1 year ago
There can be no better proposal than outside the 5th Avenue store with a little blue box in your hand…
via
1 year ago
I’m short on time today, but I wanted to show everyone where I will be living all summer! So I fired up my camera and did a quick video blog! It’s not much, but if you watch all the way to the end, you’ll catch a (very) short cameo by moi!
1 year ago
This is a job?
Today I finished my first week of work. If you can really call it “work.”
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but so far it has been full of tasks I would probably be doing anyway. For example, browsing J Crew’s website, reading fashion blogs, looking at runway pictures, and, as I did today, window shopping. Not only would I be doing this stuff in my apartment in Minneapolis, but doing it in a fashion office in NYC is just so much cooler.
Today, as I mentioned, my boss and I went window shopping along 34th Street, looking for items to direct our photographers to get pictures of for our reports. When we walked past the Empire State Building, my boss pointed it out and, upon hearing I hadn’t been inside yet, insisted that we make a quick trip through the lobby. It was beautiful enough in itself, but it was made much more incredible when we ran into Project Runway winner and fierce designer Christian Siriano on our way out. My boss stopped him, talked to him, and then took a picture with him while I stood there star struck. I managed a “nice to meet you,” as we walked away, but that was about it from me. Maybe I will get used to celebrity run-ins eventually, but I have a feeling it will take a while.
1 year ago
First Days in NYC
Sorry for the lack of pictures everyone. So far my facial expression (re: deer in headlights) has given away the fact that I’m not a New Yorker easily enough. I will try to get out this weekend with my camera when I’m a bit more acclimated and don’t have to look at my plastic map (Thanks Mom!) every 30 seconds.
So far, New York has been good. I think. I can’t make a definitive declaration yet of whether I like it or not, because honestly, outside of Monday, I haven’t seen much of it. Today and yesterday I got myself to work, back, and ran an errand (yesterday to the Apple Store for headphones, today to a Duane Reade) and that was enough. Monday however, I did get out and explore a bit.
After talking myself into leaving the building (it took some encouragement), I ventured outside of my friend’s apartment in Chelsea, determined to make it to my future apartment on the Upper East Side by 5 o’clock to meet the girl I am subleasing from and see my new space. After purchasing my metro pass, and getting on one wrong train, I made it uptown and across to Grand Central. From there I walked down Fifth Avenue, collecting job applications at various retail stores along the way. I don’t think I will be working retail anymore (my friend is helping me find a job with a temp agency instead) but it was on my list, and with no other purpose for the day I did it. Eventually I walked far enough to reach Central Park, so I bought myself a hot dog and a Gatorade and went for a walk among the trees and grass. It is really an amazing place- almost hard to believe you’re still in New York City, especially when the trees block the view of any building, street, or sidewalk. I walked all the way through the park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (closed) and then went to a Starbucks while awaiting a call from the girl I am subleasing from so I could head over to the apartment.
Finally, around 6 p.m., I went and checked out my new home. It’s definitely small, but a great area and a nice room. I’m really excited to move in and finally be in a (somewhat) stable place. You know, like, with a bed. Oooh beds. I miss them.
1 year ago
Sorry to leave you all in suspense, but here it is: my last day in Paris!
We started out with lunch at a wonderful restaurant. Three courses, all of it paid for by the program! I tried oysters for the first (and probably last) time, and had an amazing duck followed by the best chocolate mousse you can imagine!
After lunch, two other people and I headed to the Eiffel Tower for a trip up the elevators. It took a few hours, but we finally made it and it was well worth the wait! What an incredible view of the city. It was heart-wrenching to know I would leave it the next morning.
After descending, I did some last minute shopping before returning to the Cite Universitaire to hook up with the group. We agreed to meet at the Eiffel Tower (again) later that evening for the light show, and then two other girls and I headed to Notre Dame for crepes on the banks of the Seine. After our large lunch, a banana nutella crepe filled us up completely and deliciously. After our “dinner” we headed to the light show for probably the best last few moments in Paris possible. The sparkling Eiffel Tower is an incredible, awesome sight. I will miss it the most.
1 year ago
Hello from NYC
The last few days have been a whirlwind of international flights, dinners, crying (yes, crying), delayed flights, and walking around Central Park, but I wanted to let everyone know that yes, I am alive and I did survive my first day in New York City. I’m not ready to definitively say “I love it” yet, but so far it has been pretty sensational.
