Looking Back (That Was So Last Year)
This years recap has taken especially long for me as I've tried to wrap my head around how completely life-changing the last twelve months have been. It was only 15 months ago that I set out on a quest to completely turn my life (and career) around, and sometime over the past year, everything I've been dreaming and hoping for has started happening. I can't even begin to articulate how grateful, appreciative, and hopeful I am. 2011 will forever be the year that I knew, for sure, that my life was going in the right direction; I know without a doubt that 2012 will be even better!
JANUARY. Ringing in the new year surrounded by my best friends, a killer playlist, more Prosecco and champagne than we could ever need, sequins, cupcakes, and mylar balloons. Blistering cold blizzards and the boots to pair with the snowflakes. Reminiscing about my December trip to Bali, and my September trip to London. Three-hour lunches at Del Posto for my SO's birthday. Ice skating in the middle of the Meatpacking District. A new year's promise to actually eat breakfast. Swooning over Dior Couture. Picture perfect sunsets. Cosmetic lusts. 
FEBRUARY. The month I put myself to the test: No shopping. An early screening of Bill Cunningham New York, (one of my favorite films of the year). Snow, snow, snow, snowy-snow. Seeing Robyn and visiting a midtown Izakaya with Peppi & Rachel. New York Fashion Week. Putting together my power survival kit. Cozy knits at M. Patmos. Major Americana moments. Being a lady who lunches with Phillip at The Standard Grill. Dying over Christian Siriano's absolutely perfect gowns. The Marc by Marc Jacobs runway show. The absolutely incredible 4-song EP released by Beth Ditto (my spirit animal). Karaoke, plaid parties, and adventures with my BFFs. 
MARCH. The transformation from raven-haired to my-little-pony. Discovering what would quickly become a favorite California-Mexican haunt. Photo booths with my BFFs. Trans-continental interludes to the West Coast. Sister bonding. Tea parties with the ladies in my family at the Peninsula Beverly Hills. Finally visiting Ten Over Six. Winter strolls in Prospect Park. Bare trees. The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. JD Samson and MEN (and again just a few weeks later). Being picked up as the contributing fashion editor to Brooklyn Magazine.
APRIL. McCarren Park with a puppy. Ramps season, (fresh from a farm upstate). The beginning of spring. Fresh flowers. The royal wedding, (somehow, my invitation got lost). My 25th birthday. Shoes, shoes, shoes. and more shoes. Miu Miu petals. Abstaining from black in my wardrobe with an unexpected burst of pastel. Peonies. Midnight strolls in my neighborhood. 
MAY. Wanderlusting. Jet-setting back to Los Angeles. Christopher Kane cosmic prints. Studded oxfords. Charm bracelets. Gorgeous weather. Swooning over Cast of Vices at Royal-T. More tea parties. Shooting editorials for Brooklyn Magazine. Puppies. Kittens. Baby animals. Flora. Blooming manicures. 
JUNE. Putting my styling skills to the test with Brooklyn Magazine. Summer nights on a Brooklyn rooftop, on a picnic blanket, with a chilled glass of white wine. Oyster happy hours in Williamsburg. Beirut at the Northside Festival. The earth shattering, mind-blowing McQueen retrospective at The Met. Full on color. McQuuen tees and Prada baroque glasses. 
JULY.Photoshoots at Fort Tilden, (my favorite beach in New York). Fireworks from a Soho Penthouse. Bushwick pool parties. Sassy magazine tribute. Midnight in Paris at Nitehawk Cinema. Breaking my own rules with a maxi. Loving Lula, (always). BUGS! 
AUGUST. A visit to the Farmacy. A love affair with shoes. Pre-fall pattern mixing. A stormy day made better by pink glitter. Minor home improvements. Crushing on Charlotte Olympia. New tattoos with Jeremy. Chanel in print. Prepping for fall with pink feathers and leopard print leather. Ladurée takes Manhattan. 
SEPTEMBER. Non-stop fashion week grind (my busiest show season yet!) Contributing to Marie Claire!!! Falling in love at Chris Benz's spring presentations. Meeting so many of my blogging favorites & making new friends. Becoming a redhead, (a long, painful 7-hour process that was TOTALLY worth it). Upper east side jaunts with my Transatlantic soul sister, Briony. Stealing Sergio's Chanel lab glasses at MC headquarters. My best friends wedding in rural Illinois; two of my favorite people in the world committing themselves to each other in one of the most beautiful ceremonies and receptions I've ever witnessed... It came with many tears, (all were tears of joy). 
OCTOBER. Pumpkins and squash and Brussels sprouts and kale and all of autumns amazing produce. The Culinary Council's incredible Catalan feast. Dozens of market appointments and a wish list of accessories to follow. Participating in Rafaella's Style Council. Makeup roundups and fall cleaning. Seeing Stars at Music Hall of Williamsburg, (with major college nostalgia to follow). 
NOVEMBER. My favorite new indie cosmetics brand, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Remembering the 30-year fight against AIDS. November material favorites. Thanksgiving in California. Late nights & early mornings at Chateau Marmont. Lusting after pink Miu Miu madras. Holiday season prep with my gift guides. Chanel's "Peridot." Autumn leaves. 
DECEMBER. Being on the cover of Plus Model Magazine with BFF Gabi Fresh. Miu Miu glitter x 2. Discovering DUMBO. Lots of sparkle. Family visiting for the holidays. The art of the three-hour lunch at Jean Georges. Being featured on xoJane.com. Window shopping 5th avenue. Spectacular, sweeping views of Manhattan from the 39th floor at Trump Soho. Unseasonal leather weather. A mini-staycation in the Meatpacking District. Breakfast and lunch at Pastis. Bejeweled shoes. A hope for a beautiful new year.
With all the tremendous chaos throughout the world, I've managed to come out a bit stronger. Thank you for joining me on an incredible year and CHEERS to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2012.