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By Boston Skirt, Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 0 comments
Brittany Blando

 

Brittany Blando; founded Boston wedding reference site, “Beantown Bride” and is a wedding photographer extraordinaire.

 

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:  Hearing from brides and vendors, both ones I know and ones I don't know, and having them say “Wow, how come no one thought of a site like this before!”.  For me as an artist, it's inspiring to have people check out what I'm doing on “Beantown Bride”. 

WEIRDEST WEDDING MOMENT: I've been to a lot of theme weddings.  I photographed a member of The Pixies' wedding, and it was a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory theme, with oompa-loompas and everything.  It was a three day event in the Berkshires and after they said their vows, they jumped into a hot air balloon and took off.  Everything was top of the line, and then some. 

259
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24/7 With
By lis2813, Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 0 comments
Carol Kingston Jankowski

HerStory: Carol Kingston Jankowski, 53, of Pembroke, who is a librarian and jewelry designer.

PRIDE AND JOY: I am supremely proud of my two children, both college graduates, and best of friends. The most joyful part of my life is spent with my delightful 18-month-old grandson Calvin. He is curious, joyful, loving, affectionate and always "in the moment." I am also very proud of my very recent foray into jewelry making.

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By lis2813, Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 0 comments
Shannon Parsley
HerStory: Shannon Parsley, 35, of Braintree is a ballet master and artistic coordinator for Boston Ballet. This is her perspective on life right now.
 

PRIDE AND JOY: My pride and joy is my marriage to my husband, Jared Redick. He means the world to me. I never go through a day without realizing how fortunate I am.

PERFECT DAY: I love animals. We have two golden retrievers, Zeus and Scarlette. A perfect day would be a peaceful day spent at our favorite lake in Maine with Jared, Zeus and Scarlette, a good book, and lots of tennis ball throwing time. I also have a passion for gardening, cooking, and finding time to try out a new recipe.

160
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By lis2813, Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 0 comments
Robin Feltoon

<!--StartFragment-->HerStory: Dr. Robin Feltoon, 54, of Hanover is a mother, dentist and owner of Holly Tree Dental.

PRIDE AND JOY: My personal pride and joy are my sons, Jeffrey and Michael, who are growing up to be wonderful young men.  My professional pride and joy is my dental practice, where I am surrounded by the most devoted team making a difference in patients’ lives.

PERFECT DAY: Right now, a perfect day is having fun at the office and then relaxing after work over a nice dinner with friends.

LOOKING FORWARD: In the short term, I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life: making a lifestyle change vis-à-vis where I am going to live.  Long term, I look forward to volunteering around the world.
 
 

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24/7 With
By lis2813, Thursday, January 28, 2010, 0 comments
Michelle Lydon

HerStory: Michelle Lydon, 45,  of Quincy is a funeral director and owner of  Lydon Chapel for Weddings.  This is her perspective on life right now

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By lis2813, Thursday, January 28, 2010, 0 comments
Kristina Morris

HerStory: Kristina Morris, 36, of Whitman is a full-time mother of three children. This is her perspective on life right now.

PRIDE AND JOY:Having three children and a happy family.

 

PERFECT DAY: In the back yard having a cookout with my family, my kids running around like crazy and getting as dirty as they possibly can. My daughter squishing bugs and my son picking up worms. That’s a perfect day to me. Watching the ring around the bathtub at the end of the day. When it’s a dark, dark ring, I know it’s been a good day and we’ve had a lot of fun. And putting them to bed, knowing they’ve expended all their energy and they’re exhausted. That’s a good day.

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By lis2813, Thursday, January 28, 2010, 0 comments

HerStory: Psychotherapist and author, Jean Fain

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24/7 With
By Boston Skirt, Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 0 comments

HerSTORY: Debbie Mason, potter and teacher from Duxbury

 

PRIDE AND JOY: I love our beautiful Greengate Farm and Kennels where I live with my dad and our English cockers and gold retrievers. My nearby pottery studio, my pots, my plants and cooking also give me a lot of joy.

 

PERFECT DAY: Getting up in the morning, taking care of my dad and the dogs and heading to the studio to make pots.

 

LOOKING FORWARD: I usually get to England each year to visit friends who are potters and friends who raise dogs. I look forward to my next visit to Dartmoor and the beautiful southwest of England.

 

PASS IT ON: I love being able to share my joy of working with clay with other people. It is a pleasure to pass on what has been shared with me in terms of skills and ideas. And I enjoy constantly learning from my students as well.

