Minted Magazine | Premiere Issue

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Minted Premiere 2012

IN THIS ISSUE...

ON THE COVER 30 Good Girls Mix It Up

The internet has given way for entrepreneurs to build their own businesses, including two sisters who fuse fashion advice with delicious cocktail recipes.

FEATURES 21 Merging the Gender Gap in the World of Start-Ups 36 Long-Term Relationships

How do you know when it’s been too long?

45 Health in a Bottle

The difference between getting those much-needed vitamins through pills versus a healthy diet

PHOTO BY EDDIE MELIKIAN

MINTED STYLE

cover photography EDDIE MELIKIAN

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Show Your Spots

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Extras

Animal prints and feminine dots to add to your wardrobe. Va-va-voom!

This season’s lineup of uber cute laptop bags and fashionable flats (that beat boring Mary Jane’s any day)! mintedmag.com

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in this issue PREMIERE 2012 Zucchini and Chicken Mini Fritattas

HEALTH & BEAUTY 49 Cheap Thrills

Wallet-friendly buys that work with the natural beauty you already have

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 51 Quick-Fix Gourmet Meals

Store-bought precooked chicken can make for three tasty meals—each ready in less than 30 minutes!

HOME & LIVING

BUSINESS TALK 25 Spotlight

57

Functional Comfort

60

Office Play

Versatility meets fashion

Graphic designer’s decorative at-home workspace

Alana Little left the corporate world to start her vintage jewelry line Make Pie Not War

28 Inside Operation

Sconehenge Bakery and Cafe in Berkeley, Calif.

38 Passport to ...

Thailand

41 Gadgets and Apps

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mintedmag.com

ONLY AT MintedMag.com READ online exclusives not found in the magazine SEE the latest styles in fashion KNOW all about what we’re up to next

Minted In-the-Making 1

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1. Food photo shoots have become a favorite activity, especially since we get to eat everything afterwards! Mmmm, Apple Pizza with Coconut Ice Cream. 2. Publisher Kimberly S. Lin concentrates better when she’s fueled by a large bag of Cheetos Puffs. 3. Our travel photo essay took Lin to Thailand­­—you can’t live a life of all work and no play!

4. Editor-in-Chief Shirley Lau is the most creative and productive during the hours of 10pm and 6am. Eesh.

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By the numbers months in production

miles Kimberly S. Lin had to fly (round-trip) for editorial meetings

64 4

pages in our first issue

issues produced in one year

The Minted Family Co-founder & Publisher KIMBERLY S. LIN Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief SHIRLEY LAU

Editorial Writers ALYSSA FETINI and PAIGE A. RICKS Art Photographers MAIA HARMS, EDDIE MELIKIAN and PAIGE A. RICKS

Minted Magazine PO Box 99678 Emeryville, CA 94662 Phone: 510.423.3056 Email: editor@mintedmag.com ISSN 2164-9138 (print) ISSN 2164-9154 (online)

Minted Magazine is published four times a year as a digital download and hard copy via MagCloud.com. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written consent is prohibited. Copyright 2012 Minted Magazine. All rights reserved.

Contributors EDDIE MELIKIAN With the knowledge of what was necessary for the perfect shot (“Get it right when you shoot it—technology is no substitute for planning.”), Eddie Melikian specializes in advertising and editorial photography, as well as political figures. Engagement with his subjects is what he says motivates his continued career in the field. Being a lover of martinis and happy hours, Melikian was more than elated to be the photographer for the cover story (pg. 30).

ALYSSA FETINI Alyssa Fetini is a health and fitness writer and multimedia producer based in San Francisco, Calif. Though she got her start with political and international reporting in New York, the Bay Area’s laid-back, crunchy granola atmosphere sparked her passion for all things health- and nutritionrelated. You’re likely to find her off drinking a green smoothie somewhere.

Her work has appeared on Discovery Fit and Health, MTV, TIME magazine, Time.com, Al Jazeera and Yahoo! Her health and beauty feature (pg. 45) includes one of her go-to breakfast recipes­—a green smoothie!

PAIGE A. RICKS Paige A. Ricks is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, with a focus in magazine writing and photography. She has covered a variety of stories—from photographing inmates inside San Quentin State Prison to interviewing women who brew beer in Kampala, Uganda. She enjoys writing and photographing cultural and social issues and is now freelancing for various publications. In this issue, she went behind the scenes of a family-owned Bay Area bakery (pg. 28).

Special Thanks UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Paul Grabowicz Richard Koci Hernandez Jeremy Rue Mimi Chakarova Keang & Chen Lau Rodger Chao Roberto Daza mintedmag.com

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editor’s note PREMIERE 2012

Nothing ventured, nothing gained THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN CHAOTIC,

emotional and, at times, nerve-wracking. Only in September did Publisher Kimberly S. Lin and I conceive what is now the first issue of Minted Magazine. In retrospect, it was the most obvious thing to do—I had just started my last year of graduate school and wanted a career in the print industry and she was on the brink of losing her mind working long (and uneventful) hours as a hedge fund analyst. So after just a few short emails back and forth, the idea of starting a digital publication seemed only natural.

I suppose that’s how many businesses start—with a simple idea fueled by passion and creativity. At least that’s how it started for the two of us, as well as the sister bloggers featured in our cover story (pg. 30). Nearing its second year of glamming up the blogging world, the sisters’ site Fashionably Bombed has created a stir in the blogosphere.

So why online? I chalk it up to simply changing with the times—with so much of the world sourcing its information from the internet, it only makes sense for businesses to use that to their advantage. Here at Minted, that was a large part of our decision to be a digital publication and focus on giving our readers what they can’t get from print-only publications—accessbility to products and services, and more information about the people and places we feature, all with just a simple click.

We feel that’s a great aspect of Minted­­—when you view the magazine on our site (available as a downloadable PDF or direct viewing on the site), all the goodies we feature are available for purchase either directly through the designer, boutique or department store. If you want to find out more about the savvy businesswomen and companies featured, all you have to do is click on the article and you’re directed to their website. Every decision behind this magazine is to give our readers quality editorial content and accessibility.

But we’re not the only business taking advantage of the internet. Jewelry designer Alaina Little (pg. 25) sells her jewelry on Etsy, a popular online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods. She says a bulk of her orders come from online marketing via Facebook and Twitter and through Etsy. But technology hasn’t only changed how business owners market their products and services, but how people perform day-to-day tasks. We’ve featured smartphone apps that help with once mundane and time-intensive tasks (pg. 41).

