The Cool Kicks Our C&C Team Is Wearing to Strut Confidently Into the New Decade
Let’s do this.
This post is in paid partnership with Vince Camuto.
Mindy Kaling will be the first to tell you that she wasn’t born with confidence or as she calls it that “bulletproof feeling”—it was earned. Just hearing that makes us all sigh a little in relief, and yet it also makes us acutely aware of the work that needs to be done to acquire it. One quick and simple solution is via the outfit you wear to work. There’s no denying the transformative power of a killer outfit to summon confidence and self-assurance—what that outfit is, however, is different for everyone. So, in our series, Strong Suit we ask people we admire what they wear to work and how it makes them feel.
Photo: Courtesy of Create & Cultivate
With all of the travel and long hours we spend on our feet at the conferences and summits we host, the Create & Cultivate team needs comfortable work shoes. But just because we seek comfort doesn’t mean we should compromise on style. Fusing function with fashion in footwear is key because when we walk into a room, we want to enter it with confidence and assurance.
So, this year, we’re kicking off a new decade in style with the help of our friends at Vince Camuto. Their collection of stylish yet supportive shoes and boots is perfect for leading a meeting with certainty or kicking our heels up with friends on the weekend. Read on to learn about the shoes our C&C team is wearing to work this year to feel comfortable and confident.
Sacha Strebe, Editorial Director
Vince Camuto Leetey Flared-Heel Pump
$50
Why I Love Them: “There is something so classic about the design of this shoe. It’s minimal in style with a medium heel to take any simple work outfit to the next level.”
How It Makes Me Feel: “I always feel confident wearing these heels because they have that hint of fun while also looking professional at the same time.”
Megan Beauchamp, Managing Editor, agrees:
The Shoe: The Leetey Flared Pump
Why I Love Them: “They’re timeless yet on-trend with a flared heel that sets them apart from all the other black pumps currently in my closet.”
How They Make Me Feel: “Confident, which makes them ideal for an outfit that needs to transition from the office to after-work drinks.”
Alyssa Sage, Marketing Manager
Vince Camuto Marinsa Woven D’Orsay Flat
$70
Why I Love Them: “I’m all about versatility, and the Marinsa delivers it. The style is elevated and can easily be transitioned from office to after hours.”
How It Makes Me Feel: “Confident and ready to take on whatever the workday brings.”
Carly Johnson, Sr. Director Brand Marketing
Vince Camuto Corrine Over-The-Knee Boot
Why I Love Them: “These boots can be worn for so many occasions and take any outfit from the office to dinner. Styled with a high waisted, ankle-length silk skirt and a fun belt to accessorize and I’m ready to jump-start my day.”
How It Makes Me Feel: “These boots mean business and when I feel comfortable in the shoes I’m wearing, I have even more confidence in myself.”
Nairi Najarian, Sr. Director Digital Marketing
Vince Camuto Leddenta Knit Sneaker
$40
Why I Love Them: “Whenever the C&C team is traveling to conferences or summits (and that’s quite often!), comfort is king, especially when it comes to airport outfits. I always rely on sneakers, loose-fit leggings or joggers, a cropped pullover and an oversized denim jacket. Too comfortable can start to look sloppy, so I love finding pieces that incorporate structure and cook shapes. I love that the Leddenta Knit Sneaker’s comfy tech knit offers the welcome wiggle room and the chunky, Dad-sneaker sole that pulls a travel outfit together.”
How It Makes Me Feel: “I was nervous about Dad sneakers once upon a time, mainly because it felt like I was breaking the rules of traditional office attire—not the case anymore! They’re really fun, and keep me on my toes when planning travel outfits.”
Maeve Casey, Account Manager, agrees:
Why I Love Them: “I am all about comfort and something I can dress up or down. I love the Leddenta sneaker for this reason. They are so comfy yet stylish. Also, you can never go wrong with a black sneaker.”
How It Makes Me Feel: “I wear the Leddenta sneaker to work because I can run around the office or onsite at our events in these all day but can pair with a slip dress to create an edgy and confident look.”
Alexis Futterman, Junior Event Producer
Vince Camuto Frasitta Perforated Bootie
$65
Why I Love Them: “I love that the heel isn’t too high, but it is still a classy bootie that can go with multiple different looks.”
How It Makes Me Feel: “This shoe can elevate my outfit to another level, while also being comfortable.”
To shop more Vince Camuto styles, visit VinceCamuto.com
Why We're Celebrating the Good (and the Bad) From 2019 and Stepping Boldly Into the New Year
See inside our cocktail party during the Vision Summit in Miami.
In paid partnership with Steve Madden.
The year that was 2019 is almost over and yes, it was definitely challenging at times but we all know that out of change and failure comes growth, right? And ultimately, that stretching and persistence to get through the bad times with the good is what will take us to the next stage in our career, and our lives.
So, we decided to celebrate the many tests and stumbles we experienced last year by partnering with our friends at Steve Madden during our Vision Summit in Miami. We want to encourage everyone to put the year behind them and step boldly into 2020 with confidence and style.
We invited local visionaries, bosses, and founders to join us and clink champagne in celebration of our achievements while enjoying the stunning collection from Steve Madden footwear. Click through the gallery below to see all the fun photos from the night and head to the comments to let us know how you’re stepping boldly into the New Year.
Sh*t Talk: The Politics of Office Pooping
Behind closed stalls.
photo credit: @ohbabuska
By Jane Helpern
Everybody poops. Yes, even your impossibly chic, Comme des Garçons-clad CFO who has never worn the same blouse twice even though each is basically indiscernible from the next in all its starchy-white-glory (I mean, who knew a top could have such an overt air of superiority?). Yes, even she hits her rock-ribbed-yet-stylish mid-century modern couch after a long day of donning judgmental ensembles, and with a pair of Outdoor Voices joggers and a bottle of red, farts gleefully along to the bachelorette before lavishing at least four different serums unto her face before bed.
Sure *logically* we know that evacuating one’s bowels is a normal, healthy, and detoxifying part of the morning routine (and sometimes afternoon and/or night, depending on schedule/green juice intake). And yet, when it comes to doo-doo-ing the deed at the workplace— where so many of us devote 8-12 hours of our day—women are crippled by anxiety and shame, and guilty of holding it to the point of agony, constipation, toot trails (you know, the kind that seep out en route to the toilets), or worse.
“Holding in your poo on the rare occasion is fine, but [shouldn’t be] done all the time,” says Alison Chen, N.D., and author of What Your Poo Says About You. Chen notes that among the unwanted side effects of keeping clenched are constipation, colon damage, and unnecessary strain when the urge inevitably strikes again in a more familiar setting. Furthermore, by burying the urge deep inside you risk missing out on the euphoric sensation gastroenterologist Dr. Anish Sheth refers to as "poo-phoria”— an exultant trifecta of chills, sweating, and lightheadedness triggered by a particularly rewarding bowel movement stimulating the vagus nerve, which Sheth says can cause a feeling of “sublime relaxation.”
Despite chasing the ever-elusive poo-gasm, between unpleasant acoustics, the fear of having your new Gucci's spotted beneath poorly engineered stalls that leave more room for snooping than actual pooping (cue George Costanza’s infamous Seinfeld rant), and the nightmare that is getting stuck at the sink alongside your manager to whom you owe an email (when the only reason you’re even going through the motion of washing your hands in the first place is so she doesn’t think you’re an unsanitary cavewoman), the communal office bathroom can cause even the most open-minded sphincter to snap shut.
To get to the bottom (hehe) of this widespread workplace phobia, we chatted with professional women across several career trajectories to get their poo-cents on office pooping protocol: why it’s sh*tty, how to hack it, and why secret bathrooms are a feminist issue!
Cindy Gallop, Founder and Former chair of the US branch of advertising firm Bartle Bogle Hegarty, and founder of the IfWeRanTheWorld and MakeLoveNotPorn
Now, I'm actually fortunate in that I work for myself and I work from home, so I don't encounter this issue as much as I used to in corporate life, but as and when I do in a shared female bathroom environment, I have to admit that even I am prone to doing all those things we do as women in this context:
Putting toilet paper in the bowl first so no 'plopping' sounds are heard
Flushing the toilet during so no sounds are heard
If there is someone else in the bathroom or the neighboring stall, waiting in the hope they will leave the bathroom first
Flushing several times in the course of the operation to reduce odor
I'm assuming men do none of these things (not least because of their proclivity to treat this as a real occasion deserving of lingering, reading, being on their phone, playing games etc - and yes, I mean in the office as much as at home) and I think our behavior is as much us being considerate of other women/people, as embarrassment we feel ourselves.
