Tag: family

Mary Gonsalves Kinney

StylistPhotography & Story by Lauri Levenfeld

It seemed perfect to feature Mary Gonsalves Kinney, stylist extraordinaire, on the day of Fashion’s Night Out and hours before this talented lady dresses sixty (yes 60!) of Sacramento’s finest. Not only is Mary gorgeous, smart, successful, and loving…she is my partner-in-crime (Style Army-whoop whoop!) and an amazing mom to three sweet children. Every day, I am in awe of this woman’s energy, drive, creativity, and humor. And I think one child and a business (or two) is crazy…Read on, you will be inspired.

My name is Mary Gonsalves Kinney. I am 35 year old mother of three, wife of Jason Kinney and fashion stylist, editor and co-owner of the Style Army. I am a ball of energy – probably, though not entirely, due to the large amounts of caffeine I consume. A girl’s gotta get through a day…

I am a fashion stylist, editor, and co-owner of the Style Army. Since I was a child, I have loved fashion. I love the creativity behind piecing together a look. I love the anticipation of not knowing what you’re going to wear until the last minute and having to rise to that challenge. And I love to push the envelope. I went to UC Berkeley and graduated in Political Science. I deferred law school for a year and pounded the pavement as a lobbyist for 7 years before I decided it wasn’t my cup of tea.

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Anngi Sieger

Anngi Sieger Strick

Jewelry Designer

On the very stressful, painful, and joyous week of a dear friend’s healing from a double mastectomy (thankfully, her test came back and her nodes are negative!), I wanted to share the amazing story of another close friend and client Anngi Sieger Strick who 3 years ago was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. Anngi… a mother, a wife, a jewelry designer, an artist,a traveler, a health fanatic, friend, a happy and blessed woman, AND a survivor… chronicles the journey of her diagnosis and her uphill battle back as a survivor. When I read Anngi’s story, I was in tears. Her words filled me with horror, hope, inspiration, sadness, and love. It is unthinkable and unimaginable to picture oneself in Anngi’s situation and shoes, and yet, 1 out of 8 women will be touched in some way by cancer at some time in their life. Thankfully, we have beautiful and courageous SUPER-women like Anngi to share their experiences and pass on their stories so we can hold on to them. This is Anngi’s story…

 

I’m Anngi…“I am sorry….but it’s cancer.” Anyone who has ever heard that 6-letter word spoken to them will remember the exact day, time, and place. Confusion, fear and shock poured into my soul. I couldn’t feel my body anymore and my head weighed 50 pounds. Within a second my world as I knew it, changed. Changed forever. I would never, ever be the same person after September 17, 2010. Everything the doctor said to me after the “C” word sounded like the teachers on the Peanuts cartoons, “WA WA WA WA WAAAA….” I couldn’t hear words anymore—only noise.

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Jennie Hearing

Fashion DesignerPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

Today is a super treat! I am not only highlighting an amazing client, Jennie Hearing of the fabulous, organic kids brand Luna Leggings, but a dear friend. A mother of three, a designer, and an entrepreneur…Jennie is someone I greatly admire for her vision, clarity, balance, harmony, and intelligence. I don’t know how she does it but Jennie not only balances her own family with such grace and care, but her community and the world around her as well. Stay here for an amazing read on creativity, sustainability, fashion, and love. And if you ever thought finding chic, eco-friendly, sustainable products a chore, you will be so pleasantly surprised with Jennie’s laundry list of incredible resources to share.

 

I am a mom to 3 amazing little buddhas, Sienna (6), Amber (almost 3), Sage (4 months) and loving wife to my truly supportive, awesome husband Arden. I am also the designer + founder of Luna Leggings.Luna Leggings are hip, fun, fashionable organic cotton tights for girls. Launched a year ago, we are now in over 75 boutiques and department stores worldwide, and on track to expand into children’s apparel (including boys!) in 2014.

