Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I studied Theatre Performance at VCU and loved every minute of it. I learned so much and met the most amazing people during my time there. My husband and I were in the same program and started dating when we were in the show Grease together. So many incredible memories. I will forever be a huge fan and supporter of VCU – especially their Arts programs!
What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever made?
When we were in the beginning stages of wedding planning, I drew an illustration of my husband and myself that was only our faces. It started off as something I made just for fun, but then I ended up using the illustration as design inspiration for the entire wedding! I had stickers of our faces made and included them with our Save the Date cards. I was super into iron-on patches and button pins at the time (I was creating a wedding jean jacket that was completely covered in patches and pins) so I ordered button pins of us and we gave them out as wedding favors. I also had the illustration added to our photo booth prints that people took home with them as well. Since creating that simple little illustration of our faces, it’s become my most favorite thing. I even used it again this past Christmas on our cards we sent out to family and friends – I drew Santa hats on our heads and gave us a festive background. This illustration is so special to me because it’s so incredibly personal and it brings me a ton of joy! I also love that I’ve been able to use it over and over again in various ways and I continue to enjoy it every time!
Who do you look up to?
My Dad – He was an amazing creative force – an artist, a singer / song writer / musician, director and playwright. Whenever I make my art I feel incredibly connected to him. He passed away a few years ago, but he continues to inspire and influence so much of my life.
My Mom – She is my first friend and a constant source of support and light for me. She is also my epitome of strength of grace. She taught me how to lead with love, how to laugh, how to carry on, and how to see beauty everywhere, always.
Pink – (Alecia Moore) – She is my icon. I love her energy, her spirit, and her honesty. She showed me you can be strong and brave and a total badass, and at the same time, be kind and open and vulnerable. Her songs are my favorite ‘GIRL POWER’ anthems to turn up all the way. She is also the reason I decided to cut all my hair off – I watched her redefine femininity and claim her power and I wanted to do the same.
What’s your favorite store?
Target. Hands down. I’m there all the time for every reason and for no reason at all.
For specific things : Gap is my favorite for jeans (literally all of my jeans are from there), H&M is my favorite for basics, Muji is my favorite for stylish comfort clothing and accessories, and Madewell is my dream closet (I swoon over everything they make).
What artist do you admire?
I love Lisa Congdon’s work. Her bold colors, vibrant words, and stark images really speak to me. I think she is incredible. I’ve also always loved Keith Haring. Both of them inspire me a lot.
What keeps you fresh? What do you practice and read?
I have the honor of working alongside a ton of ridiculously talented artists. In my freelance and personal work, in teaching at SPARC, and at MILK RIVER ARTS. The artists I’m surrounded by on a daily basis keep me fresh and fuel my spirit. As far as practice, I try to draw or create something every day – sometimes I love what I make, sometimes I hate what I make, but all of it flexes my creative muscles. I also love to watch kids create art – they just DO IT. It’s so refreshing to watch someone work who doesn’t have that crazy inner critic yet. I try my best to learn from them. As far as reading, I have a few books in my queue and this is a great reminder to get to it. Next on my list is UnSelfie : Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World by Michele Borba.
What’s your favorite McDonald’s menu item?
Oh man, there’s nothing like dipping fries into a chocolate milkshake! That’s my forever favorite.
What’s one tip you’d give to an aspiring illustrator?
You’re the only one who can make your art – keep making it – and get it out there into the world because people need to see it. Also, as an artist you are always learning – absorb all the information you can, improve your skills, take on new challenges, and say YES to as many opportunities as possible. Everything leads to something else. And don’t forget to have as much fun as you can. I believe in you. You got this.
What’s in your bag?
My whole entire life, basically. I carry a backpack as a purse most of the time. Currently my backpack includes : my makeup bag full of on-the-go esstentials, a container of hair product (pixie life), my wallet, a notebook and pens, my sunglasses, my phone, my keys, tissues, medications, and a few small snacks. That’s a pretty light backpack day, actually.
What product/item could you not live without?
My iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. The majority of my work is comprised of digital illustrations created directly on my iPad. I love that thing so much. I use it every single day. I’ll never forget the first time I tried drawing on an iPad – my creative world was forever changed. I have the 12.9in version and the large screen size is absolutely amazing. My drawing app of choice is Procreate.
Read More
After being inspired by storefronts on my trip to New York during the holidays, I made a faux flower wall display for my office. Here’s how I did it:
I started with Pinterest, looking up different variations. Here’s a link to the board I created. I initially wanted to do my doorway, but then decided on as creeping corner on the 3/4 wall.
My favorite examples had greenery mixed in with the flowers and were shades pink with a touch of purple. I’d bought faux peonies on Amazon before for my Christmas tree and was impressed with the quality, so I searched for a variety that could replicate the arrangements I was seeing on Pinterest. I was so impressed with the quality of everything that I got.
Here’s what I bought:
Light Pink Peonies | Amazon | $9.99
Rose Vine Flowers | Amazon | $11.99 These were the first step. I doubled these over and draped them over nails.
Rose Vine Flowers | Amazon | $11.95 There was no difference between these and the other rose vine flowers- I guess just different sellers/prices.
Light Pink Rose Vine | Amazon | $12.99
Wisteria | Amazon | $35.98 There were SO MANY of these and they look so stunning. I am considering doing these on the ceiling too.
Light Pink Peony Bouquet | Amazon | $9.98 | These look SO real.
I also used a staple gun, wire brads, and wire cutters.
My super-sweet interns Ava and Karli helped put on the finishing touches. A special shout out to Karli for being tall enough to reach the top.
My friend Caroline brought by her fancy dog Finnegan and he fit right in.
Read More
Galentine’s Day is all about sharing the love, and what better way to show your love than with a McNugget bouquet?! Keya Wingfield of Candy Valley Cake Company worked with us to design these custom Galentine’s Day bouquets made with real McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets. We also worked with local illustrator Hayden Ireland to create a card with the likenesses of some of our favorite RVA gals in celebration of Galentine’s Day. Learn more about Hayden and her work here.
View this post on InstagramWho needs Valentine’s Day when Galentine’s Day truly satisfies the desires of my heart?! ♥️ Thank you Christina of @tiramisuforbreakfastagency for this delicious nugget bouquet and this card filled with some of the FIERCEST "gals" on the planet! Talk about being in amazing company! Sheesh! I’m lovin’ it…♥️ A post shared by Karla Redditte NBC 12 RVA (@karlanbc12) on
View this post on InstagramThe COOLEST #galentines surprise from #mcdonaldsrva 😍🍟 thank you to the Tiramisu for Breakfast team for thinking of me and for this fabulous arrangement— and my 5th period pals and I were truly grateful for these nugs. 🙌❤️ Make sure you are following @christinamdick and @tiramisuforbreakfastagency to keep up with the trendy and creative work they are doing here in RVA! #somuchlove #girlpower A post shared by Morgan Rhudy (@maoteenva) on
View this post on InstagramI got a chicken mcnugget bouquet from #mcdonaldsrva for Galentine’s Day with a hand drawn portrait of my face alongside some amazing Richmond ladies. @christinamdick, thank you for fulfilling a dream I didn’t know I had. happy galentines day!! 💕 A post shared by Julia Warren (@juliarwarren) on
View this post on InstagramxYes, all things are happening here: 1) A #mcdonaldsrva Chicky Nuggets Bouquet 2) me taking a dip in some sweet & sour 3) @billbevinsrva sporting toasty🍟 socks 4) AND most special of all – a custom #galentines card featuring seriously special gal-pals in #RVA – I’m considering myself in mega-awesome company this Galentine’s Day 🤩🍟🤩🍟🤩🍟🤩🍟🤩🍟 @tiramisuforbreakfastagency you know how to make a gal feel special A post shared by Jessica Noll (@jessicanollrva) on
