WELCOME Photo by: Sofia Owen
As we move into a new season (and not just the one defined by weather patterns and daylight hours) I am noticing what is around me that brings me joy. A beautiful bloom, a photo from my girls trip, a post from a woman getting promoted or starting a new project. I have a sense of things refreshing, like my browser was running slow and that refresh button pulled everything up much more quickly and clearly. It has been baked into the mission of Rebelle, to allow women to see
accomplished people beginning again, starting something new, or refreshing
themselves in the success of each other. We have always been committed to sharing stories of women doing ordinary and extraordinary things. And, as I flip through the drafts of these pages, I see it so clearly. Female friendships, camaraderie, and unconditional support for one another is what I want to bring to this next season of my own journey.
what has been laying quietly these past few seasons.
I am inspired by womening making intentional choices, even when they are very different from choices I would make for myself. I see people accepting themselves for who they are while continuing to challenge and grow as individuals and leaders. I see
In this, our second issue of Rebelle Magazine, I am grateful to share the gifts of my dearest friend (Mirna Brousseau), my coach and confidant - one of the wisest women I know (Ellie Burke) and new friends who are building community and advocating for others (Erika Page & Natalie Miller-Moore). What I hope you find in this issue is inspiration to make choices that support you and a reminder to connect with the women in your life who make this whole ride that much more fun.
Thank you for downloading our spring issue. 1
CONTENTS features From Seeds to Blooms
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Small business continues to grow from seeds planted, ready to bloom
Hold My Drink
29
The Owl's Brew founders are changing the industry
Her Story: Skin-Spiration 46 Erika Page lost 100% of her skin color and found her calling
wellbeing 50
6 Ways to Tame Your Tech
What to do when you've been online too long.
8
Finding Your "Why" Five questions to ask yourself to find your "why".
12
Mini Decluttering Get the mood boosting benefits of tidying up in under 10 minutes.
career 16
The Decision to Return How one woman weighed the pros and cons to return to work.
15
Career Advice We asked our community for the best advice they ever received.
community 19
Take A Girl's Trip 4 reasons to grab your girls and go, now.
6
Women Need A 'Work Wife' When women champion each other, we all win.
lifestyle 11
Rebelle Book List We partnered with BookClubs to bring reads with discussion guides.
38
Make Ahead Breakfasts Batch cooking for breakfast never tasted this good.
in every issue 1
Welcome Words from our Editor, We are
Spring 2022 Issue Editor + Designer: Shannon Siriano Greenwood Cover Photography: Sofia Owen
glad you are here.
5
Contributors Meet the women behind this issue of Rebelle Magazine.
Rebelle Magazine is a digital publication published quarterly, January, March, June, and October by Lemon Umbrealla, LLC (dba Rebelle Con).
inspiration 52
She Let Go Poem by Saffire Rose
20
Emotional Escape Rooms 3 interior designers show how to create space to escape at home.
Interested in contributing an article to a future issue of Rebelle Magazine or to the Rebelle Blog? Email shannon@rebellecon.com with your pitch or other inquiries.
CONTRIBUTORS Sofia Owen
COVER + PHOTOGRAPHY
Erika Page
SKIN-SPIRATION
Brittany Mullins
A photographer with a passion for design, Sofia was born in Bogota, Colombia. Founder of SO ATELIER, a studio supporting individuals, companies, and teams to capture, create, and curate brand-aligned visuals through custom photography, video editing, graphic design, and web design.
The Founder and Editor of Living Dappled, a blog for women with vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes loss of pigment. For the second year in a row, she was named the #4 most influential vitiligan of 2021. Her platform helps to educate, support and inspire the 1% of the population with this condition.
Health coach and founder of the healthy living site, Eating Bird Food, she shares real-food recipes that are nutritious, approachable, and delicious. She focuses on a balanced approach involving healthy habits and moderation. When not in the kitchen you can find Brittany spending time with her husband and daughter.
Ellie Burke
FINDING YOUR WHY
Mirna Brousseau
FROM SEEDS TO BLOOMS
Natalie Miller-Moore
Holistic Life Coach and Meditation Teacher, Ellie supports individuals in seeing and growing their authentic selves, cultivating holistic wellbeing, and creating lives that feel meaningful and fulfilling. She works with clients 1:1, offers group coaching, teaches weekly guided meditation, and holds quarterly retreats.
Owner and lead designer at Brousseau Events, Mirna has helped hundreds of couples have the "best day ever". She has been a member of the Rebelle Con team creating inspiring florals, event design, and keeping everything on track since 2017. Native of Charlottesville, VA where she still finds inspiration from the beauty of the Blue Ridge and surrounding area.
Natalie is a creative connector, bringing together people, words and ideas as a communications consultant. Her passion is: getting women to tell the truth about their lives, so we can all have healthier, more equitable communities.
