Memories and Milestones of 2014

It's almost the end of 2014. I'm sitting here with Mr. Bailey, my friend's adorable pup, sipping an almond milk cappuccino while I write in my friend's pink apartment in Laguna beach. This kind of sums up my year: comfy, inspiring and wandering in a new place. 

This month's Travel Tuesday theme with A Compass Rose is 'favorite travel memories of 2014'. Below are my favorite travel memories and other milestones in my life. It's been an interesting year and I can't wait for 2015! Look out for some new collaborations, travel posts and another etxe collection. 

Moving to DC

The first milestone for me is moving to DC. Earlier this year I moved across the country with no job, no house, no nothing. I had been living in San Francisco for 4 years, which was awesome, but wanted a change of scenery and to be closer to my sister. I had been working at Betabrand for a while and learned a ton in fashion design and local clothing production. I needed a fresh start to get back to my creative roots, grow in my own style and get to work. With a lot of cold calls, internet research and good old persistence, I found a job in DC where I could work on my digital marketing skills and a communal sewing studio where I could work on designing my own womenswear pieces. I found a fantastic photographer to work with and convinced my sister to model for our Flor Silvestre collection. 

Designing + Photographing Flor Silvestre

I have to admit -- having been at Betabrand for so long, I had crazy expectations for how quickly I could create a mini collection. It took about 10 times longer than I thought. When you are doing everything yourself, it's totally totally different, especially when you are used to working with a huge team, lots of experts and a pretty unlimited budget. I am currently trying to figure out how to pay for the sample fabric for my FW15 collection, so yeah, it's different. But I love it and I'm so proud of the work it took to get our Flor Silvestre done. I loved working with Betsy (photographer) and Val (model) on the shoot -- they were both totally inspiring and committed to the project. 

Easter Brunch in Malcolm X Park

The first party my sister and I threw together in DC was an Easter brunch in Malcom X park. We had her friends and my new friends and all drank and ate our homemade brunch goodies. We made cascarones and hid the in the trees. A super fun time and totally validated my decision to move to DC so I could do such things with my sister. 

Wandering in Tallinn

I spent some time in Tallinn, Estonia to visit a friend and explore a new place. It was fantastic.

Shopping in Copenhagen

I also got to visit Copenhagen and fell in love. I now wear a lot more black, red lipstick and frequently rock my nikes. I loved the fashion, the food, the museums and the people. I'll be posting more about this trip soon!

Cherry Blossoms in DC

During cherry blossom season I bugged everyone asking is this a cherry blossom? is this a cherry blossom? When we finally went to visit the actual cherry blossoms I finally understood: nothing else compares. 

Beach Camping in Assateague

Camping on an island with new friends and wild ponies? uh, yeah I did that and it was the best thing ever. 

Paddle Boarding in Belmont Shores

My family and I spent a week in July in Belmont Shores paddle boarding, bonfire makin' and sipping wine with a million cousins. The cops came we had such an awesome party. 

Family time in Gilbert, AZ

My favorite memory this of this past year just happened -- spending Christmas with my family in Gilbert, AZ where I was born and raised. I miss them all terribly, but am happy I can share so many adventures with my younger sisters, parents, grandparents and cousins. 

Happy New Year!

Here's to a fabulous 2014 and an even better 2015 to come! I'll be toasting in the new year in Laguna with some good friends. Hope you do the same!

What were your favorite memories of 2014? Where did you travel to that was unforgettable? 

First Friday Night of 2014!

How did you spend your first Friday night of the New Year??

A MSNBC reporter reminded me at work that this was the first Friday night of the new year! And of course, since I am embracing the whole 'new year, new beginning' thing this new years season ... I got nervous. Does what I do tonight set the tone for all friday nights this year?! Should I go out with my friends even though having a night in alone sounds like the best thing ever??

I am only semi-embarrassed to admit that when I got home from work at 7pm I sat on my couch watching movies until 3 am. But, with "feels like 4" temperatures, a semi-serious hope of cleaning my room, and staying up too late too many nights in a row, can you blame a girl for staying in?

It turned out to be just what I needed.

Poured myself a glass of wine

Gave myself a glitter manicure

Taught myself a new knitting pattern (who knew knitting patterns existed? And that they are in codes like "R3,1btpl")

& watched the following movies:

Lovelace

"Une femme est une femme"  (A woman is a woman)

I heart huckabees (How have I not seen this before?! The universe must not have wanted me to see it until 2014, of course)

I couldn't have asked for a better first Friday night of the year. Sometimes you just need a relaxing night of good, thought provoking movies to make you reevaluate, and look at the world a little differently.

Other movies that have shaped my 2014 world view thus far:

Tim and Eric's billion dollar movie (I live with boys)

I give it a year

Frances Ha

Favorite movie of the year as of January 5 goes to...

FRANCES HA

(not surprising since my sister suggested it) If anyone is interested, Frances Ha will be my inspiration for 2014.

Runner up:

A Woman is a woman.

it's beautiful, and perfect, and everyone should watch it.

happy new year

Wishing you and yours a very happy new year. May all your dreams come true, especially those that you haven't yet imagined...

a new year, a new calendar

It's the last day of 2013, which means time to pull our your 2014 calendar. Stay classic with Muji's selection of calendars that are simple and super affordable so you can have one at home and one in your office.

Try Mark's 2014 Calendar in Pink Peony for a colorful take-me-anywhere pocket notebook.

Try KMala's 2014 Handpainted Fashion Wall Calendar to watercolor your wall. Each month has a unique illustration done by my friend Kimberly.

And if you're lucky, your favorite local (San Jalisco in my case) joint might just have its very own calendars!

Here's to staying organized in 2014!

xo

And the color of the year is...

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One day, a long time ago, my little sister was painting her room. She picked out the colors herself and spent all day working. I would go in periodically to check, but she wouldn't let me look. Finally, when she was finished, she pulled me in to see her masterpiece.

I scanned the walls and told her she did a great job. But then, I noticed some blue on the cherry railing. In fact, the whole cherry railing was the color of the tape blue. I said, maybe you should take off the painter's tape? And her face just melted. There was no painter's tape, she just picked paint that was the exact shade of painter's tape.

I laughed so hard that eventually she turned from embarrassed to mad and kicked me out of her room. I still feel bad about that, but she did later admit the shade was awfully close. Which is how I feel about Pantone's 'dazzling blue' (18-3949), one of the proposed colors of Spring 2014. A bit like painter's tape, don't ya think? I love it in these pieces nonetheless. You never know what gets stuck in your memory.