April marked the month of my 25th birthday and I danced into like I was a rainbow disco queen.
If you can't wear a obnoxious mermaid number on your birthday, then when can you eh?
And it seems like turning a quarter of a century hasn't done much for my maturity.
The moving-sequin tops are still out in full force, and received an array or ridiculous and amazing gifts. Seashell sippy cups for when I'm thirsty, unicorn and leopard print bags for all my silly belongings, and Jem and the Hologram worthy skirts for dancing through the galaxy.
And when a girl gets such amazing things, you really can't complain. Especially when you're wearing a Brighton stick of rock version of a dress.
Once you go striped you can't go back. So a pastel-toned strappy number reminiscent of That 70s Show should just about do the trick. Perfect paired with denim up top or down bottom,
Or let's speed things out to the 80s and do everything a bit Stevie Nicks with a kimono. And with the temperate starting to hot up, things tend to get a bit tropical and the crop tops tend to creep up.
But hey, we're in England. Things don't ever stay hot for too long. So palm trees tone down to pretty florals and toucans when the weather tones down too.
It may be unsurprising to know that I didn't wake up that morning with new-found wisdom and the answers to the questions of life.
Instead, I woke covered in sequins with a nice hangover all wrapped up in a bow.
I still have the same ridiculous childlike outlook to life and optimism that sometimes gets the better of me.
But an hour before the clock struck midnight on my birthday, I was harping on about how content and happy I was this birthday, more so than I can remember being before. Despite my life still pretty up-in-air and me still not having a clue what I'm doing.
(It might've been the cocktails talking, but let's go with a new-found epiphany from my mid-twenties).
When I was a teen, I had such an idea of how my life was going to be like when I was well in my 20s, but when 15-year-old me didn't know was that in actual fact, I didn't know shit...
F R I E N D S
What 15-year-old Amy thought...
After a school life of having a pretty big friendship circle, it was like I was part of one big gang of guys and girls. And I was. It was the best as a teen. You always had someone you knew someone who'd share a bottle of Apple Sourz with at pre-drinks, or who would help you put fake tan on your back in a streaky fashion. Everyday in the 6th form common room was like one great, big party, and every weekend it actually was, and of the fancy dress variety in fact. And this will only continue and grow as I grow up. Imma have hundreds and hundreds of friends y'all.
What my 25-year-old life is actually like...
Those friends are still friends and we care about each other to the moon and back (you can be damn sure if someone had something less-than-nice to say about one of them, then my hoops would be whipped off and I would give my best Rocky impression...before inevitably falling to the ground.)
While the day-to-day circle may have grown smaller, the group who I know has my back and would be there for me come what may, well, that's only grown from strength to strength.
It's cliche, but it is quality, not quantity.
You may not see some friends for weeks and months on end, but when you do, you pick up from where you left off with no problems. And the ones you see all the time, while you've not grown up together, you've grown together, and probably know you better than you do yourself.
R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
What 15-year-old Amy thought...
Longing for the day where homework would be a thing of a that past and I could stop saving up loose change as I'll be working 9 to 5 and have all the money in the world to splurge on whatever the hell I want. I'd buy designer shoes, jet off to private islands, and no-one can tell me I can't cus there'll be no-one telling me what to do with my life, YAY.
What my 25-year-old life is actually like...
My GOD how I wish I had someone to sort out my life. Boring life admin stuff like washing, ironing and bills just don't come into account when you think about what being an adult is like when you're younger. Not to even mention all the emotional shit like work/life balance and those pesky things like feelings. Some days, it would just be fab if someone could just take care of it ALL, while I just curled up into a teenage ball and binged on everything the internet has to offer.
B O Y S
What 15-year-old Amy thought...
By the time I'm in my twenties, that's like so old. I'll have gone through all the rubbish boys and found y'know, like, THE ONE, and live happily after together. Sunday lunches with the in-laws, pet puppies galore and domesticated housewife to the max.
What my 25-year-old life is actually like...
Oh HELL no. I am so not ready for any of that marriage malarky. I have so much more I want to do, and while it's fun having a partner-in-crime for the ride, I'm not ready to not be completely selfish yet. I know someday it'll all just feel, RIGHT. But that day keeps gets pushed further and further back the more I live and love my life.
There's been highs and quite a few lows in between. But all the tears, hours crying along to Adele, heart aches and heart breaks are worth it for the connections, memories, laughter, adventures and sparks. It sometimes seems like I'm no closer to finding that special gooseberry, but I know I am. I used to think I knew exactly the kind of person I want to be with, but all the shit dates and awful break-ups also make me realise what I don't want. And that's just as important. Why should you settle for seconds best when you should always put yourself, first.
H O U S E
What 15-year-old Amy thought...
One of those pastel coloured town houses in West Kensington in London please! That would be fabulous and I'll decorate it all in Cath Kidston and have tea parties all the bloody time. It'll be great.
What my 25-year-old life is actually like...
So yeah, there's these thing called mortgages? And the housing market is a shambles, which is a nice little treat for us millenials eh?! But shared houses means drinking buddies for nights out, having someone to stroke your hair while you throw up at 3am, and discovering some gems who become friends for life, who I would've never met if you used all that money I don't have, to splash on a house to live on my own. (Also, the kitsch Cath Kidston phase came and went pretty quickly.)
F A S H I O N
What 15-year-old Amy thought...
