Fall Fun in NY

I think I speak for most of us New Yorkers when I say we barely had a summer! We had one month of super hot days and the rest of the summer was pretty mediocre unfortunately. I honestly am ready for the transition into fall considering it didn't feel like Summer this year anyways. Every year for Fall you do the same thing right? Haunted hayrides, apple picking, pumpkin carving, Halloween parties etc, I'm ready to spice it up and try something new for Fall. Lets experience new food, drinks, music, stories, or any activities that you may never have heard of or maybe you have always wanted to try but haven't yet. Well why not try them this Fall, our year is almost over, try as many new things as possible and enjoy it with people who are open to the new experience with you! Here are some events/activities that are coming up as soon as this weekend (September 8th 2017) in the Upstate/New York City areas!!

1. Saratoga Wine & Food Festival and Concours D’Elegance

CAPITAL-SARATOGA, SARATOGA SPRINGS

Sep 08, 2017 - Sep 10, 2017

2. Hudson Valley Hoptember Harvestfest

HUDSON VALLEY, LAGRANGEVILLE

Sep 09, 2017

3. Adirondack Nationals Car Show

ADIRONDACKS, LAKE GEORGE

Sep 07, 2017 - Sep 10, 2017

4. Tap It Forward Festival 

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

Genesee Brew House

Sep 08, 2017

5. Key Bank Rochester Fringe Festival

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

September 14th, 2017- September 23rd 2017

6. Fairport Oktoberfest 

Fairport, NEW YORK

October 6th 2017- October 7th 2017

7. Kettle Fest

KETTLE RIDGE FARM VICTOR, NEW YORK

September 16th 2017

8. Cider Week

New york, New York

October 20th 2017- October 29th 2017

9. Giant Pumpkin Weekend

bronx, NEW YORK

October 21st, 2017- October 22nd, 2017

10. Haunted Lantern Tours

Queens , NEW YORK

October 27th, 2017- October 28th, 2017

Back to What?

This time of year many of our friends or family are getting ready for their new routine. Maybe there going back to school, getting ready for their first year of college, or starting a new job after being a college graduate. What if you are past going back to school or its been long past you being a college graduate, what are you transitioning to this fall?

Are you in the same job you have been complaining about for months, have you been considering going on a diet and joining a gym but haven't "had the time" yet, or maybe you have been struggling with your finances and still can't find a solution for you to build up your savings account?  Whatever the situation maybe, its more than half way through this year, don't you think its time to make some moves? Think to yourself, if your still having the same issues you were when this new year started, maybe its time to change something your doing right? We all want to make these life-changing choices, but we are all too worried about "what could happen" or "what if I can't do it," instead of clearing our minds and being confident in starting fresh, your psyching yourself out!

We are all so worried about failing or who might be affected by these choices, which don't get me wrong are valid thoughts,  but they are creating roadblocks to where you want to get to. If only we could stop worrying about what others want, or what you think you should do and change your mindset into doing what you need to do, maybe things would get accomplished don't you think?

Those goals you made for yourself at the beginning of this year, where did they go? That mind set you had that first month of the year getting yourself pumped up for success and a fresh start, where did that person go? Yes the year is going by fast, but that doesn't mean that your goals or fresh start is long gone. There is always room for improvement, always room to make things better, and always opportunities that will come your way, but you have to take advantage of it and not just keep putting things on the back burner.

Prioritize your life, stick to the goals that you want, and do what you need to do to get there. The power of negative thinking and self doubt is huge to your success and happiness in life, get out of your head for a moment!! Take time to really gain the patience you need to set yourself straight and spend more time focusing on your positives and less time on self-sabotage.

Nik 

Stop Seeing Competition, Start Seeing Opportunity.

I'M BACK!

