My style picks from Style In View for the New Year

Perfect look for the New Year. Powered by Styleinview.co.uk

What look are you going to rock to ring in the New Year? Tweet me pics and your style tips @CandyWashington

Love these emerald envy picks from StyleSaint

It's not too late to rock the Pantone color for 2013! Check out these enviable emerald inspiration curated by the StyleSaint committee.

Interview with PayPal Payments Expert Jennifer Hake on Holiday Shopping Trends

I chatted with PayPal Payments Expert Jennifer Hakes on how to make holiday shopping easier than ever. We discuss how to bring the joy back to the holiday shopping experience, how technology is streamlining last minute holiday shopping and why long lines may soon be something of the past.

Gaining Your Creative Freedom with Mihae Mukaida of RockPaperRobot featured in WIRED

The life of an entrepreneur is anything but predictable. Hopefully with some key insights from Mihae Mukaida, co-founder of RockPaperRobot (featured in AMEX Open, The New York Times, and WIRED)- an engineering boutique specializing in the innovation and fabrication of high-end kinetic furniture and lighting – balancing life and your business might just get a little bit easier.

While speaking with Mihae on her and co-founder Jessica Banks’ journey from working for others to working for themselves, I uncovered multiple parallels between their journey and the journey of any creative professional trying to pave their own way. The connective tissue that ties all creative professionals together seems to be their desire for freedom: Freedom to create, freedom to collaborate, freedom to be – all on your own terms.

Insights on how to gain your creative freedom while building your empire:

Insight #1: Decide. Commit. Repeat.

Mihae and Jessica met while they both were working at an experiential advertising agency and struggled to get an incubator project off the ground due to client demands. They both believed in the vision of what they wanted to accomplish and decided to, “Let’s just do it,” and thus, RPR was born.

Believe in the vision that you have for your career and life. Decide to embark on the journey to realize your vision, and then take meaningful action toward that goal.

Insight # 2: Embrace the inevitable learning curve

While starting your business and managing your brand, you are bound to experience a learning curve. Since you are establishing your business from the ground up you have to learn everything from logistics, payroll, your own skill set, collaborating with others, etc. Understand that these are the inevitable growing pains of starting any business and be prepared to go through them to create a solid foundation for your business.

Insight #3: Don’t forget to “sharpen your axe.” Take the time to refuel your creative juices.

When I asked Mihae what was the best piece of advice she ever received, she told me the following quote from Abe Lincoln, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

She explained that being a designer and a businesswoman required her to spend a lot of time in the machine shop and in front of the computer, but she always strives to strike a balance between work and taking moments to enjoy life and reboot.

Trying to juggle it all can lead to the impulse to work late into the night, through the weekend, and canceling on friends. But as Mihae says, striking a work/life balance is key to the longevity of your business and maintaining a sense of self and creativity.

Mihae’s unwind tip: Take the time to just step away – even if it’s just a few hours in the sun – to regroup and renew… to sharpen your axe.

Insight #4: “You can make more money, but you can’t make more time.”

Sometimes it’s best to spend a bit more upfront to get things done right and in a timely fashion.  Even when you are struggling in the beginning it can be tough to part with those extra funds. Mihae adds that making the decision to spend a bit more in the beginning can save a lot of time and costs in the future. It’s essential to think about the long-term and make decisions based on what will be best in the overall grand scheme of things.

Insight #5: Find inspiration in unexpected places

It’s easy to get so laser-focused on what you are doing that you forget to look up and reach out. But Mihae and Jessica make the time to pop over to neighboring spaces within New Lab, the open space facility in Brooklyn Navy Yard. They bounce ideas, collaborate, and just “sharpen their axes.”

According to Mihae in the game of Rock – Scissors – Robot, Robot always wins.  But in the game of building your empire; perseverance, creativity, gratitude, and taking moments to take care of your self always wins.

For more insights learned from my interview with Mihae follow and tweet @CandyWashington and leave comments below:

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A vision for the future: Warby Parker

Warby Parker is one the most innovative companies of this decade and is the brainchild of founders Neil Blumenthal, Andrew Hunt, Jeffrey Raider, and David Gilboa. The premise is simple, to create boutique-quality, classically crafted eyewear at a revolutionary price point with a philanthropic twist, for every pair sold one would be given to a person in need. Over 500,000 glasses have been donated so far.

warby parker

Brooklyn Girl’s Shopping Holiday Gift Guide

As a senior fashion writer for FashionEdits and a resident of hipsterville Williamsburg, which was recently named the best shopping hood by GQ magazine, I’m lucky enough to be in-the-know for all things fashion and shopping. With the holiday shopping season upon us I pulled together the Brooklyn Girl’s Shopping Holiday Gift Guide. ‘Tis the season for shopping and cheer!

Where to shop for your best friend or sister:

Norbu Bijoux, 232A Bedford Avenue,Brooklyn, NY 11211

For the perfect piece of handcrafted jewelry from delicate necklaces, unique earrings, and one-of-a-kind gifts, stop by Norbu Bijoux. The gold, silver, and metal pieces make for perfect gifts for your sister or best friend.

Where to shop for your boss or co-worker (and yourself):

Ruby and Scarlett, 265 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

One of the newest boutiques to hit Williamsburg is Ruby and Scarlett. Select one of its many scarves and gloves options for your boss or co-worker. While you are there pick up the Parker dress in champagne gold as a treat for yourself as the perfect holiday-party hopping cocktail dress or the perfect pair of black skinny jeans and beige embroidered top.

