Hey guys!
Madison and I joined a few friends to catch Essence Magazine’s Street Style Block Party in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo this past Sunday. See below for highlights from party. Enjoy! More coverage here.
Peace, Love and Sunshine ~Chels
Hi guys!
Chelsea Coffey here. It’s a crazy awesome feeling to look back and see how much time has passed since my very first New York Fashion Week back in 2007. I know the experience can be a little intimidating, so I wanted to take the time to put together a guide to offer any pearls I’ve picked up along the way. Hopefully they will be of assistance to anyone in need of a little boost in confidence on how to approach things!
For starters, it’s important to understand the dynamic behind the production of events. This year the major New York Fashion Week venues will be at Skylight at Moynihan Station at 360 West 33rd Street and Skylight Clarkson Sq. at 550 Washington Street. For five years the major venue had been at Lincoln Center, and before that, Bryant Park. There are shows happening all around the city, and that leads me to my first point:
1. Be Intentional-
You may not be on the list for any of the shows around the city, but there are plenty of free events to take part in. Refinery29 celebrated their 10th Birthday with their 29 Rooms event, and it was completely free to the public.
Photo: Refinery29.com
Essence Magazine hosted a Street Style Block Party. It was chock full of vendors, fantastic looks, fashion show, the whole nine, all under the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo:
Photo: TheCoffeyBreak.com
2. Be Present, Build Genuine Relationships-
During this time, you’ll most likely meet A LOT of people and it may be tempting to feel the urge to want to bounce from person to person in an effort to not miss out on meeting as many people as possible. My recommendation is simple, be present when you’re with someone and focus your energy on making a sincere connection with the people you genuinely like. Quality over quantity. Always.
3. Trust The Timing of Things-
Serendipity, one of my all-time favorite expressions: The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. In other words, trust that whatever is meant to be will be. Everything happens for a reason, embrace that. As far as I’m concerned, the law of attraction is real. Speak those things that you want to see happen into existence, and watch God work. It will take a lot of the pressure off of you to be in the “right place” place at the “right time”. If it’s meant to be, it will come to pass. Focus your energy on enjoying the ride.
Below, Aimee Son of Song of Style. I just loved her look, and stopped to get a picture. Little did I know she’d become one of my favorite style bloggers.
4. Be Ready-
As much as I love the idea of serendipity, one can’t discount preparedness. Take the time to research like CRAZY. If you’re going to take a free spirited approach to life, life my self haha, you can at least make a point to know of as many events, shows and so on as possible. A few years ago, I was at a natural hair event. We were about to leave, and I saw this guy across the room wearing a fabulous two-piece graffiti print outfit. Not only did he happen to be from Houston, but it turns out it was Beyonce’s stylist Ty Hunter! I can honestly say that he is the sweetest person, and he couldn’t have been any nicer. The same can be said of June Ambrose. Only I knew exactly who she was when I saw her, and she greeted me with such a warm reception. I was even fortunate enough to interview the both of them.
In addition to being informed, it’s also smart to have general info cards made. Picture a business card, but personalized and tailored to whatever you would want people to know about you: your social media info, blog/website, contact info and so on. Be as direct as possible, so people know exactly who you are, what you do, and how to best connect.
5. Confidence Is Everything-
At the end of the day, people are people. Social media can make things a little tricky because in a few short years, we’ve gone from meeting people by chance to recognizing a large number of faces due to platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Nonetheless, perception isn’t always reality. Give yourself a pep talk, and push past any apprehensions about approaching someone you’d like to connect with. Be willing to walk up to someone, regardless of who they are, and introduce yourself. You’ll vibe with the ones who were meant to be, and if you’re anything like me, you won’t even remember the ones who weren’t 😉
With June Ambrose
Fashion Week in and of itself is just such a special time. Remember that comparison is the thief of joy. Own every inch of your being, and go forth with your head held high. There’s no substitute for a beautiful spirit and good energy. We attract what we put out. Hope this was helpful!
Happy Fashion Week!
Peace, Love and Sunshine ~Chelsea
Here’s a head start:
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashioncalendar/fashionweek/
http://nyfw.com/
A year ago today, my life changed forever. I went on a trip to New York, for Fashion Week with two of my closest friends, and by the end of it, I knew I was in trouble. I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it a million more times: that city is magic to me. We were there just long enough for me to catch my breath and reevaluate, everything.
At the time, I was working for a creative staffing agency as an account executive. This was going to be my big transition from grad school, and second attempt at Corporate America, only this go-round, I would be in the creative industry, so I just knew I’d be fine. I graduated from Grad School in December of 2013, and started working at the company just a couple of months after -the same week as my 27th birthday actually. I was pumped. Salary, benefits, opportunity to make a commission, the whole nine… Instead, it drained the very life out of me. Literally.
My commute was an hour at minimum. The walk from the parking garage to the office was another 15 minutes. We had a meeting that started every day at 8:30am on-the-dot. I’m pleasant in the morning, but I’m a full-blown night owl. My brain doesn’t even kick in until 10am. Don’t ask me why. It’s just my wiring haha For the next 3hrs we had “Power Hour” where we would be on the phone reaching out to ad agencies, corporations, small business and so on developing new business. Power hour ends. We break for lunch at 12pm for an hour -a real hour, not a minute over- and back to the phones unless we had client visits…
Day in, day out this was my life. I hate monotony, with a passion, and that had become my story. My nonprofit, Mia’s Closet, suffered, more than I could have ever anticipated, and it was heartbreaking. I’m not a crier, and I cried a lot that year.
