Category: Life

The Heart of Art

1 Comment
View from the Whitney

View from the Whitney

Hey, hi there, how’s it going?

I’d apologize for my lack of posts but if you read my last post, you’d know I’m working on apologizing too much. Any who, apart from the busy-ness that constitutes the #internlife at a fashion mag, my wifi is out in my apartment along with part of the ceiling in my bathroom. Therefore, I’m coming to you live (and clean) from a friend’s amazing place (way to be clutch Hannah!).

Honestly, I love NYC but when it comes time to rent a place of my own and move to the big bad beautiful beat of the city, I think I’ll pick something slightly less… well maybe something more (like central AC, or a full roof and a stable wifi connection).

Amenities aside, this summer has been another one for the books. I can’t believe that I head back home to Florida in two weeks, then back to Boston for my senior year. I know I’ve mentioned that quite a few times, but…like… I’m trying to wrap my mind around it, okay? This is real, this is me. Time literally flies by as I hop from place to place, bar to bar. Every weekend I anticipate the next, only to realize that another month has gone by. But, that’s just the tick of time, I guess. I digress. Yes, that rhymed.

A friend recently got me in to the Whitney (thanks NYU for your extra +1’s, can I get a free what whatttttt) and got to see all of the amazing artwork in the established museum.

The Whitney also solidified the disturbing aspect of some art pieces. Let’s just say that I typically prefer Monet and Renoir, and try to stray from any screaming sculptures. That being said, I’ll always appreciate  art.

What’s coming up you ask? My last 2 weeks interning for one of the best companies, and best magazines in the world. I am still pinching myself, 2 and a half months later. Someone recently asked me where I plan on interning next summer, to which I stated my senior status, and realized/prayed/did a little dance to the job gods, in the hopes that I am a part of the employed community.

But until then, vive la New York.

Stay posted for the next… well, post!

Stay beautiful and cool you amazing people!

XOXO

IMG_3806

‘Maurice featured at the Whitney (PSA: Not real title of painting)

Ta Ta Technology

1 Comment

Woah, where’s the time gone?! Sorry for the lack of postings and continuity in my blog lately. Also, not sorry because I recently made a resolution to stop apologizing for inconsequential things. I’m not sure if it’s my gender, generation or Southern ways that make me feel the need to apologize for everything, but whatever the reason, my continuous “sorry” needs to stop. Anyways, I digress.

I cannot believe that the summer is more than halfway over. I know I know, stop the eye roll, I’m aware that I blab on and on about the way life moves so fast towards the future, but I mean seriously, life is happening.

Look above your computer (or phone, wherever you’re reading this, I don’t discriminate), look towards that fiery ball of light known as the sun–okay so don’t look right at it, because I refuse to be responsible for the irreparable damage to your eyes. See that (well dressed) man walking by holding the hand of his daughter? The bird that flies by and swoops low enough for you to wonder why the hell it would fly so close to your window? See the girl rushing to the subway at 9:40 in the morning to catch the train to work with her hair a mess and her heels clacking across the pavement? Okay that’s probably me so wave and say hi–lol jk I might not know you. Anyways, my point is that I feel like I spend so much time reading, surfing the web, texting friends and hearing about what’s happening in the world without actually experiencing it for myself.

With the last few months aside (hello I traveled to like 8 countries and met some crazy, amazing, awesome people–looking at you Helen), I’ve realized how easy it is to slip into that rabbit hole of texting and walking (which is just dangerous, a habit that I myself need to quit), cutting ourselves off to the world with our devices that we claim keep us closer together and more connected. Now, I do believe in technology connecting. I believe technology brings people together and helps them stay in touch with the world, but I also blame technology for my generation’s lack of social commitment, lack of in-person connections, and more importantly our desire for recognition through social media.

Okay, rant aside, the world is beautiful and I urge everyone to unplug for an hour or two. Who knows what might happen? Maybe you’ll look up in time to catch the sun set between two buildings in Manhattan? Maybe you’ll catch a smile or make a new friend? The world is ours for the taking, and I think it’s about time we actually, really, look at what the world has to offer.

IMG_3387

Have a great week and stay beautiful peeps!

Look out for a post sometime in the next week.

XOXO

Ahuh Coney (Island) /Happy Birthday ‘Murica

Leave a comment

I am really slacking on my post frequency these days–apologies ladies and gents. (Do gents even read this? el oh el).