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By Boston Skirt, Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 0 comments
Sara Eberle

Her Story: Sara Eberle is the creator, producer and host of MommaJam - a crank up the volume, shout out loud audio podcast for mothers! Season 4 promises more cooking, style and going green – your place for mom pop culture and more.

 

First Guest: Tor Hyams, founder of Kidzapalooza 

 

Favorite Topic:  Five weeks of fashion from May to June of 2009. I interviewed shoe experts, Hollywood stylists, and jewelry designers. It was about moms feeling their best. 

 

Dream Guest: George Lucas is my ultimate dream guest. We’d talk about the Star Wars Empire and when 7, 8 and 9 are coming. 

 

Moms Need More: Information on going green with facts they can relate to on an every day basis.

 

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By hkempski, Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 0 comments
Denise Hajjar

 

HerStory: Designer Denise Hajjar, originally from Weymouth, operates a designer boutique at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.

 

PRIDE AND JOY:  I am most proud of the fact I had a dream as early as I can remember and not only has the dream become reality, it has become something substantial and continues to grow.

 

PERFECT DAY: I still love to sew and create something from an idea and fabric. It is like therapy for me to sit at a machine and sew. The other thing I love to do is wine tasting. For the past several years I have been going to Napa and Sonoma to discover different wineries and learn what makes each wine different and special.

 

LOOKING FORWARD: I look forward to expanding my brand and my vision. I truly love what I do every day, so being able to carry out my vision in other major cities would be incredible.

 

PASS IT ON: My prized possessions are photos of my mom and grandmother on my wall in my home. When I look at these photos, they always give me inspiration and remind me that I was given a gift.

 

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24/7 With
By hkempski, Monday, December 7, 2009, 0 comments
Claire Brennan

 HerStory: Claire Brennan is a recipient of a heart

 

PRIDE AND JOY: My family and friends are very important to me. They are my pride and joy.

 

PERFECT DAY: A perfect day for me would be to wake up later in the day to my dad cooking for my family, and then all of us would sit around joking and laughing. After that, I would call up my friends and go over one of their houses and order a pizza, or we would drive around Quincy listening to music and just having a good time.

 

LOOKING FORWARD: I’m looking forward to graduating from college, having a job that I love, and starting a family of my own.

 

PASS IT ON: I would say that you should not let one thing define you. Just because I had a heart transplant, people pity me and think that I'm restricted in what I can do with my life, but in reality I can do everything that anybody else can. People who know me tend to forget that I had a heart transplant because I live such a normal life. People shouldn’t judge another based on just one characteristic.

 

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By hkempski, Monday, December 7, 2009, 0 comments
Elizabeth Kissick

HerStory: Elizabeth Kissick is a jewerly designer

 

LOVE: I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive family, from my parents and siblings to my in-laws and cousins, I know I am loved. But living with my husband and my children is the pride and joy I feel everyday. They make me laugh, cry and encourage me every day.

 

PERFECT DAY: My daughter and I write down a couple versions of perfect days every summer and make sure at least one of these perfect days happen. I have a perfect day plan for Positano, Italy, a plan for Cohasset and one for Nantucket.

 

LOOKING FORWARD: I‘m looking forward to going to Kansas City for Christmas to be with my husbands and my whole family. In the future I'm looking forward to celebrating my 20th anniversary in Italy next summer with my very best friend, Mark Kissick.

 

PASS IT ON: I have a bracelet called pass it on. I designed this years ago and it is still one of my best sellers. The simplicity of the clear Swarovski crystals and sterling silver is soothing and pure. A butterfly charm, symbolic of the need to be set free, is attached at the clasp. The bracelet comes with the following poem:

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By hkempski, Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 0 comments
Gwen Nauls of Brockton

Gwen Nauls, Brockton is a senior education advisor for the Upward Bound program at Brockton High School

PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

Personally, it is being able to just bring up my daughter. I think I have the best family in the world, they're very rich in spirit. It was wonderful for them to help me out during that time - I don't know how else I would have made it. Professionally, I used to work for Massasoit with the MIOP program. At a banquet one year, a young woman's mother who had a stroke walked to the front of the room ... through slurred speech, she thanked me for what I did for her daughter. It let me know the fruits of my labor. Also, my work with the Peace Crusaders. Where I've been has given me so much passion and fuel for this group. I work just as hard with that group as I do with my own job.

 
 
PERFECT DAY

When I have students come and let me know if there's an A they got on a test, or they got accepted to a college - any of those things where there's a personal touch and it's something that's working for them.

