Best of 2022

Well…, it’s been a while. Admittedly, the past six months have been a bit of a struggle and this blog got lost in the chaos of it all. Regardless, I wanted to wrap up the year with a list of my top ten favorite things of 2022. With the exception of one very monumental (and very obvious) favorite, the rest of the list is an incredibly random, eclectic assortment of things that sparked joy.

1. Paris

Need I say more? I have written several blog posts dedicated to the beauty and magic of Paris, so it’s no surprise that the city reigns supreme on this year’s list of favorites. Not to drone on, but I could not be more grateful for my study abroad experience (and the people who made it happen). Paris awakened something inside me; somewhere between those narrow streets, and the uncertainty of being in a foreign country, I discovered a happiness that I had never known. To keep my never-ending love note to Paris short, I’ve stumbled across this quote that perfectly encapsulates my feelings; “It’s true, you never forget your first love, for me, that will always be Paris."

2. Tote Bags

My latest obsession with tote bags originated in Paris, and they have since become my everyday purse, backpack, and an endless black hole for all my junk and necessities. Tote bags are durable and stylish but not so fancy (or expensive) that I’m scared of exposing them to the messiness of life.

3. Notion

As much as I still use and love my paper planners and planning pads, I adore Notion. Absolutely anything and everything can be organized and managed in the app, and it’s been an easy way for me to keep track of all my projects. Although the software does allow you to be creative and customize each page, they also have thousands of pre-existing templates.

4. Reading

I’ve always been a reader, but this year I did not limit my binge-reading tendencies to just summer and winter break. Especially coming back from Paris, I needed an escape to written worlds (although I spent the summer reading only about Paris). More recently, I signed up for Kindle Unlimited, and as wonderful as that subscription has been, I’ve also spent entire days reading instead of doing other things because of it.

Side Note: I just finished The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (currently included with Kindle Unlimited) and it is the most beautiful book I have ever read. I could not recommend it more, it has everything I have ever wanted in a story.

5. Long Walks

It’s been a year of long walks. Not to make everything about Paris, but I would spend hours and hours just walking around the city. When I returned home, I continued taking long walks to ease my heartache.

6. Noah Kahan (Stick Season specifically)

I have listed to Noah Kahan for a few years, but this year he was my top artist (as confirmed by Spotify). His most recent album, Stick Season, has been the soundtrack of my life since its release in October. As a native Vermonter, his lyrics reflect a love/hate relationship with New England and the restlessness of being a big dreamer in a small town.

Side note: Favorite songs - Halloween, Orange Juice, Homesick, Stick Season, Everywhere Everything

7. Jonak Slingbacks

Shocker, it’s another Paris-related thing. I bought a pair of Jonak slingback heels as a birthday present for myself and a similar pair of flats before leaving. They are incredibly comfortable and chic and can withstand my constant tripping. I wanted something reminiscent of the Chanel slingbacks (my all-time dream pair of shoes), but at a cost that would not have my bank account sobbing. Jonak was the perfect solution

8. Wide-Leg Pants

Recently I’ve been reaching for my wide-leg pants more frequently than jeans. I have a black pair and a cream-colored pair and have worn both to death this fall and winter. Visually, they make any outfit more dressy, but the wider silhouette is also more comfortable than jeans – it's a win-win in my book. For a more casual “city look” (as determined by my mom), I pair them with white sneakers. Otherwise, my go-to has been wide-leg pants and ballet flats.

9. Perfume

This year I experimented more with perfumes. I purchased three perfumes from Roger & Gallet and wore them at different points during my time in Paris. As much as I enjoy the actual fragrances, I love how certain scents can transport you to specific places and trigger nostalgia. Even once I was home, I felt like part of me was still in Paris when I wore those perfumes.

10. Bows

Bows have been this year's preferred hair accessory. Although there is currently a resurgence of hairbows on the market, I have been DIYing. At the beginning of the year, I found a duckbill clip lying around and decided to attach it to a bow made from black satin ribbon. Thanks to my family's tradition of keeping and reusing ribbons from presents, I have since been "borrowing" different colored ribbons to make bows and using that same clip.

The hairbows in action:

Honorable Mention: Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Distance makes the heart grow fonder and that is certainly true for my relationship with Rhode Island. I had the privilege of spending my summer in Watch Hill, and there’s just something special about that little corner of Rhode Island (save for the town’s lack of a Target).