Ella and the City

Ella Bean is a Brooklyn model who writes a daily column called “Ella and the City”. Her pictorial story focuses on Ella’s daily escapades and those of her close friends, as well as reflections on relationships, fashion, food, and New York.

Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you’re pretty sexy and you’re taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with.*

Ella lives for fashion and has confessed to choosing Vogue over dinner back when you could buy dinner for the price of a Vogue. She is drawn to two completely different men – the hard to pin down commitment-phobe Mr. Pug and the laid-back, low-key, sweet and caring Louis. Her true soulmates are her three best friends Toast, Chloe and Chloe. Despite their different natures, the four girlfriends remain inseparable and confide in each other.

I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoe!*

Ella is involved with Mr. Pug (@itsdougthepug), the king of pop culture from Nashville. He is responsible for many of Ella’s breakdowns as he never seems to be ready to fully commit to her.

Mr. Pug: Stay.
Ella: I can’t.
Mr. Pug: Why not?
Ella: Because, dear friend, you and I are like that red wall. It’s a good idea in theory, but somehow it doesn’t quite work.*

Their never-really-ending, turbulent, on-and-off relationship caused Ella many sleepless nights. On those nights, she would toss and turn questioning the purpose of her turmoiled relationship with Mr. Pug.

Did I ever really love Pug or was I addicted to the pain, the exquisite pain, of wanting someone so unattainable?*

While shopping, Ella meets and is instantly attracted to up-and-coming Brooklyn furniture designer Louis Reginald (@louis_reginald). Louis is the opposite of Mr. Pug: he is slightly neurotic, afraid of germs, being alone and balloons. He then becomes Ella’s boyfriend. Yet, their relationship doesn’t last long as Ella and Mr. Pug begin an affair. Wracked with guilt, Ella tells Louis about the affair. Louis can’t bear the pain, and the two break up.

Louis: I don’t want to be paranoid here, but you took Pete for a walk, and we both know you are not big on the dog-walking thing. And I smell something. Are you cheating? I can smell the smoke on you.
Ella: Oh. *

When Ella is at the edge of losing hope, she consults one of her best girlfriends Toast (@toastmeetsworld). Toast is a hopeless romantic and a believer in true love who is constantly searching for her “knight in shining armor”. Despite numerous attempts at serious relationships and a failed marriage, she hasn’t given up hope of becoming Mrs. Right.

Ella: I revealed too much too soon. I was emotionally slutty.
Toast: I’ve been dating since I was fifteen! I’m exhausted! Where is he?*

Chloe is another of Ella’s besties. The antithesis of Toast, Chloe (@chloetheminifrenchie) is an independent femme fatale with a career in public relations. When Ella confesses to her that she’s having an affair with Mr. Pug while still with her boyfriend Louis, Chloe tells her that judging is not her style and offers her support.

Ella: How could it feel so good, when it feels so bad.
Chloe: Oh, honey, they design it that way.
Ella: It’s like Pug and I have this thing.
Chloe: It’s all about the pheromones, were just animals reacting to each other’s smell.*

Ella cherishes her friendship with her last but not least bestie – Chloe Kardoggian (@chloekardoggian). Chloe is a career-minded lawyer with a rather cynical views on relationships and men. She is the voice of reason in Ella’s life. She was the one who gave Ella a reality check by telling Ella how messed up she is when around Mr. Pug: “Jesus, every time you get near him, you turn into this pathetic, needy, insecure victim and the thing that pissed me off most? You’re more than willing to go right back for more.”*

Ella: Maybe I should try to get Pug, Louis and me together.
Chloe K.: Did you have a big plate of crazy for lunch?*

To find out how this intriging story about love and friendship unfolds, follow Ella’s adventures on Instagram!

All images @ellabeanthedog
*Quotes from Sex and The City