Sunday Stroll

Today marked the last day of my "summer," so I decided to use my last free day and trek about town. My first destination was the Brooklyn Bridge Flea Market. I took the train to York St. and then proceeded on foot to the nearby flea market. On the way to the market, I noticed this beautiful artwork and had to snap a photo. This city is full of gorgeous graffiti and I intend to continue to document it for my own pleasure.

Once I reached the flea market, I was pleased with the assortment of merchandise the vendors were selling and the bargaining action that was taking place. There was a plethora of antiques, clothes, shoes, accessories, bikes, food and knick-knacks galore. I started chatting with a lady at her booth, asking where she buys her products from and amazingly enough, we figured out that we both went to the same high school! It's a small world after all...

After meandering around the entire market, I decided I couldn't pass up the notorious Maine Lobster Rolls that they sell. Lobster, during an afternoon stroll? Yes, please!

After I left the market, I decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, why not? It was an enjoyable jaunt, a little over a mile, nice scenery, but the bike lane looked like more fun. I actually love bridges, the architecture is so beautiful to me. The other bridge across the way is the Manhattan Bridge, both spanning the East River.

After the trek across the bridge, I decided to walk up Broadway, which is a shopping mecca. Unfortunately, by that time, I was already starting to fade and dragging my sore feet, so even though I did go into many stores, I didn't enjoy them as much as I usually do. I will go back and I'll have to hit up the bargain that is Canal Street, as well. Alas, goodbye summer, hello school. Wish me luck!

Life on Fashion Ave.

When I woke up this morning it was overcast, so I wasn't in the mood for bright colors and ample skin, I felt this number was more appropriate. I like the surprising way this picture turned out, I call it "Abstract Girlscout."

I am already taking advantage of the Fashion resources that drew me to New York in the first place. A couple days ago, Anna and I had the pleasure of going to the Isabel Toledo exhibition in the Museum at FIT. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Isabel is married to Ruben Toledo, the wonderful fashion illustrator that I recognize due to his extensive work for Nordstrom. Many of her designs were showcased, including the ensemble that Michelle Obama wore to the inauguration of her husband, Barack Obama. I was delighted to see R. Toledo's illustrations covering the walls, also. They are truly a marriage of art and fashion. Below is a photo of the exhibit and an illustration of Isabel Toledo by her husband, Ruben Toledo.

Photo from: ChicInParis

Illustration by: Ruben Toledo

Another resource that I am excited about is the famous Fashion Week held in Bryant Park and today I signed up to volunteer for the event! It will be incredible to be in the midst of amazing designers while being a part of the chaos, which becomes art and beauty on the runway. After that feat, I headed down Fashion Avenue to 39th street where I was ecstatic about the array of fabric, trim and sewing supply stores for blocks and blocks. Simply amazing what treasures this city holds and even more enchanting that I get to partake!

A New York Story

Between orientation classes, Anna and I met up with Mayuka and Molly B for an afternoon snack at Brown Cup. Brown Cup is a cute, little, modern cafe around the corner from FIT, with affordable prices. I ate the delicious wasabi salmon sandwich while Molly B took a cat nap.

For dinner, Craig and I drove to the Lower East Side for sushi at Yoshi, and they know how to do it right.

After dinner, we met up with Jenny, another friend originally from Kansas City, who happens to be a knitwear designer. We all headed to Sunny and Scott's beautiful and spacious apartment in Brooklyn, where we enjoyed the cool summer night in the backyard. Sunny is an outerwear designer and Scott is a musician, and I just love being surrounded by all of these creative people. Note to self, if there are affordable apartments like this one available in Brooklyn, I believe that might be where I live next.

Before I headed home (at 2:30 a.m.), we stopped by Steve Ellis' studio. Craig and I went to Steve's wedding last October, where I saw Stella from Project Runway, among other crazy awesome things. Steve is a master at photorealism painting and I got to watch him in action. His latest piece is a statement about commercialization and waste. Again, it is so inspiring to be in the midst of such creative individuals.

FIT Campus

Pictured below, is the corner of 27th street and 7th avenue (also known as Fashion Avenue). This neighborhood is called Chelsea and this is where the campus of the Fashion Institute of Technology is located. I am lucky enough to be living right on campus in the dorms, never far from my next class or a late-night workroom. My location is definitely going to come in handy since I have been told that my Advanced One-Year Associates Program in Fashion Design is going to be very intense and I will basically have no social life for the year. It's a little intimidating but I am extremely excited to be a student in one of the best Fashion Design programs in the country. Out of 2700 applicants, 250 students were accepted to the Fashion Design program, and only 50 of us are in the Advanced One-Year program. I feel very honored to be here and have very high expectations for myself, for my career and for my new life in New York City.

