Biking to Brooklyn

New York really is the city that never sleeps. I always thought that was just a saying, but after two weeks of living here I totally understand. At home it's okay if you have a chill day. Here in New York, there is always something happening, something to be seen, something to be bought, or something new to be eaten. FOMO (fear of missing out, duh) is real in the city. Eleven weeks sounds like a long time but I'm already two weeks into this journey!

As far as an update on work goes, I still am in love with Dannijo. Every morning I get so excited to go to work and it's probably annoying to my roommates because work is all I talk about. I really am so thankful to be spending a summer with these insanely awesome people. Monday Danielle and Jodie got ready for the CFDA awards all day and made a really cool video with Sophia Bush & Hilary Rhoda that will be out soon. Surprise of Wednesday at the office: Sophia Bush came to get some new Dannijo jewels. I was like, "remain calm, remain calm." She was so sweet!

Tuesday was our day off and I even though I have FOMO of what I am missing at the office, I tell ya people it's so real, I do love having a weekday open to make plans and see more of the city. We rented bikes from an NYU dorm in SoHo & headed to bike across the Brooklyn Bridge which was on our bucket list. I pictured casually biking, taking my time, enjoying the scenery and breeze... It was the complete opposite. SO many people had the same idea to walk and bike across the bridge, people yelled left and right at us, I stopped biking and looked down to find a spot where a hobo pooped and it was literally the complete opposite of what I imagined. I'm glad I got to see the city from the bridge, but I will most likely never venture across it on a bike again.

After biking we got salads around Union Square and went to explore the Columbia campus. We had never been that far uptown and it was a cool area. Naturally we went there because Blair and Nate from Gossip Girl attended Columbia. Susanna bought out the entire Columbia bookstore; I got a white & gold coffee mug. Sophisticated, right?

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.

First Weekend in the City

Day one in New York City? Check. Yesterday around 7:25 p.m. I landed at LaGuardia, got my bags and got into my cab alone to head to our hotel where I was meeting Susanna. On the way into LaGuardia in the plane I saw the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center Building, which I had never seen before. The Empire State Building was lit up red, white and blue at the top for Memorial Day Weekend.

Once I got to the hotel Susanna and I got ready and walked a few blocks to find dinner where we stumbled upon Angelo's Pizza. We split the onion and pepper pizza which was HUGE but delicious! After dinner the two of us came back to the hotel and made our NYC Bucket Lists; it made us think of the fun aspects to New York instead of get nervous and anxious in the hotel room, which we were doing.

It's weird to just hop off of a plane and land in a somewhat foreign city and know that this will be your home for 11 weeks. It hit me when I got to hotel that this whole experience was real and that this was no four day vacation.

This morning I woke up at 6:50 a.m. central time. What in the world was I thinking? I couldn't sleep though when I knew the city was a few steps away. Susanna and I got ready and walked to the subway to buy our first MetroCard. We definitely felt like real New Yorkers! The two of us headed to Union Square to drink our Starbucks and figure out where our building is that we were living in. We looked around Union Square which is one of my favorite areas that I have visited. Thankfully I get to call this place my home for 11 weeks.

After coffee we got on the subway to head to Susanna's internship on Broadway at Tarte. From there we walked to Bryant Park and ate lunch at the Southwest Porch. Accidentally we stumbled upon a wedding and it was such a hidden gem. From Bryant Park we walked to the subway and rode to Central Park. It's so touristy (yes, I said touristy after only living here 4 days) but it still is so beautiful. I waved hello to Eloise at the Plaza then quickly waved goodbye as we headed to meet Frances at the hotel.

Frances got lost on the subway. Oh Franz.. We met up at Washington Square Park where we got our student IDs and then ventured to Meatpacking where Frances & I work. We saw the Alice + Olivia headquarters and the DANNIJO showroom. It was so unreal standing there knowing I would be ringing the bell to go up in just a few days.

For dinner the four of us, Fran's friend Ren is the 4th, went to Ellen's Stardust Diner on Times Square. It is 100% a tourist trap but how could someone pass up your waiters and waitresses singing to you?! I was in broadway heaven. The waitresses sang songs from Frozen and Les Mis, and all that was missing with Wicked! Our waitress' name was Zerby and basically we were just laughing out loud the whole time.

Monday was a boring day, we moved into our apartment which is nice after we added some good TLC and a massive trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond. I celebrated with a huge ice cream cone. Let me tell you, there is food on every corner and it is so hard to pass up the $2 pretzel every day.

