Q and A Series: Darian Symoné Harvin

NAME: Darian Symoné Harvin
AGE: 25
PLACE: Brooklyn
OCCUPATION: Journalist

“Happiness is a feeling for me. It’s how I want to feel, all of the time.”

Darian is a journalist who is constantly looking for new ways to tell stories. She’s got her own podcast called Am I Allowed To Like Anything, works at Yahoo as a news coordinator, and really wants to be a beauty editor in her next life.

What’s a thing you always forget to do in the morning? 
Where do I begin… to drink more water, to answer backs texts that came late in the night, to pack my gym clothes.

What’s something you think that’s good about you that’s not good about most people?
I am good at ignoring people and shutting out the noise that doesn’t matter. It helps me to remain focused. I know who I trust, my morals, and what I should be focused on. It helps me to forecast where I should place my energy. It really helps me to stay happy and unbothered in this world where so much happens that tends to make me feel sad or like there is no hope.

What makes you feel sad or like there’s no hope?
The subway makes me sad because it spotlights the inequality in our city, and in America. Also, the 2016 presidential election.

What’s a natural talent that you’d like to be gifted with?
This question is a little hard for me. I do believe I can become good at anything I want. However, I would like to become a better dancer. I know how to dance in the club, but choreographed — I want to become good at that.

Is there a specific dance routine you’d like to learn?
I would like to learn 8 counts to Formation. And “Sorry” by Justin Bieber video. I thought those girls were amazing.

Name a desperate moment. 
I feel like all the times I felt desparate were like… when I was broke and living/interning in NYC during the summer.

I felt desperate when I was working at Junior’s as a server. It was a bad environment for me. It wasn’t because of the people I worked with. A lot of them became my good friends during that time in my life. I think just the mentality of trying to “make it” but feeling stuck, and also needing to make money. I made the best of it for sure, but it was the juxtaposition of it in my life at the time.

What’s the most awkward phone call you’ve had to make? 
Salary negotiation. But you gotta push through it. Gotta stay strong

What are three things you love to do alone?
Dance, eat dinner at restaurants. In general, I love being alone. I like to listen to Future alone because I can just spaz out.

What’s your go-to karaoke song? 
I hate karaoke, but I do like the Trap Karaoke movement that is happening right now. So in that context, I would say “Back to Back” by Drake .

Wait, what is Trap Karaoke…?
Basically it started as a small party where it was karaoke but with trap songs- rap, R&B, and only girls could go up and do it. It’s amazing. Now it’s all over the world.

What is your idea of happiness? 
Happiness is a feeling for me. It’s how I want to feel, all of the time. Right now, happiness for me is me feeling in control of my life. Not in a structured way… it’s more mental and being able to convert those into actions that make me happy. Happiness is understanding my goals and intentions and being fortunate enough to act on them. It’s hanging out with my friends, drinking coffee, working out, eating Swedish Fish, walking down the street and not getting harassed- that is happiness. Happiness to me is getting to experience the feeling of being carefree.

What’s the strangest thing you’d never leave the house without?
Sunglasses, which is odd because I always forget to put them on. Also, the mini microphone I use to record my podcast, because you never know.

Could you tell us a little bit about your podcast and what inspired it?
Well, my podcast was inspired by a conversation I was having with a friend. We were basically talking about how we don’t give people room to grow and breathe and create things and see how they play out. We are so much more prone to say that we don’t like things as opposed to being open minded, or offering critiques that push conversations forward. So, I wanted to create a space to do just that. I’ll bring on a guest to talk to them about their work and their lives, and things they like at the moment. I like to interview people, and i want to continue to hone that skill, so this allows me to do it.

Favorite book?
The Giver by Lois Lowry

Longest Netflix binge?
Grey’s Anatomy.

Margarita or martini? 
Margarita with Cuervo.

Place to drink coffee?
Coffee from Bouchon Bakery- go sit in 30 Rockefeller plaza and watch the tourists on a bench.

Favorite body of water? 
Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Grenada’s St. George.

First concert you went to?
B2K.

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
LITERALLY.

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
Minibar delivery.

What does the last text in your phone say?
“Lol ME TOOOOOO”

Favorite insult?
“Go fuck yourself.”

