Today’s giveaway features two California jewelry artists.
Textured Drop Necklace By Feisty Elle
Every time I wear this piece by Leslie Yang, I get compliments. I’ve actually had people stop me in the street to ask where I got it. It’s made of bamboo, so it’s surprisingly lightweight. I don’t even notice I have it on, and I love how effortlessly it elevates an outfit.
Can You Hear Me Now Brooch by Mama’s Little Babies
Mama’s Little Baby brooches are so witty. This guy is my favorite, but I also feel affectionate toward the artichoke and Gunther, the World Famous Lion Tamer.
Cute, right? I know!
To enter, please leave a piece of advice for your younger self. And don’t forget to check back this week for more contests.
Fine print: Please only leave one comment, because it’s the nice thing to do, and also because multiple entries will be disqualified. I’ll use random.org to select the winner, and I’ll announce who won at the top of this post and in a separate post next Wednesday.
Mighty Girl 
Just wear it, there is nothing wrong with you!
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Just get started– a tiny first step is better than not taking a step at all.
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Stop drinking.
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Love your body. Go naked more.
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Dear me: Yes, adolescence can be rough. It sucks for everyone at some point. Just know that you’ll come out of it standing tall and proud to be eye-to-eye with most men. That, and don’t worry: tweezers can do amazing things!
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Dear Amy,
Just tell your mother about the tattoo for crying out loud. She already knew, and you wore shorts over cute bathing suits for about a million years for no reason! Now after 2 kids there is a reason, we lost out on precious butt-bearing time….
love, amy
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Dear Younger Self:
Don’t stop dancing – it is joy and exercise in one glorious package.
PS When they offer you those credit cards, remember that you can’t afford it and say no!!
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Life is soooo much better after high school.
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Dear self:
Things seem hard right now and you don’t know how you’re going to get through it, but keep moving forward. There is never an end to stress and worry, but you will always make it through to the next thing
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Don’t stress so much about the future! It’s going fine so far!
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Dear Younger Self,
Even though they’re not your favorite, suck it up and take more accounting and finance classes, they will come in handy in the future!
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Dear younger Michelle,
Stick with college. I know you’re working full time and its a tough load but believe me you will appreciate it later. Its easier now than when you have a job & family in the future.
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Dear Young Sara, He really DOESN’T care about you at all….you are not going to convince him otherwise. Save yourself many years of anger and heartbreak….TRUST ME!!
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Dear Younger Self,
Don’t think you can save that guy you think is going to become a famous musician. He’s is going to become a drug addict no matter how much you love him.
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Boy, oh boy. One piece of advice?
Here it is: Acknowledge your impulsivity and learn now how to take a step back from it in order to make better choices.
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Dear young Jill,
It’s okay not to be good at everything. Try more stuff, and have fun doing it. Try. 🙂
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Dear Young Kristine,
See that dog out there in the backyard? The one with the brown eyes and the pointy ears? That dog is going to show you your passion. Pay attention. Otherwise you’re not going to figure it out until it’s much harder to follow.
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Be slow to judge others. There is almost always something deeper going on beneath the surface of peoples actions & reactions.
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Don’t freaking worry so much. A lot of what you obsess over will never happen.
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Dear Younger KD-
Loosen up a bit while you are in college. Everything is going to work out. Don’t stress, have a little bit more fun. Oh, and sleep with a few more guys but make sure they suit up.
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Don’t sweat those life decisions because everything turns out juuuuuust fiiiiiine! How can I regret choices that put me in Japan and London for most of my 20’s? The career and romance stuff all works out eventually anyway.
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Dear me,
Just do that thing, whatever it is, that you’re thinking about doing. Take the trip, kiss the boy, say the words, whatever. Because you’ll look back and wonder why you were always so hesitant, especially when the risks you did take turned out so wonderfully. So do it, whateer it is.
Love,
me
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Pay more attention in college. The opportunnity to learn new things all day is short lived.
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Dear younger me,
You know how you want to spend a semester abroad but worry it would derail your “plans”…please, stop planning. Go to Spain.