I know I left you all hanging about the end of my trip to Paris, and so while I am still pretty exhausted tonight, I think tomorrow when I finally start work and fall into a bit of a routine I should have some time to wrap up my last few days in the City of Light. Then, later this week I will definitely start catching up on my first days in New York! I have some pretty exciting features and ideas lined up, so definitely keep checking in!
1 year ago
Usually, rain in Paris spells trouble. Today was no exception, but it was only in the best of ways.
Originally I had planned to visit the Eiffel Tower and take the elevator to the top this afternoon, but the rain but a damper on those plans. Instead, three girlfriends and I went to the famous Cafe de Flore, and, sitting side-by-side outside facing the street, we ate the most overpriced but delicious croque-monsieurs and rose wine we have had yet in Paris. I had been wanting to eat there since I arrived, and so I was very excited. I felt very Parisian!
With umbrellas up, we all headed to the Champs-Elysees to do some shopping. Originally I was planning on picking up a few clothes. Then my friend Mallory announced she wanted to visit Louis Vuitton, because, like many other French fashion lines, the prices are MUCH better here than they are in the U.S. And she was right. Very right. About 30 percent right, especially considering the fact I don’t pay any taxes here.
So I did it. I fulfilled a dream I have had for a long time, picked up the most gorgeous Speedy Damier 30 and didn’t put it down. Was it expensive? Yes. Will I carry it around for the rest of my life, always remembering that I bought it in the flagship store on the Champs-Elysees? Yes. It was a splurge, but it was worth it!
I hope to take a few pictures with it in the next few days and show it off while I am still in Paris, so stay tuned to find out exactly what it looks like!
1 year ago
What’s up Napoleon?
Today was another low-key day, and since I have already written a three-page paper for class I am going to keep this short. Today we went to the Invalides, which, in addition to a fantastic museum about World War 1 and World War 2, is where Napoleon is buried. For such a small man, quite a large tomb!
I say the museum is fantastic, and I mean it. I was able to see lots of artifacts from both the wars, as well as view some amazing footage of the Normandy Landings and a really neat video on the Battle of Britain. All I can say is that was some real air fighting, and I am glad my little brother will never have to fly around the skies like that!
And that’s about it for today. Tomorrow should be a bit more exciting, as I am finally going to have lunch at the Cafe de Flore! But more on that tomorrow…
1 year ago
Today was the most gorgeous day in Paris yet! Gorgeous weather and gorgeous sights!
After class, some friends and I ate a quick lunch at McDonalds. Yes, I know, but it was good! And fast! Then we headed out to the Tuileries Gardens, where we stayed for over an hour just sitting and talking in the grass. What a beautiful way to spend time!
Finally we stood up and walked down the Champs-Elysees, which was, once again, an amazing feeling. This time however I walked the entire boulevard, from the Place de la Concorde past all of the amazing shops and boutiques to the Arc du Triomphe.
I wasn’t about to stop there, and a few of us who hadn’t already been up decided to climb the stairs (I have to admit, I am getting a little sick of stairs) up the Arc to catch the views of the city. Incredible! While I haven’t been up the Eiffel Tower yet, today was the best view of Paris I have seen. Plus, it was lots of fun to watch the traffic go around the Etoile. That circle is the only place in Paris where, if you get into an accident, it is automatically a no-fault situation and everything is split 50-50 between both parties. Good thing too!
Finally, tonight we all went out to dinner at a fabulous nearby Italian restaurant to celebrate my roommate’s 19th birthday! Not the family meal she is used to, but I suppose a birthday in Paris isn’t the worst thing in the world!
Two days of traveling behind me, I was ready for a low-key weekend. Which was exactly what I had!
Saturday, after sleeping in late and catching up on emails, etc., I ventured out to the 6th arrondissement to do some vintage shopping. More details can be found here, but to make a long story short, I saw some amazing clothes from eras long ago, but not anything I really wanted to buy. Vintage shopping is like visiting a museum for me— fun to go and look, but not something I can take home with me. Unless it’s accessories. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much for me in that department.
That night, I went out to a fabulous Italian restaurant (so good I am went back tonight!) and then went out to a bar with some of my friends. A highlight of the night, and the entire trip, was when we got a bartender to put on “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey and all 10 of us sang every word while the rest of the bar cheered us on!
Sunday morning I was able to crawl out of bed and be ready by 9 a.m. to head to the flea market with a few other girls. After wading through the junk and fake purses (although I did buy two gorgeous scarves!) we found the real antique market. If only I had a house to decorate!
The rest of the day was pretty quiet, and I only ventured out again to find some quick food at the nearby cafeteria. My last weekend in Paris.
