Name: Emily-Ann Elliott
Age: 30
Location: UK
Online homes: The Grownup Gap Year // Twitter // Facebook
Favorite Karina dress: I’m new to the Karina brand but love the look of The Audrey – it’s so cute and girly, perfect for travelling!
What are your every day, must-reads, online or off?
I’m a journalist so I have to begin my day with a flick through the newspapers – I hate not knowing what’s going on in the world! I love reading about other people’s travels so I like to check out blogs like Elle Croft and Cookie Sound. If I’m in the mood for a sweet treat then I visit the gorgeous The Vagabond Baker blog and every Monday I read my friend’s brilliant blog about being a mum: You Can Take Her Home Now. I also love books and am currently reading Paul Theroux’s Ghost Train to the Eastern Star for the Twitter book club I set up which uses the hashtag #travelbookclub.
Why is long term travel important for all of us – not just 20-somethings?
For me travel is about exploring new places, meeting new people and experiencing things you would never get the chance to experience back at home. I think that sometimes as we get older we get caught up in day to day life and we don’t take the time to slow down and look around us. As I approached the last year of my 20s I decided that I wanted it to be a big adventure. So I planned my 30b430 trip, doing 30 things around the world I’d always wanted to do. During the course of nine months I travelled through nine countries, crossing things off my list including trekking the Inca Trial in Peru, diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and standing on the Great Wall of China. Having worked for a number of years beforehand, I think I appreciated the trip so much more than I did when I travelled in my teens. Since returning home I’ve set up The Grown Up Gap Year blog as I strongly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to travel – no matter what their age.
Can you tell us three things that you learned after traveling for so long?
I think the biggest one is to trust in the kindness of strangers. We’re often led to believe that the world is a frightening place; that bad people lurk around every corner. But I have lost count of the number of times when I have been helped out by strangers – from little old ladies in Japan to an entire family in Colombia. I’ve also learnt that you can live quite simply when you take away all of the things you think you need. When you’re travelling, each day is broken down into three simple questions: Where am I going? How am I going to get there? Where will I sleep tonight? Oh, and I can now pack a backpack in three minutes flat!
If you could give your 16 year old self advice, what would you say?
A question I read recently, and one I now try to live by is: What would you do if you weren’t scared about what other people would say? I think I’d tell my 16 year old self that this is a good way to make choices in life, as it’s amazing how simple decisions become when you stop worrying about what other people will think.
Your perfect day. What would it look like?
It would begin by waking up in a city I’d never been to before, enjoying a leisurely breakfast and then setting out to explore. I’d spend the day seeing the sights, taking photographs and talking to the locals. Food is always an important part of my trip so I’d get a good recommendation for dinner and spend the evening enjoying a nice meal, with good company.
Thanks so much for sharing, Emily-Ann!
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Name: Sheri Ann Ponzi
Age: 43
Location: Kingston, NY
Online homes: Painting Herself Into Being // facebook
Favorite Karina dress: Sophie
How you know Karina: I was given one of her dresses 2 years ago and fell in love!
What are your every day, must-reads, online or off?
I actually don’t have daily “must reads” outside of the wonderful postings of the women in my online courses. But I usually have at least 4 books going at once. Right now I am reading Women Who Run With the Wolves, Dance of the Dissident Daughter, The Great Work of Your Life, and The Heart of Business (among many others!!). I am a bit of a book addict.
You’re a self-taught artist. When did you start painting? Tell us more about your journey!
I should say that while I haven’t had formal art school training, I have been taught and mentored by several amazing artists from around the world, mostly through online courses (like the ones I facilitate now). I took my first official painting course in 2011 with Shiloh Sophia McCloud and it completely changed my life. Fast forward to now — I paint and run online art and spirit workshops for women around the world, and show my work in local venues. I get to do what I love all day, every day!
Where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes mostly from the energies of the Divine Feminine. I paint from my imagination/vision/intuition, rather than from “real life”. I love the ocean, hearts, the female form, symbols of The Divine, magical places, and lots of color. I usually have no idea where a painting is going to end up when I start — and I like it better that way.
