What Maisie Knew

The 'New York' Post

So, it's been a while since I last posted. A few people (Julian, Alya, Elisabeth) wanted to know what's doing in What Maisie Knew-land.

And here's the deal.

I've left Paris. So it's fitting that the blog should, too. Thus, this marks the reincarnation of What Maisie Knew into... What Maisie Knew about New York!

As opposed to the general life-blogging I was doing to keep you abreast of happenings in Paris, I'll be giving insights along the way on my journey of exploration of New York City. Stay tuned!

Is the world really so small?

Since I have moved to New York, I have run into--on average--one person I know per week.  I'm not exaggerating.  The world can't be so small. The theory of small circles that we go in is more likely. But still.  At a party in Park Slope this week, for instance, which I was invited to by a very new friend, there were no less than four other people there I knew. Three from college and one even from high school. This is a very small town.

Yesterday walking on the street, I ran into my favorite style photographer.  He is the sweetest man, and we met in Paris outside the Crillon after the Lanvin men's show.  Since then, I have run into him twice on the streets of Lower Manhattan not during fashion season, when our paths are much more likely to intersect.  He told me about Cary Grant's best movies which I have to see, so anyone with a DVD copy of The Philadelphia Story should come over this weekend. I'll make the popcorn.

At a cocktail party I schlepped to in Greenwich, CT, for work, I recognized a girl I had taken a semester of Italian with...seven years ago.  She's working in PR for an Italian men's tailored clothing company, clearly putting those language skills to work.

The girl from high school who was at this party I had already run into once on the subway. We were on the same car riding from Brooklyn (after the Lauryn Hill concert) to the LES.  We barely knew each other in high school, but there you have it.

While the party I went to in Brooklyn was a very enjoyable gathering, I was disappointed to discover a subtle tension in the air when the conversation turned to real estate (as it inevitably does in this city) and my conversation partners were not living in Manhattan. I do live in Manhattan, and this seemed to be the source of a frisson. 

I have nothing against living in Brooklyn. I think it must be quite nice. I looked for apartments there. But I hadn't ruled out living in Manhattan and preferred to start my New York experience on the island, in the thick of it all, to see what it's like. I anticipate a move to Brooklyn eventually. It's quiet there, pretty, more spacious and for the most part less expensive.  But at this party and in other instances since I've moved here, I felt the need to explain and justify my decision to live in Soho to many of the people I met who live outside.  Does it really matter that much? I hope not.

Ch ch ch changes

So many changes, so little time.
When it rains, it pours.
No chance to post!

That reminds me of my haiku days, so I think I will write a haiku to sum up my situation in the last few weeks.

Aerobed no more.
three-bedroom soho walkup
Rid of mice, roaches.

DNR's my name.
Men's apparel is my game.
Retail editor.

Despite chill and rain
I motivate in mornings
Make it to the gym

Catching up with friends
Fixing up new apartment
God, that's expensive.

ER's Margulies,
Superbad's Michael Cera
Celebs on the street.

That about sums up my life these past few weeks. I've moved into a new place and am trying to spruce it up slowly as I find affordable objets d'art. Yes, that's an oxymoron in this market.

I've been reconnecting with lots of old friends which has been terrific.

I have a new job at a men's fashion trade publication, and am learning about the finance side of that world.

And exploring my new neighborhood, which is apparently a hotbed for random celebrities. Like the Gossip Girl stars Penn Badgely and Blake Lively; the eager fan of Rosie O'Donnell's from A League of Their Own, who was also in The Single Guy (he must live on my block because he's a regular at the cafe across the way); Mary Louise Parker who I also saw at Local, the coffee shop, one morning--that was funny, because on my way there from the gym, I'd seen her baby daddy, Billy Crudup with a kid in a stroller. Small world.