Goodbye Summer 2018...

*cues Summer Rain by Carl Thomas*

Which is one of my favorite summer songs btw.

Summer is coming to an end and fall is here to stay, well for a few months of course.

Looking back on this summer I enjoyed every bit of myself. I had a couple of drinks, got a lil' bit tanner and ate very well. My first couple of posts were of media, but this is where my lifestyle begins on this + size lifestyle blog. I like to have a good drink, eat great food and enjoy even greater vibes. Let's look down my summer 2018 memory lane and how I enjoyed the warmest season of the year.

NYC Pride 2018

Equality to all. Something I have always believed in. I never understood why people would judge, discriminate, and/or outcast someone on their sexual orientation and/or lifestyle. It is way easier to accept people for who they are and not who they are doing. The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer community is a culture and social movement for people who are attracted to the same sex, both sexes, identifies with a sex opposite of their own and/or the umbrella of multiple aspects. The World Pride Parade is a celebration of Stonewall Uprising in the late 1960's. To participate in the parade that started it all is a magical feeling.

Walking down the street I saw people who were so full of freedom, creativity and love. From the beautiful looks I saw to the beautiful spirits I encountered, I truly enjoyed myself. There were so many organizations and companies that support a community that at one time no one would even consider as such a thing. I was raised in a household where equal opportunity was taken seriously and judgment on sexuality and/or lifestyle was not tolerated. The LGBTQ community is a community I was born into supporting and won't ever forget to join in alliance. This year was the 49th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. People from all the over the world, yes the world (met someone from Italy), came to see and walk in this historic event. I know for a fact I'm participating next year in World Pride NYC.

Street Taco NYC: Pride Aftermath

358 3rd Ave, NY, NY 10016

After googling for a half an hour, I finally found the place that had one of the best frozen margaritas in my life, well so far. After walking in the parade for a few hours I didn't even care if I had Chipotle I just wanted to eat a meal, so I definitely forgot the name of the restaurant. Once I realized my group and I were walking past prime spots to get buzzed and fed I slightly lost consciousness, being dramatic of course. *cue angelic voices* We stumble across a gem that fed my stomach and my soul. The wait time was at the most 15 minutes and but our seating location threw me off. At first I was annoyed that we were all the way in the back, but looking back on it, it was pretty cool that we were sitting next to a "taco truck" window.

Other than our seating arrangements I was satisfied with my day. I told y'all good energy and good food make me a happy person. From the yuca fries (thank you Deshaun for putting me on) to the nachos I was so satisfied. I love mexican food and margaritas so I was in heaven. The margarita was so good I only needed one to get me buzzed. I will definitely go back because I now remember where it is located.

Beach Day w. Lo $

Asbury Park

This summer I was determined to go to the beach and enjoy myself. I planned on eating well and getting a tan. Only half of that goal was achieved. I had a great meal. I was lucky enough to enjoy my day with my good friend Lola (@notredami on IG) and enjoy the beautiful town of Asbury Park.

But once again nothing but great spirits with a good friend and significant scenery. Asbury Park is an amazing place to enjoy the amazing summer weather. From the beach to the food spots everything is beyond phenomenal. I tried to get a tan but failed, but walking around the town I felt like I was in a little utopia. This was the rising action towards a pretty good summer.

Stress Factory: Leslie Jones

90 Church St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

First off, one event I didn't capture with a photo because I was laughing too hard...and they told us we couldn't take any photos or videos. Leslie Jones has been a household name in my home for years. Family is big on good energy and great laughs, so new and fresh comedians has always been a thing. When Leslie was signed onto the Saturday Night Live cast all I could say was 'Finally'. Do y'all know how many BET Comic View seasons I watched wondering when she was going to get her break? Well far too many. Such a talented woman. Her routine was hilarious but also eye opening. She said, "Your 20's should be filled with nights involving cocaine and glitter." Now I don't condone harsh drug use, but I do love glitter. She goes onto say that millennials are too young to stress, and ever since then I have not let minute setbacks control my spirit. Even though the show was a family outing, I needed that comedic relief more than anyone at my table.

Gansevoort Market: Chip NYC w. Lo $, again

353 W 14th St, NY, NY 10014

Most of my friends sadly live outside of New Jersey (I blame college), but I was blessed with a friend that lives near me and loves the same things I do. Food and a fun time. She suggested this vendor market in New York that I have never heard of. Gansevoort Market. The main attraction was the cookie vendor, Chip NYC. Their cookies and cookie combos are a must have if you possess a serious sweet tooth. I enjoyed the bubba tea and scenery so I was good off the sugar sensation.

I was originally under the assumption it was just all sweets so we ate before hand. But to my surprise they had food vendors on top of food vendors and a bar to match. I could've been drunk and people watching for a way cheaper price, but there is always next time.

Burger & Lobster NYC

39 W 19th St, NY, NY 1001

Met up with a couple of my college friends for the weekend and ate so well at Burger and Lobster. A lobster roll is my new favorite seafood dish. Before it was anything with crab legs and/or crab meat, but now I think I have graduated to something better. Their appetizers are so good, but that lobster roll baby...it was EVERYTHANG! If you squeeze the right amount of lemon and drizzle the right amount of butter you'll fall in love with a lobster roll. Shoot, might even want to marry it (sorry had a big girl moment). Another high note to this medley of food and fun was the drinks. Felt so good to accompany my food with a pretty good drink.

All in all Burger & Lobster was an amazing place to enjoy good food and good drinks.

The Friend Zone LiveNYC

One of my favorite podcasts is The Friendzone. This show consists of mental health and mental health awareness along with insights on music and television. Hosts Hey Fran Hey, Assante, and Dustin discuss what's going on in the world and in their minds and/or spirits on a weekly basis. My type of show if y'all don't know by now. They had a live show this summer and I knew I needed to see my soul siblings in the flesh. Besides being with my friends from college I was fully pleased with the show. The guest psychologist definitely gave me more bang for my buck, and the great crowd full of liveliness made it better.

I just love a great atmosphere and my soul siblings set and it would be one I would love to be apart of again.

Essence Street Style Festival

Brooklyn NY

Ever since I could remember I would wait for my mom to finish reading the latest issue of Essence just to look at the pretty models. Then when I grew a little older I realized these women in the Street Style section were not models but bomb ass women with extraordinary senses of fashion. I was in awe. Women outside of the magazine were this cool, I'm telling y'all my mind was blown. Now fast forward to the social media age and how fashion is changing everyday and how black girls are setting the pace everyday.

I was scrolling through Instagram and saw Essence was hosting their street style festival in Brooklyn. I saw all the people that were involved in this event and almost overheated (being dramatic of course). The lineup was Teyana Taylor and Kelis along with many panelists and other guests, being hosted by Amanda Seales and honoring Naomi Campbell (the queen of the runway).

Another goal I set for the summer was to see Amanda Seales. I missed about everything she hosted this summer and thankfully saw a little bit of her in between raindrops at this event.

There were so many beautiful melanin filled black people I couldn't take it. They were so fly and so full of creativity, they added to my creative tank and here I am writing this post.

My friends and I ended the night at Caliente Cab Co. drinking a big ass margarita and eating mexican food (dancing in my seat just thinking about the food).

My summer was pretty cool. So y'all ready for the fall or nah?