Top 100 of 2014

Well, it has been forever since I wrote an entry! Probably because I will be starting a new blog in 2015 and 2014 was one insane roller coaster to be on. As per usual, I'd like to share my Top 100 of 2014, something I have been doing since 2007. I was going to retire the tradition, but after sitting with that decision today, I decided to buck up and figure out what I would consider my 'Top 100'. It was a weird wicked year, but I think I am ending it in a really great place. 

So here we go: 

100. Following every experience with gratitude set the tone for a year that was filled with the highest highs, and pretty low, lows. 

99. Probably the prettiest snow followed the first half of this year, and I loved every second of it. 

98. Yogi Tea and my new love of a cup of tea in the evening to settle my stomach and my mind. 

97. Ispy and my monthly new bag of make-up

96. Making more time to walk, get fresh air, and self care

95. Getting better at making more adult responsible decisions (gross). 

94. Cleaning out, purging, and getting rid of A LOT of the clutter 

93. Snapchat and all of the hilarity it continues to bring into our lives 

92. Crazy Crepe and their awesome catering 

91. Hot chocolate 

90. Crisp notebooks, and more effort in my writing ventures 

89. Traveling to Brooklyn more and exploring parts I never had before 

87. Taking myself on 'dates' to spend some time figuring out what I need, what I want and where to go from there

86. Long Island being a beautiful place to live 

85. Getting my hair waved and it lasting for almost 8 months of no blow drying or insane styling

84. Going blonde! 

83. Colored lipstick

82. Pizza. 

81. Anticipation 

80. Lowering expectations and learning when ones were just way too high 

79. My new camera lens for the New Year and just overall taking more and less pictures at the same time 

78. Veronica & Joey visiting 

77. NYC's restaurant week 

76. Learning how to use the subway system better

75. "Your number one better not be $10 on a Starbucks card" - Steev (he has a lot of faith in me) 

74. Seeing Imelda May twice and her being unbelievable 

73. Slippers and morning coffee 

72. Project Hope coming to an emotional and heartfelt close, me leaving knowing I was a good Leader, with an amazing team of beautiful people. I miss them every day. 

71. Setting limits with my cell phone. We needed some space. 

70. A growing belly :) 

69. A full body pillow 

68. Aromatherapy body lotion 

67. My Oswego gear from my awesome cousin Alyssa 

66. Buzzfeed and Bitstrips 

65. Amanda the Florist and her overall loveliness 

64. Feeling so much support from my family and friends when Paisley needed votes for countless things on-line. It was so gratifying knowing people believed in us. 

63. Facetiming with my little cousins, my little cousins in general - it's been a great year for cousins

62. Gilmore Girls and binge watching 

61. Netflix marathons 

60. My Catcher in the Rye print from Nicole 

59. Street Art & Doughnuts 

58. The Meetball Place

57. Unearthing a lot of old family photos and preserving them 

56. Causing a commotion in Victoria's Secret with our 'New Year's Tradition' 

55. The Rangers Making the Stanley Cup Finals 

54. Kaila's Sweet Sixteen 

53. The Mini-Van 

52. Max Brenner's with Nicole, Kjell and Steev to celebrate Paisley and how far we've come

51. Whole-Assing Everything

50. Viva Juans & Project Hope having a love/hate relationship and GREAT karaoke memories. 

49. The 'date jar' and exploring new places on Long Island and cooking new foods we never had before. 

48. The Walt Whitman Museum being charming, simple and just a lovely place to visit. 

47. The Redneck Louie-Q since it was hysterical and I got to wear my good denim 

46. Prospect Park and their free concerts outside in the gorgeous summer weather. 

45. Long visits at Tracey's Table, you really feel 'family' when you go to Tracey's 

44. Annie. because she's still the best dog ever 

43. Little kicks. Little rolls. Little bouts of pure joy. 

42. Voo-Doo Doughnut 

41. Easter Brunch, at City Cellar, not only delicious but a really nice touch to the holiday. 

40. Weekly dinners with my Dad (for the most part)

39. Salem in Halloween, our last actual Halloween there for a while 

38. Crazy Beans being my favorite new Breakfast place

37. Way more trips to Avalon with really awesome people

36. Pumpkin Picking and BBQ in Riverhead on a perfect fall day

35. Another magical Christmas with beautiful decorations, and fun Christmas Eve, a nostalgic Christmas and lots of love 

34. Traveling to CT with Katie to see Lana Del Rey in all of her moody glory - the road trip, weird lunch, and concert is now one of my favorite memories. 

