Welcome everyone to the @MNMOmag Twitterview with guest @Sonjaeileen from the @BeautyRoomMPLS. Lets have some fun today!

Sonja:    Hello!

So tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up, go to school, and what did you want to be as an adult?

Sonja:    I grew up in Excelsior, MN and went to Minnetonka HS. I went to Aveda to become an esthetician

I actually wanted to be a pilot. I wanted to go to UND in Grand Forks, but then I found the world of spas!

That’s a GREAT world! :) How did you know it was a good fit for you? Where did you start using your skills?

Sonja:    In high school I worked in a small spa as a receptionist & fell in love with the environment & work it was so peaceful

My first real job as an esthetician was in Santa Barbara, Ca. We used organic products & I fell in love with that too!

Santa Barbara CA is a good place to start! Did you get good tips? Did you get to work with any celebrities?

Sonja:    Worked in Santa Barbara for 3 years, then moved to LA. That’s when I started working on some celebrities

I worked on Montana in Santa Monica & at The Beverly Hills Hotel, which was the greatest experience ever.

have worked on Jennifer Garner, Pamela Anderson, Melania Trump and Kelly Osborne to name a few. It was fun!

The Beverly Hills Hotel was a crazy place for celebrity sightings! It was an unbelievable experience.

Wow! How were you treated by them? Did they want to talk about themselves or did they ask questions about you?

Sonja:    Actually, most of them were very nice. Not too much conversation in general (because they were relaxing!)

Every once in a while a celebrity would be stand offish, but for the most part they were cool.

Was the spa then kind of an oasis for them from the public, or would they get “swarmed” there too?

Sonja:    The BHH was know for being very private & protective of celebrities. They always felt comfortable there because they..

knew paparazzi were not allowed near the hotel. We couldn’t ask for autographs & could only address them by last name.

EX. Good afternoon Mr. Buffet. He was one of my favorites!

Do you mean investor @W_Buffett? Can you tell us what he had done?

Sonja:    No, I meant the singer, Jimmy Buffett! Sorry, different spelling.

And he didn’t do anything in particular. I was just excited to meet him :)

Neat. Lets move on to today. Where do you work now, and what kinds of services do you offer to clients?

Sonja:    Today I work @BeautyRoomMPLS on 43rd & Chicago. It’s a beautiful salon/spa where I specialize in facials, skin care,

and waxing. I use an all natural skin care line called @ARCONA_LA which has given my clients wonderful results.

Super! So what days of the week can people make appointments with you?

Sonja:    I work T 9-5 (every other) , W 12-8, Th 11-7, F 10-6 & S 10-4 (every other)

The Beauty Room is at 4300 Chicago Ave, Mpls 55407 612-724-4111. I would love for everyone to come check us out!

Good to know. What’s one skin tip that you’re giving to people with the weather we’re having right now?

Sonja:    Drink lots of water!!

Our climate is so dry, leaving us with dehydrated skin. Also, exfoliate a few times a week & use moisturizer daily.

Lastly. Got any big goals that you’re targeting for next year?

Sonja:    I eventually want to open a small boutique spa of my own. Not sure when it will happen, but stay tuned

Joel:    Great idea! Well thank you Sonja for sharing some of your life on Twitter today with the #MNMOtv audience. Take care!

Sonja:    Thanks so much Joel, I had a wonderful time.

Kristin Makholm

Hello everybody! Welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with @kmakholm (Kristin Makholm). Lets get started!

Kristin:     Hi Joel!

To begin, lets learn a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up, attend H.S and college?

Kristin:    I grew up in Milwaukee, went to Shorewood High School and college at Northwestern University.

When you were growing up, what were some of the fields of work you thought you might want to get involved with?

Kristin:    I was primarily a musician growing up–piano, bassoon, singing in choirs, and always knew the arts interested me

when I got to college, I rebelled and studied art history because I thought it would be cool to work in an art museum

I was a liberal arts geek, and studying art history was fascinating to me.

A good decision! So what kind of work did you do after college that led you to working at the MMMA?

