It's Already FEBRUARY?!!!!...

Wow, the last time I posted on this blog, it was 2 days before leaving for New York and to start my new job.  I am FLOORED that it's already been over 3 months.  First 2 living bi-coastal and in hotels...and this past month and a half in my new West Village apartment.  I still can't wrap my head around it all. 

Life can change quickly.  It's a crazy ride.

I'd love to update and share more detail but really, life has been mostly about work! I've barely had the chance to explore and enjoy the city . 

Biggest disappointment?  Unseasonably warm Winter and only 1 real snow day to show for it...

View from the front door of my apartment building...

If that's all I get this year, I will be seriously bummed...and pissed...LET IT SNOW!!!

My February resolution: enjoy NEW YORK more...

In NY I will...

...walk to work (unless I can't master walking in snow...tricky...)

...buy fresh flowers on the corner for my tiny, tiny apartment

...not fret that I am paying twice what I'd pay in SF for an apartment (and still carry a mortgage)

...spend as much time at High Line Park as possible

...try and stay at a bar until 4am closing at least once (I'm useless past midnight)

...feast at Le Bernardin (and profess my love to Eric Ripert)

...camp out at Mood Fabrics until I run into Tim Gunn (it's bound to happen, right?)

...say hello w/ a smile to every doorman I meet

...wear a Chargers jersey every Sunday during the football season

...try every new trendy workout in town (until my groupon runs out)

...not be afraid of rats, not be afraid of rats, not be afraid of rats (please, please, please don't let me see a rat)

...spend time in Brooklyn

...go to the 2012 US Open

...kick ass at my job

...make a point of meeting every acquaintance I have for coffee or a drink, since I have zero actual friends out there

...find true love & live happily ever after in a multi-million dollar penthouse.  Right, Carrie?

New chapter...

Well, it's been awhile, and a lot has happened in the past months.

I was laid off from my job.

Went on at least 50 job interviews.

Got offers. Turned down offers. Got turned down w/o offers.

Had my ego and self-esteem take a few kicks.

And finally landed on what could quite possibly be a dream opportunity.

Time to put my money where my mouth is so-to-speak and leave the comfy confines of the advertising agency world behind...onward to a tech startup (well, it's an ad-tech startup...baby steps!)  I've been preaching my entire career about doing what you're passionate about - and it's clear to all that I'm passionate about the startup world.  Luckily, my first foray is at a pretty established startup (already had C-series funding) and rests right on the border of advertising and technology (both what I know and what I love)

Oh, and I may have failed to mention...it's based in NEW YORK!  Yup - I'm doing what I never thought I'd do...leaving the Bay Area.  Let's see what NY has up her sleeve for me. 

The decision-making process was brutal.  And once I got out of the "take a job because I need a job" mode and really settled back into a place of power ("take a job because I want THIS job"), I found that the options were all pretty amazing and seemingly perfect for me.  

I had offers from:

• An ad agency where I could support all of the West region (with some kick-ass leadership and growing like crazy)
• A mobile app startup doing amazing, disruptive things in the industry, young & small but growing...fast...
• And a national position at an ad-tech startup that's almost a grown up, but needs that extra push to get them there.

The first was my comfort zone. The second where I thought I wanted to be.  The third, well, at the end of the day, turned out to be the perfect marriage of size, industry, and growth.  

So, away I go! But don't worry my love, Bay Area, I also support the Palo Alto office and will be back often.  You know I can't stay away long.  

And to my new home: be gentle. I am open to loving you if you treat me with kindness.  Surprise me everyday. Reveal hidden beauties about yourself to me. Introduce me to great people. Let me experience great success professionally and personally.  And keep me safe. 

"New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do...

New York, these streets will make you feel brand new, street lights will inspire you..."

Torture tools...

My 2 obsessions as of late:

TRX suspension training

Pilates reformer machines

I have to admit, between TRX and the Pilates reformer, workouts aren't quite as miserable. Let's get real: I love food and beer too much to be a lean, mean, fighting machine.  But, with these workouts, I can feel a little less guilty when I down a Big Mac!

My boyfriends...

Remember back a few months ago when my boyfriends Justin and Jimmy performed (flawlessly, I might add) the History of Rap?  (need a reminder?)

Well, I had heard that JT would be visiting Jimmy's show again last night and hoped that they had another brilliant musical number up their sleeves.  Not wanting to disappoint the woman they love (yes, I'm referring to me...this is my blog, I get to be delusional), they came through with History of Rap 2!

*sigh* heart, heart, heart them!

Shop till I drop...

Ahhh...Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  I heart you.  True, after 2 store visits and a dozen logins to nordstrom.com, I am poorer, but definitely more prepared for Fall.  

Lots of basics (hanky pankys, mac makeup sets, dresses (as most know, for me, a basic)...) and a few key pieces:

AG Stilts jeans...heart these...

LOVE the back of this blouse!...

The picture doesn't do these Enzo's justice. The color is a deep berry...gorgeous...and comfy!

I needed some booties...nude, very versatile

Obsessed with this Coach tote.  HUGE and perfect for schlepping around all my stuff...

Michael Kors sunglasses...lots of Summer left in the year!...

I don't think I can spend another dollar (dime, penny...) for the rest of the...year?

Weekender...

Ahhh...gotta say, this past weekend was pretty lovely.  What a perfect representation of Summer!

Friday was a nice, unexpected day off from work.  Tons of errands (and a few big withdrawals from the bank account) later, and I was feeling ready to enjoy the long weekend.  

Saturday, Emily, Margaret and I headed over the bridge to the Tennessee Valley Trail.  It was a nice little hike, but the best part was lunch afterwards.  We must've been hungry because all we talked about was food!  Fish tacos, ceviche, and bbq oysters did the trick for me.  My favorite part, though, ice cold beers from mason jars overlooking the harbor!  

Sunday had me tackling a bunch of home improvement.  I knew I wanted to get my office redecorating done. So, with a few cans of high gloss white spraypaint, I refurbished a few pieces of furniture, bought a perfect-sized bar cart, and did some DIY wall art.  Moved everything into the tiny room and voila...a new office space!

Monday ended with a great little bbq.  Salmon steaks, brussel sprout chips (Marlowe would have been proud!) and for dessert, grilled plums with coconut/pineapple sorbet.  Yum!

A little tough being back at work today...gotta admit...