MAKE AHEAD BREAKFASTS
TAKE A GIRLS TRIP
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5 REASONS WHY WOMEN NEED A
WORK WIFE
Having a “work wife” means you have a companion at work with whom you share a strong bond. Just like a successful marriage, ‘work spouses’ support one another, they have a relationship built on trust, and can advocate for one another when the other isn’t in the room. And whether you have one special person or a collection of female allies - women supporting women is the path to equity.
WE ALL NEED TO VENT While we don’t condone gossip, sometimes you need to air your frustration in order to move on. Having someone you trust who can validate your feelings can keep you moving forward when things are challenging.
EVERYONE NEEDS A 'HYPE WOMAN' Even the most successful women doubt their abilities and question their value. We have all seen the stat from the 2008 Report “A Business Case for Women” that points out that men apply for jobs where they meet 60% of the criteria where women apply when they meet 100%. When you have a hype woman (or women) in your corner, you have someone to remind you how great you are.
KEEP WORK AT WORK Venting to your actual spouse, family or friends can put unneeded strain on those relationships. It is hard for those outside of your work to have a full perspective to understand what you are going through. A work wife can help you keep work at work because talking about work when you aren’t at work is truly no fun. 6
COMPANIONSHIP MAKES YOU HAPPIER According to the CIGNA 2020 Loneliness And The Workplace Report (yes, that’s a thing) “those with a best friend at work report less loneliness” and “satisfaction with work relationships and companionship makes for happier workers”. You know the old saying “happy wife, happy life.”
DOUBLE STANDARDS STILL EXIST Many workplaces still burden women with a “Likeability Penalty”. When a study of performance reviews was conducted by Fortune writer, Kieran Snyder, 66 percent of women received negative feedback similar to “You can sometimes be abrasive,” compared to less than 1 percent of men. Having women advocates to challenge these statements is how we can start to change perceptions.
THE REBELLE COMMUNITY Learn about online and in-person events, share your thoughts and opinions, plus learn about the ways we support women in the workplace and beyond.
Join our email list at readytorebelle.com
FINDING YOUR WHY FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF TO FIND YOUR WHY If you’ve ever set goals for yourself but found yourself unable to follow through to achieve them, you are not alone. When it comes to changing our patterns, habits, and eventually our lives, we must have powerful energy behind us, something that pushes us to keep going when we don’t feel like it. This is where our why comes in. When we know our why, we can then tether all of our decisions and actions back to it. It keeps us motivated. It keeps us inspired. It allows us to prioritize the things that will move us towards our goals versus away from them. It gives us a quality of certainty even in the midst of change and uncertainty. What is the Why? In order to motivate ourselves to move forward on a new or challenging action (aka a step towards our goal), we have to have a reason behind it. That bigger, deeper reason we want to achieve the things we want to achieve. As Simon Sinek, marketing guru in the consumer world, puts it “the Why is the purpose, cause or belief that drives every one of us.” Having a meaningful reason behind your goals, will help to achieve them. Doing something because we “should” is different from doing something we “want or need.” “Should” is connected to the outer or surface-layer thoughts and ideas. “Needs” are connected to the inner desires, something that is more deeply important to each individual person. 8
THE FIVE QUESTIONS What is the change you want to make?
Why is that change important to you?
Why does that matter?
Why is that important?
Why?
You can keep adding why until you feel clear on your deeper need to make a change. Once you land at an answer that has an emotional tie, an emotional experience connected to it, you’ve found it. Now that you have your Why, from using this series of questions, you can use it as a way to assess your choices going forward. When faced with a choice to take action toward your goal (or not), return to your why. When you feel resistant to take that next right step, come back to your why. Your why, that deep inspiration, has the ultimate power to move you into action. Adapted from this post by Ellie Burke.
REBELLE BOOK LIST
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
OUR TOP PICKS FOR ALL KINDS OF READERS
Romantic Comedy This New York Times Best Seller is a romantic story of a status-driven wedding planner grappling with her social ambitions, absent mother, and Puerto Rican roots―all in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
Historical Fiction From #1 bestselling author Kristin Hannah shares a powerful American epic about love and heroism and hope, set during the Great Depression, a time when the country was in crisis and at war with itself.
Memoir A must-read memoir of family, food, and finding oneself from. Zauner (of GrammyNominated Japanese Breakfast) tells intimate anecdotes about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity.
Memoir/Self-Help An autobiographical journey to selfacceptance in a series of deeply honest essays. Jessamyn Stanley (two time Rebelle Con speaker) creates a unique and compelling blend of memoir, philosophy, and self-help.
Celebrity Read An uplifting, behindthe-scenes look at Grammy Award– winning Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams’s life, her lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression, and the practical wisdom she learned along the way.
Find Discussion Guides for these titles and more at bookclubs.com 11
MINI DECLUTTERING
There is a sense of peace that comes from a decluttering session. Get the mood boosting benefits in under 10 minutes.
Set up a digital wallet How stuffed is your wallet with gift cards, loyalty cards, and (gasp) coins? A digital wallet can make paying easier and reduce what you have to carry. Setup can be simple and you will feel lighter.
