Mahipal SoCal

Yellow Brick Road

2016-10-17T13:28:00.003-07:00

If you have ever seen the Wizard of OZ, you know the story of Dorothy and her way to OZ. In a short summary my way to OZ was too meeting different characters and trying to figure things out. I was always stuck between what I wanted in life and where I wanted to go in life and both seemed not far from each other but very hard to find. From bouncing around with school activities, to hanging out with friends, watching hockey games, and not really giving a solid thought about my future, my life was up in the air. Around the end of high school everything was hitting me fast. Most of my graduating class was already getting accepted to schools and planning their educations.

For me, the route to go with a career in hockey and in real estate held my interest. I used to make phone calls to San Jose, Laguna, Clearwater, and other coastal neighborhoods just to reach out to local real estate agents in the area asking for advice on selling spreads. Every contact helped out but I gave up on that dream during one afternoon when I decided to apply to The Art Institute (even though to this day I still regret going to college because I feel *certain* degrees are pointless). I’ll explain another time, but my yellow brick road took a hold of blogging, photographing, reaching out to clients, lots of failing and succeeding, and more but it all led to me to where I am today as a New York Fashion Writer.

Another individual who took the yellow brick road to follow their dreams is Kate Musto from my hometown in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Here’s her story. “Ever since I could remember, fashion has had a huge impact on my life,” said Kate. “I would buy every fashion magazine and study the breath-taking models own the runway. I longed to be there taking in that energy. Fashion continues to influence me everyday and while I have chosen not to pursuit a career in fashion, it has led me to the path I now walk every day to become closer to making my dreams a reality. There is something very important that I have learned and it is that you are allowed to have more than one. When you finish school and are taking your first steps of possibility, society tells you that you need to choose what you want to do with your life now, and that you better stick with it or else. That’s just not true.”

“When I first started thinking about my future, I wanted more than anything to perform. I loved being on stage and feeling the electricity of live theatre run through me. So, I decided to go for that dream and was accepted into Temple University’s musical theatre program. A couple of months before my audition, I was diagnosed with pre nodules on my vocal chords (yes NODES are real). I was forced into strict vocal rest, meaning no talking and definitely no singing. I was utterly heartbroken for at least a year. It took some time but eventually I found my way at my local community college and discovered my love of acting for film. I did a couple of independent projects and graduated with a degree in general studies.”

“Still not fully recovered from the vocal mishap, I was unable to audition for a four-year school. Even if I was able to, there’s just no way would I be able to afford it in this chapter of my life. So I decided to pursuit my love of music and go back to school for that. I was given the opportunity to better myself in a different career choice and see where that takes me.”

“My goal as an actor was never to get famous, have a lot of money, or meet celebs. My goal as an actor is simple: I want to make people feel. I want to strike emotion and inspire others. If I can do that and help someone in the process by maybe bringing back humility and compassion in a world that truly needs it right now, then that would be incredible to me. That is what I have always aspired toward. I also have passion for music, and it took me while to figure out why. A few weeks ago, in one of my classes it hit me. My goal has never changed; I’ve had the same dream all along—to make people feel. Coming to that realization is so powerful, and just knowing that I hold this vision within me to make the world a better place through art—whether it be performance, music, or fashion—is simply awe inspiring and something that I will never take for granted. Everyone has the power to create change and leave their imprint on this world, just never doubt yourself and always follow your dreams.”

The road to your dreams may not always be paved in happy yellow bricks. They may come in pairs or quarters or they may not even come all together. It may take months or even years to figure out what you want and where you want to go. Your dream job may not be touchable or it may not even been created. Your destiny and what you want is out there. One day, some way you’ll find your way to OZ. It’s been inside you all along, waiting for its calling.

Thanks for reading everyone

Be sure to follow me following my dreams.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

JOY - US

2016-08-14T18:09:00.003-07:00

“As you grow up and come into this world that has all sorts of things in it: money, family, crime, betrayal. When you realize the only thing you’re going to have is what you make.” This is a quote from the movie Joy, I’ve done some rehearsing of this quote over and over and it keeps playing in my head like a song on Spotify’s repeat. Joy is the type of movie that you watch over and over again just to make sure you’re understanding of what’s being said. It’s one of those movies that makes you see that the smaller moments in life are just as, or, more important than the bigger moments in life. The quote is so relatable because there are plenty of things in this world that distracts us from what really matters in everyday life. We see things how they are, not always the in-between, because we always seem to miss the little moments.

The same can be said about the fashion industry. New York has taught me the in and outs of the industry, not just to bring a coffee to work, but also to stay and learn about your surroundings because you never know what you will miss and what you can earn, (you should be doing this in any work field you are in, not just fashion). Even though I have such different experiences every show, every season, and every day there is always something new to learn, because the truth is, the only thing you’re going to have is what you make. You are what you eat, and you might as well be you are what you learn. I remember being at a fashion show for ADEAM with Christina Milian and understanding that someone’s bookmaking was just as important as the show running, but more important for their book to finish. Learning their profession outside the industry was just as great as me running around asking people what their dreams on paper are.

There is more to fashion than just fashion shows. A lot of that has to do with the way it runs, who runs it, and all the outsiders. I want you to meet Steven, Steven Kolb, and the President of the CFDA – Council of Fashion Designers of America. It’s a big job, just ask Diane von Furstenberg. “Our mission at CFDA is to promote American Fashion, help the designers, and make sure that we are a lovely family.” – Diane von Furstenberg (YouTube). Steven Kolb is a big part of the staff and hearing his view on fashion and the “more” to it, is what’s really important. It’s the things we miss.

“The fashion industry is more than just parties and shows” Says Steven, “It is a $350 billion industry that employs thousands of people. It is an important economic engine for the American economy. It is also an industry that has heart. True style is not so much how you look but is what you do with your life. The industry is very giving. It was one of the first industries to raise funds for HIV/AIDS programs. The CFDA Foundation continues to support HIV/AIDS patient care and advocacy as well as Breast cancer efforts with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.”

“The business of fashion is in a period of reflection and change. Technology has altered the way we live. The fashion industry is different then it was decades ago. Designers are now their own media by talking to consumers through their own channels like Instagram and Snapchat. The magazines are increasingly investing their efforts always from print and in to digital. Ecommerce has changed consumers shopping habits. All of this makes it an exciting time in fashion.”

The fashion industry has such a powerful background to it and it keeps growing everyday thanks to the CFDA and thanks to Steven Kolb and the other board members. But for those outsiders, keeping busy in your work and field is great but learning about it all and staying joyful is something you take to heart. You are what you eat, so you might as well be you are what you learn. Stay joy-us*. Or you won’t be as joy-us in your field. (*joyful)

Thanks for reading everyone

Be sure to follow me following my dreams.
For more information on the CFDA and the other members, find it here.
CFDA

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

The Fashion Institute of Technology w/ Lisa Petronaci Kesselman

2016-03-09T18:43:00.003-08:00

In New York, fashion becomes the popular trade of the city from who’s wearing what, to what store has the newest new, to the popular New York Garment District. Lisa Petronaci Kesselman, knows the best of the best around especially coming from one of New York’s leading schools FIT – The Fashion Institute of Technology.

After meeting Lisa in New York, I was able to have a chat with her and catch up on her doings. Let’s start this off. “What is your perspective to teach the fundamentals of your course to learning college students?”

“When teaching the Tools of the Trade Trimmings and Bindings course at FIT NY it can be both very daunting and exciting at the same time. Because it is an elective course and not a requirement, you know that the students enrolled are truly interested in what you have to offer them, so you need to make the class as interesting as possible. They have taken other courses in the series that relate to my class, so my goal is to build on what they have learned, but also open their eyes to the beauty they can create with a trim.”

“A trim that is designed by them, with their fabric and is only for them. This makes for a class that is exciting because it is the one area the designer can be truly creative without causing tremendous strains on their budgets. I love teaching this class, because when a young designer really sees the full potential of what their designs can become, it's really an amazing thing.”

“What you want your students to learn from you and your classes?”

“The main thing I want them to learn in my class, is how to properly speak to their contractors. We know the lingo and a lot of designers don't, which can put them at a disadvantage and in some cases have contractors take advantage of the designer’s lack of knowledge. So I do stress the language of production in both trims and garments. Another aspect of the business I want them learn, is how to figure goods needed to make their particular trim.”

“Very important in the controlling of the wastage of fabric and the controlling of their budgets. And finally, to realize they are only limited by their imagination. Again, because my class is an adult education class, the students really have free will to use that imagination. There isn't box to fit into. And isn't that what designing is truly about?”

“What made you want to teach and how did you get started?”

“I have so much information stored up in this brain of mine, 30 years’ worth and it has been just busting to get out. What I hope they learn from me is to never give up. Each failure leads to a success.”

“I have always wanted to teach. Fortunately or unfortunately I was sidetracked by a little thing called the Fashion Industry. As we all know, this industry is all consuming. Once it has its claws in you, you cannot seem to escape. I've tried, believe me, but there is something about it that always drew me back in. So that being the case, and me always having this dream to teach, why not merge the 2.”

“I have the best of both worlds. I am thoroughly entrenched in this wonderful industry and I get to do what I love in conjunction with that. I don't know if I would've gotten there if I hadn't first embarked on this journey through fashion. But I am so blessed that I did get here from there!”

