Life's a runway

Fashion Week Recap; Adieu Bryant Park

2010-02-20T21:16:00.003-05:00

Like every season, it's been a crazy week. Everyone always goes in so excited, with so much energy - but by the time the week is over, no one wants to see another person for as long as they live, haha. Unfortunately, we weren't able to spend as much time in the Tents as we would've liked. eFlirt is really picking up speed and the last seven days were crazy, but in a good way - full of launch parties, video shoots, meetings and much more.

It was the end of an era this season. The last season in the Bryant Park Tents. When I first heard this news a year ago, I was saddened and frustrated by it. How could they move from such an iconic place? However, I now think it's for the best. Fashion Week used to be glamorous, classy, exciting, and Bryant Park used to be the prized stage. It's just not that way anymore. Most shows have moved offsite because of raising prices, including most of the major names. The tents have become a shell of once was. What was once a sacred place is now full of children (seriously), bitchy cocktail waitresses and wannabe fashionistas who just want their picture taken. It's not about the fashion anymore.

I'm looking forward to Lincoln Center. It's the site of the New York City Ballet, the Philharmonic, and many more great shows -- and now it's the site of Fashion Week. I'm hoping this amazing location will inject a little glamor back to Fashion Week, and I hope it'll start to be about fashion again and not just being seen.

Adieu, Bryant Park. Hello, Lincoln Center.

Goodbye, Alexander McQueen

2010-02-11T15:45:00.004-05:00

This Just In: Alexander McQueen committed suicide this morning. He was one of the most influential British designers of our generation. Anna Wintour issued a statement today:

"We are devastated to learn of the death of Alexander McQueen, one of the greatest talents of his generation. He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen’s influence was astonishing — from street style, to music culture and the world’s museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss."

This is extremely sad news, and all too timely during the first day of Fashion Week.

(Photo credit: Fashionindie.com)

It's Fashion Week!

2010-02-11T15:11:00.005-05:00

Hello, fashion lovers. I'm so sorry for my long absence! A LOT has happened in the past six months or so, but I'm back just in time for Fashion Week!

So today is the first day of the Fall 2010 Fashion Week. I went to the tents today to pick up my credentials - That's right! I'm legit! For the first time in four seasons, I don't have to sneak past the guards. The whole reason I'm going to Fashion Week this season is to network and promote eFlirt Expert VIP. I was just expecting to pick up my pass, walk around for a bit and leave, but of course Terry had other plans for me.

First of all, the swag is GREAT this season! It's the last time Fashion Week will be at Bryant Park, so they're pulling out all the stops. Free manicures, makeup, chocolate fountains, boos and all the magazines you can fit in your purse await. The fact that there's food at all is a new thing, but the fact that it's - gasp! - chocolate and fattening is a total turning point. Maybe in a few years we'll see real girls on the runway? We'll see.

So I was in the middle of my free manicure when Terry tells me to get a standing ticket to the Duckie Brown show because there was an empty seat next to him. At first I didn't really feel like it. I didn't have a ticket to the show so I didn't think they would let me in, and I wasn't really dressed for a show since I didn't think there was a chance I would be in one.

Right when my manicure was done, they started letting the standing people in the show. So, I figured what the heck, I might as well try. So I went up to the check in table and told them I checked in a few days ago. Of course my name wasn't on the list, but they gave me a standing ticket anyway! *Note: It's SO EASY to sneak into shows, folks. Just act like you belong in there and you'll get in. * I get in and Terry had given away his seat because he didn't think I was coming. So I try to cram into the standing section, right when one of the ushers announce that there was another empty seat! So I run and grab it and - ta da! - I had a seat in the Duckie Brown show.

All of this happened in about an hour, and it was a great start to the week! Tomorrow starts the real networking, and I can't wait!

The day the stars aligned

2009-09-25T13:31:00.007-04:00

Hey folks - sorry about the delay! I knew this would take some time to write, so I wanted to wait till I had time to really think about it. Tuesday of last week, the day before Fashion Week ended, all the stars aligned. Be aware - this is a very long post!

_________________

I woke up bright and early to try to get in to the Badgley Mischka show. I thought to myself, "If I can just get in, this will be the best day ever." I called the week before to get confirmed, but never got a final answer. So Laurie and I got to the Tents at 9:15 a.m. so we could be first in line for the show which started at 10. For some reason, the guards were being extra grumpy that morning and made everyone wait till 9:30 before they let us in.

Once inside, we went straight to the check-in table. I was fully expecting to be turned away when we said our names, but we weren't! We were on the list! On the list for standing tickets, but on the list nonetheless. So we were first in line for standing, which meant we were getting in! But 10 a.m. came and went, and I started getting nervous. The standing line was very short, much shorter than expected for such a big show, so I started to think they weren't going to let any standing in at all.

At around 10:15, they finally let us in! We ran to get a spot where we could see, which was quite difficult because there were already a lot of people standing, which pissed me off a little. But Laurie and I found a spot as best we could and waited for the show to start. All of the sudden I heard, "Jess!" and Laurie grabbed my hand. She had been keeping an eye on the usher and spotted two open seats next to each other - which never happens. We rushed to the seats, and the show began. We had SEATS at the Badgley Mischka show!!!

The clothes were so beautiful, but the jewelry really stole the show. Unfortunately, you can't really see that in the video because the lights are so bright. Bright corals and pinks along with blacks that were so detailed made this for a very special collection. There were several looks that I wish I could have in my closet.

After the show, Laurie and I hung around the Tents for a bit, trying to network for eFlirt Expert. Then I got a frantic call from Terry, asking us to rush to the Skin show in Soho to shoot pictures for him because he didn't have a camera. We didn't really feel like going, but Terry had done so many amazing things for us that week, so we decided to return the favor. The show was supposed to start at 12, so we had to hurry.

We got to the location of the show, got right in, and waited. And waited. At 12:30, the room was still almost empty. The workers instructed everyone to take a seat in the front row, I'm guessing so it looked like there were more people there than there actually were. At 12:45, we started to really get annoyed. Finally, after the workers rearranged some more people, the show started. Skin is basically a loungewear collection, full of robes, shear tops and peak-a-boo undies, along with big fur boots for the ladies. The designer is definitely an ass man. Here a couple looks:

The show finished off with two children, who I'm assuming were the designer's:

There was such a delay between the end of the show and the finale (where all the models come out at the same time), that people started to leave! Then, the finale finally started with people standing on the runway! A very bizarre show indeed. I would fire my publicist if I was the designer for sure.

Laurie and I were starving by the time the show ended, so we found a little place across the street and had lunch. We were both exhausted, so we decided to call it a day at the Tents, plus I knew I had the Baby Phat show at 9 p.m. That night, Rich and I went to dinner. Still tired and not really feeling like going to the Baby Phat show alone, I asked if he wanted to come with me. Now, Rich is anything but a fashionista, but in the spirit of experiencing something that he never had before and trying to understand why I loved it so much, he whole-heartily agreed.

After styling him in a blue-vertical stripped button-down shirt, straight leg jeans and brown ankle boots, he looked modern enough to make it in. I had an extra ticket because the St. Petersburg Times sent me theirs and I had one from the folder that IMG gave me, so I knew it would be a piece of cake.

Thankfully we got there half an hour early because the line was already half way around the block. The workers started to work down the line and give us our seat assignments. I knew I was in because of the Times, but would have to finesse a story for Rich. The first girl didn't buy it and passed him by. Then, I had a genius idea. The invitation had a box for standing, so I just pulled out a pen and checked it for him. Done. They started letting everyone in and Rich just passed the guards by without a second look.

We got inside and grabbed a couple free "Kimora cosmos" (yes, that's what they were called) and scoped out the venue. I saw that my seat was in the last row and there was no way I would be able to see anything, so Rich and I decided to go up to the second level where the standing people would be and grab a great spot. It was perfect! I could see the whole runway and everyone on the first level, including all the "celebrities." By the time the show started, I saw: Kim Kardashian, Ice-T and Cocoa, Sheree from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Russel Simmons, Fonzworth Bentley, Amber Rose (Kanye West's girlfriend), Lisa Rinna and several other D-listers who I couldn't remember the names of. Then, the show started at 9:30:

Oh, I love me some Kimora. The models stomped down the gold-sparkly runway in crazy lace-up heels, ripped leggings, bikinis, sequined skirts, jean vests and of course tie-died jumpers. Oh, and none of the male models had shirts on. Such a fabulous hot mess, as always. I heard one person describe it as a "school project." But she knows how to put on a show, you have to give her credit for that.

After being enlightened to what street wear was going to look like next season, Rich and I finished the night with some sangria at Victor's across the street.

Phew! What a day!!

Day 2: Networking and Nicole Miller

2009-09-12T12:08:00.003-04:00

So Laurie and I both got to the tents at 4 yesterday, and what a different atmosphere it was! We walked around a bit and then started working the room.

After meeting a few people, we bumped into Terry again who introduced us to Karen. Karen is the owner of a modeling agency in Maine and a social butterfly if I ever saw one. After mingling for a bit and networking with other new friends, we had a mission: sneak into the Nicole Miller show.

Karen then set out to make it happen. She befriended a security guard last year, so we tried him first. He got her in, but was no help to Laurie and I. So after we were sure the coast was clear, we snuck under the ropes. Then Karen gave us our instructions: Stay in the middle of the line, don't make eye contact and just go in like you belonged. And we did! We swooped past the guards and scrambled to find a place where we could see. Laurie and I both found a place just big enough behind two other taller girls near the end of the runway. Here's the finale:

It was such an awesome show. When one thinks of Nicole Miller, thoughts of matronly business wear usually comes to mind. Well, throw that out the window for next season! This is the inspiration for her line, as stated in the folder on every seat:

"The girl has a tougher edge. Pushing forward body consciousness. Reinventing fabric manipulation. A modern take on prints. Experimenting with new technology and abstracting traditional craft."

Liquid leggings, cropped leather jackets, asymmetrical cuts and different textures made the line look rocker-chic. I'm definitely going to be shopping at her store next spring.

----------------

I'm taking today off from the Tents. We didn't have any tickets today and there's still four more days to soak in as much fashion as we can stand. So Rich and I are going to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and then meeting up with some friends to watch the USF game. Go Bulls!

Fashion Week Spring 2010 Day 1

2009-09-10T21:54:00.007-04:00

I've said it once and I'll say it again: You just never know who you'll meet or where you'll end up during Fashion Week.

I walked into the Tents around 4 today, hands shaking with excitement. I took my time and walked around, taking in the sights, sounds and sponsors. Unfortunately, the last show of the night started at 5, so the Tents were pretty dead after that. But there were still people milling about, trying to snag their last free drink. I sat down at one of the tables and met Terry, a fabulous Webzine editor and soon-to-be new best friend.

Laurie got to the Tents around 5:30, just in time for everything to be wrapped up. But at least she got to see the inside and knows how it works so she'll be more prepared tomorrow. I introduced her to Terry, and we proceeded to leave the Tents in search of stores participating in Fashion's Night Out — a sort of fundraising event featuring various celebrities, discounts and free drinks at stores to promote spending and the economy. Of course we were only looking for celebs and free drinks.

We get to BCBG when Terry realizes he has a show to get to in 45 minutes over in Chelsea, and asks us if we want to come. Laurie had a dinner she had to go to so couldn't make it, but of course I jumped at the opportunity. Thus commenced the long journey to Chelsea. Not that Chelsea is far away at all, but transportation became an issue.

There wasn't really any subway stops near the show and the subway was too far away anyway, so that was out. Everyone was leaving the Tents, so there were absolutely no cabs available. So after many failed attempts at getting a cab, we decide to try to catch a bus. We jump on one and almost sit down when a woman tell us it was an express bus to Brooklyn, so we run out just in time before it leaves. That would've been horrible. While waiting for the right bus, we decide to go into Lord & Taylor for some free champagne and saw a famous photographer who I forget the name of now.

We finally get on the bus and make it to 28th Street, but now we have to get over six avenues, which is about a mile. Again, there were no free cabs in sight, so we start walking. The show is supposed to start at 7, and now it's 10 minutes till. So I throw off my heels, throw on my flip flops and we book it. Mind you, I don't have a ticket so there's really no guarantee that I'll even get it, but I figured the worst that could happen is being turned away and I didn't have any plans anyway so who cares. Plus, Terry and I were having a blast joking about everything under the sun. He also taught me many things, like never leave home without a bologna sandwich.

We got to the show 10 minutes late, but luckily they were also running late and there was still a long line outside. They finally let the rest of us in and didn't even check if we had tickets. Everyone was already seated and the show was about to start, so we had to scramble to find a place where we could actually see, which was no easy task. Thankfully, we found a really good spot on some stairs where we had a clear view. Here's the finale:

After the show, there were several extra swag bags that people left in their seats, so I swiped one. It had so much awesome stuff in it! From there, we decided to go in search of other Fashion Night's Out stores in the Meatpacking District. After a long walk, we stopped in Hugo Boss and DVF. Then it started drizzling, so we decided to part ways and call it a night.

Befriending an editor? Check. Sneaking into a show? Check. Getting free stuff? Check. And it's only Day 1! At this point, the rest of the week could be horrible and I would still count it as a success. I've been confirmed for the Baby Phat show on Tuesday and there's a chance Laurie and I could get into the Badgley Mischka show, so keep your fingers crossed!

I'm still spinning from what an amazing night it was, and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

What Not to Wear

2009-09-09T15:59:00.002-04:00

Check out the latest blog I wrote for eFlirt expert:

It's Fashion Week here in the Big Apple, so in honor of the best seven days of the year we're doing a "What Not to Wear" episode of our own — online dating style. Read the full blog here!

Fashion Week Countdown: 24 hours!!!

Full circle

2009-09-08T13:43:00.003-04:00

It's crazy to think that a year ago this week I was arriving in New York to intern with IMG during my first Fashion Week. I remember being more excited and nervous than I've ever been, not knowing what to pack, not knowing what to wear and not knowing what to expect.

Since that time, I've moved to the City and been to another Fashion Week. I now know what to expect and how things work, but that doesn't mean that I'm any less excited! Today I went and picked up extra invites at IMG thanks to a friend from my internship. I was expecting to get just a couple, but I was given a whole manilla envelope! Laurie and I are sufficiently covered for most of the week and will even be able to check out Milk Studios, Bryan Park's main competition for shows. Milk is supposed to be a much smaller space, but with much more exclusive guests.

I can't wait till Thursday, and know this will be a great opportunity for eFlirt Expert. Stay tuned.

Fashion Week Countdown: 2 days

The perfect weekend

2009-08-31T14:33:00.005-04:00

This past weekend can only be described as perfect.

On Friday, Rich and I celebrated our six-month anniversary with dinner at Tavern on the Green. It was so beautiful. The floral walls, colored chandeliers and intimate tables made it one of the most romantic restaurants I've ever been to. Plus, being at such an iconic New York landmark was really special. The food was surprisingly delicious, and the lobster bisque was the best I've ever had. Then, Rich surprised me with a room at the Hotel Pierre right by Central Park. It was the perfect way to celebrate our first big landmark in our relationship.

Then on Saturday we went to our friends' Josh and Leighann's birthday/housewarming party. They have a great roof deck and it was great to be with close friends and make some new ones while grilling out and having a great view of the East River Bridge. So much fun.

Sunday was a great, relaxing day. Around 3 o'clock, Rich and I went to explore the High Line. The High Line is an old train track that was used for transporting materials in the '70s and hasn't been used since then, so it became overgrown with weeds and plants. It's now been turned into a park, which is really cool. Also, it's about a block away from our apartment, so there's no excuse for us not going to see it. It's just one of those really unique New York things and it was a beautiful day to experience it. Then we wandered around the Meatpacking District and came across several fun restaurants and shops, and ate dinner at a cute Mexican place with a lot of character. Finally, we met up with Josh and Leighann to see the movie "Julie and Julia" for a little double date. It was a perfect way to end a perfect weekend.

Below is a picture of the High Line:

Since Rich and I spent so much time away from the city this summer, we're making an effort to experience New York more while we can. Last weekend we went to the Met and the Museum of Natural History with the kids, which was a really fun time. I had never been to the Natural History Museum before, so that's one more museum checked off the list!

