I’ll admit, I was relieved when 2011 ended. It was a busy and exciting year, but it was also overwhelming. It included major career changes, very personal losses, a lack of sleep, and constant transitions. That said, going through my photos from 2011 was an awesome reminder that every year (even my lesser favorites) includes some amazing moments. Here’s a visual sampling of some of my favorites spent with friends and family!

January:
We dubbed 2011 the Year of High Adventure and kicked things off by burning Christmas trees at the beach!
We also discovered that Ryan can fly:My friend Ana took Becca, Jen and I to Disneyland – it was my first time, and I smiled from ear to ear all day long!Our book club, inspired by The Hunger Games, took an archery class together:
Corelyn was the winner of the archery contest, with Jess as the runner up!
February:
I saw The Decemberists in concert over Valentine’s Day weekend and made this little tribute to them:
Becca and I learned how to make a cake with a heart inside of it! I made one specifically for a photo with George (because I’m nuts):
I went to New Orleans for the first time ever in celebration of Ashley’s bachelorette party!We all put on some crazy outfits for a night out at the Krewe de Vieux parade!
The Blingz, a groundbreaking all-female hip-hop group, were formed by myself, Giovanna, and Shannon:
Music everywhere!The Garden District:
March:
George, Ashley, Lucas & I spent a day driving to their wedding venue in Camarillo and around Malibu:
Alyssa, one of my best friends from high school, came to visit LA with her boyfriend, Terence:
We went to the Huntington Library, where the boys forced us to go on 2 hour garden tour (our attention spans aren’t really suited for guided tours…):

Terence, always a charmer!
All of us at the Getty Center:
George & Neil ran the 2011 LA Marathon:
It was the rainiest day we had all year…of course.I photographed at the LA Wine Riot and made some great new discoveries, like Proof Wine Collective:
Jam Jar makes a great, affordable sweet shiraz:
I also found I Heart Pies…delicious.
April:
Megan and I attended the LA Pillow Fight, and were covered in feathers for days to follow:
We had a 12 hour scavenger hunt! Here’s the awesome blue team:
Some crazy things happened! Check out Megan’s INCREDIBLE video of the day, if you haven’t already. (I just watched it again and am now crying laughing!)
I photographed my sweet friend, Ellen, in the woods:
We celebrated Becca & Jess’ birthdays with some games in the park!
We pulled an oven (and lots of other stuff) onto the beach for a sunrise photo shoot with Garlic, My Soul:
I took some fun photos of Jess with a GIANT lollipop:
Ashley and I had an adventure with a turquoise parasol:I took photos of Corelyn before she moved back east:
Also, there’s no photo documentation of this, but April was the month I became a full time photographer/retoucher for Forever21’s website!

May:
We went berry picking:
I celebrated my 25th birthday at Saddlerock Winery! Stole this pic from Jeff 🙂
Jess gave me this amazing yellow parasol!I finished my 365:
Ashley & Lucas got married!!!
June:
The Blingz were reunited:
 Jeff & Jennie celebrated their birthdays with a day at the beach:
One of my favorite photos of Jess, maybe ever.
George & I discovered Sip Winery in Malibu, where they let me take some behind-the-scenes photos!
Next up – July through December!