Top: Beehive (Similar one) | Pants: Levi | Booties: Vince | Clutch: Elaine Turner | Lipstick: MAC “Rebel”
Photography by: Banavenue
I can hardly believe that I am turning a quarter of a century. The BIG 2-5! My youngest sister, Kacey, has been building the hype for about a year now. Every month on the 7th, she has texted me with a count down till my birthday to remind me that I am turning a quarter of a century. 25 is a milestone birthday for sure. You aren’t quite yet to 30, but all of a sudden you are half way through your 20s and it kinda starts to feel like you should have your shit figured out. Welp, my shit ain’t figured out one bit.
While there are plenty of things that I have learned in my 20s, there is still so much more to learn and grow. It’s funny how I flip flop back and forth between wanting to become this independent, strong, hard working woman and throwing a tantrum every morning when my alarm goes off. 25 going on 5.
So cheers to 25 years and not having it ALL figured out! But I wanted to go ahead and share 25 things that only took me 25 years to realize. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
1. Spaghettio’s and wine are my dinner specialties more nights than not. If the Kroger cashier judges me one more time for buying wine in bulk… your girl is just trying to get her 6 bottle discount.
2. Coffee is a necessary evil. I say this because I am allergic. I’m talking heart racing and sweat sessions #sexy
3. Time flies by faster and faster each year. Oh to be back in college when I swore I would never make it out of there. What I would give for time to slow down like that now.
4. Your high school bod is a thing of the past. Goodbye perky butt, hello cellulite. O and prepare for everything to change. Hair type, eyebrows (so not on fleek), adult acne, body pains. Everything your mom warned you about.
5. Always take the road less traveled. Even if it is just the stairs vs the elevator 😉 because that’s a good tip in itself.
6. Nobody has it figured out in their 20s and if they say that they do, they are LYING. I’ve come to find out that we are all just children pretending to be adults. Except some of us have to try a little harder than others. That would be me.
7. Friends that you thought would be around to support your wildest dreams will fall short. Others will come into your life unexpectedly and make the biggest impact. Funny how that happens.
8. God never gives us more than we can handle.
9. You are supposed to put more into your savings account than you take out. I swear you’d think they would teach these things in grade school but some of us don’t learn that till our 20s.
10. Girls are bitches. That’s right, I said it. Unfortunately you will never outgrow the girl drama. Some girls just thrive on it. Run from those girls and don’t look back.
11. Surround yourself with people that will tell it like it is. Nothing is more refreshing than the truth.
12. Don’t settle. Not for a boy, for a job, for a promotion, nothing. You simply deserve the best.
13. Hangovers exist. And they suck.
14. Learn to stand up for yourself. Confidence isn’t something you are born with, it’s something that is developed and the more you practice, the easier it will be.
15. You learn to appreciate your parents so much more and also realize it’s mostly because everything that they ever said turned out to all be right.
16. Laughter is the best medicine. It always pairs nicely with a bottle of wine and girlfriends. I hear it’s much cheaper than therapy and a good ab workout too.
17. Be unapologetic for who you are and never ever feel like you have to explain yourself.
18. Your time and energy are so much better spent being happy for other people than tearing them down. Negative energy takes years off your life. Seriously.
19. Cozying up on the couch is pretty much the equivalent of a rager. Fuzzy socks just add to the cool factor.
20. Brunch is always a good idea. It serves as 2 meals now how genius is that?!
21. Every experience, every action and every person shapes who you are. So rid yourself of the negative influences and surround yourself with positivity.
22. You are exactly where you need to be. It may not feel like it, but have faith that God’s plan is far greater than anything you could have ever imagined.
23. If a friendship or relationship feels forced, it’s not worth your time.
24. Mornings are when all of the magic happens. I think mom referred to those as the witching hours but dang are they the productive ones.