While I was at JCCC in Kansas, taking fashion classes, I met Anna. She also had a Bachelors degree from KU, like me, and she also ended up applying to FIT, like me. Amazingly, we both got accepted! It is so nice to automatically have a friend in New York, from the midwest, and in the Fashion Design program. I couldn't have been luckier. Anna is pictured below with her very tall and supportive hubby, Marcus.

Joey specifically asked about my dorm room layout, so I thought I would include some pictures. Again, I think I'm very lucky since my suite is very spacious, has its own kitchen and bathroom, and I share it with a very laid-back, cool roommate. I don't think I could be much happier than this, following my dreams and doing it in the most amazing city in the US.

Molly B's Birthday

Pictured below is a friend, Mayuka, and her daughter, Molly B. Mayuka and her husband, BJ, were so very hospitable when they let Craig and I crash at their apartment last October, for a wedding, and then two days ago, when we arrived in New York. Yesterday was Molly B's birthday, welcome terrible 2's!

Craig and I stuck out like sore thumbs at Molly B's birthday party at the park, yesterday, as we have no kids, unlike the other couples at the party. However, I enjoyed the seal sculptures embedded in the park and reminisced about being a child and the thrill of running through water sprinklers. As you can see, I am already a true New Yorker since I was wearing the "New York Uniform"... BLACK!

I Heart NY

Thursday night, Craig and I loaded up the Jetta with all of my belongings and set off on our long journey East. We drove through Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and ended up in New York. Along the way, we stopped at Fell's Point, the best area in Baltimore, rife with adorable shops, seafood restaurants and scenesters, and also where we sat outside and enjoyed the gorgeous weather while indulging in crab dip and crab cakes.

After driving for over 24 hours, the last hour in the midst of a hurricane, we arrived in New York at 3 am. Luckily, Craig's friends were kind enough to let us crash at their pad for a few hours before the morning dorm check-in. The check-in was of course hectic but we got it over with and headed to one of our favorite restaurants in the Lower East Side, The Pink Pony. The "Breakfast" at 1 pm was amazing. I had the Eggs Nova (Eggs Benedict with Salmon) and Craig had the Pancakes Du Jour which turned out to be delicious strawberry pancakes. Absolute perfection.

I am absolutely loving the city so far and I'm already feeling a sense of urgency that I have things to do, places to be and people to see... and I haven't even started classes yet! I am very happy with my dorm suite as well, it is very spacious and I wouldn't want to live without the kitchen and bathroom in my room. Below is the view from my window, isn't it lovely?

Summer Vacation

From my previous post, you know that my friend, Amanda, recently moved to Chicago. She is enjoying the big-city life, riding around town (where the streets are nice and flat) on her bicycle, working in a hot salon called Streets of London and taking in everything the city has to offer. After my last day of work last Friday, I decided to reward myself with a summer vacation to Chicago to visit Amanda. Her apartment is very cute and the location isn't too far from Wicker Park, which is my favorite area in the city.

Wicker Park is where the cool kids hang out, with shops, restaurants and bars galore. As soon as I got into town on Saturday night, we headed to Debonair to see Lykke Li dj a set and dance our asses off. Amanda and I infiltrated Lykke Li's VIP section and I even got a photo with her.

The next morning, we followed up the Debonair aftermath with some diner food and coffee and then headed downtown to do some sightseeing. On the way to the bus-stop, there was a good old-fashioned fire hydrant flood that I couldn't resist.

From there, we headed to the Navy Pier where I was amazed by the vastness of Lake Michigan. It was beautiful to see the man-made cityscape merged with the natural splendor of the lake. The touristy stuff on the pier was (of course) cheesy, but we still had fun.

Navigating through Chicago alone, last week, was a good learning experience and I think it is going to help my transition to New York go more smoothly. It is exactly one week until I move to my new home in New York City. I have been to New York four times and I don't think I've even seen half of it. I will be living in Chelsea, which I have never been to, but I've heard that its a happening spot. I am so excited to explore the city, make friends, and live a healthy, productive and creative lifestyle. In the meantime, would anyone like to pack for me??