Links From Our Group Chat: Teens Take Control, Herstory + It's Oscar Sunday!
We know you're on your couch.
It's the Oscars! But if you're not a fan of award shows, check out some of the links we texted each other back and forth this week.
Good eats and good biz. GrubHub Maps women-led restaurants.
15 trailblazers on what history books will say about women’s activism in 2018. It's called Herstory.
Teenage strategy sessions are leading the movement against gun violence.
Colleges won't punish suspended students. Here's why.
There are 500 + women running for office in 2018. Huzzah!
Sugar & Cloth knows how to throw a great party. (Plus she's be hanging with us at our Create & Cultivate Austin popup.)
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Skincare Facts Your Mom Never Told You
MOM. We gotta talk. We know you grew up in the ‘70s when baby oil in the summertime was a thing, but you kind of left out some key education about skin care. And while glowing skin is lovely, sun damage is never in style.
So, this is where we school you, with a bit of help from Mott50, the first anti-aging fashion brand with built-in sun protection...in every garment!
Think about it. How much are you spending on serums and lotions to keep your skin glowing and looking young? Why should you only worry about your face?
Here are some unique pieces of knowledge you should know.
There’s no such thing as forever young, but…
“Sun protection is the #1 remedy for anti-aging. Anti-aging concerns are driving the wellness phenomenon. Everyone wants to look and feel younger, for longer,” celebrity Dermatologist, Dr. Brodsky.
The cold hard truth is this: 90% of skin cancer stems from sun exposure. 50 million people are treated annually for skin cancer.
Guess what kind of sun protection doesn’t wash off:
You’re busy. Running around to meetings and you don’t always think about reapplying sunscreen on your arms or hands. #sunspots. It just so happens that the sun’s peak hours are between 10am-4pm. That’s right. Prime meeting time. Don’t get caught unprepared.
"Clothing is the best way to protect against the dangers of the sun, it doesn't wash off, it maintains for the lifetime of the garment, and there is no need to reapply every two hours,” says celebrity Dermatologist, Dr. Amy Brodsky.
You don’t have to reapply, unless you want to change your clothes.
“An average tee only has a UPF of 5 … you might not get visibly burned, but the UVA rays are still penetrating your shirt…and UVA rays are what cause aging, sun spots, and can cause cancer!” says Anne Reilly of the Mott50 team.
All Mott50 apparel and swimwear is UPF50. Protect and love the skin you’re in by wearing something that’s good for you! And sun protection is now the #1 priority of the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
And because we gotta give it up to our C&C keynote Kim.
“‘Don’t touch your face’ – Kim Kardashian West swore by this in a Vogue interview and who wouldn’t want the complexion of the one and only selfie Queen,” says Madeline Flanagan of Mott50.
And KKW is right. We spend all day picking up phones, shaking hands in business meetings, and touching our grimy computer keys. Why would you want all that on your face? You don’t.
What other skincare tricks and tips do you have for us? Don’t worry, we’ll pass them along to Mom.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
How to Keep Work Stress From Showing Up on Your Face
You gotta glow to grow.
We know the pains of long days at the office. And we know what it feels like when those stressors show up on your face. It’s the worst. And it makes you feel even worse than you already do.
But we have some tips to keep those dreaded hours from showing up as bags under your eyes. Listen up!
Sleep.
Your body boosts blood flow to the skin while you snooze. So sleep deprivation causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin surrounding your face. Sleep is very important for your skin. skin. Sound Sleep Cocoon is a revitalizing treatment gel-cream that transforms skin overnight by optimizing nighttime skin recovery. Tamarind Seed Extract and motion-activated French Lavender Essential Oil (with Sandalwood and Patchouli) work all night to promote deep, restful sleep for healthier-looking skin by morning. Other key ingredients include Persian Silk Tree Extract which reduces signs of skin fatigue and restores vitality while Wu-Zhu-Yu Extract provides visibly radiant skin by the a.m.
Practice mindfulness.
Be aware of what you can and can't control. If you are feeling "stressed out," take a quick moment to shift focus to what you can control. Write out everything on your mental to-do list. Take a walk. Take a dance break. Step away from your current situation and pay attention to the details around you. Your skin may thank you.
Open your eyes.
If you don’t get a good night’s sleep – don’t stress! Or, stress positive! Dermalogica’s Stress Positive Eye Lift reduces the signs of fatigue in the eye area, and embraces the concept of “good stress” – the idea that stress can have a positive effect on health. Your eye area is often the first to show signs of stress. When you're about to take on a challenging task, give your eye area a quick massage with a hydrating product like Stress Positive Eye Lift. This can help energize your skin and reduce visible signs of fatigue.
Cool down.
Keep a face mist handy when you're at the office. Dermologica's breakout clearing all over toner can help minimize stress-induced breakouts, while lemongrass and bitter orange refresh, energize, and revive stressed skin. Stay cool, calm and collective ladies.
Have tips of your own for a stress face? Share in the comments below!
6 Times it's Actually OK to Send Nudes to a Coworker
Hear us out.
We’re talking the Love Me Nudes Natural Edition palette from Nudestix. It’s a six-piece lip kit for kissable, nude to bold lips in a limited-edition Nude(art)ist tin, and perfect to take you (or your co-worker’s) office lewk from day-to-night.
The Love Me Nudes box is everything you need—from nude to bold shades with the smoothest formulas—for all-day wear on lips (and cheeks, too). The set features two new hand-blended Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balms in shades Ally and Tay Tay, eponymously named after sisters and NUDESTIX co-founders Ally and Taylor Frankel.
