I can't believe that my little peanut is now a little over 20 months old. And I know (I KNOW) that I am as biased as any mother but oh my goodness, my son is amazing! These months are becoming so exciting now that he has entered toddlerhood. Each day brings with it a new word (today's is (finally!) "yes"; yesterdays was "purple") and his vocabulary is getting pretty extensive, encompassing shapes and colors. And he understands even more than he can say. We do still need to work on numbers (he thinks it is "one, two, weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!") and the alphabet... but what's the rush?! Asher is soaking up his world and its language like a little sponge and I marvel at his ability and his growth each and every day.
Asher's words to date:
Yes, No, Peas, Cheese, Please, Juice, Bottle, Pink, Pig, Moo, Neigh, Quack, Duck, Sssss (for the snake), twit twoo, tweet weet, meow, woof, puppy, dog, elephant noise with action, gribbit, baa, choo choo, beep, brum brum, bagel, mummy, daddy, joy, nana, tata, amma, poppa, TT (TV), backpack, blue's clues, two, purple, blue, circle, triangle, cracker, pool, car, door, more, mine, me, you, carly, nat, tea, T, D, B......
There may be more....
I am amazed how he is his own person. The same person he has been since birth--just more of him, so to speak. It is incredible that boyhood is innate, as is personality. Asher was funny even as a newborn.
One thing I have realised... it is so hard to NOT be philosophical when you are a mother. Through our children we get to re-experience the wonder of our world. And though as an adult I despair at so much, through Asher's innocent eyes, I am able to see the amazement and wonder that the simplest things in life contain. Parenthood makes you strive to be the best you can be and gives you cause to be harder on yourself when you fail. Your sense of self becomes tangled up in the web of another human being, your morals are becoming theirs. Being a mother is the most responsible and challenging job known to man. I challenge anyone who says differently.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Fun in the Sun (Or shade)
The Knocked-Up Knockout: Fun in the Sun (or Shade)
Hannah Claire Shapiro
“Summer’s in the air, every time I look around..”. My current mental soundtrack keeps skipping to this classic each time I step outdoors, or look outside to my veranda and pool deck. I know the weather in Blighty is far from perfect right now but you can at least, I’m sure, appreciate how strange it must be to live in almost-constant sunshine when you hail from the country everyone thinks of as grey. Oh, and wet. It also gives me ample opportunity to test out all the fab sun products on the market these days, to share my faves with you in time for your summer hols. From fake tans to sun-tan lotions and aftersuns, I’ve got your skin covered.
FAKING IT
There are so many fantastic fake tan solutions available to us these days and it is difficult to assess from the bottles alone, which are the products best suited to you. Here are a few of my personal faves.
>> Top Five Cosmetics
Hoola, £22.50, Benefit. This bronzing powder even warms up my dull complexion. I use it all over my face and décolletage. This is my “can’t-live-without” product for sun-kissed looks!
2. Dallas, £22.50, Benefit. I apply this to my cheeks, post-Hoola, for an enviable sun-kissed glow. The pinky hues in Dallas make this a great blush-alternative on top of bronzer to avoid that flat-face look.
3. 10, £22.50, Benefit. For a subtler bronzed look on top of regular face makeup, you must, must, must try this genius product. It is so darned simple to use and results are nothing short of amazing, as you bronze and highlight in one, quick sweep of the brush. All you have to do? Follow the enclosed instructions.
Star Bronzer, £24, Lancôme. For a quick, need-to-get-out-the-door-in-two-minutes instant fix, you cannot beat this product. Use the sponge to sweep this all over your face as you would any pressed powder (don’t forget to blend once you get in the car!), and you have instant glow. Ta-dah!
5. Powder bronzer (Park Avenue Princess), $28 , Tartecosmetics.com. This is a great compact to keep in your handbag. It is a universal bronze—it works on pasty-old-me and my South Beach sun-kissed pals—that instantly livens up that mid-afternoon dullness us Mummies know far too well so that we are perked up and pretty by the time dear hubby arrives home.
>> Top Five Lotions & Potions
Jiffy Tan, £17.50, Benefit. This lotion is GENIUS. I rarely have the time for traditional fake tanning but you can slap this on in, well, a jiffy, and the perfect results are fool-proof.
Flash Bronzer, £19.50, Lancôme. Whether you opt to use this formula for just your face, or all over, and no matter which consistency (gel, mousse, cream) you choose, the Lancome Flash Bronzer fake-tanning range is consistently fantastic.
Whipped Bronze Mousse, £20, St. Tropez. There’s a reason why fashion-and-beauty-know-it-all, Victoria Beckham, is still such a die-hard fan of St. Tropez tans despite a bevy of competitors on the market. All their products, when used correctly, achieve the desired results. (Don’t forget your gloves, which are sold separately.) My personal all-time, home-use fave is the whipped mousse, though you can’t beat the look you’ll get if you have the tan applied professionally.
Sun Free Self-Tanning Formula, $22.50, Kiehls.com. This self-tanner is so gentle, it can be used on all skin types—wonderful for the sensitive likes of me. The cream is so easy to apply and guarantees an even application with results you can see in just one hour. What’s more, the folks at Kiehls guarantee their products are not tested on animals so you can use this one with a clear conscience.
Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Facial Moisturiser, $28, Tartecosmetics.com. This moisturizer-meets-bronzer is another brilliant instant fix! The bronzing beads in the moisturiser burst on contact with skin, delivering an instant, water-resistant glow. The best part—the lotion has skincare benefits: Vitamins A & E help condition skin and fight free radicals while silicone polymer & cellulose help absorb excess oils to keep you relatively shine-free in the heat. What more could a girl want?!
FUN IN THE SUN (THE REAL McCOY!)
Before we begin, here’s the essential low-down on sunbathing.
Firstly, and most importantly, the SPF factor does not inhibit your ability to tan. This is merely a numeric indication of how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning. For example, if you would usually begin to burn after 30 minutes in intense sunlight, then with SPF 15 lotion, you will be able to, theoretically, stay in the sun for 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. However, this does not indicate durability of the lotion and most lotions should be reapplied every hour and a half or so, or once you begin to see a change in skin colour.
Secondly, it is important to bear in mind that when you are sitting in direct sunlight with your sunnies on, you are less likely to see if you are beginning to resemble a lobster rather than a bronzed sun goddess. The easiest way to check up is to find a spot of shade and press your skin, if the pressure point stays white for a while it means you are burning and it’s time to head home and out of the sun for that day.
Thirdly, it goes without saying that if you are pregnant, you should avoid long periods of time in direct sunlight. Instead, enjoy the sun under the shade of a tree or beach umbrella. But still be sure to lotion up with adequate SPF.
And lastly, after a day in the sun, be sure to apply a rich moisturiser all over post-shower to replenish your skin and quench its thirst. As you are dehydrating your skin by sitting in the sun, it is therefore also advisable to avoid post-sunbathing soaks in the tub.
>>Top Five Sun-Tan Lotions
Vital Sun protection SPF 30, $18.50, Kiehls.com. This is my all-time must-have sun-tan lotion. It is so gentle that you can use it on both yourself and baby, which also means it is safe to use while pregnant. It is lightweight, non greasy, non sticky and doesn’t sting your eyes once you begin to schvitz. What more could you want?!
Ultra-Hydrating Sun Protector for Face SPF 20, $28, avanceskincare.com. This is a great everyday sun tan lotion that it is great to get into the habit of applying daily, as it works under your regular moisturiser and makeup. It is my Summer 2007—and year round—essential.
Oil-free Sun Block for Body SPF 30, $32, avanceskincare.com. Avancé is known for their curative and corrective skincare products so my interest was immediately piqued by their new sun-care range, which is formulated to boost cell regeneration as they are infused with an abundance of antioxidants, from Vitamin E to green tea.
Sun Cream for Sensitive Areas, $10 , Mustela. This is a fantastic sun block for babies and children when you are heading down to the beach or the pool, as it provides lengthy coverage in even the most intense sunlight. Even my very delicate bundle, who is prone to exzema, doesn’t complain when I rub this lotion into his skin pre-pool time. It is available in the US, France, Spain and Portugal so stock up while on your hols!
Sun Control Stick SPF 30, £12.50 , Clarins. You mustn’t forget your eyes and lips—avoidable lines and wrinkles are a no-no. I keep one of these handy, new Clarins’ sticks in my bag at all times and use it underneath my lipstick or as a lip-gloss. When sun-gazing, it is ideal for using around your eyes, ears and nose, as well as on your lips.
>> Summer Must-Have
Before you head on your holiday destination of choice this year, be sure to pick yourself up a Juicy Couture Beach Survival Kit ($75). It is my new summer must-have for trips to the ocean. Each kit comes in an acrylic, drawstring bag (choose pink or yellow), and includes a heart-shaped mirror, canvas sunscreen bag, swimsuit bag, canvas water bottle bag, and a clear plastic pillow to rest your weary head upon. In short, everything the style maven that you are needs to stay chic, comfy and organized during a day at the beach. Just add towel, book and cozzy, and go! Those Juicy Girls think of everything!
Hannah Claire Shapiro
“Summer’s in the air, every time I look around..”. My current mental soundtrack keeps skipping to this classic each time I step outdoors, or look outside to my veranda and pool deck. I know the weather in Blighty is far from perfect right now but you can at least, I’m sure, appreciate how strange it must be to live in almost-constant sunshine when you hail from the country everyone thinks of as grey. Oh, and wet. It also gives me ample opportunity to test out all the fab sun products on the market these days, to share my faves with you in time for your summer hols. From fake tans to sun-tan lotions and aftersuns, I’ve got your skin covered.
FAKING IT
There are so many fantastic fake tan solutions available to us these days and it is difficult to assess from the bottles alone, which are the products best suited to you. Here are a few of my personal faves.
>> Top Five Cosmetics
Hoola, £22.50, Benefit. This bronzing powder even warms up my dull complexion. I use it all over my face and décolletage. This is my “can’t-live-without” product for sun-kissed looks!
2. Dallas, £22.50, Benefit. I apply this to my cheeks, post-Hoola, for an enviable sun-kissed glow. The pinky hues in Dallas make this a great blush-alternative on top of bronzer to avoid that flat-face look.
3. 10, £22.50, Benefit. For a subtler bronzed look on top of regular face makeup, you must, must, must try this genius product. It is so darned simple to use and results are nothing short of amazing, as you bronze and highlight in one, quick sweep of the brush. All you have to do? Follow the enclosed instructions.
Star Bronzer, £24, Lancôme. For a quick, need-to-get-out-the-door-in-two-minutes instant fix, you cannot beat this product. Use the sponge to sweep this all over your face as you would any pressed powder (don’t forget to blend once you get in the car!), and you have instant glow. Ta-dah!
5. Powder bronzer (Park Avenue Princess), $28 , Tartecosmetics.com. This is a great compact to keep in your handbag. It is a universal bronze—it works on pasty-old-me and my South Beach sun-kissed pals—that instantly livens up that mid-afternoon dullness us Mummies know far too well so that we are perked up and pretty by the time dear hubby arrives home.
>> Top Five Lotions & Potions
Jiffy Tan, £17.50, Benefit. This lotion is GENIUS. I rarely have the time for traditional fake tanning but you can slap this on in, well, a jiffy, and the perfect results are fool-proof.
Flash Bronzer, £19.50, Lancôme. Whether you opt to use this formula for just your face, or all over, and no matter which consistency (gel, mousse, cream) you choose, the Lancome Flash Bronzer fake-tanning range is consistently fantastic.
Whipped Bronze Mousse, £20, St. Tropez. There’s a reason why fashion-and-beauty-know-it-all, Victoria Beckham, is still such a die-hard fan of St. Tropez tans despite a bevy of competitors on the market. All their products, when used correctly, achieve the desired results. (Don’t forget your gloves, which are sold separately.) My personal all-time, home-use fave is the whipped mousse, though you can’t beat the look you’ll get if you have the tan applied professionally.
Sun Free Self-Tanning Formula, $22.50, Kiehls.com. This self-tanner is so gentle, it can be used on all skin types—wonderful for the sensitive likes of me. The cream is so easy to apply and guarantees an even application with results you can see in just one hour. What’s more, the folks at Kiehls guarantee their products are not tested on animals so you can use this one with a clear conscience.
Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Facial Moisturiser, $28, Tartecosmetics.com. This moisturizer-meets-bronzer is another brilliant instant fix! The bronzing beads in the moisturiser burst on contact with skin, delivering an instant, water-resistant glow. The best part—the lotion has skincare benefits: Vitamins A & E help condition skin and fight free radicals while silicone polymer & cellulose help absorb excess oils to keep you relatively shine-free in the heat. What more could a girl want?!
FUN IN THE SUN (THE REAL McCOY!)
Before we begin, here’s the essential low-down on sunbathing.
Firstly, and most importantly, the SPF factor does not inhibit your ability to tan. This is merely a numeric indication of how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning. For example, if you would usually begin to burn after 30 minutes in intense sunlight, then with SPF 15 lotion, you will be able to, theoretically, stay in the sun for 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. However, this does not indicate durability of the lotion and most lotions should be reapplied every hour and a half or so, or once you begin to see a change in skin colour.
Secondly, it is important to bear in mind that when you are sitting in direct sunlight with your sunnies on, you are less likely to see if you are beginning to resemble a lobster rather than a bronzed sun goddess. The easiest way to check up is to find a spot of shade and press your skin, if the pressure point stays white for a while it means you are burning and it’s time to head home and out of the sun for that day.
