Looking back on 2024

Favorite dining experiences, lessons, and the little moments that meant the most.

This year taught me a lot about myself—especially what it means to stay put.

I leaned into life and work in Los Angeles, resisting the usual urge to plan my next big move (okay, it popped up occasionally, but I let it go and instead worked on embracing what is).

I’ve always craved novelty, but after years of constant change, it felt good to settle into more of a routine this year. I still made time for travel and adventure, but I needed to prove to myself that I could balance work and play (without burning out). And I did.

This year, I also focused on emotional growth: learning to regulate my emotions, navigating grief and loss without misdirecting that pain (okay, I tried—sorry, sweet boyfriend), and advocating for myself more, both personally and professionally. I worked on bringing joy into everyday moments, even the most banal ones.

Here are a few changes I made this year that made my life incrementally better:

• Went back to full-time work after working for myself

• Started working with a new therapist that I adore

• Started reading for fun again—especially before bed

• Prioritized traveling to new and familiar places

• Started pouring time into a new creative outlet (hi!)

• Stuck to a routine, but dropped the rigidity

• Played tourist in my own city

Favorite experiences:

• Taco Tuesday at Anajak Thai

• Dog-sitting my former foster pup for a week

• Dinner dates with friends at Zinque, Night + Market, Si! Mon

• Weekend tennis with my older brother Brock, nephews, and boyfriend (often followed by Brock’s famous Manhattans)

• Weekend trips to San Diego to see friends and spend time with my mom

• Countless morning coffee and LA pastry dates at Jyan Isaac, Tartine, and Gjusta

• Trips to Santa Barbara, Williamsburg, Telluride, Paris, South of France, Bend

• Celebrating my cousin Tessa’s wedding in Vermillion, Ohio this summer

• Staying with family in beautiful Bend, Oregon over Thanksgiving

• Spending this holiday season between San Diego and Los Angeles— enjoying slow mornings, lots of walks, and cozy nights in rewatching all my favorite films

Favorite books:

• Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow

• I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself

• Romantic Comedy

• Good Material

• All Fours

Favorite TV shows:

• Shrinking

• Bad Sisters

• Nobody Wants This

• One Day

• Hacks

• Tell Me Lies

• Mr. and Mrs. Smith

• Curb Your Enthusiasm

Favorite dining experiences by city:

• Los Angeles: Anajak Thai, Republique, Cassia, Si! Mon, Tsubaki, Dudley Market

• New York: Birds of a Feather, Le Crocodile, Domodomo

• Paris: Recoin, Double Dragon, Brasserie Martin, Terra Bar à Vins

In 2025, I’m looking forward to expanding on everything I learned this past year—pushing myself to continue crafting the life of my dreams and staying in the here and now. I have some goals in mind, but I’m also leaving space to enjoy the ride and let my vision evolve as the year unfolds. How about you? I’d love to know.

PS Happy New Year!

Jess