KATIE KENNEDY

Resolutions for the New Year
📍 Watercolor, Florida

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New Years’ Eve 2021… I was dancing with friends at a party in Seaside, Florida, when I had a big realization. NYE may just be my favorite holiday. I mean, think about it. You can get as dressed up as you want to, have a fun meal with whoever you wish to, and celebrate. It’s a time for a fresh start and to make new goals for the future. There are infinite possibilities. To make the most of the next 365 days, here are my personal resolutions for the new year.

Create and Stick to a Morning Routine

While the morning routine is still a work in progress, I had this horrible epiphany in how sedentary I had become last year. I wanted to see how much I walked on our most recent trip to NYC and saw how little non-existent my steps are during the workweek. Ideally, I want to create a morning routine where I have a set wake-up call, take the time for a lot of movement, and have a moment of quiet for myself. The main piece of this goal is to move more. Whether it be from a long walk, tennis lessons, or a spin class, I’m going to keep my options open. This will help set the tone for a productive workday and a successful year!

Read At Least A Book Per Week

During the summer months, I’m so proud of how I could make reading a priority. I was even averaging about two books per week. Although those numbers dropped in the fall, I’m ready to start the new year on a fresh note. I think 50 books for the year is a reasonable goal to set, but I would love to read well beyond that. Even though I typically lean towards non-fiction, I want to remind myself that it’s okay to sit and enjoy a well-written novel, especially historical fiction. I’m also excited for my New Yorker subscription to begin arriving. I envision it as the perfect read with my morning coffee for a way to start each day on the right note.

Be More Intentional With What I Eat

Because saying “diet” sounds like such a dirty word, right? I think the whole diet culture can have a pretty negative feeling, especially when it comes to New Year resolutions. As someone with an intense love for food, I would hate to give up some favorites just to have a smaller dress size. Instead, I simply want to be extra mindful about what I eat each day. Working from, snacking out of boredom is almost an occupational hazard, and before I know it, I’ve wandered into the kitchen for multiple snacks. Starting now, I want to listen to what my body tells me. “Am I truly hungry right now?” will be a top question. As part of that same conversation, I’m excited to take a stab at more cooking in the kitchen. I come from a line of incredible home chefs, and I want to grow my skills. With a cookbook wish list a mile long, I can’t wait to try new dishes and cuisines.

For Fun: Learn French!

Or Italian! I actually have a good knack for picking up languages, and I think it’s time to capitalize on it. I like to daydream about a fabulous European vacation home. Knowing the language is an absolute requirement if I want to talk to the locals and other expats! I like to make my grocery list in the second language and have a fun playlist while working for little bits of practice. Until the vacation house happens, the language is a great skill to have as I travel abroad.

I know it’s a cliche, but I genuinely believe that 2022 will be a great year. Even though I’m beyond thankful for another year, I’m ready to work towards new goals and have new experiences. Best of luck to each of you with your own personal resolutions, If we can continue to support each other as a community, nothing will stand in our way!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

My 2021 in Review
📍 Boca Grande, Harbour Island, New York City

Oh, 2021! What a long strange ride it’s been. Yet, I’m so incredibly grateful for all of the ups and downs! This year has been about exploring new destinations and making wonderful memories with old friends. I’ve also had a few reminders not to squander the present because the future is never guaranteed. While that’s not the most common mindset for a healthy 30-year-old, it’s a mantra that I will bring with me into 2022. But first, I would love to end the year with a quick recap of my life from month to month. Please feel free to join on my 2021 in review.

January: Polo Match on St. Pete Beach

Although January was a quiet month, there were still some incredible moments. Namely, attending the annual polo match on St. Pete Beach. In truth, polo is not a sport that I’ve ever remotely followed. I won’t pretend like I know the full rules or lingo for a second. Still, this polo match was a great opportunity to spend some time at the iconic Don Cesar Hotel. It was fairly cold and cloudy, at least by Florida standards, but it made for a beautiful backdrop among the surf and sand.

February: Long Weekend Escape to Gasparilla Inn

In 2020, we fell in love with the Gasparilla Inn. It’s a place that we can return to again and again, especially since we know it’s just an hour away. In February, we had a long-weekend escape to this quiet corner of the Sunshine State. Even though we’ve been on several trips, this may be a favorite. The weather was perfect, and we were able to truly relax. For whatever reason, Boca Grande is the one destination where I can tuck away my electronics and not give them a second thought. In the new year, I highly recommend finding a destination that has the same effect on you.

