My Year in Review! 2018 Edition

December 31, 2018 newjerseyisntboring

This year went by quick, and what a year it was! From new diners and breweries, to outdoor concerts, LOTS of food, vending events, beach days and everything in between, 2018 proved to be a very busy year and I’m grateful for everything I got to experience.

For more on my New Jersey adventures, be sure to follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.

A Year in Review- 2018 Edition:

January 2018 kicked off with New Years plans with friends, cuddling with dogs, catching up on reading and enjoying indoor activities since it was so snowy outside!

Despite the cold, I visited A La Mode Creamery, a new ice cream spot in downtown Cranford. For more about that, click HERE

I also attended InstaYUM, an awesome foodie event hosted by Midnight Market. While I was there I got to teach two classes on using Instagram effectively, try awesome and creative food, and meet lots of awesome people.

I also traveled to Clinton, NJ for a short day trip. To read more about that, click here.

I spent a lovely afternoon at the beach in Pier Village. Fun fact: parking is free in the Winter! And it was so nice out that day that people actually were on the beach.

I also got to visit Le Club Avenue, for a lovely French lunch with a view!

And I did it! I reached 200 diners! Read all about my 200th Diner, the Park Wood Diner in Maplewood, NJ.

In February I explored downtown Madison, one of my favorite little downtown areas!

I also visited Tito’s Burritos & Wings, at their new location in Boonton, NJ. I had never been there before, so we sampled all their food. Because I was there for a press event, I also participated in a guacamole competition. Which I came in second place. So yay!

My husband I celebrated Valentine’s Day early with a trip to LBI. What is there to do in LBI during the Winter? Well, not too much…but at least Ship Bottom Brewery was open! To read more about our visit, click HERE

March highlights included checking out the annual Garden State Film Festival. Very cool to check out these films!

I also decided to treat myself by going to Depasquale the Spa in Morris Plains, where I got a 90 minute facial and relaxed. It was glorious.

April was first time vending at the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market!!

Maybe one of the best parts of 2018 was going to the Devils Playoff Game which was an amazing experience! For more on that, click HERE

I got a chance to Judge at the first Westfield Sandwich Fest. So many sandwiches…

In May I got an incredible tour of Salem County hosted by Salem County Tourism and Visit NJ. I got to see so many cool sites around the county. Be sure to read about it in part 1 and part 2 of my feature stories.

I also had my first TV appearance when I was nterviewed about New Jersey Isn’t Boring on RVNTV!

And I was on a panel for The Art of Storytelling in the Digital Age for PRSANJ. You can listen to the podcast version of the panel here.

Plus a trip to the past at Medieval Times! My friends and I had a fun time routing the Red and Yellow knight, who was our knight for the show. We also got an intro to the first Queen in Medieval Times history throughout the country. Very cool!

And a fun filled day in Sussex County! To read more about that trip, click HERE

I also got to stop by Windy Brow Farms as part of my NJisntBoring Ice Cream Quest. Read more about that HERE

June started off June by checking off a visit to the famous Chicken or the Egg located in Beach Haven, NJ. For more information on my visit check out my review!

Afterwards I attend the Hop Sauce Festival, an amazing annual beer, hot sauce, and music festival held in LBI. Beer and hot sauce…it was a solid way to spend the day!

I also enjoyed a super fun afternoon at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Bergen County. I got to see dinosaurs, see shows, and learn some camping skills. For more on my visit, check out my review.

I also got to enjoy an overnight trip to LBI. I stayed at the Daddy-O, a beautiful boutique hotel. Read all about my trip here.

Plus the beach was literally a block from the hotel.

I also explored lots of restaurants in the area, click here for those reviews.

I also spent an overnight trip in Cape May County, which was a lot of fun! My trip included a personal tour of Shrivers in Ocean City. While I was there I got to see behind the scenes of this four generation family business who specializes in salt water taffy and fudge.

I also got a backstage tour of the Cape May Zoo, one of my favorite places in NJ.

I also got to experience something unforgettable…feeding a giraffe!

Plus I ate lots of fun meals around the county. Read all about that here.

Because I did not get enough of Cape May, I spent the end of the month back there camping with family! We brought the craft beer (of course).

July was a great time to hit the beach. I enjoyed a perfect day at Bradley Beach.

I also got a chance to see tge hilarious Mike Birbiglia at the Two River Theater! We saw the New One before it went to Broadway.

And enjoyed an outdoor concert and PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.

August was a busy night that included lots of end of Summer festivities like the Middlesex County Fair held in East Brunswick, NJ.

and doing one of my favorite things to do in the Summer…Plays in the Park in Edison! I enjoyed the show “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” under the stars. Be sure to check them out this Summer!

Plus an evening at LSC After Dark, Liberty Science center’s 21+ event which is held the third Thursday of every month. Augus’s theme was Booze and Boogers, so I enjoyed a margarita while walking through their Grossology exhibit.

I also hosted trivia night at Devil’s Creek Brewery in Collingswood! I’ve always wanted to host trivia, and my Jersey themed trivia night was a lot of fun. Thank you to all who came out.

AND enjoyed a night the hubby and I headed to Point Pleasant Boardwalk for a beautiful night.

We also caught a screening of Coco on the beach!

September brought on a lot of Fall fun including a day the Apple Festival, located at Happy Day Farm in Manalapan. There was a great petting zoo, pig races, and of course apples!

As well as seeing sunflowers galore at Sunshine Fields in Allentown, NJ.

October highlights included being on the board for the Taste of Hope, an event to raise money for American Cancer Society. It was amazing seeing the event come together. Thank you for all who came out to show your support!

I also got to do a day of promoting NJIB at the Adventure Aquarium.

Where I also explored the aquarium and hung out with the hippos…

and a night at AR Workshop in Downtown Red Bank making NJ themed art work for the home.

November highlights included a 5K! Sure, raising money for the animals of Sammy’s Hope and it was a lot of fun!

I also got to see Conan O’Brien and other talented comedians at the Music Box in the Borgata Hotel and Casino. It was a fun way to spend the evening. My cheeks hurt from laughing!

And of course seeing a New Jersey LEGEND, George R.R. Martin (did you know he’s from NJ) at the Historic Loews Theater in Jersey City. Not only did I get to see a live Q & A but I got a copy of his brand new book. Pretty epic night.