So let’s see, I celebrated the new year festivities, my birthday, got a tattoo, saw Ariel get a tattoo, went to the gym a million times–well, more like eighteen times, but close–went snowboarding and fell on my knees and behind more than I can remember trying to learn how to go from heels to toes. Which, by the way, seems impossible for me as I sort of have to snowboard backwards. On my toes! Facing the… mountain(?), slope(?) and making sure that I don’t look at my gliding giant boots and pretend everything’s all right. Meanwhile, all of my fears run through my mind all at once–broken teeth, head injury, broken knee, etc., etc. Maybe next year? Alrighty then. With snowboarding, I don’t know, is more like a love/dislike thing. Since last year when I made the glorious change from the awful skis to snowboard, I’ve looked forward to just sliding effortlessly on white glittered snow… just letting my worries behind with the fall I just had getting off the lift. It is a sweet feeling, until I’m mid slope and my legs feel like they’re on fire (because of the whole heel thing and not switching to toes), but then, you know, I just throw myself down, lay there for a while… and the feeling is just so good. I repeat this about ten times until I make it to the bottom. This is how I snowboard, I may even have perfected this form. You’re welcome to try it!

I’ve also started learning how to crochet. I’ve seen many of my friends make super cute things and of course I wanted in on the fun. I’ve learned a lot by watching Youtube videos and, also, I recently purchased a deal on Living Social for some classes at the Brooklyn Yarn Cafe (yay for deals!). Internet, while I have learned three different kinds of stitching, and make a magic circle to crochet in the round I cannot make a hat. The hat is my first project given to me by the lovely Rosemary over at the Cafe and the hat is DUE THIS FRIDAY! I’m having some serious flashbacks to my college years when life was…um difficult! Anyway, I have no idea what I’m doing wrong Internet, the hat has turned into a doll hat, the hat has turned into a dollie, the hat has turned into something close to a ball, the hat is not turning into an adult size hat and I am just close to tears. I’m scared to see Rosemary on Friday. Ooooy!

So I was doing the Instagram photo a day challenge, missed a few days, you know the usual, but it was so much fun! I like looking back at the little photos… here’s my batch along with the ones I took for fun during this past month:

I’ll be doing the February challenge too. Are you on Instagram? Let’s be friends, you know, if you want to of course : ). My daily musings can be seen here.

Happy February (worst month to pronounce ever!) 1st! xoxo- Julia

Happy Friday the 13th! xoxo–Julia

Photographing people is my favorite thing to do! Come out to play with me and my camera!

Book your session now.

You may contact me at julia@juliaazcona.com for the details.

