Happy, rich, sad and broke - A Priveleged girl's financial downward spiral: PART 1
POSTED ON: SEPTEMBER 9, 2008

A few months ago I attended Poets in the Galleries. It was a member’s only event being held at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, which showcased women writers living in California and had various poems and short stories being recited by the authors themselves.

As I took my seat, to the left of me was a familiar face. Further inspection would reveal a girl who was in her mid twenties. Her cherry black hair was pinned in a bun, make up done flawlessly. She was wearing chip’n’pepper jeans with a vintage t-shirt and had on a pair of 4 inch Charles David boots.

“Kayla, is that you?

Kayla and I met though our family’s ages ago. The company my father works for does a lot of business with the hospital her mother was on the board of.

“Oh my goodness, it’s been forever!! What are you doing here? Her Theory coat draped over her left arm as her right embraced me with a hug.
“I am a member at this museum, have been for years. I try and attend the benefits they have every so often, but you know how busy life can get”

So here’s the scoop. Her life is, well, like a story that would read out of The Lifestyles of the rich and privileged (aka spoiled).

Let me introduce you to Kayla Beckett!

Kayla, like me, was originally from New Jersey. She grew up in a town called Alpine, one of the wealthiest in Jersey. Her father owned a very successful advertising company and her mother was on the board of directors at one of the hospitals.

As a young girl she attended Moriah Prep school from pre k to eighth grade, Yeshiva Ohr Hatalmud Prep from 9th grade until graduation, and then it was off to The Fashion Institute of Technology in NY for 2 years, graduating with an associate degree in Fashion Design.

On the weekends, she could be found in Manhattan lunching at Bergdorf’s, The Plaza, Chanterelle, Rosanjin Tribecca, Uni, just to, name a few, with her friends. She is fan of the arts and was a proud member of The Met, the MOMA and the Guggenheim. Kayla made it a priority to attend at least 2 benefits a month, that way she would be heard and seen, hopefully in the latest Page Six column or the up coming edition of W!

She was what New Yorkers liked to call a “Celebutant”. Pretty much known for her upper class bringing, public affiliations, and her family’s money. Not to be confused with the likes of Paris Hilton!! I did say upper class!

Kayla was sure about a few things in life. She didn’t associate much with people that weren’t in the same social circle as her, because frankly, she didn’t know anyone else outside of her wealthy surroundings. She also didn’t engage much with anyone that didn’t have the same connections as she, shop at the same stores she did or didn’t at least get an invite to the Gala’s she attended.

She always summered in the Hamptons and only the closest of her enemies were invited. You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer!!! It was a theory which worked well for her, because her then enemies would become her friends, and by the end of the summer she was liked by everyone!

Kayla was also a frequent visitor of Atlantic City. She only stayed at the Borgata hotel in the Opus Suite and when it came to dinner, it was The Wolfgang Puck Grille. She was insistent on being seated at the table in the center of the restaurant. It was her way of making sure everyone would see her. That was Kayla; she had to be the center of attention, literally!

Last July brought the arrival of her 25th birthday. She began to feel like she was missing out on being on her own.

Kayla one day told me,
“I knew I was falling into the stereo typical version of a privileged city girl. It was always same people day in and day out, the same parties with the same 3 course dinners, the same trips to the Hamptons every summer with the same friends/family cliques. Had I stayed, I never would have left. It was like living a life that was already pre determined for me, events and all!

After a discussion with her parents, and the gaining of their full support, she decided to venture out to California!

3 weeks later she left everything she knew, and set off (first class of course) , to Cali.

Stay tuned for part 2……….

Love Peace and Purity,

xoxo Shayna