Happy New Year, friends! While I know we’re all still recovering together this morning (so. much. champagne.), it’s nice to take some time to reflect on the past year, and celebrate what’s to come in 2019. I used to have a tradition with my girlfriends where I would go out to coffee together every first day of the year and reflect on the best moments on the year before, and while we’ve all moved to other corners of the world, it’s nice to call each other up and share the peak and the pits (aka best and the worst moments) of the year before.

And I thought it was only fair to share with all of you some of the best (and a few of the worst) moments of last year – and what I’m looking forward to next year too. However is the best way you celebrate the new year, I hope it includes some reflecting and goal setting for the next year too! The highlights of 2018: 

• Spending another year in Chicago – something I try to not take for granted. From enjoying Lollapalooza, seeing more concerts than I can count, rediscovering old favorite restaurants (Club Lucky is always a favorite!) to exploring new neighborhoods and so much more. Chicago has my heart, and I feel so lucky to live in one of my favorite cities.
• Starting an exciting new job downtown (and cutting out that crazy commute to the suburbs out of my life!), working on so many exciting projects, and making new friends at work. While some days are crazy, I feel very fortunate to work in social media on some of the most  iconic food brands in America.
• So many weddings! From traveling to Napa, California to Portland, Maine – I had a solid 7 weddings around the US this year and they were all a blast. I have to admit though, I’m excited for a few less (and more Midwestern weddings!) next year!
• Traveling to Asheville, Captiva Island, Laguna Beach, and Costa Rica – including a few other long weekends around the country. I’m looking forward to even more international travel next year.
• Spending more time on creative outlets – from practicing more photography (getting a new 35MM lens I love!), to spending time on my blog and working on fun projects and partnerships. I’m so looking forward to spending more time on photography next year and taking some classes too. Any tips for how you learned? Any help is appreciated 😉
• Reconnecting with old friends, and making a handful of new amazing friends too. Even though life gets crazy sometimes, I’m hoping to spend more time prioritizing my friends (and showing my appreciation more often too!)

What I’m Looking Forward to in 2019:

• Trips trips trips! I have a few extra vacation days next year, and I’m excited to plan some trips near and far in 2019. We’re planning to go to Grenada for Tom’s brother’s wedding in March, a trip to NYC with my family in May, Greenville, North Carolina, and hopefully a trip to Morocco in the fall! There’s nothing that makes me happier than going on a big adventure, and I’m excited for a few new ones in 2019.
• A ton of fun blog projects in 2019, some of which are already in the works! I’m excited to plan some new content series (more to come soon!) and get my act in the blogging department together….maybe.
• Moving on up to a bigger condo next year! After spending the last 5 years in a beautiful one bedroom in Lincoln Park, I’m ready to upgrade to a bigger space to include a spare bedroom/office for blogging and photography (and guest too, of course!). Juuuuuuust need to sell my current condo and find the next perfect place to land – cross your fingers for me!
• A few exciting big projects at work I can’t wait to share – but have to wait to share because I can’t let the cat out of the bag before they launch. Still, excited to share when I can!
• Making big decisions in 2019. I usually pick a word each year (last year’s was balance – whoops…), and this year my word is “decisive” – in work and in life. Here’s to a year of making big decisions, putting myself out there and getting out of my comfort zone!
• Speaking of things that are big, in just a little over a month this gal turns 30! I’m excited….and terrified all at the same time, but no matter what, I’m looking forward to the next decade of my life.
• Prioritizing the things that are important to me, and finding more time to be creative. I loved learning new skills years ago when I first got into blogging, and I’m hoping to get to be a better photographer, designer and maybe even dabble a little in video to get my creative juices flowing next year.

Alright friends – let’s do this, 2019! I hope you have lots to look forward to, and are setting your intentions and goals to kick ass and take names next year. We have a lot to look forward to, and I’m excited to celebrate the big and little things throughout next year together. Here’s to hoping 2019 is the best year yet for all of us! xx