2011: Snapshots of My Year

With all my excitement for NYE and 2012, I stopped and took a moment this morning to look over photos from the past year. Slightly surprised by the change and now slightly nostalgic, I pulled a few of my favorite snapshots that document 2011:

Winter:

Mississippi snow day.

One last night at the cabin, home to many weekend getaways and dance parties

Spring:

St. Patrick's Day parade

Down on 30A

Lady Gaga weekend in New Orleans

Summer:

Typical.

Steeplechase in Nashville.

City Grocery: Our favorite Mojitos in Oxford

The Gannaway-Sudduth Wedding

Fall:

First photo shoot with work, behind the camera (+ wine)

First photo shoot with work, in front of the camera

Some of the VIE team after a photoshoot

He wasn't happy about this

The VIE team

Here's to preparing for a pretty fantastic 2012!

The Comeback Kid

Hello lovelies. 
I'm alive. Yes, I'm very much breathing and drinking an iced coffee right now. Surprised? I am a little, too. To say the last two weeks have been a whirlwind would be an understatement. A fabulous, ridiculously exhilarating whirlwind if you'd like me to clarify. But a whirlwind none-the-less.
So in case you were wondering where I've been, which I hope you have, I thought I'd do a quick two-week recap (not to be confused with my first fashion week experience recap, which is drafted up for tomorrow complete with pictures and ooey-gooey southerner-in-the-city stories).


I jetted off to New York two weeks ago where I was in the city for seven days, which may or may not have felt like an entire year. Remember how I promised to blog from location? Well, that was before I realized my schedule was going to be so jam-packed with shows, photo shoots, interviews, and lunch/coffee/dinner/cocktail dates that when I finally discovered a spare moment, I was much more inclined to elevate my poor sore feet and close my mascara'd eyes for a little rest.

Fast forward through the longest/best week of my life to arriving home late last Thursday evening to an inbox so over-run with PR requests and a puppy who missed me so very much that I never managed to hit the off switch. Friday ushered in not only a well-deserved weekend, but a little last minute family visit as well, where sunshine was the only thing on the agenda. But after feeding me more home-cooked meals than I've had in months, reality called them home and I was left to return to my "normal" schedule. Which I'm discovering may not be so normal after all.

Monday's schedule at the office:
Catch up on emails. Check
Press releases. Check.
Couple of conference calls. Check.
Magazine strategy meeting. Check.
Photo shoot coordination. Check.
Dinner in an Alys Beach villa with a private chef. Check.
Wait what? Yep, you heard me. I'm quickly realizing that this fabulous company and magazine I'm a part of is a far cry from your stereotypical business venture. Which is why during a photo shoot for an upcoming feature on Alys Beach, my publisher and mentor managed to treat the office to dinner with Chef Ed at the photo shoot location.

 Overseeing a shoot with a glass of wine in hand.This photo is very descriptive of my life and I don't really mind it so much. 

Darby and I, often referred to as the VIE PR girls, the Double Mint Twins, or our self-proclaimed favorite, the Dream Team.  

Good times had all around that evening. Next up (and the next day), another photo shoot at Alys Beach, this time featuring the fabulous Spring 2012 bathing suit line from one of my very favorite up-and-comers, the Leona Collection. I don't want to show you too much, but here's a little sneak peak of what will be in the October issue of VIE:

No I'm not a model. Yes, my publisher can talk me into anything. 

We finally wrapped the feature Tuesday night, and were able to spend Wednesday and Thursday in the office playing catch up all-around and trying to survive the constant demands of my inbox. Friday had us at a conference representing the magazine as official sponsors, which we managed to sneak out of a bit early at the gracious request of our boss to close the office early. Of course I never mind starting the weekend a little early...

So here I am. Back after an unofficial break. I missed you, so very much, and have so much bouncing around in my brain for you I really felt that a general unloading of these past few weeks was essential in order to move forward and back to regular scheduled programming. I hope you missed me. I'm so thankful for all your encouraging and curious emails, texts, Facebook posts, and all the other ways many of you tried to get in touch with me and gently tell me to get back to the drawing board. And it worked, because here I am. So I sincerely hope you'll keep stopping by regularly again! 

