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 
Make out with more guys, self!
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Dear younger version of me:
Let go of your fears and dive into your life headfirst without looking, you will regret way more the things you did not do and places you did not go then the mistakes you might make. Embrace yourself, yes you are different and that is what makes you unique and special. That man who seemed “safe”, your best friend, he will turn out to be the most amazing husband ever. Finally, don’t wait until you are 32 with 4 kids to finish your college degree, follow your dreams now, trust me it will be much less stressful!
Love,
An older, wiser version of yourself
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To my 18-year-old self: There is nothing wrong with being sad or having problems, but it is also OK to ask for help and see a professional. It isn’t bad. You might just need a little help for a little while to get yourself back on track. You are fabulous. Also, not as fat as you think.
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Dear younger self,
Take more chances, kiss more boys, be centered in who you are.
Your older self
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I love that necklace!
Also, I’d tell my younger self to stop freaking out about the SATs. They go just fine.
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dear younger me,
it is ok to dream big. it is ok to try something new/different/scary even if (especially if) it doesn’t work out perfectly. it is ok to ask for help. worry less and have more confidence. -me
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Dear Younger Alicia,
When your on again off again boyfriend of 6 years drunkly sleeps with his female best friend on “accident”, you LEAVE. You don’t stay. You do not make excuses and allowances. No matter the circumstances…you leave.
Oh. And stick up for yourself sometimes will ya?
With love,
current Alicia
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If I could, I would tell my younger self to listen to my mother! It turns out she wasn’t entirely full-of-it afterall… Who would’ve known?
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Dear 20-year old me,
You’re not going to figure it out. Just relax and enjoy life.
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Be TRUE to yourself, don’t underestimate your uniqueness.
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Dear Younger Self,
Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks of you. It doesn’t matter as much as what you think of you.
Warmly,
Your old self
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If someone sets off alarm bells in your head, even quiet ones, and even if they seem super great and fun, listen and pay attention. It will inevitably become clear why.
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Younger me,
Those kids in high school that you are so desperately trying to impress, turns out it will not matter in a year or two. You will find your wings in college. And that boy you start dating at 18, you will marry him. And it is awesome. So learn how to fight fair, stop being so melodramatic and storming out.
Love me.
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Dear Younger Self,
Some day a singer named John Mayer will sing a song “Say What You Need to Say” and it will inspire you to do just that. But I think you should start saying what you need to say right now. Things like “I like you,” “That really upsets me,” & “There’s so much more to me than you think.”
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Dear younger self;
It’s really ok you didn’t get into your first choice of university. Breathe. Take the year off and then try out the little known one. You’ll love it, I promise. And it will change your life..
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Don’t ever be ashamed of or hide your height! It will serve you well in time.
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I’ve been thinking, and I’m not much for giving advice. I’m better at giving hugs. I’d like to give my younger self a hug.
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Dear Younger Self,
Pay attention to how a man treats his mother. He’ll never treat you any better.
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dearest little Calamity: check the pockets before throwing your jeans in the washer, don’t take yourself too seriously – or no one else will, use the damn sunblock, and travel outside of the country before you make any babies or sign any marriage certificates.
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Appreciate your body.
Your stomach isn’t fat. Your skin is great, and even after staying up all night you look amazing. Don’t tug on your shirt so much. Don’t worry about what your butt looks like in those jeans. Do leave the lights on.
This is the best you’ll ever look. Rock it. Own it. Love it.
And maybe start getting into an exercise habit, ok?
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dear high school senior self – GO TO CORNELL!! it really is OK for “nice Cuban girls” to leave home and go away to college! REALLY!!!! GO!!!!
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Stay away, far away, from him. And his mind games. And his “fragile ego”.
And his brother.
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About marriage – Wait and listen to your heart – it is right!
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The piece of advice I would give to my younger self would be to live life more, take chances and take risks. I’d also tell myself that it’s really not that big of an emergency as it feels at that moment.