Thirdly, it goes without saying that if you are pregnant, you should avoid long periods of time in direct sunlight. Instead, enjoy the sun under the shade of a tree or beach umbrella. But still be sure to lotion up with adequate SPF.
And lastly, after a day in the sun, be sure to apply a rich moisturiser all over post-shower to replenish your skin and quench its thirst. As you are dehydrating your skin by sitting in the sun, it is therefore also advisable to avoid post-sunbathing soaks in the tub.
>>Top Five Sun-Tan Lotions
Vital Sun protection SPF 30, $18.50, Kiehls.com. This is my all-time must-have sun-tan lotion. It is so gentle that you can use it on both yourself and baby, which also means it is safe to use while pregnant. It is lightweight, non greasy, non sticky and doesn’t sting your eyes once you begin to schvitz. What more could you want?!
Ultra-Hydrating Sun Protector for Face SPF 20, $28, avanceskincare.com. This is a great everyday sun tan lotion that it is great to get into the habit of applying daily, as it works under your regular moisturiser and makeup. It is my Summer 2007—and year round—essential.
Oil-free Sun Block for Body SPF 30, $32, avanceskincare.com. Avancé is known for their curative and corrective skincare products so my interest was immediately piqued by their new sun-care range, which is formulated to boost cell regeneration as they are infused with an abundance of antioxidants, from Vitamin E to green tea.
Sun Cream for Sensitive Areas, $10 , Mustela. This is a fantastic sun block for babies and children when you are heading down to the beach or the pool, as it provides lengthy coverage in even the most intense sunlight. Even my very delicate bundle, who is prone to exzema, doesn’t complain when I rub this lotion into his skin pre-pool time. It is available in the US, France, Spain and Portugal so stock up while on your hols!
Sun Control Stick SPF 30, £12.50 , Clarins. You mustn’t forget your eyes and lips—avoidable lines and wrinkles are a no-no. I keep one of these handy, new Clarins’ sticks in my bag at all times and use it underneath my lipstick or as a lip-gloss. When sun-gazing, it is ideal for using around your eyes, ears and nose, as well as on your lips.
>> Summer Must-Have
Before you head on your holiday destination of choice this year, be sure to pick yourself up a Juicy Couture Beach Survival Kit ($75). It is my new summer must-have for trips to the ocean. Each kit comes in an acrylic, drawstring bag (choose pink or yellow), and includes a heart-shaped mirror, canvas sunscreen bag, swimsuit bag, canvas water bottle bag, and a clear plastic pillow to rest your weary head upon. In short, everything the style maven that you are needs to stay chic, comfy and organized during a day at the beach. Just add towel, book and cozzy, and go! Those Juicy Girls think of everything!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
AstroBaby: Baby Leo
The Knocked-Up Knockout: Astro Baby
The AstroTwins Ohira & Tali Edut, www.astrostyle.com
As told to Hannah Claire Shapiro
Raising kids is a big job, no matter what your child's zodiac sign. Astrology can help you make sense of the process. Wondering how that meticulous child came from your disorganised genes? Or how a die-hard Labour supporter could spawn a Young Conservative? The answers may be written in the stars and the Astro Twins, Tali and Ophira Edut, astrologers to the literal stars (Avril Lavigne, Andre 3000, Jack Osbourne, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are amongst their celeb clientele), are exclusively sharing their breadth of knowledge with us. They have great tips on how to bring out your child's best traits and happiness, tailored to the personality of each sign. And, if your interest is piqued, just email the twins your child’s birth information (date, time, location etc) for a personalised and in-depth look at your child’s very own, one-of-a-kind birth chart. I did it for Asher—and myself—and the results were nothing short of phenomenal.
So, as we head into late July, let’s take a look at the Leo child… Know anyone expecting this month? Tell them to get prepared for what’s in store by reading up on Master or Miss Leo right here!
The Leo Child:
Leo babies are generally happy, smiley, and outgoing. They are also the sign that rules drama, so when the temper tantrums do come, look out! These kids love to play, be it a board game, dolls, tag, running around with pets or on a computer. As long as they can be creative and free, they are happy. They love bright colors and sounds. Paint their rooms in vivid hues and set up the musical mobiles. Warning: don't buy too many "noisemaker" toys unless you want to wind up with a migraine! This sign loves to please, so once they find out what makes the adults coo over them, out comes the show-off streak. Getting them to sleep won't be easy. These tykes have energy to burn and love to stay up all night singing and chatting. Enroll them in a drama, dance or gymnastics class early to channel their theatrical talents into a productive outlet.
Playtime:
· Get them a big box of dress-up clothes. Ultra-creative Leos love to put on plays, have imaginary friends or pretend that they are in a different era. Be prepared for lots of entertainment and be sure to clap loudly!
· Get your Leo kid a great big backpack. They like to travel with toys and their favorite stuffed animal or doll in tow.
· Get these kids a pet! (Leo the lion is the proverbial king/queen of the jungle.) This sign has a natural, caretaking streak and tends to be ultra-responsible with animals. Since Leo craves more affection than the average kid, having a puppy or kitten to hug will fill in the gaps when you can't be there for a squeeze.
· Enroll your Leo in scouting. These kids are super-outgoing and love adventures. Working with other kids in this responsible capacity will bring out your Leo's natural leadership skills.
Parenting Skills:
· Don't pressure them to win. Leos are naturally wired to strive for the best, so unless you want to create a mini-dictator, you're better of teaching them to be good sports than urging them to go for the gold.
· Encourage their artistic expression. Leos need to decorate everything from their rooms to their clothes. Skip the fussy outfits and forget about having their bedrooms look like a designer showroom. Instead, give them fabric markers and cover their walls with chalkboards so they can go to town. You may have a future fashion designer on your hands.
· Heap on the praise. Leos thrive on positive reinforcement and encouraging words are often all that are needed to keep your Leo working hard and on the right path. On the flip side, they hate to fail and can turn into quitters if they don't learn that it's okay to make mistakes. Teach them to find the lesson in each experience--whether it turns out good or bad in the end.
Young Leos love attention, but run to their side every time they cry, and you might just have a demanding diva on your hands. Teach them how to be unselfish by encouraging them to help others (friends, siblings, relatives). Foster their independence by encouraging them to work through minor problems on their own. They're likely to come up with some creative solutions!
The AstroTwins Ohira & Tali Edut, www.astrostyle.com
As told to Hannah Claire Shapiro
Raising kids is a big job, no matter what your child's zodiac sign. Astrology can help you make sense of the process. Wondering how that meticulous child came from your disorganised genes? Or how a die-hard Labour supporter could spawn a Young Conservative? The answers may be written in the stars and the Astro Twins, Tali and Ophira Edut, astrologers to the literal stars (Avril Lavigne, Andre 3000, Jack Osbourne, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are amongst their celeb clientele), are exclusively sharing their breadth of knowledge with us. They have great tips on how to bring out your child's best traits and happiness, tailored to the personality of each sign. And, if your interest is piqued, just email the twins your child’s birth information (date, time, location etc) for a personalised and in-depth look at your child’s very own, one-of-a-kind birth chart. I did it for Asher—and myself—and the results were nothing short of phenomenal.
