The 2012 Women for Women International Annual Gala

Photo Credit: Shahar Azran

I'm going to accept the fact that every time I write a new post it is usually about something that happened weeks ago and I just haven't found the time to sit down and write about it! I WILL catch up eventually. Maybe that will be a New Years resolution...

A few weeks ago our team had the privilege to work for an amazing client: Women for Women International. This nonprofit organization "provides women of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency." Every year WfWI hosts an award gala that honors and acknowledges a member of the humanitarian community who "has an unyielding commitment to promote peace, justice and human rights."

My co-workers and I at the 2012 WfWI Gala. Photo by Shahar Azran

This year actress Lucy Liu was honored as the 2012 recipient of WfWI's 2012 Champion of Peace Award following Bill Clinton as last year's award honoree. Along with Lucy Liu's attendance, "CBS This Morning" Co-Host Gayle King and Legendary Musician Roberta Flack headlined the annual Gala. The event took place at the Koch Theatre in Lincoln Center, an absolutely amazing venue for anyone looking to host an event.

The press that the event received was amazing from online blogging icons like Perez Hilton to some of the best fashion and entertainment magazines like Us Magazine. It was a complete success!

Lucy Liu wore an amazing Roberta Cavalli snow leopard print coat accompanying her stunning Roland Mouret gown. (I WILL be able to wear something similar one day and look just as amazing...a girl can wish can't she?) As a huge fan of the show "America's Next Top Model," I was ecstatic when Yaya Decosta entered the room surrounded by the crowd and photographers.

You can find pictures from the event below. All the photos are credit of Shahar Azran.

 
 

 

 
The after party 


After an amazing event I had the opportunity to not only watch infamous DJ Sky Nellor spinning discs, but I got to meet her! She is definitely one talented DJ.

The highlight of the night for me was definitely the magician who performed after the WfWI event for an eager crowd surrounding Lucy Liu. From bending forks in half with his eyes to pulling cards out of my watch, the crowd was going nuts for a great show. I think the fact that Lucy Liu applauds him in the picture to the right is testimonial enough that he was a great magician!

Birthday Surprises

One of my favorite things to hear is that someone's birthday is coming up, mainly because it somewhat justifies the absurd amount of money spent on underground bars and trendy drinks. Why drink prices automatically double in price when the bar is underground is beyond me, but hey it's an experience right?

So when my boyfriends birthday approaches I always freak out a little because he's the type of person that 1. I never know what to get for him because he's a minimalist and always content with everything he already has (I need to be more like this) 2. doesn't show any emotion when actually opening the gift and 3. always tells me not to get him anything, but he actually means it. So panic mode overcame me when I realized it was October already and hadn't even started THINKING about his gift or what to do for it, but I think it turned out pretty well.

My boyfriend is from North Carolina and since he couldn't actually be home for his birthday I tried to think of the next best thing. And what better way to celebrate than bringing NC to NYC! My roommate  (also from NC) and I literally stumbled upon this brunch spot one day while strolling in the East Village called Cardinal. The owner is from Asheville, NC and the place is completely decked out with NC stuff all over the place. From the flag on the wall to the amazing fried chicken, biscuits and gravy I thought what better place to take him than a NC brunch spot

The funny thing is I took him here to get THIS meal and I'm the only one that ends up ordering it. He got a boring eggs, bacon and toast dish. Seriously? They even have Texas Pete hot sauce here, which is literally impossible to find in this city. Mine was CLEARLY better than his so we obviously had to make another trip to Cardinal one Saturday morning so he could get this infamous fried chicken, biscuits, gravy and sausage. (I don't even want to know how many calories is in that thing) 

Next Stop on our rendezvous: The Beekman Beer Garden! I have been wanting to come to this place ever since I heard it opened. It's an awesome beer garden overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge with ping pong tables, fooze ball tables, fire pits, sand and huge beer mugs. It would obviously be a better place to go to during the summer time, but there is really never a bad time to have a beer overlooking this amazing bridge especially watching the sunset.