If you could give your 16 year old self advice, what would you say? >
I love you just the way you are. Follow your heart. You know what to do. Be your BIGGEST self. It gets SO MUCH better. You’ve GOT this!
Your perfect day. What would it look like?
Oh! A good question. I wake up in a cozy bed with my husband in my bedroom overlooking the ocean. I have a fabulous breakfast with Vietnamese coffee. I paint all day in my outdoor studio overlooking the ocean and then play on the beach with my sons. Perfection. It’ll happen some day…
Thanks so much for sharing, Sheri Ann!
photo credit Tamme Stitt Photography
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Name: Sarah Feinbloom
Age: 47
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Online homes: facebook // website // indiegogo
Favorite Karina dress:
Marissa
How you know Karina?
My friends are all talking about her figure celebrating fashion!
What are your every day, must-reads, online or off?
The New Yorker, Salon.com and People Magazine - because I’m planning for my future red carpet photo shoot extravaganza!
You create documentaries and films about social causes. What cause is close to your heart at the moment?
Our company, www.sarafinaproductions.com, has been making documentaries about many important causes for the last 20 years. Right now we’re thinking a lot about women, water and the environment, and the importance of including women’s voices on the local, national and international level regarding water policy and the environment.
Our current documentary project, Water Woman, tells the inspiring story of a sustainable agro-forestry community project in Trinidad, West Indies, called Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project. Led by a charismatic Rastafarian woman, Akilah Jaramogi, Fondes Amandes community members act as stewards of the forests and waters on 150 acres and have replanted 60,000 seedlings over the past thirty years. The community is regularly visited by international dignitaries and Akilah is heralded as the Wangari Maathai of Trinidad. Our short film will chronicle the story of Akilah, the Fondes Amandes villagers, and their remarkable achievements, serving as an educational, activist and inspirational tool for students, educators, NGOs and other communities worldwide.
How can people get involved and help?
There are so many ways to get involved in the Water Woman project. Here are just a few:
* Buy one of the Karina dresses that they have so generously donated to our campaign.
* Like our Facebook page and/or post about our project on your own Facebook page and let you’re friends know about it too.
* Tell us how you conserve water, share your water conservation tips with us.
* Consider making a small (or large) donation to our Indiegogo campaign to support our editing of the film.
* Join our team as a producer, find out more on our Indiegogo page.
* Connect us with environmental organizations that you belong to.
* Share ideas where we can show the film when it’s finished.
* Sign up to host a screening event for those who care about women and water in your area, perhaps for a local community or religious group.
·Or contact us directly to talk about your ideas, we’re always open to great ideas!
If you could give your 16 year old self advice, what would you say?
Eat! Be outside! Move your body! And love your curves!
Your perfect day. What would it look like?
A day filled with creativity, community, beauty, dancing and music sounds pretty perfect to me.
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Name: Courtney Carver
Age: 43
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Online homes: Project 333 // Twitter // Facebook
What are your every day, must-reads, online or off?
I’ve never read the bible from cover to cover, so I am doing that this year, a little bit every day. There is nothing else that I read every day.
You help your clients simplify their lives. What are three really easy things we can all do to make our lives more simple?
1. Stop “checking in” – Checking Email, Facebook or other digital communication without taking action is just added distraction and mental clutter. Open email when you are ready to thoughtfully respond.
2. Develop a morning routine that doesn’t include phones, computers or ithings. Start your day with intention instead of plugging in.
3. Dress with less. Identify a few core items in your wardrobe and develop a simple style instead of keeping up with trends.
How will simplicity affect one’s life?
Simplicity will affect people differently but some common benefits include: more time, more space, clarity to identify what really matters. Simplicity in my life has provided all of those things along with ability to do work I love and the ability to engage in meaningful conversations with people I love instead of feeling distracted or scattered.
If you could give your 16 year old self advice, what would you say?
You don’t need to buy one more thing to be happy and there is nothing you can buy that will deliver long term happiness. You have enough. You are enough.