Kristin:    Graduate school in art history at the U of M, internships at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Met in NY, the MIA

Curatorial jobs at the St. Louis Art Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum, gallery director at MCAD

It was probably all the contacts I made at those jobs that have been so important to what I’m doing now at MMAA.

Networking is always valuable! With there not being an actual museum space, at the moment, what does your role entail?

Kristin:    Well, trying to resurrect an art museum is a full-time job! I need to encourage people to continue to support us.

I need to refine the vision and mission of the MMAA to remind people of our importance to the arts in Minnesota

I’m also taking care of our great art collection and getting it out for people to see and appreciate around MN.

To get the message out to everyone who will listen! This takes the form of exhibitions, articles, and Twitterviews!

Fundraising!

Wonderful! Now isn’t there some kind of touring exhibit that lets people see some of the collection? Is there a website?

Kristin:    Yes! Our Treasures is our current traveling show of great hits from the collection.

It began its tour at the Tweed in Duluth and is now at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

It continues to Carleton College, the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, and ends back up here at the Weisman next winter.

All the info is at http://www.mmaa.org. Fabulous art by Paul Manship, George Morrison, Joan Mitchell, great stuff!

What’s the cost to see the “Our Treasures” exhibit? Regarding fundraising, what are some options for the public to help?

Kristin:    The show is free at all venues. It has a free treasure hunt brochure too for kids and families to investigate the art

We just restarted our membership program, so bringing everyone back to support the renaissance of MMAA is our goal.

$40 gets you reports on our events, exhibitions and the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping us get reestablished.

We’re looking for volunteers to help out. And we also accept donations in any amount!

When you’re not being the Dir of the Minnesota Museum of American Art, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Kristin:    Two kids (15 and 11) keep me busy, but I also sing in the Plymouth Church choir, which keeps my music buds active.

But it’s a full-time job just keeping up with exhibition openings and art events after 5 pm and on weekends.

Joel:     Thank you so much Kristin for sharing some of your life and work today on #MNMOtv. Have a great rest of the week!

Kristin:    Thanks! This was fun!

Romeny Chan

Good morning everyone! Welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with @RoeWolfe co-founder Romeny Chan!

Where did you grow up and go to school?

Romeny:    I grew up in Bloomington as a youth and finished my high school years in Burnsville…

I attended college in Winona for Advertising and English.. Oh, how I do miss the bluffs!

I see. So how did you get into the makeup and fashion business?

Romeny:    As far as I can remember, I was really into water painting. From there, I painted incessantly using all types of media…

Later, I made a natural transition into fashion and make-up. Truly enjoy working with faces and features

What then led you to open @RoeWolfe with Ashley Kilcher?

Romeny:    @LuLi795 and I have been in the fashion industry long enough to know it was time to evolve…

From being on sets, artistic direction behind spreads and fashion shows, we wanted our inspirations to be approachable

Hence, a “fashion marketplace” – a humble boutique that consults you. We are passionate and just as ambitious.

So your boutique is more than just a retail location right? How would you explain as to what you offer customers?

Romeny:    Yes! Our team are all artists and stylists. Every woman is different, so we make it an intimate experience…

Along w/ our high-end collections, we have @BECCA_COSMETICS - and so, we offer image consultations and lessons

Once women know that we embrace the many magnitudes of woman, there’s no questioning our integrity of services

I understand that you are a perfume specialist. Explain how you can help women in this area.

Romeny:    Olfactory love. We carry Nasomatto and Boadicea. Men and Women leave here in a silage of sentiment!

I had to make sure our lines were unisex. There’s such an art and intimacy in finding the right scent….

Lastly, what are some of the brands that you carry in womens fashion in your boutique?

Romeney:    To mention just a few, we carry: Darling, WinterKate, Love Sam, Darling and Saivana.

Items from Pendleton, Nasomatto and A Peace Treaty are unisex! And, our full cosmetics line : @BECCA_COSMETICS

Joel:    Thank you Romeny for your time and comments today! See @MNMOstyle‘s article for more details – Suburban Chic

Romeny:    It was a pleasure!

Good morning everyone! Lets start off the day with a Twitterview with a #CyberQueen like @VeraSweeney. Time for the fun to start! #jectv

Q – #1    So to begin @VeraSweeney, please share with us where you grew up and went to High School?

