inspiration – The Big Hair Diaries

Christmas Fun and My Newly Acquired Fairy Wand

Published on December 8, 2018 by hellosamanthadear12 Comments

Hallå!!! 🎄

Everyone has their own personal feelings about Christmas time. Some feel that magical joy, others may feel indifferent, and then some may not like it at all for various reasons of their own.

Me? I absolutely looooooove this time of year! BRING IT ON!!!

I took some photos at a local Christmas tree farm recently. It was an enchanting little place that only fueled my already-existing Christmas cheer I’ve been all about lately!

My “not ready for the camera” face…also, this photo accurately shows just how short I am.

This bow is literally a Christmas decoration from Dollar Tree. I turned it into a clip-on pin, and there you have it! I immediately turn into a Christmas present. 🎁

I hope you all feel the Christmas magic in some way, shape, or form. There’s plenty of it to be found; all you have to do is look around, really. ❤️

I have my Christmas shopping complete! My favorite part is wrapping it all up and making it look pretty. In addition to the main gifts, I included pink snowflake confetti, chocolates, German cinnamon star cookies (Zimtsterne)…I went all out!

In my next post, I will show you my gift wrapping! 💜

In other news, I now have a squishy wand in my purse, if I ever need it. For anything. Like maybe, granting a wish, turning a pumpkin into a carriage, self-defense against an assailant, etc. It’s very multi-purpose.

Assailant sitting in jail: “Yeah I went to purse-snatch this woman but she bludgeoned me over the head with a fairy wand.”

This great wand was given to me when I went walking down Candy Cane Lane to see Christmas lights with a group of adorable human beings who dress in Lolita fashion.

DID I MENTION IT LIGHTS UP IN BURSTS OF FLASHES??? 🌟 So not only is it a wand, but it can also be used to have a spontaneous one-woman rave, wherever I go.

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Lastly…I put up my PINK CHRISTMAS TREE!!!

I have always wanted a pink tree! I finally did it and went with a Barbie theme for the ornaments. I absolutely love it and it turned out just as lovely as I envisioned! 💖

‘Til next time!!!

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An Evening with Ghost

Published on November 16, 2018 by hellosamanthadear8 Comments

Hi!!! Last night I attended a Ghost concert in San Jose, CA. And it did not disappoint! I’m still floating in the air… 😍

I have so much to share, so sit back and enjoy. Grab a warm cup of something and be entertained!

Firstly, here was the outfit I picked out:

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This is a closeup of the pin I made for the concert, featuring the Cardinal himself. ❤️

I went for a very bold, girly look, with gloves and pearls…the whole nine yards!

I was even more so excited that this tour – called A Pale Tour Named Death – was featuring songs from their most recent (and my favorite!) album, Prequelle. Apple Music describes it better than I ever could:

“Set in medieval times, when the bubonic plague spread death across Europe, Ghost’s fourth album is a sociopolitical allegory for our own times.”

And set against the ominous backdrop of medieval-looking, oops-I-think-I-walked-into-the-wrong-church stained glass windows, the opening intro was playing “Ashes”, which features children sweetly yet creepily singing Ring Around the Rosie.

And enter, GHOST!

There’s something indescribably majestic, dark, yet beautiful about their concept and their songs, in my opinion. You can’t look away from their stage presence, and the lead singer especially enjoys being comical and also seductive to the crowd. He’ll make you blush, whether you’re male or female! ☺️

Here he was singing Pro Memoria which, funny as it may sound, is a song that helped me overcome an anxiety I’ve had since childhood.

I used to wake up in the middle of the night as a kid and suddenly be acutely aware of mine, and everyone else’s, mortality. I’d then feel deeply concerned.

So when I first heard this song with its haunting lyrics – “Don’t you forget about dying, don’t you forget about your friend, Death” – all I could think was, Hey! This is like the SONG of my long-standing, middle-of-the-night thoughts!

It’s really not an anxiety for me now, but more of an acceptance. Life and death go hand-in-hand, inevitably.

Reading about Jesus Christ helped eliminate a lot of my anxiety towards death, and strangely enough, Pro Memoria, which on the opposite end of the spectrum references Lucifer reminding us of our mortality, helped dissolve that anxiety for me.