An editor at a Condé Nast style publication
I have a secret pooping bathroom. That's basically how I handle pooping at work. Obviously not every workplace has this luxury but when you work in a building with 90 floors and have access to pretty much all of them, you find yourself a relatively underutilized/secret, private restroom. I actually discovered mine on my first day — it's on a different floor from my office and reserved for fancy executive board room meetings, which rarely ever happen on this particular floor and these fancier bathrooms have stalls that are way more private, so even if someone does enter the space you're still way more secluded. I personally do not care if someone else is pooping in a public restroom while I'm in it — that's literally what bathrooms are for — but I feel like other people get weirded out and then I get stage fright. So even though traveling to poop is longer, it takes less time overall since it's much more relaxing to go in near complete privacy and comfort.
"I have a secret pooping bathroom. That's basically how I handle pooping at work."
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An IT Senior Associate
You know how in a shared bathroom, sometimes you know who is in there? Or like when people want to talk to you when you’re on the toilet? My manager does that sometimes. And I remember needing to poop and she’s talking to me and I had that moment of ‘“do I drop this or try to hold it in there.” Like, we’re in our stalls. It’s not for talking about work. It’s for personal business. So, I pooped. And it wasn’t quiet. And she stopped talking.
Kejal Macdonald, VPee of Marketing, Icon
At Icon HQ we don't believe in TMI, so nothing is taboo, including poo. While I have no problem talking about my bowel to bowl movements, I do need privacy to actually do the doo. Our shared bathroom is a little too high traffic for my colon, so I retreat to a more private commode two floors up. To avoid sphincter stage fright my ideal setting is a completely empty bathroom and a full Instagram feed.
Arianna Schioldager, Editor-in-Chief, Create Cultivate
After childbirth, nothing is embarrassing. And TBH, I don't have time to play the I'm pretending to throw out a tampon even though I'm not on my period game. Just poop and get over it. You're calling more attention to yourself rustling around in there. Plus, it is a construct of the patriarchy that women don't poop. If you really want to resist, start pooping everywhere.
"It's a construct of the patriarchy that women don't poop. If you really want to resist, start pooping everywhere."
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Jane Helpern, Freelance Writer and Editorial Director
Pooping affects my mood, productivity, and energy. Which is why overtime (and after many in-house jobs) I’ve learned that the pros of pooping when you gotta outweigh the cons of being put on blast, while you blast. I used to work for a fashion brand where everyone always wore super distinct, designer shoes. The bathrooms—as nice as they were with their incense diffusers, plants, and artisanal soaps—still had those giant gaps under the stalls and you could identify everyone by their fancy footwear.
For a while, I tried to keep my feet elevated so as to maintain anonymity, but literally my abs would tremble and I couldn’t relax. I’m a big proponent of the courtesy flush to drown out as much noise and odor as possible, and I’ll admit that I’m probably single handedly responsible for the California drought by leaving the sink running to conceal any embarrassing sounds if I’m in a stall that’s precariously located in close proximity to where others are hanging out. I think girls pooping is one of the last remaining taboos, now that we've dealt with bleeding and body hair. It’s okay to be polite—no need to start ripping rancid farts in public—but don’t let the patriarchal expectations of female hygiene come at the expense of your gastrointestinal well-being.
"I’ve learned that the pros of pooping when you gotta outweigh the cons of being put on blast, while you blast."
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Jacqueline Frances, Author, Comedian & Stripper
As far as going number two, man, I've never really put much thought into it. I'm one of those lucky ones who can go anywhere (didn't know that was a thing until Broad City). I just try to have some solid reading material with me, and set up a little crown of TP along the seat and go for it. Like most comedians, I'm pretty sure my best jokes were developed on the shitter.
Zarna Surti, Founder, Tonal Magazine
Ahh, the office poo. Here's the deal: I'm actually very regular—the morning is like clockwork for me, so I'm usually able to handle my business before my morning commute. But, like everyone else, I'm only human and sometimes things get a little tricky.
I used to work in an office where I could set up the amazing 'sneaky worky poop.' What does that mean exactly? There was a secret Pepto-Bismol-colored haven that only had 4 stalls, so if I timed it out perfectly, I would end up in a state of solo bliss. But my new workplace? Not so much. We work in an open loft with one bathroom right next to the CEO's office. Needless to say, that shit (sorry, my humor resembles that of a 13-year-old teenage boy) can get really weird, really quickly. Also, the only couch and refrigerator are right outside of the restroom, so any weird smells leave you as the only culprit.
What do we want? Secret bathrooms. When do we want them? NOW, please, for your sake and mine. Also, an assorted magazine rack wouldn't hurt either.
"What do we want? Secret bathrooms. When do we want them? NOW, please, for your sake and mine."
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An Associate Creative Director at a New York Agency
Pooping is the first thing I do every morning. I have trained myself to do that, so I don’t really have to go during the day. I’ve always had so much anxiety about going in public stall style bathrooms. I would hold it in and be uncomfortable all day. My friend told me she had a scheduled pooping time in the morning, so one day I tried it and realized you can actually train yourself to do it. Luckily, if I have to go at work, we have single stalls with real doors....so I'm ok to go in those. But I usually won’t go in shared stalls with the walls not to the floor. Unless it’s an airport, I don’t mind there.
Have any tales from the toilet you want to share? Chime in below!
Jane Helpern is a freelance writer, copywriter, and founder of Jane Says Agency. She enjoys helping brands find their voice, writing about fashion and feminism, and walking-at-an-incline-with-wine™
This story was originally published on December 17, 2017 and has since been updated.
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#GirlCrush: 5 Small Business Owners We're Loving This Month
You’re gonna want one of everything.
We’re so stoked to bring you another edition of #GirlCrush! This month, we’re sharing some amazing founders from the fashion, jewelry, fragrance, and design spaces. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t already have some of their product in our shopping carts…
Ana Sofia Gomez, Sofia Los Angeles
Ana Sofia got her entrepreneurial start when her full-time employer filed for bankruptcy. Not wanting to leave the fashion industry, she decided to go it alone and launched Sofia Los Angeles—and now she’s got a cult following thanks to her 3D floral set.
Brooke Reynolds, Socialite Pink
After eight years as a commercial real estate attorney, Brooke Reynolds decided to leave it all behind to bring her dream of starting a jewelry company to life. Thus began Socialite Pink, a jewelry brand focused on making gorgeous hyper-functional jewelry, women encouraging women, and giving back to the community.
Carina Chaz, Dedcool
Named after Lauren’s Icelandic great-grandfather, Sigfus Jewelry began after she encountered a newfound obsession with polymer clay and started creating beautiful statement earrings. Oh, and Sigfus is a woman-owned and -operated company—holla!
Audrey De La Cruz, Annotated Audrey
Inspired by the desert surroundings in her home in Tucson, Audrey De La Cruz creates art, gifts, and accessories you’ll want to show off everywhere in your home. Plus, we’re pretty obsessed with her mission: “I strive to make art that people of all ages can enjoy because I firmly believe that art should be accessible.”
Come back next month to read all about our May girl crushes!
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#GirlCrush: 5 Small Business Owners We're Loving This Month
Want it, need it, gotta have it.
We’re back with a whole new #GirlCrush guard! (Missed it last month? Check it out here!) This month’s featured women are cool, creative entrepreneurs who are making waves in fashion, art, jewelry, and housewares. Check ‘em out below, and if you see something you like, click through to support their work! 💅🏼
Orixa Jones, Bad Girl Good Human
Orixa created Bad Girl Good Human, a carefully-curated clothing line, to encourage women to live outside the box, speak their truth, and embrace their duality. “I’m just here to relay the message,” she says.
Tina Huang, Ren·Vois
Few things are more relaxing than watching Tina make magic on the pottery wheel. Her line of sophisticated clay ceramics—in both warm neutrals and spunky shades like millennial pink—are about as Instagrammable as it gets.
Michelle Robinson, Mister Michelle
We’ve had a girl crush on Mister Michelle for years. Her paintings illustrate the female form in a way that feels both empowering and evocative. “Create based on what makes you feel alive,” Michelle says. “Never apologize to anyone for your personal transformations.”
Eloisa Ribeiro, The Wolf Nest
After struggling to find beautiful, high-quality bedding for her dogs, Eloisa launched The Wolf Nest to create her own. The company’s products are handmade from excess fabric that would otherwise wind up in landfills, and a portion of profits are donated to LA-based animal rescue centers.
Bliss Lau, Bliss Lau
Remember that amazing body chain Beyoncé wore in her Drunk In Love music video? Yep, that was Bliss’ work. On top of running her stunning eponymous jewelry line, Bliss also teaches workshops and branding classes around the world.
