As the temperature rises and the heat sets in, it’s time to say goodbye to those winter pants and hello to those legs of yours that you’ve been hiding for way too long. What better way to celebrate summer than to jazz up a new (or old) pair of Aerie shorts? Check out the post below to learn how to spruce up your Aerie sleepwear so that you can take them straight from your sheets… to the beach!

Materials you will need:

• A cute pair of shorts: we recommend our Aerie Printed Sleep Shortie or any pair of our boxers
• A scarf with funky trim that you don’t mind cutting
• A pair of scissors
• A needle and thread

Take your Aerie Boxer Shorties to the next level by following our step by step DIY guide

1: Take your scarf and cut about 1 inch from the end.

Cut about 1 inch from the edge of the scarf

2: Line the bottom of the boxers with the cut material from the scarf and pin in place along the seam.

Pin along the seam to minimize the appearance of your thread.

3: Thread your needle and start stitching. Use thread that’s similar in color to the stitching already on the boxers, taking the pins out as you go.

Stitch along the seam that is already in place.

Let the stitching on the boxers act as your guide when sewing on the tassels.

4: After you’ve secured your thread and ensured all the pins are out, enjoy your new shorties! Show them off at the beach, a music festival or a pool party. It’s that simple!

For other creative ideas on how to add texture to your boxers, check out the image below:

Be creative! Use scarves with different textures to create fun and flirty looks.

1: What swim fit do you suggest for Aerie girls who are active on the beach and in the water?

The best suit is all about playing up what you’ve got! Choose a suit that makes you feel confident and pretty and carries your unique style all the way through to your swimwear. Go for a bold color or a great pattern that makes you feel awesome. Pick a style that is flattering to your shape and hit the beach! I like Aerie’s Emma Bikini–support and lift at the bust, fun details at the hip to make legs look longer and a fantastic pattern to keep it fun and flirty.

Check out Emma, for a flattering look.

2: What frames do you suggest for each body type? 

Minimize a Large Bust: Go for support in the shape and the straps and extra space in the cups. A tankini is a great option for a bit of camouflage, especially with a V-neck or crossover bodice. Make sure the bust line has an easier fit for an overall flattering look. Try the Plunge One-Piece Swimsuit: the underwire will add support.

The Aerie Plunge One-Piece minimizes the bust but adds a flattering touch.

Slim My Hips & Thighs or Minimize My Backside: Go retro! There are so many great modern suits inspired by retro swim silhouettes with flattering and flirty skirts. If that’s not for you, opt for dark solid colors with coverage over the thighs and tush, like the Twister Retro Halter Top Bikini. You can work in pattern or color near your face and pair your suit with a chic beach cover-up for comfort.

Try our Twister Retro Halter Bikini to minimize the appearance of your thighs and tush.

Flatten My Tummy: Opt for a one-piece suit or tankini, like the Striped Tankini with a control panel. The options this season are cute and flattering. Ruching at the waist and over the tummy offer texture and visually break up the target area to help hide your problem areas.

Try our Aerie Striped Tankini to minimize your tummy.

Show Off My Tush: Go for a great bottom with interest over the booty– think ruffles, pattern or color blocking. Depending on your shape, the cut of the leg opening can really help show off your assets. If you have a full booty, try flaunting a hipster. If you’re perkier, try working a tiny bottom like the Floral Bikini Bottom. And for anyone, try the Ruched Bikini Bottom – it has just the right amount of detail.

Try our Aerie Floral Bikini Bottom to flatter a perky booty.

Make My Legs Look Longer: This is all about the cut of the leg opening. The higher the cut of the hip of the suit, the longer the leg will look. Go for side tie bottoms or bottoms with side cutouts, loops or rings, which allow the eye to travel up the leg. For the Aerie girl who’s more adventurous, choose a suit that laces or ties up the side well above the hip, leaving the hip area open.

Try our Aerie Tassel O-Ring Bikini Bottom to lengthen the appearance of your legs.

3: What frame is best for our smaller chested Aerie girls who want a bit of a lift so that they look more feminine, not fake?
The key to creating curves is balancing what you have and visually adding to the top, bottom or both.

To add to the bust, opt for a bit of padding or some visual tricks–ruffles at the bust, a crossover at the front, ruching over the cups. In either case, go for a suit with built-in cups, which helps create curves. Try the Ruffle Bandeau Bikini: ruffles in just the right spots!

