MEET THE STIR'S WRITERS

• I'm the associate editor here at The Stir. I'm a bargainista by talent and runner of everything from 5ks to half marathons. Losing 70 pounds is my greatest life accomplishment, so far. In my spare time I ramble on personal blog, Making Life Fit.

  
  Sipping on: Watermelontini
  

  Emily Abbate

• I'm the copy chief & an occasional writer for The Stir. I really like grammar and words and very nerdy books, which is weird to most people. Sometimes browsing through Twitter gives me heart palpitations. I live in downtown New York City, but you can always find me at a Pittsburgh Steelers bar during football season on Sunday. I like the Steelers so much that I even blog about them.

  
  Sipping on: Bud Light
  

  Jill Baughman

• I'm Becky Sherrick Harks, better known as Aunt Becky, and you'll normally find me blathering on my own blog, Mommy Wants Vodka. But I'm here at The Stir to secure Total World Domination, er, discuss how I'm (barely) surviving parenthood.

  
  Sipping on: Vodka, naturally.
  

  Aunt Becky

• I'm a writer, producer, and TV host, mom to 6-year-old twin girls, and a firm believer that you can shop at Forever 21 no matter how old you are. I write about parenting, style, and the Kardashians -- or as my daughter calls them, "the Princess Jasmines"! But my best material comes from the adorable, wise, and hilariously inappropriate things my daughters say. It’s my right until they’re 18 ... or at least until they learn how to google me.

  
  Sipping on: Bloody Mary
  

  Sarah Bernard

• I live in Brooklyn, NY, and write about technology, security, gadgets, gear, wristwatches, and the Internet. After spending four years as an IT programmer, I switched gears and became a full-time journalist. My work has appeared in the New York Times, Laptop, PC Upgrade, Surge, Gizmodo, Men's Health, InSync, Linux Journal, Popular Science, Sync, and I've written a book called Black Hat: Misfits, Criminals, and Scammers in the Internet Age. You cand find more about me at BigWideLogic.com.

  Headshot by SharonaPhoto.com.
  

  John Biggs

• Before her blogging career, Gabrielle was designer and art director in New York. Now she gets her creative fix seeking out, writing about, or giving away all things well designed. If she's not online, you can find her dreaming of sugary treats and doing cool things with her family.

  After 8 years in New York and a stopover in Colorado, she currently lives in the French countryside where she and Ben Blair are raising Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty & Flora June. And eating lots of cheese.

  
  Sipping on: Chocolate Milk
  

  Gabrielle Blair

• I'm a former Forbes journalist and blogger who has also waxed lyrical for other places, including Marie Claire, The Frisky, The New York Post, and Women on the Fence. For my book, Can't Think Straight, I was on The Today Show, The Joy Behar Show, The Gayle King Show, and others. (But not Hoarders. One can dream.) I like to tell it like it is, almost as much as I like cats. I know a lot about celebrities and nothing about my neighbors. Visit me at my website or blog.

  
  Sipping on: Water if at my home, Pinot Grigio if at yours.
  

  Kiri Blakeley

• I met my husband at 18, got married at 23, and then worked (and played) hard for seven years before becoming a mom. It took us five months to like each other again after our daughter was born. I wish I'd known to expect that! At my day job I've labored in television news, print, and on the web, where I've helped launch many a blog, but I am most proud of this one — right here.

  As for my kids, they crack me up. One of them recently picked up a phone, looked me sternly in the eyes, and said, "Shhh mommy, I am on a very important work call!" At least I know they're listening to me.

  
  Sipping on: Iced Vanilla Skim Latte
  

  Amy Boshnack

• I am a writer and occasional editor. My work has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, First for Women, Woman's World, AOL, YourTango, and various other publications. Interests include holistic health and fitness, reading, pop culture, jewelry, summer, and cooking with lots of veggie and spices. I've lived in Chicago, Boston, London, L.A. and Manhattan and now reside in north NJ with my Jersey boy fiance. In our free time, we frequent BYOB spots, buy overpriced produce (but it's so pretty!) at Whole Foods and do bizarrely huge loads of laundry. 

   

  
  Sipping on: Organic coffee with lots of almond milk and stevia
  

  Maressa Brown

• I am a mother, runner, wife, editor, and writer. My work has appeared in The New York Times, Parents, Parenting, Runner's World and many other publications over the years. I also make a mean margarita and run races (everything from 5ks to marathons).

  I live outside of New York City with my husband, two kids (Sam, 6, and Alan, 4), a corpulent cat and a chihuahua with emotional issues.

  
  Sipping on: margarita, rocks, salt
  

  Sasha Brown-Worsham

• Call me a professional hypocrite: I write about how to raise kids for magazines like Parents, American Baby, Parenting, and other publications, but rarely follow my own mothering advice. Yeah, my kids watch TV and play in a rock band instead of on a soccer team but you know what? They're cool. (Can you tell I was raised by hippies?) Follow me on Twitter!