Vera:    I grew up in Astoria Queens – and went to St. John’s Prep

Q – #2    I see, so what was your next “life step” after High School? What interested you as far as job opportunities?

Vera:    I went to college in Albany and became a business consultant for both Accenture and Ernst and Young

I loved it but I wanted to do more coding and they kept putting me in front of the client.

Q – #3    Interesting. So how long did you stay on that course until you shifted to @imnotobsessed and other cyber ventures?

Vera:    After 9/11 I decided that I didn’t want to stay in a job that I didn’t LOVE. It took me a year, but I finally quit

Ended up teaching computers to K-8 at a local school in Queens. Did that for a few years and was happy

But then I got pregnant, was placed on bedrest, and then eventually became a stay at home mom

After 3 months or so of being home, I started to look for outlet. That’s when @imnotobsessed was born

It started out as a hobby – but then it just really caught on. Thats when I started to take it seriously

Q – #4    Great story! So about how many regular followers do you have for @imnotobsessed? An entertainment or gossip blog?

Vera:    I think we get about 5 million views a month on @imnotobsessed

Uniques are around 1.5 million

we write about gossip but it’s always PG rated

that was important for me because – as a mom – I never wanted to feel bad about my gig

Q – #5    Good for you! :) What is your source or sources for photos and info that you post? What has trended lately?

Vera:    I buy all my photos from WENN, FAME, and FLYNET

And after 6 years of blogging, I’ve ended up on a TON of PR blasts. I get most of my info from my email.

whats trending lately? Anything Twilight, pregnancies, Lohan, and Kardashian lol!

Q – #6    Is there any person or couple that you’re just TIRED of hearing about at this point?

Vera:    lol @JoelECarlson I dont want to insult anyone. There are some die hard fans out there. I never write negatively about celebs

Q – #7    I understand. Have you been able to parlay your @imnotobsessed blog to other biz opportunities or star connections?

Vera:    Ive had some great opportunities – done a few red carpet events, got a trip to costa rica to be on set for reality show

I’m so thankful @JoelECarlson ive been very blessed. It’s been a great ride. And I hope I have a few more years in me

Truthfully, these days most of my event invites come from http://ladyandtheblog.com though…

Q – #8    When you’re not taking care of your family and working on @imnotobsessed, what other interests take up your time?

Vera:    I love to read (when I can), play tennis during the warmer months, TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL. My fav hobby

I spend all day on the computer – so all my hobbies are offline.

Q – #9    Now some of your FAVORITES: Restaurant, comfort food, social media platform, recent book and celeb blogger.

Vera:    Ok! @JoelECarlson Fav Restaurant – La Nonna Bella in Long Island, Rosa Mexicana in NYC, Benihana (yeah I said it), Otto in NYC

Fav comfort food @JoelECarlson : fried chicken and colombian food (steak, rice, beans, plaintains)

Fav social media platform @JoelECarlson – Facebook – I find more interaction on that tool (twitter is second)

Fav recent book @JoelECarlson The Black Dagger Brotherhood (entire series) it’s like vampire porn so watch out, and The Hunger Games

Fav celeb blogger @JoelECarlson – dont have any. Is that bad? :)

Q – #10    Nope. You are your own creative leader. Do you think @imnotobsessed will ever include videos? (YouTube)

Vera:    I embed video (trailers etc) but I dont think I do enough to have my own YouTube channel.

Q – #11    To close. If you could have a meal with any one person (dead/alive), who would you pick and why?

Vera:    aw man that is a hard one. I guess I would pick… @JensenAckles__ (just kidding… or am i?)

no seriously I would choose my grandfather – miss him dearly.

@JoelECarlson:    That’s sweet! :) Thank you very much for your time and comments today. Enjoy the rest of your week. Regards! :)

Vera:    thank you for interviewing me! had fun :)

@JoelECarlson: Hello everyone! Lets get started with today’s Twitterview with @metrozing. She loves to organize!

Geralin: Good afternoon Joel, I’m ready when you are (and, even if you aren’t!)

Q – #1    Tell us first @metrozing, where did you grow up, where did you go to school and what was your 1st adult job?

