Industry Write-Ups

Friday Feb. 14, 2020
PEPSI PROPOSAL. Well all you hopeless romantics out there who have dreamed for a chance to have a Pepsi engagement ring, it turns out you’re in luck! Pepsi is asking fans to tweet their proposal ideas to #PepsiProposal for a chance to win the unique ring. The ring is 1/53 carat, lab-grown alternative diamond on a platinum band and more importantly, it is made with Crystal Pepsi. I mean this is really taking the ole “if you like it, put a ring on it” mantra to a whole other level! I guess in this case, “if you like Pepsi, put it in a ring.” You’re welcome Beyonce for your new hit single. Although I must say, Coke is > Pepsi and to all the servers out there, no, Pepsi is not okay!

COVER UP YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE. We’ve all made a bad decision or two, but for those who have tattoos of their ex’s name… we’re thinking of you. That’s definitely not the type of “forever” you want inked on you, but luckily DoorDash has a solution for those who are inked up with regret. For Valentine’s Day, DoorDash partnered with Mister Cartoon to cover up a tattoo of your ex with a tattoo of food. You don’t need a tat saying “I Love Tony” when you could have a tat saying “I Love Tacos.” Three lucky people were flown out to California to rid themselves of their ex’s name, and the tattoos involved pizza and sushi, breakfast foods and a bowl of Hungarian soup. Love may be fleeting, but food is forever?

YOU HAD ONE JOB. According to Target, Minnesota’s new mascot is a Badger. Yep, you heard it here first! The Minneapolis-based retail giant (yikes this doesn’t help) was caught carrying a maroon onesie with the words “Minnesota Badgers,” the nickname of Big Ten rival Wisconsin. Maybe they were trying to unite fan bases?! Those sly dogs. Anywho,Target quickly apologized in a statement, “Color us red, as a Minnesota-based company, we know we are home to the Gophers.” Surprisingly, two of the onesies were bought and KEPT. Someone better track them down and make sure they’re ok because I’m a little worried there’s a couple of loose screws.

ALL ABOUT THAT HUSTLE. I don’t know what they’re teaching kids in grade school these days, but they must have some new entrepreneurial courses in the 2nd or 3rd grade because this pack of Girl Scouts is making moves (insert clapping emoji). One troop took advantage of the cannabis legalization in Chicago and posted up outside a dispensary selling cookies. I mean talk about knowing your customers! The troop sold 230 boxes over a 4 hour time period and honestly that’s impressive, major props to the future business women of America.

BEST DRESSED COOKIE. Milano Cookies is doing us all a favor by recapping what celebrities wore to the Oscars. I mean lets be real, all we really care about is the fashion anyway, duh. The brand partnered with dessert artist Sam Cade of Cades Cakes to recreate the night’s hottest looks on their famous cookies. From Dior to Ralph Lauren to Eli Saab, these cookies were supporting some of the most expensive lewkss from some of the most iconic celebrities. It’s a sad day when a cookie has more style than you… Sam Cade and Milano deserve a Oscar for this riveting performance, I mean look how accentuated the curves on these cookies look.

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Friday Feb. 21, 2020
B-DUBS & THUGS. The rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is calling itself Boneless Thugs-N-Harmony in a campaign from Buffalo Wild Wings that is all about hyping up the boneless wing (excellent marketing strategy here, we applaud). Buffalo Wild Wings got the members of the rap group to star in a “Behind the Music”-style video, where they argue about changing their name. The group has changed their name on their social media channels and there are plans to give away Boneless Thugs-N-Harmony merchandise on a BonelessThugs.com site, so I’d say things are pretty serious! BWW recently got called out by the whole city of Houston for a sub tweet towards the Astros cheating scandal, so it looks like they’re attempting to turn things around with this effort.

