Being Called ‘Basic’

It’s Friday and the only song I have going through my head is a throw back to 2010 when Rebecca Black made her debut as a singer. That song wasn’t the greatest thing but most of us couldn’t get it out of our heads. I guess she did her job well then.

Basic Girls

Recently, I’ve been doing my social media thing (Instagramming, hash tagging etc.) and have noticed that the tag ‘basic’ or more commonly tagged ‘basic b*tch’, is gaining traction. I’m not sure where the tag started or why it started but I do know this: it’s being used as an insult. On several occasions I have been referred to as ‘basic’ whether it be on Instagram, my friends joking around, or even in one case, on my own blog. The irony of this insult is that I don’t find it all that insulting and here’s why.

According to the Urban Dictionary (because Webster’s doesn’t know what I’m talking about), the term ‘basic’ is used for someone who is void of any interesting characteristics. You might say this person fulfills a stereotype. Take for example, me and the preppy/girly stereotype I resemble. I’m a middle-class, 20-something, white girl, who likes lattes, Taylor Swift, Kate Spade, Vineyard Vines, the color pink, and a fresh manicure. When someone calls me basic, I suppose they mean I’m not interesting. Ok, that’s fine. However, what if we applied the term ‘basic’ to everyone who fulfills a stereotype?

At the college I went to, we had Hipsters galore! What if I said that the stereotypical Hipster was basic? You know who I’m talking about- the type that wears the Waldo glasses, beanies, rides a long board, and listens to Indie music at a local coffee shop. Or what about people who identify their style as ’emo’ or ‘urban’? Can they be basic too?

What’s so bad about being a ‘basic’ girl? I like certain things and you like certain things, it doesn’t mean I don’t have a personality, it just means that on a surface level I have tastes that fall into a category in which other people who have similar tastes fall into as well. Obviously, looking at the surface only tells you so much about a person. Unfortunately, we stereotype because life doesn’t give us much time to dig deeper, but that’s ok. In my mind, I’m a girl who loves being girly and looking at pretty things. Does that really make me basic? If it does, then I’m fine with being called that. I am what I am and no hash tag can change that.

New Year’s Eve Excursion

Good morning friends! As I promised in yesterday’s post, I’d tell you about my New Year’s Eve excursion to New York City. I’m going to get this out of the way before I go any further- it was COLD. I’ve never been in pain from the cold but my muscles and face hurt like crazy from trying to stay warm. I’ve never experienced cold quite like this. Besides the temperature, it was a wonderful trip!

Getting to the city was a 5 hour bus trip from Washington, D.C. I left at 7:30am and we were in the city by 11:30am. The early afternoon was spent exploring Times Square and Central Park. At about 1pm people started seriously lining up in Times Square to watch the ball drop at midnight. Police officers told us that at 3pm the people in the blocked off areas near the square would start to be confined by “pens” in that area until midnight. The kicker was that if they got out of their “pen” then they couldn’t get back in and forfeited their spot. We met a few people who said they had stood in their confined area for 12 hours having only a few snacks and drinks. According to them, the family next to them all had diapers on in case they had to go to the bathroom. I guess some people really are crazy.

Central Park was a lovely walk and a much needed break from constant people. There were a few street performers that had me laughing with their jokes and stunts. Squirrels roamed the park and had quite the attitude when it came to food. I strolled through the park with some warm, sugar-roasted almonds that really hit the spot. My fingers were so cold that I had a hard time eating them!

After Central Park it was about 3pm so we went for a pizza at an Italian restaurant. The mozzarella was so fresh! The crust and the pizza sauce were excellent too. It was so nice to just sit there and take everything in while reflecting on events earlier in the day. When we left the restaurant, 5th avenue was conveniently located a short walk away. I headed straight for a legendary New York City store- TIffany’s! After watching Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s I became obsessed with the store. Walking into the big, beautiful building almost scared me. My dreams were standing right in front of me and I wasn’t sure if they would live up to my expectations… but they did! We browsed through the store a bit and then met the elevator operator at the elevators and he took us up to the 2nd floor where engagement rings were located. Did I mention he was wearing a Tiffany blue tie? He looked amazing! Couples everywhere were sitting with consultants trying on rings and drinking champagne. I was in heaven. I also found on the 4th floor my favorite TIffany mug! Too bad it was in a set of 2 and $80.

After shopping up and down 5th avenue, we went to get a drink and cheers to the new year before heading out to the street to freeze with everyone else. While in a quaint bar and grill we met a few couples from South Africa who traveled to NYC for the new year. After sharing casual conversation with them we paid our bill and headed out into the cold where we were greeted by Taylor Swift’s voice coming from just down the street. Yes, I heard Miss Swift singing “Shake it Off”. I also got to hear “Rude” by Magic.

Waiting for the ball to drop seemed like a never ending event. Everyone was cold and tired. However, it was still one, big party for most people. The real magic happened when the countdown began. That unmistakable energy filled the air and gave meaning and purpose to our crazy idea of spending New Year’s Eve in Times Square. The funny part was after the clock struck midnight everyone bolted for the taxi cabs waiting down the street. We caught our bus at 1:30am near the docks. We quickly fell asleep upon leaving the city and slept most of the way home. 

As I write this I can assure you that my feet still hurt from walking and I detest the cold more than ever before. However, spending New Year’s Eve in New York was on my bucket list and the memories were worth every shiver.

Tell me about your New Year’s celebration in a comment below!

#Throwbackthursday and Golden Gifts to Give

Happy #throwbackthursday! In honor of this weekly social media event, here’s an awkward photo of me as a child holding a chicken with one of my besties, Jessica (we’re still tight even now!)

 

Now for something that you can’t laugh hysterically at- gift giving. For the chic ladies in your life (or even yourself), I’ve found 7 gifts that are golden and worthy of giving. I don’t mean to drop Christmas on you right now but let’s face it, it’s coming fast! Starbucks has their seasonal menu and signature red cups in stock, the stores are literally decking the halls, commercials mention their great sales for the holidays, and Hallmark is now playing their Christmas movies again. So yes, the season of madness and magic has begun.

1. ‘Hello Sunshine’ Ashley Brooke Designs mug- $23
2. Gold mosaic vase at Pier 1 Imports– $49
3. Miss Dior Eau de Parfum at Sephora– $70
4. ‘Return to Tiffany & Co’ 18k gold earrings (cheaper bought in silver) at Tiffany’s– $550
5. Paint Brush Thank You Cards at Kate Spade– $20
6. Mariposa Swirled Champagne Flute at Barney’s Warehouse– $35
7. Pave Watch at Kate Spade– $225

I realize that some of this is quite expensive but it was so pretty I couldn’t help but include it! In the past though, I have found some of the best, unique gifts at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. I don’t mind shopping at the mall and finding gifts there as well but I’m a college student, paying full price isn’t my favorite thing to do.

Hopefully, this gave you all some ideas for the Christmas season! Feel free to pin this image to use later or to share with your followers!

Best Friends Share So Much

Untitled #29 by oceangirl15 featuring a monogram mug

My best friend Lindsey and I have so much in common it just makes our friendship that much more enjoyable. We love Tiffany’s, coffee, pretty pinks, candles, BLOGGING, cute clothes, and so much more. We truly need each other!

~Liz