Give and Take

For those of you who have not heard, I recently started a Public Relations internship with Revlon. Initially, when I began interning for the company I was stoked! Granted, I started in the middle of NY Fashion Week and was already working backstage, helping set up makeup stations and directing the models. However, in the weeks following, I started to question my decision to take the internship with Revlon. I found myself getting frustrated with the work I was doing in a chaotic, unorganized, high intensity work environment. There was a lot I had to figure out on my own. I knew going into this that no one was going to hold my hand. I knew that because the PR department was so small, it was going to be a lot of hard work. I also knew the cut-throat personalities engaged in this industry would try to break me down. What I did not know was how taxing it would actually be on me. I was anxious, exhausted, and irritated. Then, it donned on me. Why shouldn't these people expect excellence? Why shouldn't they want people who are intelligent and keen enough to resolve issues on their own? Under previous employment, I found myself often asking the reciprocal: why can't these people complete the most menial of tasks?

I asked for this. I moved out here for the prospect of being a part of something greater, something more than the confines of my home town. I could have easily stayed home, continued to attend the same local college, worked in the same God-awful customer service jobs. But I didn't. I was crazy enough to make the move here, and I knew there had to be a reason why. Today, I got that reason. I was given the opportunity to sit in on a phone interview with Halle Berry, Revlon's Beauty Ambassador. Listening, recording, and transcribing the questions to Halle from international beauty editors, I was in awe. How is this happening? How am I sitting, listening to Halle Berry talk on the phone right now? What the heck? She was kind and inspiring. Answering mostly questions regarding her favorite beauty products and daily regimen, she managed to weave in some profound insight on her thoughts on the relationship between beauty, aging, and female empowerment. She said beauty is as beauty does. It is so important to take care of yourself, to be aware of your worth, to accept what you have and love it. She said women become so much more beautiful when they age, when they accept the passage of time and the aging process. She said as time progresses, women become so much more accepting of themselves. They learn who they truly are, which makes them more confident. And that, is what makes them so beautiful. Beyond that, she expressed that the advice she wished someone had given her when she was younger, was to be the most authentic version of yourself. Don't try to be anyone else. Don't be afraid of saying what you want or doing what you love. This really resonated with me. Here I am, complaining to my family and friends how tiring this internship is....but it's like, HELLO! Of course it's not easy. Of course I'm going to be given a million tasks without any direction. If I didn't engage in this hard work, if I never took the risk of coming out here, would I have been on a conference call with Halle Berry today? The answer is absolutely not. So much of life consists of give and take. If you're not willing to give it your all, don't expect to take anything in return. Normal gets you nowhere. Average people love being average and doing average things, because no one bothers them. (Kelly Cutrone taught me that, CEO of People's Revolution PR company and all around badass.)

Mediocrity has always been my worst nightmare. This is what I asked for. This is what I worked my ass off for. I've got to pay my dues before I can be the woman on the other end of the line inspiring others. Until then, I'm just going to put up and shut up. This is what I asked for, and damn it, I'm going to get it.

XOXO

All That Jazz

One of my main objectives for coming to New York was exposing myself to new things: people, music, culture, experiences, etc. A few of my friends who attend the Jazz and Contemporary Music department of my school notified me that their department puts on numerous music events throughout the year. One of which I had the pleasure of being invited to was Alumni Night. This is an annual musical event, showcasing the wonderful talents of past New School alumni, that takes place at the Highline Ballroom in Chelsea. 

Last night, I took a nice little 20 minute walk and met up with a few friends at the venue. The Highline Ballroom was packed, so most of us ended up standing a majority of the time. I purchased a glass of Prosecco and soaked everything in. I'll be the first to admit, I am not a huge fan of jazz music. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it and respect its history, but I am not the type to listen to it during my leisure time. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the talent that emerged from the New School. Brianna Thomas was exceptional during her performance, scat singing like a modern day Ella Fitzgerald. And the headliner, Bilal had a memorable performance. He hit those high notes like a pro and playfully established a relationship with the audience, evoking both humor and passion with his maniacal laughter and affectionate singing. All in all, it proved to be an enjoyable evening. I have found that being in New York, there is almost this perpetual need to step out of your comfort zone, but I have also found that in doing so, you have the ability to gain cultural capital as well as knowledge of self. Below are a few photos of Bilal from the show. Enjoy!