GIRL POWER. M.M. LaFleur, which designs professional women’s attire, just announced they will be lending free clothing to women running for office. Following the 2016 election, customers told the female-led company they wanted M.M. LaFleur to support women running for office. The company has clothed candidates in the past, but now they’re taking it a step further. Women running for office just need to contact readytorun@mmlafleur with a few details, including which race they are campaigning in, to get started. After reaching out, candidates will be able to work with a stylist to select up to five items from an assortment of the company’s bestselling items and they’ll get to keep the items for the remainder of their campaign. Once a candidate’s campaign is over, M.M. LaFleur will donate the clothing to a NYC-based clothing charity, called Bottomless Closet, that helps empower women in need when entering the workforce. Everyone better prepare, there’s about to be a whole lot of female powerhouses walking the streets.

WALMART TAKIN’ SHOTS. Well, one of the
biggest retailers is now on social media trash talking others. (should we be scared?) Walmart has begun taking some jabs at companies on Twitter. In a post last month, the company tweeted, “Hey, @LEGO_Group, those grocery bags look a little heavy. Maybe lose some snacks?” Walmart’s director of brand social Jodi Durkin says “the bantering is part of their strategy” and the company’s app has already seen a 50% increase in downloads. Hey Walmart, have you ever heard the saying kill em with kindness?

ADULT GRAPE JUICE. This might be the best.day.ever. Wine could be getting CHEAPER. There is a surplus of grapes in California and apparently there is less demand for wine. (are people ok?) According to the Wall Street Journal, less people are drinking wine than they have been over the past 25 years. (seriously what is happening?) Wine consumption dropped 0.9% in 2019, as millennial drinkers are more likely to reach for alcoholic drinks like hard seltzers or cocktails. CNN predicts this price decrease to last for FIVE YEARS (honestly, what did we do to deserve this?!) So in that case, next time you’re at the store, I recommend going all out and buying 2 or 3 or maybe 10 bottles of your favorite wine when it’s on sale.

PODCASTING STAPLES? Calling all podcasters, AKA any twenty-something who thinks they have relevant information to share with maybe 10 listeners. Staples, yes the office supply store, is partnering with iHeartRadio to build podcast studios in six stores in the Boston area. Who knew Boston was the go-to spot for aspiring podcasters? Interested in filming your next true crime podcast at an office supply store? A one hour-session will run you $60, which isn’t that bad TBH if you’re getting that ad $$$ from HelloFresh or FabFitFun. That’s one way to get people into your store, Staples…

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Friday Feb. 28, 2020
HARD G. The iconic peanut butter, Jif, and Giphy, the corporate memelord, are setting the record straight on the pronunciation of the word GIF. (Finally, the answers to the pertinent questions in life.) The brands have partnered by putting the word GIF on a jar of Jif peanut butter to help us settle this HEATED debate. The packaging says that GIF is supposed to be pronounced with the hard G and “If you’ve ever called a GIF a Jif, we forgive you.” (I can sleep at night knowing where we all stand on this issue.) The brands are taking it a step further to ensure everyone knows GIF is not pronounced like the famous peanut butter by putting these jars on sale. (We love corporate America!) Starting March 1, the jars will go on sale on Amazon, but there’s only a limited amount, so all pronunciation know-it-alls better hop on this quick!

EXTRA 24 HOURS = 24 CANS OF BEER. To celebrate Leap Day and a whole extra 24 hours (use them wisely), Miller Lite is offering a free 24-pack of beer. On Feb. 29, Miller Lite will post a QR code to its Instagram and Twitter accounts and all you have to do is scan the code (this seems toooo easy, but I’ll bite). The code will take you to a site where you can submit a receipt for a 24-pack of Miller Lite purchased on Leap Day and then the case will be refunded to your PayPal account. (Wait, do people still use this?) That’s it. America you’ve done it again! Now all you’ll have to do is figure out what you’re going to do on your free day WITH your free beer!

