2014 Recap
Well, I've caved to the trend. Time to review the past year!
Also, this is a great filler post till I can take some new outfit photos, so, ya know, win-win.
Now! To commence with what is perhaps my longest post to date!
To start things off, I have to reminisce on the amazing surprise party my dear friend Corina threw for me. I've never had anyone do that for me (not even my parents!), and it was such a wonderful feeling to have close friends there to help celebrate my 20th birthday. Oh, and those are all Mike's Hard Lemonade bottles filled with candy, in case you were wondering.
At the start of the year, I dyed my whole head of hair for the first time. It was a brassy red that dulled to a more subdued tone, and I'm still trying to decide if I should touch up my hair that same color or try something new...would you laugh if I told you I wanted to dye it black? I've always had dark hair, but it's a distinctly dark shade of brown. I'm curious to try a jet black hair color.
I also started one of my absolute favorite jobs to date - a barista position at Moxie Java! I learned an incredible skill set, worked with awesome people, and my confidence grew in leaps and bounds thanks to the experience.
Summertime and I was wearing some zaps of happy colors here and there. Perhaps it was due to the unexpected attention from a certain male acquaintance. We ended up being friends, though that soured due to some bitterness from the opposing side..ah well. You live and you learn! Some people do not appreciate a female who's "too independent"...
The highlights of the summer would have to be:
Also, this is a great filler post till I can take some new outfit photos, so, ya know, win-win.
Now! To commence with what is perhaps my longest post to date!
To start things off, I have to reminisce on the amazing surprise party my dear friend Corina threw for me. I've never had anyone do that for me (not even my parents!), and it was such a wonderful feeling to have close friends there to help celebrate my 20th birthday. Oh, and those are all Mike's Hard Lemonade bottles filled with candy, in case you were wondering.
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Day and Night // Tribal Spring // Layering Leopard |
I also started one of my absolute favorite jobs to date - a barista position at Moxie Java! I learned an incredible skill set, worked with awesome people, and my confidence grew in leaps and bounds thanks to the experience.
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Taken // Girl On Fire // When Love Arrives |
A definite highlight from the start of the year would have to be the Imagine Dragons concert I went to in February! What a fantastic show - and it must have set off a domino effect, because it was not the last concert I went to that year.
I also went to my college's Masquerade Ball, which was certainly fun. However, a defining moment was perhaps when I realized just how much I relished my independent streak, and rejected the advances of a particularly pushy suitor. It was in that moment that I finally felt comfortable with being on my own, and proved it to myself.
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Crop Tops & High Waists // Bohemian Bride // Old School Charm |
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Coachella Shorts // Denim Daze // Pattern Play |
- the amazing, layout revamp Jessica helped give my blog! It was a much needed face lift, and I'm still in love with the adorable little dragonfruit in the header.
- I also got to travel to Seattle and Canada on a trip with my best friend, Corina. We had way too much fun getting lost, figuring out the bus system in Seattle, and grabbing drinks and dancing with strangers in the beautiful British Columbia.
- My adventurous side was awakened this summer. I found myself getting involved in numerous hikes (see here and here) and paddleboarding adventures. I even dragged my friends out on a camping/hiking trip on the coldest days possible. They're such good sports to entertain me...
- I got to see Ellie Goulding live! She's phenomenal live, as were her opening acts. I spent the night happily swaying and dancing along to her beautiful voice and catchy beats.
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Open Toes & Open Eyes // Not My Type // ChiChi Love |
Right before the fall semester went into full swing, I had the opportunity to take a backpacking class! It was one of the most physically taxing things I've done to date, but I'm so glad I did it. For the weekend, we hiked up to the beautiful White Cloud Mountains, and I'll never forget the thrill of mounting the crest that never seemed to end to see that beautiful sight before me. I'd earned that gorgeous snippet of nature, and the water had never felt so good on my tired and aching feet.
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The Little Stinger |
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I'm My Only Enemy // On the Edge // Over Time Too |
So as I was browsing through past posts, I just realized that I never fully devoted a post to one of the most epic concerts I saw this year - Monumentour! Paramore and Fall Out Boy in one show? It was spectacular, and I'll never forget what it felt like to dance in the confetti that rained down on us. Oh, and Pete Wentz threw his pick at me, so there's that!
