December 2012/January 2013 by BRINK Magazine

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BRINK Magazine P.O. BOX 2371 Orlando, FL 32802

Photo by Ari Scott

PUBLISHER/editor-in-chieF Kyle M Menard Creative Director Betsy Hansen EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT Steven Ozer Camille Chu Michelle Cameau Copy Editor Jacqueline Carr community relations Nicole Girata community relations new york Valerie Navarro

ere we are at another issue – issue 25 to be exact. Can you believe that? We’re also celebrating BRINK’s third anniversary. It’s exciting and unbelievable that we’re at this point. Many people have been a part of BRINK and added to the success of pushing this publication forward. Some are still with us and some are not, but we continue to build this brand and push our limits. This publication started off as a magazine that put a spotlight on Central Florida, but it became all too clear that there were so many entrepreneurs in so many areas of the world, and we couldn’t put a cap on that talent. Over the past three years, we have built some amazing relationships. HP MagCloud has been one of our biggest supporters, and they provide us with such an invaluable print-on-demand service (among many others). Over the past three years, we have had some great interviews: Nadia G., Lisa D’Amato, Embrace the Culture, The Girls Guide to Depravity girls. Their words are immortal, and there is such strong advice in those interviews. We’re creating this blueprint from their words so we can learn from their experiences. This issue celebrates the best of BRINK with all new features and articles. Diana of Milkmade Ice Cream (our cover feature) is a perfect example of an entrepreneur mixing old world methods with new world charms – where ecommerce

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Photo by Ari Scott

editor’s note Welcome to the December/January issue of BRINK!

Contributors Tara Cormier Pedro Rodiguez Anais Vaillant

meets classic business. We also have Everlane apparel featured, and what I love about Everlane is their business model. They have their apparel and they sell it to you. There is no middleman. It’s eCommerce at its best. Then we have Sandy Machado who sells items on Fab.com. Maybe you’ve bought something on Fab.com and thought, “how did this get here?” Sandy shares her story of how she did it. Sandy shares how she finds, sells and ships her goods with Fab.com and beyond. The issue also features our 2012 gift guide and more of our great editorial spreads featuring up-and-comers in the fashion industry. So here we are. Together. Maybe this is the first time you’ve read this or the 25th. Maybe this is the first time you’ve seen BRINK or the 25th time. Know this. I am moving BRINK forward. We all have a story. Let’s share those stories and let one another know we’re not all that different. We can do whatever we want to do, and we can do it together.

Kyle M Menard Editor in Chief editor@brinkmagonline.com

Photographers Alexia Johnson Ari Scott Find us online brinkmagonline.com LIKE US ON facebook facebook.com/brinkmag Follow us on twitter twitter.com/brinkmag Look at us on Instagram @BRINKmag advertising 407.456.4813 sales@brinkmagonline.com love, questions, Comments info@brinkmagonline.com Additional words and photos credited where applicable. Disclaimer: The views expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of BRINK magazine, or its management or owners. BRINK magazine has not verified the accuracy or completeness of the content of the submission but has relied on the warranty of the creator as to these factors. Please address any comments directly to the creator. No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied by any method, electronically or otherwise, without written permission from the publishing company. All information within is deemed to be true and reliable. The Newsstand Orlando LLC., and all those associated with this publication assume no financial liability for any misinformation or typographical errors in advertisements. We may at times recommend various businesses that advertise in the pages, but we make no claims as to their promises or guarantees or products or services. BRINK Magazine 2009-2012 contents The Newsstand Orlando LLC.

This Issue

issue 25 | December 2012/january 2013

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ed letter street style boston bag lady

everlane

Back to business. An insider speaks on selling at Fab.com and making her business boom.

Online retailer Everlane shares how they cut out the middleman and paved their path to success.

Subscription services have never been so good. Learn how Milkmade Ice Cream started their adventure.

Our 2012 holiday season must-have picks!

Cover photo by Ari Scott

milkmade

gift guide

27 diy 28 The science of raw 30 k.hendrix

Designer K.Hendrix lets the sequins out of the bag with this exclusive photo spread shot for just for us.

danny avila

the last page

The DJ speaks on making it at 17, working hard, and Madonna.