Who are your small biz #girlcrushes? Slide into our DMs with your faves!
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We Need to Talk: I Earn More Than My Partner
Talking double standards, gender dilemmas, and female breadwinners.
The wage gap is a battle that’s yet to be won, but there are many women who are bringing home more bacon than their significant others.
Married women are more likely than ever before to out-earn their husbands. According to a Pew study in 1960 just about 4% of married women were the primary provider in their family, whereas in 2013 that percentage increased by 20%. Rising education and employment levels contribute to this stat.
Despite the upswing in changes, the same study found that 74% of adults say that the increase in working women, particularly working mothers, has made it harder to raise children and harder for marriages to succeed.
So, we need to talk. We chatted anonymously with three women who are primary household breadwinners in various life stages about how they and their partners really feel about earning less.
A single mom in a relationship.
A married woman with two kids.
And a VP living with her fiancé.
Does earning more than your significant other affect your relationship?
Single mom: It comes in waves, honestly. There are some days when I can tell he’s uncomfortable with my success or that I don’t “need” him in the traditional sense.
Married woman: At this point, no. But I wasn’t always earning more so that power switch was difficult to get used to. That’s not to say money equals power, but for a long time the person in charge of the bank account was the one making all the decisions. In most cases, that was a man. Banks wouldn’t even loan women money or let them sign for their own credit cards in the ‘70s. I don’t know why we expect this not to be difficult for men. They’ve been told and conditioned to behave one way— and there is a shift among Millennials, sure, but change is uncomfortable. If you watched your parents behave one way or the other it’s hard to break from that mindset.
VP: This is tough because he’s also successful. When I was dating there were men who wanted a woman in a more traditional role. Logical or not, there are men who want to wear those proverbial pants. I get it, I like wearing the pants too. But I’d like to think that part of the reason we’re getting married is because he values my work ethic and my success. I’d like to think it affects my relationship in a positive way. He supports me and values me.
Do you think men in general are uncomfortable with a female breadwinner?
Married woman: Yes. Like I said before this is slow shift. A long rolling after-shock. Things are moving and shaking, but in the process books are going to fall off the shelves and jars in the pantry will break. Nothing changes without a little— or a lot — of discomfort.
Single mom: In general I don't think people want to be in relationships where there is a power play happening. I can only speak to my relationship but my boyfriend doesn’t believe that income reflects power in a relationship. I agree with him and at the same time I can’t help but wonder— if I’m being REALLY honest— he would feel the same way if he made more money. Money is weird. It makes men and women act weird. I don’t know any other way to explain it.
VP: We’re slowly moving out of the mindset that men are the providers and women are caregivers. There is no longer a “traditional” role. I don’t even know what that would look like— and that's confusing to people. Men and women. Confusion and uncomfortable generally go hand-in-hand. We’re all testing out new models and there’s no one person to point to and say, "they did it right!" And when we do point to a couple that “did it right,” it’s usually someone’s grandparents who have been married for 50 years and held very “traditional” roles. Which, again, is confusing, because most people don’t want what their grandparents had.
"There is no longer a 'traditional' role and that's confusing to people."
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Who pays when you go out to dinner? Or when you want to go on a vacation your partner can’t afford?
Single mom: We pay for what we can afford. And if one of us is uncomfortable, we say something. Communication is more important than who earns what. That’s a really annoying PC answer, but it’s also the truth. If we go out to dinner 10 nights and I’ve paid for 9 because I can afford it, I’ll say something. I expect an effort to be made on his part in ways that he can contribute. There are ways to support someone that are not financial. When one person isn’t making an effort, that’s a bigger problem than what’s in your bank account.
Married woman: I think it’s different when you’re married. Most successful couples have clearly defined financial roles and decide how they are going to split finances. My parents never fought about money because they had independent accounts and one account they contributed to that was a percentage of their earnings, not a lump sum. There’s no tit for tat in marriage and when there is, you’re probably getting divorced. You need to throw this notion of fair out the window. Be fair with your heart if you want your love to last.
VP: At the end of the day, if dinner is my suggestion or I’m taking him on a date, I pay. And vice versa. Does it work out to be an even split? No and I’m OK with that. MOST of the time. My love for him isn’t based in dollars. That doesn’t mean that emotions and money never get crossed. Somewhere at the intersection of the two there are arguments, feelings that get hurt, resentments. To pretend they are independent of each other would be over-simplifying.
Do you think women think of their income as “theirs,” where men have to think of their income as “ours?”
Married woman: Yes. There is a double standard 100%. Since women still earn less on the man’s dollar and are just now in the last decade or so occupying positions always held by men, I think there is this need to hoard or hold onto their income. We didn’t always have the opportunity to make money, so there’s an innate desire to keep it. Is that right? I don’t know. Women still feel the need to protect themselves.
VP: These are hard questions because I have to be honest about my relationship to gender roles. I want to be breadwinner. I like it. At the same time, I still like a man to open my door and take me on a date, and I don’t know, plunge the toilet. Men are expected to share more than women and I think women like it that way, without always reciprocating.
"I want to be the breadwinner, and at the same time, have the man to take me on a date."
Single mom: Ah. What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine. Yeah, there’s definitely some of that going on. I’ve talked to many of my friends about this, who are also higher or relatively equal earners. There are mixed feelings. Nothing is ever going to be an equal down-the-middle split. If anything, I think we should take this as a lesson that shifting roles are hard for both genders and perhaps be a little less angry when it doesn’t come easy. That’s not a particularly feminist thing to say.
Do you feel more in control in the relationship because you earn more money?
Single mom: I feel more in control of my own life. I feel able and competent which, in turn, creates a real confidence in me that I think is attractive to certain men. I don’t need to be in control of someone else, but I do like being in control of my own life. Knowing that if we broke up, I’d still be OK, able to pay my rent, feed my kid, go on small vacations. I don’t have a ton of expendable income, but I do fine on my own. I think that is empowering, more so than having “control” over another person. I don’t feel better than him because I earn more, I simply feel good about myself.
"I don’t feel better than him because I earn more, I simply feel good about myself."
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VP: I don’t think I’ve ever admitted this out loud but, yes. I’m sure that has to do with the relationship dynamics I witnessed between my parents. I had a stay-at-home mom and as much of a job as that is, you don’t earn anything. You’re essentially paid by your husband to take care of the kids and the home. For lack of a better term, you’re a kept woman. I was never going to be for keeping, and for better or worse, money is a part of that.
Married woman: If I was younger I might feel that way, but marriage is give and take, push and pull, and I know at any point the tables could turn. I would never want him to make me feel lesser than because I lost my job, or got fired, or who knows, life is messy. Money is complicated. Gender roles are complicated. Relationships and marriage, even more complicated. Put it all in a pot and there are good days and fucking god-awful ones. Sometimes that has to do with the all mighty dollar, but if you think you’re in control because you have more money, you should be single.
Do you make more than your partners? Sound-off in the comments below and join the convo.
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#GirlCrush: 5 Small Business Owners We're Loving This Month
We’ll take one of everything, please.
Here at C&C, we’re always coming across truly amazing women who are running cool, creative small businesses and shaking things up in their respective industries. Starting today, we’ll be sharing monthly roundups of these budding entrepreneurs, so you can get in on the party and support their work.
See who we’re inspired by right now below!
Jessica Young, Bubble
Jessica was working as a chef and head of product at meal delivery service Daily Harvest when she started building Bubble, a direct-to-consumer health food company. “Think Farfetch meets Erewhon, but available to everyone in the USA,” she says.
Ally Maki, Asian American Girl Club
After realizing that none of the clubs she was in as a child had any members that looked like her, Ally knew she wanted to create that community. She launched AAGC, an apparel company that redefines what it means to be an Asian woman. (We love their clothes, but we’re pretty obsessed with their marketing, too.)
Anishka Boozer, Gypsy BK
Jenna launched Vichcraft shortly after turning down her dream job in packaging design to pursue her own business full-time. She’s built quite the empire, working on projects for clients like Instagram, NPR, and Hillary for America on top of hosting workshops and selling apparel, prints, and accessories on her shop.
Liz Eichholz and Lindsey Johnson, Weezie
When Liz asked Lindsey an innocent question: "what towels do you use?" Lindsey responded "I actually hate my towels." And thus began Weezie, makers of the softest towels we’ve ever touched.
Come back next month to read all about our February girl crushes!
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12 Questions to Ask Yourself to Unearth Your Life's Mission
Turn your passion into purpose.
"What’s your overall goal?”
