Hello everyone! Welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with Stacie Clark of @TigerAthletics. Lets get running!

Tell us a little bit about yourself Stacie. Where did you grow up and go to school?

Stacie:    I went to college at Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana. But I call Minnesota “home”:)

I see. So when did you decide that you wanted to get into the training/workout business?

Stacie:    I’ve always been athletically inclined…loved sports and anything that had to do with working out.

So after college, I became certified and started training on the side and doing group classes, races,

I ended up having such a passion for it and life itself, I mean it is a “lifestyle”..that I decided

to do this full-time with my husband Chris Clark…LOVE IT!

So Tiger was born in 2005

That’s great to be able to share your passion with your husband! Did it take some courage to start your own Co?

Stacie:    ABSOLUTELY! A lot of hard work and passion…it’s a journey, but one well worth being traveled.

What was your orginal business plan as to what services you’d offer to the public?

Stacie:    The 1st biz plan was to originally offer classes and training for youth athletes ages 6-15yrs.

We have since expanded to over 20 youth/adult weekly class offering; summer FIT camps;

Mexico FIT adventures, private coaching, team coaching/training and more! You can now find us all over

the Twin Cities metro:) We are mobile so it’s generally easy to find us at one of our locations.

What would you say drives your passion to help people get or stay fit? Is mental coaching involved in what you do?

Stacie:    What drives my passion is seeing the joy of everyone’s success and seeing them move thru space…

so that’s a wide client base…but such a niche. It involves passion on our end just as much as the

physical ability and mental coaching aspect to motivate the audience we have.

If someone is thinking about starting on an exercise regiment for the 1st time. What do you recommend to start with?

Stacie:    From there, most people generally lack a cardio base/foundation and core training….so it’s our job

to assess and write a program that is realistic for them to handle and achieve with success. I always

like giving my clients “homework” to do on their own too. When they don’t do it, I know it…:)

More about you. Your FAVORITE: Place to run, restaurant, store, athletic gear, hobby other than exercise.

Stacie:    FAV places to run r: Mexico on beach & French Park in Plymouth…miles of trails. So beach + trails.

FAV restaurant: Kobe sushi Plymouth;my husband’s laughing b/c he says I need to say “Texas Roadhouse!”

FAV store: LOVE shopping in NY..fav is Zara, H&M, Barneys Coop…in my past life I was the

Fashion Director for Marshall Fields-turned-Macys..so I love Fashion. For me,what I wear has to be

functional as well…it’s my everyday outfit. I shop at Lululemon;looking cute is part of the job too!

Can you explain what MEXICO Fit is about and what you’re launching today?

Stacie:    Mexico FIT is a group trip we organize 2xs/yr; Feb and Nov. The great thing @ the trip is it makes you

want to train in advance and excel while your there. We train 2-3 hrs/day. You get results in just

4-5 days…then the last day we do an Adventure FIT race. U go beyond what u think u can do. Today we

we are launching 20+ classes geared towards youth & adult hi-energy fun, but result-oriented.

Sure to make u sweat! Classes are $20 single or class packs of 5,10, 20 for discounted px’s. Would love

to see you all come out & give us a try. Find us: Planet Spirit,Hot MamaEdina, MiniHops, Balanced Barre

Sounds like training for women since they are at womens stores? Anything going on this summer?

Stacie:    It’s training for men & women..only Hot Mama is a female store. YES! Summer FIT camp. Kids ages 4-18 train w/Chris

and the adults (moms,dads, nannies,athletes) train with ME! Think hurdles, strength bags, pushups, dirt

hills, weights, sandbags and more! SO FUN! Most importantly the kids and adults train simultaneously

Joel:    Thanks for sharing today Stacie some of your work and passions on #MNMOtv! Have a great week and keep up the good work!

Stacie:    on the field. Summer Camp starts June 12th! Thank you and hope to see you!

