The End of an Era: 2012

I always tend to get nostalgic on a day like this. New Year's Eve Day, to be exact. 

2012 has been a year comprised of euphoric happiness, contagious spells of laughter, blessful bouts of creativity, and a dream(s) come true. While I do not usually like to elaborate on the less optimistic memories of the year, I feel obligatory to mention that there has been those dark moments of stress, anxiety and misery that have shrouded parts of my year. Of course, it's only one half of reality: The other half I much prefer to dwell in. 

My last blog post of 2012 will consist of a menagerie of musings. A hodgepodge of random topics, you can call it. But first off, I will confess now: I wish I had devoted more effort and time into Runaway In LA. Traditionally, every New Year's Resolution circa 2009 has consisted of me mentally penning my number one resolution: Blog more. If you would direct your attention to the left on my blog archives, you will witness an exhibit of my past blog posts of this year. I may have conjured style guides (my favorite one this year has to be my Skyfall Style Guide), attempted to emulate my admired fashion bloggers with outfit posts à la Chiara Ferragni and Olivia Lopez, and jotted a few random style thoughts here and there, but to me, that was not enough. Hopefully (emphasis on the hopefully), 2013 will invite a new change for Runaway In LA, a change full of tantalizing features. Perhaps I will expand my writings to include "lifestyle" blog posts, documenting a mere day of the 365 opportunities to come (of course, these life peeks will always be tainted with a touch of fashion). Maybe I will start fusing film-related blog posts to commemorate my passion for films (both classic and modern) and maybe even start a beautiful camaraderie between film and fashion posts. There's a chance I will concoct up more interactive blog posts, posts that will truly invite my blog readers to participate and enjoy. If we are both lucky, perhaps there will even be a new business venture along the avenue for Runaway In LA. Consider this your CGI-lacquered Hollywood trailer for the exciting projects I have planned for my blog in 2013:

■ Daily life blog posts

■ Film/TV reviews + style guides in ONE!

■ More lookbook posts, furnished with poses I do not cringe at + lighting that illuminates

■ Haul posts

■ Style quizzes

■ Beauty/makeup reviews

■ Luxury, five-star giveaways (a blogger can dream, right?)

■ Travel Diaries (w/ a hint of fashion)

■ Trend Lab posts

■ Interviews with the editors, interns + stylists of the fashion empire

■ Your everyday random style musings

Whatever happens next year, I will strive to chronicle my adventures for you all here. After all, my blog has been a precious confidance of mine since I was an Abercrombie-obsessed fourteen-year-old in eighth grade; it only is sensible that I continue my journey into college life with the same blog, correct?

Speaking of college. . .  I am so excited to share with you a grand announcement: I have been accepted into New York University's Class of 2017! Receiving an acceptance into my dream college has secured a top rung in the tier of wonderful opportunities that have happened to me this year. It's still such an incredulous moment for me, and I cannot fathom the fact that I will be moving out to New York City next fall, following the fateful Louboutin-clad footsteps that will lead me to my dream of working as a fashion journalist. Naturally, the daily struggle of a Southern California girl attempting to mold to her new New York City lifestyle will be proudly documented here on Runaway In LA, complete with puzzling subway maps and touristy Fifth Avenue snapshots. (And requisite stops to the chicken and rice cart. . . )

Seriously. Who wouldn't want purple as their school color? That D&G trench coat is perfect.

The next destination on this tram tour? Atelier Indigo Magazine. 2012 was the year I published my very own online fashion magazine, Atelier Indigo. I recall wistfully dreaming of creating a fashion magazine back in 2011, but never gathered enough courage and time to initiate such a project. I'm glad this year I chose to accept the risk and conquer the challenge to create my own fashion magazine. I feel incredibly blessed to have an extremely talented staff of fellow fashion bloggers who collaborate with me on Atelier Indigo on a daily basis. Tragically however, I was only able to publish two issues this year, due to my chaotic schedule of SAT prep and school work for most of the year. In 2013, Atelier Indigo will undergo a rejuvanated facelift with a new website design, innovative content and interactive features for our lost-in-wonderland readers. As editor-in-chief, I hope to publish several new Atelier Indigo issues in 2013 and perhaps even dare to imagine the possability of witnessing Atelier Indigo perched at your local magazine stand. A glossy copy of Atelier Indigo Magzine and a frothy cup of coffee, anyone?

