5 Minutes 5 Questions: Astrid Mueller

December 31, 2015

For my last 5 minute 5 question interview of the year, I wanted to post someone who really had a sense of possibility; and I found that in Astrid Mueller. Astrid Mueller is webdesigner, illustrator, and entrepreneur. She loves connecting and empowering women entrepreneurs worldwide and designing for modern female audiences. Her illustrations have been published by the likes of Marie Claire, The Big Book of Fashion Illustration and Swarovski, to name a few. Astrid is originally from Switzerland, studied in New York, and followed her heart to Kodiak Island Alaska, from where she designs and inspires women worldwide.

1) How long have you lived in Alaska?
I came her first in 2004, to take a design sabbatical at the University of Fairbanks, Alaska. Yup, that’s where it gets SUPER cold. Once I went snowshoeing in about 30 degrees below. It was a great adventure! Since then, I came back every year for as long as possible (trying to make a long distance relationship work, between Switzerland and Alaska!). I finally moved here in 2011.

2) You are the CEO of #GirlPower and Possibility. How did you start your organization?
This is just a playful title I gave myself – partially as vision for myself, and also because it really expresses what I’m all about: I LOVE inspiring and empowering women business owners like myself, and helping them succeed. I used to just do this through my design and branding work, but this year, I really got into it with a lot more activities. It happened kind of organically: One of my brands is the handmade Lucite jewelry line possibility. you never know… (link: www.PossibilityJewelry.com). I was brainstorming with my jewelry ambassadors one day about how we could make this brand come alive, and actually do something about possibility, instead of just talking about it.

We decided to do a “celebrate possibility” meet-up in Phoenix, Arizona for female students and women business owners, with the goal to inspire each other through stories of possibility, exchange resources, and grow our network. It was long-distance for me, I was only there through skype! We all loved it and I was so touched by the difference it seemed to make to the women who attended! I feel that if you can just put a spark in one person’s life and they end up doing something they wouldn’t have dared otherwise, this is just so amazing! That alone is worth it!

Since then I’ve done several such meet-ups here on Kodiak Island, Alaska, I’ve started a free girlpower business owner newsletter where I share lots of tips from my experience in branding, design and entrepreneurship, I’m working on a long-distance girlpower song collaboration, which will be finalized soon!, I’m about to launch a podcast/radio show interviewing women business owners who live remotely (anywhere in the world) and make amazing things happen, and I’m interviewing inspiring female entrepreneurs like you who have empowering stories and tips to share for other women, to help them succeed. I can’t wait to feature your interview by the way!

3) What is your biggest lesson you have learned from your interviews with other women?
That we’re all human. No matter how successful someone is, we all started somewhere, and we all have our moments of doubt and our ups and downs. No matter how glamorous a business seems on the outside, behind it is a founder who is human just like us. All these entrepreneurs have their share of tough experiences along with the successes they achieved. We all have to remember to not feel too intimidated by other people’s achievements – we can do it too! Anything is possible! And sometimes it’s really also be great to keep a small business – we are our bosses and we have to decide what our dream businesses are and what our ideal lives look like. Not everyone needs to start a new Google. Small businesses can be just as amazing.

I also realized that by reaching out and talking with others, we can all learn so much from each other, we can get stronger with each other’s support (even if it’s just through a story or small tip), and we can draw tons of inspiration!
4) How do you deal with ‘haters’?
When I meet someone, I always assume everyone is amazing and has a good heart. Almost always that’s true! If I repeatedly make bad experiences with someone or if my instinct is giving me bad vibes, I phase those people out pretty quickly. It’s not a big deal, you can’t get along with everyone, sometimes it’s just not the right fit. Who knows why. I just stay away from drama, and highly recommend to anyone who listens to do the same.

Life’s too short for drama – let’s increase positivity, be nice to each other, help each other, and make the world a better place, even with small steps at a time! If we do that, we automatically attract more positive things and positive people into our lives.

5) What are three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?
I’m so lucky to have found someone really special. One of the biggest things that I’m so grateful for is that he just wants me to be happy! No matter what I choose, what crazy business adventures or girlpower projects I’m starting (for instance this year I decided to challenge myself and start a girl group, at age 44, and sing and dance in red sequin gowns in front of 600 people – reallly?!!) – he supports me all the way. This allows me to really become my best self, and discover things I wasn’t even aware I was capable of!