Anyways, I’ve been busy galavanting around New York City (someone once told me I use galavanting too much, and to that person, I say: GALAVANTING–I’m mature, what can I say?). I finally made it down to Coney Island, and I have to say it was beyond fun. Despite the fact that we did not have time to ride the rides (went in the late afternoon and had to be back in Manhattan a few hours later), I loved every second of my time on the boardwalk.

A nice addition to the Coney Island constants, the Coney Island Art Walls were still out and about. They really take the meaning of street art and show the world that art can take many different forms. Whether you’re standing in front of a giant boom box, or in front of indecipherable drawings, the walls undoubtedly showcase a type of beauty that coincides with art, creating a response in the onlooker. So, needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Coney Island.

Rounding out the fun-filled weekend, Saturday the United States of America celebrated its 239th birthday. I love being in the city for the celebration (minus the fact that the Floridian in me twitches a tad at the thought of not being on a beach somewhere).

Nothing beats that firework display. I stood on top of my sister’s roof watching the fireworks burst over the Statue of Liberty, and I could not think a more patriotic ways to celebrate the Fourth (other than like… idk… serving in the military, or saluting a flag somewhere, or visiting Abraham Lincoln or George Washington’s grave…or being in Washington D.C… ok so there are quite a few other, more patriotic ways to spend the Fourth. But hey, you get what I’m saying!).

The city had an empty feel as most of its residents fled to the ‘burbs for beach days and cookouts. I, along with a few of my friends who stayed in the city, celebrated like any other 21-year-old would… I bar hopped. It was so interesting to see the types of people in the city on a Saturday night on the Fourth of July. Yes, a ton of tourists roamed the streets, but I felt a sense of family and unity while wandering around Chelsea. The apparent terrorist threats aside, the holiday proved a weekend well spent, with the company of some cool kids that I call my friends. While my skin is sill milky-pale, at least I caught up on some much needed sleep and made the most of the short time I have left in New York City before I return to Florida, then make the journey up to Boston for my senior year of college. I wish I could drop an emoji right here. I would have used the one that looks terrified out if its mind. You know the one I’m talking about? Big eyes and flat mouth, pink cheeks. I digress.

Please enjoy some pics below of some of my favorite walls from Coney Island.

Stay tuned for another post in the next week.

Much love and stay beautiful!

XOXO

Pride but not Prejudice

Leave a comment

Apologies for the hiatus between posts–classic busy excuse. Any who, I hope everyone’s summers are under way and that you’re a toasty tan (I’m still a pearly pale, but some things never change… take me back to the Amalfi coast!).

As I’m sure most of you know, this week holds records in groundbreaking legislation and rulings for the good ol’ US of A. I can honestly say I’ve never been more proud to be a part of this amazing country that seems to finally take a giant leap forward in its thinking, as well as its acceptance.

However, I acknowledge that as a country, we’re years away from making the type of progress where people feel accepted by most/majority of their neighbors. I can honestly say, I am proud. I’ve always counted my lucky stars that my parents raised me in a way that I never felt that I had to conform to any molds (Southern, Jewish, Religious, Sexist, and whatever box that society places today’s/yesterday’s youth). Although I am lucky to come from the family that I do (faults and all), the truth remains that a large proportion of the country’s population cannot count their blessings in that department.

I grew up below the Mason Dixon Line, and while I love my friends and family that stem from such a… southern town, I can’t help but find myself slightly repulsed by some of the bigotry, ignorance, and overall disdain by some locals towards people who do not shrink away from themselves, who choose to be true to who they are. These people deserve accolades, not hateful words. They deserve to live their life and be acknowledged for having the courage to show their true color(s).

While my parents instilled a sense of selflessness in my sisters and I from a young age, it took me moving to Boston, some 1100 miles away from my home/friends/family, to see the extent of which hatred travels. Reading some Facebook posts of old classmates, reading Facebook posts of current classmates… I cannot help but see the dots coming together, realizing that it might not be a North versus South divide, but rather a difference in religion, race, economic standing and even education that show the differences in the people that combine to form my newsfeed. It matters not where you come from, but rather where you are going, and how you choose to continue on your journey there.