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street style | Photos by Alexia Johnson

Alexia Johnson What do you do? I capture and create stories in photos and film. How would you describe your look? My look exemplifies my personality. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m an openminded person who likes to have fun. When I see something that is comfortable and stands out, I wear that because I think that represents me the best. Where do you want to be in the next 10 years? I want to be doing whatever makes me the happiest in that moment.

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Alex What do you do? Right now, im traveling with my family from Brazil. How would you descibe your look? I like warm colors. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have a wardrobe. I just have different clothes hung up in my closet and I try to match the warm neutral colors together.

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BRINK Buzz | Boston Bag Lady

Boston bag lady

One of the hottest shops this season won’t be your local boutique – it’s the one at your fingertips. Fab.com has turned into a mecca of shopping for the design focused consumer and is sure to be a huge hit this holiday. But who is behind those items for sale? BRINK shares a cup of coffee with Sandy Machado – a seller on Fab.com and learns how things got so fabulous. By Kyle Menard Photos Fardad Faridi

Can you give us an overview of how the company operates and how it all works? Considering Boston Bag Lady is one lady from Boston, I have my work cut out for myself. I’m my own boss and the shop’s only employee, which means I do everything from start to finish. I start by looking for inventory. This is probably the most exciting part of the business process for me. I go to a ton of yard sales and thrift stores in the local area as well as the south shore. I try to get to flea markets, estate sales, and antique markets when I can as well. After acquiring the products, I photograph and catalog them and get them ready to place on Etsy, or, lately, to be used on Fab. Once sold, I get it ready for delivery and ship it out to its new owner. It’s a long process – some parts being more enjoyable than others – but fun as well. How and who started the company? I started Boston Bag Lady in January of 2008. I stumbled into a small shop in Boston that housed an inventory of amazing mint condition greeting cards from the 40s to the 70s. I purchased about 200 cards that day, which helped in laying a foundation for my shop’s inventory. Within a few hours of listing the new inventory on Etsy, I had already made some sales and was on my way. When you thought about business and your overall career, did you envision this is where you would be? I certainly didn’t. I started Boston Bag Lady on a whim and was surprised to see how successful it became. I definitely didn’t expect to make sales the first night of business. Business kept growing rapidly from there. I started expanding to other types of paper ephemera (gift wrap, invitations, educational items, card games, etc.) and my inventory kept growing. I became a go-to seller for a number of customers who were looking for particular types of items. I developed relationships with my customers, which made the experience even more rewarding. With over 7,000 sales in five years, it’s been an incredible journey and amazing learning experience. I never expected the Etsy shop to do as well as it did – and still does. I’m in the top 20 vintage sellers on Etsy and have enjoyed seeing Boston Bag Lady grow from a hobby into a full business. Can you tell us how you got the ball rolling with Fab.com? Fab.com allows sellers to submit a form to showcase their wares and introduce them to their products for possibly selling on the site. I submitted the form sometime in the spring and was 8 brinkmagonline.com December 2012/January 2013

Find Boston Bag Lady on Fab.com!

Holiday sale December 3rd thru December 10th Valentine sale January 21st thru January 28th

contacted by Kristian Lazzaro, the Vintage Modern Buyer for Fab.com shortly after. After a few phone calls and emails back and forth, we scheduled my first sale with Fab.com for the week of the fourth of July. It was a lot of hard work gathering all the items and getting them ready for the sale, but it was very exciting at the same time. It has also led to new and exciting experiences and opportunities, which I am thrilled about. How large is your staff, and is everyone located in the same area? How do you get assistance when you need it most? Boston Bag Lady is a one-woman operation. From photographing items to sending out deliveries, I handle everything from start to finish. I’ve had an awesome support team behind me from friends, loved ones and even the USPS Boston branches. Who is your customer? How do you keep them happy and coming back? Interacting with customers has been one of the most enjoyable parts of running a business. I’ve been lucky to sell all across the United States, as well as across the world. I’ve had customers, young and old, from the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and even Egypt! I’ve always provided a great customer experience by listening to the customer and shipping their items with care and in a timely manner. Providing good care for their product and quick shipment has led to a lot of repeat business. I’ve been lucky enough to have many customers come back and shop with me. I also try to reward repeat customers with special incentives and coupon codes for discounts.

