Alone in New York

I’m in New York for a business trip.  But this time I am here alone. ALONE. ALONE.  I never realized how much I would appreciate being alone before I had kids and a husband. 
Usually, I travel for business with a colleague.  But this time I am here doing an editorial suite at the Bryant Park Hotel where BrandHabit is presenting a few designers to the press.  Amy Cunha of Big Picture PR has organized the suite so all I have to do is show up at the suite tomorrow and talk to fashion editors. The rest of my time here is my own.  Don’t get me wrong:  I am not here just to wander around on vacation, but I am keeping my schedule fairly loose. 

I fly in to New York on election night on Virgin America, a hip, cool new airlines that tries to feel like a night club with purple lights, house music and hot airline stewardesses.  I am loaded for bear with magazines but stumble upon reality TV show:  Real Housewives of NYC on my personal TV.  Within minutes I’m sucked in and I watch an ENTIRE season… (oh my god. How did I do that?).  The entire time I wonder if I relate to the qualities in any of these women.  I came to one conclusion:  While I do like nice things and I am in the fashion business, and I do go to social events, I could care less about the strategic social climbing or keeping up with the Jones’s like these women do.  I also remind myself of how NOT to dress (at my age).  I posted a blog about this awhile back but hear me out again.  Once you are 40, don’t wear big bold prints, too much bling, too much cleavage (especially if you have big boobs) and don’t wear skirts above your knees without tights, unless you are a supermodel.  I’m sorry… it just looks stupid.  Check out Ramona who repeatedly embarrasses her darling daughter with her trying-to-be-young fashion choices.

Betheny (while she probably isn’t 40 yet) seems to get it right… classy, understated…

Luanne is okay most of the time and she owns her age well and Alex needs a personal stylist.