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The Best of 2013 – My 13 Favorite Moments

12/31/13 | Georgetown, New York City

I decided 2013 was going to be my year.  I rang in the New Year with a ton of great girls at a friends apartment party in New York City and from there I have had an absolutely amazing time over the past twelve months.  I was going to do a recap of the year but instead – I am going to list out my 13 favorite things that happened this year. (An idea I borrowed from Krystal because a normal wrap up just seemed so boring!)

1.  Annual Cocktail Party

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!

2. Sibling Bonding

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!

3. Chicago

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.

4. Winter Basketball Weekend

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!

5. Easter in DC

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!

7. The Boat Basin

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!

8.  Blates

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!

9. Kinky Boots

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!

10. Fashion Week

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.

10. My Birthday Weekend
My birthday this year was a crazy, hectic, terrific whirlwind weekend. The birthday celebrations began Thursday evening in New York City, continued at work on Friday, and then headed south Friday afternoon to Washington, D.C. for my university’s homecoming and to celebrate with all of my friends!  Three nights of drinking, two birthday dinners, one cocktail party, and a brunch just a few of the many fantastic activities that ensued. 


11. The Homecoming Gala
I talked about it for weeks and the “Homecoming in New York” Gala I attended on a Friday night in October surely did not disappoint. The doors opened at seven and it was an evening fill of open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and dancing. The tag line for the event, “Georgetown alumni of all ages are invited to gather for this special night and celebrate the Hoya spirit and our Georgetown community beyond the Hilltop” was so true!  The attire was cocktail and dressing up with a bunch of my friends was a blast.
12.  Photography Course

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.

13.  The Holidays in Florida. 

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.

So there you go, the best of 2013 in less than 1,000 words.
I have no idea how 2014 is going to top this – I had a great year! 

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Comments

  1. Emily F. says

    January 7, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    I wish I could got on blates! There is no one close to where I live, maybe someday!

  2. Emily Finta says

    January 7, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    I wish I could got on blates! There is no one close to where I live, maybe someday!

  3. Setarra says

    January 3, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    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!

  4. Setarra says

    January 3, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    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!

  5. jointhegossip says

    January 2, 2014 at 2:43 am

    You def had an amazing year! Here’s to an even better 2014 🙂

  6. jointhegossip says

    January 2, 2014 at 2:43 am

    You def had an amazing year! Here’s to an even better 2014 🙂

  7. Queen of Jet Lags says

    January 1, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    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

  8. Queen of Jet Lags says

    January 1, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    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

  9. Constance says

    January 1, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    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/

  10. Sweet Mona says

    January 1, 2014 at 2:49 pm

    unos momentos fantasticos, feliz año nuevo!

    http://theartist-mona.blogspot.com.es/

  11. Constance says

    January 1, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    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/

  12. Sweet Mona says

    January 1, 2014 at 2:49 pm

    unos momentos fantasticos, feliz año nuevo!

    http://theartist-mona.blogspot.com.es/

  13. Christel says

    December 31, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    Looks like you had a great year with a lot of traveling 🙂 Happy new year!

    christelpaola.blogspot.com

  14. Christel says

    December 31, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    Looks like you had a great year with a lot of traveling 🙂 Happy new year!

    christelpaola.blogspot.com

  15. Vanessa • With Great Heart Cre says

    December 31, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    What a wonderful review, Kelly! Such great memories, and I can’t believe you met MCLOVIN! NICE!

    Vanessa
    http://withgreatheart.com

  16. Vanessa • With Great Heart Cre says

    December 31, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    What a wonderful review, Kelly! Such great memories, and I can’t believe you met MCLOVIN! NICE!

    Vanessa
    http://withgreatheart.com

  17. Karly Kim says

    December 31, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    yay for blates that lead to bff’s!!

  18. Karly Kim says

    December 31, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    yay for blates that lead to bff’s!!

  19. nancy @ adore to adorn says

    December 31, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    what a great overview of your year. =)

    xo,
    nancy

    http://www.adoretoadorn.com

  20. Rach says

    December 31, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    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!

  21. nancy @ adore to adorn says

    December 31, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    what a great overview of your year. =)

    xo,
    nancy

    http://www.adoretoadorn.com

  22. Heather Dawn says

    December 31, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    Sounds like you had an amazing year! Hope next year is just a great! Happy New Year!!!!

  23. Rach says

    December 31, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    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!

  24. Michael says

    December 31, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    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!!

  25. Heather Dawn says

    December 31, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    Sounds like you had an amazing year! Hope next year is just a great! Happy New Year!!!!

  26. Michael says

    December 31, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    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!!

  27. Sharon says

    December 31, 2013 at 11:19 am

    We need to have a blate one of these days in the city! Happy new year, Kelly!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Le Mode Giveaway!

  28. Sharon says

    December 31, 2013 at 11:19 am

    We need to have a blate one of these days in the city! Happy new year, Kelly!

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Le Mode Giveaway!

  29. Anne röllig says

    December 31, 2013 at 9:56 am

    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

  30. Denisa says

    December 31, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Nice post and like I see you had an amazing year. I wish you all the best in 2014. xa

    http://www.fashiondenis.com/

  31. Apfelbluetchen says

    December 31, 2013 at 9:56 am

    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

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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