New Product Just In! And It's Digital...
Ok, let's get digital for a minute. We are happy to announce that Yummiewear gift cards are now available in our store. If you wish to share our delicious Yummiewear experience with friends and family, but you are not sure what tops and t-shirts they may like, our gift cards are the way to go. Simply purchase based on a gift card amount and we'll send out an e-card via email.
We all need a little extra TLC right now, and a super soft t-shirt or top may just be the kind of comfort a friend needs. Get a Yummiewear gift card today!
Yummiewear Tops Are So Soft You Won't Want To Take Them Off (But You'll Have to On Laundry Day)
If we had a dollar for each time someone just touches our tees and says: " Oh wow, I can't believe how soft this shirt is...", we would be able to buy a chocolate fondue fountain that pours out endless amounts of chocolate while also dispensing all you can eat pizza and donuts. Now, that's a crazy vision, but the super softness of our tees isn't crazy at all. Just see what some of our fans have to say:
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"LOVE. no joke I live in my donut shirt! It is the most high-quality comfort shirt I have owned. comfy enough to sleep & lounge at home in but still nice enough to wear at the gym or casually out & about!" -Beth
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"I LOVE this shirt! The material is so soft and it’s such a sweet and simple design! I wear mine to the gym, hiking etc, and also can pair it with leggings, cute shoes and a jean jacket for a cute outfit! I love that it’s a loose fit so it’s great for layering too!" - Zoe
If you are craving a little extra comfort in the upcoming weeks - while you adapt to your new surroundings or home office- these Yummiewear t-shirts and tops will envelop you in delicious softness.
Coronavirus Quarentine: FREE Online Exercise Classes, E-Books, Online Education and More
We are experiencing some crazy times at the moment. Who would have thought that 2020 was going to be the year a Pandemic broke out and you would be forced to separate yourself from the rest of the world? That question alone sounds like a teaser for some upcoming Sci Fi Thriller flick. Unfortunately, we aren’t actors in a movie and no this year isn’t actually being written by Stephen King. This is real and serious and we need to social distance however possible. Social distancing may be the key to beating this pandemic but it certainly isn’t easy on the mind and body. In many of our cases, it means we are confined to our homes - by ourselves, with loved ones and even with our kids. This throws off our routine and the balance we seek in our lives. At Yummiewear, we believe in living a balanced life and we believe that you shouldn’t deny yourself the things that make you happy. In our case, it's donuts, ice cream and all kinds of comfort foods. However, in extreme cases, like this outbreak, our balance is threatened in every aspect of our lives (not just food) and right now we don’t get to do a lot of the things that make us happy. With that said, just like our immune system, we need ways to keep our morale and sanity at an all-time high. Below I have compiled a list of FREE activities you can do from the comfort of your home. I’ll keep this blog post updated with new ideas as time goes on, so make sure to check in often.
Exercise Programs and Workouts
These guys are my favorite! I actually use their workouts on a daily basis to stay fit; I prefer to workout from home. This husband-wife duo (Daniel and Kelli) have made over 500 free workouts available to anyone via their site and YouTube. They aren’t all just free and available now, but always have been and will be. You can sort through HITT, strength, cardio and pilates workouts, and you can also select whether you want to use equipment like dumbbells or just use bodyweight. They do also offer some paid programs if you are looking for a more guided experience, but even these workouts start as low as $15 for a 30-day program. Their FB Plus programs start at $11.99 a month. I highly recommend you check out their free workout videos. Again they are free and no sign up is required.
I am sure many of you know of Yoga With Adriene, but I think especially now her YouTube videos may prove to be extra helpful. She has one video in particular, that I do very often to alleviate my anxiety. So, even if you aren’t a Yoga buff like me give her a try or at least try out this video for amazing anxiety and stress.
Virtual Gym Classes
For many, the gym is a place of solace and at the moment many gyms around the country are closing their doors to help keep the virus from spreading. This means that your regular gym routine has been uprooted and it may have you wondering what now? How can I continue to stay in shape but more importantly how can I continue to stay motivated? Good news though. There may be a way and it can also be done from home. This helpful CBS article highlights all the gyms and fitness studios that are offering FREE virtual classes that you can stream at home. The gyms and studios that are offering these classes include but aren’t limited to Blink Fitness, Orange Theory, Planet Fitness, and even Barry’s Boot Camp.
Books
If you have a library card, you may have access to hundreds of e-books throughout your county’s library system. Just visit Rakuten’s Overdrive, and head over to the Find Your Library link to the right of the search tool. Simply look up your local library by inputting your zip code to see if they participate. If they participate, you’ll notice a light blue “website” button next to your library system’s name. Tap it and then sign in using your library card information. If you have a kindle you can sort by Kindle books and send a digital book straight to your kindle. You can also download an e-reader app like Libbey to your mobile device.
New York Public Library E- Reader
If you are a New York resident or New York student with a library card, the New York Public Library is now offering access to download 300,000 books from their e-library. To get access, download NYPL’s e-reader SimplyE. You’ll notice that just by downloading SimplyE you’ll have access to free downloads without even entering a library card. However, in order to have access to NYPL’s books, you’ll need to add your library using your New York library card.
