2014 was a pretty great year, but it was also a roller coaster. It was a year of great friends moving away, siblings moving closer (physically and emotionally), life-altering trips to europe, strengthening of new relationships and old, and there were heartbreaking losses to our little community. There were both uncertainty and celebration in droves. And countless (albeit meaningful) little things in between.

I know that 2015 will be even more of a trip, with three vacations already in the works (and it's only January, folks), two weddings and potentially big life-plans in the balance. Families are changing all around me. But this year, I hope to fit in as many time-outs for myself as possible. I need to learn to take better care of my mind and body, in order to keep up with it all, to fully soak it all in. Isn't life supposed to slow down as you get older? This year will be the last year of my twenties, and with my thirties inching ever-closer, I feel an itching to clean out the cobwebs. I feel a need to learn all of those things you're supposed to be good at when you become an adult. Like washing your face before bed every night, removing your makeup before it has a chance to crust itself into your pores like artifacts to haunt you years into the future. Like learning to better manage your finances, and pay off old debts, taking charge of your dreams once and for all. Like putting yourself out there more, going for what you want in life and especially in career; this is no time to rest on your Laurels.

But it all seems so daunting sometimes. There are things I should know how to do, and the idea that I need to learn them is at once overwhelming and exhilarating. This post has become weighty, but it was meant more as a pep-talk for myself, but we all need those sometimes, right? Here's wishing you all a happy, healthy, and most of all, an extraordinarily fulfilling new year.

Although this is belated, I think it really has taken me a few weeks of the new year to formulate what changes I need to make for myself this year. And so, some words + pictures for you (but mostly me, we all know the real reason we really blog our resolutions for...)

GOALS:

+ Take better care of my skin, particularly on my face. Cleanse EVERY DAY, moisturize EVERY DAY, and remove makeup at night ALWAYS (I don't do any of these things with any sort of regularity). You are growing older missy, and so is your skin! It is time to take care of yourself.

+ STOP CHEWING MY CHEEKS! Okay bad habit, the buck stops here. I will get this under control if it kills me. Because you guys, this is killing me! (not literally, obviously) But it is an ugly habit, one that guarantees that I get a bunch of canker-sores and go through a thousand tubes of chap-stick a year, all while garnering funny looks from people as they watch with fascination while I stress-chew my own face off.

+ Read more books. I have a seriously long queue this year and feel an urgent need to finish them all (which is not unlike the urge I commonly feel to cross things off my to-do list, but definitely more related to the knowledge I'll consume and enlightenment I'll feel as opposed to the former). I have been flying through the Game of Thrones series (actually, the books are called A Song of Fire and Ice) and it really has rekindled my love of reading. I'm hoping I can keep that momentum going when I finish the series!

+ More traveling in 2014! Big and small trips. We already have some exciting tentative plans for the Fall (which I will fill you in on at a later date, dont you guys worry), but I definitely want to be more spontaneous with small trips and vacation days this year. Carpe Diem, Allison! Those vacation days won't use themselves!

+ And, as always, TAKE MORE PICTURES! I always do great with this one through most of the year, and then taper WAY OFF in the Winter at the end of every year. I just lose that motivation with the change of seasons and frigid cold. Work on strategies for getting yourself motivated and inspired and MAKE ROOM for photography all the time.

PS: I have to say, looking back on my resolutions for 2013, I feel pretty good about how I did. I touched on every single goal except for that last little one :)

This year, I have a few resolutions. And I do like to make them out in public, on this here blog, in an attempt to make me stick to them better. 

+ read more books!

Instead of watching so much tv (as Alex and I are apt to do... we just inhale it!), I'd like to actually finish the long list of books on my list this year. I'm always pretty good at scarfing down a handful of books each summer at the cabin or during traveling, but this year I need to try and read more all year round. (Or maybe I just need to consume more of BOTH tv and books? we will see...) I remember a time when my mom used to have to pry the book out of my cold dead (okay not dead, just dead tired) hands as I read in bed late each night when I was younger. But I havent done that since I was a teenager. Time to pick it up again? I think yes.

+ start exercising regularly again

Super embarrassing picture of me regaining my flexibility last year, I know... I did great at sticking to my 2012 goal of finding an exercise routine that worked for me, and doing that regularly. But I may have fallen off that horse since we moved in to the new house... I think I have a pretty good chance of turning this one around for 2013. 

+ travel!

Last year, we didnt get to travel much, since we blew our travel budget with our Honeymoon to Hawaii in 2011 and oh, you know buying that house! But, I am bursting to say, we mayyyy already have some exciting travel plans brewing for this spring! Just waiting to book the best ticket price before I make that announcement public... I believe in jinxes.

