WHY YOU SHOULD EMBRACE BEING SINGLE ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine's Day is all about LOVE, right?! Wrong. It's mostly about the pressure of buying the right gift for your significant other along with planning the perfect night and the stress of what to wear for said perfect night. But not this year. Because you're SINGLE. Before you start to drown your feelings in that bottle of wine. Here are some reasons why you should absolutely embrace your SINGLENESS this Valentine's Day. 

Image via MyDomaine.com

Do You

You can stay home and binge Netflix while eating Ben & Jerry's in bed. You can have an at home spa night. You can meet up with your girlfriends for brunch and consume bottomless mimosas. Or you can have a Girl's Night Out in celebration of Galentine's Day. The point is that you can do anything you want without the pressure of it being the perfectly planned out.

Indulge

Eat all the chocolate you want. Judgement FREE. So make sure to stock up on all those heart shaped boxes of chocolates. Or you could go all out like Miranda, in that one episode of 'Sex and The City' where she bakes a whole chocolate cake, grabs a fork and never looks back. 

Wine about it

If all else fails, there’s always WINE. Go ahead and break out that expensive bottle of wine you've been saving for a special occasion. After all, you are celebrating your singleness. . CHEERS! 

Grab your Girls

Because being single doesn't mean you're alone. You have amazing friends and an amazing life that a guy would only be lucky enough to be a part of. Call your girlfriends, let them know how much you love and appreciate them being in your life. Invite them to brunch or a day of shopping and celebrate your friendships.

Image via Pinterest

To all my SINGLE LADIES: Embrace your SINGLENESS. And treat yo' self to the Valentine's Day you deserve. 

How will you be celebrating this year?!

XO, Rae

8 GIFTS GIRLS REALLY WANT FOR Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. And if you’re in need of some gift ideas for your Sister, Best Friend or Girlfriends….here are some ideas any GAL is sure to LOVE! And if you're a SINGLE gal, like ME. Why not treat yourself to a gift along with the chocolate and bottle of wine you plan to consume on Valentine's Day. No judgement here.

And GUYS, if you’re reading this, take notes! Your lady may have sent this to you as a hint on what to get her this Valentine’s Day!

1. Professional Glam Session

Who doesn’t love having their makeup done by a professional?! Or a blowout at DryBar? And thanks to companies like Glam Squad, beauty services can be booked easily and take place in the comfort of your home. This would make a great gift for the Gal who’s deserving of some pampering but maybe doesn't have a lot of time in her busy schedule.

2. Spa Day

A spa day is the ultimate gift with treatments from facials to massages and anything in between. Book Solo or as a Couples Massage, or even as a Girls Day of pampering. Not sure which Spa to book? Try Spafinder to purchase a gift card that can be used for local spas.

3. Hand Written Card

A handwritten note is always a good idea, especially for your long distance friends. I always like to send cards to my closest Girlfriends for Galentine’s Day. Just to remind them that I’m thinking of them and appreciate their friendship. If you like cards with funny sayings, check out Chez Gagné (one of my favorite online print shops).

4. Weekend Getaway

GUYS: Nothing says “I love you” more than a romantic getaway. And she will swoon over the fact that you planned it all by yourself. Think of places she has always wanted to travel to or places that are meaningful to the both of you!

LADIES: If you have any friends that are Moms, they could most likely use a weekend away or a Staycation somewhere nearby. Make it a GIRLS WEEKEND and invite all your mutual gal pals.

5. Jewelry

For the accessory lover. Jewelry is one of those gifts that can be simple, like a fun pair of statement earrings or can be sentimental, like jewelry that’s personalized. Kendra Scott literally has something for everyone! And I also love Alex and Ani bracelets to give as gifts.

6. Sweet Treats

You can never go wrong with chocolate. Whether it’s her favorite cookies, cake or cupcakes. Or maybe even a baking class? If you’re local to NYC, Butter Lane Cupcakes offers baking & decorating classes as well as Milk Bar.

7. Wine

When in doubt, give the gift of WINE. Treat her to her favorite bottle of red, white or bubbles. And if she really enjoys wine, a wine subscription makes a great gift.  What girl wouldn't love wine just showing up on her doorstep every month?!

