On Turning 28

27 was an incredibly crazy year to say the least. A lot stayed the same, but there was so much kinetic movement centring around work that it felt like nothing ever really settled down. And just when I thought it did, another piece of kindling was added to the fire. Thankfully the dragon is a creature born of fire, so instead of burning up I channeled my inner wingéd beast and rose above the flames. Goddess help the poor knights who get in my way. 

It is abso-fucking-lutely possible to become more fabulous every year. 

Puppies make everything better (even if they can’t actually solve your problems for you).

Taking notice of those fleeting moments when the light hits the trees just right. 

Social anxiety is bullshit, but you learn to work through it if you ever want to get takeout.

When the guy you’re dating sums up his perfect vacation as “Salt Lake City, heavy-biking through the desert, and eating spaghetti and meatballs at the Old Spaghetti Factory” and your perfect vacation is a variation on “Paris, leisurely tours of the Louvre, and eating copious amounts of pain au chocolate at street side cafés” it’s never going to work out. 

My high-school punk-rock/bitch/do-what-I-want attitude wasn’t just a phase. 

Being the “bigger person” is really easy when you’re always right. (Letting others destroy themselves with their neuroses is also equally pleasurable to actively ruining people). 

People are part of your life (or not) for a reason. #squadgoals

I still really don’t like when people tell me what to do, and having someone treat me like I don’t have my own opinions, goals, and capabilities is the quickest way to make me cut you out of my life. i may still follow Peter Pan’s philosophy of refusing to grow up, but I am a goddamn independent adult and I expect to be treated like one. 

I didn’t believe him before, but Andy Warhol totally had it right when he said “The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting.” Though I still haven’t quite learned patience in all things…

All you need is cheese. #smokedgouda

Mold on cheese is negotiable, but not having chocolate in the house is unacceptable.

It’s all about the pillow count. 

I may be a girly girl, and I refuse be a basic bitch, but an explosion of pink flowers is what Spring is all about. 

You can still go home, but it won’t be quite the same, since everyone who counts has left town (including you).

Happiness is a cold Beck’s on a Friday night, a caramel frappucino on a hot Saturday afternoon, and a fresh batch of cookies on a Sunday afternoon. 

Guilt is still a useless emotion.

7 Reasons Why: a (Birthday) Sunday Shoe Story

Because in the beginning, when I refused her Skittle, she didn’t take no for an answer.

Because of this song. 

Because she talked me into skipping study hall and going shoe shopping, and would always talk me into buying strange and outlandish outfits. True story: I blame (and applaud) her for the red velvet leopard dress.

Because when I wanted to do an impromptu fashion photoshoot at the nudist beach she didn’t say no. In fact, she drove. 

Because she has never missed a birthday, and her presents usually come filled with glitter. I almost don’t mind the mess that said glitter leaves everywhere.

Because she didn’t strangle me when I scooped this vintage pair of Carlos Falchi heels right in front of her on a thrifting adventure.

"'Carmen" by Carlos Falchi

Just because. Some things change, but my Aina will always be the same. Maybe an older and more fabulous version, but still the same. Happy birthday Duck, and here’s to the next 25!

Party Princess

No one does adorable party dresses like Betsey Johnson, and obviously I enjoy playing the diva princess, so for Betsey Johnson appreciation week it was fitting to feature my frilliest, girliest, most fabulous party dress. And of course, I have the tiara to match. Sparkle on bitches ♥

vintage layered dress, silver pumps by Heeltown, rhinestone earrings and ring by Claire's, rhinestone tiara and patterned tights by Ardene's, vintage pearl necklace, Annabelle metallic lipstick in Magnétique

It's my Party, and I'll cry if I want to

I’ve never been a big fan of birthdays. Not because of the whole age thing (I actually like getting older and growing up), but because every time I plan an awesome party it ends up getting ruined, and I wind up in tears. I remember the good old days of being a kid, when birthdays were awesome, and I always looked forward to them. My parents did all the planning, we invited everyone, I got lots of presents, we usually went bowling or swimming or something equally fun, there was CAKE, and at the end we all got goody bags full of toys and candy. I haven’t had birthday cake at my birthday in years, and adults should totally be allowed to have goody bags at their birthday parties! That way everyone leaves with fun random stuff! Maybe it’s time we took alcohol out of the equation, left the party-poopers at home, and went old school. We may be getting older, but I’m going to stay young at heart forever, just like Peter Pan!

In other news: it’s one of my BFFs birthdays today, so here’s a shout out to the craziest, most random, most amazingly awesome birthday girl ever! Happy birthday Liz, you’re old(er than me) © Someone had better take her out for birthday fun, since I’m not there to do it (I’m looking at you Garrett)! 

Liz & her fiancé Garrett (they're so cute!)

Did I mention that the lucky bitch just got engaged? At Disneyland, in front of the castle? Yeah, this is SO Liz's year!

A Beast of my very Own

“MUM! I want a dragon for my birthday!” the little girl demanded, “Nothing else will do! A BIG ONE. With scales and wings and it has to BREATHE FIRE!”

All my friends ask for ponies for their birthdays. Last year Monique actually got one, so now everyone is jealous of her for being so lucky. But not me. Ponies are boooooring. All they do is wander around the yard, and make a mess that you have to clean up (“You have responsibilities now,” your parents will say). You can’t even ride them when you get bigger, and they’re not very friendly.

I don’t care that everyone thinks that dragons are just stories in picture books and Scandinavian legends, I’m convinced that they’re real. There are house cats and wild tigers, and we have little lizards, so why shouldn’t there be extra-large lizards as well?

Anyways, I’m pretty sure I saw one the other night. I saw something, a large something, blot out the stars when I had snuck out to sit in my tree house. It was moving pretty fast, and it was dark, so I couldn’t get a good look at it, but I’m going out again tonight and I’m borrowing my dad’s binoculars.

In the meantime, I’ll keep bringing it up with my parents until I get what I want. I want my dragon, and I want it now. 

from here