Since sophomore year in college I have thrown my annual “Classy Cocktails” party. They started out in my college apartments and have evolved into New York City get togethers that are truly my favorite. My January cocktail party was my first one as a “real person” and not having to worry about campus security and noise complaints made the evening just that much more enjoyable!
In the beginning of February I went to see my brother, Kevin, kill it in Squash Nationals. Then, over the summer, I was able to see him half a dozen times during his internship. The best news on this front for 2014? He accepted a job in New York City and that means for the first time in years we will be in the same place for more than a week!
Looking back on the year I realized for the first time, in writing this post, that I did not leave the country but I did get the chance to visit somewhere I have never been – Chicago. Playing tourist by yourself is a strange feat but I liked it! My favorite part was my walk around Millennium Park and saw the world famous Bean, which really is as amazing as it looks in photos.
In March I headed down to Georgetown for the spring alumni gathering of a highly anticipated and wildly successful basketball game where my school “trounced” one of our biggest rivals. This set the tone for a great weekend filled with reconnect with old friends and making new ones!
At the end of March I spent the weekend of Easter in Washington, D.C. and had an amazing time visiting a college friend and seeing my younger brother. I was in Washington, D.C. for less than 48 hours but I still managed to squeeze in a visit to my favorite college bar, hot yoga, pedicures, sushi, dinner, a photo shoot, church, and brunch!
This summer I was introduced to the Boat Basin. The West 79th Street Boat Basin Café is the perfect casual outdoor restaurant overlooking the Marina and the Hudson River with breathtaking views of the sunsets. I went their once for dinner, twice for drinks and once for a birthday party and each time was more fun than the last. On my post recent visit (sorry for the Blurry picture) I met McLovin. I can not wait until they reopen in March!
2013 was my year of blates. If you had asked me a year ago I am almost positive I would not have known what that word meant but I had at least half a dozen blog-dates this year. My first was brunch and shopping with Michael from Crazy Tragic Almost Magic, Hannah Margaret from HM, and Setarra from Quaintrelle in July. In September I met Alyssa, The Runway Chef, at a New York Fashion Week event and we instantly knew we were going to be friends. Since then we have attended more events including a movie screening. In October I met Karly of Karly Kim and we have brunched, dinnered, partied, and gone to see a comedy show. Bloggers make such good friends!
In the middle of August I got to see Kinky Boots on Broadway. I knew I was going to see a musical with my parents but they surprised me with tickets to this show as an early birthday present. I had heard of the play because of it’s Tony Award nominations and was astounded by the acting, music, and dancing in the story of a struggling shoemaker and his drag queen business partner. When the curtain came down all I could think was that I did not want the show to be over. It is the best production I have ever seen on Broadway and my parents agree!
This September was my first time attending New York Fashion Week as a blogger and it was a truly magical experience. When I began this little blog of mine I never thought it would bring me so many wonderful opportunities many of which materialized at fashion week. (Lugging gift bags home on the subway is really something I could get used to.) I was not able to get to as many events, shows, and soirees as I would have liked to because of work but I was able to attend a blogging meet-up, a fantastic rooftop party, and a beauty bloggers dream.
I have always been passionate about photography since I learned how to develop my own film in a dark room at 14. This hobby has fallen by the wayside now that I am a working girl but I took the time out one Sunday afternoon to take a photography course in Central Park and I am so happy I did. It was a remarkable four hours exploring one of the prettiest places in New York City while brushing up on some old skills and learning a few new ones.
Spending the holidays with my family is something I used to take for granted growing up and now, as an adult, I am so happy I am able to to do so. I went down to Florida for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year to spend time with my parents, brother, and grandparents.

Emily F. says
I wish I could got on blates! There is no one close to where I live, maybe someday!
Emily Finta says
I wish I could got on blates! There is no one close to where I live, maybe someday!
Setarra says
I’m so behind with reading blogs but I am sooo glad we were able to meet in person this year! Hopefully we’ll be able to link up again this year 🙂 Hope 2014 is off to a great start so far Kelly!