It's the first question I ask any entrepreneur, client, friend, (just about anyone) who is in the midst of a career transition or looking to start or grow a venture. I follow it up with, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? Life-wise.” The question is basic and BIG.
But answering that question, or at the very least attempting to answer that question, creates clarity; crystal clear or not, it's an important step in the right direction to figuring out Life with a capital "L." And guess what? Your business is part of that Life. So before nailing down a business mission, start with your life goals.
You don’t have to have the destination 100% set (if you do, awesome) but you do need a map so that when you get lost or head down a path less traveled and find yourself in parts unknown (which, is inevitable and healthy) you have a map to consult--to help you redirect and continue on.
Answer these 12 BIG LIFE questions and you'll find that in the process you'll get further clarity on your business mission as well.
1. Visualize yourself in 10 years. What do you see for yourself? What/who do you see yourself surrounded with? What do you see yourself doing?
2. What do you feel the most fearful of right now?
3. What are you willing to sacrifice to stay true to you? What are you okay saying “no” to?
4. What areas of your life are humming?
5. What areas of your life do you want to make changes in?
6. What do you wish you were doing more of that makes you happy?
7. What kinds of problems do you enjoy solving the most?
8. What about you makes you uniquely you?
9. What are your values?
10. Who are some other people in your life that you admire? Why?
11.What are some commonalities in the people that you are drawn to?
12. What aspects of who you are do people find energizing?
Alison Gilbert is a business coach and consultant. She’s helped over a dozen owners and entrepreneurs grow profitable businesses quickly and efficiently, including such companies as Well+Good, Levo League, Maiyet and Plum Alley. Prior to building her consultancy she was hire number four and COO of food media company Tasting Table where she grew it into a forty person team reaching a readership of millions. Visit her site and schedule a free consultation.
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How to Use Affirmations to Reach Your Career Goals
Put it out into the universe.
What do you think of when you hear about affirmations? Most people think affirmations can only be used for self-confidence and self-love. But the truth is, affirmations can be used to manifest your professional dreams as well.
The most common way to use affirmations is to say them out loud. Simply say them aloud one after another. If there’s one you absolutely love, you can repeat just that one over and over. Another tip is to look in the mirror while you’re saying them, because it really helps your subconscious mind align with what you’re saying.
Whether you’re looking for your dream job or trying to grow your side hustle, here are four situations in which affirmations can help your reach your goals.
Enhance your everyday life at work
Practice these affirmations during your commute or your 10-minute self-care break at work (Don’t have one yet?! I highly recommend carving out time on your calendar for you).
“I am an asset to my company and am appreciated for who I am and what I do.”
“My job inspires me and is my creative outlet.”
“My co-workers and I work together really well, making work fun.”
“I have a great relationship with my boss who respects me and my ideas.”
“Working brings me joy because I absolutely love what I do.”
Align yourself to your dream job
Be sure to accept your current job with unconditional love and practice these affirmations before starting your day.
“I accept my current job and am grateful for the opportunities it has given me.”
“I am open to new and unexpected experiences, opportunities and sources of income.”
“I am worthy of my dream job, and my dream job is ready for me.” (Feel free to insert what your dream job is – the more specific, the better!)
“New opportunities fall into my lap easily and effortlessly.”
“I love and surrender to the process of getting my dream job.”
Empower yourself to pursue your business idea
Before you even have time to think it, let go of the belief that you aren’t good enough to start your own business! Let’s stop the “who am I to be doing this?” questions! These affirmations will bring more clarity and confidence into your life—the next step is for you to take action!
“Every day, I am becoming my highest-self and am gaining clarity for my true purpose.”
“I am a successful entrepreneur and business owner.”
“I love infusing my passion and purpose into my new business.”
“I have a gift to share with the world and am good enough to start my own business.”
“I let go of the need to know every single detail behind my life, my business and my purpose.”
Stop doubting your side hustle
Don’t keep thinking of your side hustle as “just” a side hustle. If you keep treating it as if it only belongs on the side, it’s going to stay on the side (thanks to the law of attraction). Think about it like a business and give it love and attention so it can grow. Here are the affirmations I used to give my side hustle the respect it deserved:
“I am confident in my passion and know that it will support me emotionally and financially.”
“Money flows to me from unexpected sources, in increasing quantities to help me fuel my dreams and share my gift with the world.”
“I believe in what I’m doing and know that it’s worthy of being a flourishing business.”
“The possibilities are endless, my ideas are limitless and my success is inevitable.”
“I am proud of all that I have done so far and am excited for the amazing opportunities that are already on their way!”
Does putting your affirmations out into the world sound scary or impossible for you right now? Don’t worry— if you can’t find a time and a place where you can comfortably say them out loud, grab a journal and write them down. I recommend having a separate journal for affirmations to keep them all in one place. Feel free to have fun with these affirmations: You can say them out loud, journal them, or even make one of them your phone wallpaper. There are no rules or limits—your only job is to feel the magic.
If you want even more affirmations and tips on how to use them in your everyday life, hang out with me on Insta (@affirmationaddict) or check out my blog. I’d love to have you on this journey with me so we can share the power of affirmations with the masses. Happy affirming! - Payal Aggarwal
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5 Apps That Will Help You Get Sh*t Done In 2019
Check, check, done.
Here at C&C, we love a good checklist. Seriously, the entire team breathes and lives by checklists, and they keep us organized no matter what. With so many events to plan and maintaining a strong online presence, it’s essential for us to have all things streamlined, up-to-date, and trackable.
Here are five of our favorite apps for creating lists and getting shit done.
TickTick
iTunes
TickTick is seriously a game changer. We discovered the app a while ago and have been hooked ever since. You can find your tasks in both a calendar view and timeline view on the app, and set up a checklist that can be marked off on your mobile phone or desktop. You can also set up specific reminders for each of your tasks so that there’s no excuse for not getting them done.
Google Keep
We all love Google, right? Well it was only a matter of time before the online giant created a tool to make our lives even easier. Apart from Gmail, Chrome, Google Docs, and Google Calendar, we now have Google Keep. Also accessible on mobile or desktop, Keep allows you to put together a list and share it with others. However, it’s not just any old list. You can add sticky notes, images, voice notes, and more to your checklist.
Wunderlist
Wunderlist
Wunderlist is another app that allows you to share your checklist with others. Create a personal to-do list or one that you can share with your team to track a specific assignment. Your team members can collaborate on the list via the comment tool and can add notes as well. You can use Wunderlist on your mobile phone, desktop, your Apple Watch and more.
Evernote
Evernote
Evernote is one of the OG note-taking apps. It’s very popular among college students and professionals, and is definitely designed for your work-related tasks. You can add images, videos, attachments and more to any of your lists and access them anywhere on the go. Evernote is unique for its cloud-based storage, which makes it easier for us to save everything we need.
Clear Todos
Clear Todos
If simplicity is key to your life, then so is Clear Todos. The easy-to-use app makes the basic checklist experience more enjoyable and pleasing to the eye. This one will set you back by $4.99 on the App Store, but if you need to get your life together then it’s worth the price.
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How to Make New Year's Resolutions That Last
Don’t be so hard on yourself.
In the day or two after New Year’s Eve, you likely process a mix of feelings: euphoria and hope for a new year, resolve to change those ‘bad habits’ that held you back last year -- and often, a fresh perspective on who you are and where you see yourself going.
You probably set some goals. But not your friendly neighborhood diner type of goals. No, you set Michelin-star, creme-brulee-boasting, so-fancy-they-serve-the-salad-with-the-baby-fork restaurant type of goals.
You want to work on that six pack every day of the week, write a bestselling novel, give up being the ‘always late’ coworker, save 80% of the money you're making and call that long-distance friend every day to check in.
We all set lofty goals for ourselves with each new year. Our ambition is one of the many things that makes us so amazing as humans. There’s just one part of the whole New Year’s resolutions formula that tends to go awry: Our goals often aren’t sustainable.
Change is hard overnight, and when we set unrealistic, binary milestones for ourselves and subsequently struggle to reach them in a short timeframe, we crash and burn. In fact, USA Today reported that by mid-February, eighty percent of resolutions fail. The good news? There’s an antidote that is 100% within our control: setting goals with self-compassion.
In it’s simplest terms, self-compassion means being kind to ourselves when we feel inadequate or slip up. It's been proven to lead to greater emotional wellbeing and is linked to less depression, anxiety and stress. Psychologist and researcher Dr. Kristen Neff defines self-compassion in three abilities: self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. Here’s how you can use self-compassion when making your resolutions:
Self-kindness
...is about flipping the script and reserving judgement on ourselves (studies have shown that we are three times more likely to feel compassion for a total stranger).
