"When one door closes, another is opened"

I thought it would be interesting to write about my final day at Press Office on my first day at my new internship. Well, in a way life got hectic right after I left and I can finally sit down and get a grip on everything.

The last day itself was not all that different. As a matter a fact, I can’t remember exactly what I did. I think I updated the sales database with stores that we could send mailings to for Bodkin, our eco-friendly brand designed by a former Teen Vogue employee. My Supervisor bought me lunch. I got a few “aww it’s your last day” comments. Everyone hugged me before I left. The PR Coordinator reminded me that she would be in Miami in July and everyone urged me to keep-in-touch. The Director said if I needed a reference letter or anything, one of us would be more then willing, but my Supervisor had already began one. And just like that the internship ended as quickly as it began.

Leaving New York was both gut-wrenching and liberating. I had accomplished a goal and a dream in one shot; to live in one of, if not the, most unique big city in the world and made a move that would ensure career prosperity. And I was right.

I arrived in South Florida on April 1^st, interviewed for a hostess position the next day and was offered it on the spot. That extra bit of bartending and work I did “on the hustle part” in NY even paid off. The girl who could not even get a phone call back for even a serving or restaurant job now had to turn offers down. For $9 an hour, I would be working at Bulldog BBQ in North Miami Beach. The spot itself was open by former Top Chef contestant Howie. It had a contemporary but laid back feel. Though it was a bit of a drive from my house, it was a job in this economy and the best I’d seen so far.

On April 3^rd I interviewed for a public relations internship with Nikki Beach Worldwide. They are a lifestyle-travel-and style company with hotels and lounges around the world.

(http://www.nikkibeach.com/) At my interview, they noted and asked about New York, studying abroad, my public relations research project, my volunteer work with MTV, and what I did with Cumulus. She loved the variety of my experience, the fact that I worked in fashion and especially in NY, and that I studied abroad. She even said, “I feel really good about this.” I REALLY WANTED THIS INTERNSHIP!! And…on April 6^th I was offered the internship and became the only intern in the Nikki Beach Worldwide office (and after I saw how many people applied today, I realized how much my sacrifices had paid off). I saw the outgoing messages saying, “we are looking for someone with a little more experience” and remembered how I used to be at the receiving end of those denials. Now, I was the person with the experience. It was a bit surreal.

In closing, the bottom line is I did it! I had a vision, a dream if you will, and when the opportunity knocked I answered. I took a risk and even defied my parents at times, who now finally see how much this move made a difference in the progress of my future. Now I am with a global company who is bringing all their public relations in house, and I am the only intern there and was told that if I do well, there is a big possibility I will be part of the team when it does get there. I knew that I was capable; I just needed something to make me stand out, to get me over the hump, to “prove it.” It is an amazing feeling when you accomplish a long held goal and in it, feel and experience your sacrifices paying off. I have my own desk, my own extension, my own email and computer, hell I will even be on the Nikki Beach website as a contact! Today they even told me they felt like I had already been there for a month…the bottom line is, when opportunity knocks, open it. Only one fashion internship wrote me back of the twenty plus I applied to; just one. And had I not taken it, who knows when the next one would have come along…I would have always said “what if” if I let reason and logic overtake me. And I’m not saying thinking things through is not important, because it is, but the power of attraction, positive thinking, and visualization are incredible. YOU make things happens. You can’t expect positive things to happen if you are always focused on the negative. You can’t expect to land the job of your dreams if you don’t dig for it. And you cannot expect to get to the top unless you start at the bottom. Did it suck not getting paid? Yes. But it shows your will, it shows your determination, and it shows your humility. Did I get bored sometimes? Yes. Did I feel like some of the things I did were tedious? Yes. But did I show it? HELL NO I DIDN’T! And now, I actually have people asking for my opinion. That’s “the hustle part.” And the truth is you don’t deserve the gold until you’ve felt the gutter.

I think this quote sums it all up best…

“Believe that things happen for a reason. If you get the chance, take it. If your life changes, let it. No one said it would be easy, but they promised it would be worth it.”

Signing off for “ ‘The City’ on a Hustle.”

Coming up next, “From SoHo to SoBe”…look out world, LL is coming your way!!!!

<3

'This screams intern doesn't it..."