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise

From elementary education to journalism, my life in this past year has been quite the journey. One year ago I was enrolled in elementary education classes at Ole Miss. I was making lessons plans for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs for my second grade class. I had no idea what was about to come.

At the end of May 2013 I realized I wasn't going to allow myself anymore to think about my "second life." Why only dream when I could make these dreams my reality?

I switched all my classes to meet the journalism school requirements and planned to visit Oxford to meet with an advisor. I went from learning about early literacy to journalism 101. After I made that jump and trusted in the Lord that this is exactly where I was supposed to be, the blessings kept pouring out.

I applied for and accepted an internship with Hello Perfect and began my journey with them as a contributing writer. I loved all of my fall semester classes in the journalism building and then reached out on a limb to apply for the Teen Vogue Fashion University weekend in October in New York, which I found out about through the founder of Hello Perfect.

Patience. One word I am not good with. Teen Vogue Fashion U was one of the only events I applied for and never thought about again. I didn't over analyze every step or already plan out my trip in my mind. That's why when my acceptance email came I was incredible overjoyed. Through prayers and not planning, the Lord provided for me to attend TVFU along with five of my best friends.

"And so it was, that [she], having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained what God had promised" Hebrews 6:15 

It was there that I had no idea how much my life would change. When signing up for my seminars for TVFU I had no idea who DANNIJO was, but they sounded cool. I liked the idea that they were two sisters working together and I like jewelry, so I thought, "Sure I'll sign up for your seminar."

Immediately I was drawn to Danielle and Jodie & I loved everything they said during the seminar. I knew I would fit in with them. Who would have thought that three/four months later I would be accepting an internship with them. How cool is this series of events?! Everything is linked together!

Last week was incredible & I received a "God wink" almost every day. I got offered other internships and interview opportunities, I am a new campus ambassador for Intern Queen, received a few cool emails from people in New York that I'm going to be able to meet, and to top it off, I was published in the Daily Mississippian this morning. Needless to say, I was on cloud nine. I found my head growing a little bigger.

What I needed to be reminded of is that without Jesus, none of these things would have been possible.

The Lord has humbled me through all of these experiences & they have taught me a lot. It is in my nature to want to run around saying, "Hey look who just emailed me back!" or send a tweet broadcasting my internship offers. My life would not be woven together like this without my daily strive (and struggle) to follow Jesus and believe that He has control of my life, not myself.

"...My cups overflows with your blessings" Psalm 23:5

In high school when I thought I was actively pursuing the Lord I thought I made all the decisions. Obviously you can see how wrong that was because I was settling with the idea that I was supposed to be a teacher for the rest of my life. Once I actively began pursuing the Lord and seeing where He led me, I have been overwhelmed with incredible opportunities. Don't get me wrong, every day I stumble and fail, but the Lord is always so faithful.

The glory does not go to me though. The glory goes to God. Without Him, I would never have gotten this far. I would still be student teaching and sulking to my classes. I have to remind myself every day that it is enough that I know these things about myself and to thank God every single second of the day for providing for me and putting these desires in my heart.

This morning, with the Daily Mississippian in my hand and the sun shining on my face, I was remind of the song lyrics, "Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise" from Blessed Be Your Name. Everything clicked and I had to share this experience with all of you. Also, I can't wait to see that Jesus has in store for all of you! It makes me giddy and excited.

Without Jesus none of these things would be possible. I've learned that there is no way I can control my life. I can't make plans because the plans have already been made. Through this I challenge myself to turn every blessing into praise. (see how we came full circle there?)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20

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

What do you want to leave behind?

This is the link to Hello Perfect with my latest blog post. I have been so busy during January, the month has flown by. January began by welcoming in the new year in Nashville and cheering on the Rebs with a win at the Music City Bowl. Then a few days later I packed up my things and headed back to Ole Miss to take wintersession. Basically I took a religion 101 course that is normally a full semester and we were taught everything and received a final grade during a two week period. It was stressful to say the least, but getting a course out of the way in just two weeks was such a relief.

Now I'm still here in Oxford and the spring semester has begun. I started classes last week and already have had a quiz and have two stories due next week. Nothing is stopping to skip a beat. My days are filled with a summer internship search, while my heart is set on a few specific ones, journalism stories, Tri Delt and friendships. I am so happy to be back in Oxford with everyone but there is not a moment of peace to be found anytime soon. The hallways of the Tri Delt house are full of laughter and love though and that is something I never want to leave. It's good to be back with everyone.

I have been trying to brainstorm new ideas for the blog, but with everything that is happening right now I haven't had any new ideas. This could be a cool thought. If you've ever wanted me to write on something, send it to me! It can be anonymously in the comments below. I don't know, just an idea and a challenge.

