To say 2016 was a whirlwind would be an understatement. Over 100 new restaurants opened in Austin (again, last year over 100 new restaurants opened in 2015), featured in InStyle Magazine, traveled to 17 cities, launched a new business, and collaborated with several of my dream brands. It wasn’t an easy year. Starting a new business was really hard, and my health definitely took a toll. Chiropractor and massage therapist visits aren’t fun.
With the year coming to an end, it’s time to reflect on all the accomplishments this year and prepare for the new year. I enjoy reading these Year In Review blog posts from my fellow bloggers and hope this inspires you to reflect on your amazing year!
NEW ORLEANS
Started the year off with a trip to New Orleans with The Simple Sol. We dined at 13 restaurants in 3 days. No really. If you travel with me, food is always the priority. Check out my ultimate guide to NOLA – Where To Eat, Stay & Shop In New Orleans.
SAN FRANCISCO
From NOLA, I flew straight to San Francisco to celebrate the boyfriend’s birthday. We spent the weekend in Sausalito and a day trip to Yosemite Park.
LAUNCHED HAPPY SOCIAL CO
This year I quietly launched my own business, Happy Social Co, a social media management agency focusing on restaurants and lifestyle brands. You might not know this but I have 6 years experience in social media. I quit my “corporate job” two years ago and was hired a social media consultant for global brands like Whole Foods and University of Texas. Creating content for brands was always my passion so I decided to start my own agency!
SXSW PHOTOWALK
The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau and I hosted our 2nd Annual Downtown Austin Photowalk at SXSW 2016!
PHOENIX, AZ
Flew to Arizona to check out the best spas in Phoenix, and fell in love with the local restaurants, giant cacti, jaw dropping pools, and lush farms in the desert. Check out my city guide to Phoenix – Where To Eat, Stay & Spa In Phoenix.
NEW ORLEANS
Who knew I would not only be able to visit New Orleans for the first time this year but also twice! New Orleans is filled with art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, and Instagram-worthy walls. Here’s where to eat, stay, and shop in the French Quarter!
GIRLS GETAWAY TO LAKE AUSTIN SPA
I hosted a #kokohosts wellness retreat at Lake Austin Spa with my favorite blogger babes. It’s hard to believe Lake Austin Spa is just 30-minute drive from downtown Austin! Read on for the wellness retreat at Lake Austin Spa.
100 THINGS YOU NEED TO EAT THIS SUMMER IN AUSTIN
Relaunched my most popular city guide, 100 Things You Need To Eat This Summer in Austin. Over 44,000 shares!
5 DAYS, 6 CITIES IN COLORADO
This summer I flew to Colorado to explore six cities in five days in collaboration with Colorado Front Range. It was my first time in Colorado with an ambitious travel itinerary but I had so much fun! The weather was refreshingly cool (an average of 80 with no humidity), the landscapes were beautiful, and the food was delicious. Here’s my Colorado Travel Guide!
RELATED:
9 Top Fall Activities In Colorado
Top Things To Do In Colorado For Winter
VIRTUAL DATE NIGHT WITH UBEREATS
Shared a personal life event this year – my boyfriend moving to San Francisco and how we do virtual date night every week using UberEats.
TORTOISESHELL HAIR MAKEOVER
Celebrity hairstylist, Jenna Mast (previously at NAAVA Salon & Spa in Austin, currently at WHITEROOM Salon in New York), gave me the hair makeover of my life.
AWARDED THE AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE’S WOMAN’S WAY AWARD
I’m so honored and incredibly humbled to receive the Austin Woman Magazine Woman’s Way Business Awards. My category – to be recognized as a woman-owned business that has taken her blog and turned it into a revenue-generating business while making an impact on its readers in its subject matter.
I’m so fortunate to have a community that helps me support & share the local businesses & brands that I love. To be surrounded by some many boss babes that night was incredibly inspiring.
WEEKEND IN MIAMI
Weekend getaway to Miami (loved staying at The Confidante and Miami EAST) for my Carnival Cruise!
7 DAY EASTERN CRUISE ON THE CARNIVAL CRUISE
Sailed off on the Carnival Glory from Miami on a 7-day Eastern Caribbean Carnival Cruise to Half Moon Cay in Bahamas, St Thomas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos Islands.
RELATED:
Top Things To Do In Miami Before & After Your Carnival Cruise
Private Island For The Day At Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Magen’s Bay Beach Getaway In St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
FEATURED IN INSTYLE MAGAZINE
My IKEA home makeover was featured in the October home issue of InStyle Magazine!
SAVANNAH
Weekend getaway to Savannah in collaboration with IHG Rewards Club. Read on for my curated Savannah Travel Guide on where to eat, stay, and shop!
FRIENDSGIVING WITH TARGET
Had so much fun hosting a Friendsgiving brunch in collaboration with one of my dream brands, Target!
NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ALASKA
Soaking in the hot springs at -5°F, dog sledding through the snow, and seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska was the ultimate trip to wrap up 2016!