If we are struggling to meet a goal, there are probably valid reasons. Recognize that you’re going to do the best you can, and when you have off days—empathize with where you’re coming from.
Common humanity
...is about realizing that we all are imperfect beings.
Recognizing that you’re not alone and that you will doubtlessly hit roadblocks along the way, can empower you to rely on community and support for others in moments of self-criticism. There is a 100% chance that someone else has felt exactly the way you do, whether you’re crushing it or struggling.
“Self-compassion helps bridge the gap between who we feel we are and who we really are.”
Mindfulness
...is about cultivating an awareness. We can’t be kind to ourselves or rely on the power in shared humanity if we don’t recognize when we’re being particularly hard ourselves.
As Dr. Anna Rowley, psychologist and millennial wellbeing expert, says, “We can separate ourselves from our negative thinking or feelings of inadequacy. Your boss chews you out for a report she doesn’t like. You have a choice—dwell on what a failure you are or practice mindfulness and acknowledge the feedback and do better next time. By separating ourselves from the emotion—anger, frustration, or self pity—we are available to problem solve.”
Did you know? We are 3 times more likely to feel compassion for a total stranger than for ourselves.
Unfortunately there is a common misconception, that being compassionate with ourselves means that we’re going to take it easy, give ourselves a pass to never improve or become set in our ways. But the reality is that when we focus on empathizing with ourselves and meeting ourselves where we are, we can set goals that build on our strengths and realistically help us improve.
“Self-compassion helps bridge the gap between who we feel we are and who we really are,” says Dr. Rowley. “Resolutions are hard to change because we are trying to alter aspects of ourself we aren’t happy with or behaviors we may have ‘lived’ for a long, long time. Many of us set unrealistic or unreasonable goals.
For example, ‘I will go to the gym 4 times this week’ might be a tough resolution to keep if you have never been to a gym before or you are embarrassed walking into a room full of strangers grunting and heaving. Self-compassion is about reducing the risk of feeling like a failure if you don’t nail your immediate goal.
It also helps us set more realistic compassionate goals. Rather than join a gym, I’ll go for a walk or next time I shop, I’ll look for a healthier choice of foods. Self-compassion can help us make smarter choices and offer a helping hand when we mess up…and we will mess up.”
So this year, as you continue to grow, evolve and work on yourself, remember to set goals that allow you to be kind to yourself, too.
Written by: Marah Lidey, co-founder Shine
Sign up for Shine to set an intention and track your goals for the year.
The original version of this article appeared on Shine.
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Our Go-To App to go From Boss to Best Dressed Guest This Season
Boss to best-dressed? There’s an app for that.
As working women, we all know that convenience comes first when it comes to most things. In the beauty department, that rule of thumb applies as well. Think about it, who has the time to dedicate an hour to styling and perfecting an everyday makeup or hair look? We bet the answer is slim to none. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean that we should sacrifice feeling our best for dedicating more time to our work schedules. Not now, not ever.
What if we told you that amping up your beauty look could be made a whole lot easier and you won’t have to do a thing? If you don’t believe that it’s true, then you’re wrong. Yes, you can get an A-list look in the comfort of your own home, without breaking the bank, and without worrying about strict time constraints. And if you’re wondering why allow us to explain how you can get your hair and makeup did while catching up on emails, conference calls, etc.
Meet the Glam App
The Glam App is beauty on demand--literally. If you need the help of experts when it comes to your own glam, then this trusty app has got you covered and right from the palms of your hands. Glam App offers services from full red carpet-style makeup to everyday blowouts and simple nail polish changes. Seriously, whatever is on your beauty radar can be done via Glam App, especially when you don’t have the time to handle it for yourself. However, that’s not all.
We’ve partnered with Glam App because it’s embodied in the convenience that we’ve been looking for. The prices are budget-friendly because looking and feeling your best shouldn’t burn a hole in your wallet. On the other hand, it’s beneficial for anyone who’s looking to work as a stylist or makeup artist on the app. If you’re a beauty aficionado and have the skills to share with the world, the Glam App gives you that work-life balance that is so important. Glam App allows stylists to act as freelance artists, which means setting their own hours, building clientele and managing schedules and appointments.
Oh, and did we mention that you can book a service immediately? Yes, you read that right. For those days where you have little to no time on your plate to worry about beauty, you can still pencil in a quick service. Stop waiting on everyone else’s schedules when you don’t have the time!
If you’re looking to upgrade your glam this season in and out of the office, consider trying Glam App for all of your needs. It’s fast, affordable, and filled with a roster of professionals in the beauty industry, so what are you waiting for?
We could all use a little beauty TLC, and Glam App has got us covered.
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We Asked 8 Women What Makes Them Feel the Most Confident
What makes you feel confident?
Confidence. A word that’s thrown around in discussions with your friends, colleagues, fitness instructors -- seemingly everywhere. While the dictionary defines confidence as, “a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities, ”I argue that we each have unique definitions of the word. For me, confidence means being authentically myself in all facets of my life. For my best friend, it’s feeling comfortable in her own skin. Confidence is different for everyone — but the common thread? We can all benefit from a little bit more of it.
Confidence is crucial in so many areas of our lives. Feeling confident in the workplace is complicated. We can get so entrenched in the day-to-day that we forget to acknowledge our efforts and value. Acknowledging your achievements can help you boost your attitude, get you that raise and so much more! If that sounds impossible, you can make a small step today with the help of IT Cosmetics.
We recently hosted an intimate brunch to celebrate women that Show IT Off. Jamie Kern Lima, Founder & CEO of IT Cosmetics, has poured her “heart and soul into creating truly innovative and effective problem-solving products that make you look and feel your most beautiful.” Developed with plastic surgeons, IT Cosmetics creates clinically-tested, makeup and skincare products that provide life-changing results. The product that gives all women an instant confidence boost? Their award-winning Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50. It’s your all-in-one extra dose of confidence that is not only full coverage and color-correcting, but also features broad-spectrum physical sunscreen, anti-aging ingredients and all the hydration you need! Hyperpigmentation? Dark circles? Other skin concerns? Don’t worry, it really does it all, and comes in a range of shades and three finishes, including original, illumination and oil-free matte to complement every skin tone!
Want to hear other ways to feel confident? These women Show IT Off and share their wisdom below.
“I feel the most confident when I’m at home with my baby, and I just take all my makeup off and put my favorite moisturizer on.”
“My cat eye eyeliner is what makes me feel most confident every single day.”
“The thing that makes me most confident is probably a bold lip, I don’t have one on right now, but when I have a red bold lip, I’m the most confident.”
“What makes me feel more confident is having good skin. I’m obsessed with skincare, so I never sleep with makeup and I always wear sunblock.
“A bold lip makes me feel the most confident because, even if I don’t have any other makeup on, it just draws attention to my smile and it makes me feel really glamorous.”
“My sense of humor.”
So tell us — what makes you feel the most confident?
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Festive Kombucha Mocktails to Bring Cheer to Your Office This Season
Pour it up, pour it up.
Ah, the holidays. When the days get shorter, the weather gets chillier, and the festivities get merrier. Just because you’re still in the office doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be basking in the holiday cheer. Our suggestion? Mix things up with some office-friendly Health-Ade mocktails.
Not only will you raise spirits, you’ll quickly become the office favorite without spending hours baking. So you can get happy while getting your shit squared away before that well deserved PTO.
We also highly recommend Christmas sweaters for enhanced joy.
Here are some recipes you can make with Health-ade’s seasonal Holiday Cheers Kombucha to get lit:
HOLIDAY CHEERS ICED COCOA MOCKTAIL
Original recipe from Ashley Cuoco of Cuoco Contento
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
12 oz Holiday Cheers Health-Ade Kombucha, chilled
8 oz cold brew coffee, chilled
20 oz hazelnut milk, chilled
6 oz crushed ice
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cocoa powder
6 drops chocolate bitters
2 tsp honey plus more for coating rim
2 oz finely shaved chocolate, for coating rim
4 dark chocolate squares, cut into triangles, for garnish
Directions
In a high-powered blender, combine kombucha, coffee, hazelnut milk, crushed ice, cinnamon, cocoa powder, bitters and honey. Blend on high speed for 1 minute, until well combined and frosty.
Take a dab of honey and gently coat rims of chilled glasses. Dip into shaved chocolate and swirl to evenly coat.
Divide drink evenly between glasses and garnish with chocolate triangle and a dash of cinnamon. Cheers!
Note: kombucha and coffee/hazelnut milk will naturally separate. Keep a spoon handy to stir while enjoyed.
