2020 began totally normal, WELL normal as could be given the state of the world at that time. After a busy 2019, including a stellar holiday season on Amazon Handmade, I was doing my usual second peak season with Valentine’s Day, and spring events on the horizon. I made a spontaneous decision to take a short Vegas trip in March. At that point, Covid-19, aka Coronavirus, aka The Rona, or as I like to say, “The Ronies” was serious, but not THAT serious. I had an appointment with my orthodontist to get some x-rays I needed to take to my dentist (not the same) and after the appointment, I made my way to Wegmans to go grocery shopping. I didn’t plan on buy that much, since a vacation was on the horizon, however, once I arrived, I noticed the parking lot was pretty full for a midday Thursday, and the place was packed!
People were panic-buying groceries, so, I got scared, and I panic-shopped too. When I got to the toilet paper aisle, it was wiped clean. (no pun intended) I left Wegmans, and went to Shoprite, their toilet paper supply was also depleted. Why were people buying so much toilet paper???? I wasn’t short on toilet paper, because I began stockpiling emergency supplies years ago. But I didn’t want to NOT have a huge toilet paper stock. I made the decision to cancel my Vegas plans that night. It was going to be my first Vegas trip, and we were planning on enjoying the strip, as well as the Grand Canyon, but once March Madness was cancelling, we knew Vegas was a wrap. That weekend, Vegas shutdown, as well as the rest of the country.
For me, I work from home, almost exclusively, so staying home wasn’t a big deal. New York film, TV, and model production stopped, so that segment of my life was on hold. My two businesses, T. Victoria, and Crimson Finch, are not essential products, so I wasn’t able to send products to Amazon for a while for fulfillment. It was a lot of self-reflection, quality time, and pondering life. Not being able to go out took a toll on me for the first time in my life. The inability to visit social spaces magnified how much I missed them. However, I have not been rebellious, and I took the lockdown, and social distancing seriously. Besides a few small gatherings with close family and friends, I have not been on the “open everything up” train. And I am pro mask! After a couple months of extra wine, and larger than normal meals, I stopped feeling sorry for myself, and I was finally able to get back to work!
I made the decision to expand T. Victoria, and turn it into a boutique. This new chapter has been a great process, and learning is one of my favorite experiences. We’ve been doing photoshoots at home with my camera, and the pictures have been phenomenal!
