2010 in Review

"This is my prayer in the harvest where favor and providence flow...I know I'm filled to be emptied again. The seed I received I will sow." - "Desert Song" by Brooke Fraser

Though I adore music, you won't find me quoting lyrics that often. In fact, I have the hardest time recalling them. The words above, however, have been on my mind all month as I've just been reflecting on what a tremendous year 2010 has been.

The past couple of years I've sat on this same bed in Sedona, AZ writing about my dreams and aspirations for the year to come. When I sat down to write about my hopes for 2010 and what had happened in 2009, I was feeling discouraged and questioning my abilities and dreams. I was at a point where I had gotten into fashion school, but unable to go for a couple of reasons and consequently felt like a stick stuck in the mud.

I soon realized, however, that a formal education in fashion wasn't needed to express myself and share my talent with the world. In March, I started AVE Styles, went part-time at my communications job and began a blind journey of pursuing a styling business. Most of you have either ridden on the roller coaster with me or watched me enjoy the ride by following along on the blog. I can't say it enough, but thank you so much for your love and support!!!

In 2010, I've dressed models for fashion shows for the first time, styled many a photo shoot, started working for my dear friend Promise Tangeman, won an award for a crazy fashion concept and most importantly felt more like myself than I even have before.

There is something freeing about doing what you feel you were meant to do in this moment.

Ryan and I call 2010 my grad school year as my schedule has been pretty insane working three jobs, but what a feeling it is to finally look and feel like the true Alexandra Evjen.

As the lyric says, "I know I'm filled to be emptied again. The seed I received I will sow." I know that I am in the midst of a pleasant and fruitful season and that hardships are promised to come in this life, but I'm going to do my best to give and share the joy that I have inside of me with you all and more.

Happy New Year! Much gratitude and blessings to you!

Summer Essentials

Items in this set:

The fashion industry is always looking forward, and sometimes it makes it hard to know what's essential for right now. So, here are my picks for Summer 2010.

1. Rolled denim shorts 2. Light weight, scoop neck t-shirt 3. White denim skinny jeans 4. Leather, cuff sandals 5. A printed blouse 6. A big bag 7. Lip protection 8. Sun screen 9. Neutral nail polish 10. Retro shades 11. Braided leather belt 12. Straw fedora

Looking Forward - 2010

Looking back on 2009, disappointment and frustration mostly consumes me even though there were many accomplishments and good memories made. I started the year off with this blog mainly to chronicle my journey of pursuing fashion design/marketing. Today is the anniversary of this blog, and I'm sitting in the exact same spot when I embarked on my journey - under the covers in my bed in Sedona, Arizona.

Though I was accepted to FIDM, a definite accomplishment, I haven't moved an inch forward. The economy was the biggest factor being that jobs were pretty much non existent in California. So, I'm still here in Arizona, and I don't know if FIDM will even be possible 2010. The unemployment rate is slowly diminishing, but we won't see a correction for awhile. So, feeling stuck and trapped, I feel this desire to just stop trying, but after reading my first blog post and going back to the purpose of why I'm pursuing this dream - God - I am pressing forward with a different strategy.

I'm considering Parson's online fashion marketing program. It just depends on whether we can afford tuition. It would be a great solution to furthering my education, but being able to continue gaining experience in the communications and public relations realm. Of course, I'll be keeping my eyes open for other opportunities where I can head straight into the industry and bypass school, which would save us a ton of money.

Meanwhile, in 2010, I'm going to continue to sew, although I need to work more with my sewing machine, sketch, blog and try my very best to win the IIDA Couture Competition this February! Until God takes this passion and conviction away from my heart I will continue pursue this industry. God's timing is confusing in the midst of all of this, but He knows what is best. So, I'll cling tightly to Him, as He does to me, and serve Him the best that I can.