2012 - A Year in Review

Miss last year’s Year in Review? Catch up on 2011 here.

January:

Had fun turning 31 at Mosaic.

February:

Got artsy at the first annual Arty Party at the Four Seasons St. Louis with artist Jeff Kapfer.

For the first time in years, I celebrated Soulard Mardi Gras by not celebrating. I stayed in, stayed warm, and “Laissez les bons temps rouler” by watching Whitney Houston’s funeral. And for the record Whitney, crack is whack. 

March:

Flew south for a work conference in Orlando and met these two reality show cuties:

Tenley Molzahn, Kiptyn Locke, & me.

April:

Surprised Laura with a birthday party at her new home in the ‘burbs.

Took in a fashion show with Sylvia benefitting the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition at [RE]Fresh – A Fashion Coalition in Brentwood.

May:

Organized our first ever book club with this steamy read:

Beat the heat to watch my oldest nephew graduate from high school.

Kicked off The Year of The Wedding with a St. Louis Shower for Stessie.

June:

Ate, drank, and celebrated Jessica and John’s engagement with a shower at Montelle Winery.

Not every bride-to-be gets two St. Louis celebrations in one month – but Jessica did with a night out in Soulard.

July:

Headed West for my first trip to Sin City. We ate here, drank a $36 cocktail here, and danced the night away here…all without gambling a penny!

August:

Met sweet baby Charlotte for the first time.

Ate here and closed 360 down with a red and black themed Bachelorette Party for Jessica.

Celebrated one wedding shower and one wedding reception on the same day for these two cute cousins:

After a two year hiatus, I re-started my classes towards a MA in Marketing here and all social life came to a screeching halt.

With a Rehearsal Dinner here and their wedding festivities here, we celebrated Stessie & Brian’s wedding in true St. Louis style.

Welcomed Billy to St. Louis with drinks here and dinner here during Downtown Restaurant Week.  

September:

Took in a free concert by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra on Art Hill.

Said adios to our St. Louis senorita, Erin, with a Going Away Party here.

Celebrated Donna’s 30^th birthday with a surprise party here.

Spent the weekend in Overland Park celebrating Lauren and Andrew’s wedding – Kansas style!

October:

Ended The Year of The Wedding on the campus of West Point with the marriage of Jessica and John.

Headed to the Lone Star State twice this month for work and saw a Texas rodeo in San Antonio and one of the most haunted streets in America, Hell’s Half Mile, in Ft. Worth.

Took in a night of theatre with Les Mis at the Fabulous Fox.

November:

Satisfied my inner Twihard by seeing this movie. After a year's wait, it did not disappoint!

December:

Met with fellow social media gals at the STL Social Girls Holiday Happy Hour organized by Danni at Plush.

Celebrated the impending birth of the Royal baby here. Long live the King…or Queen!

Won the first annual Ugly Sweater Party hosted by Laura and Jacob. When I play, I play to win! 

2011 – A Year in Review – Whew!

January:

Welcomed the New Year with these fabulous friends:

Turned 30 and celebrated all month long!

Jeremy and I celebrate my birthday with a viewing of 'Black Swan' at the The Chase Park Plaza

Toasting to the Big 3-0 with my family at Joe Buck's Downtown 

Donned cocktail attire and celebrated with dinner and drinks at home 

February:

Celebrated Valentine’s Day with my girls and these sweet treats from The Cup. 

March:

St. Louis hosts one of the nation’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations and my neighborhood, Soulard, welcomed half a million visitors in 2011 to watch the “American Treasures” Grand Parade.

Said farewell to Lisa with dinner and drinks at 1111 Mississippi before she left St. Louis for new adventures in Ohio. 

Brought a touch of the big city to Springfield, MO with a trip to visit Ruthie and a visit to the original Bass Pro Shop.

April:

Surprised the birthday girl with dinner at Coco Louco Brasil.

Visited Manhattan and the Jersey Shore with my Jersey Girl, Lori. Sadly, Snooki was nowhere to be found.

Lori outside of the original Magnolia Bakery on Bleeker Street in NYC

After a fabulous brunch at Toast in Montclair, NJ

Fist pumping outside of the Seaside Heights house made infamous on Jersey Shore!

In all its neon glory, it's the Bamboo Bar, made famous by Snooki and the gang 

Visited the “Birthplace of Rock N’ Roll”, Sun Studios, and rocked out to Sara Bareilles at Minglewood Hall in Memphis.

Awoke at 4:30am to watch the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (ahem, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) and celebrated in style with sweets fit for a Queen.

Imported British candies from Global Foods Market

May:

Started a new job and celebrated with “Vegas and the Rat Pack” at Powell Symphony Hall and drinks at Cielo.

June:

Visited St. Louis’ newest brewery, Urban Chestnut Brewing Company.

Celebrated the engagement of these two cuties at The Wine Press.

July:

Headed West to Colorado Springs for a business trip and had dinner at the swanky Summit at The Broadmoor Resort.

August:
Showed my favorite Bostonian, Jamie, that there’s more to St. Louis than Budweiser.

The big city Bostonian gets her first glimpse of an Illinois cornfield

Jamie and I strike a pose under The Gateway Arch

After a dinner of pizza at Pi

Jamie gets in the 'spirit' with a beer flight at  Square One Brewery and Distillery

September:

Took in a sunset picnic on Art Hill and a free concert performed by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Remembered those we lost on the tenth anniversary of 9/11 with an emotional visit to the "America's Heartland Remembers September 11, 2001” tribute on Art Hill.

October:

Enjoyed a reunion seven years in the making with a trip to Soulard Oktoberfest and the “All Mozart” concert performed by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Lori and Jeremy strike a pose outside of the sparkling Powell Symphony Hall

Visited sunny San Diego and tried my first In-N-Out burger!

Watched in awe as the St. Louis Cardinals became the World Series Champions! With their 11^th World Series win, the Cardinals have won more World Series titles than any other team in the National League and only second overall to the New York Yankees. GO CARDS!

November:

Watched this cute nephew become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program.

Photo credit

December:

Celebrated Sylvia's 28th birthday with dinner at Oceano Bistro, drinks at Bocci Bar and karaoke at the infamous Mike Talayna's Jukebox.