33. Another pretty, fun, and full of laughter trip to Lake George 

32. My cousins in general, they are the greatest. 

31. My Brother's Paintings 

30. Alyssa's 20th Birthday in the city - the bad Italian place, finding Alice's Teacup, dealing with weird comedians, and just an overall wonderful day out with my awesome cousins

29. Visiting Cedar Point for a whole Saturday of Family Fun 

28. My pink typewriter. The hunt is over and my husband is the best.

27. Being more conscience of how and where I spent my time and energy. This year was filled with more of events, outings and visits than years past. 

26. Anti-Gravity Yoga coming into my life and proving to me that I am stronger than I think, and can have fun while reaching goals. 

25. My 25th birthday starting at The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Kings Park with my whole family singing to me and Amanda which was just hysterical. 

24. My 25th Birthday Celebration with friends at the shitty Bowlmor - ridiculous circumstances, best company. 

23. Steev's Birthday celebration for me, taking me to 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' and a lovely dinner in the city on my actual birthday, it was perfect. 

22. This Picture: 

21. Babysitting Rylie & Haylie for a fun day of crafts and projects in the spring. Love those kids. 

20. My Valentine's Day Flowers - Steev worked a wrap and I didn't see him for two days but my flowers were gorgeous. 

19. Gunshow, the best restaurant we have ever experienced.

18. The Atlanta aquarium, I love aquariums and this one was out of this world. 

17. Flip Burger, being the best burger I have ever had. 

16. Visiting SIX new states together this year 

15. Paisley overcoming a lot of challenges and knowing enough to refine and refocus for 2015 - my business partnership with my best friend is one of the best decisions that I have ever made personally and professionally. 

14. Spa day with my Mother-in-Law and Sister-in-Laws for Mother's day. 

13. Paint the Town for Mother's Day with my Mom…I need to 'brush up' on my skills. 

12. My trip to Plattsburgh - a beautiful train ride to see my awesome cousins for a weekend of fun. 

11. The Stadium Series at Yankee Stadium with newbies Big Steve, Seb & Kaitlyn - which was a below zero day and yet so incredibly fun. 

10. Seeing Shovels & Rope (one of the best and coolest bands ever) across the country and in NY 

9. Jack White in Boston - a fun mini fall vacation and a killer concert at Fenway Park where we were SIX rows from the stage. Incredible. 

8. Vacationing in Seattle and Portland. A beautiful, relaxing and overall cool trip to the West Coast together was much needed and much appreciated. I'd go back to Seattle in a second - we really loved it.

7. Georgia for Lenny & Laura's wedding where we connected with old friends and experienced a lovely, wonderful union of two amazing people. This trip turning into friendships reforming with Chris, Lauren & Pat and that just being way cool. 

6. Finally getting to Florida to see Jen, Brandon (meeting Bruno) and my cousins after about a year of planning. The trip was cut short, but it was still really great to see my friends and family in their homes. Cannot wait to make this trip a tradition. 

5. Boston with the siblings for St. Patrick's Day. Liz & Seb invited us along for their annual tradition and it was a blast, plus The Dropkick Murphy's were awesome and we love Boston. 

4. Krystal's Bride Day, which was a labor of love, and just overall everything I wanted it to be for her. From the bonding over decoration making, to the surprised look on Krystal's face when she walked into her brunch, and then had an 18 hour day of Bridal Celebration and held fast like a champ, it was awesome. Any day with my cousins is lovely, but this one was special. 

