Here’s What Changed In New York

25 September 2016

“Hey Dayna, come see how cool the new toilet flushes!” my dad said when I came home for my brother’s 30^th and Fashion Week. Some things never change…

When I was in New York I subconsciously was looking for that “ah ha moment” where I’d feel like, this is home and this is why I love NYC. That would’ve been easier… knowing that one day I’d come back and be closer to my family and friends. But I never had that moment of clarity.

Did you ever have that feeling of excitement coming home from college, that, “it’s good to be home” feeling as you drove around wowed by all the little updates in your town? It felt as though New York and I were growing together and I loved that. But this time was different. I drove around lovely Long Island (sarcasm) and didn’t feel a thing. In fact, the most “exciting” upgrade in my hood was my dad’s new toilet.

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Get Lost

27 April 2016

After moving to California and going through a devastating transition to say the least, I found myself wondering what am I doing here (and in life). Everything that could’ve gone wrong went wrong. A breakup, a car accident, getting a puppy than him peeing all over my new dress, phone shattering, losing power … I could go on…I thought the universe was against me, and I started to feel truly lost. As tempting as it was to take the first flight back to New York to be with my friends and family, I knew deep down, I couldn’t give up that easily.
Instead, I cried my eyes out, vented to my besties, Patrice and Peter (my Cali BFF’s who may or may not be in their 50’s…) poured myself a glass of wine, bought some waterproof mascara and decided I was just going to go with it. I am now embracing this unique “journey,” canceling my pity party and saying cheers to being lost. Here’s why :)

This experience has taught me to be able to accept things that don’t go according to plan.
There is something great about feeling curious and wanting more in life.
Your journey is yours; it’s unique. You don’t need to proceed down YOUR path at the same rate as your peers.
It feels good to be up for a challenge. Remember, if you aren’t being challenged, then there is no growth.
You will avoid being a “know it all” and instead continue to learn, grow and work hard. If you’re the smartest person in the room then you should open the door and explore new opportunities and then become the boss bitch you secretly are.
It’s an awesome feeling to be open-minded.
When you aren’t so hard on yourself, and you admit that you are a little lost, you become open to more opportunities that will help you find what you are looking for.
When you’re hard on yourself you can become hard on others. There’s power in showing and accepting your flaws.
You will be able to get excited about the unknown and the future.
Maybe you are exactly where you need to be – lost… because how does anyone stumble upon a new (amazing) path anyway?

Go get ’em ladies!
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When I met you in the winter

1 May 2015

“Be nice or I’ll write about you on my blog”, my instagram bio says. Well, a few nice guys didn’t like this and asked if that meant I only write about the bad ones. I then thought of a couple boys I’ve met and there was one that stood out to me.

On a chilly winter day I was running late and a little lost in New York City. My phone was dead and I had no shame asking anyone and everyone for directions. I asked a foreigner, of course, and two girls who completely blew me off. That’s when I met him. He told me to follow him, he was taking the B and I was taking the C train uptown. He just moved into the city and we talked about how easy it is to get confused with the subways but I think he was trying to make me feel better.

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Stassi Schroeder Serves Up A Reality Check

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Remember all the dished up drama from Bravo’s reality TV show, Vanderpump Rules? Although there wasn’t any table flipping like we’ve seen on The Real House Wives Of New Jersey, the tables turned once Stassi Schroeder made the decision to excuse herself from Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant, Sur, and therefore leaving the hit show (can you say, check please?!) Well, I recently caught up with the Fashionista and had my very own reality check. While chatting at the cozy cafe, The Smile, on the Lower East Side, Stassi shared with me how taking a leap of faith and being courageous can result in true happiness. Her move to New York to focus on her new fashion venture had her smiling from ear–to-ear.

How has the transition been for you moving from Los Angeles to New York?
It has been really nice and only solidifies my choice to be here instead of LA. I have found that New Yorkers are super friendly and open minded, so it hasn’t been difficult to meet new people. It has been so much easier than I imagined it would be to make new friends and develop business relationships. I also love being downtown, walking to SoHo and creating new experiences!

