Hey everyone!
If you’re new around here, I’m Flor, a millennial New Yorker sharing my life, city adventures, and everyday moments on this little corner of the internet. Today I’m excited to share my latest chatty get-ready-with-me video where I tackle my summer makeup routine while catching you up on everything that’s been happening lately.
What I’ve Been Up To
Life has been wonderfully busy these past few weeks! Between exploring NYC neighborhoods for my summer guide series, traveling internationally, and achieving some personal fitness goals, there’s been no shortage of stories to share. Pour yourself a cup of coffee (or whatever beverage suits your mood) and let’s catch up properly!
Watch the full video here:
Embracing Summer in NYC (Even When It’s Not Your Favorite)
If you’ve been following me for a while, you probably know that summer in New York City isn’t exactly my favorite season. The heat, the humidity, the constant sweating – it’s definitely not when I’m at my most comfortable! But this year, I decided to flip the script and change my perspective.
Instead of complaining about the heat (which, let’s be honest, I still occasionally do), I challenged myself to create content that highlights the best parts of NYC summer. That’s how my Summer Guide series was born! I’ve been exploring different neighborhoods, finding hidden gems, and honestly, having so much fun creating these videos.
This mindset shift has been surprisingly transformative. Taking something I typically dread and turning it into a creative challenge has helped me see the city through fresh eyes. Sometimes the best content comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, doesn’t it?
Our Trip to Argentina
One of the main reasons I’ve been a bit quiet online recently is that we took a two-week trip to Argentina in July! As some of you might know, both my husband and I were born and raised there. We actually met in Argentina before moving to New York.
Last year, we traveled back when our daughter Julia was around 7 months old so my grandparents (her great-grandparents) could meet her. This year, we made the journey again – this time for my grandfather’s 90th birthday celebration! It was actually a surprise for him that we were coming, which made it extra special.
What made this trip different from last year was seeing Julia interact with everyone as a toddler rather than a baby. Now that she can walk, talk, and play, it created such a different dynamic. Watching our loved ones connect with her in this new way was absolutely heartwarming.
When we travel back home, I try to minimize my online presence and work. It’s really about being present with family and recharging our batteries. That’s why I consider these trips more «trips» than «vacations» – they’re emotionally fulfilling but also quite busy and sometimes exhausting in their own way!
My Fitness Journey: Couch to 5K Complete!
I’m incredibly proud to share that I’ve finally completed my Couch to 5K program! This has been a 3-4 month journey of gradually building up my running endurance, and I can now run for 30 minutes non-stop – something that felt impossible when I started.
Currently, I’m trying to maintain a schedule of running twice a week – alternating between speed runs to improve my pace and longer runs to build endurance. My goal for 2024 was to participate in an official 5K or even a 10K race by the end of the year, and I feel like I’m on track to make that happen!
My overall health and fitness journey this year probably deserves its own dedicated post (let me know in the comments if that’s something you’d be interested in reading). I’ve made several lifestyle changes that have helped me feel less bloated, less out of breath during activities, and generally better in my body. It’s been a gradual process, but the cumulative effects have been so worth it.
Finding Community Through Book Clubs
Another highlight of recent months has been my book club! I’ve now attended three meetings, with the most recent one held on a rooftop in Williamsburg. It was such a lovely evening connecting with other women over literature and life.
I recently came across an Instagram post discussing how running clubs and book clubs are having a cultural moment right now. After the isolation of the pandemic, people are craving real-life connections and community. Even though I’ve always considered myself a bit of a loner who enjoys solitude (anyone else?), there’s something so fulfilling about gathering with a small group of women to discuss not just books, but our lives, challenges, and dreams.
If you’ve been on the fence about joining a club – whether it’s for books, running, tennis, or anything else – consider this your sign to take the plunge! As immigrants in a city different from where we grew up, finding these pockets of community becomes even more valuable.
Making Time for Your Future Self
All of these updates – from creating summer content despite the heat, to visiting family across continents, completing fitness programs, and building new friendships – boil down to one thing: making time for the person you want to be six months or a year from now.
Progress takes time. We often get frustrated (I’m speaking from experience here) because we want results immediately. But meaningful change happens through consistent small efforts over time. The good news? We still have five months left in 2024! Whatever you’re planning or hoping to achieve this year is still doable if you start now.
I’d love to know what you’re working on or hoping to change in your life. Drop a comment below and let’s encourage each other!
My New Haircut: A Fresh Look for the Rest of Summer
The final update – and the reason for the title of this video – is my new haircut! After a full year without a cut (yes, really), I finally made my way to Rob Peetoom salon in Williamsburg.
I worked with Emily Claire for my color – we went with a chocolate balayage that looks natural and dimensional – and Nika for my cut. I opted for long layers, which is perfect for my straight hair that naturally lacks movement and shape. The layers create the illusion of texture and volume even when air-dried, though in the video you’re seeing it professionally styled with a curling iron.
I’m thinking about trying the heatless curl trend next to see how it works with my new cut. Last year I went for a bob, but this time I wanted to maintain my length while adding movement and dimension. I’m absolutely in love with how it turned out!
Final Thoughts
Life has been full of beautiful moments, challenges, and growth lately. I hope sharing these updates gives you a glimpse into my world and maybe even inspires you to try something new – whether it’s changing your perspective on something you dislike, committing to a fitness goal, or finding your own community.
Remember that it’s never too late to work toward becoming the person you want to be. Small, consistent efforts add up to big changes over time.
If you enjoyed this blog post and video, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe if you haven’t already, and let me know what topics you’d like me to cover next!
Until next time, Flor
P.S. Follow me on Instagram: @FloPereira for daily updates and behind-the-scenes moments!
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