8. An Experience

Sometimes the best gifts aren’t gifts at all, but rather an experience. Like taking a Cooking Class, a day pass to a Museum exhibit, Concert tickets to her favorite band/artist or even a night out to a fancy restaurant with a tasting menu. Think of something unique and meaningful that she would love.

I hope this was helpful and gave you some gift ideas for Galentine’s & Valentine’s Day! And feel free to share this post with your Sister, Best Friend or Significant other to drop hints. 💘

XO, Rae

HOW TO EMBRACE A BIG LIFE CHANGE

When you're about to embark on a big life change, it's important to consider a few things.

BE OPEN TO THE JOURNEY

I’m very Type A personality. I like to plan things out and know what to expect ahead of time. However, when you’re facing a big life change, your plan may or may not go as perfectly as you hoped for. And that's OKAY. Sometimes the best moments in life are the unexpected ones or the ones that derail us from our original plans. You have to be open to the ups and downs that come as part of the growth. And trust that in the end, it will all work out how it's supposed to.

NOT EVERYONE WILL SUPPORT YOUR DECISION

When I decided to move to New York, I got lucky. All of my friends and family could not have been more supportive. But that isn't always the case for some when making big life changes. It's easier for some people to tear you down than it is to build you up. Not everyone will see your vision and encourage you to chase your dreams. Be prepared to move forward with or without some of your friends and family's support. Don't let others influence you or make you feel less than excited about your decision. After all, it is YOUR life. 

CHANGE IS SCARY, BUT SO IS REGRET

Easier said than done, I know. Change is not something I’m typically comfortable with. I dealt with a lot of change in my childhood. And as a result, it became harder for me to accept change as an adult. The key is embracing it, rather than hiding from it. And if all else fails, at least you can say you took the leap of faith and tried. In life, you have to take risks in order to see the reward. If you can one day look back on your life and say that you have no regrets, imagine how fulfilling that will be. Nothing worth having comes easy. 

DO IT FOR YOURSELF

We often make decisions based on a mix of emotions. Sometimes a combination of our own wants and needs as well as other's. It isn't always easy to make yourself a priority. However, when making a big change in your life, you have to do it for you above anything else. It's never selfish to want to follow your dreams or to take steps to having a more fulfilled life. Your happiness should be the ultimate goal. 

So no matter what big life change you may be considering or beginning to embark upon. Remember to be open to the possibilities, take the good with the bad, have no regrets and do what makes YOU happy. 

XO, Rae 

5 REASONS WHY LIVING IN NEW YORK IS AMAZING

It's no secret that New York City is the one of the greatest cities in the world. Many consider it a right of passage to live here. Besides walking amongst the bright lights and concrete jungle. Here are some more reasons why living in New York City is AMAZING. 

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Even if you're like me and don't really love to work out. You really won't have a choice living in New York. Chances are high that you will live in a walk up building. Meaning, you could climb five to six flights of stairs every day. Thank you pre-war buildings. I've been doing this for over a year now and I have to say my legs and butt have never looked better. And if you do love working out well, your in luck. Stairs are everywhere, restaurants, subway stations, grocery stores etc... 

Plus, Walking everywhere does keep you active and encourages you to be more fit. And it's a great excuse to wear yoga pants out in public. 

DELIVERY

When you're at home sick and can barely get out of bed or there is 3ft. of snow on the ground and you have to put on six layers of clothes just to go outside. Delivery comes to the rescue. Of course with Seamless you can order great food. There is also delivery for groceries. Have you ever had to carry groceries up 5 flights of stairs?! Yeah, this is why New Yorkers love delivery. And when you've had a bad day at work and only want to come home to a glass of wine and Scandal. But then discover your roommate drank the last of the bottle. You phone your favorite liquor store to order a bottle of wine STAT. YES! Wine delivers to your doorstep. 