Tell us one thing you think we should be getting into.
Book: Notorious R.B.G.. And I read a lot of magazines. Fast Company and EBONY, I love.

Blog/website/pieces of media: Lenny Letter Newsletter, HuffPo’s Highline, NYT Mag. ButDoesItFloat.com. This.cm‘s newsletter (which you don’t need to be a member of to subscribe to.)

Song: Too many.

Kali Uchis – “Rush”
Kanye West
Rihanna – “Famous”
Tear For Fears – “Everybody Want To Rule The World”
The Internet – “Just Sayin/I Tried”

You can find more of Darian here: theseam.co | HRDCVR | Twitter | Instagram

Q and A Series: Roxi Barron

NAME: ROXI BARRON
AGE: 24
PLACE: NYC
OCCUPATION: ASSOCIATE COPYWRITER

 
Briefly, Tell us who you are what you do?
I create content for various TV shows at a social media agency in NYC. As someone who watches TV obsessively I think it’s safe to say I love what I do. I live in Brooklyn with my husband, where we spend too much money on brunch and video games. (I never know what to say in these bios, it’s why I don’t really have one on Insta) eek.

What do your mornings look like?
Dark + quiet. My apartment doesn’t get much natural light, which makes me miss living in LA even more. I try to stay quiet so I don’t wake my husband up. Somewhere in between applying makeup + blow drying my hair he starts to make me coffee which brightens my mood. We talk at the table, I check my e-mail, scan through Instagram, get dressed and hop on the train!

How do you calm yourself?
Honestly anything time consuming that doubles as a beauty regimen, like a sugar scrub or face mask. I’ll also talk to my husband. He’s a really great listener.

What’s your favorite medium for writing?
I try to keep a small notebook in my purse. I love writing in it with my favorite black pen. If I get an idea at work I usually just log into my blog and start drafting there.

What are three things you love to do alone?
Shopping. There’s less pressure to stay or leave without a friend with you. I like taking my time, I hate rushing.
Cooking. I don’t do it often but it feels good to eat something you made, or watch someone enjoy something you made.
Cleaning. It’s so therapeutic to me, I just zone out.

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
Instagram, the subway, and my friends.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Keeping Up With The Kardashians. If they weren’t entertaining they wouldn’t be famous.

What do you listen to when you are sad? 
I generally don’t listen to music when I’m sad, but if I do it’s usually Bon Iver or something similar.

What do you listen to when you are happy?
Disclosure. I have so many happy memories associated with almost every song off of every one of their albums.

Can’t leave the house without…
Lip balm + lipstick. One of the worst feelings is having chapped lips + realizing you left your lip balm at home.

Favorite book?
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give an answer for this, it’s too difficult!

Movie?
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Obsessed with everything in this movie. The sisterly dynamic, the romance, Elizabeth’s independence, the feminism, the clothes, the cinematography, the score, it’s just perfect.

TV show?
Friday Night Lights. Just thinking about it now makes me want to watch it all over again. #TexasForever

Place to shop?
McNally Jackson Books. If you gave me a $20 bill that’s the first place I’d go. The only problem is choosing between a new book or new paper goods.

Place to drink coffee?
Gasoline Alley. When I don’t make coffee at home, I stop here and get a cup of black coffee to go, usually with a donut. It’s tiny but they make the best coffee and it’s such a good place to people watch.

First concert?
Between The Trees, a local band from my hometown.

Last concert you went too?
I saw Father John Misty at a music festival in Paris on my honeymoon. Pure bliss.

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
“Yaaassssssss.” I started saying it ironically to be funny but it’s somehow crept into my vocabulary lol.

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
How to beat the mummy on Banjo-Kazooie. I know I shouldn’t be cheating but I could not figure it out and it was making me mad haha.

Shower song?
“Rock Your Body” – Justin Timberlake

What does the last text in your phone say?
The emoji with the bead of sweat on it’s forehead.

Favorite quote?
“Every pizza is a personal pizza if you try hard enough and believe in yourself.”

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
Watch Making A Murderer on Netflix. It’s seriously insane.

Q and A Series: Anna Grey

NAME: ANNA GREY
AGE: 17
PLACE: LOS ANGELES
OCCUPATION: ACTRESS
 
Briefly, Tell us who you are what you do?
My name is Anna Grey. I am a young, dedicated, and driven actor. I have recently relocated to Los Angeles to better pursue a career in film. I have theatrical representation in the city.