Your perfect day. What would it look like?
I enjoy lots of perfect days lately and they include spending time with people I love, getting outside to hike or onto a yoga mat, making time to write and create and working with awesome, caring, creative people.
Thanks so much for sharing, Courtney!
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Based out of New York City and Canada, Cinny is the mommy to JR and Baby Pom. When not working or studying full time, she can be found working on Whirlwind of Surprises or cuddling with her hubby and playing with her dogs. She shines in the warm company of friends and family and enjoys playing with her 3 little nephews.
Continuing with our Frockstar adventures at the 2013 Toy Fair and we’ve been missing a little something.My favorite techie and geek items! Let’s start with Romo, my cute pet robot! You plug in your iphone to the base and it becomes a little bot that you can drive around with your iPad. So cute and I love it’s angry expression. It shakes and fumes when it’s mad.
It’s all fun and games with these miniature foosball and air hockey tables! I need one of these for my future game room.
The latest and coolest entertainment system from Activision, Skylanders. You’ve got to have heard of it. They’re coming out with Swap Force this year and it is pretty amazing. Can you find the Frockstar in the pictures?
My friends at V-Tech have the cutest new toys that teach and allow for fun. Check out this adorable airplane and interactive track system.
One of my favorite V-Tech toys though was their Switch and Go Dinos! Who doesn’t love dinos?
My fashion half and my Disney lover half have merged with the new line of Monsters University products. Check out these sweet Monsters U skater shoes from Etnies. Must get my hands on those!
I hope you’ve enjoyed our adventures at the Toy Fair. Join us next time for more Frockstar adventures.
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Name: Kat Leonard
Age: Old enough to know better and young enough to do it anyway!
Location: Toronto
Online homes: Twitter // Website // Youtube // Facebook
Favorite Karina dress: I don’t own a Karina dress, but by sight my faves are Ruby, Rita, and Clara.
How you know Karina: Twitter!
What are your everyday must-reads, online or off?
My only must-reads are my email and Twitter feeds. Through that I sift through many blogs. I enjoy blogs that use words and/or images to share humour, inspiration and/or tips. One I find usually has all of the above isLifehacker.
Tell us about Wonderfest.
WonderFest is a weeklong celebration during International Women’s Week March 4-8, 2013 in Toronto. It aims to spread empowerment through art. We have four free workshops and two concerts involving approximately 50 wonder women and super men of varied media. With WonderFest, we at LMG Productions (Executive Producer Arlene Paculan and Artistic Director Kat Leonard) hope to provide a valuable wealth of resources, education and encouragement, a place for every individual to connect, cultivate and celebrate. More info on our website: WonderWomenWorld
We currently have an online campaign leading up to WonderFest where we’re spreading empowerment through art… one word at a time. We are asking individuals to choose a word that represents empowerment to them, take a picture with that word and Tweet to @LMGProductions More detailed instructions here: Spreading empowerment through art.
What do you hope to accomplish through your work?
Through my work I hope to share with others a hardy laugh, a wink of common truth and a spark of motivation.
If you could give your 16 year old self advice, what would you say? Eat the chips if you want the chips. Leave the chips if you don’t want the chips. Play sports to become fit instead of waiting to be fit to play sports. It is your responsibility to let your light shine and not to stifle it for fear of casting shadows. Focus on what can go right. What’s most important is what you do today.
Your perfect day. What would it look like?
In the morning—but not too early morning: Kraft Smooth Peanut Butter is dripping off a cheese Oakrun English muffin twice toasted… when it’s done, I lick the drops of peanut butter off the plate… a mug full of at least 20 ounces of hot amber-coloured coffee warms my hands as I cradle it while pondering… sitting in my comfy red chair by the big front window with joyful sunlight beaming in and infusing me with hope for the day. It’s quiet but for a few delightful birds at the feeders outside. They sing and never squawk.
