Furnish a Room on a Budget

I moved to New York in September. It is now December and the furnishing of my room is finally complete. And guess what: I did it all on a budget! You should be proud. I always start with these huge ideas and I keep at it until it becomes a reality. That's what happened with my room. At first, all I knew was that I wanted it to be classy. Well, of course. This is me we're talking about here. But there had to be something more...

Black and white have been my favorite colors for quite some time because I think they are just the epitome of class, so that was the "theme" I gave my bedroom. I shopped around and rummaged through my parents' home in Virginia until it all came together. I can't take credit for it all, because my mother helped me quite a lot. Her design sense (and cents) is incredible and I couldn't have done it without her. I know they say bedrooms are intimate and blah blah blah but I'm an open person and I like to share. Plus, the vast majority of you reading this will probably not get the chance to see it in the flesh anyway. So here go the photos. Enjoy! And if you have any questions, please do ask!

Dresser - Craigslist, came with a chest of drawers for $160 total

Headboard - Groupon, $80

Mattress and box spring - Ashley Furniture, originally $2500, got it for $750

Comforter - Target, $19.99

Yellow pillows - Target, $14.99ea.

Black and white pillow - IKEA, $12.99

Desk - IKEA, $119

Desk chair - Mom found it at a beauty shop, $20

Curtains - Walmart, $14.99

Rug - Walmart, $39.99

Floor lamp - IKEA, $19.99

Audrey Hepburn wall decor - gifted from a close friend

As you can see, I didn't really splurge on anything except my mattress (and boy, let me tell ya, it was worth it!). It didn't come together all at once, but it came together quite beautifully, if I do say so myself.  It's my own little corner and I adore it. This is what dreams are made of.

P.S. I'll do a post on my living room another time.

10 Things I Love About My Internship

One thing is certain: when you're an intern, you have to work twice as hard to do everyone's grunt work in the office and still somehow manage to get valuable experience, make connections and contacts and get maximum exposure for your work. And let me tell ya, it ain't easy. I spend most of my days...dun dun dun...doing mailings. That means I'm tasked with packaging and mailing books to bloggers, TV and radio show hosts and the likes all across the country, in hopes that they will review said book on their blog/website/show. It isn't always easy, but I actually don't mind it that much. I'm just being dramatic.

And since my time at Simon & Schuster is drawing to a close at the end of this month, and it's nearly Thanksgiving, I figured it might be a good idea to think back on all the things I've loved about working there.

10. Everyone's door is always open. Literally. From the senior vice presidents to the senior publicists to the directors of marketing, not a single door is closed. That was the first thing I noticed on Day 1. And since I love to ask questions, I've continually taken advantage of this. It's a great way to meet people. And to learn.

9. I'm never counting down the hours (or minutes) until I get off. That's because they keep me busy. Remember how I mentioned mailings earlier? I've sent as many as 500 in a single day. And that's just for one book. Crazy, right? But in addition to those darn mailings, I'm also able to research trends in readership based on a certain author's audience and write press releases to send out to the media.

8. It's at Rockefeller Center! I know this has nothing to do with the work I do, but being at a great location boosts your morale, in a way. Plus, it adds to the cultural experience of living in NYC. If you aren't really sure what Rockefeller Center in all its grandeur is, check out the link I posted. When I don't pack my lunch (which should never, ever happen, given I'm on a strict budget), I venture down to the underground concourse and choose from a wide selection of restaurants. Outside my building, there are also great places to shop, like H&M and J.Crew. I try my best to stay in the building. Oh! And once I get on the train in the mornings, I don't even have to go back outside to get to work. I just take the escalator all the way. This especially comes in handy on super cold, rainy or snowy days. And I've experienced all of them in my short time here.

7. Speaking of Rockefeller Center, the discounts! Just by being an "employee" of Rockefeller Center, I was privy to early-bird discounted tickets to see...wait for it...THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR! It really doesn't get much better than this. When I first saw the ads, I thought Dear Lord, please see to it that I am in the number to see those glorious Radio City Rockettes this Christmas season. Then I went online to view ticket prices and my mouth dropped: dream was too shattered. But won't the good Lord make way? He ain't nothing but the dag on truth. He may not come when you want Him, but golly He's right on time. And I thank Him.

