NEW FASHION BLOG

Kirsten Nicole Huxtable

Hello You!

So I have been struggling a lot with keeping this blog up-to-date and current. I often find that I left the genre for this blog too wide and therefore have so many options for topics that it ends up being too much. In an effort to focus on one topic and see where that takes me, I have created a new blog:

                                                               KirstenNicoleHuxtable

This blog is all about fashion. I will still be taking in a film aspect (to be added at a later date), but the new blog will not contain the random mumble and jumble from this blog.

K.N.H. is a blog that covers my fashion needs. I will be posting things about clothes, makeup, hair, style, and more. It's a girly dream over there. Check it out!

I hope you all will check it out and comment what you think. The only way I can learn and grow is to hear what you all think. So follow me over to my new home.

IMPORTANT

This blog will remain going, however the posts will be very scattered and few. I hope to voice my opinions on random life topics on this blog, but if it's related to fashion or beauty then the post will be added to the new blog.

Always,

Kirsten Nicole Huxtable

2014 - Golden Globe Winners (My Predictions)

So what can we expect from this year’s Golden Globe Awards? Only time will tell. However I have my guesses. After review of the films and the nominees I have made my best predictions as to whom will be taking home the statue tonight.

Under each category I have listed the nominees, however I placed an asterisk (*) before the name of the film or Actor that I believe will win the Golden Globe tonight.

UPDATE: Actors, Directors and Films with a bracket [ ] around their name are the actual 2014 Golden Globe WINNERs.

Let’s get started!

Best Drama

[“12 Years a Slave”] - WINNER

“Captain Phillips”

* “Gravity” - Groundbreaking in it’s cinematic techniques, Gravity is a milestone for filmmaking, especially for science-fiction movies. And we can’t forget about Sandra Bullock’s unbelievable moving performance tied in with the film’s emotional storyline.

“Philomena”

“Rush”

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama

* [Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”)] - WINNER Full of grace, elegance, self-delusion, and a mental breakdown all at one time, Cate Blanchett’s performance was awe-inspiring. There is really not much else I can say, other then the fact that I believe the Hollywood Foreign Press will likely agree.

Sandra Bullock (“Gravity”)

Judi Dench (“Philomena”)

Emma Thompson (“Saving Mr. Banks”)

Kate Winslet (“Labor Day”)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama

* Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years a Slave") - Even though Robert Redford is the critics sure bet for the Golden Globe, I believe Ejiofor’s performance in 12 Years a Slave can pull a win. If you aren’t for Redford or Ejiofor then you are most likely stunned by Matthew McConaughey’s transformation and performance in Dallas Buyers Club.

Idris Elba ("Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom")

Tom Hanks ("Captain Phillips")

[Matthew McConaughey ("Dallas Buyers Club")] - WINNER

Robert Redford ("All is Lost") 

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

* ["American Hustle"] - WINNER David O. Russell is on a roll, with his last film, Silver Linings Playbook, winning this category last year and its predecessor, The Fighter, cleaning up on the awards circuit as well. His star-packed American Hustle, which scored the most nominations this year, looks like it will edge out "The Wolf of Wall Street" – a film beloved by the cult of Martin Scorsese, and a fan favorite.

"Her"

"Inside Llewyn Davis"

"Nebraska"

"The Wolf of Wall Street”

Best Actress In A Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

* [Amy Adams ("American Hustle")] - WINNER Amy Adams pulled off some daring necklines and a whole lot more in "American Hustle." Even critics lukewarm on the film have raved about her performance, and she has the fan support and industry momentum to carry her right to the podium. 

Julie Delpy ("Before Midnight")

Greta Gerwig ("Frances Ha")

Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("Enough Said")

Meryl Streep ("August: Osage County")

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Christian Bale ("American Hustle")

Bruce Dern ("Nebraska")

[Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Wolf of Wall Street")] - WINNER

* Oscar Isaac ("Inside Llewyn Davis") - Isaac’s performance as the talented but listless folk artist was magical. This actor sure has been working his behind off to get the film the award-season attention that it surely deserves. Even with DiCaprio and Dern’s amazing fan backed performances, I believe  Oscar Isaac will walk away with the trophy today. 