Hopefully I'll be writing more soon. Sharing stories about adventures and college life. Maybe one day soon I'll be writing about an internship acquired (everyone feel free to cross your fingers 24/7 until I hear good news).

Well, here we go again Oxford. Another semester is here! Spring semester is full of travel, sunshine, baseball games and white converse (duh). I'm ready for some warm weather, so come on!

Just Press Send

My post this week on Hello Perfect is about just pressing send. 

Click the link below to read it:

Just Press Send by: Chandler Clarkson

Enjoy!

Why I Love New York

Before I visited New York I only knew what this city was like through the movies and television. I watched Carrie Bradshaw walk down Fifth Avenue in her Prada shoes with many shoppings bags. I watched Sally drop off Harry at Washington Square Park, then watched them kiss on New Year's Eve at a party. I watched Andy work for Miranda Priestley before realizing who it was depicting.

Most importantly, I watched Blair and Serena sit on the steps of the Met every morning before school.

New York is a fantasy world for me, yet I know it is not like these movies or television shows. I know I can't go everyday to Bergdorf's and blow a paycheck or eat macarons while drinking champagne every night.

"I bought Vogue instead of dinner. I felt it just fed me more," Carrie Bradshaw once said. If I end up in New York for the summer, I know this is the sort of life I would live. The average college kid budget, where sometimes it's $1 pizza so you can buy this month's issue of Vogue. Now, I would hope I would be better with money than that and get more bang for my buck, but what I know is that if this happened, I would be okay with it.

New York is glamorous but what I love is the people on the streets. The street style, the best $1 pizza on the corner and the best unknown coffee shop from the tourists, that is what I would like to find.

My dad said, "You won't be able to venture on top of the Empire State Building every night," and I know this. I want to work so hard. I want to run for the subway to show up for an incredible interning experience.

I love New York because of the fast paced environment. I love how you can wear what you want. I love the glow of the yellow taxis at night. And I love that if you close your eyes for too long or stare down at your phone while walking, you miss way too much. The best thing you can do in New York is keep your eyes open.

So, cheers to you New York City! You have won my heart and my daily rambles. I think of you so often.

Maybe one day soon our paths will cross again.. 

To all my friends and family reading this post,

You could help make my dreams come true! 

Word of mouth, your friends, networking.

Feel free to spread my love for this city near and far and maybe one day 

I'll end up in the Big Apple.

Making November unforgettable

This week on Hello Perfect I wrote about "5 ways to make your November unforgettable."

I'm challenging myself to all five of these on the list, and I challenge you too. 

Click here to read my post!

Big Lights Will Inspire You

Before I sat down to write this blog post I thought to myself, "Only pick your absolute favorite pictures. No one wants a long list of them." Well, seeing as I have no self control and picked over 50 photos to share with you, that didn't happen like planned. If you compare it though to the 600 I have in my iPhoto library, I'd say I did pretty well.

Ginny, Frances, Kendal, Ann Marie, Susanna, me

Upon arriving to LaGuardia, we were picked up in a limo. Not a bad day when you're riding through the streets of New York with your best friends in a limo that's blaring "The Way You Look Tonight." If that wasn't a sign that I am where I belong, then I'm not sure what is.
**future husband take notes**

Ginny, Susanna, me, Frances

Making a quick stop at Serena Vander Woodsen's house 

The New York Palace

Seeing the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center was unreal. We've all seen so many photos of this so to actually lay my eyes on it was awesome. We saw the NBC news rooms in the back and of course spotted the Free People store on the opposite side.

Ann Marie, Susanna, Frances, Ginny, me, Kendal

The obsession with Gossip Girl was brought to a whole new level in New York. We found all the hot spots where scenes were filmed, where the characters lived, and even ate what the characters ate (pistachio macarons, call me Blair). Thursday night we went to The Empire Hotel where Chuck Bass lived. "Remain cool" is what everyone kept saying but when our waitress told us that she had met him before we lost it.

"One Chuck Bass, please."

Ann Marie, me + Ginny

We went to dinner after The Empire Hotel at Quality Meats. There we split so many great meals and even saw Mariah Carey. She was eating in a private room upstairs but conveniently she walked up the stairs right by our table. We all thought she looked famous, but were unsure if it truly was Mariah Carey until she became a diva walking up the stairs and looking around for people to recognize her.

Ann Marie leaned over to me and said, "I know it's her because of that video you showed me!"

You're going to want to watch this.

