Twenty Fourteen

Dear 2014,

You are going to be a hard year to beat! You didn't go according to plan at all, but boy did you deliver some amazing memories. Years from now, what I will remember about this year are the travels and the surprises. I got to stretch my legs and go to some incredible places and see some amazing sights. From the awesome beach sunsets of California to the rolling green hills of Scotland, I got really lucky in my travels this year. One of my fondest memories will be stopping for brunch at a little coffee house in the countryside of Scotland by Balmoral. The beauty of the surroundings, the niceness of the people - it really made me realize what a wonderful we live in (yes, I stole that line from Mr. Armstrong).  My career took a step forward and that step came with a lot more work than ever before. There were definitely days and weeks where I had bags the size of Manhattan under my eyes and my shoulders were locked in a hunched position over my laptop. Still, I kept slugging through the work. I went through a disappointing few weeks when I realized my plans for going to graduate school abroad are not going to happen this year. My friends and family got me through that. My friends still held me up through thick and thin like they have always done. My personal life surprised me. I reconnected with people from the past and I met someone new who became a big part of my life. I let go of some friendships, made some new ones, and I met my new best friend. 

All in all, somethings didn't change at all this year and somethings did a complete 180. It's been an incredible year. I can honestly say that I am much happier on December 31st, 2014 than I was on January 1st, 2014. The biggest lesson I learned this year? Let go of your plans and let life surprise you once in a while. 

Goodbye, 2014! I am sad to see you go, but I am excited for 2015 to come in.

Lots of love,

M.K.

March: San Diego, California

May: Seattle, Washingtom

July: Lake Tahoe, California

August: Santa Cruz, California

September: London, UK

September: Edinburgh, Scotland

September: Balmoral, Scotland  

September: Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

October: Kauai, Hawaii

Home: San Francisco, California

Hello, I love you

Dress: Free People; Bracelet: J. Crew; Necklace: F21

Well, hello again. I don't even have any excuses for being a quiet mouse the last few weeks. Let's see - lots of storms kept me away. Work, travel, personal tasks, weather made for some very busy weeks. The crazy weather also meant I dressed pretty much in a uniform of rainboots, leggings, sweatshirts and scarves. Any free time I had was spent snuggling underneath blankets, watching movies, and just hibernating. Now that the rain has died down now and work is swiveling to an end, I am peaking out of my cave and embracing the holiday season.

I love this time of the year. Yes, it's commercialized and malls are crazy and people tend to behave like idiots on the road with all the crazy traffic. Yes, those part suck for me too but, that is such a tiny part of the holidays. I love seeing the city lit up. I love seeing people get dressed up for holiday parties and ditch the Bay Area uniform of shorts and tees. I love the baking and decorating the house in bright and glittering lights. Most of all - I love spending time with my people. This time of the year just feels like the perfect moment to tell all your people how much you love them and how thankful you are to have them in your life. I am looking forward to a week of holiday lunches, shopping with mom, watching movies with dad, dinners with my favorite dude, and wine nights with my best girls. Food + drinks + amazing people = perfect holiday season.