I think it’s safe to say that many of us have Amazon Prime. If not you can still take advantage of some free reading on Amazon, but I'll get to that next. As an Amazon Prime member, you have access to their Amazon Prime Reading where you can read hundreds of books for free either via your kindle or your tablet and computer. Now if you do not have access to Amazon Prime, I recommend checking out Kindle Unlimited. This is a paid reading subscription but at the moment they are offering two months FREE.
Here’s a little something for the kiddos too. Storyline offers free video stories to young children. The stories are told by actors and various celebrities. Check out their stories here.
Also, if you are looking to shake up your children's bedtime routine, take a look at Story Time From Space. This site features videos bedtime stories told by astronauts who are on missions in outer space.
Online Learning
Adults
This may just be the time to learn something new. Check out edx.org as they have over 2500 plus online courses from 140 institutions which also include Ivy League schools like Harvard and Stanford. The best part is that they also offer many free online courses.
Kids
You may find that you have a completely new job during this outbreak that comes with the title: Teacher. Most schools in the US are now closed, and you may need to find ways to teach your children on your own. Not every district or school offers online learning. If you are looking for fun learning activities to do with your children check out Kids Activities Blog. In fact, they have a whole page “Stuck At Home” dedicated to this new unchartered territory.
Virtual Cooking Classes
You may have gone a little crazy with the amount of food you procured at the supermarket, and now you’ll need ideas on how to cook with said food. Check out Taste Made for some free virtual courses. You can learn to make pies, meal prep, cook one pot dinners and more. I’d also like to mention that if you are up for the cooking challenge, Micheline Star chef Massimo Bottura is offering nightly virtual cooking classes via his Instagram for free.
Culture and entertainment
If you are an Opera buff or would love to see one, now is the time because the Metropolitan Opera house in New York City is streaming it's Opera at night. You can enjoy them on your TV, but you only have till March 22nd to get a glimpse into the world of Opera. But, still how cool is that - you can see an Opera and never leave your couch? Get more information regarding the Opera’s free streaming here. Similarly, and to boost your cultural quarantine experience, even more, various art museums around the world are offering free virtual tours. Check out their online exhibits and also head over to this Travel and Leisure article for a list of virtual tours.
I am sure there are many more ideas and activities that I haven’t touched upon and as they come up I will add them to this page. Feel free to email us at connect@yummiewear.com if you have free virtual and online ideas that we can add to this blog post. Also, as you sit at home streaming your opera or as you work out to a Barry’s Boot camp video, make sure you have a super comfy top or tee to do it in. Check out our collection of Yummiewear junk food-themed tops. Not only are they delicious but they are so soft and comfortable you’ll basically live in them.
Yummiewear Talks About Friendship with Fellow Entrepreneurs and Wellness Lovers
We are pleased to introduce a group of women who are all separately driven and badass in their own ways. The four of us crossed paths years ago through mutual jobs in the wellness industry, and since then we have all become a support system for each other’s ventures.
Through it all, we’ve learned how important it is to appreciate the support systems around us. We’ve been so lucky to have collaborated with this group of driven and inspiring women - their motivation is contagious, so we wanted to share!
Sara - Professional hair stylist
@saramariastyles
Sara is a professional hairstylist who is passionate about combining two things with her work: art, and making people feel beautiful. She runs her business from the Life Spa at Lifetime Athletic in Montvale, NJ, and is a Wella Color Educator and Extension Specialist.
Sara is constantly learning and taking workshops to help her grown in her profession, and over the years, all three of us have supported Sara by returning to her for our hair styling. Many Yummiewear photoshoots feature Sara’s handiwork! “I educate my clients to embrace their natural beauty,” Sara says of her work. “I look for the way you look when you were younger, and try to give you your hair color that matches closest to then when it was raw and natural.”
Melissa - Doodler and wellness expert
@lines_on_lines
Melissa is a part-time doodler and lover of letters. She’s dedicated her life to studying health, wellness, and beauty and is currently working to merge her passions together in a creative way. Melissa lends her talent with lettering by creating many written materials for Yummiewear, like our thank you cards, and the "Yummiewear" lettering in our logo.
In fact, Melissa already has some ideas in mind for future Yummiewear collaborations! We asked her to pick a design that she would love to see Yummiewear create: “All the yummiest cheat foods written out in different fun lettering styles!”
Christie, Physical wellness lover
@whatyoucfit
Christie is a certified personal trainer and health coach graduating to practice as a Physician Assistant of Trauma Surgery. She is passionate about helping people become strong and healthy, which is a commonality that we all share. While Sara might work through beauty to help her clients feel like their best selves, Christie’s work is helping people become happier and healthier through physical wellness.
Having a community of like-minded friends is priceless for all of us. We’ve learned that a group like this has so much to offer. While each of us pursues our dreams, we make sure to remember to appreciate the circles that keep us strong along the way.
We had the opportunity to ask Sara, Melissa, and Christie a few of our 10 Questions with Yummiewear. Take a look at our 10 Questions with Yummiewear blog for more of these conversations!
Sara, @saramariastyles
If you could design your own Yummiewear shirt what would you want on it? Go crazy!
Kebabs all over it with the words CHEAT DAY in all different languages, including Farsi!