To build killer curves, go for a suit that has texture over the bust like our Aerie Ruffle Dot Bandeau Bikini.

To add to the bottom, go for ruching, ruffles or other trim that will add volume visually. This is a case where horizontal stripes are great! Stripes lead the eye across the body and give the illusion of fullness. Use them at the hips and bust to create curves. Try the Striped Retro Halter Bikini Top with subtle stripes and flair. Or for custom curves, try the Maddie Pushup Polka Dot Bikini with ruffles. Maddie’s custom designed cups give you a boost based on your cup size, so you get the lift that’s right for you—and strategic ruffles create curves.

Try on the Aerie Striped Retro Halter for a fuller and flattering effect.

4: How do you best accessorize a swimsuit?
I go for lots of sunscreen, a great coverup, a wide brimmed hat and awesome sunglasses. A great bangle and some fabulous earrings are always fun, but watch out for materials that sun, salt, sand or chlorine might damage.

Add accessories to your swimsuit for a great look!

5: What’s one suit every girl should own?
A classic solid color suit that flatters your shape will take you from spa to pool to beach and always have you looking cute.

You can never go wrong with a solid one-piece swimsuit.

6: Does color matter? What hues can Aerie girls wear to complement their facial and hair features?
Color is one of my favorite things about swim! A bathing suit is a great way to experiment with color in your wardrobe. Have a little fun with patterns too!

Go with Aerie’s Floral Retro Halter Bikini to add both color and patterns to your swim wardrobe.

7: Are there any swim fits that girls should steer clear of?
I don’t often think that any one style is a complete do or don’t–it’s all in how you wear it.

8: What pattern or style is “in” right now for swim?
There are some great things happening in swim and Aerie has your favorite bra fits now in swimwear.
Great vintage-inspired prints and feminine details pair brilliantly with another spring/summer trend–shorts with great details.

COLOR! Neon keeps going and I’m seeing the addition of sorbet colors and pastels. Happy colors!

There are great vintage silhouettes in both one-pieces and two-pieces for a little retro flair on the beach.

Neon is a definite “in” when it comes to summer 2013 trends.

No matter your size, shape or preference, Aerie is here to make you look and feel your absolute best! Be sure to check out our most loved bras now available in swim. If you’re in NYC visit us today, April 9, for our Aerie & Seventeen Magazine Swim Launch Party in our Times Square Store!

Aerie & Seventeen Magazine invite you to dive in! For more details, click here: http://on.ae.com/14GL8ul

Marisa, featured in our AE spring campaign, shows off how to pair a chambray shirt over her swimsuit.

1: What are some great ways to wear a chambray shirt?

I love chambray shirts for casual layers and beach cover-ups.  I like to throw a chambray shirt over a dress, worn open with lots of casual jewelry for a relaxed, but pulled together look. A chambray shirt worn open paired with your favorite Aerie bikini and a great pair of shorts is flirty & fun.

2: What are the kinds of clothes that make small girls like me look tall and slim?

Getting a tall and slim look is all about proportions and fit.  Go for pieces that have slimmer proportions – smaller collars, narrower sleeves, small pocket flaps, and slim cuts. Watch out for lengths that cut you off – at the hip, at the knee or between the knees and ankles.  Those can make you look shorter.

A chic monochrome color palette also gives a tall impression.  I’ll often go for one color head to toe and then mix in jewelry and accessories to add color.

Also, a quick and easy way to make you look taller is to add a great, nude heel that is close to your skin tone color.Be cautious about opting for sky-high platforms though –these can actually have the opposite effect by adding weight visually at your feet.

Nina models one of Aerie’s newest bras for summer – the Festival Bra! Coming soon in stores & at aerie.com.

3: What are fashion trends for Spring-summer?

COLOR!  Neon keeps going and I’m seeing the addition of sorbet colors & pastels.  Happy colors!

Peek-a-boo lingerie is also a fun trend, but make sure you keep it tasteful.  Aerie’s Festival Bra and Printed Lace Bandeaus are meant to be seen with great colors and lace details that can peek out from tee shirt, cut outs or low arm openings.

Swim is big and Aerie now carries your favorite bra fits in swimwear.  Great vintage inspired prints and feminine details pair brilliantly with another spring/summer trend – shorts with great details. Whether a great print, a touch of lace, or a new pattern, shorts are the perfect cover up or the perfect everyday casual summer option.                                                                              

4: There are a lot of music festivals happening within the next few months, what do you recommend wearing for these events?