About 2 years ago, March 2010, I came up with the idea of a new way for people to share more about themselves on Twitter, called Twitterviews. It would consist of a 1hr interview, conducted totally on Twitter. It would allow them to share things about themselves such as where they grew up, their interests, hobbies, passions and their goals for themselves for the future. Not only did it provide more exposure for them to other people, it turned out to be a great networking tool for myself and for them as well. I’ve currently conducted over 300 of them, and am still benefiting from them. In fact, it led me to now conducting them on behalf of the locally based magazine, Minnesota Monthly. What an opportunity!

This leads me to my next venture. Starting this Thursday, February 16th, I will be starting a NEW YouTube series of interviews with people in Minnesota called: Faces of Minnesota.   It will be interviews conducted with people in a variety of fields of work and backgrounds. You may have seen, heard or read some of their work, but these interviews will let you learn even more about them. I’m also pleased to announce that my first guest will be Elizabeth Ries of “Twin Cities Live” and the “Dirt Alert” on My Talk 107.1 FM. She’ll be a great start to this brand new series.

Joel Carlson & Elizabeth Ries

I hope that you enjoy this new series as you get to know more about the featured guests. If you have a suggestion or an idea of someone that you feel would make a great featured guest, please Tweet me, send me an email or call me. I’d be happy to hear and take your suggestions.  Enjoy!

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!

Hello everybody! Stay warm and follow today’s #MNMOtv with #DaraCo blogger @FreshTartSteph. Lets roll!

Stephanie:    Ready @JoelECarlson ! We should talk about food or something, ha. Thanks for inviting me!

So @FreshTartSteph. Tell us, where did you grew up, attend school and what did you want to be when you grew up?

Stephanie:    I grew up in freezing cold Grand Forks, ND. College in freezing cold Madison, WI at UW. Now I live…yeah. I wanted to be a chef.

I think it’s called “Cold Country”. :) So when did you start food blogging and what was your intended focus?

Stephanie:    Indeed :) I started food blogging Jan 6, 2006. My birthday!

“I can hardly imagine that anyone would ever want to read what I think about things…” My first blogged sentence. Still true, ha.

My intended focus was moderation. A concept I, um, struggle with. My blog at the time was called Moderate Epicurean – dumb name.

I changed my blog’s name to Fresh Tart a couple of years ago, but really, there’s still an underlying theme of moderation, health…

…eating real, whole food. That’s what I honed in on over time. Eat Real Food. Simply prepared. Cook for your family.

Interesting. What would you say your focus is now and how has being a GF eater effected you and your blogging?

Stephanie:    Being a #glutenfree eater has changed my life and definitely Fresh Tart. The whole food focus hasn’t changed, but I post very few…

…recipes that contain gluten or any grains at all. Recipes focus on vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, little dairy. I’m NOT…

…a fan of packaged #glutenfree food anymore than I am about packaged food in general. I think it’s fair to say that you…

…wouldn’t know that I’m #glutenfree by reading Fresh Tart. It’s just about cooking real food.

Alright. So how and when did your relationship with @MNMOmag start? Do you post for any other Co.?

Stephanie:    I met @DearDara at a wine tasting without knowing who she was. Gave her my blog name. Almost fell over when I actually introduced…

…myself. BIG. FAN. GAH. Anyhow, she read my blog, told me about the #DaraCo idea, I said I’d love to contribute, we launched…

…spring of 2010, I believe. I love how all of our perspectives come together, I’m very proud to participate. I also contribute…

…@ShootTheKitch with @susanpowers. @andrewzimmern’s Kitchen Adventures @fandw. I intend many more recipes for @Stuffed_Pepper…

…which is specificially #glutenfree recipes, great blog. I have a few recipes coming out in cookbooks this year, food photos…

…in other publications, working on a cool book concept, working on a food blog conference idea. How insanely fun, right? Amazing.

Food-socialite! Besides being a food blogger, you’ve also grown as a photographer. When did that interest start?