“What is your dream?”

“My dream.......well I have to say I am living it as we speak! I couldn't ask for a better life than what I have now!”

For more information on how you can enroll to The Fashion Institute of Technology check out their site at www.fitnyc.edu

Thanks for reading everyone

Be sure to follow me following my dreams

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

A Day @ #NYFW

2016-03-01T15:51:00.001-08:00

New York Fashion Week might just be a dream come true for most people who want a piece of the glamour, trends, and a new styles. But for others it’s a lot less and a lot more than that. By the end of the week you have already experienced a crazy world wind of days.

For some, a daily routine during fashion week is waking up and getting ready for the day. If its summer time, you’re ready to check the weather and pair it with your favorite suit, shoes, dress shirt, tie, button down, shorts, tank, dress, skirt, fur, coat, blazer, and more so. When good old mother nature turns into snow your bound to find yourself digging through your wardrobe for heavy jackets and coats, heels, dresses, shoes, boots, shirts, ties, suits, button downs, sweaters, hats, and pretty much any less clothes to wear possible.

After you’re done getting naked and putting clothes on, it’s on to breakfast. Maybe it’s a bagel and croissants, maybe it’s an old fashion English breakfast, or maybe it’s a rush to Dunkin with the disposable change you have kept in your back pocket. Whatever it may be I can assure you that a short or early breakfast is one everyone’s to do list. After all, you want to look your best so the non photo guys can feel famous snapping your photo or even getting in the way.

After all of this, it’s time to call an Uber or take the train and head over to start your day at New York Fashion Week. For some, some days are longer than others. It includes going to show to show, events in-between, business meetings run arounds, and lastly if you’re lucky enough attending parties at the end of the night. All fun and games right?

My days consist of getting told what not to do, getting yelled at by PR team members while arguing back, being where I’m not supposed to be and being told to leave, and gathering a clientele of new familiar faces. It’s all just fun and games right? Sometimes! While other times consist of not getting into fashion shows, showing up late, being crowded by “photo guys”, and even breaking the rules through security.

Some days are harder than others. From having to wait in line to get into a show while bring crowded by “this” person or “that” person which makes things much harder when you’re trying to be different, to being seen by some familiar faces at shows, or even being the man of the hour with the sign. Everyone’s day is different but everyone always seems to be around. If you ever attend #NYFW watch yourself. People are friendly, but know your boundaries. If you’re like me, following your dreams, then I advise you to become EXTREMELY smart with what you want to do, and then break every rule you can.

Thanks for reading everyone

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

"I'm a young woman entrepreneur living in New York"

2016-01-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

“From an early age, I knew I wanted full control over my career. I was never one who appreciated or welcomed being told what to do, how to dress, how to act or where to go: I danced to the beat of my own drum in every sense of the phrase. Growing up consisted of a lot of “me time”, sketching mini fashion figures, sewing dresses for my dolls or bossing around a room of stuffed animals playing “teacher”.

For as long as I can remember I wanted to be independent, working hard, busy, and productive. Most little girls my age had playtime that consisted of wedding ceremonies, baking or being a mommy: mine was having my own business, driving a car, carrying a purse and thriving off independent womanhood. I didn’t know it then, but I had the imagination of a creator and the mind of a businesswoman.

I had two sisters close in age but always preferred to take on playtime by myself. I guess now looking back, the desire to control my time and the events taking place around me was an early gauge of my future self- “a young single woman entrepreneur”.

There is never a perfect time or place to start your business. I’ve learned this throughout my journey as Founder and Designer of women’s contemporary clothing brand Ollari. There will always be a million reasons to give up yet only a few to fight. Despite the struggles, my sole purpose in aggressively hitting the “continue” button lays within my integrity, devotion and commitment to the passion I discovered at 7 years old: to design and own my own clothing line that bared my namesake.

Being a young single woman entrepreneur can of course be intimidating, scary yet empowering and fulfilling all at the same time. The stress it brings is sometimes unbearable and I would be lying if I said the fear of failure doesn’t linger often in my entrepreneurial spirit.

28 years young, single and living on my own in Astoria, NY, I struggle with the race against time on the daily. I hold a fulltime design position for an established knitwear company in south NJ, which I call my “bread and butter”- all while owning and tending to my own budding business. My role of fulltime designer by day takes up 80% of my week, leaving little time for personal relationships and purposeless adventures. If it doesn’t grow me personally or professionally, I don’t make time for it.

Having launched the Ollari brand 2 years ago I took on the majority of the tasks on my own, toying with the idea of having an equal or a partner to help me get through it all. After a “dress rehearsal” on sharing control, I was left with a crucial lesson to be learned- “My dream, my visions, my struggles, my rewards”. The reality is that no one will work as hard as I have had or will attaining these dreams and aspirations. I slowly learned just before Ollari turned 1 that I needed to get through this on my own. I was a strong woman and wasn’t going to go down without a fight to the top without trying by myself. I realized the grunt work needed MY elbow grease, triumphs, falls, bruises and learning curves. No one else is going to do what I can do for a brand only I can visualize.

As a young entrepreneur, I juggle a good deal in the upkeep of my business. While designing collections and overseeing creative aspects, growing the brand also requires consistent and meticulous attention in other areas. Embracing all avenues of the business aspect is a struggle I constantly face: from seeking sales, establishing brand identity, sourcing, factory correspondence to PR & marketing, investment opportunities and projections. The brand requires constant attention and movement, both creatively and formally.

As we head into our 2nd year as a budding brand in the industry I do what I can to maintain it all. I see many more triumphs, tears, smiles, achievements, failures and excitement as the brand prospers and grows to its full potential in the coming years. As a young single entrepreneur, I will fall and I will rise but will always move forward with a lesson to be learned. I’ve learned that failure is a good thing and can be an opportunity in disguise to start again with a new angle.

My main focus as of now is to grow my empire, take failures as they come, grow my network and do what I love, which is create beautiful collections for women. I embrace challenge and welcome obstacles on a daily basis to earn my keep as a future fashion influencer, because if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.”

In New York, commuting to work is a way of life and for many, it involves a subway, a bus, an Uber, or even a taxi. Commuting your way to your dream is another story. It takes more than just time and hard work – it’s all about adding your own flavor and elbow grease. New York can become a challenge and for some like Meagan, it’s up to you to jab, jab, jab, and right hook. Because in New York, you can never look any better.

Thanks for reading everyone

Be sure to follow me following my dreams
Be sure to follow Meagan at meaganollari.com

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

“InStyle and StyleWatch are quite different from each other in terms of what they cover”

2015-12-23T13:44:00.002-08:00

As we grow up we are immediately a beautiful soul. And that beautiful soul grows and learns every second, of every minute, of every day. We follow a program of order. We learn things that we like, that we don’t like and as we grow we gravitate toward the things we like and avoid the things we don’t like. As we grow older our soul, body and mind develops new ways to communicate. The language we speak becomes more than a program, it becomes a symbol. And it comes from the world we are raised in whether it’s from school, playgrounds, friends, relationships, or within our community. It changes. In the end we realize the symbols we speak are a language we end up learning through everyday things. And we follow that language. At a certain point, you understand that it’s your way of communicating to each other.

The same can be said with the media. The media is such a strong and powerful industry and a lot of people believe that what you see and hear about is the “true” story. What a lot of content consumers don’t realize is that every media outlet such as the TODAY Show has a language of their own. They have a program which they follow and that is their own way of communicating to content consumers. Magazine outlets are the same, they have a language they follow that they speak and every magazine publication is different. InStyle and StyleWatch are both powerful enforcers in New York. Ariel Foxman is the Editorial Director for InStyle Magazine & StyleWatch Magazine, his work load is a lot every day as well as during fashion week. Before the Greg Lauren show of spring 2015 Ariel and I were able to speak about fashion week, business, and hectic lines fashion week held. Recently I was able to chat with my good friend Ariel again, take a look.

As the Editorial Director for InStyle & StyleWatch what is it like to be in charge of a publication(s)? “While I act as the Editorial Director for both magazines, I work more closely on a day-to-day basis with the InStyle team. Lisa Arbetter, Editor of StyleWatch, does many of the tasks associated with that magazine, though I’m involved on a strategic level and the two of us are constantly in communication. A typical day for me usually begins with a breakfast with someone in either the fashion industry, Hollywood community or one of our clients.

I then come to my office and look at the red folder my assistant puts together, which contains the reader mail we've received overnight. We answer all the letters one way or another - I feel like this sort of sets the tone for the day. We're reaching over 24 million people, each with their own thoughts and opinions on our content.

I then go through the more urgent emails, look at proofs, layouts and imagery. And then there is a series of meetings with everyone involved in the brand. I meet with my editors to check in on any of the four issues that we're working on simultaneously, and our digital team to oversee digital and social projects. A good chunk of the day is spent fine-tuning our cover, whether that's selecting the film or the cover lines or playing with the banner, and I work with our creative director on that. I usually have a lunch, do a chunk of email, then we have layout meetings, and that usually closes out the day at the office.

And then I usually have a launch event to attend, to support a new designer, a new line, maybe a screening of a movie that is showcasing a new talent that we want to check out and put in the magazine. No day is ever boring! Two out of the five nights there's usually a dinner as well, composed of some variation of this talented group of individuals. And then I go home and sometimes in the evening while I'm home, I read all our stories. I read everything twice. And I'm usually reading and doing research for the breakfast, lunch, and dinner of the next day, to make sure that I'm as up to date as possible so that I can ask the right questions of whomever I'm sitting with.”

