Highlights of 2018: Fashion, Travel + NYC Moments

I look forward to this time every year.

It's that time when I am able spend the few days left of the year to sit down, reflect back on everything that's happened this past year, and look forward to what's to come in the year ahead. Last year, I posted some of my top recommendations for spending New Years Eve in New York City here. And I also rounded up highlights for 2017 in this post here. Because I loved the idea of recapping some of my highlights from last year, I wanted to do another round-up for this year.  2018 marked my first official *full* year in New York City.

I kicked off January ice skating at Bryant Park for the first time with Natalie.

I collaborated with the Redbury Hotel, MacDuggal, and Venus Et Fleur for Valentine's Day.

{ from this post here }
One of my besties / college roomies Kayla came to visit me for my birthday weekend.
I celebrated my 23rd birthday with my favorite people in NYC. { from this post here }
I attended another season of NYFW... the weather was brutal and FREEZING COLD. { from this post here }
Another favorite NYFW look. { from this post here }

I went to Paris for the first time with EF Language Center. { from this post here + here }

 I traveled to Amsterdam for the first time.

{ from this post here }

I flew to the west coast with my favorite blogger gal pal Karli shortly afterwards.

{ from this post here }

We explored San Francisco together.

{ from this post here }

I spent Easter with my family in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

{ from this post here }

I visited Chapel Hill (and Natalie) for the first time since I graduated college. 

The very first introduction to At Your Beat -- the London-immersed dance studio with the best instructors and dance classes. So grateful to have formed a genuine and real partnership with the AYB team. 

I flew to Monterey, California to spend Mother's Day with my mom.

I wrote a 17-mile drive and Big Sur travel guide in this post here.

I flew to LA to spend some time with Natalie.

I collaborated with Mason & Rook Kimpton Hotel in Washington D.C. for Memorial Day Weekend.

{ from this post here }

My boyfriend and I spent MDW exploring downtown D.C.

I shared a 'Most Instagrammable Places in D.C.' travel guide post here. 

One of my favorite shots from this post here.

I did a fun collaboration with Mamma Chia.

{ from this post here }

I had the pleasure of joining the Kendra Scott team in the Southamptons for a fun day trip.

{ from this post here }

I flew to Seattle for the first time.

{ from this post here }

I shared another Seattle travel guide in this post here. 

I also wrote a Cascade Mountains travel guide in this post here.

My sister Rebecca came to visit and we attended the Pinknic Festival at Governor's Island.

We spent the 4th of July in Brooklyn.

I had the pleasure of watching Britney Spears perform live at Radio City Music Hall with Britney Spears' Prerogative Fragrance. 

I attended the Panorama Music Festival at Randall's Island this past summer.

It was my first music festival.

I partnered with my dream brand Kate Spade for their smartwatch. 

Pinch me moment.

{ from this post here }

I MOVED into my new apartment.

{ from this post here }

I attended another season of NYFW.

{ from this post here }

I spoke at an Influencers Unscripted panel for Fashion Mingle and met these amazing ladies.

I celebrated my boyfriend's 25th birthday in Chinatown. 

I had the pleasure of attending the Global Citizens Music Festival with Always.

Some of you know about the traumatizing false alarm "shooting" that I mentioned that night on my Instagram Stories...

I set sail with Neutrogena at Chelsea Piers for their Hydro Boost Collection launch.

I decided to BEE-YONCE for Halloween.

{ from this post here }

I had the pleasure of going upstate with DL1961 for all the fall festivities: apple picking, hayrides, pumpkin picking, and tons of photo opps -- of course.

{ from this post here }

I got to dance with Ciara and the Rockettes with Pandora Jewelry at Radio City Music Hall.

It started to snow the day I left New York City for Thanksgiving Break...

I spent Thanksgiving with my family in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

{ from this post here }

I had the pleasure of traveling to D.C. with Verizon to attend their #ConnectDC event. I met a lot of content creators from all over the U.S. and had an absolute ball. Pun intended.

 I partnered with Google for a Google Photos collaboration.

 

Courtney and Brittany came to visit and we enjoyed the Christmas festivities in NYC.

And the Saks Fifth Avenue window display show is always a favorite of mine.

Christmas vibes in New York City.

I flew home to Fayetteville, North Carolina to spend Christmas with the family.

Every time we are all back together, my family and I travel somewhere, even if it's for a day or two.

We went on a road trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this year.

This is the dress I'm planning to wear for New Years Eve.

I'll be spending it in East Village with Natalie this year.

TO RECAP...

this was a year of many firsts. I'm grateful to have traveled to all the places I visited this year.

I'm grateful to have moved into the City my second year of being here.

I'm grateful to have dedicated the amount of time I had to growing my blog full-time. 

I'm grateful to have true and genuine friends stick by me through the good and bad times.

I'm grateful to have an amazing family who accepts me for who I am and can share just about anything and everything with.

I'm grateful to have attended all the amazing opportunities and events because of my blog. 

I"m grateful for each and every one of you who leaves comments, responds back and interacts with me on my blog and Instagram. 

And better yet, I'm beyond grateful to have a special someone (my boyfriend) who has been one of the most supportive people in my life living here in NYC. 

The NYC life isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

It's been a pretty rough life, and somehow having him by my side has made my life significantly better. Over the course of one year, I've noticed how I've changed with how I act around others, and the importance of what makes up a relationship. He's taught me the importance of being patient enough to get to know the other person better, and the importance of communication.

In the past, I've dealt with a lot of heartbreak from boys I should've never given the time of day to.

And because of it, I closed myself off to the possibility of ever wanting something with someone. It was tough trying to break that wall down. And now, I feel like I can do that again. Open up, be myself, and share the greatest moments of life with someone who cares enough to do the same.

I want to emphasize that wherever you are in your life right now, don't let that fear of not getting what you want out of life hold you back. Don't let perfect moments, perfect people, or perfect shots on Instagram make you feel like you're not enough. Don't compare yourself to what others have, what others look like, or the path that they are on. 

You're allowed to be frustrated. Upset. Stressed.

However, use those situations to learn through those feelings. Understand why you're feeling that way and what you can do to make it better. If you can. And if not? Then learn to be okay with where you are right now.

There are waiting periods where we are to face some of the greatest and most difficult trials in our lives. In 2019, I encourage you to take it on as a challenge. 

To push through even in the toughest of times. 

And with all good things, your time will come. 

Thanks for reading!

I wish you all a Happy New Year.

See you in 2019.