Friday, July 6, 2012

Turning 25. Things to do before 26.

Today I turn 25. You may have known my birthday was coming up if you read my wish list post from a few weeks ago.

When my brother, Corbin, and I were young, my parents implemented a savings incentive plan. They offered to match a certain percentage of any money we contributed to our savings accounts, with the caveat that we could not withdraw any funds until we turned 18. Eighteen. That sounded like such a monumental number to us... something that was forever away. Of course, it was the first major milestone. 18 - legal adult. Then 21 - real adult. Even 23, deemed by my friend Olivia, to be the ideal age. That passed too.

So who wants to make me this cake? Anyone?

Of course, I realize that 25 is really just like 24. But then, 24 is a lot like 23, which is a lot like 22... I have not had any big epiphanies about my new age. It is what it is. But it is fun to celebrate birthdays - especially when two of your best friends drive up three hours to visit you! (Thamires and Carolyn - you rock!)

I will also happily accept cake batter cinnamon buns. Or really anything with cake batter in it.

Adding one year to my age may not make a huge difference to me, but I can use it to set myself some more goals and deadlines (I work best with deadlines). This year, I am making a list of things I want to do before I turn 26. This is different from my New Years Resolutions, which I am happy to say I have kept up with thus far. For my resolutions, I picked things I felt I should and needed to do to work toward my goals and become a better person. For my birthday list, I am choosing things I want to do. It's the fun list! So without further ado, here they are.

1.) Get a tattoo. No, I am not worried about regretting it later. I am not inclined to regret things anyway. I first wanted a tattoo three years ago, when I studied abroad in Prague. I got my navel pierced there (it hurts), and saw some amazing tattoos at the shop. I have several tattoo ideas - general design and location, but nothing is set yet. Someday maybe I will get all of them.

2.) Make at least five DIY projects and two recipes I see on other blogs. I am dying to try these projects: Jenny's Summertime Traveling Art Kit, Elsie's Pretty Lace Flower Pots for my windowsill cactus garden, Jordan's Vintage Marquee, and Naomi's String Map Art + Heart... a Portland or Seattle version. This recipe looks so scrumptious: Kelly's Watermelon Ice Pops.


3.) Read the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. I know, it seems like reading three books in one year would be a piece of cake. Well, here's the sad thing: I have zero time for reading. I barely have time to sleep five hours a night, let alone to sit down and give my full attention to a good book. I have about six months of magazines piled up because I don't even have time to finish those. Hopefully things will slow down a little after this crazy summer, and I can find some time to read. I used to devour books as a child. Read constantly - any genre, really, but I loved series set in fantasy worlds. Corbin and I used to recommend books to each other and then talk about them afterward. That was mostly before I left for college. He recommended this trilogy to me a few months ago. I bought it and I can't wait to find time to read and discuss the series with him.

4.) Learn to cook vegetarian gumbo. This may involve some recipe invention/experimentation. Totally random, I know. As a side note, I fell in love with okra when I first tried gumbo. Okra is a rare ingredient in the Pacific Northwest, so I never learned how to cook with it. Granted, it will probably be frozen (never seen it fresh), but hey, I do what I can with what I have. I love soups and soupy dishes so, so much, and I would like to expand my repertoire. On that note, if anyone has a good vegetarian gumbo recipe, or heck... any good gumbo recipe (I am not afraid to substitute), please share/post a link!


5.) Get at least 10 pieces of artwork framed. In the past few years, I have been systematically collecting artwork prints. One thing I never got around to is framing, because of the price and hassle. If anyone knows of a good place to get ornate or colorful but inexpensive frames, let me know! I don't necessarily need super fancy frames - just pretty ones. And I love colors, so it is hard for me to imagine buying plain frames. I do really love fancy carved frames, but they make those in plastic too now, right? Heh.

6.) Learn to make cake pops. I had a 40% off one item coupon at Jo-Ann, so I picked up Bakerella's "Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats" book. You can also find it here. Shortly after, as luck would have it, Jacob's mom sent us a delicious Easter treat basket, including cake mix, a cake pop pan, and lollipop/cake pop sticks! I went back to Jo-Ann and picked up some candy melts for the coating. So now I have all of the ingredients - all I need now is to find some time!

Isn't this Easter basket amazing? This doesn't even include the cake pop pans since they didn't fit in the bakset!!

7.) Improve my Adobe Illustrator skills. I drew the artwork for my upcoming jewelry collection (likely launching in August) first in pencil, then outlined in black pen. Zoe helped me fix up and add color to my images using Illustrator. I have had the program for years, but honestly never took the time to learn how to use it before last year. Time to hit the books!

8.) Write important letters. This year, I began to feel that there are some people that I really need to write to. Without delving into the details, I know that this is something that I need to do - something that will both help my personal growth and hopefully also be a positive thing to the recipients. 25 is about time to take the mature route, right? This may not sound like the most fun thing, but honestly, I think I will actually really enjoy writing these (surprise, coming from a blogger).

Do you have any fun goals / birthday goals you are working on?

31 comments:

  1. Yay hi sweetness! I found your blog through Scathingly Brilliant's and am SO GLAD that I did! I'm your newest follower! xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Cara! Just visited your blog and love it! Following you back for sure. =)

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  2. loving everything about this post...so much color!!!! Happy happy bday!!!

