365 what 365 huh

Earlier this year or rather the end of last year, I told myself that I was going to attempt a 365 project, something I've never tried before. And here we are. It's March 1st, and I just can't anymore or really I don't want to anymore. My head isn't in the right place. Maybe my thoughts aren't in the right place. My life isn't in the right place. For that commitment. It sounds silly, I know. And it is funny though because it sounds simple {take a photo everyday of yourself and post it, that's what I was going to do} but it takes effort to remember and keep up with it and after the whirlwind that was my last year, I'm just not ready for it… yet. I read about the idea from Elsie on A Beautiful Mess - adore her - love them. And I like her idea this year, where she is posting pretty much just any photo a day of her home life versus it being a self portrait. That sounds more appealing and maybe I'll try for that next year but for now… here is a little of what I did capture of myself this year.

It was a bit insightful looking back through these simple moments and I can think back to the emotion or the day I was having and almost feel that time. It was fun for a couple months but photographing yourself. everyday. and for a full year? right now? 

No, thank you… not right now.

"love yourself first and everything else falls into line. 

you really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world."

{lucille ball}

12 new things :: 2013

Last year I focused on random new things to do each month. The majority of the items included traveling because well, really that's what I did last year. And it was awesome. But this year, I've decided to be more intentional with my new things and I'm keeping most of them New York based. You know all those New York things that you are supposed to know, that are a must do - must see. The ones I've been keeping in the back of my mind to do but never really checking them off my list… Well I'm checking them off my list this year! I'll be posting each month with the details, no rhyme or reason, whenever I can check them off. I'm excited!

- Bike ride through Central Park -

- Visit the Cloisters -

- Visit Basquit's grave in BK -

- Attend Saturday Night Live -

- Attend the Dr. Oz Show -

- Visit the Moma PS 1 -

- Go to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park -

- Go to Kings County Distillery -

- Visit Atlantic City for an overnight stay -

- Attend Letterman -

- Take the train to Montauk -

- Enjoy an Afternoon Tea -

{you will go far}

"I'm so glad I live in New York City and not the United States."

{r.l. stine}

nov and dec :: new things

Yes, this is coming a little late but {to be cliche} better late than never, right? So finishing up my New Things of 2012… in November I shot my first wedding!! I'm sure most of you have read about it by now so I'm sharing what I wore the day of and I loved this outfit… until I fell in the rain and slid almost entirely under the car but that's a story for another time. Aside from that the whole experience was a blast. Then in December I got to shoot my first semi-fashion show. I was there to take photos of the jewelry on the models supplied by Jewell's Girls. Overall 2012 was pretty amazing for me on the new things front. I am so excited to see what 2013 will allow me to learn.

Can't wait for more photography opportunities in 2013!

"nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced."

  {john keats}

aug to oct :: new things

When I started NEW THINGS in January, it was supposed to be a goal that would push me to do something new that I never thought of trying; however, that hasn't been the case. The whirlwind that has been this year offered me new things to do each month. Really without even thinking about it. Is there anything that has inspired you to try anything new this month? This year?

August 2012

::visit the Bacardi Factory in Puerto Rico::

September 2012 

::visit wineries in California::

October 2012

::meet Gala Darling & attend the first ever Blogcademy::

See what else I've been up to this year… FEB - JUN & JUL

"if it's important you'll find a way. 

if it's not, you'll find an excuse."

{ryan blair}

july new things

Be an Extra 

Maybe it is a random one but something I've always wanted to do, was to be on a film set. So I took some quick homemade headshots, created a profile on Casting Networks and got a few call backs. I ended up doing a student feature film: Charlie, Trevor & a Girl Named Savannah. Followed by a music video for a local BK rapper: Gliffics. It was interesting and eye-opening into that industry. Not sure if I can be passionate about it just yet but I will say, the best thing even just in those two days, were all the great people I met. Everyone is very professional and driven in their own right. 

It was inspiring. 

I look so tan in the 2nd one! I took these a couple weeks after I got back from Africa so really naturally I'm somewhere in between the two... funny how a flash and lighting can change a picture so much. 

::yogi tea::

The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment. 

feb to jun :: new things

Back in January, I wrote about doing something new each month vs making a list of random new years resolutions {that rarely get accomplished for most of us}. However, with all these bold plans of the new year that I had/did, I didn't keep up with posting them. But doing new things each month? That I did do. 
Here you go.


February 2012
:: road trip it to Memphis, TN ::

March 2012 
:: volunteer for EHRA in Africa ::

April 2012
:: explore Africa, go to Botswana ::

May 2012
:: go to Cape Town, South Africa ::

June 2012
:: enjoy a jobless summer in the city ::

::your highness::
"I propose a toast ~
let us drink until our asses are drunk."

january new things

Lots of news to share… this month is setting the tone for how the rest of this year is going to feel… I think… with this whole something new each month, I start with January… and that being… I quit my job. Now when I first say that, it sounds so spur-of-the-moment and maybe not well thought out but I assure you, it has been… well planned. Sometimes I have to remind myself that too but I am so ready and so excited for new things to come. Sometimes, in a job, you have to decide to move on and be ready to find the next great thing. I am ready. February 10th will be my last day and then guess what? Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras. Then some relaxing, more blogging and some travelling and then some new job finding. Sometimes you just have to take time to regroup, be a better you and find something new.



In other news, I started an Instagram! However, I don’t actually have an i-phone so I’m loading them to my i-pad and updating from there. I don’t entirely get it all yet but it’s fun and I love editing my pictures in these tones… so um, follow me? @islandialane …is that how it works? Also I’ve been decorating my new apt {new since June 2011} finally. Painting some, getting things framed, getting the right furniture and setting up my closet. Trying to make it all fit in my simple little studio. Maybe a home post coming on soon... I’ve never done one of those, another something new and something fun.
Here’s to a happy week!

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.

Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality.

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

{lao tzu}