Go for a look that reflects your style & is comfortable for a long day at the venue or outdoors.  I like layers so that the look can transition from event to event and carry me through chillier nights while still looking cute.  I try to stay true to my style and avoid putting on a costumey look just for that event.

Marisa, one of our models from the Aerie spring campaign, in the Aerie Floppy Beach Hat and Aerie Crochet Triangle Bikini.

5: What defines Spring Break style?

For me, it’s all about being casual and chic.  Start with a great swimsuit, a cute pair of shorts, a wide brim sun hat & some fabulous sunglasses. I’m all about packing light with pieces that have multiple uses – a cover up that can double as a scarf or as a dress, a handful of accessories that work for day or night, and colorful dresses that can go to the beach or to dinner.

6: What’s your #1 must have for spring break style?

A cute, multipurpose cover-up, a beachy mani/pedi, a great bikini and my iPad full of books.  (Oops – that’s four!)  But those will get me through the whole week.

Gabby & Malia, two of our cast members, show off how to mix and match trends into their personal style.

7: I like trends but I don’t want to come off being too trendy. How can I mix my personal style with trendy pieces for my own unique look?

You touched on the “secret” in your question – mixing and matching.  When creating characters, I’ve found that mixing and matching is key to making them look realistic and unique.  Choose a few trend pieces that work for your style to update your look, but keep you looking like a fresh version of you.

8: Are there any styles that you don’t recommend for spring break?

I don’t often think that any one style is a complete do or don’t – it’s all in how you wear it.

Ronnie shows off his individual AEO style.

9: What men’s style advice can you give for guys out here looking to catch some attention from the ladies?

Don’t be afraid to take a little bit of a fashion risk – I like guys who have their own style.  And wear good/interesting shoes.  Shoes say a lot about a guy!

Nina posing for our Spring 2013 campaign.

How did your career in modeling begin?

I got scouted in Denmark for an Elite Model Look Competition.  I didn’t end up winning because I was too short, but I started modeling after that.

When you were little, did you know modeling was going to become your thing?

I honestly didn’t like it in the beginning. I wasn’t used to people always touching me and I felt like a product, but now I like it.

What would you be up to if you weren’t modeling all over the world?

I always wanted to be a journalist, dentist or auto mechanic when I was younger.

Nina hanging out under her billboard in NYC. Source: @ninaagdal on Instagram

Any songs on your current playlist?

Everything Justin Bieber!

What’s the craziest modeling story you have?

I had to go to a tiny island off of Australia for a two day shoot. As I was getting a spray tan, I fainted in the makeup artist’s bathroom and cracked my chin on the floor. So basically I was half spray tanned, but fully naked on the bathroom floor. There were no doctors on the island so they just told me to put on my tennis shoes and have a Coke and I would be fine!

Nina’s dog Boo! Source: @ninaagdal on Instagram

What is the best part about your hometown of Denmark? 

Friends and family. I love that it’s so comfortable, nice and sweet.  It’s safe and great place to grow up. I miss it every day.

What is it really like to be an Aerie girl? 

It’s really fun to be an Aerie girl. I have great people to make me look pretty in the morning and the rest of the day I’m playing around in swimsuits or undies on the beach or on a bed.  The last shoot was in Harbor Island and it was so much fun.

You’ve got a killer beach body – do you have any tips on staying in shape?

I really work my butt off. I always try and work out at least 3 times a week with 20-30 min of cardio, running, spinning, cycling, or the elliptical. I love lifting weights and playing basketball – I even have an indoor basketball court in NY that I go to play.

Taking a break from the gym! Source: @ninaagdal on Instagram

Any Healthy Eating Tips? 

Try eating smaller portions five to six times a day. I really enjoy eating a mix of protein, veggies and carbs. Definitely allow yourself to sin sometimes. If you want a burger, have a burger and then tomorrow have a salad. Also, don’t think too much about your weight, it’s a waste of time and life!

Do you have a favorite indulgence? 

I love pizza, red meat, steak with A1 Sauce, chocolate – but one thing I can’t live without is a good burger. Give me lots of mayo and grease – the works!