 

LOOKING FORWARD

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24/7 With
By hkempski, Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 0 comments
Grace Garcia of Braintree

 

Grace Garcia of Braintree

PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

I am proud of the way  I lead my life. I am a determined person and do the best at whatever is at hand. I love being a mother, and nothing makes me happier than hearing  the giggles of my two children, ages 1 and 3. Prior to my children, I may have responded to the question by saying becoming a partner in my law firm, obtaining winning verdicts for my clients at trial, teaching a class where I went to law school, or completing my first sprint triathlon. Although I am proud of  these events, my proudest accomplishment is  being a successful working mother raising two wonderful children.

 

PERFECT DAY

A perfect day is one in which I feel good about my work, my family and my life. If I can obtain success for my client, spend quality time with my husband and children, and enjoy a sunny day outdoors, I have had a perfect day.

LOOKING FORWARD

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24/7 With
By hkempski, Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 0 comments
Kristina Morris

 

Kristina Morris, 36, of Whitman is a full-time mother of three children. This is her perspective on life right now.

 

PRIDE AND JOY

Having three children and a happy family.

 

PERFECT DAY

In the back yard having a cookout with my family, my kids running around like crazy and getting as dirty as they possibly can. My daughter squishing bugs and my son picking up worms. That’s a perfect day to me. Watching the ring around the bathtub at the end of the day. When it’s a dark, dark ring, I know it’s been a good day and we’ve had a lot of fun. And putting them to bed, knowing they’ve expended all their energy and they’re exhausted. That’s a good day.

 

LOOKING FORWARD

Watching my kids grow, reaching milestones. Sometimes I get nervous that I’m not going to make them, but I was really proud to see (my son) Garrett go off on the kindergarten bus. I didn’t think I was going to make it because I was diagnosed with breast cancer last Sept. 11 (2008). ... At that point I didn’t know (if I would make it). ... Milestones. Watching the milestones.

 

PASS IT ON

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24/7 With
By jacqueline1485, Thursday, August 27, 2009, 0 comments
Cibeline Sariano

My work: Classic, tailored clothing-with a feminine twist all made in the US, and designed exclusively by me for my boutique on Charles St.

My passion: Helping make women feel beautiful and confident in the clothes I design.

I love: Sunsets, the way yoga makes me feel, and my husband who is my rock.

My favorite possession: Bergdorf Goodman Leopard Pumps.

My best bargain find: When I shop for a bargain, I shop at H&M, they do trendy current looks at reasonable prices.

My hometown: Born: Manhattan, New York  Raised: Newark, Delaware

I’m thinking about: Educating the world on food allergies.

Words I live by: Laugh. Smile. Listen. Dream Big.

I can’t live without: Color in nature...beach, flowers, sunsets. My favorite Designers: Max Mara, Tori Burch, Nanette Lepore, Trina Turk.

One thing I never want to do again: Have Appendicitis.

If I could be totally wild, I would:  Jump on a plane and travel Europe again.

I am guilty of: Wanting too much and wanting it now.

Right now I’m reading: Eat Love Pray.

The one item that has changed my life: The focus and clarity I get from Yoga.

Favorite website: Bombshellmanualofstyle.com

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By jacqueline1485, Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 0 comments
Katy Downey

My work: Creating beautiful and highly useful eco yoga products.

My passion: My daughter, my yoga practice, and my work.

I love: Beauty.

My favorite possession: My body.

My best bargain find: A rare Arts & Crafts copper box found while thrifting on vacation in the Hamptons last month.

My hometown:
Watertown, MA

I’m thinking about: What it all means.

Words I live by: Breathe in, breathe out.

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By jacqueline1485, Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 0 comments
Selena Rankin

My family:  I am the mother of two daughters , Kenya and Yvonna, as well as a foster mom to many.

My passion:  Working with children, helping them learn, grow, and achieve their goals.

My favorite possession:   The numerous awards, certificates, and letters of appreciation for the community work that I do.

I'm thinking about:  Taking double-dutch to a level where it can band will be recognized as a sport.

Words I live by:  "Hard Work Pays Off"

I can't live without:  Thanking God for my Accomplishments

I am most proud of: 
All the support I get from the Girl Scouts Organization.

What keeps me awake at night:  The feeling of not being able to help someone.

One thing I never want to do again:  Is have my troop overlooked when it comes to them displaying their talents.

The oldest person I have taught to jump rope:  Some of the parents and other troop leaders from several troops throughout Massachusetts.

