NEW YEAR, SAME DREAMS

Happy New Year, y'all! I'm excited to get back to blogging and share even more content with you in 2017! Not gonna lie though, I'm kinda sad the holidays are over. I love how the city transforms into this magical place during the month of December. But I guess all good things must come to an end sooner or later. And maybe that's a good thing, considering all the indulging that I've done the past few weeks with holiday treats and cocktails. Thank GOD, for yoga pants!


A New Year is kinda like having a fresh start. Whatever held you back last year or didn't bring you joy, you can leave it all behind in 2016. And that is exactly what I plan on doing. Since leaving my 9-5 corporate job in the Summer of 2015, I have been in this awkward transition phase. I worked from home for awhile and have since been putting ideas together of starting my own business. My dream is to create a Lifestyle Brand that reflects me and has something for everyone's budget. And it has proven to be harder than I ever imagined. Not that I thought it would be easy, don't get me wrong. But having BIG DREAMS also means BIG CHALLENGES. So, here I am, back to the drawing board and pushing myself to do EVERYTHING I can to get this business off the ground this year. 


I was recently explaining to a friend, over brunch, how you loose some of your confidence when you haven't worked in awhile. I have always been driven in my professional life. And I always succeeded in any position I held. But when you strip everything away and get back to the basics, it's easy to forget what you are actually capable of. You constantly fight off doubt and start to question yourself. 


I also, allowed my personal life to overshadow my dreams and goals last year. My parents divorced and the aftermath was more that I could handle at times. I spent months just feeling like my whole world was coming apart and I didn't know how to fix it. And it caused me to be distracted and unfocused on my life. 

For me, 2017 is going to be a year of CONQUER. I want to conquer the FEAR, DOUBT, COMPARISON and DISTRACTIONS. And I want this year to be the year I let go of anything that doesn't serve a purpose in my life. It is possible to live your best self, you just have to want it bad enough.


How will you make 2017, your best year yet?!


XO, Rae

YEAR 2 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK

On October 10th, 2014 at 3 A.M., I crossed over the George Washington Bridge and into Manhattan. Moving to New York was never something I saw myself doing, but when life brings you opportunities, sometimes you have to take it and RUN! It's hard to even believe that it's been 2 years already. I still feel like I just moved here but also strangely feel like I've been here forever. That's the thing about New York, once you live here you instantly become attached. My first year living in New York was one to remember. It was full of amazing experiences and growth. And year two has been just as memorable. Here are some of my favorite memories over the past year. 

Walking in a Real Life Winter Wonderland. This past February, NYC literally shut down for an entire day due to 24 inches of fluffy white snow that covered the city. At the time, I had a friend in town visiting who had never seen snow. So, after being cooped up inside all day playing games, drinking and even having a build your own snowman contest, we were more than ready to get out of the apartment the next day. So, we bundled up and headed out to Central Park. It was breathtaking. I've seen snow many times in my life, but this was something magical. 

Standing at The Top of The Empire State Building. Seeing all of New York City from 86 floors up above, gives you all the feels. It also, gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "views for days". It reminded me of how lucky I am to be able to call this concrete jungle, home. 

Sunday Funday in Brooklyn. This Summer, my brother visited NYC for the very first time. I was excited to get to show him around the city. But I also wanted to show him life outside of Manhattan. And Brooklyn is the next best borough. We first walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, then grabbed pizza at Grimaldi's and finished the day drinking beers at the Brooklyn Brewery. By far, one of my most favorite days.

Taking My Mom to The Color Purple on Broadway. Once I knew that Heather Headley would be taking over the role of Shug, I knew I had to see this show. And what better show to take your Mom to during a girls weekend?! It was one of the best shows I have seen thus far. After the show, I pulled my Mom quickly aside and stood to wait for the cast outside. We got to have our playbills signed by all of the main cast including Heather Headley and Cynthia Erivo. I was freaking out (on the inside of course). Sharing that moment with my Mom was amazing. 

Seeing Alicia Keys perform in Rockefeller Center. I may have had to wake up at 4:30 A.M. to only stand in the back of the crowd behind a street light pole. But to hear Alicia Keys sing LIVE made all of it worth it. Not to mention, I got to share the moment with my best friend. We bonded over Alicia Keys music over a decade ago and I'm pretty sure we will dance to 'No One' one day at my wedding. 

Witnessing my best friend propose to his boyfriend. That dinner, those words and the tears shed will always be a night to remember. I can't wait to plan their wedding and stand next to my best friend as he says 'I Do'. Love is Love. 

Finding New friendships. Moving to a new city means meeting new friends. And although there are millions of people here, it almost makes it harder. Everyone is busy with work and the city hustle, so it's not often you find long lasting friendships. But I have been lucky to meet some amazing people and I am so glad I get to call them friends.