Joaquin Phoenix ("Her")

Best Director - Motion Picture

* [Alfonso Cuarón ("Gravity")] - WINNER Alfonso Cuaron, Alfonso Cuaron, Alfonso Cuaron. I can’t say his name enough. While the industry crowd is split on Gravity as a best picture nominee, almost everyone can agree that best director has Alfonso Cuaron’s name all over it. This film took nearly five years, with many of those years just waiting for technology to catch up to his vision. The film’s stunning execution took audiences and critics on a thrill ride. 

Paul Greengrass ("Captain Phillips")

Steve McQueen ("12 Years a Slave")

Alexander Payne ("Nebraska")

David O. Russell ("American Hustle")

Let me know who you think will take home the Globes tonight.

Always,

Kirsten Nicole

My Favorite YouTube Channels

If you ever need a moment to just let go of the pressures and responsibility of life I suggest you take a few minutes (or thirty) and watch a few YouTube videos. Believe it or not, YouTube is not just full of cats playing piano and peek-a-boo.

YouTube has one of the largest online communities with thousands of people making enough to sustain themselves and their families. It’s true. If you enjoy laughing and watching the occasional video, then you might want to check out the YouTube videos below. 

Below are some of my favorite YouTube Channels. (In no order)

Keep in mind that I follow hundreds of YouTube Channels and my favorites are in constant fluctuation, but as of right now, these people have my undivided attention. So I guess this is the part where I tell you what channels I’m loving right now.

CTFxC - Charles & Alli Trippy (Marriage, Music, and Medical Bills)

Charles Trippy and Alli Speed-Trippy are a young married couple who hold the world record for most consecutive days of daily vlogging. Over 1716 days to be exact. Ever since CTFxC (Charles Trippy Family(Friends) & Co) was created, so much wonder and heartbreak has happened. This channel is exactly like a mini 10 minute reality television show 7 days a week. Their channel covers all of life’s events. From the day Charles joined the popular band We The Kings, to their wedding day, to the day the test results came back positive for a malignant brain tumor. These two love birds have what it takes to make you laugh, cry and everything in between.

Charles & Alli's Channel

Grace Helbig - Raunchy Comedy (Raunchedy)

Do you ever get tired of hearing good things about yourself? Well no fear of that here. Grace Helbig is a actress, comedian, and one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2014 who is dedicated to hazing you. Yes you! Grace gives you advice, tutorials, sketches, and so much more. Sit back and basque in the glory that is Grace. ;)

Grace's Current Channel

Grace's Old Channel

VlogBrothers - Hank & John Green (Intellectual Brotherhood)

Simply put, there is nobody on YouTube like the Vlog Brothers (aka: Hank and John Green). Both Hank and John are very intelligent witty and dedicated YouTubers. This dream brother duo created the annual YouTube convention VidCon which takes place in Anaheim California each summer that brings in such names as Jenna Marbles, Charlie McDonald, JacksGap, Tyler Oakley, Fluer DeForce and many more. 

Now forget about YouTube for a second, John Green is a New York Times bestselling author for his novel The Fault In Our Stars (now being adapted into a major motion picture). John has four solo novels and many co-written books. I suggest you read a few of them, they are beyond captivating. 

Anyways, I feel like I’ve gotten a bit off track. So here is the link and video. Enjoy!

VlogBrother's Channel

WhatsUpELLE/ WhatsUpMoms - Mommy Vlogs (Parenting)

Even if you don’t have kids (like me) you can appreciate a dedicated and humorous parent when you see one. Elle is a very dedicated mom who loves filmmaking and especially when it deals with making viral video spoofs geared around toddlers. Elle, along with the entire Whats Up Moms team are beautiful mothers who know how to have a good time. 

Recently Connie, one of the contributors and mothers on the Whats Up Moms channel, past away due to complications during child birth. Please go give her family some love and support in their time of healing. She leaves behind a beautiful boy Nathan, husband Andrew and newborn baby girl Ella.

Elle's Channel

Whats Up Moms Channel

Mamrie Hart - Raunchy Drunk Comedy (Raunchunkedy)

Would you like a good drink with a side of comedy? Then Mamrie Hart’s “You(Tube) Deserve A Drink” may be your cup of Vodka. Mamrie Hart is a comedian and actress who puts out weekly videos that focus around her past job (bar-tending) mixed with a bit of raunchy comedy (hence the Raunchunkedy (raunchy/drunk/comedy). Just give her a shot...get it?

