The Page That Loves A Grapple

Manuel Pellegrini is facing a crisis that's not as bad as last year's crisis, Robbie Savage wants to stand by the predictions that were over-rided by the other predictions...

Written Off
The spotlight is very much on the terrible form of Manchester City in Friday's newspapers, with The Sun (amongst others) hammering the 'Deja Blue' line about City's title defence being even worse than two years ago.

'They actually had four points more at the end of October 2012 than they do now,' writes Martin Blackburn above a graphic showing that City indeed had 21 points from nine games in 2012 and they have just 17 points today.

What the graphic doesn't show and Blackburn doesn't mention: They had 16 points from nine games last season when, you know, they went on to win the Premier League title. So maybe, just maybe, drawing conclusions in October is a tad foolish.


Deja Blue Again
Quite how 'boss Pellegrini battles to keep title fight alive' with a points total higher than the same stage last season is not made clear by the Daily Mirror.

'This weekend, Chelsea could be nine points clear of City,' writes David Anderson as he ponders a 'nightmare' and 'the biggest crisis' of Manuel Pellegrini's reign.

And this time last year, Arsenal could have gone nine points clear of City; they didn't because Manchester City hammered Norwich 7-0 on their way to the Premier League title.


Six-Pointer
"In my time, we used to go there and say to ourselves 'it's six points a season'," says Andy Cole in the Daily Mirror as derby day approaches.

Number of league games between United and City during Andy Cole's seven years at the club: Five.


Desperate Back Page Of The Day
From the Daily Mail's 'DRONE ALERT!' story: 'POLICE are on red alert amid fears supporters will disrupt Sunday's Manchester derby by flying drones into the Etihad Stadium. Suspicions have been raised that fans will use drones to fly messages into the ground...'

And suspicions have been raised that the Daily Mail did not have a back page until Jack Gaughan came up with this crock of sh*t at roughly 8.25 on Thursday night.


Fairy Garden
The Sun's Chief Grumpypants Steven Howard has previously written that Louis van Gaal is 'away with the fairies' so he is in no mood to give Manchester United credit for a home draw with Chelsea.

'They still required a 94th-minute Robin van Persie equaliser against a team without Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Ramires,' writes an incredulous Howard.

You couldn't beat a Chelsea side without their third-choice central midfielder? They only had Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas and you still couldn't win? Now that's sodding embarrassing.

United players missing on Sunday: Jonny Evans, Phil Jones, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao.


INSIGHT
They're the 'talk of football' so it's to The Sun's columnists Alan Shearer and Ian Wright that Mediawatch turns for the low-down ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby. Who better to answer all the big questions but two former footballers with no connection to either team and little to no managerial experience?

To save you the subscription fee, we bring you the salient points from the big preview...

Why have City collapsed in the last three games?
AS: 'Hunger...who wants it more...not just about turning up.'
IW: 'Attitude...hunger...wanted it more...bodies on the line.'

'Robin Van Persie looked rejuvenated...is he still United's key player up front?
AS: Not really (we're paraphrasing here).
IW: 'He is still THE main man.'

Rooney...scissor-kick...too wound up...blah blah
AS: 'I believe he is mature enough to make sure he doesn't get too wound up.'
IW: 'The one thing you can guarantee with Wayne is that he is more than capable of coming up with the big goal on the big occasion.'

(NB: Rooney has scored against one top-half side - West Ham - in the whole of 2014).

Sergio Aguero...is he the Premier League's top finisher?
AS: Doesn't really answer the question but 'back to his best he will terrorise a shaky Manchester United backline'.
IW: 'He's EVERY defence's worst nightmare.'

Is Angel Di Maria Sunday's potential matchwinner?
AS: 'He can be a matchwinner.'
IW: 'Di Maria IS a matchwinner, simple as that.'

What's up with Yaya Toure?
AS: 'He has just not looked happy.'
IW: 'Don't rule him out having a huge say on Sunday.'

And that, people, is the 'talk of football'.


Cutting Political Teeth
"I can't believe it, but that's politics in football isn't it?" - Steven Gerrard on Luis Suarez's omission from the Ballon d'Or nominees list.

No Steven, that's biting in football.


Standing By
Robbie Savage on Aston Villa, August 15, Daily Mirror: 'Sorry, but I think they are going to struggle. The owner wants out and new signings Cole, Richardson and Senderos are not going to pull up any trees. Roy Keane will be a positive influence as manager Paul Lambert's No.2 but it could be a close call with relegation.'