I have had wonderful opportunities to travel for the shooting of three short films, two feature-length films, and the Jury Winner for the Adrenaline Film Project, a section of the Virginia Film Festival. I recently wrote, directed, and starred in my own short film. It details the frequently unobserved symptoms of OCD-Driven-Disorders. It is a story that needs to be told.

I am a fluent German speaker, an alto singer, a trained dancer, a passionate animal advocate, and an environmental preservation enthusiast.

What do your mornings look like?
I wake-up at 7. I eat breakfast, which usually consists of Cinnamon Life or Apples and Cinnamon Oatmeal. (Breakfast is my favorite meal. I can eat breakfast food around the clock.) I give my dogs food, fresh water, and hugs. I practice yoga for 45 minutes to awaken my spirit. I actively seek out new artistic endeavors to fight for.

How do you calm yourself?
I have recently discovered the soothing and awakening powers of yoga. Yoga connects me with the universe reflected in my own being. It allows me to find harmony in and with the natural world. It helps me to recognize that frustrating times and saddening/angering occurrences are not mistakes or punishments, but rather the soul being redirected towards it’s true and authentic path. It reinvigorates my sense of compassion and my strong drive to be an artistic and philanthropic creator and contributor of the world.

What’s your favorite medium for writing?
I write constantly and about everything. Handwriting is my preferred method. I write in a spiral-bound notebook. I feel as if my mind, body, and soul are more in tune with the flow of ideas and language when I handwrite. My mind is awakened to new possibilities and new thoughts.

What are three things you love to do alone?
I am a very independent person, so I enjoy being by myself. During these times of solitude, I love creating and delving into characters. Exploring different perspectives is my great passion. I love to choreograph modern dance pieces that explore the full range of human emotion, connection, and movement. I love to research animal welfare initiatives and keep myself updated on the great injustices plaguing the natural world, so that I can better speak out against them and aid preservation groups in their pursuits.

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
Learning the stories of the great artists to come before me inspires me deeply. Global humanitarian efforts remind me that good people are abundant and are a force to be reckoned with.
I remind myself of this quote on a daily basis:
‘We live on a blue planet that circles a ball of fire next to a moon that controls the movement of the sea. Miracles and magic exist.’

What is your guilty pleasure?
Chicago-style-popcorn and ABBA

What do you listen to when you are sad?
Fire and Rain – James Taylor
The End of the Innocence – Don Henley
Rewind – Paolo Nutini
Samson – Regina Spektor

What do you listen to when you are happy?
I’m Alive/The Sound of the Sunshine – Michael Franti
Everyday – Dave Matthews Band
Hey Ya! – OutKast
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World – Iz Kamakawiwo’ole

Can’t leave the house without…
A notebook and Sharpie.

Favorite book?
To Kill a Mockingbird/Pride and Prejudice

Movie?
As a dedicated actor, film inspires me, teaches me, and intrigues me. I must list a few pictures in this category: Kill Bill, It’s a Wonderful Life, Stand By Me, Boyhood, On The Waterfront, Philomena, The Railway Man, and oh so many more.

TV show?
Criminal Minds/I Love Lucy

Place to shop?
Brandy Melville

Place to drink coffee?
Bricks and Scones – family-run coffee shop in LA.

First concert?
Jesse McCartney – Beautiful Soul Tour – 6-Years-Old

Last concert you went too?
Michael Franti – grooviest human and musician around.

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
infinite love.

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
‘Canadian seal hunt’ – research on a horrific, inhumane, and unnecessary annual hunt that I am part of the campaign to end.

Shower song?
In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel

What does the last text in your phone say?
to my younger sister – ‘you’re a bad mamma-jamma.’

Favorite quote?
‘in the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.’ -Albert Camus

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
Vessels of Four Letter Words – a film detailing the frequently unobserved symptoms of OCD-Driven-Disorders. – https://youtu.be/yB05p31LL4A

My Own Private Idaho – a groundbreaking and poignant film.

Venus and the Moon – the genius music stylings of Rain Joan of Arc Phoenix and Frallya.

stylelikeu on YouTube – innovative and inspiring women seeking to encourage healthy body image and redefine beauty standards.