3. Our Gender Reveal Party - there is something so wonderful about making a huge announcement in front of everyone you love to share such a moment. It was stressful to put together (planning while pregnant is not my forte) but it was a memory I will always cherish. 

2. Starting the year off with Steev's Surprise Graduation Party. I worked so hard to put a day together to show how proud I am of how hard my Husband works for me, and for everyone. The look on his face and the happiness that carried him throughout the year knowing everyone was proud of him was worth every second of suspense keeping this surprise a surprise. So proud of Steev and everything he does for us and everyone - this was the best way to kick off the year. 

1. Our Three Year Anniversary - it started with us talking about how lame this celebration was. We were so used to going away, and this one was just being spent in the city for dinner. After a delicious meal at David Burke's Kitchen, we arrived home. While at home, we found out that we were expecting our son. After two months of being tested for Lyme, it turns out I was pregnant all along - the news was an exuberant surprise, and seems to overshadow everything of 2014, and is something that we are so looking forward to in 2015!

All I know is that this year I surrounded myself with people and places that I love - and it turns out that I feel like I am missing SO MUCH from 2014. Thank you all for participating in this silly tradition again and I hope 2015 brings you everything you wish for!

And the beat goes on...

My Top 100 of 2012

Well, it is that time of year again. The time of year that I get more nostalgic than Summertime and sit and think about the last 365 days starting with January 1st and looking at all that has happened. I have to say 2012 was one of the most interesting years to date. Not as hard as other years, but not entirely easy either 2012 served many purposes. One major purpose was family. The next was my jobs and the list progresses. This is the 6th year of me blogging a top 100! My previous #1s were:

2007: Graduating from High School

2008: Moving out of Kings Park 

2009: Deleting my Facebook (<--- BAHAHAHA LOL idealistic Stephanie)

2010: Adopting Annie 

2011: Graduating from College (2011 was posted on Facebook, take that 2009 Stephanie)

Reading those makes me insanely happy. Even if there are people on there that aren't in my life anymore - whether it just be that we went in different directions or if the ending was ugly, it seriously doesn't matter. 2013 is a year I am really working on letting go of a lot of the anger I feel. I talk about it a lot but I know that inside, I hold onto everything. All it does is hurt me, the people who I am upset with don't feel this, so why should I? 

Also, I had the same blog URL for 4 years straight - WHAT?! I had no idea! Stephaniesays.wordpress.com CRACKS ME UP! It is so funny how you and your politics and ideas change over time - I can't even read some of it. I have come so far from 18 year old me, it makes me kind of proud. 

Well, the rambling must come to a close and the list must start! 

100. My photo wall, and everything it means to me. 

99. Panda. Effing. Garden. Chinese Food rules my life sometimes. And their fortunes are just the best. 

98. Pinterest and its all inspiring craftiness and lazy days. 

97. Our Ice Cream Maker - even if we used it only once (LOL) it was damn good!

96. Steev setting up Darts in our backyard and the silly great games that were played because of it.

95. Seeing The Hunger Games at midnight, dressed like professionals with our coffee about 10 years too late for the party. 

94. Being crafty (see 98) 

93. Craigslist.org for the free cool stuff and the hilarity it ensues. 

92. My ever growing collection of typewriters. They are everywhere. 

91. There seriously was a helium shortage this year. 

90. Antiquing and Auctions 

89. Thursday BBQs turning into 'Tim Gets Drunk and we Yell at Phil' Thursdays

88. Our friend the Fat Squirrel 

87. The Annie Lookalike 

86. The 'Drop Your Pants Here' sign in front of the St. James Cleaners. 

85. Streaming Netflix even though it is kind of disappointing. 

84. The Urban Decay Vice Pallet. In. Love. 

83. The Lobster Feast for Katie's Birthday 

82. My hair. Another great year for my hair. 

81. Our intense collection of Mason Jars & Old Bottles 

80. The kick ass Candy Buffet Nicole & I put out. 

79. 'Do you have a photo of the day yet? Can I be it?' 

78. Photo of the Day in general. Seriously, such a great tool for traditions such as this. Also, it is just fantastic to look back and say 'wow, a lot really does happen in a year'. Also, getting photos of everyone on their birthday, and if I remember at every outing is something I really cherish. We take memories for granted. 