6. My co-workers are awesome. I mainly work with a cool chick named Jill. She's just as preppy and chipper as I am, so we get along great. She used to work as a production assistant for CBS before she switched over to publishing and I've learned so much from her about what it's like working in both industries. And my other co-workers are equally amazing and accomplished in their fields. And they always thank me and tell me how much they appreciate my help. It's inspiring to hear stories about their careers and lives because someday when I have an intern, that will be me.

5. I'm able to learn a lot about the entire publishing process and not just the publicity aspect of. So much goes into writing and publishing a book from start to finish! You have no idea. And then to get it placed in exactly the right mediums is an art of its own.

4. Sometimes, I get to work on top-secret projects that I can't talk about because they haven't been revealed yet. Who wouldn't feel special with that kind of knowledge?

3. There's a "Brown Bag Lunch & Learn" every week. All the interns from across the company come together for lunch with full-time employees of the company. One week, my own boss, the publicity director for our imprint was a guest. Another week, a senior editor was. They are always open to the many questions we interns have and it's amazing to see how so many of them had no interest in book publishing, yet here they are.

2. FREE BOOKS! I debated whether this should be my number one reason, just because I love books so much. Books can take you to places near and far, past and present. I love that. And I love how I'm able to expand my mind and views on things like politics (currently reading 50 Things Liberals Love to Hate by Mike Gallagher) and cooking (just finished Angelina's Bachelor's: A Novel with Food by Brian O'Reilly) and even poverty (also read An Angry-Ass Black Woman by Karen E. Quinones Miller). And I don't have to beg for an endless supply of Barnes & Noble gift cards in order to do it.

1. I enjoy getting out of bed each morning to go to the office. That's what's most important, right? If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. As I set out to find a full-time job in the coming months, it is my hope that this feeling remains.

This place has truly been what dreams are made of and I am going to miss it so much.

The Jar of Life

I wish I could take credit for this, but I cannot. I stole it. But I thought you'd enjoy it.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class ...

began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was
Full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.

Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full..

The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car..

The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put
The sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children.

Spend time with your parents.

Visit with grandparents.

Take your spouse out to dinner.

Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.

The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.

The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Adulthood

I was invited to be the honored guest at the Matoaca Fall Festival this weekend.
That's right, little old me, an honored guest.

Right now, I'm curled up on a northbound Amtrak train, new book courtesy of Simon & Schuster in hand. I am homebound (New York home, that is) after a weekend in Virginia filled with time for community service, family and friends. It has dawned on me that I am now an adult. Sigh. Gone are the days when a trip to Forever 21 or H&M didn't require much thought before proceeding. I turn off lights as soon as I realize I no longer need their source. And I don't send my clothes to the cleaners nearly as often as I used to. In essence, I've learned (or am learning) to conserve.

My princess, Abigail, and me with some local heroes

Flowers with Style so graciously gave each of us a bouquet

You would be right to assume my parents have taken care of me the past 22+ years. Sure, I spent my undergraduate years two whole hours away from home and worked part-time jobs and had to do my own laundry; but I was still largely dependent on my parents for financial support throughout those years. I didn't have a want or need for a budget then. Boy, do I now!

I am now at least seven hours away from their tender loving care and having a ball, while they worry night and day. Yes, my father actually said that this weekend. Since I moved to New York about a month ago, I paid my own rent, cable and electric bill, and sent my laundry out. (Ok, maybe I'm a little bougie for sending my laundry out, but it's so convenient and it really didn't set me back much at all.) I've even managed to excel in all my classes thus far and I'm beginning to find myself in this city I now call home. So I am happy. And I am blessed. Very.

I have become very practical and sensible in the past few weeks. I guess it comes with the territory. Having a Zara practically next door to my campus and a J. Crew around the corner from my internship doesn't help much, but I've learned that if I don't walk in the door, I won't spend a single cent. I just have to ensure I don't walk in those revolving doors. You wouldn't believe how hard a thing that is not to do. I like to spend just as much as the next girl, but I've realized I just cannot spend freely or there will be severe consequences.

What I would so desperately like to spend my money on freely:

• Dresses (long-sleeved, peplum, LBD, you name it);
• Pumps (actually on the lookout for a nice, black patent leather pair at the moment);
• Wine (future connoisseur);
• Broadway shows (I'm in NEW YORK CITY!);
• Dominican blowouts (I whip my hair back and forth);
• Fancy events (what kind? you may ask. I'm not sure, but ones you must dress up to attend)
• Manicures & pedicures (even full-body massages); and
• Groupons (for the aforementioned items, of course...and getaways)

What I am instead forced to spend money on:

• Food (a very odd thing, but my body requires I consume it every day)
• Rent (a killer, especially here in NYC)
• Cable (a necessary evil if I am to keep up with what's going on in the world; oh, and watch movies)
• Electric bill (Fridge, among other things, wouldn't work without it)
• Subway pass (and I'm actually saving money by purchasing an unlimited monthly pass for $100)

Needless to say, there exists a very real need to conserve, to save money any and every way possible. I read this article, which talks about the importance of having a budget and sticking to it in order to reach your goals, and I have since strived to have as many $0 Days as possible. Believe you me, it's no easy task. And you can't dwell on achieving it. But when you do, boy is it thrilling!

Keeping track of your daily spending enables you to have a record of exactly where your money is going. I feel empowered knowing there is a plan for what little money I have. Sticking to it will only enable me further, because I can save up for my first big purchase. I have yet to decide what that is, but something tells me it will be something very practical--like paying off my student loans--and not something fierce, like buying my first Mercedes. But someday I will, and that's what dreams are made of.

And this.

30 Things...

Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30
By Glamour Magazine

Ok so I've yet to even reach my mid-20s, but I came across this list and found it to be great for self-reflection and evaluation, no matter what age you are. I like to take time to think about what I'm really doing here on earth and I figured I'm not the only one. Sometimes your life, relationships and career and personal goals need some revamping. This might help.
By 30, you should have:
One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
A youth you’re content to move beyond.
A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you
deserve it.
The belief that you deserve it.
A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:
How to fall in love without losing yourself.
How you feel about having kids.
How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
When to try harder and when to walk away.
How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
How to take control of your own birthday.
That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
Why they say life begins at 30.

Someday when I'm 30, I hope to have and know each of the articles on this list. And I hope that my life will still be what dreams are made of.

Why Not?

A good friend of mine, Isaac, came into town this past weekend for work, so we planned to meet up. After my class, we met at Times Square and asked two policemen where we should go. Isaac said asking policemen is always a safe route because they have to know the city. They told us we should find Restaurant Row, so we did and ended up at a French restaurant called L'Ybane. I ordered the seafood spaghetti and a glass (ok, maybe two) of sparkling Moscato. Mon dieu, c'est trés bon! Had the leftovers the next day for lunch and it was even better the second time. The spaghetti, not the wine. But this is not a review of this restaurant (although I will most certainly go back), so moving on...

As Isaac and I we were talking about how I was adjusting to life in the city, my love life (and lack thereof, in case you're wondering), and being a graduate student, he said something to me that began a conversation and series of thoughts that I will never forget. It began when he told me how proud he was that I decided to venture out of Virginia, that he wished he had the balls to do that when he was 22. He said, "If there's an opportunity to study abroad, GO!" and reminded me that there is a world of opportunities here that are at my fingertips, from networking events to modeling opportunities to community involvement. He then asked me what really made me feel compelled to move to New York City, in the end. Without even thinking, I replied, "Why not?"

Isaac and me at my college graduation

And again I say, "Why not?" It makes me think of the Hilary Duff song lyrics:

Why not take a crazy chance?

Why not do a crazy dance?

If you lose a moment, you might lose a lot.

So, why not?

Why not? There was absolutely nothing holding me back. I didn't win Miss Virginia so promoting my personal platform, as well as the Miss America Organization and its platform, the Children's Miracle Network, as a full-time job for the next year was no longer an option. I didn't have a job or internship or even living arrangements in Northern Virginia, where I went to undergrad and where many of my friends still are. And although I love my little town of Louisa and my parents and brother very much, what on earth would I be doing there right now? Looking terrible, I bet (my signature phrase). The reason I moved here and the reason why I do so many of the things I do (which is the same reason my parents worry so much about me), is because I was born without fear. For as long as I can remember, I have had a healthy disregard for the impossible. I awaken from my big dreams in the morning and begin to prepare for my future full of them. No one can make them a reality but me and God.