March: Celebrating One Year of Working Remotely

March was another fairly quiet month, but it was a nice reprieve before a very on-the-go Spring and Summer. The most notable thing was that I celebrated a year of working remotely. While it started in 2020, when I was still a classroom teacher, I had the pleasure of joining the team of Kids Discover, an educational publisher for Grades 3-8. I cannot say enough nice things about my company, the people I work with, and how much I love my job! It will still be remote going into the New Year, but I know that doing so has done wonders for my mental health! 

April: A Week on Harbour Island

The Bahamas was the big trip of the year and such a highlight for obvious reasons! After years of loving the pastel cottages and pink-sand beaches, we finally booked our ticket to Harbour Island. We stayed for a week, but I only wish it was longer. Each day began with working remotely, but ended with romantic walks on the water and an endless number of Goombay Smashes. We came back to the states feeling so refreshed. The only question is how soon can we return and when can we invest in a vacation home?

May: Visiting Friends in Denver

One of our dearest friends moved to Denver a few years ago. We try and visit as often as possible, but he’s trying to convince me to move out West. Sorry to report, but I know I’m such an East Coast/Gulf Coast Girl and wouldn’t do well in a land-locked still. Regardless, we had the best time in the Mile High City: exploring Downtown Denver and a day of hiking in Golden. Even though I won’t be a Coloradan any time soon, I can’t wait to visit often! 

June: My 30th Birthday in NYC

With the help of several friends, I celebrated a new decade in New York. My 30th birthday was, in a word, perfect! From spending the morning at the MET, lunch at JG Melons, and late-night cocktails at Bemelmans, it’s a batch of memories that I will always treasure. It was also our first time back in the city since we moved away, and the world stood still. It was an obvious reminder of how much this city means to me. Now, I’m at a point where I just can’t be away for too long! 

July: Escape to Vermont and Basin Harbor Inn

Immediately from New York, we made our way to Vermont for a long over-due visit with David’s family. This was my first time seeing Vermont as anything besides a Winter Wonderland. I now have a complete understanding of where the nickname ‘Green Mountain State’ comes from. After a peaceful Fourth of July holiday at the Lake House, we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary at the Basin Harbor Inn. I think this is New England’s answer to the Gasparilla Inn, and I am in love!

August: A Break from Social Media

August was another quiet month, and I’m very thankful for it! I decided to take a break from all social media for the month. I took a look occasionally, but it was just the detox I needed. Going into 2022, this is something I may begin to prioritize more. While I love writing and making content, it’s not something to fully stress over. I will listen to my body and use this past month as a good template for feeling refreshed and recharged. Don’t worry. Orange to Apple isn’t going anywhere! In fact, I already have a full schedule of posts that I’m just so excited to share!

September: A Last Minute Trip to the Hamptons

When a trip to the Hamptons calls, you answer! I am so thankful for our amazing friends in NYC and that they opened up their new home in Hamptons Bay for us to visit. We started this impromptu weekend with 18 hours in Manhattan, a treat in its own right. Afterward, we took the train out east and had a few days that were almost off-the-grid. We lounged in the sun, drank, and laughed like I hadn’t in a while. It was another mental refresh that I didn’t know I needed!

October: David’s College Reunion in Rhode Island

Another trip I will never turn down is an excuse to visit Rhode Island. I think in another life, I must have lived in New England because Newport just really speaks to me. While the main focus was David’s college reunion at the University of Rhode Island, I took full of an excuse to have an extended long weekend. We ate at some of my favorite restaurants (especially White Horse Tavern), visited the iconic Breakers Mansion, and daydreamed of what a move to RI would look like. While nothing is currently in the works, who knows what the future holds! 

November: Another Gasparilla Inn Weekend

After a busy October, I didn’t even mention my work trip to Salt Lake City, we began November with one last trip to the Gasparilla Inn. This one was just an overnight trip, but exactly what the doctor ordered! It was another opportunity to tuck away our electronics and enjoy each other’s company. The views of the Gulf of Mexico and piña coladas certainly don’t hurt, either! Recently, Gasparilla Inn has gotten a bit of a facelift. If you’ve never seen it yourself, I cannot recommend this destination enough!

December: New York City to Vermont to 30A

Wow! What a way to end the year! From NYC to Vermont and back to Florida for a week on the beach along 30A. It’s hard to pinpoint a clear favorite because they each have their moments! In Manhattan, it was visiting the Costume Institute at the MET and karaoke with friends until 3 in the morning. While in Vermont, the highlight was spending another holiday with David’s family, especially his grandma, who will turn 90 in 2022. We’re still in 30A, but I can’t wait to share all of the details in the new year. Stay tuned!

With each and every step along the way, I’m so thankful to have David along for the ride. He is always open to joining me on my impromptu trips and is the perfect partner. I’m so excited to share another round of travel adventures and more in the year 2022!

Love from Florida and Happy New Year!
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.