I bet Olivia Pope couldn't make that happen. Okay, so she probably could. But you get my point. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Nothing is more exhausting and aggravating than spending hours in the car sitting in traffic. Trust me I know. I lived in Atlanta for 11 years, one of the worst cities to commute in. So living in New York now and having a Subway station every few blocks is amazing. Sure there is such a thing as "train traffic". No, seriously. And yes there are occasional train delays and trains re-routed. But after a long day all I have to do is grab a seat and enjoy the ride. You honestly have more down time in your day to read a book, catch up with a friend, prep for that upcoming interview or listen to music. It's nice to not have to worry about parking or which hwy to avoid during rush hour. Best of all, you never have to be the designated driver in your group of friends. So ultimately, you can have that last cocktail and no one will judge you. 

ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT

There is endless amounts of things to do from Central Park, Concerts, Movies in the park, Festivals, Broadway shows, Rooftop happy hours, Art exhibits, Museums and tons more. And not to mention you have 5 boroughs you can visit and explore. Also, each new season brings a new agenda of events throughout the city/state. Boredom is not an option here. 

THE PEOPLE

Everyday you get to be surrounded by millions of people in the city. Some may think that this just sounds crowded. But you never know who you may come in contact with on a daily basis. Whether it be a random stranger giving up their seat for you on the subway or an encounter with a celebrity. New Yorkers are known for being loyal to each other and to the city itself. And I have witnessed that first hand. It's always inspiring to see how people in the city never seem to meet a stranger and hustle harder than anyone. 

New York City is no doubt one of the toughest places to live, however there are so many amazing reasons why it is one of the best places to live. So, if you ever have the urge to move to New York City, DO IT! I promise you won't regret it. 

XO, Rae

SO MUCH CAN HAPPEN IN A YEAR

Finally, I had some time this evening to sit down and blog. Life has been non-stop with the holidays, traveling and working from home. But I could not let the year come to an end without reflecting back and sharing one last blog entry with you all before we embark on 2016!

This year by far has been one to remember. So many changes & so many things that all fell into perfect place.

I settled into a new city and still can't believe that I get to call New York home. I never imagined being so happy here and feeling so comfortable in such a short amount of time. It still feels exhilarating every day that I get to spend here.

I quit a job that I once dreamed of having. It in turn made me realize that you always have a choice to walk away from something if you are not happy. And it also made me take a chance on myself. I had no plan B and although it terrified me, I knew that my happiness was worth the risk. Even through other's doubts and questions of my next move, I realized that sometimes in life you are allowed to not have a plan. You do not owe anything to anyone. But you do owe yourself, everything!

I closed the door to my past for the last time. The classic story of too little to late. He would say "I'm sorry" and ask for me to come back and all I could do was say "I can't". Even though I know I will never love anyone as much as I loved him. I know I could never allow myself to go back. I used to not be that strong and would have done anything to let him back in my life but this time was different because well, I was different. 

I removed toxic people from my life, met new friends and even reconnected with old ones. I definitely believe everyone holds a purpose in your life no matter how long or short lived. However, life is so much better when you have the right people to share it with. And I am lucky to have such amazing family & friends in my life. I would not be the person I am without them. 

Most of all I learned to trust the journey. And by far the best lesson of 2015! You may not be exactly where you think you should be but trust me you are exactly where you are supposed to be. It's the moments that we often forget to enjoy because we are so focused on what comes next. So, as we welcome 2016 and a NEW YEAR ahead, my hope is for you to enjoy the moments along the way. The rest will fall into place. 

CHEERS to 2016! And thank you for following my journey!

XO,  Rae

I ❤️ NY: YEAR 1 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

I recently celebrated my 1 year anniversary of living in New York City. October 10th, 2014 at 3 am is when I officially became a resident of New York. As I drove over the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan, there were so many emotions. Mostly I remember feeling excited for what was to come with living in New York. There I was in a packed SUV with my best friend & my Mom. After 16+ hours of driving up the east coast, I was anxious to get to my new apartment. We pulled up shortly after 3 am and made the decision to go ahead and unload the SUV. 

My first dose of NYC apartment living was carrying boxes up five flights of stairs. I think I cursed most of the way up and down.

