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.

SHOP UPDATE

This weekend: West Coast Craft!

I can't believe it's already this weekend! I am so excited and honored to be amongst the best of the best of west coast designers, artists and craftspeople! I'll be at booth 40 + 41 with my friend Jane Philipps who does these amazing paper collages:

The latest from #etxe

Wanderlust Wednesdays: a trip to historic Mission circa 1850-1920...

Travel time from anywhere in San Francisco: Instant if you have a time machine, otherwise impossible. Ideal trip length: 6 weeks, there's lots to do, but eventually you will miss the internet. Nice to haves: shoes you can walk in and gold nuggets. Directions: Start at 14th between Mission and S. Van Ness.

I recently stumbled upon this amazing side called Old SF where you can find historic photographs of San Francisco. It is completely interactive and you can toggle the year in which you want to travel!  All of the photographs on Old SF are  from the San Francisco Public Library's San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection. I am assuming they got permission to reuse the photos or fit nicely under the Fair Use law. I will instead link to the photographs hosted on the SFPL site, so click the links and pretend you are on a treasure hunt.

Start in 1875 when Woodward's Gardens was in its heydey. It took over 2 square blocks and  looks like the most amazing amusement park--they had carousels, trolleys, a reptile house, aviary and of course, camel rides. See photo here.

Those gorgeous homes on Howard between 17th and 18th after the 1906? See them sad and crooked after the earthquake here.

Wonder what Valencia between 17th and 18th looked like in 1906? See the photograph here.  Or Mission at 18th in 1910? See it here.

Maybe you'd like to take a trip to the Willow's, check out the trolley here.

It's crazy to see photos from both before and after the 1906 earthquake. More historic photographs can be found oldsf.org and foundsf.org and learn how Old SF geo-mapped the photographs here. You can always browse images form the SF Public Library's San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection here.  And read some interesting facts about historic amusement parks, resorts and gardens of San Francisco here.