I very quickly realized that I had been sold a dream, and that I was partially responsible. I got that job in an effort to impress my parents. Plain and simple. As much as I like to think I’m a free spirit, I have to be very intentional about not subscribing to traditional means of success, and that’s the thing about understanding your purpose. When you feel you’re moving in the direction that God is calling you to, the opinion’s of other’s mean less and less.
My first day back to work from New York, I requested a meeting with my boss as soon as power hour ended. There we were in that small conference room. I had it all figured out in my mind. I was going to sit down, look her in the face, thank her for everything she’s done, tell her I just couldn’t do it anymore, and politely resign.
Well, somewhere along the way, I started to feel bad, really bad. She had stood up for me, cheered me on, and I felt awful for still wanting to leave after all that. It started to feel just like a break up… and then she asked me if I thought this is where I was supposed to be –I burst into tears and choked out a no.
See, leaving this job was more than just leaving a job. I’m a planner, futurist, and there were so many factors tied into this move being a successful one, and the fact that despite all that, I still couldn’t shake the gut feeling that it just wasn’t working scared me. This was going to be my bridge into being a career woman, buying a house, traveling, saving up to move to a new city, and so on…
My mom, said something to me one day while I was on the phone with her having a full on melty on the way to work that I’ll never forget. She said, “Chelsea, at the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live this life, no one else. Life is too short to lead one that makes you miserable.”
More or less that’s the summary of 2014. It was a rebuilding year, and the crazy thing about rebuilding it that you don’t get there without things falling apart.
I’ve spent the last year breaking apart every area of my life asking God to clarify my purpose in all areas. My work, me personally, my calling, spirituality, family roles, all of it. The last year hasn’t been perfect, but I can actually see the progress, and I wouldn’t sacrifice this lifestyle again for anything, even if that means saying no to opportunities I would have jumped at two years ago.
As I sit here on the rooftop having breakfast up here for the first time, I can’t help but think of the following quote: Build your career around your lifestyle, not the other way around. That’s the goal.
I’m praying for any of you guys who want to make the leap, and just haven’t quite figured out how. All things work together for the good of those who have been called according to His purpose.
Just wait and see 😉
Peace, Love & Sunshine ~Chels
Photos from last year’s trip:
Hey guys!
In this week’s Coffey Break Chat, I’m discussing a concept I live, eat and breathe by: Protecting Your Peace.
We’re constantly confronted with situations and circumstances that have the potential threaten our inner peace, and I’ve come to a place where I feel like all I can do at the end of the day is set the tone, and be as best prepared as possible to confront those situations.
Join me as I share tips on how to protect your peace. Enjoy!
Peace, Love & Sunshine ~Chelsea
Let’s connect?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecoffeybreak
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thecoffeybreak
So, I’m starting to realize that yes, I may have a blind bias when it comes to my friends, but the honest to God truth is that I’m fully convinced that I’d think they were the coolest even if I didn’t know them personally. Insert Joonbug.
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the artist and entrepreneur at a Mia’s Closet event. Looking back, it comes as no surprise that I met him at the arts station where he was face-painting for the kids. We got to talking, and I was immediately sold on his awesome illustrations (Bugs87) and apparel line which happens to be named Fresh Kaufee. We both got a kick out of the coffee connection, and thanks to social media, I’ve been able to follow his journey ever since. He recently released a mini doc by KQED Arts titled: From Jamaica to the Bay, Joonbug’s Illustrated Journey, and I couldn’t be more flattered for the opportunity to be a part of sharing his story.
Below you’ll find a candid interview from the man himself making waves from here to San Fran and beyond. Wishing you all the best, Joonbug! Peace, Love & Sunshine ~ Chels
From my Journey, I wish you were a fly on the wall because I suck at explaining feelings and it was something that had to be felt. My time in rural Jamaica was gold and without it, I don’t think I would have developed my understanding for life now; the small details to the big picture. I was a definite product of my environment, more necessity and less materialistic, I didn’t have much but used what I had to get where I want. However I’m grateful for came to the US when I did because I was able to be a sponge in both worlds.
Was art always a natural thing or did you develop it intentionally? Was your family supportive of this dream?
Haha, the world ain’t setup to support art like it should. My folks thought it was cool but ultimately didn’t put stock in until I was able to prove myself; I get it but damn. I had dreams of doing the agency route; because I once thought money was equivalent to success. Over time, my perception changed to a more developed concept of success and that’s creating a sustainable situation out of your passion. I love creating art and meeting people so here I am in a situation that’s a reflection of that.
The struggles (if any haha) of pursuing your dreams?
I call them the beautiful struggles, it hurts so good. Lol. The five, in my case, were:Little support from loved ones was hard but looking back, it made me go harder. Juggling life and art was new but I got used to it. Formal training—sometimes it got to me that I had little knowledge about design rules but then I was like f*** it; that stuff can be taught anyway. I am my own worst critique; needing endless improvement, sometimes I can’t settle and it eats away at me lol.
5 tips you’d give to someone inspired by your work and clueless on where to start.
5 bits of advice I won’t explain:
My ideal joys:
Check him out, and give him a follow 🙂
![From Jamaica to the Bay, Joonbug’s Illustrated Journey [Interview + Mini Doc]](https://blog.thecoffeybreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/image1-1170x1170.jpeg)