WILL YOU ACCEPT THIS ROSEì? The most DRAMATIC canned rosé to ever hit shelves. Chris Harrison, our beloved Bachelor matchmaker, has launched his own rosé drink. (What can’t this man do?) The reality star and Seagram’s Escapes partnered to create a new Tropical Rosé-flavored canned drink that has a combination of passion fruit and dragon fruit. Complete with tropical packaging and Chris’ smiling face, this drink is giving us all the Bachelor in Paradise vibes. The drink, which is just 100 calories per can because #health, will be available just in time for the Bachelor Finale (truly, the devil works hard, but Chris Harrison works harder).

IT’S A CARDI PARTY. Ah yes, nothing says buy this pair of shoes quite like Cardi B twerking outside your doorstep, right? In Reebok’s latest ad for its Zig Kinetica shoe, that’s exactly what we get. Add in some models strutting down a sidewalk wearing Cardi B masks and that’s about as far as the ad goes. (I wonder how much they paid for these amateur models, Tyra Banks would not approve of the posture here ladies!) The ad gives us a glimpse of the new shoe for about a solid 5-7 seconds before Cardi B tosses it over her shoulder. She then pulls down her Cardi B mask (some sort of inception vibes here) to reveal it’s Cardi B herself and starts twerking and dancing on camera. (Talk about a turn of events!) So uhhh who was the creative director here??? Because maybe don’t quit your day job…

DUNDER MIFFLIN ELEMENTARY. A new children’s book featuring kid versions of the beloved characters from “The Office” was announced earlier this week in honor of the show’s 15th anniversary. The story will follow an elementary-aged Michael as he works to become the “World’s Best Line Leader” (wow what a saga). Obviously other members of Dunder Mifflin, Dwight, Jim, Pam, Stanley, Phyllis, Meredith, Ryan and Toby, will make up the rest of the class (I can’t wait to see Jim and Pam become elementary school sweethearts). The book might be meant for children ages four to eight (details), but it has plenty of nods from the show that’ll make it enjoyable for all adults! Maybe just don’t read it out in public.

Friday April 17, 2020

JIM HALPERT FOR PROM KING? While the coronavirus pandemic has canceled many events, including proms nationwide, John Krasinski has come up with a solution. “The Office” star and host of “Some Good News” YouTube show is hosting a virtual prom this Friday, April 17. Krasinski announced he is DJing the prom in an Instagram post, writing, “I’m DJing your prom with some friends this Friday night 8EST/5PST!” Know someone interested in attending the virtual prom? Teens can log into the YouTube live stream. Don’t forget to bring a boutonniere for John!

SWEETEST BOSS EVER. “We have money on the walls and time on our hands,” a Georgia bar owner decided to give back to her employees by taking down all the dollar bills the bar’s walls have collected over the years and donated it to her staff (talk about boss of the year!). The Sand Bar, a beach spot in Tybee Island, is famous for its money decor as people have been stapling dollar bills with notes on them on the walls for 15 years. After nearly four days, the owner Jennifer Knox and five volunteers pulled down $3,714 in bills. Community members were so touched by the story, some of them even venomed Jennifer, making the total $4,104. Jennifer was able to give her 6 staff members $600 each. While taking down all these notes and memories was somewhat washing away history, Jennifer said she couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. And besides this allowed her to paint the walls and give The Sand Bar a fresh new look. Seems like quite the win win.

GOOD OLE FAMILY FUN. Let’s face it, we’re all spending quite a lot of family time right now and while some people are embracing it! A family in North Carolina has gone viral for their nontraditional, extravagant game nights in their “Quarantine Olympics” (only the strong will survive). The family has taken onblindfolded toilet paper dodgeball, a straw challenge (a competition to see how long they can drink water from a cup that’s being steadily filled before it overflows only using a straw), an Easter Egg battle (where they slam eggs against each other’s eggs seeing who’s decorated egg can last the longest) and many other unconventional contests (10/10 on the creativity). The family has posted all their competitions on TikTok so other families can play along (rally up the fam because game nights are about to be epic). Another family has spiced up their home life by having themed dinners. 14-year-old Derek treats his family to a themed dinnertwo or three times a week with his kitchen skills and comedy. He even takes on popular food chains and went all out impersonating a Hooters waitress. We applaud these families for making the best of self-isolation and we will 100000% be stealing some of these ideas.

