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!

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.

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.

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.

'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