I know this post was somewhat of a novel, but I'll close on this one little thought. As exhausted as I am, it is a rewarding exhaustion. When people ask me how things are going, my first response is always "Busy!". But this busy is the best busy I've ever known. And it's best summed up in a text message I got from my beloved bestie, MCK (let's be honest, you all know who that is by now) while she was in New York with Leona at market:

"In case you were wondering, we've got the lives we've always been envious of. xo."

I need to write that on my heart. Because when my schedule goes haywire and I realize I've forgotten to put the sheets on my bed before crashing into it or something of the like, I'm okay with exhaustion because it's from doing exactly what I want to be doing. For now, at least.

Are you?

See you back here tomorrow for a little post-Fashion Week.

xoxo

(First two photos are my own. The rest are courtesy of VIE behind-the-scenes photographer via the magazine's Facebook page.)

Lazy Sunday Inspiration

"Nothing to do, nowhere to be,

a simple little kind of free.

Nothing to do, no one but me.

and that's all I need."

The fireplace in our little red house is dancing as our lazy Sunday lulls us all into a warm, peaceful place. The winter weather outside is menacing as a prediction for eight inches of snow tonight has our pantry stocked up with snacks and fingers crossed for cancelled class tomorrow. I am reading, writing, things I often have to sacrifice in leu of busy weekdays.
And I am so content.
Had you asked me last January where I would be at this moment, I probably wouldn't have given you the correct answer. Many things have changed leading up to this moment, some that were scary but most for the good, and all of which I struggled with accepting (I roll with the punches but I like to know what's coming).  So for the first time, maybe ever, I'm absolutely confident in having no idea what's next.
I know I'm not alone in the struggle against self-doubt. Being young but independent is a constant battle in making the right decisions to get you to the right place, and the fear that creeps in after making life changes can mold some pretty scary thoughts. I know people who struggle so much with doubt that the smallest of decisions quickly turn into crises. I'm sure I've been guilty of this from time to time myself.
But I'm so done with doubt.
I'm discovering today that I'm going to get to where I'm going pretty well by myself. I have my own expectations for myself and the knowledge of my means to get there. And while I'm lucky enough to be surrounded with incredible people who love me and are rooting me on, I know that the "simple little kind of free" I've been given at this point in my life is equipping me with a pretty interesting and intricate roadmap to the future.
So, as this new semester starts, I'm confident in all the change that is going to continue to take place. Like last year, I don't know where to tell you where I'll be next January. I know this year is going to entail a big move to a new city, a new job (fingers crossed that happens quickly), a new masters degree, and many other news. I'm done with doubt and challenging the change. And all I am worried about right now is whether or not Glee starts back this week.

Resolving 2011

Happy 2011 to you all!

I know, technically, the new year dawned upon us a few days ago. But seeing as I've been traveling to start back to class yesterday, this seems like a more appropriate time to start on those resolutions I've been contemplating for a while now. 

For me, New Years resolutions are about positive change.  I strongly believe in the whole New Year/New Start hype (although I also believe if you need to make a change, just go ahead and do it already). If you read here often, you know I'm always trying to resolve myself or problems. By nature, I like to fix things-- which is why one of my resolutions this year is to be a constant source of encouragement to others. I'll spare you the rest of my list in leu of sending some encouragement for a better day your way on this Tuesday morning:

Sticking with resolutions is a struggle that looms over us daily: sit on the couch or go for that jog? Chocolate or a carrot? Sleep in or get up and go to church? The bad choice, the choice that ruins the progress on your resolution, is always the one that offers us instant gratification-- and it's no new news there that we are a society who values instant gratification more than anyone in the world. However, there's good news for us in that it isn't just our own poor judgement that makes dedication to our resolutions hard; our brain is wired that way. The things we choose to resolve for the new year often parallel against our bad habits, of which have been wired into our brain overs years of practice and, in turn, are harder to shake and succeed in than learning new things or picking up a new habit. This article from AOL Health offers some great insight into the idea and the research behind it, and how to get rid of the bad habits wired into our brain to have successful New Years resolutions. 

