Skylines, Subways and Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 5, 2010

Construction Hats, Meeting Michael Kors & Optimism

(New York, NY)— I’m sitting on a staircase between two huge concrete pillars in front of a building that can only be described as dramatic and enormous: the New York Public Library. Perhaps the same staircase that Samantha Jones, Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte and Miranda were strutting their Blahniks and Louboutins on when they filmed the wedding scene in Sex and the City.

After running a few errands, I decided to use the quarters I had left clinking around in my purse to buy a hot chocolate. As I exited the revolving doors of Starbucks I see the NY Library in front of me. I’m not one to value history or a building full of an incalculable amount of literature; I am however, one to value post-gothic architecture and a location scene in Sex and the City.  So I sit on the staircase of the library, along with random couples and groups of foreign friends smiling and taking touristy pictures in front of the building. I plop open my Macbook, and I suddenly feel overwhelmed and encounter a blogger’s block; I don’t even know how to BEGIN writing. A complete torrent of ideas, quotes, situations, events and an utter downpour of emotions that I’ve felt in the past week came flooding back all at once. Needless to say it contributed to my decision of closing my Mac for a moment, drinking my hot chocolate and people watching for a good 30 minutes.  I quickly got inspired of what to write when I felt how uncomfortable sitting on a concrete staircase was and began to desperately want to sit on a couch.

I FINALLY received my IKEA loveseat and dresser! You can’t even begin to understand the elation I was in when I opened my door and heard the most incredible words said by a deliveryman, “Where do you want this?”

I smiled and clapped my hands with joy when I signed the consent form but my smile morphed into a gasp when I saw boxes upon boxes instead of a couch and a black dresser.

ME: “Oh sorry, but I ordered a love seat and a dresser…are these boxes just the drawers and couch pillows or what?”

MAN: “No, you have to put it together. This is the couch and this is the dresser, there are directions inside and if you have any questions or would like an IKEA employee to build it for $200 then you can call IKEA toll free.”

UMMM I DON’T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND. I may sound naïve, and I may sound like a 10-year-old idiot but I was really under the impression that since the IKEA displays were already put together that all I had to do was write down the item number, order it and wait patiently for my cute décor to arrive. I have heard of people having to put together IKEA purchases but I took that as, OHHH you have to put together little things: picture frames, candle holders, little tables and light fixtures-not a couch or building blocks of furniture. After a couple hours of being intimidated and staring at my boxes, I tie up my hair- somewhat debate taking off my makeup for fear of it sweating off but decide not to- and begin to slowly rip open my boxes. You know the way you savagely destroy the wrapping paper of your Christmas/birthday present as you rip it open with exhilaration? Well, my IKEA delivery was definitely not opened up in that way. I would categorize it better under the way you open up your mailed High School report card knowing that you failed a couple classes.

“Anna Wintour tweeted me today and wants you to write features and wants me to edit. I was like.. ummmm … Erika is kinda busy right now… you might have to wait until she takes off her construction hat and finishes assembling her IKEA furniture.”

—Sinatra SKYY feeling the need to be comical on my Facebook wall at the expense of my pain:

 

The instructions and ridiculous graphics of an oddly drawn cartoon man holding a hammer were confusing and frustrating. After a couple hours of piecing together a loveseat I found out that I put it together backwards. I may be Hispanic but I don’t really excel in construction.  In honor of décor, I rearrange my ponytail and pin back all of the loose strands of hair that were smothered all over my face: sticking to my melted eyeliner and sweat. I was grossed out and tired yet determined to at least get the couch done. When I ordered from IKEA I wasn’t aware that having an underground Chinese sweatshop in your apartment was a prerequisite. FINAL PRODUCT: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/ely10016/Photoon2010-02-28at2216.jpg?t=1267845479

#BREAKING NEWS: Heidi Klum to Pitch New TV Show: “Winner of Project Runway (Restaurant Edition)- Erika Cespedes is IN not OUT. “

Location: Five Napkins Restaurant on W45th and 9^th Ave.

Characters: Erika Cespedes, Michael Kors and his entourage of 5 men.