Co-founder Taylor recently spoke at Create & Cultivate Los Angeles, talking with the crowd about what it means to be a young founder in the billion dollar beauty biz and why Nudestix is primed for success. Particularly, because they know that beauty is on the inside, which includes the inner-workings of their company.
With every purchase of the Love Me Nudes set, NUDESTIX is donating a portion of their sales to the Love is Louder project, created in collaboration with actress Brittany Snow and the JED Foundation. NUDESTIX proudly supports Love is Louder because its message of love and support is parallel to their own. They believe that everyone is beautiful, and that we should embrace our imperfections because that’s what makes us unique.
Hello. We 100% agree.
"Our Love Me Nudes for lips are so fun and easy. You have every shade to mix and match any look—and you can pop the tin in your bag to-go,” explain Ally and Taylor.
Those shades include: Ally, Tay Tay, Mystic, Rose, Retro, and Purity.
I.e. the six times it’s OK to send nudes to a coworker.
Which shade is your fave? Share in the comments below!
Why One Model Called This the Best and Most Diverse Panel Ever
#CreateCultivateLA didn't mess around.
“Sometimes I wake up after days like yesterday & I think “how is this my life?” How did I get so incredibly lucky to not only speak on panels about body positivity & being a boss with some of the strongest women I know, who happen to be my friends and who are ACTUALLY CHANGING THE WORLD?! I know the answer, I got here from really hard work, privilege & never taking no for an answer. Not listening to people who said I was too short, too fat, too tattooed, too outspoken, too much, myself. I was reminded yesterday that there is still so much work to do, and that we ALL have to keep showing up for not only ourselves but marginalized bodies & people. Thank you to @createcultivate for having me & to @jessbeegood from @livestrong_com for moderating the best & most diverse panel I’ve been a part of to date.”
So wrote Tess Holliday on her Instagram following Create & Cultivate Los Angeles this past Saturday. Joining her on panel, were @ihartericka, @mamacaxx, @mynameisjessamyn, and @danikabrysha. The group of women went in on everything from the “body positive” movement and whether they believe in it to how they identify.
Below are some of the amazing highlights from the panel.
Jessamyn Stanley
Yoga teacher, body positive advocate, and writer
Jessica Bordner Photography
On panel, Jessamyn said she’s interested in disrupting the industry beyond visibility. She not only wants to be seen but to be heard and understood.
“I came to body-positivity to really understand myself in a more whole way. I am attached to the understanding for all human beings that who we are on the inside dictates who we are on the outside.”
“I have so much conflict, thinking about where we are with body positivity and actually cracking the mainstream. I am one of very few fat, black, queer, yoga teachers. Or that’s what people think. It’s patently false. There are so many people who look so many different ways. The fact that anyone would find my presence anywhere surprising is frustrating on a deep level.”
Though she says she never intended to be the face of a movement, and still doesn’t think of herself in that way, she’s not mad at it. “If there is going to be a cracking of the mainstream, I’m not upset to be in that space. Visibility is critical. Living my truth and just existing can have an accidental purpose.”
She continued, “I think we need to get to a place beyond television, advertising and movies to be our ‘goals’ for life."
Eff the rules she said. Do what you do. Love who you are. That’s the only plan."
Ericka Hart
Cancer warrior, activist and sexuality educator
Jessica Bordner Photography
Ericka Identifies as a black, queer and femme woman. She spoke on the importance of being clear with how she identifies because it holds weight in a room. She mentioned that when people feel uncomfortable with her being queer, it’s a reflection of a problem they are facing internally. “If someone has a problem with me being queer, they really just have a problem with themselves,” she told the room.
“I’m used to not seeing myself,” said Ericka. “But I’m really interested in disrupting beyond viability. So yes, I walked topless at New York Fashion week, and that felt amazing. But what I’m interested in is the fact that W Magazine just released at stat that said 0.4% of [fashion] shows this year were diverse. I don’t know how many shows exist at New York Fashion week, but there are many. If you look at the Fashion industry it’s not interested in being diverse and it’s not interested in giving it back to the black and queer and trans people who invented it. I’m interested in actually making the institution different— the system different. We have to be critical about diversity and inclusion. It’s so much more than visibility.”
Tess Holliday
Model, Author, Momma & Feminist Founder of @EffYourBeautyStandards
Jessica Bordner Photography
“We all should just do whatever the fuck we wanna do. And whatever feels good for us,” the model said to a cheering crowd.
“I didn’t see anyone who looked like me. I wanted to be the person that I didn’t see. I started putting myself out there on social media. I’ve been doing it now for eight years.” As a US size 22 Tess told that crowd that she is still the only model for her height and size signed to a major agency. But she is committed to seeing that change. “I’ve accomplished what everyone said was impossible, and I’m hoping to help other people do the same.”
Tess also spoke on how she had to break away from waiting on other people to reassure her on things. She used to be stuck in a place where she needed her decisions validated by those around her, but she’s not interested in that anymore. She now knows that she has the power to reassure herself.
"My best piece of advice would be to be yourself and be authentic. Do something that you love, and don’t be afraid to not do what you love. Just go for it!"
Danika Brysha
Plus size model and founder of @ModelMeals
When Danika started her modeling career she was faced with tons of negative criticism around her size and her curves.
She said, “I heard from people, ‘You have such a pretty face,' but they were just insinuating the rest of me wasn’t up to par, and that just wasn’t true.”
“I spent my whole life feeling like not enough. To get into the plus-size industry and recreate my normal of what beautiful looks like is incredibly powerful.”
MamaCaxx
Survivor and Role Model
Jessica Bordner Photography
“Body positivity is really embracing marginalized bodies,” shared MamaCaxx.
