A WEIRD YEAR, IN REVIEW
In my head, I'm all "whatever, it's almost New Year's Eve again – same party, same lame Ryan Seacrest jokes." But if I'm honest with myself, 2012 was a rather intense year. I started deep in the depths of grad student hell (as a full-time student and elbows deep in research for a thesis) and am finishing the year living several hundred miles north, running a blog with a crazy number of wonderful readers compared to 12 months ago (you rock!), and working for a fantastic company in my favorite city. So, I think 2012 deserves a little love:
First, this here blog was listed in Alt Summit's "Best New Blogs" panel back in January (thanks Rachel!) That same month, I had a post shared by the Martha Stewart Living "Our Finds" blog, and a few months later, Anthology Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, House Beautiful, One King's Lane, etc. followed suit! Isn't the online community incredible? (Thank you for your support!)
But behind-the-scenes of all that excitement, I was being a total hermit finishing my last ever classes and writing, writing, writing. I was a mess! Perhaps that's what made me so willing to spill my guts. But no matter, because in May, I finished said thesis and successfully defended "The Beast," in the process becoming the first ever SCAD Design Management MFA to finish the program on time (sorry to toot my own horn, but woo hoo!!!) In June, I graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree and promptly packed up my life and moved back to the Northeast (no offense, Savannah. I still love you.)
Once back in the New York City area, I was finally able to attend my first blog-related conferences: Alt NYC at Martha Stewart Omnimedia and IFB Conference in August and September. I was tickled to meet up with some wonderful readers and also meet several long-time favorite bloggers of mine. I also started taking on a few new freelance brand consulting and design clients to keep me busy during the post-grad transition. I even designed for some of my friends, like Fallon and Sarah! (There's one big project I've been working on since August, to be revealed later in January. I'm so excited to show you!)
In October, I visited J.Crew and Madewell headquarters for their respective S/S13 previews. I launched The Directory in celebration of all the talented people I know and want to support, the resources I often turn to, and the places I love to shop. I also started to seriously think about looking for a full-time job in the city when Ralph Lauren came a-callin' looking for a new Web Designer – it was meant to be! So, during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, I put my makeup on in the early morning by flashlight and headed into the city for my first day at the job I now love.
2013... I don't know what to say to you except... good luck? Yes. Good luck topping what was a very hard and very rewarding year – all bundled into one messy package. I simply resolve to keep going... keep working, keep trying new things, keep meeting new people. (This seemed to do the trick in 2012.) Off we go, my friends. Thanks for keeping me company on the journey, and cheers to a Happy New Year!
P.S. Check out last year's post - so funny to look back!
