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 
Stop worrying so much about being alone. Future you ends up marrying the best husband ever. And in the meantime, you’re pretty good company so take yourself to dinner, go to the movies, and definitely eat the gelato!
LikeLike
Dear younger self,
Do not get married to your college boyfriend, do not move to Texas, eat some whole grains and wear some sunscreen for goodness sake! See you in 9 years. 🙂
LikeLike
I would tell myself to travel more and in general just take more risks.
LikeLike
Be kinder to yourself. You’re the only you you’ll ever have.
LikeLike
Dear Me:
Watch out for those blue haired boys. They will get you every time.
LikeLike
Dear me,
Keep dancing. Go to class, have fun, read, sew, live your life, but for the love of everything beautiful in this world, keep dancing.
LikeLike
Dear Little Ivy,
You are so much stronger and braver than you think you are. It will just take you 15 years to figure that out, so don’t sweat it.
All the things you hate about the way you look will turn out to be the things that make you unique and precious and (gasp!) beautiful. Promise.
Also, if he’s acting like he’s not into you, HE’S REALLY NOT INTO YOU. Don’t waste any more time thinking about it. It doesn’t make you any less, just because he’s not giving you more.
Kisses,
(Slightly) Big(ger) Ivy
LikeLike
be nicer to your sister, she’s the only one you’ve got… and she’s kind of amazing.
LikeLike
Dear 30 Year Old Self:
The world is not conspiring to make you wretched. Take a little responsibility, and do what makes you happy.
The 34 Year Old Happy Version of You
LikeLike
dear third grade zoe, can you please save some of those ditto sheets? there are a few grammar lessons it’s worth repeating… all the other mistakes you make will make you/me who we are now. and we’re pretty much ok.
xoxo
z
LikeLike
find out who you are and what you like. then just be yourself.
LikeLike
Don’t move in with him! Dump him right now, no matter how much he guilt trips you.
LikeLike
Dear Younger Self,
Enjoy that metabolism while it lasts.
xoxo
Old, Pear-shaped You.
LikeLike
This state of fear and doubt is not limited to life in your early 20s. I know that might seem unfair. You’ll find it unfair later, too. Take a breathe and wade in.
LikeLike
Dear younger me,
Don’t be so afraid of what everyone will think of you — get out there, smile more, and loosen up. But also stop procrastinating and apply yourself! You can make anything happen if you just put your mind to actually doing the work.
Love,
Current me
LikeLike
Get out of bed and go to class!
LikeLike
Dear Gill,
Lighten up. The world will not actually be a better place for all your moralizing. You’ll just be boring and get left out of all the fun. Instead, stay out tonight, kiss that boy, and have a good time! The world will not end and you will have fun. I promise.
Love ya
G.
LikeLike
You haven’t run out of time! There is so much time you’re rolling in it. So don’t ever think that it’s too late. It’s not. Also, learn French. Trust me on this one.
LikeLike
Get good enough grades to go away to college–far away. Farther. Yeah, no, farther.
LikeLike
The good stuff is worth waiting for. And listen to your mom!
LikeLike
Relax! Life is too short to care what people think.
LikeLike
Go ahead and kiss Robbie in the coat room.
LikeLike
Advice to a younger me: Your best friend, the one you laugh with so much? He’s going to become the one you live for and love. Be patient.
LikeLike
hey younger you!
you are pretty awesome, but when that boy knocks on your door sophomore year of college, sleep with him. you have regretted that since 1993.
oh, buy technology stock. you’ll thank me later.
now go get some sweetheart,
your older self.
LikeLike
the teardrop necklace is beautiful!
advice to my younger self: HAVE MORE FUN! Don’t worry so much and just live in the moment.
LikeLike
Dear Younger Shannon,
Before you get upset that you weren’t invited someplace, thin about if you really wanted to be there. Sometimes, home with a glass of wine and a great book is way better than the (seemingly more fun) alternative!