What is the difference between both magazines? “InStyle and StyleWatch are quite different from each other in terms of what they cover. InStyle owns the red carpet – so you’ll find the latest coverage of celebrities and red carpet events with a service component. Its content is a bit more aspirational – while we don’t feature high end products exclusively, we represent a wide range of price points that skew towards luxury. We also shoot a different celebrity for our covers each month, usually tying to a timely release (say, an album, film or charity), offering an exclusive interview in that issue.

StyleWatch is the fast, fun, shopping-focused source for the trend conscious millennial. It’s about getting inspiration from street style more than runway, and seeks to make every type of woman feel at home on its pages. It’s all about the latest fashion and beauty trends you can wear every day.”

What is it like to be an Editorial Director (Editor in Chief) of InStyle & StyleWatch at New York Fashion Week? What’s your role throughout the week during those 7 days, do you attend parties & events, and any publication work to keep up the site like write-ups? “Fashion Week is an important time of year for both magazines, because it previews the trends that will make their way into stores the following season. The runway is particularly important for InStyle, where we cover the looks and designers in depth.

Both the InStyle and StyleWatch fashion teams are on the road for the majority of fashion month - I attend as many shows as possible as well as meet with designers and partners in New York, Milan, and Paris. It helps to stay abreast of the coming trends and maintain relationships with our clients, as well as to ensure that the hottest and most current trends make their way into our fashion coverage.”

This is such an interesting view - if you want to pitch a story to a magazine about Mark Zuckerberg being an internet king, you need to ice the cake differently to publications such as Vanity Fair, InStyle, and even Vogue. Just like how every human being reads and understands things different, every media outlet reads and understands stories different. It’s all a language and at a certain point, you understand that it’s your way of communicating to each other.

Thanks for reading everyone

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Santa Baby

2015-12-06T18:49:00.000-08:00

Tis the season that keeps on giving. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the time where friends, family, and loved ones gather together in the spirits of the holiday. The time where mom’s and dad’s good food passes through every kitchen, where giving gifts to the ones you care about happens around balsam Christmas trees, and when tree lights and street lights fill the night with colorful cheer. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the feeling in the air, people smiling and saying hello, the lights that light up every house, and all the kids fast asleep hoping that Santa Clause brings their new toy and has it waiting under the Christmas tree.

New York City Fashion Week is known for many over the top things. Whether you’re attending a runway show, a presentation, or a luxury party you’re bound to enjoy some lavish gifts. And who doesn’t like that? Getting free make-up, or a brand new bag, or even a new iPhone cover. However, all fashion shows are different, some people receive gifts and while some don’t. It depends what show you’re attending because not every show will have a front row gift under your chair.

But fashion week isn’t really about receiving gifts, and neither is the season of Christmas. It’s more about enjoying you’re time, and for Christmas it’s about being with loved ones. Fashion is a powerful and rich industry, but it’s not attractive to have the riches of the world and not care for the ones who don’t, especially around the holidays. People see having compassion is something middle age twenties do while figuring out their next move or even something the super-rich do when they make time. No matter who we are or where we come from we all are entitled to give back to the community one way or another.

Every time it’s around the holiday season and I happened to walk by and see a homeless person I always do what I can to help out, even if I myself am short change. In order to have a full life we must connect with others on our planet. Having everything in the world and not being able to feel for the ones who don’t is simply wrong. This season try and remember the ones who don’t have family and be more compassionate to them and thankful for everything you have, instead of everything you don’t.

Thanks for reading everyone

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

The Victoria Secret Fashion Show: Your Guess Is As Good As Mine

2015-11-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

Victoria Secret, your guess is as good as mine. I don’t know much about your show or your event, but for all the women around the world that wear your lingerie and sleepwear they know all too well what you’re up to right before the Christmas holiday season. The Victoria Secret Fashion Show is a fashion show for the brand Victoria’s Secret that is performed yearly to showcase their new sexy items, an interesting phenomenon that has effected the way we look at sexy. But in all honesty, behind the glam, the strength, the sexiness, and the women, what does it take to score tickets to the show or even walk?

Whether it’s through a PR team or a well-known client, model, designer, editor, or even an actress you are bound to get a good ticket to the show and enjoy the musical performance. Besides sitting in the show, you really have to wonder what these models go through to keep shape, walk, stay healthy, and be able to perform well and stay as icons throughout the year. Most of these models walk other fashion shows during fashion week, some pursue endorsements, while some may even do print.

An important reason these models are Victoria Secret’s best is they stay in shape and stay healthy (healthy according to VS), but they do it on their own. Besides modeling these girls have their own personal and enjoyable lives to live, so doing things for themselves is just as fun as doing it for a contract spot. A show like this takes time to put together. Through all the lighting and effect, the girls and the runway spotlights, to the fashion designers and their idea of flashy wings and accessories, and even the main important part, the casting calls - seeing this show take shape is what all women adore. Spotting a seat at this show in either row A, B, or C would be pretty rad, don’t ya think?

Photo Cred: CBS News

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Get real with your ugliness

2015-11-03T19:31:00.003-08:00

New York City streets can be long and the doors passing you by are just as unknown as the places you see. Every time I’m walking to an event or to meet up with a friend I always notice streets with familiar doors that have never been open. Whether it’s an old coffee shop, a gym or even a local bookstore, it’s all I remember. I notice the signage to the place or even the square footage of how busy they can be, but I never really know much about what are behind those doors, until I walk up and open it. The same can be said about us human beings.

We tend to see the same things about ourselves. Over and over again and the more we grow up the more our symbols have meaning to them. We learn about ourselves through time – what we like, what we don’t like, what turns us on, what makes us happy, what to love and more. At the same time we nip pick every negative thing about ourselves until we feel okay. And doing this hurts us. And that comes from an extreme amount of integrity and knowing who you really are. The day we start to get real about what makes us feel insecure or ugly, is the day we turn things around. As I am learning about myself, someone else I know is too, Nina Grippo. Here is her story from beginning to end.

“I have quite a few insecurities and lately I have been working on myself by finding ways to either embrace, or get rid of them. I’ve learned recently that the people you surround yourself with are the ones who can essentially make or break you. If you have the kind of people in your life who are not afraid to compliment you and genuinely want to see you succeed- hold onto them. Those are the kind of people that can recognize your insecurities and help you overcome them. No matter how small your circle may be, if its filled with the right kind of people, you’re lucky.

I'm shy when meeting people at first. I hate that. I especially get nervous if that person intimidates me. It used to be a lot worse when I was younger. I think going to college has definitely allowed me to feel more comfortable with myself in order make new connections with people. Sometimes, I can get myself to think- how does this person feel about meeting me? Maybe they’re feeling just as nervous, and being shy is also one of their insecurities. That helps me a lot. Everyone gets butterflies, right? I try to not let them take over and alter my personality. No matter how many times you encounter a person after meeting them, the first impression of yourself will likely always stick with them. So might as well make it a good one. Although I consider this an insecurity of mine, it has never been all that bad.

Honestly, it’s just the initial “Hi, my name is Nina” that gets me apprehensive. Once I get to know a person, even if it’s only been 10 minutes, I am super outgoing. I like to try and “vibe” with people. If there is a vibe going on, the nerves go away instantly. This past summer, for example, I went to apply for a new job as a waitress. It took a lot for me to drive by myself up there, not knowing a single person when I walked in the door. Long story short- I got an interview within a couple days and was hired. But the nerves weren’t over. I was super excited to meet some new people and create new friendships, but also nervous at the same time. I was about to be working with people from a completely different area. Growing up in a small town can really put you in a place where you feel like you can’t venture out. I was previously working somewhere with the same people who I was familiar with for years. Things didn’t work out and I came across this opportunity at a different restaurant. But again, I was completely stepping out of my comfort zone.

Within my first week of training, I knew I made the right move. I had nothing to worry about. Everyone was super friendly and made me feel welcome. There were definitely some good vibes going on. Sometimes it takes a little bit of courage and confidence to venture out, and who knows, you can meet some interesting people along the way. It may not seem like it, but I consider this my first step in essentially stepping out of “the bubble.” I find it to be amazing how I can say this after traveling only about 15 miles from my house to a new job. But it is so true and it was probably one of the best things I’ve done in a while. Some of the girls I work with I feel like I have known them my whole life- when in reality it’s been about 4 months.

I think I consider this a big step for me because I never really ventured out like that. Sad, maybe, but I think I was becoming trapped in where I was before. At my old job, I was working for someone who I’ve known for years. Working with the same people. In the same routine. Not meeting anyone new or branching out. Yes, I go to college and meet new people often, but that’s different. I decided to branch out, because well, I had to. For myself, at least. I made a few mistakes recently that I am not proud of, hurt people, and lost some close friends. I took all of this as a lesson. For a while, I wondered why this all happened to me. What was the reason behind it? Why did I do this? I still think about it every so often. But I stopped letting it consume my brain. I knew I couldn’t keep going over it and over it every day. It wasn’t healthy for me. So I had to take it for what was it was, accept everything that happened, and move on. It may only be roughly six months since I hurt the people closest to me, but believe it or not, it’s shaping me into a better person.