To say I'm lucky would be a great understatement.

Fashion Week Countdown: 10 days!

Special deal for Life's a Runway readers!

2009-08-18T17:25:00.003-04:00

Attention deal divas everywhere - get $30 off Ugg boots! The owner of www.whoogaboots.co.uk is a fan of this blog and wants to offer you all a discount from her store! All you need to do is visit her Web site and enter the code FIERCEFASH into the cart. There are no conditions and it's possible to ship to all countries.

She sells a few different styles of sheepskin boots including the classic tall and short styles and also the mini and metallic (gold and pewter) boots. They are an Australian-owned business and have been selling sheepskin boots for about six years. Their main focus is on providing the best customer service and the highest quality boots - which they do by only purchasing the highest quality (A Grade) Merino sheepskin.

The price for their most popular boots the Classic Talls is $115 USD (which makes it $85 if you use your $30 gift card). Everything is still handmade and they use a grading of sheepskin fleece which is slightly thicker than traditional ugg boots which creates a softer and more cushioned feel.

Hooray!

Fashion Week countdown begins!

2009-08-06T09:32:00.002-04:00

This just in: I'm going to Fashion Week again! I've been trying to get in to The Tents so Laurie and I could network for eFlirt Expert (and because I wanted to get into The Tents) so I sent out a few e-mails to people who I knew had a few extra passes. And we're in! One of the people I interned with at IMG came through yesterday and told me I could pick up a couple a few days before Fashion Week starts. These passes don't get us in to any shows, but they get us in to the Tents, which is good enough for me.

This is a really great opportunity for eFlirt Expert. Crazy networking goes on inside the Tents and it's a way to get some high-profile clients. Plus, Laurie has never been to a Fashion Week, so I'm excited to take her during the last time it'll be in Bryant Park. It's moving to Lincoln Center next year.

Fashion Week Countdown: 35 days

Mom's visit!

2009-07-30T16:14:00.003-04:00

My mom came to visit Rich and I in NYC last weekend, and we had a blast! The only other time she's been to the Big Apple was when she and I were touring colleges when I was a high school junior, and that trip was quite the adventure. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing, which provided some comical experiences.

Let's just say this trip was the opposite of that. Thanks to my new knowledge of the city and Rich's generosity, she got to see how awesome New York can be. Rich hooked her up with a room at the Palace, and the first night she was there we had an awesome meal at the traditional Italian restaurant Il Menestrello. I stayed with her at the Palace the first night so we could be up bright and early to take the Circle Line tour around Manhattan, and that night we had dinner with Rich's parents at the Chart House in New Jersey. We had another amazing meal, but the best part about the restaurant was it's marvelous view of the New York skyline.

The last day she was there we went to brunch and then to the matinee of "Hair." Ok, maybe I should've done more research before picking a play. I knew Hair was about the '60s and Vietnam war and all that, but I wasn't prepared for how ... sexual it was. Let's just say the full nude scene took us all by surprise, among some other parts. But the play was still very good and we all had a good time. We finished off her trip with dinner at the classic New York steakhouse, Smith & Wollensky.

The trip went by so fast! Two and a half days is nowhere near enough time to see all that New York has to offer, but we all had a great time and now we know what we want to do when she comes back! It was really special to experience it with her. And a big thanks to Rich for making it all possible. =)

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

2009-07-24T14:39:00.003-04:00

Here it is! eFlirt Expert's first real press - and it's in the Washington Post!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072301172.html

Laurie also had an interview with the Boston Globe, and hopefully that will be hitting news stands this weekend or next weekend too! Press = exposure which hopefully = clients! Woot!

Family, fun and sun

2009-07-19T15:35:00.005-04:00

So, it's been almost exactly a month since I last posted - which could be the longest I've ever gone since starting this blog - but I have a good reason! For the last three weeks I was on vacation surrounded by family, fun and sun. The first week I was in Orlando for my grandmother's 80th birthday and the last two weeks I was in Lavallette in the Jersey Shore with Rich and his family.

Some highlights:

Rich got initiated with the Hartmans with little to no injury, haha. No, just kidding, the visit went flawlessly. It was the first time he'd met everyone except my dad and they were all very accepting. Even Uncle Rick.
I got to take Rich to see a little of Orlando through a native's eyes when we went to my favorite restaurant, Cafe Tu Tu Tango, and to Pat O'Brien's at CityWalk.
I also got much closer to his family while at the Shore. His kids and I bonded a lot. I've spent a lot of time with his family before, but this was by far the longest at one time. Thankfully, I think they still like me.
I had forgotten how much I missed the beach. This trip came at just the right time - I was really stressed out about my job situation (or lack thereof) and needed to get away for a while. Some sand in my toes and sun on my skin did just the trick.
After loving the beach so much, I was actually really worried about how I'd feel when I came back to the city. But thanks to some promising news with eFlirt Expert and the knowledge that I'll still be able to work from home for ICE, I at least knew that I'd have some work to do. And as we were driving home, I got a perfect view of the New York City skyline and it took my breath away like always. I suddenly felt refreshed and ready to take on the future.
I started a couple freelance stories while on vacation that I'm pretty excited about. I don't want to say too much on here yet, but I think if I do the right research and interviews they could be glossy sellers. Hopefully.

So that's where I've been. Rich and I are headed to dinner with a good group of great friends tonight, and I'm really excited about it. I belong here.

Movin' on up

2009-06-20T21:13:00.010-04:00

Today I said goodbye to Washington Heights and hello to Chelsea. The Heights will always have a special place in my heart. It was the place I got my start in New York. If Chris hadn't had an extra room, I'm not sure how I would've made the move in time. It might not have been a glamorous place, but I was right next door to beautiful Tyron Park, the subway was right around the corner, and it had a great Chinese take-out place across the street. Your first apartment in New York isn't supposed to be glamorous anyway, right? I had a lot of fun there.

But like I said, I said goodbye to it today, and moved in to a super-cool loft studio with my boyfriend in Chelsea. I really love everything about Chelsea. There are a million restaurants around the apartment, including Moran's, and the people and atmosphere are great. I feel very lucky to be here, and am very happy about making the commitment to live with him. =)

Here are a couple shots of the apartment:

Yep, that's a backyard! A prized possession in New York.

I'm a lucky girl.

New job!

2009-06-15T16:19:00.003-04:00

So things at ICE have been a little rocky lately. The job is still solid and isn't near ending, but I feel like I've been there long enough and it's time to move on.

So this morning I set out to get a job serving. I know I didn't spend four years in college to wait tables, but at least this way I don't have to be behind a desk copying and pasting and can meet some fun new people. Plus, it'll give me more time to work on my internship with Laurie. Let's be honest, I didn't spend four years in college to do data entry either.

Now, trying to get a serving job in NYC is no easy task. It's the fall-back job for everyone - actors, models, out of work journalists, etc. And in this city, that's a LOT of people. I went on an open call at a restaurant last week and within 10 minutes 20 people were in line for one hostessing position. It's no joke.

But this morning was different. There's this great historic steakhouse literally around the corner from my apartment called Moran's, so I went there first. I gave the owner my resume, answered a few quick questions, and then she said, "Ok, when can you start?" "Um, tomorrow?" I answered. And that was that. I start at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. It's a small place but has great food and wine and has been around for more than 100 years. Best of all I can expect to get around 35 hours a week, which is a lot for a restaurant. I really only need three or four good tables a night to make enough money at a place like this.

I know turnover is crazy in the hospitality business, especially in NYC, but I think if I do a good job this will stick at least for a while. Rich and I have eaten here several times and it seems like a good place to work. Yay!!

eFlirt Expert promo video

2009-06-09T11:44:00.001-04:00

Here's the new super-cute promo video from eFlirt Expert! Check it out and tell your friends!

eFlirt expert promo from Laurie Davis on Vimeo.

Hooray internship!

2009-06-02T16:23:00.013-04:00

I'm so excited about my great new internship! It's with my friend, Laurie's, new company called eFlirt Expert. Basically I'll be doing a lot of guerrilla marketing, including posting fliers, passing out cards, posting things online, etc. But I'll also be helping out with events and other fun stuff. We already have a networking event next week! It's just part time for now, but it has a lot of opportunity for growth and I can still work while I do it.

The company is really smart. Laurie has a lot of experience with online dating and marketing, so she turned that into her job. She does everything from revamp and create online dating profiles to being your own wing woman! She's really trustworthy and knows what she's talking about, and her prices are really reasonable. To get a full list of her services click here. She just started a few months ago and already has a few couples that are moving in together! I really think eFlirt will take off soon and I hope I can be a part of the company for a long time to come.

So do you or someone you know need a little push in the dating department? Talk to Laurie! She can help anyone from any state, so Florida people this is for you too!

Go to eFlirtexpert.com for more information! (Picture is of Laurie)

The point of no return

2009-05-28T12:12:00.002-04:00

Whenever I used to talk about moving to New York, people would always say, "Well, the worst thing that could happen is you move up there for six months and it doesn't work." It was weird, that was every single person's first comment. I remember thinking that if I could just make it to six months I would be home free. Well, I'm nearing my seven month anniversary here and there's no sign of it not working.

It's so strange to think that I've already been here for seven months. It's gone by so fast. A lot has happened. I was laid off, found a new job, fell in love, made some great new friends and had scores of great experiences. New York is everthing I thought it would be and more. I used to worry that I would move up here and be disappointed, but that's definitely not the case. This is where I'm supposed to be and I'm so glad I took the risk of coming here. I can't imagine looking back on my life and regretting never taking the plunge, selling off my life, leaving my friends and family and everything I knew to follow a dream.

I followed that dream, and it's become my reality.

New York wrap up

2009-05-28T11:24:00.004-04:00

I know, I know, I've been a slacker. I'm sorry. The more I settle into day-to-day life here, the less there seems to post about. BUT here is a wrap up of what's been going on:

* One thing that I definitely should have posted about was going to see Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time. Now, this isn't necessarily a "New York" thing because you can see it almost anywhere, but the fact that I got to see it for the first time here made it that much cooler. We found a theater in Chelsea that plays it every Friday and Saturday at midnight. For those of you who don't know, (which hopefully isn't many) actors act out the movie as it is being played behind them on a big screen and lip sync the lines. It adds to the humor and overall strangeness of the movie. I've seen the movie before, but have never seen it live, thus making me a "virgin." I won't tell you what they did to "devirginize" the virgins, but it was pretty hilarious. Overall the cast was awesome, especially Frankfurter.

* I helped redo my boyfriend's apartment and it turned out really great. It went from a small, midnight blue loft studio to a modern, cool, warm apartment with great furniture and art and an awesome backyard. Yep, it has a backyard in Chelsea which is pretty rare. I think I missed my calling as an interior designer. We threw a housewarming/Memorial Day barbecue last weekend and it was a big hit. I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun there this summer.

* The weather is still pretty strange. It'll go from being 80 degrees to 50 within a day, which kind of sucks. I'm just ready for summer already!

* Things are okay on the job front. Still temping for ICE doing data entry. That should hold up till July or August. A new opportunity just opened up here yesterday, so that would be great if it came through. I'll tell you more about it if it does. Fingers crossed.

* The months of June and July will be absolutely crazy. We literally have something to do every weekend. The first weekend in June is Rich's birthday, then it's his parent's big 40th anniversary party which we are helping put on, then the Rays are in town, then I'm going to Florida for a week, then we're spending two weeks at the Jersey Shore for July 4th. Phew!

Well that's about it from here. I'll try to keep you updated more often! Miss you guys!

The fashion 'Onion' = Genius

2009-05-06T16:16:00.006-04:00

Like The Onion? Like fashion? Like making fun of fashion? Well, your dream has finally come true. Introducing WWWWD: the fashion equivalent of the Onion. The name obviously coming from the highly respected WWD, it debuted during Fashion Week in February and was so popular that it has come back for a second newsletter and will continue until it collapses (so who knows how long).

Now I love and respect fashion as much as the next fashionista, but I also love how ridiculous it is. Now we actually have a site devoted to making fun of every downright stupid fashion disaster with totally fake parody articles! Why did this take so long??

My New York birthday

2009-05-06T15:16:00.004-04:00

My 23rd birthday was May 4 and I celebrated in style with my boyfriend. I'm lucky enough to be dating the best guy on the planet, and he treated me like a princess for my birthday with a New York staycation.

We started out by going to see Jersey Boys (I wore the tan strapless dress I got in the sample sale mentioned in the post before this). It has to be one of the best plays I've ever seen, ranking up there with Wicked and Phantom. Go see it if you can. Then we went across the street to Victor's, which has amazing Cuban food and awesome sangria.

The biggest part of my birthday was staying at the Palace for two nights. We had an amazing room that had a perfect view of St. Patrick's Cathedral right across the street. I lazed around on the day of my birthday and ordered room service for lunch, then we went to Daniel for dinner and had a great time. My "gift" (in quotes because the whole experience was a gift) was a heart earring and necklace set from Tiffany.

Every part of my birthday was quintessentially New York, and every part of it was fabulous. Thanks so much, babe. <3

Successful sample sale

2009-05-06T14:57:00.004-04:00

The first time I had ever heard of a sample sale was in the Shopoholic book series (it's a fun series, I recommend it for some light reading). The main character is visiting New York from London when she hears there is a sample sale that day. "What is a sample sale?" she asks. The women go on to tell her it's the most fabulous thing in the planet. You go to this secret location where designers' collections from last season are all on sale by a huge percentage. The catch? You have to fight the other women around you for the one or two items to chose from.

Well, I went to my first sample sale last Thursday with my friends Jessica, Leighanne and Meredith. We all bought the "VIP" tickets, which were $20 and included early entry into the sale, plus a gift bag, and were buy-one-get-one free so we only ended up paying $10 each. I heard about it because I'm on the mailing list for WWD (Women's Wear Daily). I'm usually annoyed by their constant "breaking news" e-mails, which basically just tell me which designer's profits have fallen. But this one had "MARC JACOBS, DVF AND OTHER DESIGNERS UP TO 80 % OFF!" as the headline, so of course I clicked on it.

It seemed more civilized than other sample sales and I figured it would be a fun experience. I didn't go into it actually thinking I'd buy anything. The doors opened at 5 for the VIP people, so Jess and I got in line around 4:30. Meredith and Leighanne couldn't get there till 6. By 4:30 the line was about half way down the block. At 5 I heard it was around the corner. But we were early enough to have about a half an hour of push-free shopping.

The whole Marc Jacobs and DVF shoutout was a bit far-fetched since there was probably about five items total from the two designers. But there was some really cute, cheap stuff to chose from and I ended up buying a white button-down shirt dress and a tan sleeveless bubble dress for $45 total. Not bad, right? Unfortunately for Meredith and Leighanne, it was an all-out war by 6:00 and they couldn't get by the masses to find anything. Oh well, now we can all say we've been to a sample sale. One more experience you can only get in New York.

Sundress City

2009-04-29T15:07:00.004-04:00

Over the winter months, New Yorkers looked anything but fashionable. Big bubble coats that went down to the floor, hats, gloves, long underwear, etc. left much to be desired. But now the sun has come out and the coats have come off, and there are more colorful sundresses in the streets than colorful flowers in Central Park.

It really is a city of sundresses. Floridians usually just resort to shorts and tank tops in the heat of summer. Not New Yorkers. Wrap dresses, t-shirt dresses, v-neck dresses, floral prints, stripes, solids, bubble skirts (MUCH prettier than bubble jackets), dresses with pockets, dresses with belts ... you get the idea. I guess when you have six months of snow you embrace the warmth with much more fervor than when it's year-round. I've even bought a few cheap cute sundresses from H&M to keep up with everyone. I need to step up my fashion game here.

Tomorrow: My first sample sale. Stay tuned.

Seize the day

2009-04-19T15:58:00.003-04:00

I love everything about this city, but there is still so much that I haven't done here. Thus, here is my To Do list for the summer:

1. See as many live bands as possible.

2. Go to as many museums as possible. Still haven't been to the Museum of Natural History or the Museum of Modern Art, among many others.