Robbie Savage predicts a 15th-place finish for Aston Villa, September 4, Daily Mirror: 'I will NOT be changing my mind on the major issues at both ends of the table. This is how I think the Premier League will look next May, and I will stand or fall by these predictions.'

Robbie Savage on Aston Villa, October 31, Daily Mirror: 'Before a ball was kicked. I predicted that Villa would struggle this season, although I said they would NOT go down. A month into the season, after they won at Liverpool, I upgraded my forecast towards a comfortable mid-table finish...I'm afraid we are back to where we were in August, and I stand by my original forecast.'

The Savage guide to punditry: Make a whole host of contrasting predictions. And then stand by the one that comes true. Until it doesn't.


Hotel.com
Daily Mail, March 6: 'With Brazil hosting the World Cup this June and July, it is no surprise that Beckham is in town for the country's most important annual event. And with the footballing legend reportedly staying at the Fasano hotel on Ipanema Beach - the most stylish address in the city - MailOnline Travel takes a peek inside the city's top design hotel.'

Daily Mail, May 19: 'After arriving at the airport to a bevvy of female fans, David Beckham - who carried all his own luggage - retreated to the Fasano hotel in Ipanema Beach, known as the most stylish hotel in Rio.'

Daily Mail, June 17, in an article including 11 photographs of the Fasano hotel: 'In Brazil to support her husband and the England team, Coleen Rooney has just checked in to Rio de Janeiro's Fasano hotel with her family. Set on stylish Ipanema Beach, the £700-a-night hotel rubs shoulders with some of the most exclusive shops and boutiques in the city and has become something of a celebrity favourite.'

Daily Mail, June 17: 'Looking tired she carried her four-year-old son Kai into the Fasano luxury hotel which overlooks Ipanema beach...'

Charlie Sale, Daily Mail, June 18: 'The super friendly Brazilian welcome for the Rooney family at the Fasano Hotel on Ipanema Beach includes staff putting a tepee-style tent in their room plus cuddly toys, chocolates and Brazil shirts for children Kai and Klay.'

Daily Mail, September 1: 'Continuing our series on the world's hippest hotels and the stars who frequent them, Sarah Turner checks out the Fasano in Rio de Janeiro...'

Neil Ashton, Daily Mail, October 31: 'Sipping cappuccinos by the pool of the striking Fasano hotel in Rio de Janeiro last summer, Rio Ferdinand couldn't wait to get back to work...'

Mediawatch just hopes that Sale and Ashton didn't have to share a twin room.


His Name Is Rio...
It is from Ashton that we learn that Ferdinand 'deserves a better swansong' than being in a relegation battle with QPR and getting banned by the FA for a 'yo mamma' tweet. Neither of which are remotely his fault, of course. Poor Rio. 

But there are always silver linings - at least he got to sip cappuccinos by the pool of the striking Fasano hotel. We hear it's wonderful.


Quote Of The Day
"I've never read it. I don't know where you get it from. Every day someone has got something to say on Twitter. I don't understand. It would be easier - it would save all the hassle - if no one was on Twitter" - Harry Redknapp, just over a year after the famous #askHarry Q&A on the mysterious Twitter.


Worst Headline Of The Day
'SAMTA CLAUS' - The Daily Mirror.


Non-Football Story Of The Day
'A woman at a German pharmacy squirted breastmilk at a store clerk to distract staff as she stole from the cash register, police say. The woman, between the ages of 35 and 40, entered a pharmacy in Darmstadt, located 30 km south of Frankfurt, on Monday and said she was interested in purchasing a breast pump, the Darmstadt News reported. When she went to pay for the pump, she exposed a breast and used her hand to squirt milk at the clerk. She continued to spray milk on the counter, and approached a second cash register, police said' - Toronto Sun.

The Saturday Gossip

Real Madrid to bid £20m for Lloris, Napoli may deny they want Balotelli but secretly they do, and new Gerrard deal...



SPURS BRACED FOR LLORIS BID
According to the Daily Express, Real Madrid are plotting a £20m bid for Hugo Lloris in January.

The France No.1 signed a new five-year deal in the summer, but it's thought he remains desperate to play in the Champions League, which clearly won't happen with Spurs any time soon.