    Come on over and follow along my colorful blog...I think you'd enjoy it (but I might be a bit bias?! ha)
    xoxo
    Aarean

    colorissue.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Aarean! I'll visit your blog now. =)

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  3. winkelhaven7/06/2012

    Happy Birthday, Kels. Love all your things to do before 26 except the get a tattoo part - you knew there was going to a naysayer in this planet! Enjoy your birthday weekend ... and ... get some sleep...it will do you a world of good :-)

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    1. Hah, well there are always a few, but I've always done what I want. =)

      Thanks, Aunt Peggy!

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  4. Happy Birthday! You have so many awesome birthday goals. I especially like the ones involving cake pops, watermelon pops and anything sweet! lol I also like Jenny's art kit. I think I work best with goals too, really helps me to focus. I

    'm not quite near my birthday yet, but I have a lot of goals I'm working towards - like growing my blog, growing my jewelry line, finishing grad school to get my MBA, and working on my business plan so that I can open up my boutique here hopefully within 5 years. So I guess those are like 5 year goals haha! ;)

    xo

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    1. Thanks, Aubree! I love your goals - especially the boutique one. And I'm working on growing my jewelry business too. I'm excited to see how your goals pan out (assuming you blog about them)! =)

      Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Anonymous7/07/2012

    Happy birthday! Cute blog love the pictures! I want to learn how to make cake pops to ! Would you like to follow each other?
    http://southerngloss.blogspot.com

    -Kelsi

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    1. Thanks! And sure - your blog is so cute. Done!

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  6. belated happy birthday, kelsea! hope you enjoyed your special day. stay beautiful! :)

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  7. Happy Happy Birthday sweet girl!!! ( a smidgie late)

    What a fantastic list!!! :) And gosh thanks so much for the Traveling Art Kit love! :) If you do..I want to see!!!

    I do not have any tattoos...Aaron has a bunch, and my sister is pretty covered! I myself change my mind so often about things (such as wall color)...that I'd get too bored of one thing in one place for too long! haha!

    Oh my gosh..would you believe I have like no computer skills! Aaron and I are working toward a fabric line (Beach Bungalow florals) and I NEED to use Illustrator. I know I can do it...just need to own it..and see it in action..and then PLAY! :) I am hoping to have the money for a new Macbook Pro next month..and I'd LOVE to get the new CS6...with that "trace thing" ahhh!! soo cool!

    Anyways.. Yes... Happy BIrthday!!!

    Love from the NJ Shore!
    xo Jenny

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    1. Aw, thanks, Jenny!!

      Yeah, that Art Kit is so cool. I think it might be too hard for me to decide what to bring, though! I have so much craft stuff, hehe.

      Yeah, figuring out what the heck you would want tattoo'ed forever is tough. Hence why it has taken me three years to decide I am really serious about getting one. =)

      Jenny, I totally get you on the Illustrator thing. I am totally intimidated even though I know I can and really need to own it, just like you said. Man, I could also use a computer update... =)

      Thanks so much! <3

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  8. Happy birthday from one Cancer to another! :)

    http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

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  9. I love these ideas! writing letters is wonderful... it's meaningful somehow to be able to hold someone else's words :) good luck on getting all of them done.

    & you have an award on my blog :3

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    1. Thank you!! I agree - there is something different about tangible, written letters. Plus it gives me a chance to make my own stationary... maybe?

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  10. Anonymous7/08/2012

    ouwh very happy birthday dear...this blog is full with pink!! i like it <3 hehe

    secondvogue

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    1. Thank you! It was a lot of fun for me and my friend Zoe to design. =)

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  11. I'm so hungry after reading this post! Those watermelon pops look delicious!

    katiesbliss.com

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  12. That's a great list :) All fun things!

    ♥ Naomi {Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups}

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  13. Great list! Hope you can find the time to do all of them :)
    Am a new follower, great blog!

    Susie
    evensweeterdreams.blogspot.nl

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    1. Aw, thank you Susie! I hope I find time for it all too... I'll go check out your blog!

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  14. Good luck getting the tattoo!

    Just remember that each tattoo artist has their own personality and style that you can see in their work. So have a look around and meet them first. :)

    They are great at giving design advice too. Human bodies are wierd shaped canvases, so it pays to ask about what works with it.

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    1. Thanks, Rochila!!

      Yeah, I am a little afraid of trusting an artist with drawing my tattoo. Control freak, I suppose. I may just pick an artist I like first and have the draw me something and just take it to get it done exactly as is. Eeep, I can't wait though!

      Thanks for the advice! =)

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  15. happy birthday!!! i celebrated one this week too - getting older is no fun haha.

    cute blog, want to follow each other??

    xxo!

    www.richlittle-poorgirl.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you! Your blog is cute too. Followed. =)

      Delete
  16. Anonymous8/25/2012

    Happy belated birthday :) Just wanted to say I love this post. I'm turning 25 next week and have no plans to do anything exciting, so I googled what other people have done for their quarter century celebrations... all I got was "25 things to do before you're 25." Which is totally unhelpful of course XD So I was pretty excited to see Things to Do Before 26. Thanks! :) (Oh and good luck with your tattoo! Got my first last year and I loooove it. If only I could afford more... :D)

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