SCENE: A little latin girl engorging herself to the rim with a veggie patty, broccoli, French fries and a long island ice tea overhears her friend say “Oh my god is that Michael Kors?” She drops her patty so fast-as if it had e.coli and mad cow disease in it- looks at her black leather Michael Kors satchel and quickly debates whether she should walk up to Kors & Co., or not. Meanwhile, as Michael Kors and his friends are walking towards the exit, Kors dreams of meeting an ambitious little girl prancing around in one of his designs. At this point, Erika, the little latin girl says to herself, ‘My hair is too teased, my lashes are too long and my makeup is too on point for Michael not to acknowledge this.’

Dialogue: Being disclosed below upon popular request

E: “Haaay! Hi, excuse me, I’m so sorry to interrupt you guys buy I just wanted to say Hi!”

MK: “ Oh my Gosh You. Are. Too. Cute.”

::His friends smile and chuckle as I fling around my purse::

MK: “I love your bag who designed it?!”

E: “Ugh. Don’t you love it? It’s from this little designer boy named Michael”

MK:  “haha, oh is it? It looks great”

::as he smiles at me and jokes around about his bag I begin to twirl and model his design::

E: “Ohh don’t you love how I model it, I bet you want me to be in your Look-Book circa Summer 2010, huh?!”

MK: “Haha, what are you in NYC for? Are you from here?”

E: “I just moved here from Texas! I’m here to be a music/fashion journalist and publicist.”

MK: “Ohh you are going to do good here.”

E: “Aww thanks. Well, I’m going to let you guys go and I’m gonna get back to my Long Island Iced Tea! It was so incredible meeting you guys, you guys are FEROSH and incredible!”

MK: “Haha have a great night!”

Michael Kors and Co. smile and laugh as I walk away.

END DIALOGUE: The Academy should feel free to nominate Project Runway (Restaurant Edition) for an Emmy.

#Stepping out of reality TV and back into my real life.

 

This past week was filled with networking events that were hilarious, successful and incriminating. From accidentally knocking over a piece of art at the Trump Towers (enough to make Donald Trump want to send me an invoice if he knew who I was) to randomly meeting great people and ending up in their limo at the end of night, all while  sprinkling new friendships and new opportunities in between.

My job search is beginning to shimmer and shine. Although it is still incredibly hard and competitive I have a couple leads that will hopefully- through diligence, hard work and networking- manifest into cool little jobs.  I’m trying not to jinx anything because it seems that up here, anything and anyone can fall through at the last minute.

WORK WORK:: SHAN-TAY:: POSE:: SASH-SHAY:: FLASH FLASH POSE:: I FINALLY received my NOH8 picture as you can obviously tell! I hope you enjoy it…I think its alright; Im not excited over but I do wanna thank Mr. Blane for helping me out on a little touch up!

(PS: PH2H): It’s definitely a city that tests your limits and emotions to the brink. I’ve realized this past month that February, to put it lightly, was an unnecessary month full of regret, turmoil and growth. The purpose of this blog is to document a difficult transition in my life. I’ve gone through every emotion here: complete elation, satisfaction, intense despair, humiliation, insupportable sadness, exhaustion and happiness. What I haven’t experienced yet is peace. I’m a restless soul, I need to constantly be doing things, be challenged by things, and be around hilarious people that enjoy my company in order for me to feel complete harmony.  I am slowly harvesting friends here and there and trying to make the best of my situation.  People likeJacklynne Cleave, Cherry Sour, Penny Platinum, Sinatra SKYY, Golden Pearl make me desperately miss home. Conversations with Sasha Mess and Calista Olsen (known for currently being an avid dieter; while engaging in two diets simultaneously he most likely will transform into something as miniscule as Mary-Kate Olsen or something as dehydrated and frail as Calista Flockhart) are what center and ground me.  Thoughtful care packages from my parents and mentors, Anna Riot and DeedJra Clairestotle, are what inspire me. Despite the horrible regretful effects of February, March could become something optimistic and full of opportunity. Of course I miss one of my ex best friends more than anything but if this is the way our cards have been dealt then I have no other option but to let it be, since he is happy. Hopefully down the line, we can reconnect and be the way we were before- God knows I am willing.

To better myself, I have to keep my head up and maintain positivity as best I can for the sake of my well being.

## FROM ME TO YOU: Grab hold of what sustains you; be with people you would die for; obtain the profession you LIVE for.

 

Taking Off Her Construction Hat (forever) In NYC,

-erika

listening to: the sound of my crunching on Cheetos and “Rabbit Fighter” by T-REX

missing: certain people, black beans and chalupas

loving: my strong-pointy shouldered blazer

feeling: sad yet optimistic

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