xoxo–Julia

1. How to Win Friends & Influence People - I had this book on my list to read since forever and never really read it. This is a motivational book where Carnegie discussed ways to be a more understanding person towards others. I think the author wrote this book to help professionals improve their people skills (be kind, be humble, etc.). This is a very old book, printed in 1936, I believe, but it remains to be a very popular book within business owners still today. I highly recommend it.
2. Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life - I love the way Rosenthal wrote this book. It is written just as an encyclopedia, from A-Z, describing moments of her life. I thought it was sweet and funny and made me a little more alert  to the little things that happen on a daily basis. A delightful read.
3. Rework - I read this business book at the beginning of the year and sadly I cannot remember anything I learned from it.
4. The Hunger Games - Such an exciting read for me. I loved all the action that took place in this book which is about a game of a single person survivor. I also can’t wait for the movie!
5. I Am the Messenger - After reading my favorite book, The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, I felt some sort of attachment to him and had to read another of his books. And while this book is completely different than The Book Thief, it is a lovely read about a young man, named Ed, who is given secret assignments to deliver messages to random people. I Am the Messenger leaves you feeling like one person can change the world.
6. The E-Myth Revisited - So many reviews have been written about this book. It is one of the best business books to read and like everyone else I highly recommend it.
7. Something Borrowed - This book. I don’t know. I was in need of a chick-lit and got my hands on it. Let’s just say that it was definitely better then the movie (duh), but there’s nothing really special about it in my opinion.
8. The Book Thief - FAVORITE BOOK OF 2011!  I cried, I laughed… I’m in love with this book!
9. Sold - While at the airport one time, Cari recommended this book for the flight. It is a short read, but very powerful. Sold tells the story of a young girl who was taken away and sold into the sex trade in India. The story is told by the girl, Lakshmi. She’ll leave you thinking of her even after you have finished her story.
10. Bossypants - I love Tina Fey and wish she was my next door neighbor. She’ll make you laugh in this book, especially when she talks about her time during Saturday Night Live.
11. Loving Frank - It took me so long to finish this book. For me, it dragged towards the middle of the story. This book is the story of Frank Lloyd Wright told by the point of view of the woman with whom he had a love affair for many many years. It is an interesting insight of the life of Wright. If you’re not familiar with the biography of Frank Lloyd Wright the ending will leave you in shock.
12. The Night Circus - I reeeeeally wanted to love this book, but I guess I was expecting a more detailed love affair between the protagonists of this story of two magicians.
13. The Glass Castle - SECOND FAVORITE OF 2011! This book is a true story. A page turner and  such a thoughtful and sensitive memoir.
14. Fine Art Wedding - This lovely book is by Jose Villa, a super talented photographer who I admired very much. I love the honesty and all the wonderful help he provides in the book. This book is just as lovely as his photographs are.
15. Daughter of Smoke and Bone - This was the last book I read of the year: I am certain it will be a movie and I kind of wish that Kristen Stewart will play Karou… the girl full of tattoos and blue hair. This book is different than anything I ever read. It has angels, demons, magic, teeth–the author does a great job at keeping everything fresh. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
16. Catching Fire - The sequel to The Hunger Games was not as interesting to me as the first one was. But it is still an awesome story. Still have Mocking Jay to read!

I’m looking forward to amazing books this year! Happy reading! xoxox–Julia

The day ended with bowling. Two teams of guys Vs. girls where we lost count of what was happening and for me, I kept wondering why my ball kept on going to the left. All the time. No matter where I stood to bowl. Bowling is just one of those things that’s not going to go on my list of “Things I’m good at” but I enjoyed it very much either way.

Yesterday was really awesome too. Some time last week Ariel emailed me this link with a Subject line of “We’re Doing This” (with lots of exclamation points). At first, my initial thought was “no thanks!” There was no way I was going to take off my pants in NY, on a subway, in January, especially with the conditions of my shorty legs. But then, Ariel is just one of those guys who gets so excited about things as silly as this and well… it is kind of contagious and I ended up agreeing. And I’m so glad I did. It was the silliest thing I have ever done, completely hilarious and I can’t wait to do something like that again. I wish I had taken my camera, but those who were participating weren’t allowed to take photos. We did sneaked in some iPhone photos, because, one just couldn’t help it! The look on people’s faces was priceless.

There were people who didn’t find the prank very funny. There was a lady right in front of me that kept saying THERE ARE KIDS HERE! I thought, for sure, she was going to yell at me once my turn came, but there were so many people participating that it was just too hard to not find it amusing. There was even a lady sitting right next to Ariel who kept saying she couldn’t believe what was happening, that she didn’t understand. All the while Ariel kept agreeing and shaking his head, once his turn came up to de-pants though, the lady was in so much shock that she kept yelling I KNEW HE WAS IN IT, I KNEW IT! Best moment ever!

The rest of the train ride was as hilarious and so many people were in it. I highly suggest for you to participate whenever this comes up again. You may find it silly and might not get the concept, but I guarantee that at the end of the day you’ll be glad you tried something out of the ordinary. Life should be full of silly, hilarious and unordinary moments.

Most certainly a very memorable (and pant-less) birthday weekend! xoxox–Julia

UPDATE: The video of this year’s NPSR is out and Ariel is there eating strawberries

Another goal of mine is to make it a habit to create. I found this quote on Pinterest and thought it was perfect for motivation: “Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something– Kurt Vonnegut.