Geralin: I grew up in the same hometown as: Gilda Radner, Eminem, Madonna, Lily Tomlin, Diana Ross, Bob Seger, Stevie Wonder

HS-> Warren, MI (Tower High, Vikings) College-> Chapel Hill, NC (University of NC, Tar Heels) BA

1st adult job: I was a travel agent (family vacations, honeymoons, continuing education for DDS at UNC Dental Schools)

Q – #2    So who were some of the players on the UNC basketball team when you were there?

Geralin: May I call foul or out of bounds? (dates+ages) How about if we just say Dean Smith was coaching; is that acceptable?

@JoelECarlson: Sure, I’m just a big fan or their team. No offense intended. :)  re:UNC BBall #jectv

Q – #3    Also, how did you go from a travel agent, to DDS to becoming a professional organizer?

Geralin: I coordinated continuing education trips; enjoyed keeping a lot of plates spinning – decided to do it full time.

Q – #4    How/when did you get connected to the “Hoarders” TV show?  Hoarding is really a physical and a mental health issue right?

Geralin: I was called *Julie McCoy* (cruise director of Love Boat) It made me think, hey, I *really* like organizing and . . .

I’ve been organizing on AE TV’s Hoarders since season 1 in 2009; u r correct, hoarding is a mental health condition.

My first hoarding client [non TV] was someone who had a shopping addiction. Her disorder fascinated me

Since working with that client I’ve become interested in the sociology of shopping, sales, marketing, advertising

Q – #5    Does that make it more difficult for you as the organizer? As opposed to someone who needs “light help”?

Geralin: Helping clients with mental health disorders is satisfying. It’s a population reluctant to reach out for help; stigma!

Hoarders are not your average consumers. They have a very different value system.

For anyone interested in behaviors + consumerism, Dan Ariely, April Benson and Lee Eisenberg are name to explore

Q – #6    So is the “1st step” for you to figure out the person before you figure out how to organize the space?

Geralin: My 1st step is usually discussing what the client’s goals are. How organized do they want to be? Why? Timeframe?

1. a phone consult 2. an assessment 3. collaborate with appropriate folks/form a team, last. hands on organizing

Q – #7    I see. You obviously do your work well. Do you ever get people that can’t get our of the “gear” that their currently in?

Geralin: Absolutely! There are some people that I don’t have the skill set to help: animal hoarders, senior dementia, etc.

My hoarding clients must agree 2 work with a therapist; I can’t treat/cure clients. I can help them manage their stuff.

Q – #8    More about YOU. Favorite(s) Restaurant, store, comfort food, travel destination, recent book/movie.

Geralin: Time for true confessions + my faves: I’m a documentary junkie and I LOVE foreign films with subtitles

Favorite comfort food: summer = ceviche while winter = cassoulet. Favorite reading: I read a lot of blogs

My favorite destinations have been Positano and St. Barts. Both have beautiful scenery, friendly people and fab food.

Q – #9    To end today, what’s 1 tip you’d give to people that may have the beginnings of a cluttered home?

Geralin: Need Help Organizing? Institute for Challenging Disorganization + Natl Association of Professional Organizers can help

1 organizing tip: commit to owning less and enjoying it more

@JoelECarlson: Thank you for your time and sharing some thoughts today on #jectv. Keep up the good work that you do! :)

Geralin: Joel, today’s twitterview was my pleasure; thank you!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone and welcome to my Post-Oscars Twitterview with @KatrinaSzish. Lights, camera, action!

@KatrinaSzish – So much to discuss today! Fashion, co-hosts, speeches…

Q – #1    Before we get into the awards, a little bit about you. Where did you grow up? How did you get into fashion?

A: I grew up in Wyomissing, PA and always loved fashion. I modeled for many years but stopped when I got into Harvard

Q – #2    Harvard, wow! What did you major in, and then how did you get into reporting on fashion?

A: Studied English Lit and upon graduation moved to NYC and interned at CNN Style with Elsa Klensch. Moved on to VOGUE and GQ as editor

Then left magazines for TV and never looked back! Pop culture, fashion and entertainment are my primary “beats”

Q – #3    Very cool! Let now then move on to the #Oscars. What was your impression of how the hosts did and their fashion?