 After about an hour we finally had everything unloaded and into the apartment. I had seen the apartment in photos prior to moving but seeing my bedroom in person, it was even smaller than I remembered. I was unsure if any of my things would fit and wondered how could I live in such a small space. I mean here I was literally downsizing to a small bedroom barely big enough for a full size bed from my spacious 900+ sq. ft apartment in Atlanta. I started to break down. There it was, all the months of preparation of moving, leaving my job, leaving all of my friends & my life behind in Atlanta along with being cooped up in a car for 16+ hours all hit me at that exact moment. I remember I just slid down the wall as the tears ran down my face and I began to question everything. This went on for about an hour. Everyone was nice or maybe smart enough to just let me be alone for awhile. I finally pulled myself together and came out of my room, walked into my best friends bedroom where he, his boyfriend and my mom were all siting there drinking wine. My eyes all swollen from crying, I smiled and asked for a glass for myself. 

So there we sat until after 6am drinking wine and laughing at my meltdown. I knew in that moment, that everything would be okay. I just needed to release all of the emotions that had been building over the months prior to moving.

I look back on that day now and I think how happy I am that I embarked on this journey of moving to New York. 

Living in New York has been exhilarating. It hasn't been perfect by any means but pretty darn close. The energy you feel here never wears off. That's what I love most about this city. You always feel inspired here. Each day is something different and to be in awe of. I can't describe it in words, you have to feel it for yourself. I hope that feeling never goes away. This past year has also had many unexpected moments. I landed an amazing job when I first got here and then quit after 6 months, I started a blog about my life and have taken the time to rediscover myself. The Subway once terrified me, now I'm the one getting asked for directions. I can hail a cab even in the rain. And I have even learned how to dress like a New Yorker. So many changes have happened in just a year but in a strange way, I feel it was all meant to be. 

I could not have made it through the past year without the support of my amazing friends and family. 

To my Grandfather, who without him I would not have been strong enough to make the decision to move to NYC and make this life change. He inspired me to live a life with NO REGRETS. And to him, I will always be grateful for instilling that in me. I miss you everyday Granddaddy and I hope I’m making you proud. 

To my Mother, who is always by biggest supporter in life. She never tells me my dreams are too big or too crazy. I owe her everything for always being there for me. I love you MOM!

To my brother and my Dad, Thank you for believing in me and telling me how proud you are. It means more than you will ever know. I love you both!

To my best friend Lindsey, thank you for taking my calls on good days and bad days. Most of all, thank you for not letting distance change our friendship. I am so lucky to have you as my friend. 

To Danny, Thank you for taking a chance on living with your boyfriend's best friend after have only meeting me once in person. Thank you for being there on days I needed it most. I am so glad we have become friends over the past year.

To my best friend Will, it was YOU who convinced me over the course of 5 years to move to New York. You knew way before I did that I would love it here. Thank you for always pushing me in life and always being there. I can't imagine my life without you. In the end, its always you & I.

To all of my friends and family who have encouraged me on this journey, who have called, sent cards, letters or just been there for me. Thank you!! Nothing in life is worth having if you can't share it with the people you love most.  

I knew moving to New York would change my life. I just didn't know how. And I'm so glad it did. I am not the same person I was 12 months ago. I feel more confident, more open to change and more willing to let life take me where I am meant to be. My friends tell me how happy I sound on the phone, so I guess it shows. Anything is possible if you let it be. Don't be afraid to make a life change. It could just be exactly what you need. Thank you New York for an incredible first year. I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for me. 

XO, Rae

HOW I BECAME COMFORTABLE IN MY OWN SKIN

I have always had body issues ever since I can remember. My weight has always fluctuated partially to bad habits, not enough exercise and skipping meals. I've never wanted to be super skinny, maybe just a healthier version of myself. It wasn't until I turned 27, that I really started to embrace my body. And for once in my life, I began to feel comfortable in my own skin. I don't remember what the pivotal moment was. I just remember I stopped being so hard on myself about trying to fit into a certain size jeans or achieve a certain weight. For a long time I struggled with my self confidence and only saw myself as how I compared to other women. 