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Autumn Smiles // Deadly Eyes // Alley Cats |
One of my favorite shoots this year was the Deadly Eyes post, featuring those creeptastic white contact lenses from Spooky Eyes! Getting that creative spark inspired me to step up my photography game once again and aim to bring higher quality outfit photos to the blog.
Of course, that's more difficult with my current living situation. I'll be keeping an eye out for possible locations to get photos at, but for now, I'm keeping plenty busy just trying to find my way back to my new home.
The last concert I went to that year, was none other than Bastille.
Can I just say that they created a devoted fangirl thanks to that show? Every time I hear Dan's voice on the radio, I instantly turn it up and bob my head, a smile creeping on my face because I still think of that concert fondly. THEY'RE SIMPLY PHENOMENAL LIVE, OKAY?
Finally, to wrap up the year, I threw my first ever party, and it was for New Year's Eve! I rounded up close friends, set up a glittery "selfie station", popped in a few movies, played some fun games, and spent close to 24 hours with most of them just talking, laughing, and cementing bonds. At the end of the day (because yes, we stayed up that late), everyone was saying "Same time next year at Linda's, yeah?"
Hopefully soon I can do a basic update and let you know what's going on though! For now, hope you enjoyed the flashback to 2014. It was a good year, and I'm grateful to have done another year of blogging.
Can I just say that they created a devoted fangirl thanks to that show? Every time I hear Dan's voice on the radio, I instantly turn it up and bob my head, a smile creeping on my face because I still think of that concert fondly. THEY'RE SIMPLY PHENOMENAL LIVE, OKAY?
(my absolute favorite photo from the night) |
Hopefully soon I can do a basic update and let you know what's going on though! For now, hope you enjoyed the flashback to 2014. It was a good year, and I'm grateful to have done another year of blogging.
Going back through the previous year has made me realize just how much I've done and accomplished without even being conscious of it. It's been a year of experiences that helped build my newly founded confidence - which is now catapulting me into a whole new round of experiences!
Thank you to everyone who's tagged along. Whether you've been there since my Trendy Teal days or have only recently discovered The Dragonfruit Diaries, I'm thankful for such a loving community I've discovered through blogging!
Thank you to everyone who's tagged along. Whether you've been there since my Trendy Teal days or have only recently discovered The Dragonfruit Diaries, I'm thankful for such a loving community I've discovered through blogging!
Here's to 2015 being an even bigger and brighter year for us all!
(ps: since this post was so insanely long, I'll be AWOL until next week's Music Monday post - gotta recharge and get ready for the upcoming school semester. Wish me luck!)
(ps: since this post was so insanely long, I'll be AWOL until next week's Music Monday post - gotta recharge and get ready for the upcoming school semester. Wish me luck!)
DON'T FORGET!
You can still enter to win a pair of free Polette glasses at the giveaway I'm hosting HERE. Take a chance and enter! Because who couldn't use some chic, French eyewear to kick off a new year?
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
28 comments
Looks like you have had a very fun filled year! These pictures are adorable and everyone looks so happy! Hope 2015 is treating you well so far xo
lovejoanna.com
You accomplished so much Linda! Very proud of you! Gorgeous masquerade ball post and NYE post! You look gorgeous in both! Keep learning. Keep growing. Wish you the best of luck in school.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/
Dang, 2014 sounds like super busy year for you! Hope 2015 is even better :)
Mili
Looks like your year was full of fun and new beginnings (perfect pair if I do say so myself)! I'm quite jealous of your backpacking class (taking history in university, we never had such awesome class options, hah). And I must say, as pretty as you are with bangs, I love your hair lately! It really suits you. I'm now second guessing my own bangs...
Happy New Year, Linda!
this is a great recap post dear! Happy New Year!
love,
Cassie Thriftier
Wonderful post to wrap up your year Linda! You have had a fantastic year, hope that 2015 is even bigger and better for you! Concerts for your fave band are always memorable events, I wish you many more this year!