77. 'Wedding Wednesday' in Jan. Jumpstarting our first year as CNO 

76. All of the clients we had and the days we got to share with them. 

75. Deciding that CNO is now to take a new direction. New name to be announced and website to be launched soon! 

74. Painting most of our apartment, the bathroom is the only room left! 

73. Our awesome new bedroom, I am finally proud of the work I have done in this place. 

72. Finishing our wedding albums. Making those scrapbooks were tough for many reasons. We came to terms with being not-so-happy with our wedding photos and just relished in the memories they captured. 

71. Auditioning for the Newlywed Game. We knew each other too well, weren't too crazy, and were unafraid to say whatever we felt. The funniest part was when Steev said he was 26 when he was still 25 and I called him out on it. We could have gotten a call back and missed it - but auditioning was fun enough. 

70. Perks of Being a Wallflower - the movie didn't really ruin anything for me. Instead it inspired a level of nostalgia that made me really, really happy. 

69.  21 Jumpstreet and laughing my ass off with Nicole

68. Seeing Jackie Hughes and meeting her wonderful Girlfriend Erinn - I want to see more of them in 2013 

67. Keeping in touch with that Good Ol' Jason Todd who seems to make it on the list every damn year 

66. Keeping in touch with all of my former educators, like Cruikshank & Flatty. Facebook is helpful in that department - and these educators becoming more like friends. 

65. Losing power with Hurricane Sandy. Yeah, it ruined our Salem trip and having no power is a bummer but quite honestly the 4 day break from life was pretty fantastic. 

64. I know we already mentioned clients, but Tom & Jessica's wedding was amazing and becoming friends with them as been truly wonderful!

63. The Hamptons Designer Showhouse with my Mom, Ceil & Freddy. It was pretty amazing. 

62. Seeing Tim Bradley again and having him over for some food 

61. Actually hosting many BBQs and dinners, I am hoping to host more in 2013 

60. Steev's iPad 

59. Kings Park Half & Half - The original. 

58. Liz's Rainbow Cookie Birthday Cake (oh my goodness so delicious) 

57. Finding out that bakery makes Rainbow Cookie Cupcakes 

56. Annie eating our Rainbow Cookie Cupcakes 

55. Annie being the biggest B on earth & Annie Shaming 

54. Seb's empalalas & his face when he opened his gun for Christmas

53. Our Christmas Decorations - our trees and tree filler and colors. 

52. Being a Stella & Dot Stylist for a hot second and all of the amazing jewelry. Then selling a ton of pieces for Christmas Money. Yeah, that's how I roll. 

51. Babysitting Maggie, it was so funny to have a St. Bernard in the apartment and Maggie is the greatest. 

50. Uncle Lou's 50th Birthday Party and his Butt Cake. 

49. The Coiro Brothers recreating that childhood photo. So great. 

48. The Tattoo Convention 

47. Liberty Tattoo Company in general - Dan always does the best work and so glad to see he has a great shop to his name now 

46. Taking Alyssa to get her first tattoo and her taking it like a champ! 

45. Bowling to send Mallory off into the Airforce  

44. Skyping Mallory & Her new Husband Keith in on Christmas Eve 

43. Meeting Aunt Eleanor & Cousin Cookie 

42. The knitting fiasco on St. Patrick's Day - too funny

41. Steev tiling our backsplash and it looking gorgeous 

40. The cutie Tess turning 2 and her great birthday party! 

39. Going to see the basketball man himself Big Steve play a game 

38. Moving Big Steve in to his new apartment. Furniture shopping with him and helping him out, pretty great stuff. 

37. My cousin Amanda's new apartment in all of its beautifulness. And her party saving our Halloween from totally sucking. 

36. Sam Pape 'Roomie' and her baby girl Giovanna being such a pretty little thing. From her Baby Shower to the Naming, it was great spending time with the Pape ladies! 

