Thursday, October 23, 2014

LA vs. NY

I have been getting many people ask me "Which do you prefer more, LA or NY?"  on a daily basis. To me it is kind of an absurd question because I was born in Los Angeles and have spent many years there as for New York I haven't even made it a year. But I can try to explain to  you the best I can my experiences, mostly as a young woman, in both of the cities.

Los Angeles is beautiful- My last few years there I  lived in Santa Monica and Westwood which are both amazing parts only minutes from the ocean. I had a rooftop pool and was walking distance to all my favorite bars (and only like .3 miles from In-N-Out).

My days off would be spent reading my current muse of a book in my hidden gem of a beach while getting just the proper amount of bronze- what can you hate about that? I worked for a bikini brand which I got to travel to Coachella for free and attend many fashion shows. It easily seemed like my life was at ease.

The main issue I had with Los Angeles once I became an adult was *gasp* the people. Don't get me wrong I have a solid group of friends in LA who will be my friends for a lifetime but I lucked out with them. People in LA are very superficial and too much about materialistic things. Los Angeles made me believe I needed a boob job or lip injections to feel pretty, which I never did thank goodness but I know many people who have and I am not saying it's a bad thing but to me I don't want to feel like I have to go through a transformation to feel pretty.

As a young blonde in LA I got sucked in and swallowed by the nightlife. I found my crew and I always going to the nightclubs and partying the night away. At the time it seemed awesome. We would be chillin' at the hottest celebrities after parties and attend the most exclusive parties. I got persuaded to believe that this lifestyle will give me connections and will benefit my future. After being in a car with a friend who has been drinking and getting in a wreck to getting stranded at a house in the Hollywood Hills, I began to realize that this lifestyle isn't as glamorous as I once thought.

I began doing the Santa Monica bar scene which was much more up my alley. I had a few girls who would be down to explore the neighborhood with me and I finally felt more myself and my age. Then I began to realize the men in LA. For the nightclubs you would meet men but for me I would never take them that seriously- nor was I ever that attracted to them, it was more about going out with your girls and having fun for me. In Santa Monica I began dating guys and really understanding the type of men in the area. After many failed dates and one random bar kiss I decided LA men are just not for me.

Once I came to New York I immediately began to see a new way of how people lived their life. I was scared because I heard New Yorkers are mean and selfish but that was far from the truth. I fed off the energy here in the city and felt determined to have goals and ambitions. The people weren't selfish but they actually worked hard and wanted to succeed. I began dressing more professional (hence my
"all black everything" post) and began interviewing at places I never even thought I could step in their building such as Vogue and Michael Kors.

My weekends weren't filled with strobe lights or house music but rather classic songs and bottles of wine in the hamptons. I would have weekly brunches with my friends that ends in a day filled of football and chicken wings.

The men in New York are very respectful and considerate ( and c'mon ladies we ALL love a men in a suit). I have went on great dates with great men who are now good friends of mine. I am not in the dating mode just yet because I am focusing on myself and my goals but I can definitely see a more geniune way of dating out here.

I am FINALLY in the right path with graduating with school and I have a less fascination with material things and looking more towards my future endeavors.

I get excited about grown up things like the ballet opening up or which Broadway show I will see next.

These seemingly subtle changes have impacted my life extremely and it has only been 9 months so I am eager to see what the future months have in store for me.

The main decision will be once I graduate to sign a lease if I decide to stay and as for now that looks very promising(well, talk to me after the winter).

So to answer the overwhelmingly popular question which city do I like better- I simply can't. But as for me and my short term goals I could not see myself in another city. LA is always a home to me and there are so many memories there but I know with who I am right now and what I want to become I cannot move back until I fulfill my goals.

So I guess you can say I am now a true New Yorker

xx


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Fall in love

Sorry guys I know I haven't posted in a minute and well, to be honest, it is kind of what I wanted to talk to y'all about today.

My latest muse is FALL!

So, I guess, for those who know me it is no surprise I get way.too.excited for holiday season!
(mostly so I can bake copious amounts of unhealthy sweets and justify it by the cold weather)



Once my birthday is over (Labor Day Weekend) I immediately try to hold my temptation in beginning to decorate for Halloween. Halloween to be honest is probably my least favorite holiday surprisingly enough. I know girls just love to dress in a skimpy "nurse" costume and take a billion pictures for social media but it was never really my thing. What I love about holidays, and Halloween in particular is all the fun arts and crafts you can do!

For instance every year I try and make my own costume. Some are more dramatic while others are simple.

I have never taken any kind of sewing or designing class but I decided one year to buy a hot glue gun and fabric and make a mermaid costume. Yes... I put fabric together...with a hot glue gun.

While other years I just stuck a few cut out papers on some clothes I have and call it Pebbles.. Or Minnie.