So after being stuck in Florida for longer then expected, this week I found myself back in the Big Apple! During my time down south I discovered the show "Running in Heels." It is about interns at Marie Claire and it was rather amusing. Sometimes it seems like all these shows can get repetitive, but for someone who wants to learn aspects of the business, they can be quite insightful (minus the added TV drama). For instance, I found out Nina Garcia (the former Fashion Director, then Editor-at-Large for Elle & Project Runway judge) is now the Fashion Director for Marie Claire. And she is Latina! (whoop whoop) This show (though I watch many of them) I somewhat related to: the pressure of performing tasks, running around New York City, working a big event, etc. Sometimes I really wanted to smack the girls. One walked around barefoot at a party, the other threw articles of clothing worth hundreds in a bag like nothing, and the other could not even put together a complete story! Are you kidding me?! Get it together ladies. In part, watching them only mounted my confidence in myself. I think I have always had a strong work ethic, creative mind, and knack for attention to detail that was only heightened by my experiences in college. But hey, you can still learn from watching, but nothing beats doing the jobs yourself.

This week was HECTIC. I flew non-stop out of Ft. Lauderdale to New York. Tio picked me up; I ate my breakfast in the car, got dropped off in Harlem to catch the train, and went straight to work. That day, Henri Bendel had requested samples of Suwha coats, three filled completely. Two of us were sent to take them uptown but they were SOO heavy. Carrying one was tough, two was torture. So myself and another intern swapped. 'This screams intern doesn't it.' "We must look mad," she responded. Regardless that evening my arms were sore.

On Wednesday, Barney's (yes, the Barney's) had requested samples from Karen Walker Eyewear and Hansel from Basel socks. Then another magazine, which I can't remember for the life of me, also requested samples. So I was sent to pick up gift boxes at this adorable paper shop and bring them back to the office. There I had to help find a way to re-arrange the sunglasses so they could all fit in two boxes, w/o moving or touching each other and only using tissue paper. After watching my direct boss organize different ways I got an idea. I decided to weave the tissue paper over one pair and then under another and then over the next so it looked like shelves; that way they did not scratch each other or move much. "That looks really good; we'll do it that way." It may sound stupid, but I was proud of myself for coming up with a solution for the office. These are moments little interns need to keep them going. And I packed both boxes and was sent uptown to Barney's. Now, let us remember that my arms are already sore from the coats the day before and now I was to carry four full shopping bags to these locations. I knew it was going to be tough. Once I got off the train, walked out of the Rockefeller station, and got to street level, I realized I had dropped my printed out directions. I am sure the look on my face was priceless as I fanatically scurried down to station again with four big bags bouncing at my sides. And just my luck, they had fallen behind the turn-dial and there was no attendant. And there I stood contemplating whether I should leave the bags there, illegally jump the turn-dial, grab the directions laying on the floor and come back, or just wait. I paced a bit hoping this would not turn into a disater. Luckily two girls came in and I asked them to help me out. Once I had my directions I was back on my way. It was quite a little walk for someone with aching arms and the directions were a bit confusing. I had to stop in a pizza place to get my barings once and to be my bags down and just rest for a second. I finally reached the Barney's messanger center relieved and dropped off 3 of the 4 bags. Then I was off to Rockefeller Plaza to drop off the last. The building was literally a part of the famous plaza and I walked passed St. Patrick's, NBC Studios, and dozens of tourists snap-shooting away. This city is amazing because it is daily existence is what makes it famous and to be a part of it was a bit humbling. How many people get to say they did this?

Back at the office, I contacted men's shoe and clothing stores nationwide to get the name and email address of their buyer. I did not notice that another intern had been sent alone to get the coats we had dropped off the day before. When she returned with only one coat, we knew it was going to be trouble. Had I known they sent her alone and could not carry them all back, I would said something. But she did not think to call to inform them of her decision to now bring the coats back. The director said next time that happened to call and maybe take a cab, then be reimbursed, and that we would just send two people in the am to get the coats. But she was not so calm about it the next day...

Thursday-it turned out Barney's was sending a separate buyer to look at some of the other lines we carry, including Suwha coats, which were still at Henri Bendel. The director was not happy about this at all. After forgetting that it was not a big deal the day before, today people got scolded. Why didn't she just call? I call for everything that requires decision making! lol So we were sent to retrieve the jackets uptown. Later that day, we were sent to retrieve the samples at Barney's while dropping off others. This time because we were picking up, we got to go upstairs. This was a bit exciting. We got to wait in the lobby for a bit, watching employees walk in and out. The sunglasses were ready but the socks were not, so we waited for about 45minutes. During that time, I chatted with my fellow free laborer a bit. An editor had come into the office last week and chatted with the PR coordinator about her assistant not working out and needing help for a shoot. Lucky for her, my fellow intern was in the right place in the right time and got recommended to help. I need a break like that! Also while sitting there, I recognized an older, shorter, and very stylish man walk through the lobby. I recognized him immediately but could not figure it out! I tried not to smile. I turned to the other intern and she recognized him as well. Upon online research, I discovered why. He was the creative director for Barney's, Simon Doonan, and was featured on several television shows including America's Next Top Model!

