June 18 2013

Final Wedding of the Season

Last week capped off the finale of my wedding season (besides my own wedding, naturally) and it couldn’t have been a more fun affair!

There are certain people who come into your lives for a reason and I believe with my whole heart that Jamie and Amanda are two of those people.

Although she was initially my boss, Amanda and I immediately recognized that we would have an unusual employer/employee relationship and instead became close friends.

Fast forward a year and a half ago when I moved two blocks away from this duo.  From then on, it was that perfect neighbor relationship I had always desired. Joel and I would drop by for wine or they’d swing by for cheese or Amanda would rush over with jewelry options when I needed or we’d typically end up at our super divey neighborhood bar playing beer pong and flip cup until the early hours of the morning.

With some people you just click and that was the four of us.

Fast forward even more when Meg began working with us and our close knit group grew even stronger.

Last week we traveled to Asheville, North Carolina for a weekend of celebrations.

We sweat it out hardcore on the dance floor (side note: Chris, Meg’s boyfriend, is THE BEST DANCER IN THE WORLD! I can’t wait to see his moves at my wedding!)

And made silly/serious faces in the photo booth.

Before closing down the local tavern.

We spent the following day at Highlands Brewery playing corn hole and football and chowing down on Food Truck sandwiches and local beer.

The truth? I love this couple and these people so much!

June 04 2013

Living Life as a Bucket List

With less than two months left in New York City, I’ve been living life checking off one bucket list item after another. 

The list mostly includes restaurants (naturally), but last weekend I did something I’ve been wanting to do for years…. 

I hopped on the ferry to Liberty Island for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.

Horses, bubbly, and some of the best people watching I’ve ever seen…..

Here’s how Meg, Chris, Joel and I drank the afternoon away and checked another bucket list item off the list!

June 03 2013

Oh, The Places We’ll Go - Living Life As An Adventure

Deciding to pack up our lives in New York and move to London was not a simple decision. Of course it’s easy to focus on all the excitement and fun that lays ahead, but it certainly is not going to be all afternoon tea and crumpets.

For me, in particular, taking the road less traveled and surrendering to an uncertain future was a struggle. I had mentally set my ducks in a row and when the London opportunity presented itself, my “ducks” were, shall we say, scattered.

How would we do X? Would we still be able to do Y? By moving to London and taking a chance on fate, would we also be giving up Z?

Joel and I spent hours and HOURS on end discussing the options.  To be completely honest, he kept pointing out all the pros while I focused unwaveringly on the cons. We certainly weren’t being a team and with our wedding only a couple months away, the debate became the perfect “test” of sorts.

I had a conversation with my mom, who has been our biggest cheerleader since day 1, and it was her wisdom that finally made me see the light. 

She pointed out how I had lived abroad twice and sure, it wasn’t always easy, but it made me who I am today. Joel, on the other hand, began his European travels with me and has yet to live abroad. 

My mom asked: What if someone took away that time abroad away from you? Erased those experiences from your history? Would you be the same person you are today? When you’re 50, what will you regret more? Not following the traditional road OR not taking advantage of this amazing opportunity to live abroad?

Ultimately, the decision came down to one thing: living life as an adventure.  And that’s exactly what we’re going to do!

So thank you to our amazing family and friends who have provided unwavering support, kindness and encouragement throughout this process. And also for providing an ear to listen when I just need to ramble, which I know I do more often than I should (I promise I’m working on it!)

And to this funny Tumblr community…thank YOU for sweet the comments and emails over the last week.  It’s hard to explain to anyone not in this “blogging” world, but you sure know how to make a girl feel excited!

And a special thanks to those American bloggers living in the UK who have sent me the most amazing, detailed emails with recommendations and advice.  It really means the world!

Speaking of supportive friends, Erin and Ozzy are in a league of their own. Not only are they always looking to check off “NYC Bucket List Items” with us (we’ve only got a couple weeks left!), but they help us find special gems like Jones Wood Foundry.

The four of us grabbed brunch at this Upper East Side British Pub yesterday to taste (as Erin put it) “all the wonderful British fare you will be having soon!”

The restaurant is decked out in Union Jack decor and the menu features  Scotch Wood Cock, Toad in the Hole, traditional Sunday Roast, Scotch Egg and more.

I sipped my tea, ate my crumpets, squeezed Joel’s hand and felt at peace with our choice, our adventure….because we get to tackle it together.

London - here we come!