People make mistakes at all ages. We break our mother’s dishes on accident when we’re only 4 years old, and we break people’s hearts when were 20 years old. We’re only human; it’s in our nature to make mistakes. I am not justifying my wrongdoings by any means; however, I think acceptance is what we need to learn as a society. We need to accept the fact that people mess up. And we need to move on from it. Don’t forget, but forgive. I think it takes a strong-minded person to be able to acknowledge their mistakes and grow from them.

I have been trying to focus on myself lately and direct my attention towards the more important things- family, school, career, etc. My main goal in life is to be genuinely happy. Not dwelling on my mistakes from the past and filling my brain with negativity. I beat myself up for a little bit there, trying to figure out the reason for all of this. I don’t typically like to regret anything I do in my life, even if it was 100% stupid. Just because its something I consider wrong now, I thought it was right at the time. I truly believe there is a meaning behind everything that happens. Maybe I haven’t figured it out yet, maybe I never will. But as long as I am happy with myself, and happy with the people in my circle, that’s all I’ve come to care about. Don’t make your mistakes out to be your insecurities. Something you might have considered as a mistake could actually seem to be a blessing in disguise. “

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“I knew that all my actions had consequences”

2015-10-28T10:58:00.003-07:00

Getting your big break doesn’t have to be always noticeable and sometimes it usually comes from the discreet act of others. You may not know it at that second or time, but you will eventually realize what you earned because of everything you have done. Life is hard, and when you’re chasing your goals and working hard and are informed, things eventually come your way, not the other way around. When people say “Oh it’s who you know” or “You have to be there at the right time” it’s so completely wrong and deplorable. Just stop, I absolutely fucking hate when people say those things. Just because you know someone or meet someone, that itself does not mean that you are smart or talented whatsoever. It’s the work that you put into everything yourself.

Jeffery Felner is an authoritative voice of fashion currently for New York Examiner as well as the New York Journal of Books. He has also done his fair share of many jobs in fashion throughout his years and also runs his own blog site (jeffybruce.blogspot.com). I was able to chat with him and ask about his learning experiences and what helped him succeed in his various positions during his long career, so here we go.

“My longest running gigs have been about doing things that I was not trained for; I hold a design degree which was geared to advertising as well as majors in art history and French. In retrospect, the studio courses for my design degree were the most helpful career wise and the others have certainly helped form my personal universe. Just as an FYI, I will speak in hindsight as it best demonstrates the points that will be made here.

As a textile designer, of which I knew nothing other than how to use a ruling pen, a ruler and T-square, I was fearless, knew no boundaries as this was my first job but I was a quick study. In a short period of time, I went from neophyte to boss in a matter of 2 or 3 years with a staff of 20 artists under my direction. I never was worried about the glory, fame or my title as I was just doing my job and what was expected of me. In retrospect I came to discover, I was considered a wunderkind in my field who earned great respect from my peers but that knowledge came years after the fact.

I had always wanted to be in fashion and so I leaped at the chance to work for free with a small company. Yes free! I again learned my lessons well and met astounding people who would later play major roles in my career trajectory and by the way, I sold, I designed, I packed and unpacked cartons, but I learned and loved it all. One of these decided that I was wasting my time doing this and dragged me off to 7th Avenue and told me that I need to do this and so I did.

At aged 30 I was working for one of the top shelf designers working at a premier address and again being taught by one of the greats of that business. Within a short period of time my mentor quit and left me as sales manager. I was never scared, I learned from the best so I gave it my all and presto... everyone benefitted and again I met so many of the most incredible fashion legends.

After several different parallel positions on the street another of my earlier contacts who I had befriended came to see me and said “quit your job!”...” Today!” … and so I did and she told me I was now a buyer for her 3 stores who carried the marquee brands of fashion. I never gave any of it a second thought and soon enough I was in London and Paris at the best fashion shows in the best showrooms and in common parlance I “held a pen” or in other words I was now a buyer for a group of stores that every manufacturer wanted to sell.

That was the first 20 years of a career that has endured for decades and if there is something I can pass on it is to be yourself, don’t believe your own press, be fearless, and allow people that you trust to lead the way. After many years of working it occurred to me that I was a great talent on many levels and so much of that is that I just did my job, I worked hard, I had fun and I knew that all my actions had consequences.

If you want to play by your own rules then you pay the price... as I always say, there is no free lunch! I was never afraid I couldn’t do a job even if I had no experience as when I was hired as a VP of design and merchandising for a heritage brand fashion jewelry company that had fallen on hard times. I was never about money. I loved to work. I loved to be creative and meet so many who became huge legends in the fashion business. Yes, I was lucky but part of that luck was that I must have shown people that I was smart and had something to bring to the table. I was always impeccably turned out and groomed and I was never one of the flock ... I was the stand out.

The end of the story is, it is all about passion! Either you do or you don’t! Either you pursue or you wait for it to fall in your lap. In many ways, it is up to you. Blaze your own trail.”

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

People Living With Down Syndrome

2015-10-21T19:16:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of my aunt Anne Marie doing what she does best - bowling. Every Tuesday she loves to go bowling with all of her friends where they hold 10 lanes with groups of 3 and every group plays two games. My aunt also enjoys other activities such as dancing, listing to music, drinking a cup of tea when she wakes up and before she goes to bed, watching DVDs, and even art decorating. She’s also there to make you laugh every day and give you lots and lots of hugs to remind you how much she loves you or how nice it is meeting you. I live with my aunt who has Down syndrome and every day life is different.

To some, people who have Down syndrome are sometimes strangers, but to others, people who have Down syndrome are known as friends, family, and even lovers. According to Genetics Home Reference, Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability – a characteristic facial appearance and a weak muscle tone in infancy. People with Down syndrome often experience a gradual decline in their thinking ability as they age, increased risk of developing Alzheimer disease, a brain disorder that results in gradual loss of memory, judgment, and ability to function.

Living with someone who has Down syndrome there are things that make it easy to understand, but for others understanding someone who has Down syndrome may take some time. Here’s a few things I have learned on my own. Try not to keep up with them, just try to understand and listen.

Everyone with Down syndrome have many personalities. From my aunt and all her friends with Down syndrome they all have a different spirits, while some can be loud, outgoing and even a jokester, others are shy and very kind. I’ll talk with some of the guys and see that their day can be effected by one little thing or some may be exciting and charming their ways with the women. While some of the girls will tell you about their day or who their friends are, I have learned that everyone has a different personality and at any age they are not all the same.

Being Down syndrome does not define you as a person. People with Down syndrome can do stuff just like everyone else, it just takes them a little longer to understand things and sometimes they need a little more assistance than others to do so– you’ll just have to learn to be a little patient. They love to do things just like everyone else but more so they will teach you how to do some and enjoy as much as they can. They don’t like to be left out – from going to events with friends, shopping, dressing up and going to dances, some even drive cars, and playing sports, and more, Down syndrome people like to do things just like you and I.

People with Down syndrome can have jobs. There are many different opportunities and even support systems that help disabled people who are looking for jobs and having jobs. My aunt works twice a week at our local school as a lunch lady. Others may work in a factory, on the runway as a model, in retail, at an office and more.

People with Down syndrome may need a little more time. Their brain makes them think at a slower rate than others. Slower isn’t bad, it’s how you handle it. They can do the same everyday life things as you and me, they just may need a little more time doing things that we do. Be patient and understanding with that. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Some people with Down syndrome are use too routines. Life to some of them is something they see as very simple and easy. There are no problems or issues – this makes them see things as black and white, not much color. Breakfast starts at a certain time, snack right after, need to catch the bus that takes them to work – so standing outside 20 minutes before is natural, water before you go to bed, a shower at a certain time, and even everything else and everything else.

Having a child with Down syndrome is a blessing. If you think it will be difficult for you and your family to raise someone different, trust me because it won’t. They are loving and caring and will make you laugh. A lot of the time they don’t like to be babied, they’ll help you and make you smile. A lot of times they may find it hard to make friends but through support and love, they will want to be a part of friends and fun activities.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

“I Was Tired Of Sitting In Classes That Didn’t Matter”

2015-10-06T19:23:00.003-07:00

Just like me, Alex Sweeney had ideas, dreams, and imaginative thoughts while being a college kid. Being in college is tough, especially when you can’t concentrate and you feel like you’re wasting your money on things such as chemistry and accounting Sometimes, your mind ends up in other places. “Back in sophomore year of college, I had a couple friends who knew a guy who would attended New York Fashion Week. He videotaped and did interviews at all the shows, and friends work looked cool. One of my dreams was working at New York Fashion Week because every photographer does fashion at some point. Out of sheer luck, one of my college peers asked me if I wanted to join her to work for this guy, and of course I jumped at the opportunity, because let’s face it, NYFW is extremely close knit and the only way you get into the tents is by knowing somebody.

I stepped inside Lincoln Center and my focus on what I wanted to do with my photography and my art completely changed. Fashion gave me a spark of madness that I never felt before. I was obsessed, and I became eager to learn about all the designers, not just the big label ones, but the smaller lesser known ones as well. I was beginning to shoot every other runway show, and I was only a couple feet away from the clothes. The fact that people will travel all over the world to see a runway show made me feel so grateful, and so lucky to have the connections I had. I must have done something right because the guy I worked for asked me to come back for a couple more seasons, and every time the designers blew me away. After three seasons I decided that my dream of being at the edge of a runway fighting for a spot wasn’t my only dream. There was a bigger dream inside me, I wanted to work intimately with a designer, not just see the final product.

