On Monday night, high school hockey fans gathered at Fenway Park to watch Mount St. Charles, my alma mater, battle Cathedral High School in their Frozen Fenway matchup.

For my friends and family, the party began earlier in the evening with a high school hockey reunion at GameOn, a bar next door to Fenway. It was great to see former classmates, teachers, administrators, hockey friends, and of course, extended family. I have a lot of relatives and it often seems like I can’t go anywhere without running into someone that I’m related to. (Thank you cousin Keith for taking some of the great photos that I borrowed for this post!)

My brother and friends, MSC alumni and former hockey players, donned their high school jackets to show support for our team.

Frozen Fenway! It’s impressive, and just a little bit strange, to see a hockey rink set up in the middle of the baseball field.

Keith made his way to the center of the action; he followed the team onto the field (and eventually onto the ice!) and captured a great photo of the MSC players during the national anthem.

Coach Bill Belisle (center) is a RI hockey legend. Now in his 80s, Bill has been coaching for countless years. He’s won over 700 games, captured over 25 RI state hockey championships, and produced a number of NHL athletes.

As the game got underway, I found it difficult to concentrate. There were so many screaming high school kids, old time alums, and of course the views around Fenway Park. I was having more fun looking in every direction beides at the ice.

Jared may not be a die hard hockey fan like my family, but I think he still had fun being introduced to the MSC hockey passion and enthusiasm that I grew up with.

Goal! Mount celebrated after scoring the first goal of the game.

Another goal! More celebrations as Mount went ahead of Cathedral, 2-0.

Cathedral tied up the game, but Mount pulled ahead and won 4-2. I couldn’t resist going a little crazy to celebrate our victory.

Goodbye Frozen Fenway! Thanks for giving everyone a fun evening filled with high school hockey.

Good times were had by all. Great memories were made: I caught up with former classmate Allie, someone I hadn’t seen in 5+ years. My brother and friends cheered like maniacs and made us laugh. Cousin Keith snuck onto the field and captured great photos, then snuck into the bullpen and out by the Green Monster for even more photo ops. My mom even ran into one of her high school teachers from WAY back in the day.

What I Wore… Staying Warm and Cozy

• When: Monday, January 2nd
• Where: Frozen Fenway high school hockey game, Mount St. Charles vs. Cathedral
• What: Green oxford shirt (Rugby), red patterned cardigan (Eddie Bauer), toothpick jeans (J. Crew outlet), boots (Madewell)

The Haven is New Year’s. New Year’s is The Haven?

I welcomed 2012 in the most fantastic way: surrounded by good friends, my belly stuffed after a delicious meal and my head fuzzy from one or two glasses of wine. Oh, and there were also giant swinging balls of fire!

On the morning of New Year’s Eve, I always get a bit sentimental. Each and every task I complete is for the last time that year. Never again will I eat breakfast in 2011 or shower in 2o11 or pet the dog in 2011. It’s silly, but I get sad as the year comes to an end. I don’t like saying goodbye. (At least I’m easily cheered up by the excitement at midnight as the New Year arrives.)

After a light lunch, I got ready for my final run of 2011… but not my last run as a bride though; there are still 7 months to go until the wedding day.

Jared was excited to go running, not because it was the last run of the year, but because it was the first run as part of his “Get Sexy” workout plan. Fiancé plans to be in great shape on 8.10.12.

We jogged through the quiet streets of my hometown, tackling the hills and enjoying the woodsy scenery.

Jared and I ran 1.5 miles to my grandparents’ house. After a quick visit so Jared could fix my grandfather’s computer, we hit the pavement and ran 1.5 miles back home.

Then it was time to get ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve!

Our group of 7 went to The Haven for a 9 pm dinner reservation. We enjoyed the tastiest 4 course Scottish dinner, complete with beer pairings. I ate a mushroom pastry, chestnut soup, duck, and sticky toffee pudding. We also sampled our fair share of Scottish drinks. My favorite? A mixture of Pimm’s and ginger beer!

At 11 pm, a bagpiper entertained the crowded restaurant. Champagne was passed around, and at midnight, we counted down as the ball dropped in Times Square and raised our glasses to a Happy 2012.

The bagpiper lead all of The Haven patrons outside for a small parade around the block. There were four Scotsmen walking in the front of the pack, dressed in kilts and swinging fireballs.

With the bagpipe screeching and squealing and the fireballs whirling through the air, we marched down the street, around the rotary, and back up the street to The Haven.

“Great balls of fire!” What an impressive (and dangerous) sight to see, and such an awesome way to ring in the New Year!

Wishing everyone health, happiness, smiles, and success throughout 2012!

What I Wore… Because it was New Year’s Eve

• When: Saturday, December 31st
• Where: Dinner and New Year’s Eve celebration at The Haven
• What: Gold sparkle dress (Express), plum cardigan (J. Crew outlet), black tights (Target), black booties (Seychelles), multi-strand pearl necklace (J. Crew outlet), single silver bracelet on each wrist

I love my preppy additions to such a glitzy dress. Even though my New Year’s Eve was low key, my sparkly attire made it feel like a crazy night out.

I adore Zooey Deschanel. She’s cute and quirky and oh so lovable. And how adorable is Joseph Gordon-Levitt? I love their duet; they have sweet chemistry and melodic voices.

What are you doing New Year’s Eve?

I’m donning a gold sparkly dress and a pair of my highest heels. Then I’ll be feasting on a Scottish dinner with friends. With good food and wine, who knows where the night will take me?!? I just know that at midnight, I’ll be raising a glass of champagne with my fiancé and toasting to the exciting things that 2012 is bringing our way.

