Multi-Month Hiatus + Little Life Update

I haven’t posted to the blog in about three months. Yes, THREE! A few people have asked if I’ve stopped blogging, and the answer is no. Of course not! That being said, there have been so many competing priorities in my life lately. I was sort of forced into stepping back to reexamine my situation, and then I sort of embraced this little multi-month hiatus for a bit longer.

Outfit Details:

Roberto Cavalli Dress (from Gretta Luxe) | Chloé Bijou Handbag (from Gretta Luxe) | Black suede pumps | Black suede pumps

It all started back in May when I was preparing to leave for a two-week trip to Dubai. Having been my first trip to the Middle East, and as a combo work-school-vacation trip, I was super apprehensive. I didn’t know what to pack, what to expect or even if I had done enough research for our project. As a part of my MBA program, I worked as a consultant in the IBM Dubai office for a week along with several other classmates. The full engagement lasted over a month, but for one week, we worked side-by-side with the IBM Dubai team – almost all of whom were expatriates from all over the world. Such a diverse crew and very interesting to get to know!

I know I don’t owe anyone an explanation of why I decided to take an intentional break from blogging, but I feel like I want to provide one. Not so much as an excuse but more so just to share! I had a few blog posts lined up while in Dubai, but our work schedule didn’t allow for too much downtime. Besides, when we did have free time, I only wanted to explore. I couldn’t bear to waste a minute inside!

Luckily after the project, my boyfriend flew out to meet me so we could adventure and check all of the touristy activities off our list. That week was the absolute BEST time – I still have so many more pictures to share! (There are THOUSANDS, and I haven’t gone through them since we’ve been back.)

Anyway, after wrapping up our project for IBM remotely here in Boston, I dove straight into my new corporate residency. As a requirement of my program, I will be taking six months off from classes to work full-time in the field I want to pursue. I knew that I didn’t want to go the traditional corporate route and that I wanted to try a much smaller company – one in which I would have to do a lot, but would also be exposed to a lot.

For six months, I am working for Gretta Monahan, a true businesswoman and the ultimate #girlboss. I’m helping out with the digital marketing strategy for all of her brands in the Boston area: Gretta Luxe, Grettacole and G Spa. I met Gretta a few years back through another project, but I was beyond thrilled that she was open to this opportunity for me!

There have been other things too! If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that I’ve been sharing snaps for a recent photo shoot I did for SheVillage. My photos are sprinkled all around Boston, and I can hardly believe it whenever I see it! (If you see any random feet or hands or lips – the might be mine!!!) It is beyond surreal. SheVillage is a collective of all women-owned pop-up shops in the Seaport, and you can read more about it, plus see some of the photos, here.

Aside from school and work, I’ve also wanted to take a step back to focus on myself. I always seem to set myself up for burnout and just totally run myself ragged – which is exactly why I took this multi-month hiatus from blogging. These past few months have most certainly been the longest time I’ve ever taken off since I started, and I missed it! I enjoyed focusing on myself and my family a bit more, and I feel like I have my priorities in better order now when it comes to school, career, family, friends and long-term goals. It all comes back to why I decided to start The Lilac Press in the first place!

I’ve been working on a few different projects these past few months, and I can’t wait to share more!

Thank you for sticking with me through this journey.

Xo -L