Cosmopolitan February 2013

1. Mika Brzezinski Veteran reporter and cohost of MSNBC's Morning Joe, Brzezinski shares business advice in her column, "The 5 Best Work Rules I've Learned" (p. 120). Big break: covering a triple murder for Fox when no one else was free. "Bottles were thrown and I was taunted, but I got my report on air." Most inspiring woman: "My sculptor mother. She's in her 80s and makes art with an ax and chain saw." 2. Marissa Hermanson In "Can Looking Too Young Hurt You at Work?" (p. 113), writer Hermanson recounts her experience with the too-young curse. Hermanson is the editor-in-chief of Breathe, a Southeast-based lifestyle magazine. Most inspiring woman: "Nellie Bly. She was a muckraking journalist who faked her own insanity to write an exposÉ about asylum living. Talk…

"Let's go get naked!" Julianne joked before heading off to change into a new look. A girl's dream: Racks and racks of designer clothes Filling out her Cosmo Quiz: Julianne's biggest guilty pleasure? See her answer on page 156! Her lunch: Barley salad with pesto and quinoa. Healthy and delish. Goofing off while getting glam with hairstylist Italo Gregorio Picking the perfect accessories with stylist Isabel Dupré Songs heard on set: "Lights," by Ellie Goulding; "Helena Beat," by Foster the People; and "Sail," by Awolnation A trained ballroom dancer, she knows how to move! Eye candy! Our stylists laid out three full tables of bracelets and rings. Watch Her in Action! For a look at our cover shoot and to hear more about Julianne's love life, check out our behind-the-scenes…

It was an intoxicating mix: 100 of Cosmo's most powerful readers at Michael's, the hottest lunch spot in the city. We masterminded a takeover—women only! We even made up our own menu serving a classic Cobb salad—with a Cosmo twist of lobster!—that regular diners enjoyed for the rest of the week, with a portion of the price going to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. Trailblazers: Diane von Furstenberg and Gov. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire From bottom left: Gilt Groupe chair Susan Lyne; curator Thelma Golden with painter Elizabeth Peyton; FEED's Lauren Bush Lauren and designer Rebecca Minkoff SJP joined me for salad and gossip. Top TV producer Meryl Poster Inspiring leaders: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Stephanie Schriock of EMILY's List, former Orlando police chief Val Demings, and Rep. Elizabeth Esty…

PROGRESSIVE PROPS "I was so impressed with your inclusion of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi in 'If They Break Up, We Quit Life!' Articles like these are helping to normalize homosexual relationships." —Claire M., Worcester, Mass. HOLIDAY CHEER "Loved 'Party Season Tips and Tricks.' I'm looking forward to eating and drinking my way through the holidays this year and not putting on the extra pounds associated with the season! —Kelsey D., Wilmington, N.C. YOUNG AND GIFTED "I love that Taylor Swift was on the cover of the December issue. It's so amazing that she has accomplished so much by 23.…Wow!" —Laken M., Auburn, Ind. SWEETS SHAMING "The blurb on the cover, 'So You Ate a Cupcake? Fast Moves to Burn it Off!' really bothered me. You made it sound…

"This is my first semester as a graduate student, and I spend a lot of time studying. I realized I need to do creative things as well so I don't go crazy from all the schoolwork. My fix: I go to a museum, then a new restaurant. It helps me feel more balanced." RUI WANG, 23, INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION GRADUATE STUDENT, FROM KUNMING, CHINA "I was a professional dancer in Russia—I did folk, go-go, and a bit of hip-hop—but I came to New York City to take classes to improve my English. While I'm here, I go to lots of live performances. Rap shows are my favorite! They're crazy and fun." KRISTINA MOKEEVA, 20, ENGLISH STUDENT, FROM MOSCOW, RUSSIA "We need to figure out how to resolve the financial crisis. I've…

Q. Can Two Alpha Females Be Friends? A. The Golden Globes is the less stodgy Oscars: it combines all our favorite stars in one place…with drinks! But this year's Globes generated another kind of buzz with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as cohosts. Not only are they individually hilarious and have proven chemistry, as shown on SNL's "Weekend Update," they're also real-life best friends. Together, they transcend well-written material and comic timing; they're the real deal. And that's where the magic happens—their quick quips are like inside jokes they're letting the rest of us in on. But perhaps the greatest takeaway from their pairing is a reminder that powerful women can be friends, share the spotlight, and not be viewed as competitors. The existence of megawatt BFFs spits in the…