Who Dat, Who Dat?
Alyssa Miles
Alyssa is a 20-something Kentucky transplant currently residing in the DC metro area. She is a marketing and design professional by day, writer and quilter by night. Wine drinker always. Her obsessions include Lilly Pulitzer, monograms, and claiming that this year will be the Dallas Cowboys' year for the Super Bowl. She can be reached on Twitter @alyssanoelle and Instagram at alyinkentucky.
Amanda Paschal
Amanda is a southern girl living it up in New York City as a television production coordinator. There are few things she loves more in this world than cupcakes, Jimmy Fallon, college basketball, and the Christmas season. If she could trade places with any person for a day, it would be Mindy Kaling and while she’s Mindy, she’d hire herself into her dream job as a writer for The Mindy Project. She’s very excited to be contributing to Girl-ish!
Amanda is a southern girl living it up in New York City as a television production coordinator. There are few things she loves more in this world than cupcakes, Jimmy Fallon, college basketball, and the Christmas season. If she could trade places with any person for a day, it would be Mindy Kaling and while she’s Mindy, she’d hire herself into her dream job as a writer for The Mindy Project. She’s very excited to be contributing to Girl-ish!
Cassandra Ernst
Hello beautiful people! You can call me Cassandra, or Cass, but never Cassie; I grew up in corn town, Indiana but am calling Denver, CO home these days. I came out here as an AmeriCorps VISTA and miraculously managed to land an executive director position for a non-profit. I work a lot, but in my spare time I read, write, cook, buy too many clothes, and stay out late too many nights. I also enjoy/despise over-thinking. Currently, I'm trying to pretend like the quarter life crisis doesn't exist.
Hello beautiful people! You can call me Cassandra, or Cass, but never Cassie; I grew up in corn town, Indiana but am calling Denver, CO home these days. I came out here as an AmeriCorps VISTA and miraculously managed to land an executive director position for a non-profit. I work a lot, but in my spare time I read, write, cook, buy too many clothes, and stay out late too many nights. I also enjoy/despise over-thinking. Currently, I'm trying to pretend like the quarter life crisis doesn't exist.
Ciara LeRoy
Ciara has planted her high heels in Lexington, Kentucky, where she works as a public relations assistant. When she’s not in the office, you’ll find her working on a freelance art career, writing, reading, cooking, running, or eating her way through downtown Lexington’s many dives. She studied Publishing at Asbury University, and spent several months as an art resident in New York City, contributing to the design department at Martha Stewart Living. Because of her broad and diverse set of experiences, Ciara has a passion for taking everyday life beyond the mediocre and ordinary. Her interests reflect a desire to inspire women to create beautiful things, and to embrace authenticity by expressing all of who they are - even if it ruffles some feathers.
Ciara has planted her high heels in Lexington, Kentucky, where she works as a public relations assistant. When she’s not in the office, you’ll find her working on a freelance art career, writing, reading, cooking, running, or eating her way through downtown Lexington’s many dives. She studied Publishing at Asbury University, and spent several months as an art resident in New York City, contributing to the design department at Martha Stewart Living. Because of her broad and diverse set of experiences, Ciara has a passion for taking everyday life beyond the mediocre and ordinary. Her interests reflect a desire to inspire women to create beautiful things, and to embrace authenticity by expressing all of who they are - even if it ruffles some feathers.
Claire FitzSimmonds
Claire FitzSimmonds lives and writes in the Bluegrass. She enjoys riding her bright red bike, drinking black coffee out of her boyfriend’s Captain America mug and going for long runs in the hottest part of the day. If she could have anything in the world, it would be a baby elephant. The characters in her stories break norms, and she does her best to follow their lead. Check out more of her writing at www.houseonsand.wordpress.com.
Elizabeth Giaritelli
Elizabeth is passionate about integrating her knowledge and experience of the fashion industry with her desire to fulfill and impact a greater purpose on this world. Educating both men and women on how to be a perceptive consumer in today's market is important to her. Currently living in Portland, nature is where she recharges and finds her inspiration. With that, she is on a self-discovery journey like much of her generation, in determining the foremost way to bind these two passions of hers. She also believes in never paying full price, for anything. To see more, visit her website Character Presence of the Avenue.
Elizabeth is passionate about integrating her knowledge and experience of the fashion industry with her desire to fulfill and impact a greater purpose on this world. Educating both men and women on how to be a perceptive consumer in today's market is important to her. Currently living in Portland, nature is where she recharges and finds her inspiration. With that, she is on a self-discovery journey like much of her generation, in determining the foremost way to bind these two passions of hers. She also believes in never paying full price, for anything. To see more, visit her website Character Presence of the Avenue.
