Austyn Ellese Mayfield can work a room, throw a party, and rock a fierce set of bling. Don’t believe us? The proof is in the photos! Stumbling upon our first Boston pop-up store back in 2010, Austyn fell hard for Sikara. At the time she was writing for Boston Magazine, and a host of other publications, showing Boston what was up in fashion. As the lady responsible for Sikara’s Boston Magazine debut (check out that product feature!), we’re forever grateful and honored that this Fashionista spotted our gems! Two years later, Austyn is working on more exciting projects, including COUP Boston, an online fashion magazine and lifestyle guide. Never ones to pass up a party, when Sikara Boston’s Claire Simmons and Erin Liang received an invite to the swanky COUP Boston launch party, we had to oblige. And Austyn was, as usual, stunning in Sikara. Read on to learn more about Austyn, COUP Boston and what this Bostonian-know-it-all thinks should be on everyone’s Summer To Do!

Skara's Claire Simmons and Erin Liang with Austyn at COUP Boston Launch Party, Jan Bloch Photography

Sikara & Co.: How would you define your style?

Austyn Mayfield: Currently, I think I’d have to describe my style as “Functional Fabulous.” My days are usually pretty over-scheduled; so unless I plan on packing a suitcase every morning before I leave my house, I have to try to dress in items that can pull double- or sometime TRIPLE-duty as I go from one engagement to the next. Because of that, I find myself really relying on my accessories to do the hard word of making even my more basic pieces highlight my personality and make my ensembles comment-worthy and photo ready!

S&Co: Tell us about COUP Boston and your exciting role as Managing Editor.

AEM: COUP Boston is New England’s newest lifestyle magazine. Through the five pillars of lifestyle—Fashion, Beauty, Travel, Dining, and Interior Design—we cover the newest and best of what Boston has to offer in those categories, while paying particular attention to highlighting the industry players who are enhancing the ways we experience the five pillars here in the Greater Boston area. As Managing Editor, along with the articles I write that contribute to our content areas, I also get to mastermind lots of spreadsheets and calendars that aid in publication production (it’s super sexy!!!) LOL.  I also head-up our multi-media video content, and help with our event coordination.

S&Co.: You know what’s hot in Boston- what is on your Must-See/Do guide for any Boston tourist this season?

AEM: It’s summer, so I would say the key to surviving this season in style is finding your go-to al fresco dining spot. This goes for tourist and townies alike.  You HAVE to find an outdoor scene that fits your personal vibe. It may be on Newbury St., It may be in Cambridge, or Southie, or the burbs. But find yourself a patio, and make nice with the service staff. It’s the key to a happy summer solstice in Boston.

S&Co.: How did you get into journalism?

AEM: Journalism ended up being the perfect outlet for 3 traits that are central to who I am: 1) I love people and their stories 2) I’m nosey (we can call it “curious” if that sounds classier) 3) I’m a bit of an aesthete, so I like making things pretty. As a journalist, not only do I get to meet new people, and ask in-depth questions that elucidate who they are and what drives them to do what they do, but I also get to make pretty sentences and paragraphs and images that attempt to convey the essence of who that person is and why they’re worth a reader’s consideration and time. It can be a challenge, but it’s always an honor, and wonderfully fun to do.

S&Co.: Where is your favorite place to travel?

AEM: Oh that’s hard, because sometimes it feels like my favorite place is the newest or most recent places, because travel has such and impact on one’s psyche and emotions. I think if I had to choose to return to a place I’d already been, it would be Scandinavia. Sweden—it was amazing—it’s so lush. But there is still so much of the world I haven’t seen. Suffice it to say that anywhere is my favorite place to travel, and my favorite adventure is the one I’m about to take!
S&Co.: What inspires you?

AEM: Language really inspires me. Whether it’s the cadence of a word, or etymology, or the feelings that it evokes—few things are more visceral for me than words. There have been times that I’ve totally ignored a guy until he uses just the right word in just the right way…and “boom” just like that, I’m in love. I think that officially makes me a nerd. Doesn’t it?

S&Co.: Definitely not, Austyn. There’s a reason love, lust and language all begin with the same letter!

Austyn and her beau

S&Co.: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

AEM:“Take the Emotion out of it.” My father is super loving, but fairly no-nonsense and practical. I, however, am a typical LEO and can tend to be a rom-com stereotype: super-tied to the emotional of my everyday life.  So there would be times when I’d be so flustered by the way someone spoke to me, or how a situation made me feel, that I was missing out on the lessons that were there. My dad encouraged me to learn how to take a step back, “take the emotion out of it,” and be a bit more circumspect and judicious sometimes. I’ve become a lot more self-aware and discerning by trying to do it more often. It’s helped me balance my natural inclination with personal growth. It’s totally something I will teach my kids if I ever have any. In the meantime, I suggest it to my friends! lol

S&Co.: What is your favorite Sikara piece?

AEM: Anything with smoky quartz. I used to think it was a phase, but smoky quartz is officially my “soul stone.”  If I could only wear one stone for the rest of my life, that would be it. I especially love it in rings like the Slim Jaipuri Flower Cocktail Ring (Smoky Quartz / Aqua Chalcedony) and the San Pietro Open Right Cocktail Ring. The color works perfectly with my skin tone, so I get a touch of glamour without it ever looking gaudy!

S&Co.: Austyn, based on how you define your style, it’s no wonder you love your smoky quartz! As a healing stone, it is the most versatile, multipurpose, powerful healing stone on the planet due to is unique helical spiral crystalline form—all adjectives we’d use to describe you!