In the afternoon: Reading a scrumptious book of adventure riddled with gorgeous language and wit… still basking in that joyful sunlight while a fresh-scented candle with a wooden wick crackles in the background. A bag of Zesty Cheese Doritos is at my side.
Later in the afternoon: Exploring creative expression on my own or with a co-conspirator writing, recording or editing music, words, and/or video.
In the eve: Pizza for dinner—well-done, extra sweet sauce, pepperoni, bacon, roasted garlic, pineapple, basil, more bacon.
Performing in a live show where I get to play a 20-minute set for a worthy cause on the same bill as k.d. lang, Madonna, Jann Arden, Lady Gaga and The Dan Band. The night is filled with friends new and old whirling in revelry of laughter and dancing. There would be beer too.
Johnny Depp kisses me out of nowhere. Obviously I kiss him back, because I wouldn’t want to seem ungrateful.
As the day ends: I am snuggled in bed watching a clever TV series back to back (will accept the likes of Game Of Thrones, Flight of the Conchords, Golden Girls, anything Ricky Gervais/Steven Merchant) while getting my head rubbed. I drift easily into a lengthy sweet sleep while promising myself that tomorrow I will eat healthy and work out.
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Based out of New York City and Canada, Cinny is the mommy to JR and Baby Pom. When not working or studying full time, she can be found working on Whirlwind of Surprises or cuddling with her hubby and playing with her dogs. She shines in the warm company of friends and family and enjoys playing with her 3 little nephews.
Our Frockstar adventures at Toy Fair continue with well, can you guess from this picture?
Warm and fuzzy items! DIY items and all sorts of fun, yummy things! These goodies look amazing and I want to eat them even now.
Unfortunately, it’s all made out of PlayDoh Plus, Hasbro’s new PlayDoh line. They sure make a mean cupcake though.
How does the magic happen? With this nifty little machine. I even crafted my own masterpiece.
For the designers out there, who’d like to design their own patterns on anything! Check out Blingles. Add your bling to anything!
Pet lover? Pinkie Cooper is back with her pet dog. Yes, she is a dog with a dog…a fashionable one though. You can switch out her hair style and outfit and the her pup’s hair? ear? style.
With more switching and DIY fun is Inkoos with their newest Switcheroo fun! Draw and design your Inkoos however you’d like.
Last but not least from Hasbro is the return of the Easy Bake Oven. Look at all the goodies it makes!
Now, I’m hungry, so I’m over and out. See you for the last day of the Toy Fair!
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Name: April
Age: I never share three things: My age, my dessert and my husband.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Online homes: Just Verte Style.
Favorite Karina dress: I don’t own one because no boutique owner in Georgia has discovered Karina Dresses yet. We need to correct that!
How you know Karina? By way of a fellow blogger, Bella of Citizen Rosebud.
What are your every day, must-reads, online or off? First thing in the morning, the Wall Street Journal, just to make sure the world is still in operation and no one has blown up the Eiffel Tower. Then the local papers, then the New York Times online. Then, I check my blog and my list of fellow bloggers’ latest posts. It is now 6am and time to jump in the shower and get my own world in operation.
You write about fashion for the 40+ set. Do you think there are any trends that should be limited to the 20-somethings of the world?
Anyone over 21 should avoid: skirts that end 4 inches below the crotch; tops with necklines so low they make a sailor blush; 5-6 inch heels and wedges that force you to walk like Frankenstein’s monster; tri-colored hairstyles; or tattoos of anything that will embarrass you when you’re fifty.
You work as an antiques dealer. How do you spot a great find?
Lord, this is a hard one to answer in just a few words. It’s like any other skill…time, study, patience, research. I learned what I know (and still am learning today) by reading books and magazines, visiting museums, and stopping into the best antiques shops in New York (my home town) and talking with the dealers there. Back in the day, many of them were kindly, elderly English or French gentlemen who were delighted to talk to a young girl eager to learn. Dealers are treasures. They love what they’re doing, love what they’re selling, and most love to talk, too! Don’t be intimidated by the up- town address or the beautiful antiques. They’re put there for you to enjoy…and perhaps purchase. Dealers love that! Trust me.