Other then that it was work as usual with mailings, phone calls, faxing, and showroom assistance. Next week all the editors are coming in to meet with PR coordinator and I am REALLY looking forward to that! In the meantime I am looking for a job in Miami. I have decided that I need to get things in order financially and with my family before I make a big move (unless I get a huge career break here). Times are tough!

Missing in Action

So I have been BUSY these last two weeks!

Right now I am stuck in Tallahassee because a snow storm in the northeast and Atlanta caused a bunch of flight cancellations. So I will be here staying with a friend until they drive down to Miami for break. My apartment is vacant and powerless, so I figured I would use my friend's computer to catch up. 

These last few weeks like I mentioned have been crazy. At work, I started doing "fit modeling" to help out. The sales aspect of the office has been extremely busy and buyers who came in liked to see the clothes on actual people. So when they wanted to see something, I would try it on. It was actually kind of cool. Some of the clothes is so nice, the type of stuff I would only dream of wearing. Many times you could feel the quality when you put it on. When I was just working in the office, they asked that we wear a piece from one of the brands until buyers came, so they could see signature pieces right off. I enjoyed it and fell in love with some pieces. 

My brother and his best friend (who had never been to New York) came up to visit for a few days also. We went EVERYWHERE in a matter of two days; the Statue of Liberty, Time Square, The Empire State Building, etc. All the main spots we hit, and by the 48hrs end I was exhausted. It was fun to explore the city that way though. Even after all the years of traveling to New York and now "living there", I never really hit all the tourist spots like that. It reminded me of how lucky I was to have the chance to live in such an amazing place. 

After they left, I scheduled to work the Coterie Trade Show in exchange for the days off needed to go to Tallahassee and move out of my apartment. I had to be there at 8:30 a.m (OUCH!). Luckily on the first morning my Uncle drove me since I was so tired and running late (from the Bronx to Pier 94 where the show was at was about an hour plus trip). Once I got there and got moving I woke up a bit. 

So for those who do not know what a trade show is, here is a quick explanation. Usually after designers debut their seasonal collections during fashion week, trade shows (with Coterie being the biggest) occur. The brands who showed their collections each have a little section. Store buyers come and browse all the brands and can make purchases for their stores or see the collections first hand. We represented Karen Walker and Suwha, but there was dozens of recognizable brands there: Betsy Johnson, Diesel, BCBG, DVF, etc.  It was like candy land for the shop-a-holic, even though technically no one could make personal purchases. I spent two days helping out the different stands, from 8:30am-7pm.  

And then I was off to Tallahassee...

Fashion & the Flu

I woke up Thursday morning and the first thing I thought was “oh no, not now.” The night before I went to bed unusually physically tired but not sleepy and started coughing…by morning, the coughing became painful. Not so much a sore throat…then the nose started running. I was getting sick…with Karen Walker only two days away.

I don’t remember much of what I did that day, except getting sent to do a pick up at a very upscale magazine. It was like out of a movie…right off 5th ave, security downstairs, glass doors requiring buzzing in, white walls with trendy art in the lobby and one receptionist at a big desk. But running that errand showed me how sick I was getting…throughout the day I felt progressively worse.

I was dizzy just riding the subway, tired with just walking some…I wanted to sit on the sidewalk and close my eyes. I started to get chills up my spine…when I got home I had 101 degree fever. I went to bed fully dressed around ten that night and didn’t get up again until almost twelve the next afternoon. I spent that entire Friday doing nothing, trying to rest up as much as I could. I was miserable.

Finally, Saturday came. We arrived at the office at 11am dressed in all black. All the interns were briefed on what our responsibilities would be. Some were assigned to goody bags, other sign in, others collecting press passes…I was told I would be working with the director of the company. Still feeling sniffly but heavily medicated, we headed to the Altman Building for the show. Loads left in cars rented for the event, while some took cabs.