You can find more of Anna here: Instagram | Twitter | IMDB | Vessels of Four Letter Words | Alaska Young Monologue

 

 

Q and A Series: Alyssa Coscarelli

Tags

#fashion, alyssa coscarelli, girl crush, instagram, Q+A series, refinery29

NAME: Alyssa Coscarelli
AGE: 22
PLACE: New York City
OCCUPATION: Fashion Writer & Instagrammer

What do your mornings look like?
Rushed and messy.

How do you calm yourself?
Deep breathing, candles, water, yoga, meditation.

What’s your favorite medium for writing?
My laptop, because I’m a millennial and stuff.

What are three things you love to do alone?
Shop, write, nap.

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
My friends, and my girl-crushes on Instagram.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

What do you listen to when you are sad?
Bon Iver.

What do you listen to when you are happy?
Regina Spektor.

Can’t leave the house without…
My Mophie (charging phone case).

Favorite book?
Currently reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.

Movie?
500 Days of Summer.

TV show?
Right now, Felicity.

Place to shop?
The Frankie Shop (100 Stanton Street, Lower East Side).

Place to drink coffee?
WhyNot Coffee (around the corner from ^Frankie Shop)

First concert?
N*Sync

Last concert you went too?
Kanye West’s TLOP listening party at Madison Sq. Garden

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
“Dead.”

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
“Dissertation”

Shower song?
Anything by The XX.

What does the last text in your phone say?
“oooh well that’s kinda fun!”

Favorite quote?
“In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed.”

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
Charli XCX’s new EP, Vroom Vroom.

Instagram|Refinery 29

Photo Credit//The Style Line

Q and A Series: Daniella Mason

NAME: DANIELLA MASON
AGE: 27
PLACE: NASHVILLE/LA
OCCUPATION: MUSICIAN (AND ACTOR)

“Writing, singing and performing live are my bread and butter; I do my own little brand of pop music.”

What do your mornings look like?  
Laying in bed for as long as possible scouring the Internet. My husband is usually up before me and makes me a hand pour which is the sweetest, but then he always ends up mad at me because I usually don’t finish it.  Also, mornings are generally difficult for me as I sleep like the dead.

How do you calm yourself?
I pray a lot. And then I try to distinguish and bring order to what is going on in my head; separating truth from lie. That usually centers me. I’m first an internal processor, then a verbal processor, so if something really big is consuming my thoughts, I do all of the above but then I inevitably have to start talking. Usually my husband gets the brunt of my “processing”.

What’s your favorite medium for writing?
I’d like to say a pen and paper but it’s not fast enough for my brain. Honestly, it’s my iPhone. I have thousands of notes of lyrics saved on there. One time I lost them all in a faulty backup. I cried. I guess I should graduate to a big girl notebook.

What are three things you love to do alone?
Catch up on my shows, write/produce, cook.

Where do you go to look for inspiration? 
I’m inspired by the world around me and I’m obsessed with telling the truth. Pretty much everything I write or create comes from my own experiences or the things I see around me.  Every once in awhile I’ll write about people I know, but usually they don’t know it. Or maybe I’m not as sneaky as I think??

What is your guilty pleasure?
All things Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor in Paradise. (But I feel no guilt, so…)

What do you listen to when you are sad?
Damien Rice if I want to sit in the sadness for a bit and not run away from it. Bethel Music when I’m ready to lift myself up. Also, “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles. Just, tears.

What do you listen to when you are happy?
Justin Bieber, duh.

Can’t leave the house without…
My iPhone! Literally everything is on that thing.

Favorite book?
I DON’T KNOW! I can tell you what’s next on my reading list, though! Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber.

Movie?
Eternal Sunshine

TV show?
Friends

Place to shop?
ASOS

Place to drink coffee?
Crema (Nashville)

First concert?
Switchfoot

Last concert you went too?
Lianne La Havas

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
“like”

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
“Smock pun”

Shower song?
Hotline Bling

What does the last text in your phone say?
“WHY CANT I HAVE HIS CHEEKS ALL THE TIME” (to my friend about her baby)

Favorite quote?
Right now it’s: “Make peace with your body, it’s not manmade, there are no flaws, there are no mistakes.” – Warsan Shire

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
Mura Masa. He’s this kid that lives on an island off the coast of France and his music is making my life.