Even at the age of 32, I still fluctuate with my weight and I will probably always be nagging over those 20lbs. But I don't let myself get down about it anymore. I just work a little harder and eat smarter if I don't like what I see in the mirror. I will never be skinny by any means. Personally, I just don't want to be that way. I like having curves. I ultimately just want to be healthy. I don't want to be defined by a number on a scale. 

I also had to stop focusing on the size of clothing. Sizing can be so misleading. And it's a known fact that not all brands are created equal when it comes to clothing sizes. I now just buy clothes that fit my body type and focus more on how I feel when wearing the clothing. 

Something else that has helped me to have a more positive outlook on my curvy body, is seeing how it is more accepted now days. It's refreshing to see more and more women embracing their real bodies. I mean for a plus size model like Ashley Graham to walk in New York Fashion Week, that is a GAME CHANGER. And it helps to shed light on the topic of what is considered to be a "normal body" in today's society. It also shows that women can be beautiful at any size.   

You are NOT your weight. You are beautiful no matter what size you are.  And only once you truly begin to realize that will you learn to love yourself even more. Don't let society, family, friends or even your own insecurities dictate how you perceive yourself. Be happy. Be healthy. And love your body, flaws and all!

XO, Rae

20 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME

You visit my blog, support me & share this journey with me here. So, I thought you may want to know a bit more about me on a personal level. Here are 20 Random Facts about myself.

1. Rae is actually my middle name. It wasn't until my twenties that I really started to embrace it.

2. I'm happiest when CREATING or PLANNING something. Especially party planning. 

3. I think handwritten 'Thank You' notes never go out of style. 

4. I'll admit, I'm a big Real Housewives fan. My favorite housewife is Bethenny Frankel. #RHONY

5. I am way more productive if I write out my to-do list. 

6. I'm a WINE kinda gal. Red, White, Rosé, Sparkling….I love it all.

7. I can recite all the words to 'JUICY' by The Notorious B.I.G.

8. Music is my love language. 

9. As a kid, my report cards always said “talkative in class”. Guess some things never change.

10. FALL is my favorite season. Pumpkin spice everything.

11. I’m an ONLY child. However, I also have a 1/2 brother and 1/2 sister (same Dad, different Mom’s) 

12. I've always wanted to get a tattoo, but I'm too scared to actually do it. 

13. I love accessories. Big gold hoops are my go-to. 

14. I own a ridiculous amount of lip glosses and lipsticks. I carry at least three with me at all times. Anyone else have this problem?!

15. My favorite movie of all time is 'Dirty Dancing'.

16. The word Y'all will always be in my vocabulary. Blame it on my Southern roots.

17. I'm naturally a Red head. (and yes, a hot temper comes with it)

18. Never thought I would actually move to NEW YORK. 

19. Turning 30 was a game changer for me.

20. Always on the hunt for the best Iced Coffee. Coffee is my VICE.

Tell me something about yourself!  Comment below. 

XO, dana Rae

WHY YOUR JOB SHOULDN'T DEFINE WHO YOU ARE

Lately, I dread the question "What do you do?"  It's often the first thing asked when meeting someone for the first time. And it's only natural to ask this question in effort to get to know someone, but it often comes with a reaction based on the answer given. I've never had hesitation of answering what my career is until now. I have always had a job and position in which I was excited to share and speak about. But now that I am not working, this question has made me almost cringe when asked. And I have yet to quite figure out how to answer this question given my current situation.

I made the sound decision to leave my corporate job. But I want people to know more about me and not just how I pay my bills. I don't want to just say, "Well, I quit my high paying job to stay home and write about my life". Doesn't sound so appealing, right? And honestly most people may not understand it. Especially new people that come into my life. I'm pretty sure my parents and friends are still trying to wrap their minds around it. I feel as if no matter how I answer the question, it sounds the same. And my career prior to now almost feels discredited because new people in my life don't know of my prior accomplishments and success.

Let's be honest, when you find out someone isn't working, usually the reaction is negative or envious. You might even make a comment like "Oh, must be nice." I'm sure I have been guilty of this myself. Regardless of the reason why, not having a defined job can have a negative connotation. Often we judge others based on what they do for a living. 

