black, green and purple.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

91

health&beauty FITNESS

It’s that time of year again when summer

Get That Body You’ve Always Wanted (And FAST!) text STEPHANIE JIROCH

dresses replace jackets, your bikini is hanging on the back of the bedroom door for motivation and showing off that hard-earned body is something to look forward to.

But wait, what if you haven’t had the time to work hard for a toned figure?

You’ve heard it before: To maintain health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that healthy adults exercise most days of the week for 30 minutes, or 2.5 hours a week, at moderate intensity. When gauging your activity level take note of your breathing. At moderate intensity you are still able to carry on a conversation with an elevated breathing and heart rate.

There are two things a woman on the go needs to know about exercise. One, that cardio is a vital component to her health and aerobic ability, not to mention waistline. And two, a time-effective workout that provides the most optimal amount of muscle tone and fat burning must also incorporate interval training.

In a recent study published by the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, 202 subjects both men and women, aged 40 to 75 were instructed to do 60 minutes of aerobic exercise every day for six days a week for an entire year.

The findings showed the average fat loss for female subjects was only four pounds for the entire year, while men lost 6.6 pounds of fat over the year. That’s more than 300 hours of aerobic exercise that resulted in a less-thanoptimal amount of weight loss. So what can you do to decrease waist size, sculpt lean muscle and not spend hours at the gym?

The key to an effective workout routine is not only intervals, it’s intensity.

92

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

VyAyr Fitness’ Crissy Field Bootcamp is one of the few women-owned, women’s-only outdoor boot camps in San Francisco, Calif.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTI DOWLER.

health&beauty FITNESS

Time-effective, high-intensity based workouts that target specific zones of the body are the answer for any woman looking to tone up and drop a dress size in the least amount of time.

Solutions for women are popping up all over the country and the results are speaking for themselves.

The Pink Method is an 82-day video-based home program created by women for women based in three cardio (or as they call it, Kardio) and muscle toning phases. Starting with 20, then 30 and finally 40 minute workouts over a nearly three month course, participants workout almost daily, and with time to spare. Throughout the three phases, instructors guide viewers through optimal muscle toning and heart-pumping exercises to drop weight fast. Included in the program is a nutritional outline with recipes and fat burning tips to get the most out of the workouts. Participants are claiming to have lost up to 70 pounds following the program, while still maintaining their busy schedules and not going hungry.

Another popular option is boot camps designed specifically for women located in cities around the country. Code Pink Boot Camp in Phoenix, Ariz. is a four-week program for women of all sizes who are looking for a new way to lose up to 12 pounds in four weeks. VyAyr Fitness in San Francisco, Calif. opened in 2006 and is led by Kristi Dowler who created one of the first fitness boot camps for women in the area. These camps get participants moving in an environment that feels safe, fun and challenging with other likeminded women.

Finally, a techie’s option for women on the go is the Nike FuelBand. With its innovative technology, Nike has devised a band to track and monitor calories, steps and time—whether it’s through walking, running, dancing and whatever moves you. You set the daily goal and the band, which you wear around the wrist, tracks what 94

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

you do and how you move. The results move from red to orange and, finally, green as you reach your goals. With the free Nike FuelBand mobile app, there are no excuses for not being able to reach daily goals.

With all the options available there really isn’t any reason not to fit into that coveted bikini come the Fourth of July. So get out there and get moving!

Psychic Horizons, a school of meditation and healing in San Francisco, Calif., has a one-minute meditation method.

CENTER - Imagine a gold ball of energy in the center of your head.

ACKNOWLEDGE - Place yourself there, and say hello to yourself.

GROUND - Imagine a cord from the base of your spine to the center of the planet.

CLEAN - Drain anything that you dont want down the grounding cord.

CALL BACK - Imagine your energy as particles that connect you to other people or events. Call your energy back to you.

Try it out and see if that one minute is worth investing in! Who knows, it could become a good habit that just might stick. Less stress, anyone?

MEDITATION health&beauty

Meditative Mindset (Ohmmm ...)

