You were warned: This blog post is based on a very cheesy analogy so if you’re not into that, you might want to venture elsewhere right about now. Cherry blossoms. They’re incredibly gorgeous right? Bright pinks, soft lavenders, and brilliant whites are everywhere you look in Manhattan these days. It’s pretty surreal that this concrete jungle can produce such glorious nature. On the downside, they give many of us New Yorkers crazy allergies. I eat raw honey, cook with raw apple cider vinegar, and take natural antihistamines to combat the sniffles and itchy eyes but it’s annoying, nonetheless.

It was worth it to endure the sniffles last weekend with Rebecca as we walked and talked in Carl Shurtz park, snapping these pics. Side note, check out her new blog, it’s stunning.

And here comes that analogy that I promised. Starting a business last year was like the cherry blossoms in that it elevated my senses, it was beautiful, and it made me smile every day. Now, however, I’m experiences proverbial “allergies” that come from owning a shop while pursuing my dream career at the same time.

I’m about to get real. There is a LOT going on for me right now so I’m trying to decide what my next steps should be. Should I take the store to the next level? Should I put it on hold for a while? Should I focus on my career 100%? It’s a weird stage in life after I’ve gotten married but before we want kids so there is a whole lot to think about and my mind gets ridiculously overwhelmed with all the different ways life can go.

In my dizzying business, I accidentally scheduled two giveaways this week (lucky you!). Enter here to win a custom-made Piol dress and tomorrow I’ll be giving away a free living room makeover with Havenly which, if you don’t fully understand the concept already, you’ll have to take my word that this is the best news I’ve ever given you.