   

  
  Sipping on: Coffee if it's a weekday; margaritas if it's a mom's night out.
  

  Jacqueline Burt

• Hi. I'm Kristen. Not Krissy. Or Kris. There's a difference. After having kids, I left life as a college music professor and became a writer, sex book author, and the current host of Cafemom Studios' show "Coffee Shop Confessions." 

  When I'm not chasing after my four children or trying to keep track of my commercial pilot and Air Force Reserves officer husband, I can be found at my personal blog Motherhood Uncensored, as well as at Cool Mom Picks and Cool Mom Tech where I'm co-publisher and CEO.  

  
  Sipping on: Anything with tequila. Or just tequila.
  

  Kristen Chase

• I'm Deborah, most people know me online as @TruthfulMommy. I'm the creator of the brutally honest parenting site The TRUTH about Motherhood. I am a writer, a wife, and a work-at-home Ninja Mommy who's trying to do it all well; sometimes falling short. I live in the Midwest with my 2 little girls and my husband. I have a lot of degrees from a bunch of schools but mostly spend my days shuttling people under the age of 7 while trying to maintain my sanity. I talk a lot. I may not always say what you want to hear but it will always be my honest viewpoint. I know it's not the only one.

  
  Sipping on: Salted Caramel Mocha Latte
  

  Deborah Cruz

• I’m Jen. And I’m the mother of two teens and the stepmother of one. Which means that I’m divorced. (And have been for over a decade.) And remarried. (And have been for over six years.) Hubs owns a restaurant which means I rarely have to cook. But I do all of the dishes.
  And when I’m not shuttling my kids around, doing multiple loads of laundry or going to Las Vegas with my husband, I can be found writing at my personal blog Life’s Dewlaps.
  I hope having a sense of humor will help me get through the teen years, co-parenting and aging. I’ll let you know.

  
  

  
  Sipping on: Espresso in the morning, Dirty Vodka Martinis on Thursday nights
  

  Jennifer Cullen

• A California girl transplanted to the wilds of suburban New Jersey, I’m a shoe-loving, book-obsessed writer and mama. I can also be found at BettyConfidential.com and my own blog, “My First Word Was Shoe.” My work has appeared on sites like SELF.com and The Huffington Post; other interests include running (badly), cooking (not so badly), and over-packing. Sometimes I get to do fun things like cover Fashion Week or “road test” beauty products, but most of the time I’m chained to my laptop or schlepping to pick-up in my PJs -- it’s good to have balance!

  
  Sipping on: Full fat lattes (a.m.) and Chardonnay (p.m.)
  

  April Daniels Hussar

• I write about parenting, home, food, clutter, thermostat wars, princesses -- so, basically, my life with a husband, 9 year old son, and 7 year old daughter. Previously I wrote about health and family at readersdigest.com, and before that, I was a newspaper reporter, and before that ... I can't remember anymore.

  
  Sipping on: Green tea
  

  Cynthia Dermody

• I've been senior lifestyle editor at The Stir for almost two years after a short career freelance writing. I did stints at People, PopEater, AOL Health, The Huffington Post, and MyDaily. Before that, I was at FoxNews.com (don't gasp), where I covered fun stuff like the Oscars and style trends, plus heavier fare like Katrina and Casey Anthony. Not long ago, I was in the odd position of getting married at City Hall, planning what my mom called a "proper wedding," and having a baby all in the same year. I have a thing for watermelon, mystery novels, France, and trips to the Met.

  
  Sipping on: Coffee with half-and-half
  

  Catherine Donaldson-Evans

• Jenny Erikson is a conservative chick with a strong opinion and a smart mouth. Sometimes sassy, sometimes sincere, always honest. She believes that ingenuity, elbow grease, and sheer determination can accomplish anything -- even motherhood.

  Jenny blogs at JennyErikson.com and records a weekly radio show, Top 7 with Jenny & Ashley, on BlogTalkRadio. She lives in Southern California with her husband and their two young daughters.

  
  Sipping on: Coke Zero or vino
  

  Jenny Erikson

• Mama to an 1-year-old girl and a 5-year-old shih tzu. Married.

  I've blogged for lots o' websites; written essays for McSweeney's and Hackwriters; and worked on a ton of sitcoms. I watch a gross amount of Bravo and HGTV, and am hanging on to the pipe dream that one day I'll own a quaint little B&B somewhere on the coast of Italy. Won't you come visit? 

   

  
  Sipping on: Gin and juice
  

  Nicole Fabian-Weber

• I'm the Editorial Marketing Manager here at The Stir. I love reality TV, long walks on the beach, and Bradley Cooper. And I dream of the day when sweatpants and slippers become socially acceptable work attire.

