Allison Baker, Editorial Assistant As an editorial assistant in both the food and health departments, I spend half my day researching the best diets and ways to lose weight, and the other half sampling recipes and new food products. (Yes, this is ironic.) You can also count on me for copious amounts of TV trivia on shows like Battlestar Galactica and obsessive organization—I’m legendary for making flash cards.
Amanda Flores, Beauty & Fashion Assistant It would be an understatement to say that I'm a HUGE beauty junkie. My bathroom at home is overflowing with two kinds of products: those I already love and those that I'm dying to try. My latest non-beauty obsession? Snowboarding! Christine in my department turned me on to it and now it's all I want to do on weekends—well, that, and try new nail polishes.
Caren Oppenheim, Editorial Assistant My primary purpose at work is to assist the editor in chief, and I’m happy to report that there’s definitely no Devil Wears Prada drama going on here. My biggest passion is anything entertainment-related. I’ve been dancing my whole life (I’ve even performed at the Kennedy Center twice!) and I’ve seen every movie nominated in a major category at this year’s Oscars. Oh, and I love my DVR.
Celia Shatzman, Associate Editor I start my day with a cup of tea and end it with Jon Stewart. In between, I obsess over music—going to concerts, playing the guitar and finding new bands to add to my iPod. I’m addicted to anything fashion-related, particularly ballet flats, and seek to expand my headband collection to emulate Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf. My other favorite things are reading, traveling, pirates, the beach and puns.
Cheryl S. Grant, Research Editor An absolute magazine, movie, music and book addict. I subscribe to more magazines than I can read. Engage in movie marathons that leave my brain addled. Will give up food for good music and sacrifice sleep to finish a book. Why a Research Editor? So that I can satisfy my craving for always knowing what’s new.
Cindy Heller, Assistant Food Editor I am best described as a lover of all things salty and soft. When I’m not messing around in the kitchen—and I mean that literally, because cooking is my strong suit, not cleaning—I like to read and open presents (so feel absolutely free to send presents my way!). My great guy, Gilby, is my favorite person to cook and eat salty things with.
Darcy Jacobs, Executive Editor In high school my famous fudgy brownies led to my first proposal. (I still wouldn’t give him the recipe.) For my husband it was my chocolate chip cookies, layer cakes and peach cobbler that sealed the deal. At Family Circle, I get to indulge two of my passions—books and travel—and enjoy sharing my finds. My son is a totally by-the-rules sports-obsessed kid, while my daughter is an emotional whirlwind. He’s perpetually looking for proof that she is certifiable—she isn’t, but our life sometimes seems pretty crazy.
Dori Katz, Associate Beauty & Fashion Editor What can I say? I’m a 25 year-old girl living in NYC and loving it. Outside of work, I soak up as much of the city as possible, going to new restaurants, exhibits and shows. I am always on the go, walking around the neighborhood, running on the East River, seeing movies or just hanging out. The best part of my job: playing dress up with all of the jewelry that we call in for stories!
Gay Norton Edelman, Senior Editor My main job here is writing and editing stories about families, relationships, emotions and self-improvement, which is cool because those are the subjects I love most. I’m known around the office for being a fan of deep breathing and meditation—one or the other can most always improve a situation. In the rest of my life I’m a wife, the mother of three sons and “mom” to Shadow, a funny, fuzzy English Springer Spaniel.
Ilana Blitzer, Beauty Editor I think about makeup, hair and body products more than you could possibly imagine and go crazy for the just-right lengthening-and-curling mascara. I adore traveling (preferably anywhere beach-y, though, go figure, I sit in the shade), home décor (someday I will decorate more than a one-bedroom apartment!) and wedding planning—now that mine’s done, I’m ready to take on someone else’s.
Jane Bianchi, Associate Health Editor As a member of our health department, I’m constantly reading the latest scientific studies, talking to MDs, PhDs and RDs and checking out new health and fitness products. Since joining the magazine, I’ve stopped eating fast food altogether and started taking vitamins regularly. Plus, I’m training for my second half-marathon. Wish me luck!
Jennifer Ash Taylor, Managing Editor The best thing about my job is that I read every single page of Family Circle numerous times before it goes to press. Believe me, as a wife and mom of two young boys, I can use all the tips and information I can get—especially advice about how to wake up tired eyes. Now if I could magically come up with a rotating month-long menu that all three of the men in my life like!
Jonna Gallo Weppler, Articles Director Call me crazy, but I’m adding Inner Circle blogger to my list of job titles, which presently includes: Mom, wife, daughter, sister, in-law, property manager, grocery procurer, laundress, employee, employer and friend. In my spare time (?!?!) I bake and decorate cupcakes with great glee, scan drawers and closets for stuff to give away and clean the random pretzels and gas receipts out of my Volvo, which somehow makes me feel calm.
Judy Prouty, Home Style Director I’ve been a decorating junkie for as long as I can remember, and when I’m not editing stories about organic mattresses or at a press event for kitchen knobs, I’m scouring flea markets or window shopping the design stores. Although I consider myself low tech, I am iBook and iPod dependent. And I’m addicted to Ciao Bella blood orange sorbet, dark chocolate bars and swimming, but not in that order.
Julie Miltenberger, Senior Food Editor When people ask me why I don’t try out for Top Chef, I say, “Because I WOULD want to win with deviled eggs.” (Inside joke.) My most comforting food memory is going out for chili with my dad and sister after accidentally driving across the 50 yard line of Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears. I’m a big fan of pork, but also green vegetables. And, of course, deviled eggs.