Nina for Aerie Holiday 2012

]]> http://www.ae.com/blog/ae-friends-family-aerie-model-nina-agdal/feed/ 3 http://www.ae.com/blog/spending-valentines-day-with-your-gal-pals/ http://www.ae.com/blog/spending-valentines-day-with-your-gal-pals/#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:16:53 +0000 HowarthE http://www.ae.com/blog/?p=1924 Valentine’s Day is all about expressing your love to those you fancy. For some though, it can bring on a sense of awkwardness when you decide to go out for dinner with friends and all you see on the menu are fixed plates geared towards couples that are madly in love. We’re here to tell you that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be mushy and you CAN have a blast with your friends. Here are a few fantastically fun ways in which you can get silly with your gal pals.

Have a cookie decorating party:

If your girlfriends like sweets (and come on, who doesn’t?) then this party is guaranteed to be a hit. Pre-make sugar cookies a day or so ahead in any shape. (We suggest hearts or this so that you can create a boyfriend made out of sugar. These cutout boyfriends are much “sweeter” than the real thing.) Not a cookie fan? Buy different flavors of ice cream for an ice cream social instead.

Have your friends bring cookie (or ice cream) decorations (frosting, sprinkles, candy… you get the idea) and display everything out on a table and start creating your sugar masterpiece.

Want to make your party even better?  Play some V-day tunes, (we recommend our Aerie Valentine’s Day playlist on Spotify) and break out into a dance party!

Simple, sweet and oh so fun!

Photo Credit: Pennies on a Platter

Have a Girls Marathon:

If any group of girls knows how to live (and mostly love) the single life it’s Hannah, Marine, Soshanna and Jessa from the hit show Girls. Invite your friends over for a slumber party and indulge in ice cream, popcorn and our favorite quartet to hit the streets of New York City! Not to mention, the fabulous clothes seen on the show are hand picked by our very own Style & Fit Expert, Jenn Rogien.

Photo Credit: Mr. Will Wong

Secret Admirer Gifting Party:
Grab your friends and have each of them place their names in a hat a few days before Valentine’s Day. Then, deliver fun gifts and notes to the friend that you picked, making sure you keep yourself unknown. Have a revealing party on the 14th with all of your gal pals and giggle over the fun stuff that you received.

Photo Credit: Find Gift

Have a Pinterest Party!

Create a Pinterest board and have your friends pin a DIY or recipe on the board. Then, have them bring whatever they pinned to the party! If they pinned DIY projects, have them bring materials to create the product for an arts and crafts filled night.

Photo Credit: Catch My Party

Have single guy friends too? Have a ‘Battle of the Sexes Party’!
Round up all of your single friends and play a series of games (bowling, trivia, etc.) and split the teams by gender. You know they say “all is fair in love and war,” so have fun and defeat those boys! And who knows… if you invite that guy you were crushing on maybe will blossom into something more serious.

Photo Credit: College Candy

Most importantly, remember that Valentine’s Day is about expressing all kinds of love, so don’t feel down if you’re not attached. Your girlfriends, family and pets all deserve a little love too!  Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at Aerie! xo

Meet Ben, Jordan and Graham – three of our home office employees who volunteered their good looks and charm while spending the afternoon in Aerie shopping for the perfect V-day gift. Through a series of questions, we uncovered that they all have quite the romantic (and somewhat hilarious) side! Read on to learn all about a guy’s perspective on romance, and finding that perfect Aerie Valentine’s Day gift that any girl would love.

JL: I based my lingerie purchase purely on aesthetics.  Considering I’m a guy and my knowledge of bra comfort is non-existent I went with something I would enjoy seeing my girl walk around in and something that would make her feel sexy.  I like the lacey look of the Juliet and it’s something I would love to see my girl in as much as I would like to see her out of it.

BT: Something soft and bright. I chose the Hailey Lightly Lined with matching undies in Botanics Green.  Am I doing this right?

GS: I’m going with one of the “Perfect Pairs” for a Valentine’s Day gift. It’s the Limited Edition Reese Pushup bra with a lace thong. I went with this pick because it’s a sexy fit and she loves the color pink. You really can’t go wrong with that combo.

What are some characteristics that you look for in a girl?

JL: I’m a firm believer in love at first sight, but I fall in love like 5 times a day so there’s clearly more to a lasting relationship than looks alone.  A nice smile and sexy eyes always gets my attention but a cute laugh and an outgoing personality gets my heart.