+ work on the house 

2013 is going to be the year of the exterior! Let me tell you. I have big plans to install a reclaimed brick patio in the back yard, furnish the patio and front porches with furniture and potted plants (and string lights, oh my!), do some landscaping (our house has none), continue to spruce up the exterior trim and gutters that need repair work, and maybe even get a nice fence installed (but dont tell Alex, he'd kill me if I told him that right now, as it would be a huge splurge!). It is going to be a wonderful year of taking advantage of relaxing on the porch, and partying late into the night with friends on the patio! I can't wait!

+ maybe record a few songs with Alex 

This one is a silly one, and something that may or may not happen. But Alex is always messing around on the guitar upstairs (never more so now that we have the house, and a whole room for him to hole up in and practice), and singing in the shower in the morning. And I just wish there was a way I could join in. He seems so happy when he's listening to/playing music. So I was just recently thinking that there might be a way to convince him to record some of those things with me. I've been inspired by all of the do-it-yourself recordings over here, here and here. And I think it might be fun! What should our record be called??

PS: Here are my resolutions from 2012, 2011 and even 2010 too! (Although, that last one's more of a 2009 wrap-up post, it was too good not to share...)

Normally, I dont get into the Christmas spirit until after Thanksgiving (yes, I realize that it is now after Thanksgiving), but this year I found myself accidentally humming to the Christmas music playing on the speakers in Home Depots and Targets long before it was decent to do so. I found myself perusing google images for Christmas decoration inspiration and how-tos before I had even researched which apple pie recipe I was going to make for our Thanksgiving feast (ahem, the night before...)

I blame it, in part, on the fact that we have a house now and I am excited to decorate it for the first time! I am excited to try out these weird suction cups that claim to hold up a 20-lb wreath on a single window pane! And guys, I am so excited to try out getting my first ever real Christmas tree! It's the first time in my life I really feel that sense of pride in making my house look nice for the Holidays.

Also, I feel like I really need the extra Christmas cheer this year. Aside from the yearly seasonal depression I know to anticipate, and the annual work stress of putting on the nation's largest college Art Sale, we've both had a long year: celebrating our first year of marriage, mourning the deaths of two grandmas (one of each of ours), enduring the stress of house-hunting and putting in purchase offers, and elation in first-time homeownership. We've traveled to a state we've never been to before, Illinois, met some great new people, and helped make a wedding for our sister and brother-in-law.

Now I know we still have a month left of 2012, but I've been feeling thankful (tis the season) and pondering the future. And I thought this would be a good time to mention it.

Have a great rest of 2012, folks! And prepare yourself for Christmas decorations post PART DEUX, when we go pick out our Christmas tree! I am pumped.
xoxo

Here are some new photographs I've been making, but havent shared yet. You can view more of my personal work on my professional website, here. And, though I dont like to seem like I'm asking for work, I would like to make more of an effort to stitch my two very disparate worlds together a bit more in the near future (fashion blogging and traditional photography). So in a bit of a nod to my new years resolutions this year, I want to state here, for the record, that I am now available to shoot fashion or accessories, lookbooks, portraits or interior spaces. I traditionally work in film, 35mm and 6x6 medium format.

And I would love to do so. Contact me!

And so that I dont sound like a completely self-absorbed artist, you should go check out what this other amazing photographer is doing at Underground New York Public Library. Photographing people reading (GASP) books on the NYC subway! Real Books! He even tells you WHAT they're reading and WHERE to buy them! They're amazing! In his own words:

"I’m Ourit and this is my current photography project. I make the pictures and the posts. I’m fascinated by how we apply ourselves to stories and discourse. In so doing, we shape who we understand ourselves to be."

... But it's so much more than that! It's the realization that people, other people are still reading The Printed Word. That we all still somehow hang on to this medium, instead of collectively turning to the kindle. Its a reminder that you can get so wrapped up in a good book on the subway that sometimes people continue to read as the get off the subway, as they walk down the street! This is a real life advertisement. Plus the obvious, we are all connected thing. Read books, people.

Alex and I are going to the cabin up north this weekend for the first time this summer (other than opening up the cabin and doing some prep work), and I am pumped! The weather looks perfect for laying in the lake all day and drinking mojitos on the deck each night. This got me thinking about summer and what plans I have this year. So I made a list! Here are some things I want to accomplish this summer...