Stress. It’s an inevitable part of all our lives and comes in many shapes and forms—

finances, health, relationships, work ... the list goes on. But it’s how we handle it that determines just how much it effects us individually. One way stress is defined as is “a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

What stresses you out? Is it your monkey mind, to-do list or bawling baby? Whatever it is that causes you stress, let’s do something about it!

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

95

health&beauty REVIEWS

The most common excuse is that there is no time to destress. If you can’t commit to 20 minutes, how about just 5 minutes or even one? You can certainly squeeze THAT into your busy day.

Just as there are many different definitions of stress, there are many different meditation styles out there. Choose the one that best works for you by trying various methods until it feels just right.

Contemplative Meditation This allows us to see that we hold on tight to stubborn thoughts or distract ourselves from painful memories. Imagine someone you love, and recall some bad things they have done; think of a person you don’t like, and see them lovingly playing with their children. The focus is to find new insights and to understand that the reactions we have often cause unnecessary trials and tribulations for ourselves and others.

- Ayumi Suzuki

96

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

$36

BEST FOR THE FICKLE-HEARTED

Sue Devitt’s Microquatic Tinted Body Moisturizer was our favorite for adding a subtle glow on-the-go. This is perfect for those who want a bronzed look just for the day and it doubles as a great moisturizer.

Two birds with one stone!

t

Mantra meditation This form of meditation focuses on words, phrases or sounds that are said aloud or in your head while meditating. Repeating mantras prevents meandering thoughts and intense emotions from distracting you. The mantras also change your vibrations by bringing into yourself loving affirmations.

t

Mindfulness Meditation This type of meditation is one in which you learn to notice what your mind is doing at any given moment. Through mindful meditation, you notice your thoughts, feelings and actions.

It is often the case that you were not even aware of these thoughts. With the spotlight on these thoughts, you can see reality honestly rather than from a place of judgement or idealistic fantasy. Once a thought is noted, you can set it aside and be more in the moment. Mindfulness is not thinking or interpreting the thoughts.

$18

BEST FOR THE FACE

Inglot Cosmetics’ AMC Bronzing Power (shown here in #75) is the ultimate quick-fix tan to add to your summer beauty routine. The pressed powder smoothly glides on and stays put for hours—even on the hottest of days.

REVIEWS health&beauty

Become a Golden Goddess One of the best parts about summer is being able to show off tan, sexy legs—but not having to spend hours under the sun to do it. The best alternative to getting that golden glow is using sunless tanners and bronzers. You get the same great color without the added exposure to harmful UV rays.

s

t

$25

$26

BEST FOR A PRETANNING SCRUB

BEST APPLICATION

FakeBake’s Flawless sunless tanning kit is unique in that it comes with a special mitt for the liquid application. No gooey lotion or awkward spray application—the mitt helps to evenly apply the product so you end up with a streak-free tan.

The Rub by Splurge Skincare is a sugar scrub made of all-natural ingredients and are chemical-free. And you can try them in a variety of scents—almond, peppermint and lemon!

SO-LONG STREAKS

No matter how great the product, if your skin isn’t properly prepped, you may wake up to find something other than what you thought was going to be a glowing tan. Like the box usually states on most sunless tanning products: Be sure to exfoliate! Infinity Sun Exfoliating Skin Renewal is a non-abrasive product you use in the shower--spread it on like lotion and leave it on for about five minutes before rinsing off. The magic lies in the natural pineapple fruit enzyme, Bromelain, that is used to remove non-vital skin cells at the end of their lifecycle. And it smell oh-so-yummy, too! $35 for 8 fl. oz. jar

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

97

health&beauty TIPS

Green Your Skincare Routine

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the average woman applies 200 chemicals to her skin each day. But no matter what skincare issues you may have, you can turn to natural remedies and products to help revive the look of your skin.