35. Saying goodbye to feathers and having 3 jobs in the course of a month. 

34. My job at Sivana, and then letting it go. 

33. Being unemployed for a little while. It really helped me figure some things out, or at least let me think about a lot of things. 

32. My new jobs as a Crisis Counselor  for Project Hope and a Daycare Assistant at Little Lotus are really great, and truly fulfilling.

31. Allowing myself time to figure it out. 

30. Allowing myself time. Period. 

29. Amanda the Florist (as she is known haha) getting engaged and being kick ass all the way around. Amazing flowers, amazing friend! 

28. Alexis & Keith and growing a friendship out of a professional relationship which is pretty damn awesome! 

27. Hurricane their cat, she may hate me, but she is really great. 

26. Chaos the cat, Vera the dog, and all of the other furry creators in our lives (Maggie, Beans, Bogey, Harlow, Skeeter, Betty, Boomer and Charlotte) always making us happy. 

25. I already mentioned Annie, but she rules. 

24. Uncle Matt & Aunt Vicky's Christmas Dessert Party 

23. Steev's Tattoo that is based off of our Lovemore Photo which is pretty amazing 

22. Watching Nicole Mastromonica participate in the Tough Mudder. Even if it meant getting sun poisoning I was so proud to watch my best friend kick major ass. 

21. All of our amazing friends (Big Steve, Jen Jacobs, Nicole, Michelle C. just to name a few). Whether super close or distant being in touch with all of you makes my world a better place. There is nothing better to me than a random Facebook message or text message from an old friend. 

20. Friends that are like extended family, Rose & Pat and their beautiful kids Guslie and Patrick, The Schafers, The Wellers, The Wilsons (beautiful baby Dean!). This was the year to have people like these in our lives. 

19. Rose Avella gets another number because she is the best Auntie anyone could ever ask for. Ever. So much you have done for my family this year Rose - I love you so much!

18. My beautiful cousins and all that they do for me. Really, cousins are the best kind of family. I wouldn't want to be Panama Jack anywhere else. 

17. Alyssa, Evan & Krystal's Graduation Party. Incredible. 

16. Going to Canada. 

15. Seeing Mary Poppins on Broadway. 

14. Eating at that Cuban Restaurant and seeing Demetri Martin. He was funnier live, seriously. 

13. Even though our Halloween Trip was ruined by the storm, seeing the cute trick or treaters made it worth it. 

12. The Ugly Christmas Sweater Eve with my In-Laws. It was such a blast making ugly sweaters and sharing. 

11. My new camera and the amazing images it helps me capture. Truly I am excited for 2013 and all of the memories I get to store. 

10. Steev lighting up over his new Phonograph. 

9. "LOOK IT'S PRUST" 

8. The NYR/NYK Double Header. Seriously an awesome day at MSG. #Endthelockout 

7. Our Chicago Trip, eating at The Girl and The Goat. I was sick, but loved every second of that city. 

6. Our cousin city trip.  Honestly I am the happiest when my cousins are here. All is right with the world when we are all together. I have this big ridiculous family and no matter what we all have a great time together. This year instead of being lost in a hallway we got screwed at Fridays and my cousin Ryan loves me enough to take a decoration from Bryant Park that I can use for my Christmas all year - I will totally remember this trip for that. I can't wait to hopefully go back this summer to have another city trip tradition. But, this year was great, because of how much my life is better when my cousins are here!

5. Seeing Jack White at RCMC. One of the greatest shows ever and probably my favorite musician of all time. I am a little obsessed. 

4. Meeting Andy Cohen with Liz! 

3. Our backyard. Steev worked his butt off chopping trees & clearing ivy. My Father was amazing in that he came in and helped with the materials. Then my cousin Dave, our friends, my brother and my Poppop all came over to help Steev lay out the patio on the hottest days of the year. Honestly so grateful for everyone in my life. I have the best Dad anyone could ever ask for and the best husband. Our backyard is so nice, I am so excited for a full summer with it next year. 

