You are here: Home / Archives for Profiles

Kristina ‘with a K’ Kraus

04/06/2012 By Leave a Comment

The first time I saw Kristina was on The Second Season of Sweet Home Alabama on CMT.  I thought to myself, “I love bling, but not like this girl!”.  Obviously she caught our Gypsy Eye!  Now the first time I talked to Kristina, I thought to myself “NO WAY she is really this nice?”  But, Guess what?  SHE IS!  She is by far one of the nicest and most genuine people I have talked to in my time with the Gypsy Sisters.  I absolutely love her.  She is straight positive energy, a person who just puts you in a good mood.  Which is why I immediately sent her our 20 questions.  You can see Kristina this Saturday and the next 5 or 6 Saturdays on CMT’s new spin-off Southern Nights.  I can’t wait to watch her in action again and I can not wait to see what she does next, get to know her, love her and be prepared to see a lot more of her, because she isn’t going anywhere!

Here are her Gypsy 20 Questions!  Enjoy!

Name: Kristina Nicole Kraus

Profession: OClicious Stylist

1.  Why is it important to live by your own rules?

Because at the end of the day you have to look at yourself in the mirror and like what you see! You are in charge of your own happiness.

2.  If your house was burning what is the one item you would grab before leaving?

All of my family pictures that of course, after ever one is safely out of the house.

3.  What are the beauty products you can’t live without?

Bronzer, All of my MAC makeup, Body Glitter, and my favorite Kim Kardashian perfume.

4.  Where is your favorite place to shop?

Gypsy Soule and Dash

5.  When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up and why?

A Pediatrician, because I love to help people.

6.  What women do you admire and why?

My mother Claudette Kraus because she leads a God fearing life practicing humility and showing love through her selfless actions.

7.  What is the hardest thing about being a woman in your industry?

Just the catty backstabbing and lack of trust in people, no one has your back.

8.  Have you read any books lately that you would recommend to us?

The Help is soo inspirational and ahhhmazing, also Gabby Gifford’s memoir.

9.  Pet Peeve?

When people smack their gum or un-even spray tans.

10.  What charities are you involved in, why should others become involved with those charities?

I am not committed to any charities currently, however I love to volunteer at my local library.

11.  What is the most memorable day of your life?

Watching the birth of my nephew and godson Braiden Ramos, it was such an unbelievable experience to witness God first hand.

12.  What’s on your DVR?

Sweet Home Alabama of course

13.  What’s on your IPOD?

My music is so eclectic it varies, but I am currently obsessed with the Pistol Annies album so many fabulous songs.

14.  Favorite Cocktail?

Hello Kitty Champagne I think I like the bottle more though.

15.  After a bad day what do you do to wind down?

Workout nothing an hour on the elliptical can’t fix.

16.  After a good day what do you do to celebrate?

I get dolled up and cover the streets in Swarovski!

17.  If you could have dinner with any four people alive or dead, who would they be?

Frank Sinatra, Abraham Lincoln, Jesus, and Elizabeth Taylor. Can you say fun dinner convo?

18.  Favorite thing to do on a rainy Saturday afternoon?

SouthCoastPlaza this is when I am the most thankful for indoor malls!

19.  What do you see as your biggest challenge in life?

To let go and let God.

20.  What is the best advice you have been given, and who gave it to you?

“Never compromise your morals or values for anyone or any reason and don’t forget your prayers!” My parents gave me these words of wisdom and I do my best to live by these guidelines! XOXO

Make sure and LIKE (there really should be a LOVE button) Kristina’s page on FACEBOOK, Click here to go directly to it.   Don’t forget to set your DVR’s for this Saturday’s premiere of Southern Nights on CMT, right after Texas Women!

 

Filed Under: Profiles

Gypsy Profile: Cathryn Hagel

02/16/2012 By 2 Comments

So I stumbled across this wonderful blog one day and fell in love.  The Farmer’s Trophy Wife.   Cathryn Hagel is the Farmer’s Trophy Wife and she is fabulous.  So all together now….Hi Cathryn!!  One of the main goals of Gypsy Sisters is to profile women that live life by their own rules, and not just the famous ones.  Cathryn is a Registered Nurse, mom (she recently gave birth to her third child), blogger & wife.  I asked Cathryn why she started blogging and she said that after the birth of her son, she really just wanted something to think about other than diapers and sleepless nights.  She relates blogging to having lots of pen-pals, meeting new people all of the time through her blog.  Which is one of the reasons you will fall in love with her site, it is personal, she even does “reader requests” on style issues.  Let me tell you ladies, you are going to love her site and her.  Cathryn was of course subjected to Gypsy Sisters 20 Questions….Here are her answers…

