NYC Serendipity

15 November 2014

Nothing like going a day early before a grueling business trip to spend some time in

one of my favorite cities: NYC! As I was boarding my flight in Chicago, I checked FB

and Insta to see what was going on in the world. I happened to see that two of my

dear friends from GIA Jewelry Design class, Tori and Taz were in NYC this weekend

too! What wonderful serendipity! I wrote them on Insta that I was flying in and

would be there in a few hours and we HAD to meet up! This trip was off to an

incredible start even before the plane was in the air!

Two hours later I landed at LGA, waited in a very long line for a yellow NYC taxi,

then headed into the city. I threw my things down at my friend’s apartment and

since I was running late and the subway lines don’t run as frequently on Saturday’s,

into another cab I went to Takamichi Salon on Houston and Bowery. My hair stylist

from Chicago, Asif Rajan of Kala Salon, recommended me to Cristina Boatman in

NYC. He worked with her before and said I would be in good hands. Cristina was not

“scissor happy” with long hair and was someone who always made my hair look

NYC chic. Since I had no time to get my hair cut back home before this trip, I found

myself flocking to the salon. Low and behold, two hours later, I felt and looked like a

new person with the long, flowing waves Cristina styled me with!

Off I went to meet Tori and Taz, the co-founders of Tori and Taz Jewelry! We could

hardly believe just a short year ago we were all living in New York and going to

school together. How time flies! We met up in one of our favorite spots: the West

Village. It was a cool, crisp November day and we talked and walked towards the

sun shining over the Hudson and saw the Jersey skyline. It felt SO good to be

together in the same place again: the Canadian, the South African and the Chicagoan.

We were missing our fourth member to our “GIA NY FAB 4” puzzle piece: Mahak. He

was there in spirit! We found a local neighborhood coffee shop and had a proper

chance to catch up. In one year’s time, it was impressive to see where we’ve come

and how we’ve grown professionally and personally. Love those girls! I know their

business will boom!

Back to Midtown for me to my favorite salon Think Pink for a manicure with the one

and only Sonia. Regrettably I did not have time for one of June’s famous neck and

shoulder massages and they were so sad ( I was a regular when I lived there) and I

did not want to disappoint them, so I scheduled a massage for the following day! I

met my friend Paul for dinner and we waited for an hour for some delicious

Japanese yakitori. I hadn’t seen Paul for 7 years since he graduated because he went

directly to serve his commitment in the Navy. Dinner was delicious and we had a

chance to catch up on the last seven years of our lives. It felt like a piece of home

visiting with Paul, reminiscing about the good and somewhat crazy times at ND.

That evening all of my friends: some Domers, some New Yorkers and former

colleagues from Greenwich, CT came out to say hello and have drinks with me at the

beautiful lobby in the ACE Hotel. So much fun to see everyone!

Sunday morning I went back to Think Pink for my shoulder and neck massage then

met my two best friends for brunch: Danielle and Yuko. After, we went shopping on

the UWS before I had to check into my hotel and make sure everything was set for

work for the evening. For dinner, I had the opportunity to meet my dear friend Dave,

who happened to be in NYC for work as well! Where else would I choose to go but

Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster in Harlem?! The food is consistently delicious

(yes, I’ve been there a few times now) and the live music creates a laid-back one-of-

a-kind ambiance. We had a very inspirational conversation about the jewelry

industry while enjoying every bite of our meal, swaying to the rhythms of the Nate

Lucas All Stars! If you are ever in Harlem, you have to try this restaurant! Resos are

recommended!