2024 Recap

It has been quite the start to 2025, to say the least. I can’t quite wrap my head around the loss and devastation in LA. If you’ve been impacted in any way - my prayers and love are with you.

I wanted to do a little recap of some favorite things of 2024 before really turning the page to this new year.

In so many ways 2024 was the best year of my life (so far). I met the love of my life and got engaged to him, my business is in a really healthy place and continued to grow, and perhaps most importantly my loved ones are all healthy. Plus I got to go to the Eras Tour! :) That’s not to say this year didn’t have it’s challenges, but overall, it was pretty freaking amazing. When things are going well, it’s easy to start to wonder if there’s a shoe somewhere about to drop. When those anxious thoughts creep in I try to remind myself of what Brene Brown says about foreboding joy. “Don’t squander joyful moments by waiting for the other shoe to drop. Lean in and practice gratitude.” I am so incredibly grateful for the blessings of 2024, and entering 2025 with hopeful anticipation for whatever is in store!

It’s been fun to look back on the year and remember the highlights! Here’s a roundup of some of my favorite things from 2024!

Favorite Wardrobe Additions

1. These Donni pants - so comfortable and easy to wear

2. These Freda Salvador sneakers - I’ve been wearing them a ton lately in this Florida “winter”

3. These Dorsey Earrings - I’m obsessed.

4. This Vincent James button down - easily my favorite button down

5. This Mirth dress - I love the print and color, and as I always say, it looks so much better in person than on the website.

6. Horseshoe denim - I wear them way more than I ever thought I would. They don’t have the copper color that I have anymore, but I love the look of the cappuccino and bravo!

7. This Sold Out NYC linen tee - it’s the perfect lightweight, soft shirt.

8. This Jenni Kayne cardigan - so soft and the perfect layer. I grab it more than I thought I would.

9. This Yellow Label cotton sweater - most of my knits are cashmere or alpaca or wool (because Chicago is cold), so having a cotton sweater has been really nice in Florida and I think it’s perfect for a chilly Chicago spring/summer evening. (It’s unisex - mine is an XS.)

10. This pair of Amo jeans - they have become by go-to. The perfect amount of stretch to be so comfortable and flattering.

11. The Ozma Field Pants - they feel elevated and tailored but also so comfortable and easy to wear

12. This Vincent James tee - don’t underestimate the power of a really good basic.

13. These Natalie Borton Designs sunglasses - love them!

14. These Reformation sandals - I have them in black too. So comfortable - I wear them all the time!

15. The White + Warren Travel Wrap - it lives up to the hype! I got it in black for a trip to Scotland and it was perfect.

    

    

    Horseshoe denim, Vincent James button down, Mirth dress, Donni pants, Reformation sandals

Favorite Restaurants

Some of my favorite meals this year both near and far!

1. Shagalabagala, Nairobi, Kenya

2. Namba, Naples, Florida

3. Barbatella, Naples, Florida

4. Luigi, Dornoch, Scotland

5. Why Not?, North Berwick, Scotland

6. Lula Cafe, Chicago

7. Ja Bistro, Toronto

8. Au Cheval, Chicago

9. Crazy Beans, Greenport, NY

   

   

   Shagalabagala, Ja Bistro, Crazy Beans, Au Cheval

Favorite Books

These were my top 8 reads this year, in no particular order. I probably read about 15 books total, which is pretty good for me, and these were the ones that stood out the most. :)

1. The Women, by Kristin Hannah

2. The Girl with the Louding Voice, by Abi Daré

3. The 6 Types of Working Genius, by Patrick Lencioni

4. Swan Song, by Elin Hilderbrand

5. The Boyfriend, by Freida McFadden

6. Tell Me Everything, by Elizabeth Strout

7. From Here to the Great Unknown, by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough (I listened to this on Spotify - narrated by Julia Roberts and Riley Keough.)

8. Funny Story, by Emily Henry

Business Thought of the Week

Sometimes you just have to jump in. I have this idea that I’ve been sitting on for at least a year. I haven’t launched it because I can’t quite see how it’s going to unfold and I’m nervous to start something with that level of uncertainty. But sitting on this for another year is what will actually make it a failure so this is the year, if not the month I’m doing it! If you’ve been holding back on something or afraid to try something, this is your sign to just do it! :)