3. Go to an art opening.

4. Have a picnic in Central Park.

5. Go to Ellis Island.

6. Visit and do something cool in all the boroughs.

7. Sun bathe in Central Park.

8. Be in the audience of a show taping. Something like SNL, Daily Show or Colbert Report will do.

9. Look for cool local bars/restaurants.

10. Go to the opera, ballet or to see the Philharmonic (or all of them).

11. Compare New York beaches to Florida beaches.

That's all I can think of right now. Did I forget something? Let me know.

With a first winter comes a first spring

2009-04-19T12:14:00.008-04:00

It's been a hard winter. The white snow was so beautiful, but the day-after-day cold was almost too much for this Florida girl to take at times. Even in the middle of April, temperatures can fall to the low 30s. Finally, it broke. Yesterday was the most beautiful day in New York so far this year. This blooming of life is really inspirational after four months of none. Here are some snapshots - don't forget that you can click on them to see them up close.:

Orly Couture

2009-04-19T12:00:00.006-04:00

Orly Couture can be summed up as Brooklyn-chic. Knitted caps, plaid, belts, lose sweaters and pashminas all made up the look. But there was something extra special. This wasn't just your typical plaid button-up shirt with thick black-rimmed glasses like we've seen over and over. Designer Orly Sheli added textures and cuts that made this a whole new genre. Her line is all completely wearable, and I wouldn't be surprised if I see it on the streets of New York in no time at all. This was her inaugural showing and it was at a club in the Meatpacking District - I wouldn't be surprised if I saw her at Fashion Week at Lincoln Center in a couple years. Watch out for Orly Couture in a store near you.

Good interview + celebrity designer meeting + dinner and fashion show with the girls = best day ever

2009-04-16T20:02:00.005-04:00

So today was a pretty awesome day. I'm confident about how my interview went with Mediabistro. I think I'm qualified, I think they think I'm qualified and I hope to get a call back for a second interview sometime middle next week.

After the interview I had a late lunch with Rich. And who did I meet? RICHIE RICH FROM HEATHERETTE! Heatherette has always been a favorite line of mine. It's the epitome of fantasy and over-the-top fashion. You know you're in New York when you're literally sitting next to a designer at the bar.

Now I'm off to dinner with Leighanne and Jessica and then to a fashion show in the Meatpacking District. Expect a full report later.

Hooray interview!

2009-04-14T15:52:00.007-04:00

Well ask and you shall receive, right? I applied for an "Education Assistant" position with Mediabistro.com today, and not three hours later I was e-mailed back for an interview on Thursday.

For those of you who don't know what Mediabistro is, it's a great resource for young journalists. Most of us use it to look at job listings within the journalism community, but they also offer a variety of classes, workshops, events, etc. I actually took their "Intro into Fashion Careers" course last March and it really propelled me to go for my dream, and even inspired me to create this blog. It's a really great company that I respect a lot and it would be great to be able to work with them. Plus, it's a full-time job with full health and dental benefits.

Here's what the job listing says:

The successful candidate must possess:

--An interest in technology and web-based learning
--Ability to multi-task and work independently and with a team
--Exceptional skills related to problem-solving and organization
--Ability to perform well under pressure
--An outgoing personality and outstanding phone skills
--Strong sales and marketing sensibilities
--Supreme attention to detail
--Awareness of NYC media landscape
--A Bachelor’s Degree
--Experience using online learning platforms is a plus (but we will train you on all software)

Responsibilities include:

--Guiding students to appropriate courses by phone and email
--Providing online class support, including trouble-shooting technical
problems, student and instructor support, and communicating with instructors
and students to monitor class quality; training will be provided
--Setting up online classrooms, proofreading and posting course materials,
and setting up student access
--Assisting in scheduling classes
--Working closely with education staff to meet quarterly goals, plan for
appropriate marketing, and maintain student enrollment
--Assisting in writing and maintaining course descriptions for the mediabistro.com web site
--Providing creative input for the overall education department
*This an entry level position and there is opportunity for growth.

Sound like me? Wish me luck! I'm also going to a fashion show on Thursday with my friends Jessica and Leighanne. How great would it be to get a job and go to a show in the same day?!

Someone, please, take a bite

2009-04-13T16:25:00.002-04:00

Every time I apply for a job, I think, "I am perfect for this. They HAVE to call me back." So far, I have yet to get any responses. Not even rejections. Nothing.

I apply for about three jobs a day, which is actually a lot considering most jobs have been turned into internships. My temporary job only has a few weeks left and the quiet worried voices that have been in my head are turning into screams. I'm probably going to start serving or hosting a couple days a week to make extra cash, but that won't be enough when the temp job is over. I might be able to squeeze into a customer service job at ICE, or maybe even a marketing job. Maybe.

I just want a definite answer. It's so frustrating, I know I'm qualified for so much and would be perfect for so many of these jobs that won't even call me back.

Someone, please, bite.

Life summary

2009-04-09T16:24:00.002-04:00

So there's been a lot going on, but none of it really relates to New York or fashion so I wasn't sure if I should blog about it. Thus, here is a quick summary of my life lately in true Chris Gardner style - bullets.

- I went to New Orleans and Florida two weeks ago. It was awesome. It was so great to be in two warm cities, one of which I had never seen before. New Orleans was so much fun and we ate three fantastic meals at August, Emeril's and the Commander's Palace. Yum. I want to go back. Florida was great because I got to see my family and go on the boat. It's hard to believe that I haven't seen them in over four months. And we had a little pre-birthday celebration for Scotty and me. I can't believe he's 18!

- I've started dating someone and it's going awesome. That's all I'm gonna say about it. ;)

- I'm still at ICE working on the temporary position, but it's rapidly coming to an end. I have a couple options, but I'm starting to get a bit panicky about what's coming next. I'll keep you posted.

- I got to go to the inaugural game at Citi Field, the new Mets stadium. I'm now a Mets fan, but the Rays will always come first. I figure it's okay to be a Mets fan because they're not in the same division as the Rays and, well, they're not the Yankees. I've never been to the opening of a new stadium, and it was really cool to see how excited the fans were about it. I'm sure I'll go to more Mets games this season.

- My days are mostly spent now working and exploring new restaurants with my boyfriend. Not too shabby. I've joined a gym to work off all the good food I'm eating.

The main thing on the horizon is finding a more secure job. I'm applying but have yet to get even a response from anyone. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Life Underground

2009-03-21T17:33:00.009-04:00

There is a whole world housed in the subway stations of New York. Artists, musicians, bums, white collar, blue collar, passerbys, children and everyone else come together in one place. Sometimes, it creates something really special.

The 8th Avenue station is home to little bronze statues in an exhibit called "Life Underground." Here are a few of the inhabitants:

Subway stations are also home to thousands of street (or subway) performers, like this one in the Union Square station:

Just goes to show that, in New York, there's a lot of life that goes on underground.

Spring my ass

2009-03-21T01:24:00.002-04:00

So today is the first day of Spring, and what did I wake up to see outside my window? Snow!! WTF?! Seriously this is ridiculous. Snow is pretty and all, but I'm more than ready for some warm sunshine. Thank god I'm going to New Orleans and Florida next week where it will be in the upper 70s and 80s. This whole cold nonsense better be gone by the time I get back. Seriously, New York, get your act together.

Full speed ahead

2009-03-19T21:01:00.002-04:00

Things have been super busy - they don't call New York the City that Never Sleeps for no reason.

Dad came to visit last weekend. He's been to Newark on business a lot, but never to the big city. It's always really cool to show someone New York for the first time. I've only lived here for about four months, but it's nice to see the city through fresh eyes to remind me how special it is.

Right away we went to Times Square. We took a bunch of pictures and saw a pretty good street band.

Then we walked up to Central Park at Columbus Circle. It was a perfect day to be outside; cool but not too cold. We ate lunch at a sports bar by the park and then took a nice stroll. It was actually really cool for me too because we went a way I hadn't been before. Central Park is so beautiful, I can't wait till the spring when everything starts blooming. Then that night we went to Del Friscos with Rich and had an amazing dinner.

Sunday we started the day exploring Fort Tryon park by my apartment. This was another thing that I haven't done yet, which I'm a little embarrassed about. But I blame it on the cold and vow to explore it more often now. It's crazy to think that this amazing park is literally in my back yard. It has a great view of the Hudson and has an amazing museum called the Cloisters, which is actually part of the Met. Then we had brunch at the cute restaurant in the park. After brunch, we actually went to the Met because we got free admission when going to the Cloisters. To get there, we had to cross Central Park, so it was cool to see yet another part of it.

After getting back from the Met it was time for dad to go. It was a short trip, but it was good to see him. I only wish my mom and brother could've come too. However, I am so excited to go home to Orlando next week! I'll be home Friday-Sunday for my brother's 18th birthday. I can't wait to see everyone and soak up some Florida sun. And before that, I'm going to New Orleans! I've never been there so I'm super excited to see it.

As I get more acclimated to life here, I seem to have less to write about. It makes me a little sad, but it also makes me excited to think that this isn't a vacation and is becoming real life. But the last thing I want is to get complacent here and take for granted all the things around me, so I'll make much more of an effort to blog more often and see how special this city is.

Spring has sprung!

2009-03-07T15:23:00.002-05:00

Today was the first day that I didn't have to bundle up before going outside. No jacket, no scarf, no gloves, no stockings ... I was wearing a light sweater and I really could've done without that too.

It's 67 degrees right now, and I never thought I'd be so excited. It's interesting to see the different outfits outside. A lot of people didn't realize the warmth before heading out and are now carrying their jackets. Long sleeved shirts are rolled up. Some people are in flip flops. Every second person is walking a dog. A lot of people are shopping too - maybe the answer to our economic problems will be the weather, haha.

I can't wait to see the city really come alive with spring. It'll be a lot easier to explore new places too. This better not be a tease!

Kat's visit, et cetera

2009-03-05T20:58:00.003-05:00

Hello faithful readers, I'm sorry for the delay in post. Things have been a little hectic, in a good way.

Kat's visit was so much fun. We went to so many fun places and did fun things. To get a full synopsis, read her blog here. I hope it gave her a better idea of what living here will actually be like.

Things are good on the job front. The project is running steadily and doesn't seem like it'll end in the immediate future. Which is bad for ICE, but good for me. After that, I've learned that there's a position I could fill in customer service. It isn't necessarily what I want to be doing, but it's steady money and I'd get benefits, which isn't a bad plan B.

Also - I'm coming home! The last weekend in March (27-29) I'll be in Orlando. So if you're there, call me! It'll be so great to see everyone and be in the Florida sun. And before that I'm going to New Orleans for a few days! Hooray!

So all in all things are great!

First celebrity sighting

2009-02-24T19:57:00.002-05:00

That's right people, that's ELIJAH WOOD! We were at Revival for Kat's birthday, probably the last place you would expect to see a celebrity (which is probably why he went there), and in he came! I saw him first and started freaking out as quietly as possible so he wouldn't hear me, and then Leighanne walked over to him thanks to some liquid courage. We snapped this picture and then left him alone, but didn't stop looking at him. AH! ELIJAH FREAKING WOOD!

Getting back up

2009-02-22T12:18:00.004-05:00

Well it's been an interesting week, to say the least.

I started my new job at ICE and really like it. The people I work with are all fun and I'm learning a lot about food. But I can't help thinking about what I'll do when the project is over in a few weeks. I keep hearing there may be another position that might be available, but that's not for sure.

This week has mainly been full of questions. I know not all magazines will treat me the way Harris did, but I'm a little disenfranchised with the industry right now. The fact that I'm getting paid almost double to copy and paste just shows how horrible the pay scale is in journalism. I'm beginning to look at marketing, advertising and PR (I know, gasp) for possible career changes. They all pay much better with better benefits and still allow me to write and be somewhat creative. Not that money is the most important factor in a job, but it is important.

We'll see. I'm in the best city for a career change and have made some good contacts so far. Stay tuned.

In better news - Kat is coming to stay with me for a week tomorrow! My new job allows me a little more flexibility with my schedule, so I'll get to see her a little more. If there's anything I need right now, it's a good friend around. I'm sure she can take my mind off things. =)

You just never know

2009-02-17T22:58:00.003-05:00

I was laid off today.

I was called in to the office of the managing editor today at 10:30 and she told me that they didn't have enough for me to do, so I was laid off, effective immediately.

I've never been given a warning. I've never done anything wrong. I did all my assignments to the best of my ability. I was laid off.

Thankfully, I have a plan B. I finally got a second job doing data entry for the Institute of Culinary Education. My boss and I have become friends, and I told him my situation. He has brought me on full time, effective tomorrow. It's only a temporary gig, but I'm getting paid twice as much and there's opportunity for something more permanent. Either way, I have about a month of steady money and in the mean time I'll look for any kind of an opening.

I refuse to let this defeat me. I live in New York and I'll make it work. They won't win. I'm confident this will lead to something better with a better company.

In the words of Fashion Week, "Chic will go on."

I will go on. Everything happens for a reason. It's for the best.

Success!

2009-02-14T13:04:00.008-05:00

We got in! Armed with a badge and a ticket from last season, Leighanne and I walked straight past the guards and in to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week tents.

Right away I noticed that the energy was nothing like it was in September. There wasn't music, there weren't as many people there, there were less sponsors shelling out free stuff, etc. This could be for a variety of reasons: the Fall season is less important than the Spring, so a lot of people don't even come, a lot of designers pulled out of the tents at the last minute due to economic reasons, and it was only the first day and there weren't really any huge designers showing last night.

Either way, I was stoked to be there. It's the 50th anniversary of Barbie, so there was a huge Barbie centerpiece with vintage Barbies holding up the flat screens, and the letters in the Barbie sign were full of, well, Barbies.

There was still an open bar and Leighanne and I helped ourselves to four free French martinis. We tried to get in to the Academy of Art show by saying that we had confirmed late and just wanted a standing ticket, but the pretentious girl with the clip board wasn't buying it. Oh well, it's only the first day. I'm just glad I got to be inside the tents again.

Now I've seen everything

2009-02-11T15:49:00.007-05:00

As much as I love and respect fashion, some things are just down right hilarious and ridiculous.

We have designer clothes, bags, shoes, underwear, house decor, accessories, plates ... why not have designer condoms? Now you can literally cover every part of your body in designer duds ... or at least men can.

New York Magazine wrote about this three days ago and I've been laughing ever since. Who's the designer? Why, Alexander Wang of course (Get it? Wang? Hahaha, OK time to grow up now).

"The February 14 date of Alexander Wang's fashion show could not be more fitting for the unveiling of the limited-edition condom he designed in collaboration with Planned Parenthood. The Proper Attire rubbers will be sold at Thompson Hotels and online, with all profits going to Planned Parenthood," the blog said.

Yes, now I've seen everything. I kind of want one just to say I have it ... it's for a good cause, right?

Fashion Week schedule

2009-02-10T17:30:00.003-05:00

My mission is to get into as many shows as possible, so I took some time to look at the schedules. There are some goodies. Stars are by the ones I really really want to see.

Friday - 6:00 Nicole Miller*

8:00 Academy of Art

9:00 Venexiana

Saturday - 10 a.m. Lacoste

3:00 Barbie 50th Anniversary*

Sunday - 4:00 DVF*

Monday - 10 a.m. Carolina Herrara*

7:00 William Rast*

Tuesday - 6:00 Max Azria*

7:00 TIBI

9:00 Narciso Rodriquez

Wednesday - 7:00 Anna Sui*

Thursday - 6:00 Christian Siriano*

8:00 Zac Posen*

How many will I be able to sneak in to? We shall see ...

My first book

2009-02-10T13:25:00.005-05:00

I haven't talked about this much, but it's been a little rough transitioning from five years of news writing to magazine writing. In college, my professors taught me that adjectives were my enemies and to not say something in 10 words when I can say it in five. Well now I pretty much have to throw all that out the window. Needless to say, it's been more than a little frustrating. I haven't seen my stories bleed this much since I was a freshman.