People ask me why I typically seem so happy? That’s simple. Someday we won’t be here anymore…that’s all the reason to live each day with as much gratitude as you possibly can. I have air in my lungs, so it’s a good day. ❤️

“Black candles burn, all minds aligned…”

It was an amazing night, and one I’ll never forget! I’m just so happy I managed to get a perfect, clear photo of him dressed in his red Cardinal gown – my favorite of his outfits. ❤️

‘Til next time!!!

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Little Red Coat

Published on October 6, 2018 by hellosamanthadear9 Comments

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♥♥♥ Happy October!!! ♥♥♥

Well, the month has arrived! Let the fun holidays of the ending half of the year begin. I wore these on the second day of October, so I didn’t waste a moment to get started on Halloween. Nice touch, no?

And the spider background is a foreshadowing to my Halloween costume…muuahahaha.

Pumpkin cookie from Panera…yumm. 🎃

We had our first rain this week! It started at a whopping 6 a.m., in which I heard the distinct sound of rain pouring down on the roof. I was ridiculously excited; it doesn’t rain here at all during the summer, so this is truly a reason to celebrate. 😉

Rain, at the beginning of the week.

End of the week.

The rain didn’t last long, unfortunately. I managed to see a huge lightning storm that was happening to the north while I was driving on the freeway at night, though. 🌩

Since the cooler weather is on the way, I’ve brought out some jackets. Here’s a red one I wore this week!

I’m really glad I have this little red jacket. It’s quite warm, and I also have a new khaki jacket that’s similar in style that’ll be great to wear when it rains. I could’ve worn it this past week during the rain, but it hadn’t arrived in the mail yet. Next rain storm and it’s onnnnn!

My current read!!! After being knee-deep in a book about the Black Death for the past few weeks, there’s only so much of the bubonic plague a gal can take. Hence, a light-hearted and happy read was a must after I finished the book. I chose wisely!

I love the show, so it’s easy to love the book.

Here’s a favorite passage I came across:

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I hope you all are enjoying the start of this beautiful month and getting into the festive spirit! I’ll be going to the pumpkin patch this weekend, so I’m super excited about that. There will be photos and a blog post, naturally. 😜

‘Til Then! ♥

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I Love You a Latte, Nature

Published on September 30, 2018 by hellosamanthadear8 Comments

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Hello hello! Like my socks? 🙂

Fall is for SOCKS. All kinds! For me personally, I really love over-the-knee socks. They add such a fun look to an outfit.

The temperature is dropping quite fast, and by next week, there is rain expected (yessss!). I’m really looking forward to the upcoming fall weather. ♥♥♥

I tried a dusty ol’ vintage look with my camera today. 😀

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Bring out the fun cardigans and socks! Love it. I was so torn as to what kind of shoes to wear with this…I ended up choosing right, though.

What I learned today: socks with sandals are a-okay! 😀

You know what else is a-okay are Maple Pecan Lattes…

With the sprinkles…oh my gosssssssssshhhhhhhhh. They are MORE than just a-okay. I will probably get one of these again sometime. This is from Starbucks and it’s a new drink that just made its debut a few days ago. I had to give it a try! 🙂

So this evening, I took myself on a nature date! I went for the sole purpose of fully appreciating the transition into fall around me, and taking photographs of it all. I highly recommend trying this sometime, to anyone reading! Bring a camera and snap away. It’s refreshing and inspires you to get creative, in my opinion.

I feel such a deep joy when I listen to the silence of nature. There’s nothing quite like it! Also, when you’re out in nature, do you ever feel like it’s all so alive around you? I really felt that way this evening. ♥

‘Til Next Time!

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Coffee (or Chai) Thoughts

Published on September 8, 2018September 8, 2018 by hellosamanthadear6 Comments

Howdy! 😉

This week was short because of Labor Day, but felt quite long! The weekend is here, so yay!

I went to Teazer’s Tuesday night, right before meandering around the farmer’s market right outside the store. I love the inside of this place! With the trees outside and the pretty lighting…it felt magical. ♥

I can only imagine how nice it’d be in here on a crisp autumn evening. With all the warm tones, it feels like a fall kind of place. I’ll definitely be back for that time of year.

Tiger Spice Chai!