A: Enjoyed Anne Hathaway’s EIGHT costume changes, but I was disappointed by the “hip” hosts. Anne tried, James didn’t.

Billy Crystal should come back. The moment he took the stage, everyone seemed to let out a collective sigh of relief.

Was looking forward to the new era of Oscar hosting, but it fell flat — felt contrived and forced. James was way off.

Q – #4    Agreed. Of the presenters at the #oscars, who did you enjoy the most and who impressed you the least?

A: I thought Justin Timberlake’s “admission” to being Banksy was funny, and I love Mila Kounis’ insouciance — good pair!

Josh Brolin/Javiar Bardem were awkward (and the matching white coats were odd). Jude/Robert Downey banter was amusing

Reese is always a class act (though didn’t love her look). @IAMJHUD seemed nervous. So did Gwyneth during her solo!

Q – #5    There were some definite highs & lows. I have to agree though with @MrJayManuel, I did like Reese’s look. Best speech?

A: knows I think Reese looked like a bad prom goer. : ) Christian Bale’s speech felt the most authentic. I appreciated his

(cont) …humility and his ability to poke fun at himself (the expletive comment re: Melissa Leo). He was real.

I wanted to love Natalie’s speech, dress, etc., but she also seemed “off.” Also wished she had given Mila a shout-out!

Funny thing about Reese’s look — men seemed to loved it, women not so much. And I usually LOVE Reese!

Q – #6    I understand the 1k “thank you’s”, but if they’re said at #GoldenGlobes, why repeat at the #Oscars? Best men fashion?

A: Well, because it’s the #Oscars. It’s the biggest “thank you” to give or to get, so you can’t skimp! For men’s fashion…

Best-dressed man: Justin Timberlake in a perfectly-tailored classic Tom Ford peak-lapel tux. I also like the navy blue

(cont) navy blue trend for men this awards season. Lots at #GoldenGlobes and Robert Downey, Jr. last night.

Q – #7    Are you a fan of men that don’t wear the bow-tie but instead wear the standard neck tie? A smart look?

A: I always prefer a classic bow-tie. Every man looks handsome with a bow-tie. If a standard necktie is worn with a tux

then the tux better be impeccably tailored and elegant. I didn’t like Christian Bale in all black.

Q – #8    Lets shift to the actresses. Best hair, use of jewelry and best non-use of jewelry.

A: Best hair: Gwyneth. Sleek and modern, not fussy. The best use of jewelry was actually the NON-use of jewelry.

It was refreshing to see strapless dresses without huge earrings & necklaces detracting/distracting from the necklines.

Q – #9    Any style or fashion that you saw at the #oscars or other award shows that you think will catch on this year?

A: We’re going to continue to see dresses with higher necklines (a la Amy Adams/Michelle Williams) through next fall…

…as evidence by what was shown on many runways for Fall 2011 during New York Fashion Week less than 2 weeks ago.

Sparkle and sexy back details will also top trend lists. Color trends will range from nude/white to super-brights.

Q – #10    Did you enjoy #NYFashionWeek? Any specific “hot colors” for 2011?

A: I’ve covered #NYFashionWeek since 1996 (!), and it has changed a lot. BUT, there were some beautiful collections.

SPRING hot colors: coral, citron, honeysuckle, hot pink, lime green, white FALL hot colors: gray, orange, camel

Speaking of camel, the dress Gwyneth wore to perform last night was straight off of the @MichaelKors Fall runway.

@JoelECarlson – Thank you VERY much @KatrinaSzish for you review of the #oscars, your style suggestions and spending some of your time on #jectv today.

@KatrinaSzish – Thanks so much for having me! Such a fun format. Loving #jectv and the Twitterview.

@JoelECarlson – Hello, and welcome to the “Late-Night” Twitterview with @priorfatgirl. Lets get cooking…in a healthy way! :)

Q – #1    So @priorfatgirl, where did you grow up? Where did you attend HS & what did you do after HS?

A: Grew up in MPLS. High school = Champlin Park. After HS I did the college thing and ATE!

