Tag: New York City

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Staten Island Ferry and Tourism

New York can be a lot to handle.

It’s a wild, busy place with lots to see and do. There is always a rush of people, pushing you to your next destination. Everyone wants to be someone; everyone is working just as diligently as you are to achieve your dreams. This can be overwhelming.

I’m not into touristy attractions. In fact, tourists have always driven me nuts for some reason. Maybe because I’d rather fit and blend in to the churning crowd rather than be forced to stop and go slow for a minute. Plus, tourism is a money-sucker. I avoid money-suckers. At all costs.

I mean, really, why pay $24 bucks a pop to board an overcrowded ferry full of annoying gawkers when you can have a perfectly relaxing view on the water for free? Yes, on the water. Free. Continue reading “Staten Island Ferry and Tourism”

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Beginner’s Guide to Mercedez-Benz New York Fashion Week

Here is my personal, insider look at Mercedez-Benz New York Fashion Week.

If you have ever watched the show “America’s Next Top Model,” you can kind of get the sense of craziness that is Fashion Week.

Tyra Banks has her girls running all over the city to go-sees and castings, trying on clothes, walking for big names, and all within a five hour time frame. Sounds like a handful, right? Similar deal for models during fashion week.

MBFW CASTINGS: Tourists and locals know a couple of weeks before Mercedez-Benz New York Fashion Week, that a whirlwind is coming. “Invasion of the tall pretty girls,” someone told me in an elevator this last September. You know you’re a part of something big when you have 10 castings all with different time frames and locations and you’re running around, seeing so many other models about. The time before Fashion Week is crazy, invigorating, and fun. However, you have to make sure you’re keeping yourself in tip-top condition. Here are 12 pointers to remember while on castings for Fashion Week (some more obvious than others): Continue reading “Beginner’s Guide to Mercedez-Benz New York Fashion Week”

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Networking: 3 Things to Remember: pt 2 Chance Encounters

I know you all loved my previous part 1 of 3 post on networking, right? Right? I know! I’m sorry! I know I wrote part 1 in early May, but this little someone has been preoccupied with work and other blog topics since moving to New York City. I have some down time here at my new place now to focus on helping YOU. With more blog posts. I love writing these, don’t think I forgot about you. 

Previously we discussed social media networking (pt 1 of our 3-part blog post). To bring you back to date, we had established that social media’s objective is to get your name out there and to stay fresh in all your fans’ minds. Networking brings you the valuable connections.

Visit the previous part 1 blog to refresh your memory on the dos and don’ts of all your social media outlets. Continue reading “Networking: 3 Things to Remember: pt 2 Chance Encounters”

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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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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”

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Portland, New York Fashion: Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Public transportation. Gotta love it. Some people cringe at the thought of having to ride the public transit. I decide instead to embrace it. So many good things have come to me through riding the bus. There is always someone who has something to say. Always that one really interesting person. You don’t get that in a car. Once you ride public transit enough, you begin to realize it is its own little community. You save money too! Gas prices are getting ridiculous.

I was late for the bus and debating my different parking options. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it in time. I was on my way to help a friend of the family for the day at her shoe store. I veer into the senior center parking lot, grab my bag, and slam the door just as the bus was getting ready to leave. Sometimes I wonder at how observant the public transit bus drivers are. The man obviously saw my car frantically pulling in (or did he?), but he began to leave the station anyways and I appeared just in time.

I thank the man for waiting for me to board and take a seat.

“Are you a model?” A woman asks just as I am getting settled. I’m always extremely flattered and sometimes a little surprised when people ask me that, especially when I have absolutely no hair product or makeup on. Continue reading “Portland, New York Fashion: Ready or Not, Here I Come!”