Yesterday, Mary gave me one of the main features in an upcoming magazine for practice. I worked all day on it, trying to sound cutesy but not like I was trying too hard; making sure my sentences were short while still saying enough. I felt good about it when I turned it in. It still came back all marked up, but instead of major changes it was more changing a few words here and there. She said it was really good and that she was seeing improvement in me.

Well today I got my first issue to do all on my own. It's an "in-house" issue, meaning I do it while I'm in the office instead of being a freelance issue where I take it home. I don't get paid anything more for it, but she said that once I finish this I'd be ready to do a freelance magazine.

I'm really excited. I'm basically acting editor in chief for this book. I'm doing everything - creating a line up (deciding what goes on what pages), writing EVERYTHING, getting all the pictures, editing it. It's my book. This is a big perk of working on a small staff, and how awesome will this look on my resume?!

I have three weeks to finish everything (it's 90 pages). It's going to be a challenge and is a bit daunting, but I really hope I live up to Mary's expectations.

Fashion Week starts FRIDAY!!!

2009-02-09T10:14:00.002-05:00

Fashion Week starts in 4 days! While I haven't been able to snag any invitations, I've devised a genius plan. Last season I got in to the tents with a badge, but I remember people being able to get in if they had a ticket to a show. Well thankfully, I saved all my tickets from last season! All I have to do is flash it to a guard while in the middle of the crowd and I'm sure to get in. Then, all I have to do is be first in line for a show and I'll get standing room. I'm determined to sneak into at least one show this season. At least. I refuse to let Fashion Week pass me by, especially when it won't be in Bryant Park much longer!

My big break

2009-02-07T23:40:00.005-05:00

Yep, I got my big break today. Watch out, because I'm probably gonna be nominated for an Emmy.

I was on reality TV.

What did I do? Eat bugs? Disgrace my family by acting a fool, getting drunk and sleeping with someone? Well ... not quite.

My coworker was nominated for a makeover show and they needed people to be in the background for the big reveal. But some agent is totally gonna see me and make me a star, I know it.

The show is called "Closet Cases" on the Fine Living Channel. Never heard of it? Me either. The show doesn't premier till April and I think we're the third episode, so watch out for it. But it was a fun experience, and further proves my theory that everyone will be on a reality show at some point.

FYI: In case there was any doubt, reality TV isn't real in the slightest. Everyone there was supposed to be at a reunion in Ohio for the class of '88. Considering I was 2 that year, that's obviously fake. And New York is probably the opposite of Ohio. We all even had fake names. I was Charolette (yes, it was spelled wrong. Not my fault).

Fashion Week is relocating

2009-02-02T20:52:00.005-05:00

This just in - Fashion week is moving from the famed Bryant Park to Lincoln Center starting in 2010.

"Although the fashion shows, now operating as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to reflect a corporate sponsorship, were welcomed in Bryant Park in 1993, there were frequent clashes with the management company that controls its maintenance and security.

The dispute intensified in 2006, when the Bryant Park Corporation announced it would no longer allow the shows to happen in the park, because they were interfering with plans to operate a skating rink in the winter and public use of the main lawn in the late summer. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was then asked by designers, as well as Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue, to intercede on their behalf, leading to an arrangement for Fashion Week to remain there, at least temporarily," according to an article in the New York Times today.

For as long as I can remember, I dreamt of seeing a show at Bryant Park. Thankfully, that dream came true in September, because that may be my one and only shot.

Epiphany

2009-01-30T16:48:00.002-05:00

Ok folks, brace yourself ...

McDonald's DELIVERS!!!

I'm not sure why this is so surprising to me, everyone delivers: groceries, Chinese, pizza, etc. But freaking McDonald's delivers!

It's so weird, my friend Niki and I were just talking about how we wished McDonald's delivered. Then today, out of the blue, my new cube-mate at work Cynthia mentioned that they delivered on the lower east side. What?! I was then on a quest to find out if they delivered near me, and sure enough, they do!

I know, I'm way more excited about this than I should be, but come on ya'll! McDonald's delivers!!

Overheard

2009-01-30T14:17:00.004-05:00

So I was passing the time at work and wandered over to a blog I hadn't read in a long time, "Overheard in New York." Basically people submit real, hilarious things they hear on the street, on the bus, on the subway, etc. Here are a few gems I came across today:

Young boy, pointing out the subway window at the Gowanus Canal: Look, mom, a lake!
Mom: That ain't no lake! That's where the dookie comes out!
--F Train

Random guy on street: You have a great day, beautiful lady.
Girl: Thank you.
Random guy on street: No, not you. Her! (points to the girl behind her)
--Waverly Place & 6th Ave

Tourist looking at a subway map, drawing a line with his finger: Where does this train go?
New Yorker: Exactly where you just pointed.
--B Train

20-something grunge girl #1: So I plan on getting really trashed tonight, do you think I can crash there tonight?
20-something grunge girl #2: I wouldn't recommend it. Last time I crashed there I ended up with scabies.
--L Train

Old man: Are you guys tourists or something?
Couple: Yes.
Old man: Is that why you're walking so fucking slow?!
--8th St Station

Tourist trying to get through the turnstile with a credit card: Didn't this work last time?
Tourist friend: Try my Visa, maybe yours is expired.
--Bryant Park Station

Middle Eastern man surrounded by bags of rice: Would you like to buy some rice?
Young woman: No, thanks.
Middle Eastern man: But it's good rice. Good strong rice.
Young woman: Oh, I've got plenty of rice at home.
Middle Eastern man: But your rice no good. This rice much better.
Woman (offended, screaming): You don't know what kind of rice I eat!
(long pause)
Middle Eastern man, sheepishly: Only $20.
--F Train

For Meredith:
Girl's in Queens for the first time: You can order milkshakes and cigarettes from the diner any time of night? This place is a fucking wonderland!
--Queens

And the last one, just for Chris:
Boyfriend, looking at girlfriend's iPhone: Who is this guy Nick that you're talking to?
Ditzy girlfriend: Whatever...you don't have to worry about him. He's from New Jersey, so I would never touch him.
Boyfriend: What's that have to do with anything?
Ditzy girlfriend: Hello! Everyone knows that everyone in New Jersey has STDs!
--7 Train

Happy Friday, everyone.

New widget

2009-01-28T15:32:00.006-05:00

If you're a frequent reader of my blog, you probably noticed the new widget on the top right side called "Chris's Cancer Fund."

One of my best friend's boyfriend, Chris, was diagnosed with cancer recently. Thankfully, they found it in time and he had surgery to remove it. However, he still has a long and costly road ahead of him, including radiation and possible follow-up surgeries.

I know it's a hard time for everyone right now, so it's totally understandable if you can't donate anything, but please pass the link along to someone who you think might be able to. I wouldn't ask this of you unless it was for a good reason. I met Chris last summer when Lori came to visit Tampa and he's a really positive, great guy. It's such a shame this had to happen to such a good person. His copay alone is $7,000 and his insurance doesn't completely cover things like CT scans, etc., not to mention it costs $20 to park for every doctor visit. Every little bit helps.

Here is the link to his cancer fund: http://chrisriehlmedicalfund.chipin.com/chris-riehls-cancer-fund

This doesn't have anything to do with New York or fashion, but using my blog to help is the least I can do.

Lovely weather this morning

2009-01-28T09:43:00.008-05:00

I mentioned to the Facebook world a while ago that no matter how cold the snow was, I still never got tired of it. Let me make one exception: I never get tired of it unless I have to walk to work in it and it's mixed with rain.

Usually walking to and from work while it's snowing is no big deal. It's pretty to look at and as long as you have an umbrella you're fine. Well, not this morning. It snowed pretty heavily last night, but my walk to the subway from my apartment wasn't a problem. It was still fluffy enough to not seep in my shoes and I like the way it crunches.

But during my commute the snow had turned into rain. Yes, rain. My little weather gadget says "light snow" right now and it's lying. So, the heavily snowed on streets and sidewalks were now mixed with rain which created very wet slush, and a lot of it. It was ankle-deep at every curb.

This morning I made a conscious decision to wear my cute black sneakers instead of boots because they provided better traction and I didn't want a repeat of my spill from a couple weeks ago. Well, that was clearly the wrong choice when my feet were already soaking after only two blocks. Knowing I still had eight blocks to go, I decided to hail a cab. The $4 ride was worth it.

Meanwhile my friends back in Florida are going to the beach. C'est la vie.

Lending a hand

2009-01-27T13:01:00.003-05:00

In this business it's all about who you know. I first met my boss at the Times at a job fair, then she remembered me when a position became available. My teacher put me in touch with Michelle Lee, InTouch Weekly editor, who put me in touch with Patty Adams, Page Six Magazine editor. You get the idea.

Well for the first time I get to help out a friend of mine. My best friend, Kat, is coming to visit for a week in February. I worked with her at the Times and she also has experience at Creative Loafing, the Crow's Nest, etc. She's gonna be here, she might as well work, right? Well I got her an internship with Harris.

It took a little persuading. The managing editor was fine with it, but then the CFO wasn't so sure. But after some sweet talk and telling him how talented Kat is (which is true), he agreed. She'll pretty much be helping out where ever it's needed and will probably get to work with a variety of magazines, which will be great for her. And she's getting paid!

I know when I got the experience of working and living in New York during Fashion Week it really opened my eyes to how everyday life was in the City, and I hope this will do the same thing for her. Hopefully this leads to contacts and skills that will help her career move forward in this time where the industry is struggling.

P.S. To all my other journalism friends: Don't think that just because you visit me you get a free internship!

Random thoughts of the week

2009-01-23T10:15:00.004-05:00

Friendly train conductor: I've been meaning to mention this for a while now. Usually subway conductors are anything but friendly or memorable. Most of them yell out stops and even yell at people who get in the way of the car doors. But every morning as I get on the A train around 8:35, my conductor greets me with, "Good morning! Welcome to the downtown A experience (yes, experience, not train). This is 190 St., next stop will be 181. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride."

I remember the first time I heard him. It was Christmas eve and he wished everyone on the train "Happy holidays." At popular stops, he tells everyone getting off the train to have a "wonderful day" or weekend. Just goes to show that no matter what job you have, you should take pride in it and do it to the best of your ability (I say this as I'm blogging at work). It really helps to have a cherry voice greet me as I'm still struggling to wake up, and it makes me smile every day.

New haircut: Add a free haircut to the list of perks my job comes with. I interviewed stylist Brian Meehan, owner of the Wayne Thomas Salon, on Tuesday. I've interviewed him before and he always gives me great quotes. As I was leaving, I glanced at his prices and asked him about them. "Oh honey I'll do you for free," he responded. Score! I've wanted to get my hair done for so long. The last time I went to a professional stylist was back in September before Fashion Week, and since then I've gone to beauty schools, which leave much to be desired.

So yesterday I took him up on his offer. I brought in a picture of Paris Hilton's new bob for an example of what I wanted (I know, I shouldn't be using her for fashion guidance, but her hair is cute). He only took a couple inches off the length, but what he really did is take out a lot of the bulk, which is what I really needed. Now my hair is a little above my shoulders and is perfectly shaped for my face. Pictures to come soon.

The second job hunt: I've been applying at a variety of places without any success. The problem with restaurants is that I get off too late to work the dinner shift and no one will hire me just for the weekend, because those are "prime" shifts that they give their best servers. Plus, I don't have "New York experience." Retail stores won't hire me because I haven't worked in retail since 2004, because, oh I don't know, I was working in my actual field. It's not like I've forgotten how to use a cash register or fold clothes, come on. I've applied for a few freelance jobs with no response. I made a profile on this babysitter site with no response. Sigh.

Last night I met this guy Geoffrey at Revival who is the front of the house manager at Bar Brenton. I've seen him at Revival a couple of times before that. He said they were way understaffed and if I came by he'd hook me up with a job. It's right by my office and I've actually been there once before without even realizing it. So today after work I'm going to go by and give him my resume. Hopefully he lives up to his word.

Also, my job has incredible opportunities for freelancing. Because we do so many magazines a year, they freelance out some of the books. So basically I'd do a whole magazine by myself for a substantial bonus. My boss is having me work with Mackenzie on the book she's doing to get the feel of it, and hopefully in the next month or so I can do one on my own. Fingers crossed.

Weekend shenanigans: Once again, Meredith has come to the rescue for my weekend. Her friend is having a house party out in Long Island tomorrow and she invited me to go. It's kind of a long hike to get there, but I'm going to meet her at her place first and she'll drive me, and I can stay over at her place if I need to. It's a good way to meet more people and I haven't been to a good house party in a long time. Plus, house parties = free. Chris has gone to LA for a conference, so I have the apartment to myself for a week.

That's all for now. This is way longer than I expected it to be. Hasta luego!

P.S. It got up to 45 degrees today! Whoa heat wave!

Where were you?

2009-01-21T13:20:00.006-05:00

Yesterday marked the most historic moment of my adult life thus far. The first black man was elected president.

I was beyond inspired listening to his inaugural speech. He spoke to the two million people who braved the cold to see him in Washington, he spoke to our enemies and allies, he spoke to the young and old, and he spoke to me.

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met."

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

"Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage."

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.

And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

"Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet them may be new, but those values upon which our success depends, honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old."

"... And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

These quotes and many more left me in awe of my new president. It was the first time I have ever heard a president's speech and was left inspired, hopeful and excited. It was more than his words, it was his genuine earnest and love and patriotism that came along with them.

As I sat in a restaurant with my new boss and coworkers, surrounded by TVs and other hopeful Americans, I felt more patriotic than I have since Sept. 11. I know he won't solve all our problems. I know it won't happen overnight. But I believe the ball has started rolling. Things will get better. Even if you didn't vote for him, even if you don't believe in everything he stands for, even if you think he's too inexperienced, I hope you respect him and know he's a great man. He is our President.

Where were you on this historic moment?

If it's free, it's for me

2009-01-16T10:06:00.006-05:00

So yesterday was pretty awesome. I was having a normal day at work when representatives from David Babaii (an all-natural, organic product line with Kate Hudson as their spokesperson) came by to meet with us and talk about their new products (without Kate). They gave us all great swag bags with lots of great, well, swag. We got these sweet ceramic hairdryers that retail for over $120, an organic notebook, volumizer and a $25 gift card to Starbucks. They said they might send over their flat irons for us too, which would be beyond awesome because mine's about to die. I know, I know, it's not "ethical" to take gifts, but I don't work for a newspaper anymore and magazines have different rules. And I really needed a new hairdryer.

Then Leighanne and I went to a free movie screening of Cherie. It was one of those way-in-advance screenings to get audience feedback and make final changes. It starred Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates and an unknown leading man, Rupert something. It was set in France at the turn of the 19th century (I think) and followed two retired prostitutes (Michelle and Kathy). Michelle falls in love with Rupert, Kathy's much younger son, and trouble arises when Kathy sets him up in an arranged marriage. It was an okay movie, more like a longer Lifetime movie. The only really good thing about it was Rupert (he was really hot) and the costumes. But hey, it was free and it was the first movie I've ever seen in New York. Oh, and we got free popcorn because we came in the cold. Who said New York was expensive?

Other thoughts: No, I didn't see the plane crash into the Hudson. It happened around 3:30 while I was at work, and I only heard about it because I was bored and happened to go to NYtimes.com where it was the main story. Chris, however, got an up-close view. He does PR for the Army Corps of Engineers and just happened to be on the Hudson working on another project when the plane crashed. He spent the rest of the day helping with the rescue efforts and didn't get home till around 11:30. His parents are coming in today to visit for the weekend, so I get to meet them.

I don't really have any plans for the weekend, besides going to Sunday brunch with Thierry. I'm sure I'll hang out with Chris and his parents some. I have Monday off because of MLK day. Tuesday, Meredith invited me to Yelp's Inaugural Ball. She's a big foodie and writes a lot of reviews for Yelp.com and they invited her to the ball, and she invited me. It's an evening of free food and drinks and we get to dress up. Exciting!

Fashion Week Countdown: 25 days

2009-01-14T12:12:00.007-05:00

If there's one thing that can cheer me up, it's Fashion Week. I had some down time at work today, so I spent it going through New York Magazine's Pre-Fall 2009 Fashion Week section where they have a sneak peak at what the designers are going to show February 13-20.