Setarra says
I’m so behind with reading blogs but I am sooo glad we were able to meet in person this year! Hopefully we’ll be able to link up again this year 🙂 Hope 2014 is off to a great start so far Kelly!
jointhegossip says
You def had an amazing year! Here’s to an even better 2014 🙂
jointhegossip says
You def had an amazing year! Here’s to an even better 2014 🙂
Queen of Jet Lags says
Happy I found your blog, your style is amazing and happy new year!! I’m your newest follower on Bloglovin’, hope you can follow back!
Love,
Noor
http://queenofjetlags.com
Queen of Jet Lags says
Happy I found your blog, your style is amazing and happy new year!! I’m your newest follower on Bloglovin’, hope you can follow back!
Love,
Noor
http://queenofjetlags.com
Constance says
Happy new year gorgeous! Fashion week was one of my favorite parts of the year too and I really want to go to Chicago some day, it looks like a beautiful city. Seems like you had a great 2013 and I wish you a better 2014!
http://www.mursway.com/
Sweet Mona says
unos momentos fantasticos, feliz año nuevo!
http://theartist-mona.blogspot.com.es/
Constance says
Happy new year gorgeous! Fashion week was one of my favorite parts of the year too and I really want to go to Chicago some day, it looks like a beautiful city. Seems like you had a great 2013 and I wish you a better 2014!
http://www.mursway.com/
Sweet Mona says
unos momentos fantasticos, feliz año nuevo!
http://theartist-mona.blogspot.com.es/
Christel says
Looks like you had a great year with a lot of traveling 🙂 Happy new year!
christelpaola.blogspot.com
Christel says
Looks like you had a great year with a lot of traveling 🙂 Happy new year!
christelpaola.blogspot.com
Vanessa • With Great Heart Cre says
What a wonderful review, Kelly! Such great memories, and I can’t believe you met MCLOVIN! NICE!
Vanessa
http://withgreatheart.com
Vanessa • With Great Heart Cre says
What a wonderful review, Kelly! Such great memories, and I can’t believe you met MCLOVIN! NICE!
Vanessa
http://withgreatheart.com
Karly Kim says
yay for blates that lead to bff’s!!
Karly Kim says
yay for blates that lead to bff’s!!
nancy @ adore to adorn says
what a great overview of your year. =)
xo,
nancy
http://www.adoretoadorn.com
Rach says
Visiting from Janna’s blog (Perception is Everything) and thought I’d say hi! I know what you mean about taking family holidays together for granted as a kid. I was just thinking about that today. When you all grow up and move away, it’s hard to get everyone together again. Looks like such an amazing year for you!
nancy @ adore to adorn says
what a great overview of your year. =)
xo,
nancy
http://www.adoretoadorn.com
Heather Dawn says
Sounds like you had an amazing year! Hope next year is just a great! Happy New Year!!!!
Rach says
Visiting from Janna’s blog (Perception is Everything) and thought I’d say hi! I know what you mean about taking family holidays together for granted as a kid. I was just thinking about that today. When you all grow up and move away, it’s hard to get everyone together again. Looks like such an amazing year for you!
Michael says
Aww! You’re so sweet for the mention! We need to blate again soon! You really did have a busy, fun-filled year! Happy New Year Kelly!!
Heather Dawn says
Sounds like you had an amazing year! Hope next year is just a great! Happy New Year!!!!
Michael says
Aww! You’re so sweet for the mention! We need to blate again soon! You really did have a busy, fun-filled year! Happy New Year Kelly!!
Sharon says
We need to have a blate one of these days in the city! Happy new year, Kelly!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Le Mode Giveaway!
Sharon says
We need to have a blate one of these days in the city! Happy new year, Kelly!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Le Mode Giveaway!
Anne röllig says
thank you for your sweet comment over at my blog 🙂 you got yourself a new reader!
Happy New Year sweet girl 🙂
love from Germany,
Apfelblütchen
You::Me::Us::Forever
p.s. please check out my sweet little giveaway over at my blog
Denisa says
Nice post and like I see you had an amazing year. I wish you all the best in 2014. xa
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
Apfelbluetchen says
thank you for your sweet comment over at my blog 🙂 you got yourself a new reader!
Happy New Year sweet girl 🙂
love from Germany,
Apfelblütchen
You::Me::Us::Forever
p.s. please check out my sweet little giveaway over at my blog