To top the night off along with our NYC experience we went to 230 Fifth, a rooftop bar overlooking the Empire State building where they serve some of the best hot cider and whiskey with the best view. (Definitely perfect for a fall evening) If you go at night you will probably have to wait in line for a bit (Like most NYC hot spots) but it will definitely be worth it. Drinks may be overpriced, but because they monitor the line so well at the door it never gets too crowded up there unlike a lot of other overly crowded bars in the city.

Until next time!

Trials and tribulations in the city

In the last couple of weeks I have definitely experienced some of the highs and lows that New York City has to offer. From witnessing a robbery firsthand to sitting front row at the live taping of the Colbert Report, I'm definitely experiencing the best and worst of this city.

This city has already gotten to me in a way that if I'm ever just sitting at home relaxing I feel like I'm missing out on something. I always want to be exploring different parts of the city, eating at new restaurants, meeting new people or grabbing drinks with a friend at a new bar. Especially since working for the Mets event planning department on the weekends, I never just have a moment to myself to sit and think. But than again, I probably wouldn't take it if I did.

My mom has always warned me against the con artists in NYC. People wonder why everyone in this city is so skeptical and pessimistic and after this weekend I truly understand why. You can't trust anyone here especially when it comes to letting them inside your apartment. After a great night out, my friend and I went back to their apartment. About one hour later I woke up to someone trying to buzz into the apartment. Since it wasn't my apartment I didn't feel the need to let the roommate in even after 10 minutes of constant buzzing. 10 minutes later I hear the door open, glass break and voices that are definitely not recognizable. I immediately wake my friend up and tell them to go outside and see what was going on. (Of course, the paranoid person I am, I make them go outside knife in hand. Seriously though, I was petrified!) Turns out the voice I didn't recognize was "apparently" a friend of the roommates and the roommate who was with him confirmed they were friends! (Mistake #1) This is where we should have known something was up, but instead we went back to bed. (Mistake #2) The next morning it turns out over $30,000 of electronics and valuables were stolen from the apartment and the next couple of hours were spent talking with the cops. (Definitely not the way I planned on spending my Sunday morning) You really can't trust anyone here!

Now to the highlights of my more memorable experiences in New York! One of my roommates won tickets through Twitter to the live taping of the Colbert Report and invited me. I rushed over to the studio (which for a New Yorker is in the middle of nowhere on 54th in between 10 and 11th!) to stand in an extremely long line. This was one of the best experiences I've had in New York so far! We randomly were selected to sit in the front row and got to high five Colbert as he ran across the stage! If you can get tickets to his show, I HIGHLY recommend going. Before the show starts there is a comedian and then a question and answer session between the audience and Colbert where you can ask him absolutely anything. One of the several questions from our audience was "What is your go to Karaoke song" which in return he began singing it for us. (He really does have the voice of an Angel!) The show was hilarious, as always, and it was so great being able to laugh at his jokes along with an entire audience. On our way home we spoke with one of the producers that said Colbert was his favorite show to work on and I can definitely see why. The employees, stage managers, producers and Colbert himself are hilarious. What a great work atmosphere to work in everyday!

All settled down and FINALLY enjoying NYC

So for those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis, which by the looks of my followers is only 2 people, (That's embarrassing) I'm sorry I've been MIA for the past few weeks! It's been a pretty crazy past couple of weeks with moving into my AWESOME new apartment in Stuyvesant town. (And yes by NYC standards I'm bragging that my apartment is pretty damn awesome except there's no exposed brick, sigh) Not that I know what the deal here is with exposed brick anyway? I guess that's supposed to make you feel more "New York" if you can say you have exposed brick in your apartment. I guess it just lets people know publicly hat you're paying A LOT more than someone without it. Here's a quick view of the place with and without furniture in it.