You can find more of Daniella here: Website | Instagram| Twitter

Image Credit// Bree

Q and A Series: Talia Rothenberg

NAME: TALIA ROTHENBERG
AGE: 23
PLACE: WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
OCCUPATION: MULTI-HYPHENATE (WRITER/PERFORMER/PRODUCER)

Talia is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico and a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (Drama, 2014). Talia made her TV debut in the Disney Channel Original Movie PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM (starring Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato), and has proceeded to work on numerous projects across a variety of mediums since. She next appeared as protagonist Lymari Nadal’s daughter in Edward James Olmos’ bi-lingual independent feature AMERICA. A 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholar and undergraduate Producing minor, Talia first began developing digital content throughout her junior year at NYU. Her first original short, BAD HABITS, premiered at the 2014 Cannes Short Film Corner. Her webseries, MRS., was initially released spring 2014 on YouTube with a total 125K in views. Her comedic television pilot (based on her own hit webseries) was ranked #1 on the Amazon Studios’ Development platform from November 3^rd 2015–January 5^th 2016. Her first feature, SWIPED, is currently available online on “The Black List”.

What do your mornings look like?
I wake up, hit the snooze button, and then eventually actually wake up. I let queen Cleo (my adopted puppy pomchi) out of her crate and feed her breakfast. It’s usually then a rush to leave the house and get to work on time, so I pump up the jams and usually default to what I like to call: 10-minute makeup magic. Mornings are hard.

How do you calm yourself?
I bake.

What’s your favorite medium for writing?
Screenwriting on my dinosaur laptop. It’s slow, but hey – it builds character! For the aspiring collaborator I recommend Celtx because it’s got all the usual bells and whistles for screenplay formatting, but can be easily shared with others as well as accessed from any device using their website link.

What are three things you love to do alone?
Book browsing. Internet trolling. Getting my hair did.

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
I tend to experience what I like to think are strokes of genius while I’m listening to records or playlists. There is always music playing throughout my home. Always in shuffle mode. I use it as a kind of white noise to help me get into the zone. But when I get stuck, that’s when I actually start to hear what’s playing and often times it ends up shaping future ideas for writing – immediately ending up in my iPhone notes.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Justin Bieber’s “Sorry”. There’s nothing else I feel guilty about.

What do you listen to when you are sad?
Banks. London Grammar. The XX.

What do you listen to when you are happy?
Disco/funk (I’m talking all its modern reiterations in today’s pop charts, as well as the lush classics). My ongoing SoundCloud likes list. Drake. *It should be noted that this is by far the most difficult question on this list, as anyone who knows me knows I love a ton of diverse music!

Can’t leave the house without…
My lipstick – the color of which changes every day.

Favorite book?
Doce Cuentos Peregrinos by Gael García Márquez.

Movie?
Heathers.

TV show?
Broad City.

Place to shop?
Find me in the bargain bins.

Place to drink coffee?
I don’t drink coffee, but when I pretend that I do so I can meet people out publicly, I frequent Alfred’s.

First concert?
My girl Xtina, AKA Christina Aguilera.

Last concert you went too?
Mainland’s show at The Troubador – but I couldn’t get in because they’re actually having a moment now, and it was sold out. Thankfully I’ve seen them 17 other times ‘cuz I’m well-connected and basically a super fan. So, Coachella.

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
“Insane”. I’m slowly fazing it out of my vocabulary. Maybe.

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
Crispy Cuban. (Yes, I was rather interested in the whereabouts of a certain food truck…)

Shower song?
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Carole King.

What does the last text in your phone say?
“Loll I just almost threw up so things are getting like interesting?”

Favorite quote?
“Respect the delicate ecology of your delusions.” -Tony Kushner

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
The People vs. OJ Simpson on FX. That was probably one of the best television pilots I’ve ever seen. Watched it thrice.

You can find more of Talia here: Instagram | MRS Fbook | Watch MRS

Q and A Series: Liza Anne

Tags

#atj, #girlpower, #music, girl, nashville, singer-songwriter

NAME: LIZA ANNE
AGE: 22
PLACE: NASHVILLE
OCCUPATION: SINGER-SONGWRITER

Liza Anne is a singer-songwriter that tours full time. One time she accidentally ordered a black coffin instead of a black coffee and she hasn’t figured out if she’s okay since then. Liza has been living in Nashville for almost 4 years now but has been traveling for the past two for music and to come up with stories so when she’s old she has something other than recipes to tell kids who decide to sit on her front porch.