Especially living in New York, career is everything. Most people move here with the sole intention of taking their career to the next level. Don't get me wrong. I have zero regrets about quitting my job. Your job should be what you do, not who you are.

My job was my life. I barely allowed for anything else to take place because I was always putting work first. And most of the time I wasn't happy. 

There is more to me than what I do what for a living. I'm a creative, ambitious, loyal to a fault girl who will always want the most out of life. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared of failure but I want to know that I at least tried. And I am constantly evolving and growing into the person I want to become. Who I am today, is NOT who I was ten years ago or even 10 months ago for that matter. 

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you feel like your career can sometimes define who you are?

XO, Dana Rae

TOPICS WOMEN HIDE FROM

As women, there are subjects that we tend to avoid being honest about. And sometimes try to avoid all together. Maybe it's for fear of being judged or looked at differently. However, I think often times it’s not until someone else is honest about their feelings, that we admit we feel the same way. Why are we so afraid of being honest with our selves and even more so with each other?

Getting pregnant is one of life's little miracles. Many women base their whole entire life on when they will become a mother. And when it does, they are overwhelmed with joy. Well maybe not for all women. Some women although very much wanting to carry a child do not feel it's the best experience. And not all women actually like being pregnant. YES, there I said it! I haven't been pregnant myself, but I have watched several friends go through two completely different experiences when it comes to pregnancy. And it's difficult to see the friends who did not have the greatest experience being pregnant feel shameful for feeling that way. Why can't a woman say that she dreads the part of gaining weight, feels like her body is disowning her, never had anything close to a "glow", admits to drinking more than the recommended coffee amounts, desperately wants to drink a glass of wine and has no urge to breastfeed PERIOD. Why is it so frowned upon for a women to speak her truth? You don't hear women who have great pregnancies shy away from telling everyone....and I mean everyone! But the moment a pregnant women even starts to say something that sounds like a negative remark about pregnancy, you can just see the looks of other women judging her. 

Getting married is something you often dream about since you were a little girl. You grow up playing house and even married off your Ken and Barbie dolls. Then as you get older, you date different guys and endure one too many heartbreaks. You see relationships for what they really are. Some great and some that you'd like to forget about. You begin to realize that maybe marriage is not what you want or believe in anymore. But your afraid to even say it out loud much less tell your closest friends and definitely not your Mother. If most of your friends are married or engaged, they would probably just tell you that you're going through a phase. Or tell you that you've just dated the wrong guys and not to worry, your future husband IS out there somewhere. But YOU know deep down that if marriage was somehow NOT in the cards for you, you would probably be okay with that. So, why do we feel this guilt for being brutally honest? And for fear of downplaying our friends marriages and relationships, we reluctantly agree that it's just a phase and tell yourself that you're probably just being a little bitter. 

Hold your head high and NEVER let them see you sweat. We are trained since an early age to have our life plan mapped out. College, Career, Marriage then Babies. But what about PLAN B? Or even better yet, PLAN C, D or even E?? Did anyone ever tell you what happens when plan A doesn't fall into place? I didn't think so. So why is that? It's almost as if plan A doesn't go accordingly, then somehow we must have failed in our life. And even worse we would have to admit that we failed if we tried to discuss it with someone else. Not everyone fits into plan A and that's OKAY. Life is often better lived off script. So what you didn't go to college or graduate. And maybe you're in your thirties just now figuring out what you want to do for a longterm career. And maybe being single is your plan for now, so you can travel first before getting married and having kids. What's SO wrong with that plan? Your life doesn't have to be like everyone else's or even in the same order. But we fear to admit to each other that we like our plan better and that life sometimes tastes better against the grain. 

You should never apologize for how you feel, who you are as a person or where you stand on certain topics. So often we seek approval from others. But being honest in how you feel may likely make others feel relieved. We also look to other women who are just like us. It's much more comforting and inspiring when you have those who are closest to you share in your same feelings. So, next time your faced with these topics, be true to YOU. Make no excuses and remember, you may not be alone. 

XO, Dana Rae