INTERNSHIP: For the second half of the week, I work at a popular fashion magazine. It is just ridiculous. I honestly feel like I am in The Devil Wear's Prada. I get off the metro and am standing in the middle of Times Square. It is the craziest thing in the world. I am so lucky and thankful to be able to have the opportunities I can.

Since it looks like I am on the set of The Devil Wears Prada, I really assumed that my boss would be exactly like that. This is the complete opposite. My boss it a complete sweetheart who is willing to help me out with anything. I feel so comfortable already in the work space.

From working two days already at my second internship, I can tell you I am definitely in love with it as well. The people are incredibly nice. On the very first day, I awkwardly got my Doritos stuck in the vending machine. Multiple editors and writers came to aid my helpless-poor-little-intern self. It was much appreciated and the Doritos were cheesy as ever.

The past two days consisted of organizing and sifting through racks of clothes that were being shipped to photo shoots for the magazine. It was ludicrous to see the clothing that famous people will wear. Can't wait for the issues to come out and know that I was the one who sent the package of clothing.

I would definitely say this week has been experimental, blossoming, and very enlightening. I have learned an immense amount. Based on how my first week has gone in the city, it is clear to say the rest will go fabulously.

FAMOUS ENCOUNTERS: Since my two days at this internship, I have ran into three different people whom I personally have embarrassing happy-dances inside my head for.

A) Grace Coddington - Creative Director of Vogue. While on a run for my internship, I walked downstairs into the lobby to see none other than Grace Coddington in the flesh. Her hair was flaming red and she looked exactly like she did in The September Issue. It was truly a thrilling experience that I probably won't encounter again. I really wanted to just stare, but working in the industry does mean being respectful and knowing your boundaries.

B) Erin Kaplan - Senior Director of Public Relations of Teen Vogue. This is one person I would assume I would never see. When you watch shows like The Hills or The City, it is hard to imagine actually seeing a cast member in person. I actually ran into her THREE separate times on my first day of work, OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE. I have no idea how this happened or why, but it was stellar.

C) Stephanie Skinner - Kelly Coutrone's Assistant on Kell on Earth. Yet another person I would assume I would never be seeing. Saw her leaning against the wall having a cigarette during a lunch break, looking stressed as always. 

This was my Friday work outfit. Enjoy.

[Forever 21 shorts / vintage tank, earrings / Steve Madden flats]

Can't wait to tell you about my weekend. Be ready for a good post.

It isn't called the melting pot for nothing. I am really loving this city. The whole atmosphere is insane and the all over vibe is awesome. I walk down the street and get a huge feeling of inspiration. This place is filled with so many different people. Thousands ride the metro every day. Each of them going to a different destination in their different lives. It is kind of crazy to think about. 

I get home from work around seven every night. Usually I am exhausted and my feet are killing me, but I am always happy. Last summer, I felt like I didn't accomplish as much as I wanted while in NYC. This summer, I really want to plant my roots here and do SOME sort of activity every night, EVEN if i am extremely tired.

TIMES SQUARE: On my first quest on Do-Something-Every-Night, Gaby, Reigan and I trolled Times Square. Although it might be a cliche/tourist place, it really is beautiful. As an advertising major, we talk about 'spectaculars' all the time. Seeing spectaculars in person is really a sight. It is the strangest feeling being in the middle of times square at night when the lights are so blinding. It feels like you are in some sort of limbo of night and day.

We schmoozed a furry life-sized Elmo (who probably was a drunk 50-year old man who gets paid to take pictures with little children), persuaded a hot-dog stand to give us free food (by innocently hugging one very sweaty worker behind the counter) and checked off a VERY important task off our NYC BUCKET LIST (will reveal later). Needless to say, it was an amazing night and the perfect start to our adventure of the summer.

INTERNSHIP: I feel like I have been working here for three weeks already. I have learned an incredible amount and have been a part of so many projects. I feel like I am actually needed and valued.

The past couple days, I have worked on two very big projects. I was assigned, directly from an account executive, to perform a competitive analysis of one of our high-end clients. I couldn't believe that I was sitting there Googling hoards of different designers and could call that WORK. Basically, I was asked to find what each designers niche was (what made them who they are, what are their collaborations, what events have they had, etc.) and compare it to our client. This was a big project COMPLETELY compiled by me. It is insane to know that the Word document I typed up on my computer will be seen my head executives at a high end design label.

My second project was with another account executive, sending back racks on racks of clothes to a designer we no longer work with. This included many seasons worth of collections. It was a strenuous and complicated process of international forms, shipping regulations and packaging, but at the end of the day it was finally done. It felt amazing to walk up to the executive, hand him copies of all of the forms and explain to him that everything had been completed exactly how he asked. BABY STEPS. 

On top of these projects, I am running around the city picking up bags bigger than my body, scanning in thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and sending clothing to celebrity photo shoots. I am having a blast and can't wait for the next chapter!

DAILY KNOWLEDGE:

1) WHAT EVER YOU DO: Don't carry your laptop out in the public. 

2) Make friends with your door man. HE WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND AND TELL YOU SECRETS.

3) Crazy people are very crazy.

4) Famous people look like they actually do on the television screen. (MORE ON THIS LATER!!)

5) As much as I want to refer to the West Side as "The Left Side" I just am not allowed to. 

[Forever21 skirt, shoes, vintage lace shirt, Urban Outfitters necklace, tank]

My hair will always be wet in pictures this summer. I have accepted it. The only daylight I see is on the way to work each morning when my hair is wet. OH WELL.

Tomorrow is Friday. I can't wait for what is to come on the weekend.

