Happy New Year, everyone! I’m back home, back at work, and back to blogging here on ‘Coffee & Chiffon’ after a lovely and refreshing long weekend in Boston where I rang in 2024 with great food, a couple of cocktails, and the comfort of satin pajamas as I watched the ball drop from my hotel room (that had the biggest bed ever!) That’s not to say I didn’t go out and enjoy the city too, of course.
When I was planning my New Year’s Eve/Day, I knew I wanted to keep things as low-key and relaxing as possible. As much as I like to travel, staying close to home sounded ideal given how hectic and stressful the last few weeks of 2023 had been for me. I didn’t want to have to pack more than an overnight bag. I didn’t want to be anywhere overly loud and filled with people that were heavily drinking, and I didn’t want to wait in a line outside in the New England cold to get into a bar/restaurant/party.
So I planned accordingly and opted to spend a night at The Godfrey in Downtown Crossing, where I used some travel points to get a great deal on a corner room. The location is ideal, since it’s walkable to and from pretty much everywhere (and the T is nearby, too!) so I could grab dinner, see some of the First Night events that were taking place around the city, and stop by some of my favorite shops in the area on New Year’s Day. The hotel was still beautifully decorated for the holidays, and there was even a hot chocolate bar in the lobby!
For dinner, I made a reservation at Assaggio in the North End and, when I arrived just a little bit early, managed to bump my time slot up by thirty minutes and sit at the bar (I was starving, so I didn’t mind!) The restaurant holds a special place in my heart, not only because the food is always incredible- but also because it’s one of the first places Troy and I went together many, many years ago. I think the last time I was there, I was with him was in the Fall/Winter of 2019 before his move from Massachusetts to California- so it felt only right to enjoy a meal there since he couldn’t make it out for New Year’s Eve/Day this year.
I overindulged in fresh bread and pesto, the carbonara (served in a frying pan, and you best believe I ate the whole thing!) and “deconstructed tiramisu,” which had it’s own fancy presentation when they brought it out to me- including grating a block of chocolate on top. It was absolute perfection, and of course I was sending Troy pictures of everything throughout the meal so he could kinda’ experience it, too.
On my walk back from the North End, I stopped to check out some live music and entertainment that was happening near Government Center and around Boston Common, but ultimately I ducked back into my hotel when it got to be a little too crowded and cold. My plans were centered around coziness and relaxation, after all!
When it came time for the main event, Troy and I video called so he could watch the countdown/ball drop and share our hopes for the year ahead, and although I tried my best to stay awake so I could ring in the New Year in Pacific Time- the comfort of my bed and my super soft pajamas ultimately won out and I was fast asleep by the time 2024 reached California. Thankfully, Troy didn’t take it too personally. He knows that once I’m asleep- I am out.
Forever a morning person, I woke up nice and early on New Year’s Day and set out to get a head start on my year. This included getting up, showered and dressed so I could do some window shopping and grab a pistachio latte and an egg/avocado/smoked salmon breakfast sandwich at Tatte. It’s one of my favorite things to have in the morning whenever I’m in the city, and the location is always so cute and clean.
I wanted to head back to Western Massachusetts before traffic got too bad and before it got too late in the day since Dan and I had plans to hang out and catch up for a bit. My commute was a success, and shortly after my arrival in the Pioneer Valley- we were grabbing a light lunch and pressed juice at Café Balagan before we had a brief stroll around some of the Smith College campus and did a quick photo shoot (and I’ll be sharing that a little later on this week!)
Overall, my weekend was the perfect and ideal way to hit “reset” and start the New Year off the right way. I know we’re only a couple of days in so far, but I’ve been productive both in and out of the office- staying on top of my healthy eating, my workouts, my skin/hair care and my budgeting for the month.
And I’m going to try my absolute best to keep that good momentum going strong throughout the year!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 