Stephanie:    I’ve always loved taking pics, millions of pics, I just used to photograph my then-baby, Nathan. And my garden. And my party food…

…which my family thought was weird. I got interested in improving after I saw the horror of what I was first posting on my blog.

To me now, it’s all about the pics. As @susanpowers says, if people don’t want to eat the food in the photo, forget it. No one…

…come back to your blog. Not now. Not now that standards have changed, in the world of @foodgawker & @tastespotting.

How much would you say photographs add in value to a food blog?

Stephanie:    Photographs – GOOD photographs – are imperative. Instant bonding with a reader. Something to chat about. Drives a recipe…

…and its potential into someone’s brain, and stomach, in 1 second. Done.

It makes me sad for chefs/restos when people take bad phone pics & post them. All that hard work, made ugly. Don’t do that :(

So how has your #MNFoodBloggers group been doing, and what other food related projects do you have in the wings?

Stephanie:    The #MNFoodBloggers are on fire as a networking group. Who knew? Our FB page http://on.fb.me/qj8AqA has more than 320 members…

It’s an all-day conversation about food, recipes, photos, job opportunities, on and on. Follow @MNFoodBloggers + #MNFoodBloggers!

The coolest thing #MNFoodBloggers are doing is raising money for local food charities. We’ve only just begun, but more than $2000

…so far, with more ideas in the works. In fact, those are the other food-related projects I’m most excited about. Food + kids!

We have a website, rough, but in process www.mnfoodbloggers.com. So far @GourmetGlee is contributing blogger spotlights. My sis

…@staceymaude manages the rather lengthy blogroll. And @littlepod is publicizing local food events. MUCH to do, redesign, badge…

Recent or long-term FAVORITE: Restaurant, comfort food, cooking tool and seasoning or spice.

Stephanie:    Mmm dude, I am genetically programmed to not pick faves. Did you hear me on @weeklydish? I eat @128cafe @HeidisMpls @CTKitchentable

Also @VincentMpls (twice yesterday, yah), loved @Victory_44 last week. Heading @Solera_mn next week, can’t wait. Lots of cocktails..

…Marvel Bar, yum. Honestly, I don’t even eat out that much bc I cook so much. Comfort food…polenta, I think. W tons of butter.

Tool: Sharp knives. Die without them. Spice: Cardamom obsessed at the moment, it shifts. I’m fickle.

You’ve been on a few radio programs lately. Would you consider your own show or segment on radio or TV?

Stephanie:    Dude! Way to put me on the spot, evil. I…don’t know. Flying by the seat of my pants. I love doing all of it. I’ve had a few chats

…about radio, TV, who knows, could be a blast, could be nothing. Fun to see where it all goes. All signs point toward –> FOOD.

And shoes :) And fun. All signs point toward fun, yes!

Joel:    I’ve got to keep the Twitterview SPICY! (Food pun). Thanks Stephanie for your time and comments today. Great fun!

Stephanie:    Thanks so much @JoelECarlson! Blast!

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! Welcome to the inaugural @MNMOmag Twitterview with Chef Steven Brown of @TiliaMpls. Lets begin!

Q – #1    To start off with Steven, please share a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up and attend High School?

Steven:    I’m a native of Worland, Wyoming, but I grew up and attended school in Custer, SD

Q – #2    I see. So when did you start learning how to cook, and how did you end up coming to the Twin Cities?

Steven:    I have been a fan of Betty Crocker since the age of 4 & I wanted 2 make dishes like Baked Alaska & Seafood Newberg

By the time I was 12, I was working in a restaurant in the Black Hills. I made $1/hr!

Q – #3    Wow, $1/hr! Lets fast forward closer to today. Was it always a dream of yours to have your own place?

Steven:    Absolutely- Every cook of any worth that I have ever know always wanted to own their own place

That said, this is all a dream come true. I know it’s #Thanksgiving, but golly I feel fortunate.

Q – #4    What kind of work goes into coming up with a menu for a new restaurant?  Were some things in your head already?