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I think the success of my shop comes from providing a variety of items at an affordable price range. At any given time, I have between 400-600 items in my Etsy shop. I’m always looking for new and unique items to attract customers. I try to provide something for anyone and everyone – whether they are a collector or a crafter. Would you consider advertising? I’ve never done any advertising ever with my business though it is something I’ve been considering and might explore in the future. I’ve been fortunate enough to have amazing word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business over the years. With that said, I haven’t had a strong need to advertise. How has social media played a part in your business? Just recently, I’ve started using social media to help with business, but even then it’s to a very small degree. I do have a Facebook fan page for Boston Bag Lady on which I make announcements, alert fans of discounts/sales, and any other news. The only social media that I have enjoyed using, and which I have seen benefit my business, is Instagram. I enjoy posting pictures of my latest finds, and I love the instant feedback on the items. People are often intrigued with where I found it and how they can then purchase it. I have over 600 followers and hope to have that number keep growing! Do you worry about competitors or someone using your business model? There is a huge market for Vintage on Etsy. I think

what sets Boston Bag Lady apart from other sellers is the quality of items, pricing, quick shipping, and customer service. I always make sure to list items accurately, take good photographs, package items well, and provide the lowest shipping charge possible. Who do you have as a support for the company? I’ve been lucky enough to have a good ring of family and friends provide me with great support. It’s also been fun introducing people to thrift shopping by bringing them to yard sales and flea markets with me. What is the ultimate goal of the company? I’d definitely love for the business to keep on growing. I want to have more opportunities with Fab and potentially sell my vintage wares in a collective sales or market-type setting such as the SOWA Vintage Market in Boston. I’d love to eventually get into selling larger and items that are not paper. I limit myself to flat, smaller items due to the space that I have in my apartment. Recently, I’ve been focusing more on books, children’s clothing and even some menswear. I’ve also been interested in becoming a stylist for photo shoots. I’d love to be a go-to vintage buyer, perhaps even having a physical store or a bigger online presence. I want to keep Boston Bag Lady successful. In all five years, I haven’t ever once felt like it was a chore. It’s been a great hobby that has led to a business, and I still have great passion for it. Nothing makes me happier than thrifting for inventory for the shop or for my own collection.

Any really good experiences selling with Fab.com? I’ve thoroughly enjoyed selling with Fab.com. It’s been one of the greatest experiences with my business to date. It’s been a challenge, but it’s also taught me a lot. There is a lot of prep work to do in getting your sale ready ahead of time and then a very quick turnover for getting your orders out the door in a timely manner. Having already had two successful sales, the process has become a bit more quick and streamlined. When are your next sales on Fab.com, and how did those dates get chosen? I have two upcoming sales. One is a Holiday-themed sale starting Monday, December 3rd until Monday, December 10th. The second sale will be a Valentines sale and will start January 21st until January 28th. I hope to continue doing sales for Fab in the future. Dates get chosen by the Vintage Buying Team, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with Kristian Lazzaro and Julia Mennone. They’ve been so helpful throughout this whole process and have been super supportive. Do you have any advice for future shop owners? Keep trying, and take a chance. I set up the shop on a whim and ended up being successful with it. Whether vintage is your passion, art or jewelrymaking, take the time to get your work out there, and you could potentially receive great reward. For more, visit www.bostonbaglady.etsy.com December 2012/January 2013 brinkmagonline.com 11

In the Biz | Everlane

ever thine ever mine ever ours

ever lane Everlane promises good, durable, well-designed products for the smart consumer. Cutting out the middleman and catering to their consumers with quality items at a great price for men and women is the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rite of way. BRINK had an exclusive chat with founder and CEO Michael Preysman and got to the bottom of Everlaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business.

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By Pedro Rodriguez Photos Everalne

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In the Biz | Everlane

“We started with the ultimate luxury basic: the T-shirt. Inspired by the $50 tees we found at our favorite boutiques in New York, but not by the price, we opted to create our own designs. The same quality shirt but for $15.” Frustrated with the “lack of innovation in the retail space,” Everlane founder, Michael Preysman — despite doing well for himself in a successful venture capital firm — followed his passion for great design and launched the online-only retail site in November 2011. Preysman now leads a team of approximately 18 creative engineers based in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Together they “seek to create a new kind of brand – one truly of and for the 21st century.” Driven with passion and philoso14 brinkmagonline.com December 2012/January 2013

“We pay attention to detail. Less is always more, that’s why we use a minimal approach. We are willing to tell the customers what the product is. We create luxurious essentials and cut the brand markup to sell simply great quality at great prices.” phy for design, Preysman and his Everlane team are hands-on with everything relating to the company. The team makes all their products from scratch choosing the material, colors, fabric and what clothing to make. They want something customers can be excited about; as excited as they are when putting products together.