BT: She needs to have a good sense of humor and a fun loving spirit.  Girls who are too serious make me uncomfortable…

GS: I like a girl who is smart and confident. For me, it’s attractive when a girl walks around knowing she has desirable qualities. She has to be easy to hang out with, too. Nothing’s worse than being in an awkward situation trying to force a conversation.

What are some fun things that you enjoy doing for Valentine’s Day?

JL: I try to be original so it really depends on the girl.  I always send my girlfriend a card.  It’s one thing to leave it out in plain sight, but I think taking the time to put some postage on it and place it in the mail adds an element of surprise that brightens up her day.  Dinner is a given, her choice, and white roses (red is so last year).  I would learn her favorite song on piano and play it for her by the candle light.  This all culminates with her modeling her new aerie lingerie for me, duh.

BT: Trying new restaurants and shamelessly eating candy all day.

GS: I really enjoy trying new restaurants. One of the fun things my girlfriend and I do is put names of restaurants that we’ve never tried before in a hat. We’ll go to whatever restaurant she picks out for Valentine’s Day dinner. Kaya is the lucky winner this year.

Erica, and associate from our Southside Works location, helps Ben, Jordan and Graham with their choices.

What is the sweetest thing that a girl has ever done for you?

JL: My girlfriend would pre-order the NHL video game for my roommates and I in college.  Truly a gift that keeps on giving.

BT: Took a flight to surprise me on my birthday (she’s terrified of flying).

GS: I’d have to say the sweetest thing a girl has done for me was when my girlfriend traveled across the country to surprise me at college for my graduation. At the time, she was going to school at USC near LA and I was at Bowdoin College near Portland, Maine. Check a map out…literally across the country.

What is the sweetest thing that you have ever done for a girl?

JL: For this blog post I asked an ex-gf, “What the sweetest thing I’ve ever done for you?” She responded with “bought me hot pink lingerie.”  Well, there you have it.  Simple.  When I asked her to take a more sentimental approach to the question she responded with “Nothing.”  I guess that explains why we aren’t together anymore.  Actually, I’m naturally sweet and the sweetest thing I’ve ever done for a girl is drive 10 hours to see her and surprised her with lilies.  Thank god she was home.

BT: Told her I was taking her to dinner for our anniversary but instead surprised her with front row seats to the Goo Goo Dolls.

GS: There really isn’t one “sweetest” thing that sticks out in my mind, but I like doing the little things. Surprising her with dinner, randomly getting her flowers, or even filling up her car with gas when I borrow it are some of the things I like doing.

Graham and Ben look for the perfect V-day gift.

Do you have any embarrassing stories from first dates?

JL: It’s tough to pass blame on a fart when you’re the only 2 people in the room…

BT: How many people are going to read this?

GS: Sorry to disappoint, but nope.

What is your favorite style of Aerie undie? (thong, peek-a-boo, girly briefs, bikinis, tangas, boybriefs, boyshorts)

JL: Definitely boyshorts.  They make butts look perfect.

BT: Bikinis.  All day. Everyday.

GS: Boyshorts all the way.

Jordan, are you checking out Nina or Hannah?

What was your overall experience like at Aerie?

Neon undies are always a good choice, Ben!

Any shopping tips for guys in your situation?

JL: Ask for help.  Your girlfriend won’t know whether you picked it out yourself; as long as she likes it she probably won’t care.

BT: Shop online. It’s much easier to sort through the different fits. I think aerie.com provides that convenience.

GS: The best tip I would give to a guy in my situation would be to go straight to a store associate and explain what you’re looking for. For guys who need help, Aerie is a great place to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

Graham, Ben and Jordan pose one last time after a successful shopping day at Aerie.

Any pink bra should be on the top of your list this Valentine’s Day. Our Limited Edition Reese Pushup is a perfect choice for the big day. With one of our perkiest fits and a special ballet back, this bra is great for tops with a low, sexy back.

If you love a sexy & sweet pair, the Jennifer Lightly Lined bra + our Softest Lace Thong is just for you. Jennifer features a special hidden underwire – great under any date night outfit.  Not to mention, she also has pretty lace trim on the sides & soft plush back straps. Match her with our Softest Lace Thong to complete a perfect pair.

We love the Bridget Pushup Bra for fashion + functionality. With pretty ruffle trim & bow details  coupled with soft foam cups & papertouch microfiber, this is the perfect bra to hang out in all Valentine’s Day long. Pair this bra with any of our favorite undies and you will have the coziest day ever.

