The Best of 2013 – My 13 Favorite Moments

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.

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!