The building had been used for shows earlier in the week, so much of it was already set up. White wood folding chairs, white draping, the runway, where the cameras would line up at the end of the runway…and we were off to our tasks. I began following the director and doing whatever she needed, then got sent to help a past intern with directing check in traffic. Photographers, assistants, all checking in…editors, models (one with a camera chasing behind her), press teams. Some aghast and surprised that they were not on the list…some finding the procedure for seating “ridiculous.” It was all there. We had Fiji Water and a bottled coffee company sponsoring the show and at one point I got thirsty and was brought downstairs to the fridge. There the models were being primped and primed, interviewed and photographed…just like TV. Though it was interesting, the fridge beverages and huge table of food caught my attention more. I even got to stand face to face with Karen. It was all there…even the late models.

And for all the work, the show only lasted about 15minutes. We got to watch the whole thing, which was awesome, and just like that it was over. The swarm clapped and was out the door off to the next one. We headed back to the office for pizza and then started to get ready for the after party at the Soho Grand.

The grand was a trendy spot, only a few blocks from the office. Soft lighting, huge windows exposing the city, comfy couches and personal bar (which was “open” for wine and vodka). Tired as I was, I knew I could not miss my first real industry party. Most people went in what they wore to the show but I took the opportunity to get jazzed up.

I payed for my fashion day on Sunday and Monday, spending them in bed using up tissue boxes and cough suppressants.

By Tuesday I was back at work. The sales aspect was very busy considering the recent show, but it was business as usual…

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Fashion Week

How do you know it is Fashion Week in NYC?

When you are an intern in Soho and a morning trip to the post office is almost entirely blocked off by paparazi (spelling?) in front of the Prada Store. The culprit: Lily Allen. The store was closed to the public while she shopped.

I continued down the block to the post office only to find I was 30 cents off for my package. The lady's at the counter, now used to seeing the intern with hands always full, told me when I came back I would not have to wait. Back to the office to get 30 cents and out again. This time, the stalkers were running through the streets to their cars, cameras in hand. I am assuming she left...on the way back, firetrucks and firemen filled the block in front of the office. This place always has sites to see.

The office was suprisingly slower. I did several retail related tasks...putting the correct pound amounts on the Suwha tags, coverting wholesale prices to retail prices, and double checking numbers. We also got the Karen Walker Eyewear lookbooks in and had to put them in folders and put Press Office labels on all of them. I also updated more contacts. Luckily they ordered pizza for everyone, which was much more enjoyable then the salami and cheese sandwhich I had packed to save money. It was so sad looking in comparison...anyway, I tried vodka sauce and mozarella cheese pizza for the first time and it was fantasic! And the day seemed to wisp away...after lunch I had to fight the itis with caffeine of course.

At six, I was off and went to get ready for the "dinner" event I was going to with Kim. Women tend to live out of their bag here and I was falling into this catagory. A big bag is a must. I did my makeup, hair, etc. in about 30mins and was off to the train to meet Kim further uptown. The event was not as big a deal as the promoters put it out to be. Joslyn, from America's Next Top Model, and her current agency were hosting. We sat down, got free champagne, had people come and chat with us, networked a little, and then called it a night around 10:30.

Tis all =)

My Mission: Shoes

This past weekend I was exposed to the magical world of NYC shopping. It is amazing...and it is the dream and ultimate temptation of a girl who loves to shop. And the deals you can find are like nothing I have seen...

My mission that weekend was to find shoes, distinct shoes. I needed a pair to wear with the dress I brought from home for the Karen Walker show and a dinner and traditional pumps to wear with my suit for an interview. And I discovered more then that...oops..I guess! (Not really, I just need to not eat out...at all...like this whole week).

Day 1: Union Square-DSW (which was hiring so I picked up an application...details to come) & surrounding stores. I decided to start there because their shoe collection is amazing and prices range. I found a pair of shoes to wear with my little black dress-silvery snake skin sexy things for $30! I decided not to buy them right away and keep looking just in case. Then I headed to the area by my job. I walked up and down Broadway, discovering niche stores and unbelievable sales. I finally found a pair of flat boots, on clearance for $20! I vacillated and decided that if mom approved, I should not feel bad. She told me to consider it a present from my abuela. Finally, a substitute for the Fuggs!

I did not find reasonable pumps or shoes that I liked better then those at DSW, so I went back and purchased those.

Day 2: Herald Square-the thing about NY is you never know what a store will have so you have to check them all. After finally seeing the world famous Macy's (6 floors! It was amazing)I randomly decided to go inside a Journey's just in case they would have pumps among all those sneakers. And low and behold, in the clearance section, black pumps for $23.99! The whole thing took a whopping 30mins...but now I was free to roam. My Tio would not be done with his radio gig for another hour and half.