No Valentine’s Day would be complete without a cute pair of undies. Whether your style is tanga, boybrief, bikini or thong – we’ve got your covered with one of our seven sexy fits. Our favorite choice? Anything Vintage Lace of course!

Check out all of our sexy & sweet Valentine’s Day options at aerie.com.

Jamie Sanders, Aerie Copywriter and Editor-in-Chief of Beauty of Life

Grey may be the color of the moment for a lot of reasons (or, okay, because of one steamy trilogy), but for me, it’s because of Aerie Shimmer. Aerie’s latest fragrance tells you to “light up the room” … and, I have to say, even though the bottle is pale grey, it really does.

The notes in this fragrance just make me feel like I’m going to shimmer and shine all day long, no matter what! And, really, have you ever heard of a more beautiful blend than bergamot, peony and vanilla? They somehow create a scent that’s at once light and crisp, yet sexy and warm.

But it’s the bottle itself that really stole my heart. Keith Fiore, who designed the bottle, told me that he wanted to make it unique. He was inspired by both the trends in our graphic T’s and by messages that you can read through frosted windows—so cool, right?

I’m excited to display this fragrance on my vanity, since it really is so different than any other in my collection. My only problem… What to do when I drain the bottle?

– Jamie Allison Sanders

Editor-in-Chief, The Beauty of Life (http://www.thebeautyoflifeblog.com)

Lindsay Avner ,Bright Pink founder.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as a fun-loving go-getter who squeezes every drop out of life.

Tell us how the Bright Pink journey began?
My grandmother and great-grandmother died a week apart, both from breast cancer at the ages of 39 and 58, before I was even born. When I was only 12, my mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer and 10 months later with ovarian cancer.  In May 2005, I underwent a genetic test that indicated I tested positive for the BRCA1 gene fault, indicating I had up to an 87 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and up to a 54 percent lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer. Finding out I was at high risk was hard but I knew I had to use this information I had been afforded, information that was not available to previous generations of women, to empower me to take action.

At age 23, I made a very personal decision to remove my healthy breasts in order to reduce my risk of developing breast cancer to less than one percent. I was the youngest patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York to make such a decision. It was during my journey that I realized the lack of resources for young women in a similar situation—those who were healthy and wanted to be do all they could to reduce their risk for breast and ovarian cancer or detect these diseases at early, non life-threatening stages.  Being Bright Pink is all about being bright, being smart, being positive and being proactive with your breast and ovarian health.  I launched the original Bright Pink website on January 2, 2007 in order to create a supportive, empowered community for young women and the organization continues to grow at record rates.

What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part is that every single day is completely different. Some days, I focus more on the overall strategy and operations managing my staff, working with our Chapters to expand their reach, or refining our programs to ensure they are best serving our constituents. Other days, I have the chance to work with our fabulous multi-year sponsors like Aerie to create campaigns and programs that not only raise funds to fuel our mission, but most importantly reach thousands of women nationwide and inspire them to be proactive advocates for their health. I am immensely blessed to have a job I love.

Do you have any cool interest or hobbies?
I am a workout junkie and love group fitness classes. I used to pound out miles on the treadmill, but two years ago I discovered how much fun it is to be in a room with others all working out in synch – the energy pushes me. Currently I am obsessed with Flywheel spin classes and try to attend at least 3 days a week. They play awesome music, are only 45 minutes long, and I leave the class drenched in sweat.

Lindsay working out at a yoga event for Bright Pink.

Describe to our fans a typical day in your world.
I am not a morning person at all and when I finally became my own boss, I vowed to only take meetings before 10 a.m. on occasion. I usually wake up around 8 and work from home until about 10 a.m. It gives me a chance to catch up on my projects and my staff the chance to quietly ease into the day.  I then embark on what is probably the world’s shortest commute, my 2.5 block walk into the office. I try to spend three days a week with a packed schedule going from meetings to calls to brainstorms back to back so that the other two days a week I have time to work with my incredible staff, reflect, refine, and drive our strategy and vision and get through my sometimes intimidating inbox. I like to leave the office by 6 p.m. to meet friends for a workout or attend an event, but I am always back online for a couple hours around 10 p.m. Unfortunately, the best ideas never come to me between 9 and 5. I always keep a note pad by my bed because sometimes I will wake up at 4 a.m. and the answer to something that I have been stirring about for days becomes loud and clear.

