Confessions of an [Almost] Twenty. Seven. Year. Old

GUYS. guys. guys. guys. My birthday is Friday. I am turning old. OLD I TELL YOU. I'm really not prepared. Not even a tiny bit. Ask Michelle as she had to talk me down from the why isn't my life together meltdown of the day yesterday. I'm sure I will have a couple more in the next couple of days, so stay tuned. 

I spent most of my brainstorming time working on that picture, I'm pretty sure it's the cover of my first novel, what do you think? #likeawallflower #meetstheshopaholic #meetssomemegcabotbook #WHEREISMYHOGWARTSLETTER

I mentioned my not-a-grownup meltdown, so today I was thinking about the things that I feel like qualify me (aside from being that close to thirty. OH MY GOD I'M ONLY THREE YEARS AWAY FROM THIRTY. BRB.) They include: paying for my own Netflix subscription (even though I watch the same shows over and over), I have a 401k (I even know what a 401k is...), I reward myself for doing chores with wine. Yeah. That's about it. #thatsashortlist #weareallpretending #right? #whoisarealgrownupanyways

via

I'm just as happy going to the bar (provided it's not so slammed that you can't move.. and maybe there's food...) as I am sitting in the living room, drinking champagne, and having a Disney sing-a-long. Or watching a marathon on the History channel. Or reading. Probably reading let's be real. #OHORKARAOKE #yeahletsdokaraoke #ORTRIVIA #ORBOTH

I've been racking my brain for more confessions that are worthy of blogging about. I can't come up with them. Mostly all I can think about is going to sleep. It's 10:15 and I feel like we're up past my bed time. #grammastatus #nowimfreakingoutaboutbeingoldagain #sendhelp

Well. I'm doing my normal link up for a Wednesday! All the hashtags. ALL OF THEM. Do you have any old lady ridiculous panics? I've decided that everyone is just pretending to be a grownup, I'm just not that good at pretending yet....

HAPPY MY BIRTHDAY MONTH EVERYONE

January is traditionally one of my most successful months, because I hesitate less with the excuse that it's my birthday bitches. It's almost like I'm a different person. If I could tap into whatever it is that makes me the best version of myself in January for all the days, I'd be unstoppable (except that I would be broke because I also justify spending too much money for that reason too.) However, it's Wednesday -- so what more could you expect than hashtagging the Schmidt out of some confessions? 

While I am an unstoppable force during my birthday month, I'm also super bossy + probably a pain in the ass. I refuse to apologize for it because it's only once a year. Well, 31 days out of the year. If I slowed down to worry about what everyone else was going to think about my actions, it would be easier to stop me. #sorrynotsorry #itsmybirthday #mycircusmymonkeys #whyisitmonkeysnotmonkies? 

birthdaaaaaaay

I am OBSESSED with Momentum Dash. Have you used it? It's this browser extension for Chrome that shows you a breathtaking shot of somewhere exotic (by exotic I mean anywhere but my front yard), a motivational quote, and the option to make a to - do list (that comes with the reason we all love to - do lists -- the ability to check the boxes off as you accomplish tasks.) It really brings that extra umph to my mornings, so I totally think you should check it out too. #thisisnotsponsored #ijustlikesharing #sharingismyfavorite 

this literally has nothing to do with anything

I'm a little nervous about the #breakupchallenge2016 because I got sass for saying that one of my goals was to get up and work out in the mornings and get my shit together. that's a lot for a girl who usually gets up fifteen minutes before she needs to leave for work. I think I can do it for 30 days. Who knows maybe I'll get addicted like when I did 30 days at the Barre #strongisthenewskinny #youcandoanythingforthirtydays 

Add caption

I'm toying with the idea of starting a weekly series where I test out different kinds of cheap wine + review them here. Tax professionals, do we think I could write that off on my taxes as a business expense? I think I should be able to. moreover, if I start traveling to blog, can I write that off too? I think I need to hire an accountant.... #badatmath #taxbreaksfordays #doIhavetoestablishanLLC? #businessclassrefresherplease 

dolla dolla bills yall

I HAVE A REAL CONFESSION I ALMOST FORGOT. So, I live in a super walkable neighborhood. It's the best. So it was unseasonably beautiful on Thursday, so I walked a couple blocks to the park in the neighborhood because I just wanted to swing. Made myself a little to-go drink + toted along my camera incase I came across anything photo worthy (come on, empty playgrounds are pretty cool in black + white) It did not, however, occur to me that an adult, alone in a park, with an unknown drink in her hand and a professional camera strapped around her is NOT something that parents are cool with. #strangerdanger #butImastrangerdangerranger #iwasalittleworriedthecopswouldbecalled #insertembarrassedemojifacehere

I'm a stranger danger ranger!

I just realized these aren't really confessions at all are they? I CONFESS THAT I MEANT TO CONFESS! #whoops! Can you believe I've blogged two days in a row two weeks in a row? Don't freak out, but I might just have gotten my mojo back. I missed y'all just entirely too much. Also I got a blog planner for Christmas + I couldn't possibly let that go to waste! 

My Birthday Month Through The Lens

Okay. Groundhog day is super weird y'all. BUT my biggest issue is that Punxsutawney Phil says more winter, but General Beauregard Lee says spring. So how does that work? Like half + half? Anyways. Now that my birthday month is over, I'm ready for it to be summer because I got my new swimsuits on Saturday. You know, I have an actual dresser drawer for swimsuits. Not just like, the tiny underwear/sock drawer. An entire drawer. I might have a problem. OKAY. Let's take a look back at all of the pictures I took in January!

