5 Minutes 5 Questions with Janis Sadoyama from Spoon Me Sweetly

 

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Everyone knows that Instagram is a goldmine for talent. Local artisans flaunt their works and are remarkable at their craft; Janis is no exception. I gifted my coworkers bags of her yummy popcorn last Christmas and for the The Love List Lounge in Feb, Janis made popcorn snack pack bags with Salted Carmel Apple Pie Brittle. So tasty.

This is 5 minute 5 questions with Janis Sadoyama from Spoon Me Sweetly:

1) How long have you lived in LA?

All my life (30 some odd years lol) 😉

 

2) Why did you start Spoon Me Sweetly?

As a sweet escape from our hectic days. Too rarely do we have an opportunity to treat ourselves to something handmade with love. When knees deep in the hustle and bustle it’s nice to take a break and indulge (but not over indulge!)

 

3) Tell us about your best seller sweet?

Our best sellers are our dipped spoons. The flavors vary from chocolate sea salt caramel to custom flavors like spicy cocoa (chocolate with a kick of cayenne). They’re meant to be enjoyed submerged and swirled into a hot or warm beverage for a couple of seconds until the ingredients warm up and get gooey…then you just eat them off the wooden spoon. So fun, and just like take a bite of a yummy warm dessert.
4) What is your favourite sweet and why?

I’m a big time texture gal, so my favorite is our ramen rocky road! I love chocolate, and marshmallows, but never loved the almonds or walnuts added to desserts so I figure why not toasted ramen?! The rest is delicious history.
5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?

Oooo now the juicy question lol 😉 I have an incredible man in my life and he has the 3 qualities that I hold near and dear to my heart for all relationships (romantic or platonic): integrity, sincerity, and resilience.

Be sure to follow Spoon Me Sweetly on Instagram and Twitter: @spoonmesweetly and ‘Like’ them on Facebook.

ELENA:)

 

 

5 Minutes 5 Questions with Caitlyn Squires from Tease Tea

 

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I am so grateful for all the companies that pitched in to make my Love List Lounge swag bags simply amazing. When I was curated the product sponsor list, I wanted to make sure that my guests went home with products I would use myself (what better way to be a brand ambassador – the endorse cool quality products!). Note: I’m drinking tea as I edit this post. I came across Tease Tea by chance on Instagram and I realized that these ladies were from my home country (Canada) so I had to have them participate somehow! It was great to meet Caitlyn in person and have her live tweet at my event. I was a little bummed that I didn’t have any tea for myself so I ordered some Duchess of Earl which should be on its way soon. Can’t wait.

What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day then to post an interview with a company founded by a women!

Here is 5 minutes 5 questions with the fun and kind Caitlyn Squires from Tease Tea:

1) How long have you lived in New York?

I have been living in NYC for the past 5 months and have loved every minute! I moved here from Toronto, Canada to open Tease Tea’s first US location!

2) What is a tea sommelier?

A tea sommelier is a person who has been extensively trained and is knowledgeable and well versed in all aspects of tea. My business partner, Sheena Brady, is a certified Tea Sommelier through the Tea Association of Canada where she embarked in an 8 month journey which includes everything from import/export regulations, tea ceremonies, health and wellness benefits, how to blend tea, cook with tea, bake with tea, tea infused cocktails – it’s quite an extensive program.

3) Tell us about Tease Tea?

Tease Tea is Canadian born company with an international reputation. We are an online tea boutique operating out of Ottawa, ONT and have our small shop in Manhattan.

At Tease Tea, we are committed to creating blends for the modern tea drinker, inspired by reaching your individual goals & desires.

Are you the classic type? Looking to unwind? Have specific goals? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We literally have a tea for nearly any desire or goal.

Our speciality teas are always selected and created in small batches to ensure customers are receiving the freshest product possible, every time.

4) What is your favourite Tease Tea and why?

This is such a hard question because I love them all so much! I would have to say To The Finish Lime, not only for its citrus goodness and AMAZING health benefits like antioxidants, energy increasers and metabolism boosters but for the inspiration behind the blend. To The Finish Lime was inspired by Tease Tea’s 2015 kickstarter campaign that funded our journey from Canada to the US. We raised $22,800 in 26 days with the support of our amazing friends, family and true tease tea lovers around the world. This blend was our thank you to all those who supported our dream and encouraged us to reach our goals.

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?

The top three characteristics on my Love List in a potential mate would be: Ambition, Loyalty and a great sense of humour.

Don’t forget to “Like” Tease Tea on Facebook and follow Tease Tea on Instagram and Twitter both @tease_tea

ELENA:)

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Perpetual Shade

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I love my sleep and I rarely have an issue sleeping. Working nights in a hospital has definitely enabled me to sleep in those most unnatural conditions (plastic bench in scrubs with rough blankets). Regardless of where you have to rest your head, what better way to enhance the quality of your sleep then with a Perpetual Shade Luxury Eye Mask. (Note: Normally, I wouldn’t want anything touching my face at night but the silkiness of the fabric gives a nice soothing head hug.)

This is 5 Minutes 5 Questions with the fashionable and lovely Sasha Hlavinka, owner of Perpetual Shade:

1) How long have you lived in NY?
10 years

2) Why did you start Perpetual Shade?
I experienced difficulty sleeping and could not find a sleep mask that was both comfortable and fashionable.

3) What is your advice on how to sleep on a plane?
I always travel with my sleep mask, a cashmere oversized scarf and headphones. I play music on low, wrap my scarf around my neck to create a pillow and place my sleep mask on. I’m usually out as a light in about five minutes!

4) What is your favourite Perpetual Shade and why?
My most favorite Perpetual Shade sleep mask is the Black Lace sleep mask. It is simple, elegant and black (my favorite color)!

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?
1. Confidence
2. Adventurous
3. Ambitious

Don’t forget to ‘Like’ Perpetual Shade on Facebook and “Follow” on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks again to Sasha for being one of the product sponsors for The Love List Lounge early this February. I appreciate your support.

ELENA:)

 

Top 5 Media Coverage Countdown for 2015

This is my top 5 list of media coverage for The Love List/Me in 2015. I’m so grateful for everyone that collaborated with me on some level. Can’t wait to see what’s next. Happy 2016!

5) Arise 360 Interview in NY – My first on camera interview. I think I was alright 🙂

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4) Glamour.com cameo thanks to Packed Party

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3) TechStyle event with SkinnyGal Sparklers Twitter Chat

2) BellaNYC Magazine glossy feature TIED with two The Style Line contributions (one about Vancouver and the other about Paris).

1) L’Oreal Canada for LOULOU. It was my first time colouring my hair! Eek. It turned out great and I was even featured on their YouTube Channel.

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ELENA:)