So for those of you who know me, you know I was apartment searching for a VERY long time, but it was DEFINITELY worth the wait. Don't settle for something that is just alright in NY because I bet you can do better. I now live with 3 amazing roommates from NC, Chicago and Connecticut and I'm excited for the journey we are about to embark on! (That's pretty corny isn't it?) For entry-level young professionals looking for a great place in the city I highly recommend Stuyvesant Town! It's a few blocks from Union Square, right next to the East Village which has the best hangout bars and atmosphere for young people (in my opinion) and it's surrounded by greenery, fountains, volleyball courts, basketball courts, bocce ball courts etc. It's a little gem that not many people think to look AND you can bypass a brokers fee by going straight into the management company. I HIGHLY recommend doing this as it will save you A LOT of money!

Fashion's Night Out!

I think I have encountered just about every emotion over my last couple of days in NYC. I've been beyond happy, excited, treated like a princess, full of laughter and have had a lot of fun. I've also cried, screamed, fought with our broker, been taken advantage of (by said broker) and had such really rough times. But let's start with the fun times first!

Aside from Christmas in New York, which is my all time favorite time of the year to be in NYC, I would definitely have to say my close second favorite time to be in the city is during New York Fashion Week! For anyone interested in fashion, food, drinks, celebrities, giveaways, promotions and fashion festivities then Fashions Night Out is for you! I have always dreamed of being in the city during NYC Fashion Week and for the first time this year I was!

The best time to start hitting up the stores in the midtown area is around 3pm. I know most people aren't able to do this because they're working, but lucky me I hadn't started work yet! So I hit the ground running! My friend Kaitlin and I hit up Bendels first to get our make up done. (For free of course!) That's the great thing about Fashions Night out is everyone can enjoy being pampered by the most prestige stores in the world for one night only! Next, we headed to Bergdorf Goodman for hair, nails champagne and cupcakes! Sipping champagne while getting my hair done... I can get used to that!

Lucky for Kaitlin and I we were able to get to Bergdorf early since we both hadn't started work yet because around 5:30/6pm it started getting PACKED! It's also when it starts getting even more exciting because the celebrities start showing up to promote their stores, fragrances, beauty lines etc. Rachel Zoe showed up when we were at Bergdorf and want to know the best thing that happened? Kaitlin and I were wandering around (a little bit lost and trying to find our way to the shoe department) when we stumbled into the elevator with Rachel Zoe!! JUST Rachel Zoe, her agent, security guards and US! Of course we tried to snap a photo, but in the close quarters of an elevator its a little obvious when you're holding up your iphone in an elevator with a celebrity. While I'm thinking to myself "Try to act cool Kayla you're not THAT person" So, hence the no picture from the elevator, but I WAS able to snap the quick photo shown below! Aerin Lauder, Estee Lauder's granddaughter also showed up to Bergdorf to promote her new beauty line, which was cool to hear her speak about. 

After spending countless hours in Bergdorf we FINALLY decided that we should probably check out some other stores. Every store was giving out champagne upon entrance and the majority of stores were having promotions and sales. (Of course given the stores that I have been telling you I've been walking around in there is no discount made big enough to help me afford anything in any of them!) But it's always still cool to participate and hope that you're the lucky winner of that free trip to London right? We soon headed down to 34th street to check out their promotions and sneak a peek at Michael Korrs, one of Kaitlin and mines favorite designer. Of course it is now 8pm, prime FNO time, and the line to even get a glimpse of Michael Korrs is 20 deep. Oh well, next time right? This is the night that girls in NYC wait for all year and now I can say I've been a part of it and I see why it's the most anticipated event of the year! The only downside of the week was having the opportunity to go to a show, but the time was during my second day of work and that just wasn't happening. I got a quick glimpse of what fashion week is all about and hopefully next year I will have the opportunity to take attend a show and get the full fashion week experience!

Running around New York...Literally

East River bike path view

I can't get over how much has happened in the last week since moving here. I don't even know where to begin, but I guess I'll start with my run along the East River. I moved up to NYC a week early to adjust and familiarize myself with the city before actually starting work. Since I still don't have an apartment in the city yet, (which is an entire blog post in itself)

Anyway, I decided to go for a run along the East River and explore the East Side. The past few months I have been running in the North Carolina heat which has almost been unbearable, so when I had the chance to run along the East River on a cloudy New York day with the wind from the water it was absolutely perfect. And because it was so perfect I kept running farther and farther uptown. Before I know it I'm in Central Park on 95th street, which most New Yorkers know is about a 5-5 and a half mile run from 14th. (And that's usually the distance I've been running these days.) When I finally realize how far I ran I'm exhausted, without money to subway home and without any water. Good job Kayla. So I begin the 5 mile trek home since I'm way too tired to run even a little bit.

