Samples sales, SoHo and Musical Chairs

Saturday morning we woke up and went to 5th Avenue to look at the DVF sample sale. I had never been to a sample sale before and it is funny how nice a store can make clothes look, but then when you see them in a warehouse building all bunched together, they don't look the same. I didn't find anything but Susanna got a new purse and a hot pink blazer, naturally.

After the sample sale we ventured to SoHo, aka where we always end up because how could you not?! We brunched at Jack's Wife Freda and even though most of the food options have either eggs or avocados in them, yuck, I loved the place. It's owned by a husband and wife, who you can read about on Man Repeller's site here. I first found out about Jack's Wife Freda from The Man Repeller's Instagram and it's open seating with windows open, everything about the place is so cute. Vegetarian probs - I got couscous and french fries to eat though. What in the world? Susanna and Frances got a hamburger, meat people.

Of course we stumbled upon Georgetown Cupcakes and Laduree SoHo; there are desserts on every corner of this city. The three of us shopped a little in Zara and Bloomingdale's then headed home. Saturday night we went to Le Bain, which is actually insane. It's a rooftop bar with glass as walls that overlooks Manhattan and the Hudson River. There was a pool on the lower floor inside and people were just casually in their swimsuits. Let me tell you, this was not Oxford's Library. We met some new friends who went with us and it was fun to see the city at night. A few lessons learned later, we headed back and crashed. Who knew work made people so tired and we have quickly become grandmas in bed by 9 pm normally.

Sunday was a lazy day. We slept late, got the $5 pizza deal, made lists of more things we want to do in the city and sat outside at Union Square for a while. I didn't think I was going to waste a day in NYC like I did on Sunday but it felt good to catch up on sleep.

Monday back to the workin' world. I really do just love work. When I am on the subway I get excited to go in and see what we are doing that day and I am so thankful that I have found a place that I enjoy so much. I did some press pulls, ran a few errands and then, as always, the day was over so quickly. Last  night we went to a HUGE musical chairs game at Bryant Park. The sun was setting and it was so funny to see everyone dancing in the park around the chairs.

The game lasted forever that we had time to go eat dinner and come back to watch the final people competing. The four of us, Jamie, Frances, Susanna and I, ate dinner at Le Pain Quotiden. Their corn chowder was delicious and we have no idea what possessed us to order it in the first place but it was totally worth it. Next on our list was to find Magnolia Bakery in Grand Central Station. Of course we copied Gossip Girl photo's of when Serena arrives at Grand Central and looked like 14-year-old fangirl's, but we could never have let the opportunity pass by!

Week 1 at DANNIJO

I don't know how to type all my expressions at work but I can sum it up with: I LOVE IT!!

Tuesday at 10 we arrived at the office, well, everyone arrived at about 9:45 (early bird gets the worm?), and we were served breakfast and met the Dannijo team, which is only about 10 people. The showroom is amazing and it is decorated just how I imagined it would be. I love how close knit they all are and it is like one family.

I am doing marketing and sales, working one-on-one with two Dannijo girls. Every intern was assigned to one specific aspect of Dannijo, but we all work together a lot so we overlap. Danielle and Jodie, aka Dannijo, are awesome. They come in the office every day and we all work in the same room. I really am just on cloud nine about this whole experience and it is only week 1.

During the day I do things like press pulls and send them to magazines, organize the showroom, assist with marketing and sales, learn the line sheets of all of the jewelry and more. I have learned a valuable lesson and that is to not wear heels to work -- I learned it the hard way. Day 1 I thought I would be so cute and wear brand new heels and I left the day with bloody feet, Susanna thought I needed stitches that's how gross it was.

On Fridays we get off work at 3 which is nice. Summer Fridays are definitely a bonus and give me more time to explore. Yesterday after work I met up with Susanna & Jamie and we went to get macarons at Laudree. We took them to the Central Park Sailing Pond to eat. I got: (2) pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, coffee and orange blossom. My macaron money was coming in handy for those of you who know I called it that.

My Touristy New York City Bucket List

1. eat at Central Park Boathouse
2. go to the Top of the Rock
3. run in Central Park
4. visit MoMa 
5. take a photo by the LOVE statue on 6th & W. 55th
6. go to the Chelsea Market
7. venture to Brooklyn for the flea market 
8. go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
9. play in the Washington Square Park fountains
10. see a play on Broadway -- I'm looking at you, Wicked.
11. go to movie night in Bryant Park
12. visit the New York Public Library
13. on a Saturday go to Smorgasburg in Brooklyn
14. watch a performance live from The Today Show
15. go to an outdoor concert or play; Bryant Park
16. walk the Brooklyn Bridge
17. go to a Yankee's game -- can't leave without getting ice cream in a baseball helmet
18. see the Statue of Liberty
19. eat at Shake Shack -- hold the meat, extra fries
20. visit the High Line
21. find Carrie Bradshaw's apartment
22. buy something from a sample sale

The list is ever-growing and changing & I have many different titled lists. (Lists are my life). If you have any suggestions or top places to see that are iconic to the Big Apple, please comment below! Other list titles that I will soon share are "The Real New Yorker Bucket List" which consists of local coffee shops and things that maybe I won't be too touristy to do. During the summer I'm also going to compile my own list of my favorite things I did and can't wait to share that too!

Comment below with your favorite places and spaces, restaurants too! It's almost one month until I board my plane with my one way ticket. Don't worry, I'm coming back eventually. 

xoxo,
Chandler (almost in the City)

New York bound!

Well, the day has come when I can say these words, "I am moving to New York City for the entire summer to intern" and boy does that feel good. After two Skype interviews with the Dannijo team, I was offered a 10 week summer internship on Tuesday night (February 18th). I told them I had to talk to my parents and make sure everything would work out. This morning in my photojournalism class my dad told me the great news! I'm allowed to go to New York and live my dream.

My love for New York began about a year ago and once the desire to visit the city was on my heart, I was going to do anything to make it happen. I firmly believe that the Lord places these desires on your heart for a reason. I've visited other cities, Chicago and Los Angeles, but never have I felt the way about them as I do New York City. I'm thankful that the Lord's purpose always prevails and for the plans he has made for me.

After my first trip to NYC in October to attend the Teen Vogue Fashion University weekend, I knew I was supposed to be there. One night we went to the top of the Empire State Building and I remember praying that if I was supposed to be in New York for the summer that it would happen.

I found out about Dannijo at the Teen Vogue Fashion University weekend. The seminar was called "The Statement Sisters" and from then on I knew I loved Dannijo. The two sisters who began the company are witty and creative. One of them even attended Vanderbilt, so that gives her enough street cred in itself. In my head I thought about how cool it would be if one day I interned for them.

To think that this is all happening is unreal to me. I'm getting to live my dream; dreams really do come true! With the help of my supportive parents I am able to have an unforgettable summer in New York City.

I'll be living in the NYU dorms (hopefully) with Susanna (without a doubt) and we will experience the city together! Tennessee and Mississippi in the city.   

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and supporting me. Your friendship means the world to me and I couldn't have gone through this process without your kind words. An even bigger thank you to my family, to whom I could not take this adventure without.

Come the end of May I'll be packing my bags, taking a trip from BNA to LGA. I'm so excited to keep up this blog, and especially make it even more exciting when I am blogging from a new city with stories and adventures I take. Now, everyone check your calendars and plan when you are going to come visit me!

xoxo