XOXO

Fall 2013 Foodie Tour

Despite my best efforts to eat healthy and organically and engage in physical fitness as much as possible, I am a true blue foodie in the depths of my soul. Luckily, I have had the pleasuring of finding a friend with the same closeted foodie traits. With the humidity subsiding and the fall breeze rolling in, we thought today would be the perfect opportunity for exploring around midtown, with a few eateries in mind. However, when we came across the increasingly popular CRONUT (croissaint/donut/diabetes/brilliance), it was game over. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Fall 2013 Foodie Tour: Midtown. Below are a few photos of the places we visited and decadent treats we enjoyed!

First stop was Mood Fabrics, popularized by Project Runway. To be completely honest, neither of us are currently or ever aspire to be fashion designers of any sort. We were only there to see and take photos of Mood's in-house pet dog, Swatch. Unfortunately, celebrity pups need their R&R as well, so Swatch was off for the day. Needless to say, it was an epic fail.

From Mood Fabrics, we ventured through Times Square to reach Rockefeller Plaza in search of macarons. However, on our way there we discovered this. The holy grail of cronuts. The adorable little bakery, called Crumbs, cleverly changed the name to CRUMBnuts. Word on the street is, these croissant-donut combos filled with bavarian cream sell like hot cakes in the city. People stand in line as early as 6AM to get their chubby little fingers on these flakey treats. Luckily for us, we were able to cop the last two in the bakery, and they did not disappoint. 

                     

                        

Heading up town, we decided to take a stroll to the serene, beautiful Bryant Park. Gorgeous greenery, little carousel, views of some of the best skyscrapers in town, need I say more?

Next, we walked to Rockefeller Plaza. We enjoyed the views of the plaza and anticipated iceskating in the winter. We also walked through the promenade and came across the Lego store. My brother was OBSESSED with them when he was younger, so I had to send him some photos of the Lego Rockefeller Plaza replica. 

Following our trip down memory lane at the Lego store, we headed uptown to The Plaza, the most extravagant hotel in New York, located on 59th with stellar views of Central Park. Clearly, we were not residents of the bougie 5-star hotel, but we did want to check out their food hall. Along the way we got a peak of The Plaza's brilliant foyer, fine dining restaurant, and a pianist playing sweet melodies in the marble-walled, mosaic tile-floored hallway. In the lower level of the hotel was The Plaza Food Hall, filled with various bakeries, candy shops, and cafes galore, each diverse in menu. After our stint at The Plaza, we walked down 5th Avenue and passed by all of the flagship, department and clothing stores. From UNI QLO to Zara to HM, we ended up window shopping at Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Prada, Fendi, Tiffany and Co., Rolex, Cartier, and Harry Winston. In true fashion masochism, we had to look at the shoe salon in Berdorf's. Well, that was a mistake. Louboutin, Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, forget about it. 

                                            

To cheer ourselves up from crying over the designer duds we were not able to attain, we made our way to Bouchon Bakery to enjoy giant macarons. Chocolate for me, of course. 

For late lunch/early dinner, we headed uptown. Our stop happened to be at one of the few subway terminals above ground, so photo ops were obligatory...obviously. 

We ended our day at a very inexpensive, highly yelp-rated, hole-in-the-wall sushi joint in Harlem called Sushi Sushi, where I enjoyed miso soup,  a shrimp crunch roll, and a banana/strawberry/nutella roll for under $10! Whew! It was a long and tasty leg of the Foodie Tour. More to come, I am certain of it!