We hope you enjoy the first of what we hope will be hundreds of issues to come. Thank you for your support!

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Shirley Lau, Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief

noted PREMIERE 2012

Letters to the editor After spending time reading through your site, I must say, hats off to you! The concept is great and the site looks perfectly polished and above all, fabulously professional!

I’m in love!

-Christina Lopez, Visalia, Calif.

In full support. It’s gonna be awesome!

I’m so glad to see a magazine launching that has substance. There really isn’t any career magazine out there with great career advice that also incorporates the fact that we have a life as well. I’m definitely looking forward to the coming issues of Minted Magazine!

-Jenny Chao, Irvine, Calif.

-Ashley Hopkinson, Berkeley, Calif.

Hope this is just the first of thousands of likes [on Facebook] that head your way. I’m really proud of what you’re putting together.

-Roberto Daza, San Francisco, Calif.

As a savvy young professional, I think it’s fantastic to see a career/lifestyle women’s magazine launching.

I think it embodies the new generation of working women. I’m excited to read and stay updated on the latest trends.

Ashley Guglielmo, Newport Beach, Calif.

It’s like Minted can see into our crazy female brains ... thoughts that range from business to clothes to men, but without being too much like Martha Stewart! I love the fresh attitude this magazine brings and can’t wait to read more.

I love this magazine! Great fashion tips and food advice for the woman-on-the-go! Awesome!

-Stefanie Lira, Long Beach, Calif.

Karly Anderson, Costa Mesa, Calif.

Have comments or feedback? Send them to editor@mintedmag.com. Your thoughts and ideas are always welcome.

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(inside: fashionable flats| stylish laptop bags)

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBENHAMS

MINTED style

SHOW YOUR SPOTS...

editor KIMBERLY S. LIN

minted style FAB FASHION

ASOS Leather Leopard Metal Buckle Satchel, $146

Marks and Spencer Oversize Preppy Round Sunglasses Brown Mix, $15 ASOS Leather Biker with Leopard Print Pony Panel, $291

Nine West Flax Leopard Heels, $70

HOW TO WEAR LEOPARD PRINT PIECES Ann Taylor Petite Snow Leopard Long Sleeve Top, $88

1 Wear these bold prints as a statement piece.

2 Pair the look with another solid pop of color for an evening look. Orange and greens look best with leopard patterns.

3 Opt for beige or creme colors for a classy day look.

ASOS PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASOS; MARKS AND SPENCER PHOTO COURTESY OF MARKS AND SPENCER; NINE WEST PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS; ANN TAYLOR PHOTO COURTESY OF ANN TAYLOR; PHOTO OF ELLEN COURTESY OF ELLEN FROM MINTGREENSUBMARINE; APRICOT PHOTO OF APRICOT; FASHION UNION PHOTO COURTESY OF FASHION UNION; PAUL SMITH PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS.

Mint Green Submarine: Top 5 Tips for Sporting Spots

1 The cardinal rule: Don’t be afraid to mix

patterns. When you’re wearing polka dots, it’s okay to throw in some plaid or stripes in there, too.

2 Clashing colors are A-okay, just keep it to

one item—like an orange- and fuschia-dotted blouse with a neutral skirt.

3 Polka dots are an unexpected classic, espe-

cially if it’s in a lasting color like black or white.

Don’t be afraid to invest in a more expensive item, like a cashmere polka dot sweater or silk polka dot blouse.

4 The bigger, the better. If you’re looking for an

Ellen from Mint Green Submarine

update, scout out items with oversize polka dots.

It feels fresh and creates a graphic look for your outfit.

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When all else fails, my favorite way to wear polka dots is in a simple, laid-back dress. The pattern takes it up a notch and belting it around the waist with a solid colored belt, like black, creates a slimming contrast.

Fashion Union Red Spotty Blouse, $39

Apricot Brown Polka Dot Belted Dress, Price upon request

ASOS Pencil Skirt with Textured Polka Dots, $73 Paul Smith Alessandra flat, $259

minted style EXTRAS

casual Friday

FLATS

Add a splash of color without foregoing comfort. editor SHIRLEY LAU

From top, clockwise: Jeffrey Campbell Martini in red stud, $165; Juicy Couture Chantal in grey suede, $250; Isola Barton in wheat seude, $185; Report Kathryn in teal, $75; Missoni SM08 Var G 992 in multi, $460.

No shoe can really guarantee a pain-free night, no matter how comfortable the first few hours may be. That’s where this five-minute cure comes in handy. Slip the PROFOOT Care Flex-tastic Gel Toe Relaxers ($13, profootcare.com) between your toes to improve circulation and stretch out cramped muscles. After a night out, you’ll be swearing by them!

JEFFREY CAMPBELL PHOTO COURTESY OF RUBY PRESS PR; JUICY COUTURE PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS; ISOLA BARTON PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS; REPORT PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS; MISSONI PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAPPOS; PROFOOT TOE RELAXERS PHOTO COURTESY OF PROFOOTCARE.COM.

that’ll be be t a fl l u f r Colo wardro r u o y r o f a staple nd! year-rou

CHI CHI DEE PHOTO COURTESY OF CHI CHI DEE; CHAPIN LEATHER PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBORAH CHAPIN; MARA BARA PHOTO COURTESY OF MARA BARA DESIGN; JOYNER AVENUE PHOTO COURTESY OF JOYNER AVENUE.

EXTRAS minted style

Give your laptop some love

If you’re forced to lug around another bag for your computer, you might as well look stylish doing it. Basic black is out and bright hues and simplistic designs are what catch the eye. And all of these bags are handmade, too! editor SHIRLEY LAU

TIPS

*Turn off your laptop when you’ll be carrying it around.

Not doing so is a sure fire way to damage the hard drive. *Make sure the battery doesn’t lose its charge by unplugging it once it’s fully charged. Keeping it plugged in 24/7 causes the battery to rely on the AC power.

You can get your initials embossed for a personalized touch!

From top right: Mara Bara Design Lisbon Laptop Bag, $68; Chapin Leather 13” Laptop Sleeve, $165; Chi Chi Dee Design Graphic Flower Print 13” Laptop Bag, $40; Joyner Avenue 13” Macbook Pro Wool Felt Laptop Sleeve, $56.

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(inside: shortage of female entrepreneurs| a cafe’s inside operations |and more!)

BUSINESS talk

Trend Report: Merging the Gender Gap in the World of Start-Ups illustration and story KIMBERLY S. LIN

IF YOU’RE A WOMAN LOOKING TO START A BUSINESS, chances are the statistics are stacked against you.

