twelve reasons why i'm glad 2012 is over

i know. i know. you're supposed to appreciate each and every day, but that's difficult when things like #ootd on instagram was trending, kanye and kim itemized (kimye? kanim?) and diy projects became the "it" hipster trend (i mean anti-trend. hipsters don't follow trends. whatever). let's be real. who has time for that shit?

i was tre'-inspired to write this post by my most favorite blogger of all time - man repeller. after reading this you might find yourself saying are these 12 things bad, or horribly awesome? i agree. its a fine line. i can only compare this list to that weird kid in elementary school who threw up in class. you wanted so badly to look away, but you just had to peak through your fingers.

take a ride through 2012 one last time with me. then let's all forget these things actually happened.

1. fifty shades of bs: this was on tmr's list too. she's right. if i hear about one more 30 to 50 something year-old woman raving about fifty shades of bullshit i'm going to create an ecard that says "if you  read the fifty shades of grey trilogy and then recommended it to your daughter, you do not have the right to help her with her english homework. ever." can't wait for the cinematic adventure based on this waste-of-paper-book.

2. i'm a dj: everyone in la la land seems to think that being a dj will boost their social clout. nay. "being" a dj is the new "i'm a model/actor." need i say more? being smart, creative, intuitive and belly-hurtin' funny are still higher on my list of male must haves than spinning beats.

3. studded and jaded: don't get me wrong. i love the 80's. i love punk. i love rock. however... raise your hand if you're going to wear those ridiculous studded and rhinestoned loafers/platforms/peter pan collars/bralets/bracelets next fall/winter. that's what i thought.

4. food porn: i don't care what you baked, ate for lunch, made from grandma's ancient recipe book, or what your plate looks like after you ate whatever it is you ate. and neither does anybody else. unless you are a master chef, or your job involves being an awesome cook, keep your sorry meals to yourself. i myself am a victim of this tragic trend.

5. #nofilter: hash tagging on instagram has resulted in all out battle of the babes -- and by babes i mean babies/teeny boppers/youth/the-only-people-with-that-much-time-on-their-hands --  to see who can tag the most unneccessary shit and gain the most spam follower accounts. congrats to you, the youth of  #merica. on the top of my annoying tags list is "#nofilter." by tagging "nofilter" you've successfully let the world know that you didn't have to select one of the awesome filters provided on the insta app. can we fill the hole in the ozone layer now? where are our priorities?

6. "hipster" weddings: thanks to pinterest all of us sad, pathetic and unmarried women can now plan our never-going-to-happen wedding. not only that, but i guarantee all of the women my age who do get married (bitches) will do so in a barn, on a prairie, decorated by succulents, burlap, wildflowers, chalk boards and driftwood. wait. i totally want this for my wedding.

7. the kardashians: i secretly don't want them to go away. sshh.

8. nail art: i'm slightly bitter that this trend took off mostly because i'm a nail bitter. with that being said ladies, your manicure should not cost as much or more than your shoes. hello kitty, rhinestones, bows, confetti and animal prints aren't allowed on your nails, all at the same time. you're freaking the men out.

9. anne hathaway: can she leave already? she bugs.

10. justin timberlake married that bitch: in my eyes jt's only viable options were me or britney circa "baby one more time." my world, and more importantly, my childhood fantasy, ended at that moment. cheers to 2013 and frequent celebrity divorces!

11. speaking of the end of the world...: 2013 will graciously rid my facebook feed of all of those weirdos (most of them my friends) who had to post some sort of status during the month of december 2012 about mayans, the end of the world, zombie apocalypses, etc.

12. mustache mahem: 2012 was the only year that mustaches got women dates. i loved this trend, but its time for it to rip. my vote for the prized body part/accessory of 2013 is the "wenis" (sp?) -- you know, that extra fold of skin you can pull away from the elbow... this is the equivalent to how ridiculous the mustache was for women in 2012.

i've already typed/hand written 2012 instead of 2013 seven times since january 1st.

Indian, with a feather

The best part about moving is hands down the excuse to shop. Retail therapy at its finest. My SO (significant other) and I are going for a cowboys and Indians/Navajo/Pendleton wool blanket/South-by-Southwest/Americana sorta, kinda look. Still with me?

We are doing lots of drift wood, vintage finds, pops of reds and turquoise, horses, American flags, and mixing of textures... As boxes are slowly being unpacked I keep these images in mind to hold our look together.

Actual photos from our place to come!

The Ear Cuff

Someone somewhere got uber creative. The ear cuff is my latest obsession.  I'm not a huge fan of chandelier earrings, or anything that is excessively sparkly hanging from my ears. I try really hard to get into this staple accessory, but find myself wasting money and doting bare lobes. The ear cuff may be the answer to my prayers. 

I'm in the midst of creating some of my own, but here are few that trigger my creative juices. People are so darn creative! Bravo people, bravo.

Stay tuned for some of my own designs!

