I am pretty sure I was awkward (vs. cool), waiting in anticipation of the stranger who invited me to the repurposed school house on Prince and Mott. I found myself in a sea of hipsters, Euro-creatives, artists and Rastas. Each room offered a varied style of mild visual debauchery, (compared to the original values dominated by the grounds, I imagine). Decidedly, it was a much more appropriate creative stomping ground than a disciplined one. Just like in school I wrote on the chalkboards only this time the colors were rainbow. Tatted fashionistas strolled through as if it were their world. Indeed it was but their shade of neurosis fell into installations, suspended mannequins, first dates and groups of friends huddled in smoky social clouds. I knew my ability to believe could leave me in stasis for abnormal amounts of time so I just dumbly waited for my stranger, chatting with the people who seemed more cool in their skin than I was. Art and boldness lived around each curve, scribbles became charming and the most simple tools began to draw a new global religion of purpose. I opted to view the rhetoric inspired by the take-over as an invitation to consider the possibilities…if I could only remember this was my world - what would I do with a brick building that used to be a Catholic School? I walked away remembering why I love New York, somehow soothed and happy to return home.

A special thanks to Red Light PR, VPR-NYC, Showroom 212 NYC, Tara, Ink., Ford, Chicago, all of our models, AIM, Root Management and Commence Quest who introduce a swimwear segment styled by celebrity stylist and E! Network Host Marcellas Reynolds for Defining Diva: Sexy is Smart.  This live streamed celebration and fashion gala highlighted leading ladies in business and included a charity handbag drive sponsored by The World C.L.A.S.S. with proceeds going to Dress for Success.  Kaftans by BlacMera and Ramona Larue.  Women’s swimwear by Agua De Coco, shoes by Fergie and Carlos by Carlos Santana.  Men’s swimwear by Andrew Christian.  Hats by Christy’s.  My turn to be styled next, Marcellas!

Jamaica Lily is in NY. Fruity and Sassy. Original watercolor by fine artist Chrisanne Robertson. The greeting card is cute! (Taken with instagram)

To say that I journeyed to the center of an incredible annual design incubator doesn’t begin to describe the sense of excitement that penetrated every ounce of myself as I strolled through with artist Christopher Thomas Trujillo who also created an original sustainable chandelier made especially for the event.  I already felt like I was gliding, cloaked in an original design by Michael Jerome Francis…it was like channeling a private etiquette lesson - the history is just in the pieces.  If the stroll through the City’s most popular interior benefit event at the Metropolitan Pavillion in Chelsea wasn’t enough being endowed with the vintage jumble of beads made by Christopher and the hand made leather and snakeskin flower really put me into eu-fashion-foria.  ‘Now, that’s how it should be done’…one onlooker commented his approval.  We strolled passed the booth Christopher’s sustainable lamp cluster was nestled in.  It was sold and, finally, we were spent.  We headed out into the drizzly Manhattan spring night to hail a cab.  No one was going our way so we took a train.  NYC, that was one for the books.

he added jumble of vintage beads Housing Works will present New York City’s most popular interior design benefit event at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea.

Sautéed Kale w/olive oil and fresh line added to Ramen, minus the MSG package it comes with. Yum. (Taken with instagram)

Cisco wrote a song about it, now, it’s sitting in my friend’s boutique, in a bowl. (Taken with instagram)

The writing is on the wall… (Taken with instagram)

Jersey is blossoming.

Yes, I’m a closet foodie! (Taken with instagram)

Loving Kinky-Curly’s Knot Today!!! (Taken with instagram)