So that's what I'm doing here. I have set out, not to change the world, but to make a difference in it. And I believe I have chosen the best profession in the world for that. When done properly, public relations seeks to educate people, to motivate them and change public perception without misleading people. Public relations is centered on ethics, and since ethics play such an immeasurable role in my personal life, it's only right that the consistency spreads across my professional life, as well.

I know so many people take pride in my accomplishments because they feel they have helped me succeed in some way. They are correct. No man (or woman) succeeds on his own. I learned that from Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers. I know that some people are counting on me to fail and run home crying to my parents. Tell them not to bet their bottom dollar. I know that there are still others who would like to do and be more than they currently are. They can. They just need to ask themselves, "Why not?" If that question goes unanswered, they'll know it's time. I hope I can inspire them in some way, even if I never know. That's what dreams are made of.

My (New) New York

They say you aren't truly a New Yorker until you've lived here consecutively for ten years. Bump them. I've been here a little over a week and I'd like to think I'm already a New Yorker. I have yet to master the subway, I forget to close my curtains sometimes and I still walk around in awe as a tourist would, but who cares? I'm an explorer.

And my apartment--OUR apartment--is the best thing since sliced bread. My roommate and I lucked out in getting a newly renovated place with all new furnishings. Unfortunately, that also meant we were without a kitchen sink and cabinets for almost a week. It was tragic. All those meals I had imagined myself cooking had to be put on hold. The horror. Yet, somehow, I managed.

For making this move alone to a brand new city, I have been called brave. I have been called crazy. I have been called amazing. In reality, I am probably a bit of all three, with an emphasis on the crazy. Let’s face it: I’m a southern country gal. There are farms and llamas and dirt roads in Louisa, Va., where I’m from. We just got a Wal-Mart. Our biggest attractions are Lake Anna and our Friday night football games in The Jungle. This is a big change for me. My parents are worried sick and in constant prayer. And so am I. 

On my first full day as a New York resident, my father texted to ask if I was yet homesick. I told him I wasn’t, which was and is true. But as the week progressed, I learned that the city can be quite lonely. At times, I felt so small in this immensely populated and big place. New York City is my ocean, and I believe I will always feel small standing beside it. I have certainly found my comfort zone and vow to stay out of it in exploration of something more. 

In my first week, I noticed quite a few things. For starters, New Yorkers stare. And not just the creeps you see hanging out in dark alleys (not that I've ever been in any other than in my nightmares), but even the fairly normal-looking people. It may be because I have a smiling problem and they don't. New Yorkers don’t smile enough, so naturally they’re surprised when I smile at them. They probably think I’m crazy. Ask me if I care. The world needs a lot more love.

I also found that everyone here is always in a hurry, even when they don't have to be. It seems they have become so accustomed to the rat race that even when they have time, they don't stop to enjoy life. I hope that doesn't become me. I want to always make time to soak in life's sweet moments. The other night on the train, I was thinking about my freshman year of undergrad and the good times I had with the friends who became family. I will never get those moments back, but I so wish I could sometimes. Someday, I may say the same about the time I spent here in New York. So my days here will not be wasted.

Now, about grad school: it's a lot like undergrad. You have the slackers and the overachievers, the invigorating and mind-stimulating professors and the ones who drone on and on. (If you're reading this, Prof. Breakenridge, you are most certainly the former.) And we can't forget the group projects and presentations and seemingly endless reading assignments. What's different is, of course, the content and discussion thereof. We examine many more case studies than I did in undergrad, which I find extremely useful for practical application. Everyone knows you can't learn everything you need to in a classroom or from a book. But you can learn from the past and from your professors and peers. I can honestly say I am impressed with my fellow classmates and their accomplishments, as well as with my professors and their teaching styles.

Right now, I have a lot of free time on my hands, but in a couple weeks I will begin an internship with Simon & Schuster, a top publishing company. When I tell you this opportunity of a lifetime fell into my lap, I mean it. And that’s why I think it was sent from above. I believe in signs like that. What's meant to be always will be. And I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now.

I feel blessed to be who and where I am. This is what dreams are made of.