I wanted to work for a designer, see the process of the clothes and be able to photograph an artist at work. My dream was to tell the story of the designer, the raw, uncut, and beautiful process of making wearable art. I was tired of sitting in classes that didn’t matter, I was tired of paying tuition for things that I was genuinely not interested in. That’s when the idea hit me, I needed to intern for a designer. I chose the best designer out there who had a heart of gold and the same drive and passion as me for success. I remember messaging asking if he would take interns. He said yes, and then I had this feeling inside my chest that I never felt before, I was eager to write a proposal to work with him. With the help of one of my professors I wrote him an email asking if he would like an in house photographer to shoot look books, collections, and behind the scenes.

I remember that moment when he said, “Yes I would love that.” (Because I managed to interrupt a chemistry lecture by screaming out of sheer excitement.) I felt so proud. This time, after working with this sweet, kind and humble designer for 8 months I knew that I didn’t want to get another job, I loved working with his whole team, they made every day a new challenge, and I loved that. I loved the sense of having to conquer new things every day and it really made me grow as a person. This all happened in the matter of 11 months, and that to me is insane, how quickly life can change if you give yourself the power to change it. When the internship ended I asked if I could be an assistant for him, and again he said yes.

For me, being so young, employed by a fashion designer, and doing what I love, it has never once felt like work because I enjoy it. I couldn’t be happier with everything I have accomplished and everything I have done. I feel complete as an individual. Sometimes following your dreams is the best thing you can do in your life, because, you only live once and you should make your dreams a reality. It may be a rough, winding, exhausting and not always a glitzy road, but in the end, it's worth it.”

Alex and I became great friends at New York Fashion Week and after we did some soul searching and graduated college we took our careers toward a more enjoyable path. One we truly love. For some following your dreams means studying and taking test for a college degree, for others it means taking the time to learn outside of the classroom. Neither of which are wrong, but sometimes, you need to think outside the box.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

New York Fashion Week Is On A Budget And It's Going Downhill Fast

2015-10-01T17:53:00.001-07:00

For the past few seasons since 2010, New York City Fashion Week has been hanging out at Lincoln Center, but recently in December the Supreme Court of the State of New York ruled that Lincoln Center could no longer be used as Fashion Week’s main venue due to public issues and problems surrounding the venue. Along with the venue issue, Mercedes-Benz has also dropped out of Fashion Week.

This past season Fashion Week had a whole new look. The shows were split into two new main locations - one at 360 West 33^rd Street in Midtown at Skylight at Moynihan and another at 550 Washington Street in Soho at Skylight Clarkson Square. New York City Fashion Week is now sponsored by Lexus, but does the shoe fit the foot? New York City Lexus Fashion Week? Taken over by WME | IMG, it’s also being called New York Fashion Week: The Shows. Seriously, I’m just kidding. It’s what the people are calling it.

What some people don’t realize is that fashion designers don’t want to pay any money for having their shows displayed at the main locations and would rather pay to have them off site. New York Fashion Week is on a budget and it’s obvious that it’s going downhill fast.

As you walk through the doors past secondary security at Skylight at Moynihan you’ll see a few vendors inside with wide open space to walk and “bleacher like seating” letting you hangout and charge your phone along with a drink stand, charger location, and some gift freebies. When you head over to Skylight Clarkson Square, there holds a hallway as a lounge area to hangout. With a small drink stand as well as a book stand with gifts to pick up and read. But seriously, that’s it? Heading through backstage at both venues gives you a little more than enough “leg room” to get around then Lincoln Center did. Make-up artist now have some elbow room to work with. Lincoln Center was a super tight space where you could smell the sweat off of anyone passing by. Overall, both new venues aren’t as attractive as Lincoln Center was.

Even if this is true, it doesn’t seem so diabolical to everyone else who isn’t in the fashion industry. Everyone else can get a close up view of what their favorite celebrities are wearing or better yet, who is coming in and out of shows. If you’re not in the shows, it’s not affecting you. New York Fashion Week: “The Shows” is full of changes and with many designers putting off money issues and the main venues and celebrating their shows off site, it gives you secondary thoughts of what the future holds for New York Fashion Week.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

New York Fashion Week, it’s an advertising commercial

2015-09-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

If you ever look at a Nike commercial you’ll notice that they don’t use the idea of selling their products to you. They don’t shove the idea of how great their shoes will give you comfort or how breathable their sport shirts are that give you more air while being active. Instead they create an experience through real people in their commercials using real life situations that are either facing struggles of self-esteem at the gym or even two soccer teams playing against each other on a field and all a sudden professional athletes start to join play. By using real people it creates a comfort and experience for you about how their products are used instead of selling you an idea of how great their products are.

Fashion designers can be described to do the same as a way to create a social experience for their clothes. New York Fashion Week comes two times a year and it’s the place where designers show case their collections for upcoming seasons while editors, writers, photographers, media, and more take a seat to be a part of it all. They do so in a way of experience, not talking about how the models walking down the runway wearing the designer’s clothes for the upcoming season – it’s about the design of the runway, the backboard, an added grocery store, or even the little house in the center – this all gives a new way to share their collection.

When you walk into a fashion show every show is complete different. Depending who the designer is their focus area will be structured different too. Whether it’s their back wall and the signage of their name displayed in big high clear readable letters or the walk way of the runway. With New York Fashion Week having shows all over the city in different venues it gives the designer a chance to use that to their advantage as a way to create art display. The art can come in different ways from way the outfit moves, the designer names, a bunch of roses hanging about the catwalk, a doll house, a summer beach, or even 67 lights hanging from the ceiling – whatever the case may be it’s meant to work with the designers new collection.

New York Fashion Week is a season full of surprises and designers will do whatever they can to have over the top shows and experiences. It’s become an advertising commercial to broadcast their clothes to the industry and the public and setting up the runway is the start of it all. Kanye West Spring/Summer 2016 took three weeks to prepare, some take a few days, while others take an hour or so before the show to begin. But however long it takes, designers know that their creative taste for their collection is what the industry will look forward to the most.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Why Listening To Yourself Is Better Than Hearing Others

2015-08-28T08:15:00.003-07:00

It’s hard to follow your heart and go after what you want when you’re clouded with others around your ear. There’s a lot times where all of us have been over and under through many people we’ve come across trying to figure out our next move while we try to defend for ourselves in every battle we are in, but its hard when we are surrounded by others and their opinions constantly repeating in our heads.

I remember when I started out blogging. People would tell me that my blog wouldn't really be anything because it was simple and unattractive. I didn't know much about the word “blog” and I for sure didn't know who any of the big name fashion bloggers were. I wasn't reading Vogue or Harpers Bazaar and I wasn't scorching the internet for new, styles and trends. The single thought that kept me going was I never looked at what others were doing. I wasn't following any rules or guidelines and so I was producing content that I thought was appropriate for myself.

And honestly, it was the best thing I could have done. I wasn't making the best work but I was very smart and I was creating content that was changing the way we look at the fashion industry. The best part of it, is that it wasn't the most attractive to others - they didn't understand it. It was different and people weren't able to ignore it, I was getting results and I was only listening to myself. With any work I produce, whether its for new clients, the way I create photos, magazine layouts, pitch stories, or even attend when I attend New York Fashion Week I do things my way only and I feel so much better about it.

Often times we find ourselves misunderstood with ourselves and even with others and we become misled by everything all around us. Learning to think for yourself while hearing others is the healthiest thing you can do. If you don't, you’ll risk wondering about someone else's experience or opinions that might not make you feel comfortable. Listening to yourself doesn't mean you are selfish or arrogant. It means you have a clear mind and you know what you want in life and are smart about how you’ll get there.

Listening to yourself isn’t as easy done as it’s said. Doing your own thing and what you love is important, but finding a way to clear your mind can be hard. The best way to clear your mind is to create a filter for yourself while hearing others. It’s the most appropriate thing that you can do and you will thank yourself throughout your future for doing so. Clear your mind by reading books, doing what you love, and understanding who you are. It’ll block out all the negative and unnecessary energy that will come your way. If you don't Taking a step forward and thinking for yourself isn't a sign of being weak, it shows strength. You may get lost, but you’ll be lost at your best.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Like Fine Wine

2015-08-19T12:07:00.001-07:00

There's been a lot of times in my life where I wanted things to go where I actually wanted them to go and then there have been times where things have just gone wherever. To how you want things to go, to how they actually go, these are two different things and sometimes it's hard to tell the two apart because you never know is which. Understanding your imaginative thoughts to your reality could be difficult, but facing your problems head on instead of running from them, is the best thing you can do.

Working in the entertainment industry, especially the fashion world it's easy to paint yourself with a single brush. The industry is built on an illusion because it's not told truthfully how it is and sometimes it can be hard to understand where you fit in and who are you really are. Your feelings get all mixed around because your insecurities do so, but the truth hurts, but knowing who you are and all everything about you, makes things easier. Through hearing others, you help yourself. One story to hear is from American journalist Michael Musto. Michael has been around the industry through many years and here, he explains part of his life through fear, love, work, business, being bullied, and his insecurities.