Preysman describes one of the company’s goals as “wanting to simplify everything; go back to basics and simplify everything.” Instead of going through the traditional retail process: creating a designer T-shirt; manufacturing it for $6.70; going to advertisers, business executives and traditional retail distributers; hitting stores that sell them for $50.00; Everlane designs and manufactures the shirt at the same cost and sells it for only $15.00. Customers pay roughly a third of the brand-name prices; giving today’s customers a much-needed price break. When it comes to advertising, the company takes a minimal approach. Preysman says they have one billboard in Manhattan, and they just “refer their customers to share, but that’s it.” It’s a more humble approach versus the typical

mainstream company that advertises to the masses. Instead, the company relies heavily on social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. “The Internet. It’s a new form of communication with the customer.” Social media interaction has gotten them, to what Preysman says, is a happy place. “I think we’re super happy as to how well it’s done. We’ve spent very little to no money in advertising. People are really humbled by it. Internet has made things a lot easier than it was before.” With the Internet making things easier, Everlane doesn’t have to deal with distributing to stores and retailers. And what sets them apart is passion for design and giving consumers what they need for a price that they want. “We pay attention to detail. Less is always more, that’s why

we use a minimal approach. We are willing to tell the customers what the product is. We create luxurious essentials and cut the brand markup to sell simply great quality at great prices.” Everlane uses their website as their storefront. They lay out their products on their website, and the customer chooses. Their blog is where customers can express what they want and what designs they’d like to see. Currently, the company has grown to 400,000 customers and continues to rise. As for future competitors? “Focus on the things that matter,” Preysman says. “You’re really your only competition at the end of the day. There are always competitors. We’re telling a story, but we have a different perspective — the products.” By creating really great

designs and providing them to as many people as possible, Everlane shows its customers that “it doesn’t have to be so complicated.” “In a way we want people to buy less. You don’t need 100 different shirts. You just need good quality shirts; something to last a long time. It applies to everything.” The company may expand in the U.S., or even go international, but nothing definitive just yet. What is definitive is the company’s consumer-focused objective. “We seek out the best factories in the business — the very same ones that produce your favorite designer labels — to create the shortest path from our hands to yours.” For more on Everlane, visit www.everlane.com December 2012/January 2013 brinkmagonline.com 15

In the Biz | Everlane

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made to ordeR We all remember that unforgettable ice cream truck jingle – the jingle that once upon a summer made you jump out of the pool and, I’ll bet, still turns your head. You may not remember your first bite, but you never forget your last or the warm feeling you get when eating something that recreates innocence. Well, BRINK found the secret to the scream for cream. The spoonful of childhood is MilkMade. By Anais Vaillant Photos Betsy Hansen

t started in the summer of 2009 with a Cuisinart ice cream machine and an imagination Willy Wonka would envy. Diana, founder of MilkMade, began her New York City handcrafted ice cream business with two concepts in mind: mouth watering sophisticated flavors and local ingredients. Handdelivering her made-from-scratch pints of ‘scream to its members, MilkMade introduces two flavors each ice cream enthusiast can pick from every month, makes it a few days before delivery, and sends to your doorstep. Don’t believe us? The lid provides the date of conception. “I never imagined I’d start an ice cream business,” says Diana. As a 18 brinkmagonline.com December 2012/January 2013

business, MilkMade is considered one of the first monthly membership models, as well as food subscription delivery models. The model provides seasonal memberships of three months. Due to their primary values of hand-delivering fresh pints made with local ingredients, the three-month membership enables members to taste what local New York farmers have to offer. It’s about making connections between farmers and members. Although ice cream may look like an easy task of mixing milk, sugar, and yolk, creating the proper consistency, ratios, and flavoring poses a tremendous challenge. Each flavor the Milkmaids produce undergoes various experiments in proportions and ingredients in order

to create that mouth-watering sensation that defines ice cream. For example, Two Snaps and a Hay – an homage to In Living Color and consisting of chunks of gingersnaps and hay ice cream – involved research on various types and cuts of hay. The result was an ice cream that “tastes just like autumn,” a MilkMade member states. The hay creates a Sugar Smacks cereal sweetness that blends perfectly with the gingery snap from Baking for Good, an online bakery originating in the Big Apple. Inspired by the farmer’s market (Honey Roasted Honeycomb), desserts (German Chocolate), cocktails (Grady’s Manhattan), quirky names (Two Snaps and a Hay), takes on the classics (Rock Rock Rockaway Road), childhood memories

