Every year, I like to do a roundup of my favorite memories. Not only is it fun to look back on the highlights, but it also goes to show how far things have come in just one year. For example, it’s still hard for me to believe that I only started travel blogging in early 2018! Travel content is now a main pillar of this blog and my extending social channels, and it’s also something that I can’t imagine not doing now.
I’ve always been a little bit all over the place with my content, adjusting to my current interests and lifestyle. 2018 though proved different, as I became more confident in what it is that I actually want to share. This year has definitely been the biggest in terms of growth, both qualitatively and qualitatively, and I can’t wait to see what 2019 will bring!
Check out my top 10 highlights of 2018 below, and hold on tight…I’m sure 2019 is going to be a wild ride 😊
10. Visiting Family in Charleston, SC
It feels like decades have passed since we went on our whirlwind trip to Charleston, SC. This was both mine and Rich’s first time visiting this charming city, and it was nice to be able to spend some quality time with R.’s brother and his wife while we were there. Though the hyped up Rainbow Row really wasn’t all that exciting (it does still make for some Insta-worthy pics), we enjoyed marveling at the historic Heyward-Washington House, visiting the Charleston Market, chilling on the beach, and more.
Read: One Week in Charleston, South Carolina
9. Spending a Weekend in Lake Placid
Richard and I got to kiss summer goodbye in the absolute best way possible — spending a weekend in Lake Placid. We couldn’t get over the amazing views, or the completely adorable town that surrounded our resort. Some of my favorite memories include hiking to the top of Whiteface Mountain and simply walking the loop around Mirror Lake, taking in the beautiful scenery and nature. This is the perfect destination if you like the outdoors!
Read: 9 Amazing Things to Do in Lake Placid
8. Visiting the Real Mystic Falls, Virginia (aka Covington, Georgia)
If you know me in “real life”, you’ve probably got a pretty good idea of my obsession with the CW show The Vampire Diaries. In 2017, I even checked meeting several of the cast members off my bucket list. This year though, I took things a step further and visited the location where they actually filmed a lot of the show! If was so fun touring this small Georgia town and picking out all the spots that appear onscreen, and I even went back a second time the next time I was in Atlanta for more.
Read: Visit Mystic Falls — Touring the Real Town Behind the Vampire Diaries
7. Walking & Exploring the Historic Streets of Downtown Boston
Rich and I recently got the opportunity to visit Boston for the first time last month, and it was such a blast. We visited historic places like the Paul Revere house, the site of the Boston Massacre, the Old State House, and more. I love history, so walking the historic streets of downtown Boston and learning more about the events that took place here hundreds of years ago leading up to the Revolutionary War was a total dream.
Read: 12 Unforgettable Things to Do in Boston This Weekend
6. Channeling My Inner Child at Walt Disney World
I think I’ve been to Walt Disney World more in the past few years than I have been in my entire life. What can I say? I’m totally hooked. I took a trip with my future sister-in-law last February, and it was such a blast. We did all the parks, and we were even able to take her and my fiancee’s 97-year-old grandfather along with us. I cherish my family above all else, and I feel so blessed to have been able to spend this time with these two in the most magical place on earth!
Read: Disney Tips — How to Plan the Best Trip to Walt Disney World
5. Exploring Newport During the Winter
The few day trip that I took with my future sister-in-law to Newport last February was incredibly important. This is because it was my first ever press trip as a blogger. This trip marked a whole new beginning for my business, and it helped me to discover my passion. Not to mention, winter is actually a fantastic time to visit Newport, RI. Though most people come here for the beaches during the summer, I enjoyed the wintertime here even more than I previously did during the summer. Not all of the famous Newport mansions were open, but the ones that were were practically empty. It was way easier to soak everything in and truly appreciate the grandeur of these spectacular homes without the masses of people that they draw during the peak season. It was also nice to just stay cozy by the fire and relax at a slower pace during this trip.
Read: Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Newport, RI
4. Visiting R. in Atlanta
When R. told me he was spending the summer in Atlanta for his final internship, I’ll be the first to admit I was disappointed. I didn’t want to spend months apart, even if it was the last time we’d ever have to do something like this. All that being said, visiting Atlanta turned out to be a lot of fun. In fact, Atlanta was one of my favorite cities I visited this year overall! There was just something about the south that struck me, and it has had me dying to go back to this city for a third time ever since.
Read: 24 Things to Do in Atlanta, Georgia This Weekend
3. Taking my Mom to the Catskills
Like I mentioned above, family really is everything to me. I’m so lucky that I’ve been able to travel as much as I have with my loved ones, and I felt especially grateful when I was able to take my mom on a trip to the Catskills last spring. We checked out the cutest towns, and we even paid a visit to Woodstock. I love being able to work with my family, and it was awesome that my mom was able to be my photographer on this sponsored trip. My mom and Richard make up a very important part of my team, as they take about 95% of the photos for my blog and social media channels. I couldn’t do it without them!
Read: 7 Things to Do in the Catskills this Weekend
2. Girl’s Trip to Punta Cana
I’ve been to Punta Cana before with my parents, but being able to go on a girl’s trip with just my future sister-in-laws was such a blast. For the first time, we stayed at an all-adults resort, which made a huge difference. The entertainment was geared more towards people our age instead of children, and the atmosphere was both relaxing and incredibly fun. We also took what turned out to be some of my favorite photos of 2018 here during the gorgeous sunsets.
Read: 5 Reasons You Need to Visit Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
1. Buying (& Moving Into) Our First House
Last but certainly not least, my favorite memory of 2018 was buying (& moving into) our first home! This was something that we have wanted for a very long time, so it was incredibly exciting to see it all come to fruition.
Read: How to Buy a House Young (8 Ways to Buy a House in Your 20s)
What was your favorite memory of 2018?!
