Hey, everyone!!

I am sooooo excited to announce a new section to my website called, “My Right-Hand Gals”.

Like many of us, I have friends who I like to share ideas with about a variety of topics, including fashion, cooking, fitness, music, health, beauty tips and everything in between.  These special people are all creative, independent, and talented young women.

Whether I am just relaxing at home, or busy running between interviews and photo-shoots, it is good to know that I can always count on these ladies to be there to exchange opinions and advice.  And I am thrilled to now be able to collaborate with them to share our collective wit and wisdom with all of you!

It is my hope that you too, will find these posts to be interesting, helpful and just plain fun!

Please check it out!!

All the best!

Shay

 

Jody Rebak

 

 

 

 

 

Ciao Shay Fans – I’m Jody Rebak aka. Jods! Based in Vancouver, BC (the perfect place for me to live and play…for now), I’m a marketer, business owner, avid foodie and full time “organization officer” for my friends and colleagues. From planning a charity event, making home-made gift tags or re-organizing my calendar – I get excited about almost every project that comes my way:

especially when it means I get to make a list!

I met Shay when we were 12 years old when we were introduced by our mutual friend Joanie. Over the years our friendship has evolved through our shared love for food, travel and curiosity for all things new. Even though we each have each pursued our own passion and goals we have always continued to love and support each other.

Wanting to have my own business and work for myself, I was faced with the inevitable question “What do I do?”.  So I started from scratch and made a list of things that I enjoyed doing.  At the top of the list was running errands! Combine a little bit of crazyness with someone who encouraged me to make a change, take a chance, and follow my “out-of-the-box” idea, and a few months later I now have my own business Emery Lifestyle Management.  Feel free to check out my website at www.emerylifestyle.com or follow me on twitter @jodyrebak.

I really hope you guys and gals like our DIY projects, cooking tips and other random tid-bits that will be ALL be available here at shaymitchell.com!

 

Michaela Blaney

 

 

 

 

 

I was brought into this world destined to be something in the creative realm.  Named after my dad Michael, my parents re-designed the masculine name and made it more beautiful and feminine…Michaela.  I was hardwired to follow any path creative, and I have done just that.

I grew up taking quilting classes, paper-Mache, painting, sewing, pottery…you name it.  I wasn’t raised on cartoons, but on Martha Stewart. For fun my mom and I would make new pillows for my bed and I  would get punished for re-arranging my room yet another time (let’s be honest not just for that).   I had expensive taste from a young age and an eye for beauty.  Along the way I realized I could make money from doing what I love:  I made pillows and blankets and sold them to the Staff in my high school.  Décor-preneaur. 

At that time, I also met the talented Shay Mitchell through mutual friends.  We both loved fashion, shopping, and looking through magazines and deciding on our “Dream Homes” and lives for that matter.  Not much has changed; one of our favorite pastimes is walking the streets of Vancouver and checking out all the Home Décor shops to admire all the Design world has to offer.  We share the same sense of style and shop around for ideas for our own creations. 

To make a long story short, almost 7 years in Marketing, and working for companies from Real Estate to Dental, the creative aspect is what I thrive on.  I now work for my brothers Building Design firm as an Associate Interior Decorator and started my own company Box Creative Inc – check out my site www.boxcreativeinc.com or follow me on Twitter @MichaelaLBlaney.  Not only do I love taking someone’s vision and ideas and making them into a brand, I love turning an empty space into someone’s dream abode.   I am constantly re-branding, re-arranging and re-inventing…it’s what I live for! Over the years my expensive taste hasn’t always been the easiest to please,  and creating similar and more affordable DIY items was something I have mastered.  Be it when I’m entertaining or making something for my nest, I hope my ideas I share can bring out all your inner designers and encourage you to come up with your own! 

“The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.”
Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect, interior designer, writer and educator

Joanie Rutledge

 

Hey!! My name is Joanie Rutledge, I was born and raised in beautiful Vancouver B.C. After a couple years traveling to various places around the world I’ve decided to settle down in my home town, Van- city! I have a love for fitness, traveling, and of course FASHION. My love for fashion started when I was very young. I’ve experienced buying and selling vintage clothing and making knitted goods for a few years now. Having a keen eye for antique clothing I’ve discovered a variety of unique ways to market these collectables. Knitting very popular scarves in the past three years has opened up my awareness to designing and producing an individual product for trendy owners.  Subsequently this has given me the ability to expand my creativity in jewellery making and reworking vintage clothing.

I met Shay in grade 5 and we became instant buddies that loved to day dream about our future! Shay and I have shared many years of growing up together that include all the very obvious challenges and enjoyment that young girls experience. After graduating when most friends have a tendency to move in other directions, Shay and I have continued to communicate and support each other in all our life choices. Doesn’t matter the distances that are between us we are true friend that will never stop dreaming!

I am excited to share with you style tips, do it yourself clothing makeovers and much more, stay tuned!!

Kristen Vander Hoeven

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Guys, my name is Kristen Vander Hoeven, I’m a model, designer, and serial entrepreneur. I grew up in London, Ontario Canada.

My love for fashion started early (about the time I learned how to walk). My mother was a designer, and i’d sit in her sewing room watching her create intricate garmets hours on end. My Barbie collection had the most serious set of custom outfits, designed ofcourse by moi. When I was 16 I received the opportunity to become a model, surrounded by amazing people, gorgeous clothes, sexy shoes, big hair and wild make-up,,,,I was in Heaven. I moved to Toronto in 2007, and was working at a restaurant part time where I met the amazing and beautiful Shay Mitchell. We decided after a long shift one day to go get pedicures together, our official first girl date…we bonded over our love of fashion, design, and dreams of
philanthropy. I am so blessed to have a friend like Shay in my life.

I took some time to Model in Greece in 2008, and it was then that I created my idea for Tootsieshoppe. (TALK ABOUT THE “AHA MOMENT”) . Since launching my company I have had opportunities to travel all over the world as a trend forecaster for a large Canadian retailer. I eat, sleep and breathe fashion. I hope you guys love our style tips and designs that we will be creating here on shaymitchell.com. To find out more about my company please check out my website at tootsieshoppe.com or follow me on twitter @tootsieshoppe

Crystal Boyce

 

 

 

 

 

Crystal Boyce was born and raised in California but travels the globe doing makeup for some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. Crystal discovered her creative talent early on when she began painting as a hobby. It was soon realized she had an obsession with aesthetics that transferred over to her passion for beauty.

Crystal’s love affair with makeup began when she was recruited as a print model in her teens. Though she liked modeling, she found herself far more fascinated with the makeup and hair side of things. This fascination was so strong she decided to pursue a career in makeup. From the second she embraced the beauty side of the industry she knew she had found her calling. At the age of 24 Crystal Boyce was headlining seminars at beauty colleges teaching students the basics of hair styling and makeup application.

Because of her precise makeup application and sharp eye for beauty, Crystal is able to provide each client with a personalized experience accentuating the natural beauty in everyone. Her passion, hard work, and dedication have made her a celebrity “go to” for any, TV, print or red carpet event and her fun personality have made her a client favorite.

 

Alex Merrell

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Everyone! I’m Alex Merrell. I was born in Vancouver and, thanks to my artist parents, I grew up spending every moment I could in theater productions, dance classes, art studios and music lessons and traveling extensively. By my teens I had become the go-to person for new music for my friends and parents friends, and I spent hours searching out good tunes for mix CDs, but never dreamed that a little hobby could turn into a career…