The Playlist

Seriously I love music. I love rap, trance, alternative, hip hop, house, pop, rock and just about every other genre under the sun.  Just a few of my favorite artists are Lana Del Ray, The Weeknd, Tiesto, Ellie Goulding, The XX, Armin Van Buuren, Drake, 30 Seconds to Mars, Kaskade, and Florence and The Machine. In the past month and half I've been to 5 concerts. Each one was completely different and each one felt like a different experience. I wanted to share my love for music with you because it is such a big part of my life. 

1. Kaskade- September 14 American Airlines Arena

For my 21st birthday me and my best friend went to Vegas and had the most perfect day seeing this gem at Marquee Day Club in a cabana poolside. That was a set to remember. Well this was probably the fifth time I've seen Kaskade and this time was a little different. It happened to be on the same night Yom Kippur (jewish holiday) ended and that clearly had an effect on my enthusiasm. I got there an hour and half late to see a bunch of teenagers acting WILD. Believe me you I remember the days I wished everything was all ages, but today I really do appreciate a 21+ event. This was also the first time I saw a DJ in a big venue such as AAA. His set overall wasn't bad I think I just prefer either a festival setting for that kind of music or an intimate space. 

Favorite Kaskade song: Turn It Down 

2. The Weeknd-September 28 James L. Knight Center 

This man and that voice is a lethal combination. The Weeknd definitely ranks up there in my top 5 favorite artists, like I'm obsessed. I was initially super stoked when I saw him at Ultra Music Festival last March, but when I found out he was headlining his own show I had to buy tickets. His sensual lyrics and electric beats were so mesmerizing. He definitely knows how to work his audience. His old and new album are both perfection, and if your not familiar with his work, do yourself a favor and check him out now. XO

Favorite The Weeknd song: Belong to the World 

 

3. Sensation White- October 12 American Airlines Arena 

Sensation crossed the pond and debuted their first production in MIA. The legendary music festival from Amsterdam  demands all concert goers be dressed from head to leg in all white. Side note: Finding a white outfit in October is quite challenging. The set up was unreal. It was all white with water and light installations that really came alive with the music. Mr.White, Nic Fanciulli, Prok& Fitch, and Fedde Le Grande were the Dj's in attendance. The event was not sold out so there was plenty of room to dance which was really nice. 

Favoritie Set: Prok&Fitch

 

4. The Idan Raichel Project- October 17 Adrian Arsht Center 

Date night with my Mom is always a good idea. Many of you might not be familiar with this awesome band of serious talents but don't fret I'll give you a recap. They were formed by Idan Raichel in Israel and the project is composed of about 70 different musicians who sing in Hebrew, French, Spanish, Arabic, Ahmaric, Hindi and more. Their kind of music is in a genre in itself and sounds like nothing i've ever heard before. With the Arsht Center being built for Opera singers, every single instrument echo was beautifully delivered  in the venue.  

 

 

5. Drake- November 5 American Airlines Arena 

And then there was Drake. I'm just going to say it: best concert I have ever been to. Seriously what an artistic genius.  Nothing Was the Same is one of my favorite albums ever, each song is better then the one before it. Lil Wayne and Birdman made guest appearances to accompany their YMCMB prodigy and Miguel popped off the show with a bang. The stage was really built with the audience in mind because for a good 20 minutes drizzy made sure to connect with everyone in the crowd, including people up top in the last row. Drake sang every song from his new album and sang most of his top verses from various songs. I believe that he changed the game and our generation of music. His vocals are amazing yet he still lays down some sick raps, which many artists just can't compete with. Amazing night spent with Drizzzzy himself. 

 

 

 

8 Things Every Happy Woman Should Have

As a blogger, I will not deny that I read other blogs for inspiration. Today, I came across a post in Cupcakes and Cashmere that was titled 8 Things Every Happy Woman Should Have. I got excited and wanted to share mine with you. Make your own and see what you come up with! It is always good to remind yourself about the things that make you happiest. It's okay if these answers aren't concrete, you don't have to make up your mind right now. I think its healthy to reflect on ourselves often and see how our answers change throughout the years.


