Feelin' Lucky

                                                               Something cool I saw there.
One of the perks about being 21 is finally being able to gamble! I've been talking about gambling for the past six months, and finally I was legally able to. So, the day after my birthday my mom and I headed to the casino. In our area, we have two casinos-Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. Since we really couldn't find anything to go to Foxwoods, we headed to Mohegan.
The trip took about an hour to get there, so I came armed with a book from my summer reading list. (review to be posted this week, I promise!) When we got there, I had to get a player card. Upon registering, I had received a bonus gift since it was my 21st birthday which was $15 worth of credit to redeem at the slots, and a free shot glass. (Which I still haven't used yet)
Then we decided to gamble a little bit, before heading to the Season's Buffet. The buffet in my opinion wasn't the greatest. Partially, because I couldn't find much food to eat that I could have without getting sick and because the food I did manage to eat wasn't very good. Needless to say, I was disappointed.
After the buffet, we decided to do some shopping. One of the stores we hit up was Tiffany and Co, where I planned to buy the double heart necklace in blue. The service was amazing. The lady there was extremely helpful, and very friendly. It made my first trip to Tiffany's amazing, and I was so happy. Once I picked the necklace out, my mom decided to buy it for me as a birthday present. Needless to say I was excited. While I was there I also saw the matching bracelet, but decided that it wouldn't be the best idea. We shopped a little bit more, where we picked up an elephant charm for my Pandora bracelet and two new CDs.

                                                     Tiffany's necklace.
After shopping, I still had some promo money left over on my card. My mom encouraged me to spend it, which I was a bit hesitant on doing. But, I decided to anyways.
And I'm glad I did, because I ended up winning a hundred dollars on a slot machine! I was so excited, so I kept on playing the last few dollars. I ended up not winning anymore, but hey a hundred dollars is a hundred dollars.
So then I decided to get the matching bracelet at Tiffany's. I figured it was a sign for me to get the matching bracelet. So, we decided to go back. I am so happy that I got the bracelet, because it's now one of my favorite places.
Overall, it was a great day full of Tiffany's and luck. If you plan to go to the casino, definately don't go to the buffet but go to Tiffany's. 

21 is the Loneliest Number

 
Birthday cake!
As of last Sunday, I am officially 21. Yup, that's right. I'm legal. I can now buy any kind of wine, wine cooler and drink I want. So far, I still haven't used the power other than to buy a Seagrams escape bottle the day of my 21st birthday. (No I didn't take a picture of it, sorry guys I'm lame.)
 
 Beachside selfies, cause it's my birthday!
This year, I went to the beach with Griffin and Gabriel at a state park. We went later in the day, since it was so hot out. After making many stops, we were finally there. The beach was amazing, even though it was a bit crowded since it was such a nice day.

Beach!
We even got bubbles, because awesome 21 year olds have bubbles.

Some bubble fun: Top: Griffin running through the bubbles. Middle: Me laughing while getting more soap. Bottom: Gabriel having some fun.
 After we got tired of the beach, we decided to get some Thai food. Thai food, is one of my favorite things to eat mainly since it's dairy free and I don't have to worry about it bothering my stomach. Being the foodie that I am, I naturally took a picture of it.

Thai food: Pad Thai!  
After the Thai food, we headed back to my house to get cake. (First picture) Overall, it was an amazing birthday, and I'm so glad I got to spend it with the people I'm closest to. 

21.

My 21st birthday is coming up on Sunday (finally), and it's time for me to do one of my favorite things on my blog to celebrate it. That is post 21 facts about myself, because it's a fun way for you all (whoever is reading this), to truly get to know me. I've done this for my 20th Birthday, as well as my 19th and 18th birthdays. So, without further a due, here's 21 facts about me.

1. I own every Madonna album from her early days, to her most recent release "Rebel Heart." Madonna is one of my favorite singers of all time, and she is extremely talented. The last CD I need to complete my collection is "Something to Remember," which has a few unreleased songs. My favorite albums are "Like a Virgin," "Madonna," "True Blue," "Rebel Heart" and "Confessions on a Dance Floor." To make me even more of a super fan, I also own the first four albums on cassette for my car.
2. I enjoy reading the physical books rather than the e-reader. I once had one, and used it quite consistently. However, it just felt weird so I just bought paperbacks. 
3. My favorite food is cookies. My favorite kind of cookies is chocolate chip. 
4. My favorite place in the world is the beach. 
5. My idols are Lauren Conrad, Audrey Hepburn and Zooey Deschanel. 
6. My goal is one day to own a Tiffany and Co. necklace. I'm not sure which one yet, I either want one with the blue in it or just a plain heart. I am obsessed with them, and I really want to get one. I'm honestly considering purchasing one as a present for my 21st birthday, but we'll see. 
7. My favorite television shows are "New Girl," "Sex and the City," "Gilmore Girls" and "Golden Girls." I've seen every episode of "New Girl," "Sex and the City," "Golden Girls" and "Gilmore Girls" and most of "New Girl."
8. I've kept a journal actively since I was a senior in high school. Some of my journal entries have turned into blog posts. I like to journal because it's a good way to get all of your raw feelings out there, and you can choose who you want to see it. Before turning to a journal, I've blogged abut all of my feelings, which can be good to some extend. However, I'm looking back on my old blog entries on my other blog and I'm cringing. Once on the Internet, it will never leave you. 
9. I got my license really late. Like I was twenty when I finally passed my test. I just started driving regularly, which is really weird, but pretty amazing at the same time. 
10. My favorite artists (other than Madonna) are Lana Del Rey, Ozzy Osbourne (and Black Sabbath), Aerosmith and The Pretty Reckless. I am also a fan of Bleachers, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift and Tegan and Sara.
11. When it comes to dating, I am absolutely petrified about making the first move. I'm afraid to take chances, and I'm afraid to tell someone how I feel about them. Why? Mostly because I'm afraid of getting rejected. I'll usually try to feel someone out when I like them, and go from there. Or sometimes, I can be extremely obvious about it. 
12. My favorite decade is the 80's when it comes to music, television shows and movies.
13. I am addicted to buying jewelry. One knows you don't need it, but I honestly can't help myself buying a new piece every so often. My favorites are rings and bracelets. 
14. My favorite animal is elephant. 
15. I have two favorite colors: purple and light (Tiffany) blue.
16. My favorite app is Instagram. 
17. I'm obsessed with Shirley Temples. 
18. I rather buy CDs than download music digitally. My CD collection spans over 200 plus titles and is growing constantly. 
19. I've been to 10 states other than Connecticut: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, California, New Jersey, Florida, Washington D.C., Virginia and Pennsylvania. My goal is to go to Vermont and maybe make that number go up. 
20. My dog is my best friend. I am constantly cuddling with her, and taking pictures of her. 
21. I still don't know what my first drink will be, however, stay tuned to find out more about the happenings of my 21st! 

