What's An Internship Like? Gedalya, Our Winky Designs Newbie, Sheds Some Light On the Subject

“Internship on Wednesday”. The words look so foreign on my calendar’s to-do list.  As I rolled this new concept around in my mind, I all of a sudden froze and asked myself…what am I getting into?

Perhaps I should start at the beginning? My name is Gedalya Krycer, but most people call me “G”. I’m a graphic design student at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. Until very recently, I was just going about my business trying to finish my homework for the next day’s class and rushing to get to some other class on time. You know, the usual all work, no sleep college hustle and bustle. Then out of the blue, BAM, the phone call came that would change it all.   

It was my girlfriend on the line and she asked “Hey babe, how do you feel about starting an internship for a company called Winky Designs? A friend of mine just left there and a design position just opened up.” After a moment of panic from hearing those words and internally screaming at myself “YOU ARE TOO BUSY FOR THIS!!!”, I agreed to do it. Now understand I never worked for a company before in my life. My work experience in design is freelance and tutoring in graphic design programs. Working for a boss as opposed to a client was a new prospect for me and frankly it was kind of nerve wracking and scary. Yet two days, one interview, and a lot of schedule shuffling later I found myself standing in front of Winky Designs’ front door. 

I opened the front door and was greeted by a bunch of smiles. Taken aback by the friendliness, I put my bags down and set up my laptop. The atmosphere was surprisingly pleasant. The workroom was big, bright and full of informal tables with people working on laptops. Everyone was super cheerful and happy which surprised me because I was led to believe from Hollywood movies that the work place is a grind stone of deadlines and judging bosses; however at Winky Designs, this is not the case. Winky, the boss, keeps a relaxed and cheery atmosphere that immediately put me at ease.

Since this is an internship I was tasked with doing work, of course. My first job was to redesign the company’s wholesale catalog from the ground up. It was a challenge in many respects since I was not very familiar with the brand or its products. (Remember, I first heard of Winky Designs and then got the internship position within a few short days.) I learned however that the more complex the catalog became, the more tricks I discovered to make it easier to design and user friendly to interact with. I now know the wholesale catalog is an ever-growing beast with new products being added every few weeks.

My next project was to design the new Iconic Collections which happens to be my favorite product offered at Winky’s. It was very exciting and a welcomed change of pace. Winky and I brainstormed and came up with all the different themes and elements. Then I went to my computer to design and layout those icons on the watch. It was exciting for me because I never thought I would have something like a watch design for my portfolio. I cannot wait to get my hands on the actual finished products!

Over all, this experience for me has been good and turning into straight-up great. I certainly have a lot on my plate between the internship and school. Time management is crucial because every second I have counts, but my fear of the unknown has diminished and confidence has risen in its place. I actually feel that I’ve learned a lot during my time here. Not textbook school learning, but rather a real world level of education that's priceless.

The wonderful news is that this special education won’t stop here because I've been asked to stay on as a paid employee! The offer sent me giddy with happiness and I can't wait to start! I feel like all the sleep lost and long hours I’ve put in has been worth it because the sense of accomplishment is a wonderful thing.  I know I’ll continue to learn a lot from Winky Wu and her amazing team.

Downtown Las Vegas Container Park Fashion Show

Get ready to get inspired with some one of a kind fashion! Winky Designs is excited to announce a collaboration with the Container Park and the Art Institute of Las Vegas (AiLV) to create a truly one-of-a-kind fashion show! 28 brands within the Container Park (including not only the boutiques and galleries but also restaurants and food shops) have been paired with 28 AiLV students to design dresses which reflect the unique and eclectic mix of brands at the Container Park.  The students' original creations will then walk the runway to show off the local shops and their brand concepts on April 5th, 2014 at 1pm.

