street style: brooklyn

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work. 

Living in the city of Philadelphia, Brooklyn is just a quick bus ride north and an escape that I make often. I love this little city of mine, but every once in a while, you need to break out of the routine.

Brooklyn is a way to mix it up. Each visit leaves you brimming with inspiration. I love walking the streets and observing the people; I love checking out the shops and restaurants filled with unique ideas. Everywhere you look it’s something different – a playground for the visual thinker.

This past weekend, I made a Brooklyn trip. To bottle up that infectious, inspired feeling Brooklyn tends to leave you with, I decided to capture a few street style images to share with BLDG 25. Let these transport you to that land where you can be anything you want:

weekly scenes

There is no one I love spending time with more than my man. With him, I'm utterly myself. Free & happy. The past month gifted us more time together than usual. When life gives it to you, you use it. Adventures, with him, are always better. 

weekly scenes

While last month was all about picking up and leaving for me, October is setting out to be a month of settling down. Fall's crisp air has definitely arrived, and already I can feel myself wanting to cozy up. For the first time in awhile I have no plans to go off an any adventures any time soon. I've been enjoying the quiet of home, of getting things back in order. I'm excited to have more time to simply be with loved ones. Adventuring this month will come in the version of pumpkin patches and haunted houses, but every night I'll come back home to snuggle in my own bed next to the man who means the world to me. It will be a great month of recharging, getting me ready to pick back up and hit the road once again. I'm sure.

weekly scenes & a little reflection

As we get older, we all have to learn: life is not always going to be easy. 

You won't always get to spend as much time together as you wish. 

You'll work too late.

Your phone will break.

You car insurance will be overdue.

You'll get frustrated with yourself.

You'll feel all alone.

You'll have to put up with unhappy situations.

You're schedules won't line up.

You. Just. Won't. Know. What. To. Do.

At some point, I don't care who you are, you're going to feel all of these things. Myself, I'm not immune to it. Last week I found myself bawling because life just felt too overwhelming. I didn't feel like myself, I felt so silly for being upset. And the worst part was that I couldn't figure out how to make myself feel better. I had no action plan for happiness, and so I dove even deeper into sadness.

The only thing I knew to do was to go to every yoga class I possibly could. After the first class, I felt a tiny lift in emotion, but still, life was walking through a haze, going through the motions, unclear of a vision. With each practice I felt a little more optimistic, and then I found myself in a class where the teacher prompted with exactly what I needed.

"Today, use your practice to rid your body of all the emotions and memories that are no longer serving you. Wring them out, and leave them behind on the mat."

I felt a fire.

I sweat and pushed more than ever. I felt strong, balanced, flexible....I felt confident for the first time in a week. This sadness, it wasn't serving me. I decided right then and there to grow up.

And I'm not saying that I'll never get down about life ever again. Life is a pendulum. But I think that part of becoming an adult is accepting that it won't always be easy. We want someone to hold our hand and make it all ok, but only we can do that for ourselves now. Let go of what isn't serving you, and embrace what will.

And now, to focus on the positive, some weekly scenes of all the GOOD things that have happened lately...

A visit to Kinfolk in Brooklyn.

My first Rockaway taco

Custom Power Ride shredin it up at Connie's Ric Rac and a good night with new friends.

Hanging with Free People's Open Call winners in Brooklyn & shooting behind the scenes.

Working with Adam to write a review on our favorite new brunch spot

Hanging around Greensgrow way too much.

A tasty recipe post I had the opportunity to write for the fine blog over at Everyday Minerals

Learning about Aromatherapy and connecting with inspiring women in my own community.

oh hello, brooklyn. it's been a while.

I finally escaped to Brooklyn for a long weekend. It's been awhile since my last visit, and there were some friends that it was time to go see. Sometimes you just need to get away and find a new adventure, and sometimes you just need the comfort of old friends. I let all the worries of work leave my head, and just played. I was also able to work on some fun projects which I'm excited to share when the time comes!

One of my favorite stops on the visit was the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. My friend Dani took me there in the morning. We all know how I love my conservatories, but I had never to been to see the one in Brooklyn. On the plus side, theirs is free every Saturday. All that fun without spending a dime. Also, their cafe has some mighty great food. I opted for a fresh pressed juice that kicked me right into gear. I know you're thinking that my favorite part must have been the desert. It came close, but actually - the must see room? The bonsai room. Be sure to check it out. Each tree is truly a work of art.