2010 was an amazing year. I did so many foolish and silly things, but also made a lot of amazing changes and accomplished great things. I wasn't going to do a review, but have enjoyed ones on other blogs so much I decided to do one here too. So, hang on to your seats everyone! Lots of photos to share.
The year started off with a visit from my friend Vanessa, who stayed for a few days in my brother's under-construction-house (where Phil and I had been living for almost two years). We crafted, danced, drank coffee, and talked till the wee hours of the morning.
I got new glasses and my first ever tattoo. Phil and I went out for ice cream a lot, even though it was still winter. Also, he buzzed his hair and I begged him to grow it out.
I visited Becky and Tim in their new Cleveland apartment, tried to keep up with them at the bar, and discovered (from under the table) that what they say about Brits really is true.
Finally the snow that had insulated our lawn for two straight months melted away and was replaced with mud. We took Archie for a walk and let him get filthy dirty before we gave him a bath.
Cameron drove with me to pay Vanessa a visit in York, PA. We went antiquing, walking in the rain, and enjoyed spontaneous dance parties in her kitchen.
Finally, my six years of college was winding to an end and I poured allll of my energies into my senior show. I haven't ever had such a feeling of accomplishment and pride in myself.
Phil and I partook of the arts in May, visiting galleries and going to shows. I met Ashley Brooke Toussant, a neighbor of my friend and also a blog reader! We became fast friends, and I quickly fell in love with her music.
My dad and I finally got around to restoring the dumpy 1950s bike I purchased in 2009, and I made it a point to ride it every chance I got.
I decided to begin replacing all of our dishes with thrifted items, keeping them all in a thrift store china cabinet.
Before the summer was over, I played around with cameras, friends, and their cameras- before these two kids moved away.
Phil and I moved into a new apartment! Lots and lots of painting was to be done, as well as lots and lots of trips up three flights of stairs.
I found new models (soon to be friends!) for my shop, and made space for photoshoots in our new home.
Happily, I began to become accustomed to parking lot jam sessions and car trunk bartenders.
At the end of August, my crafty and blogger friends came to visit me for a weekend. I had finally gotten my apartment in order and was so excited to play hostess to these great ladies.
On the blogging front, I began to take more outfit photos (sometimes with Phil's help) and even arranged for a vintage inspired photo shoot for a friend's birthday gift.
As Fall began, we enjoyed fair food and I took off to Chicago for the Renegade Craft Fair, spending time with friends from home and from across the U.S.
Tuesday nights at Muggswiggz then Georges and Wednesday nights at the jazz club became weekly traditions. Before I knew it, it was too cold to sing and dance on the sidewalk for hours on end.
So, I began hosting game nights at my new apartment. Maybe my favorite parts of 2010 were our homey game nights.
Because it was cold again, we went out for ice cream on date nights. I suppose you could call it obstinate, but I call it love.
I went on mini road trips with friends, hosted snowflake making parties complete with Christmas Ale, and enjoyed helping out at our friends' first annual "All Friends Thanksgiving," wherein us kids prepared turkey, homemade marshmallow, and other goodies for our other young friends.
Phil and I decorated our apartment for Christmas and once our halls were decked, we hosted game nights and friends in our festive home.
I remembered how to crochet just in time to make one very long scarf and super cute tea cozy to gift on Christmas Day. After Christmas was over, I spent my every day visiting friends, staying up late, and just enjoying life. 2010 ended with a kiss, and I think that's a perfectly lovely way to say goodbye to my favorite year yet.
WOW! Really, what a year! Love your photos, and your tattoo is beyond words!!!
Hope you 2011 is even better! :)
Posted by: toxvisoks | January 02, 2011 at 07:25 AM
Lovely recap of 2010! I hope that 2011 is even better for you!
Posted by: Stacie | January 02, 2011 at 08:36 AM
i'm a more recent follower of your blog, but it's become one of my favorites. your photographs are beautiful and your style is really inspiring.
