Back to the Nest

Bittersweet is the only word that comes to mind as I leave Los Angeles today and move back to Florida. Living in LA and working in the fashion industry had been my dream since I was 15 years old, and it's still kind of surreal that I actually made that a reality. What started as an opportunity for an internship turned into a career and new life on the west coast. When I moved to Los Angeles, I didn't know a soul in the city and was forced to be independent. I learned so much about myself and grew more as a person in that first year than I ever thought I could. The day I got the keys to my first studio apartment, I got a tattoo of a dove on my wrist to symbolize me flying the coop and chasing my dream. Now, 3.5 years later, every time I look at it I am reminded that I can achieve any dream I put my mind to.

I truly can't put into words what this experience has meant to me, but I will be forever grateful. I would never have made it where I am today without the constant, unwavering support of my parents and boyfriend. When I look back at my time in Los Angeles, I don't think of challenging days at work or freeways full of traffic, I only recall my favorite memories. Some of those include living with Greg for the first time, meeting new people and making lifelong friends, traveling around the beautiful state of California, a fun-filled day at Disneyland, adopting my fur-baby Zoey, countless days of perfect weather at the beach, amazing concerts, and multiple celebrity sightings {Whitney Port at Terroni in DTLA, Hilary Swank at Umami Burger in Santa Monica, Matthew Perry at Starbucks in Malibu, Matt Jones (Badger from Breaking Bad) at Umami in Los Feliz, and had a conversation with Chelsea Handler in the bathroom at Bestia!}

As sad as I am to leave what has been my home for the last few years, I am ecstatic to return to Florida and be closer to family. I can't wait to be home for the holidays and spend more weekends at my parents house with my niece & nephew. The California chapter in my life has been the most fun and rewarding yet (college was pretty hard to top!), but I am so excited for the future and this new adventure. Stay tuned for what is to come!

Reflecting back on a few of my favorite memories...

{sitting on the steps of my first apartment in LA}

{BCBG Max Azria 25th Anniversary Party}

{collage of me and my BCBG gals}

{Slightly Stoopid concert}

{Golden Gate Bridge, SF}

{Greg & I hiking Castle Rock in Big Bear, CA}

{Palm Springs}

{day at Disneyland with my prince charming}