According to a recent paper released by the Ewing Marion Foundation, only 35 percent of startups are founded by women. Considering that one-half of the population is female and 46 percent are a part of the American workforce, that number seems troubling. Looking at growth measures by revenue, the disparity seems larger.

Based on the latest Kauffman Firm Survey that tracks new firms three years out from their startup date, nearly 20 percent of firms begun by women reported annual revenues of more than $100,000, compared to nearly 33 percent of the firms founded by men.

Minted Magazine sat down with workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant, Lynn Taylor, to examine how this glass wall has come to be and what can be done to break through it.

business talk TREND REPORT Work-Life Balance One of the reasons for the inequality lies in the fact that “women in their 20s and 30s are oftentimes charged with the double pursuit of raising a family and building a career­—essentially the ‘superwoman syndrome,’” says Taylor.

However, Taylor sees female entrepreneurship increasing in the future, and particularly for women in their 50s and 60s. She describes these individuals as part of Gen-U, or Generation Unretired. “Many of these baby boomers are deciding not to retire after all. They’re female empty nesters, and so for them, the issue of work life balance is no longer relevant. Moreover, there isn’t as much of a concern about them quitting or taking a leave of absence.

They’re seen as less of a risk by investors too, because of their extensive experience.”

Younger women interested in entrepreneurship should set their career paths in motion as early as possible— determining what they think it will take to achieve it. I saw myself reaching an executive level and earning six figures in corporate America early in my career, and was tenacious in achieving it. You must have a plan in order to get there. Don’t listen to those who say you can’t do it. The limits that you set will be your own, and so will the great milestones.”

Gender Stereotypes and Being Proactive “At birth women start out equally with men in terms of intelligence and power. However, somehow—culturally— we are often put into roles that suggest we are not only weaker physically but mentally as well,” says Taylor. “And it shows up in the workplace.”

According to the Ewing Marion Foundation study, in the development of high-growth science and technology firms that contribute the most money to the economy, only 6 percent of women faculty obtain patents on their research, which most times is the first step to starting a firm. In addition, only about 7 percent of women faculty sits on Science Advisory Boards of high-tech firms, compared to 93 percent of men.

But the study Gender Differences in Patenting in the Academic Life Sciences, which tracked the careers of more than 4,000 life science research faculty at U.S. universities over a thirty-year period, shows another trend. Authors Waverly Ding, Fiona Murray, and Toby Stuart (all from prestigious business schools) found that the quality of women’s research were on average equal to or slightly better than men’s, based on a widely used metric called Journal Impact Factor.

So if the issue doesn’t lie with performance, then what is the cause for the disparity and what can be done in the future?

WOMAN TO WATCH:

CATERINA FAKE, HUNCH.COM

Caterina Fake has been at the helm of successful starts-ups since 2005 and shows no signs of stopping. Fake co-founded Flickr, an image and video hosting website, in 2004 and later sold it to Yahoo! for a reported $35 million a year later. Her latest achievement builds upon her internet entrepreneurship success. Hunch, a site Fake co-founded and launched in June 2009, maps users to entities and builds a “taste graph” based on the user’s affinity. The company was acquired by eBay for a reported $80 million in November 2011. She was named BusinessWeek’s Best Leaders of 2005 and named to the Time 100 list of world’s 100 most influential people and appeared on the cover of Newsweek in 2006. She currently resides in San Francisco, Calif. and New York.

— Kimberly S. Lin

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At birth, women start out equally with men in terms of intelligence and power. However, somehow—culturally—we are often put into roles that suggest we are not only weaker physically but mentally as well.

“

“Women are often not assertive enough and even apologetic at times about their success. They also underutilize their connections,” says Taylor. “I often hear about executive women who wanted to speak up during critical meetings—but chose not to and later regretted it. We’re taught from infancy that we should be seen and not heard.

But we deserve to be great, have the capacity and must appreciate our unique abilities. There is a correct way to speak up—with poise and diplomacy; earning respect by being firm, but not overly aggressive.”

And now is the best time to challenge stereotypes, as there has been an “unprecedented paradigm shift in how events in our country are unfolding, ” says Taylor. “From Wall Street to the political landscape, what many would term as the safe and stodgy, good ol’ network has had its share of unprecedented blunders in recent years. They certainly have not been limited to the female gender. Tried and true is no longer. Younger generations are more open and skeptical—and rightly so.”

Role Models Another “problem is that there are not enough role models that have banded together,” says Taylor. “Women of power have a responsibility to educate and share what it takes to become a success.”

The Ewing Marion Foundation paper also urges the expansion of programs like Astia, NewMe, Founder Fridays, Women 2.0, Kauffman FastTrac and other non-profits focused on providing networking and education for highgrowth women entrepreneurs.

The important thing to remember is that the expansion of women entrepreneurship is not only a gender issue but also an important untapped resource that can help and sustain economic recovery in the United States.

“I believe that women in their 20s and 30s who have their sights on entrepreneurship, have the best resources and role models to tap into than any generation before it. Like many things, a little effort will yield and can yield a lot of reward, “ says Taylor. mintedmag.com

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Peace, Love and Jewelry Alana Little of Make Pie Not War

“I see beauty in things that people would find as just trash,” says corporate-accountant-turned-jewelry-

designer Alana Little. Her four-year-old jewelry line, Make Pie Not War, incorporates vintage jewelry chains and baubles—and any trinket Little happens to stumble upon.

But just seven years ago, Little was grappling with what lie ahead. She just graduated with a bachelor’s in business accountancy but switched gears and decided to move from her home in Fresno, Calif. to Los Angeles so she could attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise. It was in the City of Angels where she met her husband—the reason she currently resides back home in Fresno (he didn’t want to live in LA) and partially why she decided to start her own business.

PHOTO BY SHIRLEY LAU

business talk SPOTLIGHT

PHOTO BY SHIRLEY LAU

“My life had to change dramatically. I had to think about what was really important and what wasn’t.”

“There was nothing fashion-oriented [in Fresno] unless I wanted to work a retail job,” Little says. But she still made the move for him. “That’s love,” she says, laughing. And so Make Pie Not War was born.

Starting as a small operation in 2007, Little utilized most of her energy on promoting her business alongside her husband’s (he owns Ephraim clothing) at various trade shows. Fast forward two years later and Little’s creations were featured in Lucky magazine, and she participated in Fashion Week in New York City that fall.