  
  Sipping on: Strawberry martini
  

  Stefanie Favicchio

• Once upon a time, I was a television anchor with a closet stuffed full of designer gear. But when I became a mom, my new uniform consisted of cheap blue jeans and disposable t-shirts.

  A few years spent in the mother 'hood and I was ready to claw my way out or die trying-- That's how "She's Still Got It" was born. I believe moms can be pretty, stylish, and on trend. Even on a a ridiculously meager budget. Even in the car rider pick up line.

  You've still got it, Mama. And I'd love to help you figure out exactly how to show it off.

  Have style questions? E-mail me at suburban.turmoil@yahoo.com!

  
  Sipping on: A French Martini
  

  Lindsay Ferrier

• I am the author of The Mommyologist, a blog where I laugh at how life has changed since my son entered the picture. My words have been quoted in The New York Times, CNN.com, and a few TV programs have even dared to put me on camera. Before becoming a full-time writer for The Stir, I dished out celeb gossip for Babble and wrote for CBS CT. I currently reside in the boonies, but long for the city, the coast, or a combination of both.

  
  Sipping on: Crystal Light Martinis
  

  Mary Fischer

• My life's goal was to be a mom. So, I became a registered nurse in order to be able to provide for my future kids. Boy, oh, boy, and lots of girls -- were my prayers ever answered! By the age of 29, I was a mom to eight (count them!) healthy beautiful kids.

  Since then life has gone in all sorts of crazy directions, including a hit reality show on TLC that ran for six seasons, three New York Times best-selling books, and single mom-hood!

  Since having kids, my goal in life is to be the best mom I can possibly be ... and to simply and successfully survive each day! 

  
  Sipping on: Coffee with fat free creamer ... and LOTS of it!
  

  Kate Gosselin

• I'm one part word nerd writer, one part shoe hoochie fashionista, and all parts mother of Skylar, the flighty but fabulous 14 year old who is the object of my undying affection (when she's not immersed in teen funkiness). Aside from storytelling for The Stir, I pen pieces for Essence, Ebony, Vibe, Clutch and just about anyone else who'll have me. On any given day, I find solace in Five Guys fries, Hello Kitty paraphernalia and crime TV. Love me anyway, please.

  
  Sipping on: Sprite on the rocks. Oh, you thought this snarkiness was alcohol-induced?
  

  Janelle Harris

• I’m a humor columnist, on-air lifestyle expert, Host of The Jenny Isenman Show on Cafe Mom, and a proud mama of two. I’m also a cellulite/wrinkle obsessed, pop-culture junkie and card carrying Gen Xer (oh, they have cards). I’m known as Jenny from the Blog at my site The Suburban Jungle. I guarantee that reading it will make you tanner, smarter, and reduces cellulite. Well, at the very least, it’ll make you more literate. 

  
  Sipping on: Venti Non-Fat Latte ... oh, and an Iced Green Tea (to negate the bad effects of the coffee)
  

  Jenny Isenman

• I'm a journalist by training, blogger by choice, and mom of two hilarious, awesome, kind of insane kids. The kids and I live in Detroit (come visit, we're having a moment) in an 83-year-old house with their dad/my husband, three cats and one dog. I would enjoy reading, gardening and sewing poorly but enthusiastically in my spare time if I had any.

  
  Sipping on: Coffee
  

  Amy Kuras

• My name is Jenny (aka The Bloggess). I'm an irreverent satire writer with a penchant for saying baffling things that leave people alternately appalled and fascinated. I'm best known for giving unprovoked and vaguely dangerous advice, and was once labeled an "interesting psycho" by Gawker after unwittingly starting a small blood feud with William Shatner. I find it very hard to dispute any of this.

  
  Sipping on: Wine slushie.
  

  Jenny Lawson

• I've blogged for the Huffington Post and Styleite and was featured in Tara Stiles' yoga book, Slim, Calm, Sexy. When not writing or trying to touch my toes, you can find me losing at trivia nights in pubs or visiting friends and family in the South. I live in the East Village with my roommate and an excellently behaved DVR.

  
  Sipping on: Drawn butter.
  

  Lindsay Mannering

• I'm a native Detroiter but now longtime New Yorker living with my wife and toddler son. Here are some of the highlights of my journalism career: Meeting Rosa Parks, interviewing Michael Jackson and Prince, hanging out with the entire cast of Saturday Night Live (circa 2002), and getting a private tour of the White House (look, it's Bo!). The lowlights: None, of course! 

