ALONG COMES MARY

Sometimes as a wanna-be LA scene blogger, I will have moments where I stop and think, “I cannot believe I am here.” If you had told me “back in the day” that I would be living in Los Angeles at last pursuing my dreams of writing and somewhat working in press, I would have not believed you.

Whether it’s when I get approved for a concert, invited out for a delicious meal, or get to be whisked off on a press trip, it still can feel very un-real. I had one of those “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore” nights recently when I got to check out the new Village Promenade at Westfield-Topanga in Woodland Hills and meet Nicole Richie.

When I was a teenager, I was extremely insecure. I turned to all the wrong sources for inspiration which just added to my self doubts. I would wish I was as skinny as the girls in Seventeen magazine, had more dates (or even just a date) like the girls on the TV shows. You get the idea. There was also a group of socialites and celebrities I despised. Instead of focusing on who I did admire and ignoring those I did not care for, I would definitely poke fun at women in the spotlight I did not even know. At. All.

One of my victims? Nicole Richie.

I almost felt like a hypocrite for attending an event where I would have the opportunity to meet and greet Nicole. I would make fun of her to myself and to friends that her, as well as the other women in her circles were….certain things. Like, too thin, drugged up, dumb, etc. Looking back, even though I did not say things like this to anyone personally, it did NOT make it ok,. I felt super guilty as I waited in line for my photo op with Nicole.

What if I did know her? What if she were one of my friends? I would NEVER make the kind of remarks that I used to. When my turn was up to say hi and get a picture with her, I was struck with how sweet and down to earth this woman is. She’s real. Despite I’m certain our lifestyles are completely different, she is still human. It is so un-kind how the media snickers and creates fodder from rumors about celebrities like her and then the public, like me, have a field day running with the crap we see on TV and read in tabloids.

During my mere seconds with her, I sensed that this is a girl I could be friends with. She loves fashion and having fun. During the interview on style and home decor with interior designer, Nathan Turner, they joked about her love for fried chicken. I could imagine Nicole chowing down on her fried chicken while I my nachos and we gab on about fashion and life. Not making fun of people, assuming things or wondering how they stay so skinny, just having fun, being real.

All of this was a real wake up call to me. It just so happened to be National Bullying Prevention Month. While I have never been a bully to anyone, I definitely have been un-charitable to people over the years. I am guilty of saying things that put people in a not so great light. Usually individuals I don’t even know, like Nicole. I really feel to get to the heart of ending violence, taunting, and bullying, we need to start with the small, so-called ‘harmless’ habits we have. Reading tabloids and feeling as if it’s acceptable to say mean things about people and those we do not even know.

It was an absolute pleasure to hear Nicole and Nathan speak. I hope you will check out Nathan Turner’s pop-up shop at the brand new Village Promenade, featuring home decor pieces by Nicole herself.