The End of the World as I Know It and I Feel Fine

Well here we go again…One more year down and wow can we talk about a 180?!

This holiday season could not have been any more different for me than last year. While last year was spent sipping tequila, munching on fresh ceviche and scanning the horizon for any signs of migrating humpback whales over the Sea of Cortez, this year was spent almost entirely at home, twigs in beak in full blown nesting mode. Lots of documentaries, aromatherapy baths, laughing and gorging with friends later, here I sit. New years day 2012 basking in the glow of our beautiful yet soon to be dismantled tree contemlating the unbelievable fact that yes, Christmas 2011 can officially be referred to in the past tense.

Our little noble fir was still attempting to work her charms on us amongst the pillars of melted candle wax, crumpled wrapping paper, popcorn confetti burroughed deep into the carpet and the stack of liquor bottles threatening to choke our recycling bin to death, but her beauty was fading fast as we awoke bleary eyed to this brand new year, ready to forge ahead.

What’s so different about this year? Well, first and foremost we are about to become parents! Yes, WE are going to be someone’s parents. It still hasn’t totally resonated in me. Of course, like all first time parents, we have absolutely no idea what is about to hit us—except, of course, that the entire world as we know it is about to be turned upside down. You know, no biggie. I guess that’s the beauty of it and I do believe that in this case ignorance truly is bliss.

Last year I decided that I would never again spend my New Year’s Eve focusing on what I would do differently or change but instead, I would spend the day recounting the moments, people, places and things that made it a great year to be alive. In my mind there’s just way too much to be grateful for to spend time on silly guilt fueled resolutions right? They say count your blessings well that’s what I’m gonna do. So, once again I’d like to share my diary of personal earthly delights over the last 12 months.

I will say that being pregnant for most of this year has definitely shifted my perspective. After all, a world lived in the hollow absence of cocktail fueled nights is a very different world indeed, but the word gratitude really falls short for me at this moment. I am seriously having the time of my life and will always look back on 2011 with serious affinity. I mean, it will forever be the last year of my life that I wasn’t somebody’s mommy and I’m pretty sure I’ll look back and have a good laugh at my glorious naivety. I’m even grateful for that too. So let’s begin:

Having the most unforgettable celebration dinner thrown in honor of my 5 years with Chanel. By far one of the most incredible nights of my career, I even got to walk the red carpet with my husband! Who says a girl can’t rock a little black lace number at 7 months pregnant! Well, only if it’s Chanel

Reading Patti Smith’s Just Kids. What else can be said about this book that hasn’t been said I know, but seriously it changed me.

Finally finding the best Ensenada style fish tacos in LA and discovering the beauty of Guatemalan style ceviche. Both at the same place: La Cevicheria on Pico.

Walking amongst a sea of pink cherry blossoms in Central Park on the first glorious day of May.

My husband surprising the hell out of me with the most beautiful classic Celine bag for my birthday.

Getting my paws on Tom Ford’s gorgeous make up line at Selfridge’s London before it was available in the states.

My white iPhone 4S

Shit Girls Say

Weekly wine fueled French classes/dinner parties with the my Franco-filles. (Way too many amazing meals to recount!)

The 94 minutes of pure escapism that was Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris.

Being introduced to Hope Gillerman’s fantastic essential oils, I’m hopelessly addicted.

Transforing Emma Stone into Gilda Radner as Rosanne Rosanna Dana for her second, yes second in a year SNL portrait session. Lightning can strike twice!

The Crystal Spa in Koreatown. Hands down my favorite Korean spa.

Finally tracking down my favorite teacher from High School and getting to thank him for his influence on my life.

Sitting second row for Tori Amos at the Orpheum Theater.

Our ridiculous herd of cats: Mr. Lickers, Madame Leota, Ripley and Dashiell, who offer us comic relief on a daily basis.

The organic salad bar at Golden Bridge Yoga.

Being married to a man who actually ferments his own red wine vinegar and sauerkraut. Yes, we took a fermentation class together and yes we are total nerds.