What do your mornings look like?
Groggy voice and sour attitude until about 10, usually. Then I’ll ease into being able to make kind expressions towards people and rational decisions about things. Mornings are hard. Ideally, I’d like to have coffee + yoga + an hour or so of reading and meditating and quiet before I start a writing session, email binge, or any calls.

How do you calm yourself?
Ha. Still figuring this one out. Being alive is a lot. But, really. Acupuncture, essential oils and baths. There isn’t a thing in the world a long bath cannot cure.

What’s your favorite medium for writing?
Chapters of books I’ll probably never publish. And, songs. The fact that my favourite medium of expression has somehow become my job is strange.

What are three things you love to do alone?
Everything. But, specifically traveling, going to movies and eating in nice restaurants.

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
Places. I never want to stop seeing and being open to the world changing and moving around all my thoughts and comforts and ideas of life.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Bad television and those massage chairs in the mall and at airports. Oh, and macaroni and cheese and Sour Patch Watermelons.

What do you listen to when you are sad?
I guess it depends what I’m sad over. If it’s over someone, I’d say Joni Mitchell’s Blue – if it’s over a place I miss, I’d say Laura Marling’s Once I Was An Eagle. And, if I’m just sad over life in general I listen to Keaton Henson’s Romantic Works or old Sylvia Plath interviews.

What do you listen to when you are happy?
Whatever reminds me of the people I love most and then The Cranberries. Always The Cranberries.

Can’t leave the house without…
My phone and my Moleskine and whatever book I’m reading – at the moment it’s A Very Easy Death by Simone Beauvoir.

Favorite book? (right now)
Not That Kind Of Girl by Lena Dunham

Movie?
Runaway Bride

TV show?
Gilmore Girls

Place to shop?
Online

Place to drink coffee?
Crema

First concert?
Hilary Duff

Last concert you went too?
Borns

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
Literally

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
“Is there gluten in whiskey?”

Shower song?
Don’t You Remember – Adele

What does the last text in your phone say?
“Kind of a day drinker so earlier is fine with me.” (I’m fine, I swear)

Favorite quote?
“In all things we are merely in a way.” -Albert Camus

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
Lena Dunham’s Woman of the Hour podcast or anything Lena always.

You can find more of Liza here: Website | Instagram | Spotify

Image of Liza taken by Carl Osbourn.

Q and A Series: Eliza Sim

NAME: ELIZA SIM
AGE: 26
PLACE: NEW YORK, NEW YORK
OCCUPATION: ARTIST

Briefly, Tell us who you are what you do?
By day, I work at an ad agency in SoHo. I look after the social media channels of some pretty fantastic brands. I strategize, ideate, and create. By night, I have some extra creative fun by making necklaces, going to galleries, drinking an ocean’s worth of coffee, and eating my way through NYC.

What do your mornings look like?
I try to keep my mornings calm, since my days tend to be pretty nuts and there are people encroaching on your personal space the second you step out of your 4th floor walk-up. I wake up a bit earlier than necessary so that I don’t have to rush. I make a smoothie, religiously. Sit, reflect, and read a little. Struggle to find an outfit. And then I’m out the door, and I won’t stop going until I come home at night.

How do you calm yourself?
Essential oils. I’m in love with both energizing scents and relaxing scents. But, I love my diffuser (Muji, if you’re curious). I’m also a big advocate for at-home beauty treatments. It makes you feel nice and gives you a little extra glow. Sheet masks, face steaming (with essential oils), and the like. But if I’m at work or have to be out in a pinch and I need immediate calming, I just remind myself of all the beautiful people in my life, and that if whatever is stressing me out goes south – it wouldn’t even matter because I’d still have them. Big picture thinking :).

What’s your favorite medium for writing?
Pen and paper.

What are three things you love to do alone?
Wine + movie nights at home, getting my nails done, and reading.

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
Nature. I’m obsessed with flowers, and I love to be inspired by plants. Real life inspiration in NYC – Chelsea Flower Markets near my house.

Other than that, I must say, I’m a bit of a Pinterest addict for street style and beauty inspo.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Ice cream & bacon.

What do you listen to when you are sad?
Instrumental music (Nils Frahm is a great pick), or music that I associate with a particularly sad time in life.

What do you listen to when you are happy?
Upbeat, sometimes quirky music. My office listens to Top 40 music, and a lot of rap. So, I’ve also come to subconsciously know everything on Top 40 – be that a good or a bad thing. I also really secretly but not so secretly love Japanese Pop music (shoutout to Pamyu Pamyu).

Can’t leave the house without…
Lipstick. I’m an addict.

FLASH QUESTIONS (One answer even if you have a thousand!):
 
Favorite book?
1Q84 – Haruki Murakami

Movie?
Harry Potter. Always.

TV show?
Chef’s Table

Place to shop?
Need Supply

Place to drink coffee?
Market Lane Coffee (Melbourne)

First concert?
Hanson. That’s real.

Last concert you went too?
Purity Ring

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
“It’s blowing my mind” (hand motion included)

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
“Husk Nashville” – I was making a reservation for tonight with my mom. FRIED CHICKEN!

Shower song?
Right now? Anything Beiber.

What does the last text in your phone say?
“We will have to leave at 4. Traffic will be horrid!” – My mom worried about getting to the aforementioned Husk reservation on time.

Favorite quote?
“Hustle and heart will set you apart.” – follow my lovely sister-in-law, @MmerciEncore, on Insta for quote inspo

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
If you haven’t watched the Chef’s Table series, it is insanely inspiring and gives me some serious hope for life. Seeing other people’s passions come to life does a lot for your own passions.

You can find more of Eliza here: Instagram

Oh, and here is some of her artwork to swoon over:

 

Q and A Series: Paris Carney

Tags

#atj, #girlpower, #qandaseries

NAME: PARIS CARNEY
AGE: 28
PLACE: LOS ANGELES
OCCUPATION: SINGER/SONGWRITER

Paris Carney is a singer and songwriter born in NYC and raised in both NYC and Los Angeles. She is a trained jazz vocalist and now loves to encoporate her love for jazz in her writings and recordings. She has toured both in the US and internationally singing background vocals for various acts ( ie. CARNEY, Jonas Brothers, Hailee Steinfeld ) but is now focusing mainly on her solo project. Lyrics, melodies, and connecting deeply to others are very important to her.

What do your mornings look like?
I usually try to journal about three pages, handwritten, right when I wake up while I eat breakfast. It’s something I picked up from a book called The Artist’s Way. I’m super critical of myself and in my own head, so it helps me to get some of the negative out and often times ends with a positive outlook unintentionally, which I think is so cool.

How do you calm yourself?
Most often by breathing deeply and praying.

What’s your favorite medium for writing?
I love writing songs because when I add a melody I can portray even more emotion, even when a lyric is so simple.

What are three things you love to do alone?

• Write
• Watch cooking shows
• Write some more.

I like to do most other things with my loved ones.

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
I love fashion blogs like TomboyKC and Whowhatwear. I usually feel really inspired and remember random things I already have in my closet that I can put together for fun. I find it oddly calming.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Anything Olsen related.

What do you listen to when you are sad?
Bethel, Hillsong, Fiona Apple, Coldplay.

What do you listen to when you are happy?
The same + Spice girls, Hanson, anything 90’s to early 2000’s.

Can’t leave the house without…
Checking to make sure the stove is off… multiple times, even when I haven’t used it. No joke. (OCD confessions)

FLASH QUESTIONS (One answer even if you have a thousand!):
Favorite book?
The Worry Workbook by Frank Minirth

Movie?
Billy Madison

TV show?
Jane the Virgin

Place to shop?
All Saints (I have basically nothing from there but I love it, ha!)

Place to drink coffee?
Caffe Vita 

First concert?
Spice Girls

Last concert you went to?
DNCE

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
“Literally”

What’s the last Google search on your iPhone?
Bloomingdales.com (A link to Nespresso that my friend sent me)

Shower song?
“Sunday Kind of Love” by Etta James

What does the last text in your phone say?
Yay!!!! Xxxxx – Lindy Law 😉

Favorite quote?
“Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
I love the TV show “The Great British Bake Off”

You can fall more in love with Paris here: SoundCloud, Instagram, Twitter

Image of Paris taken by Ray Spears.

