Friday, August 10, 2012

Today Marks 10 Years In New York. Happy New Yorkiversary to Me!

Ten years ago today, I moved to New York. I got on a plane with my four suitcases (back then, you could carry on two and check two that each weighed up to 70 pounds!) and said goodbye to my childhood.

Along the way, there have been ups and downs, starting with my first apartment – a space I’d only seen on Craigslist, living with people I’d never met. (I'm going to go on record as saying that was one of the dumbest ideas I've ever had, though I couldn't know until I tried. But I don't recommend doing that.) But each experience I’ve had in New York has shaped the person I’ve become, for better or for worse. Looking at the side by side images above -- the left is from the day I moved, while the right is from just yesterday -- it's hard to believe so much time has gone by. I look at the baby-faced me on the left and am sort of stunned that I've accomplished so many goals.

I always knew I wanted to be a New Yorker. I started saying I was going to live here when I was 12 years old. And though my career choice changed a few times -- I went from thinking I would be a cantor at a synagogue, to singing on Broadway, to a brief stint where I thought my French was good enough for me to be a translator at the United Nations -- I always knew writing and journalism would play a major part in my New York story. Always, those other careers were secondary to writing. And, again, the way my career has shaped itself isn't what I pictured -- I'm not, for example, the Editor in Chief of Seventeen -- I absolutely love what I do, both professionally as a fashion copywriter and personally as a beauty and fashion blogger. I really wouldn't have it any other way.

That's not to say New York hasn't thrown its punches at me. I've been both sat on and punched in the face in the subway (yes, both of those experiences really happened), dated guys who deserved an episode of Sex and the City for how crazy they turned out to be, made and lost friends, lived with great roommates, lived with crazy roommates, lived with the best roommate of all -- myself. I've become a fiercely independent woman who knows what she wants and came into her own among eight million other people.

And let's not forget the core of my professional life (which, more often than not, bleeds into the personal side of things) -- beauty and fashion! I've been obsessed with both for as long as I can remember, and while some of my tastes may have changed, it's actually shocking how much has remained the same.

I am, for example, still a jeans and T-shirt girl at heart -- though I'll rock a pair of heels with my jeans now instead of Birkenstocks. And I've amassed quite a collection of shoes -- Manolo Blahnik! Christian Louboutin! Stuart Weitzman! Celine! Barneys! Dolce & Gabbana! Okay, I'll stop bragging. I think anyone would admit I've cultivated an intense addiction to nail polish -- Chanel, RGB, butter LONDON, Zoya, Nails Inc., the list goes on -- which, really, has existed since my best friend and I used to trade crazy nail polish colors back in high school. While everyone else was wearing pink and red, we were wearing green and brown. And I've grown to love mixing high and low, wearing everything from Ralph Lauren and Chloe to Forever 21 and H&M. I feel that not only my fashion sense and eye for beauty but my entire being have developed and grown up in the big, bad city.

In short? I never could have imagined everything I've been privileged to see and do in the past 10 years. I wouldn't be the person I am without every single experience New York has given me. What a ride it’s been.

8 comments:

  1. Great story, Jamie. Thank you for sharing:) It's great to hear this from someone who has lived it. My little sister, who is 22, is just starting her New York City adventure. I cannot wait to see what she can do. It is amazing all that you have accomplished and gone through in 10 years:)

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  2. You are so adorable!!! Loved the write-up!Have fun tonight. Sorry I can't make it! xox

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  3. Sounds like it's never boring there, but I am a country girl and can't imagine living in a big city. I do like reading and watching about happenings in the big city though. Love your blog!

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  4. Hi Jamie. I am a friend of your mom's and though you don't know me, I've been "watching" you. My nephew is in the City after beginning his career at the MOMA. He is 25 and loves it too. Keep being amazing! I wish I was young again:)

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  5. Hi Jamie- I am a friend of your mom's that's been "watching" you over the years. You seem so mature and able to reflect on your life- that's wonderful. My nephew is in the city as a graphic designer for Pentagram. Living young is so exciting. Keep going:)

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  6. I loved reading this! You should be so proud of yourself for all you have accomplished and experienced. I showed this to my daughter to inspire her too :)

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  7. every posts of your is very useful ,but i don't have anytime to make up,thank you ,
    happy marks 10 years

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  8. Awww, What a great story. Major props to you for taking such an amazing step in your life. You are an inspiration!

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