So remember I said I went for a run to go exploring? Well, while walking through central park with my workout clothes is completely normal, the genius I am decides to explore fifth avenue at this time. Boy was that a mistake walking down New York's (if not the nations) most fashionable street in my sneakers and workout clothes. I would have loved to see myself among the crowd of Chanel, Burberry, Gucci and Louis Vuitton that day. People are strutting down the street with beautiful custom made purses, shoes and dresses while I'm walking with my dirty sneakers and sweaty hair. Never making THAT mistake again. Plus I really didn't think it would be as crowded as it was, but man was I wrong.

Although I'm venting and complaining about it now, walking through Manhattan is really the only way to familiarize yourself with the city. I walked through the Upper East Side, Midtown East, Murray Hill, Gramercy Park, East Village and Union Square. And since I'm in the process of apartment searching in those general areas it really wasn't so bad after all.

As for the rest of the week apartment hunting here I come!

Adventures in the city, Take 1

So before I start this post I feel the need to mention that I'm writing it at Starbucks in Union Square sipping my pumpkin spice latte and people watching from my seat at the window. (I'm already becoming a true New Yorker! Ha)

I also feel the need to mention that my family thinks I won't be able to handle living in the city and the small living arrangements and high expenses it entails. Um... did you SEE the apartment I lived in Madrid? Becca and I slept in bunk beds for 6 months and we both couldn't stand in the room at the same time without hitting one another. I think I can handle a small NYC apartment. Actually the apartments are heaven compared to what I lived in at Penn State. Thanks for looking out though.

Anyway, since arriving in the big city things have actually gone pretty smoothly surprisingly. Aside from lugging 4 bags (2 huge ones and 2 small ones) across 42nd street and having them all fall down bringing me down with them and running along the East river in the pouring rain and having a taxi cab speed by splashing the biggest puddle of water into me and my mouth everything has gone great. Seriously it has!

Paddle boating in Central Park is something I have ALWAYS wanted to do, but I have never had that special someone to do it with! Boating in the lake with a girlfriend just doesn't give the same vibe as it does with a boyfriend or girlfriend. AND since we decided to partake on this rendezvous during labor day weekend in the city it really wasn't crowded and the line wasn't long at all! This is definitely something I recommend to anyone. It only cost $12 for an hour and let's be real that's almost free in terms of NYC money. Wait until I get to the drinks and dinner portion of the night. We went boating for about an hour and then explored the park as much as possible before getting hungry. It really has so many hidden gems, but takes multiple days to explore in its entirety. Thank god the rain held off too otherwise it really would have killed our plans.

After a great day spent in the park, Thomas and I went to The View for drinks. The View is an amazing restaurant and bar located inside the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. It's an absolutely amazing and truly romantic spot for anyone. The restaurant spins so you get a 360 degree view. (When we first sat down I actually went up to the host and asked to change seats because at that time we didn't have the best view. In response he goes oh you'll get there the restaurant spins and showed me that we were slowly moving. Now can you tell I'm not from here? Rookie mistake) 


Anyway, we knew the place was going to be pricy because you're really paying for the amazing view of the city you get but DAMN $35 and 2 drinks later we headed to dinner. (I do feel the need to mention I got a Long Island and Thomas got a bourbon and water, but if we were going to pay double digits for a drink anyway we planned to make it worth our while!) 

Loeb Boathouse, Central Park

Belvedere Castle, Central Park

For dinner we went to one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Becco's. I love this place because they have one of the best pasta deals in the entire city. (And if you know me you know I will always look for places with some great pasta dishes!) You get a caesar salad and 3 different types of homemade pasta that are refillable for only $22.95! The waiters come by and ask you if you want more of the certain type of pasta when they see your plate is clear. Yes, please!

