Issue #25: The Best and the Most of 2023
23 of the top things in my year in some very random categories
It’s officially 2024, and I’m taking this year just one day at a time. No more big resolutions or plans for me. The last year was a rollercoaster, with some incredible moments and some that were just plain horrible. That’s life, right? Happy and sad at the same time.
So, I’m bringing you some of the highlights. Here are 23 of the best things and most things that I could think of from the last 12 months. It’s an extra long email, so you might need to open it in your web browser to read the full post.
23 of the Best and Most of 2023
Best Movie Theater Visit - Barbie
To be fair, it’s the only time I visited the movie theater this year, but I watched many movies I had never seen. But Barbie was my favorite. The music, costumes, sarcasm, and cameos were perfect. I loved seeing everyone walking towards the theater wearing hot pink for at least a month after the movie was released.
I loved it so much that I dedicated an entire post about it.
Most Comfortable Purchase - Matching Sets
I’m all about a matching set of loungewear. I work from home and have stocked up on outfits that I can put on in the morning, stay comfortable all day, and feel normal walking the dog through the neighborhood. If you’re looking for a recommendation, grab this sweatshirt and these matching pants (both on sale right now!)
Best Walk in the Woods - Gold Creek Pond, Snoqualmie Pass
While we went on many beautiful hikes this year (especially in Whistler), the hike in Gold Creek Pond was my favorite. My brother and his family were in town, and we did the short loop around a mountain lake one weekday morning. My nephews were able to explore and learn about being “bear-aware.” Getting to show my family some of the reasons we love living here was incredibly memorable for me.
Most Used Emoji - 🤦🏼♀️
This tracks because I haven’t been at my best this year. I’ve missed birthdays and anniversaries and haven’t been the best at times of keeping up with people in my life. It’s just been a bit more foggy in my brain, but I’m clearing up more and getting myself organized again. Less face palms this year and more of the cringy millennial-only emojis that I’ve come to love so much.
Best Local Discovery - Ballard Beer Box
A new pizza spot opened in our neighborhood in the middle of summer. They have a huge drink selection and a few top-notch pizzas on the menu. It’s become our favorite spot to meet friends because it’s dog-friendly, has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and carries every type of beer/cider/seltzer, plus some wine.
For more Ballard, Seattle favorites, I worked my ass off on this neighborhood guide, and I’m updating it all the time.
Most Thought About Food of the Year - Sailfish Crab Cake
Even though I love the pizza from Ballard Beer Box, there’s another restaurant on the list I mentioned above that I think about even more often. Sailfish is a seafood restaurant in our neighborhood, and they have a great happy hour. We went and ordered their crab cake, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since then. I need to get back there soon so I can have it again.
Best Three Hours of Time Spent - The Eras Tour
You knew I couldn’t do any sort of recap without mentioning this event multiple times. Traveling back to Minnesota to go to this concert with my girlfriends was a highlight of the year. We made a whole 24 hours out of it with a lunch, afternoon dance party, dinner, the show, a sleepover, and a morning brunch.
Tay-Tay entertained us for over three hours, and it was everything I hoped it would be. I recently watched the Eras Movie from my couch and had so much fun reliving it all again. Don’t worry, you can read all about my magical experience in the recap.
Most Magical Animal Sighting - Sunrise Dolphins in Santa Barbara
We spent a week in California in December for some sunshine and time with friends. One morning, we woke up for sunrise in Santa Barbara and spent a few minutes just watching a pod of dolphins play just off the pier.
Best Binge Watch - Hijack
Idris Elba stars in this show that covers a flight that is getting hijacked minute by minute. We watched it in one day, which is rare for us, but we needed to know how it ended. If you are laid up for a day or dealing with bad weather, start this show on AppleTV and enjoy the ride.
Best Rewatch Show - The Nanny
I hit play on this randomly in November and was surprised that I remembered every word from the opening song. Now, I watch a few episodes each week. It’s funny and perfectly cringy, just like all the best sitcoms. Fran Drescher is just perfect in this role, and I feel like this show didn’t get the love it deserved.
Most Practical Discovery - The Transfer Station
Seattle has a Transfer Station where I can go and drop off all the cardboard that accumulates. Our recycling comes every other week, and sometimes, it’s not enough. I get furious when there is a pile-up of cardboard, so I love that there is a spot where I can just pull in and unload my trunk of all the recyclables that pile up. I’m working hard to reduce the amount of things delivered here in 2024.
Most Liked Instagram Post - Our 15th Anniversary Post
We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary this August, and I shared a few of my favorite photos of the two of us through the years. Our celebrations were pretty low-key, but that’s kind of our style.