The life of a '90s girl post graduation

As of late the spike in '90s swag via social media platforms, alongside the posts and status updates about finals, graduation, etc. has me feeling oober nostalgic - "EW, GAG ME WITH A SPOON " - (you know you said it too!).

CZECH out my personal fave homages to the 90's: 285 Reasons Why Being a '90s Rocked Our Jellies Off and What If 'The Facebook' Was Invented in the '90s?

It has been one and a half years since I've technically been done with college, and one year since I walked the Mount Clef football field for the CLU commencement ceremony (which has already been replaced by a much cooler, modern and beast of a football stadium... figures).  I hate to be cliche' but time is flying.

With my generation being on the forefront of social media and on the cusp of career professionalism, people kept telling me "You have it so easy with the Internet" and "The recession isn't that real. It'll be over soon so go get a job." Let me be frank here and say that I was NEVER unemployed. I worked two jobs upon graduation. Unemployment wasn't an option for me. To the twentysomethings with a college degree that can't find a job..."Get off of your hipster jeans and find one!" Seriously, the excuses nauseate me. I digress...

Here is my homage to the '90s girls and boys who are graduating (or have recently): Five '90s Trends That Are Back in Action and Five Ways to Cope With Postpartum Graduation.

Five Ways to Cope With Postpartum Graduation

1. Find a hobby: From crafting, to blogging, to community service, you'll need to find something to fill the free time. In college, I was more busy and stressed than I've ever been in my life and then after graduation I had a job and, well, that was it. I turned to blogging, reading the books I didn't have time to read in college and exercising (something that my college self would find hysterical). Do something for yourself, or else you'll go crazy. It'll teach you a different kind of responsibility and time management. In college I didn't know the meaning of the words "alone time." I was constantly surrounded by friends, boyfriend, class, parties, the school paper and dance team that loneliness wasn't in my regimen. Post school I had to LEARN to be alone... a very odd concept.  I'm still learning how to master this.

2. The job hunt is forever: Even if you're hired and comfortable don't be scared to put yourself out there and network. Building contacts for yourself is never a bad idea. It is said that our generation will change careers 3-6 times in our lifetime. The sky is the limit!

3. Make new friends: This can be so hard for us Gen Yer's. We tend to be attached the groups we formed in high school and college, but guess what... there are crap load of more interesting people out there. If a coworker invites you out with some friends, GO! Don't be a Bubble Boy!

4. Move out: Even if you have to live on Ramen and Kraft and sleep on a futon, you gotta move out within the first 6 months to a year of graduation. While Mom and Dad's might be cozy at first - laundry done for you, home cooking, no rent - it will truly inhibit you as an adult and recent college grad. My parents are the epitome of helicopter parents. My mom just offered to go with me to a job interview in Philadelphia... BARF.  This is NOT allowed. Step away from the womb and get your own place. No one likes a young professional who struggles with the failure to launch. Total turn off. Oh, and number 3 (above) is a million times more difficult when you live at home.

5. Love your parents again: While it is important to move out and establish your self independently by ripping off the Band-Aid that is "Mom and Dad," it is just as important to maintain an adult relationship with your parents. Make up for lost time, and make an effort to spend time with them and tell them that you love them. I have found that in the last few years my parents have, in fact, become much cooler and way easier to talk too as I've gotten older. My step-dad just got a Jeep Wrangler and my mom is wearing Lacoste to her golfing lessons. (Damn, I need to retire.) They have put up with a big heaping pile of bull shit with you. They deserve this.

Five '90s Trends That Are Back in Action

1. Denim 

Then... 

Beverly Hills 90210 - a time will never forget and whole lot of Levi's denim!

Kelly Kapowski - Demin crop top and floral jeans.. doesn't get much hotter.

 Now...

Free People Embroidered Denim Button Down Dress

Denim overalls... Gasp!

Free People Denim Vest and Pleather Shorties

2. Grunge/ Being a "hooligan" 

Then...

I know this looks like Hansen, but its totally not.

I'm pretty sure this is Naomi Campbell in the '90s! Ps Goth lips are totally back.

Wouldn't be the '90s without these guys.

Now...

Doc Martins are totally back... still not sure if I could rep them though.

I couldn't leave out the Olsen's in a '90s post... they are STILL killin' it in the fashion world. Here MKO is rockin' '90s plaid.

3. Vampires

Then...

Yea. She was awesome.

Had to... Team Edward!

4. Braids

Then...

Brandi... forgot about this girl!

Xtina in her hay day!

OMG my beloved JT not looking his best, but workin' some '90s cornrows fo sho. Still holding out for this guy, even throughout his engagement to Jessica Biel (bitch).

Now...

Waterfall braid

Fish tail with pastel highlights

Pigtail and accent braid adorned with fabrics.

5. DIY: Arts and Crafts

Then....

Bedazzler Commercial <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/amicrtFYgVQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

DIY friendship bracelets

Hours of pointless fun.

Now...

Statement nails

Dying fabrics at home.