The student designers will be judged on their creativity as well as their ability to represent the spirit of the brand they’re designing for. Expect popcorn, cupcake, and street art inspired dresses to be parading down the runway! The grand prize winner will be voted on by the audience and 2 runners up will be voted on by a panel of notable Vegas judges. Prizes include over $2,000 in gifts given by the participating brands. This event promises to be fun and festive for watchers and designers both! 

How will you be wearing Radiant Orchid this year?

Pantone Color Institute has delivered another amazing color with their Color of the Year 2014. Radiant orchid is a energetic, lively, and happy color in contrast to last years color, Emerald.  From nail polish to home decor, Radiant Orchid can be added into your life as a vibrant touch. Get ready to shine your creativity and originality and radiate Radiant Orchid.  

Radiant orchid nail polish gives an intense purple look that pops on both light and dark complexions.  You can express a soft look by applying it as a lipstick or magnify its intensity with a shiny lip gloss on top. Wearing radiant orchid eye shadow can give a mesmerizing purple smoky eye and with a swipe of shimmer,  you won't go unnoticed!  For other beauty tips visit the Glamour website.

Radiant orchid is not just any purple. This pinkish-purple is a cheerful inspiration of spring and is fitting for both women and men.  Leather, silk, cotton or tweed, no textile goes untouched by the delight of this brilliant color! At Winky Designs we're on top of bringing our fans the hottest colors of the season when creating our new collections. T-shirt company, RCTees also displays fresh ideas for a good cause and encourages adoption and donations to various animal organizations.  Find this sweet, organic cotton Tee on Etsy.

When decorating with Radiant Orchid, experts at Pantone say, “Spruce up interior spaces by incorporating this eye-catching hue in paint, accent pieces and accessories. As adaptable as it is beautiful, Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows. Likewise, the vibrant color is sure to liven up neutrals including gray, beige and taupe. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, Radiant Orchid reenergizes almost any color palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces.” I would agree this color brightens up neutrals, don't you? Find your inspiration at My Perfect Color.

This captivating, magical, enigmatic purple is eye catching, modern, and a versatile shade.  Radiant orchid compliments, matches, and spruces up various shades of the color wheel.  If you're passionate about purple, are looking for the perfect pop of color to add to an outfit, Radiant Orchid is your color to accessorize with. Find this cute watch at the Winky Designs website along with other trendy styles.

It's Time...For Some Spring Cleaning!

When I think of spring the first thing that comes to mind is allergies. The next that comes to mind is spring-cleaning. This happens to be one of my favorite times of the year since I know friends and family will be going through their closets and uncovering treasures for the taking! Fashion trends always come back around and of course you have your essentials that never die. I happen to have an amazing Mimi (grandma for you non-southern folk) with a closet that most women dream of. Every year there is a new pair of vintage shoes (maybe a blouse or two if I'm lucky) that she is finally ready to let go of and I just happen to be on the receiving end. The weather is starting to warm up and my legs have been screaming for some sun! So here is this weeks "spring-cleaning" outfit, enjoy!

Something old, something new, something vintage, something..*sneeze* bless you! 

I've seen a lot of floral print but I haven't seen one I liked...'til this skirt. I used the rose gold clutch here to give it a contrast.

 

 I like long hanging necklaces with high-waisted skirts. It helps to draw the eye and elongate the body.

 

My wrists are really small and bracelets always slip off. Frustrated, I stopped trying to wear them and  would wear a watch instead. Now I can have the best of both worlds with no fear of it slipping off! The pink opal paired with brown and gold give it an elegant touch to the outfit. 

Thanks to spring-cleaning I found this gem! My mother made this for one of my ice skating costumes, I want to say, over 15 years ago. I had completely forgotten about it 'til I came across it in an old Caboodles!!!

 

These shoes are vintage from my lovely Mimi. The nude and brown will never go out of style and they have already been broken in for me ;). 

