// photo via Kojo Designs


I still can’t believe I turned 25 today – how is time flying by so fast?  I’m lucky enough to have had another amazing year (the past two years have been one giant pinch me moment) and I can’t wait to see what the year ahead holds.  

Following the tradition started last year, here are 24 things that happened (and were pretty great) while I was 24:

1. Decided to run a half marathon and then ended up running three + the Chicago Marathon
2. Adopted Holden and became a dog mama of two
3. Moved into a new apartment and experienced city living for the first time
4. Learned my way around the city by running and allowing myself to get lost
5. Vacationed in North Carolina with my family and spent a week relaxing by the ocean
6. Took my first trip to Sin City and spoke on a panel at WOMMA Summit
7. Learned to live simpler thanks to a 600 square foot studio apartment
8. Made my first Chicago television appearance on ABC modeling winter outerwear
9. Presented in some really big deal meetings and traveled to Atlanta, Los Angeles and Columbus for work
10. Took a risk, made a big jump and started a new job (and love it)
11. Showed Chicago off to my family and some of my best friends who had never been here before
12. Saw Death Cab for Cutie and Ray Lamontagne in concert and finally saw two of my favorites live
13. Attended blogger events hosted by brands like Ann Taylor, Rent the Runway, Gilt Groupe and LUSH
14. Finished my 101 in 1001 list and set goals (big and small) for myself
15. Spent countless days wandering the Art Institute and enjoying quiet time alone with some of my favorite pieces
16. Raised over $1,800 for American Cancer Society while fundraising for the marathon
17. Had three of my best friends get engaged to some pretty lucky fellows (let wedding season begin!)
18. Took time to reflect on life’s little joys thanks to my One Line a Day journal
19. Gave back in as many ways as possible, from peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to the homeless to providing career advice and supporting the rescues that saved my pups
20. Spent Christmas at home with my family and truly appreciated the early morning wake-up to unwrap presents for the first time
21. Went on architecture tours by boat and kayak and learned new things about the amazing city of Chicago
22. Made notable steps towards consistent happiness and stressed the small stuff less
23. Took time to make new friends and spend time with new people
24. Found a much better work/life balance and allowed myself to have a little fun and not feel guilty if I wasn’t spending an entire day focused on a to do list