Love is definitely among the top three. It has to be special and feel special 🙂 I’d rather be single than just in a convenience relationship, or one where the feeling isn’t quite there… but that’s just me! Everyone has to find what makes them happy!

The third one for me is communication. You have to be able to talk things out, understand each other, and just click. It has to feel natural, without much thinking and tweaking or trying to change someone (that doesn’t work anyways). I’m so grateful that my partner feels to me kind of like my best friend, where we really get each other, can laugh with each other, and can talk about anything and everything, from small things to those big challenges that life sometimes throws at us!

Don’t forget to follow Astrid on Instagram: @AstridMueller Twitter: Astrid_Mueller and check out Astrid’s Facebook page for her Fashion Illustrations.

Hope you have a wonderful New Year!

ELENA:)

Book Review: Goddess of Love Incarnate

December 27, 2015

After finishing the book last night, I thought it was due time to get rolling with my late review. (I have a new respect for Kindles’ though – the book was heavy to cart around on transit). All the stories and the photographs included in the book made for an interesting read. Lili had lived and Leslie Zemeckis did a fantastic job capturing her roller coaster of a life.

Before the book, I had never heard of Lili St. Cyr and the differences between us are obvious. But after reading Lili’s bio I couldn’t help but to pull some similarities:

We both have affection for white roses, pearls, and champagne. I know Instagram accounts built on this love.
Fans of great fashion designers like Balenciaga and Dior (Although my goal is to actually wear the clothes one day like Lili – My Dior espadrilles are magnificent. The perfume they sprayed on them at Le Bon Marche in Paris lingered all the way home).
We like to keep busy, are disciplined and are always working on something. Lili was continually trying to improve and worked hard to be stand out.
We don’t like the feeling of being claustrophobic or tied down. Lili did have 5 or 6 marriages by the time she was my age, which seems like a lot – but I figured she was into the euphoria of romance rather than a lifelong commitment.
We like adventure. I seem to enjoy international travel more than Lili did but then again I’m also not carting around vintage trunks when travel either.
We both have been to the Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood and the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco (it’s now the Westin St. Francis – but it’s kept it’s charm) and Bergdorf Goodman.
She spent a large amount of time in Canada – Montreal to be exact. I’m from the west coast of Canada.
Lili made a Love List (sort of)! On page 329, I was delighted to read that for an interview she broke down her lovers/friends and the qualities she admired about them such as wit, sex appeal and generosity.

At the high point in her career, Lili was pulling a 6-figure salary (maybe the equivalent of almost a million now?) but sadly spending through all her earnings at a rapid rate. Like a bad business case, if she only invested a small portion of her millions she wouldn’t have to sell her beloved house. A collaboration with a company like Agent Provocateur or Dom Pérignon would have been a lucrative deal (this is easy to propose as an outsider!). She did have her own lingerie line at one point. It’s a shame her club in NYC, Boudoir never made it. I’m sure the décor and design was amazing. Many opportunities sadly lost.

I enjoyed reading this well written biography full of details and packed with research. And although her demise was tragic and unpleasant, the story of the stripteuse can live on in The Goddess of Love Incarnate, as glamorous, passionate and full of joie de vivre as Lili St. Cyr herself.

ELENA:) ps: I had a short 5 minute 5 question interview with author, Leslie Zemeckis posted on my News & Events page.

NYC Photo shoot

December 26, 2015

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I’m actually enjoying catching up on old TV episodes and sleeping. I have finally finished the Lili St. Cyr biography I have been reading as well (read all about it in a future post).

Back in NYC, I teamed up with my friends from Flytographer to shoot in the streets of Soho. This time, the fabulous Mayleen was behind the camera and we had a lot of fun. She schooled me all about Miami, shooting notable clients and how to be fearless in a “coat that looks like a shag bear that didn’t stand a chance.” Here are some shots with hair and makeup by Bianca and Anthony. As you can see, I’m a fan of the profile shot;)

ELENA:)

Fun times with Fruit

December 22, 2015

(Note: If you are viewing this on a mobile device – I am aware that the photo is sideways).

I’m not going to lie. Usually I’m not a fan of dried fruit. Yet ever since I flushed out my system with Bikrams my tastebuds now crave for natural sugars in fruit – say hello to Stoneridge Orchards from our neighbours in Royal City, Washington State. The family (third generation) owned farm has been growing and producing all natural and organic premium products, such as cherries, blueberries, raspberries, apples and strawberries, since 1962.