Grey V-Neck T-Shirt: $6.50 Wet Seal 

Growze Diver Flare Skirt: $ 65.00  Boutiqueaholics 

Rose Gold Envelope Clutch: $ 40.00 Winky Designs

Gold Charm Necklace: $5.95 Teenz & 20's 

Strawberry Shortcake Watch: $120 Winky Designs 

3 Places in Vegas to Find Your Potential Future Husband

“Where the heck do all the good guys hide?!” can be a commonly heard complaint by the single ladies here in Vegas (and in our office). With the abundance of temptations, it can seem like a rotating door of bad boys in the dating repertoire. Vegas stands out as one of the most difficult cities in the US to find a potential husband for women in their twenties because of the transient nature of people here as well as the aforementioned temptations, but rest assured it is NOT IMPOSSIBLE! We share 3 places you might have overlooked in your quest for Mr. Right (or Mr. Big), so go ahead and do your hair and put on some lipstick ‘cause you might just snag yourself a good one!

1.   Casino

The casino and hospitality industry is a big one here with about 30% of the population employed in that sector. One of the best kept secrets for finding a man is somewhere you might go everyday to eat a meal, the EDR! The employee dining room is a great place to meet a good man and I’ll tell you why: A.) He has a job (score!) and B.) Since Vegas is a 24 hr. city, if you spot him at the EDR all the time, it’s most likely he has similar working hours as you (carpool, eat lunch together everyday, be awake at the same time….oh, the possibilities are endless!)

2.   Speed Dating Events

Before you automatically shout “UH, NO!” and tune out, hear us out! Speed dating isn’t what it used to be and just like online dating, it has lost most of the stigma. There are organizations tailored to specific groups like young professionals, pet owners, religious affiliation- whoever you are, they can introduce you to like-minded individuals! Long gone are the days where anybody who signs up can participate meaning you could very well meet the “creeper” of your dreams (EWW)! Gather your girls and head out for a fun night of mingling because YPI (Young Professionals, Introduced) is throwing an awesome speed dating event March 29^th at the Gold Spike. The $30 entry gets you 2 drinks and customized speed date matching based on questionnaire answers. Best of all, if you hit it off with that young venture capitalist, stick around at Gold Spike and play some giant Jenga by the fire pit on your first date!

3.   Weekend Bar-Hopping on East Fremont

If you’re a hip 20-something chick you’ve most likely been downtown bar-hopping from DCR to The Griffin to Commonwealth. Keep your options open and your eyes peeled because guys from all walks of life are there too! Groups of friends venture down to East Fremont so you’re bound to see someone you know and you can check out the group of friends they came with. Being introduced by a mutual friend/acquaintance is a great way to meet a guy and it takes a lot of the pressure off. These bars are perfect for cozying up to a friend of a friend of a friend and starting a convo, who knows, he might just be an entrepreneur with a heart of gold!

Catching Up With Style Blogger Julia Shutenko

We stumbled upon Julia’s blog last year and oh, are we so glad we did! Julia has the uncanny ability to mix high end designer labels with up and coming labels all the while making it look FAB-U-LOUS *snap snap*. This London-based blogger even has quite the impressive resume with internships under her belt at Conde Nast and Hearst publications as well as previous positions at Elle UK Magazine. We wanted to take a moment from her very busy schedule to ask her a few questions and get some fun girl talk in. Fashionistas, take heart! Julia also shares some tips on how to break into the fashion industry….

WINKY DESIGNS: How would you describe your style?

JULIA SHUTENKO: My style depends on my mood. One day I want to feel feminine and wear pencil skirts and next morning I put on my biker boots and boyfriend jeans. I am probably never too girly and whenever I wear a cute dress I pair it with edgier accessories, oversized coat and messy ponytail. I like to play with my looks and am opened to new experiments with my outfits. If I had to give my style a name it would be casual chic.

W.D.: Who’s your biggest style inspiration?

J.S.: I don’t have just one style icon and tend to seek inspiration from the variety of sources. Probably the most of it comes from street style photos and other fashion bloggers. I can spend hours browsing through Pinterest mood boards in search of some new ideas. I love looking at models and celebrities off duty looks and admire Jessica Alba’s effortlessly cool style.