Then came the new year, and Little had to reevaluate her lifestyle and business plan—she found out she was pregnant and that started a 9-month period of constant sickness, making it a struggle to keep up with jewelry orders.

“I literally couldn’t go out and do the [trade] shows that I was used to doing,” says Little. “I was doing at least two shows a month, plus tons of internet sales.

My life had to change dramatically. I had to think about what was really important and what wasn’t,” she says. “I focused on what was really making me money and going for that. I had to rethink my company strategy. Now that I have a one-year-old, I have to be more efficient with my company and do things that are more profitable—I have to work smarter. It’s made me cut away the fat of the company and go for the meat and potatoes. I’m still able to do it full-time and be a mother full-time, and that’s what I wanted to do—I wanted to raise my baby.”

With Little’s schedule, it’s hard to imagine being a one-woman-show. But that’s how she likes it, and she intends to keep it that way. “I want to say ‘I made that, I didn’t have an employee make that,’” Little says about her plan of keeping creative control and leaving manufacturing to herself. She says customers “treasure it more” knowing the designer made each piece by hand.

Read more about Alana at MintedMag.com

— Shirley Lau mintedmag.com

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business talk INSIDE OPERATION

Baker’s Delight

A bakery’s all-natural appproach to satiating your sweet tooth

For thirteen years, June and Andy Lee have operated

Sconehenge Bakery and Café in Berkeley, Calif. Fifteen years ago, the couple owned Omnivore, a small restaurant in Berkeley, that was just down the street from Sconehenge on Ashby and Shattuck Avenues. Their neighbor across the street who made scones and other baked goods needed a store to sell them through. Omnivore became the perfect outlet. From there a partnership began.

Omnivore closed down a few years later, but from the partnership birthed Sconehenge Bakery and Café.

Ever since, the bakery has been supplying its most famous natural tea scones to local markets in the Bay Area like Whole Foods, Berkeley Bowl and smaller independent grocery stores.

Find more behind-the-scenes photos at MintedMag.com

— Paige A. Ricks

DETAILS 28 mintedmag.com

Sconehenge Bakery and Café 2787 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA Café hours: Monday–Saturday 7:30am – 3:00 pm, Sunday 8:00am–2:30 pm

PHOTO BY PAIGE A. RICKS

4 bakers (each work a shift from 3am-3pm!) up to 7,000 scones baked in one day 15 minutes to bake one tray of 30 scones

Good Girls

Mix It Up

Sisters Flannery and Katherine Good are anything but subtle when it comes to three things: their clothes, love for cocktails and personalities. Their blog, Fashionably Bombed, showcases their passions for mixology and couture and has taken them to the mainstage of the blogosphere. story SHIRLEY LAU photography EDDIE MELIKIAN

SETTING UP A JUICE STAND and wearing splotches of splattered fruit

puree wasn’t exactly the fashion statement sisters Flannery and Katherine Good wanted to make. (“We were thinking of ourselves in ballgowns and everything— basically glamorizing the world of fresh fruits,” Flannery says.) That’s why their idea for the stand, which was going to be called Juice Me Baby, didn’t come to fruition. Instead, the lively blog Fashionably Bombed was born.

The combination of uniquely concocted cocktails and bedazzled jewelry with colorful clothing was the perfect recipe for a catchy business idea. So much so that the likes of Good Morning America, Esquire and Time have called attention to it.

But Fashionably Bombed is more than just playing dress up and sipping libations (think candy corn infused vodka and black pepper tequila).

In less than two years, Flannery and Katherine went from being a fashion stylist/ reality TV star in Norway and bartender/hip-hop DJ, respectively, to full-time bloggers and founders of what they call their over-the-top, bright, colorful and extremely girly blog.

“

We’re glamorous, we’re colorful, we’re sparkly.

Deal with it.

The Good sisters are just one of the thousands of blossoming online businesses. According to the latest U.S. Census Data, there are nearly 8 million businesses that are female-owned. Some business owners start their venture online, forgoing storefronts and the typical business model and instead experiment with social media and more creative outlets, especially with the recession making some people rethink how to cut costs and prioritize their spending. “It’s like being an entrepreneur in any other field or business,” Flannery says. “I think blogging is a great way to get something started.” With the purchase of a domain name, a low-cost hosting site, people can easily find themselves with the potential clientile of the near 5 million internet users in America.

Fashionably Bombed has now burgeoned into being more than just a hobby, but a complete brand that includes specialty cocktail classes, private events and exclusively invented drinks—and the sisters hope it won’t stop there. They also want to bring their love of color to a clothing line, bombastic personalities to the TV screen, and impeccable taste for flavoring drinks to their own line of liquor and a cocktail book.

- Flannery Good

“

“We’re very much about being proactive and going after what it is we want and trying to put ourselves in the places where those opportunities might actually happen,” Flannery says.

Minted Magazine sat down with the lovely ladies, who not surprisingly showed up to the interview in colorful spring hues despite it being the middle of the fall season. (But who can blame them for coordinating their personalities with their wardrobes?)

Minted: So tell me, how did Fashionably Bombed get started?

Flannery Good: It all just kind of came together.

We really wanted to start a business and wanted to build a brand. I think we felt we had a unique vision and voice. Katherine quit a job she didn’t like and I had some free time, so we thought, “Blogging sounds like fun; we should try it” and it just grew from there.

M: There are so many blogs popping up each day, so how do you differentiate yourselves?

Katherine Good: I think it’s in our photography and our love of color that makes us different. A lot of sites are very dull and sort of basic.

32 mintedmag.com

BUSINESS 101:

Have persistence: “There were several times where I was like ‘Forget it, this is not worth all the stress,’” Flannery says, “which is true with any business. It’s hard to do things, but we just didn’t give up. We just kept working on it—every day we kept putting a [blog] post up. You get a sense of satisfaction when you have an idea that you bring to fruition.”

You have to love what you’re doing: “I think blog-

2 ging is a great way to get something started, but

after a while it’s like a full-time job—and if you already have a full-time job, it’s harder to make the time to do it,” Flannery says.

3

Spend only what you have: “Figure out a way to spend as little money as possible and still get something out of it,” Katherine says.

>

1

top 3 tips for starting your own business

FG: [Our readers] love the fact that it’s bright, colorful and fun, and it incorporates cocktails and candy.

And they like the fact that we’re sisters. I also think that what differentiates ourselves from other bloggers is our energy—it’s very high and fun and I don’t think you see that in some blogs.

M: The two of you do most of your photography, and it looks awesome. Where do you find some of your unique locations to do the shoots?