I still can't believe that for the first week of 2015 I was in EUROPE still. Can I go back already? I haven't even shared my London pictures yet -- so those bottom three are official sneak peeks of London.. You can see all of my Paris pictures here + here! 

I also turned old + learned some things. I really should have added that 26 isn't going to be the year I grow out of sticking my tongue out in pictures either...... In case you were wondering, there's not going to be a recap of my birthday celebrations because I acted like a total brat + terrorized the locals. Totally growing up, right? ANYWAYS. That's what happened according to my camera in January. What did you do this month? 

26 Things I Learned at 26

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. Would I even be a good blogger if I didn't do 26 things I learned in 26 years? Also, this is the only place I'll admit that. I'll be telling everyone else it's the fifth anniversary of my 21st birthday. so, yeah. 

1. A good, long, hot shower can change your entire outlook on life. 
2. It's totally okay to say "no" when you don't want to do something, you can't make everyone happy.
3. TRAVEL
4. Credit cards are a bitch.
5. Real books don't have a battery, but an e-reader is a lot lighter + easier to tote through the airport...
6. [I know this is cliche + clashes with #2, but you know. #sorrynotsorry] doing things that are out of your comfort zone can open up doors + introduce you to people you could never imagine. 
7. fresh air is good for you, you should choose your bars/dinner places based on rooftop patios.
8. ceiling fans are non-negotiable. 
9. if you don't ask, the answer is always no.
10. drink all the water that you can. trust me. even if you have to pee all the time, it's worth it. 
11. if your sneakers are fantastic colors, it'll make you want to wear them more + work out more.
12. the same goes for your gym clothes. if they're fun, you'll want to wear them. 
13. it's easier to keep your room clean than it is to let it get to natural disaster levels + then try to rehaul the whole thing. 
14. boxed wine tastes just as good as that fancy stuff, but it costs less, stays cold, stays fresh longer after you open it, and is always on tap. the only downside is that you don't get any corks for art projects. 
15. just because it "fits" doesn't mean you should wear it. 
16. don't click on those articles that say things like "her husband told her to back her bags, you won't believe what happens next!" it's not worth it. it's probably a dumb story for clickbait.
17. Instagram isn't real life. it's the best picture, a creative filter, and a clever caption. 
18. Pinterest hair tutorials are made for people with super cooperative hair, not hair that could just about pass for a mane. 
19. if someone gossips to you, they probably gossip about you. 
20. always have a backup battery. 
21. smile at strangers on the street even if you're having a bad day** 
22. don't go to the grocery store hungry, or right after work, or on Saturday, or Sunday. 
23. sometimes, you just gotta drink champagne + dance on the table.
24. wear. sunscreen. 
25. if you tip the bartender well, you're next drink will [almost] always be better. 
26. don't worry about that guy judging you while you're rocking out to "Baby One More Time" with your windows down in January. he's just jealous that he's not Britney, bitch. 

TA DA. I've learned a lot. Obviously. Who would have thought I'd learn this much by the time I was 26, I swear when I was 18 I knew everything!

**okay. not everyone is a serial killer, but don't be dumb about it. there's a difference between smiling at strangers and getting yourself into a bad situation. don't get yourself into a bad situation. okay? okay. good talk.

My Completely Reasonable Birthday List

So, today my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday, because I'm turning old on Thursday. So I figured in honor of my birthday week I'd like to share my completely reasonable birthday wish list. I hope you're ready! 

is it just me, or does nothing top 21st birthday pictures? 

no more student loan payments 

a puppy

a house with a fenced in back yard, for said puppy.

an exotic vacation

a job that I love that also pays for said house + puppy. 

an occasion to wear this dress from Rent The Runway (full disclosure, that second link is a referral code, but you can get like $10 off your first rental!)
a nice pair of earrings (with a solid back because I always only lose one. I have a drawer full of mismatched earrings.)
dream jeep wrangler
everything in my Pinterest closet.
all of the Barre classes
another Eurotrip ;; I'm thinking Ireland or Munich for Oktoberfest....
tickets to all of the Shaky festivals this summer (Knees AND Boots)
UGA Football season tickets + a hotel for the season.

 

I think that's about it. If you're going to get me the jeep (you really should) could you give me a little heads up before I pay my birthday tax to renew my tag? Awesome. What's on your birthday wishlist? 

I REALLY Want To Be Selfish.... But..

Today is my birthday. We're not going to talk about how old I am -- because I refuse to admit I passed 22. There's also a crippling snowstorm gripping the entire state. Which also isn't unusual for my birthday.

I probably caused this snowstorm -- let's be for real. Every. Single. Time. I make birthday plans it snows, or it freezes, or there is some outrageous storm that keeps me from celebrating. Then I can't even be sad or grouchy or any kind of a brat about it because there are people who have been in their cars for over 24 hours + people who weren't as lucky as me to be home, drinking beer, next to a fire last night.

Lucy is mid-air at this point...

I'm using this platform to be outrageously, incredibly selfish because if I use any other form of social media I will feel guilty, people will judge me.

All I wanted for my birthday was a job, to go to Sweetwater + dinner with my friends tonight. Big loud rowdy 25th birthday -- right? Outrageous. Mother Nature had so many other plans + I am just thankful that our neighborhood watering hole was open because it's a family place + the family can walk to the restaurant.

On that note -- I learned they make a cinnamon flavored tequila + I urge anyone + everyone who doesn't know that it's cinnamon flavored to stay away. I will enjoy the occasional Fireball whiskey (+pick a fight -- one day I'll explain how whiskey makes me pick fights rather than "frisky" like Luke Bryan says) but I was expecting a tequila shot -- they even gave me salt + a lime. Moral of this story -- don't drive in Georgia snow + don't drink cinnamon tequila.