AU NATURAL

So, here we are; eleven days into 2014. I've been contemplating resolutions over the first half of this month. It's hard narrowing all of my thoughts down to a manageable number but here they are, my goals/thoughts/attitudes for the year ahead:

1. Spend as much of my free time as possible outdoors. Being cooped up in an office all day, I am currently living for the weekend to go for walks. Roll on British Summer Time and late sunny evenings.

2. Partake in some form of exercise/physical activity. As nothing energetic appeals to me, I have decided to take up yoga. All of my muscles are currently disagreeing with this choice but I thoroughly enjoyed my first class.

3. Spend less money on clothes, instead saving my disposable income towards travelling and exploring new places. Well I haven't purchased any new items of clothing since my initial sale splurge on Boxing Day and I have a trip to Barcelona/Primavera already half paid for.

4. Eat healthier. The usual obvious January choice that I so far failing quite miserably with (having just stuffed nachos/cheese/dips down my throat).

5. Invest more time in writing and photography. Try to get some freelance writing work, spend more time learning more about photography and taking my own photographs, write a novel.

What are your New Years resolutions and how are you doing so far?

A minute away from snowing, Andrew & Carissa Gallo, Julia Trotti, Lina Scheynius, Tim Barber, Amy Scheepers

My 2013

Here's looking at ya 2013 ...

January - April

I tend to forget about the first few months of the year, retreating to my bed and semi-hibernating away from the cold outside, dreaming of the warmer weather to come. Memories of January through to April include: a day at the museum, sitting cross-legged on the floor of wallpapered rooms listening to hauntingly beautiful music, meeting new friends, a day trip to London, photographing butterflies, hiking in Todmorden on my best friend's birthday and freezing cold local walks.

May - August

My favourite time of year; blossom littering the trees, ice lollies stickily melting in your hands, the intense summer heat. There are too many memories to mention but highlights include: Sounds From the Other City, lounging in my friend's garden with delicious food and friendly cats, our French road trip, hazy summer days spent with friends in meadows and discovering lakes, a fun afternoon in Hebden Bridge, my Berlin adventure, my birthday trip to the Lake District and my birthday garden party.

September - December

The nights get closer, the air gets crisper and the scenery turns a breathtaking fusion of burnt hues - ahhh Autumn. My favourite autumnal memories include: family fun day at The Whitworth with the most beautiful babies, a trip to Kirkby Lonsdale, Carefully Planned Festival, walks walks and more walks, a visit to London, house parties, exploring abandoned buildings and Christmas parties.

Here's to 2014!

Instagram Update - Autumn 2013

The end of the year calls for a recap. Whilst I gather my thoughts about 2013 - what I did, where I went, who looked good, which blogs I read and the rest of it -, here are the past few months through my favourite social media channel.

Follow me: @elavelle

Adventures, adventures, adventures. This Autumn was all about walking over hills and through woods.

My favourite time of year to go for walks is when the leaves are red and golden.

Butterflies and flowers and a selection of my favourite Autumnal apparel.

Flowers and food (two of my favourites).

Christmas Day and Christmas gifts, collars and photobooths.

Explore

Apologies for the picture-heavy post and yet another influx of photographs for an autumnal walk. On Sunday, I walked around the deer sanctuary of local national trust property, Dunham Massey with a group of friends. After leaping off fallen trees and spotting deer from a distance that my portrait lens couldn't quite stretch too, we found a derelict abandoned house near where we had parked the car. Sensibly, we didn't venture inside as it appeared to have burnt down and looked less than safe but we did crawl through a gap in the fence, have a wander around the outside and explore the grounds.