Happy New Year everyone! In keeping up with tradition, I’m recapping my best moments of 2015 (read last year’s recap here) and also sharing what I’m looking forward to the most in the upcoming year! 2015 was an incredible year and I have a very good feeling about 2016.
BEST MOMENTS OF 2015
Moving To + Decorating Our New Apartment — Moving on from our first apartment was probably one of the most gratifying moments of my life to date. New York is an incredibly expensive place to live but with hard work and some smart financial planning, Nick and I were able to break our lease and move into an amazing new 1 bedroom apartment in January of last year. Living in a larger space where we feel comfortable and at home has made all the difference in our quality of life. I swear a full apartment tour is coming soon!
Traveling to Puerto Rico, the Carolinas & taking 2 Royal Caribbean Cruises — I definitely accomplished my 2015 resolution of traveling more! This year Nick and I planned our very first grown up vacation to Puerto Rico. We had an absolute blast! We also loved visiting my parents in North Carolina and road-tripping to Charleston over the summer. I was also lucky enough to be invited on 2 Royal Caribbean cruises (see the recaps here and also here.)
September 2015 – Fashion Week/My 25th Birthday! — My birthday (September 11) always falls during Fashion Week so it’s kind of a double-edged sword. It’s nice because a lot of my friends I don’t typically see come into town, but it also potentially means a crazy work week. Surprisingly my job wasn’t too busy this time around and I was actually able to take the day off on my birthday to attend some shows and presentations. I also had an amazing birthday dinner and party with both my blogger and “real life” pals. It ended up being so much more than I anticipated. When the week ended I felt so incredibly blessed.
Paying off my Student Debt — Drumroll please…As of 3 weeks ago I am officially DEBT FREE!! Paying off my student loans was a major priority for me this past year. A hefty chunk of the income I made from my blog went straight to my My Great Lakes account each month. Every payment felt so gratifying and now that it’s complete I feel like an incredible weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Hurrah!!!
WHAT I’M MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2016
Traveling More — I definitely want to continue taking more trips in 2016. We already have getaways in the works to North Carolina, Florida and Grand Cayman. Potential big vacays include Hawaii (we’re thinking fall) and also Europe this summer — fingers crossed!
Working on my Eating Habits & Living a Healthy Lifestyle — This is always one of my resolutions. From February to May of last year I actually did a really great job of eating healthy and regularly working out. Then is all went downhill once summer hit. I unfortunately don’t have lot of free time outside of work, but I’d like to get in a routine where I can devote enough of that precious time to both my blog and being active. I’m also excited to start using my new Vitamix I got for Christmas to make healthy juices, smoothies and soups.
Continuing to Save Money & Planning for the Future — Now that I’ve paid off my loans, the plan is to focus on growing my savings and investments. I read that all young people should have at least 6 months worth of living expenses (rent, food, etc.) tucked away in the case of an emergency. I have that saved already and I don’t plan on stopping. I’m also lucky Nick works in finance – he’s helped me invest some of my savings into stocks and funds that hopefully will continue to grow over the years to come.
Growing Katie’s Bliss — Not sure if you guys noticed but Katie’s Bliss really took off in 2015! I’ve been blogging since I was in college (5+ years) and never really expected this to turn into a legitimate part time career. Over the past year I’ve devoted way more time to writing invoices, reviewing contracts and negotiating rates than I ever have in all my prior blogging years. It’s been eye-opening and a great professional learning experience. My business-savvy has grown a lot over the past year and I’m excited to put all I learned in 2015 to use in the new year.
2016 is looking like it’s going to be a good one! Thank you all again for following along! xo
Liz says
wow, paying off your student loans is a huge accomplishment! I wish I was able to do the same thing!
Katie says
Thanks Liz! It’s such an amazing feeling when you do 🙂
Natali says
Travelling more and living as healthy and active lifestyle possible are on the top of my wish list for 2016 too!
http://lartoffashion.com
Katie says
Great goals!! Happy New Year!
Scarlett says
Good luck with all of your goals! I have loved reading your blog over the past few months and I can’t wait to see what great content 2016 brings.
xo, Scarlett
http://thetrendychick.blogspot.com
Katie says
Thank you Scarlett!!! xo
Brittany says
Congrats on paying off your student loans! That is huge! I’ve been reading your blog for the past couple of years and loved seeing all this year brought for you. Your new apartment (well not so new at this point) is also so much brighter than your last which I also think would have made a huge improvement to your living space. I can’t wait to keep reading and see where this year takes you!
Brittany | thechicette.com
Katie says
Appreciate the kind words Brittany! Thank you for following along! xo
Elana says
Congratulations on accomplishing so much this year. I’ve loved reading your blog and am looking forward to seeing your posts in 2016!
Katie says
That means a lot Elana! Thank you!
Erin Her Heartland Soul says
Where is your couch from? I love it!
Katie says
Modani!
Nicole Walker says
Loved following along this year and congratulations on paying off your student loans, what a big accomplishment! Happy new year girl!!
xoxo Nicole
http://www.brazenbrunette.com
Katie says
Thanks Nicole! Happy New Year!
Gloria says
You have made so many great accomplishments this past year. I am so proud of you. You have come
a long way. Keep going girl, just think what you can do in the near future.
Katie says
Thank you!!
Kathryn says
What a great year it’s been! Cheers to 2016, Katie!!
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
Katie says
Same to you! xo
Deane says
Thank you for writing this post.Happy new year!
http://www.newpatagonia.com
Katie says
Happy New Year!
Arianne says
Congrats on being debt-free! I never had debt in school, but I currently have credit card debts right now. Becoming debt-free would be so nice and I’m hoping I’ll get as close to it as possible by the end of 2016.
Arianne | Ayre
Katie says
Thank you Arianne! Wishing you the best of luck!
Anayo Ordu says
Hey Katie,
I’m really happy for you! I remember discovering you when watching the apartment tour of the first place you and Nick lived, along with the guide to making it in NYC. Congrats on getting rid of your student loans at such an early age as well. Even better that you were able to accomplish it by doing something you love 🙂
www,anayo-ordu.com
Anayo Ordu says
Hey Katie,
I’m really happy for you! I remember discovering you when watching the apartment tour of the first place you and Nick lived, along with the guide to making it in NYC. Congrats on getting rid of your student loans at such an early age as well. Even better that you were able to accomplish it by doing something you love 🙂
http://www.anayo-ordu.com
Katie says
Thank you so much Anayo! Your kind words and comment really mean a lot 🙂
Nazlee Habibi says
Just started reading your blog and I love it! I feel like I’m friends with you guys after following you on Snapchat too 🙂 Since I’m in college and will soon be starting “grown-up life” I love when you write about savings and other young-adult problems. Happy New Year 🙂 Visit Palo Alto soon so my friends and I can meet you! 🙂
Katie says
Awww so happy you found me! Thank you for your comment – will try and incorporate more “grownup” topics in my content this year 🙂
Rachel says
Congrats on paying off your loans!! It’s amazing that you were able to pay them off so quickly. I’ve been paying $400/month for 5 years and am only halfway there. I can’t wait until I am done!! I’m also looking forward to traveling this year (Italy), but I only get 2 weeks of vacation per year.
Katie says
Thanks Rachel – means a lot! Paying them definitely took a lot of dedication and I’m so happy to finally be done. Italy sounds lovely! I’m jealous!