Mamrie's Channel

FunForLouis - Daily Vlogs (Travel & Life)

Do you live on the internet too much? Want to know what life is like? Watch a few of Louis Cole’s amazing vlogs and you will be hooked. Louis is a vlogger from the UK that travels the world in search of new adventures and people to meet. Join him on his journey! “Peace out, enjoy life, live the adventure!” - Louis Cole

Louis' YouTube Channel

Eldad Hagar - Dog Rescue (Hope For Paws)

Eldad is an all around hero in my eyes. With his lucky leash and a bit of hamburger help (not to be mistaken with hamburger helper) Eldad and a few of the Hope For Paws team rescue abandoned, injured, and helpless animals from the street life. I am a HUGE animal lover and want to some day be able to do great things in the lives of animals just like Eldad and his helpers. Thank you Eldad for standing up and helping those who can not speak for themselves. 

Eldad's YouTube Channel

KirstenNicoleTV - My Eclectic Life (Randomness)

And now it's time for some shameless plugging. I also have a YouTube Channel. You can find the channel by clicking the link below or by typing in Kirsten Nicole Tv into the YouTube search bar. I am working on some DIY, comedy, makeup, and life vlogs to be posted soon. I post weekly-ish. (Check often for more videos)

My Channel (KirstenNicoleTV)

I hope you enjoy the channels I am. I suggest you get involved in the YouTube community, if you aren't already, because it really is an entire world of it's own.

If you know of a YouTube Channel or particular video you think I should watch, let me know in the comment section below! I'm constantly looking for new material to watch and always love to explore the many facets of the internet community.

Always,

Kirsten Nicole

My Interior Design Obsession

I am by no means an Interior Designer, however recently, that title has been sounding more and more appealing. It all started when I was shopping for homes in LA (still in progress) and I started imagining what I could do within the spaces. I was completely imagining a house full of furniture and art, it was so amazingly wonderful. Sometimes I would leave my house hunt and go online to look at furniture (a bit premature, but thats okay).

Bedroom (A Sweet Escape) (Indigo/Gold/White)

Growing up I was always into decorations and artsy things so I guess it would make sense that I had some interesting in the way things should look in my home. Some people would call me a perfectionist and I would have to agree. Sometimes being a perfectionist is a blessing and sometimes it is anything but. 

As a student my backpack, binders, and projects were nothing but neat and organized. I always went way above on projects, which I look back now and feel embarrassed for myself, but it wasn’t a bad thing. I always worked hard and was most excited when I got a project to make something like a kimono, a tri-fold board, children’s book, or even a power point presentation on how Disney’s Snow White is filled with freudian imagery. No matter the project I always loved doing them. (One year at High School I wrote a poem about making s’mores and the class had to follow along and make s’mores... it sounds ridiculous now that I say it, but we had to act out a poem so I did S’mores making)

Anyways, I have seem to walk of my train of thought (per usual) and totally gone away from Interior Design. See, I know I want to work in the entertainment business, but I have not a clue as to doing what. I enjoy a lot of things like sound editing, cinematography, wardrobe, and even set design. So in an effort to help myself figure out my true passion, I decided to buy a few Interior Design magazines. I read through all three of them in a day. I was obsessed.

Living Room (A Splash of Color) (Aquamarine/Aubergine/Canary)

I started to go online and look at color schemes and furniture. I fell in love with tufted furniture, especially beds and couches. I started drawing up diagrams of rooms and placing blueprints of the rooms layout. Slowly but surly I was going crazy. 

Along the way I went to one of my FAVORITE furniture sites, ZGallerie, and decided to make a pages document of what my bedroom, living room, and dinning room would look like if I had an unlimited budget (which I sadly do not, but that’s okay). Throughout this post there are some of the snapshots of what I came up with for the rooms. Everything in the photos are on ZGallerie's site except for the chandelier and the bed frame in the Bedroom Photo.

After I finished my hour long home building on ZGallerie I decided that I really loved Interior Design, even if I am no good at it yet. I re-read the interior design magazines and even bought a huge book from Barnes & Noble all about becoming an interior designer. It impressed me and made me feel really excited. 

I want to try interior design by starting with my room at home. On my budget of zero dollars and zero zero cents, this should be fun. I'm actually very excited to completely clean out my room and update it with the sophistication and look that I'm searching for at this time in my life. I believe the room should be an expression of myself and when people walk in they go, 'Yup, that's Kirsten" (unlike my room now, haha). 

