FIRST DAY | MAY 15, 2014 | Thurs

So this was the day I get to go back to NYC!!! It's been over a year since I've walked the surtex show. I'm so glad this dream happened!!!! Of course there is delay at the airport leaving Norfolk. But time is advantage to me as I finally was able to settle into a new ipad and get everything organized.. I was again. Not hungry, I can't tell you what I have been eating really. Just too damn excited. Finally departed, then I started chatting with this woman in the seat next to me. She was looking at me strange a bit. Like not interested in small talk. I said I have been working in my studio so long for this show, I'm using her as practice to communicate better for surtex. She chuckled, and at baggage claim wished me good luck! I'll take that!! Thank you!!

Ahhhhhh the frantic and stinky smell of getting into a yellow cab and finally seeing the beautiful skyline once we got on the highway!! Good to be home!! So the nice lazy cab driver drops me off in the middle of canal street with a huge luggage and about 10 blocks from the airbnb space. My memory did not serve me well for this one!!! Super woman mode, I rolled up my sleeves and dragged about 50 pounds of stuff 15 minutes up the hill and through canal street. Thats right lady stop trying to sell me coach bags, get out the way!!!!

Met the AIRBNB host Jacob at a coffee shop called cup and saucer. As he is drinking coffee I'm sweating my butt off trying to explain to him what has happened. I think by this time he thinks I'm absolutely insane. So great intro! I guess this is the interview to stay in someone's space.

We get into the elevator and up to the space, and the door opened up to this artsy loft/gallery! It's converted as half living and half gallery apparently. There was fresh flowers and a bottle of wine. I told him what I was here for and talked about my family a bit. So hopefully he didn't think I was nuts, he kindly conversed and we chatted about art stuff for a bit, and then off he went. I'm in the space and look up at a fuzzy colorful installation. It look like dead puppets to me though that is a compliment for a mom that needs her NYC get-away trip. Apparently the fuzzy installation was created by an artist and friends with Bjork. That was a cool thing to learn.

I called my friend Meer up from college and coincidentally he was already downstairs at the prosperity dumpling restaurant getting food! Could this be insane synchronicity or what! We went for a quick speed gallery hop in the east village and oh my so many galleries!!! Then we went to a band opening at a optical shop called MOSCOT. Then we were off to Cafe Mogador. OMG the food was so GOOOOOD.. Afterwards we went to a few crazy gay bars/clubs then I went back to space. Thank you Meer! You are a great friend. ;-)

airbnb space https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1388049 — airbnb space https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1388049

crazy dj at a club in east village! man he had so much energy!!!!

SECOND DAY | MAY 16, 2014 | Friday

Had breakfast in soho with my old friend Danielle, and catching up on her big new chapters as well. Then I finally made it to JIVAMUKTI Studio I took a open level class with Monika. It was extraordinary. I had so much fun and it cleared out all my charkras. My communication skills was amazing afterwards. I walked around downtown that day. And went to the ABC homestore for a little bit. It was beautiful in there as always. Then I got to talk to my friend Katy Tanis from Forest Foundry she already made it to Javits Center to hang the banners up!! YAY KATY!! I walked so much that day that when I finally got back to the china town loft, I had crazy blisters on my feet. It was a rainy night. The yoga and walking hurt good. Wondering how I must have legs of steel when I use to live here. That I should start running again when I get back to Virginia Beach and work out harder to reach my physical goals. Then I made it to UPPERCASE!!! Thank you Janine!! Here is the link to the post!! My leg pain disappeared! haha!! Buzzing with self love..

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THIRD DAY | MAY 17, 2014 | SATURDAY

Installation Day! Oh my finally met all the girls woohoo!! Installation went really smooth. We had banners, goodie bags, getting all the tables and electricity sorted out. Went over to Lilla's booth, gave her big awesome hug! I think I almost cried! lol I did good! ;-) We all got along very well as a team. We went to have dinner at zen palate that night to end. I'm so proud of US!! After installation I got to go meet my friend Jac she works in Gaming Design for Buzz Feed. We had a drink at Cladestino. Catching up on motherhood and creative work life. She gives me great updates on anything technology related. I've known her for so long. She has the cutest son ever named Eske.

FOURTH DAY | MAY 18, 2014 | SUNDAY

First Day of Surtex! Absolutely buzzing at the booth! Feeling good! I slept well we all showed up and had everything ready to greet everyone!! Our booth was buzzing! I wanted to be able to go around and see all the booths but we had to stay close. I was happy and relaxed, though focused. Everyone did so well. Just grateful that our chemistry was amazing!! Go Forest!!

Me talking to Lilla Rogers, Super Star Agent!! I love her.

FIFTH DAY | MAY 19TH 2014 | MONDAY

It was continuing a buzzing day at our booth. We were busy. I also got to go to Lilla's Mats Conference, I asked questions about outright purchase of art work for newbies verses licensing. Her answers made me feel rest assured to let go of some and make more art. Margo Tantau from CBK midwest was there to answer questions as well. It was really interesting to see her take on what she looks for with artists and developing collections for her company. Licensing as well as outright. I'm just buzzing already with so much energy. I've communicated well with potential companies and many art directors at this point. I've already reached my goal with the contacts by today. So things are looking so good. Then we had dinner with MATIES at OLION nyc. Thank you everyone!!

Cool Jazz/Swing lounge Club theater district. Katy Tanis & Karma Voce ( I Love This Place)

SIX DAY | MAY 20th 2014 | Tuesday

Slower day. Less people, I got to walk the stationery and furniture show. It was extraordinary. I especially love this sexy wall paper!!

Morning before we parted at Gotham Coffee

SEVENTH DAY | MAY 21th 2014 | WEDNESDAY

We all met the next morning at Gotham Coffee Shop. We got all copies of our contact follow ups. Karma & Neiko are awesome to have done all the copying for all of us. The coffee was great. I broke down and had bacon. It's been a while. We are exhausted but happy as hell!!! We reached our dreams!!!

EIGTH DAY | MAY 22th 2014 | THURSDAY

Soo was that a week?!! I'm sad to leave NYC. It is my home. It was a familiar trip and soooo productive. I've closed and open new chapters in my life. I feel younger. More alive then ever. I feel like time has stopped for me. That all of this was meant to happen. Forest Foundry, you heard a dozen times, but I love you all so much. And I'm so grateful to have met everyone at Surtex. I still have more to post about NYC. But this is the gist of it all for now. For everyone keep pursuing your dreams, every day, little steps.. Now back home to my Ellie, and already grown a bit more..