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I’m still really young (22!) but here is what I would tell my 16-year-old-self:
YOU. ARE. NOT. FAT. STOP. DIETING.
IMMEDIATELY.
Love,
Your somewhat older self
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Wear more sunscreen! More more more!
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Oh, dear one. Please, please try harder. There is no one right answer. Love yourself. I can’t stop at just one piece of advice.
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Younger Kristen – you are beautiful exactly as you are. You might not be the skinniest or smartest of all your friends, but you light up a room and make people feel good about themselves. And that, my dear, is an invaluable tool.
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Dear Younger Self,
You don’t need to solve all of everyone else’s problems. Especially the big, unsolvable ones. Take a deep breath, WALK AWAY, and take care of yourself.
Love
me
ps. Tell your older self to remember this herself sometimes.
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Kay-Kay, remember what Fa said about the credit cards being for emergencies only? Well, this right here is not an emergency. No, that isn’t either.
And yes, I know that MRD is saying that you’ll pay for it together. Yes, I know MRD means well.
But really hun, MRD is a lying mutha ucker, and pretty soon he’s going to smash your heart and leaving you holding the bag (or bills, as the case may be). So seriously. Put the card away. You’ll be so much happier five years from now.
Love you,
k
PS – The REAL catch is MWL. And don’t worry. He loves you regardless of the silly mistakes you’re making right now. Actually, he probably loves you a bit more because of them. I told you he’s a catch.
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Wear your retainer! Tsk, tsk, tsk.
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Appreciate your body.
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Dear Self,
Never marry a man you wouldn’t want your son to grow into.
Love,
me
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Dear Younger Self~
Quit analyzing and dissecting, and get some shit done that makes you happy already. Also, forgiveness is the key…always.
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Brookeroo,
When someone asks you to Homecoming your freshman year, for Pete’s sake say yes. Also, fish are actually really good to eat, you are so missing out by being such a picky eater! Peas are still gross, though, don’t worry about those.
-Brooke
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1. Your mother is wiser than you want to admit
2. People are so caught up in their own little personal dramas that they notice very little of what is happening in the world immediately around them
3. It will not matter 5 years from now; actually that is problably more like 5 weeks from now
4.You go girl!
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Younger Becky: learn to accept that failure, and admitting failure, are not necessarily bad things. You limit yourself when you won’t acknowledge them. Open up, relax, and have a little fun! Great things can happen.
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You’re hot. Stop worrying about it.
Also, stop trying to have a grown-up romantic relationship. You’re 20. You don’t have to do that yet so just have fun.
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Don’t study accounting!!
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Stop trying to fix everything and just breathe – some things DO take care of themselves.
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you are killing me with these giveaways lady. my advice to myself for sure: dump him before you go to college.
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wear a bikini every chance you get!
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Do just a few more crazy things. It’s when you push yourself out of your comfort zone that the most memorable things in your life occur.
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Advice to younger self: You are darling and funny, stop worrying about your big nose and big feet and enjoy being young and childless!
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Dear Younger Self:
The time is now. Do it.
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Dear Miss Annie:
You hate non-profit and you’re really bad at it. Theater makes you miserable. Take the film production class at SVA MUCH EARLIER.
Also, shelling out $100 for teeth cleaning will be much less expensive than dealing with 12 cavities. Seriously.
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1. Don’t be so afraid of boys & those early crushes
2. Don’t worry about what other people think
3. Don’t get a perm
4. Wear clothes that show off/fit your body type
5. Continue playing the piano
6. Continue running competitively
7. Go to a smaller college
8. Don’t lose yourself in relationships
9. Study harder in college in classes that ‘really’ interest you
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dear younger natasha,
start shopping in the women’s section.
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major in physics. it’s more interesting than what you’re choosing.
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Dear Younger Amanda,
Don’t stress so much; things have a way of working out.
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