So, I just want to make a positive post today. That simple! Hope you enjoy some uplifting thoughts I’ve gathered from this past week. So grab yourself something to sip on and enjoy.

(I’m just going to casually slip my outfit of the day photos in while I’m talking…)

If you try your best, that is what matters! I can’t stress this enough – I learned that a lot this past week. Your best effort may be insufficient from another’s perspective, but you can only do what you’re capable of and to the best of your ability, especially if it’s not your strongest point.

If you start to feel like you’re taking life too seriously, just think of the honk of a clown nose.

Now let me explain.

At Art Hop Thursday night, my friend and I were walking towards our favorite downtown coffee shop when I heard the distinct sound of a clown nose. YES, A CLOWN NOSE. You know the horn sound it makes? Yeah, that. So I look and amongst the crowd of people, sure enough, there is a clown coming my way. Fortunately, my friend and I ducked into the coffee shop before we passed each other. I’m not a huge clown fan (especially ones on tricycles. Specific, I know).

When we went to leave, we ended up walking through the crowd once more and I heard the freaking clown nose horn again…

My friend and I just laughed about it as we continued walking. But in my typical fashion, I ended up philosophizing the entire thing and warped it into some eye-opening epiphany:

Me texting my friend Friday evening, literally out of nowhere: “In retrospect. The clown at Art Hop and his nose horn was a reminder for us not to take life too seriously. He wasn’t the hero we thought we deserved, but the one we actually needed.”

My friend: “Wow, all that from a clown nose…”

Thank you, clown dude at Art Hop. You and your nose gave me a valuable life lesson and earned a spot in my life’s philosophy.

Who would have thought?

Bloom where you’re planted. ♥

That means, whether you’re planted in a lush garden or a sidewalk crack, you bloom. Have you ever noticed that?! Flowers bloom whether it be one place or the other.

There’s a lot of negativity around. If you really stop and listen – and I mean truly listen – how often do you hear people say something positive? Or is it commonly complaints you hear? Think about it. I’m trying a new challenge now where I really focus on what I say and think and try to catch whether it’s positive or negative. You can’t always control external negativity, but inwardly, the one you feed is the one that grows the biggest. So will you feed the negative or the positive flower? Which one will bloom? 🙂

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So yes, those are some of my coffee (or Tiger Spice Chai) thoughts I’ve gathered from this past week. Hope you enjoyed it and maybe it’ll even inspire you in some way. ♥

Byeeeeee!

A Sunset, Sunflowers and a Sloth

Published on July 29, 2018 by hellosamanthadear6 Comments

Happy end of the weekend!

I know, I know. That doesn’t sound very celebratory, now does it? I guess I’m in good spirits still from the weekend, because I did a lot! Sunday morning, my friend and I went to the zoo, which was really fun! I love animals. ♥

Saturday evening, another friend and I went for a walk and then for a bite to eat. I have pretty photos from that, but let’s start on the outfit, shall we?

I wore this yesterday, on Saturday:

The top is from Goodwill!!! What a find. It looks all sorts of vintage, and I love the tie that drapes down.

I bought this bracelet like five million years ago and seemed to have forgotten all about it. I was going through a jewelry drawer Saturday morning and BOOM! There it was.

It’s different from my typical jewelry, and that’s why I like it!

SO! Saturday evening, I wanted to go for a walk, despite the smoke-covered-sky-induced-humidity that is happening. The heat wasn’t so bad in the later evening, and with a breeze, it felt nice. My friend asked if he could join, so we met there.

This was the most beautiful sunset I think I’ve ever witnessed! The smoke isn’t good of course, but it certainly created a mysterious orange glaze over everything. Nature is so beautiful, and paired with the thick scent of the earth, it was a truly amazing moment.

After the walk, we stopped for a bite to eat at a café I always walk by when I head over to the park to walk, but had never been to. It was the prettiest little place, and super friendly staff!

I had a strawberry banana smoothie, and holy moley was it goooooood!!!

Sub-topic: …the power of listening. 🙂

So, my friend just got divorced and is feeling pretty down, and is concerned about his future in the dating world. He was voicing his feelings about his situation over dinner and otherwise just letting it all out. Now, I’m literally the last person on earth to give any advice regarding relationships (I’ve intentionally stayed out of the dating world for who knows how long now?!?!!!), but I quickly realized that simply listening was all that was needed.