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24/7 With
By hkempski, Monday, June 8, 2009, 0 comments
Jana Eggers

My work: Promoting self esteem, spreading messages – one shirt at a time!

My passion:  Intensity

I love: my husband

My favorite possession:
Blackberry

My best bargain find:
regular deals from Bluefly

My hometown:
Fort Smith, Arkansas

I’m thinking about:
Company meeting tomorrow

Words I live by:
I hate can’t (close second: failure is impossible)

I can’t live without:
Cliff Bars

I am most proud of:
a long list of lifelong friendships of former colleagues

I’m inspired by:
the diversity of people I meet each day

What keeps me awake at night:
excitement about work

One thing I never want to do again:
Miss a friends big day

If I could be totally wild, I would:
dye my hair red (I’m not cool enough!)

I am guilty of:
eating chocolate until my tummy aches

Right now I’m reading:
River Town, The Uncommon Reader, Remix and Thinking in Pictures

501
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24/7 With
By Angelia, Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 0 comments
Taryn Antoniou

My hometown: Walpole, MA

If I were a superheroine I would be: Holly Golightly.

The worst idea I've ever had: piercing my nose… I still have a scar.

When I grow up, I want to be: Involved in set design or styling for photo shoots and runway shows.

Favorite website: whowhatwear.com

Last major purchase:
Gucci sweater from the Babouska Collection.

I am guilty of:
 having a bit of a shopping problem... it's getting a little better.

Right now I'm reading: Influence by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

The one item that has changed my life: The one and only Skinny Bitch book.

Always… make it look effortless...

Never… blend in...

I wish… people still dressed up for cocktails…

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24/7 With
By skirtboston, Thursday, March 26, 2009, 3 comments
Debbie Sosin

My passion: Singing in the Zamir Chorale of Boston, Orpheus Singers, the shower, the car, wherever

I love: Writing about everything from vacuuming to the existential meaning of life to the existential meaning of vacuuming

My favorite possession: My overstuffed box of diaries that I’ve kept since I was ten

My best bargain find: A free hand-me-down ergonomically friendly computer desk

My hometown: Rye, N.Y., and Munich, Germany (from ages 12 to 16)

I’m thinking about: What I’m thinking about. It’s very annoying. Then I think about that.

Words I live by: It’s never too late.

I can’t live without: Jon Stewart and Jeopardy!

I am most proud of: Reading from my teenage diaries in the comedy show Mortified; finishing a book proposal for Where Is Luv? A Teenager’s Diary of Hope, Passion, and Total Confusion

I’m inspired by: Olympic athletes, for their drive and commitment

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24/7 With
By skirtboston, Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 0 comments
Heidi Watney


My family: is the best. We are all very close, and I am blessed to have such a wonderful family.

My work: I have the greatest job in the world! I love covering the Red Sox every day.

My passion: I love my work. I am a sports nut, and so lucky to do something I love!

My favorite possession: A travel size photo album my sister put together for me when I took my job in Boston and moved away from my family. It has pictures of my family and my 4 nieces and nephews. I carry it with me on the road.

My hometown: Fresno, California

I'm thinking about: answering these questions... beyond that I'm thinking about our show tonight for NESN SportsDesk (I'm at work).

Words I live by: Life isn't about the breaths we take, it's about the moments that take our breath away.

I can't live without: chapstick... always carry it on me.

I am most proud of: my work. I have worked hard to get where I am, and I continue to try and improve my skills everyday.

What keeps me awake at night: I usually sleep pretty well.

One thing I never want to do again: fly a fighter plane. I got really, really sick.

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24/7 With
By skirtboston, Monday, January 26, 2009, 0 comments
Nirva Derbekyan

My family: is full of inspiring history

My work: I design, sketch, drape, and dress women in beautiful feminine clothing...under my label, Nirva (nirva.com)

My passion:  designing and dancing !

My favorite possession: my photo albums

My hometown: Concord, MA

I’m thinking about: my next trip for my inspiration

Words I live by: laughter is the best medicine

I can’t live without: the beach

I am most proud of: having the experience of living and working in London after college.

What keeps me awake at night: Nothing. I fall asleep before my head hits the pillow!

One thing I never want to do again: highlight my hair with Sun In.

If I could be totally wild, I would: travel constantly all around the world.

I am guilty of: trying to do everything myself. 

Right now I’m reading: "The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It"

The one item that has changed my life: Archie comic books, enticing me to design clothes for Betty and Veronica at the age of 10.

