Wrapping Up 2011

Hi friends! Did you have a nice week? I am back from Puerto Rico, which was absolutely lovely – the Dysfunctional Family Vacation was the least dysfunctional it’s been in a looooooong time :) full recap and pictures coming soon… next year!

Yes, next year. Because 2012 is basically HERE, which is absolutely insane. Am I the only one who feels like this year FLEW? I feel like I was JUST in Denver ringing in 2011 with my besties in a snowy cabin in the woods!

Anyway, I figured that with the new year right around the corner, it might be fun to take a look back at some of my favorite things that I did, saw, ate, and of course, bought in 2011!

The Queen's 2011 Favorites

My favorite TV show – I never miss an episode of The New Girl, which I refer to as simply “The Zooey Show.” I am head over heels for Zooey Deschanel and her odd, quirky humor… but hands down the best part of the show is SCHMIDT!

My favorite movie - I blogged about it last week! Click here to read my list of my Top Ten favorite films of 2011!

My favorite books – I couldn’t put down Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)” or Tina Fey’s “Bossypants." Clearly, I have a major thing for funny women.

My favorite gift – That would have to be my iPad, my birthday gift from my mom. I read books, watch movies, play on the internet… thank you Mommy for contributing to my eternal procrastination!

My favorite restaurant: Anytime I have an out-of-town guest or special occasion to celebrate, I pick up the phone and call Animal. It’s not a place you can go every week, for sure (all that MEAT? your cholesterol would go THROUGH THE ROOF!), but for a once-in-a-while treat, it can’t be beat.

My favorite vacations: How can I pick just one? It’s a tie between FART, my roadtrip through the South with my best friend, and my weekend in Scottsdale over the summer with my boyfriend – our first trip together!

My favorite purchase: Contenders for this section include my gorgeous Zara sequined clutch, my beloved Tory Burch leopard ballet flats, or my glittery Marcia Moran druzy necklace, but in the end, electronics win out over accessories :) How did I survive before I had my iPhone? The thing runs my entire life, and looks damn good doing it!

My favorite memory: I tried to think of one that stood out above the rest, but a lot of great things happened this year. I bonded with an incredible new roommate. My best friends got engaged, got married, had babies. I started dating my amazing, wonderful boyfriend. Now that I think about it, 2011 was full of new beginnings.

Wishing you all a safe and happy NYE, however you choose to celebrate! I’ll be welcoming 2012 with a fun little shindig at my apartment, so I’m off to bake cookies and track down caviar and champagne. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to show plenty of pictures of the celebration next week :)

Thank you all for continuing to read Queen of LA!