New York Warp Speed

Photo by the lovely Leyla.

With only 9 more days left in NYC, I find myself appreciating all of the little things that this city and my life here have to offer. I take an extra deep breath when walking past my favorite corner flower stand. I smile smugly to myself when I run for the train and jump through the doors right before they close on me. I'm even enjoying some of my final projects (well, really just one and it's only because I'm really nerdy). In my last social commerce class yesterday, our prof had us think of a mentor we have had and then on a piece of paper write down the qualities this person possesses. After a few minutes, she told us to flip the paper over and write down what this person has taught us. Now, I'm not going to lie, there was a lot of eye rolling going on in the room during this exercise, especially because it wasn't to be handed in and rather just for us to keep. But being the goody goody I am, I obliged and started jotting down what my mentor (who I met at Parsons) has taught me. There are only a few people I've met in my life that I felt the need to impress, and maybe that's not quite the right word. Perhaps more accurately, they have inspired me to do my best work and then some. From the moment I met this person, I had this feeling. He imparted a fraction of his knowledge and experience onto me and because of this allowed me to grow in ways I never thought imaginable. His confidence in my skills and collaborative critiques have given me the ability to think that much further outside the box and push that much harder against what I thought I could do or become.

He led me to my current internship at a PR agency where I have had the most rewarding experience. Even though I have only been at this agency for four months, I feel like I have learned more than most people learn after years at a job. It's like I've all of a sudden realized just how far I've come and how much I've grown over the past year and a half in this city. What could have taken years and years at a mediocre job (and maybe not even!) to achieve has happened to me here, in this short time. I feel confident in the direction I want my life to go and I have a much clearer picture of what I want my career to look like. I owe that to a lot of people, including myself for taking this chance, but I also owe it to this city and the warp speed that it runs at.

j.

Camo & Excuses

 striped tee {Jacob} - camo pants {Gap} - sneaks {Sanuk} - necklaces {American Eagle & F21} - bracelet {flea market}

I kind of have a lot going on right now so please forgive the radio silence that just happened and may continue to happen. Turns out finals and moving back to Canada give you a lot to do. This week is crazy busy for me but in fun ways. One of my really good friends from Uni is here and he's taking me to a hockey game tomorrow night. I am so excited! Obviously, I'm really sporty and because of this the first thing I did upon hearing he had bought the tickets was to go buy myself a NY Rangers t-shirt. Once a fashion girl, always a fashion girl...or something like that. I'm also volunteering at a fashion show and going to a dinner party requested by me thrown in my honor (thanks Ley!). Only two more weeks of school and interning and then shortly after that I am back to the homeland.

Until next time....

j.

You Know You're a Parsons (or Other Fashion School) Student When...

1. If you didn't already have one, you have developed a serious shopping addiction but you tell yourself it's okay because it's research. Casually buying something online from your iPhone during class is not an uncommon occurrence.

2. You describe colors in terms of hue and chroma now and get offended when someone compliments you on your 'blue' shoes. They're actually aquamarine with more green than blue, but thanks. (True story: my friend Leyla texted me the other day because she described something as a shade of elephant and the person she was talking to was like...you mean grey?)

3. You spend so much time at the cafe next door that you have friends at each station (panini guy, coffee guy, cashier lady) who ask where you've been if you only see them once a day. They've all taken to calling you 'sweetheart' or 'honey' and that's okay with you. 

 
4. Phrases like 'totes amaze' and 'I used the Valencia filter' are not only often overheard but a part of your regular vocabulary. 

 
5. When in a store, you absolutely must feel each and every article of clothing. Before buying something you inspect the tag to find out the fiber content, care instructions and country of origin, because it matters people.

6. You spend so much time with your classmates that you pass colds around like mono at summer camp. When your closest friends are sick it's better to just accept the inevitable and share a drink with them to get it over with. 

 
7. Carrying at least 2 bags loaded with essential supplies like scissors, double sided tape, an extra pair of shoes and a small selection of magazines is basically a requirement. If you don't need to see a chiropractor on the regular than you've clearly been doing something wrong.

8. You only have female and gay friends so bitchiness and cattiness are about as common as breathing. When you do come into contact with the (straight) opposite sex, it's like a scene out of one of those daily planet DVDs. Let the best woman win.

9. If you're running late for class, wearing sweatpants is NOT an option. Staying home because you couldn't find something cute to wear in time is not only acceptable but strongly encouraged because you will be judged by your outfit by a minimum of 3 classmates in every class.

10. You're willing to work 12 hour days for literally no money if it means getting to see that show/work at that agency or for that designer because at the end of the day, you live, breathe, sleep and (don't) eat for fashion. 

j.

I Have Nothing To Say, So Here Are Some Photos

touque {Steve Madden via Century 21} - jacket {Loft} - jeans {Old Navy} - booties {Dolce Vita via Century 21}

I really wasn't kidding about having nothing to say. Sorry to disappoint (or not). These photos were taken a while ago and due to my procrastinator tendencies, have not gone up until now. #Fail

I will tell you that the first photo was taken with a vintage Hasselblad camera which is pretty badass and that these lovely photos were taken by my lovely friend, Leyla, who has a website with more lovely photos. So, you should check it out because it will be a lot more interesting than what I have for you here. Which is absolutely nothing, in case you hadn't figured it out by now.

I'll come back when I have something remotely interesting to say. So I wouldn't hold your breath if I were you.

j.