So, as we head into late July, let’s take a look at the Leo child… Know anyone expecting this month? Tell them to get prepared for what’s in store by reading up on Master or Miss Leo right here!
The Leo Child:
Leo babies are generally happy, smiley, and outgoing. They are also the sign that rules drama, so when the temper tantrums do come, look out! These kids love to play, be it a board game, dolls, tag, running around with pets or on a computer. As long as they can be creative and free, they are happy. They love bright colors and sounds. Paint their rooms in vivid hues and set up the musical mobiles. Warning: don't buy too many "noisemaker" toys unless you want to wind up with a migraine! This sign loves to please, so once they find out what makes the adults coo over them, out comes the show-off streak. Getting them to sleep won't be easy. These tykes have energy to burn and love to stay up all night singing and chatting. Enroll them in a drama, dance or gymnastics class early to channel their theatrical talents into a productive outlet.
Playtime:
· Get them a big box of dress-up clothes. Ultra-creative Leos love to put on plays, have imaginary friends or pretend that they are in a different era. Be prepared for lots of entertainment and be sure to clap loudly!
· Get your Leo kid a great big backpack. They like to travel with toys and their favorite stuffed animal or doll in tow.
· Get these kids a pet! (Leo the lion is the proverbial king/queen of the jungle.) This sign has a natural, caretaking streak and tends to be ultra-responsible with animals. Since Leo craves more affection than the average kid, having a puppy or kitten to hug will fill in the gaps when you can't be there for a squeeze.
· Enroll your Leo in scouting. These kids are super-outgoing and love adventures. Working with other kids in this responsible capacity will bring out your Leo's natural leadership skills.
Parenting Skills:
· Don't pressure them to win. Leos are naturally wired to strive for the best, so unless you want to create a mini-dictator, you're better of teaching them to be good sports than urging them to go for the gold.
· Encourage their artistic expression. Leos need to decorate everything from their rooms to their clothes. Skip the fussy outfits and forget about having their bedrooms look like a designer showroom. Instead, give them fabric markers and cover their walls with chalkboards so they can go to town. You may have a future fashion designer on your hands.
· Heap on the praise. Leos thrive on positive reinforcement and encouraging words are often all that are needed to keep your Leo working hard and on the right path. On the flip side, they hate to fail and can turn into quitters if they don't learn that it's okay to make mistakes. Teach them to find the lesson in each experience--whether it turns out good or bad in the end.
Young Leos love attention, but run to their side every time they cry, and you might just have a demanding diva on your hands. Teach them how to be unselfish by encouraging them to help others (friends, siblings, relatives). Foster their independence by encouraging them to work through minor problems on their own. They're likely to come up with some creative solutions!
The Mompreneurs: Shayna Samuels
The Knocked-Up Knockout: The Mompreneur Files
Hannah Claire Shapiro
I am sure that, like me, you have met mothers in your playgroups who have come up with an ingenious idea, either pre or post pregnancy, who have left you thinking “Why didn’t I think of that?!” or, “I wish I could come up with a great Mommy-friendly business idea.” Since having my son, Asher, I have been amazed by the volume of creative and business-savvy mothers I have met, who made motherhood their professional—in addition to their personal—calling. From great clothing ideas and nappy bag accessories (Wipe cases, muslins etc) to online clothing boutiques and wall art, there are no shortage of mothers out there who are honing their entrepreneurial skills—on a variety of scales—who serve as a daily source of inspiration to myself, and I’m sure those who surround them. These profiles will introduce you to a number of new brands and labels out there for both you and Junior, not to mention, they might serve to give you that extra push and a shove to think big and follow through.
We begin the Mompreneur Files with Shayna Samuels, mom to 19-month-old George, and founder of hip LA-based boys’ clothing label, City Threads.
Name? Shayna Samuels
Age? 29
Married? Yes
Good story? How did you meet? We met in high school in English class but didn’t date until college. A couple years after college I started the business. My husband was in grad school, and as soon as he graduated he started helping me. He said he would give it 6 months, it has now been 5 years.
Wow, you have known each other a long time. Who made the first move once you were in college? Once we got to college we started dating pretty quickly. I don’t know who made the first move. I think that we both liked each other. I knew that we were going to get married the first time I saw him in English class our senior year of high school. We didn’t start dating then, but we talked and hung out. We had a lot of mutual friends. It was senior year we weren’t in a hurry to get serious.
Children? How old? Plans for any more? We have one, our 19-month-old son, George. Right now, we have no plans for any more but we will probably want one more in the future
My son is 19 months too. Tell me some of the cute things George (Great name, btw) is doing right now. (For example, my son has always been a bit of a clown and, off the cuff, started saying “knock knock” this week.) He's trying to say "yogurt" right now, and you can see him thinking about how he's going to say it each time he tries to repeat. So he will say "oh-urt" and then "urt-yo" and then "gurr" and it's so entertaining.
Does George have a middle name? Yes, his full name is George Samuel Willis.
Brief Working background? I always wanted to start a business. I tried to start a few after college, and this is the one that took off.
What was your degree in? I have a BS in psychology.
What were some of our other entrepreneurial ideas that flopped? I tried to start another business, one was similar to a tip card, but it never got off the ground. I've always wanted to make chocolates. But that will have to wait.
How did you get into designing kids T Shirts? We saw that hip kids clothes were getting popular and that the boys market wasn’t saturated yet. It started with the New York & Brooklyn hoodies and tees, and then progressed to more bodies and designs.
And this is when you were pre kids? How insightful of you!!!! Any plans for expanding the line? Perhaps into adult clothing? And more outfits for the kids? We have a full line now, which we are continually expanding. We did maternity for a while, but found it too hard to keep up with two lines.
How did you get the company up and running? We made one set of samples and showed it to reps in the California Mart. One showroom, The Dressing Room (Debbie Shapiro and Lisa Sato) loved the samples and took on the line immediately. Five years later, they are still our showroom.
How did City Threads go from idea and concept to reality? Reality struck when we got a good amount of orders from this first batch of samples and realized we didn’t know how we were going to make them!!!!!
Please explain the name City Threads. How did you come up with it? How long did it take you to decide on a name? what is the inspiration?
It was a really long tiring process trying to think of a name. After a month or two, we were sitting around with our friends and everyone was thinking of names. You can't believe the terrible ideas that come out of everyone's mouth. One guy friend just said "how about City Threads," because at that time, most of our line was embroidering city names on tee shirts and hoodies. It was simple and the most appropriate name, we instantly knew it was right.
Who designs the T-shirts? We design all the bodies. For the screen prints, we come up with concepts and find inspiration, then we have some incredible freelance designers who make them come to life.