From what I can see so far, next fall will be full of the usual muted colors: black, gray, etc., with little pops of color. Black tights with mile-high stiletto ankle boots are on everyone's models. The majority of the pants I saw for women were wide-leg black suit pants, and there's every version of the little black dress imaginable.

One thing that surprised me was that everyone's collection was surprisingly wearable, except for maybe Chanel's, who's inspiration looked like a combination of the far East and Soviet Russia. My new favorite every-day wear designer is Alberta Ferretti and my favorite evening wear is a three-way tie between Monique Lhuillier, Naeem Khan and Reem Acra.

I can't wait! I hope I get to go to some shows. I know the associate editor, Crystal, usually covers the runway shows, but maybe I can sneak invitations to a couple. I'm sure I'll at least get to experience the inside of the tents again. Three and a half weeks!

The day from Hell

2009-01-13T22:29:00.002-05:00

Well, I finally had a really bad day.

The morning started off with me sleeping in too late. I've had trouble getting to bed at a decent hour lately, so waking up at 7:30 has been a challenge. I rushed to get ready and make the train on time.

When I was coming out of the subway, I made a quick turn and fell right on my ass. I'm not sure what happened, it wasn't snowing or raining, but my legs came out from under me like a cartoon. I tried to recover as gracefully as possible, but while I continued walking I noticed that something was leaking from my purse. My Coke had burst and everything in my purse was soaked, and it was leaking onto my favorite white coat. Not to mention my arm began to hurt, and now I have a nice bruise.

The work day was pretty normal. I interviewed two stylists and wrote three articles. I hoped that my embarrassing spill was the end of my bad luck for the day. So I went home and organized my room, finally hanging pictures and other things. My mood was excited and it made me feel even more at home.

However, my mood instantly turned when I was talking to my parents and my precious Audrey Hepburn clock fell from the wall and shattered, cutting my ankle in the process. That clock was more than a clock to me. It's been with me through four apartments, life changes and it really defines my style. I've hung it with pride and really loved it. Seeing it in pieces on the floor really hurt, and I began to tear up. The events of the day, plus not getting the job I interviewed for, became just too much.

I know my last post and this one haven't been too happy. I don't want anyone to think that I'm at all regretting my decision to come to New York. But the newness has worn off and the honeymoon is over. I still love New York as much as I ever did, but not every day is going to be a good one, and I think I owe it to all of you to be honest. I wouldn't be a responsible blogger if I just wrote about the happy days.

Leighanne and I are going to Revival tomorrow and I'm going to Sunday brunch with Thierry, so I have things to look forward to this week. Temperatures are supposed to get into the single digits this week with wind chills surely below zero. Sigh.

Homesick

2009-01-11T20:11:00.003-05:00

I miss the sun.
I miss being warm.
I miss chain restaurants.
I miss grocery stores.
I miss driving.
I miss drive thrus.
I miss the radio.
I miss flip flops.
I miss swim suits.
I miss the ocean.
I miss disposals.
I miss dish washers.
I miss the Independent.
I miss my parents.
I miss you.

Time flies when you're having fun

2009-01-11T18:42:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it's already Sunday night. Where did the weekend go?

Friday night was fun. Thierry and I went to an Indian restaurant in Soho. I'm not sure what I had, but it was good. Indian food wouldn't be my first choice, but I'm glad I tried it and wouldn't be against eating it again.

Afterward we wandered around in search of something fun. We came across a bar that had walls covered in license plates, a pool table and $10 all-you-can-drink Bud Light. We had good conversation, and right before we left the bartender did this:

Saturday, Chris and I met up with Meredith at the Opera in midtown. No, not an actual opera, but a club in what used to be the China Club. Meredith's friends got us free VIP and I drank free all night. Hey, if it's free it's for me. It was the first time I had to go through a metal detector and get padded down to get in a club, but once inside the DJ was great.

Today, I had an interview for a brunch serving position at House Restaurant in the West Villiage. The chef/manager was very friendly and said he would call me tomorrow night after he interviewed everyone and made a decision. Cross your fingers for me, because I really need the money.

To be honest, though, I really don't want a second job. This is literally the only time since I started working for Chick-fil-a when I was 15 that I've had weekends off, and every single one has been amazing. Oh well, I guess it's back to reality. And it's a great way to meet more people. Hopefully I have good news tomorrow.

Subway reading

2009-01-08T16:06:00.003-05:00

I FINALLY finished The Prince of Tides a couple weeks ago after an embarrassingly long period of time. In my defense, I was in school for most of the time reading other un-fun things, and I had a job ... and I'm lazy.

So yesterday I went on Barnes and Noble's Web site on a quest for new subway reading. I have a built in hour and a half a day to read, and the thought of finally enjoying books and using them to learn new things is exciting. When I first moved to New York, I couldn't understand how anyone could read on the subway because I get carsick ... er, subwaysick ... easily. But now the rocking back and forth of the cars is relaxing.

I had a Barnes and Noble gift card left over from graduation, thanks to my dad's friend, so I had $25 to spend on as many books as possible. Straight to the the bargain section.

I got:
1. There's No Place Like Here - Cecelia Ahern
2. Road Home - Tommy Tenny, Mark Andrew Olsen
3. The Secret Sisters - Joni Rodgers
4. Dangerous Lover - Lisa Marie Rice
5. Promise Not to Tell - Jennifer McMahon

I spent a grand total of $0.90. Not too shabby.

On the way home, I made special notice of what everyone was reading. A young woman next to me was reading the latest issue of The Economist, a man was reading the New York Daily News, a few other women were reading some novels I couldn't see the names of, another woman was reading what looked like a script, a man was reading the New York Times ... and a man was reading Penthouse Pet. Yep, right there, for everyone to see, porn. The man sitting next to him looked very uncomfortable and tried his best not to look at the naked women spread eagle. It made me chuckle. Hey, it takes all kinds.

So I've been sick all week. I've actually had to call out of work twice, which never happens. But thankfully my boss is a saint and is very understanding. I'm starting to feel better now and just have a lagging cough.

I have a fun weekend planned again. On Friday, I'm going to an Indian restaurant in Soho for dinner after work. I guess you could call it a date (insert smiley here). On Saturday, I have an interview for a second job and then I'm on the VIP list for a club called Opera thanks to Meredith's connected friends. Hopefully I have something to celebrate when I get there. And Sunday Meredith and I are going to see the movie, Milk. Yay!

The New York flu

2009-01-05T15:42:00.004-05:00

Wouldn't you know it, not an hour after I posted my last entry about how the new year was going wonderfully did a sudden rush of sickness hit me like a truck. Out of nowhere, I was coughing, sneezing, had body aches and a fever, was blowing my nose and feeling just all around miserable. Welcome, New York flu.

Apparently, the New York flu is something you get when you first move to the City, especially in your first winter. The only time I've ever been in a cold climate my whole life was on vacations, and then it was only for a few days at a time. Now five weeks in, my body has decided it doesn't like being cold all the time, and has started to rebel.

I don't remember the last time I had a cold, so I guess I'm due for one anyway. Unfortunately, when I do get colds, they last for weeks. I really hope that's not the case this time.

The only thing that made me feel better today was when the first magazine worked on was shipped to the office. There my name was, in black and white, on the masthead. And there were my stories and pictures. I guess that makes it worth it. =)

Great start to the New Year

2009-01-03T15:59:00.004-05:00

It's three days into the New Year and so far I have no complaints.

New Year's Eve was a blast. Meredith and I went to Crema for dinner and ate way too much good food. Originally we wanted to have a light dinner, but didn't think about the fact that pretty much every restaurant in New York has a preset menu on New Year's Eve. Thus, instead of sharing a few appetizers, we both that three courses of delicious food. It also came with a preset price, which was way more than I wanted to spend, but it was a good experience and I knew I didn't have to pay to get in anywhere or pay for drinks the rest of the night.

After dinner we went to David's party at his apartment in Chelsea. It was a party full of fun people, full glasses of champagne and good conversation, such as Britney's fall from grace and J-Lo's hard childhood in the Bronx. I made a few new friends, and I hope to keep in touch with one woman in particular who lives somewhat close to me. I left the party soon after midnight and was glad to be warm in my apartment before the crowds flooded into the subways. Here's a little snapshot of the countdown:

I did nothing on the 1st, which was perfectly fine with me. I slept in, laid around and that's about it.

Yesterday, Britney and I went to the Met during the day. It was incredible. Our favorite exhibit by far was the Egyptian art. In our favorite room, they actually had a full Egyptian temple you could walk through.

Last night we went to Amalia, a club in midtown, with Meredith and a few of her friends. It was a really fun place with an amazing DJ, and we literally danced all night. We finally left around 3:30 and didn't make it home till around 5. My legs are screaming at me today because of it. It was great to meet more people. I'm really thankful that Meredith has taken me under her wing and is inviting me to all these fun places and introducing me to all these fun people.

I know this year will be full of adventures, and I can't wait to experience them!

A year ago today ...

2008-12-31T11:18:00.002-05:00

I remember it vividly: I was sitting alone at the Times, watching the ball drop on my little TV at my desk. There was no one around me. I counted down the seconds to myself in complete depression. "Not next year," I thought. "Next year I'll be in New York at some chic party, yelling down the seconds with everyone around me. Next year I'll be in New York."

And with that, I made a resolution to be a New Yorker by New Year's Eve this year. It's the only resolution I've ever kept.

Happy New Year's, everyone.

Hooray! Fun plans for New Year's!

2008-12-30T11:16:00.003-05:00

I now have a night full of fun things planned for tomorrow and I'm super excited, thanks to wonderful Meredith!

After work, she and I are having dinner at this awesome Mexican place right by the office, which is also right by where the party we're going to. She's a big foodie and says this place has great food, so I'm sure it's delish. I figure since I'm not having to pay cover or pay for drinks all night, I can afford to have a decent dinner. Plus, it's always a good idea to eat before drinking.

Then, we're going to a party at her friend David's place. She had to pull some strings to get me in since his place is really small, and I'm so thankful she did! So that will be where I ring in the New Year. I'm so looking forward to meeting more fun people!

Hooray!

A white Christmas, among other things

2008-12-29T09:28:00.004-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been lazy. Christmas in Connecticut was great. Mandy's family and my family are eerily similar, so I got to practice the same traditions but with different faces.

The plan was that I was going to leave for Grand Central after I got off work on Wednesday and be in CT around 9:45 p.m. Well, my office closed at 2:30, so I rushed over to the Terminal and made it there by 5. Before I got to Grand Central, I was really worried about finding where I was supposed to be and all that. My only experience with Grand Central was when my mom and I came to NY to tour colleges, and I remembered this vast sprawling underground city with countless trains. But when I got there, it was extremely easy and I bought my ticket and found my terminal right away. There was even a cool light show to watch:

I was really happy to be able to get to CT early because that meant I got to meet pretty much all of Mandy's extended family and participate in a gift exchange. I forgot what it's called, but it's where you all get a gift and go around in a circle and you can either pick from the pile or take someone else's gift. It was fun, and I scored a sweet fleece blanket. It was also Mandy's grandma's 78th birthday. Apparently they never really celebrate it because it's on Christmas Eve, but this year they did, so it was cool to be a part of that.

We all got up around 9:30 on Christmas, and it was really exactly how it would've been in Florida. Everyone took their turns opening gifts, we had a big breakfast afterward and then family came over for a big turkey dinner. The Easters were overly generous with their gifts for me, and gave me a pretty warm sweater, cashmere scarf, candle, umbrella and some other cool things. Mandy's mom even knitted me a stocking and stuffed it with candy. After everyone left after dinner, we all played Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader and Scrabble into the night.

The day after Christmas, Mandy showed me around town. It's a very small, picturesque place and the 11 inches of snow they received a few days before made it even more beautiful. We met Mrs. Easter for lunch and then went to the mall to take advantage of the after-Christmas sales. I got a few pairs of black stockings that I really needed, and then two turtle neck sweaters that were only $10 each from New York and Co.

Mandy's mom is a hairdresser, so on Saturday she cut and colored my hair, which saved me about $300 (at least). My hair is a lighter red now, which I really like. Then, it was time to go. Mandy's brother had to pick his girlfriend up at Newark Airport, so they drove me back to my apartment since it was pretty much on the way. It was great not to have to lug my suitcase on the subway, and they got to see where I live. I really can't explain how grateful I am for all the kind things they've done for me.

On Saturday afternoon, my friend Britney came to stay with me. Originally, she planed to come up to NY for New Year's Eve with her friend and they would stay at her friend's boyfriend's place. However, after she booked her ticket, the boyfriend decided he didn't want Britney to stay with him, which is really shitty. So she didn't have a place to stay. So she stayed with me on Saturday night and we went bar hopping in the Village. We had a great time and met some interesting people along the way.

On Sunday, her friend's boyfriend changed his mind and decided it was okay for Britney to stay with them, so she packed up and we headed to the Financial District where he lives. He greeted her with a big hug and said how happy he was to see her, which disgusted me. How could you call someone a friend and then literally leave them out in the cold in a huge unfamiliar city? What if I hadn't been there? Where would she have stayed? Gross. I don't have any patience for fake people.

I had a quiet night last night, which was fine by me. I watched some TV, talked to my parents on their new Webcam, got groceries delivered and went to bed early. New Year's Eve is Wednesday, and I still have no idea what I'll end up doing. I have no desire to go anywhere near Times Square, and I don't feel like going to an uppity club and spending an obscene amount of money to get in. What's more disappointing is that Revival is hosting a private party, so I can't go there, which really sucks. We'll see what happens.

I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams

2008-12-24T13:19:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone. I hope all of your Christmases (or Hanukkahs, or Kwanzaas) are filled with love, family and friends.

When I think of Christmas, I think of my brother waking everyone up as soon as the clock struck 6. By that time, he had already assessed the presents under the tree and grouped everyone's together. In later years, the time of awakening got to be an hour or two later, but his enthusiasm never diminished. We would all go through our stockings first, see what little travel items or other small treasures my mother (aka: Santa. Sorry, kids.) had picked out for us.

Then we'd move to the Christmas tree room, which was our Bible study room. We'd each take turns opening a present, reading who it was from and showing the room what it was. We'd go around the circle one by one until every present was opened. By that time, the tree room had grown a mountain of wrapping paper in the middle of it. After cleaning it up, Mom and/or Dad would start making a breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and sometimes cinnamon rolls while Scotty and I would start getting ready to go to Grandma's. We'd all sit down and eat together when it was ready.

After everyone was washed up, we'd venture across town to either my grandmother or aunt's house to see extended family and open more gifts. There was always a huge meal waiting, and lots of family to share it with. We'd visit into the evening, and leave when we were all sufficiently exhausted.

This is the first year in my life I will not share in that tradition. I won't be woken up at dawn by my brother, I won't sit down to breakfast with my family and I won't get to run around with my cousins. I am, however, very thankful that another family has taken me in. My former roommate and college friend Mandy and her family live in Connecticut, so after work today I am taking the train to spend Christmas with them. They're a loving family and I know them well. Thanks to them, I won't have to bare the thought of waking up in an empty apartment on a cold Christmas morning.

But I will greatly miss my family, and I know they miss me too. Unfortunately, reaching my dream has taken me away from them. I know I did not adequately appreciate my time with them during all those Christmases. So those of you who are spending the holidays with family, give everyone an extra hug and take a second to look around and appreciate the loving people around you, because you never know where you could be next year.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

New friends make for a fun weekend

2008-12-21T20:34:00.007-05:00

I had a really great weekend. It was fun, relaxing and just right.

Saturday night I met Meredith for drinks at a wine bar in Harlem. She and I had been talking for a few months online but this was the first time I met her. We started talking because I saw her ad on Craigslist saying she wanted to find a fun roommate, so I e-mailed her telling her I was coming to New York. I'm obviously not her roommate, but we kept talking and finally met up. We had a really good time. We have a lot in common and got along great, and I am really thankful to have another girl friend in the city. The wine bar was really cool, too. It was pretty small and had a really good atmosphere about it. The people were easy to talk to, too.

