This past weekend (and every other weekend) I’ve spent visiting the Jersey Shore. If you’re a Jersey girl like me, you know there’s plenty to do, but for those that have never been, here are your top to-dos this summer down the shore.
Walk the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk
Have a Tiki Tea at Martell’s Tiki Bar on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk
We received an email in the nyc PR girls mailbox about overcoming event jitters and nervousness over networking, and I thought this would be perfect timing. Though A just wrote about how you can become comfortable while speaking publicly, the event is a bit of a different beast. It can definitely be overwhelming to see hoards of people you are expected to interact with all in one place. And your superiors, more often then not, have probably known the guests for years. Or, perhaps you’re at the launch of groundbreaking program and celebrities are involved. How are you supposed to network with the Kardashians breathing down your neck?!
While you may not be planning your own events yet, PR is chock full of the opportunities to put yourself out there and become a social butterfly. One of the best things public relations has done for me in my life is get me out of my shell and force me to become more extroverted and comfortable in social situations. Below are a couple of our tips for becoming the master of your event:
Remember, your guests are people too – It doesn’t matter if you’ve invited beauty bloggers or Beyonce to your event, the key is to remember that your visitors chose to come to your event because they WANT to. They are people, just like you and me (albeit more talented at the Single Ladies dance), and they want to hear what you have to say.
If you don’t want to gab, just try to help – One of the reasons I was initially attracted to public relations was because I wanted to connect people to one another, and hopefully help them in some way. If you don’t feel comfortable chatting off an editor’s ear about her weekend in the Hamptons, then start small. Offer them tea or coffee, ask if you can tell them more about the event and what you’re presenting, introduce them to your guest of honor, or even ask what stories they are currently working on or how the issue is shaping up. Being a listener or a helping hand already puts you in the good graces of your visitors
Give yourself a break – Even though I experience the classic PR-girl pre-event stress, I’m surprised how much smoother events seem to go as the years go by. At my very first PR event, I was as tight-lipped as a clam (is that a saying?). As time goes by and you see others interacting with event guests, editors, even celebrities, you will become more comfortable putting yourself in that position as well. Cut yourself some slack – you’re still learning the ropes, and no one was born the perfect socializer
This weekend, I’m taking the class dial and turning it up a notch by attending the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Liberty Park. Though there was a polo field near my hometown, I’ve never actually been to a polo game before. This event seems like the perfect place to start. I’m looking forward to breaking out my floppy hat again (got some use during the Derby!) and trying out some fun beauty looks at this stylish event.
Though tickets are sold out, you can head to the Seaport tomorrow afternoon and join the post-match celebrations at Beauty & Essex and Libation.
Are you taking anything off your NYC bucket list this weekend?
As mentioned last week, this past weekend MetLife Stadium hosted the Electric Daisy Carnival for the first time. Needless to say, I’m still exhausted and trying to get over just how much fun it was. Nearly 45,000 people showed up each day in their best neon/daisy attire to dance and enjoy all 31 sets Friday-Sunday. There were four stages – three in the parking lot, one in the stadium – with different lineups from the best house music DJ’s. The event literally transported you from New Jersey to different world.
Since it was my first giant music festival, I didn’t know what to expect or how comfortable I would be in a large crowd but was pleasantly surprised by how well put together the entire event was. There were free carnival rides (had to go on the swings twice), free water stations, tons of good food and plenty of places to relax. For next years carnival, I definitely need to find a crazier outfit and bring along a whistle.
Missed it? Don’t worry. Electric Daisy Carnival hits Las Vegas June 8 to June 10 and Electric Zoo hits New York August 31 to September 2. Here’s to hoping they bring EDC back to New York next year!
Adrianna and I both had crazy weekends, though they could not be more different. My sister graduated from Fordham University on Saturday, and Adrianna let loose at EDC in Jersey all weekend. Needless to say, both of us are absolutely fried.
These are the days it seems especially hard to get out of bed and take on the day. Whether you’re at your office job or trying to peel yourself off the couch to get back onto the internship search, here are a few quick tips on getting your groove back and finding the encouragement to take on the day:
Indulge in your morning routine. Whether it’s green tea and oatmeal or fruit and coffee, make your favorite morning snack and sit yourself in front of the computer. That’s step one
Read something inspiring. Check the news for great stories, catch up on a favorite blog or tumblr, or read an email from an old friend
Put on some tunes. For some, this is counter productive. I actually work best when I’ve got music going in my ears. Pandora is a lifesaver for my radio ADD. In the course of a couple hours I can go from top 40s to house to classic rock
Talk to a colleague. Getting the dirt from the weekend will help sedate the social buzz you have going on from the weekend. Indulge in a little gossip, then buckle down and get to work
With nyc PR girls, A and I hope to give our readers a bit of insight into New York City living. We are both in 100% of agreement if we can make it here, YOU can make it here, and you can make it anywhere. But what exactly are you supposed to do when you get here? And who are you supposed to do it with?