XOXO

The Boulder the Better

One of the greatest aspects of attending school in New York, is the access to some of the city's hot spots on a poor college student budget. Many retailers, restaurants, and grocery stores offer student discounts to lessen the blow of the incalculable amount of money spent on rent and tuition. My school, in particular, also gives me free access to several museums as well as a few outside activities. The athletics and recreation department coordinates events for students at low rates including, kayaking, paddle boarding, tickets to Yankee and Jets games, trapeze classes, rafting, backpacking, bike riding, horse back riding, hiking, and indoor and outdoor rock climbing. Once a month, they even grant us access to Brooklyn Boulders, an indoor rock climbing gym, FO FREE. Some of the people I have met here are avid rock climbers and have memberships at this facility, so this evening a few friends and I headed over there to check it out. Nestled between Red Hook and Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Boulders is a totally rad spot that is on and poppin' Friday nights...apparently, since it was pretty packed. However, my friend that goes there regularly says it's always like that, so I guess it's just poppin' in general. The venue itself is really cool, with a variety of equipment and activities, as well as a flurry of graffiti displayed across its walls. I'll admit, I was a little overwhelmed and intimidated upon entering the building. I am far from athletic. I am actually extremely uncoordinated and clumsy, and I break basically everything (Bull in a China shop, some might say). I can't even do a proper pull-up. So I definitely anticipated falling...a lot, and failing miserably at climbing. The first thing I tried was bouldering, which is basically climbing without any ropes. As I advanced further up, towards the ceiling, I began to get really nervous and scared I would fall. As it would be, when I get nervous, I tend to have this annoying nervous laugh, and the more nervous I got, the harder I laughed, and the harder I laughed, the more shaky my position was, and I ultimately fell...obviously. However, I did get back up and made it to the top.  It actually turned out to be a lot of fun. I alternated between boulders and top line (climbing with a rope and partner) throughout the rest of the evening. My arms hurt, my hands were sore and chalky, and I was SPENT. But these are the things that make me so grateful for the move out here: new experiences, adventure, and the chance to prove to myself that I can do it. So here's to New York, to Brooklyn Boulders,  and to the exposing one's self to new people, places, and things. Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Go out and do something new! 

XOXO

Max Brenner is officially my hero.

This evening I had every intention of going out to a bar and even a little jazz sesh with a few of my friends, so I could offer you all an exciting story, but just as I finished getting ready, which if you know me at all is a dreadfully long and grueling process, they cancelled on me! Well, one of them did. Luckily, my other girlfriend (from London!), was still willing to go out, even just for a late dinner. Fast forward an hour, and low and behold, I give you Max Brenner, the real chocolate factory. It is a quaint little restaurant with an indulgent dessert menu and chocolates for days. You may have seen it in Vegas or elsewhere; it is not exclusive to New York, but it is new to me and also my heaven, and probably my friend from home, Kelsey's hell (For whatever reason, she has some brain malfunction that makes her not like chocolate. Whatever, her loss. I still love you, Kels!). Here are a few photos from this evening. 

These are just a portion of the adorable treats they have for sale. Aren't they just darling?

This was my dessert of choice, banana split waffles with caramelized bananas, vanilla ice cream, sugar krispies, milk chocolate ganache, and choco-pops. Maybe I've been watching too much Gossip Girl re-runs lately, but I have had a major craving for waffles the last few days. I refuse to purchase junk groceries, because I know if I have them at my place, I will eat them all in one day. However, when I go out to eat, which is a rarity (trust me), I do like to treat myself to a food coma. Mission accomplished. 

Hey, you listen here. Chocolate is good for you. Ain't that the truth. 

Signage in the foyer reads, "I invite you to watch, smell, and taste my love story."-Max

Finally, here are two actual vats of 100% pure chocolate. I'm sure Augustus is stuck in the pipes somewhere as well. 

It usually doesn't rain in Southern California, much like Arizona...but this is NY, ladies and gentleman.

I have often said, the only people that discuss the weather are those with indecent conversation skills. Well, that was before when the weather in San Diego was relatively the same, with the exception of occasional rain, which no one could miss, considering everyone and their mother would compose an obligatory post about it on Facebook. However, like everything else in New York, the weather is new to me. Therefore, I felt it might be an interesting topic to share with you. The weather is bipolar. It goes from hot, muggy, disgusting 100 degrees, to dry and nippy, to raining cats and dogs, in a matter of hours. I was well informed that the summers here were brutal due to the humidity, but no one ever told me that not having an umbrella on you at all times makes you a bit of an idiot, a soggy and warm one at that. Needless to say, I have since learned my lesson and proudly carry that 8-spoke lifesaver with me at all times and can now shake my head with the rest of the New York masses at the poor, unfortunate newbie that did not think to bring an umbrella, on a deceptively sunny day. In light of this completely foreign concept of "seasons", I will be sure to update you all on my experiences throughout the year and whine and complain, like the Californian diva that I am. Although, it is a small price to pay for a fabulous life in the city, wouldn't you say? 

