Dating Diaries tidbit

                That moment where you are actually turning down the offer of a "mannypedi".......

...I decided to leave the Kik for all you adventure lovers (I doubt these two would mind) :)

 

XOXO

All hail Elle King

Is it just me or did Christmas totally suck this year? In all honesty there is always a lot of hype and preparation that goes into one day. It's completely overrated and stressful. This year was especially hard for me because I also endured loss. My 13 year old pug, Gidget passed away. I had a lot of work drama. Not to mention disappointment and annoyance with anyone with a penis. Some dudes just suck.

I know what you're thinking... what a depressing post.. Well, cheer up buttercup. Some good did come out of this holiday season. I was gifted with the debut album from Elle King. Love Stuff. Perfect timing. I'm now obsessed with this 26 year old singer songwriter. I'm sure you've heard her hit "Ex's and Oh's". But for those who aren't familiar, her music is a mix of country, soul, rock and blues and I love her. She's so talented and badass.

I'm especially digging her songs "America's Sweetheart" Genius! and "Make you smile". She's inspired me to take guitar lessons and learn how to sing. No joke. It's now on my bucket list! I'll keep you posted on my status of channeling my inner rock star.

 

I  think it's safe to say that I have myself a girl crush. I love her message and attitude. She is fierce. Plus it's pretty awesome that she has "Damn, I'm good" tattooed on her boob. Get it girl!

 

 

Bow down and get her Album now. You can thank me later.

XOXO

 

 

Dating Diaries tidbit

That moment where even after he sends a picture, you still have no clue what his name is......

 

...So you ask it anyway. #NoShame

 

XOXO

Rest In Peace Gidget

This is the season for all things Merry and bright but I am feeling a little sad. I lost my Gidget the other day. She was the sweetest, bug-eyed, loving, pug that I have ever known. My heart is breaking without her here but, it brings me peace to know that she is no longer in pain. Rest in peace sweet baby Gidget. You are so loved and so missed.

 

The holidays are not always easy and fun for everyone. My thoughts are with all of those out there like me, who are missing a loved one or a pet this season. Hugs and Kisses to you all.

DIY Christmas tree banner

You know I love sparkles and I love Christmas trees. So I bring you an easy, fun craft to jazz up your home for Christmas: A glitter Christmas tree banner!

 

 

You'll need:

 

Sparkle cardstock

Scissors

Christmas tree cutout (You can easily make your own or Google for the Christmas tree drawing challenged)

Crayon/Pen

Twine or Ribbon

Hot glue gun

Glue

 

 

Step 1:

 

Trace your Christmas tree cutout on the back of your cardstock with your pen or crayon:

 

 

Step 2:

 

Use scissors to cut out your cutouts:

 

 

Step 3:

 

Line up your cutouts (sparkle side down) in a straight row. Place your twine or ribbon over the cutouts in desired spot for gluing (near the top is best):

 

 

Step 4:

 

Get to gluing!

 

 

Let glue dry for about 10-15 minutes. Once fully dry, your Christmas tree banner is ready for hanging!

 

Step 5:

 

Hang your sparkle Christmas tree banner somewhere fabulous!

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

XOXO

 

 

 

Dating Diaries tidbit

That moment where you match up with an actor from one of your new favorite shows.....

 

 

....and you're wishing it was the OTHER actor on the show that you matched up with :)

 

 

XOXO

 

 

 

Channel Islands Harbor 50th Annual Parade of Lights

Over the weekend, I headed out with my pregnant bestie to Channel Islands Parade of lights. This time-honored tradition kicks off the holidays with a full day and evening of family fun, thousands of sparkling lights dancing on the water and the magical moment when Santa flies
across the sky marking the beginning of the parade. (He actually came at the end of the parade, but no biggie).

 

We watched the parade of boats pass by from the patio of The lookout bar and grill. I ordered myself a couple of cocktails and a massive bacon cheeseburger (that was so good, I ate the entire thing). We huddled under the heat lamps and watched the lights float by. It was so pretty!

 

Cold air, cocktails, scarves, and bright lights,

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! (Even from Sunny So Cal)

 

 

 

What holiday events are you attending this season? Feel free to comment and share below.

 

XOXO

 

 

Giveaway! from StarrJoy16

Christmas is right around the corner, so I have decided to host a giveaway! Want to win these 4 baby onesies from StarrJoy16 ? They are sized 18 months and are in both Gerber brand and Rabbit skins. Rule the world, wild spirit, she believed she could, so she did, and blue motorcycle gift giveaway!

