With the first month of 2014 behind me, I have to pause and consider all of the new ventures that have already begun this year. January marked my first story in a national magazine. Stephen, my talented photographer husband, and I had the opportunity last fall to go to Columbus, OH and do a series of stories for freshstyle magazine — a new publication from Hoffman Media. While there we got to meet the creative guys behind Tomorrow's Antiques — a custom carpentry shop in the Short North neighborhood where they incorporate repurposed items in their creations.

The story on Tomorrow's Antiques marked the beginning of an ongoing relationship with freshstyle, and I'll be blogging for them a couple times a month. My first post focused on the importance of actually beginning a new undertaking, rather than over thinking all of possible repercussions. I'll be blogging about our travels, gluten-free baking, and other arts and crafts projects in the future.

January also brought my first feature in Birmingham Magazine, where I wrote on the past and present of the city's steel and iron industry. This project started last summer, and I loved watching each piece of it come into place. I especially enjoyed interviewing people whose lives have been connected to the industries that made the Magic City. It is probably the most rewarding piece of freelance writing I have worked on to date. There is nothing quite like digging into an element of your city and finding a deeper, more meaningful connection to your home because of it.

January offered a strong start to 2014 and I'm excited to see what the rest of year has in store.