I came across something I had not seen since I was in Spain...a Zara! For those who do not know about Zara, it is Spanish based company who is taking over the globe and just now seeping into the US. They are out selling GAP in international sales with their unique strategy: They do not advertise at all, nor put out seasonal collections. They create based on sales...for example. If a particular shirt is a hot item, they will reproduce the shirt until sales fade. The clothing is constantly changing and their prices are very reasonable, so if you see something you like, buy it because it WILL NOT be there a week from now. This drives shopaholics crazy...and as soon as I saw the Zara I had to go in.

The sale was INCREDIBLE. I went through so much clothes on sale but was very selective. I tried on dresses for $20, shirts for $10...and luckily nothing fit quite right. Except for one little T-shirt with a child's artwork on the front, which of course, matched the tone of tan on my boots. It was $8 and in my bag at once.

I had my outfit for Tuesday. =)

Luckily the dinner party was not such a hot event, and the outfit for then will happily be recycled for the Karen Walker after party. Double =)

Busy Busy Busy!

(2/5/08)

Last night was the coldest night of the year and the morning did not let up much either. It was freezing. It hurt my ears and made my jaw feel locked in place. Heading out, people in the neighborhood were walking their dogs, the droppings causing steam and owners looking like anxious mummies, counting down until they completed their business. I wondered how Mona would react under such conditions…

Of course I got Starbucks. I am vowing to buy coffee and make it at home like I used to, I just need to get to the supermarket sometime this weekend.

The office was the busiest I had ever seen it. New shipments came in for Suwha and Lover, so it was up to the interns to hang and steam the entire collections. By the end of the day I was a pro at what was once a foreign task. A new shipment of shoes came in, but I could not catch the brand. Either way they were GORGEOUS. A new collection was like an event at the press office; each female gathered around the boxes as pieces came out. They expressed they love, hate, indifference, or adoration for each piece. “Why did they do this again?…oh now this is cute.” My personal favorite was the new Suwha collection, especially the coats. I don’t think there was one that I did not like. What I found out, which probably should have been kept from me, was that you pre-order pieces depending on what season they came from. This was a dangerous piece of information to expose to me.

Aside from steaming, I also ran my share of errands and completed my office duties. I organized the showroom, dusting and spacing pieces to avoid clutter, changing hangers, etc. Sonia needed a new keyboard and mouse, and the office needed stuff like tissues and Windex, so I was sent to Duane and Reid (spelling? w/e I’m not originally from here, lol) and the Apple Store. Because there was nothing interesting about DR (it is like Walgreens), I decided to go there first and then head to the Apple store. It was like no other Apple store I had ever seen. Two floors, white walls, iced-glass stairs, employee wearing teal blue T-shirts…it looked like something out of a movie, a futuristic, high tech movie. The employee rung me up and emailed me a receipt without having to go to a register. Even the bag was cool; one of those back pack like things. It made me want Apple everything…which I knew (being a Communications student) was the stores entire intention.

A day is never complete at work without mailings. This time Cathy, the director put me up to a task. We got the look books for the bag line we have (I can’t think of how to properly spell her last name, Cassaniti I think) which were adorable! The theme of the bag collection was newspaper and the look books looked like a folded up newspaper that when opened, became a poster-like look book. I wanted to keep one. Anyway, her graphic designer brought them in and we needed to ship some back to LA. So I had to box a stack to have mailed, along with invitations, and also price how much it would cost to send the look books as is. At the post office I hoped to get Life Saving Loretta again, but I didn’t.

A past intern decided to come back and help with fashion week and boy was she annoying. She talked and talked and talked and had this air of “I’ve been here plenty of times before.” “Oh this is just your first fashion show…you should try and do this…blah blah blah.” She even brought in cupcakes, which I had of course (red velvet), but you get the idea I hope. One of the interns spoke to me while I ate my lunch about how this girl was driving her crazy, so people in the back giggled while she babbled in the front to someone else. She barely took breaths between sentences. Poor thing…

I ended the night updating contacts. I had spent the majority of the day on my feet so I was exhausted. I have tendonitis in my left knee so I was dying to sit down for awhile. Luckily, Bridges was slow and I was able to come home early. Today I still feel a bit stiff but am taking advantage of my down time. I have also applied for Teach for America, and have my final interview on Monday. Kim also invited me to an industry event which supposedly will have the likes of Tyra Banks there. I also have to schedule an interview with another company who contacted me yesterday. And of course, next week is Fashion Week and the last week of prep before the Karen Walker Show. It should be interesting…