2014: Year in Review

I feel like I say this quite often––maybe it's just cause I'm getting older and life is happening faster than I would like––but I can't believe the year already went by! I remember sitting down around this same time a year ago thinking of all the great wishes/objectives/resolutions I had for 2014, and now I really can't understand how it all happened so quickly. I had great plans for the year, and now I know that I made them all come true because I worked hard on all of them. It was definitely a wonderful year, and that's all I can think about right now!

I received the year doing what I do best––eating, of course––with my wonderful mum and sister.

Although I didn't expect to travel a lot this year, I went to Italy with my favourite people on Earth in January...

...went to Miami to spend yet more time with my favourite people...

...and went to my beautiful hometown, Cartagena, to spend some quality time with my daddy in the summer––and eat some more!

I also spent a lot of time with my baby horse...

...cooked...

...danced...

...and even made it to the Colombian countryside to escape from life for a few days.

All of this before finally making the big move to New York to start working on my Master's degree––which was my biggest plan of the year, and probably also one of the greatest achievements in my life so far.

Once in New York, I got to see new places...

...discover what have become my new favourite restaurants...

...and see friends I hadn't seen in a very long time.

I also had my family visit several times...

...and enjoyed all the Christmas attractions––but mostly the decorations––the city has to offer.

I met some wonderful people, made new friends, and became closer with others. And they all played a very important part in what my life has become now!

But the best thing that has happened to me since I moved to New York are all the new ideas and new projects to work on. Every day, I get bombed with wonderful ideas from the people that study with me at Parsons, and all the movement of the city does nothing different than inspire me. New York is definitely the place where my mind works best and my body feels at its most. I am really glad this year brought me here.

So bring it on, 2015. I'm more than ready for you!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Monthly Medley

This month has been the most exhausting month I've had since I moved to New York––although I've loved every single bit of it! It started out with the last couple of weeks of school––which means finals, naturally, so I spent hours sitting down reading and trying to write somewhat coherent essays. I also had one of my childhood friends visit from Canada and my family arrived on the 15th. After that, the month was all shopping, Christmas, and lots of tourist-y activities.

And although I would say I'm finishing the year pretty tired, I always have enough energy to think about the new things to come, and plan ahead for stardom next year! But I should concentrate before on thanking for the beauty of this year and for all the amazing things that have happened to me... So that's why I'm planning on sharing my highlights of the year tomorrow, in case you want to pop by!

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As I mentioned above, this month was mostly about the shopping and spending time with my loved ones, so I must confess I wasn't very good at reading interesting things. But I did manage to find a couple of things––mainly leftovers from November, though––that I hope you enjoy:

– Life according to Coco Chanel

– Condé Nast Traveller shares the 10 "dangerous" places I would love to visit next year––starting with Cartagena, my hometown––because

What on earth are you afraid of? These destinations may have a tinge of danger about them, but take the word of our staff of intrepid travelers and beat the crowds to these formerly PR-challenged destinations. In years to come, you'll be glad you visited so ahead of the curve.

– Some thoughts on the daily rituals of history's most creative minds

But there is a broader lesson here. The perfect workspace isn't what leads to brilliant work, just as no other "perfect" routine or ritual will turn you into an artistic genius. Flaubert didn't achieve what he did because of hot baths, but through immeasurable talent and extremely hard work. Which is unfortunate, because I'm really good at running baths.

– Little rituals everywhere: the act of the sacred pause

If you listen to your heart’s longings, you’ll find that your life is littered with little rituals everywhere.

– Some interesting thoughts on the creativity creep

– I loved these arguments about why we should travel young––and I could actually share the whole article as a quote below, but I don't want to give it away because it really touched me! So what I can share is:

While you’re still young, get cultured. Get to know the world and the magnificent people that fill it. The world is a stunning place, full of outstanding works of art. See it.

– Debating the future of technology

– This article on why your realistic goals are holding you back was almost like a flashback to entrepreneurship classes in college and social entrepreneurship competitions––except better!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Central Park, My Happy Place

Although I can't deny the townhouses in the West Village and the buildings downtown are absolutely beautiful, I wouldn't change living close to Central Park for anything in the world. I love walking around the park whenever I have some free time––or when I don't but I need to clear up my thoughts––and working out there a few times every week. Central Park, I'd say, is my favourite place in the city––although the Met is a serious competitor for the award.

Last week I went there for a walk with my friend Emilie, and although we almost freeze––it was incredibly cold and windy!––we had a great time just walking around and talking about life. Regarding the park, I was astonished at how beautiful the park looked even if the day was gloomy and sad... Now I can't wait for the snow to come and seeing it all white!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Christmas in Dyker Heights

Enough about Christmas, I know! For some reason––maybe just because I spent the past few months all by myself in a whole new world––I'm having a very deep obsession with Christmas this year! But I promise this will be the last post about it––I think!

On Christmas Day I spent most of the morning in bed watching movies with my family, and after brunch we headed out to explore one of the neighbourhoods I always heard was the prettiest during this time of the year in New York: Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. And we weren't disappointed. Most of the houses in the neighbourhood were looking wonderful, all geared up with lots of lights and decorations. I couldn't have loved anything about it any more!

Maybe one day I'll decorate my home like one of those gorgeous houses...

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas from my family to yours. Hope you have lots of fun today and are surrounded by happy feelings and lots of love!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio