Little Time / Lots of Updates (+ PR people, some info for you to read!!)

Hi, how are you?

I think my last official newsletter was in March and I’ve been kicking the can on finishing the NYFW recap and a million other things I’ve promised you (like my trip to Bilbao, too, I just remembered!). I’m a bad friend. I break promises and you don’t hear from me for months at a time. And then I come back and expect you to still be following me and love me (meaning, praise me). I’m a prodigal blogger, if you will.

In any case, I have updates to share. Lots of ‘em. This is boring for many of you, but it’s better to give all the updates in one place for me so I can get them out of the way and focus on a few personal items over the next couple of weeks.

Kiitos, danke schön, etc etc

1. First and most importantly, this has been a very tough week for me, as my father is going through some health issues. I don’t particularly want to get into specifics until I know more/the severity of it/etc, but suffice it to say that my mind is not necessarily on work right now. If I miss an email from you, give me a couple weeks. I need to take some time away from things right now.

2. This news (and my subsequent request for some patience on my lack of communication) also bumps up against two weeks of travel I have coming up. From Monday until June 1, I’ll be in Las Vegas, New York, Helsinki, then New York again. More on each of these below.

   

3. In other news, I’m now writing for GQ. This has been a goal of mine for some time and I’m very thrilled to be taking over some of the watch beat online. Having grown up in rural Pennsylvania during the metrosexual heyday, the term, “Whoa, GQ!!!” was thrown about by more than one hairdresser and classmates’ mother in my youth. So, in a way, this feels like a full-circle moment for me.

   

4. I also took over a weekly column for Worn & Wound called “Watches, Stories, & Gear”, which covers — you guessed it! — watches, stories from around the web, and gear that fits the WW audience. I’ve had a lot of fun with this and I’m happy that my editor, Zach, gives me so much freedom to write how I want (sample of which is above). If you work with some brands you think might be a fit, get in touch. No promises, of course. It still has to resonate with the readers. Sorry to the perfect-fit-guaranteed bra company that’s emailed me three times this month :(

5. For A Passion Thing, I’m interested in entrepreneurs with a fun or inspiring story to tell, that I can pitch to their team. I love the magazine, but you know how it is — you pitch what you know. What don’t I know? I don’t know! You tell me.

6. I’m also going to be writing for a hospitality and travel magazine, with the potential to do a weekly newsletter, and would definitely need some help on stories. More to come, but think of artisans, artists, culture, customs, and must-sees in faraway destinations.

7. Speaking of travel, and as mentioned above, I’m doing a good bit of it this month. First and foremost, I’m going to be in Las Vegas from Monday to Thursday for the Licensing Expo. In my full-time role, I’ve been promoted to Director, Marketing & Partnerships and that’s meant a shift into building out a strategy for the next few years in the licensing space. I’m excited to announce a big coup for my company last this month, but we also have another launch for Peanuts, Smokey the Bear, Accutron watches…you get the idea. If you work for a brand in this sort of category (or have a good recommendation for where to eat while I’m in town), hit me up.

   

8. Then, from Friday to Monday, you’ll find me in New York City for the opening of an exhibit at the New York Botanical Gardens (see point 7), get a facial, get my glasses from Morgenthal Frederics, make my own cologne, maybe stop and get a suit retailored since I lost weight, stop by my favourite sauna in the city, see this Michael McGregor show, and take a few meetings. If you’re in town, hit me up. My time is a tiny bit tight, but may be able to make it work, and I always love staying busy when I’m in town.

9. Then I go to Helsinki for a week for Fashion in Helsinki, but to also take a couple work meetings while I’m there. I’m thrilled. I make it no secret that Helsinki is my favourite European city and, given the opportunity, I’d move there in a heartbeat. I’m also very lucky to have an incredible advocate in the country with Martta Louekari, planned this trip for me. I’m excited to write about the fashion and hospitality scene for Forbes and Surface, respectively, and see a few friends at Marimekko, Moomin HQ, among others. If you have a recommendation or want to try to meet for a coffee while I’m in town, let me know!

   

10. And just to brag for a second (!!), I’m staying at some of the most gorgeous places this trip, including Hanaholmen, Hotel St. George Helsinki, The Barö. I really am spoiled and never try to take it for granted.

11. Later this year, I think I’ll be in Switzerland and Norway — still TBD, but if you’re an editor and want to chat about possible stories for either, reach out and we can discuss. I’m very interested in more travel this year.

12. Lastly, I have a bit of editorial freedom with Forbes and I’m always looking for new stories. While I can’t do a one-brand feature, I’m very interested in trends, expert quotes, deep industry dives, and the like. If you have an idea, I’m all ears.

Thanks for listening. Hope to hear from you soon. And if you don’t hear from me here, follow me on Instagram. I’m more active there x