¡Hasta La Vista Arizona!

Surreal is the only word that comes to mind to describe the past week. Last Monday I had a phone interview at 7 a.m., booked a one-way ticket to NYC by 2 p.m. and on Wednesday at 9:40 a.m. I was on a plane with two suitcases saying bye the place I have known for 22 years. I feel like it’s the crazy story you only see in movies or hear about from a friend of a friend’s cousin. Right?

I always assumed my step after college would be New York. Fashion and editorial thrives in New York = I must start in New York, and with that in mind, I planned. A blog led me to a variety of internships, which led me to industry networking, which led me to more internships and student organizations, and by the end of my junior year I had my heart set on New York. Almost all of my internship applications were based in NYC and I was fortunate enough to land a gig at Redbook magazine. Now, fast forward 6 months and I’m in the middle of a senior year crisis of scrolling through happy Facebook  announcements of peers talking about post-grad plans and job offers (the times I wish I wanted to work in finance… JK) but I had the only plan I knew, and that was New York. Now trust me, I have received plenty of blank stares and questions when I told people I was moving across the country, unemployed, and broke, but I figured it’s ‘Step One’ of the plan. To make New York happen, I had to be in New York.

My ‘Step One’ had a reality check my first day when I was lost in the middle of a midtown K-mart. I called my mom on my dying phone while I was trying to find a fan for my non-air conditioned room, and I had a very sad grocery list of: Ramen, peanut butter and bread. I started second guessing my tentative and stubborn plan and wanted comfort. But after a brief breakdown and realizing I couldn’t afford a plane ticket home, I proudly bought that $1.19 pack of Ramen, squeezed onto the 6 train to my apartment and smiled, I made it. I made it to New York.

So yes, my week has been a whirlwind of emotions. I’m slowly adjusting back to city life and I miss my family more than anything, but I’m beyond excited for this next adventure with you guys. Thank you for your support the past couple of years as I grew and accomplished more than I ever expected to through blogging and working in this crazy and fascinating industry. I’m ready for this change, because change is good. And as you embark on whatever new change in your life, I want to cheers you my non-existent cheap glass of wine – Take a leap of faith and try something new this fall. It’s scary and challenging but I know you can do it because without you all, I wouldn’t be sitting here with my cheap K-mart fan in a cluttered and unpacked New York apartment. Thank you again and let’s see what New York has to offer! xo

Shirt (c/o Dresslink) | Skirt (thrift) | Shoes (Steve Madden) | Purse (c/o Big Buddha Bags) | Belt (thrift) | Earrings (c/o Kendra Scott) | Turquoise cuff (San Francisco boutique) | Solid Cuff (Rag-O-Rama)

Photography: Heather Brick Photos