More Halloween Fun

   After a great weekend of Halloween fun, I am sad to say I have been sick all week. Feeling horribly congested, tired, and weak I am really feeling the consequences of being out three nights in a row. Usually when I do not feel well I just schedule a visit to the Drexel health center and spend the day alternating between rest and homework; with a coop job, it just isn't that easy.

   It is really hard for me to ask for a day off or a shorter day because I just recently started and will only be here for six short months. I have been trying to stick out my terrible cold, but it is much harder to do than I had hoped.

   On a lighter note, being that today is Halloween, everyone at my office is in a more fun and festive mood. There are tons of baked goods, including these amazing chocolate, peanut butter cookie concoctions and lots of candy. They have also decided to hold a Halloween party with a costume contest. It is pretty hilarious to see all of these business men and women dressed causally with funny hats and stick on mustaches. I really enjoy days here that are more laid back such as this one; it is almost like having two Fridays in a row!

Tour!

This week at A&A Entertainment has been all about the promotion of Colour of London's tour beginning mid November. They are joining Johnny Gates and the Invite, a fellow Nashville band, on their Northeast Fall Tour for 6 dates across New England. I have been in charge of making several graphics announcing tour dates, venues, and times used for social media purposes and promotion. I am sad that I will not be able to attend any of the performances as I love to see the guys play, it is an exhilarating experience for the audience as they have great stage presence and are truly talented guys. 

Jimmie Allen is the lead singer and was a top 40 contestant on American Idol. He sadly did not win but not for lack of talent. He truly has an amazing voice and every time I hear him sing he ignites a fire in my musical soul. You may have seen him on the latest Taylor Swift commercial for Diet Coke, he's the guy in the car singing "It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters." Jimmie is 28 but acts no older than 18, he is young at heart and a goofball. Nate Woodall is the lead guitarist and also has previous experience with American Idol joining Jimmie for the Idols of America Tour in Japan in 2011. 

Nate and Jimmie are complete opposites that share a common bond in their love for music. Jimmie is loud and demands attention while Nate is more soft-spoken, more reserved. Jimmie has no filter while you may have to pull things out of Nate to get him going. Throughout this experience I have gotten to know the guys really well and have developed a close bond with them. I am lucky that I have musicians as co-workers, as there never is a dull moment when working with them. I can't wait to see them soon, as it is always a good time when we get together. If you or someone you know happens to be in the New England area for the dates below, I highly recommend going to see them play! 

RETURNING TO THE DREXEL BUBBLE

As any college student struggling to save money does we take the cheapest forms of transportation, including the good old Mega bus. Thursday night after work I rushed to the Mega bus stop. With three luggage bags in hand I felt as though I was sprinting in a Tough Mudder. I made my bus luckily enough and was prepared for a two and a half hour bus ride back to Philadelphia. The reason for my return was Halloween weekend. Drexel, notorious for big costume parties, was my destination. I arrived in one piece and was ready to have a fun-filled weekend.

To my surprise there were many new and unfamiliar faces on campus – the thought hadn’t crossed my mind that there would be new freshmen this year. As if that weren’t strange enough when going out for the first time in a few months on Drexel’s campus I felt out of place. It was alarming to me how much had changed in only a few months. I felt as though I went on co-op and the freshmen swooped in and took my place.

Being a freshman had its benefits and also its downfalls, the major downfall is that everyone knew that you were a freshmen and everyone always asked you if you were one. If I wasn’t already feeling extremely out of place I most definitely did when at the Halloween party a guy asked me and my friend if were we’re indeed freshmen. I was horribly embarrassed. I feel as though Drexel isn’t my home anymore and that I am not as accepted as I used to be. However, my boyfriend and I decided to dress up like the Juno characters, everyone loved it and some people even thought that I was actually pregnant - costume successful! 