Dry Skin For dry skin, turn to rich avocado. The unsaturated fatty acids soften your skin, while stimulating natural oil production. Apply to clean skin for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

It’s important to treat your skin with a moisture-rich product daily. Look for one that contains essential fatty acids (EFAs), such as the Clairvoyant Beauty Balancing Rosehip Oil & Hibiscus Facial Serum. Rosehip Oil is a rich source of omega-3, omega-6 and Vitamin F, and its Vitamin C is high in gamma linoleic acid (GLA). Hibiscus, with its natural astringent and antioxidant properties, blends perfectly with the rosehip oil, creating a synergistic combination for all skin types.

Oily Skin To reduce oil production, whip up a mask using strawberries, an egg white and honey. The strawberries—rich in salicylic acid—are great for treating acne and the honey hydrates the skin, while delivering antibacterial properties.

Add 1/2 cup of strawberries, one egg white and 2 teaspoons of honey to a blender, and mix. Apply to your face and neck for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

According to EWG, it is recommended that the following ingredients be avoided when shopping for cosmetics, body and skincare products: Phthalates – Used as a solvent in many cosmetic products, these are known as “endocrine disruptors,” because they mimic the body’s hormones and can cause reproductive and neurological damage.

Parabens – A common preservative in many shampoos, moisturizers, etc., they imitate the hormone estrogen, which has been found to play a role in the development of breast cancers.

Petrochemicals – These chemical products are derived from petroleum and include toluene, which is often used as a liquid solvent and can cause allergic reactions or skin.

98

mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

(inside: progressive dining with a twist)

FOOD for thought Summer

Let your hair hang loose and shut off that computer, ‘cause it’s time to relax with a cool cocktail in your hand.

Bloody Mary Has a Boyfriend Recipe by Dyana Canavan

1 1/2 oz Silver Tequila 1/2 oz Combier Orange 1 oz Lime Juice 3/4 oz Red Bell Pepper Syrup Spritz of Mezcal Shake all ingredients, except the Mezcal, and double strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a twisted lime peel and a spritz of mezcal.

100 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

RECIPES food for thought

Pinamar Love s Recipe by Dyana Canavan

Volito

Shake all ingredients and double strain into a frozen coupe glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

t

3/4 oz Ransom Old Tom Gin 3/4 oz Dolin Rouge Sweet Vermouth 3/4 oz Cherry Heering 3/4 oz Orange Juice

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill mojito.

Melissa Gorga, reality TV star on Real Housewives of New Jersey, claims this as one of her favorite drinks when paired with Voli vodka, a low calorie liquor.

1 1/2 oz Voli Lyte or Voli Lemon 1/2 Fresh lime 8 mint leaves 1 packet of sweetener Club soda

Muddle lime, mint, and sweetener.

Add Voli, shake lightly and pour all ingredients in glass. Top with club soda.

101

food for thought FOOD Q&A

Foodie (’fü-dē): a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink) editor SHIRLEY LAU

FOOD Q&A food for thought Picture this: You’re out bar-hopping, but instead of pubs, you’re going to different restaurants and instead of guzzling down beer, you’re feasting on culinary creations. This is pretty much what Dischcrawl has become. We chatted with the founder, Tracy Lee about how her simple idea of gathering foodies has become a company with with locations in 15 difference cities in the U.S. and Canada, and how she’s encouraging other women to become entrepreneurs through the Dishcrawl Ambassadors Program.

Minted Magazine How did you come up with the idea of Dischcrawl?

Tracy Lee Dishcrawl started with the simple concept of bringing people together over food.

Progressive dining is not a new concept, but being able to let the community enjoy a concept typically shared amongst friends was something we were passionate about. Now we get to do what we love every day!

MM How long was Dishcrawl in the making?

TL We started working on Dishcrawl two years ago, but it took us six months to solidify the concept and a year to actually gain traction and take off. From there, we’ve gone from four cities to 30 cities in just a year.

MM Any important lessons learned along the way since becoming your own boss?

TL Tenacity is everything. Keep at it, don’t get discouraged, and as long as you’re able to ride out the waves, you’ll make it. Make sure you are fluid with your ideas and listen. Don’t make assumptions— test them and get real data.

Guesses mean nothing.

MM Has the company, from time of inception to now, changed or gone in another direction than you expected?

