Sorry I've kind of abandoned you, blogland. I've been putting all my energy into blogging once a week over on my website blog. I turned 27 on Sunday! My best friend sent me flowers. Cora got me a bottle of wine. Justin gave me an entire evening of watching Naruto and cuddling on the couch. I finished another page in my coloring book. I made my gift for Noelle's baby shower. And I went to the doctor last week because of some pain in my hip and I had to go back yesterday for some X-rays because I might have a kidney stone!
I also wanted to share some of the things that made 26 a great year for me...
- My camera. Who buys a brand new camera because her beloved ten year old one from high school finally died and then quits her day job the next day? Well... ME, apparently. I would be nowhere without this very important investment in my career and my future.
- 50mm lens. I technically bought this when I was 25, right before my first portrait day with NSKS last year, but it literally hasn't left my camera since.
- 100mm macro lens. This is a recent purchase, but it's such a game changer for detail shots, especially at weddings and events!
- Baggu reusable grocery bags. I picked these up before Christmas when they were having a sale and I love, love, love them. They're huge and great for grocery shopping or trips to the library or post office. And they come in super fun colors and patterns!
- Health insurance. LOL, but yes seriously. When I ended up in the hospital in December (and every doctor's appointment since then), I was super grateful for insurance. Especially now too, when I might have a kidney stone and have to go see my crazy lung doctor in Weston this week.
- Kwik Trip Fresh Blends Frappes. They're so much better than McDonald's when you're in a hurry and just want coffee. It also helps that they're on a punch card when you get your 11th one free if you're a Kwik Rewards member.
- The rainbow that appeared during my last sunset at Hardee's. If that wasn't a freaking sign, I don't know what was.
- Grey's Anatomy. I could go on and on and on and on about how much I love this show. I have successfully gotten Justin's sister, and Noelle and Josh hooked on it. Sorry not sorry, guys.
- Private Practice. I tried to watch PP in 2013 after I watched Grey's for the first time and could. not. get past the season 2 finale. This time I slugged through all for the sake of finding out Amelia Shepherd's back story, and let me tell you, it was worth everything that happened in season 2 and the beginning of season 3. Amelia is my favorite character from Grey's universe, hands down.
- The OC. I very vaguely remember when this show came out on Fox in 2003 and everyone was obsessed with it and Mischa Barton. When we got rid of cable this year and finally got Hulu, I decided to see what I missed all those years ago. The soundtrack makes for pretty good music to listen to while I'm editing.
- Come Matter Here by Hannah Brencher. I knew from the moment I pre-ordered this book and got the first three chapters delivered to my inbox that this book was going to change my life. Be where your feet are changed the way I interact when I'm actively spending time with the people I love.
- Big Magic: Creative Living Without Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. I read this right after I quit my job at Hardee's and it lit a fire under me to dive into my business and get to work. It's all about inspiration and where it comes from and the ways it ebbs and flows. Loved it, loved it, loved it.
- Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. This book is very near and dear to my friend Rachel's heart and every time I pick it up, I think of her. Annie's words taught me so much about rest and movement and listening to my body, about healing and suffering and the role God plays in everything.
- Laundromat hangs. Going to the laundromat twice a week really became a thing when our washer broke last summer, and I loved the quiet time so much that I just kept going even after we got a new washer in the basement. It's the perfect time every week for me to sit down with my planner and plan out my week, or bring along my laptop and get some editing done.
- Get to Work Book. I have been following Elise since 2013. Watching her build this planner business from the ground up has been so inspiring. I just preordered my planner for next year, and I'm so excited to continue using her Just Start mentality to make my goals.
- "Chase the Joy." You all know this is my business motto. I have a necklace that says Chase the Joy, and I even made a custom popsocket that says it! Hands down, this is my favorite quote to come out of 26.
- The Instagram Lab by Jenna Kutcher. I started this class in October, after my fail of an event with NSKS last fall. I wanted to up my social media game, and this felt like the perfect way to get started. I have started showing up more in my feed and in my stories and it has changed the way I use Instagram and engage with not only my followers but the people I'm following as well.
- The Money Maker course by Jenni Maroney. Learning from Jenni was one of the highlights of my year. Taking this course, I chose the option with 3 one-on-one mentoring calls and they were so worth it. Being able to talk with Jenni once every six weeks and really have someone who knows this business give me feedback and tell me how to improve was so life-giving.
- I photographed 5 weddings. FIVE, aka more than I have photographed since I started doing photography in 2009. Weddings used to really stress me out, and I feel like I really found my groove with them this year. So excited to see where the next year takes me.
- 30 second dance parties. I've been implementing 30 second dance parties since season 9 of Grey's Anatomy (just ask my former Hardee's co-workers), but this year they've been accompanied by my One Little Word, Move. I love days when I'm alone at the laundromat and can pull up my favorite Spotify playlist and dance it out.
- A Color Story app. I've been using this app to edit my iPhone photos since 2016, and now I heavily rely on their grid feature to plan out my Instagram feed!
- Unfold app. This app has upped my Instagram story game significantly. I love their templates to show client sneak peeks in my stories.
- @aclotheshorse presets. I loved her Seasons pack for A Color Story, and now I use her presets to edit all of my big camera photos too. They're so versatile and I love that she puts out new packs every season!
- Warby Parker glasses. Last year, when I did a blog post for Warby Parker, I knew I wanted to try out their glasses. I did their free at-home try on last Spring and finally pulled the trigger in December before my insurance went up. It's been a change, going from bold red glasses that I wore for ten years, to the rose gold glasses I have now. I love them so much and I wonder why I waited so long to make the switch.
- Digiorno pizza. Whenever we don't feel like cooking, you can usually bet there's one of these in our freezer. I think they have the best crust as far as frozen pizzas go!
- Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough Core Ice Cream. This is a recent discovery, but a life changing one for sure. I've always gone back and forth between Americone Dream and Cookie Dough B&J's, and this one is definitely a contender for new favorite. The ice cream itself tastes like milk and cookies!
