Best of 2021

My gosh, as I sit here reading through all of my “Best of” posts from the last six years, it’s unleashed all kinds of emotions, reminding me of moments I haven’t thought of in ages. I mean it’s hard to imagine how I could top last year’s post, or 2020 in general—the end of freshman year, the beginning of Covid, my first time pursuing Styled by full time… it was the most defining year. And yet in many ways so was 2021. 

For five years now, I have spent January 1 so moved by the love I’m shown as I celebrate another year of Styled by. My five-year anniversary was supposed to be extra special—I mean come on, half a decade?! Most people can’t stick to something for five months let alone five years. And yet instead of responding to sweet comments and thoughtful DMs, I spent my New Years Day freezing in a tow truck on the side of the highway. 

You see I decided to drive to Kent to spend New Year’s Eve with my school friends. The following morning on my miserable, freezing-rain-filled drive home, I lost control of my car, spinning across three lanes of traffic and clipping the back of a semi-truck. By the grace of God (literally) I walked away without a scratch. My car, on the other hand, was totaled and so I spent the rest of the day frantically waiting for my parents to pick me up from Pennsylvania. It definitely was not how I planned on starting 2021, but my car accident humbled me, bringing out emotions I’ve never felt before. Not a day goes by I don’t think about how lucky I am to have had the outcome I did. 

Thankfully, I was able to find a car the next week and in mid-January, I drove back to Kent to begin my second semester of Sophomore year. Covid roared on and I quickly fell back into my remote routine, balancing online classes and 40 hour work weeks from the comfort of my apartment.

Despite masks needing to be worn and social distancing in place, baseball still managed to have a season. I spent most weekends at Schoony watching Mike hit home runs and Collin knock in runs.  In April I trekked out to Kent’s field house, standing in line with hundreds of people to receive my Covid vaccine. Ironically, it was the first warm day of the year, the sun finally shining. As cheesy as it sounds, I left with my vaccine card in hand and hope that life would soon return to normal. And for a while, it did; or at least as “normal” as things have felt in a long, long time. 

The weeks flew by, one by one, and soon we were met with the end of school year blues. We spent the last week of the semester talking for hours in the sorority house, taking long walks around campus to watch the cotton candy sunsets, and soaking up this season of life. I knew I’d never live with these girls again, never visit my sorority house the same way. Days before we said our goodbyes I hit 50,000 Youtube subscribers. My best friends and I went to the local Mexican restaurant before celebrating in my living room with tons of photos and cookie cake. It was at this moment that I realized how lucky I am to have the support system I do.

Amidst the craziness, I had been chatting with one of my sweet YouTube friends Devon nonstop, expressing that before my study abroad trip, I wanted to get out there. I wanted to see more things, get on planes alone, book Ubers, stay in hotels, start getting comfortable being uncomfortable. I vowed I would partner with at least one hotel, go on at least one trip. Mid May my sophomore year at Kent came to a close and so I packed up my car, moving out of my first college apartment all by myself. Two days later I left for Nashville for my first hotel collaboration ever.

We stayed at The Gallatin where I created content of the electric property, shooting outfit photos downtown, listening to live music along the roaring streets of Music City. We had the best time together and as we flew home, I knew this summer would be revolutionary.

Two weeks later I went back to Nashville, this time to partner with my first Airbnb. It was the cutest property, and I invited my mom along the trip as a surprise Mother’s Day trip. We’d never done something like this just the two of us, and we had a blast. Screaming Sweet Caroline on top of a roof, looking out over the city. We laughed till we cried. I hope in 2022 I’m able to do more of this for her—they were moments I’ll cherish forever. 

Madison and I spent a casual birthday at home with Grammy and the Manions breaking in my new karaoke machine—because that’s what ~cool~ twenty-year-olds ask for on their twentieth birthday. Twenty years old. Where has the time gone?! 

The rest of summer looked the same— hop on a plane, explore a new city, unpack, repack, repeat. It was the most exhilirating few weeks. I went to Charleston again and partnered with a Chicago hotel, visiting Windy City for the first time. I joined mom and dad in the Outer Banks for a quick Fourth of July visit before leaving for Florida.

I had booked a trip for Miami Swim Week with two girls whom I’d never met before. I was incredibly nervous but within twenty-four hours it was like I’d known Sam and Jules my whole life. We giggled in our hotel beds, midnight swam on the rooftop of our hotel, shot hundreds of photos, and attended some of the coolest fashion shows. We watched Sports Illustrated from the front row and in that moment I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Soon we were off to visit my grandparents in Wisconsin. We did all of our usual things— fishing, boating, and enjoying the good ole Northern Woods with the fam. As I get older I have a greater appreciation for the peaceful way of life the farm brings. 