Delete photos from your phone Clean out your camera roll just about anywhere. Extras and screen shots are taking up memory and can cause frustration when you are looking for something important.
Clean off your keychain It’s not longer (was it ever) in style to look like a janitor when pulling out your keys. Take off all those extra keys you don’t use, old fobs, and extra jangling things.
Remove unused apps A phone menu cleanup is a great way to quickly make space. Delete those apps you don’t use, the old version of Candy Crush, or other icons taking up screen space.
Minimize kitchen duplicates Remove the bulk from kitchen drawers and cabinets by ridding yourself of duplicates you don’t use. Things like multiple sets of measuring cups, old warped spatulas, and kitchen gadgets that are gathering dust, can go in a donation bin or trash/recycling.
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Clear out expired condiments If it' past its expiration date, its got to go. Once they are opened the clock starts ticking. A quick google search will tell you how long you should keep condiments after they have been opened.
swell by Rebelle SPENDING TIME AROUND PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE YOU WILL NOT ONLY AFFECT YOUR CAREER, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Learn more at readytorebelle.com/swell
CAREER ADVICE
LEARN TO RESPOND instead of react. Always be learning. Be kind. Have empathy. As your position grows and you gain authority, pull others up with you. - Lindsey Laughlin, VP, Marketing Strategist at Gravity Group
TAKE A SICK DAY. - Dena Lefkowitz, Esq., PCC
NO DECISION IS BAD The only 'bad' decision you can make, is to not make a decision at all. - Jane Holmes
There is no handbook to being successful at work these days. But there is wisdom that influences us and serves as a guide in our own growth as leaders. We asked our connections on LinkedIn, "What is the best career advice you have ever received?"
FOCUS ON GROWTH When something needs improvement, focus on the growth opportunity, not what has gone wrong. People do better when they feel better. - Amy Corona
YOU HAVE TO TRY THINGS. Finding out what you DON'T want is some of the most valuable information for your career! - Jennifer Koch, International Style Coach
YOUR CAREER IS NOT WHO YOU ARE And you can't do it alone, and shouldn't try to. - Amylynn Graf, MBA
"GRAB THE PEN." There are many moments in business when there is no clear leader in the room and there's lots of swirl with no real direction or solutions. - Britt Farrar, Director, Paid Social Media at Hilton
FIND COMFORT IN DISCOMFORT. If you’re comfortable in your role, then you need to move on. - Jessica Young, Project Manager at Shockoe
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THE DECISION TO RETURN The career journey of modern women leaders can have more twists than an M. Night Shyamalan movie. But for many of us, stepping away from a ‘good enough’ opportunity to try something different is an anxiety inducing endeavor. There is a worry that if we step away there will be consequences in pay, in title, and in levels of respect. Examples like Maria Pahuja, Senior Director of Partnerships at Vimeo, show us that this is changing. No longer is an employer gap on a resume cause for shame and question. Women can take the space they need to explore opportunities, grow themselves, and return to full time employment if they choose, and do it on their terms.
As Vimeo evolved to focus on more tools for video creators and less on producing original content and licensing, Maria stepped away after being there for three years. She wanted to focus solely on operations and grow her skills. This led to her starting her own business while growing her family, adding two babies to the mix.
Maria started at Vimeo in 2014 when the company was less than 200 people. She describes it as “an amazing place to work, fast-paced, exciting, challenging and fun at the same time”. She led the operations team on the Entertainment side of the business while Vimeo was still working on it’s positioning in the market.
In the years ‘in between’ she created Vayas Consulting company providing Fractional COO services to startups and taking on projects to help businesses to improve their workflows and their bottom line. While she was pleased with the growth of her business, her full roster of clients, and regular leads coming in, she felt that she had hit a plateau again. She was open to an opportunity to push her professional boundaries.
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While Maria was growing her company, Vimeo was growing as well. The company is now led by a young energetic (female) CEO and has expanded the workforce to over 1000 employees. According to TechCrunch, “From Q1 2020 to Q1 2021, Vimeo’s revenues expanded from $57 million to $89.4 million, a gain of around 57%.” It was not the same startup Maria had left those years ago. But the decision to return to full-time employee status after years of complete autonomy is not an easy one to make, especially with two small children. Maria, however, did not have to make that decision all at once. Vimeo reached out to her with an opportunity to “test the waters”. They hired her consulting company on a contract basis so she could see first-hand how the company had changed.
