WE’RE MOVING!

You know that big news I mentioned a couple weeks ago? Today’s the day I finally get to come clean. I had to wait until Will gave notice at work before I could share it here because — drumroll, please — we’re moving from New York to Dallas! I can’t believe I’m writing that sentence but it’s true and I’m over-the-moon excited to FINALLY be able to share the news with all of you! There are so many changes happening all at once and it’s been torture to keep them to myself. We decided last summer that we wanted to move in together once my lease was up in February. The crazier part is that this New England girl is headed to Texas!

Will grew up in Dallas and I’ve known since the very beginning of our relationship that he’s anxious to live there again. While I can’t say I ever thought I’d live in Texas, I also know that I’d move to the moon if I got to go with Will. (Remind me to do a post on how we met. ;)) Long story short, we’ve known we’d be moving since January and have been quietly putting big/scary/crazy exciting plans in motion while making the most of our last few months in New York. It’s crazy to think that the time is finally here!

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But first, I thought it would be nice to reflect on what I’ll miss most about New York and what I’m most excited for in Dallas. I’ve lived in New York for two and a half years now and moving here is hands down the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I’ve grown up so much, learned to live on my own, grown my business from scratch, and made friends I’ll absolutely never forget.

New York has been the backdrop for so many snapshots of my early twenties — the good, the bad, and the ugly. First dates I couldn’t wait to tell my girlfriends about. Dazzling skyline views from someone’s rooftop. Late nights that ended in greasy diners. Road trips out of the city and skyscraper views on the drive back in. Heart-to-hearts that changed my life. Mornings at the dog park, watching Rory have the time of his life. Meeting Will and realizing, oh! that’s what a relationship is supposed to feel like. Amazing meals with amazing people, often more than once a week. I love this city, and I always will.

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What I’ll miss most about New York:

Central Park in the snow. Central Park in the sunshine (preferably with a picnic basket). Date nights at Palma. Dinners with Amy and Emily when we laugh so hard our stomachs hurt. Day-long work sessions with Carly. The ability to hail a cab anywhere at anytime. Seamless (please tell me there’s a Dallas alternative). The dog run in Madison Square Park. The hustle and bustle. The museums. The quick flight to Nantucket. And most of all, living so close to my family in Connecticut. That will be a toughie. 🙁

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What I’m excited for in Dallas:

230 days of sunshine every year. Buying (and decorating!) a house together. Dog-friendly outdoor dining. Having a car. Making new friends. Meeting new readers. MORE SPACE! Mild winters. Having a guest bedroom for family and friends to stay in when they visit. Moving into my very own office (which I’ve dreamt about for years now). Being able to hire someone more long-term to help me with the boutique (ditto). Living close to Will’s family. Country concerts. Super friendly people. And of course the opportunity to start a crazy exciting new chapter with Will and Rory by my side.

At the heart of it, I’m ready to take on my next chapter in a place that feels less temporary. There are a million things I could say to explain why I’m ready to leave this wonderful place, many of which my friend Victoria summed up really nicely in her post about moving back to San Francisco. Living in New York is hard and I’m really, really glad I did it. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished here and I’d encourage anyone on the fence about moving to New York to do it in a heartbeat. I get why people say this is the greatest city on earth, and I also get why friends who visit say they could never live here. Personally I’m comfortable with the knowledge that I wasn’t meant to live here forever. The east coast will forever have my heart and I’ll always look back fondly on these years in New York… But I cannot freaking wait to see what Texas has in store.

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It’s pretty crazy to think about how much has changed since I started writing Design Darling more than five years ago. I’m writing this more for my own reflection but I love knowing that some of you have read along since the humble beginning. I’ve studied abroad in France, interned at Jonathan Adler, graduated from Bucknell, lived in San Francisco, worked in PR in New York, quit that job, launched my boutique from my parents’ dining room table, moved to New York on my own, ended a long-term relationship, grew my business working from home, threw fun eventsshared goals big and small, and met the person I’m meant to be with, all while taking advantage of everything this incredible city has to offer. Thank you for being such a big part of these last five years and here’s to brand spanking new adventures in the five to come!

Do any of you have experience moving from New York to Dallas? Or to Dallas from anywhere else? Or, hey, just moving in general? I’m dying to hear your advice for a relatively seamless move and getting settled in a new city. Do weigh in below!