  
  Sipping on: The Mocha Frappucino is a gift from heaven, but I try to stick to water
  

  Bob Meadows

• During an emergency C-section, my doctor discovered a mass on my Fallopian tube that turned out to be cancer. The bad kind. And it had spread. So, while I soak in the bliss of being a new wife and mom at 45, I'm also dealing with things like surgeries, chemotherapy, cancer treatment and all that those entail. I try to do it with gratitude and humor, and always with honesty.

  
  Sipping on: Decaf soy latte
  

  Joanna Montgomery

• In a former life, Suzanne Murray was a lawyer, a journalist, and a green lifestyle guru. She's launched several web sites, and has worked at the Washington Post Company, the Boston Review, and myriad women's magazines. In her current life, she's the Parenting & Political Editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012. She's also raising 9 chickens and one adventurous 4-year-old.

  
  Sipping on: French press coffee
  

  Suzanne Murray

• I'm Executive Vice President of CafeMom, Publisher of The Stir, and the mom of two young boys. I live in Brooklyn, unabashedly adore reality TV (even the really bad shows), and use too many exclamation points(!) in my writing. Other fun facts about me: I love airports, hate small talk, read a TON of books, and I gave birth to an 11-pound baby at home. 

  
  Sipping on: Coffee by day, Wine by night
  

  Tracy Odell

• Hi there. I'm Sheri -- Entertainment, News & Sports editor and a writer here on The Stir, as well as a blogger and amateur photographer. I live in Northern California where I also work, watch birds, and raise two wild and wonderful boys with my husband.

  
  Sipping on: morning coffee or nooner tea
  

  Sheri Reed

• I have produced prose professionally for most of my adult life, adore alliteration, and prefer to write with an actual pen. Along the way, I have earned a black belt (and a few black eyes) in multi-tasking. In any spare time, I watch copious amounts of reality television and run recreationally to preserve my sanity and out of necessity to keep up with my 7-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter.

  
  Sipping on: Chardonnay and Diet Coke--always in tandem
  

  Julie Ryan Evans

• I have strung words together for Kiwi Magazine, Babble.com, AOL, Parents Magazine and more. I live in upstate New York with my daughter, husband, dog and too many cats.

  Though my daughter is officially an elementary schooler, I'm pleased to report I've yet to give in to the curse of the appliqued mom sweater. Small victories, people.

  
  Sipping on: Seltzer
  

  Jeanne Sager

• A former staff writer at People Magazine and Us Weekly, I have covered everything from hero pets to hurricanes to the secrets of celebrity slim-downs (which is basically avoiding carbs and anything else that you might actually enjoy eating). My work has also appeared in Essence and Self Magazine. Now an editor at The Stir, I spend my down time hanging out with my hubby, toddler and Shih Tzu in New York City. My other favorite pastime -- reality TV. I swear I've learned everything I need to know to survive this life from Snooki, Kim K and NeNe Leakes.

   

  
  Sipping on: Sipping on: a soy latte... but on weekends, mama definitely needs a mimosa!
  

  Ericka Sóuter

• I live in Eugene, Oregon with my husband and our sons Riley (7) and Dylan (5). Prior to August 2010 I spent many years as a software marketer, these days I work from home as a freelance writer. I enjoy photography, comic books, R-rated movies, and things that smell like coconut.

  
  Sipping on: Sugar-Free Red Bull (mmm, chemical-y)
  

  Linda Sharps

• Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy, writes about motherhood -- the good, the bad and the scary. She's also the New York Times bestselling author Confessions of a Scary Mommy and the soon to be published Motherhood Comes Naturally (And Other Vicious Lies).

  
  Sipping on: Piña coladas. On the beach. ALONE.
  

  Jill Smokler

• I live in Queens, New York, with the love of my life, my dog Chloe, and my husband (yes, the husband comes second). I collect anything and everything that has to do with pigs. I love reading, traveling, and watching endless amounts of bad TV.

  
  Sipping on: Bellinis at brunch and wine any other time
  

  Denise Tomm

• I'm a transplant from the plains of Colorado, now raising a son in the wilds of brownstone Brooklyn where the buffalo mozzarella roam. Before joining The Stir I worked for a start-up grassroots organization and contributed to blogs like Civil Eats and One Little Bite (of the dearly-departed Cookie Magazine) -- all from my lovely window-seat office. Most of the time I'm contemplating my next meal. I love kale and doughnuts equally.

   

  
  Sipping on: Whole milk
  

  Adriana Velez

• I'm a high heel wearing writer, magician, sleuth, and twin mama with tattoos. I take care of the kids by day and write and give Baby Prep classes by night. I get personal on Mommy With Tattoos and mouthy at Daily Momtra. I'm obsessed with taking naps, 70s vintage, chocolate chip cookies, reality TV, Mexican food, and my husband's meatballs (this is not a naughty reference).

  
  Sipping on: breastmilk
  

  Michele Zipp