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photos by the porte-plume.

wearing nordstrom amber fringe dress, lulu's world tour sheer brown top, target blue tights, asos fur snood, f21 assorted necklaces, lunacy designs handcrafted small metal purse (gifted from the porte-plume for christmas), sam edelman ria booties.

these booties and the gorgeous handcrafted bag were lovely gifts given to me for christmas, as well as the flowing top. it's always wonderful to have new closet additions that can be added in here and there for a refreshed winter look. in other news, i'm sure most of you have seen this adorable video. if you haven't, what are you doing new years eve?

absolutely wonderful.
THE FOLLOWING IS SENTIMENTAL. THE FOLLOWING IS DRAMATIC.THE FOLLOWING IS A RAMBLE. THE FOLLOWING MAY BORE YOU.the following is basically for me.
when the year turned and i was planning my next steps, i had someone close to me say, "it's just another year, nothing special". not only did this frustrate me, but i realized that this year was much more than that. i needed a year to discover what i wanted, what i didn't need, who i was, who i would like to become, and who i would like to have with me during my journey. i'm not saying that i've got all the answers. i should never have all the answers, or even close. but, i do know that despite attempts to stomp on my easily inspired soul, i made this year the best yet. the following is a collection of the most memorable bits and pieces that i accomplished this year.
i went to my first monster truck rally. i began learning how to belly dance. i brought yoga and running back into my life. i got my first apartment, decorated it, and haven't burned it down yet. i removed all roommates and put my feet up. i ventured east to learn how to snowboard on the state border. i discovered pinkberry and small talk. i recorded at ocean way studios and miktek. i headed south to florida for a week with some people i love most in this world, and we conquered each evening with a vigorous revelry. we even travelled a tiny bit further south to clearwater beach to hide from late night embarrassment. i wrote and sang nostalgic songs of warmth to commemorate birthdays. i even turned 21. i shot my first potato gun, i flopped on my first go with a rope swing, and i met a labrador who makes me feel like a child every time i see him. i visited center hill lake for the memories and reminders of the importance of simplicity. i canoed and kayaked down the harpeth river. i even had a friend from italy travel all the way to nashville for a weekend, just to say hello. i got a pet fish and named him bernard. i celebrated a retirement well-earned with one special moment after another. i played with sand art, i visited the fair, and i said hello to the flea market numerous times. i american songwriter magazine-ed. i saw disney on ice and sang every word. i even dressed up like the mom from E.T. on halloween, for halloween. i cooked more in one day than i think i have in my entire life, and i loved it. i attended and covered nashville's first fashion week. i shot my first shotgun and my first pistol.i saw cold war kids, the kills, the temptations, the four tops, blind pilot, perpetul groove, robert randolph & the family band, brett dennen, here come the mummies, the royal bangs, m.ward, dawes, jonny corndawg, the apache relay, and many more in concert. i even saw tim gunn.i conquered dayglow.clorange and montezuma fire machine. enough said.i ventured to lindstrom, minnesota for a wonderful family weekend filled with scandinavian history, lake porches, grandma birthdays, and newborns eating ice cream. there's nothing like a grandma and a newborn to clear the clouds. and since then, although my uncle will be sorely loved and missed, there have been further additions to this family's tree.and most importantly, i lived in spain during part of my summer. madrid, santiago de compostela, aran juez, toledo, villagarcia de arosa, isla de ons, a coruna, costa de morte, and finisterre. bullfights, flamenco shows, afternoon wine at clea, pet parrots, beach afternoons, train rides, open markets, eurotrash apartment parties with windows wide open, a time of revolution and uproar, and a meeting of people i will never be able to forget. i even ate octopus, twice. i walked miles out and back into the city on the historical "el camino". i stood on epic boulders high above the city to stare as far as the eye could see. i graduated from a school in a different country, speaking a different language. i jumped over bonfires, burning my soles, all for la noche de san juan. i even stood at the end of the world, alone, no one to hold me back, and let the edge of the rocks frighten me and the wind push against my back. each scene was so perfect. each memory is so vivid and clear. i learned to live with a host family, and i taught them that a blonde american girl is smarter than you think. i even had a visit from my own mother. living in spain was one of my highest points of happiness. i lived.this year, i lost friends and gained old friends back. i realized that i don't need anyone. but i also realized that when i came to some people, i want them in my life. i learned this difference. i spent another year appreciating my family and how absolutely caring and wonderful they really are. living on my own, i'm learning the true importance of self acceptance. i've learned that love should be given only when it can be appreciated and reciprocated. i've learned the power of silence, and i've seen the devastating affects of keeping my mouth shut. i've also learned the difference between the two. again, all questions remain nothing more than questions. i will never have all the answers. but, i at least know that i am learning with open eyes, open ears, and open arms. i am willing to keep pressing forward, and now that i have seen my own strength, i know i will.
this coming year brings endings and beginnings sooner than i expected. i graduate, i will lose some people, i will find new people, i will count my lucky stars. i will give back, i will push myself, i will push my voice, and i will stand my ground. i will continue to appreciate the little things, and i will always look for truthful eyes. i will prepare myself to keep the balance of growing up and staying a child. i will continue to try outrageous and new and daring things. i will remember to look up from time to time. i will live whole-heartedly.

happy new year, folks.