Good luck,
Current Shannon
LikeLike
Don’t EVER stop your running program, even if you are certain you’ll resume it when the weather gets a bit nicer. Without it you’ll look 5 months pregnant with a healthy food baby.
LikeLike
Hello younger self- totally kiss some more boys, and by the way- your body is awesome! Enjoy…
LikeLike
To a younger me: Don’t stop piano lessons. You’ll want to play later.
LikeLike
Dear Young Claudia,
Please keep your great grandmas, grandmas and mother’s
accessories and clothes for future usage!!
LikeLike
Dear Self: When your employer offers to match your contribution on an RRSP, for goodness sake start an RRSP. And stop spending so much money on crap you don’t and put more money into savings because law school is expensive (then again, maybe rethink law school).
LikeLike
Any time you spend with someone who makes you feel intellectually, spiritually, or physically inferior is time wasted.
Any time you spend with someone who makes you want to be a better intellectual, spiritual, and physical person is time well spent.
Your time is precious. Spend it with care.
And dump Ben – he’s a serious douche.
LikeLike
Dear younger self: Save money so you never have to depend on anyone for your dreams. And oh, sometimes people are just mean or crazy or very caught up in their own crap and their actions really don’t have anything to do with you.
LikeLike
I would tell my younger self to have some patience. Everything you want will happen in it’s own time, or you’ll find it wasn’t so necessary afterall. So enjoy that walk or quiet Friday night. It’s quality time with you.
LikeLike
That necklace is lovely! I would tell my younger self to get more exercise and more sleep. Turns out, you don’t need Prozac or any of the other half-dozen anti-depressants you took in college (and their sucky side effects) to keep you happy and stable — just lots and lots of good cardio and 8+ hours of sleep a night 🙂
LikeLike
Lighten up and have more fun.
LikeLike
I’m 29 now. I wish I could tap into my older self for some wisdom. But for my younger self? I would tell her that she is right. The friends she has now are the best in the world and leaving doesn’t change that.
LikeLike
Ask out that cute boy at Enterprize – he was flirty and even wore a costume to work on Halloween (just like you did). Beside, Jeff is an asshole that will break your heart.
Don’t get that credit card.
Wear shorter skirts & tight dresses.
LikeLike
Dear younger self: You are stronger than you think. This too shall pass.
LikeLike
Don’t be afraid to say no to responsibility and yes to fun. Frequently.
LikeLike
Don’t spend so much time dreaming and limiting yourself–just DO things. You have more potential then you think. Have confidence.
LikeLike
Try pretending you aren’t shy or that you are comfortable in an unfamiliar situation. Sometimes this will translate into reality!
LikeLike
You think this is hard? Just wait until you turn 30. Woah-boy is it a doozy!
LikeLike
Dear Younger Self:
Please let more people take your picture, you look amazing. No joke.
Also, wear shorts! See above advice for why.
Thank you,
Slightly Older Self
LikeLike
Dear 23 year old self,
I’m so happy to see that you’ve stopped worrying so much about what other people think. But do me a favor, ok? Stop at three drinks. It’s usually enough.
Love,
32 year old self
LikeLike
Dear Younger Self: the only thing you need to do right now is believe in yourself more. That’s it – stop trying to fix and change and suppress – just believe in who you are. You kick ass in so many ways, which you’ll notice if you start appreciating your talents and faults. Love, Your Older Self
LikeLike
Please rethink the tattoo. Sure, it looks cool at 18, but in another 10 years? Just think about it…pretty please?
LikeLike
Stop brushing your curly hair! It makes you look like a poodle.
LikeLike
Don’t take everything so personally.
LikeLike
Dear twenty-something me,
1) Spend less time worrying about what everyone else thinks and more time worrying about what you think.
2) You are terrible at settling for less than you want, so let’s stop trying, k? No, really. Stop it.
3) Don’t leave the house on the lake. You will regret it for years.
4) Drink less. No, less than that. Less. Even less. That’s more like it.
5) Laugh more. A lot more.
6) It gets harder. It gets easier. Tide comes in. Tide goes out. We call it life.
LikeLike