2014. Whew. What a year. I seriously can’t thank you all enough for reading this space on the ‘Net that I like to refer to as GAC 🙂 I learned a ton this year about blogging, photography, and social media… and about myself. Girl About Columbus has taught me a lot. I can say that I am in a completely different place than what I was last year. It’s interesting, because through my blog, I’ve tapped into hobbies and passions of mine I didn’t even know were there. I am crazy into design, color, and art right now. All of this translates to every aspect of my life. I usually refrain from anything too “deep” on this blog, but today… I must say that I’ve learned to really pay attention to details in every day life. When I’m driving home from work sometimes there is this crazy-good light that makes me want to pull my car over and just instantly capture the scene with my camera. Of course, I can’t always do that but sometimes I do.

I’ve learned this year that you have to go after what you want. And sometimes that involves being direct and asking for what you want. It may take time and a whole lotta effort … but take steps to make it happen. “Take initiative”, as are my dad’s ever-resonating words of advice for me growing up. I might actually be finally understanding those words. Nothing worth having comes easy. With GAC, there is a lot of time, attention to detail, email correspondence, ideas, organization, planning, photos, worries, hopes, and dreams involved. When I looked back at the past year to do this post, it became clear that I have worked hard and have absolutely loved every minute of it. The small things have made 2014 a great year. So, thank you, for reading and being so supportive. I love y’all. Enjoy the re-cap:

2014

JANUARY/FEBRUARY : Rang in 2014 with friends at the Athletic Club and Easy Street Cafe. Took in the 1000th regular season CBJ game. Tried to stay warm. Visited Bakersfield for the first time. Dreamt of warmer days. Co-hosted a Columbus bloggers’ brunch for the first time. Had a successful photo shoot of the Green Bean Delivery service.  Attended Mayor Coleman’s State of the City Address. Learned how to blow glass at Glass Axis.

MARCH: Collaborated with Meijer. Discovered fave spot Ethyl & Tank. Celebrated St. Patty’s Day with Dana at Pint House. Hosted the Ohio Pocket Tees Giveaway. Signed up for Birchbox, which I continue to look forward to every month! Visited Nashville. Published a popular post about weekend trips from Ohio. And (finally) shared a post about my travels to Charleston, South Carolina from the previous summer.

APRIL: Was interviewed by Kathy from Kasual Life! Took a day trip to Athens. Marmi hosted us for a Blogger Breakfast. Attend my first fashion show, The Circa Fashion Show, coordinated by local blogger Ashley from Style on High. Collaborated with Miracle-Gro to start my own plants. The Rowe Spring Presentation was beautiful. Nashville for Katie’s Bachelorette. Enjoyed a warm + beautiful Easter day with family. Photographed the first signs of Spring.

MAY: Was voted #3 Best Local Blogger (thank you, thank you!) in 614 Magazine’s ColumBEST Awards. Float Fest kayaking for Memorial Day. Columbus Crew game. Flew to Nashville for Katie’s Bachelorette. Bought a house with my husband!!!

JUNE:  Everything I did this month revolved around renovating our home! Ripped out carpet. Painted trim/walls/staircase. Replaced floors with hardwood/laminate. Loved every single second of June. My husband and I along with our awesome family and friends rocked out! I’ve never worked so hard in my life! I also somehow made time for DigFest, the Ohio Bloggers’ Event, antique shopping, and playing some golf 🙂

JULY: Moved into our house. Took in Red White & Boom. Partied at the lake for the 4th of July. Furniture shopped. Visited Waynesville as well as IKEA multiple times. Was a frequent flyer at this flower farm. Settled in.

AUGUST: My nephew, Lucas, was born at OSU Medical Center. Visted Chicago for Lindsey’s Bachelorette party. Partied with The Real World at Castaways in Chicago, LOL. Visited Washington, DC for one of my best friend’s wedding. Attended the Parade of Homes. My husband celebrated his 30th birthday. Lincoln turned 4. August was beautiful and full of celebrations.

SEPTEMBER:  So many rain-free days. Went to the Black Keys concert, The Pinnacle for lunch, and the Ohio State game for my birthday weekend. My niece, Emily, was born on Nic and I’s 2nd Anniversary. Ran the social media for my Dad’s campaign for state school board. Loved the Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line concert. Got super into fall fashion and loved collaborating with Meijer on this post. Shared my Fall To-Do List, which by the way – I accomplished everything besides #2 and #9!

OCTOBER: This month feels like just yesterday – I always feel like October/November/December go sooo fast with the amazing weather and all of the celebrations! One of my favorite parts of 2014: Ventured to Athens with Nic as well as Hocking Hills (post on both coming in January).Attended the Lorde concert. Went to the Jake Owen concert at the LC. We also hosted a Halloween housewarming party (bucket list-check!), which was a success. I flew down south to NOLA to spend some times with best friends (post on New Orleans is coming soon, I promise). Was obsessed with mums and cozy sweaters – more here! Circleville Pumpkin Show. Went to the Bob Evans Farm Festival with my mom and dad. I took a million photos this month which is why I still have much to share on the blog.

NOVEMBER: First snow of the season. Sweetest purchase of 2014: Reagan (aka Rea), a currently 3.5 lb Maltipoo who has stolen my heart. Spent Thanksgiving evening with my family. Received a gorgeous holiday wreath from Ashby Floral.  Shared my guide to Columbus with Out+Outift, a Cincinnati-based fashion blog. Cheered on the Buckeyes. Collaborated with the local Rock & Bow and Four Turns Baking Co. Attended the Capital Style Holiday Issue Release Party. Spent time with local bloggers at the (hopefully annual) Columbus Blogsgiving event at Wolf’s Ridge. Blogged about Pistacia Vera’s amazing fall menu. Found the cutest scarlet and gray scarf that apparently others loved too 🙂 Traveled to Orlando for the ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association) conference aka for speech therapy – my full-time gig 🙂

DECEMBER: Filled with Christmas happenings. Published a decent list of things to do for the holidays around Columbus. Obsessed with all things fair isle, socks, and PJ’s.  Loved taking my first painting class with Studio 614! Cut my hair. Saw a million Christmas lights. Posted my first beauty tutorial. Shared a yummy Red Velvet cookie recipe. Cozied up at home with Nic, a glass of Cab, and a good Christmas movie. Spent time with family and friends. Reflected on 2014. Made plans for 2015.