BIGthinkster

Protected: Culture & Crisis: Perspective from a Global Citizen

Hello, friends! This historic time has nudged me out of my personal writing hiatus, prompting me to reach out to BIGthinkster Jed Smithfor his insights. Jed and I crossed paths at Athleta, where his creative and leadership strengths positively influenced me (and many others) and helped catapult the brand to new heights. Jed was born and raised in South Carolina, has lived in eight U.S.…

A gift guide featuring three socially-conscious companies--all founded and led by women--that offer beautiful, meaningful products.

Gifting season has arrived, and with it the promotions and wish lists and one-for-you-one-for-me messages are more abundant than ever. I’m a fan of exchanging presence and handmade gifts, but for those who aren’t makers or don’t have time, how about supporting companies centered on a social mission? Here are a few of my favorites—all founded and led by women!— that offer beautiful, meaningful…

With the return of Carmen Sandiego for iPhone and iPad, I've activated the Chronoskimmer 325i to revisit her history. Join me!

The release of Carmen Sandiego Returns for iPhone and iPad has me feeling nostalgic, so I dusted off the old Chronoskimmer for some time travel to an era filled with fond memories. Amazingly, the 325i still works! Please join me for a flashback… CARMEN SANDIEGO, BADASS FEMALE CHARACTER Working on many of the Carmen Sandiego games developed in the ’80s and ’90s, in roles spanning creation of art…

Eyeing New York Fashion Week through a lens of social progress. Plus, an easy fashion hack.

NYFW: Evolution or Revolution?

Each season I follow New York Fashion Week with an eye on street style (mostly) and runway trends, and an appreciation for the creative expression that’s inspiring to people (like me) who love fashion. I’m also looking through the lens of social progress. Earlier this year I wrote about beauty diversity in the fashion and media world and highlighted one designer, Ca…

Bike to Work in Style

Fitness and fashion are professional and personal interests I’ve written about here and here. Yes, working out generally involves getting sweaty and sometimes dirty, but I’m still motivated by a cute, functional outfit. In my silly brain, fitness and style go together like dark chocolate and sea salt.

Biking is on my brain these days because 1) May is National Bike month, 2) I’m working with an…

A glimpse into the epic life of Tao Porchon-Lynch, the world's oldest yoga teacher, as she (literally) dances through her daily life →

Close your eyes, and imagine a typical day if you’re 96 years old. I know, should any of us outlive the average life span by 15 years, it’s tough (and maybe a bit scary) to envision how that will play out.

But what if you imagined age is just a number, and there’s nothing you cannot do?

Tao Porchon-Lynch Photographed by Robert Sturman

What if you stopped procrastinating and started embracing each…

BIGthinkster Spotlight: Fiterazzi Magazine Founder Jackelyn Ho is fierce and fighting back →

This destructive body image bomb is no match for Jackelyn Ho.

Like many relationships in today’s world, I first met Fiterazzi Magazine founder Jackelyn Ho “virtually” when I hired her to do a week-long Instagram takeover for my former employer. I was super impressed with her bold mission, passion and talent.  Because we’re both in the San Francisco bay area, and taking a relationship from virtual…