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I relished living alone. I got a new bike, and went for long rides at dawn. I sat by the water and sometimes saw dolphins. I filled jars with flowers and loved my sunny white room every day.
I made cakes. Some failed, so I made them into trifles. I discovered the magic in homemade oreos.
I felt happy and confused and lost and free. When my heart hurt, lilypads helped.
I made best friends. We went on trips; to a Farm in the foothills of the Ozarks, to my beach house, to D.C, to Nashville. We threw dinner parties, sat on porches, docks, went sailing together. We had picnics at sunrise and went on long walks at sunset.
We swam in pools, sometimes until five in the morning. Twenty of us floated down a river, tied to each other.
I moved out of my apartment and left Charleston.
I spent a blissful month at the beach with my family. We cooked every night and lived simply. We also danced, a lot.
I drank sangria in Barcelona with my 80-year-old grandmother. I spent my 22nd birthday alone in Madrid.
I lived in France for six weeks. I ate fruit from trees and mastered the art of doing nothing. I embarrassed myself often and felt humbled. I liked being alone, I wanted to stay forever.
I fell for these blue eyes.
I was forever changed by a beautiful little family.
I felt impossibly far away.
I made a friend in Limoges; we rode around on his moped and ate homemade Algerian food. The morning I left, he drove me to the train station and gave me a Serge Gainsbourg album.
I gambled in Monte Carlo. I drank wine at vineyards in Bordeaux. I got to know a boy from Charleston who once made me a rolling pin. We walked to a secret bridge every evening.
I lived among a brilliant, quirky group of artists and chefs in the Loire Valley. My heart felt full.
I spent invaluable time with a woman I deeply admire. She taught me how to photograph food and showed me what it means to possess infinite poise.
I ran around Paris with my best friends. For two weeks straight, we sat on our roof to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle and ate bread as an excuse to eat butter.
We smiled until our cheeks hurt.
I woke up early. I found comfort in coffee, my computer, and The Radio Dept. I cried watching Blue Valentine on too many train rides to count. I made videos about the places I went.
I ran into Charleston friends in Berlin and realized how small the world is.
I was disenchanted by all things touristy. I felt guilty for being disappointed in Prague.
I saw London, Amsterdam, Vienna, Florence and Rome. I was tired. I ate tiramisu until I felt sick and didn't have an ounce of regret.
I came home, and everything was exactly how I left it.
Sharing photos and words makes me happier than I can say, and I'm infinitely grateful for the many wonderful people I've met through this little page on the internet. Starting this blog is one of the best things I've ever done thanks to you, dear readers. Happiest Happy New Year.
See 2010 and 2009 here.
68 comments:
you certainly had an amazing year. I loved this beautiful recap! (and am jealous of all your incredible adventures)
This post was just beautiful. All your posts and photographs are inspiring but I just fell in love with this one!!!!!
I wish you all the best in 2012! Your blog is one of my favorite and you're so lovely Olivia! I started reading it when I lived in the US and now I study in England... Thank you for all these wonderful posts and don't ever quit blogging!;)
What an incredible year. You packed in my life travel dreams into 365 days! Thank you for sharing so many beautiful photos.
Happy New Year to you too, Olivia! Thank you for sharing your glimpses of your life with us. You'r such an inspiration!
Halina
Gosh, this was a truly beautiful post. I always ALWAYS look forward to your posts. I know every time I visit you wonderful blog that I'm in for a treat! I'm so glad that you share your adventures on here and allow us to feel like we shared them with you, even if it's just for a brief moment.
Your blog is such a joy to follow! I'm so glad for our blogging connection :)
i'm excited to watch you top this year next year!
:)
I love this post! It is so much fun to follow your adventures through your blog. Happy New Year!
What a beautiful post! I've enjoyed seeing your year through your incredible photos, hope 2012 is even better for you!
Wow...this post took me on a trip - felt like I was right there, seeing a glimpse of your travels. What an amazing year!
this is my fav. '2011 in review' post i've read yet. it might have had something to do with all that european travel, i suspect.
These photos are stunning. I graduate in May (from college) and I hope my year afterwards is just as great!
You've had quite a year. I've loved all the pictures and stories along the way. Looking forward to more in 2012!
your photos are really wonderful!
and you are such a good photographer!
love your blog!
anna
Beautiful!
What an absolutely stunning post. Thank you for snaring your world with us. It is such a treasure. Happy New Year.
XoXo
http://www.wildmagnolia17.blogspot.com
You have had a beautiful year full of life and adventure! I hope the best for you in 2012! =)
And as always i love every photo.
It's been a really wonderful year seeing the world through your lens, Olivia. Wishing you the best and looking forward to 2012.
ahhh... i LOVE it! you enjoyed & lived a full life in 2011... & we definitely enjoyed, envied, & at times lived vicariously through you & your experiences! Happy New Year love! xo
one word - amazing! :)
what a sweet and wonderful recap of your year. thank you so much for sharing. you are an inspiration!
A beautiful post, full of gorgeous photos and memories. Thanks for taking us with you on your travels in 2011 and for all the inspiring photos and words.
What a wonderful year! May your 2012 be just as good! Love all of your pictures.
Your posts are always so stunning. I'm excited to see next year through your eyes!