Elizabeth Purvis
Twenty-four. Typical TV evangelist. Writer. Photographer. Amateur Internet fan. Lifelong introvert. Music advocate. Explorer. Living in Hong Kong. Unemployed. Easy crier. Journalism major. Unapologetic pop culture lover. Incurable organizer. Foodie. Easily scared. Taken. Social media guru. Aspiring novelist... screenwriter.... Playwright... journalist? Sings loudly everywhere. Sweet tooth. Easiest person to beat at a game of hearts. Buzzfeed quiz taker. Prone to fits of apathy. Wino. Ultimate procrastinator. Hipster-friendly. Reading aficionado. British culture enthusiast. Did I mention TV yet?
Faina Matveeva
Faina is Russia-born, Kentucky-bred, and currently studies Mechanical Engineering and Spanish. Her passions range from painting, writing, and playing piano to math, logic puzzles, and leadership development (yes, LD can very much be a passion!) More than anything, Faina wants to create an environment that encourages women to learn, lead, create and succeed wherever life takes them—can I get an Amen!
"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." - Leonardo da Vinci
Faina is Russia-born, Kentucky-bred, and currently studies Mechanical Engineering and Spanish. Her passions range from painting, writing, and playing piano to math, logic puzzles, and leadership development (yes, LD can very much be a passion!) More than anything, Faina wants to create an environment that encourages women to learn, lead, create and succeed wherever life takes them—can I get an Amen!
"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." - Leonardo da Vinci
Hannah Bennett
Hannah Bennett is a 26-year-old medical student, currently in her third year at University of Louisville School of Medicine. She will graduate medical school in 2016 and plans on pursuing a career that allows her to fulfill her passions of preventative medicine and mental health in under-served areas, both domestic and abroad. Hannah is the mother of the fabulously sassy Harper, a six-year-old kindergartner with aspirations of becoming the world's first makeup and fashion stylist for cats and dogs. In her spare time (yeah, right), Hannah enjoys binge-watching Netflix with her daughter, spending as much time outside as possible, eating delicious food, drinking Kentucky bourbon, and attempting to cuddle with her cats, Rosie, Daisy, and Ron Swanson.
Hannah Bennett is a 26-year-old medical student, currently in her third year at University of Louisville School of Medicine. She will graduate medical school in 2016 and plans on pursuing a career that allows her to fulfill her passions of preventative medicine and mental health in under-served areas, both domestic and abroad. Hannah is the mother of the fabulously sassy Harper, a six-year-old kindergartner with aspirations of becoming the world's first makeup and fashion stylist for cats and dogs. In her spare time (yeah, right), Hannah enjoys binge-watching Netflix with her daughter, spending as much time outside as possible, eating delicious food, drinking Kentucky bourbon, and attempting to cuddle with her cats, Rosie, Daisy, and Ron Swanson.
Hannah Henriques
Hannah is a 24-year-old single mother of one darling little girl. Currently living in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Studying Visual Art, French, Theatre, and Anthropology with an end goal to work in documentary film. She likes good music, red wines, craft beer, tattoos, cooking, baking, reading, writing, back rubs, and is interested in current events and human rights movements. She is vegan, opinionated, and eager to learn from, and expand her views of the world. Read more from Hannah at her personal blog, Hello Henriques and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Hannah is a 24-year-old single mother of one darling little girl. Currently living in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Studying Visual Art, French, Theatre, and Anthropology with an end goal to work in documentary film. She likes good music, red wines, craft beer, tattoos, cooking, baking, reading, writing, back rubs, and is interested in current events and human rights movements. She is vegan, opinionated, and eager to learn from, and expand her views of the world. Read more from Hannah at her personal blog, Hello Henriques and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Janessa Berlanga
I am a former Texan living in a tiny apartment in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. I currently work as an English Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) for junior high and elementary school students. I’m still trying to adjust to life in a foreign country, and while some days are harder than others, I’m really loving this new adventure. My favorite things are eating and sleeping, but I also like to make time for important things like blogging, tumblr, and exploring my new (albeit temporary) home in Japan. You can read my witty and thoughtful musings on life in Japan at For the Broken Ones and find out all my dirty, dirty secrets at Really Great Bad Decisions.
I am a former Texan living in a tiny apartment in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. I currently work as an English Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) for junior high and elementary school students. I’m still trying to adjust to life in a foreign country, and while some days are harder than others, I’m really loving this new adventure. My favorite things are eating and sleeping, but I also like to make time for important things like blogging, tumblr, and exploring my new (albeit temporary) home in Japan. You can read my witty and thoughtful musings on life in Japan at For the Broken Ones and find out all my dirty, dirty secrets at Really Great Bad Decisions.
Jesse Powell
Jesse Powell is a writer living in Phoenix with her boyfriend Daniel and their four cats. She loves to read, practice yoga, decorate her home, try new recipes, hike, and talk about Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics. On her days off you'll find her meditating in what little grass she can find in the desert or enjoying local food with her friends. She likes her coffee creamy and sweet, her discussions lively, and her stories long.
Jessica Tincher
Jessica Tincher is a 20-something who works in Higher Education in Lexington, KY, where she is also training to become an elementary school guidance counselor. When she's not busy aspiring to help awkward kids make friends, she enjoys writing about the beautiful (often hilarious) things you discover when your life is in complete shambles. Her writing process requires lots of coffee, macarons, and Gilmore Girls.
