Birthday Registry: Things I want

I love my birthday, and why anyone who does not appreciate their day of birth is totally bizarre to me.

As a kid, I’d have a pretty regular birthday list; the latest Barbie doll, possibly with the Kelly or Ken doll, lots of doll clothes, and Swati clothes, some cool accessories,  chocolates – and a mandatory Swati Birthday party. I’m trying to think of a year I didn’t have a birthday party – and I can’t. Every year was something. But that’s me, I love my birthday and I wait for it literally the whole year. My countdown begins a day after my birthday, if not on it.

And since birthdays are synonymous with presents, I was wondering what I wanted to gift myself this birthday. I’m already travelling to Disneyland for my birthday- which is really the best of presents you can get yourself!

But, it also got me thinking if I had a registry, what would I want? Stick with me here, I’m about to sound “super mature” (I know, not many adults will actually use the word super mature).

1. Learning to live in the moment: I know how it isn’t necessary to documenting everything online, and yet I find myself doing it – and for whom? I end up missing the fireworks while I’m taking a video for god-knows-who! I’d like to teach myself to live more in the moment. Not every sunset needs a picture – a mental one, however, might be mandatory. 
2. Enjoy more sunsets: Make more time to find me by the beach during sunset, i.e. my happy place.
3. Being okay with people who don’t like me: I don’t take rejection very easily, and I really am not a fan of people not liking me. Not blowing on my trumpet, but I’m rather easy going and I’ve always ended up making friends easily. But, I need to remind myself that there will always be people who don’t like me, and it isn’t necessarily my fault or problem.
4. To stop wishing to change things that can’t be changed. There will be a lot that I can change, and I will – but there will be something that I can’t do anything to change, and that is okay.
5. To stop saying ‘sorry’ for everything: Learning the difference between actually being ‘sorry’ for when I’m wrong and just saying ‘sorry’ because I have been conditioned to apologize.
6. Remembering that I’m not obliged to putting myself down just to make somebody else happier or more comfortable.
7. Listen to my gut: I’ve got a pretty strong gut feeling thing (mechanism? Not sure what to call it!) and I’ve got to follow it more.
8. Not let little things make me anxious: I’m very easily freaked out, and as I’m turning 25, that is something I’d really like to reward myself – to not let the little things make me so anxious and jumpy.
9. Not taking myself so seriously: Remembering that not every emotion and every feeling needs to be analyzed, sometimes (especially when there is no gut feeling involved) let the fleeting feeling be just that – fleeting.
10. Make more time for my best friends: Yes, they are there. Yes, we are all busy. But, no, that doesn’t mean you don’t make the effort to not check up on them really often especially when they live so far away.
11. The ability to say ‘no’: ‘No’ could be a complete sentence. Sometimes.

 

Sunglasses Edit

If you’ve lived in Dubai for a whole year, you know that sunglasses can be worn literally throughout the year. So, my search for sunglasses landed me on a few favourites!

GLASSING’S WEARE Sun Otto in Kristal

GLASSING’s WEARE Dubai Collection AED 1,150

GLASSING’S GP Collection AED 1,299

Namshi, Quay Eyewear AED 165

& Other Stories, round sunglasses AED 139

NAMSHI, Ginger AED 85 

 

 

Blue Aesthetic Inspiration for Monday Blues

Lately, I’ve been rather obsessed with Pinterest, and I’m obviously curating- what in my opinion are- the prettiest albums. And since Mondays are often connected with blues- these blues will probably help you get rid of them!

Aboubakar Fofana

Beach Bag: What to put in there!

I was thinking, and while most of my plans to the beach are super imprompt, I keep forgetting what to really take with me. So, I thought, why not make a little check-list for beach days!

Beach Tote: this is where a good beach day resides. Not by the beach, but by this. This is where everything goes!

Sunglasses: it’ll be sunny, don’t question it- just keep it.

Hat: And you know a hat to keep you safe from the sun- even if you’re planning to tan. You wouldn’t want to be with a headache and be the only one missing post-beach drinks!

Swim-wear: Often, when unplanned- this is what I actually forget to carry to the beach. I’m not even kidding. So, this is definitely one for this list!

Sandals!: You can carry all the chappals you want, but this little baby will transform you from beach day to post-beach night drinks wear 😉

Beach Towel/mat: This is where you plop your bum down and pretend to be enjoying the sun.

Good reads: This is what actually helps you through the beach day. I NEVER forget a book when I go to the beach. I’ve forgotten beach towels, swimwear, extra pair of shoes, even sunscreen- but, I’ve never been without a book!

Cover up: A quick cover-up that you can throw over your swim wear is always required! Especially, if you live in Dubai!

A quick change of clothes: I always carry a quick dress or shorts and tee so I can be ready to go somewhere else, which is always the case.

Sunscreen: Let me break it to you- in Dubai, you must always, always have, wear and carry sunscreen. Fin

Hairties and anklets: Because I like carrying colourful things! Haha