Fall Avocado Toast with Kale Pesto and Ricotta

I HAVE SOME REALLY BIG NEWS Y’ALL. Two years ago I packed up my apartment in Los Angeles and I headed back home to Georgia. It was a reset button. I needed a break, and I needed to figure out some major life pieces. It was never running away for me, it was always temporary.

In that time…

I moved into my own loft in Atlanta.

I moved out.

I moved in with my sister and her husband.

I traveled. A lot.

I got my heart broken.

I dyed my hair.

I cut my hair.

I was creatively fulfilled.

I worked with tons of amazing people.

I healed.

I grew.

I became me.

And now it is time to take everything I’ve learned in the last two years and implement them in my life. Somewhere new. Somewhere big.

That’s right. I’m moving to New York City – well, Brooklyn, specifically. It won’t be official until January, but I am visiting Brooklyn during October looking for a place. Since I wanted to bring you along and tell you all about the search (and hopefully meet some new friends) while I’m there in October, I figured I had to tell you now.

Why Brooklyn, you ask? The idea sparked last year when my best friend and I started dating boys who coincidentally moved to Brooklyn right after we started dating. So I spent a lot of last fall and winter traveling back and forth to the city – riding the subway, working in coffee shops, making food in a tiny apartment, and falling in love. When the relationship ended, I realized that I was still in love. With the city. With the cold air. With the challenge of a new city.

Why not go back to LA? To be honest, I miss the West Coast all the time, and it would make a lot of sense for me to just go back there. I work there. I have friends there. I know how to succeed there. But I’m young and I’ve got life to live, and I want to try out a few more places before I return there. The West Coast feels like home, it feels like my forever place. I’ve got some mistakes to make, and some things to learn before then. So New York seems like the perfect place for that.

Am I scared? Of course. I’m scared shitless. I’m afraid of failing. I’m afraid of having no money. I’m afraid that I won’t like it. I’m afraid that I won’t have any friends. But even through the fear – I must go.

It’s time for me to spread my wings and attempt to conquer a new city. It’s time for me to be a struggling artist who lives off Fall Avocado Toast. It’s time for me to chase some big dreams. Don’t worry – Brewing Happiness is coming along with me. I am only going to attempt to expand what I am doing now. I am thinking dinner parties, workshops, and soooo many new recipes.

The possibilities seem endless in a city that big. I think there are great things on the horizon. I’m excited to tackle them. I’m terrified to try.

If you live in the city, LET’S BE FRIENDS. (Help me conquer my fear of having no friends.) And please, stay connected by following me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook if you aren’t already. I’ll do my best to update you on the whole process. xo.