View this post on Instagram#mcdonaldsrva #mix981richmond #valentines_day A post shared by Kat Simons (@katsimonsradio) on
View this post on InstagramWe delivered our first Galentine’s Day McNugget bouquet was delivered to the one and only @likethefruit! We’re excited to surprise more of our favors #RVA gals week the week! Make your own McNugget bouquet on Thursday! The link to register is in our bio! #mcdonaldsrva A post shared by Tiramisu for Breakfast (@tiramisuforbreakfastagency) on
View this post on Instagram@mchaseradio and @jasmineturnertv loved their McNugget bouquets! Come make your own with us this Thursday! McDonaldRVA.com #mcdonaldsrva A post shared by Tiramisu for Breakfast (@tiramisuforbreakfastagency) on
View this post on InstagramHad the BEST time celebrating Valentine’s this year, but the highlight was the ULTIMATE surprise from #mcdonaldsrva and @tiramisuforbreakfastagency — a McNugget bouquet!! I felt so honored to be recognized alongside such influential women in RVA with this amazing #galentines surprise 😍❤️🍟 thank you @christinamdick, you’re a rockstar! #girlpower A post shared by Morgan Rhudy (@mcrhudy) on
A great team! @tfbagency @ChristinaMDick #McDonaldsRVA pic.twitter.com/vmkqGJ3ifB— Thomas Block (@TBlockRVA) February 14, 2020
Who needs Valentine’s Day when Galentine’s Day truly satisfies the desires of my heart?!
Thank you @ChristinaMDick for this delicious nugget bouquet and this card filled with some of the FIERCEST "gals" on the planet! Talk about being in amazing company! Sheesh! ❤️#rva pic.twitter.com/nKj5pJ8xeG— Karla Redditte (@KarlaNBC12) February 12, 2020
We are having so much fun @tfbagency with these McNugget bouquets for Galentine’s Day!!! pic.twitter.com/3dQcoiiaoS— Christina Dick (@ChristinaMDick) February 12, 2020
My trainer: Are you eating healthy?
Me: Umm yup. Ignore my giant amazing @McD_RVA chickie nugget bouquet 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/OA7MHcVSCw— Melissa Chase (@MChaseRadio) February 12, 2020
Read More
FROZEN’S Anna & Elsa joined us at McDonald’s this weekend to meet with tiny customers and recruit for Girl Scouts of America. Thanks to Dream Entertainers for being awesome and to all of the little ones who came out!
Read More
1. WRITEWITHPARKINSONS.COM An Art Director Created A Font Based On His Mother’s (Who Has Parkinson’s) Handwriting. My friend Tim Roan posted this on LinkedIn. “A lovely Art Director at Lyft created a new font called Shake…it’s his mother’s handwriting…and she’s in early stages of Parkinson’s. All proceeds go to research. Hope you dig it.”
2. LULULUEMON | Wunder Under Lounge Tight In Velvet I got a pair of Lululemon’s new velvet leggings and they’re wonderful. They’re pretty and soft and I don’t want to take them off.
3. TIME | Inside the Unlikely Friendship That Inspired A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood I saw this movie and cried. If you’re not a theatre person or you’d like to cry at home in private, it sounds like it’s coming to iTunes next month. You can watch the film’s trailer here.
4. THEORY | Slip Top In Stretch Silk When I went to New York over the holidays, I got to see my friend (and amazingly talented producer) Alyse. I always ask where she’s being shopping lately because I think she always looks so cool. She talked about Theory and told me about their sale. I bought this slip top in black and in ivory. It’s excellent quality and I’ve already worn them both several times. It looks perfect under a blazer. I’ve been wearing it with my leather leggings.
5. MAY LINDSTROM | The Problem Solver This is my new favorite face mask. I wrote about how it works and why I like it at TiramisuforBreakfast.com.
6. CROWDFIRE | Brands Killing It On Tik Tok and What We Can Learn From Them This is a really interesting and thorough post on Tik Tok. I can’t wait to put some of these tips into practice and launch TFB’s Tik Tok.
7. INSTAGRAM | Lizzo the Cat I love this so much
8. FEAST RVA January Dinner Feast is such a WONDERFUL concept and I always love going to these. Read more about Feast RVA here, and get your tickets here. (they always sell out!)
