#tentops

Hitha Palepu is a pharmaceutical executive, lifestyle blogger, and travel expert who pens the popular website Hitha On The Go. She is also the founder of the Portavi Company, a travel consultancy changing the way people pack. When she’s not accruing frequent flier miles, she lives in New York City. Get to know Hitha Palepu the list-ful way...

Why did you choose to start your business and what do you love most about your work?

I've always been passionate about the most random things. As a child, I wanted to be a fashion designer / pediatric oncologist (yes, really). In college, I majored in biochemistry and history. This "dual-brained-ness" manifested itself perfectly in my career, where I currently serve as a vice president of business development at SciDose and the founder/editor of Hitha On The Go, a travel website and consultancy. No day is the same, and I love that I can work on my random passions (life sciences and travel/fashion) simultaneously.

THE BEAUTY RITUAL YOU MAKE SURE TO DO REGULARLY?

My at-home facial and a hot bath on Sundays – perfect way to end the weekend!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?

Juggling my full-time job (vice president of business development at a specialty pharmaceutical company) with my blog and side business. It’s been challenging, but also incredibly rewarding.

Opportunity is missed by people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

What has been your biggest splurge to date?

A pair of full-priced Alexander Wang shoes – a treat when I attained a big work accomplishment.

YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO?

I love Iron Man’s sarcastic wit, Batman’s toys, and the hotness of Henry Cavill (I mean Superman).

Your oldest, most favorite piece of clothing or pair of shoes?

A pink lace and sequined vintage dress from the 60’s. It’s my favorite thing in my closet.

Your must-have clothing item? An MM LaFleur dress!

The fashion item you can’t wait to change into when you get home from a long day?

A robe. In the winter, it’s a plushy warm one. But I’ve been wearing the cotton kimono I purchased in Japan 15 years ago as of late – it’s so light and comfortable!

Your favorite travel destination?

Russia for the history, Spain and Italy for the culture and lifestyle, and India to eat my family’s excellent home cooking.

Your must-have beauty item? Jack Black serum. Even though it’s intended for men, I absolutely love the way it feels and smells. My skin’s quality has improved dramatically since I started using it!

Want to learn more about Hitha On The Go? Follow her on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram or visit Hitha On The Go! 

Tze Chun is an artist and entrepreneur based in NYC. She is the founder of Uprise Art, an online gallery that makes collecting original art easy and affordable. Follow Tze and Uprise Art on Twitter and Instagram at @tzechengchun and @UpriseNYC. 

Last week, Uprise opened their newest pop-up exhibition, Plumb Line, on the Lower East Side. The exhibit features artists Erin Lynn Welsh & Anna Beeke (with whom we were fortunate enough to do a video collaboration in conjunction with their opening!). 

Based in Brooklyn, NY, Erin Lynn Welsh creates her large-scale, abstract oil paintings from photographs of the American landscape. Discover Erin’s landscapes in her online gallery and explore her snapshots on Instagram.

Anna Beeke, a Brooklyn-based photographer who has exhibited both nationally and internationally, explores the American forest and documents the unique place it holds in our collective imagination. See Anna’s works in her online gallery and follow her on Instagram.

Without further ado, get to know Tze, Erin & Anna the list-ful way!

– 1 – R&S / The fashion item you can’t wait to change into when you get home from a long day? TC / American Apparel’s tri-blend halter romper. It’s the opposite of work appropriate, so perfect for wearing at home! AB / In the summer, all I want to wear when I come home to a barely air-conditioned apartment is a loose, breezy tank top. Right now, I have this graduated knit tank by Left of Center (from Anthropologie) in a few colors. I probably wear one or the other for some period of time for more days in a row than I should.

– 2 – R&S / The beauty ritual you look forward to on a weekly basis? TC / A manicure catch up date with friends. AB / An extra long shower in total darkness, while I deep condition my hair.

– 3 – R&S / Your favorite nail polish color? TC / Right now it's Essie's Go Ginza. AB / Thanks to Rank & Style, my new favorite color is Chanel Azure! ELW / I have two, coral and nude.

– 4 – R&S / Your favorite superhero? TC / My mom! She taught me everything I know and I’m still learning. ELW / Batman always and forever.

– 5 – R&S / Your favorite breakfast item? TC / Chobani. The SoHo retail spot worked. I love making chocolate, mint, blueberry yogurt parfaits in the morning. ELW / It’s a tie between Liberte Lemon Greek flavored yogurt or a lemon poppy donut from Dough.

– 6 – R&S / Whats been your biggest splurge to date? TC / I'm a New Yorker so...my rent. AB / I usually save my splurges for photo gear, but I also go big for boots. I have about ten pairs of cowboy boots, which, when considered all together, I would consider a splurge! I was recently treated to a splurge by my aunt. We went to Burberry at Saks Fifth Avenue. I will say no more. ELW / I went to a Mara Hoffman sample sale and bought a dress I had been eyeing and a cute one piece black bathing suit. I love her textiles.

– 7 – R&S / You're having an overwhelming/stressful day – how do you relax, change your mindset? TC / Watch an episode of The Daily Show on Hulu and have a good laugh. AB / Work out! Whether at the gym or on the streets of my neighborhood, a good long dose of cardio always helps me to settle my racing mind and expel the physical tension in my body that results from stress.

– 8 – R&S / Celebrity whose wardrobe you'd like to steal? TC / Zooey Deschanel. AB / I can’t say that I covet the style of any particular celebrity, but I wouldn’t mind being able to pull off Audrey Horne’s (Twin Peaks) look!

– 9 – R&S / Last song you listened to? TC / #Beautiful. It's been a running joke/guilty pleasure in the Uprise Art office. AB / “I’ll Go Blind” by Doe Paoro. Not only is she an extraordinarily talented and unique rising artist, she also happens to be a friend of mine, and I’ve had the pleasure of listening to her sound evolve over the years.

– 10 – R&S / Your favorite cocktail? TC / Rye Manhattan on the rocks. ELW / Jalapeño margaritas!

Thanks for sharing ladies!