Steven:    Inspiration is all around us. Many of the dishes were things that I had been thinking about for a while

Ex) the spicy shrimp scampi (my fav) I made for my wife when she was saying there was nothing to eat in the house

Q – #5    Fun! For those possibly new to you and to @tiliampls, what are a few of your most popular dishes and appetizers?

Steven:    Most popular would be Fish Taco Torta or our newest dish: scallops with parsnips, browned butter and lemon.

Our friend @andrewzimmern loves the BLT dogs with pickled cauliflower, bacon and tomato & spicy mustard.

We also have a great brunch! The lobster Benedict with bacon hollandaise sauce is a crowd favorite.

Q – #6    It all sounds fabulous! More local restaurants are using local ingredients in their dishes. Where does yours come from?

Steven:    We get a lot locally- Riverbend Farms, Footjoy Farms and Wild Acres, just to name a few.

Starting next yr, we’re excited to be working w/ @McKinleyComm, an urban community farm, to grow produce for us

Q – #7    Super! In the evening, you’re always packed. If a person has some flexibility in their day, what’s a good time to come?

Steven:    Great question. To avoid a long wait for dinner, anytime before 6pm or after 9pm is a good bet

Q – #8    Would you mind sharing what your hours of operation are so that followers know when the doors are open?

Steven:    We’re open 11am-1am M-F & 9am-3pm and 4pm-1am on Sat & Sun. The 1 hr break on the wknds is to give the cooks a rest!

Q – #9    With @tiliampls’ success, they’ve earned it! How does the success and the “Best New Restaurant” honor from @MNMOmag feel to you?

Steven:    I feel extremely humbled and honored. I never thought in a million years that this would happen to us.

We were just hoping to have a little neighborhood place where we could live up to our motto: good food tastes good

A big thanks to all of our customers and staff- without you, we’re truly nothing

Joel:     You’re doing a great job Steven! Thank you so much for your time and comments today on #MNMOtv. Enjoy the fruitage of your work!

Steven:    Thx, Joel. Happy Thanksgiving. Hope 2 see u soon 2 try our new seasonal ales, like Saison Avec les Bons Voeux (shameless plug)

@JoelECarlson: Hello everyone, and welcome to today’s Twitterview with @ssoli of @MNMOmag. Lets bring some sunshine to gray/rainy day.

Q – #1    So @ssoli, tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up and go to school? What was your first job as an adult?

Sara: I grew up in So. MN – Granada to be exact. I attended @UofStThomasMN for undergrad in PR.

I also received my grad degree from @USTbusiness. My first “adult” job was in marketing @PioneerPress.

Q – #2    What got you interested in PR, and then where did your job with the @PioneerPress lead you?

Sara: PR seemed to marry biz and personality which really appealed to me.

After 7+ yrs. @PioneerPress I found an exciting job @MNMOmag.

Q – #3    What is your role at @MNMOmag, and what other publications are you involved with?

Sara: I head up the Mktg Team for Greenspring Media Group. We publish @MNMOmag @MidwestHomeMag @MeetingsMHJ plus

Where:TC, Real Food, Drinks and more great pubs. We also produce #luxuryhometour, #foodwineshow, #chefchallenge, . ..

Q – #4    So quite few? :) How would you say print media has had to change in the past 5-10yrs due to the internet and social media?

Sara: Honestly, publishing today means print plus interactive – online and soc. media

Everything we do has multiple approaches, print, digital, social, event, etc…

Q – #5    For sure. More about YOU. Favorite(s): Restaurant, store, comfort food, recent book/movie and a hobby of yours.

Sara: We are blessed in the TC to have a multitude of great restaurants – it is too hard to name a fav. Shopping is …

pure bliss and I will shop anytime/anywhere. Most movies are animated lately (kids) – Gnomeo and Juliet was cute…

As far as hobbies beyond representing @MNMOmag around town, I enjoyed running and my family and friends.

Q – #6    What do you feel makes MSP such a great place for marketing and publishing?