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(Scratch Root Beer Float) and everything in between (Potpourri?), Diana proves that the sweet tooth can build business. “MilkMade wasn’t started with business pursuits in mind. I just wanted a better pint. In the summer of 2009, I bought a little ice cream machine, taught myself the art of ice cream making, and began serving it to friends in the city. Word spread pretty quickly and within a few months of my first pint, I found myself with a waitlist of hundreds of ice cream enthusiasts in the city who also wanted a better pint,” explains Diana. And a better pint did she create for Manhattan and Brooklyn residents. Flavors, like memberships, are seasonal. When you get Monster Mash (concord grape ice cream with peanut butter swirl, marshmallows, graham and chocolate chips) the grapes used in the ice cream are at their prime and the marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate chips are locally made. No processed gunk allowed. All information on ingredients is provided on the MilkMade website underneath the flavor options. It enables members to see exactly where their ice cream ingredients come from. This not only provides members with additional information on their ice cream, it promotes local businesses, enabling members to venture past the monopolizing grocery stores and support local products with better flavors. It’s a reminder that not all farmers are located in the Midwest; some are just a stone’s throw away. There is something magical Milkmade about the olden at your days when everyservice thing was picked from the backyard and cooked with the old wooden spoon. Unfortunately, we’ve been Memberships are sucker punched $30 per month for with the cheap two pints, handprices of highly delivered to your door every month (local processed foods, NYC delivery included and our palates in price). have grown accustomed to 1%, 2% and skim. But if you’ve ever tasted the sweet thickness of fresh milk or the velvetiness of an organic egg and the tart sweetness of uneven grapes who’ve spent their entire lives fighting for flavor rather

than having it injected, then you know it’s worth the few extra bucks for a taste of what food is supposed to taste like. The business consists of ten Milkmaids, a partner named Bryce, and Diana herself. All members, thus far, have either been obtained by word of mouth, social media or press with followers on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and activity on Tumblr. Support from family, friends, and social media have created the strong foundation necessary for entrepreneurs like Diana to take their concept to the next level. Diana says, “Since inception, we have actually had higher demand than we could handle and have been working to scale our operations and delivery methods to meet that demand,” trying to maintain their personable business while growing at exceptional rates. Traveling

“In a startup, or as a small business owner, you are faced with hundreds of decisions every day. Get good at making quick decisions about the small stuff so you don’t experience decisions fatigue for the big ones.” with pints upon pints kept in dry ice in order to maintain the proper consistency, delivery has transcended from biking within districts to shipping outside of the city. The goals are to delight, follow a five-year plan pointing to serving ice cream enthusiasts across the country, and to celebrate the day Google turns <00 (the symbol of MilkMade and the emoticon for an ice cream cone) right side up. That’s when the Milkmaids will know they’ve made it. Every ‘scream has a story, a personality, and an individual craft. For example, the first two flavors were Risalamande (riso ice cream with almond slices and a cherry-fudge swirl) and Chinatown