I never could have imagined all the things that would come with living in New York City. Every day still feels as exciting as the next. I can't wait to see what the next 365 days brings!

 XO, Rae

FALL BUCKET LIST

It's finally cool enough in New York City, where you need an extra blanket on your bed at night. I love how the city changes with each season. And FALL is no exception. As the leaves start to change in Central Park, we pack up our shorts and tanks, break out the sweaters and trade in our iced lattes for PSL's. There is so much in the city to look forward to in the Fall. Here are a few things I have on my bucket list to capture the most of the season. 


1. Walk through Central Park to see the Fall foliage with a Pumpkin Spice Latte in hand.

2. Bake Pumpkin Bread. It's one of the few things I'm actually good at baking.


3. Take a trip to upstate New York with friends. We actually have this beautiful house from the 1800's booked for an upcoming weekend. Can't wait!


4. Visit a festival and sip apple cider. 

5. Carve pumpkins. You're never too old to celebrate Halloween, right?!





6. Find a new favorite Fall scented candle at Bath & Body Works.

7. Ice skate in Bryant Park under the stars. 


8. Drink copious amounts of wine with my best friend. She is visiting NYC for the first time, next month! #girlsweekend

9. Take new headshots for the blog. Any suggestions for local NYC photographers??

10. Launch my lifestyle brand Rae Created. Eeeeek!




What are you adding to your Fall bucket list?  Comment below. 




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

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

3 Apps You Need In Your Life!

Life is busy and sometimes we need the help of life's simple pleasures also known as apps from the app store. It is often necessary  to save time in our hectic day and stay productive on the go. So here are 3 apps that I can't live without and neither should YOU. 



1. EVER NOTE- You can use this app for so many things. Create notes and checklists on the go, store snap shots of business cards, save articles to read later and you can access everything from multiple devices. I can quickly make my 'to do' list for the day, a grocery list and set reminders for my day. If your looking for a way to stay organized, you need this app. I can't get through my day without it!


2. INK- I LOVE this app because I can easily send personalized greeting cards to friends and family straight from my phone. I seriously use it all the time! The app offers a ton of options for different types of cards and you can even upload photos from your phone to be added. And the best part is that it only cost $1.99. Cheaper than a store bought card and it usually ships within 3-5 business days. I promise you will love it too!


3. NYC Way- If you live in New York or if you're planning to visit the City, you will definitely want to get this app! This app is like having multiple apps all in one. It includes everything from nearby places with Wi-Fi, events in the city, Subway maps, Yoga studios, Broadway Shows and even has the lighting schedule for the Empire State Building. This app has been a great way for me to get more familiar with New York City and is my go-to when friends & family visit from out of town.



DOWNLOAD these apps and get on with your busy day! 



XO, Rae

NYC Living: Dinner at PRUNE

New York is a food city, no doubt. With so many restaurants, it is often hard to choose, but there are some that are like none other. Living with a foodie, my best friend has been dying to go to PRUNE. On Sunday, we finally had the experience of dinning at PRUNE for dinner. Located in the East Village, this popular restaurant is known for it's amazing Chef Gabrielle Hamilton. She is also an author of a New York Times Best Seller book called 'Blood, Bones and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef'. We were lucky enough to have the first seating for dinner at 5:30pm. When we arrived I was able to capture a rare moment of the restaurant completely empty. There is often a line outside to get in especially for brunch. Although the restaurant is small in size, the experience is anything but. And to make the night even more complete, we spotted Chef Gabrielle Hamilton walking by the restaurant with boxes in tote. Below are some of the amazing dishes we devoured during our meal. Cocktails were amazing as well. Can't wait to visit again soon for brunch. I definitely recommend PRUNE if your willing to spend a bit on delicious good quality food. 

Featured Appetizer: Fried Oysters with house tarter sauce

Halibut with cherry tomatoes in a spicy tomato broth

Grilled Broccoli, chili butter, pecorino 

Charred Beef Ribs with anchovy butter

'Straw and Hay' Pasta with green tomato-chicken liver sauce

Dessert: Summer Pudding

GO EAT!

XO, Rae

Last Days of SUMMER

HAPPY SATURDAY! I can't believe Summer is almost over! Feels like it went by so fast. I am definitely enjoying my first Summer here in New York City. And I'm so happy that I have had the time off to actually enjoy it. There is so much to do in this City, it amazes me! I will be sharing MY favorites of Summer things to do in NYC, soon!