Sara: We have a weatlh of creative talent in this market. Our ad and pr agencies are top notch, we are one of the only …

markets to have 2 daily newspapers, 2 long-standing city regional publications and strong radio and tv representation.

All of those make for a great environment for mktg and publishing – as well as living in an educated & active city.

Q – #7    To close, what kind of schooling/skills would you encourage people to get in order to get into your line of work?

Sara: Education is always important, I would suggest studying mktg, biz, pr, etc. Internships are also key … they provide

hands on experience and connections. Volunteering for non-profits can also provide great experience and build your …

resume and portfolio. Lastly, I would say hard work and focus. You are in charge of your own career.

@JoelECarlson: Thanks @ssoli for your time, comments and advice today. Keep up the good work!

Sara: Thanks @JoelECarlson! It was my pleasure.

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of @MNMOstyle (Katie Dohman) today. Lets get on the runway!

@KatieDohman – Hi! I’m ready for ya.

Q – #1    So tell us @MNMOstyle, where did you grow up and what steps lead you to working for @MNMOmag’s style section?

A: I grew up in West St. Paul, and attended the U of M j-school, with internships at the Pioneer Press and Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.

Then worked as a weekly newspaper editor, then in the style dept. at Mpls.St.Paul, where I learned what style reporting is all about.

After a layoff, I worked for Brain Traffic, a web-writing firm, for 2 years. Then, the position opened up @MNMOmag and I was hired!

Q – #2    Neat. So what would you say Katie is your approach to style reporting? Who is your niche or demographic target?

A: My approach: Everyone can and should have a well-styled life, from home to fashion to beauty to health/wellness.

And I think you can do that on ANY budget. And latest trend is not always “style.”

Coco Chanel once said “Fashion fades, but style is eternal.” If it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for me!

I want to help people feel good about themselves, be stylish without being talked down to, and to reap positive impact of good style.

Q – #3    What have you found to be unique about the stores and boutiques in MN that is different from say NYC or LA?

A: Retailers know we want great style, but they also know we have realities . . . i.e. open-toed boots don’t work in snow.

Q – #4    Lets now focus on other interests of yours. Your Twitter BIO mentions dogs. Can you elaborate on that?

A: I’m dog crazy, plain and simple. I adopted my cockapoo at 8 years old from the Animal Humane Society of MN…

And as such consider myself an advocate for adopting rescue dogs, especially senior ones. Old dogs can learn new tricks!

I think that living a stylish life means doing good for others, and while I get a lot out of having a pet, it also saved an animal.

Q – #5    You should definitely connect with @BeckyEwert! More about you, FAVS: restaurant, store(s), winter activity and gadget.

A: Restaurant: Taste of Thailand or Ruam Mit. Can’t get enough Thai food. Winter activity: reading (I’m not into snow).

Stores: tough, because it depends what I’m shopping for! Love Lula and @Rewindvintage for vintage, Picky Girl. Focus on local/indie.

Gadget: not really gadgety. I guess I would pick my phone, but it’s not a fancy one. I have a press to emboss my books with my name!

Q – #6    No problem. :) Is travel something that you’re interested in, and if so, where have you been?

A: LOVE traveling. SO many places I want to go. I got engaged and married in Hawaii, so that’s especially notable.

I spent three weeks in Thailand this past winter, touring the country. It was completely amazing–trip of a lifetime.

Q – #7    Sounds like fun! So to end with you today Katie, what’s 1 or 2 style tips you’d give for people dressing for winter?

A: 1. Tights/leggings keep you warm, on-trend 2. Tall boots! 3. Infinity scarves. 4. Outerwear can absolutely be stylish.

@JoelECarlson – You are a VERY busy person, so thank you so much for your time and comments today @MNMOstyle! Have a good afternoon.

@MNMOstyle - It was my pleasure. Thanks for thinking of me! Happy Monday, all!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone and welcome to the Food Friday Twitterview of @FreshTartSteph, a cook, blogger and photographer. Lets get cooking!

