Home » 2016: My Year of Work Hard, Play Hard & Tacos

2016: My Year of Work Hard, Play Hard & Tacos

Years ago, I had this pervy boss who’d always say that his life philosophy was “work hard, play hard.” While this dude was definitely a super creep, his motto actually describes my 2016 quite well. While it goes without saying that 2016 was a flaming dumpster fire for the world as a whole, it was a good year for me personally. I spent a lot of time hunched over my laptop writing, but I also managed to find time to have fun – even if a lot of the time it was in small, quiet ways. I was intentional about my leisure time and spent more time travelling, seeing live music and chilling by the pool than partying my face off (thank god.)  Also, for the first year since I started Skinny Dip, a lot of my favourite moments from the year played out on Instagram in lieu of the blog.

For the record though, here are my favourite posts from 2016:

2016, let’s recap some of the most memorable moments we spent together. 

In January, I kicked off the month by  investing lots of money in books and art work. This would be an on-going trend for the year. I also acquired my very first real human intern, Kaitlyn and she wrote about what to expect from your first boudoir shoot.  I shared how drinking a smoothie every morning has changed my life and wrote a post about body acceptance where shared bathing suit photos (Ahhh!)

In honour of Valentine’s Day, in February I shared some of my favourite things to wear, watch, listen to and read and reviewed some lingerie that seriously made me want to stay in bed all day. I went to Vancouver for a weekend where I met the lovely Valorie (!!!) and met up with my best friend & her husband. I also wrote a post about how revisiting the past is one of my bad habits.

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I kicked March off with an awesome psychic reading. I did a fun photo shoot feature with Folkalpoint magazine and shared some tips on how to style your bedroom when it’s also your office.

In April, I met a new writer friend, Danila and wrote a review of her book Too Much on the Inside where I reminisced about my time in Toronto. In April I finally booked my first solo trip to Los Angeles. But my excitement for the trip was made bitter sweet with the passing of Prince, which, let’s face it guys, hit me really hard.

May was all about Los Angeles! I went to see Gavin Turek (twice), saw Big Freedia in concert and watched Purple Rain on the big screen for the first time. I explored Downtown LA, hung out in Hollywood, walked the streets of Silverlake and fell deeper in love with Echo Park. I also spent a few days in Venice and Santa Monica soaking up the beach vibes. I went on a Latin American food tour of East L.A where I ate delicious things and visited a tortilla factory. I spent lots of days lounging by various pools and hanging out on the roof tops of West Hollywood. I hung out with Almie, Dorota, Jennifer and Kendra. I ate as many of LA’s best tacos as possible. It was truly magical and while I was there for almost 3 weeks, it still didn’t feel like enough time in the city!

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Still processing Prince’s passing, in June I wrote about the 10 dating lessons we can learn from Purple Rain and shared what happens when your life becomes an Alanis Morissette song (two of my favourite posts of the year.) I also delved deep into the world of decor books. The highlight of June? Seeing Lauryn Hill live in Vancouver (!!!) – another bucket list concert crossed off the list.

In July I shared some of my favourite books, music & podcasts. I saw Gregory Porter live at Jazz Fest with my Mom, had a wonderful visit with my friend Trevor (aka one of my favourite people) and spent a lot of time poolside, because #summer.

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In August I wrote about how I’ve cut back on drinking and started buying art instead and shared my experience watching feminist porn (I liked it!) One of the highlights of the month was going to the Queer Film Festival in Vancouver with my sister where we watched a screening of Strike a Pose and met Jose Xtravaganza, one of Madonna’s original back-up dancers, who was super nice & sweet.

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September was my birthday month and I turned 36! I wrote about the 10 guys that I’d like to meet. I created the perfect reading nook in my bedroom/office and celebrated my birthday in style with a trip to Nanaimo for a spa day with my best friend, followed by cocktails with friends. I went to the Rifflandia music festival and shared some of the things I’d tell my 20-year old self.

October was all about staying busy to distract myself from the “fall bummers” (or seasonal depression as the rest of the world calls it.) I confronted the ghosts of boyfriends past, hung out at the Vintage Fair and tried the Unbound Box. My biggest accomplishment: creating this “Katy Purry” costume from scratch.

November. Ugh. I shared some of my tips for surviving the Trumpocalypse, but let’s be real – for most of us this month was a major bummer.

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Which brings us to December! I didn’t really blog much this month, choosing instead to focus on work deadlines and holiday prep, but I did manage to make it over to Vancouver for a show. I stayed at The Burrarda retro hotel after my own heart. I saw Andra Day live (she’s a goddess!) and then bumped into her while makeup shopping the next day. She was lovely & gracious. We talked about music, the Trumpocalypse and she gave me a big hug. It felt, well, very magical.  I fell in love with the movie Moonlight and saw it twice in the theatre. I finished off the year with a quiet Christmas with my family & a decadent dinner at the Fairmont Empress.

What was your favourite (good) memory from 2016? 

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