Okay. I turned 23 this week. That’s really scary because all of the sudden I am not looking forward to birthdays. Like, 13 was a big deal, because you were finally a teenager. You get to brood in your room and go through your Hot Topic and My Chemical Romance phase. At 16, you’re a young adult, and get to have your “sweet 16”, and try to replicate those blow out-ridiculous parties you saw on “My Super Sweet 16”, but on a low budget. At 18, you were officially an adult. You’re going away to college or declaring some sort of independence. And 21, the last exciting birthday, you get to drink alcohol. (And 22 you get to sing that Taylor Swift song, but it’s not so significant). But 23 is truly lonely and means absolutely nothing. But this year, I had a pretty good birthday. So if you’re feeling low or down about getting a tad older and having non-exciting birthdays, do what I did…
Go Down Memory Lane
Yeah, I’m that kind of person. If you’re not, give it a go anyway. Invite some old friends over- the friends that knew you in kindergarten, and the ones you rocked out to Panic! At the Disco with. Go through all your old stuff and relive your childhood, even your early teen years. If this sounds too overwhelming, I’ll just go through it step-by-step.
1. Turn on an old movie.
It doesn’t need to be that old. In the background of our childish shenanigans, we listened to “What A Girl Wants” from 2003. You know, that movie with Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth where they eat Coco Puffs. This movie just happened to be on, but if nothing good is on cable I recommend perusing Netflix for that perfect film to set the tone.
2. Wear something ridiculous
I’m lucky enough to have kept everything from my childhood, including a bin full of old halloween costumes. Try on a pair of those “Jose and the Pussycats” leggings, that are so ridiculous with it’s electric blue color, leopard print, kitty tail, and feather boa trim on the hem. Put on that purple dress, six sizes too small, that was made in the 80’s- puff sleeve and pearl trim galore. Just play dress up. Have a fashion show- you don’t need to be comfortable you just need to look silly.
3. Get out the Barbies
This was actually our top priority. So I’ll lay this one out for you in a couple steps. Barbies, at least for me, were the most important thing in my life. They were pretty and fashionable, and they lived in sick, pink mansions and drove sick, pink convertibles. I collected them, and I was convinced as a kid I had 100. How many Barbies do I actually have? Keep reading to find out.
4. Give them makeovers
Those Barbies have been laying in that bin for so many years I’m too sad to say. They’ve been abandoned and ignored, and honey, their hair suffered for it. My friends and I realized there is nothing more therapeutic than getting out your combs and brushes, a spray bottle, and hair product (yes, real hair product), and brushing your worries away. Make them beautiful again. Or, as beautiful as you can get them. Some of them were kinda beyond saving.
(from left to right: Headless Harriet, Sporty Spice, Luscious Lori,Dentist Denise)
5. Photoshoot
Maybe it was just me, but as soon as I discovered the wonders of a disposable camera as a kid, I made my Barbies and stuffed animals participate in photoshoots, where my thumb in the corner was the star of the composite. But now we’re older and more sophisticated. We can surely create something beautiful and culturally significant, right?
(Britney and Christina in embrace, featuringBaby Spice)
(various cast and ensemble, featuring Leggy Lisa)
6. Cake
The last step is cake. Because what’s a birthday without cake? This is pretty self explanatory and I’ll say no more.
Honestly this was the best birthday I’ve had in a while, which sounds so sad considering I played with Barbies all day. But you really just need friends who will do that with you, have fun along side you, and totally understand why you need to do this.
P.S- It was 94. I have 94 Barbies.
