Summah, Summah, SummahTime....

Visiting us today, courtesy of  20sb's 9th Blog Swap, is L from La Femme FIT-alle  - who had the funnest summer.  I am so jealous!

Summer. Ah, summer. She was a real doozy this year! Somehow, without any real planning, I managed to take full advantage of this glorious season in some beautiful places and with some beautiful faces and no real “break” to speak of. Not that I’m complaining.

Some of my best memories include kicking off summer in style at the Vdara hotel in Las Vegas. I’m a real fan of hitting the Strip for two days- not sleeping- and catching my Zs on the flight home to NYC. This Memorial Day was no exception- My girlfriends and I crushed that place- from dancing at Marquee Night Club to more dancing at Encore Beach Club to dining in the Wynn’s restaurant Wing Lei to (of course) the casino… we didn’t slow down once. Sure, we had to peel ourselves off the ground at the end of it all but what great Vegas trip doesn’t end that way? I think I knew then, in the mental fog that IS coming off a Vegas trip, this summer would be one to remember!

About a week later I found myself soaking up the sun and the rum in San Juan. “Why Puerto Rico,” you ask? “Why not?” I reply.  Armed only with bikinis and great friends, I spent a few stress-free days on the island of enchantment. We ate to our hearts content, drank more than we should’ve, and laughed ‘til it hurt. We marked Independence Day by celebrating our independence from all responsibility- ain’t it grand to do that occasionally?

Summer wasn’t all drinking and eschewing responsibility, though. I had the chance to return to my respective homes down South, as well. In Georgia, QT was spent with my grandparents. I no longer take for granted the s-l-o-w pace of life there… I reflected on past summers I’ve spent running around their backyard, collecting lightening bugs and picking blueberries to make some of the sweetest home desserts you ever did taste. I had great conversations with them that, as a young adult, I know better than to take for granted. I also trekked over to Texas to reminisce with my siblings & grandfather and to play with my young niece and nephews; those times spent with their Aunt L, I hope, will stay in their collection of summer memories forever.

I almost missed summer in the city (NYC, that is) what with all of my travels but no fear, I was treated to the sights and sounds and experiences that only this place can deliver. I moved from the swanky Upper East Side to the bohemian West Village at the beginning of the summer and I haven’t looked back. I’ve barely made a dent in all of the beautiful, interesting places there are to explore within just a few blocks of my new apartment: the 24/7 chess shops, the countless vintage clothing stores, the chill jazz clubs on every corner, crazy dragqueen bingo tournaments, karaoke-ing until 7 AM, and don’t-even-get-me-STARTED on all of the authentic little restaurants there are to try out. Love them all and can never fit all of the fun there is around here into my day!

 

Business-wise, I launched LaFemmeFITalle which, in the past two months, has grown to be a force I didn’t even see coming! Funny how sometimes something starts as just a hobby or something to do but turns out to have everything to do with the rest of your life and now I’m at the start of something amazing- I cannot wait to see what opportunities and new friendships it brings next!

I guess you could say that, after a tough winter of self-doubt and confusion, this summer gave me just what a girl needs every now and then: R& R. I’ve decided if there is a heaven, this summer was it. Well, close.

Hope you found joy and love and excitement during your summer and if you haven’t yet, get movin’!