Navigation in this city can be tricky. Do you know that I’ve actually used my compass app on my phone to get around? MY COMPASS. I have pulled a freaking Lewis and Clark and navigated myself using the moon’s gravitational pull. So many times I’ve thought I was headed South when I was actually headed North, only to find myself lost, stuck in the middle of traffic with only my music and a ridiculously sad sense of direction. The wide-eyed “what’s happening now” scenario constantly bleeds over into my personal and professional journey as well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought I was walking into “my moment” only to find out I stumbled into a dead end or more commonly, a detour.

Of course, missteps and misnavigations shouldn’t be cast in such a poor light because, really,  those are the teaching moments. How glorious it is when I find myself lost somewhere in Manhattan and can realize that I have, in fact, been in this spot before.  Those are the moments I relish because I can stick my head up, pulled the earbud out of my ear, scan for a cross street and walk confidently in the right direction. Sometimes I arrive late to my destination, other times I make it right on time. Rarely am I early because sadly, I’m just not an early-arriver to anything. My best friend makes up for that for the two of us.

What I’m getting at is that you have to figure it out for yourself, which -EUREKA!- I guess is what being in your 20s is about. I’m sorting out my personal style (downtown chic, if that’s a thing) and finding out what it is exactly that I want to do with my life and my time here in this crazy-wonderful, butt-kicking city.  I’m getting there ya’ll. This kid is getting there. I’m finding my own beat and it’s honestly so sweet.*

 

*rhyme!

 

Weather’s warming up y’all. I’m ready to ditch this vest and soak in the sun. All photos by the amazing Julia Hembree.

Until Next Time,

Haley Hoover, SMP Stylist

Wearing: Vest – Intermix (old, spring version here) | Jacket – Banana Republic (old, similar) | Shirt – Billy Reid | Denim – Paige | Shoes – Nine West (old, similar) | Bag – Zina Eva | Headphones – Beats by Dre | Rings – Topshop | Sunnies – Borrowed (similar)