HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I cannot believe that 2010 has officially come to an end and we are just hours away from the start of a new year. 2011. Wow. It has come too fast. I am sad that time has flown by at the speed of light, but I am excited for what the future has in store. So much has happened this past year in my life. It's crazy just thinking about it all. How 2010 started. How much I have changed, grown, and learned. Where I am right now in my life. It definitely has been an unexpected year, but I loved every single second of it. I have traveled to so many places just in a year. I've been to Malaysia, Thailand, and Bali. I went to Philadelphia to shoot the October Free People catalog. I spent 2 weeks frolicking around my dream city, New York City. I even stopped by Maryland just because I wanted to! I never would have imagined all of the opportunities this blog has brought to me. But they came and I am so thankful for them! I have met so many amazing people this past year, both in real life and through the online blog world, and I hope to meet even more of you guys in 2011!

Crazy to think that at the beginning of 2010 I really had no thoughts of working in fashion, but that is exactly what I will be doing in this new year (you will hear more about this later). Within a year I have made a transformation from a new university grad originally aiming for optometry school (shocking, I know) to a girl with dreams, unafraid to follow her heart, true passions, and creative tendencies without restriction. I am completely happy with the decisions I have made this past year, many of which have been made because of this blog, and I have all of you to thank for being there with me along this entire journey. It really has been an exciting ride.

Most importantly, I have come to learn even more about myself and what I really want in life. I started the year off confused about what I wanted to do with life, but now I feel absolutely confident. I worked so hard this past year to get to where I am right now, and all that work really paid off. 2010 ended perfectly. It almost seems like a dream, so unreal. Yet, it is real and I am proud to say that I made it real all by myself, but I couldn't have really done it without the amazing support of my family, friends, and most of all my little sister Natalie (from Natalie off Duty). She is my best friend. I don't know what I'd do without that girl. I feel really lucky and blessed to have all of your support and to be able to do what I love and to continue evolving as person as I am at it.

2011 looks like it's going to be even better than 2010 and I am going to make the most of it. And I hope all of you do, too. So much more to do, so many more people to meet, and so many more places to explore! Remember to always believe in yourself, in your voice, and in your heart. Use this new year as a fresh start to take risks and as a blank canvas to paint your own journey on. Live life with no regrets and don't leave any idea, dream, or goal behind. Most of all smile and it will all come naturally.

I have been contemplating whether or not to recap on my favorite outfits from the past year, but I finally decided to just do it. It's nice looking back and seeing how my style has changed, or not changed. All I know is that I love dressing up and I don't know what I would do without fashion! Happy new year everyone!!!!

Watercolor Sky

Sweater - Zara, Top - courtesy of ModCloth, Hat - Forever 21, Jeans - Urban Outfitters, Shoes - Via Spiga, Bag - French Connection, Ring - Forever 21

I spent the day after Christmas with my family at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, one of my favorite places in the world. And it is especially pretty during this time of the year. It was a bit chilly and overcast, which was the perfect excuse to bust out this Zara faux fur sweater to shield me from the elements. The weather made for a stunning sight of watercolor blue and pink along the horizon. I just couldn't take my eyes off of it. I'd take this seashore view over a white snowfall any day. Gosh, I love winter in Southern California. It really is dream-like.

Kind of sad that Christmas is over, yet excited for the new year to come. I will still be counting down to next Christmas though! hehe :)

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas

American Eagle Outfitters sweater, Zara leather jacket, Necklace courtesy of ModCloth, vintage boots, Melie Bianco bag

More Vegas shots. Having fun with Donny Osmond. Lots of window shopping (and lusting over the bags at the Miu Miu store). Lounging by the bar. Experiencing sensory overdrive from all the lights. Watching the lions at MGM (they are insanely cool animals). Posing on the faux Brooklyn Bridge outside New York New York. I had such a good time. But I am happy to be back home and slowing the pace of things down a bit. But all I know is that I love city life, and this is the next best thing after New York City!

WhoWhatWear December Style Stalker!

Hey guys, look! I have been style stalked by WhoWhatWear.com this month (that's me at the bottom right hand corner). This is such an honor because I have been a longtime reader of the website, and it was one of the biggest inspirations behind the start of my own blog! To be featured by them alongside other fabulous bloggers just totally made my day! And they chose to feature one of my favorite outfits that I showcased on the blog back in November. Lovely way to end the year, for sure. Read the whole feature HERE.

Viva Las Vegas

What I am wearing: Coat: H&M, Blouse - courtesy of ModCloth, Beanie - Forever 21, Jeans - Rich & Skinny
I spent Christmas with family in Las Vegas this past week, and it was such a great time! We stayed out all day and up all night shopping, eating, people-watching, and even did a little gambling (hehe). It was a deliciously worry-free 4 days that was very much needed. My feet are basically killing me from walking nearly the entire strip of casinos, but it was well-worth it, especially at night when the lights bring Sin City to life. The new hotel The Cosmopolitan was a pure (or may I say sinful) indulgence. Good music and super cool (or shall I say cosmopolitan?) atmosphere. The SATC crew would totally chill here. And The Bellagio always has the BEST Christmas season decorations. The best thing was just being able to spend time with everyone in my family. I feel so lucky and blessed to have them all, and I cherish every second that I get to be with them. This was everything I needed this Christmas. I hope each and every one of you were able to spend this special time with your loved ones and enjoy the company of laughter, smiles, and a very full tummy.
This past year has been full of so many amazing opportunities and experiences, and spending the holidays the way I did was the perfect way to end it. Look forward to a Vegas Part 2 post, but most of all, let's all look forward to the new year with an open mind, open heart, and an open road to explore and travel.

Roman Holiday

Just a quick little blog post to let you know that I hope you all had a wonderful holiday wherever you may be. I have a blog post ready for tomorrow morning so you guys can see what I have been up to this past week to celebrate Christmas. If I had to have one Christmas wish come true right this instant, I would choose to relive the role of Audrey Hepburn in one of my favorite Audrey movies, Roman Holiday. I'd feel rebellious and cut my hair short (and it would actually look good on me). I'd ride on a Vespa with a handsome man like Gregory Peck (now he's what I call super dreamy). I'd eat ice cream as I walk through a Roman open market in my brand new sandals as men fill my arms with flowers. I'd fall in love in Rome. And maybe I'd fall out of love in Rome. But then I would do it all over again because all that matters is that I am in Rome. Okay, it is official. I NEED to be Audrey Hepburn.
 
Pictures from weheartit.com