Sure, Sanjana Jon may be known as the adorable sister of creative couture designer Anand Jon. But take note—this vibrant New York-based, Indian designer is pouncing on the world of fashion to make her own footsteps. With her recent launch of three independently driven lines of women’s wear, Sanjana is sprouting to stardom.

Earlier this week as I looked up into the sky, I noticed the clouds were as thick as chowder . . . but the sun peeked out still. Its presence indicated that through this darkness there was hope for a brighter, sunnier cloud-free day. And that takes me into the present state of affairs in which the world finds itself. It’s almost Christmas!

By Lisa Trimarchi

So what could be worse than having an empty closet with nothing to wear? Having a closet full of fun fashion that you have no idea how to wear!

Long before my February 2007 launch of Good Girl Gone Shopping, an affordable personal shopping and wardrobe consultant business, I have noticed how fearful most people are when it comes to trying out new styles, fun trends, and basically, stepping out of the norm.

By Elana Pruitt

I have been feeling a lot of anger lately over the many conflicts in the world, the many wars. I have been feeling that unless mankind learns to handle our differences civilly and without violence, we will be our own end. The environment is groaning because of our greedy misuse, and with the factor of war added in, it starts to rapidly decline.

(Written by Lisa A. Trimarchi)

I have never been out of the country. Unfortunately, my fear of flying (well, fear of going down is more like it) has hindered my exploration of the world. About five years ago, I could have traveled with a friend, and a group of other Jewish adults, to the motherland – Israel. For the most part, it was a free ticket because it involved committed studies and group activities.

(Written by Elana Pruitt)

Spring is here and I am gradually stocking up on oversized, costume jewelry, eclectic printed blouses, 80s-inspired skinny jeans, billowy cropped pants, and bright-colored clutches. Yes, my list of must-haves is lengthy. And nope – I don’t pay ridiculous prices. I am not an A-lister, so I don’t have the luxury of scoring hot-off-the-runway pieces at little to no cost. So, I do what all smart shopaholics must do to update their wardrobes: I shop sales.

(Written by Elana Pruitt)

Healing begins in the mind. An individual releases illness by first surrendering to the present moment and then experiencing relief. The healer acts as a conduit to allow that energy to flow to others. The patient permits that healing, and the energy is cleansed. Love and warmth are the healing agents that heal others as well as the healer.

(Written by Lisa A. Trimarchi)

I developed my “Talking Chic” column in 2004. This was just after I received my bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in speech communications from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). Yes, I had a lot to say to the world—I mean a lot. So imagine the rush I felt when Kaylene Peoples, the publisher and editor in chief of Agenda Magazine, offered me the platform to just, well, talk. And talk about fashion; puh-lease add more cherries to that pie!

(Written by Elana Prui

Since the third issue of Agenda Magazine, Elana Pruitt has been writing the fashion column “Talking Chic.” The column has touched on almost every subject related to fashion with Elana’s perspective and reflects what many of us are thinking. But no one can tell it quite like Elana. Since that Winter 2004 issue, the column, the webzine, and its author have evolved.

For too long we have been a country that has had too much, so much that whole government agencies have gotten together to decide how to dispose of our excess. That excess has been useable produce, overproduced goods, and even an excess of money when we were as a nation free of debt. From the first immigrants who came to this country, the English, Spanish, and so on, to now, we have had the attitude, “Expand, expand, expand.”

(Written by Lisa A. Trimarchi)