W.D.: You have some pretty amazing pieces in your wardrobe (J’ADORE)! Do any have a really great story behind them? Which one do you consider your absolute fav?

J.S.: Ah, thank you! An item that holds the most memories for me is the pair of Lanvin heels that I found during my trip to New York. Do you know the feeling when you think that something was meant to be? That’s how we found each other. I was exploring New York’s SOHO area and stumbled upon a sample sale in one of the stores. And there they were, just one pair and just one available size that fit me perfectly. That was such a Cinderella moment!

ERMAGOSH, we LOOOVE the Lanvin heels too! 

W.D.: We loved how you rocked our Words of Wisdom DREAM watch. What dream do you personally have for yourself this year?

J.S.: I love that watch and every time I look at it I feel inspired. This year I have set several goals that I would like to achieve with my blog and am focusing all my energy on that. Dreams are so important in life, they are the biggest motivators that help you move forward. I wouldn't be where I am right now if I wasn't dreaming. Dream on, guys!

Read that post here!

W.D.: You have such a great resume with interning and working in the fashion industry. Can you give our younger style savvy readers any advice in pursuing a career in fashion?

J.S.: You have to be prepared to work very hard, be determined, patient and never lose hope. The fashion industry is tough and highly competitive and you need to be your best self in order to succeed. Be prepared to start from interning and always be passionate about what you are doing. Trust me, give it some time and people will notice you and all your efforts will pay off!

Thanks Julia for being so sweet and encouraging us to chase our dreams! We wish you all the best!

Make sure to stay in touch with Julia Shutenko:

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Bloglovin | Pinterest | Instagram

Fun Pet Accessories!

It's no secret we love our pets. They can often be seen running around the office chasing howling monkey toys and terrorizing visitors. Heck, they even have their own spot on our About Us page! That there is LOVE! We are always on the lookout for fun new toys and accessories to spoil our little lovebugs with so here's a few we found that will be sure to make your furry (or scaly) family member love you all the more. A happy pet equals a happy owner!

1.) For your Mr. Bubbles, aka fishy, Wag offers the R2 Solutions Complete Fish Training Kit. The R2 Fish School Kit includes everything you need to know about teaching your fish fantastic tricks. For real, you can really teach your fish tricks! Who would've thought? Just like any other animal, or human at that, you reward them with treats which are included. You can teach your fish to fetch, shoot hoops, swim the slalom, limbo dance and much more! Olympics here we come!

2.) For your kitty, we love this cat Teepee from Uncommongoods.  Give your four legged chief, prowling the grounds, somewhere to camp out when they've licked that bowl clean of tuna fish. Let them rule the room, and rest royally. MeeeeOW!

3.) If you love sushi like I do, your baby will too! This new line of dog toys, by Sushipups, is inspired by their love for their pups and yummy sushi. All you sushi lovers out there, make your doggies drool with these plush salmon, tuna, uni, and tuna bone maki toys.

4.) No passport required for Harry Barkers Parisian Toile Dog Gift Tote. If you love traveling, why not help your pup feel a little more cultured too? The Small Dog Gift Tote includes: Blue Toile Treat Tin with Chicken Treats, small blue Eiffel Tower Dog Toy, and small blue Toile Bone Dog Toy, all packed inside an Eco-Tote.  The Large Dog Gift Tote includes: Blue Toile Treat Tin with Chicken Treats, large blue Eiffel Tower Dog Toy, and large blue Toile Bone Dog Toy, all packed inside the same Eco-Tote. Now your dog will appreciate traveling as much as you do!

5.) Check out this critter cruiser by Wag, it has better wheels than me! This is an exciting pet powered car for hamsters and gerbils that has two different ways your little guy can race. He can choose to race remaining stationary or interactively on any flat surface!