“In college I used to have a cover prosthetic. My goal was to hide and conceal. The very first time I decided to take off that cover, I remember it took me two weeks to actually leave my house. I had so much anxiety.” When she did leave the house and subsequently decided to have a photoshoot with a metal leg, Caxx explained that the recurring comments surprised her. “People were commenting that they’d never seen a black girl with a prosthetic,” which she said, is not her world. “What you think of disability is not what it is at all. It’s only one identity. And it crosses all people. Black, white, queer, women, men.”
She continued, “In the fashion industry I don’t see a lot of people with visible disabilities. But what you gain from fair representation goes such a long way.”
What brands do you think are succeeding at fair representation? Let us know in the comments!
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
How to Budget For Your Big Day
Big day typically means big spend. It doesn’t have to.
Engaged couples underestimate how much they will spend on their wedding by about 40 percent. Those are some double-digit numbers. It’s a 200 billion dollar industry.
According to WeddingWire research, one of the biggest pain points is understanding vendor pricing information. There are hidden costs and upcharges. For instance, if your wedding food stains the silverware you rented, you might be responsible for paying 7k to replace every fork. (Yes, that’s a thing that happened to a friend.) “Setting a budget is a critical first step in wedding planning, but today’s couples remain unclear on how it could -- and should -- all add up,” says Sonny Ganguly, CMO, WeddingWire.
WeddingWire’s Wedding Cost Guide’s category-specific pricing data includes the high, low and average range of what other real couples recently spent in their geographic area to help couples have a clearer understanding of what to expect to pay for a comprehensive set of wedding services. For example, if you have a larger bridal party, expect to shell out more when considering florals for each attendant (the average cost of a bridesmaids bouquet is $75).
On average, couples in the U.S. spend nearly $30,000 on wedding ceremony and reception costs, yet determining how to budget for the various vendors and services involved often feels like an overwhelming challenge.
So we’re breaking down some costs and solves.
THE MUSIC MATTERS
If you love the full, rich sound and abundant energy of live music, then hiring a wedding band to perform during your reception is an absolute must! While the average wedding band cost is $4,000, band prices for a wedding may vary widely depending on where and when your wedding is taking place, as well as a number of other factors like the number of musicians and length of time. In fact, the cost of a wedding band typically ranges from $2,500 to $6,000 in the U.S.
What makes it less expensive: A DJ.
On average, hiring a DJ to play at your wedding tends to cost less than hiring a wedding band. Most couples in the U.S. spend between $450 to $2,000 on their wedding DJ. Remember though, that with a wedding band you are paying for multiple professional musicians to perform on your wedding day, while a wedding DJ is usually a single pro. While hiring a DJ for your wedding can be a more cost-effective option, many couples are spending more on their wedding DJ nowadays than in past years as they are devoting more of their wedding budget to their guests’ experience (a great DJ can read a crowd and ensure your dance floor packed all night long!).
PHOTO BOOTH FUN
You want the night to be memorable and you also want guests to walk away with a cute memory. People love a photo booth-- and the pics can double as a wedding favor.
In total, wedding rental costs usually average out to about $650 with photo booth starting prices averaging $550. Read reviews and find a rental company that has stellar customer service. This is your wedding after all. And remember: you will likely be renting your photo booth by the hour, so the more time you would like your photo booth to be present at your wedding, the higher your photo booth rental prices will be.
What makes it less expensive: You can opt to put throwaway cameras on tables and have guests shoot their own moments. But remember, you still have to pay for the cost of developing those cameras, which is about $20 dollars per roll. Depending on how many tables you have, the photo booth might end up being the better option, especially when you factor in quality control.
THE NECESSARY RENTALS
Other event rentals you will likely need for your wedding including tables, chairs, dinnerware, and much more. On average, most couples in the U.S. spend between $400 to $1,000 on wedding rentals. You will need to think about the following rentals:
Tables
Chairs
Dancefloor
Linens (tablecloths, napkins, chair covers, etc.)
Drapery
Lighting
Furniture
Audio/visual equipment
Tents
Vases and other vessels
China
Barware
Flatware
Glassware
Consider that some venues include rentals like tables and chairs in the packages, but if you want your wedding to look a certain way-- you might have to bring in your own.
What makes it less expensive: When you’re considering the venue, consider what their packages include. It might make the most economic sense to take all of their offerings into consideration so you can best budget for your big day. If they don’t have good chairs, it might not make sense. All details add up! Make sure you create an Excel doc for yourself and pop those numbers in. You don’t want to be surprised(!!) come the honeymoon at how much money you spent.
For more information, and to find out what couples near you are spending on specific wedding services, visit weddingwire.com/cost.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
C&C Classifieds: Goop, Museum of Ice Cream, & More
It's a delicious batch of jobs.
We're blowing our own damn minds.
Oh my word. It's already the last day of Feb. How did that happen? We're not sure, but what we are sure about is our brand new batch of job listings from amazing companies that anyone would be lucky to work at.
So, put on your thinking cap, break out that resume, and write yourself one bombass cover letter for any of the below
Tandem Entertainment - LA, CA
Museum of Ice Cream - NY,NY
Stand Up To Cancer - LA, CA
Goop - Santa Monica, CA
Entertainment Media & Production Company - NY,NY
Alliance of Moms - LA, CA
WANT MORE? SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL CLASSIFIEDS LISTINGS HERE.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
What One Teacher Says Is the Real Job of Educators
And her hopes for her former students.
I was a school librarian in a DC public elementary school for six and a half years until I resigned in January of this year. On October 17, 2017, we thought we had an active shooter in our building and went into a frenzied lockdown. Five seconds after I received a text message from my colleague that said ACTIVE SHOOTER double doors opened and a line of 22 second graders came through, headed to me.