To enter: 1. Comment below 2. Share this here blog post on your social media. That's it!

I'll notify the winner and ship your goods :)

Good luck!

xoxo

 

*Update: A winner was chosen via Instagram

Shop small business this saturday!

If you have made it through black Friday (congratulations) and are ready to support small businesses, today is the day! I love handmade artists and am always shopping on Etsy to support the community. Here are some of my favorite shops and items. Not to mention the shop owners are pretty rad too :)

Silver Estrellas has some of the most unique boho flair. Holly is offering 25% off her gorgeous baubles. BLACK FRIDAY SALE - 25% OFF - USE CODE 'FRIDAY25' - ENDS 11.30.15
This one is definitely on my wish list:

 

Free to Wander Designs also has eclectic jewelry and of course, my "Dirty Hippie" sweatshirt that I am oh so obsessed with.

 

 

Mallory from Wingo Starr Jewelry is one of the hardest working, eclectic little bunnies out there. If you're looking for something zen or a ray of positivity, she's your gal to go to.

 

 

 

TwentyEight12 is the shop for sparkle and holiday décor. I am in love with this sparkly throw pillow:

 

 

 

And last but certainly not least, is my shop, StarrJoy16 filled with one of a kind art for your home or yourself, positivity crafted into adult tshirts, kids tees, and baby onesies. Use coupon code: THANKYOU10 to save 10% on your entire order.

 

 

Tis the season to spread love and joy to those all around you. I hope you support small businesses today! Happy shopping friends!

 

XOXO

Gobble Gobble

Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving. Wishing you happy thanks from StarrJoy16 and my little turkey :) XOXO

The Dating Diaries: The bald eagle has landed

Welcome back to the cray cray that is my dating life. If you missed the last dating diaries entry, you can recap here. Just to sum it up in a nutshell, I'm back on the scene. The dating scene that is, although sometimes these experiences read more like a disaster of a crime scene... but anyway, here we go.
I was chatting with Mike (not his real name) on an online dating site. He is witty and funny and seems to have all of the basic requirements down, IE he speaks English, has a job (his own business), and has transportation that has more than two wheels. Score, right?!
We discover that we both lived in San Francisco for a period of time, love 90's alternative music, have similar family values, and both share blue eyes. Conversation is going well enough to the point where he tells me that he would like to take me out on a date to a nice Italian restaurant. (My favorite food).
Over the span of a week we trade instagram accounts and I learn that he's an awesome singer and can play guitar (swoon) and has a love for Batman (my favorite superhero). Mike and I are also proud owners of  Goonie t-shirts. The stars have aligned, my friends.

We are texting daily and are comfortable enough to have a few phone conversations. The chats are going so well that I feel comfortable enough to share with him some of my previous dating disaster stories. He assures me that he has had a few of his own terrible stories and is not down with being catfished. Speaking of catfish, I tell him a hilarious story about how one of my girlfriends was talking to a guy online that NEVER smiled in his pictures. I told her that was shady as fuck and something had to be up. She finally insisted the guy send her a photo of himself smiling and wouldn't you know it, the dude had a BROWN tooth. No joke. She got brown toothed! Moral of the story, request to see the teeth girls!
Anyway, back to Mike. The day of the date is fast approaching and I start getting nervous. I hate first dates and I hate fancy situations, so I request that we go to a more low-key bar type chain restaurant instead. Last thing I want to be worrying about is what fork I should be using. As it turns out, I WISH that my worries were as little as which fork I would be using because Mike sends me a picture of himself in a hospital bed. He got into a small fender-bender and had a previous back injury and needed to be checked out but was totally fine. Now that we have addressed that issue, let's talk about the serious issue, Mike is balding. Not like ok, we're in our 30's hair is receding, thinning, whatever, No, this is Homer Simpson status, Hair is dangling by a thread, or a strand, Stage 5 Baldy! Plus, he's still in his 20's. All of Mike's pictures that I had previously seen were of him in a hat or strategically angled to cut out the baldness factor. I'd been duped! Moral #2 of the story, request to see the hair.

