On Shaheen: Dress: BB Dakota (c/o) | Coat: Blank NYC | Boots: Stuart Weitzman | Lip: Chanel | Sunglasses: Nordstrom

On Blair: Sweater: Nordstrom (similar) | Jeans: Rag & Bone | Shoes: Loefller Randall | Sunglasses: Illesteva

This week has shaped up to be a fun one! I have been having fun behind the scenes preparing tons of holiday content, finally released the Holiday Guide (what did you guys think?!) and hosted a fun event with my friend Blair! Normally, I’m not an event girl. I always feel awkward and out of place but was really excited to do this!

We teamed up with The Allis at Soho House and Bumble BFF to host a soiree this past Wednesday and it was quite fun! Blair and I’s friendship has blossomed from a very organic meeting over the past few years and it’s amazing to think how close we’ve grown. Because I am in a more isolated work environment, it’s hard for me to meet women in my office that I would connect with outside of work. Blogging became an amazing way to connect and grow friendships with some of my now closest friends. 

Three years ago, I attended a blogger holiday party in Lincoln Park and loved mixing and mingling with the girls. I met Blair that night and we exchanged numbers – over the next few months we would meet for lunch and then started shooting photos together too. Photography and blogging were just a few of the interests we shared and it was so nice to find a friend who I really connected with in this new city of mine.

I think a lot of young women feel the same way. If you work from home or in a small office you may not have an organic way to meet women you can form meaningful relationships with. How do you ask a girl at a bar our on a lady date? Awkward. I think getting out of your comfort zone and pursuing your hobbies is a great place to start. Whether it’s blogging, painting, book clubs or a special interest group – getting out and being social is always a good place to start. 

Bumble BFF is trying to help change that. The app is essentially a ‘friend dating’ app for women to meet new people they may connect with. I think it’s so helpful when moving to a new city or even just wanting to branch out! 

We sipped on some amazing cocktails in the new expanded Allis, which is beautiful! We mixed and mingled with so many existing and new friends! We were honestly blown away by the support we received, so thank you to everyone who made it out and hopefully you all made some new connections too! 

How did you guys meet your best friend? 

Photography by Jules Kennedy