Lindsay at BlogHer.

How do you see Bright Pink growing in the future?
We are determined to be THE organization that helps every young woman understand her risk for breast and ovarian cancer, develop a personalized prevention and early detection strategy, and provide support for high-risk individuals. We are looking forward to launching more chapters and ally cities, enrolling more women in our programs, and working closer with medical professionals to ensure they have the information, tools, and resources to best support their young female patients. We also are focusing a lot of effort on working with our multi-year partners like Aerie on more efforts year-round versus just in October. It is exciting to think of all the unexpected ways we can reach young women with these partners and the lives that we can save together.

Where do you find inspiration?
I surround myself with pretty incredible friends and family who lift me up, challenge me to think differently about the world, and give me the courage to be bold and take chances. I read a lot of women’s magazines, follow trend sites ,and other organizations/companies that I think are doing a good job inspiring people to take action or change their behavior. Finally, I have several fantastic mentors who help guide me in my efforts. Whenever I am around them, I try to soak up as much advice, ideas, and direction as possible.

How can everyone get involved in Bright Pink?
Visit us online at BrightPink.org to learn more about our education and support programs, how you can Be Bright Pink and be proactive with your own breast and ovarian health, and how to get involved with our efforts at a local level. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BrightPink and follow us on Twitter @BeBrightPink.

Lindsay with her friends and staff at a Bright Pink event.

Who do you most admire?
My mom, Wendy. She is an 18-year breast cancer survivor and 17-year ovarian cancer survivor and is the strongest, most vibrant, and lively person I have ever met. She could have chosen to be a victim because she’s been through a lot. Instead, she wakes up every day with a smile on her face, focuses on the good in her life versus the bad, and has dedicated her life to philanthropy and service. She is my hero.

What is your favorite thing to do in your home base of Chicago?
We are a restaurant city! There is always a great new spot that just opened up that I want to try. My favorite place this year is definitely RPM Italian, an Italian restaurant that my friends Bill and Giuliana Rancic opened this past February. The food is great, the atmosphere is very chic, and the staff is wonderful. The restaurant opening raised funds for Bright Pink and 12 of the servers actually formed a team for our Fab-Fest event we hosted with Giuliana earlier this year. Perhaps I am biased, but anywhere that has that much Bright Pink love rises to the top.

Lindsay Avner and Giuliana Rancic at Fab Fest

Jenna Menard, Aerie Makeup Artist

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was raised in a small town between Philadelphia and New York City called Doylestown, Pennsylvania and I have been in NYC for almost 10 years now. I also went to college in PA, so I lived the small town girl life and then decided I wanted to move to NYC and pursue being a makeup artist.

I love being outside and I am so lucky that part of my work takes me there. It is not just showing up at the studio everyday, it’s about getting on planes, traveling far and being able to be outside in nature and really just enjoying life while working – which is rare for people to be able to say that they get to do.

I like to get out around NYC and ride my bike along with doing yoga to stay active while I am in the city living my normal day-to-day life.

How did you get your start as a makeup artist?
My story has a lot of pieces that come together and bring me to where I am today. My mom is a hairstylist, so I grew up with a hair salon in my basement as a child (and she is still doing it to do this day!) I have three sisters, so you can imagine in a house of all girls with a mom that is a hairstylist presentation and beauty were a big thing. I didn’t ever think I would be a makeup artist growing up but slowly things all started to connect.

When I was in college I studied psychology because I knew I wanted to work with people and interact with people, even though I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do yet. I had an internship while I was in college for a small cosmetic company and that prompted my interest in makeup. I didn’t have any formal training before that internship. I graduated and moved to NYC for an internship on the set of the feature film, The Stepford Wives. I landed this internship through meeting Ann Roth, an academy award-winning costume designer, and she introduced me to Bernadette Mazur who was the head of the makeup department for this film.  I was able to be on set and watch makeup artists for three months. As soon as the film was over I decided to begin my career freelancing and I began assisting other makeup artists from different agencies in NYC. This is when I was introduced to Dick Page, a world renowned makeup artist and ended up assisting him on and off for about three years while also pursusing my own career. I was so lucky to meet someone like Dick Page and work so closely with him and learn the art and the business.