If you could give your 16 year old self advice, what would you say ?
Learn French. It might come in handy in twenty years. And listen to your parents. Turns out they were right and really DID know what was best for you.
Your perfect day. What would it look like?
It’s early May. I’m in Avignon in Provence at 7am in the morning. The sun is just rising the clear blue sky. The market is open, and I’m strolling among stalls, basket over my arm, sampling and buying cheese and bread and fruit. Another vender is opening dozens of boxes of espadrilles, in all the colors of the rainbow and they’re all only 8EU! I buy six pair. Suddenly, a heavenly scent teases me. Fresh ground coffee! A little café off the square is serving café au lait and croissants. I settle down for a leisurely cup and contentedly lean back in my chair. People pass by, pigeons gather on the ground begging for crumbs…and my darling husband sits across from me. We’re relaxed, we’re in love, and we’re in the South of France!
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Based out of New York City and Canada, Cinny is the mommy to JR and Baby Pom. When not working or studying full time, she can be found working on Whirlwind of Surprises or cuddling with her hubby and playing with her dogs. She shines in the warm company of friends and family and enjoys playing with her 3 little nephews.
Our Frockstar adventures at Toy Fair continue with all things pink, or almost all things pink and girly!Who’s missing from this hot pink Mega Bloks car?
Barbie! Oops, or is it this Frockstar?
Speaking of Barbie, Mattel is coming out with a lot of new Barbie goodies for your inner diva. Check out this make-up free make-up palette. Use your magic pen to pick your colors and apply eye shadow, lip color and more. Move and the make-up moves with you on the screen.
Now this is hot! Why don’t they have fashion items like this for real people? Color and design Barbie’s dress to whatever pattern you’d like.
For the little ones, there’s an adorable pony set by Mattel that moves down a ramp on it’s own using the power of gravity!
Monsters High fans are sure to get a treat with these dolls that have cool light up functions. There’s even a line where the body parts change color with warmth or cold.
Any diva needs to style their hair properly and with Wild Stylz, you can do just that!
Okay, personally, pink is cute but I have a need for speed and this pinball style Hot Wheels track is just my style.
Back to the cutesy things…electronic robot dogs are definitely in this year. I saw about 3-4 different styles at the Toy Fair and yes, there’s a pink version. See it behind the white one?
Ending the day with a hug from this loveable guy!
Come back soon for Day 3!
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Name: Jess Lively
Age: 28
Online homes: JessLively, with-intention, Twitter
How you know Karina: I believe I met someone with the company through Twitter!
What are your every day, must-reads, online or off?
Great question! A Course in Miracles, Oh Joy, Elements of Style, and currently The 4-Hour Workweek.
You make every effort to “live with intention.” What does that mean and how does this affect your life?
It means that I try to “begin with the end in mind” with almost everything that I do. I think about what is really, truly most important to me and then I design my habits, hobbies, and actions around these intentions.
It’s not a perfect process and things evolve over time. But so far it’s going really well for me!
You also advocate for life ‘makeunders.’ How does one ‘makeunder’ their life?
Yes! It’s really the process of figuring out what you really want to have in your life, letting go of the excess, and bringing in the intentional. To do a makeunder involves four main steps (you can use these for your closet, home, career, relationships, you name it). You start with creating a vision. Then you exfoliate the unnecessary. After that you identify the intentional obsessions and lastly, evolve over time.
If you could give your 16 year old self advice, what would you say?
I’ve actually written a whole letter to myself as I was graduating college. But beyond that, I would tell myself to relax, enjoy the ride, and realize that the most important decisions you make will be the hardest, but they will also be the most worthwhile in the end.
Your perfect day. What would it look like?
It would look like a relaxing morning with my Hubba (Mr. Lively) and my Puppa (Franklin) in bed. Then we’d go to brunch and do a bit of shopping. After an afternoon nap, we’d go to a great burger place and drink craft beer with friends. I know it doesn’t sound crazy, but to me, that’s a pretty awesome life.
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