Karmen Lizzul, Creative Director I basically grew up in my Dad's restaurants, so not only was creating food that tasted good ingrained in me, so was the presentation, the décor—everything mattered. When I was still a student, I sold my first painting, a still-life of a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine. It was just hanging on the wall and a customer wanted it. I got $100! Thanks mom and dad, for putting me through art school.
Krista Meyerhoff, Editorial Assistant My email inbox is flooded with Broadway ticket offers, NYTimes.com headlines, sample sale reminders and green living tips, which gives you a little insight into what I’m about. As an editorial assistant, I help a handful of editors with assorted tasks. I also get to play the newest video games and see family-friendly films before they’re released, and test online services during work hours without having to sneak. Cool.
Linda Moran Evans, Beauty and Fashion Director I am a known accessories hound and think little extras are truly what make an outfit. A lifelong bargain hunter, I shop flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales for most of my fashion needs. When it comes to beauty, I’ll try anything from hair masks to body butters. Meanwhile, this year is my son’s first in college, and we’ve both survived. Thank heavens for text messaging!
Lisa Kelsey, Art Director I live very far away from my job and consequently am able to keep up with the latest books. On weekends I try to organize the house so that I won’t always have to search for the glue gun, tracing paper and stickers for my 7-year-old daughter and convince my 11-year-old son to stop playing video games and get a haircut. When I give up on both tasks, I mostly cook, chase the dog and hang out with my husband.
Margit Ragland, Health Director I had perfect school attendance from kindergarten through 12th grade. My friends and family refer to me as the “Clorox lady” because I wipe everything down with bleach. They also say my cookies taste like sawdust, since I bake with whole-wheat flour. When I am not in the office, I am generally running after my 3-year-old daughter, who sometimes gets sick despite my best efforts.
Michael Tyrrell, Associate Food Editor I’m the oldest of ten (7 boys, 3 girls) and to this day I have no idea how my mother managed to keep all of us fed and happy without losing her mind. I would walk a mile in snow—bare feet, no boots—for a big plate of pasta and I love all things grilled. When I’m not cooking, eating or thinking about the particulars of my next meal, I enjoy movies, theatre, ballet, reading and exercise.
Paula Chin, Senior Editor Single mom to Natalie, an ebullient 8-year old. News junkie, foodie, animal lover (two cats, a retired horse, a fighting fish and a step-dog). Crazy about Mad Men (can’t wait for season 3 this summer). Opinionated, chatty, and generally amused by what life has to offer. Will be blogging about all of the above—including training kitties Boo and Bo to use the toilet. Look for updates from the front!
Regina Ragone, Food Director As the oldest daughter of an Italian-American family I spent a LOT of time in the kitchen helping my mother cook. Luckily my mom was also a dietitian, so she taught me how to eat incredibly well without tipping the scale to TILT. She’s why I fell in love with food, nutrition and cooking. My FC office reeks of cinnamon but it’s from these scented sticks I love—not the real thing, unfortunately.
Robb Riedel, Assistant Managing Editor When I’m not lacing up my ice skates (I’m on two hockey teams) I’m usually listening to music or watching something on “old man” television: PBS or the History, Discovery, National Geographic or Science channels. I’m somewhat obsessed with pickles, anything orange, offbeat news, thrift stores and mixing cocktails. I love to cook and read but am embarrassed to admit I need to do a lot more of both.
Samantha J. Bednarek, Associate Art Director I’m a Jersey shore native. [Read: devoted sun worshiper, lover of the smell of low tide and eater of any type of seafood.] When I’m not working, I try new restaurants, shop for well-designed stationery, explore Manhattan and visit the City of Brotherly Love. My guilty pleasures are CW shows like Gossip Girl and America’s Next Top Model, even though my sole means of reception is a set of rabbit ears.
Stephanie Emma Pfeffer, Senior Associate Editor I’m a newlywed who loves the writerly life in NYC. I’ve always had a bicoastal existence and wish I could go on a round-the-world trip—like, tomorrow. (I could even be ready by late tonight, if pressed.) I prefer movies to television and dancing to sitting still, and get up early even when I stay up late. I would love to become a great cook someday. (My husband wishes the same.)
Susan Hennessey, Assistant Photo Editor When I’m not answering everyone’s photography questions, I’m generally: shooting my favorite band, watching TERRIBLE reality TV, cleaning, obsessing over my cat, cooking dinner for my boyfriend, planning my next tattoo, perfecting my monthly budget, dreaming about finally taking a real vacation, or running to catch one of the many means of public transportation I take on a weekly basis.
Tina Anderson, Photo Director I’ve been charged with producing photo shoots for FC for three-and-a-half years but I am also a published cookbook author. (Shameless self-promotion: Feel free to look me up on Amazon, The Ski House Cookbook.) I guess you could say that cooking and eating are my main hobbies. And skiing. I exercise A LOT because I eat A LOT, so the two kind of need to go hand in hand.
Tracy Fiske, Copy Editor I’m a grammar geek, a lover of literature and a fan of foreign films—but most of all I’m tired. With an infant, pretween and tween all vying for my attention—and their fair share of the family pocketbook—I am all about saving right now. Saving time and saving money. Currently I'm obsessed with online grocery shopping, which saves both, and Saturdays, a day dedicated to hanging out with family.