XOXO

28 Days

Hi, Everyone! So it has been nearly a month since I've made the move to New York, and I promised to keep my wonderful family and friends updated. I'm not nearly as brave nor anywhere near ready to discuss publicly the details of my life, but I figured I made the ballsy, and absolutely insane decision to move across the country, far far away from everything I have ever known, in pursuit of unconventional education, infinite career opportunities, and the adventure of a life time. I think I can handle a little scrutiny when it comes to documenting my daily encounters. As long as I am doing so in truth, there can be no regrets. So here we go.

The day I moved here, was quite possibly the best and worst day of my life. It was the best, for obvious reasons, big city, 21 year old running loose, endless possibilities. However, it was also more difficult than I could have ever fathomed. The last few weeks leading up to my departure could not have been more perfect. I was able to visit all of the places with the best memories and to spend time with all of the people that mean the absolute world to me. Leaving behind my family and friends was a hot mess! I kept insisting that moving to New York hadn't hit me yet. Oh, but when it did, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I cried hysterically! You know, the kind of crying where you're hiccuping and can hardly breathe, and have that ugly Kim Kardashian "crying face" thing going on? Yeah, it was like that, the night before I left, the ride to the airport, at the terminal, on the plane ride over, in bed before I went to sleep...for several days. I questioned why I ever wanted to leave beautiful, sunny, perfect California for filthy, cold, and crazy New York, but as I began to familiarize myself with navigating my way through the city, both figuratively and literally, I fell head over heels in love with this city, and here are a few why:

• I will never, ever be bored.
• There are tons of things to see and do here. Despite the popularized idea that New York is very expensive, there are countless activities that are FO FREE! The parks are free and amazing and each have their own vibe. Central Park is breathtaking and overwhelmingly gargantuan. It has gorgeous walking paths, an adorable zoo for the kiddies, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs galore, and plenty of greenery to lay out on and enjoy. Madison Square Park is where most of the business men and women of the area enjoy lunch. It is also home to the famous Shake Shack, a glorified burger stand that has a never-ending line. I still have not found the patience within myself to stand in line for this place, but I intend on it some time in the future and will let you know if it is worth the wait! Bryant Park is also one of my favorites. It is quite small in comparison to the others, but it overlooks the stunning, historical New York Public Library (which is a piece of art in its own right), and has many vendors, small outdoor bars and restaurants, a quaint little carousel, as well as a killer view of the Empire State Building. The High Line, which is a park that extends for blocks and blocks and blocks, has the most brilliant view of the Hudson river. Apparently, it used to be a subway line, which is where the origin of its name came from. Then there's Union Square, which wouldn't you know it, is precisely one block from where I live. It is great if you like homeless people and side shows. Just kidding...kinda. There is definitely truth in the content of characters in the area, but one of the most beloved aspects of Union Square is the green market, the farmer's market that takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, where you can attain local, farm fresh fruits and produce, as well as other farmer's market-y things. And finally, last of the parks that I have visited is Washington Square Park, which is about 6 blocks from my place. It is also a favorite of mine. There is endless entertainment, puppet shows, musical ensembles, dance groups, etc. There is also a bountiful supply of intellectual, and albeit pretentious, college students. Not only is it near my school, but it's basically NYU students' quad, since they don't have one and all of their buildings surround it. It's a great place to read and people watch, as you may have seen on my Instragram. Aside from its parks, there are also some great museums within the city as well. As a New School student, I have access to the MOMA (Metropolitan Museum of Art) FO FREE! It features mostly modern and contemporary art. The mecca of museums is The Met (Metropolitan Museum). Its architecture is beautiful in and of itself, but the vast variety of art it displays from ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, to medieval paintings, to Greek and Roman sculptures, and far beyond, it is a sight to see. It also can't be seen in one day. That is just artistic exposure overload. There is way too much to see. The famous steps are a great place to sit and relax as well. In fact, one day while I was sitting there pretending I was on Gossip Girl, I even saw a flash mob and marriage proposal. One of the best things about The Met is that it is donation based. So, even though it gives you a "suggested price" of $25, you can literally give them five bucks and they have to let you in. Beyond parks and museums, there's also world renowned shopping and an unbeatable nightlife. Did you know many of the clubs and bars don't even close until 4AM? It really is the city that never sleeps. You could walk down MacDougal at 2 or 3 in the morning and not even notice the time, because EVERYTHING IS OPEN! All of the bars and restaurants, and drunk-people-food pitstops, they are all open for business and jam packed. So I think you get the point here, so much entertainment, not nearly enough time. 
• I will never need a DD.
• Everyone who knows me is aware that not only am I a TERRIBLE driver, but also I loathe driving. Coming to New York totally fixed that. There is no need for a car here. In fact, I think it's weird when people do have cars. Who voluntarily purchases a car and insurance, sits in traffic, and pays $500/month to PARK their car? They obviously can't be trusted, those New York car owners. You can take a cab, IF YOU THINK YOU'RE RICH. They eat your money. The cab drivers are usually rude. It is just a waste of time and money. Unless you are in an extreme hurry or are too drunk to navigate your way home, do the right thing and walk or take the subway. I find walking the best way to get around. I have really come to enjoy walking around to get places, especially at night. There's a lot to see, and it is also good exercise. The next best thing is the subway. My rule of thumb is, if I can't walk there in 30 minutes, take the subway. It is not as gross and creepy as people make it out to be. Everyone takes it, and it's the most economical and quickest way to get around, once you know your way. 
• I love my school!
• My school is great. It is very much a liberal arts college, with its seminary style of teaching, diverse variety in course options, and overflow of hipsters. If you think I'm joking, I'm not. This place is crawling with them. They make me feel like the most basic B of all. Nonetheless, I have come to appreciate my relationship to my professors and really enjoy everything I am learning. In addition, it is refreshing to be able to have intellectually stimulating conversations among my peers. 
• I have amazing internship opportunities.
• Since New York is the home of flagships for many companies, what better place to choose to live during my initial steps into the "real world"? I applied and was offered internships from two companies. One of which was a cheese company. It was really strange and almost comical, but the position sounded cool. It was for a Social Media and Marketing internship, where I would be able to produce and release content and assist in the coordination of fancy wine and cheese parties. Just as I was on the cusp of joining the team and preparing witty tweets about cheese, I was given the opportunity to work for Revlon as a public relations intern. In the midst of fashion week, I would be insane not to take it. So far, it has been a crazy, chaotic, stressful mess! Mirroring the Devil Wears Prada, this industry is no joke. There's no training, no inquiries, you just have to get shit done, and if you don't know how, you just have to figure it out. Today, I had the pleasure of working one of my favorite designers of all time, Marchesa's fashion show. It was beautiful and also crazy. The amount of work and detail and DRAMA that goes into producing these shows is unbelievable, but also extremely rewarding and exciting. I will be sure to let you all know what else is in store for me as this internship as time progresses.
• I meet the most fascinating people.
• I have met and made friends with people from all over the place: San Francisco, Toronto, London, Korea, Czech Republic, and many more. I have been attempting to expose myself to different cultures as well. My San Fransican friend says "hella" way too much and it drives me up the effing wall. My Canadian friends entertain me with their accents and use of the word "wash room". My British friends make me feel like I'm in Skins or Harry Potter, and I also like to pretend that they're friends with One Direction in my mind. My Korean roommate always insists on feeding me, which is very sweet. I even got the opportunity to attend a traditional Jewish dinner party, which I guess is a very "New York" thing to do.

It has all been so fun and exciting. I can't wait to tell you guys about the adventures I partake in and the people I encounter. I promise, the other blogs will not be as long as this ridiculous one is, but it's been 28 DAYS! That's a lot of catching up! 

XOXO