birthday post: 33 things you didn’t know about me

Hey friends!

In honor of turning 33, I thought I would share a little bit about myself.  Even though it feels weird to do a non-fashion post, just talking about myself.  I’ll try and include FAQs I get, and please know that I love and appreciate every single one of you for following my blog.  I had no idea what I was in for when I casually started it 2.5 years ago, and I’ve loved (almost) every second of it!

Here’s to getting older (and hopefully wiser)!

1. I went vegan 2.5 years ago after watching a documentary called COWSPIRACY.  At the time I was vegetarian but not really what I would consider to be an animal activist.  Even though the movie doesn’t have very much to do with animal rights or suffering– it really focuses more on the impact of the agribusiness on the environment– it changed my life.
2. In the first couple months of being vegan, I “cheated” twice.  One time it was a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie from Subway, and the other time it was cheesy bread already on the table at a nice dinner when on a date with my now-fiancé.
3. My parents got divorced when I was 11.  It didn’t make me mad– I was happy for them to move on and be happy!
4. I will always have a black pitbull mix in the family because they don’t often get adopted at shelters.  This is because sometimes they appear intimidating (even though mine is literally the sweetest dog I’ve ever had in my entire life), and also they are hard to photograph, therefore harder to market on social media, etc.
5. I used to be terrified of pitbulls and would remove my dogs from a dog park if one came in!
6. I feel like two of the worst times in my life, relationship-wise, have made me appreciate where I am now with Matt.  1) An ex boyfriend who had basically a secret double life (cheated on me with sooooo many women, it was CRAZY) and brought me to a pretty dark place… And I’m not easily brought to a dark place!  It made me so appreciate a man who is trustworthy.  And 2) when Matt left me for a couple of months last year.  It made both of us evaluate what we really wanted, work hard in therapy on our relationship’s deficits, and CHOOSE each other.
7. I have 10 bridesmaids, most of whom don’t even really know each other very well!  I am so excited for all of my favorite people to meet each other.
8. My fiancé and I have a secret language that we use at home, and sometimes accidentally use in public.
9. In high school I was a bit of a mean girl.  I was picked on mercilessly by the older girls when I was a freshman, and afterwards I decided that the only way to survive was to be “tough.” I regret it ALL the time!
10. I appreciate it when people say that I look younger than my age.  I think it’s because 1) my face is heart-shaped/round, so that helps. 2) a vegan diet with lots of water!  I swear it works! and 3) I spend a lot of time pampering my skin in dermatology offices. Plastic surgery is not for me, but I’ll try most anything non-invasive!  I have gotten a SkinPen and Hydrafacials from McGuiness Dermatology, Skin tightening under my jaw from my friend Dr. Jordan Rihani, and even microblading for my eyebrows at Enlighten MD… And I am now addicted to all of them.  Beauty is pain!  Just kidding, beauty is whatever you want it to be.  But in my case, beauty is slight discomfort at times and mildly expensive 🙂
11. A pet peeve of mine is when someone gives a vegan activist a hard time for caring about animals.  “Well, what about people? You don’t care about actual people??”  Errr, no… Empathy is not a limited stock, and you can in fact care about more than one thing at a time!  Personally, old people and animals tug at my heart the most, but I also care immensely about refugees and the homeless and– well, everyone!
12. I want to move to Canada, but I’m settling for a bachelorette party there.  Montreal!
13. My favorite nights are “game nights.”
14. I am a youth counselor at a really amazing summer camp called Yea Camp!  They have some sessions that focus on human social justice issues, and others that focus more on animal rights.  It basically is a camp that connects eco-conscious,  animal-loving, humanitarian, socially aware teenagers with each other, and teaches them how to make a difference in the world.  I’m obsessed with the camp and want everyone to know about it!
15. Wedding planning is ok, but honestly, it is very stressful.  I’m just ready for the day to come so I can marry the love of my life and party with friends! I’m glad that one of my best friends (and bridesmaids), Jessica from The Tree Kisser, is planning her wedding at the same time so we can help each other plan vegan, eco-friendly weddings!
16. My favorite thing about myself is my big ol’ heart.  My least favorite thing about myself is my impatience.
17. I’m Lebanese American!  Which I didn’t know until I was in my mid twenties… Thats a weird story.
18. My mom lives here in Dallas.  She pretty much raised me to be a vegetarian, because she always felt that meat is “gross.” My dad is in North Carolina.
19. I love changing my hair color!  I’ve been platinum, silver, purple, red, black, brown, and blonde. I go to David at Muse Salon for color and sometimes extensions!
20. Favorite American city: New Orleans. Least favorite: Las Vegas.
21. I love to paint and draw, and I’ve actually sold a few paintings.  I wish I could devote more time to it!
22. I used to live in Los Angeles, CA for over 10 years.  I miss it all the time, but the traffic and cost of living was horrible!  I’ve also lived in London, which was incredible, but I ran out of money in about 5 seconds.
23. I went to Pepperdine University and double majored in Psychology and English.  I was also social chair of my sorority (but barely ever made it to meetings).
24. My good friend and extremely talented photographer Mary Summers Hafner is responsible for all photos on my instagram and blog.  She makes me laugh so hard its ridiculous, and I love that she tells me when my posture isn’t flattering or if I’m making a weird face.  She has a heart of gold and I recommend her to ANYONE who needs a photographer in Dallas!
25. My first word was “duck” and I’ve been obsessed with all animals since I was a little girl. I think they have the most pure hearts and I feel most spiritual when I am around them.
26. I am AWFUL at math.  When I took the SATs, my verbal score was super high and my math score was DEPLORABLY low.  So basically, I won’t shut up but I can’t add.  Ah, well.
27. I swear by the book The People Code.  I have given it as gifts to half of my friends and I have everyone close to me take the personality test so I can understand them better.  Buy it, buy it now!!!!!! It will help your relationships!
28. I used to be a behavioral therapist for autistic and developmentally delayed children, and I also used to be a wardrobe stylist.
29. I donate 15% of my blog’s proceeds to various animal rescue organizations.
30. I am scared of ants and rodents and reptiles. I still care about them, but man, they freak me out.
31. If Matt would let me, I would probably have 10 dogs. So instead, we compromise and foster.
32. I love watching scary movies, but I have to pause them several times throughout to take big, deep breaths.
33. We won PETA’s “Cruelty-Free Home Of The Year” award!!! Was definitely a 2016 highlight.