Today I went sledding in Central Park with Leighann and her boyfriend Josh, which was awesome. It was quite a voyage to get there. They're on the east side, so I had to take four trains to get to our meeting spot. But once I got off the train, I realized that I was in the heart of the Upper East Side. Dogs had Burberry coats on, children were wearing Chanel, every building had a doorman, women were wearing extravagant furs, and I swear I saw a real-life version of Chuck Bass (from Gossip Girl).

They picked up a tube to sled on, so we all shared that. Here are a few shots:

We also made snow angels and had a little snow ball fight. Once we were sufficiently frozen, we went back to their place to hang out and have some hot chocolate.

I'm starting to build my own little circle of friends, and it feels good. I don't feel so alone in a big city anymore. I'm leaving Wednesday to spend Christmas with Mandy and I'm really excited about it. Life's good.

A white Friday

2008-12-20T10:50:00.006-05:00

It definitely snowed a lot yesterday, but nothing like the blizzard-ly conditions everyone was talking about. Here are a few pictures:

Walking home was a bit of a challenge. Stepping off curbs was especially hard. The slush that was on the sidewalks gathered and you could never tell how deep it was, so there were a few times I stepped into an ankle-deep puddle. Thankfully I bought some cheap flat knee-high boots on my lunch break so my feet were covered. It was pretty funny seeing these usually super cool New Yorkers being so careful of where they stepped, every once and a while slipping a little bit. I know, I'm mean.

Friday night was pretty mundane. I wasn't really in the mood to go out, so I just stayed home and watched Mamma Mia, which my parents shipped me. We'll see what I do for the rest of the weekend. Leighann and I might go sledding in Central Park today, which would be fun. There's plenty of snow still on the ground. I'm not sure what we'd sled on, though. I suggested a cardboard box and she suggested a cafeteria tray, so if you see a cardboard box/cafeteria tray hijacking on the news tonight you'll know the story.

Chris left this morning to spend the holidays in Florida for two weeks. Thankfully, we got cable this morning so I have something to occupy myself with while I'm home. I'm spending Christmas in Connecticut with my old roommate Mandy and her family. Of course I'd rather be home, but I'm thankful to have her family to spend it with. Being alone in the apartment on Christmas would be really depressing. And I'm excited to see her home town.

Well, it's my first weekend alone in the City. Hopefully I don't get lost and end up in Jersey.

Change of plans

2008-12-18T16:26:00.003-05:00

Well, there's been a change of plans for the weekend. Thanks to forecasts of heavy snow, sleet and rain, my dad's meeting was canceled in Jersey so he's not coming up. I know, bummer.

I got this from Chris today:
"THU DEC 18 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR ESSEX-HUDSON-UNION-NEW
YORK (MANHATTAN)-BRONX- RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)-KINGS (BROOKLYN)-QUEENS-NASSAU-
NORTHWESTERN SUFFOLK-NORTHEASTERN SUFFOLK-SOUTHWESTERN SUFFOLK- SOUTHEASTERN
SUFFOLK

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO OVERSPREAD THE REGION FRIDAY MORNING...AND COULD BECOME
HEAVY AT TIMES IN THE AFTERNOON.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 OR MORE INCHES.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS."

Sounds fun, huh? Looks like I might just have a relaxing stay-in weekend. Thank GOD we're getting cable on Saturday. Well, we better still be, hopefully the weather doesn't mess it up. Chris is flying to Florida for the holidays on Saturday for two weeks, so I'll be all by my lonesome. It was beautiful today and yesterday. Today there were no clouds and it was really sunny.

Last night I met up with a former coworker's sister for dinner and drinks. I think we really hit it off, she's a really fun girl. We ate dinner at that Irish place I went to before, and of course wandered next door to Revival afterward. We brought in "Rocky Horror Picture Show" to play at the bar, but the TV they have there didn't play sound so it was confusing to say the least. I'll have to watch it again with sound, but I hear there really isn't much of a plot. Still, it was an interesting twist to the night.

I went to lunch with the ladies in the office today, which was really nice. The four of us went to a little upscale restaurant named Punch which is right next to the Flatiron building. I had a delicious crab cake sandwich with sweet potato fries, and we all split their homemade dark chocolate pudding for dessert. It was really my first somewhat gourmet meal in the City. I was looking forward to having some good meals with my dad this weekend, but I guess that will have to wait till later.

My plans for Saturday night might be put on hold for now too. The high is 28 that day with more heavy snow forecasted, so that's not really prime going-out weather. We'll see.

Well, that's all for now. Hopefully I don't get blown away tomorrow.

SNOW!!!

2008-12-16T13:34:00.003-05:00

Update, 10 p.m.: Okay, forget what I said before about it not sticking. It's been snowing all night and everything's white! It's so pretty!!! It's still snowing now, so I can't wait to see what it'll look like in the morning!
The front of my building.
Chris trying to make a snowball.
So pretty!!!
-----------

It's snowing!!! The flakes are pretty large, but they're not really sticking. Hopefully it doesn't turn into ice later. But I wanna go play in it!

Holy climate change, Batman!

2008-12-15T21:47:00.004-05:00

Today was unseasonably warm. And when I say unseasonably warm, I mean that anyone who wasn't convinced of global warming before should be now. The high was 67. 67! The high yesterday was 45 and the high tomorrow is 41 with a lovely mixture of snow and rain coming our way. Not that I'm complaining about the warmth. I took the opportunity to wear my Bebe wide-leg capris and heels for possibly the last time for months to come. I wore a scarf and jacket today out of habit, and ended up taking them off after I started to sweat on my walk to work. Weird.

I took a different route to work today. Instead of the 1, I took the A express train and transferred to the D at 54th St and got off at 34th instead of 23rd. It took about 10 minutes off my commute and there's a lot more to look at on the walk to work, plus I don't have to deal with the tunnel and hopefully running into those punks. I didn't take it before because I don't have to transfer when I take the 1, but it's worth it.

Plus, on the ride home, I had three random acts of kindness happen to me. First, a woman saw me standing and purposely saved her seat for me when she got off. Then, three French tourists, who didn't speak any English, understood what she was trying to do and slid over to make it easier for me to go through the crowd and sit down. Finally, a guy held the door open for me at the end of the station. I got off feeling touched and had the peace of mind knowing that I was on a nice train.

This week is full of fun events. Tomorrow at work, a guy is bringing in breakfast for the whole office, which is nice. I'm really excited for Wednesday. I'm going to lunch with the gang from work, including the EIC, and then I'm going to meet my friend's sister for dinner and drinks at Revival. Not only for dinner and drinks, but we're also going to bring in Rocky Horror Picture show to watch at the bar, which everyone is excited about. I've never seen it (I know, shocker) but everyone we tell instantly starts singing the songs. So it'll be a fun night and a great way to meet someone new.

Then Friday my dad is coming to town. I'm still not totally sure what we're doing, but it'll be fun. And Saturday after we have dinner and he flies back I'm meeting a girl who've I've been talking to online who lives here to go dancing. Hopefully I hit it off with her and her friends so I can have some girl friends in the city, of which I have none of yet. So hopefully after meeting my friend's sister and her group I'll start building my own group good friends.

=)

The apartment

2008-12-14T16:51:00.010-05:00

I've been scolded from various people about not posting pictures of my apartment yet, so here they are:

The living room.

View from the door.

The bar. That's not even all of it.

The roommate, Chris. He's making brownies. Awesome.

The bathroom.

My little closet. Hey, at least I have one.

I was going to clean up, but that would take away from the authenticity of the blog, right? Or I'm just lazy.

My new dresser thing and stuff I still need to hang up.

Rockefeller Center: A photo essay

2008-12-13T23:59:00.006-05:00

Chris and I braved the crowds tonight to get a glimpse of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Here are a few shots (if you click on them you can see a bigger version):

It's Christmas time in the City!

Cover story + first Friday = fun times

2008-12-13T17:04:00.002-05:00

Well, the first work week is officially over.

Friday was a much better day than Thursday all around. The rain stopped and it turned out to be a beautiful day. I started the day by playing Christmas music at my desk while I wrote a cover story for the latest issue. Yep, when Hairdo Ideas comes out in January you'll turn to page 3 and see a 3-page spread I wrote about eight celebrity hairstyles. There wasn't a whole lot of writing involved really, just short blurbs about each picture, but it's excited that it's a big spread.

After work I met Chris and his intern at a dive bar near the Financial District. It was the kind of place that played a mixture of country and classic rock on the juke box while the all-female bartending staff walked around in super-short skirts and lacey tops. The main bartender's shtick was that she would show her very large fake breasts and light her nipples on fire if it was someone's birthday. Yeah, classy. But it had really really cheap beer and food.

After a beer Chris and I went to his favorite dumpling place in China Town for dinner. They offer five dumplings for $1. Can't beat that. Then we hopped on the L and headed to Union Square to go to the Revival. Yes I know, we go there a lot, but it's a really fun place. I'm sure I'll branch out and go exploring soon enough.

We got to the Revival around 7:30 or so. At around 10 a good crowd started to form and I ended up talking all night to the bartender I met the first time I was there. He mentioned that his building was having a party in Brooklyn and I was welcome to crash at his place if I wanted to go. So I said what the heck and went. A good time was had by all.

I left Brooklyn around 2:30 today and headed home. On the ride back, a group of five young boys delighted the train by break dancing. It was actually really amazing. The youngest one couldn't have been more than 5 and he is well on his way to becoming a pro. They restored my view of youth in the city and I delightedly gave them $1.

I haven't done much else today. It's the first day in about two months that I've been able to really relax and do nothing, so that's what I'm doing. I'm sure I'm going to do something tonight. We'll see what shenanigans I get in to.

Welcome to the city

2008-12-11T20:11:00.002-05:00

Well, this was going to be a post about me organizing my room and how it rained all day but the city is still beautiful ... until my walk home from the train.

There's a long tunnel that leads to and from the 1 train, which is great for when it's raining or snowing. But it has crossed my mind about it being kind of scary at night. And when it gets pitch dark around 5 p.m., it's pretty much always night.

Well today I was walking home and there was a group of about 12 or so young boys walking toward me, spanning the width of the tunnel. The oldest of them couldn't have been more than 15, but some of them were still bigger than me, and collectively they could definitely take me if they wanted to. I had to brush against one of them to pass, and he then slapped my ass. Surprised, I turned around and said, "Excuse me." That seemed to delight them, and they presumed to call me a variety of derogatory names. I kept walking, thinking it would be worthless to do anything, and I was surprised again by a slap on the back of my head.

It was a wake-up call, to say the least. The thought that even a group of young boys could potentially be dangerous makes me worried about men my age or older. I'm buying mace tomorrow.

In better news, I unpacked the three boxes that came last night, and my room is finally starting to feel like my own. The last box came today and was left with the leasing office, but they close at 6 which is before I get home and aren't always open on the weekends, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to get it.

It rained all day today. I spent a part of my day arguing with my doctor and Duane Read to transfer my prescriptions to New York, and I ended up having to walk to the closest CVS after work. So I walked about eight avenue blocks in the pouring rain. At first it wasn't that great, but after a while of trying to hustle with the crowd, I decided to take my time and enjoy the walk.

I think I passed by a sample sale in action. Yves Saint Laurent was a frenzy inside and there were guards by the doors, which is how I've heard sample sales described. There's no way that many people could afford YSL unless it was 70 percent off.

Well, I'm gonna call it an early night. I don't really have any plans this weekend, but I'm sure I'll have some fun.

Work rocks, roommate rocks ... New York rocks

2008-12-10T19:06:00.002-05:00

So I really like my job. Like a lot. I like that there's always something to do. I like the people. My editor-in-chief is the nicest woman on Earth, and people NEVER say that about editors-in-chief. I like that I'm doing everything: writing, editing, downloading pictures, calling for products, etc. Even when I'm editing pages and pages of credits and it gets a little mind-numbing, I like that I'm doing something that's important, and I like that I can listen to music while doing it.

I knew that I was going to be able to sleep in a little bit this morning since I was taking a half day because my packages were coming from Florida, so I did the responsible thing and went drinking with Chris last night after work. We went to the Revival again, which was much more subdued than last week. But the bartender was cool and we had a good time. After a few hours we wandered over to another bar, don't ask me what it was called or where it was. We only stayed for one drink there, since it was getting late and the bartender was a jerk.

Then we got on the wrong train and ended up in Brooklyn. Yep, Brooklyn. Thankfully, Chris was drunk enough to offer to pay for the cab ride home. Needless to say, I wasn't feeling the best this morning, and I have no idea how he got to work on time.

My stuff came today. Well, most of it. Three of the four boxes came. I still have yet to unpack. In fact, I'm using this blog to procrastinate. I really do want to get things unpacked and organized, but the actual unpacking part is keeping me from doing it.

I came home from work today and Chris was making some pasta with chicken and cream of mushroom sauce. I could get used to that. We had a lot of fun last night and are getting to know each other better. I'm sure we'll have many more stories to tell in the future.

My dad is coming to visit next weekend, which I'm really excited about. It took all of three days for him to find a reason to come up here, haha. He has a meeting in New Jersey on Friday and is coming to meet me afterwards, then is staying at my place Friday night. We're gonna do some sightseeing on Saturday before he goes up. I need to look around for some cool places to try when he's here.

I can't believe it's only Wednesday. It really started to hit me last night that I live here. Hopefully when I get things put away it'll really feel like it. Okay, okay I'll start unpacking.

The first day

2008-12-08T20:16:00.002-05:00

Today was really fun all around. The morning started with me signing all the forms so I can get paid and all that fun stuff. I got an employee handbook which answered a lot of questions I had about the company.

The magazines give away a lot of free stuff for people who write in to the giveaways, so the rest of my day was pretty much spent sorting through mail since they were really far behind. I sorted mail, picked the people who won, typed up labels of the winners' addresses and sorted the products. It sounds monotonous, and it was for a while, but the products were really cool and it was fun to think about what the people's faces would look like when they won.

I also got all set up with an e-mail address (jessica.hartman@harris-pub.com), phone and got on the network. Because Harris publishes two really huge R&B magazines (XXL and King), everyone in the office is really musical. So when I clicked on my iTunes, I got to listen to everyone's shared music files at my desk, which helped keep me awake.

Mary and Mackenzee showed me around the office and introduced me to a bunch of people. Mackenzee also showed me the sought-after product drawer, full of all the leftover products. I'm sure I'll raid that by the end of the week.

One of the women I met told me about a Bed Bath & Beyond that wasn't far from the office, so I headed there after work. I desperately needed some kind of drawers for clothes and a mirror. I asked a woman who worked there how I should get them home, and sure enough, they delivered. So between 10 and 1 a.m. tonight, I should get two sets of cloth drawers, a mirror, trash can and some other organizing stuff. Hooray!

After Bed Bath & Beyond, I stopped at the Old Navy right across the street. I got a couple long sleeved shirts that were on sale for $5 and a really cute gray jacket. Then I stopped by H&M and got a really beautiful cream jacket that was on sale for $60 and a couple hats. I'd say it was a successful shopping day. I still need more pants and warmer shoes, but that can wait till I get paid.

It was about 7:00 by then, so I got on the 1 train and headed home. I made some fettuccine alfredo for dinner and now am watching the Goonies with Chris. I really hope my drawers come closer to 10 than to 1, I'm already getting tired.

Can't wait till tomorrow!

Here at last

2008-12-07T22:58:00.002-05:00

Well, today hasn't exactly been the smoothest, but when you're dealing with airlines these days, it never is.

First of all, AirTran lied to me. They said I was on a non-stop flight, and that just wasn't true. It had a stop in Virginia, but I wasn't supposed to have to get off the plane. Upon arriving in Virginia, I find out that there is a two-hour delay thanks to wind in New York, so I de-planed.

After arriving in New York over two hours late, I thought I would be frugal and take a bus to Penn Station and catch a cab from there. The bus ticket guy said it would be here in about 20 minutes, so I paid the $12 and took a seat. Over 45 minutes later, the bus finally arrived, and I was regretting my decision.

I bought groceries online yesterday and picked a delivery time between 8-10 p.m., two hours after my original departure time, thinking that would be safe. By now it was 8:45 and they had called twice asking where I was.

