2011

Dang this came around fast! It's amazing how much time speeds up as you get older. And in turn...it makes me feel old :( 

So far..let's see. Not too much change from where I was on the 31st december! I find it funny how everyone gets so excited on the 31st of december and makes resolutions etc and expects to wake up the next day and the world magically be a different place. 

Its kind of one of the reasons why I loathe new years. People are all so deluded into this notion that because the day is different, then life will be different without even trying. 

All I know, is that change is progressive. And nothing happens straight away. 

I have just moved into my new place. And I love it. I painted my room red and decked it out with fairy lights, and photographs and vintage records on the walls. It is my new york version of my red room back in Wellington, NZ. 

Work is same old same old. Just trying my hustle on to figure out a way to stay in the USA....because on top of not wanting to leave. I just can't be bothered!!! moving is such a hassle. And when you fly, you get all stinky and you have to carry stuff. And your skin gets so dry. Its just no good all round. 

Plus the leaving tears and the coming back "what are you gonna do now" questions. These are all things that I cannot be bothered dealing with again that's for sure. 

In other news. I have been a party maniac. And anyone who has known me closely knows that I tend to go on party binges every few months. That's me right now....hahahaa and I know a few people who will just be shaking their heads and laughing at me. No, I am not going to name names. 

But I know one of them did tell me last night, in great detail that I am "one of a kind" and definitely "crazy"

I would really know what defines a crazy person, and why people keep telling me that more and more. I guess to me, being free and expressive makes me crazy. God, I can't imagine how boring life would be if no one expressed themselves, if no one made art or music and if no one lived their lives how it should be lived. 

One day, I will chill with my 7 cats and think...(unless I have lost my mind by then) yeah girl. You know how it feels to have lived :)

annie xx

blizzards and wonderland

The first blizzard of the winter and its brutal...

Still it didnt stop me from running into the powder with my fur jacket on and spinning around so many times that i fell over and landed in a big mushroom cloud puff of snow. It sure did make my hangover feel better :)

Xmas was totally mental. Yet another xmas spent alone on the other side of the world away from my family...not much else to do then spend it with other "orphans". Needless to say the mission to get totally crazy and disappear into wonderland totally worked out. 

Once in wonderland, its hard not to reflect about the year past and its ups and many downs. Hope for a better 2011 where life works out the way my karma deserves. 

New Years resolutions which I never make but this year, I have made them and sworn to keep them. 

Then the snow started to fall...

walking home in the blizzard definitely hurt my cheeks with the cold. By the time I got back to my cosy warm apartment my legs were red with cold and it was not nice.

Here is what the snow looks like outside my bedroom window now 

Two common things said to me more and more as of late are: "your nuts" and "don't go too far into wonderland". 

I love my nuttiness and I love being a part of wonderland. So to all of you who are too scared to be that way, its your loss. 

And I will stay here and spin around as fast as I can until I can't see anymore

annie xx

paris

so yes...im in paris. And I haven't posted in a very long time.

But you know how it is wrapping up loose ends before you travel. With 11 hour work days, extra curricular activities, teamed with the intensity of being fabulous 24/7. 

It's tough.

I needed this vacation very badly. Mostly because I thought that it would let me check off all the things that needed to happen for me. 

Drink lots. Sleep lots. Eat lots of cured meat. See lots of churches and beautiful architecture. Buy some crazy clothes. Spend time with boo. See the snow. See Jim Morrison's grave. Dress up every day. And figure out my next step in New York. 

Well, I have pretty much done all of that except for the whole "next step" thing. I know its kind of a big one, pretty important...

I guess, with all the uncertainty with my visas, jobs etc it will do that to you. And by that, I mean swim around and around in your head to the point where you just think F$$$ it. Either have a beer and forget it, or do something about it tomorrow...And let time run it's course. Which I suppose is what I have to let happen, although patience is not my strong suite..

So I guess, watch this space right?

In other news, my long time baby cakes Vernon came out from London to Paris to visit for a few days. His arrival, and mine was what started a 2 day drinkathon where we all ended up feeling pretty vulnerable and worse for wear. 