KG: I just look all over the city and I’m like “Oh, that would be a great photoshoot over here or there on the side of the freeway.” Being in the Valley, we have such very unique and different landscapes than someone in the big city. There’s really a lot you can do.

M: How long does it take to create a unique drink for a client?

FG: It takes a lot of time and energy and focus because [the drinks] may be with ingredients we wouldn’t normally use, and that takes a lot of time— setting up where we’re going to shoot it, the clothes and styling it.

M: How did you manage to get a chance to work with the renowned fashion brand, Lilly Pulitzer?

FG: [The company’s] social media rep saw a video that we did for another company and I was wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress. She sent an email to everyone [at Lilly Pulitzer] and called us “eye candy.” The video was over-the-top, with girly cocktails, jewelry­­—color that kind of basically sums up who we are.

M: Since it’s a full-time job when it comes to the work, how about revenue?

KG: We dedicate ourselves full-time to it­—it is our full-time job­­—but it’s not yet bringing in a full-time salary. But we do have advertising on [the website] now, which we started recently, and have people who hire us to do consulting or invent a drink for them.

We also do cocktail classes as a result of the blog and people have asked us to do private parties.

M: What do you have planned for Fashionably Bombed?

FG: Our number one priority is a TV show­­— whether that’s a reality show about this business or a show where we’re teaching people how to make the cocktail and how to put the outfit together. Number two, I would say is a cocktail book. We really want to write a book that incorporates cocktails and fashion with our recipes and photos.

The other things kind of fall under those, but right now they just seem harder to do, like how do you bottle your own liquor and sell it at BevMo? At this point, I feel like we’re at this level where we’re not newbies anymore—this isn’t new to us; we’ve got it dialed in. We’re just getting ready to blast off to the next level.

Read more about the Good girls at MintedMag.com

BY THE NUMBERS

488,005,000 internet users in America

286.6% growth in users since 2000

178,924,751 identified blogs

710,728,720 Facebook users around the world

SOURCES: NUMBER OF INTERNET USERS, GROWTH IN USERS AND FACEBOOK USERS PROVIDED BY INTERNET WORLD STATS; NUMBER OF BLOGS PROVIDED BY BLOGPULSE.

ably n o i ash ologist F a ix ir Be d M e of the e b Bom ate on simply d cre and ture (an ktails. a sign eet!) coc sw

Cotton Candy Martini Ingredients 1 handful of cotton candy 2 oz vodka 2 oz butterscotch schnapps 1 oz lemon juice Ice Directions Put a handful of cotton candy into a martini glass. In a shaker with ice, add vodka, butterscotch schnapps and lemon juice. Shake and strain into martini glass.

Sparkle-tini Ingredients 4 strawberries 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice Champagne 1 oz Vanilla Simple Syrup (recipe below) Garnish 2 ounces white chocolate Sprinkles and/or edible glitter Directions In a food processor combine strawberries, Vanilla Simple Syrup and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Prepare garnish by melting white chocolate and dipping rim of champagne glasses into it. Then dip glasses into a plate of sprinkles and/or edible glitter. Add 1 ounce of strawberry mixture to each champagne glass and top off with champagne!

Vanilla Simple Syrup 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1 whole vanilla bean (using just the seeds that have been scraped out) Directions Combine water, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds in a medium saucepan. Boil until sugar has dissolved, stirring frequently. Let sit for at least one hour. Let cool, strain and store in refrigerator.

PHOTOS BY KATHERINE GOOD

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business talk RELATIONSHIPS

Long-term Relationships How do you know when it’s been too long and what to do when you’re looking for “the one.”

It’s the age-old question that many women in long-

term relationships seeking marriage would like to know: How do you know your relationship is going somewhere or going nowhere fast?

Simply put, “if it takes five to six years to figure it out then that might be too long,” says relationship psychologist Dr. Carole Bardin PhD. “Beyond your twenties, if you’re together for more than a year and you still don’t know, then it’s time to move on.”

As a rule of thumb Bardin believes that women shouldn’t “tie themselves down for a long period of time. It’s a time waster.”

But how do you know if your relationship is going nowhere?

36 mintedmag.com

Bardin believes there are obvious signs that are all reflected in a man’s behaviors, expressions, passion and actions. Some examples include: not calling and making plans; being inconsistent with his treatment and presence; not showing respect; hanging out with his friends all the time; not talking about the future; and making the woman feel an overall nagging feeling she is being taken advantage of.

RELATIONSHIPS business talk

Of course, timing is a crucial factor in when a man ultimately decides to settle down. For a man, “career is a major issue as well as his ability to handle responsibility. It may take a man several years,” says Bardin.

“It needs to be the right time and the right girl.”

Regardless, Bardin believes in this three-step process to help you choose the right mate and be in a fulfilling relationship.

Know Who You Are. The best way to do this is to “get involved in activities, other than work, that you love. Get involved with friends and find out what you love in terms of sports, hobbies and interests.

Through these activities you’ll meet other people that will help fill the void and develop a sense of self,” says Bardin. “In particular, a woman’s twenties are a time to explore and meet different people. You must first formulate your identity.”

Learn How to Self-Soothe. “I think girls today are desperate. They have a tremendous fear of being alone, so they make themselves too available to men who then become spoiled and entitled,” says Bardin.

“These women put up with more and more because they believe the relationship will fill the void. But the men get bored and move on to find a challenge.” It’s a vicious cycle that will repeat itself if your fear of being alone is the driver of your relationship. The key is to know how to nurture yourself physically, emotionally and mentally without being dependent on a man.

Enhances, Not Fills a Void: Once you have the first two steps mastered, Bardin believes you’ll be able to “pick a man based on enhancing your self-esteem, not creating it.” Understanding who you are and how to take care of yourself will give you the strength and wisdom to choose the right person. Every woman deserves real love.

“

Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you, you love, well, that’s just fabulous.

”

– Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

— Kimberly S. Lin

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG BLANKENHORN/NEW LINE CINEMA

Passport to

Thailand business talk TRAVEL

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, if you happen to be lucky enough to snag a ticket to the “land of the free,” here are some key points to keep in mind.

1

The Thai language is similar to Spanish.

Women use Kaa at the end of each word instead of Krab which is used by men. Hello is Sawatdee Kaa and thank you is Kob Kun Kaa.

2 High season in Thailand is from November to

February. However if you plan your trip in October, you can take advantage of low season prices but still get those high season climates. Typically hotels and resorts offer low season packages that will give you the most bang for your buck. Check out Paresa Resorts.