9. STITCHER | Office Ladies Podcast This is so great. I LOVE listening to podcasts, and this has been a favorite lately. Angela and Pam (Jenna Fischer) rewatch an episode of The Office and talk through behind-the-scenes and share their thoughts, reflections, and favorite parts in each podcast episode. It also led me to read The Actor’s Life, Jenna Fischer’s book. It’s a how-to guide on becoming a professional actor. I like that she shared her personal journey and the things she shares can apply to a lot of careers, not just acting.
Read More
1. CREATIVE PEP TALK PODCAST | 20 Surprising and Super Powerful Prompts that will make 2020 the year you do your best work ever. I like to listen to podcasts as I’m easing into work each day and this one from Andy J. “Pizza,” is always super-energizing.
2. ABC NEWS | The Family of the late Steve Irwin is rescuing animals from the Australians wildfires. Here is where you can donate. I did.
3. TFB Favorites Spa Robes A bathrobe you can buy on Amazon that feels like it’s from a fancy hotel
4. TFB | My Favorite Tweets from Little Women One of my favorite things to do after I do or see something that makes me think is to look at what others are saying about it online. It’s so interesting to see how others put into words what I also think or feel or read things I never thought of. I collected a few of my favorites.
5. INDEPENDENT | The Impossible Task
6. PRETTY BIRD PAPER | Great Women Greeting Card I love this and have it framed in my office. I’m thinking about buying a few more to send out.
7. AMAZON | Electric Milk Frother My friend Lauren suggested that I include product recommendations in these emails (You’ll notice I added “buy” to the title) Thanks, Lauren! So, here is one of the best things I ever bought. I have cold frothed oat milk with two shots of spresso every morning. I use Oat-ly or Oat Yeah.
Read MoreMy new favorite face mask is “The Problem Solver” from May Lindstrom.
My friend Jess introduced me to this skincare line. She read about it in Goop.
I first got to try May Lindstrom products when I visited The Detox Market in New York City over the summer.
I ordered The Youth Dew serum/facial oil and the Jasmine Garden facial mist. They include little samples with each order, which is how I got to try The Problem Solver. The sample was enough for me to try it about three times, which I did, and loved it.
Here’s how they describe it:
A jet-black fusion of indulgent and antioxidant-rich raw cacao, activated bamboo charcoal, salts, and exotic spices go deep on a mission to reveal your most radiant self.
The unique formula brightens, heals inflammation and irritation, fades hyperpigmentation, stimulates collagen production, and treats and prevents breakouts.
Usually, masks that are meant to be “clarifying” or acne treatments are drying and not that fun to use. This one smells amazing and does not make my skin feel dry after.
These are the ingredients:
Solum Fullonum (Fuller’s Earth) Clay, Red Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, **Theobroma Cacao (Raw Cacao), Red Alaea Sea Salt (Sea Salt and Red Alaea), L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sodium Bicarbonate, Charcoal Powder (Activated Bamboo Carbon), *Vanilla Planifolia Bean, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower, *Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root, *** Boswellia Serrate Gum (Frankincense) powder, *Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), *Archangelica (Angelica) Root, **Cinnamomum Zealanicum Blum (Ceylon Cinnamon), *Myristica Fragans (Nutmeg), *Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove), *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric), *Capsicum Annuum (Cayenne) Pepper, +Eugenol.
*Certified Organic **Certified Fair Trade ***Wild Harvested +Component of Essential Oil
The site suggests a bunch of different ways to use the mask – mixing it with their Blue Coccoon moisturizer (which I also have a tiny sample of) and their Youth Dew serum. I tried it as a spot treatment for the first time last night.
Here are her mixing tips:
Mist The Jasmine Garden generously when you feel the urge to pick at an oncoming pimple or an active breakout – stop the habit in its tracks.
When you feel a pimple beginning to make its way to the surface, spot treat immediately. Simply blend a small amount of the powder formula with water or The Jasmine Garden to form a loose paste, smoothing over just the area needed. Leave on for 5-60 minutes, up to three times weekly, in addition to your full facial treatments.
