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 19-year-old Kat,
If you don’t actually like coffee, why are you drinking it? Quit smoking now while it is not so difficult, please. Go home and hug your mom. Right now. Do this as often as you can. The cancer’s going to come back and you will lose her long before you’re ready. Oh, and I know naked pictures seem like a great idea right now, but in ten years, you’re really gonna wish you hadn’t taken them. Don’t move to New York. It will all end badly. Just go visit and then come home, thus not spending every cent you have, and avoid sleeping with that Matt guy while you’re there. He’s even more of a douche than he seems.
Love, 29-year-old Kat
P.S. You’re queer.
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Turns out you don’t have to wait till college to be the outspoken, nerdy, blunt awesome woman you turn out to be. Everyone around you will eventually be that person too so don’t be afraid.
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Dear Self,
Don’t be afraid to talk to people. They are far more supportive that you give them credit for and they are not out to get you. Learn to trust those around you.
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Dear past self,
Do not get a credit card. Don’t try to stay with your high school boyfriend when you go to college, it’s not any fun. Also, vodka, sprite and low fat raspberry frozen yogurt do not mix.
love,
future self
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Just relax already! Go a little crazy! Have some fun in high school. You have the rest of your life to be responsible. Embrace your quirks. And stop tucking in your shirts.
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Seriously, self, don’t be so freakin’ dramatic! It sucks now (duh!), but things work out no matter how crappy they seem at the moment. And, if they don’t work out… well, they work out anyway. 🙂
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For the love of God, stop worrying so much. Also, quit smoking, it’s disgusting and a waste of what little money you have.
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Dear younger Jess,
It turns out, wherever you live and whatever your job, you’re a pretty happy person who occasionally has moments of extreme anxiety and sadness. Once you realize that this is just your disposition, not your circumstances, you’ll be able to kick that dissatisfied feeling and enjoy your life even more!
Love you,
Older Jess
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Dear Younger Self,
Math is important. Get more comfortable with it. Also, start saving for your retirement now.
PS. You should see who we married!!!
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Sweetie: You are very earnest now, and that can be a good thing. But it can also hinder you.
Just do things that make you happy! You’ll surround yourself with people you admire and who challenge you. So your path is being built, connections being made. Trust the process. Getting older is awesome.
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Just because people who are supposed to know what they are talking about tell you something, they won’t necessarily be right. Follow your gut.
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Finish college, damnit.
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Things will get infinitely better after high school, and no one’s opinion there actually mattered. No, really!
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seriously chica? just go for it. oh and smile
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hey you! self! your hair is CURLY… stop brushing it all the time and it will stop frizzing out more and more. you’re just making matters worse right now.
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Eat strawberries whenever possible. You’ll never regret any fruit that you ate.
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This is what I’d tell myself:
You’re smart and will do well no matter the obstacle, so don’t take school quite so seriously. Now, don’t run out and act like a hoodlum, but focus on having more fun. Also, don’t let your jealousy ruin your friendship with Lisa, it would be a mistake you regret.
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Hey, young Molly: you don’t have to tolerate so much from that boyfriend! Contrary to what he wants you to believe, he won’t die if you tell him to take a hike!
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Younger self: Lay off on the frozen pizzas.
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I would tell my younger self, that while your difficult teenage years only last so long, there are always people who never quite grow out of that phase.
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You did a good thing when you stopped drinking soda. Your dentist applauded you! Also, accept that study abroad to Oxford. Lastly, spend more time with Mom before she dies.
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Drink more champagne. You deserve it.
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Don’t bring that guy with the blue mohawk home to meet your family when your grandmother is visiting. You really don’t need to push back so hard. They are a supportive bunch, and will always let you be yourself.
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suncreen! on your face!
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Wee self:
Please do not get so wrapped up in someone else’s life that you forget your own passions.
Also, keep exercising, silly.
-Me
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Don’t go home with that guy – nothing good will come of it.
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Dear younger me,
Don’t be in such a hurry to finish school and start working. Take risks.
PS. You are not fat!
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Young self:
Don’t get such a big student loan. It really will take forever to pay back…
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Study graphic design. Finish college. Keep up the yoga.
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Dear younger self,
You can’t fix people – especially those who don’t want to be fixed. (And you’re included in that, missy.)
Also? You TOTALLY should’ve hung onto mom’s suede coat, even with the rip on the pocket. You’ll miss it.
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Show your parents and siblings how much you love them more regularly and listen to what they have to say. They’re not nearly as out of touch as you think they are.
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Always always always go with your gut.
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Dear younger self,
I understand that the decisions you make are the best decisions you could make at that time and place. It all works out more amazing than you can even imagine.
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Dear mini-self,
Read everything you can get your hands on, especially when someone more versed than you is around to discuss it with … The Heart of Darkness will make a lot more sense.
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Oh, honey – it’s not going to get better until you take the medication. Save yourself from losing years of what could have been the best times.
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To that younger girl that I still feel so close to…enjoy every hour of every day…they go by faster and faster as you get older. Savor every single one.
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Dear younger self: When you get the urge to tell that high school guidance counselor to blow it out her ass, DON’T SUPPRESS IT.
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Dear teen self: You know that awesome, quirky woman you always wish could become? In the future, that’s who you’ll be. In fact, you already are.
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Honey: relax. It’s going to work out. Relax. Breathe.
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Drink more and sleep less. You won’t be able to pull that off once you get older.
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The pressure is not from anyone besides you, and if it is, then it isn’t relevant.
Also:
Go to the doctor. No, really, go to the doctor.
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Dear younger self…you don’t really need that, whatever it is you’re about to buy. Save your money now and you won’t regret it.
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Take chances.
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Just relax!
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Get in bed while it’s dark. Get out of bed while it’s morning. Be responsible so you can have more fun.
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Dear darling girl, younger self,
It gets better, it gets so much better. You can’t even dream of the life you’re going to live, so stick it out. It gets better.
Love, Me
PS Stop relying on the whiskey, it doesn’t make you nearly as smart or funny or pretty as you think it does.
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Amy,
It’s OK to make out with Aaron Carlson.
I promise.
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Be braver. Don’t be so afraid of screwing things up. Do more things that scare you.
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You are not a small town girl (at least you won’t always be). Don’t go to that tiny liberal arts college of 1500 students–go somewhere else! The world is your oyster! And smile at people, once in a while.
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1. be nicer to yourself, 2. take that French class
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