"Fear of failure is always a concern for any professional. No one wants to put their work out there in the world and be rejected for it. But as I found that my work was well crafted and my opinions were valid and my reporting good, I got a favorable response and kept going with it. Fashion is a subjective field, but my take on it has always been personal and fair, and I celebrate those who make bold choices. Taking that stance has gotten me good results. Love is difficult since I devote so much time to my work, and I've developed such a unique personal schedule that doesn't really allow for relationships much. But I have had some boyfriends and I find that find that the best ones I've had are the ones who initially didn't know who I was, and who weren't blinded by the glitter and excitement of my lifestyle. That makes things way more grounded.

I'm devoted to my work and have always been a workaholic, going to see everything (fashion shows, Broadway shows, nightclubs) and always meeting my deadlines. A huge part of being a successful professional is being reliable and efficient and always turning in clean copy on time. Editors instantly love you if you can do all that--and if your work is actually good, they'll love you even more. Some people say I've become a brand more than just a writer and as such, I feel like the head of a business. I don't only write articles and blogs, I write books, appear on TV, and make personal appearances. It's all important to the "Musto brand" and I take it all seriously, feeling a little bit like a Warhol-style personality rather than just a writer for hire.

Growing up, I was definitely different from the pack, though I wasn't always bullied for that. But yes, there have still been times when I've been ostracized, put down, and belittled for being different. And the best thing that could happen from that is (A) Developing character as a result (B) Knowing that the bullyers are the ones with the problem, not you. We all have insecurities. It's only human to occasionally feel you might not be smart enough, good enough, appealing enough. But insecurities can also drive you to do more, to fight harder, and to aim for perfection, so sometimes you can make lemonade out of lemons and do good with this situation."

Life can be hard at times and the more you go through life the more challenges you face. As you get older you learn to roll with the punches as they come your way. And as they come your way, you battle with every single one of them, because you learn and they never bring you down. Like fine wine, you grow better with the years. You are a truthfully magical butterfly and the world is your kingdom, not your nightmare. It may be hard to deal with your emotions and feelings, but understanding who you are and what you are makes the road through your days, weeks, and years even better.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Following Your Dreams While Living A Broke Life

2015-07-30T09:25:00.001-07:00

Today the most successful people are the ones with money. They live the extravagant lifestyle of vacation spots all over the world, fancy lunch and dinner parties, or even being invited to big super events. For a lot of them, being successful became easy. Whether it was money they inherited from older family members to following their dreams or just being born with the right last name. Following their dreams come natural and anything they want can be accomplished anytime at hand. They don’t really need a genie in a bottle for three wishes, any wish they ask for is their command.

When you don't have money life is usually “you get what you work for”. It’s usually those long days and nights of work or working overtime, paying off your bills, going to school and paying off your student loans, between times of hanging with your friends and the times when you can actually make yourself a dinner instead of takeout - life seems to be much harder when money is your main focus of survival.

We all have been there stuck where we felt our life isn’t going as planned. Where we run into a brick wall which makes us rethink all of our recent decisions we have made, we tend to think when will things become easier which gets us into the saddest of feelings. Everything is going out of control and the universe is hitting us out of nowhere. It happens to the best of us and every time, we are forced to keep moving forward.

It wasn't as hard to find the front door of the designers venue since it was pretty popular last time around. It was a cold Friday morning and the show was being held at the Artbeam for 12 in the afternoon. A venue where a lot of shows take place. Zimmermann was first on the list today, along with Sally LaPointe, Novis, a few others and an event concert by John Varvatos tonight at the Bowery. I was more excited about going to the concert since Bon Jovi was one of his previous artist last time, however it was unknown who would be there this season.

I walked into the venue and I felt like a dark horse playing with magic. While everyone else was standing around waiting to be seated or assisting others to their seats, I had an eye open for what was going to happen next. I made my way over to the press pit to relax before the chaos of editors were about to arrive. I put my bags down, removed my backpack, fixed my hair, smiled and looked around with thoughts in my head. I was happy to be here apart of this all and more importantly, to be at this showing for the upcoming season. As I waited for Front of House I made my way around the floor.

There are a few things you should know about Front of House. Watch your words because you can’t take them back. Nobody cares who you are or what you do. And if you’re smarter than a Vogue editor, you are in. Front of House was my main focus today as I made my way around the floor. After everyone was settled in, the show began to start and ran for about 10 minutes. After the show was over I collected my belongings and was on my way out to another show. I was feeling pretty good after sitting in for a few shows an even grabbing a few drinks along the way at one.

I was leaving a show around the corner from Madison Square Garden and across the street of Penn Station when I made my way down the subway station. I had a ticket in my pocket but it was empty so I needed to refill it in order to get to Lincoln Center for a fast show before the concert. As I pulled the ticket out of my pocket along with my credit card I put both into the money machine I was standing in front of. There was no line to wait so luckily I was able to get in and get out, least I thought that was going to happen.

I came out of the subway station with tears in my eyes. I watched every man dressed in a pair of fancy shoes and wearing a fitted suit walk by thinking to myself - “That is what I want to be someday. I want to be the best fashion writer and blogger in the city and be able to walk the streets of the best city in the world just like that.” I stood in the center of Madison Square Garden thinking to myself and feeling how I let myself down. “It’s New York Fashion Week, I’m supposed to be going to shows, parties, events, I even have a concert tonight to go to! I shouldn't be upset or broke. Everything is going to be okay, right? No it won’t, how could everything be okay when I can’t buy a ten dollar ticket, I can’t even afford a two dollar soda!?”

There has been a lot of times where my life hasn't felt like it was going like I planned, but that hasn't stopped me at all from doing what I love doing. Whether it's with a significant other, work, school, or even not having enough money to finish my day at New York Fashion Week. Nothing will ever pull me down. It will only make me stronger and tougher. When you don't have money, you work for what you want a lot harder than the ones who do. Even if it’s one of the most important times of the year in the fashion industry. New York City Fashion Week.

You go to school, you work, you pay your bills, and you even wait for that sale to go on so you can afford that outfit that you want. it’s obvious you’re broke. Doing what you want while being broke - you understanding the meaning of hard work and it speaks volumes of just who you are. We all have our own definition of success and it’s not your job to live up to someone else’s ways. It’s your job to find your own path your way, even if it means short change for a subway ticket.

When you want something you go for it and you understand what that means. You get knocked down and you understand your habits, but you build right back up and you recover. You know what that means and you set yourself apart from the rest. Following your dreams while being broke definitely defines you because you keep your head above water and you look the other way.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Cool for the Summer

2015-07-17T14:10:00.001-07:00

Almost every girls dream is to be a part of New York City Fashion Week. A time where the world’s top designers showcase their clothing wardrobe for the upcoming season through a ray of events, runway shows, presentations, and through media. This summer for the first time fashion is taking a turn toward the men of the industry with the first ever New York Fashion Week Men’s. Fashions biggest collections are being shown from designers such as Public School, Thom Browne, Calvin Klein, Robert Geller and others sharing their men’s collection.

Men’s fashion has definitely emerged due to the use of social media, its social commentary. The way we use social media these days sharing everything about ourselves, even fashion, men’s style has changed along with men wanting to be more involved - whether it’s through a photo, a like, a video, a share, it doesn’t matter – there is always something there to share. Men’s fashion is having their moment and with a lot more platforms to cover stories on, there’s a lot to talk about.

The best part of the inaugural season is being able to get front row seats, hangout at presentations, drink at select shows, and see the best of the best celebrities showing up. John Varvatos is known for his flashy parties and concerts during New York Fashion Week. This season for men’s week he closed everything out with a Rock N Roll scene and dandy stripes. Perry Ellis loved his venue at Skylight Studios and loved the “inspiration this Spring 2016”. The big thing he saw is sandals.

Street style was another big hit and walking the streets in this “hot” summer sun can a lot for us writers and editors. I gets easier this year because shows and events aren’t as far away, especially for this upcoming season for September. Fashion week is fun and covering men’s style is what makes things, not only because it’s the first men’s week, but because it makes things different and everyone is now more involved. When you’re attending upcoming shows be sure to get your pen, paper, candy bar, and camera ready to write down your notes and don’t forget to keep an open mind with what you say.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Don’t spend your life working in a boring space

2015-07-10T19:15:00.003-07:00

If you think people are dumb, you’ll end up doing shitty work for the rest of your life. People know when you’re producing bad work. People are smart. So if you’re constantly producing bad work, you truthfully won’t get far.

The common saying, “working hard or hardly working” definitely comes to mind. It’s always tough when you’re in a family with other siblings and you’re stuck cleaning up their mess in order to get things done. Or sometimes you like to think outside the box and keep things interesting and don’t mind a messy room full of clothes and notebooks everywhere because you’re able to work around them. There are people who love to check things off in a manually order and then there are some that like to work in a clutter. Understanding your work habits is the absolute most important way to get things done and succeed.

Researchers from Princeton University Neuroscience Institute did a study on organization and unclutteredness and found that being unorganized and clutterness limits your brain and ability to think and process information. You’re constantly thinking of everything else around you and what is going to be your next move.

But is this true? Having a clutter work space competes for your attention for work, focus, and aware of what’s around you? Or for others, it’s okay to be messy. Some people work great in mayhem and find their priorities are put together.