A CRY FOR BEER. A cute lady being delivered cases on cases of beer? Now this is the quarantine content we want to see. 93-year-old Olive Veronesi of Seminole, PA, was running low on beer, so she obviously had to let her neighbors know (since she’s staying home and being safe). Olive alerted her neighbors to about her predicament by holding up a white board that read “I Need More Beer!!” while displaying her favorite flavor- Coors Light. Molson Coors did not disappoint sweet little Olive and showed up to her home with 150 cans of beer. Apparently Olive doesn’t play around when it comes to beer. “I was on my last 12 cans, I have a beer every night, you know what, beer has vitamins in it, it’s good for you, as long as you don’t overdo it,” she said. We can all rest assured knowing Olive is safe and sound with plenty of beer for the rest of this quarantine.

#MASKIE. Ah yes, the fashion trend of the spring! It’s chic, mysterious and totally original, so why not take some selfies, excuse me, “maskies”? The viral trend of taking a selfie while wearing a mask (aka a maskie) has taken over. People are trying to make the best of this situation and posting their masked selfies online. It’s the new popular hashtag (#Maskie) and people are all about it. The CDC told Americans to wear masks out in public and since then, masks are everywhere you look! There’s even kind people online teaching us how to DIY one with home products (we thank you). And lets not forget about some of the trendy, fun patterns some people are using. People are practicing public safety while sporting cute patterns, why not share it with the world!

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. A little girl is living out our childhood fantasies and got her own Disney parade (we’re not jealous or anything). Nine- year-old Khloe Sudol was granted her wish to go to Disney World with her family by the Make-a-Wish Foundation, but all that had changed due to coronavirus. Khloe’s trip to Disney was rescheduled, but that didn’t stop her mother’s friend, Shawna, from putting on a special parade for Khloe. Shawna transformed the yard and street into a Disney wonderland and had a 75 car parade with all of Khloe’s favorite Disney characters (I expect there were plenty of princesses, duh). The parade ended with tons of gifts for Khloe, making it by far THE BEST DAY EVER.

Kids Have Arthritis Too

History Professor Lands Humanities Fellowship

Lindgren-Gibson first Ole Miss historian to receive honor from the University of Rochester

MARCH 8, 2019 BY KATHRYN ABERNATHY

OXFORD, Miss. – Alexandra Lindgren-Gibson, an assistant professor of history at the University of Mississippi, has been awarded a research fellowship from the University of Rochester, which funds a year of workshops, programs, research and biweekly Humanities Center seminars.
Lindgren-Gibson said she was absolutely delighted when she found out she received this fellowship.

“It’s an honor to receive this kind of fellowship, which is basically getting someone to pay you to write and talk about ideas with other really smart people,” Lindgren-Gibson said. “On a practical level, this means that I’ll have the time to complete my book manuscript and hopefully think about where I want my research to go next.”

Lindgren-Gibson has been working on a book manuscript titled “Working-Class Raj: Colonialism and the Making of Class in British India,” which resituates British working-class history as both imperial and global history in exploring the experience of British soldiers and railway workers in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Every year, the fellowship has a theme, and fittingly, this year’s theme is community, which Lindgren-Gibson said fits well with her research.

“That’s what attracted me to the fellowship,” Lindgren-Gibson said. “I think about how people maintained relationships and tried – sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing – across vast geographic and cultural distances. I’m excited to be in a place where I’ll get to work with other scholars who are thinking about the same kinds of questions I am.”

At Ole Miss, Lindgren-Gibson teaches graduate courses on European and imperial history and undergraduate courses on the history of modern Europe, the British Empire, gender and sexuality in European history, and the history of shopping. She also teaches undergraduate courses in public history.