The Problem Solver + The Youth Dew is perfect for wet, active pimples that are just coming to a head or that have already come to a head.
The Problem Solver + The Blue Cocoon works magic on painful cystic acne and areas of inflammation – including flare-ups of eczema, perioral dermatitis or other inflammatory conditions.
These blends really get to the core of the breakout and help distressed skin to calm quickly without contributing to dryness or scarring, causing additional trauma to your complexion.
I’m just such a big fan. I especially love how she packages her products. “I believe that every day can feel like Christmas. It starts here, from the moment you receive your treasures and decide that these precious time-outs that bookend our days are fully yours to fill with delight.”
Here’s the founder/creator, May, and a little more about the company:
“We respect and admire our source—the planet—and conduct extensive means to ensure that each of our ingredients are procured with the highest sustainable, ethical, and qualitative standards in mind. Our collection is handcrafted using only the finest exotic and nutrient-rich ingredients that are: organic, bio-dynamic, wild-crafted, cruelty free, sustainable, and/or harvested with social consciousness in mind. These ingredients are not tested on animals, nor are our finished products. We do not sell in any countries that require animal testing.
We encourage environmental thoughtfulness in every step of our production – from the growth, harvesting, and processing of our raw ingredients to the packaging of our products. Our boxes and glassware are recyclable. Our lids are made of recycled paper pulp, and a glue derived from fruits and vegetables. We pack our boxes for shipment with recycled paper materials, rather than plastic or peanuts, send digital receipts rather than paper, and minimize branding collateral that is often tossed upon delivery.”
I love you can buy something that you can really feel good about.
Read More
I kept a note in my iPhone to keep track of things my boyfriend mentioned or things I thought of through out the year that would make good gifts. One of them was matching robes. I took jay for his first massage two years ago, and he adapted to the experience verrry quickly.
We love staying at hotels that give you robes to wear in your room.
The Jefferson is a five-star hotel in Richmond. They have beautiful Christmas decorations and a lot of locals make a point to meet friends there for cocktails and make an experience of it. Amid the festivities, I popped into the gift shop and noticed the super-soft robes they sold. I wrote down the brand name and researched to see where I could get some for us. (I didn’t buy them at The Jefferson, because those had The Jefferson’s logo embroidered, and I wanted ours to be personalized). Theirs were the plush-lined microfiber robes from BocaTerry, which were out of stock. So I did a little digging on Amazon and found these from Monarch. They feel just the same and are perfect. I took them to a local embroiderer our names.
These robes are great if you like the kind of robes to lounge around in versus put on to dry off. The outside feels like a nice set of sheets, and the inside feels like a soft plush blanket. I bought a size large for both of us. I meant to order a small for myself. The only thing that’s a little weird about them, which several people mentioned in the Amazon reviews are the shoulder pads. They don’t bother me that much, though.
If you’re looking to make hanging out in y our home feel like a fancy hotel/spa experience, these are perfect. They’d also make an awesome gift.
I thought it would be hilarious to get one for Kitty, too, so I ordered this one that’s meant for newborn baby photoshoots.
Here’s the link to order on Amazon ($90)
Read More
I showed this post to my friend Aíne (AWN-ya) as I was writing it because she’s a super smart Master of English and I know she’d seen the movie, too. I was struggling with the point I was trying to make and if this would be helpful/interesting. She talked me through it and I hope you have as much fun going through these tweets as I did putting this together!
I think the point I’m trying to make is that I’m really grateful that because of technology and social media, the experience of seeing or reading something you find interesting can extend indefinitely. Because there’s always someone else talking about. You can see what other people are saying about it, discuss it if you want, read about each character/director/other adaptations – anything you want to know.
My friend Diana got a bunch of us together to go see Little Women yesterday and I loved it. I LOVE when a movie makes you think. This movie made me think about all the other movies I love and vividly remember from when I was a little girl, like these:
One of my favorite things to do after I do or see something that makes me think is to look at what others are saying about it online. It’s so interesting to see how others put into words what I also think or feel or read things I never thought of. I collected a few of my favorites. There was a lot of conversation about relating to Jo vs. Amy:
I love what the director, Greta Gerwig, had to say about seeing Amy in a new light after rereading the book at 30.