(in a non creepy way)
What an amazing eventful year 2011 has been for you!! I wish you all the best for 2012 sweetie.
x
What a beautiful (and blog) you had (have)!!! Hope 2012 is equally amazing!
Oops, I ommited the word "year". What I meant to say was "what a beautiful year (and blog"....)
Such a beautiful post, thank you for taking the time to share it. May 2012 be as wonderful as 2011!
i've so enjoyed following your adventures. this pictures are all incredible.
This post made me so happy. I have enjoyed reading about all your adventures this year and am so happy you've been able to do and see all these amazing things. I actually wrote my recap a few weeks ago and modeled if after your 2010 recap, which I also enjoyed so much. Happy New Year, friend! xo
You inspire me :)
Thank you, Olivia.
Those photos are inspiring and beautiful. Thanks for sharing. :) Happy 2012!
what a year you've had, miss olivia! yours is such a wonderful space, here. glad to know it :)
Your blog is an inspiring gift.
<3
Great post. I too like you spent a good portion of my time in France this year. Though blissful yet alone, it was worth every minute.
Wonderful year, beautiful photos,
I wish you all the best in 2012!
Fairest wishes
holy cow, you had a beautiful year. thanks for sharing all along. happy 2012 :)
you had an amzing year
you are wonderful! Happy 2012 to you too!
your blog is one of my very, very favorites. your disposition, dreams, outlook--the photos you take, everything--i love it all. you're one of those few people that i dearly want to meet (i know, a little strange and creepy), but there you have it). happy new year to you!
Olivia-
I found your blog this year, and found myself falling in love so quickly. Happy happy happy new year! May it be as sweet and achingly beautiful and strangely perfect as all the rest.
So dreamy and magical! I love reading about all your many adventures. Your blog inspires me ... and makes me slighly jealous lol. You're going to have some amazing stories to tell your children and grandchildren someday. Thanks for sharing it all with us. Hope you have a wonderful 2012! :)
well, I guess I contribute a comment to the other millions ;) Happy New Year Miss Olivia, you did some incredible things this year and I appreciate your honestly and full hearted words. This post was a sweet one and touched close to home with me! You can truly say you are living the dream. Such fantastic travels, amazing friends and family. You are blessed. xx Happy New Years luv.
What beautiful days to remember.
Have a lovely first one of this year. Greetings from finally snowy Finland.
Hi there,
Im not one to comment often but I feel like I had to this time. I have to say your post really touched me, it looks and sounds like you had an amazing year. Its funny how you can feel happy for someone else's joy even if you dont even know them.
Last year I went thru a really hard break up, but towards the end some good came out of it... I moved to a new city and in with y sister, went back to school and have made great new friends.
Looking at your photos made me exited about this new year and hopefully by the end of next year I'll have some rad photos, memories and stories to share like yours.
Best of luck,
Pamela
What a gorg post, Olivia! Happy New Year!
this post is beautifully written. you have had an absolutely awesome 2011 and I envy you! Here's to another fantastic year...
Olivia, your blog brings me so much inspiration and joy! I hope you had a great new year celebration! xo
What a lovely post. You are giving me nostalgia about your life and it wasn't even me living it!
i just started visiting this lovely blog a couple months ago, but i have to say this is my favorite post. such pretty words and photos. thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful collection of moments and memories! Happy new year.
I'm a little late on jumping on the bandwagon, but what a great post. Such a great recap to an incredible year. I hope I can do half of what you did in one year, in the next 5 :)
I've been reading your blog for years and I think it's so lovely!
Also, I think you should check out Ben Howard's music. I think it fits your style/personality. He's from the UK and so wonderful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-g0Uvt61Ow&ob=av2n
Here is a link to one of his music videos. He gets surprised by a huge group of fans and his reaction is so sweet.
Happy New Year!
I stumbled upon your blog after checking Sophie's (thelittelesthings.com) blog roll. I'm so happy i did. Your pictures are amazing and they way you weave words together is fantastic. To think I've only seen your 2011 recap. :)
Adding you on my bloglovin' list and I hope you don't mind but I'll include you on my blog roll at my own site too. :) Keep those charming posts coming! Here's to living inspired lives! :)
http://thankyouthankyoumoreplease.blogspot.com/
I love dreaming of Europe through your blog.
What a gorgeous post. I love getting to see a little glimpse into your world. Happy New Year!
wow. what a beautifully captured year.
Wow, what an incredibly rich year full of new experiences! Happy 2012!
What a year !
thank you for your pictures ..
i just don't agree about Limoges ... i would hate to live there ! imo it sucks !
Damn that's absolutely miraculous!Love this post
You really have a way of transforming everything into beauty – whether it's the simplest of desserts or months of travel. I've loved following your adventures over the past year and wish you all the best in 2012!
Wow -- were you a busy girl or what?! I love seeing more of Europe through your posts!
Wow, your life is like a wonderful movie or a really good book with beautiful photos :)
I just found your blog and am so excited to go through and see all your travel posts about Europe!
Hope this year brings even more wonderful moments.
xoxo
Long time reader, first time commenter. This was beautiful.
you live a charmed life, my dear. I'm so thrilled to be able to have just a glimpse into all your incredibly wordly adventures. And I especially loved your little mention of homemade Algerian food (I grew up on the stuff!)
Here's to 2012
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