24.

No, not the show 24.

The age 24.

Cus I turn 24 today.

whaaaaaaaat.

Not gonna lie, there really is nothing special about turning 24.

Every birthday before 18 is all about having fun with your friends and being a kid/teenager.

18 you are technically an "adult."

19 is your last teenage year.

20 is your first "twenties" year.

21 you are an actual adult.

22, thanks taylor swift.

23, nobody likes you thanks to blink-182

But 24?

There isn't anything you can suddenly do that you couldn't before. There are no songs about turning 24. Even 25 has more significance because you're a quarter of a century old and you can rent cars without an additional fee.

24 is like a filler year where you just kind of float in limbo about your age. Not depressed about turning 24. Not stoked about turning 24. Connor did however point out that Marshawn Lynch's number is 24 which I give him an A for effort, but still not quite special enough.

Now don't get me wrong, BIRTHDAYS are always freakin' awesome.

The age I'm turning though? Meh.

So guess what, I'm promising myself to do something epic this year to make 24 memorable (since pop culture and America has obviously failed to do so). What it will be? That's for you to stay tuned to find out. :)

Now on to my yearly visit back to last year's 23rd birthday (since today's one is still rendering).

1) Last year I spent my birthday back home in Hawaii! My mom was getting hip surgery so I flew back to support and help out and my trip just so happened to overlap my special day. It was a bummer not being able to spend my actual birthday with Connor and Sammy, but I got to see all my friends and spend my first birthday in 5 years with my parents!

2) My OG, Flounder, giving me a bday kiss. Don't tell Samson, he'll get real jelly.

3) See that deceivingly cute little kitty creeping on my cake? Her name is Peewee and she was trying to steal my birthday thunder...and DELICIOUS chocolate cake my dad made.

4) Had a little sibling reunion thanks to technology.

5) Finally back in Utah the day after my birthday! Connor picked me up at the airport with a freshly cut and fluffed Samson to cuddle real hard.

6) I came home to a bundle of presents and flowers! These guys know how to spoil a girl.

7) Connor slaved over several days making me this AHMAZING red velvet cake. Possibly the best cake I've ever had.

8) Post-party Samson still trying to figure out what happened the other night...

Welp, I'm off to party hardy all day!

Here's to another awesome birthday for the books.

Past Birthday Recaps:

2014

2013

ps. If you haven't yet, watch me turn Connor into a Skull Tiger in my most recent YouTube video!

Cheers.

My blog turns TWO today!

Shirt: c/o Billabong x Lindsay Perry

I'm pretty lame.

I almost totally forgot that today is my blog's birthday.

With all the traveling and catching up with life I've been doing this week I completely spaced that May 1st was THIS Friday. Didn't April JUST begin? My goodness. It wasn't until Wednesday when I realized what day it was and that I hadn't done anything special to commemorate Year 2. So I'm sorry little bloggy. Maybe I'll go get a cupcake today and celebrate. Yes. I think I will do that.

Also, I really wanted to put together a "Things I Learned in Year 2 of Blogging" post but obviously I didn't have time to get around to that sooooo I'm going to post that sometime next week. As long as it's posted within a week of the special day it's not old news, right?

Also ALSO, Happy Anniversary to my adorable parents! Ironically I did NOT forget that today is their wedding anniversary even though it falls on the same day as my blog's birthday. I'm weird like that. At least I remembered the more important event though, rightttt? (:

Have a fun weekend friends!

Connor and I are watching The Avengers tonight at the new fancy theater in Vineyard so I'm stooooooked.

Cheers.

Happy Birthday Mumsy

Today is the most important day of the year.

It's the day my mom was born.

Everything I have in my life, I owe to this woman.

Because without her, I wouldn't have existed at all.

I love you mom!

Hope your day is wonderful and amazing, just like youuuuu.

love, Ariel.

joyFALL celebration w/ LuLu*s: Look 4 + BIRTHDAY!