For the record, I just want to say that I am not shallow. Ok, maybe I am, we all have our things. Physical attraction is important to me. If I can't picture myself having sex with you, then I certainly don't want to go to dinner with you... wait that sounds wrong, but I need that physical chemistry if I'm going to have a romantic relationship. I just do. For me the three things that I dig are Height (must be over 5 ft 10 to ride this ride), Hair (I like it full), and Teeth (I like it when they have all of them in their mouth, and preferably to be whitish in color).
I feel it important to note that I love a good bald man. Bruce Willis is on my top 5 list. There are plenty of sexy bald men out there that own that shit, Jason Statham, Ed Harris, Vin Diesel, Dwayne the rock Johnson, and L.L. Cool J to name a few. The point is, I am not attracted to the dudes that haven't come to grips with the fact that their hair is no longer on their head. Don't hang on to the stragglers, Let them go, man!

I didn't want to be a total asshole and give up on Mike just because he was severely balding. I mean he was still very good-looking with a hat on and even better, had an awesome and fun personality. Maybe I could help him. Like a chia pet. Either get some Rogaine or plugs or Shave that shit. Seriously.
So I hold up my end of the bargain, throw on some wedges and a cute romper and head out to the restaurant. Mike is already there and seated when I arrive. He's cute, (wearing a hat), and I am anxious, so I order a drink. Mike proceeds to tell me that he doesn't drink.... what guy is going to let a gal drink alone on a first date? Weird, right?

 

Conversation is flowing and the drink has kicked in. I'm starting to feel relaxed and comfortable. Somehow Mike and I get on to the topic of tabloid magazines. I am a huge fan and find them fun and a total guilty pleasure. I read them while "working out" at the gym. It's my thing. Mike decides that he does NOT like this fact about me and proceeds to lecture me for the next 30 minutes on how the tabloids aren't real and Hollywood is not real. Every marriage in Hollywood is a sham and arranged for publicity. Children included. I tell Mike that I really don't care about that, I like the fashion. He is demanding that I understand that I am wasting my money buying these tabloids and supporting the fakeness of the industry.

All of this is ridiculous and bizarre but I am slightly distracted at this point because Mike has moved closer to me and I can't help but notice that there seems to be something on Mike's tooth. Is it food? Oregano or some sort of spice? Should I tell him? Wait, where did the spot on his tooth go? Is it just the lighting? Wait!!!! That's more than just food. Is that some sort of dental problem?.... like a dead tooth?, like a brown tooth? Am I being BROWN TOOTHED right now?! Even after telling him the story about my friend? What the hell?!

While I'm sitting there wondering what's up with Toothgate, Mike changes topics to religion.... It's an uncomfortable conversation, mostly because Mike thinks he's right about everything. Mike seems to think he's God over here. The date debate is starting to get too heavy for me, so I say we should wrap up and head on out.
As we get up to leave, Mike steps off of the stair that our booth was perched on and we are EYE LEVEL. I'm 5 ft 3 and wearing 3 inch wedges, that puts me at 5 ft 6 for those of you mathematically challenged. And Mike and I are the same height. WTF?! His profile said he was 5 ft 10! I've just about had it with his shenanigans!

Mike walks me to my car and proceeds to ask me if I do drugs. I tell him no. He informs me that he doesn't either, he just smokes weed and takes pills and is working on stopping. It's just so hard for him because his best friends and his cousin who is glued to his hip 24/7 are pill popping stoners. So THIS is why he doesn't drink, he's too busy getting high to even bother getting drunk. I start to have flashbacks of him telling me that his business involves "sales". He just forgot to mention the illegal factor. I've had it at this point. I conclude that Mike is a balding, brown toothed, short, liar who does and sells drugs and hates tabloids. Fabulous. Get me out of this parking lot of BJ's! Please!

I remain calm and exit the date politely and as sweet as pie.
I get home and see that he texted me that he had such a great time and blah blah blah. I reply with thanks.
Maybe my message wasn't clear to him that I wasn't interested because the next day he texts me again complimenting me and talking about seeing me again. I inform him that I think he is a really nice guy but I'm just not feeling it. He texts back with "Yeah, totally, me too. Take care".
Easy as pie. 

So long Mike. It's a bit disappointing that my first dip back in the dating pool ended up being with a dude that was nothing like he made himself out to be. Who knew Catfish survived in pools? And who knew Catfishes got confused by other catfishes? Must be the drugs... blurs those lines. Stay tuned for the next installment of the dating diaries. In the mean time, feel free to comment below with some of your own dating disasters.

XOXO

Give me a nude bubble bath

Latest obsession: Nude nails. I can't stop, won't stop loving this nail trend. I am currently and constantly wearing different shades of nude on my digits. Here is "Bubble Bath" by OPI and I can't get enough.

I'm not joking, I go back to the nude colors every other time that I go to get my nails did at the shop. Which, yes, is every two weeks. A lady at the nail shop asked me "Are you trying to make a statement?" I replied, "Yes, I am, I like it in the nude". So cheeky. Pun intended.

