New Year, New Me?

Well HAPPY 2013!

Here I am, dealing with my wild life here in NYC but enjoying the days as they fly by me. From spending a calm and relaxing NYE in Princeton, NJ with some good friends of mine, to having an impromptu thai dinner / wine party at a friends apartment in East Village - 2013 is off to a great start.

In the New Year I look forward to finding myself more in this city, as I let myself grow into, well, me, some more...

Life has really hit me hard here - no more coming "home" to the comfort of Mom where I can curl on a couch by the fire and dream of an exciting future... Now I am living in it, I am working,  living in NYC, coming home to my tiny little apartment with new friends around every corner. But now it's time to realize a new future, to realize the beauty in this new life, and to find the hope in it that will inspire my destiny. Sound like a task? It feels like one... But isn't that life?

With that, I'd love to share this video my Mom posted to my facebook. When I watched it tonight, it made so much sense. This is the meaning of life, at the bare bones of it all. What do you think?

It's been a quick second!

Hi all,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! First off I know it's been long (too long to be frank) since my last blog post. But alas it is a rainy December day in the city and I find myself on blogger - so by golly I will post something!

A quick update on ME:

I am living life in the big apple and working at HUGO BOSS - I am almost through working my first "holiday time" in the eComm industry in fashion - needless to say it's busy... very busy... But it's all a learning curve and I'm learning more and more every day. I feel so blessed to be taking so much in and growing professionally. Notably, I worked on the Holiday '12 photo shoot, and scouted the location (trump soho penthouse in nyc) and also worked on some cool dressing guides for holiday that are now on our site! (see below...).

Links to the guides for MEN'S and WOMEN'S

from the trump soho penthouse holiday shoot...

another shot...

On a more personal note, my small room here is finally feeling more home-ish, I realize candles and small lamps make world of a difference - I found a beautiful church up the street (St Pauls) and attend regularly on Sunday evenings and am so blessed to have found a faith outlet so close to home! Lastly, IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS and I cannot wait to go to VT for a few days and enjoy the tree, fireplace and hopefully snow!

That's it for now, if you want to learn more or hear more about particulars of my life in NYC leave a comment and it may become the subject of my next post!

Remember we are all living blessed lives.
-Derek


Oh and here's a taste of some random new music I like...

NYC

Well here I am! It's been about a month and it's flown by! Between finding and moving into an apartment to starting a new job and working NYC hours- I can blog! (from a bus of course)...

Sorry for the long delay in writing! More details to come soon but below are some pictures of my humble bedroom, a view from my roof deck at work, and some cityscape shots!

Awaken My Mind

Well- I have some news..... I GOT A JOB! I have accepted a job with Hugo Boss as the ecommerce marketing coordinator and start May 29th! All my hard work the past 2 years has finally paid off and my career is beginning a mere 2 weeks after I finish college. Unreal.

As happy as I have been about this (trust me I am thrilled and blessed) this time has been super tough, too. Life is moving a million miles a minute and I lost focus on what's most important somewhere a few months ago. Being consumed with finding a place to live (way tougher than I imagined) or figuring out what's causing my chronic back pain (no fun) to grasping the fact I am moving to New York City for good- my brain has no time to process this and it's a constant go-go-go (and I haven't even moved yet!)

In the age where my twitter is more rampant than my thoughts and my phone is attached to my hip, how can I "shut off" and just find myself again? I want to find the peace and joy in living for today, in this moment... How appropriate, as I am currently also studying for my Buddhism final next Tuesday. Buddhism stresses again and again giving into the moment, finding peace in this exact space in time. Today I am challenging myself to do just that. It's been awhile...

Spring Essentials...

Why hello there- I write to you from aboard a train. I just departed Burlington, Vermont on my 9.5 hour journey to New York City. (I guess this is what happens when you need to get there fast, and don't have enough money to fly). I will say however, the wifi is helping...A lot.

I am en route to the city again for a last round of interviews with a great company for an excellent marketing position. I don't want to post about the company because I think it's bad luck, but I could really see myself working there. I have come to realize that fashion marketing is the ideal blending of two things I am professionally passionate about. Having worked at DKNY Jeans, CANALI and Brandthropology among other places, I came to appreciate the many facets of fashion, as well as traditional and digital marketing. This job would allow me to help communicate a product I am passionate about in the digital realm with E-Commerce. I am blessed regardless to have this opportunity, so we will see if it's meant to be!

That quick note aside, I wanted to share with you a few essentials for this coming spring. From Sperry's to a windbreaker, and denim in-between, look below for a quick snapshot of what I'll be wearing...

Below is a pieced together look that is super casual but still refined...

Shoes- Sperry Laceless $55

7 For All Mankind $200

Burberry Sport Cotton Peacoat $800

The above are my style on any given (casual) day in the spring / fall. The Sperry's and Peacoat allude to a nautical summer ahead while the dark denim is a staple that ties together any look. I chose the jeans with some distressing to give more into the relaxed vibe, while the peacoat dresses it up just a bit.

Things I noticed while writing this... 1) I really like the color blue 2) I wore a similar pairing today while boarding the train- ironic. 

7 For All Mankind Jacket & Jeans- Jack Spade Bag- Classic SMC Hat- Sperry Kicks- VT Flannel for good measure

That's it for now folks. Remember we are all living blessed lives.

Until next time, 

-Derek

Wanderlust Weekend

So I write this as the sun is well in the sky, and the high for today is 80 degrees... Did I mention it is only March 20th and I am in northern Vermont? My prayers have been answered!!!!

It's been a hot second since my last post- I thought I'd give a brief life update before my next post / installment of the Movers & Shakers series, as seen here.

I spent a long weekend in NYC for some job interviews and general catching up on life in the Big Apple. I was so lucky to meet with the people I did in the city, and it is a true testament to networking as they all fell into place within 2 days of each other, and all through networking. Seriously, especially in a city like New York, networking is THE key to success (well, one of them). Raw talent is plentiful on that small island, and to stand out it takes extra effort, which ultimately can be found in who you know. I'm not condoning talentless people by any means, but you need a healthy balance of talent and ambition to make your dreams a reality. If you want it enough, it will come.

I naturally will keep you updated on the outcomes of my meetings.

Remember we are all living blessed lives.

-Derek

New Music!

Here is a quick post in the interim to my next feature post covering another mover and shaker...

I came across this song tonight, and found the acoustic version on YouTube. Check it out for yourselves and tell me what you think. It has a great soulful hook with a tempo to tap along to...

Remember how blessed we all are, no matter the circumstances.

Until next time,

-Derek