Nineteen
Today is my 19th birthday!
Before I begin rambling… 18 in photographs:
in the blink of an eye, a year’s gone by…
And just like that: I am 19. Kinda crazy, no?
I am writing to you lovelies from Berlin, Germany… My father and I have just arrived at the hotel we’ll be staying at this weekend and, while I’m a bit disappointed that my birthday passed in such a blur – air travel is always so fast paced and exhausting – the weekend spent exploring this hip, historic city will more than make up for the time dedicated to getting from Point A to Point B.
So! I’m now going to attempt to recap 365 days of my life in about a paragraph. Ready? Let’s go!
As I’ve mentioned before, my dad and I have decided to make traveling together each year on my birthday weekend a tradition of ours. Last year, from the 27 to the 29 we visited Bruges and the Netherlands. I can’t believe how time has flown. In December my ‘lil brother, who was 15 at the time, spent Christmas with me in Paris. We then traveled to Colmar for several days, where we strolled around various Christmas markets and took plenty of pictures. Oh, and we went to Versailles together, too. In February I visited Chartres by myself for a day. It was beautiful, and taking a train alone was such a rewarding experience. I took these spooky photographs, which I still quite like, around that time, as well. My beautiful mother and sweet (honestly, there isn’t a boy his age with more love in his heart) 12 year old brother Jack visited me in early-April, around Easter. We had the absolute best time together at Disneyland Paris. In early spring I met Carrie Anne James in person and had the pleasure of interviewing her a couple of months later. She has been such an inspiration and source of wisdom and guidance for me… I couldn’t be more thankful for her presence in my life. Ooh, and then my fourth blogging anniversary arrived! I’ve been sharing bits and pieces of my life here since I was 14. Insane, isn’t it? Then I said au revoir to Paris for a teeny while. It always breaks my heart to leave. Whilst home in California my love for digital photography returned. I was inspired to pick up my Canon and haven’t looked back since. I spent a lot of time at the beach. And in L.A. (Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Hollywood, etc…) I even crafted a guide to my hometown of Oceanside. I was obsessed with our local lagoon for a while, too. And then! My dad and I travelled to London to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in June. It was an unforgettable experience. We spent a full day exploring Dublin, too. From early July to mid-August I au-paired for the most adorable French 8-year-old in Toulouse. Afterwards, I met my mom in Rome for a weekend in the gorgeous Italian city. We had the best-est time together. And then… I returned to Paris. My favorite place in the whole-wide-world. In September I began a semester-long portrait project. My new friend Olivia was my first model, and she couldn’t have been more perfect. She lent me her Fujifilm Instax Wide for the shoot, and I fell head over heels for the camera and it’s excellent exposures. So I bought one myself and have been photographing weekly with it since. I then took pictures of Nora. And Carrie Anne (the polaroids I shot of her are my favorite). And Yasmeen. And Sasha. And many others whom I’ve yet to share photos of. My friend Terry was in town for a few days last weekend and we attended a protest together. I took lots of pictures.
And to think I still have so many memories from my 18th year to share here… film images from Rome and Toulouse, outfit photos from a shoot by lovely Léa, and much, much more.
Thank you so much for supporting me by reading this blog, everyone. I love you all!
Here’s to an amazing nineteenth year!
xoxo,
Abby
Happiest of happy birthdays to you, dear Abby! May your year ahead be full of joy.
Thank you so much, Sarah! Sending love, Abby xx
HAPPY BIRTHDAY girly girl, it’s been another beautiful year <3 I love your birthday tradition of travel-I am so envious of how well traveled you are!!
Awwww, thank you, Kayle! You are so sweet – come visit me, please?! xo
Happy belated birthday! Congrats on a fantastic year, and here’s to another one! <3 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Thanks so much, Audrey! (PS: I would love to send you an Xmas card this year; if you happen to see this message me your address? xo)
Happy, happy birthday my dear! Cheers to an amazing year and I know there is so much greatness still to come! 🙂 xo
Thank you so much, Laura! You are too kind. XO!!!
These photos are perfect – as always.
Happy Birthday!
Erin | art, words, pictures
Aww, thanks, Erin! xo
Happy birthday, Abby! Looks like you had a pretty good year! Best wishes 🙂
Ron | Nearby Wanderer
Thank you so much, Ron! I hope you’re well in sunny SoCal! 🙂