She's the straight-shooting, fashion-loving, sometimes impatient but always loving and loyal zen mama, author, mentor, blogger and columnist you wish was your best friend! Karin Katz-Sherman, known by many as the leading lady behind the nationally known blog Buddha Barbie, is quite a force. She gives no-nonsense advice that we all need to hear and practice in our daily lives. And not only is she the dedicated mother of three beautiful kids and a devoted daughter, but she has had a hugely successful career doing what many of us wish we could do: running her own business.
As as a corporate speech writer, childrens book author, columnist and blogger for publications like the Detroit Jewish News, Ask Dr. Nandi, Eydis Media, and her own Buddha Barbie, Karin does what she loves on her own terms and schedule. For me, as a working mom of two (struggling to figure out how to get it all done and still manage to look half-way decent when I walk out the door), I wanted to know more about how she manages it all, while maintaining her zen and looking as beautiful as she does! Read on to find out how…
{SS}: Tell us about your blog – Buddha Barbie:
{Karin}: My blog was created to empower women to be confident with who they are! It is a dichotomy of spirituality meets beauty to inspire purpose, appreciate beauty, and embrace out authentic selves. I started the blog over two years ago after a 17-year writing career. I had formerly been a coporate speech writer for 14 years and a children's book author for three years. I wanted to do something more cutting edge and broad spectrum.
In the two years since I've started, I have had over 300K readers, and I get stopped on the street or grocery store regularly and asked if I am Buddha Barbie. Here's the thing – I am not Buddha Barbie. I am Karin, the author of the blog/column Buddha Barbie. The blog is merely a reflection of myself and the opinions I have on many topics including: dating, divorce, love and relationships. As of recently, a publishing company has asked me for a book manuscript and I am in the midst of restructuring my blog into a brand new direction. No hints yet – just keep your eyes wide open!
{SS}: Tell us about your typical day:
{Karin}: My typical day starts off with waking up with my kids to get them off to school, during the school year of course. Once they're all off, I am able to sit down in my home office and work on all of the social media for my blog. I also start to write posts and share information, tips, and advice to my readers. After a few hours of blogging, I drink at least two cups of coffee, A MUST, and fit in an apple and peanut butter for breakfast!
Then I head to the gym for about an hour and the rest of the day is filled with coaching clients who are going through relationship crisis', grocery shopping, running errands, tending to my children, making dinner, andsqueezing in a moment to see my boyfriend!
{SS}What is your biggest hurdle as a mom and business woman?
{Karin}: I think my biggest hurdle is juggling the responsibilities of being a mother of three, along with having a blossoming career, and aging parents. I have always worked from home prior to starting my blog two short years ago. I was a corporate speechwriter and children's book author. I worked my own hours, similar as I do today, but I had much more free time. Now, with my blog growing at such a fast pace, much more work and time is needed and expected along with the growing demands of my children and the need for my own personal time. I tend to struggle to make it all work and fit everything in daily – and I do my best. But it's definitely challenging. I make mistakes and thankfully I learn from them- but you just got to go through the process- that's life!
{SS}: What do you do to mentally prepare yourself everyday to overcome those hurdles/daily struggles?
{Karin}: Planning! Planning, planning, and did I mention - planning? I write out my day on an actual handwritten calendar. Yep – I said it - handwritten. I know, gasp, right? I write out what I'm supposed to do by the hour, my lists of errands, children's needs, events, games, dinner, and carve out time to visit my father who hasn't been well.
{SS}: What is the thing you're awesome at – the thing that makes you happy and you know you're the best at?
{Karin}: I am best at caring for those closest to me. If I love you, I'll be loyal forever. I also know how to get things done when needed. I'm extremely driven and task oriented. I do not take on things that I can't accomplish fully.
{SS}: What do you do to make yourself feel beautiful, confident, and ready to take on anything?
{Karin}: Getting my hair blown out! I never used to do it, but now I do. I have a weekly standing appointment and I LOVE it! And, I'm not ashamed to admit it. I used to blow my own hair out for years and years. I thought blow outs were for the "older women". But now I get it. It saves me on time getting ready, it keeps my hair in good condition considering I bleach the crap out of it and it's only 30 minutes of pure unwinding while I'm in the chair.
{SS}: What is your power song?
{Karin}: Into You by Ariana Grande. I listen to it everyday while working out. But I'm a favorite song binger! I'll listen to it non-stop, over and over again for weeks or months until one day I'm so sick of it I can't even bare to listen to it one more time.
{SS}: What is your "Style Archetype"?
{Karin}:
{SS}: Who is your Style Icon?
{Karin}: Carrie Underwood!!! LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT HER!
{SS}: What is your power outfit or accessory (the thing you know you look and feel your best in, whether it's for work, staying at home, playing, etc.)?
{Karin}: Always a pair of good skinny jeans, a white t-shirt or tank, a fitted leather or suede jacket, my Chanel necklace, gold or diamond hoops, and a gorgeous pair of stilettos and designer handbag.
{SS}: As you know, we're all about shopping local. What are your favorite local spots to shop?
{Karin}: I love shopping at Guys N Gals, Lori Karbal, and Caruso Caruso! Each of the three stores has trendy and funky products that I just NEED to have!
{SS}: What are your current favorite items on Styleshack?
{Karin}:
Cinq á Sept Lotus Silk Peplum Top $325 and Frame Denim Le Skinny De Jeanne – Jewell $239 both from Guys N Gals, Diamond Buddha on Quartz Chain Necklace $295 from ELLA Designs
{SS}: Favorite local go-to spots for lunch/dinner?
{Karin}: My FAV place for lunch is The Gallery or Steve's Deli! I love the pita-parmesan, it's my favorite! For dinner, I love to go to Cameron's Steakhouse or even Phoenicia!
{SS}: What are your "words to live by.." Favorite saying or quote?
{Karin}: "It's not soup yet." I'm a seriously impatient woman. I want everything by yesterday and when it doesn't happen at a fast pace, my mother has to always say, "Karin, it's not soup yet." What this refers to is when you are making chicken soup, there is a small window of time when it goes from chicken and vegetables in the water to actually becoming a soup. But until it becomes soup – you must be patient. She says this to me all the time. Now I use this phrase on my kids when they are impatient.
{SS}: Who inspires you and why?
{Karin}: My father is my greatest inspiration. He is a Holocaust survivor who has taught me about life and survival along with strength. Even on my worst days I think about his life and what he's had to deal with, and it immediately puts my personal struggles into perspective.
{SS}: Is there anything else you think people might find surprising about you?
{Karin}: I love cooking; I make a great chicken soup from scratch. I love taking naps and my children are my life. I have a very accurate sixth sense. I despise tomatoes and have a secret addiciton to strawberry licorice and french fries.
{SS}: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What would you like to have accomplished?
{Karin}: In five years, I hope to see the Buddha Barbie brand have a New York Times Best Seller, a TV show, a clothing line and a movie in the making. Did I overshoot? Hmm, not a chance!
We have absolutely no doubt that Karin WILL make those dreams a reality. And with that, we will leave you with another one of Karin's favorite sayings and some really good words to live by:
Be sure to subscribe to Buddha Barbie here, and follow this powerhouse on Twitter and Instagram for your daily dose of inspiration!