MOVING IN:
Reigan and I moved in last night. Needless to say, our wall of shoes is quite embarrassing and I overpacked like a hoarder. After a tiring day of playing let's-ride-the-subway ALL day, we crashed at 11PM, too excited for our internships.

EMBARRASSING MOMENT: (there will definitely be more of these throughout the summer)
After quietly drifting off to sleep, my alarm suddenly woke me up. I felt like I had hit a wall. It was 7AM already? How was I supposed to make it through the day? I felt like I got absolutely NO sleep. Reigan and I woke up and began getting ready for the day. I jumped in the shower and tried to rub the sleep out of my eyes. As Reigan did her make up in the other room, she went to peek out the window. To no avail, it was COMPLETELY dark outside. Reigan came into the bathroom, knocked on the door and politely asked "Jessie, do you realize it is 1:06 AM?" Apparently someone had texted me and we assumed it was my alarm clock and didn't bother to check the time. We died laughing and I was EXTREMELY relieved that it actually wasn't 7AM.

FIRST DAY OUTFIT: I decided to don coral pants, LOTS of prints and blinged out loafers. 

[thrifted shirt, jacket / Forever 21 pants / Steve Madden loafers]

IT WAS RAINING AND WE DIDN'T HAVE UMBRELLAS. DON'T HATE

INTERNSHIP:
To begin, today was insane. Insane in a good, I-have-huge-blisters on my feet, but a smile on my face sort of way.

I couldn't be more exhausted. Between logging shipments of ridiculously amazing clothing or working directly with an account executive for a high end client, I was definitely walking around with my chin on the ground. Sifting through the showroom was OCD heaven. I think I actually could hear the angels singing. Everything was specifically and meticulously merchandised in long, neat rows of designers just the way my perfectionist self likes it. Along with the miles of hanging racks, there were displayed accessories lining every untouched corner.

Everyone was incredibly warm and inviting. All of the account executives were so helpful and my intern coordinator is a doll. After just one day of working, I really do feel like I belong and that I am getting a hang of this job. I couldn't be more excited.

DAILY KNOWLEDGE:

LONGLEADS: A magazine or publication that plans its issues MONTHS in advance and has an issue published monthly. They shoot trends that will be popular later, NOW. Right now, they are probably pulling looks for August-October issues.

Examples: Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, Elle

SHORTLEADS: A magazine or publication that plans its issues WEEKS in advance and has an issue published every week. They shoot trends that are popular NOW.

Examples: People, US Weekly

WHEN A DESIGNER "GOS IN-HOUSE": Instead of using a PR company (who represents multiple clients) to represent their line, they form a private PR team inside their own company that specifically works on that brand.

"CLIPPING" FOR A CLIENT: Searching through newspapers or magazine publications for mentions, features or credits of your clients brand and 'clipping' it. Once you have all of the 'clips' of the day, you send them to the designer to update them on their public image and market influence.

As you can tell, I haven't been updating recently. I have been / will be on hiatus until all of my finals are completed and the craziness of moving to NYC dies down.

WISH ME LUCK!

1. REVLON ($8)

2. BOBBI BROWN ($23)

3. YVES SAINT LAURENT ($30)

4. ARMANI ($30)

5. YVES SAINT LAURENT ($32)

6. NARS ($24)

It seems these days, the motto is 'go big or go home'. The only way to get attention is to GRAB attention. Be a show-stopper and try this latest trend: bright orange lips. I have yet to try the trend myself and would definitely love the opportunity. Orange is a color rarely seen on the face. To wear it on the most sacred part of the face, the lips, would be daring. Those who can pull it off immediately stand out and exude confidence. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS TREND?

Gold, mustard, straw, wheat, cadmium, lemon, saffron, sunflower, butter. There are many different names for the color yellow. My favorite of these, tends to [of course] be the most bright and vibrant of the choices: neon yellow. Neon colors in general have been trending tremendously this year, but yellow definitely stands out the most. Here are my favorite neon yellow pieces.

1. REED KRAKOFF

2. J-CREW

3. PREEN

4. MICHEAL KORS

5. MARY KATRANTZOU

6. TOPSHOP

1. KATE SPADE

2. BCBG

3. FOREVER 21

4. MICHAEL ANTONIO STUDIO

5. KATE SPADE

6. CHAN LUU

7. REBECCA MINKOFF

Go bold or go home. Try neon yellow.

This summer, inspiration is going to hit me in the face daily. Whether walking down the streets of NYC, crammed on the subway, or working at my internships, I am going to be surrounded by all things creative, fashionable and artistic. Reigan and I plan to harness this inspiration and project it on our own little Do-It-Yourself projects during the weekends. Here are some of my favorite D.I.Y projects, that I hope to complete this summer.

12 HOPEFUL SUMMER D.I.Y PROJECTS:

 

1. Wooden Applique Mac Book Cover Case

2. Yarn Pom-Pom Decoration

 

3. Ombre Sleeves

4. Glittered & Bedazzled Vans

 

5. Jeweled Heel Details

6. Self Decorated Travel Journal

 

7. Tassel Earring Studs

8. Peacock Feather IPhone Case

 

9. Color Blocked High-heel Base

10. Family Portrait Silhouettes

 

11. Woven Chain Necklace

12. Dip Dyed / Painted Color Block Pants

 

13. Dollhouse Chair Collage Jewelry Holder

14. Metal Collar Cuffs

You have no idea how excited I am to be able to try [and probably fail] all of these projects. I really want to start crafting, so a goal of one D.I.Y project a week would be wonderful.

What are some of your favorite D.I.Y projects?