'The Spanish giants have turned to Tottenham's France goalkeeper as a possible replacement for the long-serving Iker Cassillas, who has had an inconsistent campaign,' report the Express.

'Real will be prepared to wait until next summer if a deal cannot be done in January, while French giants Paris St Germain, who targeted Chelsea's Petr Cech in the summer, are also interested.'


NAPOLI STILL KEEN ON BALOTELLI
Napoli may have denied holding an interest in Mario Balotelli this week, but The Metro maintain the Serie A side are keen on the striker as they prepare a 'major' offer.

'A £10million deal was being talked up this week, but now new reports say Napoli are prepared to offer Liverpool a huge fee to try and sign Balotelli in the new year,' claim The Metro.

'Benitez is keen to partner the former Manchester City man with Gonzalo Higuain and is confident of persuading Liverpool into selling.'

We're not convinced about this one.


LIVERPOOL TO OPEN TALKS WITH GERRARD
Just a day after Steven Gerrard hinted he would be willing to play elsewhere if Liverpool don't offer him a new contract, there are reports that the Reds want to open talks.

The 34-year-old's current deal expires at the end of the season, prompting him to say on earlier this week: "I won't be retiring this summer. I will play beyond this season. We will have to wait and see if that's at Liverpool or somewhere else. That's Liverpool's decision."

However, according to the Daily Mail, Brendan Rodgers still believes his captain can play a key role next year and wants an extension to be arranged ASAP.


AND THE REST
Manuel Pellegrini says Man City were priced out of a summer move for Angel di Maria...Brighton have signed keeper Ali Al Habsi on loan from Wigan...Netherlands striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has held talks over a new contract with German club Schalke which could scupper the hopes of Liverpool and Arsenal of signing him on a free next summer...Wolves are set to sign former Man Utd keeper Tomasz Kuszczak...Bradford are ready to sign striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake...Norwich have vowed to keep £5m striker Gary Hooper...Former Manchester United and Everton manager David Moyes is wanted by Spanish side Real Sociedad...

Liverpool Lose Again

Newcastle recorded their fourth straight victory as substitute Ayoze Perez secured them a 1-0 home win over Liverpool.

The marked upturn in form for Alan Pardew's Magpies continued on Saturday as Perez - the match-winner at Tottenham in their last league outing - struck the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute at St James' Park on Saturday, following a defensive mistake by Alberto Moreno.

The three points moved Newcastle up to ninth ahead of the rest of the weekend's top-flight action, just one point behind the seventh-place Reds.

Pardew made significant changes after Wednesday's 2-0 Capital One Cup victory at Manchester City with Rob Elliot, Massadio Haidara, Ryan Taylor, Rolando Aarons and Adam Armstrong making way for Tim Krul, Steven Taylor, Moussa Sissoko, Sammy Ameobi and Papiss Cisse.

Mario Balotelli returned to Liverpool's starting line-up after scoring his first goal in nine games against Swansea in midweek. The Italian striker was one of seven changes to the side which progressed to the Capital One Cup quarter-finals as he, Simon Mignolet, Moreno, Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrard, Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling replaced Rickie Lambert, Brad Jones, Javier Manquillo, Kolo Toure, Lucas Leiva, Lazar Markovic and Fabio Borini.

After Skrtel deflected a fourth-minute Cisse shot wide, Newcastle had a penalty appeal turned down when Allen challenged Sissoko in the Liverpool penalty area, but Andre Marriner quickly waved play on.

The visitors were noticeably struggling to impose themselves on the game, with lone striker Balotelli and wide-man Sterling too often isolated whereas holding midfielder Mehdi Abeid was coming to the fore for the hosts.

Gabriel Obertan had to be stretchered off on 27 minutes with what looked to be a torn thigh muscle, allowing midweek goal hero Aarons to enter the fray.

Mignolet needed the help of defender Glen Johnson to head Cisse's 37th-minute shot off the line but it was Skrtel who had the best chance of the first half when he flashed a header wide of the post in the 40th minute from Gerrard's corner.

Cisse might have caused problems for Mignolet in injury time after Skrtel had been booked for a cynical trip on Sissoko two yards outside the penalty area, but the Senegal international lifted his effort high over.

Perez replaced Cisse - who had been struggling with a knee problem - before the restart, and Sissoko was somewhat fortunate to only receive a booking soon after for a studs-up challenge on Allen.