1.  Why is it important to live by your own rules?

I think living by rules that are a collection of yours and your significant other is something that is fabulous.  I am such a random, easy-going person that having a grounded, best friend for a husband makes my life so amazing. I need that occasional “rule” to help me remember that life isn’t just and always about me; and I think I bring some needed craziness to his life. Together we have created “rules” that work fabulous for our family and I love it!

2.  If your house was burning what is the one item you would grab before leaving?

Other than my family (of course!)…I would have to take the pieces of jewellery that my husband has given to me over the years. Every baby I have , he gives me a gorgeous ring…I love that I have these pieces that are part of my every day and will someday be something that I get to give my “babies” when they are grown up.

3.  What are the beauty products you can’t live without?

I am not committed to any one brand with my makeup…I am too all over the place for that! When I packed my bag for the hospital (baby #3!)  and I made sure that there was mascara, eyebrow pencil and lip-gloss. All the other products I use are pretty darn fabulous, but these are my “deserted island” picks…and the day or so after having a baby, I’ve never really been in the put on a full face of makeup mood, and these 3 always make me feel good for those “natural look” days. LOL

4.  Where is your favourite place to shop?

I have to pick just one?! What are you doing to me?!  I tend to drift towards the main stream Banana Republic, Tommy Hilfiger and Jacob for the basics. They all have clothes that are long enough in the arms and legs…hard to find! And then I “jazz” it up with accessories, blazers, purses, etc. from all over. I love finding unique and fun stuff to use to make my outfits more ME!

5.  When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up and why?

I don’t know if I ever really had one goal in mind…my mind, plans and dreams are so random, change frequently and I’ve always been that way. I did know that I would be on a farm my whole life and a mom someday. But so far I’ve gotten my Journalism Diploma and my Registered Nursing Degree…who know what will be in the future?!

6.  What women do you admire and why?

I admire anyone who speaks their mind, stays true to who they are and REALLY enjoys life. My Mom is pretty damn amazing and a lot of people say I’m just like her. Best compliment ever!

7.  What is the hardest thing about being a woman in your industry?

8.  Have you read any books lately that you would recommend to us?

I LOVE reading…I just don’t really have time anymore…3 kids age four and under do that! Maybe someday…. 

9 & 10 – were skipped

11.  What is the most memorable day of your life?

The days my kids were born. I know that is probably a cliché answer, but it really is true. I think it’s the hormones or something, but I really and truly remember every single moment, there really isn’t any other day that I can remember so clearly or that brings back so many feelings or emotions…

12.  What’s on your DVR?

I JUST got one!!!! I LOVE it! Before this with kids and shift work, I missed the one or two shows that I have watched for years and it made me sad…Now, I can tape and watch when I have time…not that I get much time to myself, but ack! So exciting to actually sit down and watch something I like when I do get that time…why did we wait so long to get one?!?!

I have been a diehard Survivor fan since day one…yes, I know. But I LOVE it. (and would TOTALLY be the first voted off if I went on…LOL), have always liked Amazing Race and now am into PanAm…so good!

13.  What’s on your IPOD?

Again, I am so random. I have everything from Garth Brooks to Rihanna, CCR, Miranda Lambert and Black Eyed Peas. It’s kind of a crazy mixture, but that’s me!

14.  Favourite Cocktail?

*sigh* haven’t had one in a while (pregnant!!) but I do love an Ambrosia Martini…soooooooo good!

15.  After a bad day what do you do to wind down?

Go to bed. I am in love with our huge, comfy bed and to be able to just snuggle in, close my eyes and have the time and space to myself, solves all my problems!

16.  After a good day what do you do to celebrate?

Same thing! 

17.  If you could have dinner with any four people alive or dead, who would they be?

Hmmmm…good question. I would have to say Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Mae West and Diane Keaton. They all seem to be women that would be crazy fun to be around after a few glasses of wine!

18.  Favourite thing to do on a rainy Saturday afternoon?

If my kids were over at Grandma’s and I actually had a day to myself?! I would spend the day doing nothing but laying in bed, eating and watching movies (other than Cars or Rango!). To be able to just have quiet around me and the chance to be lazy and only worry about myself would be a mini vacation!!