Chocolate (chocolate ice cream spiced with five-spice powder). “Risalamande is based on my Danish family tradition of eating rice pudding on Christmas Eve. There is one full almond and many almond slices in the pudding, and whoever finds the whole almond in their serving wins a prize. We did the same with MilkMade. One lucky member had the full almond in their pint,” says Diana. There is an intimate touch to each batch, a story that connects creator with month, with ‘scream and with members. It’s then taken a step further by hand-delivering each pint, allowing members to actually meet the makers of their ‘scream. When we asked for a bit of advice for the beginner entrepreneur, Diana advised, “Get good at making decisions. In a startup, or as a small business owner, you are faced with hundreds of decisions every day. Get good at making quick decisions about the small stuff so you don’t experience decisions fatigue for the big ones.” The logistics behind creating a hand-delivered ice cream business is intense, however, strong support, confidence in risk-taking, and loving what you do makes anything possible. Like MilkMade, sometimes business concepts that have never been done reveal the greatest rewards. Selling something the majority loves also helps. “An ice cream of the month club that crafts the best ice cream that you’ve ever had in flavors that you’ve only dreamt of. Then we send out fleet of enthusiastic Milkmaids to hand-deliver pints right to your door. Pretty easy sell,” states Diana. Noted by the New York Times as one of the most expensive ice creams in the country, MilkMade’s membership continues to increase while solely relying on social media. Ice cream is no longer reserved for the summer, the waves, and the sand. Its season has turned endless so grumpy bellies can smile all year long. Who says we need to grow up? Jump back to the Never-Wherever-Land of your childhood, and take these flavors for a spin; remembering the times you snuck into the kitchen for a spoonful of that can’t-sleep-without-it, can’t-breathe-without-it cream. But warning must be placed on these seasonal pints made with love: your inner kid will scream its loudest scream when monthly pints are licked clean. For more on Milkmade, visit www.milkmadeicecream.com December 2012/January 2013 brinkmagonline.com 21

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holiday

gift guide

st G ar if t $1 tings 0! at

Our must-have holiday items!

C. Wonder Bullhorn Speaker The C. Wonder Bullhorn Speaker truly is a wonder. Blasting up to 13 decibles of volume with no external power makes this gadget a must-have this holiday. ($10 each; cwonder.com) December 2012/January 2013 brinkmagonline.com 23

holiday

gift guide Cabo Cado Tote Get a little piece of New England love with the supremely sweet Cabo Cado tote bag. The natural canvas bag (made in the USA) is the work of one designer and features various New England treasures. ($20 cabocado.com)

HANDeBand The HANDeBand makes holding onto your ereader or mobile device a “no-slip” zone and detaches when you need to store. ($28.95 each (2-pack); handeband.com)

VinOice from Cork Pops Innovative meets preparation with the VinOice. Keep your favorite bottle of Pinot Grigio chilled for up to an hour with this innovative stainless steel drip-free rod. ($28.00 each; vinoice.com)

iLuv ReF™ Headphones Fashion meets technology with the rich, deep bass and precise treble sounds that emerge from the latest iLuv headphone series. ($129.99; iLuv.com.)

Edward Beiner Frames There is no excuse for ignoring your eyes during the winter months when the elements can be extra harsh. Edward Beiner has a selection that will keep you cool with no jacket required. ($prices vary; edwardbeiner.com)

Deo-go Love that t-shirt from 2001, but rarely wear it due to underarm stains? We’re guilty too. That’s why we got Deo-go which removes stains and lets you keep your garments for as long as you want. ($11.49 each; getdeogo.com) Crocs The casual footwear brand has come a long way in its ten years. Trendy styles for men and women make these Crocs a must. (Men’s Hover Leather Boat Shoe $59.99 crocs.com)

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holiday

gift guide Shiseido Lacquer Rouge RD 607 Intense color in just one coat, these rich glossy hues will make lips shine all night long. With super hydro-wrap vitalizing DE, even dry, rough lips look flawless. No excuse now for imperfection! ($Prices vary bloomingdales.com)

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet 40 La Sensuelle Daring to be sensual? Chanel maintains their reputation for creating showstopping women with this elegant matted hue with a velvety finish. Must have for anyone on the prowl. ($Prices vary; bloomingdales.com)

Avelaka The tribal infused patterns of the Avelaka collection makes the bold collection a must have. ($prices vary; avelaka.com)

Crocs The casual footwear brand has come a long way in its ten years. Trendy styles for men and women make these Crocs a must. (Women’s Super Molded Flat $49.99 crocs.com) iLuv Snoopy Character Series for iPod touch and nano What are the holidays without the lovable Snoopy and his pals? New generations of iPod Nano and Touch devices have arrived, and lucky for us, we now have the sweetest case to protect from wear and tear. ($29.99-$34.99; iluv.com)

Flojos®Boots Offering serious comfort and seriously cute details, the Flojos winter lined boots provide the ample protection and style that any fashionista deserves. ($89 each; pictured “Heavenly;” Flojos.com)

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diy ‘Tis the season!

And in the spirit of giving, we’ve sprinkled in DIY projects great for gift-giving.