So, not to get too philosophical on you, but after today’s Pride parade, yesterday’s historic marriage equality ruling, along with the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare-lol), I can’t help the smile spreading across my face. And if you disagree with my (somewhat dramatic, I admit) words, then maybe you should have been standing next to me on 5th Avenue today, watching people feel accepted. Seeing people’s lives change. Seeing love all around me, on every corner, in every eye, in every heart, and in every colorfully striped flag. I do not see differences as a source of contention, but rather as an opportunity to discover more aspects of life. More to love, am I right?

To all of my friends and loved ones this ruling affects, this post is for you. I hope that you find the happiness that we all yearn for and deserve to have a chance to find.

Now please enjoy these amateur photos I took at the parade today! I hope they bring you as much happiness as they brought my mom.

Stay classy, sassy, and beautiful, and most of all: you.

Look out for a post sometime soon of a recap of the last month because let’s face it, this post was basically a rant.

XOXO

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Write it Out

Leave a comment

Hey there! Shalom. Bonjour. Hola.

I’ve decided to take pictures of the interesting street art I come across in NYC this summer. Some of the ones I find, i’m sure you’ve seen a million times via instagram or just like, idk, life. But I want to document the true beauty of New York. The longer I spend here, the more places I find disgusting (I’m looking at you who didn’t clean up after your dog–lady), but also the more places I find beautiful.

Well said Mr. Einstein

Well said, Mr. Einstein

Any who, I did not start this post with the intention of explaining how to find the beauty in the ugly. But I think that’s where life wants to take me these days. I’ve had quite a few downs mixed with even more ups over the last year. Obviously, the ups aren’t the things that we fixate on in times of distress.

I know you know what I’m about to talk about… Diabetes. I feel like a broken record–like Lindsey Lohan in Mean Girls when she can’t stop talking about the “plastics.” It’s word vomit. Don’t hate me, hate the disease.

Okay, now that i’ve acknowledged my week facade of togetherness, let’s get down to the honesty bit. I am so over health. Everyone talks about the annoying aspects of diabetes–finger pricks, shots, insulin pumps that just won’t stay on (UGH thanks omnipod, I really do appreciate you, but clearly your product doesn’t appreciate me quite as much considering it can’t wait to practically jump off of my skin at the first chance of freedom). But, with diabetes comes other lesser known complications. Let’s take my sudden need to wear my glasses more frequently, or the fact that I find myself having some sort of terrible cold every month, or even more the clear lack of immune system barely holding my body together (I’m being a tad dramatic–no need to panic).

In fact, my immune system is one of the key reasons behind the development of my type 1 diabetes. Type 1 is caused by an auto-immune disease, one that causes antibodies (usually good) to attack the pancreas (also allegedly good, except mine that decided to just quit not even hopefully a quarter of the way through my life. I mean come on. You have one of the most important jobs. You can’t just j-chill in my gut like a kid refusing to do its chores. UGH).

My ever-growing anger issues aside, diabetes, or as my friends affectionately call it, “the big D” truly–for lack of a better term–sucks. I mean things just keep happening. I think i’m overdue for some amazing karma. Wait, am I even allowed to say that? Is that bad karma? Clearly I can’t tell the difference anymore.

I’ve learned so much over this past year, and maybe that’s the beauty in the ugliness. The beauty in the breakdown, because lord knows I had quite the breakdown yesterday. But honestly, nothing felt healthier than acknowledging the fact that sometimes we only have ourselves to count on (not talking to you pancreas). Maybe it’s ok to cry when life becomes overwhelming.

Life is like (a box of chocolates… jk that’s not where I’m going with this analogy) a Nicholas Sparks book (minus the Channing Tatum, Zach Efron, James Marsden, and my personal favorite Ryan Goslings of the world), after the storm comes the sun, after the emotional upheaval (hint: tears) comes a big smile. So, I’m just going to keep on keeping on, until the tears dry and that smile arrives, because life is hard, but no one said it would be easy.  And to be quite frank, I’m not sure it would be entertaining if the ugliness didn’t creep in every once in a while. So let’s redefine beauty and let some of that ugliness force us to appreciate the gorgeous life we’re given.

In the words of the aforementioned Einstein, Love is the Answer.

And that my friends is the most honest post I think I’ve ever written. In the words of Taylor Swift, but originally my father, Shake it Off.

Thanks for letting me write it out.

Look for another post sometime real soon! (Featuring friends that come/came to visit the big Citayyyyy)

Stay classy and don’t forget that sunscreen you beautiful people!

XOXO