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It will only matter as much as you let it…good or bad.
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Dear Younger Sarah,
Don’t go home with that one… he will just cause years of misery. But the sex was good. Damn, I would make the same mistake all over again.
Love,
Sarah
Take 2
Dear Even Younger Sarah,
Spend a semester abroad. You won’t miss anything back in the dorms. It would have been so worth it.
Love,
Sarah
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Oh for the love of Pete, QUIT SMOKING!
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Don’t ever pick up that first cigarette!
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Dear Self,
Get in trouble once in a while. Eventually you’ll figure out that trouble with a little “t” is actually an opportunity to stretch your legs and have a some fun. Start earlier, the stakes are lower.
love,
Sara
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Dear younger self, that tat on the back of your neck might seem like a brilliant idea but when you are thirty but you will always wear your hair down to hide it. Now how fun is that?
Love,
Your older self
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Talk to people who you think you don’t like (but haven’t actually talked to). Soooo basically–don’t be such a snob!
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Dear Younger Self– Lad y up and live a little– learn to flirt, attempt to pick up that random guy in line at the movies. That way when you find yourself divorced for 10-years you will have some FREAKIN’ clue how to be ‘out there”- sheesh!
And remember, your hair looks best chin length. Love ya’! Your Older Self (who may now be bordering on becoming a crazy old cat lady, sigh)
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Dear crazy over extended younger self,
Stop and take a breath every once in a while. It is good for the soul. And for all that is good in this world stop being so hard on yourself. You are doing amazing things with your life and you will continue to and stop calling yourself fat!
Love, your older self who looks at pictures and wonders how I ever thought I was fat
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Dear younger self:
Yes he’s amazing and yes he will make you the happiest woman in the world. But you’ll spend the rest of your life with him – so use THIS time to travel. Spread your wings and allow yourself to experience all that the world has to offer!
Oh – and please don’t stop running. You’ll save yourself a lot of pain when you try to start up again!!
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Dear Younger Self,
Get that work abroad visa and stay in England for a while. And go to law school before you have kids.
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Dear Younger Self,
Stop worrying so much about maintaining an impeccable reputation. Get into some trouble. It’s fun.
Love,
Meg
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Don’t be so hard on yourself and don’t care so much what other people think of you, you are cool just being yourself.
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When Eric puts his hand on your kneecap, do not crack up and roll off the couch.
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You are beautiful. Outside but especially on the inside. Seriously.
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Don’t worry so much. You look perfect in that two-piece swim suit. Don’t take the job that you couldn’t sleep on it to see if you wanted it. Things will work themselves out—trust yourself.
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Dear Younger Celia – DO IT!! Go for your Plan A, practical is not always better!
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Dear Younger Self:
Don’t listen to college freshman year pressure and kiss the dirty hippy boy who introduces you to Eddie Izzard and phish. Do it. Everything will be better if you do.
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Don’t be afraid to follow a passion and to take a windy road through life. Go travel, go live in another country. Spend less time worrying that your parents will get cancer and that you’ll have to take care of them. Leave your family. You need less than you know.
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Dear Awkward Alex,
Everyone wears a bra. Just because your boobs are small doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to Mom and get a “real” one. Rock those spaghetti straps and belly tops, sweetie.
Kisses!
Big Al.
PS: A perm? Really?
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Dear Younger,
Be flexible, not just with your body, but with your life. It’s not going to look like what you thought. It’s going to be even more beautiful.
Love,
Wiser
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Hey Younger Em –
Don’t go there. Just don’t. It’s not that cool of a party. Oh, and stop being so damn naieve.
Thanks,
Older Em
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Just hold on for a few more years because the very track you’re on right now has some dark and muddy parts but it leads you to an amazing place eventually.
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Start doing yoga now, and don’t ever stop.
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Relax! Everything will be fine. Keep doing yoga and appreciate your body for what it can do!
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Younger self, a few small things….
Chill out, there really is no need to worry so much
Follow your instincts about your career
Look after him, he’s a keeper
If you want it, go for it
Love, Older self
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