That first full day back to work after New Year’s Eve/Day and following the conclusion of the holiday season can be and often is a disorienting and fully chaotic event. My Christmas decorations are still up, my sparkly heels from New Years are still on the floor by my bags – so how and why am I expected to return to my office and get around to “circling back” on all those unfinished things from last year? How am I supposed to remember anything from so long ago?
I digress. It’s a new day and a new year and I am still humming and buzzing from such a wonderful weekend away with Troy, who got into town last Tuesday night before we immediately started packing/re-packing for our journey up to Portland, Maine bright and early on New Year’s Eve so we could say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026 in style.
We stayed at The Press Hotel, which came highly recommended by pretty much everyone I talked to when I advised them I was considering a weekend away in Portland – and their recommendation did not steer us wrong! The hotel, which is located in the former home of the Portland Press Herald, has been renovated and redecorated in such a way to honor the building’s history (including typewriters everywhere – even on the walls!) while still looking/feeling modern and sleek. Our room was huge, overlooked a part of downtown Portland, and had the most amazing shower I’ve ever experienced. I also loved the champagne on ice, the chocolates and a signed card the staff had left us for our arrival. So thoughtful!
For New Year’s Eve, Troy and I dressed up for dinner and drinks (and a very quick, very brisk stroll through downtown) at UNION before heading back to our room and our champagne to watch the ball drop via CNN – because Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen doing shots and getting obliterated on live TV is the only true way to welcome a New Year properly. It was low-key, cozy, and just what we needed to recharge.
And much to our surprise (and delight!) we woke up on New Year’s Day to quite a snowstorm sweeping through the area! After breakfast and coffee, we took the opportunity to brave the storm and head down to the famous Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth to see if there was any seaside visibility or if the park and trails had been completely covered by the snow. Thankfully, both the lighthouse and nearby Goddard Mansion were clear as day – and we were able to snap some beautiful photos while watching nearby families try to tube and sled down the hills throughout the picnic areas. It was so sweet!
For our first dinner of 2026, we visited a sushi restaurant that I’m going to be talking about a little later on this week for my first installment of “Local Loves” this year – and I’m so excited to do so. It was amazing!
On Friday, we had nothing but sun, but some still very frigid temperatures outside – and opted to spend the day at the Portland Museum of Art since neither of us had ever been before. There was a great selection of fine art, some modern pieces, and very cool sculptures – and I definitely had my favorites I returned to check out a second time before we’d headed back out into the cold and then out of town for a bit since we had dinner plans for the last night of the “Tinsel Bar” event at Kennebunkport Inn.
The restaurant, The Burleigh, had been decorated from floor to ceiling (and everywhere in-between!) with tinsel, ornaments, wrapping paper and lights – which made for a truly festive seafood dinner before Troy & I embarked on a very quick stroll through downtown Kennebunkport to see their decorations before they start coming down until next Christmas. It was pure magic!
After reluctantly checking out of the hotel on Saturday morning and making a quick coffee and pastry stop at Buzz Coffee, it was time to head back home to Massachusetts to prepare for the week ahead – which includes that aforementioned catching up at work, some post-holiday and birthday celebrations/get-togethers with friends and family, and more time with Troy – who extended his stay here! I’m so excited!
I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s Eve/Day and that this week is as gentle and calm as it can be as we begin 2026 and get back into our routines!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 