1) Spend weekends at the cabin (obvs), relaxing as much as possible and soaking up the sun! (top photo taken at the cabin last year)
2) Go to a pick-your-own berries farm, preferably raspberries or blueberries. Although I hear the strawberry crop is outstanding already this year. Go pick them if you are in MN!
3) Have an outdoor dinner party (possibly for my birthday?). I saw this photo (above) years (maybe) ago, and have been dying to recreate it ever since. And boy, do I have big plans for that!
4) Pickle things and make some jams. (with my CSA! the first share was delivered TODAY, as demonstrated by the image below! there is mint, hence the mojitos mentioned above! I cant wait, gah!!)



See ya in a few days, peeps!

As some of you know, I've been working on doing Ballet Beautiful 3-5 times a week, and after only a few weeks, I can definitely tell a difference. I no longer feel pain in my back when sitting at work all day, I have wayyyy more flexibility and I have definition in my legs and abs (muscles? who knew I had those)! But its funny, Ballet has also been showing up in my life here and there and everywhere lately... WHATS THAT ALL ABOUT? Well, they say things come in threes I suppose.

First I saw this documentary trailer on a blog a few days ago, called First Position, and it looks FASCINATING. I always find myself interested in young athletes, their inexplicable drive and determination, maybe because I was once an athlete like them. I will forever identify with these kids' desire to be their absolute best and ultimately, win!



Then I saw this amazing short from the New York City Ballet about pointe shoes. Specifically, the pointe shoes that NYC Ballet dancers use, and about the importance of them. This is a beautiful video and so interesting!



Also, this video is pretty much completely unrelated, but it makes me smile and makes me want to get up and dance myself! The animation is so fresh and lovely, with that watercolor treatment on light paper. Animation by Shishi Yamazaki, more here.

Do you remember when I said that I was going to start eating meat again? Well here is the first recipe of 2012 that I made with... pork chops in it! I generally only eat real meat burgers and sometimes bacon, and tend not to want any other type of meat-things (unless it is sort of hidden in something, like chili). But Lunds had a two-for one sale on some meat type things awhile ago, and I jumped at the chance (meat is expensive, y'all!). Now, of course I let the chops sit in the freezer until we literally had nothing else to cook in the house (except, well mac' n cheese doesn't count, right?). But tonight it is snowing (a miracle for MN!) and something warm and hearty sounded just right for dinner. I made a dish that my mom used to make literally once a week for us growing up, but with a few differences. And Holy Cow, pork chops and rice is so easy people! You literally just throw some stuff in a baking pan and cook it in the oven for an hour. BAM, a delicious dinner.

This recipe called for cream of mushroom soup, and since we didn't have a can (who wants to run to the grocery store when its snowing and cold outside? Not me.) I winged it and used what the almighty internets suggested as an alternative, a cup of sour cream. That also sounds a lot healthier to me, dont you agree? For flavorings, I added in a lonely can of leafy green kale I had sitting around, and to spice it up, some cayenne and cumin (yummmyyyy). Also, the obligatory giant spoonful of garlic. I STILL have a can of minced garlic in our fridge from the CSA this summer... yep, we got a TON of garlic! I also used chicken broth instead of water. Much more flavorful.

And let me tell you folks, this was the most amazing, most comforting, most delicious meal for a cold winter's night. We cracked open a bottle of red, and I was pretty much ready for bed. Sweet sweet food (meat) coma. 

You guys, I am totally on a roll with my 2012 new year's resolutions! Its not even February, and I've already adhered to three of them. Here's a look at some of our new candles in action. (I say "some" because I went a little crazy with the Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card we had leftover from the wedding. I didnt know what else to buy, so I figured, let's just go nuts with candles!)

They are now all over the house. Mostly in the living/dining room. But I did have one extra that I plopped into a mason jar in the kitchen. I dont know, in case I'm making a romantic dinner by candlelight? Here's to accomplishing our goals this year!

2011 was a whirlwind of a year for me. An Amazing year. I traveled a bit, got married, celebrated friends and family, and I tried to fully appreciate the wonderful life I live. It's not always what I'd pictured myself doing at 25, but I am lucky. And in 2011 I think I did a pretty good job of reminding myself of that! And yet, there are always little improvements that can be made. Some things I've been thinking about making a priority in 2012:

+ Start eating meats again. Something to do with grabbing life by the horns and never holding back!! Never turning down an opportunity to eat well, enjoy life and stay out a little bit too late.

+ I need more candles in my life. Buy a bunch of candles. Something to do with romance.

+ The ubiquitous "I need to get in shape" resolution. I agree with Erin that "get in shape" feels a little bit more attainable than "lose weight." I just feel my age beginning to catch up with me (see above). I'm thinking Mary Helen's Ballet Beautiful might just be the perfect change for me.