My last trip of the summer was to the Outer Banks to stay at Colton’s beach house one last time. We challenged ourselves to a full beach day (sunrise to sunset). I nearly got heatstroke but we did it, swimming at sunrise and watching the sun slip behind the dunes at sunset. Of all the trips we’ve taken there, this was by far my favorite. There’s just something about that summer daze, you don’t feel it like that anywhere else. 

As you can tell, it was a very full summer. And yet it was a good one. For the first time in a long time, I felt excited to write, so eager to share my travel experiences and outfits with my audience. And with each trip I took my following grew. It was incredibly exciting; it was exactly what I had hoped for and so much more.

freshman to “seniors”… just like that

In August I headed back to school for my last move-in day. It feels like college just started and yet here I was beginning my last school year in Kent. Olivia, Lauren, and I will all be graduating a semester early, spending Fall of 2023 in Florence, Italy completing our study abroad requirement. Because of this, we’ve entered our “sort of senior year”, meaning our firsts have become lasts.

For the second year in a row, I attended my first day of class from the comfort of my bedroom desk. My classes were entirely remote with the exception of two on Tuesdays. While I certainly love the flexibility of online classes, it did feel good to be back in a classroom, interacting with *actual* humans. 

While some Covid restrictions lingered, our mostly normal semester progressed. Weekends were full of sorority events and I finally found that sorority friend group I always longed for. Football games resumed, homecoming was a blast, and the ‘rents came to visit. The roomies and I resumed our weekly karaoke nights and we spent Wednesday nights line dancing at the Dusty. That “indecency” that comes from college kicked back in—looking forward to the weekly laundry, evening walks, and dinner prep at 6 pm. I’ve come to find beauty in the routine. 

In the midst of the booming school year, I still managed to get my monthly travel fix in. In September Sam and I went to New York City for Fashion Week. I attended my first show at Spring Studios, met a few blog friends, and screamed at Sam as we trekked through the city hot and sweaty after shooting hundreds of photos. Five seconds later we’d be holding our bellies with laughter.

In October we went to California to visit Jules over my fall break. We checked all the tourist boxes— Santa Monica Pier, Malibu, and the Hollywood Sign; and yet Jules still showed us how to “live like locals”. As we walked through Beverly Hills at ten pm to the liquor store, gasping for air over each other’s jokes, I was reminded that God’s timing truly is perfect. And that perhaps soulmates can be found in friendship too. It was the best week of my life.

Just before Thanksgiving, I hit 60,000 YouTube subscribers and my friends gathered in our kitchen to eat cookie cake and celebrate yet another milestone together. It was the same day that I accepted an internship offer for Summer 2022 in Malibu, California. I couldn’t be more excited to see what this chapter has in store and yet I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I suppose those are called growing pains. 

Somehow, amidst the busiest season of life I’ve ever had, I managed to get my first college 4.0! As the semester came to a close I  couldn’t help but stop and look around me. Everyone deserves a love this big. As I said my goodbyes, I knew to squeeze my peeps a little tighter. How lucky I am to have a home away from home, friends that feel like family. 

I drove home for winter break, leaving for Florida the very next day. I had to squeeze in one last trip before 2021 came to its close. Sam and I stayed in Casey Key, Florida and I saw the most unbelievable sights. It’s hard to believe water can be that clear, sand that white, life that peaceful. We spent a mellow Christmas at home and went to New York for our annual visit. In true fashion, I’m reflecting on this year as we drive home. 

the camera that made me

I can’t help but wonder what life will be like this time next year. Can’t help but think what a pivotal year I have ahead of me— saying goodbye to Kent, a summer internship in California, studying abroad, and graduating college. So much change ahead, so many nerves surrounding it all. 

Similar to last year, I’m reminded of the ebbs and flows that life brings. That after every wave you ride, no matter how big, they all crash eventually. Perhaps this year I’ll learn to swim. 

Perhaps we’ll end up on top.  

Thank you for sharing the most incredible year with me. For celebrating the highest highs and guiding me through the lowest lows. You are my everything.

All my love, McKenz

Best of 2016 // Best of 2017 // Best of 2018 // Best of 2019 // Best of 2020