My 2025 Year in Review

Every year, I look forward to putting this post together — even though it takes FOREVER lol. As the sentimental baby that I am, I love using this annual post as a digital scrapbook for the previous year. With so many travels, events, outings, and experiences, it can honestly be hard to remember what all went down in a year! So, this is my way of reflecting, remembering, and appreciating all of the things, moments, and people that made this year so amazing. Here were some of my most favorite parts of 2025.

2025 Favorites

Movies

TV Shows

Songs

Books

1. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
2. The Dissent by Leah Vernon
3. The Change by Kirsten Miller
4. Born A Crime by Trevor Noah
5. The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
6. One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy
7. Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
8. Loud by Drew Afualo
9. Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
10. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (audio)
11. Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
12. Audrey and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams
13. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
14. One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
15. We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter
16. The Housemaid’s Wedding by Freida McFadden
17. Becoming by Michelle Obama

2025 Highlights

My 31st Birthday in Detroit

For my actual birthday (before my Nashville trip), I had a fun day in Detroit. I met some friends at a cool coffee shop, The Congregation, in the afternoon and then spent the night at The Siren Hotel. The vintage-style hotel is beautiful, so I wanted to utilize it for a coquette, Marie Antoinette-style photo shoot and get-together. It was a very small group of friends, but everything was fab. We had dinner and drinks at the hotel and then I spent the night solo in my suite.

Moved into my first two-bedroom apartment in Downtown Detroit

When I first moved to Michigan, I was temporarily staying with my aunt (and I was lucky enough to have a great basement apartment at her house. But, after about a year and a half of working to pay down my credit card debt, I knew it was time to find my own spot. My goal was a two bedroom apartment in Downtown Detroit — and I ended up moving into my bestie’s building! I got a gorgeous corner unit with floor to ceiling windows. My second bedroom is now my dream cloffice (closet + office). It is truly my favorite apartment I’ve ever had. Oh, and it’s about $700 less a month than my one-bedroom was in NYC!

Started therapy and got diagnosed with ADHD

I’ve been saying I needed to try therapy for YEARS. And I’m proud that this year, I finally did it at the end of the year. After my intake form, I was immediately tested (and scored very high) for ADHD. This wasn’t shocking to me, but it was so validating to get an official diagnosis. I’m in the very beginning of learning about it, but it’s been very helpful so far.

My 6th year at BuzzFeed

Another year down as a senior editor on the BuzzFeed Shopping team! This year, I was very busy managing four talented writers — I definitely grew a lot as an editor and manager. I also got to see all of my writers in person during one of my NYC visits!

Expanded my content strategy and continued to grow my social media

This year, I had my first Reel reach over 200k views! I can’t believe it took this many years, but it’s nice to know that it’s possible for me to make viral content lol. I really tried to loosen up this year and make more relatable, unpolished, and “low effort” content. And it’s actually been paying off! I will still always make things that I enjoy making (otherwise, what’s the point?), but being more strategic has def helped my views and engagement.

Raised my credit score and surpassed my savings goal

Since leaving NYC, one of my biggest goals has been lowering credit card debt. Although I haven’t been able to pay it off, I have made significant progress, which helped me raise my credit score over 100 points!

Continued to have fun with fashion and wear whatever I want

I will always appreciate NYC for how it helped me evolve my style and not be afraid to experiment with different looks. Now, I’m able to confidently rock whatever I want, even while living back in Michigan. Another year of iconic looks in the books!

Weddings and baby showers

Two of my younger cousins got married! Zach married Sarah in Grand Rapids, MI and Savannah married Garett in Niles, MI. Both wedding were beautiful and it was so wild to see my little cousins so grown up.

I also went to Sarah’s baby shower for my new little cousin/niece Kaia. And a “winter wonderland” baby shower for my good friend Tierra and her new baby Leo.

Got back into hosting

While I was living at my aunt’s house in 2024, I had to take a break from hosting my little get-togethers. Although my aunt, who is a lot like me, did host a few parties while I was there, I still missed the way I used to host my friends when I lived in NYC. But, now that I have my own apartment in Detroit, I decided to get back into hosting! I feel like adults need fun reasons to hang out that aren’t just kid’s birthday parties and major life events. And when you’re an ~extra~, single, childless 30-something, like myself, hosting small parties is a great way to get your friends together lol. This year, I had a housewarming party in the summer and then a spooky movie night in the fall.

Stayed consistent in the gym

I was a high school athlete, so I grew up working out. And, like many adults, I’ve had periods of being heavily active in the gym and periods of barley going at all. But, I’m happy to report that I’ve been more consistent than ever this past year and I’m feeling good about keeping it up.

Cooked new recipes and improved my skills

Every year, I try to improve my cooking skills slowly, but surely. This year, I made homemade meatballs, curry, butter chicken, a delicious tuscan chicken creamy pasta, fried chicken in the air fryer, and more.

2025 Travel Recap

Nashville, Tennessee

For my birthday, me, Leah, and Maria spent a weekend in Nashville at the coolest “dollhouse” Airbnb I’ve ever seen! Although I’ve been to Tennessee many times as a kid to visit my grandparents, I’d never been to Nashville to hang out. It was honestly better than I expected! We went to some cool restaurants, went shopping, bowling, and danced at a honky-tonk. I would totally go back again.

New York, New York

I went back to visit NYC (my second home) five times this year. My Syracuse grad school program had a reunion in the spring, I spent Halloween there with my friends, I worked in the BuzzFeed office with some of my team a few times, and more.

