Feminism and Social Influencers

Feminism and Celebrity Influencers 

Feminism has been a social issue for years to this date. The fact that women still get 78 cents to a man dollar seems more than unfair. In more recent days we are seeing celebrities open up about how they feel about this issue. Both men and woman celebrities have been openly for the idea of gender equality. Ashton Kutcher, Miley Cyrus, John Legend, and Beyonce are a few names we all know in the media who are open about gender equality. Sadly, even though these big names are supporting the cause there was a time where not only did celebrities not want to touch on the case of gender equality but they would flat out state that they were not a feminist.

http://www.mtv.com/news/1822259/celebritiy-feminists-pharrell/

Taylor Swift is a known pop star reaching to our younger demographic. She is an idol to many young woman everywhere. Her lyrics are constantly about speaking your mind and she is known to help out her fans with all their everyday problems via her social media platforms. In 2012 when asked if she is a feminist Taylor Swift replies "I don't really think about this as guys versus girls. I never have. I was raised by parents who brought me up to think if you work as hard as guys, you can go far in life." To many this was a huge slap in the face to the power of women. But you have to admit the lyrics to her music are all about boys who broke her heart, so what more did you expect?

http://www.thefrisky.com/2012-10-22/taylor-swift-doesnt-consider-herself-a-feminist/

Once Emma Watson became the UN speaker for #HeForShe more celebrities decided to jump on the feminism train, including Taylor Swift. The Huffington Post quoted Taylor basically saying she has been a feminist all this time stating "As a teenager, I didn't understand that saying you're a feminism is just saying that you hope women and have will have equal rights and equal opportunities. What is seemed to me, the way it was phrased in culture, society, was that you hate men. And now, I think a lot of girls have had a feminist awakening because they understand what the word means." The one comment I have to make about this is that don't speak up about an issue then if you don't understand it's true definition because it will later come back to you. But sadly Taylor brought a true statement. When a common person is asked about a feminist, they have a stereotype played int heir head that it is some man hating person who believes woman should be superior which is farthest from the truth. The idea of feminism is in truth equality of gender.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/24/taylor-swift-feminist-_n_5704691.html

Yet there are also celebrities that call themselves feminist that many look at hurting the cause. Beyonce is known to be a huge influencer to the media. She is probably one of the most talked about celebrity feminists and shows her feminism during her performances. During the 2014 VMA's Beyonce's performance had a huge background of the word "FEMINIST" lighten up.

 While some praised her with this stunt many looked at her and questioned her motives as a feminist. Her recent album's major hit was Drunk in Love with featured her husband, Jay-Z. In this song The Guardian mentioned the "lyrics referring to domestic violence and abusive men have passed largely unchallenged in discussions of Beyonce's hit song. That is disturbing." The lyrics had to do with Tina Turner(whose bro name is Anna Mae) and Ike's abusive relationship which later turned into a film called "Whats Love Got To Do With It." There is a specific scene in the film where the couple was at a diner and he ordered her cake and later demanded for her to eat the cake and became violent about it. In the Drunk In Love lyrics stating "I'm Ike, Turner, turn up/ Baby no I don't play/ Now eat the cake, Anna Mae, I said eat the cake, Anna Mae."

As for Katy Perry, while accepting the Woman of the Year award she quotes "I am not a feminist, but I do believe in the strength of women."Much like Swift's 2012 reaction, in 2014 Katy Perry spoke to TIME magian and changed her thoughts on feminism. "A Feminist? Um, yeah, actually I used to not really understand what that word meant, and now that I do,  it just means that I love myself as a female and I also love men."

It is evident that the definition of feminism is becoming more understood as an equality rather than a superiority. Now that we have Emma Watson demanding our culture to understand the true meaning behind the "f word", celebrities are slowly starting to voice their opinions publicly in favor of the #heforshe movement. 

It's sad but true that celebrity influences will help the younger demographic feel the need to look into this matter and later will have more insight on social matters like this. But, in truth the fact that celebrities are starting to become spokesmen for organizations such as gender equality will help our society be aware of social issues more. 

