If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen the overload of Popsugar Playground posts I’ve shared (sorry not sorry).
Truthfully, this past weekend was everything I needed and more.
I’ve been going through some personal things and having a weekend away with girlfriends in a different city was the perfect cure.
It made me feel incredibly happy, grateful, optimistic, and filled my heart with so much love.
I’ll be honest I’ve never liked New York City, but as I learned this weekend, even a place you don’t like can feel like paradise with the right kind of people.
Like Bachelor in Paradise
Although Popsugar Playground was on Saturday and Sunday, I flew in on Friday to spend the day exploring NYC.
It all started with the best lunch ever at Hu Kitchen, where I met the owner and told him how obsessed I am with his chocolate, followed by yoga in Times Square!
Admittedly a bit odd, it was so fun to work out in Times Square. People stopped and looked for a while though, so it was a bit weird but hey, I was having fun anyway!
After all that a few friends and I went to Haven Rooftop, where all my Bachelor dreams came true.
As I was laughing and enjoying a great conversation, I looked up and all I could say was ‘Colton? Cassie?’ as if they were my best friends (lol I wish).
I immediately asked for a picture and they were so nice! Colton even asked about our kale salad because he and Cassie shared one and loved it.
Side note – the kale salad is fantastic.
And clearly, so was night 1 in NYC.
Popsugar Playground Day 1: K&K love
On Saturday Nikita, Sara and I woke up super early to make sure we got to the event early.
Our main priority was meeting Katrina and Karena so we had to get there ASAP!
Well to my surprise, as we were walking towards Pier 94, I saw Katrina and all I could do was yell “Kat!” and ran up to her and hugged her.
Then I noticed Karena had gotten off the car and I ran up to her and hugged her too.
I’m pretty sure it was slightly terrifying but truthfully, I couldn’t contain my excitement.
I then saw them again during the meet and greet and got to talk to them much more calmly.
Honestly, they’re the sweetest humans and are insanely beautiful.
Right after the meet and greet we did the Tone It Up workout that included an amazing meditation by Karena.
We then explored all the booths, waited in line for aura photography but never made it because the line was that crazy, and then listened to K&K talk about the power of fitness.
Finally, the day ended with some booty kicking by Chyna, who is also gorgeous and took the time to talk to all of us.
Safe to say, I was insanely sore after day 1.
Popsugar Playground Day 2
Our goal for day 2 was to complete everything we wanted to do during day 1 but couldn’t for whatever reason.
It started with aura photography since we hadn’t made it the night before.
I learned that my aura colors are purple (how people see me), white (mindful state), and orange (lots of creative energy).
It was scary accurate!
I also prioritized recovery time so I spent a good amount of time stretching, using NormaTec recovery boots, and the Hypervolt. Highly recommend all of those!
I knew I needed to recover and save my energy so I could complete Anna Victoria’s workout.
I got to meet her before the workout and she was incredibly sweet and friendly.
Her workout was super intense yet very fun!
I also got to see Crissy Teigen right after the workout and before completing my last workout of the day: The Class by Taryn Toomey.
Let me just say that workout was the most mentally intense workout I’ve ever done.
It was physically intense as well, but boy was my mind challenged. I even cried at one point!
It’s all about strength, accepting your body, seeing yourself in a different light, screaming, letting your emotions out, and moving to the beat of the music.
If you ever get a chance to do it, I highly suggest it.
The Best Weekend Ever
Overall, I can say Popsugar Playground was the best weekend ever!
I got to meet and connect with amazing women, I got to work out with my favorite trainers, and better yet I got to connect with a part of myself I thought I’d lost.
I’ll be forever grateful for this past weekend and can only hope for more opportunities like these.
My heart is full of love and happiness.
