Beneath her perfectly colored curly tresses and effortlessly chic outfits, lies a woman who is looking to conquer a big city in her Manolos- on a quest for labels and love. As one who has seen an episode of "Sex and the City," or all of them, I’ve come to learn a thing or two about Carrie Bradshaw. Despite her often pristine appearance, Carrie is your average woman; gossiping with girlfriends, struggling to settle down with the perfect man and taking the journalism world by storm, one elegantly erotic word at a time.
With big city dreams and even bigger hair, Carrie has become my spirit animal, my idol, if you will. Longingly watching rerun after rerun of the show has taught me countless lessons, all of which I have condensed, for your reading pleasure.
1. Have fun with your fashion.
The iconic outfits dawned by our favorite foursome are often, if not always, lavish, loud and fabulous. Pair your knee-length floral skirt with a bomber jacket and your favorite Louboutins, and hit the streets. Trends come and go, so don’t be afraid to set your own.
2. Splurge. Splurge. Splurge.
I think Carrie demonstrated this one best – it’s OK to treat yourself. To be the boss of your own life, you must look like the boss. If your inner boss tells you to buy that $300 dress, you might just have to do it. Don’t live beyond your means and don’t make your bank account hate your existence, but an occasional splurge can brighten your mood and I mean, it’s an investment piece anyway. Right?
3. Maybe your girlfriends are your soulmates.
Maybe guys are the people we are just meant to have fun with. Maybe our deepest connections lie buried within the people with whom we share brunch or a manicure – our girlfriends. The bond between Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha is one we can all learn from. Despite their bickering, these women hold the best interest of each other near and dear and will stop at nothing to help one another. Friendship is more than sharing clothes and going shopping. Friendship is forfeiting the date you had with your crush to babysit the cutest little ginger boy. We can search forever to find a man to fill the void we are so certain we need filled, but maybe we are looking in the wrong places.
4. Be financially stable.
It might not be easy and it might mean waiting tables or painstakingly cramming words into a freelance article until Vogue Magazine agrees to run your column. Take pride in being able to treat yourself to an extra-shot latte and a walkup on the Upper East Side.
5. Have a plan, but don’t let it consume you.
Fear not, for you don’t have to itemize your entire life, but set forth goals and work steadfastly to achieve them. The pursuit of your dreams is paved with a bumpy road, a cobblestone walkway in which you may find the heel of your stiletto wedged every once in a while. Set your sights high and hold strongly to your aspirations, but enjoy every twist and turn along the journey to get there.
6. Love your damn self.
It can be easy to be consumed by the lights, streets and noise of a big city. Thus, it’s natural to embark on a journey to find your person – someone with whom you can share a drink, a movie and an overpriced apartment. Don’t allow yourself to be swept away like last night’s trash into the foggy abyss that is the murky New York dating scene. To find love, you must first love yourself. And love everything about yourself, you should.
7. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
Find the courage to say ‘yes’ to meeting new people, going new places and have faith in your ability to pursue your dreams, regardless of their lofty aim. Let Keith Travers pamper you in a lavish apartment, even if it’s not his. Accept a proposal from Aidan Shaw, even if you’re unsure. You can always return the ring. Admittedly, these were not Carrie’s shining moments, but she took a chance and that’s commendable.
8. Love is like a pair of shoes
You must try on a few pairs to find the perfect fit. You may think you’ve locked eyes with the perfect paid of strappy sandals, but it turns out they squeeze your ankles and make your feet look fat. Like a dress that’s just an inch too small or a pair of shoes that turn you ankles into cankles, the wrong man can tarnish your image. Don’t be afraid to slip on a guy or two before you make a purchase. You might end up regretting your investment.
9. You will always run onto someone you know.
From ex-boyfriends to your ex-boyfriends new wives, the streets of Manhattan are ridden with the people you dread seeing most. Lurking around every corner and in your favorite coffee shop, you are never too far away from an encounter you’re your best gal, worst enemy or someone who will take you on your next Big journey in life.
10. Order a good drink.
Make it a cosmopolitan or a martini – extra dirty –but make it a good one. In a swanky NYC hot spot, you’ll never know who you will have the pleasure, or misfortune, of sharing the bar with. Ensure that you’ll enjoy a portion of the night; make it stiff, make it sweet and make every calorie count.
I’m on a fervent quest to be New York’s next “It Girl,” and with these lessons in tow, I think I’m off to a good start. See you soon, NYC.