Customized

Mugs

need: g) What you’ll your choosin and shape of e siz , or g) ol (c sin Mugs ur choo and size of yo Sharpies (color nal) Stencils (optio Oven F clean t oven to 350 design on your Step 1: Prehea your desired e e aren’t rit er w th or re e, su , trac over to make Step 2: Draw ce on a it e ished, giv mug. When fin s through. the mug show re he w s ot sp any . es ut ely for 30 min cool complet Step 3: Bake and allow to en ov m fro e Step 4: Remov

with Jackie Carr

Decorated Switch Plates What you’ll need: Switch plates (new or current) Scrapbook paper Spray adhesive Small box cutter or x-acto knife Scissors Paper towels Sealer (optional) Step 1: Cut your scrapbook paper slightly larger than your switch plate, leaving enough room to fold edges over. Step 2: Lay the cut scrapbook paper face down on a clean surface (I like to use paper towels for easy clean up), and spray with adhesiv e. Step 3: Place the switch plate sticky-side down onto the scrapbook paper. Press firmly and evenly. Step 4: Cut the corners of the paper and fold edges over -- sides first, then top and bottom. Step 5: Place your covered switch plate face down on a cutting surface. Using your small box cutter or x-acto knife, cut an ‘X’ in the plate’s opening. Depending on the size of the hole, you may need to remove some of the excess paper. Step 6: Fold over and adhere to back of switch plate. Step 7: Punch the screw through the holes. Step 8 (optional): Seal with mod podge or the like).

Chalk Label Wine Glass What you'll need: Wine glass Chalk paint or spray Scissors Small box cutter or x-acto knife Tape Pen and Paper Scrap or ter ter/Prin Compu Stencils (optional) my own on the Step 1: Tape your stencil onto a clean wine glass. I made craft store. local your at stencils buy computer, but you can the paint dry Let area. desired the in paint chalk your spray or Paint Step 2: d. between coats. Repeat until desired chalk look is achieve your box use ry, necessa If stencil. and tape your remove dry, Once Step 3: cutter or x-acto knife to gently clean your edges. days, you are ready to write on your chalk label. couple a After 4: Step Consult your paint's directions for additional information or special instructions.

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The Bigger Picture | RAW

the science of

raw

All across the country, incredible talent lies undiscovered by the masses. Lacking paramount tools and resources, some artists may never earn the widespread recognition that their craft deserves. The vision of RAW completely revolutionizes artistic innovation in the US; giving every passionate artist an opportunity to win their way to the top. By Tara Cormier Photos Michael Wells

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In 2009, RAW was born in Southern California. What began as a single showcase event designed to bring struggling, talented artists together quickly drew fervent interest. Before too long, an online component was established; dramatically increasing the amount of exposure for talented artists. Today, RAW showcases a diverse offering of talent in 54 U.S. cities and shows no signs of slowing down! To call it a diverse offering of talent is really an understatement. Independent film makers, hairstylists, fashion designers, musicians, visual and performing artists, photographers and musicians are just some of the competitors striving to win in each of the 54 cities. The winners in each city are then judged by industry professionals, and the absolute best artists are selected to receive their awards at RAWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual indie awards show: The RAWards. RAWards Night in Hollywood is an extravagant and fun event, with performances and competition highlights along with food, drinks and great company. Musical entertainment, a fashion show and a full art gallery entertain and

inspire guests throughout the evening. At the end of the night, the winning artists are ready to make a grand splash in the world with powerful, career-launching prizes like studio time, consultations with industry executives, prime gallery and store placement, and distribution services. The competition in Orlando, Florida featured a unique and talented set of artists all vying for the top spots in each genre. During the spectacular RAWards semi-finals event, eight tremendously talented artists were selected from various creative arts catergories to compete in the ultimate race to the top: the RAWards finals event. Selected via a live community vote, along with input from an expert panel of judges, the semifinals winners now stand to win powerful, career-launching prizes like studio time, consultations with industry executives, prime gallery and store placement, and distribution services. Inspired by mythology, history, human interest and science, D Renee Wilson uses a unique plaster painting process to express narratives, landscapes and symbolic elements. Exploring color

