Tag: living in New York

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Cheap and Healthy Lasagne Rolls

Who said lasagne has to be expensive and hard to make? I love to pull recipes from SkinnyTaste.com because they are all health conscious and there are tons of options, including “Skinny” desserts.

When I find a recipe I would like to try, I hardly ever follow the exact directions, mostly to cut on cost. Living in New York is expensive and you have to cut where ever possible. This is why I cook my own meals. Sometimes they are amazing and sometimes they might have needed a little more guidance. When you cook often enough, you can learn what you can skip out on and substitute ingredients with to make a meal cheaper and to go farther.

This lasagne roll recipe has been calling my name for a few days so I decided to get the ingredients while grocery shopping. I really like these because they are easy to store and they are perfect little serving sizes. Continue reading “Cheap and Healthy Lasagne Rolls”

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Entrepreneurial, Self-Publishing, Artistic New York City

I never knew people performed INSIDE the subway trains for people before my relocation last week. There are a lot of talented musicians out there. I have encountered guitarists, acapella’s, drummers, wooden flute instruments, and even a saw-like thing played with a string from a violin. They all sound amazing and extremely cultural.

I mean, sure, you’re bound to have a lot of talented people for each profession in a city as concentrated and diverse as New York, but wow!

This is one thing that has really impressed me here. People are willing to try new ideas and to work in some form for money. People here are driven. I’ve encountered fewer panhandlers than individuals asking for money in more creative ways, such as performance and promotion. (And then you’ve got the crazy apocalyptic conspirators holding up big signs, who you can’t be quite sure what their overall goal is). Either way, everyone here seems to be here with a reason, purpose, and strong-willed mind. The city of opportunity. New York: where everything goes down. Where we come to make a living!

Most everyone here is very friendly and forthcoming. I’ve hung out with models attending the same open calls all this week, romped in the rain with them, and had really nice conversations with a lot of different people. There was an experience in particular, however, I’d love to bring to light. A perfect and satisfying example of entrepreneurship I love. 

Let me tell you a story. I’m done with bullet points. Continue reading “Entrepreneurial, Self-Publishing, Artistic New York City”

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How to Move to New York City (continued)

Part 2 How to Move to New York City continued…
Click here to view previous post; part 1 How to Move to New York City

Comparing
Well, its just that. Compare what you see. You’ll know when a place feels right. Some people may not reply at all and some will reply with a “Sorry, but we just had an open house and have found our new roommate already.” Others will be almost a little too eager to have you. Be aware of these. There are many, many scams online. I came across several in my search.

When you are sending out emails, offer to schedule a phone call and/or video chat/Skype interview. A video interview does not prove that the person on the other side isn’t going to scam you, but it does help verify the person to some extent. For one, you can see the place they are in. If their roommates are around, its a good idea to ask to talk to them on video as well. Continue reading “How to Move to New York City (continued)”

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How to Move to New York City

Some people want to know more about how I prepared for my move to the city and how I found a place. It’s no easy task. But I love to impart my knowledge, so read up. 

Most of the process I used to find a place to live can be applied to moving anywhere, not just NYC. It consisted of searching, comparing, online verification and skype, and then cautiously proceeding to securing the place. 

Apartments/rooms for rent here go FAST, especially the nice ones, so you have to be quick. This means that its more difficult to secure a place early on in your move. Most people want a roommate to move in immediately and they also would prefer to meet you in person. I struggled with this because I wanted to secure a place to go to as soon as I arrived in the city. However, even though the rooms go fast, there are always more being posted. Continue reading “How to Move to New York City”

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Living in New York City: Briauna Mariah Update

Hey guys,

Briauna Mariah here.

Writing from New York City.

I know you all want updates, so here it is. I arrived at the airport at 8:23AM Eastern Time last July 12th. It took me hours to finally make it to the house I’m staying at. I’m renting a nice little room in Woodlawn, Bronx, NYC. Bronx–Yikes! Right? Not as bad as it might sound.

Woodlawn is a cute little community very north of Manhattan and I feel rather safe here. It’s like a little bubble in Bronx. Stepping outside the bubble is a little nerve-wracking though. Continue reading “Living in New York City: Briauna Mariah Update”

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New York in August 2012

I had a fantastic day on Sunday. Many of you watched me live and I appreciate the support SO much. I love you guys!

If you missed it, I shot for a photography workshop with Matthew Jordan Smith. Matthew was such a pleasure to work with and he greeted everyone with that great smile of his. He has shot Tyra Banks, Oprah Winfrey, Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, and more. He was also a photographer for America’s Next Top Model.

Shots from the workshop should be coming out soon. I already have two shots up, Behind the Scenes.

I am advancing my modeling career by moving to New York in 2012. I was telling Matthew that I was planning on late 2012 and he pointed out that the fashion industry will be slow and that I should bump up my goal by 6 months. You know what? I WILL bump up my goal by 6 months. My new goal is to move to New York in August 2012. Continue reading “New York in August 2012”