"We had a set timeline and project, which was a great way for me to see how Vimeo changed while I was gone while I was still working on my own terms and with my other clients." She felt confident in taking the chance as she knew the person she would be reporting to and had worked with her many times before. She also knew and respected the new CEO’s leadership style and felt confident with her driving
he growth. What she found was that working collaboratively with product and engineering teams again, gave her the energy she was seeking. This helped her come to the decision to become a full time employee once again. Because of COVID, not as much changed in her daily life as she anticipated. She is still working from home, but with less flexibility, logistically. She doesn’t feel as comfortable ducking out to do personal things between meetings or taking a random day to herself as she did before, but as she describes it that tradeoff is work it to feel “so much more engaged and invigorated in my work that I am energized to dive in each day so handling those logistics are just part of the job.” For Maria the decision to return was about professional fulfillment. At this stage it is important for her to be engaged with work that excites her and allows her to grow. That meant going back to Vimeo. From this experience she has learned what’s most important to her at this stage. She shared her advice for women considering making a move like hers, “Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want, ever. Whether it’s more money, more flexibility, to be on certain projects, to work remotely, etcetera. You will never know unless you ask. The more people that ask for what they want drives change.”
Community + Connection for Professional Women readytorebelle.com
take a girls trip BY: NATALIE MILLER-MOORE I just got back from a trip to Florida with the women who were my college roommates, and we aren’t girls anymore – as evidenced by our conversations about mammograms and colonoscopies and LASIK procedures– but our commitment to friendship and health is strong AF. Message your girls and set a date, and pick a place and go. Here's why.
AVOID THE BREAKDOWN
YOU NEED TO TELL THE TRUTH
There’s always a reason not to, but life moves fast and if you don’t commit to taking a break, you might find yourself breaking down instead. Take a break, and aspire to do nothing but pack a suitcase full of dresses with pockets, flip flops and bathing suits. Yes, it’s a time and money commitment, but it’s worth it. Even if you just leave town and read some books and do nothing but take care of yourself.
You need a safe space to spill it. All of the things you are holding together. Is parenting teenage girls terrifying? Is managing ADHD medication for your kid a challenge when you suspect you have it yourself? Are you not having as many orgasms as you’d like? As we age, the grief accumulates – our parents are aging and driving us crazy because they won’t change, our relationships with work are intense, relationships with neighbors, kids and friends are complicated. It’s all hard and we are often scared to admit when something we thought would be amazing is just…” really hard right now.”
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE Old friends make the best mirrors, because they know you, and let’s just assume since they haven’t ghosted, that they also love you. They can reflect back to you, who you've always been, even if you have a new role as stay-at-home mom, director, stepmom, saleswoman of the year, lunch lady, boss lady, et cetera. It can be hard to remember when you feel like you are what you do. Your friends know the real you, and can tease you about how you are always spilling your drink, flirting with the waiter or taking too many pictures. (Who, me?)
FEMALE FRIENDS ARE FOR LIFE I hope and pray that this is true, and because I have maintained a number of decades-long friendships, Our relationships have grown and deepened. We laugh about things from 20 years ago, and make new inside jokes to keep us going. We look at old pictures of ourselves from college and thought about all the insane things we did (drinking in the dorm laundry room? Why?) and how we cut our hair because some boy disappointed us. The nitty gritty work of continuing to be alive and have people rely on you is heavy, and having people to talk it through, cry with, ask for advice and just sit with ,can remind you that you don’t have to do it alone.
Emotional Escape Ro Three interior designers share how they would design their own personal emotional escape rooms.
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om
Every year, our favorite visual inspiration platform publishes a report titled, "Pinterest Predicts" highlighting what is trending in search and how those will impact culture and business in the year to come. For 2022, Dopamine Dressing (hello bright colors), Rebel Haircuts, and Mindful Mensuration
made the list. We knew we wanted to explore some of these trends in this issue, especially "Emotional Escape Rooms". Since we've all been rethinking how we use our physical space, we called in some of our favorite interior designers to see how they create sanctuary for themselves at home.
Santuary
Overall my room is all about being cozy and surrounded by things that bring joy and make me calm. Organic shapes mixed with modern elements showcase our love for all design. Candles lit and sunlight beaming through the billowing drapes.
by Nicole Rutledge
I am in my element lounging on the down sectional watching the reflections of the catcher. The space wouldn’t be complete without plants, a beautiful organic table to place my snacks and beverage, a statement chandelier, and a dark floor rug to bring balance.
West Elm Linen Cotton Curtain - Stone White West Elm Arc Chandelier West Elm Hampton 4-Piece Chaise Sectional Sensory4u Stained Glass Suncatchers Sun and Moon and Stars Wall Art West Elm Winona Round Pedestal Side Table Burke Decor Engraved Landscapes 316 Wall Mural by KEK Amsterdam FLOR Brogue graphic rug CB2 Lila Glazed White Planter Anthropologie Flora Taper Candle Holder
Nicole Rutledge | Design
Monochromatic
A large part of my job as an interior designer involves reviewing lots of colorful fabric swatches and paint samples for our client projects, so I would love to escape to a room that has a clean-cut monochromatic aesthetic. The space would be a fusion of luxurious textures and organic pieces that would make me feel inspired and relaxed.
by Anita Williams
I would ground the space with an abstract yet earthly two-toned wool rug, a velvet upholstered sofa for lounging and a cozy boucle chair for times I’d want to curl up with a great book. Mister Michelle art on the walls, North24th Home’s signature candle would create a calming atmosphere, fresh flowers and music to fully enjoy the space.