1. A go-to drink:
French Martini - Grey Goose, Chambord & Pineapple juice

2. A go-to karaoke song:
Oops I Did It Again- Britney Spears; just sang this little gem during drunk karaoke night 2 weeks ago.

3. A Uniform:
A comfy maxi-skirt(preferably from Brandy Melville) and a tank.

4. A Hair Stylist they love:
Simon at En Vogue Salon

5. A Hobby:
Finding new restaurants and trying them out.

6. A Best Friend:
I have four not including my sissys. (A.V, S.B, N.V, T.O)

7. An exercise routine:
Before my move back to Florida, there was nothing more I loved then hiking Runyon Canyon. Like nothing.

8. A healthy sense of self:
Through all of the experiences I am lucky enough to have had in my life, I try to have a sense of who I am, who I'm not and who I want to be. Obviously it changes daily, but I am so focused on surrounding myself with the things I love that make me happy.


xX
G

Finding the Balance

Someone call child protective services, I have abandoned my baby. Sorry to all my TOBF readers for not lacing your life with some current posts. To be completely honest I just thoroughly enjoyed my summer vacation and now am transitioning back to school.

Today though, I was at an internship workshop and I started thinking about what my next semester was going to look like and I started to PANIC. Today for instance, I went to school for three hours, managed to get a workout in, hung out with a few girlfriends and cooked dinner. As I sit on my balcony now sipping a glass of Kim Crawford (enjoying this gorgeous Miami weather), I realized this does not occur often. Through school, my job, my boyfriend, family, friends, and my attempt to have a social life, theres a lot going on and I don't have that much time to do everything I want. I think balancing it all has probably been the only thing keeping me sane. There, creeps the thought that I'll actually have to add one more thing, an internship, to my obviously full plate next semester. Honestly, I'm 22, this is the age where we should be investing in ourselves. Balance is something we need to get a hold of or your vulnerable to lose yourself. Yes, life gets hectic. Sometimes we put to much on ourselves to accomplish or sometimes we don't give ourselves much of a challenge. It's about controlling all of the things you do and always finding the time for yourself.

I've had this continuous itch to travel. I literally look at Groupon travel like everyday. It's kind of a problem. A friend at work told me about her goal to travel 30 countries before she's 30, and I totally adopted the motto. I'm planning to indulge in a serious traveling adventure as soon as a graduate to celebrate all my hard work. I think it is really important to set goals for yourself, because then the mayhem has a purpose. I know that someday I'll have the job I dream of and everything will be worth it. I try to make time for everything but it gets really tough.

Whether your trying to balance the same things as me or your priorities are completely different, don't forget yourself in the equation. Sometimes it's easy to get yourself wrapped in making everyone else happy but at the end of the day, you are who matters most. Don't consume yourself in just one thing because I am convinced it is not good for your health. Plan a trip, do a girls night, go on a date, do something for the first time, reward yourself, and somehow the balance will adjust itself.


Xx
-G

Current Transitions

Transition- the process or period of changing from one state or condition to another. 

Our life is constantly evolving and we are faced with different sorts of transitions. Some seem forced and others just come voluntarily with time. From graduating college, to getting married or even moving across the world, we are faced with the obstacle of adjustment. I believe that every transition needs to be considered and dealt with carefully. 