Social media creates an environment where many women feel pressure and self-doubt. How do you manage your self-perspective in relation to the media?
Being part of this industry that disguises everyone’s natural beauty- I educate my clients to embrace their natural beauty. It might sound counter-productive but less is always more. I look for the way you look when you were younger and try to give you your hair color that matches closest to then when it was raw and natural.
The main thing is not spending time on social media seeing what everyone is doing and how they are doing it. I focus on what makes me happy and how I feel without outside influences. I don’t follow trends, I create my own in order to stay my authentic self .
Melissa, @lines_on_lines
How do you stay mentally and physically happy?
I’ve learned to listen to my body before outside influence. Meditation and a dose of solitude keep me centered.
What is one thing that you love about yourself and your body?
Love that I am flexible both in life and physically. Adaptability is key to handling life’s punches.
Christie, @whatyoucfit
If you could design your own Yummiewear shirt what would you want on it? Go crazy!
Pineapple on a cropped t-shirt, loose fit, potentially off the shoulder (grey, white or black). The pineapple top would be green, then the rest would be a yellow/gold color that was actually a saying in the shape of the pineapple body. Something like “Be who you want. Eat what you love. Do what you dream.”
How do you stay mentally and physically happy?
I stay mentally and physically happy through balancing my busy lifestyle with exercise and scheduling time to relax! I participate in many forms of exercise, which I believe leads to longevity and prevents boredom. I surround myself with people that support my goals, but also call me out when it’s time to relax… which is hard to do! This also helps me stay focused on achieving my goals!
Meet Kiki, Bourbon Loving Boss Babe and Future Author
Though Instagram may seem like an unlikely place to forge meaningful relationships with others, Michaela and I have been really lucky in how many amazing women we have gotten to know through this platform. One of these special women is Kiki Koerner from Columbus, Ohio. She is a real estate boss babe and a loving mama bear to her little boy. She reached out to us first through an Instagram comment about our then newly released Donut Lips Tee and ever since that moment she has been an unwavering fan of Yummiewear. Kiki is an incredibly inspiring force with her light-up-the-room energy and an unrelenting drive to be the best version of herself.
As we started to put together our 10 Questions with Yummiewear, we knew we had to interview Kiki. Her positive and bubbly energy in itself was something we wanted to bottle up and share with the rest of our community. So on a Thursday evening in October, the three of us spoke over video chat. It was our first time we were speaking to and seeing each other and it was nothing short of laughter and high energy as if we have been old friends catching up. A few weeks later Kiki was making a trip to New York City with her friend and Michaela had the opportunity to meet with Kiki in the flesh over a nice cup of coffee at the lovely Cafe Angelique in Tenafly. It’s moments like these when life feels so surreal. You realize that the business you are building is creating more than just a product but deep and meaningful relationships with wonderful and inspiring women that you may have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise. We can’t wait to introduce Kiki to you. We know you’ll love her just as much as we do! See her full interview below.
Meet Kiki.
Her favorite cheat treats are Bourbon, chili cheese fries, fried foods, and mac and cheese. This social media savvy Ohio real estate agent isn’t just a boss babe but a future author of her first book.
They say you are what you eat so which one of your cheat day foods would you want to be and why?
I would want to be a pizza because whenever you are eating pizza it’s always a party and you are having fun.
M: If you were stranded on an island and you could bring just one comfort food with you, which would it be?
"I would bring Bourbon."
I would bring Bourbon because if I'm stranded on an island I am going to have fun! I am going to let loose, and let go of all my worries.
M: What is the best junk food experience you ever had?
In Charleston South Carolina there is this place called Ye Old Fashioned Cafe. It’s an ice cream parlor, but they have the best chili cheese fries. I mean it was like heaven the first time I had them. They are these thick crinkle fries that absorb all the chilly sauce and they have the most amazing cheese sauce. They are also piping hot each time.
These fries are one of the reasons why I go down to Charleston at least once a year. I stop by to have them every time.
M: Did you ever have a meal that you looked forward to beforehand, but it turned out to be a total bust?
“Unfortunately, when I tasted my meal, my response was 'Noooo. What is this??' It was just terrible.”
One time I went to Bubba Gumps in New York City. I wanted some nice fried shrimp. I was so excited because comfort food is my jam. Unfortunately, when I tasted my meal, my response was “Noooo. What is this??” It was just terrible.
M: What is a goal that you have that you would like to achieve in the next two years?
This is the first time I am ever going to say this out loud so you are going to have to hold me to it. It has to happen now... I am writing a book! So in two years, my goal is to have it published. I’m really excited! The book is about my experiences as a real estate agent. There are so many funny and crazy stories that happen when you deal with people in my industry and I want to share them.
M: How do you stay focused on your goals?
I have my girl gang and I call them weekly. We are all entrepreneurs in some way or fashion and they inspire me and lift me up.
I have a team of people who help me stay focused. I have my girl gang and I call them weekly. We are all entrepreneurs in some way or fashion and they inspire me and lift me up.