The bus dropped me off at Grand Central Station (not Penn Station) and I caught a cab. Granted, the fare was cheaper, but it took a grand total of an hour and a half after I landed before I got to the apartment. Not worth it. Thankfully Fresh Direct waited for me and I had food when I arrived.

It's now 11:05 and I still haven't started unpacking. I'm thinking I'm just going to set out an outfit and leave that fun step for tomorrow. The four boxes I shipped are supposed to arrive sometime Wednesday.

Well it's time for bed. I need to get up at 7:30 for my first day of work tomorrow. Oh, by the way, it's COLD!!! The high is 30 tomorrow with a wind chill in the teens. It was 70 and sunny when I left Florida. Sigh.

Saying goodbye is never easy

2008-12-05T21:11:00.002-05:00

I packed up my life today. In the span of a few hours, my apartment went from messy and unorganized to vacant (thanks mostly to my parents).

I have said goodbye to the people who have been the most important to me in the past five years this week. Friends who have been there for me when I was at my lowest. Friends who have been there for me at my best. New friends who have become family. And friends who have made me the woman I am today. I said goodbye to them, and I said goodbye to the city that started me off on my own. It wasn't easy.

I can't imagine what my life would be like without them, and now I have to. Of course we're going to keep in touch, but I won't be able to call them and go to a bar, or go get dinner with them at work.

I became a woman in Tampa. I fell in and out of love. I made life-long friends. I learned more about myself in the five years I lived there than in my first 18 combined. And now I've shut that door to open a new one.

Tomorrow I'm going to say goodbye to my childhood friends and family, and the city I was born in. I'm going to say goodbye to my parents, who have been there for me through all my crazy ideas and dreams. I'm going to say goodbye to my dog. I've already said goodbye to my brother, who is out of town this weekend. That won't be easy either.

I'm saying all these goodbyes, to say hello to a dream I've had since I was a teenager. To say hello to a city that has held my heart since the first time I saw it. To say hello to a future that holds the promise of everything I've ever dreamed.

I will take the people and places I've said goodbye to with me. In saying goodbye, I have not left them forever. I will be back to see them, and hopefully they will come to see me in my new life. It's goodbye for now, not forever. But I will miss them, and will think of them every day, and wish they were there with me.

Day 2: A dream realized

2008-12-04T00:19:00.002-05:00

K folks, I'm gonna have to keep this short. It's after midnight and I have to be on a flight in the morning, but I didn't want to go to bed until I updated you.

So I got into work this morning at 9:30, said goodmorning to Phyllis (editorial director) and she said we would talk later. So of course all day that's all I can think about. Most of the day was spent checking credits on photos, which was a little mindnumbing but I was glad to have something to do to distract myself.

I walked to lunch with Mackenzee, the other assistant editor, and got to pick her brain a little. She started about a month ago, and said that she also didn't tell them that she wasn't living in the city. She said it first, not me. So that made me feel a little better. She said she really liked it and had already been to an event where she got her hair dyed for free. So that's cool.

At the end of the day Mary (EIC) stopped by my desk and reminded me to talk to Phyllis before I left. Like I could forget. So I go by her office and she's not there. She's not there for about 20 minutes, easily the longest 20 minutes of my life. I finally caught her and sat down by her desk. She asked me if I liked it, I said yes, and she said that I did a fine job and they'd like to give me the job. (AAAHHHH!)

I could've stayed and started tomorrow, but I told her that since she had told me that I would start the next week I booked a flight to Florida to pick up my last stuff. She understood and I officially start Monday.

To celebrate, I wanted to go see the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, but those hopes were quickly dashed when they stopped letting people in and I was caught in a huge crowd of people. I had to jump a barricade to get out. So I met Gordon and Chris for dinner at a diner near Times Square and paid $20 for an omelet.

Gordon had to go home because he was getting groceries delivered, so Chris and I headed over to Union Square to his local bar hangout, the Revival. Let's just say, I'll be back. Everyone in there was awesome.

So I'm flying home tomorrow and coming back Sunday to start Monday. Don't worry, I've had these tickets since last week. It still hasn't sunk in yet. I'm moving to New York. I have a job in magazines ... in New York. I did it. I'm moving.

Whoa.

Trial: Day One

2008-12-02T19:49:00.002-05:00

Overall, today went great. But there were a few bumps along the way.

I woke up with a headache, which was not a good start. Anyone who knows me knows that once I get a headache they don't usually go away very easily. I found the train easily and got on right away, but any hope of a relaxing ride was dashed when I saw how crowded it was. Thankfully, after about the third stop I found a seat.

I got to the office about 20 minutes early and they didn't waste any time putting me to work. I worked mainly with Mary, the Editor-in-Chief, and Mackenzee, the other assistant editor. They gave me a writing assignment right away where they asked me to do an advertorial of sorts for 10 products they were featuring. Every time I turned in an assignment, there was another one waiting for me, which I actually really liked. I love that I was working throughout the day instead of sitting there bored. I think in total I wrote three stories, edited two others and found pictures for two more.

My desk is huge. It's kind of tucked away in a corner and it's obvious the desk was made for two people but I have it to myself. Harris also publishes two hip-hop magazines called XXL and King, which my desk is right next to. I wouldn't care really, except for the fact that some of the guys like to play rap music pretty loudly, which doesn't help when you have a headache and are trying to focus on what you're writing.

The office seems like a friendly place. I hear a lot of people talking to each other and laughing. Mary is super nice. She kept saying how much she liked my writing and was very pleased that I was completing my assignments quickly. There are some style things that I need to learn, obviously, since I've never written about hair before, but she was very understanding and said she would give me a style guide tomorrow.

No word about a final decision yet, but I didn't hear anything negative today. I'm sure we'll talk about it tomorrow.

I got off work right at 5 and Chris and I went to get dinner at a cute Irish pub in Union Square, which I found out is walking distance from the office. I walked down 5th Ave. to get there, which might have been a mistake. I learned that there were dozens of great clothing stores walking distance from the office. Pretty much everything you could think of was there. The bartender at the pub was a full-blooded Irishman, and called me little lady and called Chris old chap.

I must have walked a good three miles today, and my feet didn't really start hurting until I got on the train home. But after a hot shower they felt better and my headache finally went away.

It was an eventful day, to say the least, and I hope tomorrow brings great news.

Sealing the deal

2008-12-01T12:51:00.001-05:00

Update - 10:30 p.m.: Well I got to New York safe and sound. I must say I'm very pleasantly surprised by Chris's apartment. It's huge by New York standards (pictures to come soon). My room is plenty big for me and it has a twin bed and a closet. The only thing I'll really need to get is a mirror and some kind of drawers for clothes. The living room is huge and it has a nice sized kitchen.

When I got in, I dropped my bags off and we went to get some Chinese at one of the local restaurants. I got a nice-sized thing of chicken lo mein for $3.75, can't beat that. On our way, Chris gave me a quick tour of the neighborhood and showed me where my subway stop was, which I'm sure will be very helpful. There's a liquor store right across the street, a couple small groceries, a semi-cute clothing store, a pizza place and some other odds and ends. It looks like a nice place.

The apartment building itself is really nice. It has an elevator, which is a rare thing in the city, and a laundromat on the bottom floor, which is awesome.

Well, I better try to hit the hay. I need to be up by 7:30 if I want to look presentable and get to the office by 10!

-------------

Well here I am, at an airport for the third time in three weeks (well, the eighth time if you count all the transfers and flights back). It'll all be worth it when (not if) I get the job, but I gotta tell ya, I won't be flying for a while after that.

It all started to really become real yesterday. I finally sold my bedset and said goodbye to one of my best friends. This is the first time since graduation that I'm saying goodbye to people that I might never see again. Sure, we all say we'll keep in touch and visit, but in reality you just never know.

Then I started thinking about all of the people I won't get to say goodbye to, and thinking about the last time I saw them. What would I have done differently if I had known that it was the last time I might ever see them? Something to think about.

It's hard to believe that I'll be working for Harris tomorrow. Everyone keeps asking me what I'll be doing, and I really have no idea. During the first interview, she told me that I would be involved with generating story ideas, writing, editing, the whole nine; but I wonder what I'll actually be doing for the next two days.

At the last interview, she said that I was "at the top of the list" and they were only doing this trial run with me, so she made it sound like it was my job to lose. You better believe that I'm going to work harder in the next two days than I have ever worked in my life.

I'm meeting Chris when I get into New York around 6. He suggested that we get dinner before we go back to the apartment, but I'm worried about having my bags with me. I had to pay $90 to check my bag because it was six pounds overweight by the way, which is total B.S. And now my flight is delayed. I looked up the subway route from the apartment to the office last night, and it looks like it's right at about an hour. It sounds long, but there aren't any transfers, so I can just get on and relax.

I'm sure the next four days will bring many surprises and revelations. Stay tuned.

Operation: Pack for New York in Three Days

2008-11-28T18:48:00.003-05:00

Ok folks, here's the tentative plan. Try to keep up:

I'm back in St. Pete now. I'm working for the Times through Sunday. I leave for New York for my trial run with Harris on Monday. In that time, I have to go through and pack/clean everything in my apartment. Thankfully, I don't really have that much stuff left.

I'll be in New York Monday - Thursday, and working for Harris on Tuesday and Wednesday. They said if they decide to hire me, I'd start the following week. So I'll have Thursday - Sunday to pack and ship everything else. I'm going to leave pretty much everything I pack this this week with Chris, who I'm staying with and who I'll be living with, so when I come back for good I can hopefully pack everything else and won't have to ship very much.

My parents are coming over on Friday to help me pack up my stuff. Then I'm going back to Orlando on Friday or Saturday to leave my car with them, and then I'm off Sunday! So, to recap, I have tomorrow, Sunday and Monday mornings and then Friday left in St. Pete.

I can't wait to just get there and get into my routine and stop living out of a suitcase. This last month has been so crazy, but so exciting!

Here's a little video I took this past week:

Interview: Part Deux

2008-11-25T12:58:00.003-05:00

This was the most meaningful and shortest interview of my life.

Got to the office about half an hour early, after buying some hideous shoes. The Editor in Chief and Editorial Director (who I met with last week) saw me early. I talked with the Editor in Chief alone for a few minutes, she said she just wanted to get to know me a little better. She was very nice and welcoming. Then, she went and got the Editorial Director and she came to talk to me.

She said that they wanted to do a two-day trial run next week and that they'd make a final decision after that. I was so excited that I didn't really ask questions and told her I'd see her at 10 a.m. Tuesday. When I called to tell my parents, they brought up some pretty good questions that I didn't think of. If Tuesday and Wednesday work out, will I start Thursday? Am I the only one they're doing this with? Am I getting paid?

So I got back to Gordon's place and called her back. Right away she said I would be paid, so that was nice. Then, she said, and I quote, "you're at the top of the list." She said they might do this with one other person depending on how next week went. And she said if they made the decision to keep me on, they'd start me the next week.

So basically, if I go in and do a good job, I have it. That's insane! When I told my parents I literally started crying, which surprised me a little. I just can't believe that after all this time this is happening so fast! I could be living in New York the first week of December! Wow. Just wow.

The stars aligned

2008-11-24T22:27:00.003-05:00

This morning I was in Orlando. Right now I'm in New York. Here's what happened.

Today was the day of the call, so last night I couldn't sleep. This call could be everything I've wanted since I was 14. So my family and I pile into the car and head to Panama City at 8:30 a.m for a family vacation. At 10 a.m. I get the call:

"Hello, Jessica. How are you?"
"I'm great, thanks."
"I'd like to ask you back to meet our Editor in Chief."
"That's great!"
"Can you be here today or tomorrow?"
"How about tomorrow?"
"Twelve o'clock okay?"
"Um, 12 is fine."
"Great, see you tomorrow."

Half of me was ecstatic, and half of me was terrified. How am I gonna get from the panhandle to New York by tomorrow? Then, the stars aligned.

I get on the phone with a friend who's by a computer. He looks up some flight options for me, none less than $500. Then, my dad, a Delta medallion member, works his magic. He gets on the phone with Delta and books me a flight leaving from Tallahassee at 4:37 that gets me into New York by 9 p.m. and gets me a return flight for 6 p.m. tomorrow that gets me back to Tallahassee by 10:30. Thank God for frequent flier miles, it only cost $180. And thank God Gordon was willing to put me up for a night.

My brother had a tour of FSU planned for 2:00, so my parents dropped me off at the airport before that. It really couldn't have worked out better if we had planned it. There was a little stress with my connecting flight in Atlanta. The flight from Tallahassee was half an hour late, and I only had an hour layover so I had to run to the flight. I barely had time to grab a soda and bag of chips and got to the gate just as they were calling my zone to board.

So here I am in Gordon's apartment, almost exactly 12 hours after I got the call. I flew into LaGuardia for the first time and got the most amazing view of New York at night. We turned a corner and all of the sudden it was lights and buildings as far as the eye could see. Beautiful. The cab fare is also half as much from LaGuardia, so I'll be flying into there from now on.

I better get it now! I'm so close!

Update: To add another twist to the day, I just realized that I forgot shoes! All I have are the white lacey ballet flats I wore to the airport. Looks like a quick trip to H&M is in order before the interview!

A day in New York: The interview

2008-11-19T14:34:00.004-05:00

How did it go? Well ... okay I think. I'm not sure. The woman who interviewed me was very nice, but very hard to read.

Here's the deal: I would be on an editorial board with three other women and we would be putting out nine different hair magazines. The reason I couldn't find anything on Hair and Beauty magazine is because that's not what it's called. Their main book is Celebrity Hairstyles, which I've seen in every salon I've ever been in. But they also have eight or so other magazines all about hair.

Me and the three other women would do everything: think of the ideas, get pictures, write everything, etc. I think this is great. I would love the opportunity to do all that. I'd really be able to let my creativity flow.

Now, again, the woman was very nice, but very hard to read. She was very direct and to the point, and I didn't really have a whole lot of time to say much. She said a few times that I was fresh out of college, but she also said that this is a great place to learn and grow, so I'm not sure if being fresh out of college is a good or bad thing.

Also, she surprised me with a copy edit test and a writing test right there on the spot. Now, I was on literally half an hour of sleep. I'm not exaggerating. I worked Monday night till 2 a.m. and had to start getting ready at 4 a.m., and of course I couldn't sleep. So it was all I could do to make sure my own sentences made sense, let alone edit someone else's. I missed two words I should've gotten on the copy test, but I got everything else including subject-verb agreement. I'm not sure how I did on the writing test, she didn't read it while I was there. But she said she liked my hair color and we talked about that for a few minutes, so that's a good sign, right?

The next step would be to go back and meet with the Editor in Chief. They're looking to hire right away and will call me on Monday to let me know if I've made the cut. The pay is much less than I expected, and I would have to get a second job if I got it.

It's a great opportunity. Something like this almost never comes along, especially nowadays. I'd be responsible for multiple magazines and I would have a lot of input in everything.

But I'm also not going to be crushed if I don't get it. I really like the idea of spending the holidays with my family and moving up when I'm more financially secure. It was the first interview and a good learning experience, and a day in New York.

So what did I learn? 1. Don't schedule an interview the day after I have to work.
2. Wear socks. Trying to be fashionable, I wore shoes that weren't supposed to be worn with socks, and I paid for it.
3. Dress warm. It was a cool 36 degrees when I got off the plane at 10:30 and it was down to 27 by the time I left. I wore a heavy jacket and scarf, but the lower half of me wasn't nearly as warm.
4. Be ready for a copy test and writing test right there.

I didn't do a whole lot with the rest of the day. The interview ended around 2:30 and my flight didn't leave till 8:30, so I had some time. But I didn't want to spend any more money than I had to on cabs or trains. So I just went to Times Square which was right around the corner. The office is right by the Flatiron Building, which is very close to where I interned during Fashion Week. I had a bite to eat at ESPN Zone and then just went back to the airport, because I could barely keep my head up. But I bought some pashminas!

It was a whirlwind day. Out the door by 5:30 a.m. and back by 12 a.m. Whatever happens is meant to happen, and I'll be happy with whatever is decided.