Here’s a few of the places I went during my NYC travels:

• Death Becomes Her on Broadway
• “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at The Met
• Louis Vuitton flagship store
• Nizza (Italian restaurant)
• Motto by Hilton Hotel
• Amalfi Rooftop by Birreri (Italian restaurant in Eataly)
• Market 57 (food hall off the water)

Chicago, Illinois

For Leah’s birthday, our group of close friends went to Chicago for a weekend and had a ball! We stayed at The Virgin Hotel, which was so beautiful and spacious! We ate some great food, did some sightseeing, and… we dressed up as African Uncles for brunch and made a viral video. 😂

Toronto, Ontario

For the second year in a row, me and Leah did a weekend road trip from Detroit to Toronto. This was my third time there and I always enjoy it — such a great city! This time, I did a couple of touristy thing: went to the aquarium and the top of CN Tower. We also went out to some bars and, of course, got into some shenanigans.

Cleveland, Ohio

I took a solo day trip to Cleveland to see the “Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow” exhibit at The Cleveland Museum of Art. I also went to MGK’s coffee shop, The 27 Club, and had an early dinner by the water.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

One of my biggest travel adventures was a multi-state road trip I took over the summer. My first stop was Pittsburgh, where I visited my friend Rachel. We had a lot of fun catching up, looking at art, and wandering around the city. I honestly liked Pittsburgh more than I thought I would, it’s a pretty cool city!

Wilmington, Delaware

My second destination on the road trip was Delaware — a new state to check off my list. I visited my friend Dara, and her and her husband were kind enough to let me stay at their house. We went to a cute restaurant, a coffee shop, toured the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, and saw a really cool fountain show at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.

Silver Spring, Maryland

After Delaware, I drove to Maryland to visit my friend Nichole for a night. Silver Spring is a cool city right outside of D.C. We ate some good food, hung out at my friends gorgeous apartment, and before I left, I checked out a coffee shop and a bookstore (as I often do lol).

Washington, D.C.

Next up, I spent a few hours in Washington, D.C. with a goal of finally seeing the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is truly so beautiful and powerful with different floors telling the stories of slavery, resistance, perseverance, culture, style, sports, music, and the overall impact of Black people in America. I spent half a day there and would still go back again. I also shot some photos in front of the Washington Monument before I left.

Richmond, Virginia

After D.C., I drove to Virginia, another new state to check off my list. I only spent one night in Richmond, but it was a cool city. I got some good food from a Black-owned biz, went to a cute coffee shop, went into a few little shops, and went to the art museum. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has a beautiful sculpture garden and I randomly caught a super cool Frida Kahlo exhibit.

Raleigh, North Carolina

After Virginia, I was almost to my parent’s house, but it was still a bit too far. So, I stopped in Raleigh, NC for a night to see my good friend (and former coworker), Marquaysa. She was kind enough to let me sleep on her couch. It was so nice to get some food and catch up!

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Finally, I made it to my mom and step-dad’s house to spend some time with them and my little sisters. I usually work while I’m there, but of course it’s so nice to hang out with them. Plus, summer visits are my favorite because they have a pool lol. And in December, I went back again for Christmas.

Atlanta, Georgia

While I was in South Carolina, I took one weekend to drive over to Atlanta, which is only two hours away. I visited my cousin Ember and saws her new baby, sweet Ozy! Then I met up with a couple of my friends (my girl Rachel let me stay the night) and we went out dancing for a bit.

Traverse City, Michigan

Over the summer, my dad’s side of the family had a little weekend road trip to Traverse City. This was my second or third time there, and it really is beautiful! We went to different wineries, shopped (make sure you try some of their famous cherry products!), and went to the beach.

Lexington, Kentucky

This was my second time in Lexington, because it’s the halfway point when I drive between South Carolina and Michigan. I stayed at The Sire Hotel, went back to one of my favorite thrift stores, The Domestic, and had a delicious brunch at Fiddletree.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

This was my second time going to Florida with my dad, his girlfriend, her daughter, and granddaughter. Last time, we stayed in PCB, but this time we went to Fort Lauderdale. We had a beautiful house off the water, with a private pool! I had to work while I was there, so it was a pretty chill trip. But, we had a really nice time!

Grand Rapids, Michigan

I went back to Grand Rapids a couple of times this year: for my cousin’s wedding, baby shower, and for an early Thanksgiving with my step-dad’s side of the family. One of the trips, I got to spend the night at my aunt and uncle’s lake house too, which was so nice.

Exploring Metro Detroit

Here are a few of the places I enjoyed going to this year:

• The Siren Hotel
• The Candy Bar (bar inside The Siren Hotel)
• Mad Nice (Italian restaurant)
• Father Forgive Me (outdoor bar)
• Spkrbox (bar)
• The Apparatus Room (restaurant & bar inside The Foundation Hotel)
• The Detroit Opera House (to see SoulSync)
• AfroFuture (music festival)
• Side Hustle (bar)
• The Lip Bar (makeup store)
• The Skip (bar)
• The Vinyl Society (bar)
• Oasis Hot Tub Garden (in Ann Arbor)
• Midnight Temple (Indian restaurant)
• The Detroit Institute of Arts
• Experience Zuzu (Asian restaurant)
• Easy Peasy (bar)
• Arts Beats & Eats (festival in Royal Oak)

Thank You ♡

As always, this year wouldn’t be even a tiny fraction as wonderful if it wasn’t for my incredible friends and family. Thank you so much for spending time with me, supporting me, and loving me!

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Now let’s see what 2026 has in store!