~ 2014 ~

Because I'm not in a mushy gushy sentimental mood (and really, when am I), I'll spare you from reading a long blog post detailing all of the highlights of my year, and instead give you a short one detailing my absolutely and utter hatred of New Year's eve with a few of my favorite moments of my year thrown in for fun.

Before I go any further, it should be said that I HATE new year's eve for a few particular reasons that do not change if the year in question has been good, bad, or bat shit crazy.  NYE is simply a combination of many things that I utterly detest (champagne, noise, annoyingly enthusiastic people) and a few that I utterly loath.

• I HATE endings.  Endings of seasons, endings of vacations, endings of a series, endings of a photoshoot, endings of a cup of tea.  Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.

• I hate looking back on a year's worth of good memories and bad ones.  New Year's Eve is total a memory overload, fueled by dessert and sugary drinks.  It's like going through photos on your phone and the next thing you know, it's been an hour, it's dark outside, and you feel weirdly lonely.  

• NYE is always the worst introvert's hangover of the year.  Not sure what an introvert's hangover is?  Read this.

• .Without a doubt, you are missing out on a party somewhere.  And there's nothing you can do about it.

• But the thing I hate most about New Year's Eve, is that there are no guarantees on what the next day will bring.  Now I know that every night is an eve to the next day and that day could be the worst or the best of your life, but somehow the risk seems heightened on this night.  It's the end of one year and the beginning of another - a clean slate, a blank canvas, an empty journal, ready to be filled with moments, large and small - intimidating, scary, full of unknowns. 

And that's okay.  

There's no reason what so ever why New Year's Eve has to be the best night of the year, just as there's no reason why this blog post has to be the best one all year.  Letting go of all expectations is the best thing one can do.  That, and thinking back on the quiet moments from the past 12 months.  Not the moments of sheer bliss, or ones of heartbreak, but the simple moments of true happiness.  

This morning I had a really strong cup of tea, a fresh egg from our chickens, and a piece of toast.  Yesterday I spent all my time painting and watching James Bond movies on Netflix.  Last week I went for a really nice walk.  I sacrificed the couch, the carpet, and all formerly smooth surfaces in the house to two furry orange kitties.  I spent lots of time with family.  I met some incredible people and had some awesome experiences.  And I learned how to make chocolate covered pretzels.

Yes, there were many scary phone calls, moments of panic, doctors appointments, and disappointments, but overall I'll look back on 2014 as being a year of growth and change.

I learned how to travel by myself.  I learned to let myself evolve.  And I learned that I'm truly terrible at cutting my own hair.

But really, what more could I ask for?

So Happy New Year, friends, and have a happy last day of 2014.  I hope that your 2015 is full of opportunities, adventures, and even more photos of Benedict Cumberbatch in a tux.

Thanks for the memories.

xoxo,
Eliza

~ too darn hot ~

With the temperatures climbing and the official start of summer nearing, my wardrobe is getting less complicated and beginning to consist of only dresses and bathing suits, which is fine by me!

{gap maxi dress, gap sports bra - for when you're boycotting real bras and it's too hot to put on pants}

After my 10 am yoga class, I had my final homeschool evaluation.  Meaning I am now......(drumroll please)

An official highschool graduate

To celebrate my graduation and final evaluation, I had an amazing iced coffee from Au Peche Mignon (the best French bakery in town, and possibly in the country), and admired their pretty flowers.  All while enjoying the good company and conversation of my friend and evaluator, Laura, and my sweet mama.

{so these flowers are in my front yard, not at Au Peche, but they're too pretty not to share}

And to round out my good morning, I found out what heaven looks like: the tea aisle at Trader Joe's...

I'm not even joking - this was like a third of all the teas they offered.  It's like the Publix tea aisle on crack.  But, like, all natural, organic, fair trade crack.

Now I'll leave you with this.  Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

Eliza

~ scad day ~

Today I got to see the Savannah College of Art and Design, and let me tell you, there was a lot to see!  Since the campus is pretty much in the heart of downtown Savannah, touring the campus was basically getting a historical education as well.  Not only does this college offer many interesting majors, but everyone I spoke to was nice, informative, passionate about what they're doing, and reassured me that my life goals are not impossible - something that was very refreshing!

The photography building was incredible - super sleek and modern with amazing resources (large format printers, a HUGE darkroom, and students can rent the highest quality equipment!)

{I fell in love with this camera!}

I didn't get many pictures in the production design building, but believe me when I say it was AMAZING.

And look who I found in one of costume studios!

I also got to go on a tour with my friend Alex, who is an evening wear designer at SCAD - I've modeled for her several times and her designs are spectacular!  Remember her name because I know she's gonna make it big!

After exploring around, mommy and I grabbed lunch from the SCAD International Festival in Forsyth Park.

 

My interests have kind of shifted through the years.  Just a few years ago I was seriously considering fashion or costume design, when I was really little I wanted to be a doctor, but now I've decided on photography and production design.  Since I'm completely fascinated with historical costumes and their use in film and television, I figure why not combine the two, and that seems to fall in the broad category of production design and (possibly) art history.  So for now, I'm exploring all of my options and remaining open to anything that interests me!

Thank you so much to my wonderful mommy for being just as excited and interested in the campus as I was (and bearing with me through 6 hours of exploring darkrooms, massive costume rooms, walking blocks and blocks, and talking to an incredibly attractive admissions advisor)!  Today would have been really super weird if you hadn't been there.

xoxo,

Eliza

~ oscar roundup ~

01.  Benedict Cumberbatch was the photobomb king

• example a.

• example b

• example c

02. Ellen posted the selfie that broke the internet 

03. Catherine Martin wore this amazing dress and won an Oscar for her costume design (The Great Gatsby)!

04. Lupita Nyong'o looked absolutely INCREDIBLE and her acceptance speech floored me!

05. Jared Leto's hair deserved an award of its own

06.  Meryl Streep shimmied 

07.  Ellen had a giant pizza party!

08. Sidney Poitier was there!!!!

09.  Oh and my Oscar photo was retweeted by the Academy Award's official twitter with Leonardo DiCaprio standing next to it....

And if I sound calm about this, just know that I am NOT CALM AT ALL. 

xoxo,

Eliza

~ oscar sunday ~

It's finally here: THE OSCARS!!!!  (as you can probably tell, I'm a little bit excited)

Maybe it's the deep connection I feel to the classic glamour of the red carpet, maybe it's the love I have for Benedict Cumberbatch...whatever the reason, I am unbelievably excited for tonight.  Since I lack the connections, I'm spending tonight snuggled up on the couch in sweatpants with the family, but here's what I wore for my pre-pre-pre-Oscar party a few nights ago!

And my date for this evening?

Let the countdown begin!  Who are you rooting for?

xoxo,

Eliza

~ little things ~

01.  Today's outfit

{vintage skirt, vintage top, vintage shoes, target purse}

02. pretty flower seeds at the grocery store

03. selfies with the kitten

04. paying attention to the movie projector instead of the movie previews

{we saw August: Osage County for the second time - I'm ready to see it for a third time!}

05.  my new style icon (via Humans of New York)

"I'm trying to fight my way into these fashion shows!"

06.  some words of wisdom (via my pinterest)

07.  a gorgeous portrait of Benedict Cumberbatch

Here's to a wonderful week!

xoxo,

Eliza