Here are some easy, simple recipes to try (if you aren’t a fan of just eating dried fruit on its own – it is a great post workout snack though). I’m going to test out the cranberry granola bars next week. So glad its not actual baking – as i don’t bake, I burn 😉

CHERRY ALMOND POWER BITES
INGREDIENTS

2 ½ cups unblanched slivered almonds
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
2/3 cup dried cherries
1/3 cup dried cranberries
3 tablespoon raw hemp seeds
2 tablespoons honey
1 pinch of sea salt
2 tablespoon water

DIRECTIONS

Place almonds, flax meal, cherries, cranberries, hemp seeds, honey and salt in food processor.
Pulse until ground and then pulse in water until the mixture begins to form a solid ball.
Press mixture firmly into an 8 x 8 inch baking dish -lined with wax paper.
Slice into bars and serve.
Makes 15 small bars.

DRIED CHERRY COCONUT GRANOLA
INGREDIENTS

4 cups rolled oats
1-1/2 cups slivered almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup toasted coconut chips
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cups honey or maple syrup
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups dried cherries

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, line a cookie chest with parchment paper. Combine everything but the cherries in a large bowl. Spread the mixture onto pan and bake for 30-40 minutes rotating pan every 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let pan sit in oven uncovered for 5 hours or overnight. Transfer the granola to a large bowl, breaking up the big clumps, Add the dried cherries and store in an air tight container for up to a month.

CRANBERRY GRANOLA BARS
INGREDIENTS

1 cup peanut butter (organic is best)
1/2 cup honey
2 1/2 cups oats, granola or cereal–or all combined
1/2 cup Stoneridge Orchards dried cranberries

DIRECTIONS

Line an 8″ x 8″ pan with foil
Spray foil with non stick spray
Melt peanut butter and honey on the stovetop
Add in granola and dried fruits (other fruits work well too!)
Mix it all together well until the berries and granola are well coated
Pour into pan and spread granola evenly
Cut into squares
Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge for an hour
Can be served over 5 days

ELENA:)

NYC in December

December 20, 2015

I can’t believe that there is 5 days until Christmas!!!

I used the last of my vacation time to venture off to NYC in early December and I thought you might want to know a little about my adventures. This is a short summary with more details to follow!

TUESDAY: Checked into The Renwick, (a cool new boutique hotel on east 40th in between Park and Lex) and went to visit my friend Nizim from Labeling Men and had dinner at Bill’s Food & Drink on 54th. Bill’s Food and Drink is one of Chef John Delucie’s restaurant. Bedford & Co is his latest venture at the Renwick which is slated to open very very soon! (Comment: Actually it’s not going to open until spring 2016) Things to note – my room had a lovely floral arrangement from Uprooted Flower Truck (NYC’s first flower truck) to brighten my stay and I got to snack on some yummy ginger people made by Sweets by Olivia (which only lasted a night!).

WEDNESDAY: Hair and makeup with Anthony and Bianca for a Flytographer shoot in Soho. I got to wear my new Christmas/Birthday present to myself, a Proenza Schouler cashmere coat which I love. (More photos in a future post). Uber was crashed when I needed to rush to an important meeting at the Surrey Hotel but I managed to get there eventually after walking 20 blocks in heels and paying $30 for car service. Sheesh. Dinner at Marta with a friend from BluBird Vancouver.

THURSDAY: A breakfast meeting at Le Pain Quotidien followed by an amazing tour of Ciner manufacturing (future post coming up) was on the schedule. In the evening, I surprised the creative fashion illustrator Elaine Biss at her French Connection event. After, I got to meet Alexis Bittar at his holiday meet and greet. Then finally, to my trainers delight, I got to eat a chicken burger at Fuku.

FRIDAY: A breakfast meeting at The Smith (I totally recommend) and a stop in with Editor-In -Chief, Courtenay C. Hall from Bella New York Magazine. I made a pit stop at Century 21 of course and had a few moments uptown to take some photos of beautiful Bergdorf window displays before heading downtown to dinner at Hundred Acres.

SATURDAY: A stop into Creeds Collective Pop Up Shop which was conveniently located across the street from the brunch spot Santina under the High Line. I managed to pick up some salt water taffy from Salty Road from Brooklyn. With an hour to spare to leave to airport, I went to & Other Stories new 5th avenue spot and bought a pair of booties.

ELENA:)

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