Style Profile: @BossAndTonic

I stumbled onto Molly Flynn's blog, Boss & Tonic, through Women's iLab and her post about Gone Girl star Emily Ratajkowski. Being that my boyfriend helped foster my love for G&T's, the name of her blog immediately sparked an interest in me. On the sidebar of her blog, it says:

BOSS & TONIC IS A BLOG BY MOLLY FLYNN THAT ENCOURAGES YOUNG WOMEN TO CALL THE SHOTS IN THEIR LIVES. IT IS A HUMOROUS GUIDE FOR SERIOUSLY AMBITIOUS WOMEN. DRINK UP.

As many of you know, I'm a twenty something year old that's about to graduate business school and move to the big city of New York. But more importantly, I love style and a well put together website. Everything about her blog, from the interviews with CEOs and COOs to the article about feminism to the photo of her with the gorgeous city of Boston as the backdrop... well, I couldn't help but reach out to Ms. Flynn -- read her interview below!

"DON'T LET YOURSELF GET IN YOUR WAY. 
SELF DOUBT KILLS CREATIVITY.
STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE, IT WILL GET YOU NO WHERE."

Tell my readers a little about yourself: 
I'm 23 years old and just accepted a job at Rue La La. I consider myself a Bostonian, even though I grew up in Laguna Beach, CA. I've always had a city girl side to me. In short, I'm passionate about women empowerment, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, tech, fashion, art, comedy, and a good glass of red wine.

What's something we can always find in your purse? 
Day: My laptop. Whenever I have a free hour you can find me in a nearby coffee shop taking advantage of the wifi. Night: A Bordeaux colored lipstick.

Now, you run Boss & Tonic -- tell my readers a little about your blog.
Boss & Tonic is a blog that encourages young women to call the shots in their lives. It is composed of 3 sections: Bosslady, The Tonic, and StyleTonic. The Bosslady section is where I feature weekly interviews with women who have interesting careers - whether they be a CEO or working at a cool Startup. The Tonic is my perspectve on topics ranging from feminism, to career advice, to lifestyle. And Styletonic is the style section. I have started featuring weekly style spotlights of other bloggers that I think have exceptional personal style. I think I have a keen eye for fashion and style, but I also realize that the fashion blogging world is over saturated. I don't believe that a constant stream of photos of me in clothes is groundbreaking enough that I should feel compelled to share it with the world, so I'm sharing photos of other women whom I deem stand out. I use Boss & Tonic as a platform to promote women that are making a positive contribution, and truly have something worth sharing. 

"I USE BOSS & TONIC AS A PLATFORM TO PROMOTE WOMEN THAT ARE MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION, AND TRULY HAVE SOMETHING WORTH SHARING."

Where did you find the inspiration to launch Boss & Tonic?
I started Boss & Tonic a few weeks before my college graduation. I had been going on a lot of informational interviews throughout the course of the semester trying ot figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Meanwhile I was hearing from my friends who either felt lost, or were miserable in their current jobs. I realized that perhaps others could benefit from these informational interviews as well. From there, Boss & Tonic was born.

How would you describe your personal style?
As I mentioned before, I was raised by the beach in California but I have always been a city girl at heart. I think this reflects in my personal style. I would describe my style as laid back 'classic'. Give me a Burberry trench, skinny jeans, and some black ankle booties and we're in business. Also - no statement jewelry for me. I tend to gravitate towards dainty jewelry in mixed metals. I never take off my single diamond necklace that my Mom gave to me for my college graduation. My style is pretty simple.

"GIVE ME A BURBERRY TRENCH, SKINNY JEANS, AND SOME BLACK ANKLE BOOTIES AND WE'RE IN BUSINESS."

Where do you usually shop? Any tips and tricks you'd like to share that you've found work for you?
I'm obsessed with browsing Shopbop.com. I love Rag & Bone, Elizabeth & James, DVF, Jenni Kayne, Vince, Equipment. To shop I head to Saks, Madewell, H&M, Zara, or a local boutique. As for tips and tricks, I would say don't buy in to trends. If you do, I would go to H&M or Zara - which are great if you have a bit of patience. You don't need to spend $500 on a skirt that will look cool for one or two seasons. Things to splurge on: a good leather jacket, boots that will last you a few years, jeans, a classic wrap or sheath dress to wear to job interviews or important meetings, a nice handbag, and lingerie. Also, stop caring about sizes! Buy what flatters you. There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable in your clothing.

If there is one thing you can't live without when you travel, what is it? Why?
I'm a pretty simple traveler. Although I travel fairly frequently, I wouldn't say I have any essentials. Although, I tend to always have a few fashion magazines to read for a long plane or train ride.

What's your favorite part about Boston?
I love Boston. I love how it is large enough to be a great city, but small enough to feel like a community. I wasn't sold on Boston until last year between April - October 2013. During that time I lived on the cusp of the Back Bay and Kenmore Square. I heard the bombs go off from a block away during the 2013 Marathon, but I also heard the crowd roar from Fenway park when we won the World Series. It was an indescribable feeling to share in the commraderie in both good times and bad. It was also a time when I was close to finishing college and life was uncertain for me, but during that time of uncertainy I found my home. 

What's one thing you wish someone told you when you first graduated college?
Well, I wish someone told me before I graduated college to take some coding classes, and more graphic design. I didn't have the foresight to get involved in tech until the week after graduation. Seriously kids, do it before it's too late. I'm enrolling in a front end web developer class in January, but I wish I had already gotten it out of the way. Also, don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Don't be afraid to ask for things that are important to you. That being said, you need to return the favor or pay it forward. It's a give and take. Use your alumni to your advantage. You'd be surprised how many people are willing to help, but you have to be proactive. The whole "ask and you shall recieve" notion works 60% of the time every time.

"DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU."

Final question -- words to live by or famous last words?
Don't let yourself get in your way. Self doubt kills creativity. Stop comparing yourself to other people, it will get you no where. 

I'm so happy to have been able to connect with this ambitious, inspiring and stylish boss lady! Her sense of humor shines, almost as much as her passion for what she does and what she believes in. Head on over to her blog. And don't be afraid to give her a shout on social media. (Twitter | Instagram)