Totally Selfish Birthday Wants!

Birthday Wants! by elbonner featuring a black nail polish

I don't care if it's childish or even a bit selfish: I love my birthday! It is the one day out of the year that I try to have some real balls-to-the-wall fun that is centered around the joyous fact that I was born. I find a lot of joy in celebrating other people's birthday too; getting them gifts, going out on the town, acting like a kid again, and just being around the people that you love. That and the cake, always the cake. I hadn't really thought about what I really wanted for my birthday, and even if I don't get one thing that's on this list, I don't care because I still had fun making it. I just like making collages, okay! This might even be a good idea-collective for someone else's special day, you know, for the beach-lover in your life! I may be getting closer to my thirties, but I still have a good time on my birthday! Come on, April 19th!

L-R
 Shibori Designs and Techniques by Mandy Southan
Surf Photography of the 1960s and 1970s by LeRoy Grannis
The Bobber for GoPro Hero 3
Cleobella Mexicana Wallet 
The New Black Ombre Nail Polish Set in Wave
RockaBella Jewels Shark Tooth Earrings 
Free People "Knobbly Minimal Ear Cuff"
Goldfish Kiss "Aloha Print Life" Mug- Society6
Ecote Orange Mochila Bag- Urban Outfitters
Raen Optics "Lenox" Glasses in Matte Brindle

Birthdays are important days. Not just for partying down and eating whatever you want, but for appreciating yourself. Even if you don't do a lot of celebrating, give yourself one special day out of the other 364 to celebrate you! Birthdays Rule!!

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Mega Want: Free People Dress

Mega Want by elbonner featuring free people dresses

To say that I only kind of like this dress might actually be the understatement of the century. It's very rare that I find a piece of clothing that I really fall in love with; like, willing to share all of my worldly possessions with it love. Whilst sleepily getting myself ready for work, I was watching a video by Michelle Phan during breakfast about her summer favorites. She named this dress from Free People as one of her favorites and I know exactly why. It's flowy, it's soft, it's ombre, it's the color of a calm, tropical ocean, I friggin love it! How can you go wrong?! My only problem with this dress is that, like everything else from Free People, it's expensive as hell. Like $350 expensive! I don't have that kind of cash to drop; that's like two and a half months worth of my health insurance premium. If it was $100, I would totally go for it, but I'm drawing the line with this one. $350 for a summer dress is ridiculous and I'm putting my practicality ahead of my love from mermaid-colored dresses. I'm no Michelle Phan so it's dreamworld for this little number, but I wouldn't be opposed to someone surprising me with it! Until next time, be practical!

Instagram @e_bythesea

Get On Your Feet: Stance Socks

Stance Socks by elbonner on Polyvore

Can I get a moment of silence for Stance Socks?! These socks are friggin' awesome if you couldn't already tell from the photo above. They have socks with fringe, socks with beaded detail, socks with crazy print on them. They are so much fun; I want all of them! The only problem with Stance Socks is that everyone else likes them too which means they sell out really quickly, so if you're in the market for some new socks or you have an unhealthy and uncontrollable spending habit then go to their website and stimulate that economy! I know it's getting out of sock weather, but these would still be fun to wear with cutoffs and simple low-top Converses. My boyfriend decided a few years ago that he wanted to be "that guy with the cool socks" and bought the brightest argyle socks you could find and whenever he sat down people saw his cool socks and told him how clever and stylish he was. Guess what happened, HE'S THE COOL SOCK GUY NOW. So be the cool sock person in your group of friends and hit up Stance Socks!

Take All Of My Money: Spring at Target

Spring at Target by elbonner featuring pacifica fragrance

Everyone who knows me is well aware of the fact that the return of neon and pastel 80s colors are the greatest thing to happen to me since Christian Bale became Batman. After a visit to Target last weekend, I damn near bought the entire store because everything there was so bright, beachy, and fun I had to have an out-loud, semi-embarrassing, one-on-one talk with myself about not buying everything I laid my trembling hands upon. Let's just say everyone stared at me. Everything was a color that I loved, everything was flattering, and everything could be worn for a multitude of different occasions. I had died and gone to reasonably-priced, sherbert-colored heaven. Not only that, but Target now carries Pacifica products which come in the most awesome scents! Jesus, Target, why don't you just go ahead and declare bankruptcy for me now. I have almost reasoned myself out of paying for my health insurance so I can get a new weekend wardrobe. 

I held myself back and purchased the sweatshirt and orange top you see above and some Pacifica Coconut Water face wipes (which are pretty good once my eyes stop burning) so no debtors prison for me! If you are looking for a place to get some seriously cute stuff on a budget, head out to Target and blow a few pay checks (don't do that) on some fun stuff for spring and summer! 

Da Bombre

I am just to go ahead and immediately apologize for the corny-ass title I gave this post, but it really just jumps right to my point: ombre hair is cool. One of my friend made a comment after visiting some bar in New York and describing its coolness with "it's an okay place. Girls still ombre their hair and stuff, but it's okay". It took me aback because I still think ombre is cool, doesn't everyone else? Who doesn't want to look like they spend their lives on vacation procuring free beachy highlights? Now the ombre I'm talking about and what my friend was referring are two different things; beachy hair or "I dipped my hair in bleach" hair. I prefer the former, like so:

Now, being a naturally light blonde I thought I either already had this type of hair, or my hair was too light do anything like this without dyeing my roots darker. I'm a haircolor baby and I refuse to pay salon pricesfor hair color. I also do not trust myself to color my roots well enough and I don't have the patience for the upkeep. I decided to the alternative route and lighten my ends. I went to the drugstore and bought the second lightest shade available and went to town. I foiled my hair, leaving some bits uncolored and the outcome, though not drastic, definitely lightened things up!

Please excuse the Apple Photobooth quality, makeup free, rosacea afflicted picture, but I wanted to show my finished product. I'm not sure anyone will really notice, but I think it looks natural and less dingy. My hair is dark on the bottom and light on the top and the ombre helps the two blend together a bit easier and isn't so harsh when I do half-up half-down hairdos. The color I chose was Extra Light Natural Blonde from L'Oreal Superior Preference and the conditioner that came with it was so awesome! I would buy hair color just to keep the conditioners. If you want beachy hair or just a lighten up, try the whole ombre deal. If you're afraid you'll screw up, try a YouTube tutorial or go to a stylist. Because if the stylist screws up you might get free product! Later dudes!