The visitors went close five minutes after the restart when Balotelli forced a solid save from Krul with a dipping, swerving free-kick, and the Holland international had to pluck another effort from the Italian out of the air five minutes later.

In the 57th minute, Krul made a superb one-handed save to his left to keep out Philippe Coutinho's header from a Gerrard cross from the right - but the flag had already been raised for offside.

Gerrard was playing significantly higher up the pitch and was far more effective as a result, although full-back Paul Dummett gave the visitors something to think about when he strode forward on the hour and blasted a left-foot drive just over.

Remy Cabella came on for Ameobi and Borini replaced Allen midway through the second period as Pardew and Brendan Rodgers looked to spice up their attacks.

The home side picked up the pace and drove Liverpool back towards their own goal as the half wore on, but with Gerrard pulling the strings, Liverpool were a different proposition and Borini fired wide from distance after running on to Sterling's 70th-minute lay-off.

Liverpool took a more direct approach in their search to break the deadlock, but ended up being punished by Perez.

After a one-two with Dummett, Sissoko's pass intended for Cabella was intercepted but crucially not cleared by the stumbling Moreno, allowing Newcastle's Spanish ace to hammer the loose ball home.

Mignolet made an impressive save shortly afterwards to deny Cabella after a quick break involving Perez, while the visitors pushed for an equaliser at the other end - but to no avail.

Newcastle's next assignment is away to West Brom on Sunday week. Liverpool, who failed to score away from home in the league for the first time in almost a year, are away to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night before then hosting Chelsea next Saturday.

LIVE Fashion Illustrating with Lexicon of Style

Hello My Darlings,

I hope you've had a wonderful week thus far. SO much is changing in my world at the moment and I can't WAIT to reveal the big news with all of you. In the meantime, I'm thrilled to finally share the collaboration I did with my dear friend, the uber talented scarf designer and blogger Alexandra Dieck of Lexicon of Style!! Alex and I met this past Spring while taking that incredibly inspiring Blogging for Fashion Business class at FIT. We had an instant connection, as we are both super passionate entrepreneurs. Shortly thereafter we discovered that not only did we both live in the West Village, but we were also featured in the same Glamour Magazine New York Fashion Week Video from this past February 2014!! Clearly we were destined to become friends...continue reading after the jump!!

We thought it would be great to combine both of our passions one afternoon, whereby I would illustrate Alex in her element of personal style blogging, while showcasing her beautiful scarf designs. Needless to say, the afternoon was an aaaaamazing success. Nothing beats live illustrating...correction, nothing beats live illustrating super gorgeous and stylish fashion blogger/models standing in the streets of New York City (yeahhhhhh loves it!!!!). So if you yourself are an illustrator with a desire to illustrate fashion figures from life, connect, connect, connect with your lovely friends who also share a passion for fashion that would be willing to pose for you one afternoon. It will get you prepped for your moments illustrating live from the runway of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week naturally (yes?!, YES!!).

So get out there, start connecting, collaborating, and drawing, and don't forget to share with me the results. More to come.

Much love,
Meag xx

Photos by Lordale B

Take Me to Hong Kong : MOSCHINO Resort 2015

Hi My Little Love Bugs, 

Happy Sunday evening to you all! I hope you had a refreshing two days off in the sun. I spent the weekend working on commissions and soul cycling my body back into shape. Seriously, I kick started my Saturday with a 45 min session in SOHO at 8:30 AM (in the dark, candles lit, music blaring, instructor headbanging) and biked the remainder of the day through Central Park. I cannot contain my smile when I hop on a bike in New York City. Equal parts terrifying and liberating, it feels so good to be enjoying exercise in the sun. By the time I returned home, I was starting to paint this piece by 10 PM Saturday evening. I'm seriously getting old, no late night NYC dance session for me as of late.

Anyway, I really wanted to paint this gif as part of a continued MOSCHINO series I started with the post Fast Fashion. Since bringing Jeremy Scott onboard as the label's new Creative Director, there isn't a star in the world who isn't rocking at least one piece of this brand's gear on tour (hello Miley, Yonce, Katy Perry, RiRi etc). When I clicked through the designer's Resort 2015 collection on Style.com, I somehow identified with the all-attitude, gangsta blonde, modelling the looks. She seemed to be screaming Drake lyrics through her smouldering schmize (smiling-eyes, thanks Tyra Banks) which is what I attempt to do in New York every damn day. No new friends, no new friends, no new friends, no no new...what?! Just go with it.