Then there is my mom, my dad, and my grandparents. They are definitely part of this team but they fulfill me in a different way. They are not entrepreneurs so they don’t always understand the way my brain works, but they nurture my spiritual side. I can always count on them to quote me a scripture or to give me that little nugget of guidance from a higher being. The past two years have been the most difficult for me personally and the one thing that got me through was my grandfather saying “tend your garden”. Take care of you and do you, and I think this is where my whole concept of “zero f*cks” comes from. His words have resonated with me ever since and they pushed me to be where I am now.
M: How do you stay mentally and physically happy?
“Finding my voice and giving zero f*cks has been the most liberating thing I have done for myself.”
I used to let certain things get inside my head. For example, I have had people criticize me on how I raise my kid. The criticism used to bother me and I wouldn't be able to think about anything else. However, I have learned to tune things out by making a conscious decision to not care about what anybody except for my loved ones want or expect of me. I'm just doing me and if something doesn't fit into my or my family’s dreams then I am not doing it. Finding my voice and giving zero f*cks has been the most liberating thing I have done for myself.
M: Social media can create a lot of pressure and self-doubt. How do you keep its noise from affecting you?
The unfollow button is my best friend and I am not afraid to use it. I follow people that add something to my life. When you post, I believe the question everyone should always ask themselves is “how is this going to help someone?” I may not know you, but if I am going to follow you, you are in some way connected to my life now. I would say choose who you follow on social media very carefully.
M: What is one thing that you love about yourself and your body?
One thing I love about myself is that I know who I am and I really love the woman I am today and the woman that I am growing into. The thing that I love about my body is my mouth. I absolutely love the smile it produces. It’s the one thing I can always count on.
M: If you could design your own Yummiewear shirt what would you want on it? Go crazy!
If I could design my own Yummiewear shirt it would probably have fried chicken with a side of mac and cheese and a bourbon on it. That would be the Kiki t-shirt.
Meet Laura, Brooklynite and Culture Guru At NBC Universal
We first met Laura at the FAD Market (Fashion + Art + Design) in Brooklyn, NY along with her friend Diana Egnatz [See Diana's interview here]. In speaking with the two women, we quickly grew to admire their positive energy and confidence. These women are learning to balance everything in life: fun and ambition, self love and professional drive. Like the Yummiewear community that my sister and I learn from every day, these women each have stories that we wanted to document and share. Laura is part of our 10 Questions with Yummiewear Project - check out the homepage for more profiles!
On a summer afternoon in August, we met up with Laura and Diana for an interview at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, NY. We can't wait for you to get to know her!
Meet Laura
Her favorite cheat treats are Mexican candy, babka, cookie dough, Nerds and Starburst jelly beans. This Brooklynite and media specialist is looking to shake up the food industry with a “meaty” idea.
Martina: We all know the saying “ you are what you eat.” If that’s true, which one of your “cheat day” foods would you want to be, and why?
Laura: Babka, because I'm so cinnamon-spicy.
M: If you were stranded on an island and you could bring just one cheat food with you, which would it be?
L: My Mexican candy!
M: What is the best junk food experience you ever had?
L: There's this perfect funnel cake at Six Flags on the West Coast where I was living at the time. My tradition was to always get funnel cake there, and one day when we were leaving Six Flags, it just so happened that I had the most perfect one. There was no line because we went on a Wednesday. The guy had just changed the oil and he had also just made fresh batter. It was just the most ultimate funnel cake I've ever tasted. I will never have a funnel cake again because I just don't ever want to ruin that experience and memory in my head.
“It was just the most ultimate funnel cake I've ever tasted. I will never have a funnel cake again because I just don't ever want to ruin that experience and memory in my head.”
M: Did you ever have a meal that you looked forward to beforehand, but it turned out to be a total bust?
L: Yes, at David Chang’s Momofuku Ko. At that time, I was really into going to tastings. It was also right around the time that Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast, so to give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt, my experience there may have been a result of a lack of proper ingredients. But it wasn’t just about the food - it had a lot to do with the ambiance. They didn't have any music. They didn’t allow us to take any pictures. And they were really strict about us showing up on time.
Basically, my feelings about that meal were more about everything leading up to the food experience, so once we finally got our meal, it made it kind of disappointing.
M: What is a goal that you have that you would like to achieve in the next two years?
L: I’m just starting to venture into the food industry, which I have always had a passion for. I’m in the very early stages of taking the steps for my business idea to become a reality, but it’s very daunting. I’m taking it slow while still keeping the day job that I really really love. I hope it takes off, or at least I hope that I get to a good place with it in the next two years.
M: How do you stay focused on your goals? (i.e. Do you have a daily routine, or does someone support you?)
L: My support comes from the amazing Diana Egnatz, of Hotspoons Preserves. I met Diana just a few months ago. I have been so impressed and inspired by her focus, her intellect and her courage to really make what she wants to do a reality - especially given how young she is. I feel like even though I am much older than her, I can still learn a lot from her. She’s the person that has really encouraged me to make my food project a reality, and I am just really, really happy that she is in my life.
M: How do you stay mentally and physically happy?
L: Exercise is definitely part of staying happy. I think it’s important to take care of your body, because it helps you mentally. The older that I get, the more I realize that my time and energy are finite, so the people I keep close to me that I want to spend time with are specific.