For everyone who is not a teacher, you can imagine this moment: rushing them into the classroom, putting paper over the windows, locking the door. You can imagine what it means to be this kind of adult — one responsible for the lives of 22 children.
Teachers are aware of this responsibility every day. Specialists, like I was as the school librarian, are aware of what it means to be responsible for every student in the building for at least 45-minutes once or twice a week. We know all of them.
What you can’t fully imagine, if you are not a teacher, is the information that will rush through your brain.
Their parents’ faces. The beautiful things these children have said to you over the last few years (the horrible things, too). Every holiday and Teacher Appreciation Day card, every post-it they stole from your desk to write that they love you, the books and authors they like best, their favorite outfits, their favorite read aloud, the bad things that have happened to them that are in case files in the main office, the good things they want to share the moment they see you. The ones who still can’t tie their shoelaces. The strength of each of their hi-fives. Which kids they play with at recess, who eats school lunch and who brings it from home, which ones take the bus, which ones have baby siblings they can’t wait to kiss on the foreheads at the end of the day, which ones have older siblings that they try, hilariously, to emulate, and on and on and on and on.
Non-teachers don’t know what it means to be the keepers and protectors of that beautiful information.
Non-teachers don’t know what it means to recognize in one horrible instant that you are all that stands between them and a bullet if the gunmen makes it to you.
But I never wished for a gun that day. I never wished I had a gun to fight back with.
I thought about how many of them my body could cover. I thought about where would be best to hide them and which angle they would be most visible from. I thought about how thick the bookcases were and if they could take a bullet. I thought about the strength of a deadbolt. I thought about the weakness of glass. I thought about what size body could fit through a broken window.
I never wanted to kill whomever might have been on the other end.
Because teachers, more than most others, can recognize a child in anyone. They’re uniquely interested in understanding what might have happened to them to bring them here, from the six-year-old with anxiety, to the teenager with a gun, to the adult with a gun. And I hate that person, that person with a gun, but I also think about how we failed them. Society, parents, schools, mental health providers, child protective services. I think about how someone, or many someones, failed them.
I won’t be able to say this the way I want to, but: until we fix all of the very, very fucked up pieces in our society, the best defense we have is stricter gun laws. And for anyone to deny that is absurd. And to arm teachers, to even suggest arming teachers, is such a horrible example of where we’re at.
The situation that day ended up being a terrible miscommunication, based in fear and news that there was an active shooter in the building behind us. After many hours of searching, this turned out to be false information. We didn’t know this until the school day was nearly over. I have never been more scared and exhausted in my life.
I work with adults now in a public library and I have a whole other perspective on how awful the world can be, but I also see the children in every single adult that comes in that door. I see how society failed many of them.
But if the students in Florida are an example of our future, I have to believe some of this can change. If my former students are an example of our future, I have to believe some of this can change.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
The 3 Top Takeaways from Express Spotlight Session
Passion, purpose, and gettin’ paid.
Alyssa Dawson Photography
From making money to rocking your personal brand, the Express x Levo Spotlight Session at Saturday’s Create & Cultivate Los Angeles dug into the truth of passion, purpose, and getting paid.
Taking the stage were Patrice Croci, Vice President of brand marketing at Express, Alisa Leonard, President of Levo and an expert on the insights and data that drive this generation of women, and Maxie McCoy, author, speaker, and all around inspiration.
Together the powerhouses chatted about the importance of recognizing women’s economic power, those blurry lines between work-life balance, and how the majority of women define a purposeful career.
Drawing on key stats from an Express x Levo survey which polled over 500 working people, they broke down some key highlights, which we’re sharing below.
Alyssa Dawson Photography
Talking Money & Passion
Key Insight: 39% of women want meaning and purpose while the majority of men want money from their careers.
“You have to be really cognizant of your purpose and passion,” shared Patrice Croci with the crowd. “BOTH of them matter.”
Echoing this sentiment, Allisa Leonard said, “We have economic power. We have to learn to own it.”
Women may say purpose is the most important factor in their career, but we also have to be aware that if it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense. Getting comfortable talking about money is a step we all need to take. Whether that means asking for a raise, talking to friends about money, or knowing your worth, money has power. We have to learn how to use it.
“We have economic power. We have to learn to own it.”
Especially when it comes to the next takeaway.
Talking Side Hustle
Key Insight: 43% of women (38% of men) report having a side hustle
Maxie McCoy turned to the audience during this segment of the convo and asked, by a show of hands, how many in the audience have side hustles. She was greeted by a sea of hands in the air.
It’s something often discussed at Create & Cultivate, as many of the women in the audience are looking to take their side hustle full time. But how does one do that? It’s personal.
Alyssa Dawson Photography
“Work is life and life is work,” shared Patrice. “You have to figure out what your definition is. We have to be versatile because there is a blur. It’s time to get comfortable in it.”
That also relates to the first insight-- because you have to get comfortable asking to be PAID for your side-hustle.
Speaking of personal...
Talking Personal Brand
Key Insight: 14% of women feel they have their personal brand figured out, with 18% indicating their personal brand is “fluid.”
Becki Smithouse Photography
This blur Patrice referenced is incredibly important because it affects how we communicate ourselves to the world. Online or off, we compartmentalize our lives way less than we did 25 years ago. Even 10 years ago. It’s both liberating and daunting. And it’s also likely given way to the importance of a strong personal brand.
The nature of what women want has changed and as such women today are charting new courses everywhere we look. We are changing leadership roles, and we’re changing the face of the workforce – because we’re not scared to prioritize what matters most to us.
What matters most to you? Share in the comments below.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
The 10 Best Quotes from #CreateCultivateLA
Hello #MondayMotivation.
We're not your typical conference.