Dinning Room (All That Glitters) (Gold/Silver)

As of right now I have no plans to start a career in interior design, however I do love the art. I'm interested in studying and taking some classes in interior design because I am sure that it's a lot harder then it looks. 

If you have any suggestions for good Interior Design reads, or designers, then please let me know in the comment section below. I am always looking for a good read and especially about design. 

Also, if you would like to follow my obsession you can follow me on Pinterest and take a look at my Interior Design, Apartment Ideas, and Dream Home board, along with my DIY, Organization, and all my other boards. I am a frequent and quite binge pinner. haha. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have any questions comments or concerns go ahead and place them in the comment section below. I will talk to you soon.

Always, 

Kirsten Nicole

DIY : Recycling Candles

Hello you beautiful you!

Today I decided to do my very first DIY (Do It Yourself) blog post and I'm super excited about it. If you are like me and are obsessed with candles (especially during fall and winter) then you will love this DIY tutorial. I decided to take my old Bath & Body Works 3-wick candles and make new candles out of them. 

I hate when you spend $10-$20 on a large candle and only get to burn half. These candles are my absolute favorites, but they often don't burn down to the very bottom. The White Barn candles leave around a good 5 oz un-burned. Therefore I decided to take action and use up that 5 oz to make new candles. 

Follow the steps in the photos below to create all new amazing candles for winter.

* I decided to use two of my Marshmallow Fireside 3-wick candles and two of the Cranberry Woods 3-wick candles for myself. Feel free to mix the scents or stick to only doing one scent at a time. *

I hope you enjoyed this candle recycling DIY. I really loved the fact that I could still burn and use up the remaining wax that I originally could not. 

*ALSO... you can clean out your old candle jars (meaning the Bath & Body Works candle container in my circumstance) and use it as a makeup brush holder, glass (if you rinse it well and its the right shape), flower pot, etc... Get creative and you can recycle that part too. 

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns go ahead and place it in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you.

I'll talk to you soon!

Always,

Kirsten Nicole

21 Ideas for Your 21st Birthday

I’M LEGAL . . . well . . . almost.

My 21st birthday is fast approaching, November 24th to be exact. Less than 2 weeks away.

I’ve been racking my brain for the past month (with no prevail) trying to figure out the perfect birthday plans to celebrate my 21st birthday. So today I sat down and tried to figure out what I wanted to do for this pinnacle in life. 

Now before you all say the same word; “VEGAS” let me tell you a bit about myself.

I decided from a young age that a successful social game/ life was not very important to me. I would much rather focus on my school work then hang out with the cool kids at the biggest party of the year. (Now don’t go thinking I had no friends, my invisible friend Beth and I had plenty of fun together) On a serious note, I was not a hermit, but I never really found myself feeling at home within large crowds or huge parties. 

When I entered college there were parties abound. Every night, even on school nights, there were parties. There were Jersey Shore ragers and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show kickbacks. No matter your hobby, there was a party catered to you. Even with so many outlets for drinking, I never got into the whole party scene. I much more preferred my movies, books and art. 

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am not a drinker, and nor do I really want my 21st birthday party catered around drinking, especially since when I turn 21, most of my friends will still be underage.

After hours upon hours of searching for ideas, I have compiled a list of 21 things to do for your 21st birthday that DON’T involve alcohol. 

• For those of you who do drink, that’s fine! I don’t condone underage drinking, but I can’t deny that some of my favorite people in the world do it. I don’t judge or think I am any better for not drinking, it’s just a choice I made. This list is complied to help others who don’t drink or don’t want to drink on their 21st birthday find something fun to do.

21 Ideas For Your 21st Birthday:

1. Bowling

I know I know. This sounds super lame and lets face it, we have all done this for a birthday party. Even if it was just a friends party when you were 7, the bowling idea is getting worn out. However, sometimes things that we let go of as a young kid we underestimate as adults. So bowling may seem lame or too slow paced for you, well have you checked if your bowling alley has night bowling? The bowling alley near my house offers $15 night time bowling where there is upbeat club-esque music, huge music video screens and neon lights.

And can we also admit that anything when done with the right group of people can be a fun time. So don’t rule out the bowling lanes until you have taken a good look into your options for events and guest list.