HOLIDAY CHEERS SPICED POMEGRANATE KOMBUCHA FLOAT
Original Recipe from Marguerita La Fiura of Warm & Rosy
Serves 2
Ingredients
Spiced pomegranate syrup, chilled — recipe below
Vanilla ice cream of choice (we used Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss, Naked Coconut)
1 bottle Holiday Cheers Health-Ade kombucha, chilled Ground cinnamon
Instructions
Pour 1/4 cup pomegranate syrup into each glass.
Top with 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Slowly fill glasses with kombucha.
Dust with cinnamon and enjoy immediately. Cheers!
Spiced Pomegranate SyrupIngredients
2 cups 100% pomegranate juice
1 tbsp coconut sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
6 cardamom pods
1 inch strip of orange peel
1/2 inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled
Instructions
Place all ingredients in medium-size saucepan set over medium heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved - about 3 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The syrup should be reduced by about half and very lightly coat the back of a spoon.
Strain pomegranate syrup and set aside to cool a bit. Once cooled, transfer to refrigerator to chill.
HOLIDAY CHEERS SANGRIA MOCKTAIL
Original recipe from Ashley Cuoco of Cuoco Contento
Servings: 10-12 | Active time: 15 minutes; Total time: 1 Hour 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 granny smith apple, thinly sliced
1 Braeburn apple, thinly sliced
1 pear, sliced
½ cup pomegranate seeds
6 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 bottles (1 pint each) Health-Ade Holiday Cheers
4 cups pomegranate juice
4 cups ginger ale
¼ cup simple syrup
10 oz frozen cranberries plus more for skewering
1/2 cup sugar for coating cranberries and rosemary
Recipe:
Combine apples, pear, pomegranate seeds and 2 sprigs rosemary in a large punch bowl. Pour in Health-Ade Holiday Cheers, ginger ale and pomegranate juice. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
To serve, add frozen cranberries. Ladle sangria into glasses (get some of that good fruit in there!)
Cut the remaining rosemary sprigs into 3” pieces. Dip each sprig into simple syrup and roll in sugar to coat. Dip extra cranberries into simple syrup and roll in sugar to coat. Skewer 3-4 cranberries per drink and rest on top of each glass.
Garnish drinks with sugared cranberries and rosemary; serve cold.
Like what you see? Our friends at Health-Ade are sharing a recipe book full of recipes from kombucha-infused body scrubs to kombucha doughnuts! CLICK HERE to enter to win!
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How This Service Allows Women To Take Their Health Into Their Own Hands
EverlyWell is changing the game.
From emails to conference calls to balancing a social life, we're operating at what feels like 150% on most days and don't give our bodies enough credit. To keep up this momentum, we're breaking down how to be more in tune with our bodies and take our health into our hands.
If someone told you that you could learn more about your health concerns right in the comfort of your own home would you believe them? Or is this a topic that has never crossed your mind in the first place? If not, then you likely haven’t come across the little-known women’s health issues that are affecting thousands, if not millions, of us today. As we get older, more health concerns can arise in areas from hormonal complications to vitamin deficiencies and so much more. Rather than navigating your life around doctor’s visits later on, it’s essential to get a clear idea and take preventative measures now. And let's face it, every woman knows what it's like to walk into a doctor's office and not be taken seriously. We've had enough of that.
“As the boss, you’re always checking in on other people, but you have to be the one to check in on yourself.”
If you hadn't heard of EverlyWell's home health testing service before reading this, the chances are that you would've soon. The testing kits have garnered some well-earned buzz due to their convenience, affordability, and trustworthiness. Listen, statistics about women and the healthcare industry can be concerning, so it's no surprise that more of us are taking matters into our own hands when it comes to our health. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Purchase online (and use your C&C reader discount!)
You don't have to worry about co-pays, deductibles, or multiple doctor's visits. C&C readers can receive 15% off any EverlyWell test by using the promo code 'CREATE' at checkout.
Step 2: Complete your at-home test
You get to do this in the comfort of your own home on your own time.
Step 3: Send it to the lab
Return labels are included in your kit and EverlyWell works with the nation's leading laboratories for examinations.
Step 4: Get your results
After getting reviewed by a board-certified physician your results are available online in about five business days.
This super simple process is changing the game. The service has 30 different kits available and they range from general wellness to sexual health, energy and weight, and more. When it comes to women's health, the testing options include postmenopause, women's fertility, perimenopause, breast milk DHA, instrumental hormones, and ovarian reserve tests.
To get an inside scoop on how it all works, we tapped three of our favorite influencers to share their different test results and what they've learned with us.
The blogger, writer, and actress was curious to learn more about her sensitivity to certain foods. With EverlyWell's food sensitivity test you measure your body’s IgG response among 96 different foods that are commonly found in western diets. Food can trigger reactions and physical symptoms including stomach pain, bloating, fatigue, migraines, joint pain, skin problems and more. The results are presented in different levels that are categorized by Low Reactivity and High Reactivity. Low Reactivity foods should be considered largely non-reactive while High Reactivity foods are considered very reactive.
Although physical symptoms aren't always present, it is recommended that you structure an elimination diet plan around your results starting with your most reactive foods first. It's also important to note that if you're attempting to reintroduce your body to a 'problematic' food it is recommended that you begin adding it to your diet four weeks prior to testing.
Read on to see what Grasie learned about her own food sensitivities.
You selected the Food Sensitivity. What were your results and what were you hoping to learn from the test?
I had no high reactivity foods which were great, one moderate reactivity to egg whites and 14 mild reactivity foods which is kind of shocking. I kinda knew dairy wasn’t my friend and all dairy foods tested are on my mild list. The egg reveal bums me out because I really like eggs. But now I know I can be more conscious about my breakfast choices.
Did anything about your test results surprise you or intrigue you?
I was surprised to see almonds, coconut, and banana on my mild list. These are foods I eat often! I put coconut oil and almond milk in my coffee every morning! And I eat bananas all the time. It seems like a mild reactivity is not one to be too concerned with but great to know that the mild sensitivity is there to keep an eye on.
How would you compare EverlyWell at home tests to an in-person visit with a women’s health doctor?
It was a lot quicker to take the at-home test than to have to make a doctor’s appointment, drive to an office, wait, have a check-up, give blood then wait for results.
How has your wellness routine developed throughout the past few years? Any new habits or activities you’ve tried?
I use to hate to work out. But my January 2017 resolution was to join a gym and go three times a week. I’m happy to say it’s the first resolution I’ve actually stuck to!
How did it feel to take matters into your own hands with EverlyWell?
I just loved how easy and private it is...and now I’m informed and can make informed decisions about my diet!
Caroline Ingraham Lee, founder of Woodnote Photography, Light Lab LA, Echo and Earl, and narrator of the Out of Line podcast is on the same boat as many women and wanted to learn more about her reproductive health. She opted to take EverlyWell's fertility test to learn if her hormones are balanced to support normal ovarian function.
The truth is that infertility is actually very common among women, so it makes sense that more and more are getting their health checked at an earlier age. Infertility is caused by problems with ovulation, and ovulation issues are often caused by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. About 10% of women ages 15-44 have difficulty staying pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Factors that determine a woman’s inability to get pregnant include age, smoking, excess, alcohol use, poor diet, stress, athletic training, being overweight or underweight, and STIs.
For some women, insurance protocols will not authorize testing for fertility until their physician has documented they have actively been trying for a year to conceive with no success. The EverlyWell test gives women the opportunity to test their fertility on their own timelines.
You selected the Women’s Fertility Test. What were your results and what were you hoping to learn from the test?
Well, I’m 32. I know that isn’t ‘old’, but I also know that evolutionarily speaking, it is a lot easier to get pregnant before 35. I love the idea of having my own children, but I also love my life right now and am so enjoying my career and my time alone with my husband, so I don’t feel rushed to start having kids. I wanted to gain insight into my body so that I can better prepare myself for what is possible. The ‘optimal’ FSH result for getting pregnant easily and naturally is any number lower than 9, and my result was 7.3. I won’t lie, I breathed a little sigh of relief.
Did anything about your test results surprise you or intrigue you?
I didn’t even know what FSH was (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) before I got my results, so I learning about my results caused me to dive into reading up on FSH and educating myself on my body, and what it’s up to without me even knowing it. Knowledge is power!
EverlyWell was designed to make the lab testing process more convenient for everyone. How was your experience taking the test from home?
I LOVED not having to leave the comfort of my own home to take the test. I’m busy (you are, too!) and so taking it myself at any hour that I wanted to was a perfect fit for my lifestyle.
How would you compare EverlyWell at home tests to an in-person visit with a women ’s health doctor?
More efficient, faster, more flexible to whatever your scheduling needs are, more affordable.
