2019 Year in Review

Cadeau Boudoir

Highlights

2019 was a year full of highlights.  It was one of my most successful years, professionally, well, EVER!  At the beginning of every year, I write a list of goals for myself...and I am happy to say, I crossed almost every single one off!  At the end of 2018, I had told myself that 2019 would be my final year as a full time model.  I wanted to focus on other creative endeavors and goals, like writing, photography, and design.  I also felt that since I was turning 35 in 2019, that I had done nearly everything I could with a modeling career.  Lets face it, "Modeling has a shelf life"...is what I told myself and others.  I set out to make 2019 a great closing year, and to do all the things I wanted to do before the end of my career.   In turn, all that hard work paid off.  Not only did I accomplish so much, but the universe also taught me that I do NOT have a shelf life!  I can model, and do so much more, for however long I want to, and no age, or number would stop me!   I am proud to say I am not going ANYWHERE in 2020.  Although I still plan on expanding my creative horizons, I will continue to model for as long as I still enjoy it.  I refuse to put an expiration date on myself and my career! 

Petrovski Studios

Lets talk about accomplishments.  I turned 35!  Another year on this planet is always something to be celebrated as far as i'm concerned.  For my birthday, I went Bungee Jumping (my 2nd time) and threw a HUGE party with all my friends and family.  Check out my video on IGTV for more of my thoughts on turning 35 (and see my big leap of faith!)

35th Birthday Video

I became an auntie this year!!!  My sister told me in the beginning of the year that she was expecting, and in early October, I became an Aunt for the first time to the BEAUTIFUL Naomi Marie!  I am completely obsessed with her and cant wait to watch her grow up! 

I travelled A LOT in 2019, and plan to travel even more in 2020!  I travelled all across British Columbia, and Canada with stops in Victoria, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Toronto, and more.  I spent 2 weeks in Palm Springs with my family to celebrate my Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary!  I went to Arizona twice!  Once for Tiki Oasis and once to shoot with Yandy and the Yandy Vixens!  I created my own curated lingerie collection with Yandy, which you can shop HERE

Shop my Collection with YANDY

I also traveled to Seattle, Portland, and New York! In New York, I shot my VERY OWN line of lingerie with Impish Lee, which will be released in the New Year (stay tuned!!)  Also on my travels I walked in Toronto Fashion Week for Lesley Hampton, attended a few Tiki events and conventions (tiki oasis and tiki kon) shot with a ton of amazing artists, taught and posed at multiple boudoir workshops and collaborated with some incredible brands and people.  I also bought a vintage guitar (1958!) and practice (almost) daily. But MAN it's HARD!!  

A landed the cover of FabUPlus Magazine, whom I have been writing for for years!  To be on the cover was a HUGE honor, and to do it along side my friends, Photographer Camilla Hrytzak, Makeup/Hair: Chelsea Rose Falk, and Designer Lesley Hampton..well that was the icing on the cake! 

I was also approached by my personal FAVORITE poet, Christopher Poindexter, to write my own book of poems/short stories/life lessons.  It will be published in 2020 and available online and in book stores across North America, by his publishing company Jack Wild Publishing.  I have started writing and shooting new content for my own book and I am SO excited to share a piece of my heart and soul with the world!  

I shot over 75 photo shoots with photographers I have worked with and love, as well as new amazing artists from across the globe.  I set a goal to reach 500K instagram followers by the end of the year, which I did NOT reach, but I did get to 496K as of New Years Eve...so I'd say that is pretty close, so I'm still happy and proud of how hard I worked to get there this year.

Disappointments

As much as I am a positive person and like to focus on the good...to simply pretend this year was all 100% wonderful would be a flat out lie. I failed sometimes, infact, I failed quite regularly! I didn't do well at certain castings or auditions. Didn't get certain jobs/gigs that I wanted. Some of my travel plans had to be cancelled due to not enough bookings, my health, or other reasons. I lost people in my life. I lost relationships and friendships, some I dont know why, some I know exactly why. Some chose to leave me, some I chose to leave. Some were taken from this earth far too quickly. I struggled some days to love myself, and felt like a failure as that is what I preach to my followers daily! I struggled with my health. I didn't go to the gym NEARLY as much as I wanted to...sometimes simply cause I didn't want to, and sometimes because I couldn't, and therefor instead of punishing myself, I tried to focus my energy on joyful movement, and danced, walked, swam and more. My mental health was a REAL struggle this year, but I counteracted that by going to see my therapist at LEAST once a month, and working daily on reminding myself why I should JUST KEEP GOING. Ķ

Goals for 2020

2019 was all around an amazing year, and I am SO excited to see what 2020 has in store for me.  Some of the things that I want to continue to do, or do more of in 2020 are:
TRAVEL!  My goal is to travel every month this year!  For work, or pleasure.  So if you're interested in hosting or hiring me where you live, get in touch!
WRITING!  I have A LOT of writing to do this year. Not only for my upcoming book with Jack Wild Publishing, but I also have plans to release an EBook that is a loose guide on how to get into my business!  Ill give you all the tips and tricks I've learned through my 15 years in the biz and help you get your career started!  I would also love to pen a cook book and a children's book this year.  Stay tuned.
PHOTOGRAPHY!  I would love to learn more about photography, possibly take a class or two, get BEHIND the camera for a change, and take some gorgeous photos of some of the amazing talented people I know!
MUSIC! As a child I learned many musical instruments, Piano, Flute, and a few others.  In 2019 I decided to learn guitar, and in 2020 I want to continue to do so with lesson and lots of practice. I would also love to take voice lessons! 
PAINTING!  I've been painting since high school, and love getting creative and putting paint to canvas. Only trouble is I haven't had the time, or the space to paint that much this year!  In 2020 Im going to strive to make sure I have time and space to create.  Maybe some friends want to do a paint/wine night? I've never done that and it always looks so fun! 
WORKSHOPS/PUBLIC SPEAKING! In late 2019 I put plans in motion to offer workshops (starting with the Curves Ahead Workshop in Toronto on January 18th!), and I would LOVE to continue to offer workshops on everything from posing, to social media marketing, to building confidence and self love!  I would love to do more public speaking, at workshops, ted talks, or conventions, and events...and of course, with all this, I want to TRAVEL to do so.   

No matter how your year has gone, or what your plans for 2020 are, I wish you nothing but love, happiness, success and adventure in the new year.  I have learned a lot this past year about myself and the world I live in, and am looking forward to putting what I have learned into action, to make 2020 the best year YET!   
​Happy New Year Everyone!