When I was younger I just wanted to be friends with everyone, and as I got older I started not to care who likes me and who doesn’t. It became more about - is this person right for me? Whether it’s a friendship or a familial relationship or a romantic partnership, if someone is in my life it’s because I want them to be there.
The older that I get, the more I realize that my time and energy are finite so the people I keep close to me or that I want to spend time with are specific.
M: Social media creates an environment where many women feel pressure and self doubt. How do you manage your self perspective in relation to the media?
L: I am very anti-social media. I personally don’t participate in Facebook or Instagram. I know how much I would be affected by it. For example, I would be sensitive to seeing others seemingly “having that amazing life.” I would feel like I should be having the same experience. I think that just adds extra pressure to how I should be as a person even outside social media.
I’m at a place where I am trying to only add things to my life that’ll lift me up, versus take me down. I think that social media can be helpful for many things, but it also has a negative and dark side to it. I will go on social media if my friend says that she’s posted pictures from her vacation, but I'll definitely unsubscribe to all of the notifications. I go on social media when I have a purpose, and I avoid that extra pressure.
I’m in a place in my life now where I am trying to only add things to my life that’ll lift me up versus take me down.
M: What is one thing that you love about yourself and your body?
L: I really love my hair. I think it’s so amazing because I can do anything with it. It’s got the perfect beach waves.
M: If you could design your own Yummiewear shirt what would you want on it? Go crazy!
L: A Kouign-amann. It’s this Breton pastry from the French region of Brittany. Kouign-amann literally means in Celtic language - “butter cake.” It is my favorite dessert ever. It’s almost like a croissant that’s caramelized because it has a lot of sugar in it. The pastry has an overflowing top and a muffin bottom, kind of like a popover. It’s just so good. Dominique Ansel introduced me to this pastry, and that’s why I love his shop so much. I absolutely love it. I would want it on a t-shirt so I could always be with it.
2018 Yummiewear Holiday Gift Guide
Holiday shopping season is upon us, and at this point, you’re getting tired of looking at the list of people you need to buy gifts for… Put your pen down! We have our Yummiewear Holiday Gift Guide ready to solve some of your toughest buys.
1. Yummiewear Hat - For your teenage sister. Whether she’s posting selfies on social media or sulking from underneath the brim, this cap in a cool grey will be her new best friend. And don’t tell her this part, but your cool gift will also protect her pretty little face from the sun’s harmful rays. Well played, sis.
2. Cat Cone Onesie - For the office secret Santa (who is expecting!). Soon-to-be-moms are tricky to buy for. They’ve been showered in baby themed gifts for months. They practically own Bed Bath and Beyond. Well, we guarantee their bundle of joy doesn’t yet have a onesie with a cat and ice cream on it! Done.
3. Dolla Pizza Tank - For your college friend. Memories of downing an entire pizza in your dorm room after happy hour turned into a bar crawl… Give your long-time bestie a friendly reminder that you’re her original ride or die.
4. Heart Burger Hoodie - Are you kidding? Get this for yourself! This hoodie and this long sleeve tee are the only ways to get your hands on our SOLD OUT burger heart patch, which is placed right on the shoulder, along with cut out sleeves.
5. Cat Cone Tee - For your brother’s girlfriend. Maybe you don’t have much in common with her, but if she didn’t like cats or ice cream, you definitely wouldn’t let her date your brother. This tee is your common ground.
Yummiewear + Thirteen Fit Apparel: A Pop Up for Positivity
Meet Diana
My sister and business partner, Michaela was the first to meet the fabulous Diana, a fellow maker, at the FAD Market in Brooklyn, New York this summer. It was an immediate connection. Diana was there with her good friend Laura B, a fellow foodie who we also had the opportunity to interview (stay tuned). The three were fast friends who after the market bonded even more over great food and drinks.
Later in the summer, I got to meet these two wonderful women myself at the Phoenicia Flea in Asbury Park. We got along immediately. We bonded over food and our views on life. During our stay in Asbury, Michaela and I asked Diana and Laura to be a part of our 10 questions with Yummiewear, our new project which focuses on food, goals, and self-love. They quickly agreed.
The following week, on a lovely Sunday afternoon in late August, all four of us met up in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn for a good ol’ fashioned picnic. After noshing on some delicious charcuterie and desserts, we all sat together to discuss food, goals, and self-love.
Meet Diana Egnatz.
Her favorite cheat treats are elephant ears (a midwest thang), negroni’s, cinnamon rolls, pizza, rose, Oreos and chocolate ice cream. She’s the director of photography at the School of Visual Arts Yearbook in New York City and a budding entrepreneur and owner of Hot Spoon Preserves.
Check out Diana’s interview below!
They say you are what you eat, so which one of your cheat day foods would you want to be and why?
I'd be an elephant ear. The elephant ear is a Midwest thing where I grew up. It's basically a pizza dough that’s fried and covered in cinnamon sugar. We would have it at the county fair every year.
If you were stranded on an island and you could bring just one cheat food with you, which would it be?
My Negroni.
What is the best junk food experience your taste buds ever had and you've never forgotten about?
I had the best meringue pie a few weeks ago when Laura and I were in Toronto. It was really tart and lemony on the bottom and it had the lightest meringue that was pipped all over the top. The top was then bruleed to perfection. That was really great.