I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!

2008-11-12T14:36:00.002-05:00

Aaahh! I got a call today from Hair and Beauty Magazine for an assistant editor position I applied for a few days ago and I have an interview on Tuesday!!!

This would be an amazing job and I really feel like I'm right for it. Can you imagine? A full time assistant editor position? Come on! Cross your fingers for me!

Finally, it starts

2008-11-12T01:36:00.003-05:00

I am writing to you all now in my empty living room. Well, almost empty. Yes, I have finally started to ball rolling. I have finally started to take those steps I've been talking about for so long.

I gave the Times my letter of resignation Friday. My last day is December 12. A month from today. The next day, I put my life up for sale. So far, I've sold my futon, dinette, TV and some art. I still have my bedroom set, coffee table, TV stand, desk and some other odds and ends, but it's a start.

When I sold my table, I stood in the empty space where it used to be and almost started to cry. I'm finally doing it. It's finally real. Finally.

I love my apartment here on the water. It's my first place of my own. I work hard for it and it's beautiful. And I will always look back on my year in St. Pete as the year that launched me into what will be my new life in New York.

With every piece of furniture I sell, I get prouder. Every piece that leaves me is a step toward New York and my dream. This is the first real sign of change. Not just talk, but action.

Finally.

Let the search begin

2008-10-30T19:41:00.003-04:00

All right, it's finally that time. The time to really start searching for a job in New York. I've been casually searching for a while, but now I need to start applying.

Thankfully, I have a HUGE upper hand. Michelle Lee has offered to forward my resume to all the HR departments she has contacts with, which is pretty much everyone. I e-mailed her my updated resume today and I really hope someone bites. I also finally updated my Web site today with the updated resume, new videos and pictures. I'm really proud of it.

I can't wait to write about good news!

P.S. If you know of any openings, please let me know!

Halloween fun

2008-10-30T19:35:00.003-04:00

You can't have a fashion blog without talking about the wonderful holiday of Halloween. This holiday was made for fashion. I mean, when else is it socially acceptable for you to be in costume out in public? Never. Fabulous.

Now, there are basically three groups of people who dress up for Halloween:
1. The too-cool-for-school people who show up to parties in their regular shows and just say they're some celebrity or something.
2. The slutty girls who take this opportunity to wear next to nothing out in public by just inserting the word "sexy" in front of their costumes: sexy nurse, sexy police officer, sexy ref ... You get it. I admit, I'm a part of this group.
3. The uuber creative people who spend all year planning their costumes and who make them from scratch.

This is the one time of year I totally encourage breaking all the rules of fashion. Go out, make a fool of yourself, take pictures, eat too much candy and love every minute of it.

Overdue update

2008-10-14T00:58:00.005-04:00

I was talking to a friend tonight about how much I missed posting, and then I realized that it's almost half way through October and I haven't posted at all.

So here are a couple fun fashion updates in my life:
1. I got the most awesome Dolce and Gabbana reading glasses. They're black framed, simple, chic and oh-so-cute. I've had the same frames since I was 14 (yeah, I know) so I was well overdue for an update. I figure I'll have these for about the same amount of time, so I could invest in a good pair.

2. While waiting for the glasses, I had an hour to wander around the mall, which is always dangerous. I've come to love Old Navy, which is a new development. All of their tops seem to fit me flawlessly all the sudden. So, I picked up two sleeveless turtlenecks, one cream and one grey, a cream sweater and a black pair of strappy sandals.

3. Fall 2009 Fashion Week is five months away, and it can't come soon enough. I was talking to a friend today about winter wear, and boy do I need to stock up. I have a scarf, but that's pretty much it. I need: coats, gloves, hats, boots, socks (I think I might have one complete pair), long underwear ... the list goes on. But then I started thinking, where the hell will I find these things in Florida? We might get down to 30 degrees twice a year, so most stores don't even bother selling winter clothes, well, not real winter clothes anyway. Any help?

4. November will be a crazy busy month. I'm going to start selling everything I own and start applying for jobs in New York. Michelle said that I should start doing this in November and try to schedule interviews when I'm in town for Fashion Week in February. Hopefully I'll be able to find another internship during it, but it wouldn't be horrible if I didn't and had time to really look around at places. I didn't get a chance to do that before.

5. So here's the timeline: Moving back to Orlando before Christmas (two months), Fashion week first week of February (4.5 months), move to New York ASAP after that, probably early March. Wow, that's soon.

Can I leave tonight? Pleeeeease?

The lack of fashion in St. Pete

2008-09-27T19:39:00.002-04:00

Hey folks - I have to say, I miss looking forward to posting all about my daily fashion adventures, because in St. Pete, there aren't any. None.

There was a woman in Publix the other day who had on a cute sundress and heels, and her 5-year-old daughter looked equally cute. Kudos to her for not letting the fact that she is a mom get in the way of taking care of herself.

I must say, I haven't been doing a very good job at all of keeping up with London or Paris Fashion Week, both of which were going on the past couple weeks. I know, what kind of fashionista am I? Not a very good one, I guess.

Going from the excitement of the Big Apple to the lackadaisical Burg hasn't been easy. Can I go back now?

The woman that is New York

2008-09-14T22:44:00.004-04:00

Here I am, sitting at my desk at the Times, missing New York like crazy.

Something occurred to me on the flight home: I really respect the kind of woman New York is. She's a tough broad, New York. She's not prejudice, she welcomes everyone of every race, religion, political party and sexual orientation, but you have to prove yourself to her. She's not just going to hand you success, you have to go out and get it. She's skeptical, only the people make their own path will earn her respect. But once you have her trust, you can make it anywhere.

She's real. She doesn't sugar code anything. She is the way she is and she makes no excuses for herself. She's alive. Her favorite hangouts don't have a closing time. She makes each day count. She's full of opportunity. She's glamorous. She's fabulous.

But like every woman, she has a dark side. There are streets you don't want to cross. Allies you don't want to go down. But even these parts of her she presents with pride. The people who see her dark side daily are the toughest of the bunch, and they know it.

She's independent. She hasn't had it easy, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She's unforgettable. Love her or hate her, you'll always remember the first day you met New York.

I, for one, love her. My nine days there have solidified my need to follow my dream. It wasn't a vacation, I lived there. I took the subway, I worked, I didn't eat out or go out often. For a week and a half, I lived in New York. And it wasn't nearly long enough. I met people who came from where I come from who have made it in the industry I want to be in. They did it, so can I. And they're willing to help me, so I have no excuse to fail.

I miss her, and I know she misses me too. But I'll be back soon.

Baby Phat Spring 2009

2008-09-13T23:58:00.004-04:00

No one can say Kimora Lee Simmons is afraid to take risks. Celebrating 10 years of her line, Baby Phat, her new collection aptly named "Decade" takes streetware to the next level. Experimenting with different colors, such as bright purple for men's shorts, or new shapes, such as super short shorts and cropped jackets for women, Simmons surprised attendees.

"I just want to further push the Baby Phat lifestyle: to be fabulous, to be bigger than life, to be over the top. You know, giving it to them how we usually do," Simmons said in a tribute video that preceded the collection.

And boy, was she over the top. The main thing that tied all the looks together was gold: gold chains, gold pinky rings, gold sneakers, gold belts ... you get the idea. It was all delightfully Kimora.

Baby Phat wearers expect nothing but the forefront if fashion forwardness, and they won't be disappointed this season.

Christian V Siriano Spring 2009

2008-09-13T23:34:00.005-04:00

Ladies and gentlemen, we have met the next huge American designer. Christian Siriano, winner of last season's Project Runway, has proven he is anything but a one-hit-wonder with his Spring 2009 collection.

Pops of bold colors, ruffles and new, different lines make his design as couture as one can get while still being wearable. He kept with is dramatic style when styling his gowns and his androgynous style when styling his pants. These looks paired with large hats and super high colored heels made his pieces complete. He even added color to the model's makeup, frequently painting their eyebrows or lips yellow or teal to match the color in the outfit. The audience frequently broke out and cheered when his more dramatic looks went down the runway.

The woman who is lucky enough to wear his clothes will be the center of attention for all the right reasons.

Aurelio Costarella Spring 2009

2008-09-13T23:07:00.003-04:00

Aurelio Costarella's Spring 2009 line was full of clean lines and simple colors with a few surprises thrown in. The only colors used in his collection were purple, yellow and teal, but most of his pieces were black and white or cream.

He paired conservative dresses with bold ruffles at the collar or an asymmetrical neckline, or both. However, these additions balance out the simplicity of the outfit instead of overwhelm it. His taste is impeccable and his surprises are met with delight.

Costarella's line is for a young businesswoman who isn't afraid to take risks in beautiful clothes.

Day 9: Like there's no tomorrow

2008-09-12T11:51:00.003-04:00

Recap of last night: I cannot even begin to describe how great last night was ...

At 5:00 I met up with Patty Adams, editor at Page Six Magazine and another USF grad. I got her contact info from Michelle. She was super busy but was so great to squeeze me in. We talked for about half an hour about how she made it and what I could do. Both she and Michelle said the importance of knowing when to move on from a publication. It's really the only way to move up and the best way to negotiate salary increases.

Then I met Chris up by the tents. I told the guards he was with me and he didn't have a problem getting in. I didn't have any time to stay, because I had to run to Christian's show.

Thank god I was not a minute later, because I was literally the last person to get in. And oh how there were celebrity sightings! Ok, when I say celebrity, I mean D-list reality TV stars, but they're celebrities to me. Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia, Sweet P from Christian's season of Project Runway and Melissa from MTV's the Real World were all there. This was also the most reported show I've gone to so far. MTV News, E! News and some other news stations were covering it.

I didn't get a chance to download my pictures and video on my computer last night, but when I do I'll give you a full review of the show. Let's just say it was fierce, or in the words of Heidi, uuber fierce. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

After that I met back up with Chris at the tents. He had made friends with a nice stylist and we chatted for a bit. Then she got up to get in line for the Aurelio Costarella show and asked if we were going. We didn't have tickets, so she told us she would just tell them we were with her. Amazing! We were one of the first in line for the standing section, and it was my best seat so far. Not to mention the show was so beautiful. Vanessa Simmons was spotten in the front row. Again, I'll write a full report when I download pictures. Sorry, I'm being a slacker.

After that, Chris was beyond amazed at this new fashion world I had gotten him in on, that he bought me dinner. We went to this fun bar over in Hell's Kitchen and I had a healty meal of cheese sticks and fries. There was a decent band playing too.

Around 11:30 we decided it would be best to go home since we both had to be at work today. That was my best night yet by far.

Today: I can't believe I only have 24 hours left in the city. Tonight promises to be amazing though, with the Baby Phat show at 7 and Tom and Mike coming in for the Yankees game. It's my last night, so I'm gonna live it up. I can sleep when I get home.

Day 8: Seven years later ...

2008-09-11T13:44:00.007-04:00

It's interesting being in New York for September 11. I thought I'd be seeing a bunch of signs and memorials everywhere, or at least hear it brought up in the office. But no, nothing. The only thing that even reminded me that it was Sept. 11 was a memorial on TV this morning.

People here seem to have gone back to normal. Today is just another day. That is for the best, I think. However, I'm sure none of them have forgotten. Even though that fateful day will have a place in all of our hearts, the terrorists haven't won, and we can go about our day today in peace.

On another note, I'm beyond excited to go to Christian's show tonight. I'm kind of slumming it, though. I learned last night that you can really get away with wearing anything and no one will look at you twice, so I'm wearing skinny jeans, flip flops, a black tank top and a grey pinstripe vest. My feet cannot take another night in heels. I've never needed a pedicure more badly in my whole life. I'm sure I'll glam it up for the Baby Phat show tomorrow. Kimora demands it.

I can't believe it's already 2:00. I've actually stayed pretty busy today, which is nice. And I really can't believe that tomorrow is my last day here. It's gone by so fast. I don't know how I'll be able to go back to life in St. Pete.

Mara Hoffman Spring 2009

2008-09-11T10:46:00.003-04:00

Mara Hoffman's show was beautiful. Most of the pieces had bold prints and colors that looked like they were from somewhere in the Middle East, and were made of very light fabric. A trend that I saw in her show and in pictures of other shows is very loose, free-flowing clothes. Many of her sundresses could double as a bathing suit cover.

The bathing suits were mostly monokinis - one pieces that looked like bikinis but had a piece of fabric connecting the two main pieces.

The few long dresses looked like they could still be dressed down easily with a pair of flip flops. They were speghetti strapped that fit closely on the chest and then flowed away from the body, keeping with the overall theme of loose fabric.

On the Inside

2008-09-11T10:15:00.004-04:00

Hey peeps - sorry for the delayed post. My videos and photos took forever to load on my computer last night, so by the time they did I was way too beat to write about anything. Anyway ...

Inside the Tents

I walk up the steps of the Mercedes-Benz tents, past the groups of gawking onlookers. The same security guard who stopped me a few nights before nodds me through. I'm in.

People are everywhere. Live videos of the current show can be seen on a circular centerpiece in the middle of the room and its music is being pumped through the speakers. Between the music and the people trying to talk over it, it's loud. Two Mercedes-Benz cars are on either side of the room. Fashionistas are giving air kisses left and right.

There's no dress code -- people are in jeans and flip flops, dresses, mile-high heels, super short shorts, t-shirts, gowns -- one guy who stands out in my mind had on sneakers, red stockings, black cut-off jean short shorts, and some kind of fur shawl/jacket thing.

I walk up to one of the stands and get my free French martini (holy cow, it tasted good). Then I find a coveted opening on one of the seating areas and ask the two gentlemen to my left who they're here for. The one in the clear glasses looks me up and down and simply says, "Vogue" in a disgusted voice as if I should've known that. I explain that it's my first Fashion Week, and they immediately perk up. They ask how I like it and we make small talk for a couple minutes. Clearly tired of talking to the new girl, they politely get up and tell me to have fun.

I get up and walk around some more and then meet a nice girl who asks me where I got the magazine I'm holding. I point her to the information booth that has scores of free magazines. She comes back and we start talking. She's a 17-year-old senior in high school from Slovakia who is trying to get signed by a modeling agency. This is her fourth fashion week, she explains. Yeah ...

Needless to say, it is useful befriending a pro. She knows just what to do when it is time for us to line up for the Mara Hoffman show. Lesson No. 1: Just because you've been confirmed for a show, doesn't mean you get a seat. When I check in, the woman hands me a card that says "stand." Lesson No. 2: Just because you get a standing card, doesn't mean you'll actaully get in. We are smart and come early so we are in the front of the line, but the people in the back aren't so lucky.

We walk in after all of the people with seats sit down and take our spots in the standing room. People shift around trying desperately to find a spot where they can see. The music gets louder. The lights go down. Time for the show to start.

Day 7: Let the fun begin

2008-09-10T10:57:00.004-04:00

1:30: THIS JUST IN - I've been confirmed for the Christian Siriano show tomorrow night! Hopefully I'll get to shake hands with his fierceness himself. Will there be a Heidi spotting? Will Michael Kors be there? Gay Jay from Season 1? TIM GUNN?! Oh the possibilities!

AND I just got an e-mail from a travel Web site saying they want to advertise on my blog. Maybe this thing will make me some money!

11:00 a.m.: So I'm at the Daily, trying to contain my excitement for tonight. I'm going to my first runway show EVER and it's inside the tents!

I spent some time last night researching Mara Hoffman, the designer I'm seeing, and I loved what I saw. Her spring line last year was full of super-cute, wearable sundresses and her fall line had so many chic knits and fashion-forward hats. I can't wait to see what she has in store tonight!

The show is at 8, so check back later tonight for a full report from inside the tents. I was also confirmed for a VNY Model Management party tonight, but I don't think I'm gonna go. It's hard enough as it is for me to wake up at 7:30 and I'm already gonna be out late.

Work is going better so far today. I had enough things to do to keep me busy until this point, so that's a good sign. And my bangs are behaving too, so that puts me in a good mood, haha. I'm super hungry though, should've grabbed a bagel on my way in this morning. Hopefully lunch will be here soon.