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Stephanie Franco

Event PlannerPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

This is the heartwarming story of my dear friend Stephanie and her battle with infertility. A tremendous woman and mom (all of which you will hear about later) who through much persistence and many years spent, opens up on her struggle to become a mom and the awesome power of will and way as she welcomes her second baby into the world next month. Stephanie is a business owner, a baker, a chef, an artist, a mom, a wife, a girlfriend, a risk taker, a good connector, and a hairstylist…and the list goes on. Today also marks the redesign and relaunch of her meeting, events, and wedding planning business SpotOn Events. A business that has gained worldwide success due to Stephanie’s keen eye, tack sharp organization, as well as, her tremendous originality and vision.Here’s a little more on Stephanie and her successful but complicated story of how her family began to grow.

I’m organized chaos – though no one would ever think it. I’ve always been called “put together” or “grace under pressure”. I’m relatively calm on the outside, steady, and solid while juggling a lots of details, thoughts, emotions underneath. I’m able to look at the big picture and break it down into smaller parts. I’ve very detail oriented when I want to be but not overly fussy or anal about everything. I learned to loosen up the reigns when we began our uphill battle to get pregnant.

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Sobia A. Shaikh

Handbag DesignerStory by: Lauri Levenfeld, Photography Lauri Levenfeld

In light of an amazing past week in fashion and the launch this week of my second business Style Army, I wanted to take the time to focus on a dear client and friend, Sobia Shaikh. Sobia is not only a hard working mom, she is a fashionista, an entrepreneur, a jet-setter, and a designer. Sobia launched her handbag company, Isly Handbags (yes, Style Army did the S/S 13 campaign!) in 2011.

Since her launch, she has turned out two amazing collections, traveled the world creating and promoting her business, all the while keeping her two kids happy and flourishing. I don’t know how she does it, but if you are interested in some keys tips on the juggle including some incredible product recommendations, ways to keep yourself lovely and your kids happy on the road, and some inspiring words on the balance of work, play and mommy-hood…stay tuned.

I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan and my sisters and I were very close to our maternal grandmother and our khala, which is maternal aunt in Urdu. My mother is still very close to her sister and as a result we had great role models in the two of them. My mother, my sisters and I visited my grandparents and my aunt’s homes every Saturday while I was growing up.

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Christine Armand

Drama Teacher, Writer, ActressPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

Again I feel so privileged to have an amazing mom open her heart, soul, and home to me and this project. Christine is a wonder woman! Not only is she totally devoted to creating a fun-filled and artistic environment daily for her sweet-as-can-be daughter Bella, but she also spends her energies supporting all moms by giving them the most authentic and heart-felt portrayal of her journey in the currently running play (to which she directed and wrote) “Stretchmarks: Growing Into Motherhood”. A popular play written by mommas for mommas. I will be there on June 3rd. Here’s her wonderful and inspiring story…

I am an actress, writer, and drama teacher. I have in the past run my own Creative Storytelling Camps in which I help kids create their own unique plays to perform. Currently, I teach for the New Conservatory Theater, whereby I go to elementary schools and teach creative drama classes. I am the founder of The Momma Drama which promotes and produces the play “Stretchmarks: Growing into Motherhood”. I also love photography, and I am a bit obsessed with capturing moments on whatever camera happens to be in my hand (of late, the iPhone). In particular, I have loved documenting the blossoming of my daughter Bella.

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Amy Parker

Business DevelopmentPhotography by Lauri LevenfeldStory by Lauri Levenfeld

Oh my gosh what a lovely lady Amy is! I just knew this project would be oh-so fitting for her and she definitely did not disappoint. Amy opened her heart and home to me and shared intimate and fun stories of her son Hudson. I was so honored when I photographed her wedding several years ago (and I just love her hubbie Alan).

And now sharing this time with her, made me realize all the milestones we have experienced together. Amy is truly an enchanting woman. She is full of smiles and brings smiles to everyone she encounters. I am so happy to share her story. Oh and by the way, the second woman in the pics is Amy’s sweet angel of a sister Laura, the best Auntie YaYa out there.

 

I am Amy Parker-mom to Hudson, wife to Alan, ringmaster to my two dogs & two cats and executive director of my crazy and wonderful life.My work life is nuts and very challenging. My company of 12 years, Splendora, was acquired last year and I am now working for our acquirer, Joyus. We are still in start up mode and I head up Business Development. We are on to something amazing, but it’s never been done before and it requires all of my focus when I am working.

 

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