My career growth was more of an organic process and one thing led to another. When I started working on my own, I started working with an agency and started shooting bigger things. Everything seemed to just work out- I worked hard at it, but it really just flowed in a way that one thing led to the next.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I pull from a lot of different things, mostly from what is around me living in NYC just walking around the city during my daily life. It is really amazing what you see when you stop and look around. I have been lucky enough to travel so much and I come back with tons of pictures from trips and those images in general act as my inspiration. It is not as literal as using the color of the sky for eyeshadow, but it is the beautiful things around me that inspire me to be more creative. Nature, colors, cultures, faces, and everything that I experience whether I am in NYC or traveling, I absorb that and take that and use that as inspiration.

You have worked with everyone from Sofia Coppola to Taylor Swift to Kate Winslet and of course our Aerie girls – do you have an all-time favorite person to work with?
I feel like in moments of my career there has been shoots that I have been like “wow this is a really great point in my career” or maybe just a job and location that I am traveling to, but I really feel so lucky to have met  the women that I have worked with. All of the celebrities that I work with are extremely talented and inspiring on many levels. It is not just the work that they do; they are a really good example at how to balance everything from career to family to personal time. Every time I am working with these women I realize that they have this balance that I always try to strive towards.

Jenna preps Nina Agdal during the Aerie Back to School photo shoot.

Can you tell us a little bit about the process it takes to come up with the look & feel you want for each photo shoot/event?
One of the really great things about being a makeup artist is the collaboration. For the most part it is a lot of creative individuals that all have the same goal and that goal in the end is to create images that will make an impact to people around the world. We all come together and the art director shows inspiration on what they are going for and who the “girl” is (I hear that a lot.) It is a lot about who we want to bring to life in the campaign or a particular beauty and fashion story. With all of these images put together on a mood board you can see where they want to go and the feeling of a particular shoot. If you work with the same team often, it takes less and less time to get all on the same page. It is a great feeling when you work with a team that has trust in you and trusts you to do your thing.

You had the chance to work with famed photographer Arthur Elgort, tell us about that!
Arthur Elgort is a photo legend! He has been around for a long time and taken some amazing photos that a lot of people know. I met him while assisting Dick Page and I will never forget the day I was working with him. We were talking and he asked me to send my book over sometime. I willingly sent my book over and the first job booked with him was the cover of Teen Vogue. For someone like Arthur who has been around a long time and could work with anybody he chooses, it meant a lot for him to choose me. To think my first shoot with Arthur was a cover-it amazes me . I knew I was capable of it, but usually photographers don’t start on a cover as your first job. This was the March 2009 issue of Teen Vogue and still to this day I think back to that point in my career and think about where I was then and where I am now. There are certain moments in my career I really kind of feel nostalgic about. I think to myself, “Wow I was really lucky to be able to work with him and work with such a legend.” He is an amazing person and photographer and that is definitely one  moment that is a strong memory of mine.

What is the one piece of makeup you cannot live without?
I would say Clinique High Impact Mascara. It is something for my kit that makes a huge difference for the people I am working on whether it is a model or celebrity, but also I love it for myself. It is something that will make your eyes look more open and awake, but it doesn’t have the overpowering effect that makes you think “Oh my gosh that is too much makeup.” Mascara is the perfect way for someone to look at you and say “Wow your eyes look really pretty today!”

What is your number one makeup tip/trick for keeping that Summer glow all year long?
Summer is always the perfect time to focus on keeping your skin looking flawless and experimenting with a single element of makeup. It’s not time for full face of make up – eyeshadow, liner, lipstick, blush – it’s more about focusing on one thing that you can bring out that is easy for summer and easy to withstand the heat. Foundation is great for keeping the skin light and simple. Try adding a liquid highlighter to make your skin more radiant. I would recommend a playful, bold lip shade (try Clinique’s Chubbystick) or a colorful eyeliner that will withstand the summer months but also make a statement on your face. Don’t go for anything serious or heavy.  Fresh, clean and beautiful is what I strive for when doing summer makeup!

A playful list of products to get that perfect summer glow:

Super City Block SPF 40

Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Even Better Makeup

Uplighting Liquid Highlighter-Natural or Bronze

Super Balanced Powder Bronzer

Chubby Stick in Pudgy Peony

Blushwear Cream Stick in Glow or Blushing Blush in Aglow

Brush on Cream Liner or Quickliner for Eyes Intense

Lidsmoothie in Pinko Biloba or Cashew Later

Check out all of Jenna’s work on her website!