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Karen Leong

Tina Brown, Fiona Ellis, Arianna Huffington and Tiffany Shlain are fine  examples of women who have climbed hard and fast to the top of their  career ladders. STYLE meets with them to find out what makes them tick.
The filmmaker founded the Webby Awards and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Shlain, 37, lives in California with her husband, Ken Goldberg, and four-year-old daughter, Odessa.
Wake-up call?
I wake  around 7.30am; earlier if I want to write or if my four-year-old daughter, Odessa, gets up. Normally, I wake up together with my husband and have some spicy Chai tea, and write in my journal.
Morning routine?
I love writing first thing in the morning before the influx of other people's missives in the form of e-mails and calls. Then my daughter wakes  and we have a good snuggle and talk about the day. I make her breakfast, pack her lunch and my husband takes her to school on his way to UCBerkeley. Ken is a professor of robotics and an artist.
Evening routine?
Dinner is with either my parents or my husband. After we put Odessa to bed  around 8pm, I either go back to work, read, hang out with my husband or friends. We also go to a lot of art openings, events, films and such. Our lives are very full, bursting at times.
What's the last thing in your thoughts before sleep?
My husband holding me - sounds  corny but true. We read the New Yorker or a good book before lights go off.
How do you wind down?
Reading. Working out. Talking with my husband. Laughing with our daughter. Watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  Talking to my parents and friends.
What book is by your bed?
Einstein by Walter Issacson, Wikinomics  and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara  Kingsolver.
Favourite writers?
My father, Leonard Shlain,  husband, Ken Goldberg,  Stephen Dubner,  Michael Pollen, Steven Pinker,  Jared Diamond,  James Surowiecki,  Matt Ridley,  Elizabeth Gilbert,  and more.
What makes you laugh?
Anything absurd, my husband's humour,  my friend Amy.
What makes you cry? A good film. And a  happy moment with Ken or Odessa.
Favourite directors? Fellini, Wes Anderson,
Your favourite film?
So many for different reasons, but here are a few: Harold  and Maude, Fellini's 8 1/2, Cinema Paradiso, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Capturing the Friedmans.
What makes you angry?
The actions  of our [US] government for the past seven years, and any time when women's rights are taken away.
Last purchase
A fabulous Marc Jacobs  sweater.
Collections?
Art, books, daughter's drawings, wigs.
Most played music?
Bjork, Nouvelle Vague,  Ani Difranco, Beck,  Ben Harper,   Yo-Yo Ma,  Dead Can Dance,  Beatles, Radiohead,  many more.
Pets
We would probably get a dog and a cat. But we travel so much now that it would be too hard on the animals.
Worst habit?
Cracking my knuckles. It's the last of my vices. I quit smoking almost  10 years ago.
Three things you always carry with you?
A  notebook to record thoughts  - I'm always writing things down.  A camera and my red lipstick.
Childhood ambition?
To make a difference in this world.
Favourite home-cooked meal?
Friday night's Shabbat dinner. My daughter and I bake Challah bread from scratch and my husband makes a wonderful Shabbat chicken. We eat it every Friday and it is my favourite night of the week.
Always in your fridge?
Milk, broccoli (my daughter's chosen vegetable) and lots of healthy food. We eat local and organic.
Favourite item of clothing?
It changes - I  love fashion. But I love my one of a kind vintage pieces and I  have quite a collection of wigs. My friends, family and I are into any excuse to put on a costume. Many of our parties are  fancy dress.
Do you have a 'uniform' for work?
I have an office in my home, so fortunately on days when I don't have meetings I can just dress comfortably in soft black clothes. But I  go out quite a bit and that  requires dressing up. I look at getting dressed as painting on a canvas.
Something you'd never throw away?
My family photos,  journals, artwork, memorabilia.
Scent?
My husband.
Favourite furniture?
My couch, which invites lounging.
Most like/dislike about your appearance?
Most like my lips. At this point, I'm pretty comfortable with how I look. That's the great thing about being in your late thirties. I think I always want to be about 4.5kg thinner. But at this point, I'm used to that
Favourite room in the house?
The library. All my favourite books live there. The influences on my and my husband's brains are all lined up on the overflowing bookshelves.
Favourite gadget?
My video camera.  I love to record the little moments.
Hobbies?
Sculpting, cooking and gardening.
Your last holiday and favourite destination?
We take sabbaticals since my husband is a professor. We last went to live in the jungle of Hana. We also count Paris, Israel, New York and Italy as our favourite places.
If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
Nothing.  At 37, I've worked hard to get to this point where my life's where I want it. I'm passionate about friends and family. I feel lucky.



Top of the Game - Tiffany Shlain