TL Yes, we’ve pivoted a total of four times, and continue to iterate and make sure we are tak-

ing action based on market demand. Initially, we were an adventure game for foodies. Then, a recommendation engine for your mouth. Then an event-based site, and soon-to-be marketplace for dining experiences.

MM How would you describe a Dishcrawl event to someone who’s never been or heard of it before?

TL Dishcrawl is a great way to discover your local food neighborhood. We are known for our Dishcrawls, which are progressive dinners through four restaurants in one night. You can also join us for our “Food of the Month” dinners or our Dishwalks—food treasure hunts through 10 restaurants.

MM What are your avenues of revenue? Are you profitable yet?

TL We have multiple streams of revenue we are pursuing, and yes, we are profitable. It took us a year, but tenacity equals success!

MM Tell me a bit about your special Ambassadors Program.

TL As I built Dishcrawls, the idea attracted other entrepreneurs interested in building community over food in their local cities, hence the Ambassador Program. The Ambassador Program gives local entrepreneurs the tools and support to launch Dishcrawl in their cities. They get to do what they love and get paid for it while learning how to increase their marketing, PR and entrepreneurial skills. We help them take their local Dishcrawls to the next level, whatever that may be for them.

MM Is the Ambassadors Program feasible for someone who already has a full-time job, but wants to expand into the culinary industry?

TL Yes. Most of our Ambassadors have full-time jobs! Many want to and have transitioned into

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

103

doing Dishcrawl full time, and we’re happy to support the entrepreneurship!

MM Do you have any other projects planned for Dishcrawl?

TL Dishcrawl will continue to grow and expand over the next few years. We’ve been growing quickly into new markets, and continuously improving the experience surrounding our events. Our next focus is adding a little “magic” of technology to enhance the experience at our events.

104 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

(inside: homes of different hues)

HOME & living

West Elm Starting at $24

Summer Home Lovin’

home&living DECOR

COLOR ME CRAZY //

Home Decorators $149 (set of 3)

a palette of eye-pleasing hues to spruce up your home

Editor’s Pick!

CB2 $199

Style Outside the Box $40

106 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

DECOR home&living

CB2 $599 Home Decorators $129

Cost Plus World Market $80

Style Outside the Box $18

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

107

PHOTO COURTESY OF YOUNG HOUSE LOVE.

108 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

Homes

OF DIFFERENT

Hues

editor SHIRLEY LAU

Relaxing blues, bright reds and mellow yellow. Whether you’re looking to redesign a room or just moving into your dream house, choosing a color palette you’ll love in the long-run can be difficult.

We have some fun redesign projects from across the country that make use of patterns, textures and accent pieces that are easy enough for the novice decorator.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

109

previous page Young House Love Richmond, Va. Why we love it: Believe it or not, this room was transformed by DIYers—a young couple who took it upon themselves to turn their 50-yearold house into a home perfect for them and their baby daughter. From the delicately patterned walls to the green chairs, this office-fortwo is definitely something we’re envying at the moment ... especially since we know it’s something nonprofessionals can do!

TURN HEADS WITH TURQUOISE

Mandy Lark Lark Interior Design Northville, Mich.

Why we love it: The accent pieces—from the patterned windo treatment to the green desk chair—and bold turquoise walls turn this space fit for anyone wanting to redo a room ideal for a young adult.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LARK INTERIOR DESIGN.

110 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

111

112 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

WHY, HELLO, YELLOW

Tineke Triggs Artistic Designs for Living, LLC San Francisco, Calif.

Why we love it: It’s so bold! Typically a bright pink table wouldn’t strike us as something you’d find in an office, but it works so well when paired with the yellow storage unit. Even though there are patterns on the curtains, carpeting and wallpaper on the right wall, it doesn’t clash, but are married in a way that has us itching to make some bold design moves ourselves.

PHOTO BY ERIC RORER

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

113

114 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

id 810 Design Group New York, New York Why we love it: The patterned wallpaper is neautral in color so that the green (and blues) give the room that extra pop of color and sophistication.

