Birthday Weekend Recap

Before I recap the weekend I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind words I received about my post on Friday. It means a lot to me. I've always been afraid of sharing too much here, but I also want to be honest so I'm trying to accept and embrace vulnerability which is something I've never been good at doing. Have you seen Brené Brown's TED Talk about it? If not, I highly recommend it. Then watch this one about shame. These talks have helped me so much this year. I've watched them over and over and over.

So, what did I do this weekend for my birthday? A lot actually and I loved every bit of it. Here are some of the highlights:

- Friday: I got a Hey Cupcake delivery and then a flower delivery and then a cake pop delivery while I was working. So many treats. It made my heart so happy. I have some really sweet people in my life. After work I went to dinner at Hudson's on the Bend with my boyfriend. The food was delicious and of course there was lots of wine. Then we went to the Alamo Drafthouse to see Fast & Furious 7 which was so good as usual and such a tearjerker at the end... OK, maybe not a tearjerker for me. I was straight up crying. I've always been a big Paul Walker fan.

- Saturday: Me and all my wonderful friends went out to Jester King Brewery for beers and pizzas and chats. One of my friends even drew me a cake on my pizza box (see above photo). It was so great spending time with all my favorite people. I love my friends. Then, the bf and I went to see Dave Chappelle at ACL Live. That man is such a great comedian. Bravo. Afterward, we went out to East Side Showroom for a nightcap with more frands. I feel like I can say nightcap with such confidence now that I'm an old 27 year old lady ;) Side note- If you're ever in Austin and enjoy specialty cocktails East Side Showroom is where it's at. Order a Gilmore, it's my favorite drink. Ever.

- Sunday: I got up early and headed out to the Botanical Gardens to shoot some outfits with my girl Chelsea. It was pretty rainy but Chelsea was such a sport and powered through with me. The gardens were actually super whimsical in the rain. Yay for outfit posts coming soon. Then I topped off the weekend by watching the premiere of the second half of Season 7 of Mad Men. I love that show. Anyone a fan? What did you think of the episode? How sad are you that it's ending?? :(

Pretty stellar weekend. I'm so grateful for everyone that made it such a special birthday. Thank you! How was your weekend? Also, here's a little happy dance tune for ya to start off your week- The Heat by Jungle. I'll be seeing them this Thursday. Ready to boogie. Happy Monday!

Bloglovin, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest

Birthdays + Cupcakes + Thoughts

It's my birthday. Happy Birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! Yes, I love birthday's. Even though they symbolize getting older, for me, they also symbolize becoming wiser. Personally, I think I've gotten much wiser with every year that passes and that in itself is something to celebrate. Yesterday I bought myself some cupcakes and got a mani/pedi as a little early present to myself, because why not?! 26 was a hard year. I WILL indulge and pamper myself at little. I deserve it.

When I look back on my 26th year on this earth I have to say- I've learned A LOT. When I think about my birthday last year I remember being really happy. I'd just met a new group of friends that I really liked, I was going to lots of shows and other music events, I was dating again. I felt very carefree and was just having fun. But somewhere along the way of what should have been a spectacular year I lost my wanderlust. I lost my sparkle and glitter and bubbles and I lost my joy. Things that were once fun to me now made me feel extremely overwhelmed with anxiety. I got really depressed which made me scared. I dreaded going to do the very things I used to love to do not too long before. What happened? Why was I feeling this way? What could I do? I wanted the sadness to end but I didn't know how to make it stop. Even though I'm terrified to write this for all to read, I started going to a therapist and when I did I was at my very lowest point.

Although therapy is wonderful and so good for your mind it is also really fucking hard. You don't just go and automatically get better. You have to keep going, keep learning, keep trying. And that is exactly what I'm doing. I'm starting to enjoy the things I used to again, I'm learning how to better manage my anxiety and am teaching myself how to quiet those bad voices in my head. It's so hard, but I know that I just have to keep working on making myself better. Pushing out those negative, irrational thoughts and letting the positive, loving ones seep into my mind. I'm getting there but it'll always be hard for me and learning to accept that this is who I am is a huge step in the right direction. Loving yourself and accepting yourself is so important and I'm working on it... I'm working on it. So, here's to 27. Whatcha got for me?

P.S. I know I'm not alone in this. What are some of the things you do to help manage your anxiety and depressed thoughts? I wanna know. I plan on writing a post soon about some of the things I do that really help me.

Bloglovin, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest

April Showers

via

It's April. My favorite month... Here are a few reasons why:

1. My birthday which was last week and I celebrated thoroughly, of course- Went to dinner and a comedy show at Cap City. We saw JR Brow and he was hilarious. If you're from Texas you would especially love him. I was dying laughing. Amazing.

2. Crawfish boils- Need I explain more?!

3. Great weather for outdoor concerts- Went to Grouplove w/ MS MR over the weekend and going to see Local Natives tonight.

4. Jazz Fest- Yes, I'm going again this year. Wasn't planning on it but last minute decided crawfish bread, live music and the humid, muggy April weather just couldn't be missed. 

Speaking of that, in true April fashion we've had a good bit of thunderstorms this month. But yesterday and today have been beautiful. Something about perfect 70 degree weather can make just about anyone happy, am I right?? I'll be pretty busy for the rest of this month, but hoping to be back on more of a schedule in May and through the summer... But who am I kidding? I don't think I've been on a schedule since I moved to Austin almost two years ago. It's like one thing after the other with my life... Just the way I like it.  So if you don't see me around here as much these days don't fret, I'm just busy gurl. I'll pop in every now and then. Thanks for sticking around and happy HUMP day!

FIND ME - Bloglovin / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest

Happy Birthday to Me + My Wishlist

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Pashli Satchel / 2. Supermuse Dress / 3. Vanessa Mooney Necklace / 4. ASOS Rings / 5. Topshop Leather Shorts / 6. Illesteva Mirrored Sunnies / 7. Topshop Flatforms / 8. Rag & Bone White Tee

I put together this little helpful list for anyone (cough, cough- friends or family members...) who feel like getting me a birthday present :)

That's right. Today is a big birthday for me. I am 25 years old. My quarter life has arrived. Weird. But I'm actually excited about it and ready to take on another year. Happy Birthday to me! And I hope you all are having a great week as well.