Jacket: c/o LuLu*s
Dress: c/o LuLu*s
Boots: c/o LuLu*s
Necklace: c/o LuLu*s
Bracelet: c/o LuLu*s

Taylor Swift didn't write a song about turning 23 so I have no cliche lyrics to write here.

Today is the 23rd celebration of my birth and it's a bit of a bittersweet one. Bitter because I'm not able to spend it with Connor and Samson but Sweet because I am spending it in Hawaii with my parents--and I haven't spent a birthday with them in about five years! We can't really do much because my mom is still recovering (nicely) from hip surgery but we're picking up sushi from my favorite restaurant and probably watching The Mighty Ducks and/or Home Alone (two of my favorites) tonight so that's enough of a celebration for me. (:

In last year's birthday post, I reflected on the Ghosts of Birthdays Past (you can view that here). This year I wanted to do the same but since I already reflected on Year 18-21, I'll just reflect on Year 22. But first, let me write a little spiel on my birthday outfit (not to be confused with birthday suit...) I'm wearing today!

On the last day of my joyFALL celebration series with LuLu*s, I'm celebrating my love of PLAID! Plaid print and flannel are very in this season, especially when worn around the waist #90skidforlife. I already wore some 90s plaid in Look 2 so I decided to change it up a bit in this final look and wear a plaid jacket! I'm obsessed with this BB Dakota Rosanna Plaid Jacket--the moment I saw it on LuLu*s I knew I had to have it! I love how it has that drapey look in the front and it's so nice and cozy! If you want be even more snug, you can button and buckle it up in the front for a more polished look. You gotta wear a fancy dress on your special day which is why I chose this Bakewell Black Dress. I paired it off with some Soda Korman Ankle Boots and jewelry, added some celebratory red balloons, and voila!

A complete LuLu*s birthday outfit. (:

I've shared with you all four of the outfits for my joyFALL celebration series with LuLu*s but the party ISN'T OVER YET!

To end the series with a bang, tomorrow I'll be giving away $100 store credit LuLu*s!

Be sure to come back and enter the giveaway for your chance to add some amazing pieces to your fall wardrobe! You're not going to want to miss out!

Look 1 -- DENIM

Look 2 -- LEATHER

Look 3 -- HATS

Look 4 -- PLAID

Now on to reflecting on last year's 22nd birthday festivities...

1) The selfie I took when the clock struck midnight and I had T-Swift on blast.

2) Connor took me to Tucanos to feast Brazilian style.

3) Brenda and Amy made me a crepe cake that looked super pretty but was hard to cut into/eat. Still an A for effort. (:

4) This guy spoiled me (more than he already does) all week and made me feel like a princess.

5) We went rock climbing because we're hardcore like that.

6) I rode a saddle at Texas Roadhouse. Yep.

I know that next year when I reflect on this year's birthday, it won't be as eventful, but as long as you spend your birthday with loved ones, it's one worth remembering, right? (:

Have a great October 9th, friends!

Cheers.

My blog turns ONE today!

Cardigan: c/o Aeropostale

Flower Crown: c/o Aeropostale

Sandals: c/o Aeropostale

Dress: c/o LuLu*s

I'm a proud mama.

Today is my blog's first birthday!

Exactly a year ago today, I posted my first blog post: a recipe for Brazilian lemonade! It's crazy to think that it's been a whole year since I started this blogging journey and I have to say, it's been nothing but amazing. I've made so many friends, both online and in real life #RABLJ. I've learned so much about myself and feel like I've found who I truly am. I've discovered something I am extremely passionate about and am blessed with a way to share that passion with the world! As I've grown as a person, my style and taste has grown as well.

But let's be real, this isn't really a celebration of just my blog. 

It's a celebration of you guys.

My readers.

My friends.

You guys are THE BEST.

I want to thank each and every one of you who has ever subscribed to, commented on, shared, or simply visited my blog. You guys have no idea how much your encouragement and support means to me. My blog really is my "baby" and I've been so appreciative of all the kindness it's received over this past year. I love you all and wish I could give each of you a hug, but for now, here's a [cyber hug]. ;)

*******************************

Today's outfit has two of my favorite pieces from Bethany Mota's clothing line at Aeropostale. This knit cardigan and fun flower crown are the perfect pieces for a warm summer day with a cool breeze. The weather in Provo has been exactly that this past week, so I've totally been an outfit repeater (sorry Kate Sanders) by wearing this cardigan A LOT lately. When a piece of clothing is as comfortable as this though, it's a shame NOT to wear it a ton! :)

Fun fact: Today is also my parents' 33rd wedding anniversary! I think it's so cute when couples are together longer than they've been apart. :) They're celebrating it by attending a session at the same temple they got married in! Seriously, so cute.

May 1st is just awesome.

Cheers.

#ForeverSummer + HBD Connor!!!

bodysuit, jacket [similar here & here], earrings, wristlet, phone case: c/o Aeropostale

skirt: c/o Dress Up // necklace: Wet Seal [similar] // booties: Forever 21 [similar]

So I know it's only April and technically it's still spring, but now that I'm graduated, it's officially summer for meeeee!!! It's actually the beginning of my #foreversummer because I'm never ever ever getting back together with school, whoop whoop!

Speaking of summer, I'm pretty obsessed with Bethany Mota's summer collection at Aeropostale! That girl has got some serious style! I'm always impressed with people who accomplish so much at such a young age. If you're unfamiliar with Bethany, check out her cute variety of fashion and beauty YouTube videos HERE. The denim jacket I'm wearing today is from her clothing line and I love how it fits nice and snug to my body--you can find similar ones here and here. I'm also loving this floral bodysuit (it's my first bodysuit ever!), because it goes perfectly with this skirt from Dress Up! I've been looking for a perfect peach skirt for a while now and when I saw this one from Dress Up, I fell in love.

Oh, and how adorable is this Panda phone case? It's my cutest accessory yet.

********************************

Today is a special day because . . . .

it's CONNOR'S BIRTHDAYYYY!!!!

It's my favorite day of the year because it's the day the love of my life was born into this world. I mean, how can it NOT be my favorite day? I couldn't imagine my life without this kid.

He's my soulmate, my partner in crime, and my best friend.

I fall in love with him more and more every day and

I can't wait to spoil the snot out of him today!!!

Luvvv you hubz.

Can't wait to spend the rest of eternity with you!

Cheers.

50s-Inspired for Mumsy's Birthday!

Headband: c/o Notes & Knots [use the code AUTEURARIEL10 for 10% off your purchase!]

Sunglasses: c/o Choies

Vest: H&M [similar]

Shirt: Forever 21

Jeans: Kendall & Kylie

Wedges: very, very, very old [similar]

Necklace: Wet Seal [similar]

Watch: c/o Arvo

In honor of my Mom's special day, I decided to do a 50s-inspired outfit--with a modern twist, of course! Although I didn't go all out with voluminous curls, I dolled it up with an adorable headband from Notes & Knots, some high-waisted jeans, and bold lipstick. Seriously, the 50s was an amazing era for fashion! Definitely a decade I'd want to go back to and experience--so I can meet my mom when she was a little kiddo! Haha. (Also, can you tell by this outfit that I want it to be Spring/Summer already? The sun keeps teasing me...)

My mom is the sweetest, strongest, prettiest woman I know. She has been there for me through all my ups and downs, supporting every decision and dream I've ever had. I haven't been able to spend the past four birthdays with her because of college, but I never forget to remind her how much she means to me every year on January 22nd. 

Happy Birthday madre!

Love you to the moon and back!

PS. the winner for The Paxton Cove Giveaway is Robyn! Congrats girl!

Cheers.