2013....12 months in 24 photos...!

I am determined to squeeze in one last blog before the end of the year....especially as it has been about 6 weeks since my last post.  Woops.  It's been some busy times around here...which I am SO grateful for. And now it is that day where we all reflect back on the year that was and take note of how we feel about it, what we want to change, how hungover are we going to be tomorrow, all that typical stuff, right?  Well, I won't have a hangover tomorrow - thank god...one thing this year has showed me is how much I appreciate my yoga practice and I plan on starting off 2014 on the mat with some good peeps around me....

About 4 years ago I made a resolution to NOT have a New Year's resolution.  My resolution was to not put so much pressure on a day (ie myself) to change something on one particular day....that every day I wake up is a new opportunity to change something if I want to...every day is a total gift and although I know I don't always act like it, I am so lucky to have each day.  I keep seeing things pop up on Facebook like "suck it, 2013, get out of here"....."show yourself the door, 2013"....etc.  I get it.  Times were tough in 2013.  We understand that here in our household for sure.  We have had our share of family tragedies and deaths, some drama, had to say good-bye to people when we just were not ready, had job challenges, professional/relationship challenges, personal challenges.  But aren't these same challenges going to happen every year?  I think I want to figure out how I can be the type of person that learns how to deal with LIFE (because life is both good and bad, it sucks and it triumphs and it blows your mind - sometimes all in 30 minutes) in a gracious manner.  To take the "bad" with as much grace as possible. I want to continue to surround myself with people and friends that not only allow me the space to vent but are uplifting and positive ones who see the lives we have in one of the most beautiful cities/states in the world as one that is privileged.  And full of opportunity. And it is FUN....it really, really is. Anyhow, that is my quick reflection.

So where have I been? Working mainly.......and living.  I have been capturing so many photos with my Instagram that I have def slacked on the blogging front....so I looked back through my Instagram photos of 2013 and chose a few of my favorite shots.  One shot per week of 2013 to help me remember that no matter how many things were tough in 2013, the beauty and memories I have from this year have conquered all.

Cheers and Happy New Year to you all - I wish you health, happiness and personal success!!  xoxo janel

I started my own business in January!! And I gained an amazing office assistant.

loved adding some fantastic art to our collection....and taking a weekday drive down the PCH with my hubby

went to High Rollers Scooter Rally in Vegas with some friends.....and started to overhaul our Master Bedroom

blogged about butterfly inspiration and got dressed up for Design Week

continued the Master Bedroom renovation and blogged about my love of all things "two tone"......!!

met Terry Hall of The Specials!!   another drive down the coast with the hubby...

saw The Selecter with a gaggle of girlfriends and danced....All. Night. Long. finished the Master Bedroom redo.

went for a zippy scooter ride on a warm April afternoon....and a beautiful hike in the headlands with Jensen

reflected back on being married to my best friend for 4 years..........welcomed my other bestie (my momma) for an amazing wine weekend over Mother's Day

Packed up the scooter for a friend and laughter filled picnic at Dolores Park......Had our house shot for Apartment Therapy!!  

enjoyed the beauty of peonies....I mean, they don't get better!  soaked in the love of my Lu Lu

took Miette on her first bike/basket ride in Santa Barbara.......loved on these two

had a silly 4th of July...........hung with one of my oldest and dearest

the parrots came on an almost daily basis for months to our backyard......rode a Lammy around DCD with my Servix sisters

dinner parties with good friends...........finding mid-century coolness in the Midwest

Blu Dot opened in SF!!!    riding and breaking down on the Sugar Lamb in SF

an evening ferry ride on the eve of my birthday......and celebrating the next day

a typical view from my yoga studio.......one of the many beautiful night light shows we got to see

watching my nephew tear it up in SB....and two sweet souls madly in love tie the knot (and picked up that sweet little scooter!!)

getting the cutest little article of clothing that was my husband's as a wee dude....and finally framing that crazy, cool piece of art my grandmother created

flying down to surprise my BFF with a trip to Disneyland for her birthday.......furthering my practice

not capturing my husband...!  and sourcing wallpapers for a fun JHID project

loving our family portrait and going to Sunday's a Drag with girlfriends for one of the funnest days ever....

vintage DISNEYLAND...!

Growing up in Southern California (technically "Central Coast" for Santa Barbarians) definitely comes with a few perks....beach parties in November, bumping elbows with the famous, avocados and citrus groves galore, we can snowboard or go to the beach in December....or both! And we have Disneyland.  The family passes that exist now were not in existence when we were kids.  To go was a HUGE treat and we would spend months counting down the days and planning which rides we would go on.  My favorite memory is sitting in the back of my grandmother's truck and driving back to Riverside with her and my mom....and I think a few of my siblings....we were tired, sunburned, sticky from eating too many redhots in New Orleans square, sugar crashed out, but oh-so happy.  There really isn't anything like a good dose of Disneyland - no matter what age you are.

It is so much different than it used to be....looking at some of these vintage costumes that may be a good thing in that department (some are looking a little Mr. Creepers)....but the fonts and art direction are spot on.  So modern for the time.  They inspire so many artists to this day - myself included.

I rounded up some vintage photos from the Disneyland I love.

what was your favorite ride?!

xoxo janel