Color Chameleon

[colorchameleon]

As I sit in my bed refusing to get up and greet the New Year, hungover from too much champagne, I’m reflecting on all the things 2016 was and was not.

2016 was kind of a ho-hum year.  Sure, I traveled to some incredible places, I made a big move from NYC to Texas, started a new job, turned 30...however on the whole the year was a bit average.  

Most people who know me know that I have weird superstition about odd number years.  2005 began the pattern... let’s just say it started out rough...and expensive. However, with as lackluster as 2016 turned out to be I’m suddenly strikingly optimistic about the new year.  

In sum, bring it 2017.  Let’s have some fun.  I’ll keep an open mind, maybe I’ll try a few new things, meet a couple new people (probably not, I’m generally team #nonewfriends) and travel to some interesting places. 

I’ll leave you with that vague final thought as my hangover has taken a turn for the worst and I need to start a rotation of water, Powerade and tacos STAT. 

Happy New Year.

[colorchameleon]

I realize that I’ve been bouncing around for most of 2016.  I started in New York, took a small vacation in the South of France (very, very humble brag here), traipsed through the Cotswolds before sipping tea in London.  But, I’m bored. I need to GET OUT.

Where to you ask? ANYWHERE. Sun? Sure. Countryside?  Why not. Mountains? SERIOUSLY ANYWHERE.

So, I’ve started compiling a list of places I need to see like pronto.  In no particular order 2017 will have some excitement (clears throat):

- Austria, Germany, Spain, Greece, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Croatia, Hungary

Hell, I’ll even settle for revisiting places I’ve already been (France, Italy, England, Ireland).

Again, ANYWHERE.  

Who knew I could be so easy going? Let’s just GO.

[colorchameleon]

It’s just not my strong suit.  Decorating, you know?

I’m not exactly a “nester”.  As in, I don’t nest.  You could give me cardboard box and as long as it had ample closet space, I’d be a happy girl.

First of all - do you know how much furniture costs? I mean, what if next season you change your mind? Then you spend another $2k because you decide you want a velvet tufted sofa instead of a light grey linen? What a racket.

However, I’m working through my issues with decorating.  I’m a grown up, I can do this.  You’re still a grown up if you shop at a Ikea, right? Great.

So join me in this process of making my split level apartment not seem like a squatter resides in it.  Stay tuned.

[colorchameleon]

Well, here we go again.

It’s been four years... FOUR YEARS.  Four years since I last lived in Texas.  What in the world am I doing back here? I find myself asking that question often.  

Four years ago I packed up everything I owned (clothing mainly) in three suitcases, hopped on a plane and really wasn’t interested in looking back. Somehow, even in a city like New York, my interest couldn’t be held for too long.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of it.  Every subway ride, every stroll, every brunch, every angry person screaming in the street, every coworker in the fashion industry who seemed to be playing a part they imagined versus living out real life.  All of it.  I loved it all and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

But home is home.  Could NYC eventually pull me back? Easily.  Since the 7th grade I knew Manhattan and all it has to offer would be a big part of my life.  It definitely didn’t disappoint, it just somehow got a little old, a little tired.

So now starts rediscovering my original city and state.  This place has changed so much since I last called it home.  It has a whole new attitude, a little more brazen than before - trust me, I dig it. 

So here goes nothing - Texas, let’s see what you’ve got.

[colorchameleon]

Have you ever had one of those moments when you realized you would never be in the same place again?  That's it, that's the last time you'll ever set foot in this place and you want to make sure you remember it for everything it was?

For me, that's Mississippi.  My padre's home state and the place where many of my childhood memories took place.  Meridian, MS isn't the nicest place - far from it.  It seems the once growing city has been reduced to a small town almost.  The southern city where my dad and relatives raised so much hell growing up is a small shadow of the place it used to be.

Touring around Meridian last week, it was like waves of flashbacks over and over again. The Carousel House where I used to ride as long as my Dad would could stand it, the park where I fed the ducks, my Uncle Dewey's lake in his backyard.  All places I haven't seen since I was so little and I can remember so vividly.  Then there's my Uncle's real estate office and my Grandaddy's accounting firm.  It's so crazy to think I'll never visit them again.

This last trip was emotional for many reasons, but I think it was only sad because I know I no longer have a reason to go there anymore.  Growing up is crazy, I've only recently started to feel like I'm no longer a kid, which, believe me, is terrifying.  So, here's to you Mississippi, I'll miss your sweet Southern grace and the stories only a few generations of Sadka's could make.

[colorchameleon]

What happened to me?  I always joked I would be a workaholic but the day has come when it's no longer a thought but a reality.  I remember when rarely was I at the office late or working from home.  Instead I was out, at an event or a party, a restaurant or a dinner with friends.

This jump to NYC was exactly what I wanted and now I've become that semi-adult I thought I would be.  Twenty-seven and constantly checking my email, closing down the office and opening my lap top as soon as I walk in the door.  I work in Fashion - not Investment Banking.  This kid needs a vacay, like pronto.

