GEORGIA ON MY MIND

HAPPY SUNDAY, Y'all!

I admit, I have not been watching much football this season. Typically, I catch most of the games, but for whatever reason, it just hasn't happened. I've only seen a few games here and there. But I feel like today TOTALLY made up for it. I watched the Atlanta Falcons game and witnessed them not only score a WIN, but a ticket to the Super Bowl!! And I could not be more excited for my old hometown.

As most of you know, I lived in Atlanta for 11 years prior to moving to New York City. I have lived in a lot of places in my short thirty-four years, but nothing felt more like home than Georgia. I owe a lot of who I am to the years spent there. I became an adult. I fell in love, real love, for the first time and also experienced heartbreak. I had a successful career which taught me that I was capable of much more than I ever thought possible. And now, has lead me to starting my own business. I found life long friendships with some of my closest girlfriends, in which I credit Atlanta for having us cross paths. Friendships that have endured the highs and lows of life, marriages, babies and moving out of state. I also, welcomed my thirties with a new lease on life after throwing out my life timeline in effort to live more in the moment. But what I most cherish from my time living in Atlanta, is meeting my best friend, Will. We have been friends for over twelve years now and currently live together in the city. So, I guess I kinda get to have a piece of ATL with me everyday in NYC.

Atlanta was 'home' in so many ways and although I love living in New York City, there are things that I miss about the South. Football Sunday's, Sweetwater beer, Waffle House after a night out, sweet tea and southern hospitality. I have no doubt that one day I will move back for good, but until then, Georgia is always on my mind.

XO, Rae

HELLO FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF CHAOS

SORRY for the lack of blog posts lately. I have been so distracted by things going on in my life. But sometimes taking a step back is a good thing and even necessary. So, when life throws you lemons, add vodka and pour yourself a cocktail. Then get back to what makes you happy.


I am back in New York City after being away for six long weeks. My trip had started off great with a girls trip to Nashville for a friend's Bachelorette Party. Then was followed by the reality of my Mom and Step-Dad starting the divorce process. All while helping my Mom move out and into her new place. It was all very surreal. And honestly, I am still just dealing with it one day at a time. Even if you see it coming, you can still never really be prepared for it. I was too young to remember my Mom and Father divorcing. I was only two years old. But now seeing my Mom and Step-Dad go through it as I am now an adult, its tough. And I am learning how to adjust to having a relationship with them separately instead of as a unit. 

After a month of an emotional roller coaster, I spent a week back home in Atlanta. It was filled with lots of friend therapy, wine (of course) and a beautiful wedding of one of my best friends. I even hiked a mountain one day. The things friends get me to do. Ha! But hiking Sawnee Mountain was probably one of the best days and the views don't disappoint. The only disappointing factor of my trip was seeing my ex. You know how you think 'hey, what the hell?' meeting for a drink can't hurt, right? Wrong! It was dreadful. And he didn't even offer to pay for my glass of wine. But if anything, seeing him was a reminder of how far I've come since we dated. I wish him all the best in his life. I'm just so glad that I moved on with mine. 

I'm also currently job searching which is stressful in itself. My work from home job has ended, so I am looking into other opportunities. Working from home definitely has it's benefits, especially on days you just don't feel like doing your hair or putting on makeup. Also, being able to wear yoga pants while working is like the holy grail. But working from home can also be lonely some days. Since leaving the corporate world almost a year ago, I feel more grounded. I don't want to settle for just any job and the break has been much needed time to renew myself. But like all good things in life, they must come to an end at some point. I am lucky to live the life I live and keep reminding myself that with life's chaos often comes great change. 

XO, Rae 

Sawnee Mountain

Kaitlyn's Wedding 4.09.16

The Bride & I

My Girls! Linds, Me & Jen

Moving to New York....

Moving to New York has been by far the best decision I have ever made. Well...I say that now, maybe I should wait til I have lived here for at least a year, lol. Moving here was not always part of my plan but life changes sometimes and here I am.
Up until 7 months ago, I was living in Atlanta, Ga..I had a great job, amazing friends and a nice apartment right outside of the city. So what changed?! Well...I changed. Two and half years ago, before turning 30, I began to see my life differently unlike before. I was a few years out of a long term relationship that was on again off again for longer than I like to admit to.


When I was with my ex, I was so sure of my life, my career and wanting to be married and have kids. I had always thought that I would be married and have kids before 30. I think most women feel the pressure of this for all sorts of reasons. But turning 30 was a game changer for me. I stopped worrying about where I was in life and started to focus on where I was going in life. For me, I was so worried about trying to have this list of accomplishments by the time I turned 30 and then realized that my life was just starting. I let go of my preconceived ideas and I let myself be. I actually came to New York to visit my best friend Will (who I live with now) and celebrate my 30th Birthday.


I had no idea then that almost 2 years later I would be moving here to NY. Will had been trying to get me to move to NY for a few years. I would nicely say to him "maybe" but really knowing in the back of my mind that I had no intentions of moving. (He knew that as well but he still tried to convince me). At that time I was still content with my life in Atlanta and was ready to see what 30 had to offer. I would visit NY a few more times after my 30th Birthday, falling more in love with NY each time. And then upon another big change in my life, I soon realized that maybe New York wasn't a bad idea after all.


My Grandfather passed last year May 24th, 2014. A day that I will never forget. He was an amazing man. He traveled the world, had a very successful career and made a name for himself. He was known by a rare nickname and was the life of the party. Shortly before his passing, I had told him about the possibility of me moving to NY. He was surprisingly very excited for me. He traveled to NY often throughout his life and had nothing but great things to say and stories to tell about his trips here. I was still unsure myself if I would actually go through with it but when he passed, I knew I had to do it. Not just for him, but for me. His passing changed my life in more ways than one. But mostly he had always instilled in me to never have regrets in life. He lived life so passionately and I wanted to do the same. So fast forward to October 2014, I packed up an SUV with my Mom and my best friend Will along side me and I moved to New York. It was 19 hours traveled up the east coast and at 3am October 10th, 2014, I officially became a New Yorker.