Hey everyone! So, I'm going to be hella busy for the next few days, so there won't be posts Monday or Tuesday. The next entry will be either Wednesday or Thursday, where I'll begin to update you all on the events of my 21st! 

What Up, What's Happening.

For many, today begins a three day weekend. For me, well every week is a three day weekend. ( I don't work Fridays, yay!) As we ease into this fourth of July weekend, I'm going to update you all on the happenings on my life.
New Haircut:
Back in February, I debuted a new haircut as I got ready to go to California. However, by the time July rolled around, I noticed that my hair has slowly become really unhealthy and thin. I decided that it was the perfect time to go short. (Well, shorter.) I've been admiring the lob hairstyle for quite a while, so I got a longer version of that. I neglected to take a before shot (I always neglect to do that, so here's a picture of how short I cut it back then)
Before:

After:

In total, I probably cut off about three inches, and I'm so glad I did because my hair is so much healthier and less dry. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm really growing to like shorter hair on me! I'm even considering going shorter before school starts, because I like how healthy my hair is now. (If I do, I promise I'll take before shots) What do you all think?
Planning my 21st Birthday:
I turn 21 in nine days. Watch out world. On my actual birthday, I plan to hang out with none other than Griffin and Gabriel. I hopefully will go to the beach and then go to order my first legal drink with them! (I'm a little too excited about this) Then on Monday, I plan to go to the casino with my mom. The following Saturday I plan to hopefully go out to dinner with some of my friends from school and home. I'm looking foreward to having some time for fun, and of course I'll be having something interesting to post about other than what I've been reading!
Alessia's visit! 
 
The day after my birthday, I get one of the best presents in the entire world. And that is, seeing one of my closest friends after not seeing her for almost two years. I'm so glad that I had gotten the chance to get to know her though, because she's one of my best friends. I'm not sure what we're going to do yet, however, I did take some vacation time at work to do things. I know for sure we'll be hitting up Fro Yo, which was one of her favorite spots and maybe even give her a tour of New Haven. I'm so excited to finally see her!
What have you been up to lately? Let me know!

21 is the Loniliest Number

21 is the age to be. Once you're 21, its something that reminds us that we are basically adults. You can get liquor in the US, and basically do all of the other rights that are promised to us at age 18. So many of my peers are looking forward to this age. I am too, because hey why not be able to get booze? However, with this great freedom comes some sort of responsibility. Or at least, being careful and not doing anything completely and utterly stupid like drinking more than you can handle and all of that stuff.

In my opinion, I feel like this birthday is some sort of liberation of becoming an adult and being free. Becoming an adult with more freedoms, and therefore trusted with the ability to drink legally. Now that our bodies have matured enough, we are able to handle the great responsibilities of becoming an adult. However, with that being said I think that there's more to it than that. Is it the freedom to do whatever we want to be so appealing?
Some may say that turning 21 is part of the party culture. Only now, you can get as much beer, wine, and other drinks as you want. Being 21 is that right of passage. Some people think that becoming 21 is that excuse to party even harder. Some underage peeps even try to hit up those who are this golden age just to get their underage hands on some wine. It's a long 21 years til you reach the world of being legal.

I will be turning 21 next year. I have no plans of going out and getting drunk. However, I do plan to have my first alcoholic beverage, and some wine. I don't plan on getting wasted, but I do want to celebrate the fact that I am now able to drink these things, and purchase them legally. Yay to being of age. One thing that I don't like to see is people judging people who think that having wine, and having a lot of its a bad thing. If you want to go crazy on your 21st, that's your business. It's a big birthday, yes. Hence the wine, and champagne. However, I want to remember it, and not wake up and wonder what the hell happened the night before.  Therefore, it's a celebration. Not a chance to get passed out drunk.