How has your wellness routine developed throughout the past few years? Any new habits or activities you’ve tried?
Besides exercising twice a week, I also started working with a nutritionist to understand things that may be creating inflammation in my body. We’re all aging, and I think it’s super important to be proactive and preventative with our health, rather than waiting and having to do maintenance after something ‘bad’ happens.
How did it feel to take matters into your own hands with EverlyWell?
It feels so empowering to have a product so readily available to me that equips me with knowledge about my own body. I would like to be a mother someday, but I also love my career and my marriage and would love to have more time with them before I move into a very new season of life. This test is something we women should all take, whether we want to have children, or not. Knowledge is power! So get some!
Anne Sage
Anne is an interior design expert, content creator, and founder of Light Lab. She's been blogging since 2008 and has always had a stylish, trend-forward approach to design. She also has her own book, Sage Living: How to Decorate for the Life You Want, an interiors volume. Anne opted to take EverlyWell's Thyroid Test to see how her thyroid is working and if there's a need to evaluate her thyroid function further.
Anybody can experience thyroid issues, but women are ten times more likely than men to have a thyroid disorder. Women who have been pregnant for six months, have Type 1 diabetes, are over the age of 50, and smokers are just some of the few who are susceptible to thyroid issues. Because your thyroid controls much of your metabolism, it’s important to monitor thyroid function for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism (too much thyroid activity and too little thyroid activity).
You selected the Thyroid Test. What were your results and what were you hoping to learn from the test?
I learned that one of my thyroid hormones, T4, is low, which is consistent with recent physical symptoms I’ve been having like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and frequent muscle soreness.
Did anything about your test results surprise you or intrigue you?
I’d say my main reaction was a relief. It’s so nice to be able to put a scientific explanation on how I’m feeling! I think as women, especially, we have a hard time trusting our own experience of our bodies—especially with less measurable symptoms like fatigue and low-grade, yet chronic pain. So it’s almost like my test hugged me and said, “No, Anne, you’re not making this stuff up!” And now, armed with a little knowledge, I can make some lifestyle adjustments to course correct. It’s empowering!
EverlyWell was designed to make the lab testing process more convenient for everyone. How was your experience taking the test from home?
In all honesty, I was nervous about taking the test. I’m not squeamish about other people’s blood, but when it’s my own, I get a bit sick to my stomach. Pricking my finger and squeezing enough blood onto the test card wasn’t my favorite thing I’ve ever done, but it wasn’t painful, and it was over quickly—in way less time than if I’d had to drive to a doctor’s office and wait around to be seen!
How would you compare EverlyWell at home tests to an in-person visit with a women’s health doctor?
Full disclosure: I haven’t been to a women’s health doctor in a few years! Just finding one to go to is so overwhelming. Half the ones I’ve looked at don’t take insurance, and those that do are often booked for months in advance. Let’s just say that healthcare definitely isn’t designed with convenience in mind; and for someone like me who puts self-care last on my to-do list, the convoluted system makes it way too easy to avoid the doctor altogether.
How has your wellness routine developed throughout the past few years? Any new habits or activities you’ve tried?
I recently discovered facial massage when I posted an Instagram story about how puffy my face had gotten during a recent heat wave. A follower sent me some links to YouTube videos with various lymphatic massage techniques, and I’m hooked! Just five minutes of facial massage wakes up my complexion and firms my skin, and using massage to encourage lymph drainage is great for the immune system too!
How did it feel to take matters into your own hands with EverlyWell?
The ability to take matters into my own hands gives me so much respect for the miracle that is the human body. It has so many innate healing powers built right in, and we’re able to tap into those powers with just a little extra knowledge. It’s also given me more confidence to trust how I’m feeling. If I sense that something’s off, there’s a good chance that it is!
We love a brand that supports women through information and resources so that we can make more educated decisions for ourselves and the life that we want!
C&C readers can receive 15% off any EverlyWell test by using the promo code 'CREATE' at checkout.
By: Andrea Navarro
Check out EverlyWell for complete, easy-to-read test result reports online in just a few days for all tests collected in the comfort of your home. EverlyWell empowers individuals by providing easy access to health data.
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8 IG Foodies With Recipes You Need Today
Tasty and gorgeous.
If you're looking for new recipes to test out this Fourth of July, or if you want to test your chef's hand at creating something beautiful, we've got some new foodie inspiration for you. Bring these summer-inspired recipes along with you to all of your Independence Day festivities.
And don't worry if it ends up looking like a Pinterest fail—all that matters is how it tastes!
Check them out below.
@emcdowell + @cleanfooddirtycity
By: Tyeal Howell
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5 Summer Hair Care Tips
Let your hair down, but keep it moisturized.
All dressed up and everywhere to go! We are about two weeks out from the official start of summer and that means, pool parties, BBQs and summer Fridays.
And whether you’re at events for work or pleasure, the fact is we’re all about to have some fun under the sun. But there’s ONE downfall: the blazing summer heat has the ability to do major damage to our hair.
Beauty experts know it’s important during these months to keep your hair covered, moisturized, and to keep your scalp hydrated as well. This is why we rounded up a few of our favorite tips for summer hair care below with our friends at WEN® Hair & Body Care by Chaz Dean.
Get your head in the hair game girl.
1. WEAR YOUR HAIR UP
Pulling your hair back and out of your face is a must for long summer days. Throw it up in a high pony or rock a topknot fresh out of the shower. You could get creative and spice up the look every so often with accessories. Headbands, scarves and even over-the-top straw hats for beach days, when you need a little more shade.
2. CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION
Keeping your hair conditioned is the number one summer hair care essential. From leave-in conditioning sprays to overnight deep conditioner creams, there are many ways to keep the moisture locked in. One of our favorite conditioners (and yes, it smells as good as it sounds) is the WEN® Summer Coconut Lime Verbena Cleansing Conditioner. It’s enhanced with antioxidant rich four-tea complex, strengthening amino acid blend as well as Coconut, Lime, Verbena oils, and extracts help to enhance shine, volume and body. All while keeping the moisture locked in.
3. USE A HYDRATING MASK
For an extra boost of hydration, try a mask. We all know DIY spa days aren’t complete without our favorite soothing or brightening face masks, but a hair mask can work wonders as well. The WEN® Summer Honey Peach ReMoist Hydrating Mask is full of nutrients to maintain healthy hair and scalp. It helps improve lackluster hair, restoring it to a much healthier state. Just apply the mask to clean, wet hair. Comb through, clip hair up, and leave-on for 30-45 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and style as desired.
4. WRAP IT
Another sure-fire way to protect your gorgeous locks from the unforgiving summer heat, is to wrap it up. Try braiding your hair back and pinning the loose pieces up, then throwing on a fun and playful scarf on top. There’s no such thing as a bad hair day if your hair isn’t in the way!
5. TRY A TREATMENT OIL
Our scalps naturally emit oils on a regular basis to keep our bodies in balance. It might seem crazy to think about adding more oil to your scalp in the summertime, but it’s a great way to keep your scalp hydrated and actually helps your hair grow a bit faster. The WEN® Summer Mango Coconut Treatment Oil is a unique blend of nourishing oils. It blends the moisturizing properties of Argan oil, the restorative properties of Abyssinian oil and other nourishing botanicals. This treatment oil hydrates and softens both hair and skin. It is a non-greasy formula perfect for daily use.
What are your go-to summer hair care tips? Let us know in the comments!
Studio DIY's Kelly Mindell Shares Her Summer Traditions
Tiny human. Big summer fun!
Simple summer pleasures are upon us. No matter what your job, summer is the season of FUN. But work does not wait for summer -- unfortunately. With the bulk of the summer ahead of us (YAY!), we're teaming up with Old Navy to tap on-the-go moms across the country to find out how they squeeze more fun out of summer in their cities - while keeping that to-do list managed and inboxes at a minimum.
SUMMER FUN IN LA LA LAND
Los Angeles blogger Kelly Mindell of Studio DIY shares her summer fun hacks with her son below.
How does your family “squeeze more fun” out of summer?
We've instated "Family Fridays" in our house so we get to spend Fridays doing fun activities with our son, Arlo! Sometimes we'll go on a big adventure to Disneyland or just a quick one to our local park, but it's so nice to squeeze in that extra day together!
SHOP THE MINDELL FAMILY OLD NAVY SUMMER LOOKS HERE
What are some of your favorite picnic memories or summer traditions?
We picnicked everywhere in the summer. We lived a block away from the park so we were there ALL the time but we also took picnics to the town pool or the beach. My mom is the one person I know who doesn't like a pb&j. But she'd make it for me, for every picnic. Strawberry jam, crustless and diagonally cut, obviously! It's always the little things you remember most, right??