Posted by: veronika | January 02, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Yay for reveiws!
Posted by: Vanessa | January 02, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Looks 2010 was a year of change and happiness. I hope 2011 is the same.
Great year review
Happy New Year
x
Posted by: Lea | January 02, 2011 at 10:50 AM
What a beautiful life! and a beautiful tattoo.
Happy New Year!!
Posted by: Amanda | January 02, 2011 at 10:57 AM
i am so in love with your tattoo - i featured it on my blog (with proper credits and links of course!). hope you don't mind - if so i'll take it down ASAP :) your photos are all so beautiful and inspiring!
Posted by: softspoken | January 02, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Aw. So cute! Thanks for sharing.
XOXO
Posted by: AnnaBananaCupcake | January 02, 2011 at 01:51 PM
2010 looked like a wonderful year for you!
i hope 2011 is even more amazing!
(i love love love your tattoo...so beautiful.)
xoox
Posted by: gee | January 02, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Oh, this is my favorite recap of all the recaps! You capture so much joy and real life in your photographs, I'm happy you share them with us.
I hope 2011 is just as great of a year for you!
xoxo
Posted by: annie | January 02, 2011 at 02:34 PM
So cute, I love your recap! :)
Posted by: Kyla Roma | January 02, 2011 at 04:43 PM
I just love this post. And, I am a just a tad jealous of your life!
Posted by: Becky | January 02, 2011 at 07:02 PM
Since I only recently found your blog, I loved this recap! Heres to many more beautiful blog posts from you that I can't wait to see!
Shy
Posted by: Shy | January 02, 2011 at 08:05 PM
i love your pics! and that tattoo rocks :) happy new year!
Posted by: alycia | January 02, 2011 at 09:59 PM
All of these photos are lovely.
I love how much action you catch in each one. I'm glad your 2010 was so great.
I hope your 2011 is even better!
xo
-rachel
Posted by: Rachel | January 03, 2011 at 01:07 AM
This is my first visit to your blog and I read this whole post. Looks like you had an awesome year. I'll be back for more!
Posted by: Breeanna | January 03, 2011 at 01:48 AM
i LOVE LOVE LOVE!! I feel like I know you ince I was able to follow you all year long. I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for you!
Posted by: zelina | January 03, 2011 at 12:06 PM
!!!
It is so exciting to find a blogger in the Cleveland area! I stumbled across your blog because the photography is beautiful, but I was excited to see how close you are to the Cleve. Makes me smile. :)
Posted by: Sara M | January 03, 2011 at 01:07 PM
what a lovely year! very much looking forward to your posts in 2011!
Posted by: Lindsey | January 03, 2011 at 03:28 PM
So glad I found your blog in 2010!!
Posted by: Lindsay [Minimal Influence] | January 03, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Can you please please do a hair tutorial or two? I love your subtle bouffants. I've been attempting something similar, but it never lasts very long. Here's to great hair in 2011! :)
Posted by: Ashley | January 03, 2011 at 11:19 PM
looks like you had a great year! :] and what a beautiful 1st tattoo. i'm sure you plan on getting more?
Posted by: kristin | January 05, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Your game nights look like a blast! I do a friends thanksgiving too! We play $5 yankee swap, which is always a riot.
Posted by: Mallory | January 05, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Hahahahaha Trunk bartenders! I love these memories. It makes me feel like 2010 wasn't the worst year of my life! hehe. Thanks for being there for me and listening to all my problems even when it wasn't always easy. I'm glad I can say I made it through and you were always someone I could count on.
Posted by: Kyle | January 05, 2011 at 05:35 PM
i just added hosting game nights to my 2011 goals. : )
Posted by: lady lyles | January 05, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Good to know that you guys had a wonderful 2010 especially now that you already moved into your new apartment. Your designs are great that's why it also showed in your new home. By next month, me and my wife wife will move into New York and we're looking forward to having happier memories there. And I'm excited for that.
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