How did you feel the first time you sold an order of T-shirts? that people were really going to buy it. It was really surreal. I remember in the early days of City Threads going into stores and seeing our stuff and thinking that it was amazing that what we made was for sale and that it was sitting next to other clothing . Now I take my son to classes and see little kids in their City Threads clothes and think that it is neat that they are wearing our clothes. One of my girlfriends always makes it a point to go up to the parents of the kids wearing our clothes and tells them how cute they look and asks where they bought the clothes. She will also call me from places like the zoo and say I have seen four kids in City Threads today. Those times are fun.
How did you feel the first time you saw your tees on a celeb? A picture came out a few years ago of Ed Burns holding his daughter in a New York hoodieWell, we have a couple.
Who are you secretly so proud of having as a customer? I couldn’t believe It would have to be Heidi Klum who put our "Big Guitar" tee on her son, Jonah. He was papped wearing it and the picture was in People magazine. Needless to say, we were thrilled!!! Also, Debi Mazar (Entourage, Ugly Betty) is a big customer of City Threads, and she is really cool!
Where do you go from now? We are trying to keep building the line and the brand so that we are in more stores across the U.S. and other countries.
What are your plans for the future? To try and keep growing the company. I think growth is the fun part. I am still learning. Everyday I think oh George needs this or that and realize that it is not in the line and usually add it in to the fallowing line. He has been a great inspiration.
Care to divulge a bit more? We would like to have a more complete line. We are known for our embroidery and screen print but we would like to be known for all types of boy's clothing. For instance we just launched a basics line of tees and pants with cozy fabric in all different colors that is really cute which is definitely an expansion of what we have.
Your essential piece of Mommy advice? George is only 19 months old, but I would say be with your child as much as possible.
What do you do during your time with George? What are some of your favourite activities to do with him? We both like to go for walks and to the park. Also, signing and reading books.
Wow -- you sign AND read books?! Is there a reason you are teaching George to sign? How did you learn ASL? We took a class on sign language, just a one-day course. It was great for George because he can say "more," "all-done," "milk," etc, and we did it because we heard it would make it less frustrating to communicate. That is definitely true, but now that he can say words he prefers to use signs rather than talk. We're worried the signing is delaying his speaking!!!!
Your one piece of Mompreneur advice? Partnerships don’t work out most of the time. Employ your husband if you can.
And in terms of just going for it? Do you have any words of wisdom/ incentive? I didn’t start out as a Mom starting a company, I started a company and then became a Mom. I would say make sure that you are not starting at a time where you might miss important time with your baby. You can wait to start a business, but once you start it takes a life of its own and you will have to work really hard to keep it going. I think that there are a lot of great businesses that Mom’s can do where they can limit there time to the business and not have to limit there time with the baby as much. Make sure that it starts out as fun so that if it doesn’t work you can walk away having learned.
How do you stay focused? I don’t I do what ever is stressing me out the most at that time. I am all about doing the tasks that will help take the weight off of my shoulders first.
What parts of business tend to cause you stress? What parts of running a family? There a million things that can and do go wrong on a constant daily basis. That is really stressful. The dye house dyes clothes the wrong color. The cutter cuts the wrong thing. Both family and business never end, I think that is the most stressful part.
What are your biggest stress busters? Going out with girlfriends.
What do you eat for breakfast? English muffins are my favorite. Yum! One or two?! Butter and jelly? What do you wash down the EM with? Two, butter and sometimes jelly. I wash them down with tea if I have the time to make it, or water if I don’t.
What is your favourite cocktail? Don’t usually drink, but when I do it is usually wine.
What are your vices? Whatever it takes that day to stay sane. Whether it is a bath or going out at night with a girlfriend to Target or a spa.
Do you have a child-rearing guru? My Mom.
Best piece of advice you have ever been given? There is always tomorrow.
Please could you outline for us, what a day in the life of Shayna Samuels is like? Well it depends, but…wake up and juggle the morning routine with my husband of getting George—and ourselves—ready. My husband leaves for work and I go to a “Mommy-and-Me” class [playgroup]. Then it’s off to work, with George. He has a playroom at the office that is bigger than his room at home. We usually has a nanny at the office who takes him on walks and plays with him, right now we don’t have a nanny. So who ever has to make a phone call does it while playing with George in his room. He can play forever as long as someone hangs with him. We do get a little help from Elmo every so often, Raffi stops by on occasion too. When I am not in the room with George I try to get work done as fast as possible. When George has had enough we leave and go home. I can get a lot done at home, given the time. It’s hard I am not going to say it isn’t. I think the thing that every mother has in common is that you never feel like you are doing it all perfectly. You are always dropping the ball somewhere. I think that it makes it convenient that both of my jobs are 24/7, I can work at any time so on a Saturday night when I have baby sitting I might go to the dye house to figure out colors for my new line. The nighttime routine is we get home around 6 with George. We get dinner out as fast as possible. We try to cook as much as possible.... His favorite food is soup, roasted carrots, mac and cheese, chicken(in all forms), yogurt, grapes. He feasts like a king, we get him in and out of the bath, give him a bottle of milk, read some books, then he is hopefully in his crib by 8. That is when he feels good and we stay on schedule. We just went through a 3-week stretch where he was sick and wouldn't go to bed alone. He stayed up until we went to sleep and slept in our bed. We were all miserable and tired. Finally he felt better and after 3 nights he was back to sleeping in his crib without crying!!!!! It was a miracle.
Hannah Claire Shapiro
I am sure that, like me, you have met mothers in your playgroups who have come up with an ingenious idea, either pre or post pregnancy, who have left you thinking “Why didn’t I think of that?!” or, “I wish I could come up with a great Mommy-friendly business idea.” Since having my son, Asher, I have been amazed by the volume of creative and business-savvy mothers I have met, who made motherhood their professional—in addition to their personal—calling. From great clothing ideas and nappy bag accessories (Wipe cases, muslins etc) to online clothing boutiques and wall art, there are no shortage of mothers out there who are honing their entrepreneurial skills—on a variety of scales—who serve as a daily source of inspiration to myself, and I’m sure those who surround them. These profiles will introduce you to a number of new brands and labels out there for both you and Junior, not to mention, they might serve to give you that extra push and a shove to think big and follow through.
We begin the Mompreneur Files with Shayna Samuels, mom to 19-month-old George, and founder of hip LA-based boys’ clothing label, City Threads.
Name? Shayna Samuels
Age? 29
Married? Yes
Good story? How did you meet? We met in high school in English class but didn’t date until college. A couple years after college I started the business. My husband was in grad school, and as soon as he graduated he started helping me. He said he would give it 6 months, it has now been 5 years.
