This is the second of a series of posts where I do detail my wine life in New York.
Yes, I stayed in New York. After debating for 10 years if I should go or if I should stay. I stayed. I lived in New York City for 10 years, 10 years. They said that after 10 years living in the city, you are a New Yorker. I am more like a newyorkina. I am also one of the millions of Latinas that dreamed once of becoming a writer. Thankfully, the dream of becoming a writer -through wine- became true in New York City.
From Anna Frank to the Fashion Week.
I have been blogging all my life, however I got noticed only when I wrote for Fashion. Since I was 6 years old I was writing diaries and was reading many books. I still have those diaries and some books that changed my life. First, I was heavily inspired by Anna Frank. I then read all the Latin American great novelists such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Alvaro Mutis, Garcia Lorca, Carlos Fuentes, Angeles Mastretta. After that, I moved to the USA, and I loved to read Sandra Cisneros to cope with what I was living. Then I found Ernest Hemingway, Aldous Huxley, and last but not least, I stuck for a while in F. Scott Fitzgerald. After that, I wrote about poetry, about the books I was reading. I even wrote remotely a few Advertising Copywriting jobs. I loved writing, but nothing sustantially happened until I wrote for Fashion.
From reading the classics, I started to read Vogue. Vogue inspired to start a fashion boutique in Mexico and started blogging about the store, trends, and inspiration. Through fashion blogging, I got a couple of times into the runways of the New York Fashion Week. I remember that those runway shows took place in the Lincoln Center. It was such a great learning experience.
Next Stop : New York City
However, I couldn’t keep up with the travel between Mexico and New York. On top of that, I changed jobs, and I decided to take a break from Fashion blogging. However, I never took a break from style. I think I have always have had that feeling of being a diva and not being entitled. But I do like to pair the right pair of jeans with a fitting t-shirt or blouse. I am so strict with the colors and the patterns that I use. I prefer cotton overall. However, I have started using different textiles and appreciating more sustainable clothes. Hence, I will say I am still a diva. It took me a while, but now I know what I like.
Some people will say that I have a type-A personality. I am perfectionist in my style, my writings, my edits. Is very hard sometimes to set a limit and accept a version of a post, a caption, an article. In regards of having wardrobe style, I know that I have it from my Grandmother. She always preferred to use medium hills over flats because, in Mexico, we say, ‘Antes muerta que sencilla ‘ that means ‘I die before I a become humble in my dressing style.’ Perhaps, I am also perfectionist in my writing style. My first language is Spanish and as much as I have learned English as my second tonge, I am always doubtful of my grammar.
The lights, the music, the wine will inspire you.
In New York, there is hope in the streets. It might sound like I took that phrase from some of Alicia Keys’ sayings, but it is true. The lights will inspire you. Even right now, I am seated in front of the window of my brand new office in Long Island, New York, and I feel truly inspired. New York has inspired me in so many ways. Through the people, through the events, through the streets, the lights, the wines. New York City, you made my dream of becoming a writer -through wine- a reality. Once more, in September 2016, I decided to start blogging about wine. Social media this time helped me a lot. However, New York City made it possible. I am sure that location this time had to be pivotal in being a fundamental part of you reading this blog.
One of the largest media corporations recently wrote me an email. I can not believed that happened. I just couldn’t. They sent me an email on this blog inviting me to write for a wine brand. I can not tell you more because of the confidentiality agreement. But all this was, yes, in part to the passion I have for telling stories about wine but most of all because of New York City. Location has been important as it has been being consistent with the brand. I have been writing about wine for the past 4 years on this blog and is until now that I have the time to write more about the story behind it all. Writing stories, memories, essays is my passion. I admire Julia Felsenthal, an editor from Vogue that has summarized what it means to be a writer:
I figured out eventually what it actually means to be a writer: writing. Basically all the time.
Julia Felsenthal, vogue.com
Love this! I’ve always wanted to visit New York and you’ve successfully made me fall in love with the idea of it even more! Thanks for sharing.
You have shared a great blog post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.