Guest Post by Following The Walkers!

I am so excited for today's blog post for a couple of reasons. First off, The Hinton Hook-Up has its first guest blogger!! And secondly, she is a very dear friend of mine. Stevie Walker (Following The Walkers) and I first met when she was still Stevie Bittner. We interned together at CBS News in the Press Office during the spring of my senior year and her junior year of college. Stevie and I had a hilarious time navigating our way through the CBS building while trying to stay caught up with school work and planning our weddings at the exact same time. This beautiful lady played a precious role in my life while I lived in the city and I'm so grateful for her friendship, even though we now live 1,847 miles apart! Since that semester in New York, we have both graduated from college and married our long-time boyfriends (Did I mention we both got engaged within days of each other about a month before our internships? Crazy!). The one-up that Stevie has on me is that she is now back in the city with her husband, living and working full time. I'm SO jealous! Although I plan on getting back there soon, for now I have to settle for living vicariously through Stevie's blog, which isn't the worst option. She takes fabulous pictures!!

So, without further ado...

When Sara first asked me to guest blog for her, I was all "heck yes!" Because, honestly, Sara was the person who inspired me to blog. For years I was a doubter, but her enthusiasm for the craft sparked my interest, and here I am today. She is my blogmother :) And, as Sara would say, I'm so happy to be here with y'all today.

1. You and your husband have been married for a little over a year now. How was your first year of marriage? Was it what you expected it to be? What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a newlywed?

 

Our first year of marriage was incredible. Blake (my husband) and I had dated for almost seven years before we got married, so we had worked out most of the kinks already. Of course, there are always challenges, and we weren't without our fair share, but after years of long distance we dwelled in togetherness. With that said, I suppose it wasn't what I expected it to be - it was better. I was warned that the first year would be hard, but we had a good balance that worked for us.

The biggest lesson... that's a tough one. Pick your battles. Recognize that you need time with friends and time to yourself. Talk to your mother/sister/best friend a lot. Hold hands. Acknowledge when you're wrong. Laugh at his jokes. Appreciate the little things. Be flexible. That's eight lessons for ya, because I'm nice like that.

 2. You’ve been living in New York for a few months now and just leased your first apartment in the city (Congrats!!). How was the move? What’s your favorite part about the new apartment?

Thank you! I'll be posting about the move in the coming week or so. To put it bluntly, it was a huge pain. Moving to the city is no small feat. It took us at least two months to find a place, and the qualifications for approval are strict. But we did it, and we're so glad we did. Our new apartment overlooks a small park, with views of skyscrapers to the north and brownstones to the south. It's a pea-sized little place, but it felt like home immediately. Our bedroom is probably my favorite place in the whole world and the roof views are amazing. Advice for the NY bound: be patient, have all your paperwork handy and realize that most brokers here are sheisty as all get-out.

3. Tell me a little about your job a MSLGroup.

I love my job - truly. MSL New York is the agency arm of the Publicis Groupe network. We handle PR for a variety of national and international brands - PUMA, Citibank, Outback Steakhouse, Heineken, Kellogg's, etc. I work in Media Relations, so my responsibilities vary from client to client and from month to month. It's exciting work, and I've learned a lot in the last four months. Plus, the people that I work with are fantastic, so that helps.

4. When we worked together at CBS News, I was always so envious of the way you juggled and organized school work/internship/wedding planning/life. What’s your secret?

Ha - thank you :) Inordinate amounts of caffeine? Honestly, this is a constant struggle for me. Working out at least three times a week tends to keep the stress down, along with a lot of prayer and keeping my planner at the ready. My husband is a great support system, too. But I feel like I'm always striving for the balance.

5. With this past Friday being the first day of fall, what is your favorite fall fashion trend this year? What are you seeing on the streets of NYC?

I'm seeing a lot of great boots this season, along with bulky sweaters, maxi dresses (carried over from summer), bold stripes and shawls. I love a good pair of boots, and I've been completely obsessed with ASOS recently. This dress is one of my most recent purchases. LOVE.

6. What are those must-have items that a young professional woman in NYC should always have with her?

Cash. No, seriously. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a food truck that I wanted to try out and haven't been able to because I almost never carry cash. A good pair of flats in your purse is always good, along with mints, your iPod (for the subway), a healthy snack and a small umbrella (it rains when you least expect it). If you frequent the subway, carry a book that doesn't make you look like a moron. If you're over the age of 20, any of the Clique books are unacceptable.

7. What’s your favorite restaurant in NYC? Favorite place to buy a cupcake? Grab a drink after work?

So difficult to choose. We've been to so many great places in the city. We loved Raoul's in the Village for a nice outdoor dinner. Serafina and Sarabeth's are good for brunch, as is the Lexington Candy Shop (a little less formal). Brother Jimmy's BBQ is good for an after work dinner or drink, and they have three or four locations in the city. Of course, you can't beat rooftop bars like 230 5th or 3 West Club for happy hour.

Cupcakes are my weakness. Definitely check out Sprinkles near Grand Central for their red velvet, and Molly's Cupcakes in the West Village has amazing cupcakes and a really cute atmosphere. For other desserts, check out Georgia's Cafe and Bakery on the Upper West.

8. What are three things you couldn’t live without?

My planner, the David Gray Pandora station and Nutella. I could probably live without all three, but I wouldn't want to...

Alright friends, this is Sara again. Now, go follow Mrs. Walker's blog right now! Believe me, you won't regret it. :)