and texture combinations, she specializes in contemporary expressionism and realism. Coming from a line of designers and seamstresses, Lc Wallace is passionate about fashion design and intimacy. Her Nine Hundred Kisses brand is dedicated to designing vintage-inspired lingerie that makes women feel pampered and sexy. After receiving countless compliments on the handmade heels she designed, Heather VanEtten decided to take her passion to the next level. Her fabulous custom shoes are made to the specifications her clients, with endless style and pattern choices available. Melissa Drewry specializes in creating classic photographic scenes with her own creative twist. Through photography and skilled editing, she catches the â&#x20AC;&#x153;hidden selfâ&#x20AC;? in people, allowing her photographic subjects to see themselves in a new way. By selecting the finest undiscovered artists and providing them with all of the right tools for success, RAW is transforming the world. For more, www.rawartists.org December 2012/January 2013 brinkmagonline.com 29

locked out of

heaven

Photography Betsy Hansen Designer Kimberly Hendrix for khendrix.com Model Annelise Adams Hair and Makeup Simone Rosas 30 brinkmagonline.com December 2012/January 2013

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Credits high waisted knit bottoms shredded knit dress embelished silk taupe gown Mary dress Embelished knit bottoms antler knecklace embelished silk bikini briefs watercolor monet dress December 2012/January 2013 brinkmagonline.com 35

Danny Boy

award-winning DJ Danny Avila speaks to BRINK about success, madonna and making it happen at 17. By Nicole Girata Photo by georg roske

Did you envision this is where you would be today at 17? It’s hard to say, because it all went so fast. I started when I was 15 years old, and I started making my own parties and playing them with my brother. Now we’re here with so much effort. You never know what’s going to happen in the future. What sets you apart from other entertainers? I would say l like to make music I like. I don’t try to make anything similar to other people. I have my own style ... [and] my own sound. How do you keep your fans happy and coming back for more? It’s difficult, you know, because there [are] so many people seeing you and sending messages on Facebook. I try to reply every time I can, but it’s hard. You We ask Danny; always have what is the first word that to show pops into your head love. when we say.... Music / Electro How has Career / Hard work social Life / Enjoy media Challenge / Hard Work played Joy / Ibiza a part Media / Tweeting in your Global / Languages career? Entertainment / PlayStation You know, Talent / Madeon it’s true that social media, like 36 brinkmagonline.com December 2012/January 2013

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or Soundcloud (for DJs), is so important right now. Otherwise, it’s hard to be famous...because if you tweet, and you have 100,000 followers on Twitter, then whenever you tweet “hey, I’m here in New York,” then they’re going to come over...it’s very helpful for us. Where do you see yourself in ten years? It’s really hard to say, because my life changed completely in one and a half years, so you never know what’s going to happen: if I’m going to stop DJ’ing and make music or be only touring...hopefully I’m a superstar DJ and I’m traveling the world and having so many hits. Is there any artist, dead or alive, you would like to collaborate with? Of course my dream is to collaborate with Madonna. Actually I’m going to play at her daughter’s party -- a private party in two weeks that’s very important for me. But if I have to choose, I would say Madonna because she’s the queen of dance music. But, you know, if I have to make more club records, it would be with Knife Party or Nicky Romero or Fedde Le Grand. Any stories you can share about touring or differences in touring overseas? The biggest festivals that I’ve done here in the states -- pretty much all of them -- everyone has been so into the music, and they show so much love. How do you keep things fresh? When you get on stage, you’re so tired, but you have to say ‘no, you have a half an hour set, and you have to show your 100% of your body or your energy of your everything,’ then you basically have

to try to make every set different from [the] other, because every set is so important no matter where it is. Whether it’s ten people or ten thousand people, you have to be as energetic as always. How do you feel about the way music is released today? For people who listen to music on iPods and stuff, or in their house, so many people download their music for free on Zippyshare, but for DJs, and people who are involved in that type of music, Beatport is definitely the place to find music. What is something no one would know about you? I hate vegetables. Honestly. But it’s so hard when you’re on the road, because everything you ask [for] in the restaurant has vegetables...so I have to say ‘please, I want a hamburger without veggies.’ It’s so annoying because I’m always eating out. It’s so hard for me. I would love to like vegetables...but I can’t. How do you define your job? I don’t call it work. The only thing you can call [my] ‘job’ is traveling [and] sleeping in different hotels from different places around the world. It’s so tiring at the end, but I just love my job, which is not my job because I love it so much. It’s very enjoyable and tiring and different. What’s one piece of advice you would give anyone looking to be where you stand today? My advice would be to make music, try to make a name with music, and just be yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else. For more on Danny, visit www.djdannyavila.com

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