I'm the girl, Gracie. Here at GML you can follow my journey of dreaming, working, eating, loving, and blogging my way through life in NYC.
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For a good majority of my life, I never thought of myself as being a creative person. Inspiration was a word that was used when there wasn’t a concrete answer to be had.
I wouldn’t even dare put my name and “art” in the same sentence. Drawing and painting never came natural to me. As a child you couldn’t get me to stop singing and performing, but even it never stuck. I loved acting for a while and was decent enough, but the passion just wasn’t there. I could barely ever find myself getting lost in a fictional book.
The older I got, the more I embraced my non-creative self. I began to appreciate my love for making lists. Non-fiction books. Watching the news. Being good with finances. Being rational.
…But then, I went too far.
In order to find some sense of identity (which, in your early to mid-twenties is quite the dreadful interesting experience), I found myself put in a self-imposed box that wasn’t really me at all. I started to not only identify with this structured, Left Brain self, but I began to actually look down on all things creative and inspirational. I convinced myself it was silly to get your head lost in the clouds like that. Adults don’t do that.
When I graduated from college, I found myself living back at home, working for my dad’s company with little to no social life, and no hobbies or passions. I started this blog, but I didn’t have even a fraction of a life worth showing for. Needless to say, I had what I guess I’d say was a quarter life crisis. This structured life I had chosen wasn’t getting me anywhere…except stuck in a boring, passionless, uninspired life.
Something had to change.
To make a long story short, that’s when I decided to up and move to New York City. I had a logistical plan – finances, housing, job, etc. – but I had absolutely no idea where the move was going to lead me in life. That’s exactly what I hoped it would be, and that’s exactly what it turned out to be.
I think that’s why I have such a deep love for this city. Whether I live here for another year or another 10 years, there will always be a special place in my heart for the city that allowed me to become inspired. To reconnect with God on a whole new level. To meet the best friends I didn’t even know could exist. To experience things I never imagined I would.
And then of course…there’s this little old blog. As I’ve mentioned before, I couldn’t tell you what even inspired me to start GML. But I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because of how much it forced me to learn about my likes, dislikes, purpose, and that it’s actually okay to allow myself to be inspired by life.
I may not be an artist, poet, singer, or designer.
But I can get lost for hours looking at images of people and places.
One quote can literally change my day.
I get way too deeply attached to certain songs.
Give me a good meal and I literally cannot shut up about it.
Movies. Just…movies.
My vivid imagination and memory sometimes drives me crazy. In a good way.
My heart explodes at the sight or sound of romance.
I worship and belong to a God who created the heavens and the earth, but who also knows my heart’s deepest desires, the number of hairs on my head, my darkest secrets, and loves me anyway.
Creative? Maybe I’m not the most.
But inspired? In this beautiful, confusing, incomprehensible world? Absolutely.
The end of my stay in Pennsylvania was just what the doctor ordered: R&R, shopping, and time with the family. Oh, and all’s well that ends with sushi.
I even found the time to try a Pinterest-inspired snack that I’ve been wanting to make for months – Cinnamon Honey Fried Bananas. They’re simpler and even more delicious than they look! Definitely a new go-to sweet snack/dessert.
This morning I hopped on a train back to the city…where I may or may not be writing most of this post from 
Gorgeous view, isn’t…it…?
Yeahno.
The rest of my off-from-work day consisted of an allergy shot (glamorous, I know), errands, and packing for my mini vacation.
(…almost!)
Speaking of which, the point of this post is to let you know that I’ll most likely be back to regular blogging on Monday. Lugging my huge laptop with me just seemed incredibly unappealing. Woof.
BUT I’m sure I’ll be doing my thing on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram! So feel free to keep up with me if you so please  Enjoy the rest of your week, babes.
Have you tried a recipe found via Pinterest? Was it a success?
feast.
It’s no surprise that one of my favorite things about living in New York is the amazing restaurants here. At any given point there are whispers of the “best new restaurants,” and I’ve heard a ton about Feast in the East Village. Jessi, Erica, and I went there for dinner last night, and it. was. amazing.
