The Decade Of The Pizza Purse: Hungry Grl In Review

In 2010, I was 14.

Not only is that the name of my NYE playlist, but it’s also just straight #facts.

It’s overwhelming to reflect over the course of a year, let alone an entire decade… especially when that decade has defined and shaped you more than you ever thought possible.

This decade was the decade of Hungry Grl.

In short, this was not only the decade of HGBC for me, but the decade of: the pizza purse, pizza in general, tattoos, travel (including Paris TWICE. I have never felt more alive), SELF LOVE. SO MUCH OF IT, working with my dream company: Cosmopolitan, the Giant Moscow Mule, being recognized as said “Giant Moscow Mule Girl,” being recognized as “Hungry Grl,” appreciating good bagels, appreciating good eyebrows, writing my heart out, getting my heart broken, repairing said broken heart, moving out of my childhood bedroom, meeting my best friends, turning 21 and drinking with my best friends, trying new foods, appreciating mushrooms, disliking caviar, discovering Anthony Bourdain, losing Anthony Bourdain, going to college, graduating college, landing a job at Forbes, leaving a job at Forbes, starting my own business…

In 2015, ya grl started throwing ammateur food pics on the ‘Gram. Today, it’s my business and my full-time job. But this decade wasn’t perfect… in no way was it seamless. The version of me at 14 was a stranger to the woman I am today. I had no passions, I was afraid to speak up, I had an array of self confidence issues that I wasn’t even aware of. Even the version of me today is in no way perfect. As social media builds a view into people’s lives as the “highlight reel,” and as real as I always try to keep it, there are hardships I am closing in 2019 with a higher head and a fuller heart free of bitterness from the past. I’m closing the year with defined and realistic business ventures that I am putting my all into. I’m also working on being a better saver, being better at tuning into my intuition, being better at saying “no” to the things and people that do not serve me. But it took a very long time for me to get here, and to be able to listen to my own thoughts and intuitions with 100% confidence.

This is the decade that brought the people in my life closer to me, the people that unconditionally loved me at all times and truly aided me in so many ways to help me be where I am now. I have felt the upmost love and support from so many people, it’s truly overwhelming. My family for always allowing me to snap pictures before we ate (and even took the photos for me when I wasn’t there) and fully supporting me in everything I set my mind to do. My friends, both old and new, for hyping me up on IG but also truly always being a shoulder to cry on, and a force to make me laugh at all times. My STAFF, people that joined forces with me to create amazingness through my brand. The people that follow HGBC that I have never met IRL life, but we communicate and keep each other updated on our lives like we’ve known each other forever. And without you all, there would be no Hungry Grl at all.

There also wouldn’t be the version of me without the people that left, those that chose to and those that didn’t have that option. The people that gave me my appetites for life, food, and encouraging me to “play the field” (thank you, Grandma). Those who exited with our without explanation, those that broke my heart, those that were ultimately not meant for me and my path, and whose actions or lack thereof challenged me to become a stronger, braver, and softer version of myself. Those that wronged me, in business or in other ways, that taught me trust, talent and time are luxuries not everyone deserves.

I read a poem recently that ended like this: “A life without suffering really isn’t a life at all. The pain was worth all of the laughs I laughed. All the people I crashed into and fell in love with. This decade holds the greatest nights of my life. All the wonders my eyes got to see. The places my feet touched. All the dreams I built. All the moments. The miracles. That make up the course of my life.” — Rupi Kaur

So, in turn, this was the decade of Hungry Grl. But this was also the decade of everyone that has supported her, built her up, shown her sincere love and support along the way. And that is why 2020 will be the year of collaboration for Hungry Grl. True, meaningful, and impactful elevation with the very people that have been supporting for any length of time.

Let’s. Get. This. 2020.

Please enjoy this slideshow of photos from the past few years (there aren’t too many shareable photos from the beginning of this decade) and let’s get ready to manifest and bring to life nothing but greatness.

Stay Hungry,

Hungry Grl