3 Agoda is the best and most used travel site to

book the best hotel deals in the country.

4

If you’re looking for a less touristy area, that’s still amazingly beautiful and somewhat untouched, Koh Lanta is a great island off of Phuket to explore.

5

When traveling around, avoid taking tuk tuks in Bangkok—drivers usually take advantage of tourists. Taxis and rental motorbikes are the way to go, as long as you drive carefully.

— Kimberly S. Lin 38 mintedmag.com

Above: the Andaman Sea from the Top View Resort in Koh Lanta; far left: Happy Hour at the poolside bar at the Anda Lanta Resort in Koh Lanta; left: the 45-meter-high “Big Buddha” landmark atop the Nakkerd Hills of Phuket.

PHOTOS BY KIMBERLY S. LIN

GADGETS AND APPS business talk

Condense Your Life

From sourcing your news to tracking business expenses, these three apps and gadgets offer simplicity for hectic days.

reviews SHIRLEY LAU

1 Flipboard

You can get your celebrity gossip from People, how the stock market is doing via Bloomberg or get a storybook-like presentation of the latest status updates from your Facebook news feed­—all in one handy free app. Essentially, Flipboard is to magazine enthusiasts what the Nook and Kindle are to bookworms.

You can refresh the app and it keeps you updated with the latest breaking news, too, so you’re not perusing last week’s happenings.

DID YOU KNOW? There are more than 700,000 iPhone and Android apps on the market.

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Some businesses, like Apple, have already jumped on the bandwagon of saving consumers the hassle by offering the option to email customers their receipt. That’s the same premise of smartphone app Lemon, available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry and Windows Phone. With the app, you use a special “@lemon.com” email address in lieu of your personal account, which you give to companies to receive email receipts. When shopping at less technologicallyfriendly businesses, you can store a photo of the paper receipt you receive.

Saving money is sometimes easier said than done­ especially when it comes to having to track all of your business expenses. It’s not difficult to lose track of those receipts from lunches with clients or runs to the office supply store.

There’s a free download available that offers you the basics of the app. But for $9.99 a month, you get a few extra perks, like the ability to create and export the expense reports. Lemon is planning on offering a premium option soon where for $19.99 a month you can open the program to your employees so the entire company can access the same account, with the ability of digitizing receipts.

3 CarCheckUp With the economy the way it is (woohoo for a double-dip recession), saving a few pennies here and there is more important than ever—especially if it’s on something you use for your business everyday, like your car. It may not seem like a $.51-a-mile tax deduction is worth the hassle of keeping a company mileage log for every single work-related trip, but it all adds up. But we understand, it’s not exactly the first thing on your mind.

Luckily, there’s a great device called CarCheckUp that lets you easily keep track of the mileage for business trips for tax season.

The hand-sized device, available online for $150, plugs in below your steering wheel (on most vehicle models) and tracks your start and end points for each trip. Instead of logging everything on scratch paper, and then having to put it into a spreadsheet back at the office, CarCheckup does it for you: You plug the device in to your computer through a USB port and it transfers all the info for you into an Excel form! It also lets you categorize each trip depending on use (since you can deduct different amounts per mile depending on if it’s for business, medical/moving, etc.). Other nifty features include: time you spend sitting in traffic and acceleration and breaking habits.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARCHECKUP

2 Lemon

So what else does Lemon do with your information? It takes the data (expense, type of expense, etc.) and categorizes it so you know in what areas you’re spending the most money.

STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR CLIENTS

Gone are the days of leaving the office to meet with clients. No more traffic, trying to find parking or forking over the money for a business lunch. Web applications and computer programs are making it easier than ever to replace person-to-person meetings with video* conference calls.

Usage charges

Premium subscription (starts at $8.99/month) required for group video chats; calls to mobile phones and landlines incur additional charge

Technical requirements Any computer is able to download and use

Max people per call

10

Free

Mac-based only application

4

Free

All users must have a Gmail or Google+ account

10

Free

All users must have a Facebook account

2

*Information provided is for video chats only. Audio-only call information not provided.

— Shirley Lau

(inside: supplements | cheap beauty products, big thrill)

HEALTH & beauty

Health in a Bottle: Are You Replacing Food with Pills?

Instead of turning to supplements to get your daily nutrients, try adding foods that have those same vitamins your body craves and others nutrients you need that can’t be found in a bottle.

story ALYSSA FETINI

Most working women know how difficult it can be to stay healthy in an office environ-

ment. Vending machines stocked with fat, sugar and sodium-laden items can prove too tough to resist for time-strapped employees, and common colds can spread like wildfire through recycled air-ventilated office buildings. All in all, while corporate life can help women get ahead in their careers, it can also cause significant setbacks for their health.

For decades, the quick fix for boosting immunity and replacing the essential vitamins and minerals that are often deficient in typical office diets has been to pop supplements. From tossing back powdered Emergen-C to protect against office bugs to swallowing oversized calcium pills that promise to stave off osteoporosis, many working Americans are unable to resist the lure of supplements and the promises of easy health that vitamin companies provide. With over half of all American’s taking some form of supplements, the industry is valued at over $20 billion and growing. Studies have shown that people will even continue taking certain supplements, despite documented proof that they are ineffective or even dangerous.

While some supplements can be beneficial, many essential phytochemicals in food simply don’t come in pill-form. Relying too heavily on supplements can allow for a more lax attitude toward healthy eating. How many times have you used your morning multi-vitamin as an excuse to steer clear of the salad bar at lunch? Even the busiest people can and should find time to incorporate vitamin- and enzyme-rich foods into their diets. Changing the way we eat can provide tremendous health benefits that can’t be found in a bottle. The FDA says it doesn’t have to approve a supplement before it hits the shelves, so effectiveness isn’t guaranteed—only safety.

DID YOU KNOW?

So what is the best way to eat for health? Simply put, just make sure that every meal you eat incorporates some form of fruits or vegetables. Leafy greens are one of the best sources of nutrients, packing a quadruple punch of minerals, vitamins, enzymes and protein. Talk about a multi-vitamin! Most working women have nutrient-rich foods at their disposal every day, be it at the office cafeteria, the corner deli, or the local takeout joint. Incorporating just a few simple changes can have you abandoning the bottle for good (the vitamin bottle that is!)

According to the most recent report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Agriculture, “intake by Americans of some nutrients is low enough to be of public health concern,” so make sure you’re adding enough of the following nutrients to your diet.

