2012 Introspection

I know I'm super behind on this, but I just simply can't get on with the usual until I "look back" at 2012. My 2011 Introspective was one of the best things I've done for myself, because throughout the year I kept going back to that post to remind myself what I learned from the year before. I told myself I had to do one every year, so here goes:

I experienced so much change in 2012. For the first five months, I was a beauty intern at Vogue and was lucky enough to even have two published pieces on Vogue.com (here and here, if you wanted to take a peek). I also met my girl crush/idol Eva Chen, who gave me wonderful advice about everything from working at Vogue to career to life, really.

I graduated in May and moved to New York City in September. And if my exultations through my posts and social media accounts aren't apparent enough, I am absolutely head over heels in love with this city. I don't think I'll live here forever, but for now and (hopefully) for a few more years to come, this is where my heart will be.

Funny story! My roommate and I met each other on Craigslist. We were both in desperate situations and had to find whatever we could, but we ended up in a great neighborhood and a nice apartment and are now having the time of our lives. Everyone who knows us tell us they would never ever have paired us up to live together, but it works so well that she's now one of my best friends and confidantes. I was never really a big believer in soul mates, but now I am pretty sure she and I are meant for each other. The picture above is a good representation of how it's like living in our apartment. I love that girl.

I ended a 5-year relationship in November, and since then what I've been trying to do is make more friends and expose myself to new food, new adventures, new things, new people. I've been posting less recently because a huge part of me wants to take the time to relax and enjoy life outside the screen. For the past year, my daily schedule had Messy Wands stamped on it, and while I love it like it's my child, I have to say it's pretty liberating to actually feel like a girl in her early 20s.

That said, Messy Wands has grown too. I love the new lighting and new design, and I'm hoping to diversify content in 2013. I am still very thankful and grateful to each and every one of you who took the time to comment and give me ideas when I was in my rut. It seems that some of you would like to read lifestyle/fashion posts (feel free to share your thoughts below!). I can't promise that I wear very interesting things, but I do like other pretty things besides makeup, and I would love to share them with you moving forward.

People say some of biggest changes you'll go through in life is after high school and college graduation, and I guess they're right. For 2013, I would like to be proactive and reach for what I want, because if there's one thing I learned by now, it's that you won't get what you want if you don't ask/fight for it. Nicely, of course.

Have a good year ahead, lovelies!