A Path to NYC

Top of the Rock 

I never thought going into college that my dreams of living in New York City would come to life so quickly. I am grateful to have stumbled upon this path; it has led me to everything I could have wished for. I remember the first time I met with my high school counselor about potential school options, she mentioned Drexel, and I thought, “What in the world is that!” At this time I had my heart set on moving straight to NYC and attending Fordham University, I wanted the city experience, and it sounded like there was no better place to figure out a career path. Unfortunately, I didn’t get accepted into the university of my choice, but luckily Drexel was runner up, and off to Philly it was! I remember freshman year being the hardest; I went through many changes and learned too many lessons. Regardless, Philadelphia is the perfect transition city, and Drexel allowed me to find the right focus and direction.

I believe in timing and patience, and now I understand what all those preliminary steps in my first two years of college were for. I am ecstatic for the chance to explore and learn about the “real world,” I love the fact that Drexel allows us to do a test run in our industry of choice. Everyone I have told so far about my co-op says they wish they had the same experience when they were in school! All in all, it is such a coincidence that part of my college years turned out to be in NYC, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings- hopefully next will be studying abroad! 

Recapping The Sales Meeting

This past week has been a whirlwind. So much has been going on and this is only the start. I went to California this past week for The North Face sales meeting and I got a chance to meet every designer in each activity-based meeting. While I enjoyed learning about every activity my favorites were Action Sports and Youth. There was so much color in the new line and a ton of new styles, it’s insane. Little details that you never thought about, like the pull chord of a zipper were large topics of conversation. I loved hearing about each part of every garment and why they put specific features in to make a more technical garment for the customer.

My favorite category was Action Sports because I can relate to it the most; the entire line revolves around Ski and Snowboarding  which is what I love to do in the winter. Also under that branch is the Sochi 2014 Olympics, so we got a chance to hear a lot about the new uniforms that The North Face made for the US Freeski team. One night we went to a Sochi Olympics party where we heard more about the athletes and the uniforms (we even met some athletes from the ski team)!

The entire trip was so incredible. What other business trip can you go on that starts with a day of Crossfit or Yoga, has line presentations of every product that the company sells (which by the way is a lot) and ends with an obstacle course and Olympic athletes? Not many places, I’m sure. I cannot even describe how nice the new line looks with over 80% new styles. No more will people just associate The North Face with Denali jackets.

After the sales meeting we came back to our office to put the samples in workbook order. We then picked out our line presentation and collaborated on what apparel we really felt we wanted to push to the buyers. Tomorrow I am headed to New Jersey bright and early to set up our show room and then next week I am kicking off my travel season of the Mid-Atlantic region with a trip to Maryland to help sell to buyers and to clinic our accounts on how our technical garments work!

It’s going to be amazing! In two weeks, I will be in New York City sitting in on meetings with the Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s buyers as well as specialty store buyers as they buy The North Face for stores across the country! I can’t wait!

Make It Work

With Dom at Moore College of Art and Design

Make it work. Tim Gunn’s famous mantra was the only thought running through my mind as I approached Moore College of Art and Design.  Today at Nicole Miller, my coworkers and I had  the opportunity to attend a special event for Season 12 Project Runway Winner, Dom Streater, a Philadelphia native.  Though I have enjoyed all of my days at work, attending this event and meeting Dom has been the most exciting experience so far. 

Throughout season 12 of Project Runway, I was captivated by Dom’s wearable fashion, unique, handmade textiles; and humbling personality.  After hearing her speak, it is clear that Dom is not just another victim of fame, but the same adorable person as she is on television.  She talked briefly about her experience on the show, but also expressed her passion for keeping fashion in Philadelphia. "There is so much fashion opportunity in Philadelphia," she said; and plans on manufacturing her clothing locally. Her determination and handwork is admirable, and I am excited to see her grow as a designer.  When her clothes are available to purchase, I will be the first in line!

Today was a memorable moment (luckily, I captured this moment with a picture). I not only met a winner, but I gained an appreciation for the reputation of Nicole Miller Philadelphia, the Drexel co-op program, and the exciting opportunities working provides. I look forward to these next 5 months.  