Their greenmarket-driven American fare menu has multi-course and a la carte options. We opted for the Farmer’s Market Feast (which included nine dishes!).
Each dish was better than the last – all of them fresh, flavorful, and so delicious! My favorites were the Market Salad (1), Beet Frites, and Stuffed Eggplant (2).
this article by Jessi – the best dating advice I could ever give.
My best friend Jessi recently posted this article on her Tumblr, and I knew I just had to share it with you. I feel like this is a common issue that way too many girls face when it comes to dating (myself included), so…well, give it a read!
snapchat.
I may be a little late to the game on this one…and I may only have like 3 friends…but Snapchat is just so fun!
the voice.
…and not just because of Adam Levine and his tattoos. I’m loving this season with the new judges and the talent is great. And seriously, how adorable is Shakira??
tumbling.
AKA my new way to vicariously live through the internet. That came out wrong. But check out GML’s more creative little sister.
wordiness.
Because what easier way to make a statement with what you wear than by having it clearly written out?
What TV show(s) are you currently hooked on? What did you think about Jessi’s advice?
Well here it goes. One of those posts I’m debating hitting “publish” on. In fact, this has been sitting in the drafts folder of my email for about two months…
Okay, maybe I’m overreacting. But the truth is that any posts that come from my heart make me a little bit nervous and…well, vulnerable. But this needs to happen.
I get asked often why it is that I blog. I mean, it is kind of a strange (part of my) profession. Not many people understand it. I’ll be honest – sometimes..well, a lot of times…I don’t really know what the answer is. I wonder why I even started GML.
Was it for fun? For attention? To express myself? I would say all of the above.
But I guess what I think about a lot lately is – is that enough? Are those reasons enough to keep up with something that take up hours of my week that I could be dedicating to other (more meaningful) things?
So yes. I question why it is that I blog all. the. time. I’ve even considered nixing it. But for some reason, I don’t. I can’t. And I’ve never really thought about why that is…until now.
For some reason or another, I’ve ended up with this platform and opportunity to share my story with you, and I want to make that count. I may not be an expert in anything, and I may not even feel comfortable giving specific “advice” to anyone other than my closest friends.
But I have struggled with anxiety.
I’ve been heartbroken.
I’ve felt completely alone.
I’ve made almost every bad decision in the book.
I’ve faced opposition, uncertainty, fear, confusion, and insecurities.
I’m just a girl trying to meet this thing called life.
So…where am I going with this? Well, for the most part, GML will remain mostly an outlet for me to just post “Gracie things” – my daily adventures, reviews, random thoughts, etc. But I don’t want it to be just about that. I want to be relatable and accessible to you, my readers! I understand that that will probably mean more transparency and honesty on my end, but I’m up for the challenge.
So here’s to what I guess I’ll call a new chapter for GML – one where I open up, loosen up, and just keep hitting publish…
Over the past year or so, I’ve become more wary about sharing personal details about me and my life on GML. I couldn’t tell you exactly why. I think it’s a cross between valuing my privacy and not wanting to come across as…well, vain.
But at the same time, some of my favorite blogs to read are the ones where you feel like you actually know the person behind the posts, and that relatability is something I’ve always aimed for with GML. So with that being said, here are some random facts about me that I don’t think I’ve ever shared.
1. My initials spell GAG. Thanks, mom and dad.
2. I’ve lived in NYC once before – for about 3 months when I was 19. Long story short, it didn’t go well.
3. I highly prefer non-fiction books over fiction.
4. I went to private school my entire life.
5. I’ve stopped reading about 75% of the blogs that inspired me to create this one in the first place.
6. I record every single dime I spend.
7. When I was 4 I had surgery to have a third front tooth removed. Yes, you read that correctly.
8. It genuinely bothers me when people say they hate cats. Because they just haven’t met the right cats. 9. Even though I love being social and meeting new people, I’m a total introvert by nature and need my alone time.