The time has dawned. Here dwells the coveted moments and memories that have occured to me in 2012. Some may be drowning in fashion essence, while others may be completely far from style-worthy.

My Moments + Memories of 2012

■ 3 trips to Disneyland (February, August + December)

■ Becoming a seventeen-year-old (even though I look like I'm fourteen)

■ Upgrading to my iPhone 4S! (Farewell, iPhone 3G)

■ Family road trip to Utah (while being trapped into conversation with two Mormon boys in the elevator)

■ Quoted in a Teen Vogue article on retail therapy (May 2012 issue, to be exact)

■ Completing Life Skills class during the summer (complete with lessons on baby care, marriage, tax forms + safety defense)

■ Getting accepted into my dream college, NYU (hello, Violets!)

■ Attending my first Fashion Week at LA Fashion Week with Tatiana Touch for The Style Club

■ Meeting Hanna Beth at the NAVEN Spring 2013 Runway Show 

■ Meeting my wonderful fashion blogger friends from around the globe

■ Launching the first issue of Atelier Indigo Magazine

■ Six Flags + Universal Studios trip with my friends

■ Getting my bottom braces on (ouch!)

■ Riding Radiator Springs Racers at Cars Land the month after it debut (what can you say, I am Disney-obsessed)

■ Getting a "Happy Birthday" tweet from Jason O'Mara, my favorite actor on Terra Nova

■ Discovering Blogilates on YouTube (and now I'm addicted)

■ Reaching 400+ Followers on Runaway In LA

■ Reaching 400+ Followers on Instagram

■ Buying a ".com" domain for Runaway In LA (I feel instantly professional now)

■ Taking my last ever SAT. . . forever!

■ Became a contributor for Huffington Post Teen

■ Partnered with Lockerz as a member of the Lockerz Style Council

■ Started watching Bunheads & Revolution (and loving it!)

■ Watching the finale episode of Gossip Girl the night before my NYU decision came in (I've been a religious follower of Gossip Girl since the show began when I was in seventh grade. While the New York journey for Gossip Girl has since ended, my own NYC journey has just begun!)

■ The "2012" movie didn't become a reality

Okay, I had no idea my list would end up this long. 

2012 has been a wonderful and memorable year for me. Not to mention, twelve happens to be my lucky/favorite number. 

Now, to conclude this end-of-the-year musing: a heavenly New Year's Eve outfit I can only dream of donning, simply because there is a 90% chance I will ring in the new year in my pajamas. Or at least, a comfortable sweater and scarf combo. 

What I would most likely wear if I was actually going out to a wild New Year's Eve fete (but I'm not)

Sequins, studs, fur and Topshop. What else do you need to celebrate the arrival of 2013?

So, a hearty thank-you to all of my followers for sparing a few moments of your blogging escapades to read Runaway In LA. 
Whether you are a "vintage" reader that can successfully recall the prehistoric days of my blog or simply a new reader who has just discovered my blog this year, I sincerely want to thank-you for reading what I have to say and your kind and thoughtful comments.  
I cannot wait to share with you all my new exciting ventures for Runaway In LA, through photos, words and style.

Back when I was fourteen, my dream was to create a sucessful fashion blog. 
And now, my slumbering dream has becoming a waking reality.

Thank-you all for reading (and I applaud you if you have managed to get this far!)
I hope my readers have a fantastic New Year's Eve and New Year's Day! 

Hope to see you all again in 2013!