Outside of The Empire Hotel was Lincoln Center which hosts New York Fashion Week

Friday morning stroll through Central Park

Our childhood dream came true - we dined at The Plaza with Eloise

I had the Central Park Pancakes which were delicious and they had magical syrup. The waiter saw us gawking over the Eloise menus so he gave each one of us our own copy.

Two divas being divas

Susanna + I

The Eloise store at the bottom of The Plaza was a dream come true.

"Charge it, please"

Ann Marie, Susanna, Kendal, Frances, 

me, Ginny

Susanna + Chan take Central Park

"We looked at our kingdom, we were finally here" -- Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Fresh Princess of New York, it has a good ring to it, right?

Ann Marie + I

Another dream come true, shopping at Bergdorf Goodman's.. Yes, I look like a total tourist but I had to take this photo and reminisce on "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's"

Dylan's Candy Bar

me + Frances

My love for macarons will never end. 

A permanent smile was placed on my face for four days 

Celine Dion, right? ;)

On the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Top of The Empire State Building

"Big lights will inspire you"

Saturday was full of Teen Vogue Fashion University, the day was finally here!
During this seminar I learned to never give up. If I want an internship at some largely famous company, work until I get it. Everyone on the panel was so encouraging and they offered great advice. The whole weekend was so inspiring and really uplifting. 

The panel that began the weekend on Saturday morning was incredible. It was Amy Astley, the Editor in Chief at Teen Vogue, 

I ended up here on my lunch break. Next time I'm in New York I will make it a priority to see a musical and I wouldn't mind it if it was Matilda because we had the same wallpaper in our rooms.

One of my favorite speakers of the weekend was Jessie Randall of Loeffler Randall shoes and handbags. She was so sweet and you could tell that she really cared about her customers. A handwritten note is sent to each person that buys a pair of shoes or a handbag and she is always hosting meet and greets in stores like Saks on Fifth Avenue.

After her presentation was over I went to the back of the room where her PR person was and got to talk to her and get her email address. I would love to intern with them!

My last seminar of the day was with Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker. I had heard of his glasses before from a friend. Sitting front row right in front of him and the accessory director Sheena of Teen Vogue was really interesting & I loved being able to be close. 

Warby Parker sells their glasses + frames for $95 total. You can go online and have them send you 5 pairs of glasses that you think you would like, wear them around your house for a few days, and then if you decide that you do like a pair, you can send all 5 back plus your prescription and they will then send you the glasses of your choice + your prescription in them.

Sheena Smith, Accessories Director at Teen Vogue

The Blogger panel for all students was right up my alley. Amy Astley hosted the panel with the Into the Gloss founders and The Coveteurs founders. 

Into the Gloss and The Coveteur are both very popular fashion & beauty blogs. Emily Weiss, of Into the Gloss, was a Teen Vogue intern and it was inspiring to hear her stories and how she made it into the blogging world.

me, Ann Marie + Susanna

After my seminars and the rest of my friends returning from a day of shopping in Soho, we hopped in a cab to go to dinner at The Hurricane Club. The one hour wait was totally worth it because I had the best sushi I had ever eaten and the atmosphere was so fabulous. 

Kendal's 21st birthday is October 29th but why not celebrate a little early in NYC?!

Ginny + me

After dinner we headed to The Standard Beer Garden which almost every person we talked to recommended. 

Obviously I hide my emotions very well....

Saturday diva night. It's pretty strange and awesome to think that three years ago we were complete strangers and now we are traveling together + living together. Always thankful for my partner in crime!

Nothing but the best

New York, you've won me

If I could wear this outfit every day, I would.

Sunday morning well spent with Phyllis Posnick, the Fashion Editor at Vogue.

It was surreal to hear her speak and to know that she works with the incredible line up at Vogue, like Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington. 

We did it!

My favorite thing about New York was walking everywhere. We started in the Upper East Side at Laudree, found our way through Central Park, then ended up a little bit into the Upper West Side. We stumbled upon Magnolia Bakery, Intermix, Wink, Kate Spade, Pookie & Sebastian, and more.

It really can't be much better, fall in New York with your best friends. I am so thankful for this opportunity and so grateful. It was surreal walking the streets of New York when I have been dreaming of this forever. Getting accepted to Teen Vogue's Fashion University was humbling and I couldn't even have dreamt of that. 

New York, you were good to me. This is not goodbye, it is an I'll see you soon!

Now to start planning and praying about my future, my summer plans + where I'll end up.

Here is the link to my post on HelloPerfect.com
Teen Vogue Fashion University -- Hello Perfect