Typical post-high school routine. Worked FT & college nights which led to a lot of eating out, little workout out

Q – #2    I see. Did you have certain foods that were a weakness, or just anything & everything?

A: I didn’t have much for cooking skills so it was either from a restaurant or out of a box (just add water)

Q – #3    So when did you get that “it’s time for a change” feeling inside yourself?

A: a few yrs back, I was invited to a weight loss surgery seminar. Although I didn’t do the surgery, I was a candidate.

That was hard. It was an eye opener. I never realized how big I was. I thought I hid it well.

I left the seminar and joined a gym. Weight loss surgery was an option but one I opted not to take.

Q – #4    So how did you start losing all of the weight that you did, and when did you start blogging about it?

A: I started working out at the gym, 5-6 days/wk. In beginning it was slow on treadmill. Eventually I found the elliptical

I didn’t lose as much weight as I anticipated right away so a friend suggested I keep a food journal. That helped A LOT

I started blogging months after journey started when I realized I needed an outlet. A place to vent w/ ppl who got IT

Blogging quickly became my therapy. A place to whine and cry about how unfair it was that I seemed to struggle so much

As well as a place to share exciting things (non-scale victories or weight loss goals) & have people cheer w/ me

Q – #5    So how much weight did you lose in total? How have you been able to help others with the same goal? Any events?

A: I’ve lost 90lbs total and have maintained for 1.5 years now. I’ve tried to help others fight through the emotional side

Losing weight isn’t just about eating the right foods and doing the 5 exercises to get a flat tummy.

Being healthy is about fighting through the emotional drama that prevents you from eating healthy foods & hitting gym

I’ve had a couple of get-togethers w/ speakers to share on topics I find of interest too. Dietitians and such.

Q – #6    Is it still an emotional battle, in addition to a portions battle, to keep the weight off?

A: it’s emotional battle to control portions, not in addition to.Every meal,it is conscious thought on portion, even still

Q – #7    Lets shift a bit. Your FAVORITES: Restaurant, store, winter activity, comfort food & recent book?

A: Favorites… Restaurant: Subway. Store: All cuz I can shop anywhere now! Winter activity? I’m an indoors kinda gal!

Other favorites? fluffy dogs, cashews & eggs (but not together).

Q – #8    Fluffy dogs?? Your story is great Jen! To end, what mantra or motivation can you share to help others win the fight!

A: Forever and ever: One breath at a time, one step at a time. One bite, one decision.

@JoelECarlson – Thanks @priorfatgirl for your inspiration, time and comments. Keep up the good work and good spirit!

@PriorFatGirl – Thanks for twitterviewing me & sharing my story!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the @andy_giefer Twitterview today. Lets get rolling!

@Andy_Giefer – Thanks Joel, excited to participate!

Q – #1    So @andy_giefer, tell us about where you grew up and what you did out of High School.

A: Grew up in W St Paul, graduated from U of M’s @UMN_SJMC program, worked at integrated comm agency in Mpls

Also managed to sneak 4 months abroad in Europe b/t school and work.

Q – #2    So what do you do now, and who do you work for?

A: Social media specialist @anytimefitness w/ SEO in the mix. On the corporate level and consultant to franchise owners

Q – #3    What are some of the challenges in using social media in the fitness world?

A: Credible info is vital – people rely on you to help improve themselves. Also, giving encouragement w/o sounding trite

Q – #4    I see. What kinds of fitness/workout activities do you do or are you involved with personally?

A: I love to run. Some yoga, some strength training, and recently I’ve taken up XC skiing. Been a great winter for that!

Q – #5    Maybe TOO good! :) @andy_giefer A #jectv follower question for you – How do you train during the winter without being stuck inside?

A: I’m of the belief that live in MN, you have to embrace winter. I run outdoors year-round – no problem if u dress 4 it.

Q – #6    FAVORITES Question: Restaurant, store, neighborhood to run, winter activity and pro athlete.

A: Restaurant: Butter Cafe in the day, Eli’s at night. I like cozy, friendly places w/ great food

Pro athlete: right now I’d say K-Love. But I’m a sucker for the Twins

Store: REI, Neighborhood to run: the MPLS lakes of course! Winter activity: quickly becoming xc skiing.

Props to 2 great local stores: Midwest Mountaineering & Marathon Sports

Q – #7    Do you have any personal or professional goals that your hoping to achieve in the next year or two?

A: One personal goal is to shake the rust off my Spanish – amazing how much you lose in few short years

Professional: take our mobile/local social media efforts to the next level. And to get out and meet more tweeps IRL!

@JoelECarlson - Excellent! Thanks @andy_giefer for your time and comments today. All the best with your work and goals!

@andy_giefer – Thanks @JoelECarlson – pleasure’s all mine!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone! Welcome to Twitterview No.200 with special guest @Real_Genevieve! She’s from Minnesota! Let get this party started.

@real_genevieve – I’m ready @JoelECarlson Let get this party started.

Q – #1    So @real_genevieve, where did you grow up in MN, and how did you get interested in home design/decorating?

A: I grew up IN the city, 32nd Colfax

My family bought old victorians in the 80′s and we’d restore them from top to bottom, these are my first design memories

I come from an art driven family, it’s just wiring and support for beautiful comes naturally from all of us

when I say city I mean, I am South High, I’m KMOJ (the 1000 watt giant), lived in uptown before there was a calhoun sq. ha ha

Q – #2    After high school, did you get schooling/training in design? How did you land your 1st TV gig?

A: Yes, I went to Lewis & Clark College in Port. Or thinking I would be in International Affairs…but I found design, one class and

it sent me straight to NYC where I attended and graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in design.

I also studied in Europe for close to a year at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Holland, but I can never just study…

I would always be working/interning in design along with fulltime school. In NYC I worked at MTV for several years in the design dept

In Holland, it was so much design theory and not enough practice so I worked in a small studio out there called muskadelic

So, in short. Yes, I’ve had extensive training, I’m a real designer who just happens to be on TV

Post design school, my 1st job was one of my greatest. A co. from MPLS called Duffy Design.

Joe Duffy was and is an incredible design mentor to me.

Q – #3    When did you 1st start appearing on TV doing design work, and how has it evolved for you?

A: I first started doing design on television 11 years ago, this has been an incredibly long ride. I’m enjoying the entire journey

design television and myself have grown up together. My life experiences evolve my vision and curiousity

I have 2 be incredibly prolific and am unable 2 repeat myself. There’s an incredible amount of pressure,but thats how I operate best

Q – #4    DM’d question – @real_genevieve Did you ever work for Prince? In what capacity? Ever considered a home goods line as a side venture?

A: Yes I worked for Prince. I worked at Glam Slam as a teenager…he is and will always be a god to me. I’m forever 16 when I see Prince

Being from Minneapolis, Prince is less of a performer to us but more of a religion, we throw down for him

I do have many home goods coming out this year Bedding, Textiles, Accessories and Rugs

to keep inspired, u have to keep moving. Travel. It is the great educator. every yr. I push myself out there for a design mission

Last year, my roots. I went to Croatia & Norway to study embroidery & rosemalling. I came back refreshed w color and new eyes.

I actually filmed it, went to ancestral homesteads and met my family on both sides…humbling, unforgettable, forever inspiring

Bedding-Springmaid/Wamsutta in spring, Rugs-Surya, Accessories-Target Fall, textiles-everywhere

Q – #5    Great! With the “New Economy”, have you changed your style or approach to fit more of people’s needs?

A: My approach never changes, my mediums change with peoples budgets.

It never gets boring, out of desperation comes creativity. Small budgets make me feel like I’m in art school again, it’s a challenge

Q – #6    DM’d question – Can you be hired as a private designer? Also, what is the link for your design studio?

A: I can be hired privately, it’s rare that I have time but occasionally I’ll do a juicy project.

I like to do pro bono charitable spaces during my “free time” or hospitality

Q – #7    Your FAVORITES: Restaurant, store, activity/sport, city for vacation & your comfort food.

A: MY FAVORITES in MPLS or in the world?

@JoelECarlson – Both. Re: Favorites

A: favorite cities in the world? New York, Istanbul, Rome, Paris, Marrekesh….for getaway disappear? Villasimius in Sardinia, poof!