Where to shop for your mom:

Catbird, 219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Looking for a special holiday gift for your mom? Catbird has a vast array of candles, accessories, holiday cards, chic clothing, and ornaments. We recommend the Tocca Beauty Hand Crème Set and the Mullein and Sparrow Pink Himalayan Bath Salts.

Where to shop for your guy or brother:

Brooklyn Denim Co., 85 N. 3rd Street, No.101, Brooklyn, NY, 11249

If you want to really win over your beau’s heart this holiday season then stop by Brooklyn Denim Co. for the ideal gift for your sweetie. If your guy is a bit on the rugged side then buy him a black leather jacket to match his style, like the Schott 141 Café Racer jacket. For the more casual cutie then opt for a Levi’s Crew sweatshirt or a pair of AG Matchbox Slim Straight jeans.

Where to shop for your dad:

In God We Trust, 129 Bedford Ave, New York, NY 11211

Need to get a gift this holiday season that’s sure to bring a smile to your dad’s face? Then head over to In God We Trust for the FW13 Silk Neck Tie in black and the FW13 Cotton Bow Tie in tan for the ideal gift for dad. To really up his fashion game, get him the Cotton Twill Blazer in navy.

Idris Elba Nabs New Role In Thriller “Bastille Day”

British actor, Idris Elba lands the starring role in the new Paris-based cinematic thriller, Bastille Day. In it, Elba plays a CIA agent who is charged with preventing a terrorist attack on Paris when he figures out the missing link between who’s behind the plan to takedown the Paris metro.

Bastille Day is produced by Hollywood heavyweights Steve Golin, Bard Dorros and David Kanter of Anonymous Content and Philippe Rousselet, the CEO of Vendome Pictures. Andrew Baldwin wrote the script. A director for the film has yet to be named.

The actor’s breakout role was starring as the tormented hero who roamed the streets of London taking down one bad guy at a time on Luther. However since then, the dynamic actor has been making waves in leading roles in Warner Bros.’ Pacific Rim, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, and the $200 million dollar movie blockbuster by Marvel, Thor: The Dark World.

But perhaps his most challenging and award-worthy role to date is his upcoming film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, where he plays the famed philanthropist and human rights activist, Nelson Mandela. Elba is already garnering media praise and possible award nominations for his role as Mandela and fans of the actor will be able to see a different side of his acting range that goes beyond fighting crime and sci-fi thrillers.

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Must-have IT Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute Textured-leather Clutch

Whether you’re looking to treat yourself this holiday season or want to treat that special someone in your life, the 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Minute textured-leather clutch bag is the must-have “It” bag for all fashionistas.

The bag easily goes from day-to-night, jazzing up a daytime outfit while adding a finished and polished touch to any evening attire, and is completely lined in satin. The front-side of the bag is a shimmery, textured-leather for added luxury appeal while the back is matte for a chic look-and-feel.

3.1 phillip lim

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

Iconic fashion legend, Jean Paul Gaultier brought his inspiring designs to life in his debut international exhibition, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. The multimedia fashion experience is being held at the Brooklyn Museum from October 25 – February 23, 2014, and this is the only venue to host the exhibit on the East Coast.

The breathtaking pieces on display were inspired by beauty that surrounds us as well as the diversity of global cultures. The not-to-be-missed exhibit takes the viewer through seven influential themes spanning over Gaultier’s expansive career. Curated by Thierry-Maxime Loriot of the MMFA, coordinated by Lisa Small, and overseen by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Maison Jean Paul Gaultier, Paris, From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk includes over 140 haute couture and prêt-à-porter ensembles.

Perhaps what was even more impressive than the pieces themselves, ranging from corsets, gowns, jackets, tops, mens skirts, sketches, stage costumes, excerpts from runway shows, films, concerts, dances, and documentaries, photographs, and accessories, was the level of interactivity that was evident throughout the exhibit. The custom-made mannequins that were created specifically for the Gaultier exhibit featured faces that are responsive to the viewer by utilizing high-definition audiovisual projections. It is truly where fashion meets technology.

The themes spanned from the Victorian era, Madonna-inspired, 1990’s grunge, remnants of when he made his first splash on the scene in the 1970’s, and other awe-inspiring high-fashion concepts.

As one of the first openly gay fashion designers, Gaultier paved the way for others and designed with a such a purpose and passion that his avant-garde vision and voice that inspired social change, the fight for gender equality, and a putting a premium on focusing on cultural beauty.

I originally wrote this article for Fashion Edits, you can read it here.

jean paul gaultier

Fashion Scoop: Hot Hollywood trend of the moment: Headphones

More than loving the camera, celebrities and models love to rock. They look fierce
doing so in the hottest headphone styles this season. From Alessandra Ambrosio,
Denies Richards, Heidi Klum, Zac Efron, Rita Ora, to Anne Hathaway, celebs are
staying sleek while jamming out to their favorite tunes.

How to rock the headphone trend:

Get colorful: Headphones are meant to stand out, so pass on the classic black and instead go for a pink, bright blue, purple, green, muted grey, or even white.

The bigger the better: Say bye-bye to ear buds. To pull off this celebrity trend go
big or go home. Your headphones should at minimum cover your entire ear.

Tip: try to mimic the size of headphones of your favorite DJ.

Don’t try too hard with the rest of the outfit: The headphones should be the statement piece of your ensemble. Forgo wearing anything too flashy and rock the casually cool look instead. Editor’s pick: loose vintage tee or oversized sweater, army jacket, Converse, and vintage purse.

I first wrote this article for FashionEdits, you can read it here.

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