Living in the city for 20 years I still find myself riding to the suburbs on occasion to get my fix of one-stop shopping. There’s something about putting packages in a trunk that calms my nerves.

I am high-strung but not strung-out and constantly make to-do lists. I’ve been told I am too hard on myself but I am working on that.

Embarrassingly, I am addicted to court TV shows like Judge Judy and love watching The Bachelor and American Idol with my daughter.

I was, a long time ago, a great athlete and still enjoy a good game of tennis; I kid myself that I can still play well. I hate flying but like to travel. I also hate organizing closets and am perpetually challenged in that area.

I believe dark chocolate and a good glass of white wine make a “bad” week better.

Professionally, I am a seasoned PR and marketing professional with over two decades of experience. In 1992 I founded Amster-Young Public Relations, Inc., which was my first “baby”. I launched big name brands, helped small companies get off the ground and met some amazing people in industries from fashion to food and hospitality to design. Over the years I won awards for stuff, including being named one of the top “Forty PR Stars under Forty” by PR Week magazine. Since 2003, I have been representing select clients as a consultant and am often called upon by companies and individuals looking for strategic counsel in all areas of marketing and PR. I am also a freelance writer; my articles and columns have been published in numerous magazines, predominantly in the Hamptons.

I am an avid entrepreneur, and am always passionately seeking exciting business opportunities – both personally and as a consultant. I reside in Manhattan with my husband, nine-year old daughter and Lucy, our adorable puppy.

Launching the52weeks.com has become an obsession.

Reading a good book makes me happy. Reading a good book surrounded by my family on the beach makes me even happier.  Helping others and offering up sound advice are things I value and strive to do.

Although I grew up in the suburbs, after 25 years in NYC I now consider myself a true urbanite.  I love being able to walk the streets of the city, packages in hand, without worrying where I parked my car.

I have always considered myself a creative type, love to draw and paint, and adore all things ”crafty”.

I love to travel, but really hate to pack. I am not a fan of folding laundry either.

Professionally, I am a teacher, and worked in the NYC public school system for 10 years, as a classroom teacher and a reading specialist.  Prior to that I worked for a non-profit agency resettling refugees.  Since 2006, I have officially been a stay-at-home mom, but still tutor and spend time (too much my husband would say!) volunteering at my daughters’ school as a VP for fundraising on the school’s Executive Board.

I live in Manhattan with my husband, two daughters, ages 10 and 8 1/2, and our spunky cat.