Dietary fiber: 25 g Calcium: 1,000 mg Vitamin D: 600 IU/15 mcg Potassium: 4,700 mg

*These recommended daily values are for adults only.

For a quick breakfast on-the-go, blend all of the following ingredients below in a high-speed blender to make your own homemade green smoothies. This recipe yields 2 servings, perfect to share with a coworker or friend.

BREAKFAST: TRULY THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY Nutritionists all over the world sing the praises of hot water with lemon to kick-off your morning. The health benefits of this simple drink are astounding, and adopting it as a regular habit can boost immunity, purge bodily toxins, and clear skin blemishes through the abundance of natural vitamin C. Lemons are also rich in pectin fiber which helps control hunger and speed digestion.

Mornings are the most important time to make sure you are putting only the most quality foods in your system.

Since your body is generally done digesting the previous night’s dinner, this provides the perfect occasion to consume food that is healthy and easily digestible because your empty stomach is best equipped to absorb essential nutrients. To maximize this potential, try having a green smoothie for breakfast. Green smoothies have taken off among the health conscious and are the best way to get in the maximum amount of essential vitamins and minerals. Green smoothies involve blending together a combination of leafy greens such as lettuce, kale or spinach with fruit to create the ultimate “superfood.”

They are filled with natural fiber, and key minerals such as zinc, protein, calcium, potassium and iron. Compare that to the saturated fat-filled egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches or bagels with cream cheese. The fruits cut into the green flavor, making it a delicious way to start the day and they can be made the night before, refrigerated, and carried to work in a coffee mug for those strapped for time in the mornings.

LUNCH: MID-DAY POWER PUNCH Salads are an obvious choice and usually very accessible. Just make sure they aren’t weighed down with cheese or creamy, dairy-based dressing which is difficult for the body to digest and

One of each: head of Romaine lettuce, bunch of Kale, handful of spinach, cucumber, large banana, apple and pear; 5 dried prunes (optional); 4 stalks of parsley (optional); and 2 cups of water.

health&beauty SUPPLEMENTS can cause bloating. Top with some lean, grilled chicken or fish for an extra punch of protein. If you want to add a slice of bread, make sure it is whole grain to prevent blood sugar spikes from refined carbohydrates such as white bread and rice. Some excellent ingredients to include in your salad are: Leafy Greens (kale, spinach, collards, mustard greens and swiss chard): These antioxidant powerhouses are filled with vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber, folate and lutein.

Tomatoes: A leader in vitamins A and C, tomatoes also contain lycopene which is thought to prevent certain cancers.

Artichoke Hearts: These contain some of the most powerful antioxidants and have one of the highest fiber contents of any vegetable.

Avocados: Contain good-for-you mono-unsaturated fats and 20 essential vitamins and minerals. Avocados are also known as “nutrient boosters” because they enable the body to break down more fat-soluble nutrients Beans: Chose your favorite! Beans are rich in protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc.

DINNER: END THE DAY RIGHT Whether you’re eating alone or preparing dinner for a large family, be sure to incorporate some of the nutrient-packed vegetables listed above. Using salmon as the cornerstone of an evening dish can provide you with a full day’s requirement of vitamin D and contain vital Omega 3 fatty acids which reduces inflammation and protects against heart disease.

Popping a vitamin C tablet may sound easier than juicing an orange, but it is important to remember that eating the right foods is paramount to true health. Vitamins and supplements do little good in a body that is loaded with toxins. Even the busiest of women can find time to use food, rather than supplements, as a tool to improve their health and boost their energy. So get going and get eating!

Supplements you should consider taking Though a healthy diet can often be the best source of nutrients, there are some supplements that are worth making part of your daily routine.

PROBIOTICS: Probiotics are crucial in maintaining a healthy digestive environment and immune system. Many Americans have destroyed their intestinal flora through birth control pills, antibiotics and prescription medication, so probiotics are essential to restoring the “friendly bacteria” in our intestines that are responsible for balancing our health. While yogurt is known to contain probiotics, dairy products like yogurt are difficult for most people to digest, which is why probiotic supplements are often a better choice. Look for a probiotic supplement with a high culture count of highly beneficial strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES: Improperly digested food can lead to constipation, gassiness, fatigue, and a buildup of dangerous toxins in our system. Unfortunately, many of the foods we eat, including dairy and animal protein are difficult for our body to digest on its own which is why taking a digestive enzyme before meals can help efficiently digest fats, protein, starches and dairy and decrease bloating. Look for a supplement that contains a blend of lipase, amylase and protease.

B-12: Vitamin B-12, which prevents anemia, is primarily found in animal products so vegetarians should be sure to take this supplement.

— Alyssa Fetini

CHEAP THRILLS health&beauty

Just Work With It! If you don’t got it, you can still flaunt it with these beauty tricks that accentuate what your momma gave you.

$13 PHOTOSHOPPED LEGS Forget going to the tanning salon or having to wait hours for a selftanning lotion to kick in. Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs gives you instant color that washes off with just soap and water. Your legs will go on for miles with this thing.

$29 FORGET-ME-NOT LASHES Made of tiny hairlike fibers, LashExtender by divaderme gives you the appearance of thicker, fuller lashes. Just apply mascara, coat your lashes with the fibers and repeat.

$18 $35 VA-VA-VOOM HAIR This is a little can of Bumble and Bumble hair powder is pure joy!

It can volumize limp, fine hair, works as a strong-hold hairspray, AND it soaks up excess oil on your scalp. It’s available in four colors, too, which can help you hide those roots until your next dye job. What can’t this do?

LUSCIOUS LIPS A little tingle, a dash of color and some kissable lips is what you’ll get with Bare Escenutals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish.

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(inside: quick fix recipes with one common ingredient)

FOOD for thought

Spoon, Fork, Chicken

Rotisserie chicken is such an easy ingredient to use for quick-fix dinners. Just pick one up from your local deli and it’s ready to go. And so are you! recipe and photography KIMBERLY S. LIN

food for thought RECIPES

Udon Noodles with Chicken and Scallions This recipe is quick and healthy. You can be digging in and tapping into your inner Zen goddess in 15 minutes flat.

Ingredients: 1 package of store-bought udon noodles (found at most groceries stores in the Asian aisle) 1 cup of chicken broth 1/3 cup of water Slices of rotisserie chicken Slivers of scallions Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Bring chicken broth and water to a boil. Add in udon noodles and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until noodles are soft, but still a bit firm. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Top with chicken slices and scallions.