Ahh, let's check the cal shall we? Ohh.. hmm.. work trip, meetings, work trip, more meetings, work, work, work.   Ohh let's not forget someone won't be making it home for Christmas this year.  Maybe in 2014? 

This behavior deserves a present...hmm... what shall it be?

[colorchameleon]

Despite my being a busy New Yorker, it makes me sad that I haven't updated this once gold-mine of a blog in so long.  So I am going to make an effort (yes, I've said that before) to keep this going.  Who knows, maybe my family will call me less if they can read about what I'm doing? Just kidding, Stef. 

Anywho, it's September in New York.  A wonderful time of year.  The air is crisp but not too cold.  People are outside everywhere enjoying the lovely weather before the snowfall comes.  And the most exciting part of all?  It's Cat Thompson's birthday.

Ohh you remember Cat.  That twinkle in my eye that lived in Bawston for so long.  Well, as fate would have it we have been reunited in one of the greatest cities in the world and tonight is her birthday celebration.  

What to wear? Well I'm glad you asked.  Day time might be all about the warm tones and layering, but in New York City the nightlife is about black and red and going coatless while we can.

[colorchameleon]

Despite the heat and my recent poverty strike, I've been able to mentally escape to a much more glamorous New York circa 1938 by delving into Rules of Civility.  This book follows a group of friends through one year and chronicles the dramatic changes 365 days can bring.  

Other than making me want to listen to jazz, smoke cigarettes and drink martinis - this book highlights New York landmarks which are still packed to date. If you liked Gatsby you'll love Rules of Civility.  Do yourself a favor and add to your summer reading list now.

[colorchameleon]

Pure Torture.

Guys.  It's insanely hot outside.  I could effing melt every minute of every hour of every day this week.  The amount of clothing I would feel comfortable walking around in would lead to public indecency.

That being said, my usual plan would be to throw some money at the problem.  Run out and buy linen everything.  However, I have recently put myself on a spending diet.  By recently I mean within the past few hours after paying my credit card bill.

So now I am on the hunt for free things to do in NYC which keep me out of the heat.  Yeah, good luck right?  So far online shopping to plan what I will purchase once I'm off my diet and reorganizing my shoes have taken top billing.  Ohh, also harassing every friend I have to go on a walk with me.  No takers as you would imagine when it's 103 degrees outside.  

So wish me luck.  So far I've planned to redecorate and also exercise.... and we all know how good I am at those two things. 

[colorchameleon]

Well, just when I thought my party going ways were nearly over I was pulled back into the social ring.

While just a little over a year ago I was filling this blog with details from events around Texas, after the move to the city I found I was always a little too busy or exhausted to attend such parties.  However, I was able to drag my tired, old 27 year old body out on a Tuesday night long enough to enjoy the gallery opening of "Enjoy the Experience: Homemade Records 1958-1992" at Milk Studios.

The crowd was certainly colorful and so was the insane collection of album covers that Johan Kugelberg had on display.  Some of my faves are above, you have to pay homage to the great state of Texas you know.  It was really hard to select the best covers though, you have to see to believe the amazing assortment of music from yesteryear that are showcased (and I'm sure the people watching won't disappoint either).

[ilesigh]

[colorchameleon]

I mean, let's go swimming.

[colorchameleon]

After spending the first year of my New York adventure in the East Village, I've made the most out west... Well, to the West Village that is.

I am going to miss my first New York home.  The East Village is so alive with young people, bars, restaurants - pretty much anything you can think of.  I think I had the perfect first apartment, set in between two bakeries which made my home smell like fresh baked bread in the morning and cookies at night.  

I'm excited to start my new New York adventure in the West Village.  A little bit older, a little bit nicer, who knows what this next year will bring.  All I know is that I'm excited to start.

[colorchameleon]

The big day is fast approaching.  Of all the weddings I've been to, this might be the most emotional yet.  I know.  Can you imagine me emotional over anything?  

The day your big sister gets married is a happy and strange day.  You start to realize that things might not be the same anymore.  Dear lord, once she has children am I now a third priority?  This cannot be.  I am thinking I need have a written and signed contract with the two love birds before all is sealed.

In any case, the excitement is building.  The once tomboy who you couldn't pay to put on a dress is now going to walk down the aisle dressed in white.  Well madre y padre, at least one of your children is living out your dreams.  Did I mention she is already the favorite? 

[vogueandcoffee]

[colorchameleon]

My heart melts.

[colorchameleon]

After much cringing and anger, I finally finished The Glass Castle. If you haven't read it, prepare yourself for a read that truly tests the sentiment, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

I've joked many times that I'm scrappy, I can handle anything.  However, the life that the Walls' children endured makes anything I've been through look like a cake walk.  

I'm happy I finished this book before Mother's Day.  While C. did an amazing job raising two intelligent and upstanding children, I have never appreciated her more than after enduring endless pages of Jeannette Walls' insane and clearly bipolar mother.

Well, on to the next, Rules of Civility. 

[colorchameleon]

It almost here... the most magical time of the year: The Kentucky Derby.  The one time of year that I can combine mint juleps, big hats and gambling.  I'm literally on the edge of my seat. 

[restarks]

[colorchameleon]

Who's excited?