The Build Up

A little more than a month ago, me and my boyfriend took the next step in our relationship, and got a place together. When I first moved back to FL from Cali I knew there were a few transitions I needed to fully overcome before we did that. The first hurdle I needed to jump over was the transition in my relationship. It was so exciting to finally be living in the same state, let alone the same city and on the same street. We needed to get back into the groove of things. What really helped was the cross country road trip we embarked on to move all my precious cargo back!  It gave us that time to reconnect before jumping back into the reality that was in Florida. After that, I knew starting school again was the next transition. After taking a year off, you realize it is a lot harder to just start again being in a different mindset. Once I started the semester, I was finally taking classes that had to do with Multimedia Journalism, so school didn't seem as bad as it was when I left. Income was my next concern and looking for a new job became another transition. The light at the end of the long tunnel of job hunting finally came after 2 and half months of being unemployed. It seemed that everything was finally feeling normal. The hunt for our new home became the next priority. It was super important for me not to just rush this transition because we both needed to be ready mentally and financially. I didn't want to sacrifice anything due to being impatient.  I wanted us to find a place we loved coming to every night and a place we wanted to call home. Finally after an exhausting search for the perfect place, we found our home!  Through financial calculations we decided April would be the best time to schedule a move in date. 

My Current Transition 

Furniture shopping aggression really tells you something about a person. He probably should have ran then but luckily he sticked around for move in date. It has been a little over a month and I'm glad to report we haven't killed each other yet. It has actually been a really exciting time for us. People constantly told me that even though I spent the night at his house every night prior to our cohabitation, it would be different once we lived together. Those people were correct, you really do get to know every little thing about one another. I think that the first month may be the hardest for couples to adjust to. During this time we had to mesh our habits and regularities into something that would be comfortable for both of us. It's really been all about the three C's; Communication, Compromise, and Compassion. I am really looking forward to fully enjoying this transition most and not rushing anything beyond it. 

My dearest apologies for my neglection of my blog. Now that I'm settled in, I promise to post a lot more! 

Lots of love, 

G 

Be Thankful.

Life has a funny way of working itself out. It is so important to appreciate the people in our lives and the opportunities we are given. I believe that everything happens for a reason. That somewhere up there, there is a plan for all of us. In every new experience and every new person I meet, I try to recognize how lucky I am.  I look at my life sometimes and there are so many things I should cherish but sometimes, I forget. Although we all are in different stages of our lives,  it is so important tell the people you love how much they mean to you. Everything can change at any moment and the less time we spend cherishing our blessings, the more time we mourn their loss.  Recently I wrote a list of what I'm thankful for, although it is only a small collection of things that come to mind, I would like to share it with you. Make one of your own and see how much you have to be thankful for.

I'm Thankful for...

my Family
the ability to Love
Knowledge
Health
Ori Darmon
strong friendships
my amazing sisters: SK, OB
Food
Dasani Water Bottles
south Florida sunshine
my faith
theotherbf readers
California
education
Courage
Strength
Israel
Music
best friends(A.V, S.B, N.V, O.L, T.O)
supportive parents
the most spectacular niece ever, SLK
Yelp
freedom of speech
Steve Jobs
somewhere to call home
Freedom

XX - G

FEAR/LESS

Truth is, our fears control us. The greatest barrier between us and the goals we set for ourselves is always fear. Without question there has been a point in our lives were we had a chance to strive forward but fear rudely interrupted. Unfourtnately fear comes in all shapes and sizes, colors and forms. We have two choices here when it comes to this, embrace it or let it overbear Us. For me change has always been a fear, and it varied from a small scale to a very vast scale. Recently I realized it wasn't the change I feared it was what came after I was worried about. I became so wrapped up in the idea at times that I would have to convince myself it wasn't constantly happening all around me. It was one day I saw the kind of person I was becoming and the things I was learning  after the changes were happening and it was clear to me this was nothing I should let hold me back. Change became a beautiful thing. 

For others, fear of being alone has always been a problematic phobia. When this plague hits it is disastrous. Your inner you is not embracing the loneliness. It is shedding an unattractive light on something that should constantly be appreciated. Being alone doesn't only mean not having a signaficant other, it's about not having an idea of oneself. 

It is understandable that some things are easier said than done, but only once done can one say. For young women today leaving their comfortable environment has drastically effected their choices. The only way for this fear to be faced let alone overcomed is only by trial and error. 

