TV, Books, Movies, Style, & Online Media

Interviews



Checking in with Shear Genius’ Nicole Obert

By Denise Tong

On the most recent episode of Shear Genius, Bravo’s competitive hairstyling series, Season 2 contestant Nicole Obert earned a spot in the finals by winning a challenge to give twins two distinct looks. Wednesday, August 27 marks the season finale, where she will face off against two other stylists to be named “Shear Genius,” win $100,000, and get the opportunity to style hair for an Allure magazine shoot.

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A Visit with Joanna Vargas

By Denise Tong

Joanna Vargas logo

At her small salon in midtown Manhattan, esthetician Joanna Vargas and her select team nourish and rejuvenate clients’ skin in a tranquil, comfortable environment. Built on the idea of marrying technology to nature, Joanna Vargas Skin Care is dedicated to offering safe and effective ways to improve the condition of people’s skin without resorting to invasive procedures like plastic surgery.

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A Chat with Top Chef’s Spike Mendelsohn

By Denise Tong

Halfway through the fourth season of Bravo’s reality kitchen competition Top Chef, Evangelos “Spike” Mendelsohn is still cooking. Currently chef de cuisine at Drew Nieporent’s Vietnamese restaurant Mai House in Manhattan, his work on the Emmy-nominated series has included cooking for a Chicago Bears pre-game tailgate, catering the Meals on Wheels Chicago Celebrity Chef Ball, and co-creating a soup that head judge Tom Colicchio considered the best-seasoned dish at that point in the season.

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Book Chat with Jane Yolen

By Denise Tong

Jane YolenWhen browsing through a library or bookstore, it would be hard not to run into one of Jane Yolen’s books—she’s written almost 300 of them. Famously called “a modern equivalent of Aesop” by The New York Times and the “Hans Christian Andersen of America” by Newsweek, the award-winning writer has moved and entertained readers of all ages for nearly 50 years.

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A Conversation with Nancy Magsig

By Denise Tong

Celebrations are often confined to major events or holidays, but Nancy Magsig and Nancy Murrah want to show that every day is cause for celebration. Co-founders of Here’s to Good Women, Inc. and HeresToGoodWomen.com, “the Nancys” encourage everyday women to exalt their daily accomplishments.

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Chitchat with Jeannie Mai

By Denise Tong

Jeannie Mai

Picture a fairy godmother, but imagine that she’s young, stylish, and has blue-streaked hair. That’s Jeannie Mai. 

Since 2006, Mai has been the bubbly host of USA Network’s Character Fantasy, helping the show’s viewers to realize their dreams. The first new episode of the year airs on February 2.

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Q&A with Lauren Messiah, the Fashion Kitty

By Denise Tong

Lauren Messiah, Fashion KittyWe all need friends who give good advice—the ones who will always tell it to us straight. Lauren Messiah is that friend to thousands of women with fashion dilemmas, counseling them through her blog, Ask Fashion Kitty.

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Party Time with Evite’s Lindsay Viner

By Denise Tong

If you have an e-mail address, chances are, you’ve received an Evite from someone. Since 1998, Evite.com has enabled millions of people to send free mass electronic invitations for virtually every type of gathering: Birthday parties, baby showers, movie nights, and more.

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Feeling the Beat with DJ bjoo

By Denise Tong

Album cover: Champion Selection by DJ bjooIn the sweaty circus that is the typical club, the DJ is the ringmaster, controlling the mood and keeping everyone hyped and moving. In Washington, D.C., DJ bjoo—née Barbara Joo—keeps the crowds happy with the fast, deep beats of drum and bass. 

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Gabbing with Gida Batista

By Denise Tong

The marriage between fashion and music is so close and long-lasting that it’s hard to think of one without the other. For designer Gida Batista, they are inseparable—her musical past flows directly into her stylish present.

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