On this last day of 2014, I wanted to take a look back on the year. Filled with incredible moments, I wanted to focus specifically on those moments that I experienced for the first time. In doing so, I came up with a pretty hefty list, which I am happy to share with you all in photos. Always move forward, challenge yourself, and don’t be afraid to do or learn something new!
Being the subject of an interview multiple times for amazing lady bloggers & writers.
As someone who prides themselves in finding great subjects for feature interviews, I was incredibly flattered to be on the other side of the conversation this year, not once, but three times! Many thanks to Desire of Global Grind, Chelsea of ContemporaryTeal.com, and Stephanye of iSo14Below.com. Check out the features below.
Why Changing Your Career Isn’t The End Of The World on GlobalGrind.com
Feature Friday: Blogger, Journalist + Photographer // Andrea K. Castillo on ContemporaryTeal.com
Six Questions With Andrea K. Castillo on iSo14Below.com
Covering the Brooklyn Artist’s Ball After-Party at the Brooklyn Museum!
I had become familiar with the Brooklyn Artist’s Ball about a year ago; an evening commemorating contemporary artists for one fun-filled night at the Brooklyn Museum. A large part of it is the after-party, geared towards a younger crowd. i was SO SO happy to be asked to cover it this year, and bump into some familiar faces.
The after-party crowd
Portrait of Luke James
Finally launching a portfolio site for my photography & freelance writing.
In April of 2014, I launched Andreakcastillo.com, and independent site out of this blog that hosts my online portfolio of photography, freelance writing, and more! Thank you to all of my friends and supporters to coming out to the launch.
Shooting a fashion lookbook for LeSuite Boutique.
I’ve done a lot of photography in the realm of fashion and beauty, but it was in this year that I shot my first fashion lookbook, including the pieces sold on NYC fashion truck Le Suite Boutique. Thank you Iran and Mareana for the opportunity!
Being an on-set guest at HuffPost Live.
Probably one of the biggest on-screen moments of my life to date! I was invited to the HuffPost Live studio in the spring to be a guest on their Mid-Week Cocktail chatter segment. We chatted about hot topics over cocktails, how fitting! You may view the full segment here.
Creating my own rum punch recipe and selling it to the people!
In the spring I decided I wanted to make my own rum punch, because I didn’t like my options. I figured out my own recipe, bottled it, sponsored my own parties with it, and have sold to many happy customers! Follow the journey on social media @casrumbeverages.
Meeting, dancing, and snapping pics with Yukimi of Little Dragon.
I MEAN. Probably the most calm, geeked moment of my life. I had seen Little Dragon in June for the Friday show at Terminal 5, and was invited to their after-party/DJ set the day after at the McCarren Park Hotel & Pool. I brought my homegirl Indira with me, and I was super-focused on meeting Yukimi. Sometime after midnight, this photo happened, and after that, we were all dancing in a circle together. I can’t make this up.
Hosting a party across the border (Canada) with great friends.
Via this blog, I’ve introduced you guys to Girls With Gunz & Fire 4 Hire, my fave Canadian fashion girls and DJ click (respectively). In August during Caribana weekend, I co-hosted a party with the gang at The Crawford in Toronto which was a great success! Had my AKC logo on the flat screen and everything 🙂
Climbing to the top of Xunantunich Ruins in Belize.
Every year that I visit Belize, I make it a priority to climb a new set of Mayan ruins. Xunantunich has been on my list for sometime as it is one of the taller structures in the country. In late August, I finally completed this feat, and was so proud of myself. Such a spiritual experience.
Making Mama Cas’s yellow rice and passing the test!
2014 was definitely the year of keeping myself in the kitchen, and while in the kitchen, my goal was to start recreating the recipes of my mother. The first was her famous yellow rice that the family and countless friends line up for. I made it one day this fall and passed the test! I’ve since made it two more times and haven’t dropped the ball yet! LOL.
Writing about Belizean food & personal stories for LargeUp.com.
As I have been on the path of becoming a dual-citizen of Belize, this year has been filled with travel back to the homeland, uncovering stories, and recipes of course! I’m so happy to have finally linked up with Caribbean culture site Large Up to document said recipes. Check out my archive here.
Curating 7 hours of music for Sound.WAV at Aqua Art Miami that people enjoyed.
I work with a company called Audiophile PLUS that curates musical experiences for the art world. Last year, we held our premiere event, SoundVision Miami at the Aqua Art Miami show, and this year followed it up again at Aqua for Sound.WAV Miami. We programmed music & booked DJs for the entire course of the fair, with yours truly curating the tunes on the final day. You can check out the full playlist on Spotify. A great way to end out the year!
Stay safe and live out your dreams in 2015!
A Life in the Day of Andrea 