Noell Wilson, chair of history and Croft associate professor of history and international studies, said she was thrilled when she found out Lindgren-Gibson received this fellowship, but she wasn’t surprised.

“No other historian here has received this particular fellowship, and it is a significant honor for a pre-tenure assistant professor to receive this award when the fellowship is open to faculty of any rank,” Wilson said. “Alex’s competitiveness in a pool with senior scholars speaks both to the sophistication and innovation of her work in linking the study of imperialism and class.”

Wilson added that she’s excited for Lindgren-Gibson and what this will bring to the university.

“Having a year in residence at the University of Rochester to interact with their faculty and visiting scholars will provide important opportunities for Alex to gather new ideas for both her research and teaching, which she can leverage to strengthen the Department of History here at UM,” Wilson said.

link: https://news.olemiss.edu/history-professor-lands-humanities-fellowship/

Students Experience Study Abroad Trip to Paris

Nineteenth-century French art and civilization focus of two-week excursion

APRIL 26, 2019 BY KATHRYN ABERNATHY

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi students and two faculty members experienced a dream trip in January, traveling on a winter intersession study abroad trip to Paris for two weeks to learn about 19th-century French art and civilization. 

The students earned up to three credit hours of art history or French language toward their degrees. Louise Arizzoli, instructional assistant professor of art history, and Anne Quinney, professor of French, accompanied the students. 

Arizzoli said the trip was a rewarding experience.

“I have greatly enjoyed guiding the students through museums like the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and many more,” she said. “I was very impressed by my group of students, who were not only open-minded about French culture, food and other ways of life, but also intellectually curious and always up to undertake the challenge of tirelessly exploring the art.” 

This was the first time the professors offered the course, Study Abroad in Paris: Nineteenth Century French Art and Civilization, and they hope to offer it again.

The course was an introduction to major themes in 19th-century French art. Beginning with the art of the pre-Revolutionary period and ending with symbolism and early modernism, the course included discussion of the influence of the revolutions of 1789, 1830 and 1848, the Napoleonic presence abroad, the shift from history painting to scenes of everyday life, landscape painting as an autonomous art form, and the effect of modern life on the Impressionists.

Arizzoli and Quinney also guided their students through landmark monuments of French artistic heritage, such as the Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame. The group is lucky to have seen the monument in all its beauty, just months before the April 15 fire that destroyed its spire and most of the cathedral’s 12th-century roof.

Each day was filled with learning something new about the production of art in France in the 19th century, Quinney said.

“All two weeks of visiting museums, exploring the city and immersing ourselves in Parisian life left me with a sense that I could understand the whole picture – how art and life were interrelated during this tumultuous and fascinating century – and how its imprint lives on in France today,” Quinney said.

Eleven students participated in the program, having met the prerequisites in French or art history.

Art history major Pearson Moore, a sophomore from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, said the trip was incredible, but for different reasons than she expected.

“I was greatly surprised by the degree of cultural differences I have seen and experienced here,” she said. “The submersion into culture, even for only two weeks, has taught me so much about language and communication with communities different (from) my own.”

The group shared space in apartments at a Cultural Experiences Abroad school in Paris.

The course was a spectacular and informative way to view the museums of Paris, said art history major Mary Claire Hayes, a senior from Clarksdale.

“I loved the combinations of places we visited and how they were chronologically arranged throughout the two weeks,” Hayes said.

High School Students Can Earn College Credit at Ole Miss’ Summer College

The University of Mississippi’s Summer College for High School Students is a four-week academic program for rising juniors and seniors who want to experience university life. Students earn college credit, get familiar with the collegiate environment and develop social, personal and academic skills that will increase their overall success in college.

The program’s goal is to mentor students as they learn soft skills that will prepare them to succeed in a postsecondary environment, said Ellen Shelton, who has been UM director of pre-college programs since 2013.

