Hello and Happy Friday!
I can hardly believe that this will be the last post of the year! I always usually love the start of a new year because it is like a chance to begin again. To start over fresh. I also love to pause and reflect on the year. This year was a year of tremendous growth for me. While it was not always the easiest of years -in fact in ways it was far from it- I'm sitting here writing this feeling honestly very at peace with the year and with myself. This is post is a look back at the ups and downs from the year and a look ahead at what I'm working on in the New Year. Enjoy!
I can hardly believe that this will be the last post of the year! I always usually love the start of a new year because it is like a chance to begin again. To start over fresh. I also love to pause and reflect on the year. This year was a year of tremendous growth for me. While it was not always the easiest of years -in fact in ways it was far from it- I'm sitting here writing this feeling honestly very at peace with the year and with myself. This is post is a look back at the ups and downs from the year and a look ahead at what I'm working on in the New Year. Enjoy!
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Santi, my love and my friend. Had I known that talking with you on January 3rd would have been the last time I would have said so much more. I miss you so much. So, many things happened this year that I wanted to tell you about, that I wanted to hear your thoughts on, where I could have used one of your 'Family Guy' impressions to make me laugh. I will always cherish our friendship. I thank you for always believing in and encouraging me, your words are constantly in my mind and will always be there. I have been a bit anxious for this year to end because I feel like time will just continue and I will have to let go and move on. But I'm slowly learning how to move forward and bring you with me through memories, through other friendships, through pictures, tv shows we used to watch, inside jokes, and by continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone with this blog. I know you would be so proud of me. Thank you for being the best friend a girl could ask for! I love you so much. This post is for you!
Breaking My Arm!
Kicking things off with a bang, in early February I fractured my elbow! My first time ever that I have done that! I fell and of course it hurt when it happened, and I expected it to be swollen and sore perhaps the next day.
What I did not expect was throbbing pain all night long. Or not being able to lift my arm above my chest without extreme pain. Or being able to get dressed. Or finding out that it was, in fact, fractured and having to wear a splint/sling for several weeks. But all's well that ends well, it healed nicely, and is now as good as new!
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
This by far is one of two things that I am most proud of myself for this year! I had been wanting and itching to go different places and shoot for the blog for a long time! But the thought of going to these places on my own, setting up my camera and taking pictures of myself in public seemed so daunting and out of reach for me. That is why you almost always saw me in front of my car or around my house -I tried to switch things up even then. But then one day I got a dress in the mail. It was a billow-y summer dress, and I had this vision of posing underneath this enormous tree that I pass nearly every day. I decided to do it and it was such an invigorating experience! A little awkward at first, but I gradually got more comfortable with it. I loved how the pictures turned out, I loved the different backgrounds, I loved the way I felt posting, I loved everything!
And just like that, I was not afraid anymore! In fact, it really reignited my love for blogging. There is something about bringing a vision to life that is just such a surreal, validating, satisfying feeling! That is the best way to explain it for me.
The top three pictures are from early this year while I was blogging at and around my house, the bottom three are once I started going different places. The difference in quality is also notable!
And just like that, I was not afraid anymore! In fact, it really reignited my love for blogging. There is something about bringing a vision to life that is just such a surreal, validating, satisfying feeling! That is the best way to explain it for me.
The top three pictures are from early this year while I was blogging at and around my house, the bottom three are once I started going different places. The difference in quality is also notable!
Went to see Lizzo!
So... I have not been to a concert in years! And I mean even before Covid hit, I had not been to one in a while! When my Aunt -who LOVES Lizzo- sent us (me, my sis, and my cousin) a group text about Lizzo coming to Charlotte in October, I do not think she expected us to all want to go. Truth be told, I was a bit surprised I wanted to go as much as I did. Up to that point I had no real feelings towards Lizzo either way. But the price was not bad, I enjoyed most of the songs that I knew, and I was up for the experience! And what a GREAT experience it was! We had such a great time! We danced and sang our hearts out! Now I am a huge Lizzo fan! I just cannot get enough!
