What’s up in my real life this December. If you’d like to know, keep reading!
Favorite NYC spots visited
American Museum of Natural History, SNL Dress Rehearsal, BrainXcape Escape Room NYC
What I couldn’t stop listening to
I’m pretty sure Arian Grande is the unsung hero of Christmas music. From Santa Tell Me to Snow in California, she’s only got a few Christmas jams but they are all bangers.
I also created my annual playlist of 12 songs for the 12 months of 2018 – the perfect time capsule for a year full of bangers.
Favorite photo I took
I want to never forget how fun this swingy bar was. And how much sun and fun we had in Mexico.
Favorite piece I wrote
All things holiday related: I love my bookish gift guide and my list of which books I gave my loved ones (and why) this year!

Home life
It has been a complete whirlwind of a month: birthdays, holiday gatherings, and trips abound! We started off the month celebrating the births of my father, grandfather, and friend, Corinne, all of whom were born on the same day. Then the holiday celebrations began. My closest friends in the city started off the month with an extremely successful secret Santa, ending in my acquisition of two enormous and perfect unicorn slippers.
The month bumped along in a hurry – lots of good books, lots of fun nights with friends. Before I knew it, it was time for Mexico! Off I went to join my family in that beautiful tropical paradise – it was just the break I needed. I read many books and ate my weight in avocados and drank all of the tequila in various forms. I hiked and I swung in hammocks and swings and spent the afternoon on a boat and it was perfection.
Then it was back to NYC for just a few hours before my dad scooped me up to go to Massachusetts to be with our family. We decorated our tree and watched the Grinch and got all snuggled up in bed so Santa could come. We spent the next few days together – I love Christmas. I love the time with my family and how much we laugh when we’re together. I look forward to it all year long.
Work Life
Work was crazy busy but extremely successful this month. We were gearing up for a big presentation that went off swimmingly and had a great deal to wrap up before the end of the year. I’m really excited to get back into it come January. I’m feeling really great about where we are in the office and what my personal goals are for my own work in 2019. I’m not really one for strict resolutions, but I love to take this time of year to reevaluate what I want to be doing and creating in the world.
Favorite Meme of the Month
This New Yorker Cartoon absolutely tickled me.
Love Life
Remember the one great first date in November? He’s still in the picture and I think it’s going really well but I won’t say any more than that for now. It’s exciting but scary. Ok, for real, that’s all for now.
Mental Health Life
This month was rough. I had a prolonged anxiety attack midmonth that was really hard for me to get over. My anxiety is affecting me at work and at home. The severity and frequency of these attacks is increasing but I was given a referral by my PCP, so I’ll be making that call come the first week of January.
Stay tuned for a wrap up of 2018 as a whole, but I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for a wonderful year. Thank you to those of you who follow along each month – I can’t imagine my life at this point without nycbookgirl and without those of you who make this all worthwhile. So thank you and have a happy, happy New Year!
Love this and all you do Morgan !! Inspirational!!!
Love you Morgan!! Here’s to a happy healthy 2019 exciting, productive and peaceful.
Love you morgan! This is great❤️❤️