What was a meal you looked so forward to and it turned out to be a total bust?
This is actually one of my first meals with Laura at Metta. It was one of my new eating out experiences with my new gal pals who also love food. I was so excited about this restaurant. They had a nice open fire going too. I ordered a beautiful salad but I think I just wasn’t in the right mental state to go out to eat. It was right after one of my markets, and I guess I was so full from eating things at the event that when I got a salad I realized it wasn't what I wanted. I guess sometimes it's an expectation thing.
If you could design your own Yummiewear shirt what would you want on it? Go crazy!
“I am a recovering picky eater, but I have always loved cinnamon buns.”
I would want cinnamon buns on my shirt. I am a recovering picky eater, but I have always loved cinnamon buns.
How do you stay mentally and physically happy?
Beauty sleep and creating a wonderful place that I love to be in is really important to me. I feel the home that I created is important to my whole being. It’s definitely an extension of myself and it’s a place that I want to come home to that’s wonderful, comfortable and looks great. I am a creative person and I need that. I have artwork on the walls. I have books on my shelves. I have plants in my sunlight.
I am a person who has moved around a lot in my life and I was always a nester from day one. I have always created a nice space for myself. I think it’s just really important for mental health to come to a space that makes you relax and take a deep breath. Plus, in the city, you need a retreat.
What is a goal that you have that you would like to achieve in the next two years?
“My father is also an entrepreneur and the best advice he ever gave me is that you have to believe that you are going to succeed.”
There are a lot of things that I want to do in the next two years. My 25th birthday was right at the beginning of when I decided I was going to start my own food business, and I have accomplished a lot in the past two years. However, there is still so much in that realm that I want to do. I just really want to go for it. I don’t know if I can do it in two years, but I would really love to have a national brand by then. I think big!
I would also love to be financially secure. I think women need to be financially sustainable on their own. I don’t have that quite yet. I still get help from people and I appreciate that. That’s the only way that I’m doing what I’m doing.
My father is also an entrepreneur and the best advice he ever gave me is that you have to believe that you are going to succeed. The moment you don’t, you won’t. I just keep believing in myself and that it’s going to happen. So yeah, Hots Spoon international!
It’s terrifying but exciting.
What is one thing you do or is there a person that helps you stay focused on achieving your goals?
I will say I have this group of amazing women that I have connected with since I launched my business, Laura included. She’s so positive and she really believes in me. She tells it how it is. It’s been really wonderful and helpful that I’ve found this community of women that uplift one another.
I will also say, my mother and I are very close. We have always been since I was a teenager. She is my business partner. Whenever I am run down because I have been in the kitchen for a long time, I call her and I say ‘mom, I really need a pep talk for 5 minutes’. For example, last Thursday night, I didn’t want to be in the kitchen. I had 40 pounds of peaches that I needed to peel and I just didn't want to go in. I called my mom. She pep talked me and it was great after that.
I do really rely on her for moral support and she really believes in me. It’s a wonderful thing. She’s given me a lot of opportunities that she didn’t have. I was raised with a ‘yes and…’ mentality. This is a theater reference. In improv, you are taught to say “yes and...”. You say yes to the person you are on stage with and then you add on to it, and that’s how I have been raised. ‘Yes let’s do that, and what else can we do to make it more fabulous?’ I think that’s why at 24, I started my business saying yes to my ideas and creativity and working out a way to make it work.
What is one thing that you love about yourself and your body?
I love that I am confident.
As far as my body, I have really great hair. I used to hate my hair when I was younger because almost everyone had straight hair and I had this curly, hot mess. I have embraced as I have gotten older. It’s so funny; I have two lives. I have my professional life where I look fabulous all the time and then I have my kitchen life. When people I know run into me at work they don’t recognize me half the time with my hair covered. My hair is really my calling card now which is sort of funny.
I just love my body overall; at any shape or size or form. If I need bigger pants, I’ll buy bigger pants, but I always love myself.
I think bodies are very interesting. I love all bodies. I did burlesque for a few years and I love seeing women really embracing their objectivity and their sexiness. No matter what size or shape you have, just owning that as a woman is wonderful to watch. I think the first thing I notice about a sexy woman or a fabulous woman is her energy and confidence, not so much what she is wearing or how she looks. It’s really about the way that she presents herself. It’s a rare quality in women these days. To have that kind of confidence.
We are compared a lot in society and social media propels a lot of this. We are continually bombarded by before and after pictures, advice on how and what to eat, how we should be wearing our hair or putting on our makeup. There is a lot of pressure in that. So, my final question is, how does Diana tune that noise out?
“I really appreciate what people are doing on social media. It’s wonderful to look at this curated life that people are aspiring to, but it’s a curated life. Not real life. ”
I am a student of photography and I am a huge history buff too. I know that photography is not truth and that’s a huge thing that I've dealt with for four years while I was studying photography at the School of Visual Arts. Since photography’s invention, everyone would think - “oh that’s reality”, but really photography at its earliest birth was just mirroring fine arts, oil painting, and art history. So, it’s not really truth. It’s really only a second of a moment that someone is curating within a frame. That’s the way I come at social media and any kind of visual arts.