Welcome Home

After some time I am finally settling into my new apartment. The first thing I did when I arrived was scope out the closest Starbucks (addiction at its finest). After learning that there are just fewer than 200 Starbucks locations in Manhattan, I knew this wouldn’t be a problem. To my surprise, the Starbucks two blocks from me was not packed at 8 AM with rushed New Yorkers like I had imagined. I was expecting a line out the door, and was happy to see only a four-person line. What I soon realized was that the coffee joint across the street, Gregory’s Coffee, was the go to place to fulfill your coffee craving. While I passed it on the way home I could see that it was overflowing with people. Although I have yet to go, I definitely plan to neglect Starbucks one morning and give it try (as long as my patience agrees).

The view from my room

There is so much to explore in New York it is almost overwhelming, in the best way possible. It is exciting to see my list of favorite restaurants and stores grow as my time here increases. Everyday I am learning something new. Whether it is simply a new lunch spot, or even a new subway route, the learning is endless. One particular fact that I found quite amazing was that you are able to get your purchases delivered right to your apartment from Macy’s or Bed Bath and Beyond. This option has made moving and furnishing my apartment much easier, and it is definitely something I plan to take advantage of in the future.

Aside from the ease of home deliveries, finally being a New York resident has also made my life easier. Being a resident has given me the ability to get accustomed quickly to the ways of the city. Although I am still in the transitional period of making my apartment feel like home, I know in no time it will be hard to leave the new home I have made here. With the help of some decorations too, it will be home in no time.

Falling In Love With Fall

     I always told myself that I didn't like the fall simply because it meant summer was over and the weather began getting cold.  To my annoying realization, I have loves the fall thus far.  I love football season, I love hot chocolate, I love pumpkin spice coffee, I love scarves, and I really love halloween costumes.  This past Saturday my friends and I ventured to South Street for Philly's annual Oktoberfest.  There were thousands of people, the cutest dogs, live music, every kind of food truck on the planet, and a plethora of beer and cider distributors.  We spent the day relaxing, people watching, and just having an overall great time.
     To our excitement, the festivities weren't stopping there, for the next two weeks Halloween celebrations will be taking place.  I am most excited for this Friday where my boyfriend and I will be dressing up as Adam and Eve.  As most people know the best Halloween costumes are homemade and this one is turning into a giant arts and crafts project.  Spending over 30 dollars on fake leaves and a fake apple which costs more than any real one.
     On top of all of that, Tuesday I had my favorite day of work so far.  I was sent to a store location and given to opportunity to spend the day changing floor sets.  We changed mannequins, put out new samples, posted all new signage, steamed clothing, and did basically anything to make the store look perfect for the walk through that would take place later in the day.  I really enjoyed working with the visual team; they couldnt be any nicer or more fun to be around.  Fall might just be turning into my favorite season!

I Miss New York

  Byant Park on my way to a market appointment

Sure, you could argue that I’m still there the majority of the workweek, but it is just not that same as living there. I really miss everything about it. I miss the restaurants I frequented, seeing my friends from NYC all the time, I miss the neighborhood I lived in, I miss my apartment. It almost feels like a tease getting to be there for the workday and having to leave right after. If I don’t leave directly after my work day and I stay for dinner I wont get home till about Midnight, which just can’t happen with classes.

But at the same time I love being on campus and getting to see all my friends that I have been away from over CO-OP. It is so great catching up with people and getting to rekindle friendships. It really just feels like walking back onto an on slew of dear old friends that I truly can’t wait to catch up with. Drexels Campus has begun to feel like one of my homes.  In reality I know in 7 months when I hopefully make my move to NYC I will miss college, my friends and my former life. It is honestly one of the oddest emotions I have ever experienced, being totally pulled in two directions. But I guess I truly can’t have the best of both worlds… well maybe if someone invented a teleportation device.

The view from my old apartment in NYC

                                                                                Have a good week

                                                                                              X
                                                                                       Michelle