New York City.

Hello beautiful people.

I determined as I started to 2011 that this year was going to be significantly different from last year. 2010 was a great year for me and to be honest I was sad to see it go. But, after spending a year really purposing to practice discipline, I wanted 2011 to be more about experiences (than saving money and losing weight).

I'm 25, single, and really in a great place in life. I may never have the freedom I have now, again. Now is the time to live it up. Not chucking the discipline I've developed but planning to spend my time, money, and other resources really living life to the fullest!

Over lunch at Nordstrom Cafe with two of my absolute favorite people in the world who double as my Tampa family I got an invite I couldn't have been more excited about. They invited me to New York City! Cue the Sex in The City theme music. Since they offered me a place to stay AND I had a voucher for the flight - it sounded like the perfect opportunity to see a city I already know I will love!

New York City is home to great shopping, famous landmarks, much of our nations history and landmarks and of course, the set of one of my favorite shows - Gossip Girl! Hopefully I will become friends with Blair and Chuck while I'm there. And if I win the lotto or find a million dollars on the ground between now and then I may just buy up a bundle of designer wear. But mostly I'm looking forward to strolling in Central Park, seeing shows, and spending time with people I love! Oh, and showing off a few of the fabulous outfits I've acquired recently.

So so SO excited to have this booked and ready to go. Now hurry up May - I've got a new city to conquer.

Love,

B

Breathtaking Moment.

In continuing with the prompted from reverb 10 - today I'm to tell you about one single moment, when I felt the most alive. Alive is kind of an interesting choice of a feeling to define a specific moment. Can I adjust here? Wait, this is my blog, of course I can. I'm going to pick a favorite moment of 2010 to share with you and not necessarily because it made me feel alive....roll with it.

Defining moments come for each of us but they seem to come more often in your 20s than in most stages of life. I moved into my first home (that I owned) in the beginning of January. My first few nights there, I had no furniture, was sleeping on an air mattress on the floor in my living room, waiting for life in my new home to begin. My Dad called me one day and told me to enjoy every moment of this time in life, because these are the best parts. The silly, funny, odd, moments that later define the best days of our lives.

January in football households means playoffs. I was newly in the condo, still furniture-less except the airmatress and TV but I wanted to usher in the playoffs in my own home. My friends Jen and Jess joined me and we literally ate pizza on the airmatress and watched my Dad make his second ever Super Bowl. Does like really get any better than that? There's something to be said for starting with nothing and loving every second of your life while it's simple.

That moment for me defines how I feel about having a home. From day one it has been my desire that whoever comes over will always feel as at home there as I do. That it will be a place full of memories, love, friendship, and defining moments. It was nice to start that off on the right foot.

Love,
B