You don’t want to spend your life working in a boring space, understanding your work habits and what makes you comfortable will make you thrive in your working environment. A big mistake you can make is not understanding your work habits, which will lead you creating havoc on your work and yourself.

The more you understand your habits, the less stress you become. The less stress you become, the more your work place is less boring.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Interning In The Fashion World In NY Can Be Toxic

2015-06-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

At the time, I didn’t have a whole lot of money, but I had my own ideas that I was trying to create and make happen, and interning in the fashion industry I thought was going to be the next great thing. The way we see today and the way we see everyday life is by this. Our view from our TV screen, the internet, from hearing stories from others, reading any publication, or even our cell phones and Wi-Fi – where ever we are & whatever we see – we tend to believe every little thing without creating a filter for ourselves. We aren’t as attention to detail as we think we are until we have to be.

Have you ever heard of the saying if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around, does it make a sound? Who cares if it makes a sound, it still has an effect. If I’m pitching a story idea to a fashion editor from InStyle Magazine at fashion week in New York and they turn it down, but somehow during the pitch they give me their email, did I still have an effect? Yes, I received their email.

I started interning with The Daily Front Row through meeting one of their editors Mr. Davis through my fashion blog. We met at New York City Fashion Week this past season and we talked about my work, blog, credibility, and more. He texted me and offered me an internship right after our conversation. At the time, I didn’t have a whole lot of money, but I had my own ideas that I was trying to create and make happen, and interning in the fashion industry with a magazine I thought was going to be the next great thing. I was for sure going to take full advantage of this opportunity and make a footprint there.

The fashion industry is make believe and such a materialistic industry. It’s fake. It’s not real. You learn as much as you take in. We live in a universe of give and receive, good and bad, happy and sad, up and down. No one will really help one another out, until you truly help yourself, and that can be said strongly for anyone who already works in or is interning in the fashion world. Getting an internship in fashion you set high standards for yourself, but getting an internship and having an internship are two different things.

After a few weeks of interning in the fashion world you realize how toxic things really are. A PR firm will fire you for unrelated problems or reasons, a magazine’s budget is too low to hire even anyone new, a showrooms office will have you crying on the floor, and so on and so on and so on. Don’t worry, interning in the fashion world isn’t as true as The Devil Wears Prada makes it seem. The truth about interning is understanding that there is not enough time during your internship. People who already work in the industry understand this method – which is that time does not exist. You can have anything you want, but you really truly need to want it in order to have it. Make an effort and show some respect. If you want more time, show time some respect.

By doing this you can accomplish a lot of things, but you have to remember, don’t expected to have work thrown at you constantly on a daily basis. As an intern, they may not even remember your name or why you’re even there and that’s okay, just don’t fall apart and become too toxic where you don’t even fit in. Making connections is the best part of it. Remember to take in what you can. I remember my first day working New York Fashion Week with my friend Eila, I didn’t know much about fashion, or I could even say that I didn’t know anything about fashion. I rarely watched fashion shows or even knew about certain designers, bloggers, writers, editors, models, and pretty much everything else. But even though I didn’t know much about the industry I was in, I made an effort and showed time, my boss, and myself some respect.

Remember, if you haven’t already figured out what you want, an internship is a great way to help you. Don’t overthink things or doubt yourself about applying – if you have the skills, then do it. If not – dabble around and touch up on those. Any internship you have in fashion may not even turn into a job, but any internship you have is an internship to take full advantage of. Remember if you want more time, show time some respect.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Feeling wanderlust is living without fear.

2015-05-26T19:01:00.001-07:00

You don’t even have to travel for this one, because all you have to do is travel with your mind, body and soul and everything else comes together. Living in fear is really something that most, or all of us do. It’s something that controls our entire day while ruining our entire mood. I deal with the same thing – sometimes it’s called anxiety, sometimes depression, or even nervousness.

My friend Tessa also deals with fear in her life. “Fear is something that we feel from the moment we are born, we just don't know it yet. Fear is what helps us go from crawling to walking to smiling to laughing to what keeps us breathing. While fear is something we associate with a negative connotation, it doesn't always have to be. Fear can be the one thing that allows us to live our dreams.

My fears, unfortunately, knows the negative manner all too well. My fears are what keep me from reaching what I want. I want everything. I want to feel love and life and everything in between. Only my fear, of failing, keeps me from reaching that goal.

It is what holds me back, like a rip current that keeps pulling me deeper and deeper into the ocean instead of pulling through. I let the what if's that fail to hold me back instead of the right nows and success keep me up. I am not sure why I let happen, why I let that small step keep a hold of me. Maybe when I get a taste of success, the love and career that I want, I'll be able to let loose of those what if's and just look to the right nows.” - Tessa

For me, when I deal with fear I always create a filter – this is something that I always do with myself, my relationships, my work and my spiritual vision. Most people are surprised to hear that I am a spiritual person just because I work in such a materialist world surrounded by the riches and famous. But I do. I’m not talking about doing rituals every day, I look at things different with a positive outlook and I do this by filtering out the bad and the good all together. And that’s my spiritual vision.

By doing this it helps me create a clear mind that lets me focus on myself with a clear heart. It makes things easier in life and simultaneously tales away all the bad. Now I’m not saying this will fix every fear you have within yourself because trust me, it won’t. I still deal with a lot of fear, but by doing this it makes things easier and clearer. I feel more secure with who I am and understand what makes my mind trigger and what makes my body tick - without letting the little things bother me. You’ll always have fear within yourself, just understand the good fear vs the bad fear and don’t let it travel throughout your mind, body, and soul.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Some names will always taste better.

2015-05-20T13:50:00.005-07:00

The real world isn’t as great as everyone makes it seem like it is. Think about it, how much propaganda do you see daily? From what you watch on TV to what you see on the news, to billboard advertisements and to everything you see online. Everyone thinks that their product or brand is the best and through marketing, campaigns, business proposals, and great money spent, they try to sell you that idea. It’s something you hear all the time, “Go for it and take the opportunity, it’s a great company to be with.” Be smart, know what you like and stick with it because some names will always taste better than others.

In the early 2000’s MTV and other TV stations started throwing around reality shows on our TV screen such as Laguna Beach, The City, America’s Next Top Model, The Real World, Newlyweds Nick & Jessica, The Real Housewives, Kell on Earth, and more. Out of these TV shows and whose been on them, who would you rather work for - Nick Lachey, Nigel Barker, Kristen Cavallari, Kelly Cutrone, or even Lizzie Rovsek? Is it because they are on TV and have a name, that’s why you’d love to work for them? How many people on these TV shows are actually “knowledge” worthy and how many are not?

It’s something that you need to figure out on when you’re on the path to finding a job and figuring out your future. The key to this is to be smart and to start saying no - (that’s if you understand this all). How do you start by saying no and getting a better understanding of this? By doing shitty work. Understand businesses and what each business offers. For example, look at media outlets. TMZ, The Daily Front Row, and even Paper Magazine. Magazine outlets will give you experience for working with future magazine outlets, but each one does something different and in their own way.

What is Paper offering compared to what The Daily Front Row is offering? Paper loves to make new compelling content as well as news – stuff you don’t already see in the news and TV. While The Daily Front Row creates stories off of current Fashion Week news as well as event interviews. A name like People’s Revolution and EMC Bowery – both PR firms – will read differently. Both run events and entertainment parties with higher names, however they do things their own way. Will you learn the same from each just because they are PR firms? Of course not. You’ll gain experience from both, but each PR firm is doing something completely different. You need to ask yourself that question. If you’re just sitting at a desk doing nothing compared to working with others and making schedules, one name will obviously taste better on paper.

Use this in your work field and even with people you meet. Whether it’s your friends, family, and even future relationships. People are going to always offer you something different from what someone else can offer you. Take what they give you and manifest it into yourself and your future. Because when you worked that fashion show in your local city and are applying to a company out in Los Angeles for a job, I can assure you that dressing models at your local show won’t read success on paper.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

What it feels like to never have a relationship all your life

2015-05-06T14:42:00.001-07:00

If you never been in love it becomes a common question as to when you’ll actually find it. Love seems to always creep up all around you wherever you go. While watching others go on second dates, act like goofballs, buy each other gifts, from the romantic cliché of feeding each other at dinner to even getting a third date; it becomes an obnoxious chatter left on repeat. It’s surprisingly rare to find someone to share your life with, but when you do you never want to let that person go.

But for someone like me, it’s a completely different story. I’m almost in my mid 20’s and I never had a girlfriend, never been in a relationship, never held a girls hand in public, never told a girl I loved her, never had the second date. The common number I’m used to is three, as three being the 3^rd wheel.

As you get older you realize that relationships are an important part of growing up and maturing as a person because you learn. You learn communication, to trust, accepting someone as who they are, discovering new places, and more importantly you learn about yourself and you become a better person. The act to actually falling in love with another person, fading into each other, and helping your partner become a better person is truly magical.

For those of us, like myself who never experience falling in love we see it as a scary and messy place to be. I can’t tell you how many times I have been on only a “one date” and never had the “second date” with a girl, it never goes anywhere for me. I always feel lost. Is it me, or is it her? I predict that it’s usually me.