Take all the time you need to settle in, blogs are so unimportant and can wait while you are so busy with real life! :)
Away From The Blue
2015 Wardrobe Inventory Linkup
wow Linda I think you had such an amazing year! hope it'll be even more amazing in 2015!!!
Lots of love.
Carla
www.carlaviolet.com
Great pics and outfits, dear!
xx
http://www.madridforniagirl.com/
I'm so glad to see that you still remember me, it's been a while! <3 It's been a really eventful year for you, Linda, and you have accomplished so much! I am so jealous of that Paramore & FOB concert, I wish I could see them both live so bad. Here's to 2015, hope it's an even better one and brings you more wonderful memories to cherish! x
http://thedashingdiaries.com
You have fantastic blog ,
By the way, I was wonderying if you want to follow each other? Let me know so I can follow back :)
http://kasjaa.blogspot.com/
you definitely had a super year! so many amazing looks! :) can't wait to see what you have in store for us this year! :)
katslovefashion.blogspot.com
I took a break from blogging, but I've read every single post of yours! <3 I love your blog and I'm always looking forward to new posts. Keep up the good work, lovely lady! *big hug*
I think that's a big reason recap posts are so popular--they are are really effective way to reflect on your year.
It's certainly been a year full of adventures and growth for you! I loved reading your posts about being independent and knowing what you want for yourself. Hearing about your hiking and nature treks was also so empowering. The views are so lovely too! And my absolutely favorite outfit would have to be the "old school charm." Everything, from the dress to hat to punch of leopard, is perfect.
Enjoy your well-deserved blogging break!
Oh, and I forgot to mention that you looked absolutely stunning on NYE. Red is gorgeous on you!
What a great 2014 with lots of great looks and moments. Excited to follow along in 2015 Linda! xx Kat
Love and Ace
It looks like you had such an amazing year! Hope that 2015 is just as wonderful for you!
xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
Looks like you had such a lovely 2014! Such great photos and memories shared here! So lovely. Wishing you a wonderful 2015.
Denise
www.fashionloveletters.com
this is such a very nice throwback post of your 2014! i enjoyed looking at every photo and reading the captions. i'm so glad to have read every experience/adventure/concert you had last year through your true stories and wonderful outfits!!
cheers to the new year!
czarina :)
Thanks so much for your sweet words, they made my day!
I enjoyed reading your recap, you have definitely worn some beautiful outfits this past year -and oh my, I'm jealous of your concert list!
Have a wonderful weekend,
-Kati
looks like an awesome year you had, lots of ups and downs, and fun filled outfits :) may your 2015 be even better!!
Great post Linda. Best of luck with your move and the beginning of the new semster. xoxoxo
omg!!! you had so many music moments!!! I'm so jealous of all the concerts you've been too!!! :D
cheers to 2015!
have a great week!
Animated Confessions
Great round up! I absolutely love that photo of you on a white dress/top with flowers in your hair. :)
www.annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com/
awesome post! The concerts!! :D
I adore year in review posts - looks like you had a kick ass one. There's nothing quite like a surprise party and dude, your backpacking class looks ridiculously awesome. Didn't know that was a thing!
Wow you've got great style!
- Liz
http://bit.ly/voguedout
Awwww, looks like your year was positively awesome. Plus you looked fab to boot!! Loved that you visited Canada (whoo-hoo) and your New Years party looked like such a hit!!
Hope this year is even better than the previous. Cheers to making loads of fantastic memories, lovey!!! xo
Little late here but I finally made it. And can I just say, this was the BEST REVIEW post I've read!! Loved it! You had another amazing year of looks and, it looks like, some wonderful life experiences. I wish you many more great outfits and moments in 2015!!
-Nathy
Wow, you have had quite the year! It's been wild to see how much you've grown and how confident you've gotten in the past few years, I remember reading your blog right when you first started and it seems like ages ago. (Hah, I was too shy to comment at the time but I remember the pictures you'd take on your porch!) I'm so glad that this was a good year for you, all of those concerts looked like so much fun and I'm so excited for you in this new chapter! I hope all is going well with school in a new town! :)
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