The camera roll on my phone says that since December 31st of 2023, when I was preparing to spend my New Year’s Eve in Boston, I’ve taken/saved 2,780 pictures throughout this past year – although I feel like that number should be double or even triple with the amount of traveling I’ve done, concerts I’ve attended, and quality time spent with my dearest friends and family throughout 2024.
It goes without saying that narrowing down all of those pictures to select just ten for this year’s first of two wrap-up posts proved to be quite a daunting and difficult task, indeed! There were all of my photos from Las Vegas, the ones taken during my trip to the Redwoods in Northern California, pictures snapped on Summer days spent boating in Maine with my girlfriends, or the ones captured from nights out in Easthampton at some of my all-time favorite haunts. There were birthday brunches in rooftop igloos in Boston, day trips to the White Mountains, an unforgettable weekend at the infamous Madonna Inn – and many, many great meals and drinks I’d enjoyed and photographed on both the East and West Coasts.
I have had so much fun looking back and reflecting on so many wonderful memories I made this year – and I think the photos I selected this time around do a great job of summarizing my 2024 as a whole. Included with each photo, as I do every year, is a link to the post about the event/location where it had been taken – just in case anyone wants to read more about it or look at some additional photos from each place!
So without further delay, let’s get right into my little countdown!
10. Books & Blossoms (April 2024) – Being able to spend a beautiful Spring Day during peak Magnolia season in Beacon Hill is a blessing all in itself, but also being able to get a table at the gorgeous Beacon Hill Books & Café is the icing on top of an already perfect day – and that’s just what happened this past April when I swung by for a delicious breakfast and hours of reading/book browsing in one of the prettiest brownstones in the neighborhood!
The photo above was taken in one of the shops’ many little nooks, lined with beautiful décor, flowers and a wide variety of books that were available for purchase. I snapped plenty more of the shop/café, but this one is definitely a favorite because it was such a cozy and peaceful corner where I could sit and read while I waited for the rain to stop falling outside.
And when the sun eventually came out later that morning, I captured even more beautiful photos of the blossoming trees in the neighborhood! It’s a day I look back on often and fondly – and I’d love to head back to the shop and the neighborhood for another visit in the Wintertime!
[ SEE THE POST ]
9. Keep Trollin’, Trollin’ Trollin’… (July 2024) – When it was announced that a couple of Thomas Dambo‘s awe-inspiring troll sculptures had found a temporary home in nearby Rhode Island this past Summer, I jumped at the chance to see them – taking an afternoon to make the drive down to Ninigret Park in July for a brisk hike and to snap some photos.
There were two sculptures total, both off the beaten path that winds throughout the park, and both were not only unbelievably cool – constructed entirely out of carefully carved wood and seashells – but they were huge! The sculptures towered over me when I was able to get close to them, and they rightfully drew quite a crowd of admirers throughout the day!
I was able to take this photo during a lull in visitors of my favorite of the two sculptures. This one, positioned between trees and rocks to appear as though he is resting next to the pond in the center of the park, was so detailed all the way around.
I hope to see more of Dambo’s work someday! I know he has sculptures that pop up all over the country from time to time!
[ SEE THE POST ]
8. Road Trip to The Gorge (June 2024) – In the early days of Summer, my childhood BFF Sean and I took our first road trip in what felt like ages for a weekend away in Vermont so we could enjoy some hiking, good food, and picturesque scenery in the beautiful little town of Quechee. Along the way, we made a stop in Concord, New Hampshire to check out a city-wide Farmer’s Market before it started downpouring from a string of storms that were barreling through the region (some of which produced tornadoes!)
I snapped this photo outside one of Concord’s historic buildings. Between the black shutters, the worn white exterior, the brick roadway and the still functioning gas streetlamp – I was completely smitten with the parts of the city I had the opportunity to see – and I’d love to take another day trip there in the future to check our more of the local shops and restaurants.
[ SEE THE POST ]
7. Always Watching… (August 2024) – The last time I was in Las Vegas, they were putting the finishing touches on The Sphere in preparation for it’s Fall 2023 opening. Although I’ve since seen photos/videos of it’s impressive exterior and even more incredible interior during concerts and events after it’s debut, I still hadn’t seen it in person and was genuinely curious how it looked up close.
So this past Summer while I was in town for The Killers’ residency at Caesar’s Palace, Troy and I were heading out to grab breakfast at my beloved Peppermill. While making our way along one of the roads behind The Strip, I happened to glance up and saw this looking back at me – and completely lost my mind laughing. Thankfully, I had my camera ready to go and got this picture before the animation had a chance to move too much.
So yes, The Sphere is a lot of fun – and I’m hoping to check out the inside of it one of these days!
[ SEE THE POST ]
6. A Kinda’ Spooky Retreat (July 2024) – On an impromptu Saturday morning this past July, Dan and I hit the road for a day up North to New Hampshire where we stopped by the famous, looming, and hauntingly gorgeous Mount Washington Hotel & Resort in Bretton Woods where we grabbed lunch and snap some photos as we strolled the sprawling property to take in the sunshine and brightly blooming flowers.