Finding my dream garden chairs at a Paris flea market, then having the balls to ship them and the patience to wait six months for them to arrive by boat.

The fanciful cinematic time travel that was seeing The Artist in the theater.

Working alongside Peter Phillips on Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2012 haute couture fashion show.

Actually building a spice cabinet worthy of me dabbling in the world of Indian cuisine.

Deanarys Targeryn’s epic baby dragon moment in the season finale of Game of Thrones or rather, just Deanarys Targeryn period.

Carine Roitfeilds book, Irreverent.

Seeing the incredible Alexander McQueen retrospective at the Met on opening day.

My Strange Addiction on TLC.

Jenna Hipp nude polishes for RGB

Actually tackling Julia’s Bouilliabasse, Batali’s butterscotch budino and Jacques Pepin’s pot au feu, marrow, bones and all.

January’s red fringe and red lip Versace moment at last years Golden Globes.

The carrot soufflé winning first place for best dish at our annual Easter fete. (I personally think your hand foraged fiddlehead ferns should have won, Kirsten.)

Gotye’s, Somebody That I Used to Know.

Working with Alicia Keys and watching from the stage as she and Jay-z performed Empire State of Mind for the iloveradio concert. I mean…pretty friggin awesome.

Furious Love, an absolute delicious plane read, I literally devoured it!

Finally getting my butt to an African dance class.

Getting to spend my birthday and the “Day of the Dead” in Sayulita, Mexico. I think it’s finally been proven that it’s 100% impossible for me to become sick of Mexican food, like ever.

The love that was literally showered on us by our friends, family and the sky at our beautiful baby shower. I will never forget how everyone traveled through that insane rain storm to be there with us and that Danielle almost lost her mind trying to plan the most perfect event that ever was. Well, it was.

Working with one of my all time favorite muses Charlotte Gainsbourg on her video for Terrible Angels.

The epic Bo Bun Hue at Nha Trang in San Gabriel.

Getting a private preview of Lanvin’s spring collection right off the runway in Paris.

Francois Nars incredibly gorgeous Bento Box, basically if there were porn for make up artists this would be it.

Enjoying the awesome bounty from our vegetable garden all summer long.

Getting to watch The Jerk at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Being treated to dinner at Babbo by Joe Bastianich himself then finding out that LA will indeed be getting it’s own Eataly, yes I heard it from the horse’s mouth.

The Bithday Cake truffle from Momofuku Milk Bar.

Gay marriage becoming legal in NY.

Getting to eat swiss fondue in the actual Swiss alps.

Memorial Day brunch in Palm Springs: homemade Huevos Rancheros and Frank’s Micheladas.

The hilarity that is Tina Fey’s Bossypants.

Daphne Guinness’ still life clothing display in the windows of Barney’s New York. Especially getting to see Isabella Blow’s McQueen collection.

Receiving the beautiful limited edition Chanel Lumiere Byzantine Pallette in the mail with a note from Peter Phillips. I just will never be able to bring myself to use it.

Actually sucessfully growing our first fraise du bois.

Discovering French pop duo “Brigitte.” Thank’s to some major jet lag and a lot of MTV France

Making it to see Debbie Reynolds insane collection of Hollywood memorabilia on the very last day before it was auctioned off. Liz Taylor’s make up kit from Cleopatra almost made my heart stop beating!

Getting to attend a taping Top Chef Masters and eat 9 courses in 4 hours.

Being treated to an impromptu lunch at L’Atelier Joel Robuchon, I’m still not over his signature chocolate dessert.

And last but not least, the privilege of carrying this baby boy in my belly for the last nine months has to be the greatest gift of my life. I feel so honored to be the one who gets to bring him here! For me this has been the most amazing spiritual, physical and emotional journey I’ve ever been on and I can’t wait to meet our son so that I can tell him so.

I wish everyone a 2012 full of outrageous adventures in the unknown and even more love, Happy Happy New Year!