I recently spent the day in Long Island at Jones Beach with some friends and went fishing off the piers. I haven't been fishing in years! It was so relaxing and just a fun day out on the water. Sometimes escaping the city for even just a day is nice. We all need a break from the hustle here every once in awhile. Can't wait to share the rest of my Summer adventures with you! Stayed tuned for more up on the blog! 

Enjoy your weekend! GO SOAK up the rest of those SUMMER Days! :) 

XO, Rae

One of My Favorite Places in the City

On Sunday, I met up with my friend Sarah for lunch who happened to be in the city for the weekend celebrating her daughters birthday. Always great seeing her & catching up! 

After lunch I did some shopping and took a walk through Bryant Park, one of my favorite places in the City. Bryant park is iconic for so many reasons, mostly for hosting fashion week for years. One thing I love about the park, is that it always takes on a new look according to the season. Plus there is something for everyone to engage in. There are ping pong tables, chess and backgammon games, a carousel for kids and a huge open lawn. Along with tables and chairs that border the lawn to sit and have lunch or just take in the sites. Not to mention, the park also has some amazing views of nearby skyscrapers.

Yesterday was no exception. The park looked gorgeous. The lawn was so green, trees in full bloom and lots of people out enjoying the 80 degree weather. I love how each time I visit the park, it feels like a new experience. 

Can't wait to spend more Sunday's at the park! 

bryantpark.org

Summer Nights

Now that Summer is upon us, it's only fitting to be sitting on the water somewhere with a drink in hand with great views and good atmosphere. There is a perfect place in Manhattan that has all of this and more. La Marina is  a Restaurant/Lounge/Boat dock/outdoor dance party with live music off Dyckman Street Uptown, Manhattan. Sounds fun right? 

I had read about La Marina online and it looked like a perfect spot to enjoy some drinks and food on the water.  So a few weeks ago, I grabbed my roommate and we headed out to La Marina. When we first arrived, we instantly were in awe of the view.  We walked over to the water near the boat dock and took in the scenery. You instantly felt a very Miami/Havana nights vibe. High energy, great dance music and people dressed to impress in their Summer attire. 

The restaurant sits on the water and also has an outdoor high top table sitting area directly off of one side of the restaurant. Then a few steps away is a separate roped off outdoor seating lounge area with tables, couches and a live DJ.  All of which looks out over the Hudson River and has amazing views of the George Washington Bridge. 

We first grabbed a drink at the bar and sat at one of the high top tables to take  in the scenery. We enjoyed people watching. For dinner we were seated on the patio off of the restaurant right near the water. We had mussels, Mac n cheese and roasted asparagus. The food was very good. Prices run from $11-28 per entrée. Service was okay, I think our server had several tables at once and that could have been why he wasn't as attentive. Overall we had a great time. So if your looking for a nice restaurant, good drinks, live music, amazing views and a fun atmosphere La Marina is the place to be! 

XO, Rae

"You Have to Want to Be Here"

Central Park 

My Best Friend Will & I  

(one of my fave pics from one of my trips to NY before I moved here)

Before I moved to New York, I read countless websites, blogs, and buzzfeed articles. I did a lot of research in the months leading up to my move here. Mostly on what to expect when moving here. I would search daily on the Internet and search "things to know before moving to New York","what to expect when moving to New York" things you need when living in New York"....you get the idea.

I was determined to prepare myself the best way possible. I wanted to come here and succeed but also be realistic. I knew New York was not going to be an easy move so I wanted to help put my mind at ease.

(I'll share some links below of some of the articles and sites I found helpful)

I'm working on my own list of "Things to know before moving to New York" (stay tuned!)

Now that I live here, I feel that I know a lot more of what the reality is and maybe my list will help someone who was just like me trying to get a glimpse into what was to come.

I did find that I learned some useful tips in my online research however the advice I received from my best friend Will was probably the most helpful to me. He told me "you have to want to be here". Those 7 words have stuck with me ever since. And it's the truest of anything I read or was told about New York. Here's the thing, there are tons of people who move to New York every day. And there are tons of reasons why they move to New York. But if you truly want to be here, you've already separated yourself from those who just move here on a Hope & a Dream. New York is tough.
People come here and make it big and people come here and leave with nothing. You have to want to be here!

http://www.manhattanemily.com/2013/09/top-10-things-to-consider-before-moving.html?m=1

http://www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/12-amazingly-useful-and-accurate-tips-for-living-in-nyc#.dhmp1yzrYk

http://www.movingtonewyorkguide.com/

Welcome!

Hi, My name is Dana Rae, I am 32 years old and I recently moved to New York City. I'll explain more later on how I got here...Blogging is new for me but what I hope to accomplish is a blog full of real life stories, inspiration for women, favorites and all things New York. 
So Ladies, grab a glass of wine & let's get started!