GREEN WITH ENVY

PHOTOS BY ALEXANDER JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY

REVVED UP WITH RED

116 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

Axis Mundi Design New York, New York Why we love it: Who says you have to be picky about your color palette? By using an alternating pattern of your favorite colors and pairing them with simplistic furniture means you can have your cake and eat it too.

BLUE ME AWAY

troy spurlin INTERIORS Jacksonville, Fla. Why we love it: The blue fireplace really speaks for itself. It’s the perfect way to center a room and an effective way at drawing the eye away from the subtler accents in a room.

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

117

where credit is due SUMMER 2012

Pg. 20: H&M PHOTOS COURTESY OF H&M; HEAD OVER HEELS PHOTO COURTESY OF HEAD OVER HEELS; KATE BENJAMIN PHOTO COURTESY OF ACCESSORIESDIRECT.COM; L.A.M.B. PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS.COM; LULU’S PHOTO COURTESY OF LULU’S PG. 22: WENDY NICHOL PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN ALAN; STEVEN ALAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; LUXURY REBEL PHOTO COURTESY OF HIGHLINE UNITED; APRICOT PHOTO COURTESY OF APRICOT; WOOD & FAULK PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN. COM; THE BRANCH PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; PLENTY BY TRACY REESE PHOTO COURTESY OF HIGHLINE UNITED; RACHEL COMEY PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM. PG. 23: KATE BENJAMIN PHOTO COURTESY OF ACCESSORIESDIRECT.COM; LULU’S PHOTO COURTESY OF LULU’S; MOROCCAN BAZAAR PHOTO COURTESY OF ACCESSORIESDIRECT.COM; TASSIA CANELLIS PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; MARAIS USA PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; H&M PHOTO COURTESY OF H&M; MICHALE KORS PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS.COM; DREAM COLLECTIVE PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; CHINESE LAUNDRY PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS.COM. PG. 24: RAY-BAN PHOTO COURTESY OF COASTAL.COM; BASTA PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; LA BOTTE GARDIANE PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; H&M PHOTO COURTESY OF H&M; CLARE VIVIER PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; TASSIA CANELLIS PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVENALAN.COM; FRANCESCA’S COLLECTIONS PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANCESCA’S COLLECTIONS; LUXURY REBEL PHOTO COURTESY OF HIGHLINE UNITED. PG. 35: SPROUT PHOTO COURTESY OF SPROUT; PEGGY LI CREATIONS PHOTOS COURTESY OF PEGGY LI; MU’UMU’U HEAVEN PHOTO COURTESY OF MU’UMU’U HEAVEN; GIFTS WITH HUMANITY PHOTO COURTESY OF GIFTS WITH HUMANITY; NAYA PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS. COM. PG. 36: PETUNIA PICKLE BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF PETUNIA PICKLE BOTTOM; UNCOMMON GOODS PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNCOMMON GOODS; PERPETUAL KID PHOTO COURTESY OF PERPETUAL KID. PG 96: SUE DEVITT PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACTENBERG & CO.; INGLOT COSTMETICS PHOTO COURTESY OF MELODY JOY PR; FAKEBAKE PHOTO COURTESY OF FAKEBAKE; SPLURGE SKINCARE PHOTO COURTESY OF SPLURGE SKINCARE; INFINITY SUN PHOTO COURTESY OF AZIONE PR. PG. 101: VOLITO PHOTO COURTESY OF PIVOTAL PR. PG. 102: FOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACY LEE. PG. 104: PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRACY LEE. PG. 105: WEST ELM PHOTO COURTESY OF WEST ELM. PG. 106: HOME DECORATORS’ PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOME DECORATORS. COST PLUS WORLD MARKET PHOTO COURTESY OF COST PLUS WORLD MARKET; STYLE OUTSIDE THE BOX PHOTOS COURTESY OF STYLE OUTSIDE THE BOX. COM

118 mintedmag.com | SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 | mintedmag.com

119

THE NEW

Minted COMING SOON!

UNTIL THEN ...

FACEBOOK TWITTER BLOG