alking through Columbia University’s campus, I always try to blend in (aka put my head down, grab a book and look like I am contemplating the reason for life on Earth – smart people stuff, you know). But a few days ago I had to pull out the digital camera to snap a few shots – what I call “going tourist.” Campus is beautiful. And in a city where you can find EVERYTHING and ANYTHING, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Perspective matters.
Posted in NYC Lessons Learned
Image from Come Out and Play
Remember when I said New York is the city that never sleeps – well I forgot to mention that New York is also the city that never goes out of style.
I live most of the year in Columbia, Missouri. While the city will always be near and dear to my heart – its closest relationship with high fashion comes via “guest” designer lines at Target. New York fashion is an addicting drug and I am the desperate addict. No matter where I go I’m confronted by temptation and my brain just cannot say no; Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, BCBG, J. Crew, YSL, Zac Posen, Anthropologie, American apparel – pick your poison. The best part is, you don’t even need to be rich to afford these indulgences. Places like Century 21 and Feline’s Basement practically give away goods for free (aka 70% off) or you could always adventure into some dark warehouse in Chinatown to haggle your way through an “it fell off the truck” deal (not that I would ever do that… on a regular basis).
But it is more than just the designer names and a shopper’s compulsion that drive me to these conclusions. It is the people of New York that truly make it a city always in style. A morning commute on the 1 Line proves this. The red subway path runs from The Bronxs to Brooklyn and stops at every major New York attraction in between – Columbia University, Central Park, 42nd Street, Rockefeller, Battery Park, NYU – it has it all. The people on the 1 come from every background and each have their own flair (and not the type from Office Space). The business suit sits next to the gardener jumpsuit who sits next to the artist smock. At some point during their early morning bumpy ride below the living city, each passenger’s style rubs off on the other. That is what keeps the city perpetually in the lookbook and that is what makes New York uniqely fashionable, no high-end labels necessary. Great news for a broke intern…
Posted in Intern Diaries, NYC Lessons Learned
Tagged 42nd street, battery park, central park, columbia university, como, fashion, lookbook, new york, NYU, office space, one line, rockefeller, subway, target
“In New York, Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, Theres nothing you can’t do. Now you’re in New York, These streets will make you feel brand new, The lights will inspire you.” (Jay-Z/Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind)
Chuck Bass I've been watching you too - Gossip Girl reruns are prepping me for NYC, because, we all know, the way things are on television are just like they are in real life.
In just a few weeks time I will be on a plane headed for the ‘concert jungle’ and for a summer in THE city, New York City – can’t wait!
So is the Jay-Z/Alicia Keys anthem the theme song for my summer? Too soon to decide, but it is a good lead-off song for the playlist. The motto for this playlist? Work hard, play hard…
Work hard:
I am so lucky to have the opportunity to be one of 50 editorial interns for Time Inc. and to work in the Sports Illustrated for Kids department. There is no opportunity in Missouri that can compare to this; I will get to work with experienced professionals, at a reputable publication, and in a professional atmosphere. I am excited for whatever journalistic opportunities I will be given this summer and I will jump to take on any project out there. The internship is my ticket to an amazing summer so I will make sure I do everything possible to earn it.
Play hard:
St. Louis to New York – culture shock right? With only three months to experience the greatest city on Earth, you can bet I will be busy. Dave Matthews says to “Stay up late and make some memories,” in his song So Right.
I don’t know if that quote actually is the best approach to take toward college, but it will be my approach for this summer. Sleep is not an option when you have a limited time in a city that never sleeps. I will never be younger and more full of life than I am right now – time to take advantage of it and take advantage of an experience I will not get again.
I will fake the Ivy Leage cred while living at a Columbia University dorm and I will walk the ‘working girl’ walk while slaving away in an office in Rockefeller Center – what more can I possibly ask for?
… Maybe a map for the subway, hmmm.
Posted in Intern Diaries, Journo Talk, NYC Lessons Learned
Tagged chuck bass, columbia university, gossip girl, internships, ivy league, jay-z, new york, nyc, playlist, songs, sports illustrated, summer, time inc.