West Elm Crosley Discovery Record Player Cb2 Gwyneth Ivory Boucle Chair Lulu and Georgia Lotte Sofa Litfad Mushroom Table Lamp Minimalist Metal Mister Michelle NO.14 & NO. 17 Artwork Lulu and Georgia Abode Rug By Elan Byrd North 24th Home Signature Candle Neiman Marcus Peony Flowers.
PLD Design Studio
Vintage Inspired
Whether you have a whole room or a simple nook escaping into a good book is everything to me, and the inspiration behind this design. With a modern meets traditional look that incorporates local and vintage for sustainability and style, I’ve tapped into all five senses and elements.
by Robin Gahan
The focal point is a modern wingback chair in a cozy boucle fabric, the floor lamp works task lighting while providing warmth and ambience, and the brightly colored Moroccan rug is a whole mood and feels soft underfoot. Balancing cool and warm colors throughout creating a feeling of calm.
Shades of Light Balanced LED Floor Lamp CB2 Bozzi Chair Holdingforth Night Hawks Moroccan Boujaad Rug Brick Alley Co. Vintage Gourd Plant Stand LaDIFF Muse Room Divider Epoch Hexagonal Marble Pedestal West Elm Margo Selby Spliced Lines Pillow SunTheoryCo. Welcome Home Soy Candle
Marble + Moon Interiors
Rebelle Events In-Person Events are Back in Richmond, Virginia
Wednesday, June 8th Rebelle Magazine Release Party Learn more at readytorebelle.com/events
AUSTEN
Hold Our Drink Owl’s Brew Founders Are Changing The Industry We asked CEO and Co-Founder Jennie Ripps about her journey building the Owl’s Brew Boozy Tea brand and how she feels about the industry she is in. 29
Current research shows that men and women consume alcohol at about the same rates in the U.S., but the people leading companies in the adult beverage industry are men. In conversation with Jennie Ripps, cofounder of Owl’s Brew, she shared that only 4% of leadership roles in this space are held by women (compare that to 22 - 25% nationally).
When you think of male dominated industry, the usual suspects typically come to mind, tech, finance, law, but there are many pockets of consumer products where women are buying (and marketing) what men are selling. Jennie Ripps and Maria Littlefield are here to change that.
THINKING BIG FROM THE START We were introduced to Jennie and Maria through a partnership with Owl’s Brew Boozy Tea and Rebelle Con 2021, our annual women’s conference. They launched their line of boozy tea in the beginning of 2020, but that is not where their story began. From the early days, they knew they wanted to build something big. Their first business, Brew Lab, began by creating unique tea blends and selling them into New York City restaurants, literally one pound at a time. Jennie describes her feelings as they were getting started, “We knew from day one that we believed this was a better, cleaner, more delicious way to consume cocktails, and we always planned on raising capital and building a brand – even in the early days of our first tea company.”
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Exceeding their own expectations In 2018, they sold Brew Lab and used the capital to get Owl’s Brew Boozy Tea to the launch stage. But not all things went exactly to plan. Early 2020 arrived and their product began to hit stores’ shelves. The typical way you introduce a new product, like this one, is through in-store sampling to get consumers to try something that, before Owl’s Brew, didn’t exist. What could have been a setback ended up being a defining moment for the brand. Jennie explained, “Because of COVID-19 we couldn’t sample.... We were really worried. How would people understand the brand and our position?”
But then something happened that surprised them, Owl’s Brew started flying off the shelves. Consumers were discovering for themselves and coming back for more. POSITIONED FOR GROWTH At the end of 2020, their growth had taken off and they were ready for investment. “We knew we needed to support it through institutional capital, and raised our Series A.” Jennie explained. They had a great operations team in place that helped them keep up with demand, and credits “redundancy in their supply chain” for setting them up for scale. In addition to investment, they brought on Jeannie Mai, best known for her role on the television makeover show, How Do I Look?, as their Chief Brand Officer. Jeannie had discovered the product in a Whole Foods
store and reached out to the brand about a partnership. An advocate was born and more collaboration continued. COMMITMENT TO QUALITY Right on the homepage of their website, you see the founders’ commitment to clean ingredients. It states, "We couldn't find a great boozy beverage made with only clean ingredients so we decided to make it ourselves, using fresh-brewed tea as a base." Jennie described that the alcohol industry has different standards in terms of labeling ingredients that you would assume. The term “natural flavors” is not clearly defined and can include chemicals or even animal byproducts. This is an area important to Owl’s Brew. Jennie says, “We think everyone deserves a great-tasting beverage with a clean label.”
JENNIE SAYS... On the alcohol industry. In the US, 68% of men consume alcohol and 64% of women. That’s pretty even. Yet, that 4% statistic I mentioned before is pervasive - leadership teams, flavor development teams, sales teams. That means from strategy all the way to the people who ultimately put the product on shelves at your local liquor store – it’s 96% men controlling that process from beginning to end. It’s really crazy, when you think about it.