******
What’s something about you that most people don’t know?
p.s. HUGE thanks to Alyssa for my new header! (her blog is a must-visit, so get on that)
Let’s be real – Instagram has become one of blogs’ biggest competitors.
For this blogger, at least.
September has been off to quite a hectic start, so blogging hasn’t been at the top of my agenda. Instagraming, though? Much less effort required. So here’s a glimpse into what this life I’ve met has looked like over the past week or so.
What I’ve been seeking…
A visit to Jessi’s family’s house in Huntington (complete with a portrait of her, of course) for the holiday weekend:
One last summer barbeque ensued.
Everyone needs to be reminded of this sometimes…
My breakfast all week. Don’t judge.
Monday was my best friend and roommate Erica’s 25th birthday! So blessed to even know this girl.
Note to self. Every day.
100 VIP tickets to our upcoming launch event – sent!
Last but not least – on a visit to PA (in this case for a doctor’s appointment and to train new girl at work) – a trip to the mall is always necessary.
Any other Instagram addicts out there?
And how is September going for you so far?
Sorry, every other blogger on the planet. I popped open a can of pumpkin today, and am now doing the obligatory post of:
- talking about how excited I am for fall
- asking, “is it too soon for pumpkin?”
- followed by everyone replying, “of course not, it’s never too late!”
Guilty. as. charged.
But seriously, let’s get this pumpkin party started.
(Please pretend I didn’t say that.)
We have a new home!
After just 36 hours or so of packing and unpacking our entire lives, Erica and I are almost completely settled into our new apartment.
I’d personally like to thank our three movers, Red Bull, and our super-friend Dan for showing up with Pad Thai and a bottle of champagne.
By the end of Friday night we were exhausted…but not enough to make a midnight ice cream frozen yogurt run. Reason #138 we’re perfect roommates.
As for the rest of my weekend – I’ve been keeping it pretty low-key. Saturday consisted of a walk to Home Depot and Trader Joe’s, followed by a meet-up with none other than Gabriela!
Gabriela (who used to blog over at Une Vie Saine) is the best friend I’ve made through blogging, and I’ve missed her so much! She and I both grew up in Pennsylvania, have lived in New York, and have just always hit it off. It was really great to catch up…
…and enjoy Saturday at a crowded Standard Biergarten.
As for today, I’m off to chip away at an ever-growing (work/life) to-do list. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Enjoy your Sunday!
When contemplating things I want to blog about, I oftentimes do a mental scan of everything I currently have taken an interest to.
…”obsessed with,” if you will.
Most recently I made the realization that all of the things I’m loving right now are arguably (and slightly embarrassingly) quite juvenile. For example, there’s my newfound obsession with Twiggy the water-skiing Squirrel.
I will stop Googling you. I will stop Googling you. I will stop Googling you.
And then there’s this recent purchase of mine – a neon pink shoulder bag – AKA the envy of my 4-year-old self.
Another recent purchase – Maybelline Baby Lips.
I think the name speaks for itself.
(side note: I LOVE this lip balm! It gives a subtle hint of color to your lips, has a great flavor, and is SPF 20. I got Peach Kiss.)
Last but not least, I’m currently on the hunt for a new piggy bank.
In my defense, I am looking for a vintage one, which is totally age-appropriate…right…?
What childhood favorites do you still find yourself loving?
The Hamptons.
I totally get it now.
This Memorial Day Weekend was the perfect combination of fun with my friends, but also a good dosage of rest and relaxation.
What more could you ask for?
On another note – and I normally hate to do this – I feel the need to apologize for (what I feel like has been) the lack of posts lately. Those phases of blogging-block and life getting really busy always seem to come at the same time…now being one of those times.
I will say, though, that this is when I’m grateful for the “flexibility” of GML. Sometimes I’ll be posting recipes, reviews, and other typical blog content. Other times I’ll post just photo recaps or things I love via Pinterest. Either way, thanks for sticking along for the ride!
How did you spend MDW?
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