HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Has it taken me a whole week to get around to writing this blog? Absolutely yes. I feel like the holidays have beaten me UP. There’s always so much going on around this time of year, and somehow time becomes irrelevant and I have no idea what is going on. But we’re finally here… My ‘Best of 2018’ list. There’s a lot going on here, so let’s get going! First up, photos.

I’ve taken A LOT of photos this year… more than any year to date, I think. Picking out my top was reaaaaaaally hard for me, but I think I’m confident in my picks. DISCLAIMER: These are my top personal favorites for one reason or the other. I really wish I could include more, but for the sake of this post, I’m trying to keep it short!

Next up: Photographers!

Alright, I’m not going to be posting anyone’s photos but my own on this website, so you’ll have to click the links below if you’re interested in seeing my favorite photogs of 2018’s work!

@violetshort // @athomewithharlow instagram.com/violetshort/
Violet Short has been my favorite photographer FOREVER. I’ve swooned over her work (and her now gone blog) for years. This year is no different. I’ve also started following her personal insta which is overflowing with adorable photos of her kiddo and her (literally) picturesque home. She’s so incredibly cool, and her instagram(s) will undoubtedly bring heaps of inspiration.
@Saramonikaphoto instagram.com/saramonikaphoto/
Sara is so incredibly free-spirited and amazing and cool and wise… not following her should be against the law. Sara’s images are alive, and they inspire me to continue to strive towards more authentic photos. Not only do her images inspire me, but her overall outlook on life is incredible, and that alone is reason enough for me to continue to follow her insta.
@rainstormphoto instagram.com/rainstormphoto/
So, I don’t personally know Stephen & Kaity but it turns out we’re from neighboring towns. Their images are literally awe-inspiring. They 100% could be freeze frames from epic romance films. If I ever get married… you know who I’ll be calling.
@alinemarinphotography instagram.com/alinemarinphotography/
Okay, Aline & Mihai are a duo I actually know. I’ve photographed them before and they are SO LOVELY. Aline can always be trusted to provide top-notch, impeccable images that will blow your socks off. If you’re based in ATL, looking for an incredible local photog GO TO HER. These guys are so fun, and if you head over to her insta now, you can look at all of her gorgeous images from her Southeast Asia trip. Wanderlust initiated.

ALRIGHT, now on to the more personal stuff! Starting with… TV & Movies!

If you don’t know, I went to film school. I’ve been obsessed with TV & movies for… forever. This year brought me some real great shows, but I’m going to give you my top 5.

Outlander (Starz)
Okay, I’ve loved Outlander for years… so this isn’t a new favorite. I read the novels a while back, and when the show came out, I was instantly re-obsessed. If you’re a fan of Scottish history, time-traveling, romance, drama (basically anything): WATCH THIS SHOW. I’m LIVING for this season because all of my favorite scenes are coming to life and I’ve probably cried at least once an episode.
Poldark (BBC or PBS)
Poldark is not new, there have been other adaptations of this show. But this recent-ish show is killer. It’s historical (can you tell I love history?) and a really interesting romance. The design on this show is just flabbergasting. Also Aidan Turner & Eleanore Tomlinson are nice to look at for 55 minutes.
The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)
OKAY. If you haven’t heard of THHH, but you’ve ended up on my blog… how?? This show is incredible. It’s beautiful. It’s insane. Okay, let me slow down. Let me start by saying: I don’t actually like real horror. I like campy horror like Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th. Allow me to also say: In 4th grade I was traumatized by The Grudge. SO IMAGINE ME the first time The Bent Neck Lady showed up. Shook. I even remember that the first time she shows up is 7 minutes into episode one. I cried, screamed “NOOOOOOOOOPPPPPEEEEE” and turned off the show. An hour later I turned it back on, and for two days straight, my eyes were glued to the TV. After a while, I stopped watching with my hoodie half-coving my eyes, and started giving the hidden ghosts names such as “Dining Room Goth”, “Pantry Creep”, “Hallway Weirdo” and “Uncle Fester”. Then I hyperventilated while sobbing most of episode 10, “Silence Lay Steadily”. The rest is confetti.
You (Netflix)
You is weird, y’all. But I watched it in two sittings and I said “WHAT?!” at least 700 times. It’s a strange stalker romance thriller kind of thing and I was REALLY INTO IT. I don’t want to say too much because you really can’t say anything without spoiling something. But if you have watched it… Did you see that ending coming?
Dumplin’ (Netflix)
Guys, if you haven’t watched or read Dumplin’, what are you waiting for?? Just go do it right now. It’ll make you laugh, tear up and, overall, feel really good. That’s all. Go now.

