2025! (And I’m still alive!)
Hello Again! A Belated Update from Aspiring Kennedy
Hello, dear friends!
It feels like forever since my last post, and I owe you an apology for the long radio silence since November. The truth is, life has been a whirlwind—and the quiet moments have felt too rare to sit and write. But I’ve missed this space, and you all, so much!
This winter, I found myself spending some solo time around Europe for work. There’s something both magical and melancholy about traveling alone at the holidays. The cities were strung up in lights, the coffee shops were buzzing with warmth, and each cobblestone street seemed to glow a little brighter in December. It was cozy and charming, but there were also hard moments—quiet evenings in hotel rooms where I missed my kids more than I thought possible. Even eating chocolate in bed as I watched Law & Order SVU eventually became boring.
Still, I found joy in the small things: browsing the Christmas markets in Austria, catching the golden hour over Paris rooftops with a gaggle of happy little girls in silly-but-cute berets, and even scouting out a few new spots in London to share with you. Speaking of which, here are two coffee shops I think you’ll love (and that are worth the trek, if just for the cake):
• Luminary Bakery in Camden: Not only is their cake incredible (the carrot cake might just change your life), but they’re also doing amazing work to support women in need. A win-win for your soul and your sweet tooth.
• Layla Bakery in Ladbroke Grove: Their almond cake is absolutely divine, and the coffee is as warm and inviting as the space itself. Plus, it’s the perfect stop before a stroll through the nearby Portobello Market.
The holidays this year were such a gift for us as a family. After my solo time away, it felt even more special to settle into the season with just the six of us. We leaned into starting a few traditions of our own—something I’ve long dreamed of but never quite prioritized. There were twinkling lights, matching pajamas (of course), and very chaotic but delicious attempts at Christmas baking. It was lovely, perfectly imperfect, and everything I’d hoped it would be.