But without a doubt I would ALWAYS have a group of friends over for a pumpkin carving party! It was my favorite thing ever. Despite the fact my friends had not carved a pumpkin since they were in diapers they knew how much it meant to me and came to my BYOP party (yes that means Bring Your Own Pumpkin..genius I know), The night was filled with pumpkin flavored desserts and Halloween bingo.. and finger foods (another play on words that got me giggling)


Anyways, this year I have a little less to work with but that isn't stopping me. I currently had an arts and crafts day and left candy corn filled mason jars all across my apartment and bought a few little knick knacks including this awesome sign (that barley even fits in my room). As I plan my New York pumpkin carving party I am finding ways to jump my fire escape to my neighbors roof in order to properly carve pumpkins there.... since...well.. my current apartment doesn't even have a living room (oh, New York real estate).
 
 


So if you are here in the big apple and finding yourself lonely during the holidays please reach out to me!! I am ALWAYS doing something festive and if you think this is over the top...you should see me during CHRISTMAS TIME :P




If you haven't already been creeped out with my overly nerdy obsession with holidays here is a cherry on top of the cake. I decided to talk my roommate into going to the haunted hayride with our face painted.. probably my worst idea yet since I was already really scared AND people thought I was a part of the show and kept on trying to scare me.



Monday, September 29, 2014

The Selfish Years

Apart of growing up and chasing after your own dreams means you have to be a little selfish. I know it sucks but one thing I've realized is that as much as I love the people around me, I am at a point in my life where each road I cross there are two different roads and I struggle constantly to choose the right one. But what I've realized that sometimes the two paths aren't simply the right one or the wrong one just two choices that can lead you to different lives.

Do I ever wonder how my life would be at this very moment if I still lived in California?

Or even Arkansas at that?

Constantly.

Some people say that they can make a decision and "never look back" and if they are telling the truth then good for them. Maybe it's a part of my anxious personality but my mind is constantly racing wondering if the decisions I make that day was the right one.

I have missed one too many last goodbyes from people I cherish so much in my life.

I have to listen on the phone to people I love crying as I wish I could do anything to be there as their shoulder to cry on and to just simply give them a hug.

When my little brother is at an age so delicate that each week he is getting bigger and bigger I can barely recognize him in the photo my dad sends me.

These are some of the many hardships I have to deal with because of my personal goal to succeed but it is a decision I made by choosing this path in my life. But even with this profound selfishness I newly developed, I make sure to show my care in other ways, not by my physical presence but for being there for whomever touches my heart in any way I can while still being true to myself and my goals. It is a hard road to choose and sometimes I am left second guessing everything but one thing I know is true is that I am still in my exact situation for a reason and I know that no matter the miles the people close to me know how much I care about them and their support is the reason I am here today.



This post is influenced by a recent death in Arkansas. A friend of mine since elementary school whose life was taken too young. Not only is he a friend of mine but he was an on and off boyfriend for my best friend since we were children. Ash, I wish with all my heart I was there by your side right now and I love you very much. This is for you, Jose. RIP

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

crossing the comfort zone

So I realized I keep on mentioning the fact that moving to New York "broke me out of my comfort zone" but I never really explained how it exactly happened, so here you go....

It all started at the first week I was here. I slowly began to realize everyone's daily routine was beyond hectic. I knew a few people here in the city but it didn't take long for me to see how busy a New York day was. I wasn't really on "the grind" the first few weeks I lived here. I began looking for jobs and apartments but found myself with a lot of spare time to explore the city and no one to explore it with.

I decided to just walk.
and walk some more.

I found myself stumbling to the New York Public Library and for the first time ever (without force by a teacher) I got a Library card. I found myself getting lost in the isles of the Library most of the days.

By night time I would call anyone and everyone I knew in the city hoping someone would get a happy hour drink on their way home from work- because I mean c'mon I just moved to the city don't they want to see me!!- but I found people needing to meet deadlines or too exhausted to do anything but go home.

One day I walked into a cute little bar because to be honest, I just liked the tikki lights hanging outside and I was desperate for a margarita after a lonely/stressful day getting lost in the subway. I sat down at the bar (very confused on where to put my enormous coat- note that in New York bars there is a hanging lever right underneath your chair) I think it was obvious I was .5 seconds away from a mental break down when the bartender kindly gave into a conversation with me. His name was James and from this day forward we became bar friends (aka I would come in all the time and would order a "spicy margarita" even thought that is not what it is called here and he would call me Cali girl). Although it was strictly a bartender-customer friendship I valued the New York insight he always gives me and well, obviously the free drinks every now and then. He will never understand how simply talking to me at the bar helped me grow into the city.

I began doing so many things alone. And kept on pushing myself to be more independent. Just the other day I told myself I needed to go to a restaurant alone (something I have always been scared/ too awkward to do). Okay... so maybe I didn't fully conquer that one but I did go to a corner pizza shop and ate at a table there alone so that kind of counts right?