Documentary Reviews

The Square

The Square is a documentary about the battle of freedom of the Egyptian people.Taking place at the Tahrir Square, the demonstrators spent hours, days and months here begging for freedom and demanding the removal of President Hosni Mubarak. 

The most beautiful thing about this film was that it didn't just show you the struggles of the protest but it engaged the audience by following specific people throughout their everyday life and made you feel like you were experiencing the struggles with them. The best thing about this documentary is that it gives you the insight of what it is like to be in this scenario that the media often leaves out. These people would get beaten, abused and objectified by their government. Also it shows the division of religion and how important it is in this part of the country. The idea of a "brotherhood" is very important and often conflicted people from what they believe is right and what they had to believe was right to fit in. Surprisingly enough though towards the end of the documentary you feel a sense of unity between all the religions which was the climax of the film.

 Once the unity took place that was when the people overtook the government and the president finally stepped down from office.

Citizen Four

This is your typical favorite TV show happening in real life. Laura Poitras recieves emils from a person calling themselves "citizen four". Citizen Four who we later find out is Edward Showden claims he has information of government wrongdoing. Edward tells Laura that he was proof on the governmnet's massive covert-surveillance programs. Laura is told to take reporter Glenn Greenwald to Hong Kong with her to meet Citizen Four. This is when we begin to see the hotel interviews with Showden. The content of his findings is underwhelming only due to the fact that we have already heard about it in the news but his actions and seeing everyone there is an intense feeling. The fact that these people risked their lives and freedom to show the truth behind their own government and having the whole moments broadcast on film to watch was beautiful to experience.

Amy Porhler's "Yes, Please" Book Review

The moment I met Amy Poehler's character Leslie in Parks and Rec I knew there was something special about her. I valued the ability to be both a successful, woman but knew when to let the hair down and be silly. I was honored to be able to attend the comedy awards in New York last year where Amy presented and accepted awards. Hearing her speeches were booth thoughtful and funny, just like the Lesie I grew to admire on the show. 

Once I heard she had a book coming out I was eager to read it. I idolized her in ways for being able to be so strong minded yet carefree at the same time. Most women these days feel the need to be stern in order to be taken seriously but I completely disagree. Amy Poehler's "Yes, please" is both of the things I love about her: strong and silly. She touches major politics about being a comedian in the spotlight, mostly as a female in the business. Yet she is playful the other times which is a breathe of fresh air. My fellow classmates stated the structure of the text wasn't appealing for them but I have to disagree. The way Amy writes makes it seem as if it's an old friend writing to you. The scattered subjects and jumpiness is hands down the Amy Poehler I have seen throughout her fame. If the structure was perfect the book wouldn't have her persona in it. 

I have never read a book where I couldn't hold in my laughs or tears. After reading Poehler's "Yes, Please" it furthers my overwhelmingly optimistic opinion of her. 

GRAMMY GIFS

One think that I love about GIFs is that they  give you a good summary of what's going on in society on a daily basis. GIFs gives you a summary of what happened with a funny short moment. For instance a few of my favorite GIFs from last night's Grammy awards...


Click Here: http://www.vogue.com/10291793/best-grammy-gifs-audience-2015/

Class Assignment: Celebrity Influencers

 Many celebrities are learning to brand themselves via social media. As some tend to focus more on their social lives consisting of skimpy dresses and boozy nights while others are using this tool as a way to show awareness.

There are many celebrities such as Emma Watson and George Clooney who have used their stardom as a way to enlighten their followers on current social issues such as feminism and global destruction. As much as I applaud them I believe they are overly talked about and want to discuss how a few celebrities are using their social media pages as a way to start an empire for their own corporation.

