Celebrating 2014 & Welcoming 2015

Happy 2015, friends!

A lot has happened between October 5 and now, as I’m sure you have learned via facebook stalking can imagine. I have SO many pictures to show you guys from our trip! I’m hoping that I’ll find some time in 2015 to go through all 1100+ photos (nope, not an exaggeration) and select a bunch to share with you. I’m even putting together a few blog posts’ worth of our travels – itinerary, sights, sounds, tastes, stories. Anything specific you want to hear about?! Let me know!

Also, in case the photo above isn’t evidence enough, I miiiiiight have some rather GIGANTIC news to share. Ready for this?! …I GOT ENGAGED (eeeeeeeek!)!!! Is this real life?!

(ignore the man hands. and seriously, am I eighty-five years old? those wrinkles, ugh.)

But you guys. That ring? I’m probably a liiiittle biased, but Peter definitely gets an A++++! It is absolutely stunning. andddd I am still in total shock over this whole ordeal. As you can imagine, this came as a complete surprise (to say the least!). All of our friends/family/co-workers/etc. were completely confident that he was going to propose while we were in France; I knew better, of course, but did not even begin to imagine that it would be so soon after – or ever, really!

As far as the when/where/how is concerned: it happened suuuuuper late on the eve of Thanksgiving (because of course there was a silly fight and some pouting that needed to happen beforehand). The rest of the house was already asleep; Peter & I were freshly showered and in our pjs, packing to leave for NY the following morning so that we could spend Thanksgiving with his family. After being asked to dig through his underwear drawer for a veryyy specific pair of boxers and confused as to why they felt heavier than normal/were oddly shaped, I turned around to find Peter on one knee. I thought he was joking. In fact, I distinctly remember putting my hand on my hip, tilting my head to one side and putting on my best bitch face (oops?). I instantly blacked out and heard nothing of the sweet things I’m sure he was telling me… #engagementfail. I honestly must have asked 45 times if he was kidding before finally giving him an answer – YES, obviously!

aaaaaand we’ve basically been celebrating ever since, hence my nearly three-month blogging hiatus. I’m sorry about that, guys! I just hope this is an acceptable excuse and you’ll find it deep within your hearts to forgive me :)

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So yea. 2014 was really something, huh? I mean, I KNEW this was going to be a big year, but I had no idea just how big! And to just briefly recap the OTHER nine months that existed prior to our trip to France and engagement (plus those months, too)…

2014

Brought in the new year with friends, family, an ice luge – and the flu.

Left a job at which I was no longer happy and started an awesome new job in a fascinating and exciting and slightly terrifying industry.

Attended my third (fourth?) Lamb Jam: 20+ different lamb dishes jam-packed in a glorious & delicious a three-hour span (+ booze, obvi).

Celebrated my champagne birthday.

Experience the most amazing concert I’ve seen to date (with my favorite boy, of course).

Attended a few weddings for some truly special people.

Produced a successful summer vegetable garden (finally!).

Ate my weight in macarons and pain au chocolat on a daily basis for two weeks straight.

Climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Toured a champagne cave.

Drove through the Swiss Alps.

Stepped foot in the Mediterranean for the first time.

Biked through the vineyards of Bordeaux.

Joined the ranks of the 3+ million tourists that have visited Mont Saint-Michel in 2014.

Enjoyed some charcuterie and fromage in Paris.

Got engaged to a rockstar*

2015

* disclaimer: I totally hijacked the idea for this list idea from a friend on Facebook! I’m so unoriginal sometimes.

And with that, I wish you all the happiest & healthiest new year to come! I have a feeling that this is going to be my biggest and best (and busiest!) year yet! Oh, and I hereby resolve not to disappear for months on end again – at least not without an adequate reason :)