What I'm trying to say is that how I allowed myself to step out of my comfort bubble was to not be afraid to be alone. I never realized how codependent I was until I was forced to be alone... and now look at me! I go to the public library, happy hour and dinner alone! I challenge you to have a little more "me" time and I truly feel like you will see a side of yourself you never knew existed.



Sunday, September 21, 2014

All Black Everything



One thing that has changed majorly since I have moved here to New York is my style.

I was the stereotypical California girl who lived in my high-waisted Levi's and flip flops. The outfit could transition into a winter outfit in a blink of an eye with just throwing on a flannel and booties... and maybe a floppy hat if I was feeling adventurous. But that whole look has changed now. When I wear my jean shorts I don't feel like myself (and I look like a pre-teen Justin Bieber lover).

Maybe it is a part of growing up... or the climate change but I find myself lusting over pleated trousers and cardigans at Banana Republic rather than Brandy Melville's one-size-fits-all cotton dresses.

Maybe I am just being a total female and overthinking it but I feel like my change of wardrobe is a reflection on how I have changed since I moved to New York. I'm still the same clutzy-silly-girl everyone knows but there is a tougher backbone that I developed while growing into my own independence. There are days where I look in the mirror with my hair in a bun wearing my Chelsea boots and waxed jeans and can barely recognize myself. I constantly think about me a year ago and thinking how much I have changed in one year. I am 23 years old and have so much to learn about myself but I'm beginning to mold into my body and truly understand who I am and I don't think I could have had this realization if I didn't step out side of my comfort zone and move to the east coast. So yeah, I could be getting a little deep about my style change corresponding with my experience and growth here in the city. But I think its kind of awesome that your style can change with your personality mostly when you are realizing it. If I could change this much in 7 months who knows what a whole year in New York will do to me... I'm itching to see... and I will keep y'all posted with each new revelation I have. Until next time xx

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

BFFL

Today's muse are the ones I hold close to my heart.

Whether it is friends or family or even just a stranger that touches your heart one day, life's obstacles cannot be taken on alone. I consider myself a (somewhat) independent person. Moving to New York was probably the scariest thing I have ever done. In LA I felt comfortable with my life, I had a great group of friends, apartment, job and life. To sit back on your life as a 22 year old and feel comfortable scared the shit out of me.

I never voiced this worry to anyone. Comfortable left me happy, it was that simple. Once I decided to move to New York after buying a one way ticket two days in advance from my scheduled departure I felt unlike myself, a new me.

Moving to New York has been such an eye opener but it is not all fun and games like I show on my social media. There has been countless amounts of nights I wanted to give up or Friday nights spent alone in my bed with no friends eating fried chicken and watching Netflix.

I could have never gone through this transformation without a solid group of people on the sidelines cheering me on. Thank you mom and dad for listening to me cry on the phone and helping me get through the cold February days (with buying me down coats and seamless meals). Thank you Molly for listening to me vent at 4am about things you have heard over and over again. Thank you Yvette for coming to my rescue when my heart was broken and spending each and every day letting me open up to my new city, I will never forget us getting ready on top of my bed with a bottle of wine and Brit's playlist on full blast. And thank you Sara for coming on my birthday weekend when I had no one to spend it with forcing me to embrace each and every day and always giving me motivational speeches.   I can't forget mister Frankie Sharpe who - to say it simply- I wouldn't want to have experienced this transition with anyone else by my side. Just a few memorable people who helped me transition into the (somewhat) New Yorker I am today.

I consider myself a new and improved me but I could have never done it without a handful of special people in my life. There are others who have touched me as well so don't feel as if I'm leaving you out but during the specific vulnerable times I have experienced thus far in the big apple these select people touched my heart in a way that I never thought were possible.











Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Meet Me

 
      Karlin Ready was 22 years old when she decided one Friday morning that she was going to pack up her bags and move to New York the following Monday. "It was all a blur to be honest" Karlin says when describing the experience. She was a stereotypical California girl filled with an open soul and a free spirit that everyone believed would be chewed up and spit out by the Big Apple.

     It has been only 7  months and she has now fit the city on the palm of her hand. Each day learning a little more about the city and a lot more about herself. The reason why she moved here many can argue. Was it for school? Her long-term boyfriend? Or just an itch for an exciting adventure. I guess we will never know but as an upcoming socialite and driven marketing professional this will not be the last time you will see her name in the media.

    As she sips on a diet coke and laughs as we share strange stories of the New York lifestyle, I can still see the innocent California girl hidden underneath the cold-hearted New Yorker image she tries so hard to be.

    When asking her how she breaks the ice when networking herself in this concrete jungle she simply says "I was born Ready"
*drops the mic*