Happy weekend, loves! These weeks are going by so quickly and we're fast approaching the holiday season...but of course, I've still got fall on my mind. ;)

One of my favorite childhood past times growing up on the east coast was going apple picking in the fall. The hayrides, corn mazes and bonfires--just everything you love about fall all rolled into one. So of course, we couldn't pass up a weekend visit to Alstede Farms for some apple-picking shenanigans!

I'll totally admit that we went completely overboard with the apples. Not just the apple picking, but the apple donuts and the apple crumble...and inevitably, the apple pie! No regrets whatsoever, why do you think I went with a poncho? To disguise that food baby of course!

An absolute treat to get out of the city for the weekend. We will definitely have to make this an annual kind of thing! Until next fall!

With Much Love,

These past few days have been a whirlwind and a blur of heartfelt and nostalgic moments. I officially graduated university last December, but I guess the reality hadn't set in until I walked at commencement a couple of days ago...truly marking the end of an era, the close of a period in my life that had catalyzed such self growth and discovery.

We tend to think we know so much at a given moment in our lives (and this was especially true during my high school days), but it wasn't until college that I realized what I was truly passionate about and finally understood who I was as an individual...found those same colleagues, co-workers, friends that I could relate to and not be afraid to be open about who I really was.

I came into freshman year with a lot of resentment and insecurities. Perhaps that was in part because of how closed off I was to the world. I'd never experienced anything other than the suburban life of my hometown. I had a taste of what Manhattan had to offer from visiting the city a couple times, but it had in no way prepared me for the newness, excitement, possibilities and opportunities that NYU had to offer.

In these past four years, the city and NYU guided me to find and follow my passions. I hadn't ever imagined I would end up here...but that's the funny thing about where we end up in life. We have all of these goals and beliefs and wants and dreams...and life never turns out how we expect--but whatever happens in the end is always meant to be.

I couldn't picture another life in which I didn't come to the city for college, didn't get the chance to travel abroad (twice!) and be able to broaden my perspective of the world in a way that I could never have done if I had gone anywhere else after high school.

We came to the city as dreamers, but quickly learned to be the hustlers to make those ambitions a reality. It's been a tough four years and some moments were certainly a struggle. The advice I wish I could've given myself now that it's all over? Breath and live in every single moment. Truly enjoy and soak in each and every memory because before we know it, it'll be gone in a heartbeat.

Whatever is meant to happen will happen...and the opportunities that don't work out are only paving the way to bigger and better things that we couldn't have even dared to dream for.

The only way around is through. And I am grateful for every single individual that has been there for me to get me through to where I am today.

Hats off to friends, family, colleagues, co-workers, mentors, and the blogger community for the unconditional support that has allowed this dreamer to take on things she never thought were possible.

With Much Love,

Day 1: Union Market

Naturally, after getting off the bus at Union Station, we were a bit disoriented and superrrr hungry. After dropping off our bags at the AirBNB, naturally, our first priority: FOOD. What else is new? Since we were staying a couple of blocks from Union Station, I'd heard of a market that was fairly close (walking distance, about 15 mins) that had a ton of great food vendors and other specialty shops. They also seemed to have a great oyster bar! Wasn't quite feeling oyster for lunch, so we went with some black squid ink pasta with lobster & shrimp sauce. Needless to say...it really hit the spot and helped get us fueled up for a busy day of exploring!

Day 1: Exploring Georgetown

Satisfying that oyster craving by end of night the first day at Hank's Oyster Bar! We literally left Georgetown super early to make it to happy hour, but were stuck in the worst traffic ever (probably because of the D.C. Metro shutdown at the time). We were the crazy asian girls sprinting down the block to try and make it in time. Pretty sure that innocent bystanders thought we were insane...BUT, it doesn't even matter, cause we made it with 5 minutes to spare! May have gone a little crazy in the end and over ordered...but vacation calories don't count right?

Day 3: Playing Tourist

The last time I was in D.C. was when I was still in high school, attending conferences for Model Congress and such. I really thought I would study politics and become a lawyer one day...funny where life actually ends up taking us. Visiting again after all these years and looking back on my ambitions from back then, I really don't think I would have had it any other way.

I know that a lot of college acceptances are coming out around now and it's tough when you don't get into your dream school. But honestly, life works out in the most unexpected ways. If I hadn't been rejected by Georgetown and hadn't gone to the city for school, I would never have considered fashion as a viable career path. But now, I'm two weeks into training for the new corporate gig and loving absolutely every moment of it. I seriously can't imagine my life turning out any other way.

So to all of you guys out there who are still unsure about your future, or still figuring it out. My words of advice? Just relax and see where life takes you.

With Much Love,

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