2. Our 1 year anniversary trip to Rhode Island. Being married a full year was amazing, Steev is the love of my life and this trip was too short and too amazing. The NYLO was ultra cool and the towns were so much fun. It was too hot, but we didn't care. Loved this vacation, the dinner that my Mom called and took care of as a present was delicious. 'I didn't know they served drinks in beakers'. We laughed so much. I really loved this weekend. 

1. The NHL Winter Classic in Philly. The year started with it, and nothing topped it. From 'I do apologize' to 'I think that is Patti Labelle' and then over to me screaming Speechless to Nicole with no voice - this was a memory of epic proportions. Steev and I were sick and disgusting but it did not mean we were missing our chance to sit in the freezing cold and watch a hockey game. The Rangers KILLED IT and kept us on our feet. We were gloating fans all the way. I loved this, LOVED THIS and would do it again in a heartbeat. But hey, the NHL decided to also be a bunch of pricks this year and demonstrate a lockout preventing me from more memories. Let's not see that again in 2013....

This year, this was truly a task! I actually had to think about it, when in previous years the list just filled itself. There was SO MUCH to choose from, meaning I am truly blessed. When it comes down to it, I have one big loud dysfunctional amazing family I would never trade in for anything else because really they are there for us no matter what. I have amazing friends, and an incredibly wonderful husband. I have a roof over my head and health insurance and sometimes at the end of the week we have no food in the house but always seem to be full anyway. In times like these, little things are what get us through, and lists like this just remind me how many big things I really have.

I hope that all of you in 2013 make an effort to store your memories. Not all of you will take a photo every day but make a point to make these memories. Go do something different with people you care about. On those nights you're doing nothing, call someone else up you know is doing nothing and bake cupcakes or rent a movie together. Make a point to be together but also take time for yourself. Know yourself enough to do something that makes you happy, or relaxes you every day and do not feel guilty about it. At every New Year we make promises to ourselves, try to only make one, and keep it.

Have a very fun filled New Years Eve, and a very beautiful New Year! 

My top 100 of 2011

100. “By the grace of God and Professor Phagan you are here tonight Stephanie.”

99. F. Scott Fitzgerald and our secret love affair

98. “Stop staring at me swan!” being able to say that for real!

97. Doing Gill & Emily’s make-up the first of the year

98. Quitting BBB, even if it meant leaving the amazing spy team

97. Becoming Manager at Addictions, I complain about retail all of the time, but I love my girls!

96. New Year’s Day with my amazing cousins who I have become closer with this year

95. A Valentine’s Day in with Steev

94. Snow, and more snow, and more snow!

93. Going through old pictures

92. Scanning old pictures

91. Becoming a go to picture person

90. Home movies

89. Spending time in the city with my cousin Katie

87. That squirrel picture!

86. JC Penny and the 200 dresses I have bought from there (on sale for a steal!)

85. Not caring that I shop at JC Penny because I look good! Hahaha

84. The great GHD switch :)

83. Kelly Roux and her redheaded friendship

82. Cirque De Sole with the Coiro’s

81. Really blue skies on warm days to walk Annie

80. My iPod

79. Tons of new great music

78. Madison Square Garden

77. The New York Rangers (I love hockey)

76. Finally having Sea Port Deli for the first time

75. Urban Decay’s Naked Palette

74. Laughter

73. Scrapbooking

72. Finally getting back into reading

71. Drafting my novel

70. Finding the discipline I have needed all along

69. Inner strength

68. Seeing a ton of movies

67. Steev & I finally having a day off together – date days have been amazing

66. Orange Soda out of a big glass (Big Steve)

65. Big Steve in general (who is off facebook so he cannot be tagged)

64. Getting to know Big Steve’s family Michelle, Christine, Desiree, Stephanie & Cutie Tess better

63. Desiree’s Baby Shower

62. Down Port

61. Root Beer Floats

60. Featherin’

59. Having Seb’s Empanadas for the first time (amazing)

58. ‘EEEEEYYYYYYYY’ aka Sebbing it

57. Extended family

56. ‘Seriousy?!’

55. ‘Shut up!’