Wow, you have known each other a long time. Who made the first move once you were in college? Once we got to college we started dating pretty quickly. I don’t know who made the first move. I think that we both liked each other. I knew that we were going to get married the first time I saw him in English class our senior year of high school. We didn’t start dating then, but we talked and hung out. We had a lot of mutual friends. It was senior year we weren’t in a hurry to get serious.
Children? How old? Plans for any more? We have one, our 19-month-old son, George. Right now, we have no plans for any more but we will probably want one more in the future
My son is 19 months too. Tell me some of the cute things George (Great name, btw) is doing right now. (For example, my son has always been a bit of a clown and, off the cuff, started saying “knock knock” this week.) He's trying to say "yogurt" right now, and you can see him thinking about how he's going to say it each time he tries to repeat. So he will say "oh-urt" and then "urt-yo" and then "gurr" and it's so entertaining.
Does George have a middle name? Yes, his full name is George Samuel Willis.
Brief Working background? I always wanted to start a business. I tried to start a few after college, and this is the one that took off.
What was your degree in? I have a BS in psychology.
What were some of our other entrepreneurial ideas that flopped? I tried to start another business, one was similar to a tip card, but it never got off the ground. I've always wanted to make chocolates. But that will have to wait.
How did you get into designing kids T Shirts? We saw that hip kids clothes were getting popular and that the boys market wasn’t saturated yet. It started with the New York & Brooklyn hoodies and tees, and then progressed to more bodies and designs.
And this is when you were pre kids? How insightful of you!!!! Any plans for expanding the line? Perhaps into adult clothing? And more outfits for the kids? We have a full line now, which we are continually expanding. We did maternity for a while, but found it too hard to keep up with two lines.
How did you get the company up and running? We made one set of samples and showed it to reps in the California Mart. One showroom, The Dressing Room (Debbie Shapiro and Lisa Sato) loved the samples and took on the line immediately. Five years later, they are still our showroom.
How did City Threads go from idea and concept to reality? Reality struck when we got a good amount of orders from this first batch of samples and realized we didn’t know how we were going to make them!!!!!
Please explain the name City Threads. How did you come up with it? How long did it take you to decide on a name? what is the inspiration?
It was a really long tiring process trying to think of a name. After a month or two, we were sitting around with our friends and everyone was thinking of names. You can't believe the terrible ideas that come out of everyone's mouth. One guy friend just said "how about City Threads," because at that time, most of our line was embroidering city names on tee shirts and hoodies. It was simple and the most appropriate name, we instantly knew it was right.
Who designs the T-shirts? We design all the bodies. For the screen prints, we come up with concepts and find inspiration, then we have some incredible freelance designers who make them come to life.
How did you feel the first time you sold an order of T-shirts? that people were really going to buy it. It was really surreal. I remember in the early days of City Threads going into stores and seeing our stuff and thinking that it was amazing that what we made was for sale and that it was sitting next to other clothing . Now I take my son to classes and see little kids in their City Threads clothes and think that it is neat that they are wearing our clothes. One of my girlfriends always makes it a point to go up to the parents of the kids wearing our clothes and tells them how cute they look and asks where they bought the clothes. She will also call me from places like the zoo and say I have seen four kids in City Threads today. Those times are fun.
How did you feel the first time you saw your tees on a celeb? A picture came out a few years ago of Ed Burns holding his daughter in a New York hoodieWell, we have a couple.
Who are you secretly so proud of having as a customer? I couldn’t believe It would have to be Heidi Klum who put our "Big Guitar" tee on her son, Jonah. He was papped wearing it and the picture was in People magazine. Needless to say, we were thrilled!!! Also, Debi Mazar (Entourage, Ugly Betty) is a big customer of City Threads, and she is really cool!
Where do you go from now? We are trying to keep building the line and the brand so that we are in more stores across the U.S. and other countries.
What are your plans for the future? To try and keep growing the company. I think growth is the fun part. I am still learning. Everyday I think oh George needs this or that and realize that it is not in the line and usually add it in to the fallowing line. He has been a great inspiration.
Care to divulge a bit more? We would like to have a more complete line. We are known for our embroidery and screen print but we would like to be known for all types of boy's clothing. For instance we just launched a basics line of tees and pants with cozy fabric in all different colors that is really cute which is definitely an expansion of what we have.
Your essential piece of Mommy advice? George is only 19 months old, but I would say be with your child as much as possible.
What do you do during your time with George? What are some of your favourite activities to do with him? We both like to go for walks and to the park. Also, signing and reading books.
Wow -- you sign AND read books?! Is there a reason you are teaching George to sign? How did you learn ASL? We took a class on sign language, just a one-day course. It was great for George because he can say "more," "all-done," "milk," etc, and we did it because we heard it would make it less frustrating to communicate. That is definitely true, but now that he can say words he prefers to use signs rather than talk. We're worried the signing is delaying his speaking!!!!
Your one piece of Mompreneur advice? Partnerships don’t work out most of the time. Employ your husband if you can.
And in terms of just going for it? Do you have any words of wisdom/ incentive? I didn’t start out as a Mom starting a company, I started a company and then became a Mom. I would say make sure that you are not starting at a time where you might miss important time with your baby. You can wait to start a business, but once you start it takes a life of its own and you will have to work really hard to keep it going. I think that there are a lot of great businesses that Mom’s can do where they can limit there time to the business and not have to limit there time with the baby as much. Make sure that it starts out as fun so that if it doesn’t work you can walk away having learned.
How do you stay focused? I don’t I do what ever is stressing me out the most at that time. I am all about doing the tasks that will help take the weight off of my shoulders first.
What parts of business tend to cause you stress? What parts of running a family? There a million things that can and do go wrong on a constant daily basis. That is really stressful. The dye house dyes clothes the wrong color. The cutter cuts the wrong thing. Both family and business never end, I think that is the most stressful part.
What are your biggest stress busters? Going out with girlfriends.
What do you eat for breakfast? English muffins are my favorite. Yum! One or two?! Butter and jelly? What do you wash down the EM with? Two, butter and sometimes jelly. I wash them down with tea if I have the time to make it, or water if I don’t.
What is your favourite cocktail? Don’t usually drink, but when I do it is usually wine.
What are your vices? Whatever it takes that day to stay sane. Whether it is a bath or going out at night with a girlfriend to Target or a spa.
Do you have a child-rearing guru? My Mom.
Best piece of advice you have ever been given? There is always tomorrow.