Fav sport? I’m a soccer girl thru college, but have always been athletic xxskiing, etc and my latest obs. running. I’ve got a club

restaurants: in mpls: bar la grassa, the old lotus and swedish meatballs from ingebretsens

restaurants in NYC and the world? we’d need a whole separate interview, too many!!!

Q – #8    Understood. What is the most common & simplest mistake to fix that you see done in peoples homes right now?

A: fear. People are paralyzed by fear of making a mistake in their home. This is why they’re all beige. This can easily be fixed

The unbeiging of America will be my lifes work, ha ha ha

Q – #9    Unbeiging. You should copyright that! :) What advice would you give to designers just starting out?

A: to designers just starting out…lead from your heart first, head second. Design is an emotional practice not a science.

Your job as a designer is to imagine harder than everyone else in the room. Your eyes must ALWAYS be open.

We are visual therapists.

@JoelECarlson – THANK YOU so much @real_genevieve for being my guest today for No.200! Keep up the great design work!  All the best to you.

@real_genevieve – Thank you, to all of you! It was a privilege.

@JoelECarlson – Hi everybody! It’s time for Twitterview No.2 today, and our guest is @inkblotsart. Lets get this started!

@inkblotsart – I’m doing this via iPhone so I apologize for any delays!

Q – #1    No worries. iWon’t get mad about an iPhone. :) So to start @inkblotsart, tell us where you grew up and where you went to school?

A: I lived in St. Paul until I was 5 then lived most of my childhood in Little Canada, a St. Paul suburb.

I went to Roseville HS for high school, spend 4 years at the U of M and graduated from Globe College (now Globe University).

*Spent 4 years…yay iPhone auto correct. :)

Q – #2    So how did you get to become a digital artist, and please also explain what your art form is?

A: I went to school for graphic design and absolutely love working on computers. I’ve always been somewhat artistic so it was a good fit

Digital art is art created using a computer as your medium. Whether it’s painting, collage, fractals, etc.

I became a digital artist because I was rejected from interior design school. I failed my portfolio review b/c I used too much color!

Q – #3    Failure brought you to a good place! :) So explain what your collages are about and where ppl can see them now.

A: Well I have 3 different facets of work: location collages, mixed media collages and custom work.

The location collages are based on a city, neighborhood, college or event. I go out and take all of the photographs for them.

The mixed media collages are mostly focused around vintage themes & use advertisements from old magazines.

The custom work is collages that are created for individuals or businesses using photos & other items that they provide me with.

Q – #4    You now have a gallery opening up where people can see your work. Where is it, and when does it open?

A: People can find my work at retail stores around town and at art fairs during the summer.

The gallery is called Studio at 795 and is located at 795 Raymond Ave in St. Paul. Right down the street from Keys Restaurant.

The grand opening is tonight!! From 7-10. Live music & cupcakes!!

It’s a collaboration with my boyfriend Karl Johnson, who is a photographer. He’ll be here tonight shooting portraits for $25.

We’ll be open tomorrow from 10-5 for a more family friendly event. Hot cider & cookies & balloons for kids.

Q – #5    Cool! Now to you personally: what are you FAVS – restaurant, store, winter activity, tech gadget & color.

A: Favorite restaurant: Cecil’s Deli. Fave store: toss up between Ikea & West Photo. Fave gadget: my iPhone!

I just learned to snowboard so I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite winter activity just yet, but it’s getting there. :) #jectv

And as my Twitter profile says, I’m a chartreuse fanatic, or any kind of lime-ish green color. My dad now calls it “Giesla green”.

Q – #6    Funny! :) So to end, what is a thought of the day or a mantra that you would like to share with everyone?

A: I have a print behind my desk that says “you’ve gotten this far, keep going.” It reminds me that you have to keep moving forward.

@JoelECarlson – Very good! It was a pleasure to meet you and all the best to you and Karl on your new studio. Thanks for your time.

@inkblotsart – Thanks so much, Joel! It was great chatting with you.

PHOTO – Karl Johnson of Scape Photography – www.scape-photo.com