As an entrepreneurial mom, there’s a lot of pressure to be plugged in + online. Why is it important for you to make family memories in the summer?
Summer felt so magical as a kid and I am so excited to recreate that feeling for my children. A few years ago, my mom recently gifted me 25 years worth of scrapbooks documenting every memory and major moment of my childhood. It is my most treasured gift! I hope to do the same for Arlo so we're trying to be better about taking our real camera with us instead of our phones, so we don't feel the need to also check in on emails while capturing some of these memories for him!
Do you have any favorite summer traditions? What is your go-to activity for summer fun with the family?
I grew up in New Jersey, so every summer we took a long family trip to the shore. We stayed at the same hotel every time and saw the same friends every single year. It was such a fun tradition and we all looked forward to it. While we now live on the other side of the country, we're looking forward to finding our "spot" here on the west coast and starting that tradition this year!
Vacations are wonderful but they can also be hard work to plan. Do you have any family vacay planning tips?
The biggest thing I've learned about traveling with a little one is that you have to take things a bit slower! We like to pick just one thing a day we want to do, see or eat and let the rest of the day fall into place from there. That way, if we fit in more in a day it feels like a bonus! Plus, we are able to keep our family on somewhat of a schedule so the transition back to real life is easier, too!
The biggest thing I've learned about traveling with a little one is that you have to take things a bit slower!
What can the workplace do to help families inject more FUN into their summer?
I've seen several companies have employees work a few extra hours during the week so they can spend one Friday a month with their family or even a half day every Friday during the summer. It's totally worth putting in those extra hours to get a solid chunk of extra time with your kids to get out and experience something new!
When you’re not on PTO, how do you keep the family fun going at home in the summer?
We take a lot of "adventure" walks around our neighborhood with different destinations! Sometimes we just check out all different the plants, leaves, and animals, sometimes we say hello to neighbors and sometimes we hit up the park or our favorite coffee shop for a treat.
What are your summer fun hacks?
Arlo has recently become obsessed with bubbles so this summer I'm planning on filling an inexpensive kiddie pool with bubble mix and using hula hoops to make giant bubbles with him. I think he's going to go crazy for it!
Want even more summer fun? Check out Kelly's site, Studio DIY for some MAJOR inspo!
How do you #SqueezeMoreFun out of the summer with your family? Let us know in the comments!
SHOP THEIR OLD NAVY LOOKS!
Kelly:
Shirt (available in select stores)
Arlo:
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5 Women Share When They Feel the Most Fearless
The limit does not exist.
Fear is normal. It keeps us safe. It can even motivate us to get our ducks in a row.
But every woman knows that moment, when you hit your stride, and a surge of fearlessness surges through you. The moment where you know, “I got this.”
It’s a get up and go after it feeling that is empowering. And contagious.
So we asked five women to share when they feel the most fearless. We encourage you to do the same in the comments and pass on the good vibes.
Allie Greenberg, Senior Brand Marketing Manager, Richer Poorer
“This is corny,” says the Marketing Manager at LA’s favorite inner-wear company, “but after a really good, sweaty workout.”
“Or,” the new mom says, “when Sadie [her daughter] and I take a stroller walk around the neighborhood-- I’m so overwhelmed with happiness that nothing can touch me.”
She adds, “Wine also does the trick.”
Paige Bowen, co-founder of Bowen House
Known for their one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, the “daughter,” behind the mother-daughter team at Bowen House, says she feels the most free and fearless after delivering a custom piece to a client.
“Whenever we create really custom pieces for clients I’m always really inspired,” Bowen says. “Then, fear sets in right before it’s delivered.” Luckily that feeling doesn’t last long. “It’s probably right after I see how perfect it looks and the client loves it that I’m the most fearless. It’s like a mini-high.”
Adri Contreras, Senior Events Director, Create & Cultivate
“Fresh out of the salon,” Adri says, “is when I feel the most fearless. I color my hair. I get highlights and when they are glossy and everything is blown out, I feel unstoppable.” However the event director knows that there isn’t always time to hit up the salon, especially before traveling for big conferences. So she keeps things spruced with Moroccanoil Color Complete Collection. The Protect & Prevent Spay super easy to bring along in her suitcase. By shielding hair from environmental factors including UV rays, pollution and thermal damage, Protect & Prevent Spray helps reduce brassiness and fading at the source. And it’s proven to work. After 10 washes, the Moroccanoil Color Complete Collection is scientifically proven to extend color life and vibrancy by 100%. Those are the kind of numbers we like over here.
“Look good, feel good,” says Contreras.
Aideé Chavez, Founder @MexicanYogaGirl
Friends and fam do it for this writer and content creator.
“I feel the most fearless around the people I love and love me back,” Aideé says. “My family and friends are such a sweet place for me. When I am around them I love how I laugh and the stupid stuff I feel open to say, how all my insecurities can be on blast for them to see and yet in that, there is this power where we connect with each other in a way that gives me the energy to go out into the world feeling and loved.”
Can we get a #same?
Brittany Littleton, Activist, Rescuer & Rehabilitator @LitteLoveRescue
“I feel the most fearless right after getting through hard situations. Any time I feel afraid or unsure of myself I remember those times and look at how far I’ve come. Last year was truly the hardest year of my life,” the single mama shares. “I thought I wouldn’t get through it. Then I had my son and I felt-- fearless isn’t even the word for it. I felt invincible.”
What makes you feel fearless? Share below!!
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This CCO Says There's No Longer One Way to Do This
Changing the game.
After working her way up at two other major fashion houses, Marie Mazelis came to Halston. Looking to introduce a generation of new Halstonites to the heritage brand that pretty much defined the '70s, Mazelis had her work cut out for her.
But what she knew was that dressing had fundamentally changed. Specifically, dressing for work had fun-da-mentally changed. And when she took control as Chief Creative Officer, she knew this had to be incorporated into Halston's offerings. That dressing had become interchangeable.
Read more from Mazelis on the why and how, fashion dress codes (there are none) and lasting power of Halston.
The business world (for most of us) is more casual than ever. In what ways have you seen a difference in the way women dress for work?
I think how we dress overall has become a lot more personal and much more relaxed. There isn’t just one acceptable way to dress for the office. Women no longer have two separate wardrobes – one for work and one for the weekend. They’ve become interchangeable. It’s all in the mix, it’s how you put things together.
What do women want from their work wear?
Comfort, ease, versatility... Also, I think, longevity… They want things that won’t be out of style next season. Today’s woman is very savvy, and she’s willing to invest in quality that will last. She is also looking for something unique and special, with attention to detail.
How has the way you dress for work changed over the course of your career?
Interesting question. Working in fashion, I was never really confined to a “dress code”, so the changes in how I dress for work have been mostly influenced by changes in my life. My days now are a whirlwind - filled with meetings on color, embroidery and prints… Fittings, and photo shoots, and sketch reviews... And when I’m not working, I’m out and about with my two boys. All this leaves little time for anything else, so I’ve had to simplify. I’ve developed a “uniform” of sorts. During the week I wear all black – all my favorite pieces that are easily interchangeable, which I update with new silhouettes each season. It’s one less decision to make before 9am.
In your last seven years at Halston how have you addressed the changing needs of women?
I have focused on creating designs that are lasting – both in quality and aesthetic. Halston brand is known for its timelessness and modernity. There are so many vintage Halston pieces that look as if they had been designed today. To make Halston glamour more accessible, our collections have expanded to include more casual pieces, giving options for dressing up or down, and thus offering more versatility and value. As I mentioned earlier, it’s all in how you put things together. Like when you wear a cocktail dress with flats, it feels more casual and relaxed, making it appropriate for day.
What are some major trends you're forecasting for this year?
It feels like everything is on trend. It’s all in play. So it’s more about having your own unique point of view.
How do we update our office basics?
For me acquiring a new piece of clothing is about the emotion it evokes. Dressing for work can become so routine, so mechanical in a way… I love resetting from time to time with something that makes me feel really happy when I reach for it in the morning. Invest in pieces that inspire you.
Can you recommend 6 easy adds to any closet?
An iconic Halston silhouette, this classic jumpsuit is an easy all-in-one outfit.
A great option from desk to dinner. Layer a jacket over it for day, put on some heels for night.
A fun piece to complete any look, whether with jeans or a cocktail dress, it adds a touch of glam.
Classic Halston, this timeless dress should be in every woman’s wardrobe.
One of my favorite tops this season. I love the delicate ruching detail and the flowy, effortless silhouette.
Gotta love a great slide! A summer must-have, wear these with anything for a relaxed, yet put together look.