52 mintedmag.com

Chicken Tostadas Craving Mexican? This is a great dish full of protein to keep you going in under 10 minutes.

Ingredients: Tostada shells 1/3 cup of refried beans 1/4 cup onions 1/3 cup of fresh corn A dollop each of guacamole, sour cream and salsa Slices of chicken Lime for garnish

Directions: Take one tostada shell and top with beans, chicken and kernels of fresh corn. Add slices of onions and top with guacamole, sour cream and salsa.

food for thought RECIPES

Zucchini and Chicken Mini-Frittatas The most efficient way to eat? Combine breakfast and lunch! These fabulous petite frittatas are delicious and can be made ahead of time and frozen up to two days. Recipe serves 5.

Ingredients: 2 large eggs 1/2 cup of half and half or heavy cream 1 cup of cheddar cheese 1/3 cup of melted butter 1 cup of diced zucchini 1 cup of diced chicken 3 pinches of salt and pepper

Directions: Combine eggs, heavy cream, butter and cheddar cheese. Add diced zucchini and diced chicken. Add salt and pepper. Then bake at 425째F for 25 minutes until tops are golden brown.

RECIPES food for thought

D.I.Y.

Rotisserie Chicken If you manage to carve out some real cooking time, you can always roast your own chicken and use it all week. It’s great for snacking, too!

Ingredients: 1 (3 lb.) whole chicken 1/4 cup of melted butter 1 tbs of salt 1 tbs of paprika 1 tbs of herbs de Provence 1/4 tbs of freshly ground pepper

Directions: Season the inside and outside of the chicken with some salt. Grill the chicken for 10 minutes. Coat chicken with butter, herbs and salt and pepper. Bake chicken for 1 to 2 hours, basting it occasionally, at 350 ° F or until the internal temperature is 180 ° F. Find more recipes at MintedMag.com

Over the years, have you perfected recipes that never fail you on those nights where you just want to throw together the simplest, most hassle-free meal that’s healthy AND tasty? If you’re willing to share your secrets with our readers, send in a recipe and you could see it in the next issue of Minted Magazine! Just email editor@mintedmag.com.

MARKET YOUR BUSINESS THE WAY RIGHT

Contact a Minted Magazine representative today and ask about our special ad rates for first-time advertisers.

P: 510.423.3056

ads@mintedmag.com

(inside: maximize your space| one graphic designer’s work haven)

HOME & living

Functional Comfort Who says versatility can’t have a bit of personality?

PHOTOS COURTESY OF IKEA

*

DECOR home&living

C

ramped corners and studio apartments aren’t ideal for those who work at home.

There are only so many nooks and crannies when it comes to storage, not to mention an actual workspace (you know, the flat surface with four wooden legs that’s covered with nicknacks right now). These veratile desks not only save you room, but when they’re all squared away, you can’t even tell they’re desks­—it’ll just look like you have great taste in furniture.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COST PLUS WORLD MARKET

— Shirley Lau

This page: Cost Plus World Market black alden foldout convertible desk, $230; Opposite page: IKEA Vika Veine table top (legs sold separately), $99.

home&living OFFICE PLAY

D esign b y N at ur e Alaina Kaczmarski, 26 Chicago, IL Graphic designer and stylist

INSPIRATION Her art collection. “I’d purchased a variety of photographs, prints, and paintings over the years, and while none of the pieces necessarily went together, they all inspired me. I knew I wanted to hang all of them in my home office—a room in which I sit in least nine hours a day—as a source of bright, cheery, and beautiful inspiration.

I painted the wall they hang on black so that the art stands out even more, and I stuck with all white furniture to contrast the black wall and saturated art. I ‘m really pleased with how the bold design allows such a small space to make a dramatic impact.”

HER LOVES The bright colors. “Despite the white furniture and black and grey walls, the room is very colorful because of the art, books, and desk accents. The rest of my apartment is fairly neutral and light-colored—a lot of whites, greys, and browns—so it’s nice having a room to enjoy that is vibrant and cheery. It keeps me energized and inspired day after day.”

60 mintedmag.com

PHOTOS BY MAIA HARMS

PHOTOS BY MAIA HARMS

PERSONAL STYLE “I’d definitely say I have a weak spot for sparkles, both in fashion and home decor.

Whether they are gold, silver, or sequined, items that sparkle are fun and feminine— two characteristics I show off proudly. My most recent purchase was a mirror ball from Z Gallerie to hang in my office. You should see the way it reflects natural light. Soon the whole room will sparkle!”

HOT SPOTS “Almost all of my furnishings are budgetfriendly purchases. I scour Craigslist, flea markets, thrift stores, Ikea, and the sale sections of my favorite retailers, like West Elm, for items that look great but are reasonably priced. The older coffee table that I am replacing was a $45 purchase on Craigslist that I painted white. I love a good project, especially if it means saving money!”

— Shirley Lau 62 mintedmag.com

PREMIERE 2012

bookends

Winter Reads Whether you’re trying to do a bit of self-evaluation or simply want a new read for your lunch break, here are some of Minted Magazine’s choice picks for this season’s reading list.

Based on extensive interviews among workers, managers and psychologists the book draws hilarious, but true, parallels between toddlers and managers. Traits in common include tantrum-throwing and moody, fickle, self-centered, needy, and whiny behavior. BADD (Boss Attention Deficit Disorder) is discussed as part of “Short Attention Spans.”

Author Lynn Taylor, a leading national workplace expert, provides 20 chapter traits in all, divided into “Bratty” and “Little Lost Lamb” categories, for easy reference, including real anecdotes.

Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant by Lynn Taylor $ 15

Madison Lee is a fresh college grad ready to take on the world of print media, but the current economy thwarts her efforts. She’s forced into a position as a service representative at a call center in Idaho. She manages to find the humor on and off the job and also pines for her smolderingly gorgeous co-worker, Mika Harket­—and that starts heating things up. Her plunge into the dysfunctional world of customer service makes for a hilarious chick lit comedy and an entertaining debut novel.

Confessions of a Call Center Girl by Lisa Lim $ 18

Dr. Gordon Livingston explores the constellation of character traits that determine compatibility and future conduct. The book is a meditation on who best (and who best not) to love—and the best way to do it. As in his previous books, Dr. Livingston’s trademark gifts provide readers with an alternative to the trial-and-error of learning that makes wisdom such an expensive commodity.

How to Love by Gordon Livingston, M.D. $ 15

— Kimberly S. Lin

THE SPRING ISSUE

March 2012 MintedMag.com