 

I will never let go of my nude nails. Well, for now, anyway. What current nail trends are you loving? Feel free to comment and share below.

XOXO

Can anybody find me somebody to love?!

My bestie got tickets to a Queen cover band and invited this girl! Heck yeah! For those of you who aren't familiar with the British rock band, shame on you! They were one of the biggest rock bands in the world by the 1980's. The band has released a total of 18 number one albums, 18 number one singles, and 10 number one DVDs. Estimates of their record sales generally range from 150 million to 300 million records, making them one of the world's best-selling music artists.

Queen is one of my favorite bands of all time. Having never gotten the chance to see the originals, I will say that the cover band at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills were champions. We had a blast!

   I love me some (fake) Freddie Mercury

 

 

 

 

You're my best friend



 We will rock you

 

Perfect girl's night out with my bestie. The music was rocking. Drinks were flowing, and booties were shaking. We made friends with a group of people out on the floor and traded pictures and videos of us all singing and dancing together. P.S. I'm pretty sure that we even agreed to attend one of our "new friend's" 50th birthday party next weekend.. err.. anyway, we had ourselves a good time, we were having a ball. Don't stop us now!

 

Couldn't help that one! What's your favorite Queen song? Please comment and share below.

XOXO

 

 



The power of forgiveness

One of the hardest things to do in life for me, is forgiving the people that have wronged or hurt me, making it harder, if they were people that I loved. I've been through some serious ish in this lifetime. Some of it playing out like a bad Lifetime movie starring Tori Spelling. I've been abused, taken advantage of, lied to, cheated on, betrayed, stolen from, and taken for granted. (Not all by the same person, mind you). But the point I am trying to convey is that there are some shitty people out there that have done some shitty things to me. Shit happens. I'm sure every single person reading this blog can think of at least 1 or 100 examples of moments where they too have been wronged in this lifetime.

 

Without going into the grit of it, I'll just sum it up as some BAD life experiences. After all that I have been through though, I refuse to play the victim. My closest friends, and majority of people that I come in to contact with would describe me as a "positive little ray of sunshine". I try to see the best in all people and all situations. We're all capable of having bad moments. We've all made mistakes. We're not perfect. We're human.

 

I refuse to let anger consume me because someone chose to do something for their own insecure or selfish reasons. Being upset after you have been wronged is a normal reaction. Processing and grieving are also necessary steps. The most important step is however, forgiveness. It's hard to do, not everyone is capable, but I am so glad that I have been able to do this. It's honestly the best thing I've ever done.

The word Forgive is defined as "(to) stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake" or to "cancel (a debt)."

The above clip from Sex and the City, the movie, is my absolute faaaavooorite take on what it is to truly forgive. I'm in no way saying that you should become a doormat by any means. However, If you can get to the point of being able to forgive the people (or at least a few of them) that have ever harmed you or hurt you in any way, you will be forever changed. It's powerful. The ability of letting go of hurt and anger is freeing. It's one of the best things that you can do for yourself. You'll come out of it a better and stronger person. Have you been able to forgive the people in your life?

Please comment below and share any stories that you have of forgiveness :)

XOXO

The Dating Diaries

The time has come to bring you along for the interesting ride that is known as my dating life. If you're familiar with this here blog, you know that I introduced you to The Tinder Diaries. Which was cray to say the least. I talked to a lot of wackadoos and went out with some too...and it was entertaining and exhausting. I took a much needed break and now I'm back on the scene. In the words of George Costanza's father, "I'm back, baby".

So here you have the new (not necessarily improved) "Dating diaries". These dudes are not specific to Tinder or any other dating site (although that's where I seem to find the vast majority of the people that I end up in these here situations with).

Here is a sneak peek of what I encountered in just a mere 10 minutes:

(*Moustache added and profile info blurred to protect this dear one's identity)

 

Are we starting to get excited?! Silver lining, good to know that I am somewhat of a "sex kitten in my daisy dukes" according to the above two. I, however, would like to take this time to note that my online dating profiles are not sexual nor do I post provocative photos. I'm a lady for heaven's sake! Majority of my photos on the dating sites are from my Facebook page or social media and look like this:

(Quick shout out to my girls who are morally supportive in these ridiculous days of dating)

 

You wouldn't believe the kinds of dudes that I attract. For real. So grab the popcorn and wine and join me on my fabulous and wacky adventures of dating. Stay tuned! XOXO