2. Go to the Cinema

Take a look at your nearest movie theater and figure out if there are any films that catch your eye. This may seem like a very traditional move for a birthday party, but don’t underestimate the power of a good film. 

For my 18th birthday party I wanted to take a group of my friends to see the film Love, & Other Drugs with Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal (because of Hathaway, of course). Anyways, one of my friends was not allowed to see the film because she was 16 and her parents vetoed the movie. At first I was really upset because I had my sights set on that film, but then I was eased into the idea of going to see Disney’s Tangled. 

Yes that is a “little kid film” and yes I did LOVE IT. I decided to go all out and just be a goofy kid again. So we bought the plastic table cloth and cups and had a blast. We may or may not have also decided to purchase some Tangled temporary tattoos and cover our faces with them before the movie.

Again like so many other party ideas it really just depends on the people you invite. Due to my amazing friends this night was a blast and we even stopped to take a few photos with Justin Bieber, who we came across in the Cinema.

3. Travel to the City (the nearest big city to you)

For me this means San Francisco, but Los Angeles is only a 6 hour drive away, so that’s not out of the picture quite yet. I may actually take this advice and drive to a large city near me. If you live in an area like I do then you don’t have much around you but farm fields and grocery stores. 

Taking a drive to the city can bring so much joy. In large cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles you will find, great food, shopping, theaters, activities, art, culture, dinning, nightlife, and so much more. Even if you don’t know what to do in the big city, get together with 3-4 of your best friends, take the trip and see what happens.

4. Poker or Game Night

Game nights or Poker nights can be a whole lot of fun. Money doesn’t always need to be involved either. If you and your friends aren’t into betting with money then use candy or a point system. If you use a point system, then you can decide what the values are for each point.

For example, you could say that for every 5 points a person earns they get to do something to the other players(ie; face paint, put makeup on, do their nails, eat odd food, etc.) So if there are 3 people playing and “Person A” has won 15 points, “Person B” won 9 points, and “Person C” won 7 points then you can say that Person A gets to do 3 things to the player of their choosing, while both “Person B” and “C” can only do one thing to the player of their choice.

I know that sounded really confusing, it does to me too, but I think you get the idea. Sometimes it’s just fun to be competitive during a friendly game of poker.

5. Go Clubbing

"But Kirsten this is a list of non-alcoholic activities!” Yes I know! Now while a majority of people that go to clubs also enjoy the alcoholic beverages, that doesn’t mean you have to.

Sometimes it’s just nice to get all dolled up, go out with your friends, and dance to some beat dropping music. Some clubs have a drink limit or an age limit, so be mindful, if some of your friends are not of age yet, then you will want to stay with the 18 and up clubs. If you are not a club goer (like myself) then there are still 16 more things that you may like on this list.

6. Attend a Show (Theater, Comedian, etc.)

This may seem odd or expensive, but if you enjoy the occasional musical or comedy show then this can be a really fun thing to do for your 21st Birthday. While a lot of shows are rather expensive, there are certain shows that you can see that are within the $25-$50 range that are just as good. Also most comedy clubs are not that expensive and are so much fun to be a part of. Just check the areas near you for the upcoming shows.

However, just like the clubs, be mindful, some comedy shows do have a minimum drink limit and if you are trying to have a sober 21st then you need to watch for that. Just call the venue or research online to see if that pertains to their show.

7. Go Ice Skating

This activity is highly underrated. Nobody really takes all of their friends to an ice skating rink for their birthdays. “Ew Exercise?” Even though this may seem like an ankle hurting, but numbingly painful way to spend a birthday it is a whole lot of fun. 

I have probably had about 4 birthdays at the local ice skating rink. Now I am by no means a great ice skater. I can go forewords and turn with some speed but thats about it. Some people are born to be on the ice and can twirl and skate backwards, but if you are not one of those people, then sometimes it’s just fun to make a fool of yourself. 

Plus a lot of times there are handsome strong men that work the ice skating rink and they get paid to help you up if you fall. I may have even payed a friend $5 to do a hard core fall right in front of the cute worker that she could not stop talking about, just so he would help her up. What a waste of $5. I got nothing but an empty pocket, she got the money and the cute guy... fail on my part.

8. Go to the Beach

I myself am not a huge beach person, however I do appreciate good times in the sand with friends. If you are like me and don’t normally go in the water at the beach then think of it this way; you can bring a beach towel or blanket, have a nice picnic lunch, bring some sports equipment and have fun.