482
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By skirtboston, Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 0 comments
Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo

24/7 with [Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo], [performance poet/ registered pharmacist], [Boston, MA]

My family: keeps me a perfect degree of humble and happy

My work: Part time pharmacist, full time performance poet

My passion:  To continue to supply myself with the fuel to maintain my spiritual and emotional balance

My favorite possession: my ipod recording device

My hometown: Boston (by way of Edo State Nigeria)

I'm thinking about: Writing a book of poems about women who inspire me ( 26 poems each woman representing a letter of the alphabet. Oprah's got dibs on my O page.

Words I live by: I want to make this moment with you. All you need to do is love me and I will stay.

I can't live without:A healthy supply of Hope and Change... thanks Obama!

I am most proud of: Today my dad wins. He just completed his first book he's satisfied enough to publish. Very inspiring! Now it's my turn.

What keeps me awake at night: My creativity hyperactivity that seems to exponentially multiply when the sun goes down

One thing I never want to do again: I never again wish to get sidetracked to the point of missing the point.

483
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24/7 With
By skirtboston, Monday, November 24, 2008, 0 comments
Brandi Baitchman

My family: lives in Rockport, Ma and think I am a crazy gorilla girl.

Right now I’m reading: the watchman. I love comics.

Last major purchase: my car…..10 years ago.

The nickname I wish I had: money bags

If I had a vanity plate on my car, it would say: GorillazRule.

My mother always said: Don’t worry. You can pay off your visa with your master card.

Whose diary would you most like to read? Little Joe the gorilla. I would love to know what he is thinking. I imagine him thinking, "This woman is really strange."

My work: I take care of seven western lowland gorillas at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. I also teach the public about gorilla conservation and the ways they can make a difference.

My passion:  My job. I love working at the zoo. It is the most emotionally rewarding thing I have ever done. The gorillas give me more than I could ever give them.  I look forward to coming to work every day and each day is different.

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By skirtboston, Monday, October 27, 2008, 0 comments
Amy Hearne
 My favorite possession: My yard

My hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota

I'm thinking about:  The '08 Presidential election

I am guilty of:  Cleaning the kitchen floor several times a day

Right now I'm reading: Three Cups of Tea

I can't live without: Swiffer pads

If I had a vanity plate on my car, it would say:  Schlpr

The worst idea I've ever had: To sunbathe when I was a teenager

Best one-liner you ever heard:  Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

The best thing I ever won:  The Jewish Family and Children's Service Exceptional Volunteer Award

My work:  Active community volunteer, elementary school substitute teacher

My passion:  Helping others

Words I live by:  Try your best

I am most proud of:  My kids!

What keeps me awake at night:  Red wine

One thing that I never want to do again:  Take college final exams

If I could be totally wild, I would:  Move to California
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299
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24/7 With
By skirtboston, Thursday, September 25, 2008, 0 comments
24/7 with Joan Benoit Samuelson
24/7 with Joan Benoit Samuelson
founder TD BankNorth Beach to Beacon 10K
spokeswoman, Tufts 10K

My job: I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing as an adult.

What keeps me awake at night: usually go to bed when it’s morning so nothing keeps me up at night

My favorite possession: a trake (gardening tool that’s a combo shovel/trowel).

I can’t live without: family, friends and running.
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24/7 With
By skirtboston, Monday, August 25, 2008, 0 comments
Penny Dickson


My family: Husband Rich, daughter Ashley, son Chris, sister Cindy. They mean everything to me!

My work: Making this world a better place- one way or another

My passion:  The Outdoors, Nature, growing things, things of beauty.

My favorite possession:This is tough. Things don't mean much to me- but people do.

My hometown: Pepperell, MA. I grew up on a tree farm on 40 acres.

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24/7 With
By skirtboston, Wednesday, July 30, 2008, 0 comments
Emma March

My family: Is wacky, intense, and fiercely loving.

My work: Proud small business owner of Boston's only mobile boutique, Gracie J's.

My passion:  (this can be a book, movie, perfume, piece of clothing, place, whatever): I love Sex and the City (episodes and the movie!!!)

My favorite possession: A locket that was my Gramma Jean's.

My hometown: Windham, New Hampshire

I'm thinking about: Going to the beach.

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24/7 With
By skirtboston, Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 0 comments
Meghan Day

My family: Is, believe it or not, even louder than I am.

My work: tends to be an adventure

My passion: perspective and accuracy

My favorite possession: my library

My hometown: most of eastern Maine is proud of what I have accomplished so far, and gossips about me shamelessly

I am thinking about: writing a graphic novel

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