Sorry everyone, I feel like at some point of the year I am always going MIA for a bit. You know how life is, trying to figure out what you want for yourself in life or even day by day, even though I can barely even figure out what kind of coffee I want in the morning. Transforming and growing into my mid twenties brings a lot of different stresses, opportunities, emotions and obstacles that I never even thought of before. Honestly, I didn't think I still would be living in NY where I grew up, I made a goal and promise to myself by this time I would  be moved back to Los Angeles California by the age of 25 with the perfect plan that I would have reached and accomplished, and unfortunately I haven't made it there yet. I have defiantly progressed into becoming more successful and closer to the ending career I want for myself, but I am not even close to feeling fully fulfilled and happy with my career and life choices yet. I can lie and say I don't have regrets, but I do have some, but doesn't everyone? I am trying now to think outside of my imagination and really look at the reality of my life considering in reality, time is ticking and I don't want to waste anymore of it. Moving forward in life your suppose to change your way of thinking, come up with new solutions, try different avenues to get to where you see yourself, and yet all these things unfortunately can't come all at once. People always say, "your doing the best you can your not alone.", or"it takes time you'll get there"! Well yes of course things take time and yes of course others in there mid twenties may feel this way or may be in the same boat, but I don't want to be in that boat. I want to be on my own yacht for crying out loud. I want to be able to say I'm achieving all my goals and living my dreams because I have worked hard for it and I've earned it. I know many older generations think millennials just want things handed to them, but in the end we are the next generation that is going to be that success in the business world and will make a difference, if you give us that chance and have faith in our choices we might actually give you a run  for your money. I don't want to be the 40% or more of millennials that are just thriving for something more,  sitting at a boring 9-5 desk job waiting for it just fall in their lap, ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN! I want to get what I want not just dream about it or wish for it. I am sure you are reading this article and thinking whatever I have seen this before or I feel this way but its not going to change. Unfortunately,  thats the exact attitude and mindset of why it won't change! That is why other generations think we are lazy or un experienced or not driven enough because we think we are doing "our best" but we haven't even hit the tip of the iceberg of what we are capable of. This isn't college anymore, this is real life, you have rent you need to pay right, you have travel plans to explore the world, or you have those shoes you have been dying to have for months right or wait how about those high ass student loan payments that are not going away? Mommy and daddy's wallet can't always save you, its time to fucking grow up! Well none of these are just going to happen if you don't get your ass in gear and prove to yourself you have what it takes. Let's be real, we are in our mid twenties now, party time is over, its now time to be kick ass at what most people call being an adult!

Xo Nik

New Year, New Closet.

It's a New Year and normally everyone is saying "New Year new me," well this year I'm saying "New Year new clothes." I am ready to clear out my closet & start fresh, create a different look for myself for the amazing year ahead of me. 2017 is for new beginnings and new shoes, not clutter and old sweaters from three years ago. Keep the past in the past and make some space for some new digs. My "Spring cleaning" is starting early this year, I plan on moving again this year in a few months and definitely don't wear half of the clothes in my closet. You know how you just keep clothes thinking you will wear them again or say hey this might come up, I'll need this.. and it never does, well half of my closet is like that! SO to make room for my newer and chicer wardrobe, I have to reorganize, sell or donate all these extra pieces! Here is my best advice to you on how to clean your closet to make room for those new Christmas presents and for those New Year purchases!

1. Clean and Take everything out of your closet, YES I SAID EVERYTHING! Have your closet be completely empty, see the space your working with!

Extra tip: Place dryer sheets or air freshners on the sides of your closet or in your dresser drawers, it will keep your closet/space smelling great.

2. Create 3 piles for your clothing. Keep, Store, Donate/Sell.

Extra Tip: If you don't remember when you bought the shirt or you haven't worn that dress in a year, donate it! Don't hold onto something that in the back of your mind  you know you will not wear again!

3. Color Coordinate. You might think this is crazy, but I do this and it helps me so much when I'm trying to decide my outfit choices daily! I normally have a color in mind I want to wear based on my mood or what I plan on doing, so color coordinating may take some extra time but will be totally helpful in the long run.

Extra tip: Pick one color scheme for your hangers, I know it sounds excessive but your closet looks so much more organized and clean when there aren't a million different types of hangers.

4. Placing items back in your closet. Now that you know what you want to give up, what you need to hide away for this season, and what you want to actually keep, its time to place them where it makes most sense to you!

Extra tip: Any clothes you need to store for another season/occasion, place up high in plastic bins with labels, or my favorite way to store my out of season wardrobe, vacuum packed storage bags, they keep your clothes fresh and take up a lot less space! Any clothes you wear most often keep in the "prime area of your closet." You want your "go to" outfits to be front and center and your lesser used items put below.

5. Don't forgot about shoes and accessories! Use small fabric or clear shoe cubby bins/organizers to keep track of your shoes.

Extra tip: Shoe organizers are also great to store leggings or lingerie.

Extra tip: Put those old magazines to good use, roll them up and stick them in tall boots to keep them from falling over, and to keep there shape looking new! Use shower curtain rings to loop around racks in your closet to hang scarves, small handbags, or belts, it helps save space and keeps you organized!

P.S.
Here are some methods to help you avoid clutter and feeling better about buying new clothes!

• Buy a pair of jeans, donate an old pair you haven't worn in the past 6 months! 
• Need new socks? Buy two pairs of socks, throw out those old ones with holes! 

Can't remember when you last wore something? Use the "flip hanger method," Make all of the hooks to your hangers facing towards you, when you wear the item you put it back the opposite way. Continuously do this for a few months, after some time goes by, you will notice hangers you haven't touched or turned around, that means its time to give those clothes away! Don't hang onto something for those "what if" moments, make room for clothes that will become your new favorites!

xo Nik