Read more from Jessica at her blog, Rose Colored Glasses.
Kathryn Dickens
Kathryn is a senior dietetics student, Lexington, KY native, and former child clogger. When she is not studying nutrient digestion and absorption she is likely to be found tucked away in her tiny apartment mourning the end of 'mad men', nurturing her kombucha pet, or out wandering the aisles of Target and Trader Joe's. You can see annoying iPhone photos of her lunch here: kathrynlaned.tumblr.com).
Kathryn is a senior dietetics student, Lexington, KY native, and former child clogger. When she is not studying nutrient digestion and absorption she is likely to be found tucked away in her tiny apartment mourning the end of 'mad men', nurturing her kombucha pet, or out wandering the aisles of Target and Trader Joe's. You can see annoying iPhone photos of her lunch here: kathrynlaned.tumblr.com).
Lyndsay Rogers
Originally from Nicholasville, Ky, Lyndsay currently lives in Brighton, England with her boyfriend. She graduated in December after completing her Master’s degree from the University of Southampton, where she studied and wrote about cool stuff like cross-dressing in the late 19th century. Her interests are in travelling, food, reading, bourbon, writing, cats, music, and the seemingly existential moment of her current life where she is trying to jumpstart her professional career to make enough money to foster her goals. She enjoys trying not to live a cookie-cutter life, loving people, and the gut-dropping sensation of what will come next.
Originally from Nicholasville, Ky, Lyndsay currently lives in Brighton, England with her boyfriend. She graduated in December after completing her Master’s degree from the University of Southampton, where she studied and wrote about cool stuff like cross-dressing in the late 19th century. Her interests are in travelling, food, reading, bourbon, writing, cats, music, and the seemingly existential moment of her current life where she is trying to jumpstart her professional career to make enough money to foster her goals. She enjoys trying not to live a cookie-cutter life, loving people, and the gut-dropping sensation of what will come next.
Melissa Moon
Melissa is a graduate student currently living in the Lexington, KY. She originally hails from Seoul, South Korea and she is a major fan of all things Korean, particularly the food. Her interests include reality television, broadway musicals, shopping, big cities, British accents, and boneless buffalo wings, and babies! But seriously, she teaches a class of two year olds and they are the cutest angels alive. She is so excited to be a part of Girl-ish!
Melissa is a graduate student currently living in the Lexington, KY. She originally hails from Seoul, South Korea and she is a major fan of all things Korean, particularly the food. Her interests include reality television, broadway musicals, shopping, big cities, British accents, and boneless buffalo wings, and babies! But seriously, she teaches a class of two year olds and they are the cutest angels alive. She is so excited to be a part of Girl-ish!
Seline Jung
Seline was born in a small town called Concord, Massachusetts, but has lived most of her life in Seoul, Korea. She's a recent college grad living and working in Seoul as a post-production assistant for the upcoming indie film "Seoul Searching." She studied journalism and international relations at Boston University, so naturally is working a field totally unrelated to either. Her life aspirations include traveling across the U.S., publishing a book and owning her own dog resort in Korea.
Seline was born in a small town called Concord, Massachusetts, but has lived most of her life in Seoul, Korea. She's a recent college grad living and working in Seoul as a post-production assistant for the upcoming indie film "Seoul Searching." She studied journalism and international relations at Boston University, so naturally is working a field totally unrelated to either. Her life aspirations include traveling across the U.S., publishing a book and owning her own dog resort in Korea.
Valerie Frost
Valerie lives in the beautiful town of Berea, KY, where she graduated from the namesake college in 2013 with a degree in Psychology. Her favorite activity is riding her bike through the breathtaking hills of her small town, which combines her love for both the bucolic scenery and challenging physical activity. She is married to a beautiful Afghan man named Al and together they raise the gorgeous Gilbert, a chow/shepherd/mutt pup. Valerie considers herself to be an extremely happy person and believes that her appreciation for the little things has been the key to her success.
Valerie lives in the beautiful town of Berea, KY, where she graduated from the namesake college in 2013 with a degree in Psychology. Her favorite activity is riding her bike through the breathtaking hills of her small town, which combines her love for both the bucolic scenery and challenging physical activity. She is married to a beautiful Afghan man named Al and together they raise the gorgeous Gilbert, a chow/shepherd/mutt pup. Valerie considers herself to be an extremely happy person and believes that her appreciation for the little things has been the key to her success.
Marie-Claire DeJarnett
(Content Editor)
Marie-Claire DeJarnett is a freelancing francophone living in Atlanta, Ga. When she’s not writing, editing, or working at her other full-time job, she can be found watching 30 Rock, reading, or wandering around the shoe section at Target. Interests include Ritz crackers with Nutella, singing Elton John’s “Greatest Hits” in the shower, and hating sloths.