“For our office, we want to create avenues that allow students to advance intellectually, socially and emotionally,” Shelton said. “We have several programs that focus on a specific course of study, such as pre-pharmacy or English, or we have more general education options that allow students to start on their postsecondary experiences.

“While I want all students to attend the University of Mississippi, I want all students to see themselves in whatever future they choose. We want to help students create those futures. We are working with the future leaders of our state and our nation, and that’s exciting to me.”

Between the two sessions this year, May 27-June 25 and June 26-July 26, theprogram enrolls between 270 and 300 students.

“Some programs, such as the Lott Leadership Program for Rising 12 Graders enroll 25 students during each summer term,” Shelton said.“Some programs, such as the StarTalk Chinese Program, enroll 30 students in the second summer term. Each summer, the balance changes, but the second summer session usually has more participants.”

Amy Goodin, project coordinator for the elementary and middle school programs, was in the Lott Leadership Institute for High School Students and took Political Science 101 and Speech 102.

“It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had,” Goodin said. “I was a first-generation college student, and Summer College for High School Students gave me an experience like none other. It allowed me to become comfortable on a college campus, it took away the fear and impossibility of college classes, and it introduced me to people from a variety of backgrounds that I never would have met otherwise. Because of SCHS, I was able to see myself in this new world and had a new-found confidence in myself and my abilities as I finished high school and entered college.”

Goodin has been project coordinator for two and a half years, and she said her firsthand experience with the program has given hergreat insight into the students’ minds and the minds of their parents.

“It helps me to stay ahead of the game when sending out information to parents, it allows me to understand parents’ worries and fears because I remember how my mom felt when I went through the program, and it helps me set aside the ‘work’ sometimes and just have fun with our students,” she said.

Students not only experience some of the fun inside the classroom but outside as well.

Second-year pharmacy school student Jontae Warren participated in the SCHS program in 2012 and 2013, and he remembers participating in many fun activities outside the classroom.

“I do remember us meeting up in small groups throughout the week and doing things like walking to the Square, doing activities at the Turner Center or making trips to Walmart,” Warren said. “My favorite activity was at the end of the program; we would take a boat ride in Memphis and have a party with great food.”

He added that he would recommend SCHS to high school students.

“I think that this is a great opportunity to learn to be independent for sure because you are away from your parents,” Warren said.“It prepares you for college courses, and you get used to being inside a classroom with various ages and backgrounds. Most importantly, you meet people who you develop friendships with and mentor relationships with so that when you actually start college, you don’t feel out of place or alone.”

To learn more about SCHS, visit outreach.olemiss.edu/schs.

Kathryn Abernathy is a senior journalism major and an intern in University Marketing and Communications.

https://at.olemiss.edu/spring-2019/high-school-students-can-earn- college-credit-at-ole-miss-summer-college/

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Evangeline Lilly Talks All Things “Ant-Man and the Wasp”

After watching an advanced screening of Ant-Man and the Wasp, I was more than ready to sit down and interview Evangeline Lilly. Her character, Hope van Dyne, was so powerful, amazing and of course, my favorite in the movie. Here’s what she had to say about female empowerment, working with her co-stars and the movie as a whole:

Female Superhero

Lilly expressed that it felt amazing to be a superhero. She revealed that when she was younger, she and her sister would pretend to be Spiderman or Batman because there wasn’t a lot of female superheroes to choose from.

“I had a moment recently where my seven year old son was pretending to be the Wasp. I still get goosebumps when I tell that story. That’s a cultural shift and a big deal. For a little boy to pretend to be a female superhero, this is no small thing.”- Lilly

Lilly also mentioned that she believes this is all going to turn into something bigger.

“Sometimes I think we’re making a mountain out of a hill, cause there have been female superheroes in the MCU the whole time and their amazing and strong and kickass and all those things, but I think this moment in our culture with Me Too and Time’s Up, is saying we know, we know we made some progress and that’s great, but we’re still not equal,” Lilly said. “And that’s clear by the fact that you’ve made 20 movies and never had a female in the title. This is a big moment, this is a big deal and I don’t want to downplay it, I want to celebrate it and be excited about it.”

