SUMMER PLAYLIST

We made it to FRIDAY!! And what better way to get the weekend started, than with a playlist of songs to celebrate SUMMER. I'm sharing my Summer Playlist so you can play it all Summer long. Side note: You may find a few songs that will bring back some nostalgia. 

https://open.spotify.com/user/1263158451/playlist/6XKrq5ATQ9phLQ4fjPZoxG

What are some of your favorite songs for SUMMER? Share below in the comments.

Follow me on INSTAGRAM

XO, Rae

THURSDAY THINGS: WHAT I AM LOVING RIGHT NOW

Hello SUMMER!  Here is another roundup of things I am loving right now that are Summer approved. Tell me some things you are loving this Summer....comment below. 



1. BEAUTY- I am OBSESSED over the SEPHORA facial mask collection. My favorite is the Ginseng mask for toning and revitalizing. The Summer heat can be brutal on your skin so this is the perfect weekly treatment to help repair any damage. 


2. DETOX- Summer means getting into a bathing suit. And we are all thinking about our Summer body but also about tacos....mmmm Tacos. Lyfe Tea is a detox tea that helps with bloating, boosts your metabolism and helps curve cravings. The initial detox is 14 days but I drink it regularly to help kick the bloat. 


3. KITCHEN- Remember when you were a kid and you would make snow cones?! Well, wine slushies are the adult version. Yes, you heard that correctly. I personally love wine everything. But these wine slushies look delicious! Can't wait to try the rosé recipe, perfect Summer drink!




XO, Rae

YOU ARE EXACTLY WHERE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE

Lately, when talking to friends the same words seem to pop up in conversation, 'never say never'. I was reminded of these words again as I scrolled through Facebook this morning & looked back at an old status I wrote in 2010. 



I had no intentions on ever moving to New York City. I was perfectly content with my life in Atlanta. It was only tempting to move because my best friend had literally just moved from Atlanta to New York & I felt lonely. But I knew my life was in Atlanta and I had worked so hard to build that life. My career was just starting to come together & I was surrounded by the people I adored most. 

Fast forward almost 5 years later and life changed drastically. I started to be more open to the possibilities of leaving it all behind to pursue bigger things. Literally over a year's time I would contemplate the move to NYC. I was in a different head space than previously and I was ready to see what more was out there for me. So, I took a leap of faith and made the decision to move to NYC in the fall of 2014. The moment I actually committed to the idea, it seemed like everything fell into place. I didn't have any hesitations from that point on. Everyone was extremely supportive of my decision and not one person tried to convince me otherwise. So, I took all the encouragement and promised myself I would make the most of this new chapter. 

I didn't have a job lined up when I moved to New York. My plan was to take some time to get moved and adjusted to the city. I got anxious to get out there so 3 weeks after, I landed a position with one of the top medical practices. I was ecstatic to say the least. From my first interview, I knew this was the job for me. Immediately, I felt like I was taking NYC head on. But 6 months in, I couldn't do it anymore. I loved the job but the work environment was not ideal. It was not an easy decision for me but after a lot of consideration and countless nights crying over bad days at work, I made the decision to resign. The day I gave notice, I felt like I could breathe again. I didn't feel stressed or bad for what I had just done. I felt like it was what I had to do. I had never quit a job like that ever in my life. I've always held long term jobs ever since I was 15 years old. So, this was new territory for me. I didn't really have a plan B. And I was okay with that, for once. Which if you know me, I never not have things planned out. I'm a planner by default. But I knew I wasn't happy. I also remembered that I promised myself to live a different life here in New York by any means necessary. And I wasn't willing to compromise my happiness after leaving everything behind in Atlanta.

I wrote this Facebook status a year ago today (the day before my last day at my job):

A year later, I haven't looked back since. I took a chance on myself. And honestly I've never been happier. The past year has allowed me to get back to what's important in life. It has made me realize how unhappy I was all those years living at my job that I had always put above everything else. It has given me the opportunity to strip down to what I really want in life and what I never want to settle for. I've been blessed enough to be able to work from home, travel, write my blog and just enjoy living in this amazing city. 

My dream is to be an entrepreneur. And I'm hoping to make that happen sooner than later. I often let fear get in the way, but then I am reminded of how far I've come and all the things I've done that I never thought where even possibilities. So, I'm saying, never say never. Don't hold yourself back from things you want or deserve in your life. Everything happens for a reason. I honestly believe that. Be open to the possibilities of changing your mind. Trust the process and know that you are exactly where you're supposed to be. 

XO, Rae

33 LIFE LESSONS I'VE LEARNED SO FAR IN MY THIRTIES

Before I turned 30, I was a mess in my emotions. But what I didn't realize at the time, was that my thirties would be some of the best years of my life, full of possibilities. As they say the older you get the wiser you become. So, here are some lessons learned so far. 

1. Stop living life based on a timeline. Just live.

2. Travel often. Don't let money hold you back. 

3. Quit the job you hate. There are far better opportunities, if you go after them. 

4. Don't settle. Not for anyone or anything. 

5. Buy the more expensive bottle of wine. Your body will thank you the next day. 

6. While your annoyed at being Single. Your married friends envy your freedom. 

7. Stop trying to please everyone. Seriously, it's impossible. 

8. Send 'Thank You' notes. Handwritten notes never go out of style. 

9. Love the body you have. Stop nagging yourself over those 10lbs. 

10. Start a daily skincare routine. Botox doesn't last forever.  

11. Get more sleep. Pulling all nighters gives you dark circles & puffy eyes. 

12. Remove toxic people from your life.

13. Disconnect from everything every once in awhile. (phone included)

14. Learn how to cook & host a holiday dinner. 

15. Say 'I love you' more. Tomorrow is not promised. 

16. You don't have to have it all figured it out yet. 

17. Create goals for yourself. Even small ones sometimes make the biggest impact.

18. Surround yourself with people who truly get you, encourage you and support you. 

19. Things will fall apart at times. The key is for you not to fall apart. 

20. Don't let your past define who you are.

21. Invest in your future. Enroll in a 401K or savings plan. 

22. Never apologize for wanting the best for yourself. 

23. Life should be lived with no regrets.

24. You will experience loss and it may  change you forever.

25. Don't carry the burden for others.

26. Money does not define happiness. 

27. Failures are not mistakes, only lessons learned.

28. Stop comparing yourself to others. We all have strengths and weaknesses.

29. You are capable of so much more than you think.

30. Being successful is not defined by just your job.

31. Move to a new city if your bored in the current one you live in.

32. Chase your dreams, even if they scare the hell out of you.

33. Do what makes YOU happy. 

XO, Rae