Hi hi friends! It’s been much tooo long since I’ve written but let me tell ya I had a GREAT excuse. About a month ago, I packed up my bags and moved to New York City to pursue new opportunities. I’ll just start by saying it has not been all sunshine and rainbows people. It’s actually been a lot of sweat, some tears (ok actually more than I’d like to admit). Shoutout to all my friends and family who have checked on me these past few weeks – y’all are the glue that is holding me together! In classic LGIP fashion, I thought it was only right for me to do a little tell-all post about the big Big Apple move!

SOME THINGS I HAVE LEARNED:

Brooklyn Target is worth the trip — they have everything there as opposed to the City Targets in Manhattan. Also the Target app is my new favorite thing because you can earn points and get coupons! Y’all know my love for ballin on a budget.

Pizza is an elite cheap meal but we’ve always known that right?!

Reusable bags are a must for the city. Especially when you buy way too much to carry and your paper bag breaks and you drop your vodka sauce on the street. Speaking from personal experience here!

I love Dirty Martinis. Also for some reason I could not find plain olive juice in New York City so I’m spreading awareness and telling y’all to order online before you are disappointed like me.

Trader Joe’s is my new boo. BUT I will say sometimes they don’t have everything so finding your local small local grocery or bodega will be a savior.

Growing up and leaving home never gets easier. I’ve tried to keep as busy as I can but sometimes it’s hard not to miss home. Getting out of the house has been my biggest therapy for all my anxieties.

Most of all, I have learned its ok not to have it all together. This time is extremely rough for everyone, myself included and it’s been a challenge not to let it all control my thoughts 24/7. The job hunt especially is something that’s taken a toll on me. Finding a job in this economy is tricky, and I often feel down. Being told you’re not good enough or qualified enough for a role in mass quantities sucks, it really does, but the only way out is to persevere. I’m not immune to the problems in the world, but to me, at this point in my life, the job hunt is a focal point. Moving to the city without a job has made me extremely anxious but I know I’m not alone in that. I’m just hoping things will be looking up soon! I have applied to more jobs than I’d like to admit so somethings gotta bite soon right?! Something else I’ve been learning a lot about (especially these past few months) has been relationships (friends, family, boys, etc). I’ll probably do a deep dive post about that one soon because boy do I have a lot to say. I’ve found myself recently letting certain relationships in my life take up more mental capacity than they deserve. It’s a two way street, and I’m still learning how to navigate that  point where I shouldn’t have to  compromise anymore to make it work? Hope this is all making sense but like I mentioned, more to come on the deep stuff.

SOME FAVORITE NYC SPOTS SO FAR (STILL SO MUCH LEFT TO EXPLORE):

DRINKS

City Vineyard (Hudson Yards)

McSorleys Irish Pub (East Village)

Grand Banks (Hudson Yards)

The Back Room (Lower East Side)

August Lora

Dutch Freds (Midtown)

EATS

Tacombi (West Village, best tacos ever)

Pisillo italian panini (Fidi) 

Bel ami (Upper East, french pastries/food and coffee)

Juliette (Williamsburg, brunch/drinks)

Stromboli’s (East Village, loooove a good slice)

Mimi Chengs (East Village, dumplings)

HANGS

Tompkins Square Park

Sheep’s Meadow in Central Park

The West Village in general (my favorite place to talk a stroll)

Victoria’s Secret Museum

Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO

The Highline

Flat Iron and Madison Square Park

Hudson Yards

Ashley Longshore Gallery (inside DVF in Chelsea)

Chelsea Market

TALK SOON.