Fight Scenes

Lilly revealed that she actually spent way less time worrying about getting her body “rock hard” and developing visual muscles than to the time she spent in front of a mirror with her stunt devils making sure that they didn’t just “take a dude and put him in a woman’s body.”

“I didn’t want to send the message that in order to be powerful and strong and capable and tough you have to be masculine and macho and a dude. I wanted to show that we are strong because of our femininity, not in spite of it.” -Lilly

She professed that one of her favorite fight scenes was in the van because it examines how a woman could have an advantage over a man physically because she is a woman and didn’t learn to move like a man.

“I wanted to show that when she was fighting by incorporating grace and elegance and femininity into the fight and I feel like in the van it’s ballet,” she said. “No dude could do that. Men can’t move that way. They don’t have the flexibility, agility or petiteness to come out a back window and in a front window.” 

Amazing Co-Stars

There are some big names in this film and Lilly confessed it was amazing and inspiring working with the cast. Lilly has looked up to Michelle Pfeiffer (Janet van Dyne) ever since she saw her as Catwoman, so working with her was a dream come true.

“She’s nice, she’s generous, she’s smart, she’s funny, she’s intelligent, she’s considerate, she’s talented and of course the hottest 60-something you’re ever going to meet,” she said. “So playing her daughter was an incredible honor and every day I had to just bite my tongue because I just wanted to be like can you be my mentor?”

When Lilly read the script for the second film and saw she would have an enormous amount of work with Michael Douglas (Dr. Hank Pym), she couldn’t have been more excited.

“He’s such a charismatic, present, powerful human being that when he starts to perform, he just changes the molecules of the room,” Lilly said. “You’re suddenly just transported to the place you’re pretending to be.” 

Special Thanks to Paul Rudd

Obviously, Rudd is an amazing actor and Lilly loved working with him, but Lilly confessed that if it wasn’t for Paul Rudd being cast as Ant-Man, she might not have been the Wasp. When Lilly’s agent came to her with the role of the Wasp, Lilly turned it down, until her agent mentioned that Paul Rudd would be the lead.

“Paul Rudd is gonna be a superhero? I’m in. Whatever they’re doing is ridiculous and I love it,” Lilly said. “And it wasn’t as simple as that, but it definitely was the thing that had me like ok I gotta go see what Marvel is doing and I started watching Marvel movies and read the script and I got engaged because I was a huge Paul Rudd fan.” 

A Message To Herself

Lilly revealed that becoming an actress was kind of an accident. It all started when she hit puberty and went from the nerdy, overachieving girl to a stunning new woman.

“My entire identity, according to the rest of the world, was wrapped up in what I looked like and I had all kinds of boys touch me in ways I didn’t wanna be touched and I had all kinds of girls hate me in ways I didn’t wanna be hated and I decided that I needed to just not stand out. Don’t be super smart. Don’t be talented. Don’t stand out because if you do, you’re just gonna get hurt.” -Lilly 

Lilly explained that she spent the next 5 years dumbing herself down and pretending to be the wallflower she wasn’t. She turned down opportunities and feared being defined as just “a pretty face” until one day someone said to her “I think you’re afraid of your own greatness.” 

“And when I did I realized how much I’d been hiding and how much I’d been trying not to shine,  I decided I would start just letting my light shine and being unevached about who i was in the world. One of the ways I thought I could do that,was taking up an agent on their desire to put me in auditions. I wanted to just exercise my brightness. I just wanted to be bold and bright.” – Lilly

Lilly has been acting since 2004 and she still has to remind herself that it’s ok to be herself.