Please could you outline for us, what a day in the life of Shayna Samuels is like? Well it depends, but…wake up and juggle the morning routine with my husband of getting George—and ourselves—ready. My husband leaves for work and I go to a “Mommy-and-Me” class [playgroup]. Then it’s off to work, with George. He has a playroom at the office that is bigger than his room at home. We usually has a nanny at the office who takes him on walks and plays with him, right now we don’t have a nanny. So who ever has to make a phone call does it while playing with George in his room. He can play forever as long as someone hangs with him. We do get a little help from Elmo every so often, Raffi stops by on occasion too. When I am not in the room with George I try to get work done as fast as possible. When George has had enough we leave and go home. I can get a lot done at home, given the time. It’s hard I am not going to say it isn’t. I think the thing that every mother has in common is that you never feel like you are doing it all perfectly. You are always dropping the ball somewhere. I think that it makes it convenient that both of my jobs are 24/7, I can work at any time so on a Saturday night when I have baby sitting I might go to the dye house to figure out colors for my new line. The nighttime routine is we get home around 6 with George. We get dinner out as fast as possible. We try to cook as much as possible.... His favorite food is soup, roasted carrots, mac and cheese, chicken(in all forms), yogurt, grapes. He feasts like a king, we get him in and out of the bath, give him a bottle of milk, read some books, then he is hopefully in his crib by 8. That is when he feels good and we stay on schedule. We just went through a 3-week stretch where he was sick and wouldn't go to bed alone. He stayed up until we went to sleep and slept in our bed. We were all miserable and tired. Finally he felt better and after 3 nights he was back to sleeping in his crib without crying!!!!! It was a miracle.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Conclusion
Hard to believe, but almost four years have elapsed since Jordan39’s fateful first visit to England. Seven months into our transatlantic relationship, I took the plunge, moved myself back Stateside and into an apartment just two blocks from my beloved.
I touched down at Newark airport on June 27th, 2004 at 3pm. Excitement doesn’t even begin to describe the nervous energy bubbling up inside me as I raced through passport control and baggage pick-up. My man, my Jordan39, was waiting on the other side of customs and I was desperate to get there to see his face; to be enveloped in his arms safe with the knowledge that this time I would not be leaving two-weeks later.
The anticipation was too much for me to bear, whilst Jordan, as cool as ever, was leaning against the pillar in his lackadaisical fashion. “Looking for anyone in particular?” he asked.
And so, we settled into our now more mutual existence.
That summer, the time pulled us along with it in a whirl of wining and dining and before I knew it, the leaves turned and Fall settled in. Al fresco evenings had been replaced with curling up on the sofa, watching Jeopardy and sharing cooking duty. Far less glamorous but wonderfully comfortable.
And now look at us--Mister and Misses Domesticated--married, parents, homeowners... living in Florida, sun always shining. Whoever would have thunk it?! Not I!
The moral of the story? Take a leap of faith from time to time, you never know where it m ight take you.
xo
I touched down at Newark airport on June 27th, 2004 at 3pm. Excitement doesn’t even begin to describe the nervous energy bubbling up inside me as I raced through passport control and baggage pick-up. My man, my Jordan39, was waiting on the other side of customs and I was desperate to get there to see his face; to be enveloped in his arms safe with the knowledge that this time I would not be leaving two-weeks later.
The anticipation was too much for me to bear, whilst Jordan, as cool as ever, was leaning against the pillar in his lackadaisical fashion. “Looking for anyone in particular?” he asked.
And so, we settled into our now more mutual existence.
That summer, the time pulled us along with it in a whirl of wining and dining and before I knew it, the leaves turned and Fall settled in. Al fresco evenings had been replaced with curling up on the sofa, watching Jeopardy and sharing cooking duty. Far less glamorous but wonderfully comfortable.
And now look at us--Mister and Misses Domesticated--married, parents, homeowners... living in Florida, sun always shining. Whoever would have thunk it?! Not I!
The moral of the story? Take a leap of faith from time to time, you never know where it m ight take you.
xo
Meeting Mr. Fabulous, part 2
So, let's backtrack once more… Jordan was ready to get the plane over to my side of the world, when reality struck. What if this guy was a psychopathic loser?! I mean, why else would a guy have to travel 3,500 miles to meet a girl? Especially if he is as eligible as the pictures and sweet emails would have me believe. There was only one thing for it. When you can’t be there to test the prospective yourself, the second best thing is to ask the gay best friends to do it for you. So, as a test of how Jordan was truly matching up, I sent him down to Arrojo Studio (Varrick @ King) to meet with Logan and Tim. An hour in the hands of Logan makes me feel like a principessa, I think an hour in the hands of both Logan and Tim made Jordan feel worse than if he had met my parents’ devil incarnate! I, on the other hand, had my mind put to rest. He was “fabulous!” (Thing is, four months later, Jordan and his metrosexual buddies had snagged my favourite hairdresser, natch!) There was only one thing for it. I had to get back to NYC and reclaim my turf. (Seeing the new boyf and the best pals was, of course, an added bonus.) It was also a chance to suss out what might one day become part of my new turf – Jordan’s apartment and his friends, not to mention his family. Oy! I guess it was only fair… After seven hours, five bloody marys and a jolly good nap, I landed at JFK ready to seize my moment by the horn. Instead, we headed over to Houston’s (Park Ave.) for the best burger I’d had in – like – forever, and an afternoon tipple with Tim. Oh! What a glorious couple of weeks we spent together, simply eating, drinking and being merry. The friends and family were fantastic but that was just the icing on the cake. It was heavenly, walking arm-in-arm down Park Avenue at dusk, heading home for takeout and beer. It was fantastic to get glammed up for nights out dancing on the town at Serinas (23rd Street at 8th Ave). It was super to make myself beautiful and head out for dinner à deux at Babbo (Waverly Place) with a fantastic man, my Mr. Fabulous. I surfed dreamily on cloud nine as the days progressed. Until one day, it was time to say goodbye. Or see you soon. One month later, and Jordan39 was on my home turf again. After spending a week in Aruba, he arrived on my doorstep bundled up but gorgeously tanned. He was here to celebrate my birthday. And dear reader, he bought me diamonds…
My True Online Love Story
A True Online Love Story
Up until three years ago, I was skeptical of online dating. But last August, all that changed with one little IM.
Jordan39 was a NYC boy whose idea of a long-distance girlfriend was her Upper East to his Lower West. Brit-chick, hannah36, had just returned to her hometown after a few Manhattan-years. The logistics were clearly impractical…
…So, there I was, in late July, suffering the heat of Manhattan and the joys of being single in New York, when -- all of a sudden -- I looked around and all my friends seemed to be coupled up. I no longer had a gaggle of girls with whom to enjoy al fresco evenings and late saunters home. My cousin had a solution: sign on to an online dating website. I jeered at the thought. I have (or had) a whole host of reasons as to why I would never, ever date a guy I met online. But – and this was a big but – all my friends were doing it. This got me thinking: why, in our sophisticated, high-tech world, are us guys and gals reverting back to one of the earliest means to finding a mate: the matchmaker?
Determined to find out, I armed myself with digital pictures and launched hannah36 online.
I watched as the responses to my profile came in but remained cemented in the fear of agreeing to a date with any of these anonymous prospectives. A little late-night, lonely, online flirting was harmless but to actually meet one of these chaps and endure an evening with him? Oh no!