We have magical shit that happens. From keynote Kim Kardashian dishing her best career advice to our audience (she's not into lazy) to Chrissy Teigen real talking going back to work with postpartum depression, we're sharing some of our favorite mic drop moments from the day.
Chrissy Teigen: It’s important to do something you love on a daily basis.”
Kim Kardashian: “Show up. Do the work. Don’t be lazy. There’s no short cut.”
Aimee Song: "You should find joy in just creating and posting content, not the numbers. If you don't, then you should do something else."
Kim Kardashian: “You have to have your shit together mentally, to put out great product.”
Lauren Conrad: “Whatever you do, you’re going to have tough days. So make sure you have as many great days as you can.”
Nina Dobrev: "I stop following people if it looks like they're just posting because they're getting paid to do something."
Traci Inglis of ShoeDazzle & JustFabOnline: “Being a business owner is a status, being an entrepreneur is an attitude.”
Anine Bing: “If you surround yourself with great people then you can achieve higher goals.”
Kimmie Greene of Quickbooks: “What comes easy to you is still a gift. Don’t feel bad when you charge what you're worth.”
Jen Gotch of Bando: “Take connection over transaction.”
Have favorites from the day that you want to share? Comment below!
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
WorkParty Fireside Chat: How Refinery29 Co-Founders Actually Met
Plus more from #CreateCultivateLA.
Refinery29 started out of a 750 sq. ft apartment with a $5,000 dollar investment. Today it's a global empire. And at Saturday's Create & Cultivate LA, co-founder Piera Gelardi shared with a crowd of over a thousand women about the brand's roots and it's commitment to inclusiveness.
In a WorkParty fireside chat with C&C founder Jaclyn Johnson, the two got down to brass tacks
On Starting
“I started Refinery about 13 years ago with three co-founders.” Though Piera studied art, she knew she didn’t want a solitary career. “I grew up in a family business. There were always people around. So I knew I wanted to start looking at careers that would bring the artistic side of me out, but that would also bring out my entrepreneurial spirit and love of collaboration.”
She got an internship at a publication called City Magazine. “It was a great experience because it was very small and hands-on. I learned about the design side, about styling, and I also learned a lot from my boss, the executive editor, Christene Barberich, who is also my co-founder at Refinery.”
“I worked there for a couple of years but I started to feel fatigued by the magazine cycle. I wanted to start something on my own.” When she and her other two co-founders, her then-boyfriend, now husband, Philippe von Borries and Justin Stefano, needed an editor, she told the two to call up Christene and ask if the brilliant editor knew anyone. Christene surprised Piera by her desire to get involved in the idea.
“She called me up and said, ‘I think this is an amazing idea, I want to get involved, but I can only get involved is you’re actually committed,” Piera explained, crediting Christene as the person who really convinced her to take the jump. “That was the moment I decided I was really going to commit myself to it.”
On Cultivating the Career of Her Dreams
“Some people have a long-term vision of where they want to be and they make the plan.” Piera explained. “But I’ve been someone who’s needed to try something and respond to it. Really give whatever I try I full shot.”
“Bringing joy, satisfaction, and leaning into your own strengths at work is so necessary,”
“I think bringing joy, satisfaction, and leaning into your own strengths at work is so necessary,” the co-founder shared.
On the Birth of 29Rooms
Piera knew she wanted to do something big for the ten-year anniversary of the brand.
#WorkParty. Right?!
“We wanted to celebrate ten years as a brand. We wanted to honor our roots and style. But also celebrate all the different topics that Refinery now covers. We wanted to create an experience that would disrupt fashion week by being inclusive.”
29Rooms Is Refinery29's funhouse Of Style, Culture, And Technology. Fans get to experience Refinery29’s imaginative spirit IRL through an interactive funhouse of style, culture, & technology, brought to life by a group of global artists and visionaries across mediums.
Bringing fashion, culture, and style to the people has been their goal from the get-go.
“Fashion is very exclusive, very didactic, and designed to make you feel bad about yourself and make you feel insecure,” shared Piera. “We wanted to create a space that celebrated self-expression and individuality. In the beginning we didn’t feel like part of the fashion world, but we loved what style represented as a form of expression. We’re always looking at what’s missing and how we can better serve our audience. Always looking at who we can create space for.”
Elevating different voices is built into the R29 ethos. ‘It’s always been important to listen to our audience and listen to our team. The Refinery team is our audience.”
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
4 Beauty Bloggers Share What Beauty Means to Them
It's a big B word.
What does beauty mean to you? It's personal, we get it, but it's a topic of note lately and one we'll be chatting about at C&CLA this Saturday.
As such, we had the most brilliant brunch with Clinique to kick off #CreateCultivateLA and it was a blast! Moisture surge was a hit! Millennial pink was the color. Beauty was the topic of discussion.
Destiney aka: Mom Crush Monday told us that Moms all around the world epitomize beauty to her. We asked her and Denise Vasi how they are teaching their daughters about beauty.
Destiney says, "Moms just radiate so much light and beauty to me. I teach my daughter about beauty through affirmations. We talk about being beautiful from the inside out."
Denise Vasi shared that when teaching her daughter about beauty, "The most important thing I want her to know is that beauty starts from the inside and whatever natural state she's in at any moment, that is when she's the most beautiful."
Specs and Blazers aka: Nike shared with us that she feels the most beautiful, "when I'm creating and writing for my blog."
Sazan says her two-month-old daughter epitomizes beauty to her, "because she's perfect!" We believe it.
Melissa Alatorre's definition of true beauty is, "Being confident in who you are and being yourself and never changing because you are unique and beautiful just the way you are."