6.) If your snuggle buddy chooses to be a fashionista and unpredictable, Susan Lanci Designs has created this pretty little harness to keep them down to earth. This trendy harness is breathable, functional, and comfortable for any dog.  The quality fabric will last a long time and comes in a wide range of colors from soft pastels to vibrant hues.  Go ahead and "shine bright like a diamond"!

These toys and accessories are Gummy and Opie approved!

March Madness! Basketball Jersey Fashion

It’s almost that time of year to put your school colors on and represent your college basketball team! Whether you’re an alumni or just a fan, getting dressed up to root for your team during March Madness can be a blast. I’ve always been a little jealous of the boy's jerseys and wondered why they don’t make them for the ladies too. The team shirts that I have are pretty plain, and wearing a hoodie to a game is asking for a heat stroke! So I stood in my closet twiddling my thumbs... I kept looking at my husband's jerseys thinking “not fair! They look so cool :(“. And that is when the light bulb turned on! As you might've guessed, I’ve come up with a few nifty solutions to sport a basketball jersey in a feminine way. So before I get chased out of the house screaming “just let me wear it”!!! Here is how I’ll be dressed for this years march madness!

As you can see I conveniently borrowed (he might say stole…tomato tamato) my husbands jersey. I used a belt around the waist to wear it as a dress. 

Yes I play basketball....not!  I'm 5'0, and the net is way too high.

For those of you who are still in cold weather cities, warmth is a must! I added a hoodie underneath my jersey and added leggings under my jeans. 

Vince carter is the number on my jersey. Tyler Hansbrough is my husband though...I'm a little obsessed with him even though he's now graduated. Marcus Paige and James McAdoo are my current favorite players. 

 

I love our slap watches! Being that I’m a klutz and spill liquids frequently throughout the day, I need a watch that is durable and water resistant. I also have tiny wrists and the silicone has a strong grip…no fear of it flying off my wrist. 

To give myself a more feminine shapely silhouette, I've used the Winky Designs baby blue belt around my jersey. 

 

 Thanks for listening!  Share with me what you're going to wear for March Madness in our blog comments! :)

Catching Up With Chef Stacey of Simply Pure

We confess, we love our meat but every now and again our bodies feel sluggish and that’s when we know it’s time to do some detoxing. Thank goodness there’s a great little spot in Vegas that meets our clean eating needs that not only is incredibly healthy but yum yum yummy in our tummies. Simply Pure serves up completely raw foods in an imaginative way and is the brainchild of local Chef Stacey Dougan. We caught up with her to get the scoop on her interesting background (from music artist development to Wynn Las Vegas chef to small business owner!) and the roller coaster ride of opening a business from scratch. Pull up a seat, break out the kale salad, and enjoy as we get to know Chef Stacey a little better.

 

Winky Designs: How did your love of raw food come about?

Stacey Dougan: My background is actually in music and entertainment. About 12 years ago I was working as the director of artist development for Universal Music Group in Atlanta, GA. I was making lots of money, young, not married and no children so I was open to new opportunities. I've always been a go-getter and entrepreneur. Some friends, at the time, approached me about opening a raw vegan cafe and needed me as an investor. I decided it would be a great idea considering there were no vegan raw restaurants in Atlanta at the time. I ended up working in my investment/cafe and that is how I grew to love raw vegan food. It was all trial and error. I never went to culinary school. I just kinda figured it out. I also healed myself of Candida and a terrible case of eczema/psoriasis by adopting a raw food diet.

W.D.: What made you decide to leave your position at Wynn Hotel and open up your own restaurant?

S.D.: I'm just not a very good employee. Never have been, never will be. Lol. Wynn was temporary for me and I knew that from the first day I started working there. Don't get me wrong, I learned a ton! I am extremely grateful to my executive chef at the Wynn because he taught me how to cater large and small parties with excellence. They spare no expense at Wynn so it “upped” my game so to speak. But I've always wanted to open another restaurant. I actually have a vision board and my goals written. It states that “I will open my own chain of upscale vegan/raw food restaurants all over the world”. I guess Simply Pure is the first one of the vision!

