Career Confidential: Ashley Lauretta

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Full name?: Ashley Lauretta

Position / Job title?: Assistant Publicist at PR by the Book; Freelance writer

1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Back in 1999, it was decided that I would become a copy editor at the Chicago Sun-Times – I have Josie Geller from Never Been Kissed to thank for that dream. Up until that point, I had not yet

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Things I am Not Going to Worry About Anymore…

I have always been a worrier; I can’t even remember how many times my dad has repeated this quote to me: “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

I can’t help it! Worrying about things that never actually happen is just part of who I am. In some ways, I think worrying helps me to get things done: I worry about my clients’ deadlines, I worry about not having enough media placements, I worry about growing my business, etc. However, a lot of the time worrying is really just

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What I Wore: Neon Cardigan on a Rainy Day (+ 2014 Career Goals)

I am backkkkk! Okay, well technically I was always here, but I have been really unmotivated for the last few weeks. I hate the feeling of going through the motions without any excitement. Anyways, I had a pretty stellar weekend (hope you did too), and I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of enthusiasm.

Since I wasn’t really feeling it, I haven’t spoken that much about all the exciting things that I am going to do in 2014. I am planning to grow my business through videos; they will mostly be how-to PR videos. I am taking the

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What I Ate: Somersault Innovative Cocktails

I wanted to do this post right before the weekend; in case, you were looking for a new place to try out.

Let me start out by saying: I have this weird hatred of “cool” places that are located in malls. In my opinion, malls are made for shopping, and the only time you should be at a mall is when the stores are open. They are not made for living or hanging out.

However, last weekend, I was meeting up with a friend, and we needed a place that was easy for both of us to get to. We

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Finding Joy…

I like to write about things that inspire me. This morning when I was listening to my favorite radio morning show, The Bobby Bones Show, I heard something that was actually incredible.

Amy, one of the co-hosts, has periodically shared stories about her mom’s battle with cancer. It went away, came back, went away again, then came back again. I guess right before the holidays, they found out that the cancer had come back in a more aggressive form. Other than, experimental treatment there is nothing left to do.

She just shared this last bit of devastating news

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What I Wore: Gold Buttons

You know when things are dramatic, but then at the same time they are really stupid? Like in the moment you think “oh shit, this shouldn’t have happened; this is bad”. However, when you stop to think about it, and put everything in perspective, you realize that everything is really actually okay. I feel like my whole week has been filled with those “oh, shit” moments.

On a more positive note, I have actually been making an attempt to get dressed this week. Since I pretty much spent the whole holiday season in

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Career Confidential: Kristine & Stephanie Navas

Navas sisters

Full name?: Kristine & Stephanie Navas

Position / Job title?: Co-Owners of Closet Deep

1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Kristine: We both kind of were on different tracks since we little. I knew I always wanted to be architect because it was something my dad liked and it was artistic. My sister was wanted to be a doctor. We didn’t exactly end up there, but we ended up where we were meant to be.

2. Fast-forward several

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Don’t Love Going to the Mall? Check Out Stitch Fix.

I wouldn’t normally do a straight up review of a company, but when one of my most frugal, mall-hating friends (shout out Mandy!), wouldn’t stop raving about Stitch Fix, I had to check it out.

Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service for women. Essentially, you fill out a lengthy questionnaire about your personal style, submit it your Stitch Fix stylist, and voilà 5 items will show up at your door.

I was a little bit skeptical because as someone that loves to shop, I didn’t think someone else could pick out clothes for me. In the

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3 Things I Wish I Had Known In My 20s: Jan Marini

jan_cream_suit_hires20 years ago, Jan Marini, owner and CEO of Jan Marini Skin Research (JMSR), changed the way that skincare products were sold.

In the 90s, plastic surgeons and dermatologists didn’t sell products directly from their offices. Now, you almost expect to buy new products when you go see your doctor. With her first company, M.D. Formulations/M.D. Forte, Jan was one of the first to enter “the professional channel”, and sell skincare products directly

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Have 5 Minutes? Make Your Own Breakfast Tomorrow AM

I am going back to work tomorrow for the first time in two weeks. Yikes, I know, getting back into my regular, old routine is not going to be so fun. To top it all off, I am REALLY REALLY trying hard to keep my New Year’s resolution of saving money. That means no more Starbucks coffee or breakfasts from the little cafe next to my office.

My morning routine is going DIY. I have dusted off my Keurig and have scoured the Internet for quick morning recipes that take 5 minutes at the most. I like these recipes from

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