54. Panama

53. Drunk friends using our couch more than once

52. CCCCOOOLLLLEEEEEENNNNNNNN

51. Toilet Paper Wedding Dresses

50. Inspiration Boards

49. Getting kicked off of LI Weddings like 8 times

48. St. James Day

47. Sivana Salon in St. James

46. Jessica Nelson being the most kick ass hair stylist I have ever met and worked with

45. My hair, yet again, had an AMAZING year (see above)

44. Lake Grove Village Florist, Amanda is amazing!

43. Meeting all new professionals that I get along with and respect so much

42. Pumpkin picking in the rain (again)

41. The Fall Festival with Gill & Stephen

40. Giving Stephen the nickname ‘PH’

39. Kan Jam

38. Pumpkin, my Jeep, even if that was an 8 month affair

37. Stella & Dot Jewelry (see Michelle about that one)

36. The Avalon

35. Pumpkin ice cream

34. Jerry’s Wings (the best on the damn island)

33. Expanding our pallets to find secret ingredients in food and becoming some of ‘those’ people

32. Annoying even ourselves with that one

31. My mall walking senior citizen friends

30. Dunkin Doughnuts Hot Chocolate

29. My Starbucks Gold Card

28. William Faulkner and our Love Hate Relationship

27. Steev turning 25

26. Salem Massachusetts & Another Awesome Halloween

25. My Sephora Girls, I love you and miss you all so much! You all were with me through so much and I miss seeing all of you in our all black uniforms! haha GaGa you are amazing and I am so proud of you this year too! And Ashley B he finally put a ring on it!

24. Candy Apples. I Believe in Candy Apples

23. Gulianna & Patrick James being the cutest ever and the Avella Family

22. Having like 6 Thanksgivings & my family in general

21. Our Photobooth Pictures – we love having photos of everyone

20. College friends, love and miss you all too, I constantly immitate professors and nobody laughs like you all did! No matter what I know that when I text you all I get a good conversation for a little while and rememember wherever we used to catch up, rant and rave or study together. I miss St. Joe's, but not the parking.

19. St. Michael, the place and the Arch Angel

18. Summer BBQ’s at our place with friends. It was great to have such good company this year

17. The crab leg and lobster feast

16. My wedding dress

15. Our 8 year dating anniversary and the pretty French restaurant we ate at

14.Bliss Restaurant in Setauket

13. Our Lovemore Photo Shoot

12. The 1963 Mercury Comet

11. The Foo Fighters at Madison Square Garden

10. My 22nd Birthday and seeing old and new friends all in one place

9. My Shameless Photography Pin-up shoot, want to do another one!

8. Starting Create New Occasions (what’s up 2012, ready for us?)

7. The bridal showers (and the year of the wedding in general)

6. La Cole Salon & Spa, best hot stone massage ever, and Liz’s bachelorette party in general

5. The Awesome 80’s Prom & Lips. My friends & cousins really shared such an amazing night with me, we looked CRAZY but it was so much fun. My cousin Krystal surprising me, my cousins being there, and everyone having a great time. My bridesmaid's in general deserve a shout out. I was sad Jen wasn't there, but she brought it on our wedding day :) and Nicole again was kick ass for me this year!

4. Liz & Seb’s wedding, it was beautiful and such an honor for me to read for them at their ceremony. I was so touched to be asked, and so proud to have been a part of it.

3. Paris. We will always have Paris. I am home sick for Paris.

2. Getting married to the man of my dreams, the love of my life, my best friend & having the wedding I always wanted. The party where everyone comes together, dances their faces off and shouts songs at the top of their lungs. It was perfect. The ceremony by Pastor April was everything we needed (not to mention totally BA with a reading from ‘The Little Prince’ and our ending quote by Mark Twain). Everything was beautiful.

1. Graduating from St. Joseph’s College and earning my BA in English and Film Studies. It was one of the most challenging things for me to complete, and I did. To say that I am proud of myself is an understatement. The day itself was insane, but Lauren was there to sit next to me, cry walking in, make fun of the speakers and hug me when it was over. It will always be such a great memory for me, as well as an accomplishment.