So... I have not been to a concert in years! And I mean even before Covid hit, I had not been to one in a while! When my Aunt -who LOVES Lizzo- sent us (me, my sis, and my cousin) a group text about Lizzo coming to Charlotte in October, I do not think she expected us to all want to go. Truth be told, I was a bit surprised I wanted to go as much as I did. Up to that point I had no real feelings towards Lizzo either way. But the price was not bad, I enjoyed most of the songs that I knew, and I was up for the experience! And what a GREAT experience it was! We had such a great time! We danced and sang our hearts out! Now I am a huge Lizzo fan! I just cannot get enough!
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Charlotte Fashion Week 2022
I was able to attend the full week of Charlotte Fashion Week this year! I have not been able to do that since Covid! It was such a blast! Four nights of friends (both old and new), fun, and fashion! I met some really interesting and creative people like emerging designers, models, and these two lovely ladies who were there because their daughter was in the show. They were so kind and hilarious! I got to hang out with my good friend Vikee (aka Designer Diva!) Some fun collabs came out of it too! For example....
BellaFior Collab
In November I collaborated with BellaFior Jewelry for a post showcasing several of designer, Millie Simmon's pieces. This kind of goes back to what I was talking about when I mentioned bringing visions to life. I had seen her jewelry prior to collaborating and shooting with her, and after a phone conversation where I got an idea of what kind of aesthetic she was going for, I was able to envision and create a great look for the shoot. I scouted out a location -a gorgeous park and three or four spots within the park to shoot at, I brought the burnt-orange scarf so that her jewelry would pop. Even the leaves in the shoot were strategically placed there for a fall-like aesthetic. We spent the afternoon shooting, filming, and gathering great content! This was definitely one that I enjoyed!
I was able to attend the full week of Charlotte Fashion Week this year! I have not been able to do that since Covid! It was such a blast! Four nights of friends (both old and new), fun, and fashion! I met some really interesting and creative people like emerging designers, models, and these two lovely ladies who were there because their daughter was in the show. They were so kind and hilarious! I got to hang out with my good friend Vikee (aka Designer Diva!) Some fun collabs came out of it too! For example....
BellaFior Collab
In November I collaborated with BellaFior Jewelry for a post showcasing several of designer, Millie Simmon's pieces. This kind of goes back to what I was talking about when I mentioned bringing visions to life. I had seen her jewelry prior to collaborating and shooting with her, and after a phone conversation where I got an idea of what kind of aesthetic she was going for, I was able to envision and create a great look for the shoot. I scouted out a location -a gorgeous park and three or four spots within the park to shoot at, I brought the burnt-orange scarf so that her jewelry would pop. Even the leaves in the shoot were strategically placed there for a fall-like aesthetic. We spent the afternoon shooting, filming, and gathering great content! This was definitely one that I enjoyed!
This is starting to get very lengthy, so I am going to wrap it up! The only other notable thing that happened, which was kind of a bummer, was that I came down with Covid not long ago. It was not too bad and I recovered quickly and for that I am very grateful!
It has been a year for sure! Sometimes great and other times dark. The thing I am full of this year though is gratitude! Just all around! Grateful for my family, my friends, my life, my health (mental and physical), for the opportunities, the moments, the new friendships, all of it! I'm grateful for this blog and I am looking forward to the new year. I am planning to continue to get out of my comfort zone more and more. Stay tuned to see what lies ahead! For now, I will just thank you so much for reading and being on this journey with me! I love you and I will see you next year!
Be safe! Enjoy! And Happy New Year!
It has been a year for sure! Sometimes great and other times dark. The thing I am full of this year though is gratitude! Just all around! Grateful for my family, my friends, my life, my health (mental and physical), for the opportunities, the moments, the new friendships, all of it! I'm grateful for this blog and I am looking forward to the new year. I am planning to continue to get out of my comfort zone more and more. Stay tuned to see what lies ahead! For now, I will just thank you so much for reading and being on this journey with me! I love you and I will see you next year!
Be safe! Enjoy! And Happy New Year!
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