What I Wore… Because I was feeling like a Bad Ass

• When: Friday December 30th
• Where: Night out at Gypsy Bar
• What: Plum tank top (Club Monaco), black blazer (Urban Outfitters), black skinny jeans (Madewell), black boots (Banana Republic, old), silver watch (Skagen), silver bracelet (David Yurman), bangle bracelets (Alex and Ani), key necklace (Tiffany), diamond necklace (Joseph Gann), earrings (American Eagle)
• Confession: I don’t own “club” clothes and when I go out, I’m either really dressed down or conservatively dressed up. It was a challenge to find something to wear to Boston’s Gypsy Bar. Rather than dress like I was going clubbin’, I decided I’d just try to look like a bad ass instead.

My hair? Not quite a “Snookie Poof” but check out that volume. I had so much fun backcombing my hair and then slicking it back into a ponytail.

What I Wore… Simple Stripes

• When: Wednesday December 28th
• Where: Shopping, eating, and wine tasting around Rochester, NY
• What: Navy striped shirt (Zara), grey cashmere cardigan (J. Crew outlet), skinny jeans (Madewell), grey/brown boots (Frye), bangle bracelets (Alex and Ani), grey pearl earrings

What I Wore… Ivy League

• When: Tuesday December 27th
• Where: Movies and dinner in Rochester, NY
• What: Yellow striped button down (Madewell), Harvard sweatshirt (Banner 47), cropped toothpick jeans (J. Crew outlet), brown boots (Frye), bangle bracelets (Alex and Ani)

During 2011, my blog went through a lot of changes.  It’s not as easy to go back and reflect on everything that I did over the past 12 months because I stopped photographing everyday life and focused more on What I Wore.

Even without the internet’s aid, I can recall many wonderful and exciting moments that made 2011 a year to remember.

January

• Spent time in NYC, the city that never sleeps, and enjoyed coffee and cupcakes.
• Officially launched The Boston Day Book.
• It snowed. A lot! Boston was a winter wonderland.

February

• Ate my weight in chili at Chili Cup 2011.
• Celebrated Jared’s 28th birthday.
• Solved my back pain by sitting on a balance disk when I use my computer.
• Ran 13.1 miles in the Disney Princess Half Marathon

March

• Vacationed in Vermont with the best group of friends a girl could ask for.
• Spent St. Patrick’s Day in South Boston, the city’s most Irish neighborhood.
• Celebrated Miles’ 5th birthday
• Ran 13.1 miles in the National Half Marathon in Washington D.C.

April

• Miles tore his ALC and underwent surgery to repair it.
• Raced 3.1 miles in the BAA 5K.
• Learned about Jewish traditions while attending my first Passover Seder.
• Invaded Tiffany & Co. and tried on the most beautiful pieces of jewelry.

May

• Ran 5 miles for beer in Harpoon Brewery’s 5 miler.
• Went on a FarmCoast adventure and discovered the most amazing areas in MA and RI.

June

• Spent a weekend in Bar Harbor, ME where I harvested mussels along the rocky coast.
• Attended my 1st fashion show.
• Celebrated the Bruins Stanley Cup victory and watched the Rolling Rally.
• Raced in the Inaugural BAA 10K.

July

• Promised to marry the love of my life!!!
• Sang the blues at the Briggs Farm Blues Festival in PA.
• Vacationed at Kure Beach, NC and experienced magical sunrises, quality time with family, and fun in the ocean waves.

August

• Set a wedding date!!!
• Spent a long weekend on the island of Nantucket and discovered a little piece of heaven on earth.
• Wedding season: my cousin said I Do in Cambridge, MA while my former roommate was married in Newport, RI

September

• Purchased a wedding dress!!!
• Celebrated my 28th birthday.
• Took part in Boston Fashion Week.

October

• Scratched my cornea: visited the Mass Eye & Ear emergency room then spent the next 2 days sitting with my eyes closed so my injury could heal.
• Attended a 4 week class at the Boston Wine School.
• Whirlwind weekend visiting Chicago: Second City Show, deep dish pizza, and a Bears football game.
• Hosted our 3rd annual Steinfest party where guests drank from steins and swayed to polka music.
• Relocated from Boston to my parents’ house in southern MA.

November

• With the move complete, I finally began to feel healthier and happier.
• My cousin Kyle turned 21!
• Thanksgiving kicked off the holiday season.

December

• Shopped nonstop with my mom.
• Surprised 30th birthday in Philadelphia, PA where I also climbed the Rocky steps, saw the Liberty Bell, and ate my 1st cheesesteak.
• Relaxation bliss with an afternoon spent at Urban Sweat.
• Celebrated Christmas in MA and NY.

I’m so excited for 12/30 and 12/31… 2011 isn’t over just yet.

There’s a lot of celebrating to do, along with a lot of planning for the exciting year ahead! I loved 2011 through all of it’s ups and downs and I know that 2012 has even more to offer! I have to finish planning our wedding because by August, I’ll be a Mrs. Jared and I will be honeymooning and moving back to the city. I’m determined to find a new job in a fulfilling career. The Boston Day Book will continue to grow and Crunches for Cupcakes deserves some extra TLC in the new year. Miles will hopefully learn to be a good dog. And no one can predict what else lies ahead….

Per request of my lovely friend Randi, Crunches for Cupcakes will feature lots of posts about wedding planning. As I go through the process of creating my 8.10.12 wedding event, I’ll share my ups, downs, tips, and tricks for friends and family to enjoy…and maybe learn a thing or two!