Best Podcast Listened to - The UM Cast
Yes, this podcast is done by two uncensored moms (that’s the UM in the name), but it’s like listening to two of my friends sit across the table from me and chat. This year, they shared all the details of their EMDR therapy journey, and it was incredibly raw and vulnerable. It was amazing. Start at part one of that series if you want to know more. Otherwise, you can expect hilarious conversations about health, kids, a new puppy, sex, travels, and books.
Other podcasts I listened to regularly this year include Offline, Sounds Like a Cult, and Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers.
Most Used Ingredient in Our Kitchen - Trader Joe’s Seasonings
If you’ve ever opened my kitchen drawers, you’d find one that is perfectly arranged with all the best seasonings from Trader Joe’s. The Everything but the Bagel seasoning has a cult following, but it’s just one of their tasty options. We use the citrus garlic one for fish and veggies, the green goddess one is perfect on eggs, and the spicy Italian sprinkle goes in soups and pasta sauces. I will try everything they release (although the ketchup and pizza ones didn’t do much for me.)
Best Upbeat Song - Paper Rings
I had a couple of others on my mind, but 2023 was my year of Taylor Swift. She played this song on the night I saw her live, and it was instantly deposited into the core memory bank. I loved it so much before, but now it brings me instantly back to that moment standing in US Bank stadium with three of my best friends and screaming like a teenager.
Best Album for All the Feelings - Noah Kahan’s Stick Season
I fell in love with this album about a year ago. This spring, I found myself listening more on walks, and when you really start listening to the lyrics, it hits different. He is extremely open about his mental health struggles and how songwriting has helped him. The work he’s doing now to raise money and awareness is incredible. I’m a forever fan.
Read the Time profile to learn more about him.
Most Used Self-Care Item - Foot Massager
We bought ourselves this foot massager that just stays plugged in by the couch. It’s a popular item and gets used multiple times per week. There’s just something so indulgent about sliding my feet in while watching TV and having multiple settings to get a customized foot massage.
Best Seattle Tourist Experience - The Chihuly Garden
It’s been almost three full years since we moved to Seattle, and we are slowly checking things off our PNW bucket list. This spring, we visited the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden. It was a clear day, so the views from the Space Needle were perfect. But I thought the Chihuly Garden was incredible.
Most Recommended Book to Friends - The Celebrants
This was the book I recommended most this year, which makes sense because his first book was also one that I told everyone about. The Celebrants is about a group of friends who lose someone when they are young. They decide to help each other throughout life by holding a living funeral anytime someone is in need of support. They prepare speeches about the person and share what many people don’t say until someone has died.
I love the idea of loving someone loudly and telling them how much they mean to you. Sometimes, it’s easier to think about than actually do. I highly recommend this story - it made me smile and cry a little. Grab a copy, and let me know if you are reading this.
Best Picture of My Dog - Trick Question
This perfect little face consumes a good chunk of my photos for the year. Can’t help it. But I definitely could not pick a favorite picture of him. So, here is him in his usual morning position.
Most Used App - Instagram
This is the app that I open almost every time I pick up my phone. I tried some things to reduce the usage this year, but I’m about ready to do my annual purge of accounts I follow. Throughout the year, I seem to collect celebrities, meme accounts, and even businesses. I’m on a mission to clear my Insta page of anything that isn’t worth my time and stick to people in my life as much as possible.
I hope that 2024 brings back more photos and fewer reels that look like they take hours to make. Doing monthly photo dumps felt like a good tactic for me this year and I’ll probably carry on with that in the new year.
Best “Trend” I Tried - Better Jeans
I wanted to fight for skinny jeans, but then I bought jeans that hung loosely on my body. Keep your tight jeans if you want them, but that’s what leggings are for, in my opinion. I own at least three pairs of “boyfriend” jeans, and I love them.
Most Read Substack Post - Finding Balance
I wrote this as I was working through the initial stages of grief. I’ve learned so much this last year and worked hard on processing and understanding. I’ll probably revisit this conversation this year, but it means a lot that people read this and sent love and support. Grief is a wild beast that brings many surprises, but it’s something that most people will face, and it’s OK to talk about.
If you faced something really challenging this last year, I’m so sorry. It’s important to know that you are not alone, and it feels good to talk about things. And I also recommend trying therapy.
Happy New Year Friends!
Hope your holiday season gave you some of the things you needed whether it was family time, quiet time, rest, or celebrations. I’m so grateful for you reading this and can’t wait to share more in the new year. Share this with your friends and hit the love button on the bottom if you feel inclined.
Comment and tell me what your most or best was in 2023!
Cheers!
Steph