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Monday, December 31, 2012

2012, I Sure Will Miss Ya

It's December 31, 2012. As I type this, I can hardly believe that 2012 has come and gone - in what seems like the blink of an eye. It's been a huge year for me. I moved from Florida to Washington, DC; I finally got the nerve to pursue my own photography business; I met incredible new friends but also realized how dear my old ones are. This year has been full of ups & downs, many MANY laughs, incredible times with my family, roadtrips, city explorations & new adventures. I am SO grateful for everything I've been blessed with this year and have so many wonderful people to thank for making it quite possibly the best year of my life thus far (you know who you are).  

I have to admit - I started 2012 in a rut. Thankfully, that rut motivated me to pursue my 365Grateful photo project. Every day this year, I took a picture of something I was grateful for. It started off as a way to bring me out of this so-called rut by bringing to light the wonderful little everyday things that I would often overlook. It ended as the perfect way to reflect on what turned out to be an incredible year. 


I've decided to highlight a few of my favorite things about 2012. It was so hard to pick!


1/ The amazing wedding of two of my best friends! 
2/ Beautiful Ocala.
3/ The Ocala Symphony Orchestra & its inspiring people.
4/ Tampa adventures with SP.
5/ The newest addition to our family - little Zooey! 
6/ A roadtrip through the South (Savannah, Charleston, Appalachians & all!) with my Dad.
7/ Fun(ny) evenings with the family in Southport, NC for the 4th of July week! 
8/ DC summer with the soulmate - Mary.
9/ Coldplay's 2012 concert. Absolutely amazing/wonderful/breathtaking.
10/ The Hardknocks - our kickball team! 
11/ Glen "ohmygoshiloveyou" Hansard's live show at the 9:30 Club.
12/ Life with the always amazing/supportive/fun/talented/hilarious Kati & Bridget
13/ My new Arlington apartment! 
14/ New friends :)
15/ A northern fall complete with brightly colored leaves, pumpkins, and perfect weather.
16/ The beginning of my pursuit of a photography career.
17/ The purchase of my first real Christmas tree! Whattacutie.
18/ Thanksgiving with my New England family.
19/ An inspirational morning of wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery.
20/ The most perfect Christmas at home with my family. 
21/ My first snowfall as an official VA resident! 

2012, I love you a lot & I'll miss you dearly. 2013, I can't WAIT to meet you. 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

365Grateful - Week 52

December 23, 2012
...for lazy evenings tree-gazing on the couch.

December 24, 2012
...for a Christmas Eve morning spent at the beach.

December 25, 2012
...for a wonderful Christmas with my family! 

December 26, 2012
...for an afternoon spent looking at old (and quite hilarious) photos. 

December 27, 2012
...for a safe flight back from Florida. 

December 28, 2012
...for this lovely little message on my iced coffee.

December 29, 2012
...for my first snowfall as a VA resident! 

It's absolutely crazy that only 2 days of 365Grateful remain - where has the year gone?! 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

365Grateful - Week 51


December 16, 2012
...for making an amazing christmas discovery: we have the yule log channel ON DEMAND.

December 17, 2012
...for Kati & Bridget. Have I already been thankful for them this year? Doesn't matter. They're pretty great.

December 18, 2012
...for frosty winter mornings.

December 19, 2012
...for my "winter break" finally arriving! Naples, I like you - a lot. 

December 20, 2012
...for the most fun day catching up & laughing with some of my most favorite people in the most beautiful weather imaginable. Wow, that was kind of a lot but it was just a great day, alright? 

December 21, 2012
...for quality convo time with the flanimal at our favorite place ever. 

December 22, 2012
...for 5th Avenue reunions! 

Saturday, December 15, 2012

365Grateful - Week 50

December 9, 2012
...for the most perfect KMB Christmas! 
(Kati, Mary, Bridget)

December 10, 2012
...for santa wine toppers - a must for any holiday season.

December 11, 2012
...for festive desktop decorations! 

December 12, 2012
...for a post-work visit from our lovely Aunt Maureen. SO. MUCH. FUN.

December 13, 2012
...for "catch-up" evenings in slippers & flannel.

December 14, 2012
...for entertaining office holiday parties - complete with swan-like pastries! 

December 15, 2012
...for a very moving & inspirational morning honoring our Veterans. 

Sunday, December 9, 2012

365Grateful - Week 49

December 2, 2012
...for an afternoon spent at the US Naval Academy Chapel with Auntie Maureen enjoying quite the holiday performance.

December 3, 2012
...for Bridget and that holiday spirit of hers! 

December 4, 2012
...for 23 years of my sarcastic, silly, spontaneous & stupendous sister Sarah. 
You all should see her Kristen Wiig impersonations. I'm also thankful for those. 

December 5, 2012
...for breakfast for dinner! 

December 6, 2012
...for St. Nicholas Day goodies sent by the best St. Nick (mom) ever. 

December 7, 2012
...for our first Christmas card of the season! #adorable

December 8, 2012
...for my very thoughtful Aunt Carrie. Just received this holiday twine garland from her! so. excited.


[I'm not sure if you can tell from this post, but I think Christmas might be coming.]

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Sneak Peek: Meadowlark Park Shoot

I spent a lovely afternoon at Meadowlark Park Gardens last weekend shooting Adrianna, Alyssa and Miles for their Christmas card. We had lots-o-fun dodging geese poop and running up & down the big hills. 
More photos to come in a few days! 



Sunday, December 2, 2012

365Grateful - Week 48


November 25, 2012 
...for an air of Christmas on a brisk Boston morning.

November 26, 2012 
...for the always-fun switch from fall decor to winter decor! See ya later oranges, reds & yellows.

November 27, 2012
...for big bulbed Christmas lights. They are my absolute favorite & remind me of the best memories! 

November 28, 2012
...for an evening of smiling, singing (yes, that's right) and squealing over Coldplay's 2012 tour DVD.

November 29, 2012
...for lighters. Matches, we don't like you and your tricky, finger-burning ways.

November 30, 2012
...for spontaneous wintery evenings with Bridge! 

December 1, 2012 
...for christmas-themed gallivants around DC. 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Javier // Part 2: Georgetown

Javier is a man of many looks. There’s no way we could have settled on just one look & location for his photoshoot. After gallivanting all over Great Falls capturing Javi as a nature-loving, plaid-wearing, scruffy lumberjack, we headed into Georgetown to bring out Javi’s inner “DC Prep”. I must say I was completely impressed with how well he fit into the surroundings – I’m pretty sure Javi is meant to own a cute little townhouse on a sidestreet in Georgetown and hang out on his stoop all day long waving to his neighbors. Oh & by the way, Javi’s red pants? Love them! 

Before we get to the Georgetown photos, I would like to announce that Part 3 of Javi’s 3-part photo series will be outtakes from our shoot – the equivalent of movie bloopers, if you will. For those of you who know Javi, I’m sure you can agree that Javi is quite the funny & expressive guy. And lucky us, we captured that on film! Check back in a few days for what I like to unofficially call “The Many Faces of Javier”. 

Interested in a photoshoot? Send me an email for more information!