While my first weekend in New York was truly everything I hoped it to be and more I'm sure I'm in for the monthly cry sessions when I have to pay my rent, going crazy in a 3 bedroom tiny apartment, and dreading that morning commute with hundreds of other people in the morning, but I'm finally in New York so it's okay right? 

Newbie in the City

The Pros and Cons of the NYC Apartment Search

My apartment search in NYC started about 3 and a half weeks ago when I went up for an interview with a PR firm in New York City. To date, I still do not have an apartment, so if anyone reading this has any ideas, suggestions, advice or an apartment for me then get at me! But really I'm not joking.

So here is how my search has gone thus far:

The Craigslist Way
The beginning of my apartment search started with a friend of a friend that was looking for 2 roommates on the Upper East side. She had put out a craigslist ad, but was reaching out to friends to avoid the weirdos that sometimes pop up on Craigslist.  Perfect, I thought. My friend can vouch for me that I'm not crazy. I was sure we would hit it off and the apartment was extremely affordable located only a couple of blocks from the subway. Prior to my meeting this girl I had had a really great day shopping, meeting with people, getting drinks and attending a PSU networking event at the Princeton club. So that being said, I was extremely excited about the possibility of everything working out and getting an apartment without even searching. No broker fee, $1200 a month, my own room, cool girl etc. (HA! Why I ever think things will be that easy I do not know) Little did I know that thousands of other people replied to her craigslist ad wanting the same exact apartment I wanted. However, she said she was being picky and only responded to about 35 people. (OH, I thought,  ONLY 35 eh?) Well, not only did I not end up getting the apartment, but I think I originally expressed a bit too much excitement that may have come off as obnoxious. (Did I mention that I had a few drinks at the networking event before meeting her?) Oh well, now I know to be cool, calm and collected for the next person I meet with.

The Online Search
Well since then it has proven to be even more difficult finding an apartment since I'm currently still living in NC. So, the only next steps I could take were reaching out to friends and resorting to online apartment searching. Whoops, I mean finding dreamy NYC apartments in my price range that don't actually exist. A girl can dream can't she! (Obviously I didn't know at the time that they didn't exist either) So, for the next 3,4,5...50 apartments I saw online I called the brokers asking about the dreamy apartment I saw online listed at $2,600.

The Call
Me: Hi I was calling to inquire about the 2 bedroom apartment you have listed online in Murray Hill with a rooftop patio, gym, laundry, doorman, elevator dishwasher etc.
Broker: That's actually not available any longer, but what are the things that you're looking for and I will help you find something.
Me: (Thinking to myself, oh wow how nice he will find me a great deal since his apartments listed online are so awesome and so affordable.) I'm looking for a 2 bedroom on the East side with a doorman, elevator, dishwasher, laundry and a rooftop patio would be nice :-D.
Broker: (Snickers) Well, I don't know what is advertised online, but in your price range that's impossible.
Me: (Thinking to myself again, you don't know what's advertised online? YOU ADVERTISED IT!!!!!)

Well, that went on for about 5-6 different brokers until I realized that these awesome apartments listed in my price range didn't actually exist. Listing these dream apartments are what get newbies like me to call the broker to get their business. (Well actually they probably do exist but DEFINITELY not in my price range.)

The Visit
Since I am still in NC my roommate went to check out a bunch of different apartments today in the city. We told the broker that our price range was $2,200-3,000 and really $3,000 was pushing it, like REALLY PUSHING IT. Well, do you know what a nice broker we ended up with? My roommate was shown 5 apartments today listed at $3,050, $3,150, $3,200, $3,250 and $3,300. Thank you, Sir, for finding me the "best" deal in the city, Did my minimum and maximum price mean absolutely NOTHING to you?

Oh and last but not least my favorite...
A few weeks ago my roommate went to look at a few apartments with another broker. Now it probably seems like we have been extremely picky in our apartment search, but I promise you we really haven't. Here is a look at the place she went to see a few weeks ago

Here's a picture of the closet size kitchen. Where is the fridge you may ask?