As I mentioned in our introductions I am fix aided on Lauren Conrad and Blake Lively. Both of these stars aren't that famous yet have created their own business that has become well known. Lauren Conrad began with a clothing line and how has opened a store called The Little Market where they sell homemade décor and organic products. I value her empire because it is such a unique company that I have never seen a celebrity begin.
Blake Lively has done a similar approach to social media and began her company called Preserve. Similarly to Lauren's idea of American-made and hand-crafted products. This just proves that celebrities are normal people like us and although it is amazing that some use their status in society as something so very meaningful like global issues, others can be like the rest of us and think of little ways to make a difference.


link to Lauren Conrad's company The Little Market: http://www.thelittlemarket.com/
link to Blake Lively's company Preserve: https://www.preserve.us/

Olive Juice: Valentine's Day Edition

As much as I love beginning a new year I always find myself getting anxious when Valentine's Day is around the corner.

As you all know by now I have an abnormal obsession for holidays. My friends have always made fun of me for it but in the end they all value my weird shaped cupcakes and unnecessary cheesy decor I was inspired from a photo off Pinterest(epic fail).

For Valentine's day though I am never in control. Well, unless I don't have a crush at the time and my day is spent on baking too many cookies with my girlfriends and having one too many bottles of wine (each). But in reality Valentine's day is a gift for the girl. It is so hard for me to sit down and be complacent to a man (out of all people) taking over a holiday with my unrealistically high expectations.

To let my mind at ease though I focus less on the actual holiday and more on the outfit, naturally.

This Valentine's day I am grasping on to French Connection as my muse. They have so many of those LBD's we all lust for in our closet. Although I love the classic date night wear this year I wanted to go a little outside the box. My first real winter in NYC has been filled with dark color cashmere and leather. I want to go back to my California girl look and opt for a white lace dress with a splash of red ( because I have to be spirited, duh!).

For the dress I picked out the Nebraska Lace Dress. I love the exposed skin on the quarter sleeve and the way the lace drops at the bottom. It is so feminine and sexy in all the right ways.

Since it is still freezing in NYC I have to bring a coat even if it is just to go in and out of my Uber to the restaurant. As a California girl a coat is needed for anything below 65 degrees. But I took this opportunity to pop a little vday color into the wardrobe. You see many girls trying to wear red dresses for Valentine's Day but for me I think it is a little too much. I always like to look subtle and classy for date night. I am currently obsessing over this Imperial Imperial Wool Oversized Coat!

Maybe it's because it's on sale or that the name of the color is burnt whiskey(my fav drink) but I've been eyeing this bad boy for a while and what a better opportunity to buy it!

Since the dress is delicate and the jacket is vibrant I wanted to go for a nude pump so these Elvia Heels were perfect!

Another purchase I have been eyeing was this textured white Ines Crossbody Bag I have an obsession for white and I think it would really compliment the dress and look amaze with the red coat. (and also with my new spring wardrobe I have already planned out on a board on Pinterest).

With this outfit I was just going to throw on my go-to gold watch in addition to this subtle but modern Rectangle Bar Cuff because you don't want to distract the attention from the dress.

So whether it is dinner with some cute guy or drinks with the girls. This outfit is the perfect vday attire for any occasion!

(all items are from http://usa.frenchconnection.com/)

This post is a part of a sweepstakes with prizes! For more info visit click HERE

xx

A very Merry CALI Christmas

As I sit here in three layers of Uniqlo's signature heat protecting clothing I can't help but think of the warm California sunshine.

It is currently in the teens in New York which means your face is completely numb within the first block you walk. Any desire to look fashionable has gone out the window and you find yourself grabbing those long johns your grandma bought you that you used to make fun of (thank goodness you decided not the trash them during spring cleaning). And to top it off your social life turns into binge drinking at home with your cat watching Netflix(it's not as dreamy as it sounds I promise).

Welcome to January in New York City ladies and gentlemen.

For Christmas this year I decided to pack my bags and head back to the good ol' west for a very Merry California Christmas. When booking my ticket I was a bit hesitant because I began to believe LA was too boring for me now. I am now an avid New Yorker, who wears black all day and can't help but be a backseat driver to the annoying cab drivers trying to make an extra buck by going the long way. I decided to come for one week although my break was over a month long. Why would I want to spend my New Years in California when anyone and everyone was going to be in NYC?