Also, I have lost 30 pounds in the last three months. I have made that vow to myself. I really wanted to get fit again. I felt like I was not being my best self even though I am beautiful at any size and shape. I just didn't feel good in my skin on a sort of molecular level. It was a health stance. I have never done before-or-after pictures. For me, it’s about how I feel in my skin rather than how others perceive me at whatever size. So if you don’t feel great in your skin, think about what it really is. Is it the way your hair looks? Is it the way your pants fit or is it the color of your nail polish? It’s sort of smaller changes that you can make instead of larger ones like ‘oh my god! I need to be a size two!’. F*ck that! I have never been a size two and I never will be. It’s not a big deal. It’s not how I was built. It’s all about how you feel about yourself and thus carry yourself than about how you look to the world. I really appreciate what people are doing on social media. It’s wonderful to look at this curated life that people are aspiring to, but it’s a curated life. Not a real life.
Meet Callan
A few weeks ago, on a very sunny and warm Saturday afternoon, Michaela and I met up with actress and plus-size model Callan Alexander in Industry City, Brooklyn. Our friendship with Callan started over a series of likes and comments to each other on social media spanning the course of a year. Then one day, we received a direct message from Callan on Instagram. She mentioned how much she loved our Yummiewear tops and how she would love to collaborate with us. Up until meeting Callan, we hadn’t shown curvier women modeling our tops, but Callan suggested we do a collaborative photoshoot together to show women how our tops fit all different body types. The day of our shoot was so much fun, and working with Callan was incredibly easy. At the end of the day not only did we all leave with close to 300 photos, but the three of us also left as friends!
A few weeks after the photo shoot, we also had the opportunity to connect again with Callan over an interview. Callan shared with us some of her dreams and a key piece of advice on self-love. Our hope is that you walk away happy and inspired by her words.
MK: Ok, before we do anything Callan, first things first, I have to ask this. It’s kind of our M.O. What is your favorite cheat food?
CA: Definitely butter. Anything and everything with butter.
MK: Mmm, yes butter. I love that one. It’s an outside the box kind of cheat food. Ok, so now that I have this critical piece of information, I think it’s safe to begin. Can you tell us a little about yourself, Callan? Where are you from and where are you living now?
CA: I’m originally from the beautiful Santa Cruz, California and now living in New York City.
MK: Cali girl in NYC. I love it! What do you do in New York?
CA: I am a plus model, actor, and nanny!
MK: Wow, that’s quite a resume! How did you first get involved with modeling and acting?
CA: I’ve always been involved in the arts, since the age of 7 years. My mother put me in musical theatre to help with my dyslexia and ADHD, to improve my reading, memorization, and public speaking. Since being introduced to theatre, I’ve never parted with it!
MK: That is such an empowering and beautiful way to help a child to overcome obstacles. What about modeling? How did you get into modeling?
CA: Modeling is another creative outlet that I’ve been with for quite some time. My mom is a plus-size fashion designer, so I grew up in a very body-positive family. I was fortunate enough to be able to walk in many of her runway shows and gain exposure to the incredible plus size community. It’s safe to say that my mom has been a huge inspiration to me. Now I am able to represent how beautiful body and all types of diversity is.
As far as nannying, I’ve always loved children so that’s an easy one.
MK: You are so lucky to have grown in a family that has always nurtured self-love. It’s so incredibly important to learn to love yourself when you are still young. I’d like to come back to this point, but before I do I have a few more questions. When it comes to your career, what would you say are some goals or goal that you would like to reach professionally?
CA: My professional goals include being able to write my own stand up comedy, starring in a sitcom, performing on a Broadway stage, and becoming an established fit, runway, and print model.
MK: That’s an incredible list! I love how all of your goals have such strength and confidence behind them. Is there anything you would also like to achieve on a personal level?
CA: As far as personal goals, for short-term, I would love to start my own blog about self-love. A personal long-term goal I have is to adopt two children and provide them with endless love.
MK: Awesome! I think it’s beautiful that you say that you want to shower your future children in endless love. This must go back to your strong and loving upbringing. You have a long list of goals you’d like to achieve, and I think the steps you are going to be taking, like with any goals and achievements are going to take a lot of energy, so if I may ask how do you stay healthy?
CA: Hot Pilates is my all time favorite exercise activity but I also love any type of dance class and yoga (because, duh).
MK: I have tried yoga a few times but I don’t seem to have the agility or balance, but I totally get you with dance. It’s such a great way to break a sweat! So, if you aren’t working or breaking a sweat, what do you do in your downtime?
CA: I love to cook. Not to be associated with baking. Baking scares me. I also enjoy interior design, reading plays by Christopher Duran, learning ukulele, and Thursday night Beer Bingo at my local bar!
MK: Learning the ukulele?! That is the coolest hobby I have heard in a long while! What do you do to relieve stress?
CA: The most successful form of stress relief I’ve discovered is aromatherapy and cleaning. Give me a day with my essential oils and cleaning products and I can rule the world!