“I came to terms with that one word that was spoken into my life of I think you’re afraid of this one thing inside you that feels big. And I’m still always trying to tell myself it’s ok to be big, it’s ok you can go ahead and be big.” -Lilly

story online at Sarah Scoop: http://sarahscoop.com/evangeline-lilly-talks-all-things-ant-man-and-the-wasp/

Interview with Kari Vettese- Designer and Creator of Marilyn Hatten

The 22-year-old designer and student, Kari Vettese, created Marilyn Hatten designs with the idea of embracing the sensual nature of every
woman. Drawing from her cultured Spanish and Italian background, she celebrates strong women and natural beauty. I got to interview the talented designer and discuss everything from her brand to her designs to her journey. Read below to get the scoop on Kari Vettese and Marilyn Hatten:

Her Designs

Vettese has always been an artist. She explained that she always wanted to portray her art and her love for art and design together, so she just combined the two worlds and created Marilyn Hatten on her own.

“I just wanted to create a brand that shows artistry on design.” -Vettese

The MH designs and their shades of nude, earth tones, and white create a casual elegance. Vettese expressed that the concept behind the woman of the brand was to bring back the classic woman with a modern twist. She went on to say that we’ll see that a lot of the designs are classic, but at the same time, with the earth and nude tones, it brings out the simplicity of being a woman.

“We stand for a woman is a woman. There’s no size or color to her, and I feel like the designs really portray that very well.” -Vettese

Vettese explained that the sizes of her designs are not your average small, medium and large.

“Our sizes and fabrics are very forgiving and versatile,” Vettese said. “I wanted everyone to feel included.”

As for her favorite clothing item, Vettese said that if she had to choose one, it would be the Rosa Roja Dress because it has her art on it.

“The red rose was art that I created it and we put that on the design,” Vettese said. “I feel like it’s more personal to me and the brand because of the fact that it stands for artistry and I’m really trying to portray that.”

The Brand

Not only are the designs themselves unique, but the name of the brand is unique as well. Vettese explained that name, Marilyn Hatten, came about for two reasons. First, it comes from a golden colored bougainvillea flower.

“The bougainvillea flower comes in many colors, one of the golden colored bougainvillea flowers is named Marilyn Hatten so I kind of named it after that because that specific color of bougainvillea is found typically in Spanish cultures so since that was a huge inspiration behind the woman and who she is, I felt that connected very well,” Vettese said.

The second meaning,Vettese revealed, is it sounds like a woman’s name. “I just wanted everyone to be like who is she?” Vettese said.

Vettese also expressed that her brand really has no specific or ideal person to wear her designs.

“Honestly, we don’t really put any specific type of women in a box to who we’re reaching. I would say anyone of any age and size, we really just stand for, a woman is a woman so anyone, everyone.” -Vettese

Her Journey

Becoming a designer has definitely not been easy, but Vettese says
she always believes preparation meets opportunity.

“Just staying prepared has really helped me just really knowing my craft and my art very well first and foremost, so you never really get lost on the journey.” -Vettese

Vettese is still in school at USD studying business, but following her passion to become a designer has been nothing but an awesome journey and experience.

As for some advice to younger designers, Vettese says that it’s very important to start where you are with what you have.

“I would say let your craft be your main focus and really sharpen that first.” -VetteseShe adds it’s important to be ready and prepared for when an
opportunity comes along.

The Future

As for the future, Vettese just hopes to reach as many people as possible. Whether it be women, men, boys or girls, she hopes her brand touches them in some way.

“I just really hope the artistry behind the brand and the actual concept reaches many people and just really inspires them to really just feel empowered and confident in who they are.” -Vettese

I for one can’t wait to see what other designs and items she creates on this amazing journey of reminding us all that our inner glow comes from within. Head over to the Marilyn Hatten website to check out the designs and clothing items for yourself!

Also, don’t forget to follow Marilyn Hatten on Instagram to see behind the scenes pictures of the designs and other inspirations!

story online at Sarah Scoop: http://sarahscoop.com/interview-with-kari-vettese-designer-and-creator-of-marilyn-hatten/