On female collaboration. Wise Women Collective is our way to push back against that 4% number. It gives us a voice as a minority in this industry. Our initiatives include supporting charities like Keep Abreast foundation, and Women’s Voices for the Earth. In addition to the serious stuff we try to have fun. There is an area on our website where if you’re having a Mom’s Night Out, you can submit it as an event, and we’ll get some Owl’s Brew “flying” your way! One of our favorite initiatives is #BoozyBookClub, where we interview female authors on Instagram Live every month.
What she hopes is different in the next 10 years. If you couldn’t guess, let’s at least get us tracking against the US average in terms of roles held by women. 22% sounds much better than 4%, sad as that is.
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s d e e s s m rf o o bloom t
from seeds
Over the summer, my dearest
friend, Mirna Brousseau, was busier than she had ever been. Her wedding planning business was booming and her floral designs were growing in scope, each event more elaborate than the last. She asked me to help, one week when she needed extra hands. She put me to work in her home floral studio prepping flowers by stripping and trimming for literal hours. I could not believe how much work it was just to receive and prepare these living objects, not to mention, keep them happy until it was their destiny to be chosen for their perfect arrangement, transported to their location and installed in elaborate displays via chicken wire and all sorts of other construction. What I witnessed as her assistant for a day, was the true magic of a small business. Raw materials, planning and preparation, labor, true customer service and a happy client on their most important day.
Photography: Sofia Own Floral Design: Mirna Brousseau Written by: Shannon Siriano Greenwood
One creative person can create a source of income that supports them and their families from the labor of their own hands and ideas from their own mind. This is truly a thing to admire. And admire her, I do. She has found a way to grow her skills as a logistical wizard, expert communicator, and gifted designer all while keeping her personal balls in the air, motherhood, family, and more. She planned my birthday weekend and our friend's baby shower in the past few months alone.
What's most exciting, she's just getting started. The day we took these photos, she went to visit a small retail space. A few days later, we were clinking champagne glasses when she signed her lease! The location in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia will provide a larger studio space where she create ever grander floral projects. I get to hear her daydream about workshops, gatherings, and other creative ideas. This is a new seed that is just being planted and I cannot wait to watch it bloom.
to blooms
MAKE AHEAD BREAKFASTS Prep in advance and enjoy all week long
Each day we have the chance to begin again. And beginning the day with a nourishing breakfast doesn't mean waking up extra early to prepare your meal. Whether you set it and forget it with overnight oats, make a batch of muffins or bars to take on the go, or bake ahead with a vegetable filled quiche. Breakfast can be a thing you look forward to, a treat for yourself to start your day.
Brittany Mullins' website, Eating Bird Food shares realfood recipes that are not only nutritious, but approachable and delicious. Visit eatingbirdfood.com for more.
BLUEBERRY YOGURT MUFFINS Protein packed, made with simple ingredients, and easy to store.
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1 ¾ cups whole wheat pastry flour
1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 12 paper or silicone liners in your muffin tin.
2
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
3
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, Greek yogurt, oil, maple syrup, almond milk and vanilla extract.
4
Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until mixture is just combined. Don’t over-mix! It's okay if there are a few streaks of flour left.
5
Add 1 Tablespoon of the batter to the bottom of the muffin liners. Fold in blueberries to the rest of the batter then evenly divide the rest of batter into muffin tins.
1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 large eggs 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt ¼ cup coconut oil, melted ½ cup maple syrup ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 heaping cup fresh blueberries, plus more for topping
6
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean.
PROTEIN OVERNIGHT OATS Easy to prep ahead, protein packed, and served cold.
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1
Prep oats: Combine all ingredients except the toppings in a small container.
2
Soak: Cover container with a lid and place in the fridge overnight (or at least 1-2 hours).
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1 – 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, (25g total) 1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3
Stir: Bring out of the fridge in the morning and stir. You’ll notice that the protein powder, oats and chia seeds soak up a lot of the liquid so you may want to add a little more almond milk or water before serving.
4
Add toppings and enjoy: Top with toppings of your choice and enjoy. I love berries and sliced almonds or almond butter.
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Toppings: berries, sliced almonds, almond butter
KALE AND FETA CRUSTLESS QUICHE Perfect for breakfast or brunch with veggies included.
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Cooking spray or coconut oil
1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray or coconut oil.
2
Coat a large skillet with cooking spray or coconut oil and turn heat to medium-high. Add onion, garlic, mushrooms, kale, dried Italian seasoning, sea salt and pepper.
3
Cook mixture, stirring occasionally and adding a tablespoon or two of water if the pan gets too dry, until onions are translucent and kale and mushrooms have wilted.