+ Have no fear. I might need to deal with some big (difficult?) life changes in 2012, and I have to remember not to be afraid, and remember that everything will work out in the end. Life may not be like I had originally planned, but sometimes it turns out better! Travel more, even if you dont think you have the dough, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to you. Make opportunities happen for myself!

+ Seek out simple little ways to de-stress. Pay bills in advance, have a glass of wine before dinner, make homemade bread and other baked goodies more often.

+ Create more. Whatever that might mean.


PS: Inspired by Jen from jenloveskev, Alex and I whipped up a quick (our first) Happy New Year newsletter/card for family and friends and sent it out last week! You can see it here.

I dont talk much about my career goals on this blog, or even life plans. I started this blog as an outlet for interests that had no relevance in what I liked to think of as my "real life." And yes, my blog world and real worlds have been colliding this year, more and more each day. But I have been feeling pretty inspired lately in the career department. Yes, I think I have some new plans and new ambitions, and while I dont think I'm fully ready to commit 100 percent to them now, its a start.

I am really thankful to have the wonderful job I have now, at MCAD. I am so lucky to be in the place that I am. Besides it being my alma matter (MCAD 4 EVAH), it's an arts organization chock full of creative students, artists, designers and staff. I am inspired by the people around me daily. I also got quite (unexpectedly) interested in arts administration during my time at the Children's Theatre Company (next door!). So am happy to feel like I somehow make a difference in peoples' lives, especially fellow artists' lives.

However, I think in the years to come I would like to make a change. I would like the chance to spread my wings and become more independent. I want to photograph, collaborate, challenge and inspire myself. I want to be a part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul's bourgeoning young creative entrepreneur scene, and support others making work like myself.

I know now that I can also dabble, yes dabble! I can make things, blog, photograph when I want to, and not photograph other times, attempt to model clothes when asked, blog some more and enjoy my amazing little life with my amazing husband. I want to take advantage of all of those things, and to take the opportunities that each present to me!

Here's to the coming year, and to not simply achieving your goals, but to also defining them, changing them, and being excited about those goals! Because I've learned that those are important too. In fact, maybe more so.

//

Been thinking about overhauling the professional website recently. I mean for real, not just tweaks, and not keeping the same imagery as always. I gotta CHANGE IT ALL people. In looking for inspiration, I found quite a few websites to be inspired by on Cargo Collective, an invite-only platform that "offers its members free standing personal websites with their own URL, a wide variety of templates, and simple but sophisticated tools to control the way their content is displayed. A personal network of their own creation allows members to follow and comment on the work of others, making themselves known by their artistic engagement with the community. " Always wanted to get in on this, but browsing the featured websites is the best part! Some artist's sites I'm loving right now, below.


Arnaud Teicher


Kirsten Swank


Closet Visit


Grandchildren


Andoni Beristain


So many ideas, so little time!

ALSO, UPDATE: I now have a new website! Care of Cargo Collective! Ch-ch-check it out!

this project called ground rules, started by a few bloggers. new years resolutions. making things. it is all very inspiring, especially since anja's resolution is basically the resolution I would choose for myself, if I had to choose just one. Not to draw persay, but to make things. make more things! (beautiful video for your very first one, anja.)


ground rules - introduction from anja verdugo on Vimeo.

I have also been inspired by some great analog photography sources recently, I have been wanting to try some new things! for instance, the hipstamatic app for phones (which I dont have, but wish I did), some great flickr groups, my new fuji instax camera that I got for xmas, and my favorite new photo blog, photojojo! now I want to turn my digital b&w images into old fashioned color images, like these antique versions and these tri-color photos! hopefully i'll be trying this out soon, playing with the channel mixer, and maybe with film images too! fun.


And speaking of resolutions (which I never ever make for myself, probably because I feel like they're just another goal that I potentially wont make), I have another in mind. And that is, to just have as much fun as possible this year. Alex and I went out with a random mix of our friends on Friday night, and while we did get too drunk and spent Saturday paying for it, it reminded me that we are so lucky to have the life that we do. We live in a great area that allows us to go out whenever we want, hop on a bus and catch a show, see a movie, or meet up with friends spontaneously. And it is so much fun! I love life, and I love Alex.

We have also been invited to Las Vegas for a weekend soon, and HECK, why should we pass it up? Once in a lifetime right? We will see, but I feel like I have a resolution to uphold, dont you?

(image above courtesy of seattletim)

Just a few thoughts on the new year, sorry if I've bored you, but it feels really good to get these written down and in the real (interwebs iz real?) world. Maybe now I will keep my resolution promises. Wish me luck!