Raw Chili Cheeze Fries

W.D.: How has your faith played a role in the decisions you've made?
S.D.: That is a great question...My faith has everything to do with the decisions that I've made. My decision to become vegan came from my faith in God and the fact that I did not want something to bleed and die in order for me to live. One of the 10 commandments is “Thou shalt not kill”. I don't think God was just referring to killing people because He never stated just people. But let me get off of my soap box. Let's just say that I do everything in my power to make good decisions based on doing what is right, even if it hurts. I always do my best to do what I know is right. Not just because other people are looking, but because God is looking and I believe in karma to the fullest.

W.D.: What were some unexpected lessons/outcomes you've learned during the process of opening your store at The Container Park?
S.D.: I know one thing that I didn't expect was the amount of money it would take to open up this place!  Good lord! Lol...But it's all good. We raised the money and we are doing very well. Now moving forward, I really didn't expect people to be so open and receptive to our food. I mean it's vegan and we don't cook a darn thing! But people love it and for that, I am thankful. I also didn't expect to do as well (financially) as we have been doing. At least not so early. I've actually had to hire 3 new employees..well I like to call them teammates because we are a team. The biggest lesson I've learned is to have faith and trust the process.  Trust in God. Ask Him for what you want and then look for the opportunities and the gifts. They are always there, sometimes as a disguise, but there nevertheless.

Raw Pad Thai

W.D.: What advice would you give to future entrepreneurs, women in particular?
S.D.: The best advice I can give is to move forward in spite of fear. I find that so many people are held back by fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of what others may think or say fear, fear, fear...It's ok to fail.  You just gotta get back up, learn from the failure and keep moving forward. To the women I would say, know and learn your power. We have so much power it's unbelievable. Often times, women have to balance and juggle a lot more than men i.e. children, work, managing the home etc. But we do it, we are master multitaskers. Know your power and move in spite of fear.

W.D.: What are some personal goals and aspirations you have for 2014?
S.D.: a) To expand Simply Pure into a recognized brand in Las Vegas and to begin working on our chain of restaurants. b) To complete and publish my raw and vegan cookbooks. c) To expand our catering and private chef division (with Baby I Like It Raw – my other company with co-founder Shane Stuart) so that we are the number one caterers for vegan and raw cuisine in the city of Las Vegas. d) To help all of my team mates achieve their goals and aspirations for 2014. I have a lot more, but those will do for now...more to come. Stay tuned ; )

Thank you Chef Stacey for being so warm and open with us! Now that we're thoroughly hungry, we'll be stopping by soon to get some of your fabulous vegan chocolate ganache (it's to DIE for!). Only if all desserts were as guilt free as yours...*sigh* Make sure to stay in touch with Chef Stacey and the team at Simply Pure on their Facebook and visit them at their Las Vegas, NV location!

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• Downtown Container Park 
• 707 Fremont Street Suite 2310
• Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
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Announcing the Winners of Our 2014 WOW Resolutions Giveaway!

We're very excited to announce one Grand Prize winner and five First Prize winners of our W.O.W (Words of Wisdom) Watch Collection Giveaway! Thanks to all entrants for showing your support and entering in our very first watch contest! The deadline has finally arrived and the winners have been selected with a random number generator. The Grand Prize winner takes home the entire W.O.W Collection of 5 watches (Joy, Love, Faith, Dream, and Hope), while the five First Prize winners take home one W.O.W watch of their choice! Drum rolls please...

Grand Prize Winner:
Ana Medrano  

5 First Prize Winners:

Cora Lukehart

Dionna Goltz Sanchez

Katie Harrison

Brandon Owens

Erika Avalos

Thank you again and keep an eye out for future contests and giveaways! Ya never know when we'll be inspired to bless our fans with free products!!