I’m really glad I joined Pinterest way back when. I feel creative just looking at all the DIY projects there. The point is, of course, to actually create something. So this week I chose one of the projects I’ve pinned from my Crafty Crafty board.  Since I removed my chalkboard wall I don’t have a place to scribble on. I wanted something to write my weekly dinners and found this really cute idea. And here’s what I came up with:

I just used a frame I had from Ikea and printed on a pretty paper I cut to fit the frame. Super easy and I love how pretty it looks in my kitchen. I feel all crafty-licious!

Another thing happening this week is my birthday! This one is my real birthday, though I have to wait until the 15th as per my Dominican birth certificate for it to be true. Oh I love how crazy that is. Tomorrow I turn 28 and Im quite excited. I found this really cool idea inspired by this pretty lady and thought to be brilliant. 28 Before 29. 28 goals to accomplish before my 29th birthday.

I want to achieve them all by my next birthday! And, I actually completed one. In this list I have to get a tattoo and earlier this week I got one done on my right wrist. I got a small anchor and its so cute and tiny, like a token symbolizing something personal in my life. So glad I went for it.

So, this is it for now. Happy Three Kings Day! Happy Birthday to me tomorrow! And may you all have an amazing weekend!

xoxoxo – Julia

All I needed for another day

and all I ever knew

Only You ”

This is my beautiful cousin Loren and her handsome fiance, Massimo. Truly an adorable couple. I am so excited for their new journey and super thankful that they let me photograph their happiness on a gorgeous Fall day. Love you both!

I’m a bit obsessed with the cover Only You by Joshua Radin today. Can’t stop singing the above linked lyrics…

Happy Tuesday –xoxox Julia

On December 31st, during the day, if you had taken a peek into how I was feeling inside you would have told me I needed some serious help. I felt terribly sorry for myself, for everything that I wasn’t able to achieve this year. I failed spectacularly at the majority of my 2011 resolutions. I resolved to ride a bike and I did not. I resolved to live more fearlessly and I am afraid I lived in more fear than I ever had. I resolved to grow my business and somehow I let it stand still. I resolved to be more creative and take more personal photography projects and I compared myself to others instead. I was focusing solely on the negatives and forgot to think and be thankful for the blessings I did receive, which were many and great ones. I’m stopping this pessimism this year once and for all.

I am looking forward to each day of this year, especially to make sure that each one is lived fruitfully. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This year’s Christmas has been very special to me. Sometimes it is hard to get into the spirit of the Holiday, especially if there has been difficult moments during the year. But trying a little harder and pushing oneself to see the beauty of life… Well, life just starts looking a lot better. I know this to be true. We started our Christmas Eve with a little dinner with my family. Then, headed over to Ariel’s family for more dinner and celebration. I even brought a little special gift…

Banana Pudding

We took the subway to Ariel’s family where we danced the night away… which was exactly what I needed after all the food I ate. Although, I did go back every so often to pick on the left over Pernil seating in the oven. I couldn’t help it!  I’m writing it down for 2012 resolution: I must learn how to cook a mean Pernil.

What I will remember the most for this year’s Christmas is all the dancing I did. I love dancing! Have I mention that before? Ariel’s family loves to dance too, mainly his mom who made it very clear to me where Ariel gets all his energy from. That lady can dance! And both Christmas Eve and Christmas day was all dancing and dancing and dancing. I loved it! I don’t have any pictures of the dancing… and well, some things should not be photographed… especially if someone had one too many Malibu with pineapple juice and was shaking it like no one was watching.

Christmas morning we had a lovely brunch in Greenpoint at Lokal. A really cute place I really like. We talked about our future and I’m truly excited and optimistic about this upcoming year. We have received so many blessings as well as some bumps in the roads this year… but we’re going to keep on going with our heads high, enjoying our lives together, continuing building memories, doing what we love.

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas time!

xoxo Julia