All of my friends are dating or have dated someone in the past and of course, they know what it’s like, they’ve been through it all. Picture taking, romantic movie nights, meeting someone’s parents, fights, long nights on the phone, and everything else that comes along with having someone in your life. I on the other hand haven’t been as lucky to experience anything like that. In your mid 20’s you end up going through a lot when love is all around you, except with you. I’ll have my friends tell me over and over again, “You’re missing out on something so beautiful. Being able to connect with someone and experience a bond that you two can share” – trust me, I know.

Never having a relationship all your life you really don’t know what that’s like. You know what it’s like to feel broken, to feel lost, and you eventually become really insecure. You tend to get into a black hole where you never know what to do. “I don’t understand, why won’t she text me back? We made plans what happened? You got too drunk so you met someone else? You don’t like my cooking, you don’t like pasta and meatballs?” It feels sad and most times depressing, but more than anything, never having a relationship feels rejuvenating.

How many times have you gone out and have seen a couple holding hands, maybe they are on one of their first dates or maybe they’re going to a wedding together as a plus one. I know I have. No matter how long you have dated someone, it’s more than just being “together.” Many people think that love conquers all, but it’s more than love that makes a relationship work such as communicating, being in sync with each other, your significant other will make you a better person, you balance each other out, and more. Relationships work through all different ways and never having one gives it a refreshing look.

Today this hook up culture we have created we question dating, in relationships what are the deal breakers? Why are we not dating anymore? People today aren’t really looking for everlasting relationships. They’d rather spend their nights in bed with someone new and under the influence. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind having some drinks and sleeping around, but it’s not my forte. Find yourself first.

Some like myself, focus on themselves and are career driven. It’s a perfect thing because you leave your comfort zone and everything eventually else comes together. When you don’t look for love, it comes to you. To some, love is beautiful and magical and to others love is full of creativity and imagination, but no matter who you are whether you had plenty of relationships or never even had a second date, you have to learn to put your own insecurities aside while just having fun. Someday I know I’m going to make a great dad and a great husband.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

“Dreaming is not just about sitting there and envisioning it..”

2015-04-27T16:49:00.001-07:00

It doesn’t come to a surprise the people that walk into your life are just like you, but you just don’t know it yet. We all feel a lot of the same things. Whether those things are brokenhearted, in loved, joyful, winning, happy, excited, torn apart, or even fucked in a way where we break down crying, we all have been there and done that. Until you really get to know someone, you only make judgments by a few words, appearances, and footwear. New York Fashion Week is a sea of “dreamers” people making things happen or looking to make things happen. We have seen and heard what Kanye has said about his dream - American Dream. “You know, people say bad news travels fast, but this year let’s make good news travel faster. You get what you put out…” Che’Nelle who’s an artist out from Asia is making a difference chasing her dream, she is changing the culture scene out in Asia. Here’s her story.

“My dream I have to say consists of so many elements. In music, I have been blessed to have a successful career in Japan and my growth has been soaring throughout the years. I've learned that what would continue to keep me feeling fulfilled is for the music that I create to go worldwide. It's not often that an artist who is Asian and from Asia has their music broken into the international market. The belief of that being impossible is slowly disappearing because more and more artists like Gangnam and Far East movement are changing the music scene and proving that belief to be a lie.

Watching that change keeps me excited and being a female Asian singer in the market I would like to inspire people of all cultures in the world to feel and know that all things are possible even when society tries to limit our possibilities. So I don't know how to get to what I see in my mind but I have enough faith that God will lead me that way as long as I stay consistent and never give up what I love doing!

World peace sounds like a fiction novel sometimes however it has not stopped me from dreaming about it. It takes one individual at a time to create more peace, it starts with us and too often us humans spend too much time judging and blaming everything and everyone for the not so good things that happen in this world. I don't have control over the people making bombs and starting wars and leaving children to starve however I do have control in what I have to say and share with the world through music. I may not change the world the way I'd like but the things that I can do allows me to make that difference even if it may be small. If every single human in this world makes a difference in their own way to spread more love peace and positivity. Then whoa!!! I'm sure you could imagine what that would be like. If you see it you can achieve it. Dreaming is not just about sitting there and envisioning it. It's a combination of seeing it in your mind, believing it and taking action towards it.”

The truth is you are not alone and even though you may think it, no one is smarter than you. You can accomplish your dream if you go out and put the effort. You get what you put out, and what you put out, comes back in. Che’Nelle, Kanye, and myself dreams are becoming a reality and so can yours.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal

Worrier To Warrior

2015-04-20T19:27:00.003-07:00

If people wanted to make a difference in the world they would bring in the fashion bitches because nobody gets things done better then they do. “Uncross your legs ladies!” “Stop dragging those Prada dresses on the floor!” “You’re fucking up my runway, I need you to leave now.” It’s not a way of life, it’s just the ways of a fast pace industry where things need to get done on a deadline and this is how it’s done. It’s a way of becoming a warrior, learning what you’re good at and what you’re not to become a stronger individual - pretty much what makes you tick.

I learned a lot about myself, and not just from being in the fashion industry, but from myself before I was in the fashion industry. I was the socially awkward shy boy who kept quiet and avoided making friends. I wasn’t the most popular in school but I for sure was getting the laughs from people who were jerks, when in reality they actually didn’t even know me. This part of my life was called, high school days. But that was then and this is now, today I’m more confident and have a better head on my shoulders. I’m a warrior – a strong confident human being.

I became a warrior for what I went through and I’m not the only one. Sam Lenza, who I went to high school with, also became a warrior and she told me, “We are all beautiful, flawed, at times not as accepting of those flaws but I want everyone as an individual to be proud of who they are. I want to help those that are down and at the end of the day I want a world that is happy and peaceful for all of us to live in, a world where we all may have ups and downs but at the end of the day we all love ourselves for who we are or who we have become”.

Here’s her story at 21. “I started experiencing depression and PTSD as a small child due to some horrific experiences. By the age of 19 I started to experience anxiety becoming an issue in my life, I did what most people would do and I started counseling and seeing psychiatrist’s for my issues. I started taking medication at the age of 20 and from that point my life has been difficult to deal with due to my problems and from the medications I started to take for these issues. I was on, what seemed to be a constant battle with my own thoughts and an emotional roller coaster with my anxiety. When I started to take medication for anxiety I thought at first it was effective, due to the medication temporarily masking the issue.

Over time my anxiety and depression only seemed to get worse and I was in need (from what psychiatrists believed) more medication. This only started a downward spiral of me almost always being an emotional mess and the doctors always relied more on the medication as a “treatment” for my depression and anxiety. The doctors for the majority didn’t ever seem like they wanted to help me. They were always most concerned with the medication. After time, my anxiety only seemed to escalate. My life got to the point where I was always relying on medication to “fix me”. After taking multiple medications over the years they only became a crutch for me. It got to the point where I was always reaching for the pill bottle when I was anxious or sad, and it was never the right answer. I learned that when all of this psychiatric medication caused my depression and anxiety to escalate to the point where I ended up in a psych ward. There I started to become only more brain washed to just rely on medications for the rest of my life. These doctors only FURTHER brain washed me. When I came home from the ward and was back in reality I had a moment of clarity and caused me to start thinking back to a time when I had all of these issues and wasn’t taking any medication. It was only then I finally realized, all of this medication caused these problems to not only still occur, but further escalate. I knew at that moment that these meds never truly helped me but prevented the inevitable, temporarily.

I threw away all of the medication, took a long and hard look at myself in the mirror and said to myself “What are you doing? You’re better than this, and you’re stronger than this”. I came to the realization that medication has truly never helped or benefited my life for the long run, only temporarily. I have always wanted to help others throughout my existence and make others happy but not just happy for the time being, but happy with themselves. As a child and young adult I always struggled with bullies, which wasn’t a good contribution to my already not satisfying home life, which is where it all began. But no matter how sad I ever was or unhappy with myself I became, It was always my mission to help others, and if ever a time someone didn’t get better I felt as though I have failed.

Despite all of the trauma I’ve had from my past I was strong and at times it only made me stronger and motivated me to keep pushing to help others from my experience. I know what it’s like to feel worthless, I know what it’s like to no longer want to be a part of this world, and I know more than anything what it feels like to want to give up. I feel as though my own experiences would only help my mission that much more, being able to relate to people in need of some positive support and knowing what they are going through. As I went on through life telling my story to others it , at times inspired others to realize that no matter how hard life may seem sometimes, we as individuals can always overcome it, we just have to want it. I kept going forward spreading my story with friends and people I saw struggling, to give them a more perspective on how cruel this world could truly be, but most importantly to never let it hinder who you are as a person and to only use those traumatic experiences to help others in need who may have gone through similar struggles.

We as a human race don’t always need medication in order to help us; we just need some understanding, and compassion from another to help us keep on pushing forward. I’ve been told by many that my advice, my story, or even just being there for someone to talk to helped more than I would ever know. My only hope is that I can have the chance and opportunity to help as many people as I can. I don’t want people to feel as though drugs are the answer to happiness. Before I leave this earth I still want people to hear my words and to always stay positive and keep going forward in their lives.”

The truth is we can’t go through this life alone, we need one another. We all have been through some horrific experience at some point in our life. For me, I’ve been through plenty and experienced some frightening outcomes, and I’m still here. When people ask how I sleep, I say I sleep like a fucking baby. In end when you realize what has all happened, you’ll understand that it’s not a breakdown, it’s a breakthrough.

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Mahipal SoCal - @mahipalsocal