Here we are saying goodbye to the year 2011. It was a bit of an offbeat year for me – my daughter went through a loadful of teenage drama, my husband fell on stage and broke his wrist, several projects of mine fell through. But at the end of the year all fell into place and we moved to Manhattan (Woohoo!).

After dreaming about living in New York for more than 20 years (but not wanting to force it and live like a starving artist – not allowed after the age of 26) – the perfect opportunity arrived. Thanks to my husband – I can now say “Hello, I live here”. The qualities and fields that I treasure most in life are here at their best: Theatre and Fashion. Not for everyone, but for me – it’s the only way. Sarah Palin might be able to see Russia from her house, but I can see Prada from mine.

Gazing at moments of 2011, I came up with a few I wanted to share with you.

And it goes like this:

The song that got me through the tough times and made me dance, or better yet move like Jagger: Move Like Jagger by Maroon 5

The books that made me laugh: Bossy Pants by Tina Fey, Yoga Bitch by my dear college friend, Suzanne Morrison

The dishes I couldn’t get enough of: The squid ink pasta with smoked salmon and asparagus sauce at I Tre Merli in Soho NY, and my cousin’s take on the Indian dish Aloo Matar Gobi

The designer that swooned me: Mary Katrantzou

My oddest observation that made me look away (while driving across America): Powdered food such as eggs and butter – as in just add water

The jaw dropping accessories that made me thank god for being a girl: The Prada 2012 Resort Jewelry

My best money spent: a bed from ABC Home, a couple of Jonathan Adler lamps for our nightstands, and all my new Céline treasures, including my oversized hoodie

My most jaw dropping-meets-sad-moment: The fall of John Galliano

My most exciting moments: Deciding on a New York apartment – then moving into that apartment – and then every day walking out of that apartment and down Wooster Street (passing The Wooster Group) in Soho knowing that I live here now

My most difficult moments: The day my daughter showed up wearing gauges in her ears (damn Seattle grunge), having to give up two plays in which I was cast in Seattle (because of the move): Reckless by Craig Lucas and White Hot by another dear college friend, Tommy Smith; and last but not least – snoozing on purchasing the pink Miu Miu sparkle bootie – which sold out before my sore eyes

The pop-culture moments that made me laugh – a lot: The bridesmaids’ shopping scene in the film Bridesmaids, and the Kardashians’ way of shortening words, i.e. “ridic”

The Worst reflection on American women: The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Going into 2012 while living in Manhattan makes me oh so giddy. Though not knowing what the year holds for me – my main focus is to stay focused and keep the eyes on the prize (there must be a gold bucket there somewhere). Didn’t somebody say, “What you do today will reflect what happens tomorrow”? So perhaps all the work I did in 2011 might just harvest in 2012.

Until then I’ll keep straining away, while occasionally getting interrupted by shiny objects. Not ignoring that we’re living in economic awkward times – I can’t help but believe that Prada makes the world a better place, or better yet: A woman’s got to do what a woman’s got to do.

Here’s to a fruitful and shiny 2012!

Xoxo

Anna Rosa