Expand your Network: 2011
Happy 2011 everyone!
2011 is the year of the rabbit and will be full of adventures. As many of you know, my sister will be getting married and having her first baby this year. I am excited for my adventures to continue in the wonderful New York City and the adventures never stop. Thank you for your patronage. The book I recommend to start off your year right is… Naked Conversations. This book will give you some insight on technology trends that have shaped the way the business word converses and what social media can do for you the way no other business or marketing trend have ever been able to do. Here is my year in review!
January
Had the privilege of celebrating with Melanie Fiona at Nobu for her Grammy nominate in LA… When friends succeed you succeed. Surround yourself with ambitions talented people and the wind will be under your wings. Fly as far as you dare and soar with eagles.
February
Vanessa heads to Vegas to work for Hellz Bellz during Magic and I tag along for some fun. Met a ton of great industry folks and harness the power of networking. I connected with some familiar faces and some new ones. Fashion people are great – they are serious about chasing rainbows and will insist you give them that pot of gold and no less.
March
Shannae and I joined forces to throw a huge party to kick off Toronto Fashion Week for Fuze. It was completely sold out, medley of industry people, come-up kids and cutting edge Canadian designers. The Fifth Social Club hosted us and our 600 guests. We raised money for Look Good Feel Better and was outfitted by the Red Carpet Room in Brazen Hussy. I am wearing the Yvonne Jumpsuit. I love Toronto, there is no place like home.
April
After a whirlwind of parties and fashion shows in Toronto, I head back to welcome a very special guest to LA! My dad! My dad came to visit me all the way from Shanghai. I haven’t seen him since 2002 in Florida and it was quite a treat. 7 years past quickly because of school, work and life – but make time for the ones you love. He came with only 1 suitcase but a stack of Japanese fashion magazine for me. It was really nice to have some company in LA and being with my dad was just perfect.
May
I threw my first party in LA for Sex and the City 2 at Bungalow Club on Melrose. It was amazing with jewelry vendors, photographers, cosmos and makeup. But like Carrie in Paris, I missed my friends. So I flew back to Toronto to attend Shannae’s SATCM2 party! You can do anything you want anywhere you want but it’s really more fun with your friends around. I dyed my hair purple this month.
June
My whole family came to LA for my FIDM Graduation. My sis and Duncan came from Edmonton, Mom from Toronto and Dad from Shanghai. I am such a lucky duck. This month, we also celebrated my mom’s 60th birthday, Jacob’s 5th birthday and my 26th. I had a triple birthday party in TO, LA then NYC. I go to New York on my Beauty Study Tour trip this month and fall in love with city….Concrete jungle were dreams are made of. I plan to move there but I start a new job in Azusa, California instead.
July
I start my new job, get my new apartment and I flew back to Toronto for a weekend to throw the Fuze-A-Poolooza pool party! We raised $1500 with this event and it was so much fun. Complete with water guns, manicures and poolside snow cones. Summer time is the best. My dad goes back to Shanghai and I move to Azusa and start working at Lashem.
August
Living in Azusa is exceptionally boring. So… I got a new puppy! I got Brooklyn to keep me and Jacob company. I work everyday, take the dogs out, go to the beach, cook. I kept her for 25 days and realized a puppy was too much work and ended selling her to an actor in LA. This month I planned my 2nd Los Angeles events, this time for Lashem. My Beauty Secrets was well attended by LA LookBook, LA Times, Cobra Snake, lash guru Jaamal Buster and numerous beauty bloggers. We also went to the Emmy Gifting Suite for Lashem
September
Back to Toronto for Film Festival! I bring Lashem into several gifting suites during the festivities and got to see my friends. Then I get ready to go to NYC to do desksides with all the beauty editors about Lashem. I decide that I love NYC and I am meant to be there, so I go back to Azusa, pack my stuff, sell my car, quit my job and took my Jacob to NYC. You only live once right?
October
I move to my new apartment in West Village and take in everything that is New York. I love it and feel right at home. I get invited to blogger events and parties with cupcakes. My friend Joey gets here too and we are happily bad mouthing LA with hands in mittens and scarves around our necks. I Yelp everything and walk everywhere. Freedom smells like the steam coming out of the sewer and sounds like taxis honking at you while you jay walk like a true New Yorker.
November
I start working at Media Planet for after 2 weeks decided it’s not for me. I go to hear Emily King sing, I write about men on subways, I go to Flud’s 3 year anniversary party, I am a Cutler hair model, I meet some new friends, go on some random dates, I finally furnish my apartment… I go to a bunch of job interviews, I start Social Pancake and I am living and loving life. Coincidentally, I lose my California Driver’s license and I don’t really miss it at all.
December
I have 3 months left on my work visa so I guess I should probably look for a job. If I do get a new full time job, I will get to stay in the US and work on a H1B Visa.. If not, I will have to go back to Canada! Both options seems okay to me: I am starting my makeup line and I am also open to all opportunities here in the US. I do miss my friends but I am staying in NYC for the holidays… because I may be back for good by Spring!
So that was my year 2010… It was truly the year of passion. Now I am ready for 2011. The year of expanding (and exploiting) your network.
May you live in interesting times.
*HeyDoYou is for the cute, clever and connected*