So I decided to travel vicariously through this MOSCHINO lookbook model and illustrate her in Hong Kong (I'm putting my intentions out into the universe, as I deeply hope to travel throughout Asia this Fall). I loved the juxtaposition of her 90's New Kids oversized t-shirt against the city light show of Hong Kong. And there you have it...Take Me to Hong Kong. Now can someone from Jeremy Scott's team please send me a trunk of his incredibly genius pop culture clothing?! Thanks!! I have much more to share on here this week my darlings so stay tuned, but for now SLEEEEEEPPPP.

Much love,
Meag xx

24 Hrs in Toronto - A TWD Guide

Happy Thursday My Darlings,

I hope you've been enjoying your week so far. I have been riding on my 5 year New York anniversary high lately, seeking out new adventures in the city including getting on my first citibike woot woot look out!! I can't thank you enough for the beautiful comments you left on my blog and Instagram for that post. Sharing 4 of my 5 years in New York with all of you on this blog has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever experienced. I'm so excited to continue evolving with all of you.

Anyway, as I mentioned on my illustrated scarf post, I spent a whirlwind weekend in Toronto a few days ago for a friend's wedding. So often in New York I have friends asking me for recommendations of what to see, do, where to eat, and shop in Toronto, so I thought it would be useful to compile a Travel Write Draw Guide to 24hrs in the city. Below are the links for each section so you can do a little more investigating if you plan to make a journey to this beautiful city in the near future.

WEAR: Toronto is a fairly casual city so pack your best gladiators and sunnies to hit the streets!

belle by Sigerson Morrison bianca caged gladiators

FINDS + Karen Walker sunnies

LISTEN: You can't visit Toronto and not listen to Drake in his hometown. Also, everything Majestic Casual sets the tone for this laid back city.

Drake Nothing Was The Same 

Majestic Casual Playlist

EAT: One of my favorite spots to visit in Toronto is St. Lawrence Market for the oodles of food porn inspiration. Also, I literally salivate over the thought of Holts Cafe's tartines on Bloor. Finish off your city stroll with a fresh macaron from Nadege on Queen Street West.

DO: I absolutely adore Toronto's beautiful architecture. We have world class designers behind our city's greatest art galleries and museums including the ROM and AGO. You'll also be able to catch a great glimpse of the contemporary OCAD University that sits above the city on crayon colored pillars.

SHOP: Toronto's shopping is a little more varied and spotty so be prepared to walk and hop on the metro to get from Queen to Bloor (Queen being much more casual trendy and Bloor catering to the Madison Avenue type). The best route would be to start at Queen St. and John St., walk west and head north to Kensington for some vintage hunting. Then you can saunter off to Bloor St. and explore Yorkville to see the best of high end shopping Toronto has to offer.

ON THE WAY OUT: Visit Niagara Falls!! While driving back from Toronto to New York on my last road trip, we found ourselves taking one wrong turn and ended up at this stunning waterfall. Honestly, this was the greatest error made in road trip history, or at least it was for me.

There is so much more I could recommend and advise in Toronto but for now I will leave you with this.

Much love,
Meag xx

Top 5 Things I've Learned While Living in New York

Hello My Loves,

How have you been?! I hope you're all feeling refreshed from your weekend. I for one am over the moon while writing this post because this weekend marks my 5 year anniversary of living in the Empire State, New York City!!!! This is truly a joyous occasion. I feel like I'm honestly celebrating my birthday. For those of you who have followed my journey on this blog the past four years, you know that I'm a Canadian citizen, and that life as a legal alien living in NYC has been anything but a cakewalk. That said, my heart could honestly burst when I think of all the wonderful experiences I have had while fighting for my dream here in the Big Apple. I feel so incredibly fortunate everyday that I have had the opportunity to pursue my greatest passion, fashion illustration, in the city that never sleeps.

Moving to New York undoubtedly changed the course of my life forever. It marked my decision to leave behind comfort and convention for the potential of a life filled with passion, purpose, and creativity. It was proof to myself that I believed in something greater, that I had a burning fire deep down within me that believed I could live the life I so badly dreamed of. This post, however, is really for all of you lovely and loyal Travel Write Draw readers. So many of you write me beautiful emails asking questions about my career as an illustrator and what it's like to live in New York. Well here are my answers out in the open for all of you; a comprehensive Top 5 of what I've learned, and what you can expect as a creative in arguably the greatest city on the planet.

