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 
Dear College MP,
You think that trip to Europe seems expensive? Look at the bigger picture here. What’s a few thousand dollars? Take the plunge honey and get on the airplane.
Love,
Mom MP
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Dear Younger Self,
You rock. Period. Live accordingly.
Older Self
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Worry less. So much less.
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Travel more, travel light.
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Register for Fiestaware! You’ll hate the other stuff soon.
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Practice.
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Dear younger Self,
Aim higher; you can do it. Your biggest limit is yourself.
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Learn to pack light and sleep heavy.
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Even if it’s hard and you are mad, be with your Dad as he is dying.
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Don’t take it all so seriously. Relax and have fun!
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Younger self: Take a year off after high school and before college. Oh, and if he seems like the kind to cheat, he actually is.
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Advice: Let go!
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Go give your dad a hug!
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Dear younger self,
it’s okay that you aren’t ready for sex at 14, 16, or even 18+ish. That part will bloom later and it will be awesome…but trush your instinct and don’t rush it. It’s okay.
Also, your thighs are just fine. Really. I know you don’t believe me, but they are.
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don’t worry so much. mostly it turns out much, much better than you expected.
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Dear me,
Don’t be scared. Do it. Do it all! … except maybe that one thing… you know what i’m talkin’ about…
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dont feel so awkward…it will go away sometime soon, i promise
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To twentysomething Yolanda,
When Tom dies don’t drown your sorrow, get to a therapist sooner. Save more money for retirement especially if you are going to be self employed or work for a non-profit. Move to Sweden, it’s better than marrying Fred.
Love 60 year old Yolanda
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Skip more classes; worry less about your grades; be more willing to make mistakes; and try really hard to listen to yourself, even when your inner voice is very quiet.
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I would ask myself not to be so boy-crazy. It didn’t need to be the focus of your young life, little-me. You’re plenty awesome on your own, don’t be scared of that.
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Dear Younger Self:
Don’t feel so bad about crying over that guy. Older you learned a lot from what you’re going through now, and older you doesn’t cry over boys anymore. She’s a lot stronger thanks to you. As far as your heartbreak right now goes? Enjoy it, embrace it, discard it.
Also, good job dying your hair pink and purple. TOTALLY worth it.
– Chelsea
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Not everyone needs to like you.
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You’re smart, pretty, funny, and goshdarnit, people like you. And if they don’t, that’s their loss.
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Dear me,
Less woe, more go!
And stop worrying, you’ll find him.
Love,
Me
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He broke up with you twice…he will again. Choose the other guy!
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Don’t sweat the small stuff.
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Don’t date your professor!
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Find someone to talk to, don’t let the secrets weigh you down and hold you back.
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All the drama going on in your life right now is just that, drama. Don’t feed into it and you will find happiness and peace soon.
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Study abroad! Drinking with your friends in dive bars will still be there when you get back. (for a lot longer than you think it will, too)
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Dear 19-year-old Corley,
Let the first break up with him stick. If you stay with him nothing will change, he will drag you down and consume another three years of your life. Good news is, if you fall for it and stay, the man of your dreams is waiting for you on the other side!
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Dear High School Liz,
Be nicer to your mother for goodness sake.
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younger me.
You are doing some amazing things. Be proud and think even bigger. You should not be self-conscious. Your hair looks great!
Stay late. IT will pay off.
Love,
older me.
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Dear (younger) me: As frustrating as it was when people said this to you, things will work out. You will get a job (even with a BA in History), you will get your own place, you will become a (fun) adult. I promise. Those little things you’re choosing to do now – get that summer job, visit those friends in Baltimore – will come back in a big way later.
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dear ginger,
do not second-guess that decision to have the baby. you are so right, and your life is about to change in wonderful ways, soon and forever. get ready for more love and joy than you can imagine (yet).
love,
the mama of your 14-yr old daughter
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dear Leah,
you don’t have to stay just to make other people happy. It’s alright to say No. If something makes you uncomfortable, just. say. no. It’s okay. Really, I promise.
love,
the Leah who usually knows when to say no even if she has to cry about it a little first
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Dear young me,
It is ok to fail. It is ok to be challenged. Don’t leave that really good school because things were more difficult than you were used to. You are capable of a lot.
Love,
Me
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some people are like cancer, cut them out of your life.
it gets better. i promise.
be nicer to your mother, she is the best person you will ever meet.
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Dear Younger Me,
Nothing is going to turn out the way you planned, but you’re in for a beautiful ride. Try not to worry so much – just enjoy yourself!
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Dear Self,
It gets easier and it gets harder. You are capable of so much more than you thought. Don’t waste so much time feeling inadaquate. Value the relationships you have and be open to new ones.
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dear younger lindsey,
recognize what you want and go for it.
try city living.
love yourself a little more.
it will all work out the way it is supposed to.
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Stop trying so hard. You are a good person, you make the right decisions. Stop and breathe. Oh, and don’t cut your hair short. Trust me, it is not a good look.
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Dear little Holly:
Things won’t work out as you planned but that’s okay.
h.
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Dear 20 year old liz: Don’t hold back. Don’t forget to do what is in your heart. Don’t try on other people’s suggestions to see how they fit. Just go. and do. AND HAVE MORE FUN.
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Dear Me,
Don’t worry so much what other people think it isn’t really as important as you make it. Also, being sympathetic to other is good – putting their feelings above your own – NOT SO MUCH!!
P.S. Start dying your hair sooner!! You won’t be able to once you have to get a job.
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You were raised in a nurturing, loving but very protective and sheltered bubble. Let this knowledge salt your speech – (most) other people did not grow up in such an environment
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Love yourself now instead of waiting for better years to come. Quit skipping classes.
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You’re not fat. No, really.
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Go to that Bar Mitzvah!
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You’ll never have it all figured out and that’s okay. Just have fun, make good choices and enjoy where that gets you. Throw some bold choices in there as well. The best things come from those.
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