The resort has been one of my favorite locations for some rest and relaxation for a while now, and I’m so glad Dan got to experience it while the weather was gorgeous. This photo was taken on the porch that wraps around the entirety of the property, with perfectly spaced chairs, hanging plants, and a view of the manicured grounds and the surrounding mountains.
The verdict is still out as to whether or not the place is super haunted, though!
[ SEE THE POST ]
5. This Place was so ME.. (September 2024) – While making our way back to Orange County from the Redwoods in Northern California this past September, Troy took a quick detour during our very long, 10+ hour drive as we were passing through San Luis Obispo. At first, I thought we were just going to get gas and a quick bite to eat – but he’d secretly booked us a room at the Madonna Inn as a surprise for me after I’d blabbed endlessly to him about how much I wanted to stay there someday.
The entire hotel is pastel, over-the-top, and endlessly photogenic from floor to ceiling – but the crown jewel of this spot has got to be their pink, flower-filled steakhouse. I audibly gasped when I saw it for the first time before I took no less than a thousand photos from different angles as I tried to get all of it into one frame (it’s impossible to do, by the way!)
I had the absolute best time, and I’m so beyond grateful to Troy for making it happen. He’s the best.
[ SEE THE POST ]
4. Upstate & Chill (February 2024) – In the midst of his long-overdue, lengthy trial and following a few snowy days earlier this year, I whisked Troy away for a day in Upstate New York and, specifically, to the Hallmark Movie-esque town of Rhinebeck so he could decompress and enjoy a change in scenery for a few hours.
We visited a bunch of shops downtown – including Samuel’s Sweet Shop! – before we started to make our way back to the Pioneer Valley via the back roads as the sun was beginning to go down. We came to a screeching halt, however, when we saw this tree from the distance in the middle of a field with no other trees around it and had to snap some photos since the light, the sky, and the snow on the ground made for such a beautiful scene.
I really do think the Wintertime is starting to grow on me when I have moments like this!
[ SEE THE POST ]
3. Channeling Beetlejuice… (August 2024) – As we were winding down the Summer, Dan and I wanted to pull off a fun, retro swimsuit shoot before the temperatures started to drop and before I embarked on a planned cross-country trip at the end of the month. I had this lovely, black and white one-piece swimsuit that I was able to accessorize perfectly on a warm, sunny afternoon – and we made our way to Stockbridge for some poolside shots before we grabbed lunch and some cocktails.
Dan is an absolute legend and a master at what he does, and although I adored every. single. photo. he took that day – this shot was one of my favorites. The hat! The flow of my hair! The blue water behind me! I knew almost immediately this was the one I’d post everywhere and anywhere – and I’m so thankful to Dan for making it happen.
And thank you to the Red Lion Inn for providing the perfect backdrop! You’re always so good to us!
[ SEE THE POST ]
2. Best. Night. Ever. (May 2024) – I saw The Killers perform a lot this year. Boston Calling. Vegas. Two coasts and amazing shows/experiences on each – but perhaps one of the greatest shows I got to attend this year was the band’s small pop-up show at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. It’s a tiny, intimate venue where I’ve seen so many great bands/artists (and met so many life-long friends) over the years!
Being able to watch this show, a sort of teaser for that weekend’s Boston Calling festival, from the lighting booth on the second floor among some of the most important people in my life – was hands down one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. I sang along, danced as much as I could despite the small space, and snapped a gazillion photos of the band with an unobstructed view – including this moment mid-song and crowd frenzy.
It was so magical, and my heart is still so full of gratitude to the people who made it happen.
[ SEE THE POST ]
1. The most incredible morning… (September 2024) – And finally, there was nothing more beautiful and majestic than an early morning hike through the Redwoods this past September while it was still foggy/rainy and unbelievably quiet outside. I still get emotional when I think about what a perfect experience this was.
Troy and I had left our cozy little hotel room in Eureka, California in the pre-dawn hours of September 1st to check out the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail in nearby Orick. Although we had passed so many elk and a few other travelers on our way there – we ended up being the only ones on the actual trail for quite some time – which gave us the perfect opportunity to explore and take as many photos as we wanted without interruption.
The views were breathtaking, and I easily could have spent the entire day there if we hadn’t needed to get back on the road to head back to Orange County at a reasonable time. I’ll never forget it. It’s a morning that will stay with me forever.
[ SEE THE POST ]
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Ta-da! And there are my ten favorite photos from this past year! I’m so happy that nearly all of these photos were taken in new places I was experiencing for the first time, or of my favorite bands/artists that I was seeing in a unique setting – or even a great photo of myself that I’ve really come to cherish over these past few months! I’m truly so grateful for all of the memories, moments and opportunities I was presented with this year – and even more grateful I was able to capture photos of them as they were happening.
Next Monday, I’ll have my final post of 2024 – a full summary of all the big stories, headlines, memes and moments that defined the year as a whole – as well as a listing of my resolutions/goals for 2025 and my (surprising!) travel plans for New Year’s Eve! It took a while to put it together, but I’m really very proud of it!
Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 