Can you describe your typical day?
I wouldn’t say that I necessarily have a routine; maybe just a morning schedule that I follow. Since I am now on my boyfriend’s schedule I wake up around 7:30am, catch up on my favorite fashion blogs and then hit the gym for about an hour. My afternoons are usually spent running errands and meeting with different designers and accessory brands. I consider each day to be a new adventure, and don’t have any expectations as I did when I was living in California. I don’t know what lies ahead, but right now I am in the midst of developing my own blog and am very excited about that.

You seem in such a good place right now. Is it due to your new relationship?
Being in such a healthy and normal relationship makes it easy to be happy. My boyfriend, Patrick, has helped me realize what I am worth and that I deserve happiness. Being with him has helped me find myself, and I am now in this amazing city where I feel very much at home. I am also finally doing what I have always wanted to do, which is so refreshing, since in Cali I didn’t have all the opportunities that I have now living in NY.

How has your beauty routine changed since moving to New York?
Well, the biggest change has to be that I cut my hair short and have recently found different ways to style it. I am finally getting used to that major change. Also, when it comes to a beauty routine, I have to say my skin is so dry in NY that I definitely need to moisturize much more often than I used to in LA.

What beauty tips do you swear by to get bikini ready for Spring/Summer?
The detox wrap you saw me get on Vanderpump Rules takes about an hour and afterwards you feel like you just had a great work out. It’s so insanely hot and really hard to sit through; but in the end, it’s so worth it. You lose so much water weight; it’s truly euphoric and feels like you spent the day at a spa. Something else I swear by is…SPRAY TANNING! I used to spray tan once a week or 2-3 times a month when I was living in LA, but when I moved here, I realized that people don’t really go tanning. So, I didn’t spray tan for two months, and then I finally gave in and went hunting for a Mystic Tan. Now I feel I am myself just living in NY. I brought the California girl to New York. So to answer your question, definitely get yourself a spray tan…and maybe a good wax!

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What Kind of Commuter Are You?

16 June 2013

2 Comments

The reader– Keeping to yourself. You seem so innocent…. oh, Fifty Shades Of Grey, huh?

The music listener– I now have Rihanna stuck in my head because of your obnoxiously loud music coming from your headphones. Perhaps I’m just being bitter because my phone died and I can’t listen to my own music, but common it’s 7 a.m how are you that awake?! Oh nana- not ok.

The sleeper– As long as your not snoring or leaning on me, this behavior is socially acceptable in my book… Just don’t blame anyone but yourself when you miss your stop!

The talker– No one likes you.

The drunk– no one really likes you either… But hey, at least your entertaining.

The makeup artist– I understand you might have been in a rush while leaving the house… but please lord do not spill that bronzer on me.

The eater– The smell of your food is either extremely tempting or nauseating. Please share or wait till you get home.

Even though there are days when the commute can feel deadly, if you just look at the people around you you’ll never feel more alive.

Garden of Dreams Largest Refurbished Project To Date

13 May 2013

About a month ago I covered the Garden of Dreams Talents Show, which was hosted by, MSG Knicks’ reporter, Jill Martin and Fuse news anchor, Matte Babel. Then, on May 9, 2013 The Garden of Dreams Foundation unveiled its largest refurbished project to date! Renovations to The Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital included new ceilings, lighting, wall protection, flooring, as well as fresh painted walls.

Hank Ratner, president and CEO, The Madison Square Garden Company and Chairman of Garden of Dreams stated, “The Garden of Dreams is the most meaningful thing we do at The Madison Square Garden Company, and it has been an honor to have the New York Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital as one of our partners for the past three years. Our goal with Garden of Dreams is to bring the magic of Madison Square Garden to the children who need it most and we are grateful for this opportunity to support the Hospital’s amazing work by creating an uplifting space that will both inspire and comfort the thousands of extraordinary children who visit the Center each year.”

Kevin Hammeran, senior vice president and chief operating officer of New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital added, “This gift for the Children’s Diagnostic Radiology Center has made possible the enhancement of a physical space in a lively way that promotes healing and comfort. We are grateful to the Garden of Dreams for this wonderful gift, and for its ongoing activities to bring joy to our pediatric patients and their families.”

The newly remodeled space now offers a more comfortable and family-friendly atmosphere for the 11,500 children who visit the hospital each year from sports-related injuries to life threatening diseases. Here are a few shots and video clips inside the ribbon cutting at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital!