The Yearly Report

A roundup of the highs and lows from the past year.

My social battery is drained, I’m filled to the brim with Christmas cookies, and my New Year’s resolutions are written (yes, I write them), so it must be the start of January.

How was everyone’s holiday season? Andrew and I are from the same hometown, which means a lot of back-and-forth Christmas fun. Some people think we have the ideal situation, being able to see both families for the holidays, and while yes, it’s nice, it can also be a lot at times. There’s always the question of what time we need to leave and how long we should stay since it’s off to the next event, dinner, or party. All in all, it’s wonderful, just a bit tiring.

I mentioned that I write down my New Year’s resolutions every year, and it’s true—I do. I also like to create mood boards. What was once a corny school assignment in elementary school has become a yearly habit for me. I love setting goals and guardrails. I think that’s a Virgo thing. I work better when I have structure, which is something I’ve been navigating in this new “work for myself, be my own boss” era. If you missed that announcement, I’ll explain it all here.

(Photo for vibes Idk)

Normally, I do a monthly report, but since we’ve entered an entirely new year, I figured it would be better to do a year recap. The structure will be similar but slightly different. Okay, I’ll stop rambling and get on with it. Although, expect a lot of rambling…I have a lot to say, lol.

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3 Big Life Updates

I Left My Job

Still feels a little weird to say out loud, but if you aren’t caught up, I left my corporate job a little while ago for a few reasons. I never shared where I worked here or in my content because I wanted to keep a clear boundary between my professional life and my creative outlet. Buttttttt I used to work for PepsiCo! And I loved my job.

I started at the company back in 2020 as an intern, which turned into a full-time offer after graduation. My career began in Frito-Lay sales, where I worked the worst hours imaginable but met some of the greatest people I will ever know. I stayed in that role for two and a half years before moving into a retail media position. In this role, I worked across the full portfolio, helping to media plan for some of the retailers PepsiCo services. Going to school for Food Marketing, this was the job I had dreamed of having in college. I had incredible coworkers, the best boss ever, and I genuinely enjoyed my job.

(In the Manhattan office)

So why did I leave?

For starters, 2025 was the worst year for my health, both mentally and physically. I suffer from severe migraines…like the kind where I have to cancel any plans and climb into bed at any hour of the day, in a dark room, when they strike. I lose vision, feeling in my face and arms, nausea off the charts, and not to mention the throbbing pain in my head. I’ve been getting them since I was eight and have tried multiple medications and preventatives with my neurologist. I pretty much have my triggers down to a science, and my biggest trigger is stress.

A forty-hour corporate job plus filming and editing any time outside of that forty hours, no time for exercise, and lack of quality sleep equals an unwell Kaitlyn.

I essentially had little to no free time because I was so determined to give 100% to my content without slipping at work. I was drained, stressed, and the migraines became more frequent than they ever had been in the past eighteen years. Remember when I said I had to cancel all plans? That included logging off of work, whether for personal tasks or for PepsiCo. Falling behind, missing hangouts with friends, and skipping events was taking a serious toll on my mental health. Ya girl is on Lexapro now, though, so woo!

I wish I could say that the moment I left my job, my health immediately improved and everything became sunshine and flowers, but that would be a lie. There have been times where my mental health dipped even lower than I expected. I don’t regret leaving, but I do miss the very structured life I once had. It’s on me now to set up a new structure for myself. I know I made the right choice, but damn, it was hard to come to terms with.

My health and the lack of time weren’t the only reasons I left. Another big reason was the nature of the company. PepsiCo is a massive food brand, and I mainly post about food. That made it incredibly difficult for me to work with snack or beverage brands, as I wasn’t allowed to work with PepsiCo brands—or any of their competitors. And trust me, the company sees everyone as a competitor. I was missing out on opportunities.

There were a few other factors, too. My manager, who I love, was going on maternity leave. I went for a new role and didn’t get it. Financially, I was finally in a good place, despite people assuming my parents pay my way. In 2026, can we start believing that women make their own money? I’ve spoken to male creators who have never been accused of having a trust fund or being supported by someone else, yet it’s a comment I get almost daily.

(My last day! My manager got me flowers and Andrew picked up some caviar for us)

Okay, sorry, I lost track a bit. But that’s just a little snippet of what went into my decision to leave. I did not make the choice lightly, and without a doubt, it was the hardest decision I have made to date. Talk about a life update, am I right?

I Ran 2 Half Marathons (?)

I still don’t love running, lol. When does it get more enjoyable? I signed up this time last year for the Brooklyn Half as a way to prove to myself that I could do it. And well, I eat out a lot, so I need to stay active, lol. I’m someone who hadn’t run more than a mile before starting training. Once I finished that race, I had no plans to run another one that year. That was until I saw the 1st Bakery Half Marathon announced. I ended up running it, struggling a bit, but it was such a lovely experience.

(My Best friend Nicole came to my first half marathon)

This year, I’m hoping to run the NYC Marathon with a charity, but time will tell. You may be asking, “Kaitlyn, if you don’t like running, why are you attempting 26.2 miles?” And to that, I’ll say this: it’s a one-time bucket list item for me that I need to cross off.

I Finished The NYT Top 100 List

And here I am doing it again! But seriously, this was a pretty big feat for me. When I first decided to take on the list, I had no idea how much it was going to cost or how long eating at 100 restaurants would take. I went in blindly, but one thing about me is that I am noooooo quitter. Once I set my mind to something, I know I will complete it. Sometimes I think I’m delulu, but aren’t we all?

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3 Favorite Travel Spots

Ischia, Italy

This year, Andrew and I celebrated our 10-year anniversary, so we decided to pack our bags and head to ITALYYYYYY. I was in serious need of a beach trip, quite frankly. While I enjoyed Positano, Ischia was the true highlight for me. I think what made it so special was the hotel we stayed at. The Regina Isabella was a dream, and I felt completely at peace in their little lagoon.

(In Ischia;))

I highly recommend visiting Ischia and spending some time there if you’re going to the Amalfi Coast. The island is quiet, the people are friendly, and the vibes are incredible.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City has been a dream destination I’ve wanted to visit for a while. It’s a food lover’s paradise, a true hub for all things Mexican cuisine. But beyond the food, the city is filled with incredible parks, wonderful shopping, and beautiful streets. I loved just wandering around every day.

(At the Frida Kahlo Museum)

Paris, France

One of my favorite cities in the world. I genuinely think I could live there, and it’s home to some of my favorite restaurants. Even after visiting twice, I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface of what Paris has to offer. I cannot wait to return.

(Croissants + more croissants)

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3 Goals for 2026

Prioritize Time Away From The Screens

I feel like this is a goal for most people, but as someone who now makes an income from being on their phone, it is even harder for me to step away from it. In 2026, I want to be more intentional with my scrolling habits. Minimal time in the morning, fewer casual scrolls during the day, and a strict cutoff point at night. I got a Brick and it has seriously been a game changer for me for midday scrolling.

One thing that has been helping me cut off screens at night is coloring. I never thought that at my big age of 26 I would enjoy cracking open a coloring book with some fresh markers, but here I am. Coloring, red light mask on, a Nowadays cocktail in hand, and reality TV playing in the background. That is my nightly ritual.

(My marker collection)

I also want to take up needlepoint. As much as I would love to relax and get into a book, because I love reading, I have found that the best way for me to decompress is to do something genuinely mindless. Reading requires focus and strict attention for me, but needlepointing + coloring lets my brain completely unwind.

Travel Once A Month

I have a lot of loves in life. At the top of the list behind food is traveling. I love experiencing new places, new cuisines, and new experiences, all the clichés you can imagine. But genuinely, I think traveling has made me a much more well-rounded person.

Now that I am not tied to my desk, I really want to take advantage of the time and availability that I now have. I think a common misconception about traveling is that it is expensive and you don’t have enough vacation days. I feel like I have mastered the art of using my PTO. I took advantage of every three-day weekend possible and would tack on a personal day to extend it if needed. And as for cost, I am constantly searching for cheap flights. If you can flex your dates, you can find a deal. I just booked Savannah for $107 on JetBlue.

So what is in store this year:

• Savannah, Georgia

• Palm Springs

• San Diego (Maybe)

• Thailand

• Vietnam

• Ireland

• Scotland

• London

• New England

• LA

• Hawaii

And to be honest, I am not sure where else I will go. I hope I make it to everywhere on my list and I cannot wait to take you all with me. I would also love to get to Lima, Penang, Okinawa and Buenos Aires at some point.

Get A Set Workout Plan

2026 is the year I get my workout priorities in order! I have always been active, don’t get me wrong. But last year, I had the flu, food poisoning, and a bacterial infection, on top of my consistent migraines, which made it really hard to prioritize exercise. Plus, I just lacked the time. You get the point.

This year, though, I want to be consistent in everything I do. For me, I need to diversify my workouts, or I tend to get bored or tired of them. I am still figuring out the right split, but I’ll get there.

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3 Favorite Purchases

Lola Blanket

Sorry to hop on the train and tell you to buy a $300 blanket, but it really is worth every penny. I cozy up with it every night, and it is perfect. It is soft, it keeps me warm, and it has just the right amount of weight. Dare I say, I want another one.

Fur Coat

As someone who has been in a committed relationship with my parka, I wanted to branch out this year and find a jacket that was just as warm but more stylish. Enter my mob wife coat from Maniere De Voir. It feels like I am wearing a blanket and keeps me so warm. It is faux but qualityyyyy.

Dyson

I was once a Shark girl, but after it started to die on me, I debated which hair dryer to get. I ended up splurging on the Dyson, and it genuinely changed how I blow out my hair. For me, it is now an essential item in my routine. I do need the large roller brush attachment.

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3 Ways I Am Glowing Up

Red Light Mask

Once I am showered and my skincare is on, I pop my Omnilux red light mask on for ten minutes each night. I don’t think I have been using it long enough to see a massive difference yet, but I am excited for what is to come with consistent use.

(me in flow state)

Invisalign

Once upon a time, I had braces. And then I was bad and didn’t wear my retainers after they came off, and alas, my teeth shifted. Now, they didn’t shift so badly that it was super noticeable, but for me, it was…especially seeing myself on camera constantly. So I decided to go with Invisalign this past year.

Now I am not the best Invisalign retainer wearer, but I have noticed a really great difference in my teeth fifteen trays later. I am in the homestretch and so excited for the final result.

Russian Manicures

This past year, I switched from regular manicures to Russian ones. I go to J Nails in Midtown, and they have completely changed the game. I only go once a month, and my nails haven’t even chipped once. I will never go back.

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3 (of the best) Things I Watched This Year

I will never be one of those girls who “doesn’t really watch TV.” I love TV. Here are the 3 best things I watched that ISN’T Bravo lol.

Severance

Part of me wishes I had started when season one came out, and part of me is thankful I got to binge both seasons at once. I love Adam Scott; he is one of my favorite actors, and he is spectacular in this show. I even liked it so much that I started listening to the podcast, which is very unlike me since I am not a big podcast person.

All Her Fault

Sarah Snook is amazing! I loved this series and the storyline. Every episode had me itching to watch the next one, and I did not predict the ending.

Dancing With The Stars

My sacred Tuesday nights. I would get antsy if something was scheduled for a Tuesday at 8 p.m. because that would mean I couldn’t vote during it and had to avoid socials at all costs. I wish they did two seasons a year, honestly.

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3 Things I Am Grateful For

My Manager, Isabel

Isabel and I started working together in 2024, and that woman changed my life. I had no idea how to negotiate, navigate my partnerships, or stand up for myself. She keeps me organized and helps me achieve every goal I set. She is the reason I started these monthly reports, and she is truly the best of the best. ILY.

Migraine Preventatives

I just want to say thank you to Magnesium Glycinate, Amitriptyline, Nurtec, B Complex, and acupuncture. Thank you for keeping me together when my brain tries to fight against me.

Andrew

He’s in a lot of content, sure, but what you don’t see is what he does behind the scenes while working his full-time job.

• He runs my YouTube for me, handling uploads, long-form editing, and comment moderation.

• He comes with me and films 99% of my content without a single complaint.

• He does almost all of the house chores because he knows how busy I am all the time.

• He never lets me walk home alone from the subway if I am out late for work or an event.

• Speaking of events- comes with me to any event he possibly can when I ask him to be my +1.

And of course, there’s so much more, but those are some of the main things he does for me without me even having to ask.

So Andrew, I know you’ll read this because you read, watch, and interact with everything I put out. Thank you, hun. I love you.

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So that’s a wrap on 2025. If you are looking for all things food from the past year I will direct you below.

BUT here’s to a great year in 2026. I love you guys. Thanks for hanging with me.

XO Kaitlyn