One of my experiences of reading the book was actually re-experiencing Amy as a profound character and equal to Jo, and someone that is a worthy opponent in some ways of Jo. And her lines in particular, some of them are lines that stood out to me as if they were written in neon. As if they could have been said yesterday. Like, “I want to be great or nothing.” Which is so ambitious and big, and such a statement from a 20-year-old about art. It’s not a cute pursuit. It’s a completely egomaniacal pursuit in the best way. Or, “I don’t pretend to be wise, but I am observant.” You think, Holy sh*t, this girl sees everything. She knows everything. She can’t necessarily change the world, but she’s going to figure out how to win. And that seems profound.
Another thing she said is, “The world is hard on ambitious girls.” And the world is still hard on ambitious girls. And this is Amy speaking. To me it seems so obvious that she hadn’t been given her due in our collective consciousness. And then the other thing about Amy that I think is telling, and it’s interesting how this has changed, is Amy is a character of profound desires and lust that she has no problem expressing. And I think it’s interesting that for years, the character we hated the most is the character who most expresses her desire.
Jo (Saoirse Ronan) in the film is borrowed from Alcott’s 1876 novel “Rose in Bloom,” about a young woman who goes off to live (and spar) with her seven male cousins:
Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as beauty, and I’m so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. I’m so sick of it.
Gerwig added her own final line: “But I’m so lonely.”
Do you ever wish you could go back in time and hear a story again for the first time? That tweet about someone walking out when they realize Laurie ends up with Amy made me wonder how I’d react to the story of Little Women if this adaptation had been the first time I’d come across it.
I’m rereading The Tipping Point, for book club. In it, Malcolm Gladwell writes: “A book, I was taught long ago in English class, is a living and breathing document that grows richer with each new reading.”
The same day I watched the new version in the theatre, I rented the 1994 adaptation on iTunes. I remember really disliking the character Amy and being so mad when she burned Jo’s manuscript and also sad when Laurie married her instead of Jo. This time, I feel like I had more of each character to empathize with.
It was interesting to read this hair professional’s criticism of the costuming/hairstyles of the film.
This one isn’t about Little Women but I had to include it because seeing him in this reminded me of this tweet from last year. They do remind me of each other!
There’s also this analysis of the characters’ Meyer’s Briggs classification.
These last three made me laugh.
I just think we’re so lucky to have artists. I think it’s amazing that Louisa May Alcott wrote this book and that Greta Gerwig adapted it and that the actors worked so hard and were clearly so passionate about portraying the characters.
I also love the name Saoirse. It’s so fun to say.
Read More
1. ELLIE BURKE | From Compassion to Compassionate Action I just signed up for this 1/11 workshop all about turning your care and concern for the world around you into action from Ellie Burke, who I’m a huge fan of. 2. CNN | McDonald’s employees assist woman who mouths ‘help me’ in the drive thru
The Golden State Restaurant Group, which owns the McDonald’s location she went to, has certified each of its restaurants as a “Safe Place.”
The Safe Place program is a national youth and prevention program for “young people in need of immediate help and safety.
3. TWITTER | The Cast of Jagged Little Pill Ringing in 2020 in Times Square alongside Alanis I saw this musical in New York thanks to my friend Alyse Shorland and it was amazing. I LOVED Lauren Patten’s performance of You Oughta Know.
4. PEOPLE | Powerful Photo Shows Black Medical Students Standing on Former Slave Plantation in White Coats “It was really overwhelming. I hope that I make them proud even in the smallest ways by living out my dream and being able to exercise my freedoms… I kinda imagined this ancestral conversation where our ancestors looked down on us from heaven and said, ‘Look at our babies, they doing so well. I hope they’re happy, I’m so glad they came to see us.’ That kinda stuck with me… We literally are what no one thought we could ever be.”
5. GET BOOKED | 2020 Resolution Reads I’m especially interested in Ross Gay’s The Book Of Delights Read More
