The Year Ahead

Can you believe it's 2013 already? I remember getting married to Will in 2003, and chatting about our future anniversaries and 2013 was one of them. This year we will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, and we happened to get married the day after we started dating 10 years earlier. Time really does fly.

2012 was a big year for us. In life, there are those epic years where you see tremendous growth personally and professionally. 2012 was just that year for us. A little over 3 years ago we started the project of renovating our loft and this blog. We had visual ideas and wanted to share our point of view. What many of you might not know is we went through a rough time directly after we moved into our loft space. Through a lot of planning from a branding and strategic point of view, it has all come full circle and paid off in 2012. I'm a compulsive list maker and can be a big thinker when making those lists of things I want to accomplish. I am excited to say we completed many of those things in 2012. It was a transformative year for William and his career. 

Looking forward to 2013 we are planning on making some big moves. We are in the process of looking for a weekend home outside of NYC. We have been looking in the Hudson Valley but haven't found the right one just yet. This is a big transformation for us since we are hardened city slickers who have lived in NYC for over 10 years. With the house comes a car and for some reason the thought of buying a car gives me a panic attack. Cars in NYC are SO much work (we looked at them over the holiday and were completely confused). Because Will does live/work he pretty much never leaves the loft. Having a weekend house will provide so much relaxation and balance that creatives struggle to find. 

We've looked at a few houses but they have either been in the wrong location, or they have been too 'finished' and sterile in a style we don't like. I almost want a real junker so we can fix it up. We looked at one house and in true city slicker fashion, I got a bug stuck in my eye and messed up a perfectly good pair of shoes because I forget that grass is wet in the morning. I need a good long term project, and I know this would be longgg term. My favorite thing to say is, 'Just gut it!' I feel in love with southern Victorian architecture while in college at SCAD. We will keep looking for the perfect house up north and I will continue to pin some very unspecific ideas on Pinterest. 

We already have some exciting projects in process for 2013 and will also be making some changes to the blog. We'll chat more about that later. We'll be traveling to Salt Lake City for Alt Summit later this month and teaching a portfolio class, and rolling in a little stop over in Portland. If you have any suggestions of stuff to do or places to eat let us know. 

Happy New year to all. Any big plans for this year?

Comments

[Ryan]

My big plan for this year is to hang out with Will and Susan Brinson at ALT, and then at their new weekend home later in 2013 :)

[Uncle Beefy]

Happy New Year, Susan & Will! And congrats on the upcoming anniversary!

It's been fantastic to see Will and his work popping up all around. Again, congrats!

Sounds like you two have some serious plans and adventures in the works for 2013. When are you planning your Portland adventures? I'll be happy to give you my 2¢ on spots to go or check out. I don't know how long you'll be out in Stumptown for but would be great if we could meet up during that time. Fingers crossed on that one.

I'll be sending along an email with Portland bits soon!

[Will @ Bright.Bazaar]

Happy New Year, guys. I've loved following your adventures both here, on social media and in real life. You're a warm and talented couple and I'm so pleased 2012 was such a standout year for you both. Here's to 2013 being just as great. With your plans for a weekend place, it sure does sound great - I can't wait to follow along the journey!

[Denise]

Happy new Year! I have really enjoyed following your journey (silent at times but still enjoyed). You both remind me so much of us - hardened city folks! Whenever we travel to a smaller town or the country, we dream about the "one day", then I worry about us being bored if there too long. There is something to be said for simpler living, even for only a moment.

Look forward to following along the journey this year.

[Joan]

Wonderful flowers!

[Devon O'Donnell]

Susan & Will, Cheers to your 10th year of marriage! You two were a wonderful couple back in high school and I'm sure even more fantastic now. I have been enjoying your website, you are both so talented and inspiring.

Happy new year to you both!

[Jen]

It was really great meeting you and Will at the Honest Dinner for Alt Summit. I loved hearing about your plans for your new weekend home. We forgot to look at the pics of the house you were talking about in Conn. but I hope it all goes well. I will keep following along to see your progress. :)

[Patricia]

These flowers are exquisite. Do you offer prints of your work for sale? I just found your blog through Mortal Muses. I will keep visiting. Such beautiful photos and inspiration. Such delight. Best to you in 2013.

[Salena]

I am a friend of Marlaina and was just redirected to your blog - I had seen it years ago when she first mentioned it to me. Having a country house sounds so wonderful. I was born in the Bronx but was raised in the Catskills and I LOVE that area. Most of my family lives in the Hudson Valley area - some in Westchester County but most in Orange CountY - and I've lived and worked for a very long time in Sullivan County. Have you considered that area? It's so gorgeous up there. I wish you luck in your search - it's going to be a beautiful retreat once everything falls into place!

[TheBrinsons]

@Patricia Currently we do not sell our prints, however if you check back in March we will be participating in a special project where we sell some prints. ~ Susan

[TheBrinsons]

@Salena We did look at a house in that area and really liked it. We are so open to that entire area we will see where the perfect house lands us. :)

[Melanie]

No. Your home outside of the city should be in the Pacific Northwest. Close enough for me and Uncle Beefy to drop in whenever we want. xo

[sharon @ layers and layers]

So pleased to hear of the successes of last year! Congrats to you both. The house hunt sounds exciting and I wish you much joy & happiness as you pursue this next phase.