dreams over fears

Sometimes I get really excited to share photos with you guys and this is definitely one of those sets! Sometimes I'm really feeling shooting and other times I'm not. Well I was really feeling it for this shoot on one of my last days in NYC. 

As you all know by now, Cory and I recently made the decision to leave our home in NYC to move to South Florida for a job opportunity. Full story here. As I talked about, it was a very hard decision for us to make as we were comfortable and happy in our NYC lives. But dreams over fears people. When I got this job offer, we knew we'd have to take it and I think that's part of why it was a hard decision - we knew accepting it meant we'd have to leave our home in NYC. And let's be honest, we were scared. So, dreams over fears... 

Moving to a different state, to a new job, whatever your new is is scary. Novelty/the unknown is scary. But dreams over fears. You have to put your long-term goals over your short-term fears. How do you do this?

I focus on the long-term and when I get unsettled or that fear creeps in I remember why I want that long term thing. So for example, with this move, I was sad to leave friends, a great job where I was very comfortable, my husband for a few months, our apartment, my city, but when I got sad I would just remind myself of all the reasons I was excited/happy for the new - the beach, the ocean, career advancement, a new city to explore, being close to family, starting a new chapter. 

Fear is natural. You can't let it keep you from accomplishing your dreams. Focus on why you want the scary thing and take the plunge! Start that blog you've been thinking about, start that business you aren't sure will survive, accept that big new job, go on that crazy trip, quit the job you hate, whatever it is - don't let fear hold you back. What's the worst that could happen?

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NYC Bucket List

Once we decided we were moving to Florida, I had 3 weeks left in NYC and so much I wanted to do! When you live somewhere you always feel like yeah but I could do that later and then you run out of time. I quickly snapped into gear and put together a NYC bucketlist for things I wanted to do before I was no longer a resident. Below, I've rounded up what I think are the NYC must-do's from downtown to uptown.

1 - Highline: The Highline is an above ground park along the Hudson River. Grab a friend and wander. I prefer to start at Chelsea Market with a taco from Los Tacos No 1 and walk uptown. 

2 - Row boats in Central Park: We were skeptical, thought we'd be bored quickly but we weren't. It was beautiful. It's cash only though so plan accordingly.

3 - Shakespeare in the Park: A community performance of Shakespeare held in the ampitheatre in Central Park on Saturday nights in the summer. Here for how to get tickets. You can bring in food and drinks. We packed cheese and crackers and a s'well bottle of margaritas. I suggest you do the same. Though they do have available for purchase at the theatre as well. 

4 - A drink at The Public Hotel rooftop. It's expensive and not worth more than 1 drink but the view is the best view I've ever seen of NYC. We're talking unobstructed 360degree views.

5 - Dim Sum in Chinatown. TBH I don't have a fave but it's a fun thing to do. Get a foot massage while you wait and the best cocktail you'll ever have from Apotheke. 

6 - MOMA: Constantly changing exhibits with some great classics - Van Gogh, Monet, etc. Best in the winter or when it's free on Friday nights. 

7 - Yankee Game: touristy but do it. You can find tickets pretty cheap. 

8 - Eat. My two staple must do restaurants when anyone asks for a suggestion are: L'Artusi, the best Italian you'll ever have. Trust me. and Uncle Boon's, it's Thai but when you think of Thai food you think of Pad Thai and overly-sweet drunken noodles. Not here. Best meal of 2018 and reasonable as far as NYC goes.

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how to style a crop top

I'm obsessed with crop tops for summer. I wish almost daily that I could wear them to work and struggle to find a top that goes with these pants/shorts/skirt as well as a crop top. So I'm sharing my obsession. I've rounded up some of my favorites below and sharing how I've styled some of my favorite crop tops. 

I love a crop top with just about anything. it adds a light feel to flowy pants, is perfect for the beach or pool with jean shorts or dressed up with a hat and a skirt for date night or drinks with the girls. Crop tops add a fun look to everything and are perfect for summer. Which is why I can't get enough! Plus with high waisted anything they can be super flattering. Now if only we could figure out how to pull them off in the office.. 

romping around Jersey City

Cory and I have lived in Jersey City for 2 years now and we love it. It's a nice escape from NYC while still being 1 quick subway stop away. Jersey City is such a cute city with so many fun things to do. We love going on walks after work in the summer and frequently run into live music events with one of our favorites being Groove on Grove on Wednesday nights at the Grove Street Path station. When we went out to take these pictures, we ran into some live music in a park near our apartment. 

I'm obsessed with this romper. It runs a little big so you could size down but I like the oversized fit of it at my true size. Especially when paired with a jean jacket. I've worn it on the plane, to work and running around on the weekends. It's cute enough for any and all occasions & super lightweight for those especially hot days. Plus this fabric doesn't need to be steamed, it's supposed to be light and a little wrinkled. 

making the most of summer

If you've been following me for any amount of time, you know how much I love summer. Can you believe it's already the middle of July and we're halfway through this sunny time of year!? Here's how I'm making the most of summer. 

one - outdoor concerts

Living in the NYC area, there's lots of live music throughout the summer. Jersey City has bands perform every Wednesday night outside on the Grove Street path station. Cory, Oliver and I have made it a recent habit to head down on Wednesdays to sit outside with a glass of wine and listen to whoever is playing this week. It's become one of my favorite nights of the week. 

two - happy hour. outside.

Being outside is my favorite thing about the summer. Cocktails outside, on a roof or near the river is another one of my favorite ways to spend summer evenings with friends. Sunday nights Cory and I like to walk to a nearby bar in Jersey City called Lutze. TBH their drinks aren't the greatest but the venue is so cool - it's all outside and on the Hudson River. Another great spot we recently went for my sister's birthday is the roof at the Public Hotel in the LES. It's expensive but worth going for the view, get 1 drink, check it out and head somewhere more reasonable. 

three - BBQ with friends

We're lucky to live in a building in Jersey City that has a large roof area with room to entertain and lots of space to grill. Have your friends over to hang outside, throw something on the grill & don't forget the s'mores! 

four - summer reading

I love sitting at the pool or beach and flying through a good book. In the summer, I probably read nearly 1 book per week. I'll be doing a post soon on some of my favorites so far. 

five - relax in the sun

Beach day. Pool day. Grab your book, some rosé and don't forget the sunscreen and relax in the sun. 

six - summer vacations. 

Summer is the perfect time for weekend road trips to the beach or week-long trips to a bucket list destination. We always go to Cory's family's Lake House outside of Knoxville, TN every year. It's one of our favorite trips because the whole family goes - aunts, uncles, cousins, there's usually 15 of us - floating in the lake by day and cooking, sitting by the fire at night. 

How are you spending the rest of your summer? Let me know in the comments!