Oh... There it is. IN THE LIVING ROOM? That makes complete sense. How much is this beauty you may wonder? Just a whopping $3,000 in Murray Hill. 

Now do you believe me that we're not being picky? 

7 things to do in Raleigh before leaving for NYC

So for anyone that knows me knows that ever since I left New York the summer before my freshman year of high school, I have always made it my plan to go back and live in the greatest city in the world after college. FINALLY that dream has come true! I'm heading to New York in 6 days to start a job with a start up PR firm in midtown on Third Avenue and I could not be more excited. Also, for those who know me know that I have spent countless hours job searching this summer and it has finally paid off!

So, since I'm leaving in 6 days for the concrete jungle I made sure to make the most out of my last few weeks in the beautiful North Carolina visiting friends, spending time with family and getting everything ready for the big move.

1. Unfortunately, one of the first things I had to do to get ready for my move to NYC was sell this beauty. My 2010 iSport Mazda 3 birthday present 2 years ago. Although I was upset we had to sell it at first it really does make complete sense. I will definitely not be needing a car in NYC. Goodbye Mazda 3.

2. My NC friends and I planned a trip up to DC to celebrate one of my best friends birthday as well as to visit another friend that recently relocated there for a great job. Although I was hesitant at first much about spending so much money right before leaving for New York, it turned out to be a great last vacation before we all separated. One in Minneapolis, NYC, Washington D.C, 2 in Raleigh and 1 in Wilmington. I have lots of travel plans brewing in my mind for the next 2 years!

3. I most definitely had to attend one last country concert in Raleigh before leaving and it turned out to be the best concert I've EVER experienced. On the way to our lawn seats a random (Yes, I'm dead serious when I say RANDOM) person came up to my friend Leigha and I asking if we wanted front row seats for the Brad Paisley show. We remained dumbfounded during the entire concert watching Brad Paisley and The Band Perry from, literally, the best seats in the entire arena. (I was feeling so lucky the next day I went and played the lottery...twice)

4. I recommend the next activity to any mom, best friend, daughter and/or sister you know. (Dads, brothers and boyfriends probably wouldn't love it as much as my mom and I did.) For my mom's birthday we went to Artistic Abandon in Raleigh and OMG who knew how much fun painting could be! We sat in a class of about 30 women (Yup not 1 man in there) drank mimosas and followed a teacher's instructions on how to paint the beautiful masterpieces you see above! It was a perfect Saturday morning activity and I can't wait to hang the painting in my NYC apartment to remind me of this day,

5. Attend the Lazy Daze festival in Cary! This festival only happens once a year and while it is extremely crowded there are truly some hidden treasures to be found at this fair. From vintage jewelry, amazing photographs, paintings, glass blowing, DIY activities, face painting (for the kiddies) kettle corn, awesome food, boutiques etc. It's another great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Attending this fair mixed with countless hours spent on Pinterest have inspired me to become a lot more crafty with my time!

6. One of my final weekend activities before leaving for NYC was a going away brunch for my best friend who is currently on her way to Minneapolis for a new job! Looking for a delicious brunch spot in Raleigh? Definitely go and check out Coquette at Six Forks Road. Not only do they have amazing quiches, croque madames and breakfast sandwiches, but they have bottomless mimosas for only $10!  It's deals like THAT I will miss the most in 6 days. And of course my friends and family :-D 

7. Oh and of course there is packing to do! Well, this is how that's going. And yes, that would be my dog laying on top of all the things I'm trying to pack for New York. Thanks for the help Scout. Of course I only listed the fun stuff I've been doing in my spare time because who wants to read about getting shoes repaired, getting pants hemmed, shopping for more work clothes, apartment searching, (and getting nowhere) and deciding what to bring and not to bring to my pigeon hole apartment in the city. Guess that post will have to wait for next time!

If anyone else has suggestions on things to do in Raleigh before I leave I would love to hear them!