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#MAKEITHAPPEN

Aya Kanai, Head of Content & Creator Partnerships at Pinterest

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Learning that one of Aya Kanai's work weapons is to "be vulnerable about what you don't know" is not only refreshing, it's real. Because if you find yourself in a fast-paced and high-energy work environment such as hers, it's advice that can ultimately help you grow. As the head of content and creative partnerships at Pinterest, Aya not only knows how to make each minute count, but that it's equally important to stop and take a breather. Here, we chat with the former editor-in-chief of Marie Claire to discover how she does it all—plus her essential tools to do so.

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Aya Kanai in the Miller dickey jacket; photograph courtesy of Kanai

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MY HUSTLE

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My hustle…
Keeping up with a 3-year-old!

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What got me started...
I love visual storytelling, which is what drove me to become a stylist then fashion director. Now I get the chance to work at a tech platform and help build the tools for others to create!

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What clears my head…
Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge.

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When in doubt, I…
Stop everything and lay down!

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Greatest challenge—and how I overcame it…
Balancing parenting and my career. This challenge will last the rest of my life. :)

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How I Make It Happen

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3 morning musts...
1. Doing yoga stretches in the bathroom. I live in a small Brooklyn apartment and it's the only place where my kiddo won't hear me!
2. Checking my phone.
3. Picking an outfit with my daughter.

3 life hacks...
1. Ice bath for hardboiled eggs makes the shell come off easily.
2. Take the shower caps from hotels and use them as bags for your shoes. The elastic keeps the shoes from making your clothes dirty.
3. Get a Time Timer! This is a simple clock that has presets for 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60-minute increments. This allows you to be more aware of how much time you are willing to give to social media and other things that can really suck away too much life!

3 secret work weapons
1. Standing desk
2. Time Timer (see above!)
3. Be vulnerable about what you don't know or are unsure about.

Personal talisman...
I have a flying pig ring from Retrouvai that says, "Anything is Possible"

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Aya Kanai in the Sabina dress; photograph courtesy of Kanai

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My Style

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Favorite wardrobe hack...
I always have a box or bag in the back of my closet where I toss in clothes I want to donate. It's important to weed things out regularly rather than leave it to a once-a-year thing. I'm always trying to prune and reduce my wardrobe to the best of the best items.

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My wardrobe MVP...
Blazers are my MVP. I wear them all year round!

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What I would tell my younger self about getting dressed...
No miniskirts when walking up subway steps!

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Wearing Veronica Beard makes me feel...
I feel instantly professional in VB. Also, this is the one brand where my mother and I share the pieces. She owns and wears several VB jackets—she is very chic. I loved how much they looked on her that I started "borrowing" them.

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MY RECHARGE

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What I'm reading/listening to/binging…
The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee

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Beauty/self-care must-haves…
Skinceuticals! It's pricey but it's worth it.

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Favorite thing to do…
Walking and drinking coffee with my husband after kiddo drop off in the morning

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Favorite thing to make…
Take-out order!

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Shop the Looks

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DISCOVER MORE ON VB EDIT

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