This Little Light of Mine

02 Apr This Little Light of Mine

I knew Wednesday was going to be a good day. Despite the fact that I had to be sitting in front of my computer at work at 8:45 in the am (when I don’t have to be there until 10, usually), I was able to take a long shower, get coffee and manage to put together a fun outfit. Living out of a suitcase (I still don’t have any drawers and my closet, is like, two snaps big, has made me really creative.

But that’s not why I’m here.

Wednesday was a good day. One of those days like I can’t believe this is my life. Me at 7, heck, 22, would be so proud to know that I would be all right. And not be afraid to take chances. And live in freaking New York City. I remember that this at the most random times and beam like a fool. In public.

There is usually a toothless grin smiling back at me and I don’t care. This is why:

I went to preview J.Crew’s Fall 2013 collection. I don’t even have to tell you what this meant to me. When I tell you I was on the train putting on lipstick, blotting my face and making sure my hair looked presentable? Must’n show up to any ole way to J.Crew… Everything was gooorgeous. Specifically the coats, baubles, shoes and bags. Oh, and there are several super lux long glove selections.

When I left J.Crew’s showroom, I headed to the Peninsula Hotel for a celebratory lunch with the The Face coach Karolina Kurkova and series winner, the new face of ULTA Beauty, Devyn Abdullah. I got there a bit earlier, to charge my phone and transcribe my questions from my phone to my notebook–once, my phone was about to die, when I was going to interview Jessica Alba and I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to get my questions or recorder–so now, I take precautions. The interview was really great, we did it as a roundtable situation, and both models were a lot of fun and surprisingly humble.

Once I’m back on the train headed to the next event–a jewelry showroom, I’m off in my own world and don’t put my headphones in. I hear the usual interruption, someone yelling about not wanting to disrupt your ride but hope you enjoy the music. Men start singing “This Little Light of Mine,” and it sounds beautiful. So fitting. I dig in my bag, for once, I have cash, two dollars that I put in their brown bag one of the men is holding, before I get off the train.

The next event is right up my alley: previewing the latest jewelry offerings from Steve Madden, Kenneth Cole, Robert Lee Morris and Miriam Haskell. It’s weird to see Fall pieces when I’m anxious for Spring but I enjoy it. I’m still trying to process everything on the bus–my mom still can’t get over that I take the bus–back to the office. I need to write my butt off.

I do, for a solid two hours before it’s time to head to Tracy Reese’s store in the village for a special screening of the Project Runway episode where the designer was a guest judge. This is my first time in her store, it quickly becomes design inspiration for my new room. It’s so cute. And so are the sales associates. I’m able to interview Ms. Reese before she comes and sits next to me (!!!) to watch her episode. I don’t even know how to sum up this day. Amazing wouldn’t even do it.

God, what? I completely understand why I have had some of the experiences that I’ve had, especially the ones that didn’t work out. I’m so much more appreciative of this, now. So much more.

Everywhere I go, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shiiiiiiiiiiine.