Sophie Elkus and Simply Bianca Alexa both say their mothers define beauty for them. Sophie loves that her mom is caring and cooks for her. Moms are the best.
Bianca shared that her mother and grandmother epitomize beauty for her, "because they're such strong and powerful women and ever since I was little they've taught me to be comfortable in my own skin and to love who I am."
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
How To Remember To Eat Lunch At Work
What? I have to eat too?
The week of C&C is a crazy, wild ride.
And we’re all along for it, but sometimes we forget to eat.
Which, everyone, including your mom, knows is vital to your overall well-being, brain health, and sanity.
Drink water. Eat food. It shouldn’t be that hard, but it is. Your adrenaline takes over. And in the midst you forget to feed yourself.
Here are some reasons why that’s a horrible idea.
SKIPPING LUNCH SLOWS YOUR METABOLISM
Also, it slows down your ability to quickly process information. What you want to do when you hear your stomach rumble, is answer the call. Sometimes that means opening up the little “Postmates” app on your phone .
SERIOUSLY, TAKE YOUR LUNCH BREAK.
Disconnecting from work mid-day can actually GIVE you an energy boost and make everything run more smoothly. When it comes to event production, there are so many tiny balls in the air and skipping lunch ensures that some of those balls will drop. Our Senior Event Producer, Adri Contreras, knows that ordering lunch is key, especially when it comes to long grueling days onsite. But who has time for that?! (Not us.)
Luckily, Postmates stepped up and sent the crew a healthy spread from Kye’s. It’s a health-focused eatery with a ton of options-- from organic gluten-free wraps and vegan yummies for the plant-based eaters on our team, it filled our team up, without leaving them sluggish. Which, says Adri, is exactly what we need during the day.
SMART WORKERS MANAGE THEIR WORK/FOOD ENVIRONMENT
Like we’ve said, don’t work so hard that your plate is full but your stomach is empty.
If you want to work smart, you have to be smart. That means powering up on healthy options.
Luckily, Postmates delivers anything from anywhere. And on the days you know will be insane you can even schedule your wrap delivery ahead of time. That’s like the grown-up version of packing your lunch. #SorryNotSorryMom.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Create & Cultivate Classifieds: Emily Henderson Design, ATTN & The Ladies of Hope Ministries
Bowl cuts and big moves. Both are waiting.
A week without job listings at C&C is no week at all. We want you to succeed, which is why we're offering up the best jobs offers on the market, including one from our fave Emily Henderson.
Look and learn and then get to applying!
Emily Henderson - LA, CA
The Ladies of Hope Ministries- NY, NY
DBA - NY, NY
Sakura Bloom - Oceanside, CA
ATTN: LA, CA
General Electric - ATL, GA
WANT MORE? SIGN UP FOR THE FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Make the Most of Attendee Happy Hour
If you’ve never been to a C&C attendee Happy Hour the night before the conference, you are in for a treat.
Happy Hour is taking place at Rolling Greens 7505 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90036 from 6 - 7:30 PM. Please bring your badge for entry or your attendee confirmation.
Not only do you get to mix, mingle, and network with fellow C&C attendees (bring those biz cards) you’ll also get your first big (head) shot. LinkedIn is providing headshot and Linkedin page optimization services.
That’s right.
You’ll look totally pro, before you hit the C&C circuit the next day.
Happy Hour is a great way to meet fellow attendees and begin building some very important relationships. Not sure on how to get the conversation started at the party? Here are a few tips.
1. Be open
Conferences can feel intimidating. You don't know who is going to be there, what to expect, or what you want out of it. Be open to everything! The Create + Cultivate community is one of kindness, support, and enthusiasm. You'll quickly find out that everyone is very open about where they are and what they're looking for (in life and work), and will be totally down to buddy up for the day! We have seen so many friendships blossom from the conference, so be open to whatever it may bring.
2. Go big or go home
Be bold and get outside your comfort zone—approach that person you have been dying to meet and ask them your burning questions! We want you to get the most from your C+C experience but that starts with you! Our team will be all over to answer any questions and if you see us, PLEASE introduce yourself! We love meeting our attendees and hearing all of your amazing stories!
3. Ask the good stuff
We've all been asked the same, "Where do you work?" "What do you do?" "Where do you live?" Boring questions and chances are, we're tired of answering them. Try asking your new friends something fresh and exciting. Switching up the conversation from the traditional work-related topics can really break the ice and give you ladies something real to connect with. Here are some starters:
Have you ever traveled or studied abroad?
Best new movie you've recently seen in theaters?
New artist, you're listening to?
Next vacation you're dying to take?
Podcasts you're listening to?
Books you're reading?
You're going to have a blast and we can't wait to meet you at Happy Hour. Check out our breakdown of everything else happening at the conference this weekend, it's going to be a full day of inspiration!
Address: Rolling Greens 7505 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90036
Limited parking will be available onsite. We recommend taking an Uber or Lyft.
Links From Our Group Chat: Women in STEM, Flu Season & Stoneman Douglas Survivors,
It's Sunday night, do you know what to read? We've got plenty of options for you leading into the last week of Feb. That's right. It's almost March. Whaat?!
The flu bummer getting you down? Well, here's how to tell if you actually have the flu, or just a cold.
Stoneman Douglas Students are just the jolt we need. Meet survivor Emma Gongalez.
Well, this is a paradox. The more gender equality, the fewer women in STEM. Huh?
Black Panther smashes box office records. Oh, and Hollywood myths.
When women gather, great things will happen.
Lena Dunham had a hysterectomy at 31. Find out why.
What are you reading? Share in the comments below.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Hold It Together During the Most Important Meeting of Your Career
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Photo Credit: Justine Marjan
You’ve got this. In a matter of mere minutes you will be standing on top of a career mountain. A milestone of epic proportions. Because you’re about to enter. DUN DUN DUN.