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 cup chopped mushrooms 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 1/2 bunch, about 3-4 cups of kale, chopped sea salt and black pepper, to taste 3 eggs 1/3 cup egg whites 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
4
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/3 cup feta cheese Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
5
In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, almond milk and nutmeg. Season with an additional pinch of sea salt and pepper. Spread onion, mushroom and kale mixture on the bottom of prepared quiche dish. Sprinkle on the feta cheese. Pour egg mixture over top and push under any ingredients not covered by the egg mixture to prevent burning. Bake uncovered until set and golden brown around edges, about 25 minutes. Let quiche rest at room temperature for 10-12 minutes, then cut into four slices, top with fresh parsley and serve.
BERRY BAKED OATMEAL BARS For breakfast or a snack, easy to take on the go.
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
2 cups rolled old fashioned oats
1
Set oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
2
Mix ingredients: Combine all ingredients except for the berries in a large bowl. Stir until combined and gently fold in 1 cup of berries.
3
Spread batter: Pour into a 8x8 square baking pan lined with parchment. Evenly spread batter in pan and top with remaining berries. I think it looks really pretty with sliced strawberries on top.
4
Bake: Cook for 30-35 minutes or until bars are cooked through and hold their shape.
5
Let cool+ enjoy: Remove from the oven, cool and then cut into 6 bars and enjoy.
1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, or your fave milk 1/2 cup applesauce 1/4 cup maple syrup, or honey 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed 2 teaspoons melted coconut oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup fresh berries + 1/2 cup more for topping (pictured blueberries and chopped strawberries)
Store: Store leftover bars in the fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy cold or reheat in a toaster oven.
HER STORY: SKIN-SPIRATION HOW ONE WOMAN LOST 100% OF HER SKIN COLOR AND FOUND HER CALLING BY: ERIKA PAGE
Photos by: Sandy Swagger Jones
I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH VITILIGO. THE LITTLE WHITE SPOTS ON MY SPINE SEEMED INNOCENT ENOUGH, BUT THE DOCTOR HAD A DIFFERENT STORY. Vitiligo is a non-curable and rarely treatable autoimmune disease that causes loss of pigment. In my case – less than 1% of the 1% with vitiligo – it eventually took all of my pigment, turning my skin snow white. Today, I’ve found peace in the skin I’m in, and built the community and platform that I wish I had growing up with this condition. But it wasn’t always like that. I spent the majority of my life feeling lonely, navigating stares, and grappling with low self-esteem and anxiety. This is my story. GROWING UP WITH VITILIGO After my diagnosis, the vitiligo on my skin spread quickly - too quickly for treatments. As a result, I spent most of my teens and young adult life with white spots all over my skin. 12
It was impossible to hide - not that I tried - and often invoked stares, and sometimes curious questions and comments. Despite being an awkward, spotted teenager, there were times when I was happy and confident. I remember girlfriends outlining my spots with gel pens and writing “see spot run” on my high school cross country t-shirt. I remember being approached by strangers who knew someone with vitiligo and were amazed at how I still wore shorts and other clothing that showed my skin. This was the brave face that I wanted people to see – but rarely truly felt. On the inside, I was broken. I was obsessed with the idea that I would one day be miraculously cured - even while knowing that this disease did not
have a cure. I hated the girl in the mirror and at my lowest point believed she didn’t deserve to have friends. By the time I graduated college, I would have panic attacks at the thought of having to wear shorts in public. The staring eyes of strangers would chip away at my selfesteem, leaving me distraught and hopeless. I felt like no one could see me, hidden inside a body that wasn’t mine anymore – a body that I barely recognized.
One morning, I was looking in the mirror and had a sudden and overwhelming realization that my vitiligo was never going to go away. This was a forever thing, a condition without a cure. And the day I had been waiting for – the day that this turmoil would be over – was never going to come. Crumbling into a crying heap on the floor, bottomless pain flooded over me as I tried to accept the finality of the matter. Despite the painful realization, that moment helped me to let go. I realized that I had to learn to embrace my skin and find a way to be happy. If I didn’t, I would spend my entire life waiting for a wish that didn’t exist and never actually living. Perhaps from the outside, there wasn’t much of a change – but on the inside, my own worldview was charting a new course. Reflecting on my life with vitiligo, it occurred to me that people had continued to compliment how confident I seemed, despite my skin. While I didn’t feel their comments were deserved, it made me realize that I had something unique to share with others going through the same thing.
12
LAUNCHING A PLATFORM
The stories gave me the motivation I needed to keep the blog going - and eventually turn it into an
I started researching blogs and websites about
LLC. As I grew, so did interest in the brand - and I
vitiligo and soon realized that something was
was able to start bringing on volunteers and
missing. Although vitiligo doesn’t have a cure,
contractors who believed in the mission and
most blogs focused solely on treatments –
wanted “in” to help serve this inspiring community.
treatments that were expensive, rarely effective and time-consuming. I wanted a space that
Today, we’re an internationally-recognized
shared the everyday story of life with vitiligo, a
resource for women with vitiligo and strive to be
platform where women like me could talk about
the “ultimate guide” to living with the condition for
dealing with stares, putting on makeup, struggling
our readers. We’re here to help coach and
with self-confidence and going on dates. I had
advocate for women with vitiligo as they go
found a problem I could fix - and I just happened
through moments big and small, hard and
to have the skill set and moxie to make it happen.