And my friend thanked me for that. He said I didn’t need to come up with any advice; listening just by itself is helpful.

Sometimes, all that is needed is lending an ear. (Not literally give them your ear).

A lot of people talk. But how many of us truly listen? Listening can be the greatest gift we can give someone.

And if anyone reading is going through a hard time like my friend is – things will always get better. Just hang in there…

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How could I not somehow include the sloth I befriended at the zoo into my blog post today?!?!

See ya!!! ♥

Mindfulness!

Published on July 21, 2018July 21, 2018 by hellosamanthadear5 Comments

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Hello there! ♥

I hope your week went well, whoever is reading! Mine was nice; on a cool note, I have even more secondhand skirts I’ve been wearing. 🙂 My mom went through her old clothes, and she held aside some skirts she thought I’d want. They’re from the 1980’s, and I’m so in love with them!

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The little top is actually from Forever 21; it looks secondhand though, doesn’t it? 😉

I’ve been in a choker mood, so my black velvet one worked out great with my matching velvet headband. Definitely gives the whole outfit an interesting look!

Annnnnd, here is the worm statement ring I mentioned, what, maybe two blog posts ago??

I love worms. They’re cute!!! Thus, a worm statement ring was created. I really love how this ring turned out…note that the hearts are fuzzy! It’s such a fun, playful ring to add to an outfit.

Here is the other secondhand skirt I was given – blue! ♥ Lucky for me, I had a light blue headband that matched perfectly with the ensemble. Light blue really is a pretty color!

The most comfortable pair of shoes I own!!! I call these my ninja shoes, because they are so silent. They make no sound at all when I walk…it’s pretty cool!

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Overall, I felt really happy and confident in these two outfits! They’re my new favorites. I can’t believe how comfortable and soft the skirts are. ♥

Mindfulness…what is it?

So! Here’s a topic I’ve been really interested in lately! Mindfulness; essentially, it is being present and aware of the moment you’re in, to put it very simply. Most of us find our minds wandering into the past or the future, no? There are a ton of articles online about it, but here, I’ll just be simplifying it and describing how it helps me daily! 😀

There are many ways to practice being present, and here are the ones that help me:

Walking. I really don’t do this as much as I’d like to this time of year (it’s extremely hot where I live) but when I do go for walks, it’s the easiest way I am able to practice mindfulness. I may or may not be listening to music, but either way, I’m very attentive to my surroundings and being present. I notice squirrels, dogs, plants – basically, life all around.
Journaling. Ohhhhh boy, where would I be without a journal?! Journaling helps me sort through my thoughts and feelings, which I otherwise am not good at expressing verbally. Plus, the mindfulness comes in by focusing on the feeling of writing on paper. I find it soothing. I focus on writing each letter, which you can’t really experience typing on a computer.
Being still. Typically, I’ll do this technique when I sit in my backyard sometimes and just listen to the wind rustling through the leaves in the trees, or before work when I stop for coffee. I will just sit still and take in my surroundings. There is beauty in stillness; it’s like taking a moment to realize that you’re here, you’re breathing, and you’re alive.

I am writing this in Starbucks and Wham! just randomly started playing on the radio in the store. Now I am envisioning Zoolander, and orange mocha frappucinos.

Shoot; I’m getting distracted, aren’t I?

BACK TO THE POINT, mindfulness is a useful tool we can utilize daily to stay focused (which I’m clearly not doing right now), and to stay present in the exact moment we’re in. It’s very relaxing! I highly recommend trying it out, in some form. 🙂

Last but not least, I wanted to share this neat photo I took the other night. Beautiful sky, but bad circumstances; a little over an hour or so away from the city I live in is the fiery Ferguson fire near Yosemite that’s been on the news, here in California. It’s definitely wildfire season…the other day, everything looked orange and the sun could barely be seen!

Tag: inspiration

Christmas Fun and My Newly Acquired Fairy Wand

An Evening with Ghost

Little Red Coat

‘Til Then! ♥

I Love You a Latte, Nature

Coffee (or Chai) Thoughts

Byeeeeee!

A Sunset, Sunflowers and a Sloth

See ya!!! ♥

Mindfulness!

Mindfulness…what is it?

Until next time! See ya!