MK: Cleaning, that’s amazing. Therapeutic yet efficient too. Before we wrap up here, I would just like to go back to your earlier point about self-love. You talked about how you grew up in a body positive family. I think that is so wonderful and at the same time, not everyone is fortunate to have that sort of start in life. However, it is still so easy to fall victim to insecurities that are more and more powered by the interconnected world that we now live in. Many times we are forced to compare ourselves to others on social media because this information is actively and daily pushed into our lives through feeds. I know I have struggled with comparing myself and I know there are other women who have as well. With that said, what advice would you give to women that could help them tune out the noise and focus on loving who they are more?
CA: It’s known that our own harshest critics are ourselves. It’s so easy to look in the mirror and be unhappy with what we see. What most people fail to realize is that thing(s) you’re self-conscious about in yourself, more often than not, people don’t even care about. I’ve always been very tall for my age and at 6 foot right now, I sometimes still wish I was a more “average” height for a woman. It took me a long time to realize that my height makes me unique. The people most important to me in my life don’t care that I tower over them. They celebrate it. And I celebrate them and their differences.
My advice to anyone who is struggling with their own physical appearance is to take the time and realize the things you LOVE about yourself. Point out all the things that make you happy to be you. Be your own support system. Celebrate the things that make you different than the faces we see on social media.
MK: Callan, this is wonderful advice and I hope others find it helpful as well. You are such a driven and positive woman! I really appreciate you being so candid and taking the time to do this interview with us. Thank you!What's Up Dog?
So glad you visited... We have some fun updates for you!
First off, we've been doing some research on protein-packed foods, and it turns out hot dogs are what everyone should be eating. Might sound a bit off, right? But if you think about it, the hot dog is a perfectly balanced food that meets all of your macros - protein packed Weiner, carb friendly bun, and nutrient-packed tomato ketchup... Well, at least that's how we like to think of a hot dog.
On a more serious note, we will be at the FAD Market Midsummer Mega Pop Up!
This weekend, meet us in Downtown Brooklyn on Saturday and Sunday, July 21+22. The event will mark FAD Market’s biggest show of the season with a brand new lineup of over 60 independent designers and makers. You can expect to see an incredible showcase of unique handcrafted jewelry, apparel (us!), art, bath and body care, tableware, home furnishings and more!
Stop on by if you are in the area! If you can't make it. No worries! Make sure to browse our collection online and let us know if you have any questions.
6 Tips From Stylist And #girlboss Caitlin Nystrom
'Twas a chilly day in Alphabet city the day Martina and I met Caitlin Nystrom, owner & stylist at Style N Motion. We were facing windy conditions with a high of maybe 50 degrees. The thought of dressing down to tanks and tees and light jackets put a chill down our spines, but like true champs, the three of us powered through. In the end, we had so much fun and created our own warmth laughing and discovering some pretty eye-catching backdrops in the East Village enclave.
We were truly excited to collaborate with Caitlin Nystrom, and pair our Yummiewear tees with her jackets and bottoms. Caitlin sources all of her designs for Style N Motion from small designers and in small quantities. This keeps each piece limited and unique. One of the aspects that made this shoot so special was that we had the opportunity to show how our tees to pair well with everyday pieces.
As we snapped away on this particularly cool Spring day, we were able to get some expert tips from Caitlin on how to pair unexpected pieces together for a super comfy and high-fashion look.
Get a glimpse of our collaboration below as Caitlin shares her top 6 styling tips along the way.
1. Groufit is a go.
"I recently learned what a “Groutfit” (an all grey outfit) is and have been obsessed ever since. The tank and joggers aren’t a perfect color match but both have texture, so they blend well together! This distressed denim jacket is a bit long and covers my booty, which kind of dresses up the look along with these leopard pring loafer flats."
Pictured: 1) Distressed Denim Jacket | 2) Twist Tank | 3) Ruched Jogger
2. Embrace spring with olive and blush tones.
"This look screams Spring! Olive and blush tones are complimentary and give the perfect light & airy balance to this look. Denim works with everything but this brighter shade is adorable!"
Pictured: 1) Denim Windbreaker | 2) Slinky Crop Pant - Olive | 3) Dolla Pizza Tank
3. Try a monotone look.
"Blush is still trending. I love a monotone look, in this case - blush on blush. This jacket feels like a sweatshirt but dresses up the tank with all the details. When doing a monotone look, keep it simple on the bottom!"
Pictured: 1) Stretch Moto Jacket | 2) Dolla Pizza Tank
4. Pair neutral colors together.
"This new lip tee was the starting point because it’s adorable and uber soft! I wanted to keep the bottoms simple so we went with an easy charcoal crop pant with pockets. The navy duster was a fun addition for a little drama- neutral colors (navy, black, and grey) with fun details!"
Pictured: 1) Cutout Duster | 2) Mmmm Slouchy Tee | 3) Slinky Crop Pant - Charcoal
5. Be playful with denim.
"Such a fun, playful look! White pants are always trendy in the summer and the mint tank just popped against them. This lighter wash denim jacket has a shorter cut and showed off the pants perfectly".
Pictured: 1) Cherry - O! Tank | 2) Denim Jacket | 3) Drawstring Pant - White
6. Black on black is always a good idea.
"When layering different black pieces, play with texture. I love the way the shiny bomber jacket looks over the mineral washed tank".
Pictured: 1) Shiny Bomber | 2) Killer Ice Cream