heartwarming. Since launch, we’ve expanded the brand to include a membership program and a tee
Launching Living Dappled in June 2016, I started
collection - and we’re just getting started.
finding and telling the stories of everyday women with vitiligo. I spoke with dermatologists and
BETTER TOGETHER
lobbyists at the forefront of the movement to find a cure and shared their news and medical
The best part of this story? The platform and
information about the condition. I wrote about my
community that I set out to serve ultimately ended
own life with vitiligo - which makeup and tanning
up serving me. After losing 100% of my skin’s
products I used and how keeping a happiness
pigment, I covered my skin head to toe with tanner
journal helped me build a positive mindset.
for seven years. At first, I was relieved to have the chance to look like my old self - and tanner helped
CHANGING LIVES
me do that. But eventually, hiding my skin became an emotional burden. And it was the community of
Within the first couple of months, messages
women with vitiligo that I built that inspired me to
poured in from women with vitiligo who had found
embrace my skin just the way it is. I threw away the
the blog. My inbox filled with stories from women
tanner and never looked back.
who had felt alone, who couldn’t leave the house in anything other than sweatpants, and who just
At Living Dappled, we have a saying: better
wanted to know they were normal. Readers would
together. We believe that no matter what you’re
tell me that they read the entire blog from start to
going through, you’re better off going through it
finish, each and every post, and couldn’t wait for
surrounded by community. There’s something truly
the next story. More than one of those emails left
powerful about realizing that you aren’t alone. It
tears strolling down my face. I was humbled to
gives you the power to do the unthinkable - like
know that I was literally changing the lives of
embrace the skin you’ve hated your entire life.
others. That’s skin-spiration.
22
6 WAYS TO TAME YOUR TECH 18
There is no doubt that increased use of handheld technology has changed our lifestyles. And while there are many benefits to the availability of technology, there can be downsides if not managed properly. If you are someone who notices your stress levels rise when you are connected too long, here are 6 ways to tame your reliance on your devices.
TAKE TECH BREAKS
SINGLE SCREEN
Dedicated “detox days” have been trending in response to our constant connectedness. To do a technology detox, you decide what you will and will not interact with for a set period of time. Some ideas to “break” are to remove social media apps from your phone for a day (or more) or leave the phone at home when you are out running errands.
Guilty of putting on Netflix and scrolling your phone at the same time? You are not alone. Double screening means you aren’t fully immersed in either activity, which results in less enjoyment from either activity. Choose one screen at a time.
ALERTS OFF
Slow down to recognize why you reach for your tech. The habitual check and scroll is a sneaky habit that is hard to break without space to notice. Strategies to slow yourself could be to move your apps, change your password, or move your device further away.
Gone are the days when every contact in your list had its own ringtone. But having your phone on silent is only half the battle, when it comes to distraction. Constant alerts from messages, emails, and app notifications can cause stress. Remove as many alerts as you can by changing your phone settings.
UNFOLLOW With so much media available constantly, it is up to us to influence our consumption as best we can. If you are following news outlets, social media accounts, or others online that are making you feel bad about yourself, it’s time to unfollow to remove unneeded negativity.
INVESTIGATE YOUR IMPULSE
NO PHONE ZONES Create spaces in your home or workplace that are decided no phone zones, so that you have places where it is understood that technology is not needed. A meditation room, the dinner table, the communal breakroom are all places where phones can be banned.
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7 Ways to Bounce Back from Disappointment Seven of our favorite ways to bounce back from the ineviatable set back. If you have these tools in your toolkit to help recover from life's curve balls, you may think differently about risk vs. reward.
Female Founded: Pineapple Collaborative If you are looking to add female founded products to your pantry, look no further. A “where are they now” style update on female founders who spoke at past Rebelle Con, our boutique conference experience, coming back this November.
7 Ways to Combat Decision Fatigue If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not along. Here is what you can do. Not only are you living through a global pandemic, having your attention pulled by technology and social media, you also have more choices and options than ever before.
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she let go
by Saphire Rose
She let go. She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go. She let go of the fear. She let go of the judgments. She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head. She let go of the committee of indecision within her. She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go. She didn’t ask anyone for advice. She didn’t read a book on how to let go. She didn’t search the scriptures. She just let go. She let go of all of the memories that held her back. She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward. She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right. She didn’t promise to let go. She didn’t journal about it. She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer. She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper. She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. She just let go. She didn’t analyze whether she should let go. She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter. She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment. She didn’t call the prayer line. She didn’t utter one word. She just let go. No one was around when it happened. There was no applause or congratulations. No one thanked her or praised her. No one noticed a thing. Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go. There was no effort. There was no struggle. It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad. It was what it was, and it is just that. In the space of letting go, she let it all be. A small smile came over her face. A light breeze blew through her. And the sun and the moon shone forevermore…