19. What do you see as your biggest challenge in life?

Making sure that my kids are healthy, happy and have a normal, stable life. This world has changed A LOT since I was a kid and I have so many amazing memories of riding our horses, fishing, camping, hunting gophers (lol) or sledding down the hills around our place, and that was all fun and memories that my parents were HUGE in creating for us. We were farm kids that spent the majority of our time outside and I think it totally shaped who we are today. Now a day, TV, cell phones, video games and computers are totally a part of kids lives that so wasn’t even an issue back in my childhood. We only had two TV channels and I still remember our phone being on a party line! The isolation and lack of exercise that kids are exposed to now is scary and my husband and I are trying our best to make sure our kids don’t go down that road. We have horses, cows, cats, a dog and acres of space for them to go out and get dirty in and as the kids get bigger, we are going to make those things our priority when it comes to vacations and memories. How many kids can say they got their first buck when they were 3?! (my girlie did this year with her daddy and still hasn’t stopped talking about it!)

20.  What is the best advice you have been given, and who gave it to you?

The best advice that I have received is…live the most fabulous, fulfilling life you can. When I was in nursing school, one lecture was given by 4 or 5 people who were dying of cancer…they all took turns telling their stories and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them said the same thing. LIVE. While you have the time, energy, resources and life to live, DO IT. Don’t wait for a cancer diagnosis or something else major to happen, do it NOW. I left that lecture with tears in my eyes and have lived my life that way everyday ever since. I have travelled, worked at a job that I LOVE, married my best friend, given birth to 3 amazing kids, and my journey is just getting started. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Thank you to Cathryn, make sure and check out her blog at www.farmerstrophywife.com

 

Filed Under: Profiles

Gypsy Profile: Miranda Lambert

11/28/2011 By 10 Comments

Miranda Lambert is everywhere these days, and why shouldn’t she be?  With a new album, a new band and new a husband (Blake Shelton in case you missed it), I think it is safe to say that she is one happy camper.  When we started Gypsy Sisters, she was on the top of our list of women to profile.  Miranda Lambert is definitely a woman who ‘lives life by her own rules’.  How many artists once they are at the top of the charts, decide to start a new band?  Not many, if any.  She has an extremely successful solo career with too many awards to count and she steps out and starts a girl band.  WE LOVE IT!  The Pistol Annies filled a void left by the Dixie Chicks after their fall from country music grace.  The Pistol Annies didn’t just fill the void, they blew it up!  To top it off, Lambert releases that album and follows it up with arguably her best solo work yet, Four The Record.  She has drive, style, attitude and heart.  Four things that every woman should have.  Miranda was nice enough to sit down and answer our twenty questions so without further nonsense from me here they are!

1.  Why is it important to live by your own rules? 

Knowing who you are always stands out, rather than following the crowd.  People who are confident in what they are and what they want are trend setters.

2.  If your house what burning down, what is the one item you would grab before leaving?

My husband and my dogs.  Probably a pistol in case someone was out there that set the fire. :)

3.  What are the beauty products you can’t live without?

Lipgloss

4.  Where is your favorite place to shop? 

I like all kinds of places but lately I shop online a lot.  Haute Hippie, Junk Gypsy & of course Gypsy Soule!

5.  When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up and why? 

A singer or a vet, because I was good at singing and I love animals.

6.  What women do you admire and why? 

I admire so many amazing women.  My mom, my friends, Loretta Lynn, Reba, Beyonce.  I have to say why I admire them all is because, I love a woman that is strong, caring and talented.  I love when a girl can kick ass and take names and be great at everything she does but still be humble.

7.  What is the hardest thing about being a woman in your industry? 

The pressure to be perfect.  Competing with the boys and having to prove yourself.

8.  Have you read any good books lately that you would recommend? 

The Help and The Hunger Games (it’s a series), they both changed my life.

9. Pet Peeve?

Beach Balls at concerts

10.  What charities are you involved in, why should others become involved with those charities?

MuttNation Foundation.  It saves the lives of neglected and abused animals.  So many good animal out there just need a good home.  The foundation also helps build and improve animal shelters.

11.  What is the most memorable day of your life? 

I am blessed to have had a lot of amazing days in my life, but so far I have to say my wedding day.