Beaches are so beautiful and full of activities. You can bring a football, soccer ball, volleyball, frisbee, dog (with tennis ball), etc. A lot of times we are forced to create the fun ourselves, so even if you aren’t totally keen on the beach birthday idea, let it marinade in your mind for a few days and then decide.

9. Attend a Sporting Event

Do I really need to explain this?

A lot of sporting events such as football can be rather money consuming, but that doesn’t mean all are. Baseball is one sport, while not in season currently, that is very fun and often pretty cheep, depending on the seats. Plus can we all just admit that ballpark food is half the reason we attend sporting events? Even if the food is rather pricey. Oh garlic fries...

10. Finally See that Concert You’ve Been Waiting for

This is your chance. If your friends have been refusing to go to the concert of the year with you then you now have the excuse that it’s your 21st birthday! Go out with your girls (or guys) and celebrate the night with some music, dancing, and fun. You could even go out to dinner before and then drive to the concert while blasting your favorite tunes. Get ready to sing at the top of your lungs because this night is about to a blast!

11. Have a BBQ and Pool Party

Do you have a pool? A friend with a pool? Either way most of us can find someplace to have a backyard pool party with a BBQ lunch. One of my favorite days of my college career was when my best friend and I went to play tennis, then decided to go get burgers, chips, watermelon, and soda and make a BBQ dinner. It was amazing to say the least. We topped off the night with ice cream from the local creamery and some movies (Cloverfield and Fame) at night.

It was so nice to have a full BBQ night. And food always tastes better when you work really hard to make it. So find the person with the most skills on the grill and start your BBQ pool party. It will be a splash!!!! (Too cheesy?)

12. Get all Fancy and Go to a Formal Dinner

I don’t know about you, but me and my friends love to get all dolled up and go somewhere fancy. We even break out our handbags which we have named “Michael”(Michael Kors) and “Bourke” (Dooney & Bourke). Okay too much info. haha. 

Anyways... It’s a blast to take out that little black dress you swore you would wear, those nude heels and a statement necklace. Top that all off with a little hair doing and makeup if you want and you are good to go. If you do decided to do this idea make sure you plan out where you want to go to dinner at least 3 days in advanced and call the restaurant to make reservations. That way you have less waiting to do on the day and you will have more time to eat and socialize with all of your friends.

13. Donate to Charity

This one may seem out of the norm, but don’t get me wrong, I LOVE this idea!!! If you are anything like myself you have always wanted to be able to donate to charity but you haven’t had an outlet or funds to do so. This is the perfect time to do just that. For a birthday gift you can ask all of your friends and family to donate $10 (or an allotted amount) to a charity of your choice.

Even thought you wont get anything material for your birthday you can know that you made a difference in someone’s life. Don’t feel bad if this isn’t your pace of things. It’s just an idea that I have been pondering with for the past few months. It’s an easy way to make a difference for those who may not have the opportunity to celebrate a birthday.

14. Have a Pamper Day

Now this is a total 180 from the last idea, but there is nothing wrong with pampering yourself every now-and-then. A pamper day may be exactly what you need. Ask a few friends to join you in a day of rest, relaxation, and good times. 

This can be the time to try out that new nail salon down the street or the spa around the corner. Wether its massages or mani pedis, your body will thank you after a day of pampering. If you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money you can opt for the at home spa day. Pick up some face masks and nail polishes at your local Ulta or beauty supply shop and work away. Play some relaxing music and focus on being in the moment.

15. Sing Karaoke (it's a lot more fun then you might think)

This may seem a little odd but trust me, it’s anything but. Karaoke may seem intimidating if you have never done it before. If you are a shy person and don’t like to sing anywhere but your own shower, don’t worry, this is perfect for you as well.

Karaoke places can be really sketchy looking but they are a complete blast. Even if the screen is playing Japanese soap operas while your best guy friend is singing the part of barbie in Barbie Girl, Karaoke will bring laughter and tears (the good type). It is a whole lot of fun to be outrageous and sing at the top of your lungs with your group. You can hyper yourself up by first going out to dinner or somewhere fun before hand.

16. Make a Short Film

This can be a music video, comedy sketch, drama, or whatever your heart desires. The idea is to create something great to remember that day by. 