While exploring New York solo is one of my favorite ways to chill out after a hard week, having a great friend base in the city is invaluable. If you’re coming to NYC from abroad, across the country, or just far away from your hometown/collegetown, you may not have a lot of friendly contacts lined up to meet for drinks. Lucky for you, New York is naturally one of the most social cities on the planet. Everyone is looking to learn something new from everyone else. Think of it this way – if you are in New York, chances are there are a bunch of people just like you looking to meet new friends too!
To get you started, here are a few new ways to meet new friends in the Big Apple:
Start at the office – Many of my close friends are people I’ve met through work contacts. It’s never a good idea to try to become the bestie of everyone you work with, but being social and meeting for drinks with colleagues is acceptable, if not expected in PR. Attend industry events like CEW or PRSA and start expanding your network. A dinner date with a new contact to discuss career choices could turn into a lasting friendship.
Join a club/Start a hobby – As public relations girls we are already SO busy, it’s hard to imagine fitting in another commitment. Starting a hobby, volunteering or signing up for a club activity is a great way to help you manage your time (make time for you – we can’t say it enough!) and introduce you to some new people outside of your career path. We’re big fans of NYC Road Runners, Yoga to the People, Liberated Movement and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
MeetUp.com – Kind of like match.com or okcupid.com for social events, but absolutely free! You can look for anything from book clubs, to group runs, to knitting class, to alumni events, to wine tasting and find a bunch of other people to attend.
How have you started to make new friends in New York City?
This weekend is one I’ve been looking forward to for a very long time. The Electric Daisy Carnival is happening in New York City (well technically New Jersey) at MetLife Stadium. The three-day festival starts this Friday and goes through Sunday from noon until late night. Over 100,000 people are expected to invade the stadium for the traveling EDM mega-fest, which sounds insane. It will be my first giant music festival – I’ve been dying to go to Coachella every year but never made it – and since Electric Zoo falls on Labor Day Weekend, I never made it a priority.
With four stages filled with house musics greatest DJ’s and carnival rides running all night long, I have no doubt it will be a good time. Tickets are still on sale so if you’re free and in the area this weekend, definitely consider going. Just make sure to wear your craziest neon outfit and most comfortable shoes in order to fit in.
Are you going to the Electric Daisy Carnival this weekend?
After saving for years and contemplating for months, last week I made the biggest purchase of my life – I bought a car. One of the main reasons I decided to move to Hoboken from the Upper East Side was the fact that I could most likely afford having a car. A frequently asked question we often receive is how to manage money when moving to the city. It’s no secret that PR isn’t the highest paying career, so how do you save? Just from personal experience, below are a few of the ways I’ve learned to manage my money.
Don’t overspend where it’s not necessary. This means take the subway instead of a cab, even when you don’t want to. Don’t go the bar every night and open yourself a tab. Consider making food at home instead of eating out or ordering delivery. Make conscious decisions on the clothes and accessories you buy instead of making impulse purchases. All areas you can save money.
Put money into savings. Every month, set aside a certain amount of money to go directly into your savings account. Even if it’s just $100-$200.
Develop a budget. I’ve created myself a personal finance tracker. I like to see exactly where and how much money I need to spend each month. From there, I budget how much I can spend on food, clothes and extracurricular activities.
Cap your credit card. Don’t use your credit card without any limits. I consciously tell myself to not go over a certain amount so I don’t end up in too much debt. I also set-up my credit cards payments to be paid automatically each month to ensure I’m never late.
What are some ways you manage your money in the city?
As A mentioned yesterday, she and I are SO ready for May to be here and summer to get underway. I’ve always considered Memorial Day the unofficial start of summer, especially here in New York. Though it has been rainy all week, With the holiday weekend just weeks away, I’m mentally and physically preparing myself for my favorite season to start. Here are a few things Adrianna and I are doing to prepare:
Perfect the weekend outfit, including lace shorts, beach tees, neon necklaces and flat sandals (I like Joe Fresh, Zara and J.Crew for all of the above)
Keep the refrigerator stocked with favorites, like A’s Skinny Girl Margaritas and M’s mini Moets
Make plans for travel to Jersey Shore, Montauk, Cape Cod, Boston and the Finger Lakes
As many of you know, I spent the better half of the past two weeks in Iowa for client events. While I always welcome traveling and seeing new places, after this trip I just about kissed the ground when I landed in New York. Being out of the city made me realize just how lucky (or, spoiled) we New Yorkers are. Even if just starting out and strapped for cash, there are luxuries that are innate to New Yorkers that just do not exist anywhere else. Here are a few of them:
Shoe repair shops on every corner
Completely normal to order a dirty martini or a pitcher of margaritas for you and a girlfriend at 5pm after a hard day
Skinny jeans, cross body bags, bold lip color and crazy nail colors are ABSOLUTELY on trend
4 inch heels are like your Visa card – accepted everywhere
Taxis. Anywhere. Anytime.
Having Atlantic City/Vegas/Miami just a quick trip away for a Bachelorette/Girl’s Night soiree
Hole-in-the-wall 5 star restaurants that don’t require a reservation
Boys will come talk to you. And even buy you a drink if you’re nice
Best music/DJ’s in the world and on almost every block
My friend told me something so true this weekend – when you stop having butterflies when you land/drive/walk into New York City, you know it’s time to leave. I am nowhere near that point.
What crazy, unexpected things do you love about New York?