1. Dream big, start small, expect nothing: When I first applied to attend FIT while still living in Toronto, I had a million ideas of what my life would look like when I moved to New York. I expected to be embraced wholeheartedly by the glamourous world of fashion the minute I moved here. I thought I would be given the key to the industry on a silver platter. I imagined I would have my own company straight out of my associates in illustration, making my own illustrated accessories, coffee table books, and absolutely killing it financially. Needless to say I had BIG dreams and even BIGGER expectations and that often led to HUGE disappointment. 

I'm not suggesting you don't dream because that is vital to getting here and surviving when the road gets tough. Rather I suggest you be reasonable with yourself. Unless you have an obscene amount of family money, chances are you will not be killing it as an artist in New York when you first start out. You have to build your empire starting from the ground up, not from the top of the castle down. No opportunity I've had here has come without me working my ass off to make it happen. I have had to work full-time to support myself and stay in the country and only now, 5 years later, does that have the possibility of changing.

 
    
2. Sometimes you get lucky but mostly you just work hard: This could also just as easily be titled "living your dream is actually not a dream just a lot of hard work" lol. As I mentioned above, every opportunity I have had in this city is a result of working harder than I ever imagined I was capable of. I have pushed through so many bloody obstacles in this city it is a running joke with my family and friends that someone must have put a curse on me along the way. 

But thinking like this gets you nowhere. You just have to embrace your circumstances and rely on no one other than yourself to make shit happen. And I really mean this. Magic might very well exist in the world but it isn't anything we have control over, SO if you want things to happen in your career then focus on what you can control: working hard!! Work hard and people will respect you. Work hard and you will respect yourself. Work hard and your dream won't be a dream, it will be your reality. 

3. Compromise is key: New York is a city of compromise. It is nearly impossible to have it all unless you are making a half a million a year or have a trust fund. NYC really forces you to think about what you value most and build your life around those top priorities. For me, having easy access to the best restaurants, shops, subway stations, art galleries, the Hudson River, and my full-time job all took precedence over the size of my apartment. 

Those values are slowly starting to change as I'm getting older and long for my own personal space and room to create my artwork. Just keep your reason for being in the city at the forefront always. You may have to live further away from Manhattan to afford being here but who cares if it means you get to live within access of all this city has to offer.



4. Believe in Yourself: this may be the most important life lesson I have ever learned in life never mind living in New York. This city is absolutely every bit as crazy as you expect it to be. If you want to be the best version of yourself, go against the best, you have to remember to not lose site of who you really are along the way. Sometimes it can be so discouraging when you realize just how competitive New York (i.e. the world) really is. This is especially the case when you come from small towns and are often the big fish in a small pond. 

But life isn't meant to be lived in a bubble and truthfully the saying "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere" happens to still be VERY true in the fashion industry. Paris, London, and Milan may be stunning fashion capitals but when you make it in London you still have to make it in New York to matter in fashion. That is just the way it is and if people tell you otherwise they are only fooling themselves and attempting to fool you too.    

5. Anything is possible but ultimately it's up to you: This goes hand in hand with my post from not long ago, Don't Wait for Opportunities, Create Them! No one became an overnight success by sitting in front of the TV morning and night and not working towards their dream. And now with social media being as prevalent as it is, if you do not have web presence, you don't exist. I hate to be so blunt in this post and honestly I wish that half of what I was writing wasn't true. 

I wish I didn't have to be so plugged into social media all the time to keep my career going. I am actually much more of an introvert than I might come across. But if you want to be in the game, you have to put your sneakers on and get running otherwise no one is going to see how brilliantly talented you really are. Put yourself out there even if it scares you, actually, especially BECAUSE it scares you. If you aren't struggling in some capacity, you probably aren't growing either, and sunshine you were meant to grow BIG!!

I hope this post was helpful to all of you who have ever wondered what it is like to live in New York as a creative. There is no mystic, it is your choice, so if you want it make it happen!! Here's to another 5 years of this blog and our journey together as a Travel Write Draw family. Love to you all and be sure to have a glass of champagne in our honor wherever you are in the world today.

Much love,
Meag xx