However, I continued the process to the amusement of family and friends who scoffed at my insistence that this was all in the name of research. I was adamant it was. And so, I continued on my mock voyage d’amour, tongue still firmly in cheek.
Yet one day in August something happened. No longer content with simply being on the receiving end of communication, I dove in and took the plunge. I ‘teased’ a fellow J-dater. The catch? He was still in New York while I was newly returned to my UK motherland. Undeterred, we continued with the emails and instant messages. To this day, I am not sure why.
Then we approached the first hurdle. The boy asked for my digits. I was caught in a Catch-22. My anti-online-dating morals and ‘beliefs’ screamed ‘Hold it right there!’ Yet something told me to take a leap of faith. So, with a couple taps of my fingers and a hit of the ‘return’ key I began to seal my fate (well, tempt it a little, at least). And as the emails became phone calls and as those chats became nightly, we finally arrived at hurdle numero dos: either we meet up or we forget it.
I put off an affirmative for as long as I could, weighing up the pros, cons and likely outcomes in my head. There were so many coincidences – too many to list – and this finally clinched it. Fate was clearly nudging me one way and I just had to hope it wasn’t into the arms of a psycho!
And so, here I was in my normal, humdrum, UK-existence, living some fabulously exciting New York escapade straight out of a movie script. The boy was traveling half way around the world to meet ME – the girl he “just had to meet!” And all this from a guy whose profile was “No Upper East Siders – too far to travel!” COME ON! I wasn’t just Upper East, I was 3,500 miles East!The big day – and my credit limit – crept up on me in no time. From this moment on, I can but try to do the story justice.We set our rendezvous for London; St. Pancras Station to be exact. He was so cool and I was a ball of nerves. We both, however, looked exactly like our pictures. One cab ride and a first kiss later, we arrived at My Hotel in Chelsea for some pre-dinner ‘nice to meet you’ drinks. We didn’t stop talking or laughing all night. Aside from the nerves it was as if we had known each other for years. It was just as I had hoped. And – dare I say it – more.The weekend was a whirl. I didn’t want Sunday to arrive. But by the end of our visit, I already knew I was beginning to fall head over heels with the handsome New Yorker; a feeling I knew was returned when he signed me off J-Date once and for all with a click on the “I’ve found my soul mate here” button.
And that, my dears, is how a little romantic spark ignited between hannah36: the girl who would never date a guy she met online, and Jordan39: the guy who swore he would never date a girl who lived farther up Manhattan than Midtown. The rest is a brief history that amounts to plenty of time on planes and some wonderful visits.
I’m sure many of you think this can’t possibly be true. We do, after all, live in an age of cynicism where romance and chivalry have been pronounced dead. Yet here I am, telling you that they aren’t; and with evidence, too. I know my tale won’t make the pill any easier to swallow, but this is actually the edited version. The truth is even too much for me! The moral of my story? Never say never again.
…/ To be continued.
Up until three years ago, I was skeptical of online dating. But last August, all that changed with one little IM.
Jordan39 was a NYC boy whose idea of a long-distance girlfriend was her Upper East to his Lower West. Brit-chick, hannah36, had just returned to her hometown after a few Manhattan-years. The logistics were clearly impractical…
…So, there I was, in late July, suffering the heat of Manhattan and the joys of being single in New York, when -- all of a sudden -- I looked around and all my friends seemed to be coupled up. I no longer had a gaggle of girls with whom to enjoy al fresco evenings and late saunters home. My cousin had a solution: sign on to an online dating website. I jeered at the thought. I have (or had) a whole host of reasons as to why I would never, ever date a guy I met online. But – and this was a big but – all my friends were doing it. This got me thinking: why, in our sophisticated, high-tech world, are us guys and gals reverting back to one of the earliest means to finding a mate: the matchmaker?
Determined to find out, I armed myself with digital pictures and launched hannah36 online.
I watched as the responses to my profile came in but remained cemented in the fear of agreeing to a date with any of these anonymous prospectives. A little late-night, lonely, online flirting was harmless but to actually meet one of these chaps and endure an evening with him? Oh no!
However, I continued the process to the amusement of family and friends who scoffed at my insistence that this was all in the name of research. I was adamant it was. And so, I continued on my mock voyage d’amour, tongue still firmly in cheek.
Yet one day in August something happened. No longer content with simply being on the receiving end of communication, I dove in and took the plunge. I ‘teased’ a fellow J-dater. The catch? He was still in New York while I was newly returned to my UK motherland. Undeterred, we continued with the emails and instant messages. To this day, I am not sure why.
Then we approached the first hurdle. The boy asked for my digits. I was caught in a Catch-22. My anti-online-dating morals and ‘beliefs’ screamed ‘Hold it right there!’ Yet something told me to take a leap of faith. So, with a couple taps of my fingers and a hit of the ‘return’ key I began to seal my fate (well, tempt it a little, at least). And as the emails became phone calls and as those chats became nightly, we finally arrived at hurdle numero dos: either we meet up or we forget it.
I put off an affirmative for as long as I could, weighing up the pros, cons and likely outcomes in my head. There were so many coincidences – too many to list – and this finally clinched it. Fate was clearly nudging me one way and I just had to hope it wasn’t into the arms of a psycho!
And so, here I was in my normal, humdrum, UK-existence, living some fabulously exciting New York escapade straight out of a movie script. The boy was traveling half way around the world to meet ME – the girl he “just had to meet!” And all this from a guy whose profile was “No Upper East Siders – too far to travel!” COME ON! I wasn’t just Upper East, I was 3,500 miles East!The big day – and my credit limit – crept up on me in no time. From this moment on, I can but try to do the story justice.We set our rendezvous for London; St. Pancras Station to be exact. He was so cool and I was a ball of nerves. We both, however, looked exactly like our pictures. One cab ride and a first kiss later, we arrived at My Hotel in Chelsea for some pre-dinner ‘nice to meet you’ drinks. We didn’t stop talking or laughing all night. Aside from the nerves it was as if we had known each other for years. It was just as I had hoped. And – dare I say it – more.The weekend was a whirl. I didn’t want Sunday to arrive. But by the end of our visit, I already knew I was beginning to fall head over heels with the handsome New Yorker; a feeling I knew was returned when he signed me off J-Date once and for all with a click on the “I’ve found my soul mate here” button.
And that, my dears, is how a little romantic spark ignited between hannah36: the girl who would never date a guy she met online, and Jordan39: the guy who swore he would never date a girl who lived farther up Manhattan than Midtown. The rest is a brief history that amounts to plenty of time on planes and some wonderful visits.
I’m sure many of you think this can’t possibly be true. We do, after all, live in an age of cynicism where romance and chivalry have been pronounced dead. Yet here I am, telling you that they aren’t; and with evidence, too. I know my tale won’t make the pill any easier to swallow, but this is actually the edited version. The truth is even too much for me! The moral of my story? Never say never again.
…/ To be continued.
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