ootd – The Big Hair Diaries

Beary Nice; Random Act of Kindness

Published on October 12, 2021 by hellosamanthadear8 Comments

Sometimes I literally don’t know what to talk about in my blog posts, besides just showing my outfits. I will seriously strain to come up with something to write!!! And then I just give up, waiting it out for some time until something stirs in my noggin.

Photos of coffees I drink are always a good idea. 😉

Hot mocha! Mmmm. From ‘The Mug’ coffee shop in Fresno

Sometimes at night as I try to go to sleep, I’ll find myself staring blankly at the ceiling with not a darn thing to think about! Does that ever happen to you?

When I think hard enough, a few things come out from the creases of my brain. But they’re always random, like what actually happened to the lost Roanoke Colony? Who wrote CROATOAN on the gate post? And is the Roanoke Colony technically the lost sock in the washing machine of life?

Then, finally, something non-historical comes to mind. Like remembering a random act of kindness that happened to me one time a couple years ago…

*intermission of outfit photos*

Pinafore Dress: Amazon // Harness Belt: ROMWE

A few years ago, I was standing in line at a Starbucks in town where I live. It seemed like another trip to Starbucks, at that point! There was a police officer ordering ahead of me. As I decided on whether I wanted an iced or a hot mocha, much to my surprise, the officer waved me towards the counter and said for me to order, that he’d pay for it.

Sounds like a simple act of kindness, right? Well, I still remember it to this day! To me, it was a monumental gesture I’ve never forgotten. I’ve always felt insignificant, so for that moment I felt cool enough for a stranger to buy me a coffee (and a police officer, at that!!!!!!!!!)

*second intermission of outfit photos*

So my point of sharing this story, is to emphasize that random acts of kindness can go a long way; it’s still a memory I think of at times! (Also, I’m glad I thought of something to write about in this blog post. 😉 ) So the next time you think about doing something nice for someone, do it, because I guarantee they’ll remember it for years to come. For some of us, it’ll mean the world. 💞

See ya next time!!! 🐻💕🐼

Bows: A Show Stealer

Published on October 5, 2021 by hellosamanthadear4 Comments

There’s just something about bows that I freaking love, and I feel I’m constantly on the lookout for new hair accessory ideas. Most of the time, they involve bows. They are just so eye-catching and sweet – always!!! Even though I’ve grown very attached to the goth-inspired accessories like chokers, I always sweeten it up with cute hair accessories, like bows. The more childlike bows, the better, in my opinion!

Blouse: SHEIN // Suspender shorts: SHEIN

Shoes: BAIT footwear // Ring: Pinkbopp (my line of jewelry!)

My sister actually gave me that bow haul, but I modified them all, apart from the smaller brightly-colored ones! See, she used to sell her own jewelry and little girls’ hair bows at a pumpkin patch each year, but no longer does, so she’s trying to clear out her inventory and knew who to pass the bows down to. I trimmed them and added the center charms, so they have a whole new look!

Add my black T-strap shoes to the ensemble, and I was ready to go out for the afternoon, braving the smoke-clogged valley air from distant wildfires to go get a Starbucks and chill! Despite the smoky skies, it couldn’t take the pep out of my new bows, or my step. And that’s the power of hair accessories, my friends! 💝

See ya next time!! 💗

Against All Odds; My Long Lost Dress Returns

Published on October 1, 2021 by hellosamanthadear7 Comments

It was 2012 when I wore this coral dream of a dress from Forever 21. I thought it was a charming, cute little thing and I wore it several times that year, but ultimately, I ended up giving it to Goodwill because a) I was a fool and b) I didn’t like the loose fit at the waist (helloooo!!! That’s what belts are for!)

This was me in 2012 wearing it! And this was during a brief period in my early twenties when I actually dressed somewhat conservatively, compared to how I dress now. I was also 10 lbs heavier back then and my hair was FLAT (gasp)! This was during my years working at a law firm. I like to think that the weight I lost went straight to my hair instead.

I don’t know what it is, but I’m infinitely more happy in my thirties than I ever was in my twenties. I mean, good lord!!!! It’s incomparable! I was so negative and easily angered by things in my twenties. Once I got near my thirties and onward, I truly got to know myself and discovered what made me happy in life. And it turns out, what makes me happy is feeling peace towards everyone and everything around me, and most of all, peace within myself. And also drinking caffé mochas and reading “dad books” (did I mention my current read is about the history and functionality of submarines, written by Tom Clancy?)

Also, in addition to my pescetarian diet, I also made the majority of what I eat plant-based and I love to walk and use a stationary bike at home. I have more energy now than I ever have before and in general, I feel way happier in my thirties!

I scrounged through the depths of Poshmark to find this dress again. There was literally only one seller who had it in the size I needed! Fate brought us together again, and I’m much happier with my present day, more eccentric and energetic self putting it on again. ❤️

Choker + Belt from ROMWE // Bows made by me!

See ya next time!!! Have a happy weekend! 💗

Who’s Got Spirit? Remembering the Day Karen Brewer Came to Life

Published on September 25, 2021 by hellosamanthadear4 Comments

It is I who has spirit!!!!! But why, you ask? Well, a couple of reasons. One, I’m usually pretty high-spirited on any given day. And secondly, I finally got myself a cheerleader-style skirt from, of all places, Spirit Halloween! And it’s turned out to be one of my new favorite skirts!

Top: SHEIN // Skirt: Spirit Halloween // Bow: Made by me

Believe it or not, I was actually a cheerleader in elementary school! Here’s the proof:

Ahhhh, yes…the Sierra Vista Vikings (I still have my uniform)! It was the mid-90’s. I remember the complete and utter excitement that came with the yearly cheer competition, where we would meet at a local high school and perform amongst the local elementary cheer squads. Even today, I can still recall the buzz of anticipation when we would meet in the gymnasium at whichever high school was chosen for the event and teams would get ready for the big day ahead! It’d be early on a Saturday morning, and it would be a frenzy of white sneakers squeaking against the glossy gym floor, clouds of aerosol hairspray, hair glitter and high ponytails topped with fluffy bows that would make Jojo Siwa proud. I remember, in-between performances while sitting in the bleachers, I’d look across the gym and admire the other cheerleaders and how pretty their school colors were on their uniforms (ours were blue and gold; I recall thinking the Cedarwood cheer squad had the prettiest uniform colors: white and hunter green, with silver lining).

But it wasn’t just their amazing uniform colors that caught my eye. I remember seeing one particular cheerleader from Cedarwood who looked EXACTLY like Karen Brewer from the Babysitter Club’s Little Sister series, which I read voraciously as a kid. I was secretly flipping out because she had all the looks of Karen, right down to the blonde side ponytail and glasses (Karen Brewer was the first female character from a book that I admired as a kid, so this was totally crazy for my young little brain to fathom!!!).

I remember telling my mom later that Karen Brewer does not live in Stoneybrook, Connecticut afterall but she actually resides in the same city as me and goes to Cedarwood. I recall my mom saying something like, okay sweetie…

Anyway, I only did cheer during elementary school; for the remainder of my school life from middle school onward, I moved on to be the loner weirdo you now know and (maybe?) love! But I never did shed my adoration for the cheerleader look – pleated skirts and big bows – and I never want to. That’s why I’m so happy I found this lovely new skirt at Spirit Halloween, which will be a wardrobe staple for whenever I feel like channeling my inner cheerleader!!!

Although, I like now that I can accessorize the cheer look however I want – including edgy accessories and fun-printed tops that make for a more misfit cheerleader look.

I say: be your own cheerleader in life. In everything you do, every single day! 💝 And to never forget the magical moments from childhood, like when I believed for just a moment that Karen Brewer was a real person. It was like seeing a Disney princess at Disneyland, in my book!

See ya next time!!!

Twinsies: Two Samanthas, Double the Childlike Adventures

Published on September 19, 2021 by hellosamanthadear4 Comments

This lovely book was gifted to me a couple of Christmases ago from my mom, who knew how much I enjoyed reading about Samantha from the American Girl series when I was younger. Even now, I still greatly enjoy looking through the short stories that compile this big ol’ book because it inspires me to embrace my curious inner child as an adult (I also love the movie adaptation)!

The character and I not only share the same name, but we also share the same love for fashion of the early 1900’s (this book is set in 1904). Samantha’s adventures, her curious spirit, down to the outfits she wears, is very fun for me to look through!

As an homage, I wore this outfit that reminds me a bit of that time period (the blouse style and the ribbon in my hair, specifically! If you notice, big sleeves cuffed at the wrists with high neck lines and hair bows were all the rage during that time for young girls):

Blouse: SHEIN // Suspender dress: Amazon // Bow: made by me // Choker: ROMWE

Cameo ring: Brooch from my childhood turned into a ring!

Even though I’m an “adult” (LOL, I still can’t use that word without quotes) and not a young girl anymore, I always feel like I intertwine between an “adult” with responsibilities like paying my bills and still being a very curious child who still stops to look at worms on the sidewalk. Being in my thirties, I actually feel quite honored to be the local weirdo with huge hair, who wears what is deemed as “childlike” styles by most, usually receiving many an odd side-glance from others. Because to me, fashion has no age limit, nor is there an age limit to embracing your inner child, and I personally don’t believe you have to dress “age appropriate” if you don’t want to (whatever “age appropriate” means, right?). With fashion, the sky’s the limit. Which is why I love it so much!!!

So here’s to embracing your inner child and finding your own adventures in the everyday life. And here’s to people who are adults but don’t really feel like one, LOL!!! Because the magic of childhood never has to stop. ✌🏼 For example, when I was a kid, I would often take Polaroid photos of street lights. I am still fascinated by them and feel a sense of comfort whenever I see them, and I still take photos of them for my own enjoyment!

See ya next time!!! 💖

Super 70’s; Getting Those Mellow Yellow Starbucks Bonus Stars

Published on September 14, 2021 by hellosamanthadear11 Comments

Daisies and flared sleeves go together like peanut butter and jam, and the outcome is a late 60’s/early 70’s look that is of course, a favorite of mine! I added ribbons for a bit more decoration in my hair. 💛 I’ve always loved the fact that ribbons and flowers were a big accessory back in that time period!

Top: SHEIN // Suspenders: SHEIN // Choker: ROMWE

Paired with the shorts, this is one of my favorite retro outfits I’ve worn lately! And with the Gene Simmons purse I always carry around with me, it matched my hair clips because they are the exact same flowers I used on my purse! 😉 I feel like I tripped and fell into a time machine on my way to a KISS concert and landed in 2021.

Blogging this at Starbucks!! ☕️ It’s Double Star Day (which means at Starbucks, if you order on Double Star Day, you get bonus stars on your rewards!) so I definitely wanted to go (not like I ever need an excuse to go to Starbucks, LOL). ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Because dang it, that’s what makes life fun. Like blogging, and giving yourself a little challenge to go scoop up those bonus stars on your Starbucks rewards. And also as of lately, finally being inspired to create some new artwork!!! It’s been far too long since I’ve made any new art. On a whim, I felt a creative spark and created this piece 💖. And I am super happy with it!!

See ya next time!! 💗

Scream Queen: Valley of the Creepy Dolls

Published on August 26, 2021 by hellosamanthadear5 Comments

In my lavender purple dress and new black belt, I decided to take some outfit photos in a different spot – my room, this time!! Taking photos outside is always better and clearer, as the quality is grainier indoors for some odd reason on my phone camera, but I wanted a little change-up from my backdrop norm.

With my creepy ventriloquist doll in the background, and I myself feel like I give off creepy doll vibes, we make for a perfect pair. I also love the dichotomy between my Scream shirt with the floral skirt!!! 💜

See ya next time!!! 💜

Getting my AncestryDNA Results (I’m Shocked!)

Published on August 20, 2021 by hellosamanthadear11 Comments

Many times in my life I have asked myself this question in terms of my ethnic background, so I finally decided recently that I wanted an answer! I ordered an AncestryDNA kit to finally get an answer regarding this elusive side of myself that I very much wanted to get to know better. And boy did I get an answer that I was truly shocked by!

As you can see, it was a very long list, right down to the little 1%’s!!! But let’s look at the big ones that took up 35% to 28% of my ethnic background:

The Northwestern European part I got from my mom’s side. She’s blonde with blue eyes, and I have darker features that I already knew came from my dad, even though I don’t know him at all personally and have only met him a couple of times when I was very young (I barely can remember). But my mom always said, “from what I know, he’s Italian and Spanish.”

NOT SO!!! The Spanish part was right, but I only have 10% of Spanish, which I was shocked by! I thought it would be much higher. And there was absolutely NO Italian to be found in my ethnic background!

It turns out I!!! 👏🏼 DID!!! 👏🏼 NOT!!! 👏🏼 KNOW!!! that I’m over a quarter MEXICAN! 33 years on this earth and I never knew I was Mexican at all! And a whopping 28%, at that!

I highly recommend AncestryDNA because it gives SO MUCH detail, down to the specific areas of a country your DNA was matched. It was the best gift I could have given myself and now I know for sure I wasn’t randomly dropped off on earth by a UFO, and I have some actual roots from around the world!

And for today’s outfit, we have some yellow, white and brown going on! If I have a glow about myself, it’s because I was so happy with my AncestryDNA results! ❤️

Corduroy suspender shorts: Amazon // Top: Goodwill

See ya next time!!! 💖

Party Like a Cherub Rockstar

Published on August 11, 2021 by hellosamanthadear11 Comments

Don’t be fooled – I am no rockstar, clearly! I have no musical ability, instrument or singing-wise. And my version of partying is upsizing my Starbucks drink (tall → grande = living it up), putting on a good CD to get into while I drive, and crafting.

But my play on words in this blog title refers to the famous 1993 radio hit by the Smashing Pumpkins, Cherub Rock. That’s exactly the song that popped in my head when I first saw this gorgeous top!!! It makes me think of that song, and also the entire album aesthetic of Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

Which is why I paired the outfit with this ring I made in 2018, when I went to go see them for their reunion tour in the Bay Area! (One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to!) The Smashing Pumpkins instantly take me back to my childhood and all the nostalgia that comes with it.

Funny enough, this second outfit ALSO reminds me of Cherub Rock in an unexpected way. The mesh top makes me think of the psychedelic, liquid-like colors of the Cherub Rock music video! How about that!!

As the opening lyrics of the song go:

Freak out
And give in
Doesn’t matter what you believe in
Stay cool
And be somebody’s fool this year
‘Cause they know
Who is righteous, what is bold
So I’m told

So go ahead and party like a rockstar, even if your version of partying is upsizing your Starbucks drink for the afternoon, rocking out solo in your automobile, and making new bows to wear in your hair. Which are all my definitions of partying!!!! Also, getting my second dose of the COVID vaccine on Monday made me feel like a rockstar because I felt relieved to have finally gotten it completed. As I exited out the automatic sliding glass doors of the Walgreens, with the evening sun in my eyes, I felt pretty darn good knowing I was done with it. Then I got in my car, put on Cherub Rock like a champ, as the Walgreens grew smaller in my rear view mirror.

See ya next time!!! 💝

Dino’s Day Out: A Photo Diary of Concrete Evidence That Dinosaurs Like High Heels, CD’s and Lattes

Published on August 3, 2021August 3, 2021 by hellosamanthadear7 Comments

The moment my eyes settled on these pink platform Mary Jane’s from Dolls Kill, I knew it was love at first sight. It’s my favorite shade of pink, and the flower cut-outs just scream 70’s. So it was a big yes for me!!!

Then I took a good, long look at my beloved Gene Simmons purse. It’s my favorite purse I’ve ever owned, and I had it custom made to boot. It just needed a little extra something. I realized that something was 70’s-style flower patches. The results were way better than I expected; it added so much more 70’s-teen-girl-obsessed-with-KISS vibes that I can’t get enough of!

Another thing I can’t get enough of is my new dinosaur mesh top from SHEIN! Typically, dinosaurs seem to be geared towards boys anytime I see them on clothing, so that’s why this caught my eye immediately, in all of its pink glory. 💖 The corduroy suspender shorts are from Amazon!

Before leaving for the afternoon to embark on a trip for coffee, I thought, something’s missing. And that’s a little blue dinosaur figurine I own, who’s the perfect companion to my outfit of the day. But I made sure she went out in style, in her own new set of heels and even giving her her own latte while I enjoyed my iced mocha. So this is concrete proof that dinosaurs enjoy nice shoes, café culture, and CD’s. It was a girls day out, and I’ll leave you with a couple of photos from our day!!! 💖

See ya next time!!! 💕