Okay, let’s move on.

THE NEW MUSIC IN 2018 WAS REAL GREAT. All of these albums have probably been listened to 100x each. And in order, because the artists put them that way for a reason and I dig listening to albums the way they are meant to be.

Trench - Twenty One Pilots
If you know me personally, you probably saw this coming from a mile away. I love Twenty One Pilots, they’ve evolved with me over the years, and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
Favorite Track - Banditø
Delta - Mumford & Sons
Also, an album you would have seen coming if you know me. Mumford has been one of my favorites since middle/high school, and I’m one of the Mumford fans that appreciated the switch in sound. They, too, have evolved with me and I’ll be listening to them for a long time.
Favorite Track - Wild Heart
A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships - The 1975
I’ve always been a knee-deep fan of The 1975, so it’s not uncommon for me to play them but this album has been a real good one. Admittedly, I don’t love the entire album, but the majority of it has been on repeat.
Favorite Track - Love It If We Made It
Ruins - First Aid Kit
I think Ruins was one of the first albums from 2018 that got put into heavy rotation. First Aid Kit has always been in my top 10, and this album shot them into Top 5. This album came just after I moved to Colorado, and it was exactly what I needed.
Favorite Track - Rebel Heart // Nothing Has To Be True
Enneagram - Sleeping At Last
I’m not even sure how I found the enneagram but, like everyone else, I’m a little obsessed. It’s just so true? It’s more true than any other personality system I’ve ever experienced, anyway. So, my type is 4, and so naturally Four is my favorite track. It hurts my heart real good. I’ll mention more about this in the next section.
Favorite Track - Four

Yeah, I’m one of those people who are obsessed with podcasts.

Armchair Expert - Dax Shepard
This is one of my favorites because it’s hilarious, real, and so incredibly interesting to listen to. One of your favorite celebs has probably been on this show, and if they haven’t, they probably will be.
Up And Vanished - Tenderfoot TV
And now, you get a look into my favorite true crime podcasts. Up And Vanished is about the 2005 disappearance of Tara Grinstead, who was a pageant queen in Ocilla, GA. It’s a weird story that’ll have you saying “whaaaaaaaat” over and over. This podcast is not from 2018, but I did listen to it in 2018 and dang. It’s a good one.
Atlanta Monster - Tenderfoot TV/ HowStuffWorks
Y’ALLLLLL. This is a wild freaking ride. First of all, it takes place in the area that I lived and worked for 3 years and I had NO IDEA. This follows the child murders in Atlanta in the late 70’s, early 80’s. It’s absolutely crazy and you need to listen to it if you haven’t yet.
Sleeping At Last Podcast - Sleeping At Last
Let me start by thanking my friend Katlyn for telling me that this podcasts exists. The enneagram album is explained in this podcast, so if you’re interested in hearing more about how each song was produced, the artists that contributed, and the overall process… Check this out.
Sleep With Me - Night Vale Presents
This is a weird one to explain but if you have trouble sleeping, give it a shot. I started listening to this in September of 2017 and I have listened to it every night since then, and while it hasn’t cured my sleeping issues, it has 100% helped. This guys voice is like vocal ambien. He talks about everything and nothing all at once in the most boring tone ever… Just try it, seriously.

Alright, we’ve reached the end! To wrap up, let me tell you some of my favorite things that happened last year:

I became a Walt Disney World annual passholder again!
I went to see Twenty One Pilots for the fifth time!
I got to travel back to Colorado a couple of times.
I became a real plant mom! I now tend to 6 plant babies, and I can’t wait to add more.
We moved into a new house in Florida!
Building my new custom office furniture and shelves with my grandfather.
Started taking ‘self care’ days. Bless up.
Grandparents moved to our town! Hello, Italian (step) Grandma’s cooking.
Pool days with family. Yes. Bring back the sun.
Saw friends living their dreams.
Photographed some epic weddings in the Colorado mountains.

Best of 2018!