Birth Daze
I admit it. I love making a big deal about my birthday. It’s partially that childlike desire to have people shower love and gifts on you, but it also has a lot to do with the time of year I was born. February is rough for a lot of us. It’s been winter long enough but spring is still pretty far away. The holidays are long gone, our vitamin D levels are woefully insufficient, and it’s fucking cold. In other words, it’s the perfect time to throw a party. This year Graham and I got some other friends involved in the planning process, and we ended up having my 29th birthday celebration at some friends’ big ol’ party house, complete with four friends taking turns DJing, a keg, tons of delicious food, and an awesome music studio that served as the sort of chill out space for folks not outside smoking and not wanting to dance at the moment.
That’s The A Team there on the top left- Ariella, Amber, and Amanda. I wore a wicked little lace skirt that I had thrifted a few days before. Graham wore his favorite (hella vintage y’all) Toyota hat. Owen, DJ & keg master, wore this AMAZING green shawl. Which I love him for.
The dancing and music making lasted well into the morning. There was a spontaneous drum troupe performance, an epic late night jam session with folks passing the microphone back and forth, and plenty of ass shaking under the disco ball. Everyone had a killer time and was grateful to escape the daily drudgery for a while.
Okay so what’s going on here??? Well the next morning, after Graham cleaned the hell out of the house (SO awesome of him), we and our new friend Bobby passed this freaky thing by the side of the road on the drive home. We immediately pulled over and Graham jumped out to snap some photos. The man who built this… thing came charging over to him with a hammer in his hand to ask just what the hell he was doing. When Graham assured him that he was just admiring his art the man loosened up and told him all about the patent he has pending on this… thing and how he rigged up an alarm to her to make sure no one tries to take her and steal his brilliant idea. He plans on making more of these to sell (guess the windshield fixing business isn’t immune to the economic disaster we’ve made of ourselves) which begs the question… is this the end of the sign holding industry as we know it? (And yes the… thing has mechanical arms that move the sign around in a circle).
After picking Mycelia up from Graham’s mom’s house we decided to take advantage of the clear skies and wander around downtown Nevada City for a while. We went to a school playground and Graham and I relaxed and recovered on the bench while the little’n “painted” mud onto the side of the building with a stick. (Sorry Nevada City Elementary, but I’m sure it already washed off when the rains quickly returned). Then we spent the last $10 we had on coffee and french fries. Hey, it’s my birthday. Or rather the day before my birthday. Or maybe the day after my birthday party. Okay so I haven’t exactly recovered yet…
Finally, here are some photos taken yesterday (my actual birthday). I decided that the skirt was a one time wear only, especially since I wore it on such an awesome night. Time to pass it on. So we took some photos of it and I’ll be listing it in the shop later today. I’m glad we got our new camera in time to photograph a little of the place we are living now, because (as you may know if we are friends on Facebook), our landlord is for reals psychotic and we are trying to get the hell out of there ASAP.
But enough about me and my impossible living situation and the lack of sunshine hitting my pineal gland and my late winter depression… let’s talk about this dress! Seriously, happy prints and bright colors go a long way toward making me feel a little lighter when times are hard, and this outfit definitely brightened my day. The dress is vintage, made in India, and I got it from Fruit Salad Vintage. The tights are Target, and the shoes I blogged about here before. Even Graham liked this one ;-)
P.S. How old are you and do you feel old? And when did you start feeling old? Just this winter I’m like “Oh my god. I’m aging. I can feel it in my body and see it on my face. This is it.” I don’t mean to complain, it’s just… new. A glimpse of what’s to come. A reminder to take good care of myself.
ooh, what i nice long post! psychotic landlord?! see all the fun i miss not being on facebook?
happy birthday to you! xo
Girl, your party was a rager! You can’t be THAT old to fill up a huge house full of such excited friends. Hee hee. Anyhow, winter makes us all a little closer to the Dark/Dead Side of life… you’ll feel and look younger come May 1st, have no fear. Happy birthday! (-;
Sasha´s last blog ..I Am A Fashion Blogger/ I Am Not A Fashion Blogger
What an awesome shindig! Girl, you are not old. I just turned 31 and I too am beginning to see age in my face and body, but at least for me my 30s so far have been way more awesome than my 20s and so I look forward to all the adventures grey hairs and all. Then again, there are times when I feel like I’m 20, or 11 again, so maybe I’m just in denial.
I love your birthday outfits, what a beauty you are and how happy you look. Not to mention how cute Mycie is. Oh my Goddess, you two dark-hairs getting a blong bebeh like her gives me hope ;D
Enjoy the last year of your 20s to the fullest, I can’t wait to read all about it.
♡
That’s it, next year I’m crashing YOU’RE party for my birthday! It sorta slipped by this year with very little fanfare, oh well, I still had a lovely day and Lucas is taking me out to a play on Friday night so I’m looking forward to that.
As for the aging, I just turned 38 *gulp* and I’m convinced that the little ones, as lovable and magical as they are, they age you plain and simple, they are physically and mentally exhausting. I was 36 when I had Clover and it has only been these last couple of years that I’ve really taken notice of it.
I can’t complain though, I’m pushin’ 40 and I still get carded at bars and the lady at the grocery store checkout the other day asked me if I was old enough to purchase the 6-pack of beer mixed in with my groceries, hah, so all’s good.
I’m a big believer in you’re only as old as you think you are too and usually I don’t think of myself as being nearly as old as I am. Also, Sasha is right, it’s way worse in the winter time when skin gets dry and pale and hair loses its moisture. Milla had a good point too, my thirties have been way better than my 20’s as well, so you have that to look forward to! Not to mention, you’re gorgeous Amber, really.
P.S. Milla, if you are reading this, don’t let what I said about the little ones deter you! I’ve seen your flawless skin up close and you have nothing to worry about. Also, both my parents were dark-hairs ;)
P.P.S I think Violet Folklore needs a… thing, wearing an amazing Gunne Sax dress!
Missa´s last blog ..Lace