The most important meeting of your career. Breathe.
Whether it’s an interview with your dream employer or a pitch meeting with a bucket list client, there are a couple of key steps to ensure that it’s in the bag. And, no, not the paper bag panic attack. Like, in the bag, you’ve got this, high-five yourself in the mirror because you’re about to do the damn thing.
Thanks to our friends at TRESemmé we’re sharing how.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Practice until you’re blue in the face. Practice until it’s in your DNA. And then forget the script. It’s a little trick that seems counterintuitive, but allows you to speak from the heart and the head.
You need to know your facts. Your KPIs (key performance indicators) and ROIs (return on investments) but you also have to know YOU (no acronym. Just you). When you combine your smarts with your soul, there’s no stopping you. But, you do need to put in the work. Speaking of--
KEEP IT MEMORABLE
If you’re meeting with someone for the first time, or you really want to impress said person, nerves have a tendency to wreck the best laid plans. Even the most seasoned amongst us get the jitters when they’re faced with career stressors. Even Meryl Streep was once nervous, asking Jane Fonda for tips on how to keep it together.
Keep it memorable by being yourself-- not a rehearsed version of you, as discussed above. To make an impression, you need to fake confidence. Not only will your enthusiasm for the subject matter leave a lasting impression, confidence begets confidence. Meaning, if you believe in yourself and what you’re saying, chances are higher the other person will as well.
KEEP IT FROM BEING A HAIR-RAISING EXPERIENCE.
From all parties. Look, you don’t want to fidget with your clothes or your hair during a presentation or interview. You want to appear cool, calm, collected, and tugging on your clothes, or nervously touching your hair, belies the confidence you’re trying so hard to fake. One way to ensure you don’t fall down a hair-twisting nervous tick is to put it back and use a little of the new TRESemmé Compressed Micro-Mist Hair Spray, which will keep it in place, with no stiffness or crunch.
No matter how you style your hair, remember: you got this. You can hold it together. And TRESemmé can give you a little help on the side. Try this Sleek low bun from Justine Marjan, TRESemmé Global Stylist.
Create a center part then spray a brush with the new TRESemmé Compressed Micro-Mist Hair Spray in Level 3: Boost, then brush through the hair and gather the hair into a sleek low pony, spraying the brush with more hairspray if necessary. To keep the pony as sleek as possible, tilt your head back as you secure the elastic. Run the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum through the length of the pony and to smooth down any flyaways to finish.
Have other tips and tricks for first meetings? We’d love to hear! Share in the comments below.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
How the C&C Team Keeps Healthy During Conference Week
Oh my gosh, it’s almost here.
Olly Olly oxen free!!
That’s what the C&C team will be yelling next Saturday night when we’re filled with joy and happiness and likely, a couple of delirious tears over the success of our pending Create & Cultivate LA conference.
‘Cause look we’ve been in hiding. Our heads down, doing the damn thing, working on Create & Cultivate tirelessly over the last couple months. Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE the work we do, but that doesn’t mean we don’t burn midnight oil or work more hours than the average 9-5er.
It’s hard putting on a conference the scale of C&C. And neglecting our health and wellness is not an option. So we make sure to 1. Drink tons of water and 2. Take our vitamins. These are what vitamins we’re popping!
They help us feel like there are a few more vitaminutes in the day.
Jaclyn Johnson, CEO + Founder
Goodbye Stress. WIth GABA, L-Theanine and Lemon Balm, Goodbye Stress help our CEO keep calm and stay alert. “There are so many plates spinning in the air come conference time,” she shares, “so keeping calm, but focused, is vital to the success of the conference.”
GABA is a fast-acting (30-60 minute) active that supports a relaxed state of mind to help combat the acute effects of stress. Even though there is nothing cute about stress face.
Arianna Schioldager, Editor in Chief
Purely Probiotic. Needing to stay on top of it all tends to take its toll on our EIC during conference time. Long hours and a go-go-go-get ‘em environment is hard on her body. “Making sure my digestive tract is in good working order is key to making sure I stay on top of my game,” she says. ‘Otherwise my immune system goes haywire.”
Since 70% of your body’s immune system lives in your digestive tract, it’s super important for your overall health and well-being.
Adriana Contreras, Senior Event Producer
Undeniable Beauty. C&C is close to a 100-hour work week, especially for the production team. There’s no time to stop and think, let alone make sure you hair and nails look good.
Heather Records, Senior Marketing Manager
Daily Energy. Heather heads up C&C’s social channels, which means she needs all the energy in the world to keep up with our enthusiastic followers and attendees. The B12 in Daily Energy keeps her from burning out, even when she’s burning the candle at both ends. “Week of conference is pure crazy,” Heather says, “but it’s the exact kind of crazy that I like. I just need to power up and power on.”
Chloe White, Graphic Designer
Hello Sunshine Vitamin D3. Our redhead, fair-skinned graphic designer tends to get burned outdoors. But she also spends so much time at her comp., that it’s important for her to give her body a daily dose of of Vitamin D3. It also helps support overall wellness. “Even if I can’t make it outside during conference week, I still like to feel like there some sunshine in my life,” laughs Chloe. Plus, it helps support a healthy immune system, which I’m all about conference week. There’s no time to get sick.”
ALL OF US.
Restful Sleep. On Sunday post-conference, once all I’s have been dotted and T’s crossed, you can bet we’ll all be popping Restful Sleep with a little bit of melatonin to slow our brains down and make sure we get a good night’s rest Sunday. Because there’s no rest for the worker bees.
