2011

December 31, 2011
Looking at photos and revisiting 2011 is like revisiting another time. I don’t know how to say how much I’ve grown or how much I’ve stayed the same. Most of the time, I can’t even tell myself.

the last morning in tahoe
lady audley's secret

It was a year of staying up late. To finish books, blog posts or conversations with a boy. Early mornings were rare, but they were never difficult.

cake and plate
alice's old recipe books

Food was more present. Is that possible? I forgot to add flour on multiple occasions. And once, my cupcakes exploded. But these were mistakes that make the kitchen my second favorite place to be (first is my bed). Between taking photos for the Daily, coming home to my apartment’s Susie Homemaker dinners and testing recipes myself, it’s a wonder I was ever hungry.

rachael
pretty in black and white

I shot my first real photoshoot. In a cemetery. It was kind of awkward because I’m awkward, but they were my first baby steps.

pancakes for breakfast
glass + light

My apartment. Our apartment. I’d like to think that fate brought us together, but we chose each other. So let’s give credit where credit is due, right? We went to the snow, made pancake balls, played board games until 4 am. We made time for breakfast, we surprised each other for birthdays, we had the best “last dinner” all together. Alessandro was up year-round.

birthday tulips from alice (david's mom)
meeting joseph gordon-levitt during hitrecord at the movies

I turned 22. And met Joseph Gordon-Levitt. (!!!)

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favorite

It was a year of insecurity. I graduated. Graduated. And while everyone else knew their life plans, I couldn’t decide what to have for breakfast. Most of the time, I just skipped it.

loving the light
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So I went to Europe. At first it was hard but then it was so, so good. This trip was all about the kindness of others and serendipity.

like a mille crêpe
the steps from vanessa's flat

Strangers welcomed me into their homes. I learned how to make crepes. I stayed in the tiniest, coziest Parisian flat with the sweetest girl. I didn't go to a single museum in Paris.

favorite feet of the trip
inside-out profiteroles
stopping on the way home

I found a new home in Denmark and ate too many Danish desserts.

by giacomo

I fell in love with Italian lakes.

raiza's first hot cocoa

I came home to even more love.

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I went through a quarter-life crisis. I interviewed for dozens of jobs and sent out twice as many applications. The crisis isn’t over yet.

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the best picture ever

I learned a lot from a boy. He helped me see things in ways that always made them better. And I loved him even more. (And I've never been more proud of a present I've given someone.)

crab & scallop endive salad
scone, berries & clotting cream
cappuccino

I discovered the best food with my best friends. I couldn't be happier to call California home.

ticket


I went to life-changing concerts.

my feet, as always

My feet were well-traveled and my heart was full.

2011, thank you.
Welcome, 2012.

And you, dear friends: wishing you all the light and hope of a new year.

12 comments:

  1. A very good review of your life this past year...

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  2. I love looking back on the year of photos : ) Look like you had a good one!

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  3. Beautiful recap, beautiful year. Here's to 2012!

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  4. An absolutely beautiful year in pictures.

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  5. Happy New Year babe! This was a beautiful post :) Love you

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  6. Indeed a great year Celeste! I'm glad to have you in my life. You're a wonderful lady and cook :]

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  7. you had such a wonderful year sweetie! cheers to another amazing year!
    xo,
    cb

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  8. i'm still super jealous that you met jgl....what a cutie.

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  9. Such a lovely year. The Parisian flat comment made my heart pitter patter, not to mention JGL?! Can we get the story on that one?

    xx

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  10. such a great recap! Heres to 2012!

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  11. beautiful post for a beautiful year. you got to meet JGL! so jealous! :)

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