12.  What’s on your DVR?

Law & Order: SVU, Snapped, The New Girl & The Voice

13.  What’s on your iPod? 

Everything, lots of everything.

14.  Favorite Cocktail? 

Bacardi, Crystal Light and a splash of Diet Sprite

15.  After a bad day what do you do to wind down? 

Have a drink and hang with my hubby.

16. After a good day what do you do to celebrate?

Have a drink and hang with my hubby.

17.  If you could have dinner with any four people alive or dead, who would they be? 

Elvis, Tammy Wynette, Blake’s brother Richie, Jesus and #5 Waylon

18.  Favorite thing to do on a rainy Saturday afternoon? 

Ride 4-wheelers or horses.

19.  What do you see as your biggest challenge in life?

Enjoying everything as it happens.  I have such a full and crazy life, I wanna make sure I appreciate every blessing.  It is important to make time for both work and play.

20.  What is the best advice you have been given and who gave it to you? 

My mom said to me growing up, “know who you are and stick with it!”

 

We want to thank Miranda for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions.

Filed Under: Profiles Tagged With: , ,

What An Amazing Woman!

11/18/2011 By 9 Comments

It is amazing how many people, families and friends are affected by cancer in one form or another.  I am so excited to let all of my Gypsy Sisters meet one of my longest childhood friends and the maid of honor at my wedding, Kari.

Kari and I grew up about three or four hours away from each other.  We were both raised in the cattle and horse worlds.  We have been through a lot over the years even a falling out in our friendship.  God brings so many special people in your life and sometimes you never know how special they are till something happens to show you.  It is crazy to think about all of the places we have lived and moved together.  All of the struggles we have shared and how many good times we have had.  They say you should never live with any regret and I always try to live my life that way.  You can’t change the past, but you can damn sure change the future and I am all about that.  However, I do have one regret.  I was not the friend I needed to be to my friend Kari, when she had her first baby, her wedding day and the day she found out she had cancer.  I thank the Lord everyday that her little sister sent me a message to let me know she had cancer.  It was only a matter of minutes before Kari and I were on the phone, like no time had ever past.  You know sometimes you forget why you are mad or what changed in your friendship, but at the end of the day don’t let cancer be the reason you call an old friend.  Everyday I try to let one of my friends know how much they mean to me in some way or another.  When Kari and I were in college we had a friend named Lisa; Lisa used to carry a purse that looked like a picnic basket.  We would tell people that there was a dog in that ‘basket’.  The other day I was in Target walking by all of the Halloween stuff and saw a picnic basket with Toto the dog in it.  Guess who I sent that picture to?  It made both of our days and it still makes me giggle.  I am thankful I have all of those silly memories with Kari and that I get to share them with her again.

I really wanted to share with all of you how strong my dear friend Kari is and how much I look up to her.  She is fighting for her life, a life with her husband and a life with her son.  She is a FIGHTER!  That is why we have chosen her for our Gypsy Sister Profiles.  She is an inspiration to me and hopefully will be an inspiration to you.  We have shared so many laughs, good times, hangovers, crying fits over lame boys, being broke together, and following our dreams.  Now I want to be with her as she fights cancer.  She is my hero and I love her.  I hope she knows I am always here and now she has all of us!  Gypsy Sisters please take the time to leave Kari a comment.  Show her we support her in her fight.  After all Gyspy Sisters stick together through the good and bad!

-Lorinda

Why is it important to live by your own rules? 

Through various experiences in my life, I have come to the realization that you must implement, chase and constantly update your life’s goals; doing this will encourage you to keep a straight head and keep your reaching for more.  Never be satisfied with “where you are” in life.  your rules may change as you, but they are your rules and they will enable you to continue to grow as an individual.

If your house was burning what is the one item you would grab before leaving? 

One thing made of two parts: My family – my husband and my son.  I don’t know where I would be without then.  They make me want to be a better woman.

What are the beauty products you can’t live without?

Murad skin care products, Avon Glimmerstick Diamond eyeliner in Sugar Plum and MAC StudioFix

Where is your favorite place to shop?  

I must admit, I’m really not much of a shopper, never have been.  I do love a good craft store, like Michaels.  Oh how I miss Garden Ridge, now that I don’t live in Texas anymore!

When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up and why? 