 

Q and A Series: Gia Vangieri

Tags

#abstract, #art, #atj, #film, #girlpower, #magazine, #onlinejournal, #photography, #qandaseries, #thatsdarling, #thefutureisfemale, #webseries, #womeninfilm, #writing

NAME: GIA VANGIERI
AGE: 27
PLACE: LOS ANGELES
OCCUPATION: DIRECTOR, WRITER, ACTRESS

Briefly, Tell us who you are what you do?
Hi, I’m Gia. I’m a 27 year old filmmaker living in Silver Lake. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2012, I’ve produced an award-winning play (Sewer Rats at Sea, Best of Fringe 2013), directed a music video that premiered on Billboard (Daniella Mason’s “Shade of You”), and created an eight-part web series about how much I still have to figure out titled How to Not, airing on Vessel every Thursday, all winter long. I’m currently in pre-production for my first two feature films, an independent horror (slated to film early 2016) and an independent sci-fi film (slated to film fall of 2016).

What do your mornings look like?
If I don’t immediately connect with the world and get moving, I feel stuck in the mud all day. It’s something I’ve recently learned about myself. My mornings look something like this: Wake up. Coffee and read Slate.com or watch the Daily Show. Listen to indieWire podcast on the walk to Bar Method. Bar Method. Walk home. Shower. Eat. Feed the dogs. Start working.
Alternatively: sleep in forever, let it all burn down.

How do you calm yourself?
“Inhale love. Exhale that which does not serve you.” Over and over.

What are three things you love to do alone?
I am an introvert by nature, so I like to do most things alone. My most favorite things though have to be:

1. Going to the Atwater farmer’s market
2. Cooking
3. Laying naked in completely clean sheets and listening to Throwing Shade – the podcast.

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
Most of the time, it’s the people in the world around me. The friend telling me a story about a text that hasn’t been answered. The fully grown man holding up a tiny, fluffy, marshmallow dog like the scene in the Lion King in front of Dinosaur Coffee in earnest. The budding teen girl in the Turkish airport eyeing my leggings and t-shirt after having fought with her mother that her burka isn’t on right.
Sometimes I go hunt it down myself: Pinterest, Aperture Magazine, Nan Goldin photos, Kubrick films.

What is your guilty pleasure?
I don’t feel guilty about any of my pleasures. They’re definitely not all hip, but I feel bad about none of them.

What do you listen to when you are sad?
Currently:
Rootless Tree – Damien Rice
Cavalier – James Vincent McMorrow
A Case of You – Joni Mitchell
Among the Leaves – Sun Kil Moon
Basic Instinct – The Acid
Stay – Rihanna

What do you listen to when you are happy?
Currently:
G.O.M.D – J. Cole
Divisionary (Do The Right Thing) – Ages and Ages
Cowboy Guilt – Torres
Where is My Mind? – The Pixies
One Million Lovers – The Growlers

Can’t leave the house without…
My license.

FLASH QUESTIONS (One answer even if you have a thousand!):
 
Favorite book?
The Stranger by Albert Camus

Movie?
The Shining

TV show?
Fargo – Season 2

Place to shop?
Bucks and Does.

Place to drink coffee?
Sitting on top of the heating vent in my hallway

First concert?
Destiny’s Child opening for Christina Aguilera

Last concert you went too?
Solange’s dance party at Tenants of the Trees. She sang. I am still tingling.

What’s the one word/phrase you are guilty of using too much?
“just”… I’m just checking in… I’m just emailing to see… I just [am trying to seem more likable and less annoying]. I need to stop.

Shower song?
True Affection – The Blow

What does the last text in your phone say?
“Expedia loves me because I use them so much.”

Favorite quote?
“Make it personal, tell the truth, then write ‘burn this’ on it.” – Lanford Wilson

And tell us one thing you think we should be getting into (a book, blog, web series, song, etc.?)
vessel.com/howtonot which is my open love letter (in the form of a web series) to the late-night-snacking insomniac who is feeling like no one gets it. (We do!)

You can find more of Gia here: How to Not  and Instagram

Image of Gia by Anna Demarco.