If you're attending Create & Cultivate LA be sure to check the Olly pop up to learn more about there delicious and super beneficial vitamins and how they can help you!
MORE FROM THE BLOG
The One Product Every Working Woman Needs
Hello future.
You’ve stayed up late working, cooking, organizing, folding all that laundry on your bed, and everything else. It’s tough being the boss breadwinner. And next? You have to wake up at the crack of dawn to get ready for the next 9-10 hours at the office. Hair is the last thing on your priority list, right?
Same. We’ve all been there, but we’re introducing you to the number one machine that will solve all your hair probs.
Yes, it’s a hair dryer. But not just any hair dryer. This hair dryer has already won more awards than all of us on the C&C team combined.
Celebrity hairstylist and C&C fave, Jen Atkin, had a huge part in the creation of the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer™ which is now creating a hair dryer revolution. This past year, at New York Fashion Week F/W17 and S/S18, the machine powered the hair at more than a dozen shows including: Alexander Wang, Phillip Plein, Brandon Maxwell, Brock Collection, Narcisco Rodriguez.
Save Time
Not only does it make you look super techie and chic with its slim frame and lightweight body. It’s also very effective in getting the job done. This hair dryer from the heavens is cutting drying time in half for most women with a motor that spins up to six times faster than a Formula One race car
Tom Crawford, Dyson Global Category Director, says, "Fast drying isn’t just about high‑speed air. You also need the right balance of pressure and turbulence. You need to control the air, and make it stable."
Make Less Noise
It’s stable alright. It’s also borderline silent. We know, a quiet hair dryer almost sounds like a dream come true.
Three words. Vibration reduction mount. This fancy mount helps prevent the motor from vibrating against the inside of the handle, which in turn, reduces the amount of noise coming from the hair dryer.
Get More Shine
As if you needed another reason to fall in love, the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer was engineered to protect against extreme heat damage to bring out the natural shine of your hair. It’s intelligent heat control measures the exiting air temperature measured 20 times per second. When our hair is exposed to excessive heat, this reduces reflective light and decreases our hairs’ natural shine.
Annmarie Nicholson, a Dyson Engineer says, "You need a certain amount of heat to style hair, but extreme heat can cause damage. By keeping the temperature under control, our dryer can help protect your hair."
Silent drying, faster drying and more heat protection. Welcome to the future ladies. If you’re joining us at Create & Cultivate LA this year, don’t miss the chance to try out this beautiful machine at the Dyson pop-up! Their team will be offering complimentary dry blowouts.
Have you tried the Dyson hair dryer already? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Nina Dobrev’s workout playlist and best fitness advice
Get #LikeNina
Nina Dobrev is an actress and fitness fanatic. You may recognize her from her roles in Return of Xander Cage and Flatliners. When she’s not busy filming on set, Nina is in the gym with her girls.
Get the scoop on her new Les Mills GRIT workout, what’s on her gym playlist and the one fitness routine every on-the go woman needs in her life below!
Tell us about your girls you workout with, what do you love about group workouts?
I am lucky enough to have an amazing group of girlfriends who all love working out as much as I do. For me, it makes the experience much more fun. Especially when we do our weekly dance classes. It doesn’t feel like a workout, we have a great time and we sweat which a bonus! I’ll take a group workout with my ladies over a solo workout any day.
What are your essentials to a healthy lifestyle as an on-the-go girl always working on the next big thing?
Working out for at least 30 minutes each day is my Zen time that keeps me going. I make sure to put my phone down and completely unplug so I can focus on doing something good for my body.
Can you chat us through how working out with Les Mills has changed how you feel about your body?
Les Mills GRIT has transformed my body completely. To put it simply, these workouts kick my ass! Les Mills GRIT workouts work every single muscle in the body and have allowed me to build strength that I never had before. Once I started seeing results, I couldn’t stop.
How do you juggle your fitness and wellness routine while filming on set?
I am fortunate enough to have Lissa (Lissa Bankston, Reebok X Les Mills International trainer) with me, we make time every single day. 30 minutes, everyone can do it. Even after the hardest, longest days, I have learned to hold myself accountable for making this time no matter what. However, what’s amazing about Les Mills is that they offer workouts you can truly do anywhere, anytime – with or without a trainer, or even a gym. Les Mills On Demand workout programs let you workout from online anywhere. They have 15 minute to 55 minute classes available for people of all fitness levels so it really gives you no excuse to not find the time.
How does maintaining a wellness routine affect your positivity and perspective?
Maintaining a consistent wellness routine is so important to me. I love working out. It’s in my body, it’s in my soul, and it’s part of who I am. Sleep, and the proper fuel are also vital to maintaining wellness as well. I won’t settle for less than 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night, and I start each day with a special shake packed with protein and vitamins to help kick start my day.
IYO, what’s the one fitness activity every working women should try to do at least once a week?
If I had to recommend one fitness activity that every woman could fit into their schedule just once a week, I would have to say the #LikeNina Les Mills GRIT workout that I developed with Reebok and Les Mills. It’s quick, only 30 minutes, but it is SO hard. The best results come from the hardest work, and I am a firm believer that everyone can make time for a 30 minute workout each day.
Go-to playlist you listen to when you’re working out:
Woman - Kesha
She Wants Me Dead - CAZZETTE
Lose Control - Hedley
No Problem - Chance the Rapper
Feel It Still - Portugal. The Man.
Most Girls - Hailee Steinfeld
Sorry Not Sorry - Demi Lovato
All Night - Steve Aoki, Lauren Jauregui
Coming to C&C LA? Nina will be joining us on our Keeping It One Million panel at this year’s conference, don’t miss it!
What’s on your workout playlist? Let us know in the comments below!
MORE FROM OUR BLOG