 The week went by too fast to say the least, During the days me and the girls hopped from one brunch to another while escaping to Santa Anita race tracks for opening day. As we sipped on one too many complimentary champagnes (and even more vodka shots) the past memories with these girls felt like yesterday. I almost forgot how much fun my life in LA actually was.

In my first post I expressed how the duration of my time in California I was desperate to seek more with my life that I actually forgot to enjoy the NOW, the present. We constantly are looking for the next best thing whether it is with work, relationships, cities, exc. that we forget how amazing is right now, at this current place and time. I want you right now to look up and around at your surroundings. Think of your life now, every little detail. And never forget this time of your life because whether you plan on changing your life completely this year or staying the exact same there is something so beautiful and raw with today, this week and this year already that we often overlook.

California was, and despite my snooty New York attitude, still is beautiful. Still is a home of mine and still lingers in my heart and all the memories with it. This last trip back home added many more memories from sing-alongs in the car to serious conversations with my dad over a nightcap on the couch. As I sip on my cappuccino hoping that somehow it will take me back to the sunny and 75 LA winter. I will miss California today, and maybe tomorrow but I will continue to put on my down coat and not let a little bad weather ruin this very moment.

Because, hey, you never know where you'll end up soon (mostly with my track record of one way tickets).

And the every-so-popular Karlin's last advice
never, every take for granted In-N-Out burger (shake shack doesn't compare!)

bon voyage babes
xx

Sex and the City

I began the new year in a new place in Manhattan, with a new goal in mind and with a new job. As I was walking the dogs I came across a local house that people always took photos of so one day I decided to google it.

Ironically enough, I found out what it was and now I am currently 2 blocks away from the famous house from Sex and the City. I have never been into the show but naturally being in a group of friends I was always the "Carrie". I wasn't quite sure why but always accepted it because she was the main character with a keen sense of style. As I believe in fate I decided to finally begin watching the ever-so-famous click flick TV show.

Last night after I finished one of my other New Years resolution (which was finally stop seamlessing and cook again) I poured myself a glass of wine and indulged in one too many sees candies while finally beginning the Sex and the City episodes.

After the line "Abso-fucking-lutely" I became hooked.

I'm not saying my life is by any means as glamorous as the girl squad in the show but I can definitely relate to a lot of it.

1. Being single in the city during the time where all your friends are in serious relationships.
2.Struggling with your life goals while everyone seems to be breezing through life so effortlessly.

I began not only relating myself to the show but learning from it.

When I heard Sex and the City I got the idea that the show was about a group of rich ladies who just enjoyed the city and the amazing things it has to offer, which is kind of what every outsider thinks about New York before you move here. But it really shows the importance of an independent strong woman in the city which I value a lot mostly in a city this intimidating. Their life isn't perfect but during each bump in the road they are there for each other which is the key to living in New York.

As this year is probably going to be the biggest one yet of my life, beginning a dream-like job at French Connection and FINALLY graduating college, I feel like Sex and the City found its way to myself for a purpose, for an inspiration and most importantly for a rule guide of how to survive New York and make it your b*tch (pardon my French). There is so much to look forward to in 2015 and so much major decisions to be made I am eager to see where this crazy thing called life takes me.

As for now I will cuddle up in the couch and see how Carrie feels about the "Valley of the Twenty-something Guys" which seems overridingly ironic...while mayyyybe nibbling on just one more sees candy (but I'll do sit ups later!!)
... another resolution of mine...

But Before I do a little Karlin advice for all of y'all...
I have asked many what their resolutions are for the new year and many just laugh and said they haven't thought about it. Although I have quite a few, I really do encourage everyone to at least have one or two. Resolutions aren't just silly ideas that aren't reachable (like looking like a VS model) but rather think of them as goals you would like to accomplish within this year. When you ALWAYS strive to be a better you then you are the happiest you, I pinky promise.

'til next time friends
xx

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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*