@FreshTartSteph – Hi Joel! Thanks for inviting me!

Q – #1    So @FreshTartSteph, where did you grow up, what HS did you attend and did you get schooling or training after that?

A: Grew up in SW Minnesota (Lakefield!) & Grand Forks, ND. Graduated Red River High School, go Roughriders.

UW-Madison for college, I’ll just say Go Bucky instead of the usual off-color cheer. Pure class, Badger fans, ha.

Q – #2    So what kinds of classes did you take?

A: I was an early political science major, didn’t wear enough patchouli for that crowd, changed to communication arts.

Best class was Our Hazardous Environment (summer, sci credits), about tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes. Fascinating.

Maybe I should have been a meteorologist?

Q – #3    You should follow @ChikageWindler. :) So what steps took you from that to what you do now with food?

A: Always loved the kitchen & cooking, always. I was a very picky eater as a child, but loved what I loved.

Cooking and learning to cook gave me control over my food. Plus I was fascinated by the process of transformation.

Still am! Also, I come from a family of great cooks. Mom, stepmom, grandmothers, aunts. All good. I’m lucky.

And I’m grateful they let me mess around, nurtured a taste for real food. I ate plenty of crap as a teen/young adult…

But the seeds of enjoying real food were planted. I hope I’m doing the same for my kids. Who love to eat crap!

Q – #4    Besides your own blog, you also post for the @mnmomag. What would you say is your focus or theme regarding food?

A: Home cooking with real, fresh ingredients. I endeavor to keep it simple, accessible. I try to provide a lot of…

…substitution ideas, ways to ditch the recipe and innovate. Because in the end, that’s how people will make their…

…own food – if they get the hang of it and don’t have to use recipes all the time. Then it gets fun, fast & easy.

It’s an uphill battle though – cooking at home is a dying tradition. People would rather watch food prepared on TV.

Q – #5    Do you use any prepackaged foods in your cooking? Do you ever do reviews or local restaurants?

A: Sure I do – pasta, yogurt, milk…all packaged! Hard to get around packaged foods entirely. My kids love cereal…

…tater tots, crackers, chips, all of it! My husband is a candy freak. I prefer to just make things myself because…

…I’m picky, and because I can. Ha! I work from home, so I can make myself whatever I want.

Also, I don’t eat gluten, & very limited grains, so it’s easier to make myself something fresh.

Q – #6    Now the FAVS question: Favorite – restaurant, store for food, store for cooking tools, tech gadget and Fall activity.

A: I’m genetically programmed to not be able to choose just one, hopefully that’s OK…

@FreshTartSteph Top 2-5 is okay.

Restaurants: Lucia’s, Corner Table, La Belle Vie, Alma, many others, tough question for a food lover!

Store: Whole Foods, Byerly’s, local co-ops. I buy cooking gadgets online. Tech gadget: iPhone, what a device, yeah.

Fall activity – this yr it’s been exploring great off-leash dog parks w my pup (Louis). Lk Rebecca, Bryant Lk…

…but also biking, yoga, walking around the lakes, taking drives w my husband. This is my time of yr, I perk right up!

Q – #7    How do you feel photography helps you share your skills and messages about food to people?

A: Well, as I’m quickly learning, the photos are everything. People who will never make one of my recipes …

…love to look at the pics, so I quadruple my reach. Sometimes they even read the articles ;) The photos make it real.

Q – #8    Very true! To end today, what cooking advice or mantra would you like to share with everyone?

A: I’ll go out on a limb and say cook your own food :) You’ll be healthier & thinner & eat better. And you’ll never…

…be alone, because everyone loves a good cook! Thanks for the Twitterview, Joel, great fun! #jectv

@JoelECarlson – Thanks @FreshTartSteph for sharing your thoughts and passions today! Enjoy the weekend and keep up the good work!

@FreshTartSteph – You too, Joel. Thank you so much!