Some fears have stemmed from a greater root, but should never hold you back from the greatest form of yourself. As they say you only live once, but once is all you need if you do it right. Let go of those fears, and fear less. 

-xX G

Dream BIG

Do you know the only thing that keeps us from greatness is ourselves. Our fears and insecurities can have a huge impact on the goals we set for ourselves. I have recently realized that we put limitations on the things we can achieve because sometimes we don't have confidence in ourselves to pull through. I have a few people in my life who really inspire me. These people have drive and are eager to reach their dreams! 

    A few weeks ago I had a friend visiting from NYC and as we were talking about our future she tells me, "Im going to take over the world Germaine". Just by the strength in her words alone I believed her. She had the idea, the experience, the knowledge, and the goal to get there.

    About 4 years ago when I first started at FAU I met this amazing individual, we were both business majors on the path to pursuing accounting. Until this day I have no idea why we chose that as our career path, we are such creative people who would not be able to sit behind a desk from 9-5. So one day during our freshman year I was bitten by inspiration. After one conversation with my boyfriends sister I decided there were some things I really loved to do and accounting wasn't one of them. Money was no longer my main motive. As I explained to my friend my new found outlook on life she got inspired too. We went that month and really tried to figure out what was best for us individually and it happened to be the same thing. Acting and entertainment(and twilight, of course) were a couple of our passions. By that time I had already set up a date for when I was going to start my journey to California, but in the mean time I decided to change my major to multimedia journalism. After my sophomore year I moved to LA and I still kept in touch with my friend. She was doing a few internships at a time and had a huge internship coming up with a major magazine in NYC. It was so rewarding for me to see that she found her calling and was doing big things! As I resumed school this Fall we started talking about all of our experiences that past year and where we were headed. I could tell that her horizons have just expanded and to me that is everything. 

Do what inspires you. Whether it's going to college directly after high school or taking some time off, it is important to do something you really love. These years are our prime. Its all about taking chances and doing things that can help us enrich our future. The world is at your finger tips it's your choice if you want to grab it.

Love Always
XX G 

Stepping Stones

There are no blueprints in relationships. Each relationship is made up of it's very own unique and intricate characteristics; therefore the next step in every relationship all depends on the preference of the couple. In today's society people tend to put timelines or ticking time bombs on important steps such as; saying ILY, meeting the parents, moving in together, getting engaged, and even getting married. Well hey Society, I have a message for you, the only people who should have an input on these important milestones or big steps are the couple themselves. Many couples feel pressured into things they aren't ready for and it all ends in tragedy. Some people just don't want to get married and that's okay, everyone has different ideas of what being in a committed relationship means. Different strokes for different folks. 


Long Distance
Long distance isn't the next step, it is where the road breaks into two and you need to decide what direction your relationship is going. In life, things always change or spring upon us and we have to do what is best for us. After 4 and half years of dating me and my boyfriend were faced with the big decision. I was moving to Los Angeles and we had to make a choice. According to society, "Long distance relationships never work", but I'm glad to announce that in a month and half we are celebrating our 6 year anniversary. Although there is no sugar coating this situation, because truthfully it sucks. For anyone who is facing this decision I believe there is only one question to answer: Do you see this person in your distant future? For me, it was always absolutely yes. We have something I knew was so different then anything I've ever seen or heard of. Trust was always one of our strongest bonds, which helped play the most important role in our success. 

The Facts

• There are times when you feel so disconnected with your other half in away you never thought could exist. 
• It is easier if you know the duration of your separation because you know that this will eventually end. 
• The last few months are the toughest because both individuals become frustrated and feel like the time they will see each other again has been stretched far too thin. 
• If you don't make an effort things will not get better.
• Trust is the only thing you can depend on, if it's not there it is going to be a treturous ride.
• Don't let distance keep things less interesting. 
• If you feel like you have grown too far apart, you probably have. 

Never be afraid of the changes in relationships, they can be beautiful things. Do what you want to do because at the end of the day you are the only one dealing with consequences. 

Sending everyone love 

-XX G