Vogue, eat your heart out. I'll be strutting into the office with the highest of heels on, looking swish with the newest IT bag, and ALL the designer gear. I'll be covered in all the brands and labels, just you wait and see, I'll be chic af.
What my 25-year-old life is actually like...
Pricey Von Dutch caps and having Juicy written across your butt weren't all it's cracked up to be. And I'm so thankful I didn't spend a whole load of £££ on a rainbow monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag, just because Paris Hilton had one.
Buying stuff just cus of celebrities, is just not cool. And hey, look! I've only gone and developed my own individual style that is completely ridiculous and relates to me, and me only.
(And my god, do I bloody own those prints and pastels, topped off with fluff and fun.)
W O R K
What 15-year-old Amy thought...
Picture Ugly Betty meets The Devil Wear Prada. I'd turn up to work in the most stylish stuff, cus, well, I would've designed them myself. Everyone around the world will be wearing my work, and of course I will have done this all before I'm 30, DUH. I'll be the next Elie Saab before I know it.
What my 25-year-old life is actually like...
A degree studying fashion design drove me NUTS. Lord knows I couldn't spend a career in it. I bloody love clothes but I nearly fell out of love with them (and that would've just been a crime.) I'll leave it to the professionals and just admire from afar thanks. And who knew that all those mad stories I used to make up and write, and the number of years of diary writing, would lead me to a job in writing eh? Still trying to find my exact place but I'm having a hell of a time on the way.
F A M I L Y
What 15-year-old Amy thought...
"Oh my GOD, why is Dad being SO unfair?! He just doesn't GET me at all!" is what I screamed on a nightly basis as I slammed my door with my Fall Out Boy poster stuck onto it. My parents just don't understand me and they're just there to ruin my life. If they weren't my parents, I wouldn't even want to spend any time with them! I CAN'T WAIT TO MOVE OUT!
What my 25-year-old life is actually like...
Oh Amy. Amy, amy, amy. If only you knew how much you'd miss Mama and Pops when you move away to uni. Now, they're over 100 miles away when all you wish for is a cuddle off them at the end of an utterly shit day. I realised they're not just my parents, they're actual human beings who've lived a hell of a lot of life and are only looking out for me. They're caring, ambitious, hilarious and are filled with love, and no words would ever be enough to describe the love I have for them.
My brothers and I are closer than ever, the addition of sister-in-laws are a joy and I never knew how much unconditional love I could have for the tiny humans that are my nephew and nieces. Being an Aunty is THE best deal cus you get to have maximum fun with minimum responsibility!
When I was younger, I couldn't wait to be older.
Now, I'd love it just to slow down - just a tad - so I can enjoy and savour every moment and memory.
The past 25 years have been emotional, ecstatic and amazing.
I've learnt a hell of a lot about myself, life, and what I want from it.
And I can only imagine what the next 25 will bring.
Monochrome is the one of the most sensible outfits you can rock right? Whether it's casual with a Nike crop top and swooshy maxi, or full-blown Sandy from Grease after her makeover. (sassy swinging ponytail not sold separately.)
But we've all been here long enough to know that this monochrome madness doesn't last for long, so it wasn't long until I started looking like something out of a Fleetwood Mac pastel-coloured tribute band.
And from the ultimate Rock goddess Stevie Nicks to my own low-key impersonation of a rock chick. Silky pyjama top tied up and tight disco pants zipped up, and you're ready to head to any gig with a sticky floor spilled with beer.
And let's face it, I'm never far from a pair of dungarees. From one musical icon to another, glittery pink boots and a fedora hat will give you some strong Dolly Parton vibes (and that ain't no bad thing.)
Shimmering, mermaid looks can also be tied up nicely with a criss-cross across the top or the sandals.
Now Spring is on it's way as well, there's no way this girl can avoid a touch of double denim, cus you know, I live in a nostalgic 90s haze.
So 90s in fact that a day hardly goes by without me rocking a slogan top. Cheers for having my back CK and Fila.
With all this fluctuating Spring sunshine and showers, the bomber jacket is my go-to item. And with it, I am completely 100% ready for my audition as Ryan Gosling in Drive.
What that I see? A hint of spring trying to peek through?!
So I'm trying to lure out the sunshine and warmth with florals - groundbreaking, I know - but when they're in the form of a choker or on a background of a metallic silver leather jacket, it's hard not to strut into a new season feeling like a rockstar.
If a David Bowie-esque jacket wasn't enough, then shimmery culottes, a metallic pink mini skirt or Dolly Parton worthy glittery boots should do the trick.
And nothing goes better with a holographic palette than a sassy slogan. U ok hun? Well, everything is more than OK when there's a slogan tshirt in town.
Espeically if that slogan tshirt is for an amazing cause supporting Breast Cancer Haven AND it quotes Fergie. What else do you need?
But why go subtle with a slogan tee when you can go the full-hog with a Space Jam basketball jersey. Gotta support my homegirl Lola Bunny y'all.
My girly heart can not get over this uber-cute and uber-glitzy heart shaped choker. Real Marie from Aristocats vibes going on here.
But it's not always pink clouds and fluffy unicorns round these parts. Especially when there's crimped hair and dark lipstick to be worn.
At the end of the day though, you can't go wrong with old faithful. Red lippy, you've never done me wrong girl.
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