Good news out there for the resolvers. 

imagers from here and here

Bid Adieu to You

I'm off, off, and away for a long weekend, but not first without wishing all you readers the happiest of New Year's celebrations, and may all that celebration and happiness extend throughout 2011.

My year in review has been one filled with bliss and blessings, time well spent with loved ones, reaching for new goals, and exploring new places.

 It's been filled with hellos and goodbyes, hugs, tears, and laughter, photographs and roadtrips, bottles of wine, shared cups of coffee, prayers, thanks --- and so many other things that make life so worth it.

So here's to a new year, a new decade, and a new start. Here's to 2011. It's going to be a good one, I can feel it.

On A Champagne High

Bubbly, sweet, oh-so-glam, and just plain fun. Whether you're going to be out on the town in a flash of glitter and friends, or cuddled up on the couch with a significant other and a roaring fire to welcome 2011, champagne is a New Years Eve essential. Have it....

... with sliced strawberries for a sweet and elegant touch:

... served after dinner, chilled in champagne flutes. Champagne Pomegranate Jell-O recipe here.

... baked into dainty cakes for surprising flavor. Champagne cake recipe here.

... kicked up a notch in a punch with white wine, cranberry juice, lemonade, and club soda. Champagne punch recipe here.

... or elegantly served with grape skewers (Grapes are good luck in Spain when eaten at midnight). 

---or, of course, by just indulging in the moment. (I've always wanted to try this trick- think it really works?)

And to all my girls... Can't wait to see you in just a few short days for celebration and reunion...

Title attributed to a throwback high school favorite song of mine. Come on, you loved it too.

Tick Tock

I love Christmas. I really do (just like all other humans on Earth). And this Christmas was nothing short of exceptional, as I hope all of yours was as well.
But, I also really really love New Years.

Ever since I was a little girl, New Years Eve has fascinated me. I fought hard to keep my little eyes open to watch the ball drop on Times Square year after year after year. And I'll never forget the first New Years Eve I actually did stay awake, dancing with my other super cool 11-year-old best friends in my living room as that glittering ball tumbled down high above the crowds of New York City (might I note, I also began my love affair with New Years Eve attire that same year, as we were playing dress up and I was clad in a silver-sequined gown that came from who knows where, most likely a past soiree of my mother's... or I should hope).

To say the least, I'm fond of New Years Eve.
I've met a few along the way who aren't as fond as my beloved holiday, assuming it never lives up to its expectations yadayadayada. But, like life, it is what you make it. And that's a good thing, because I can make a lot out of being with my best friends, with live music, champagne and tons of toasts, sequins, shimmer, and glitter all around, and those cute little crowns that I'm rather fond of nabbing early on in to the night.

And best of all, that excited, giddy feeling (whether you'll admit to it or not) that overtakes the crowd as you realize this is your last night, this is it, the last shot you've got at "insert year here", and you might as well make it a good one. Then the countdown comes. It's quick, and exciting and you can look around you and know that you're bringing in this new year, this clean slate, this who-knows-what-will-happen-in-the-next-twelve-months moment with the very people you want to experience it with.
And then bam.
Hello, 2011. (N*Sync's "Here we go, one more time, everybody's feeling fine" is playing in my head). It's going to be a good year, because 2010 was great, but how can this year not be better? It's exciting. It's shiny and new. And we're still young.

So that's why I love New Years. And that's why I'm pretty sure I'll reference it everyday leading up until Friday. But then on that day, I'll be taking off to join my bests in Nashville to ring in the year that is sure to be our year.

So go ahead, start wrapping up your 2010. Pick out the shiny bow, and clear a space on your shelf. Because 2011 is about to dawn.