From experience, a few of my best friends and I decided one night that we were going to be crazy and make some music videos. Now we rarely show people due to the absurdity of the outfits and dancing, but it was probably the most fun I have ever had with those girls. We didn’t care about what people thought of us and we just went for it. So we put popcorn buckets on our heads and mustaches on our faces and went 200%. 

The final result? Well just watch for yourself. (P.S. even if film isn’t your forte or much to your liking, I guarantee that the video you make will bring back so many memories of good times.) I absolutely adore looking back on these times.

17. Work with Animals

This may not be your cup of tea if you don’t like animals. However for me this was a great idea. A lot of places that do doggy day car or shelter and relief are often looking for volunteers to help out in their facilities.

My friend and I decided to go work at a dog sanctuary every weekend for a school project and ended up loving it so much that we went back even once the report was over. We could bond with the dogs and take them on walks or play in this area with them for hours on end. It may sound like a chore to some of you, and if that’s the case then just go ahead and skip past this idea. However if you are an animal lover a day with the dogs or any animal may be just what you need for your birthday. Gather a bunch of your friends and spend the day volunteering. Make sure that you check into the place before hand so that way if you need to fill out a waver or sign up you can do so weeks before.

18. Go Racing

This may seem a little out of reach, but don’t worry, I’m not talking about the big Daytona 500 tracks. Find a race track near you. A lot of places will have indoor racing where you get all suited up in a sexy padded onsie and zoom around the track.

Now if you live by a real race track, it’s in your budget, and they offer deals to drive around then by all means go for it. For me this is a little out of reach besides, I’m pretty sure I would only go about 100mph then be scared and crash or vomit. haha. A day on the track can be a lot of fun and will bring out your competitive side. 

19. Be a Kid Again

For my 18th birthday party, as stated above, I decided to make it a Disney’s Tangled themed party. I bought the matching table cloth, cups, napkins, plates, stickers, temporary tattoos, and we even went to the movie midnight premiere. You can even do the whole goodie bag thing but place more adult items in the bag if you wish.

Another way to celebrate as a kid is to have a themed party based on when you were born(or your favorite years). For me I was born in 1992 so I would have a 90s themed birthday. Have your guests dress up in 90s outfits (ie; overalls, hair scrunchies, etc) and spend the night playing 90s themed games such as Pokemon, Dream Phone, Pretty Pretty Princess, and more. Dial in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and maybe even have some old shows playing in the background or watch them in the evening. Break out your old CD and Tape collection and Pump Up The Jam. Even make the menu themed with your favorite foods from the 90s. 

This may sound a bit crazy, but it can be a very nostalgic and fun night catered towards you. Just make sure everyone gets involved by getting dressed up and bringing a food or game, because it really gets exciting when everyone is in it 100%. 

(Side note: I may have been blasting some TECHNOTRONIC while writing that one)

20. Just Relax

This may not be the obvious answer to what to do for your birthday. A lot of times when we plan events and birthdays we forget that sometimes its fun to just step back, sit down, and do nothing. Now I'm not saying to stay in bed all day (unless that would really make you happy). I'm saying stay at home with family and friends or go out and do every day activities. Watch a movie at home. Make some food (maybe a cake or some brownies). Go for a walk and spend time with those around you.

You're 21 now, but that doesn't mean you forgot where you came from. Take the day to just be with those you love and love you. Be relaxed and be rested. This day is for you.

21. Go to Disneyland!!! (Most Likely what I will be doing)

This is by no means the cheapest option, but since I have an annual pass I figure I might as well take advantage of it. Plus Disneyland and Downtown Disney have entertainment, rides, food, drinks(alcoholic and non-alcoholic), hotels in abundance, music, people, souvenirs, etc. This is the best of all worlds to me. Disneyland is my second home. I can tell you where every restroom, food cart, ride, restaurant, shop, ect. is. 

If you don’t love Disneyland or long lines then I wouldn't suggest this to you. However, if you can plan your trip in a cold or rainy season then do that. A lot less people attend the parks on days when it’s cold and/or raining. Now Anaheim rarely gets super cold, but when it rains it’s truly magical. My mother and I once went and it started to rain around 10am, by noon all the lines were under 20 minutes and the park was empty. 

For a true Disney lover this option is the best option. haha.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this post and got some good ideas for your upcoming birthday. If you need me, I’ll be at DISNEYLAND!!!!

Always,

Kirsten Nicole