Annie Oakley – and you should see my targets…I’m not too far off!  I was so impressed as a little girl that she could ride and shoot a gun that way.  Oakley believed in the importance for women to learn to use a gun, not only as a form of physical and mental exercise, but also to defend themselves.  While I don’t carry one on my hip in my daily life, I hold a little piece of her with me as a reminder to keep myself grounded and not get too far ahead of myself.

What women do you admire and why? 

I am lucky enough to have met some great, strong women throughout my life, and even luckier to call them friends.  Lorinda is one of them.  She has always been an inspiration to me, her never fail attitude always pushes me to try a little harder.  Linda Cady with Between Women is another, as a breast cancer survivor herself; her fight for life has been quite an inspiration to me.

What is the hardest thing about being a woman in your industry? 

I really don’t have any issues as far as being a women working in the accounting and education field.  My struggles are within me, in that I know there is something bigger out there for me.  I am still searching for exactly what that is.  I have recently started sewing as a therapeutic way to pass time, and have had a great response to my items.  I hope to build on that and see where it takes me.  I would also love to be able to share my story with other who might be battling cancer.  I think each day that there is a reason this all happened to me.  There are so many forks in the road right now, I am just not well enough to jump on that train right now, and that is frustrating.

Have you read any books lately that you would recommend to us? 

Crazy, Sexy Cancer by Kris Carr (pretty sure she is a Gypsy Sister at heart!).  The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf (a great story I never tire of reading with my son, Rhett).

Pet Peeves? 

Anyone who take life for granted, and feels sorry for themselves.  I have learned some valuable lessons this year, and I hope that by sharing my experience, I can offer help to those who might let life get them down.

What charities are you involved in, why should other become involved with those charities? 

Boys and Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley.  I get a sense of accomplishment in giving back to my community.  The Boys and Girls Clubs offer a safe place for kids and teach them the importance of living a heathy lifestyle.  Between Women.  I have always been an advocate for breast cancer, doing various walks or fundraisers, now that I am directly affected by it, I feel the need to share my story and help other through their journey.  I look forward to growing my relationship with Linda Cady and Between Women in the future.

What is the most memorable day of your life? 

The day I was diagnosed with breast cancer, at 35 years old, the last thing I thought I would be was a breast cancer survivor.  I have grabbed this bull by the horns and am holding on tight.  It’s been a wild ride, and we’ve still got a long way to go, but I will make it through this, with my husband and son by my side.

What’s on your DVR? 

Secrets From a Stylist

Keeping up with the Kardashians

Intervention

I don’t watch much TV, but I guess when I do, you could say I am a reality TV kind of girl.

What’s on your iPod?

I have a pretty random taste in music.  If I like it, I’m not too concerned with the genre or type of music it is.  This year my go to song has been Fight Like a Girl by Bomsel

Favorite Cocktail? 

I love me a good Bloody Mary.  I get in trouble for mixing my Crown, but I do enjoy Crown and 7up, and you just can’t beat an ice cold beer straight out of the ice chest!

After a bad day what do you to wind down? 

Lately I have been sewing.  Not sure if it’s the sound of the machine or getting my mind of something creative and productive, but it does seem to be a great stress reliever.

After a good day what do you do to celebrate? 

I love to enjoy a good ribeye cooked by husband, Derek.  I have learned it’s the little things that really make the day that much better!

If you could have dinner with any four people alive or dead, who would they be? 

My grandfather, Durwood Miller and my step-father LaVern Darnell, both of whom passed away from lung cancer.  Also, my husband Derek Smelser and his grandfather Al Smith.  There four men each made an impact in my life.  Having them all together at once, would be the icing on my cake of life!  I feel as though I can accomplish anything set before me and I try each day to make them all proud of me.

Favorite thing to do on a rainy Saturday afternoon? 

Love to have windows open and snuggle in bed with my boys while watching a movie, usually one Rhett has picked.  We don’t get very many here in the desert, so they are few and far between.

What do you see as your biggest challenge in life? 

Right now my biggest challenge in life is allowing my body to heal.  I have so many things I want to accomplish and being sick does not fall into my scheme of things.

What is the best advice you have given, and who gave it to you? 

When I was a little girl, I got hurt, either on my hand or my arm, who even knows what happened to me.  My Dad had me hold out my arm and wiggle my fingers, he said “that’s a long way from your heart”.  I think about those words now when I find myself drifting from where I need to be.

 

Filed Under: Profiles Tagged With:
« Older Posts