Had loads of fun and loads of laughs. It was amazing to see one of my best friends after so long. As well as seeing Marc too. All too much. 

What's a girl to do other than drink 3 bottles of wine before midday on day 1 in Paris?

Evidence from Verny's iphone.............

I have more on my camera, but all that "organizing" business will happen when reality sets in. POOP

Last day in Paris today. To the Basquait exhibition, Notre Dame, and espresso martini 

LIKE BUTTON

annie xx

clarity

So, you know that feeling when all of a sudden something that has been frustrating you finally becomes clear???

You see things for how they really are and not the fantasy in your mind. And its kind of okay...

Its called life Feng Shui. Change..

Fall in new york, as you know. 

Paris next week. 

New apartment soon. 

New jobs coming up..

All of that good stuff. 

Which leads me to my next point. THIS website is so accurate for day to day shit, even though I dont really live my life by it. Star signs and the spiritual realm has definitely been something that I have grown up with. Thanks to my mama. Aka the big stevie nicks who passed the stevie batton onto me when she handed me down her black velvet jacket and thigh high boots. 

Ahhhhhmazing

www.ydf.astrology.com

You are in a testy, contentious frame of mind, so much so that it might seem as if every single thing others say and do is inherently irritating. When in this state, it is important to try to hold yourself back from rash accusations and other behavior that you are likely later to regret, but that, of course, is more easily said than done.

hahahah. As anyone who knows me well enough knows... I have a temper and am a very feisty wee girl. Today was no exception. 2 nights of no sleep, a huge day at work...too much to do, too much responsiblity...and the plague of a bit of a mistake that I made last night. 

However, I guess it is all a matter of perception. Mistakes are only bad if you dont learn from them, and this one has given me a total new perspective on my situation. 

Now I have moved my heart and mind away from the past and can see exactly where they are both heading.

When I was little, I used to imagine my life as a grown up. In a place where the leaves turned golden..This song has been stuck in my head all day, probably because I loved it during the time I used to hang out in my bedroom by myself with my super thick fringe and crazy long hair, playing with my barbie dolls...wow nothing has changed really!!!

Or maybe its just me being nostalgic, as you do around fall :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P09gm_I5RI

So listen. Look and I will update before Paris and definitely after Paris!!! wooooo 4 days 

annie xx

Runaway

When I see something that resonates, I become obsessed. And that means that I have to let the inspiration spill into my work. 

That current obsession is the new Kayne West film "Runaway".  Despite the controversy behind that dude and what he gets up to, I have to say...he is fricken talented. 

My boy Chris came over the other night with this film and we watched it over a tall boy of coors light. I was like, ummmmm dont talk to me cos this rules! 

I have another shoot coming up and I am gonna try and implement this inspiration into it. My clients appear to be into the whole idea so that's good......And if that doesnt work out, then its defo another personal work. 

Im so obsessed with the art direction of this movie. The compositions, the grade, angles...everything. oh love love love love love it 

Have a look at these screen grabs from the movie and you will see why I love it so :)

Oh and in other news, to commemorate my 5 month anniversary of new york and me I bought myself a little gift 

Yes that's right, its an american flag fanny pack! You would think that I would be ashamed of being so unbelievably tacky, but im not. I live for sequins and crazy clothes!.

One day I will be one of those old fabulous ladies who rolls around with bat wing glasses, a long coat and smoking out of a pipe.

I will have an iguana, and cats named after the 7 dwarves. In my house full of mahogany wood and a library full of art books and a room full of shoes. With a wardrobe that is so bad ass, you would think its a costume cave!

But today, let me tell you about my epic fail! I went to the gym to get my seratonin going and when I got there I realized that I forgot one of my shoes at home :( i was sooo sad! I felt like such a tool. So I had a steam and a really nice shower, but still was pissed that I didnt get to spin, because if i dont spin at least twice a week, I get all "iffy"

Not to mention being absolutely exhausted right now because of lack of gym love, and the fact I didn't sleep last night much at all....So Im kinda wired :(

I just wish I could get to sleep right now. But I know I would be up all night. Plus I have work to do, so I may just lay here and look at pretty pictures and do neither! wooorrrrd

annie xx