25. Everything is temporary. The good and the bad. So I’m learning to soak up the good times and not dwell on the bad.
Well folks, now that I am 25 do I look and sound that much wiser?! Because I’m pretty sure I woke up feeling super mature. That’s probably just the birthday excitement getting to my head though 🙂
GIVEAWAY
In honor of my birthday and continuing on with the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways, I have partnered with Beehive to gift one follower a $100 gift card. Beehive is one of my newest boutique finds with a retro feel to it that I just love. They have locations in Austin and Houston but they also have an online boutique. You must COMMENT on this blog post to enter. For additional entries, complete the below steps. The more you complete, the better your odds of winning!
1. COMMENT on this blog post
2. Follow me on Bloglovin’ here
3. Go like my Facebook page here
4. Follow me on Instagram here
5. Follow me on Pinterest here
Sarah K
December 7, 2016 at 9:00 am (7 years ago)Awww Shelbi this is perfection!! Happy 25th, it is only up from here 🙂
And yes… none of us have it figured out, but hey that allows life to be a little less serious and filled with more laughter!
HAYLEE J
December 7, 2016 at 9:48 am (7 years ago)I love everything about this!! And don’t worry, I’m 27.5 and still don’t have my shit together! 😬
Avery Seale
December 7, 2016 at 11:19 am (7 years ago)This post is EVERYTHING! Cheers to all us 25 yr olds out there waiting for that “adult switch” to flip on 🙂 Loving your content and outfit inspirations!
Happy birthday!!
Bronte
December 7, 2016 at 11:28 am (7 years ago)Happy Birthday Shelbi! I hope you have a fantastic birthday! And thank you for writing these realizations. I’m 21 and about to start out into the world so hearing that I don’t have to figure it all out at once is very nice. Happy Birthday!
Stephanie
December 7, 2016 at 11:51 am (7 years ago)Happy Birthday!!! I have seen you work with Beehive, but I have never been. It has been on my list to do. Nice giveaway.
Kim Pincombe-Cole
December 7, 2016 at 12:23 pm (7 years ago)Happy Happy 25th Birthday!
I love your list of 25 things ~ you are so ahead of the game!
And definitely count me in on this great Beehive gc giveaway…
Kim Pincombe-Cole
December 7, 2016 at 12:24 pm (7 years ago)Following you on Bloglovin: Kim Pincombe Cole (bloglovin.com/rainesmom)
Kim Pincombe-Cole
December 7, 2016 at 12:25 pm (7 years ago)Like you on Facebook: Kim Pincombe Cole
Kim Pincombe-Cole
December 7, 2016 at 12:26 pm (7 years ago)Following you on Instagram: @rainesmom
Kim Pincombe-Cole
December 7, 2016 at 12:27 pm (7 years ago)Follow you on Pinterest too: Kim Cole (pinterest.com/rainesmom)
Caitlyn
December 7, 2016 at 12:59 pm (7 years ago)Happy happy birthday!!
Welcome to the 25 club! Five more years till you are thirty flirty and thriving! I read your post right before I took my second to last final and it was a nice reminder to take life in stride. My favorite one was number 22, “You are exactly where you need to be. It may not feel like it, but have faith that God’s plan is far greater than anything you could have ever imagined.” Physical therapy school is a rollercoaster of emotions but you reminded me that the ride will be worth it.
I hope you have the BEST birthday Shelbi!
manda
December 7, 2016 at 2:43 pm (7 years ago)Love the giveaways and guides. Thanks!
Kerington Alston
December 7, 2016 at 9:01 pm (7 years ago)Happy Birthday! I love your Instagram. You’re fabulous! Congrats on all you’ve accomplished at such a young age!
Cynthia Gaarder
December 7, 2016 at 9:08 pm (7 years ago)I would love to be 25 again. I wont say how old I am but add 10 🙂 follow all 🙂
Nicole Vosburgh
December 7, 2016 at 9:11 pm (7 years ago)Loving this boutique!
Nicole Vosburgh
December 7, 2016 at 9:12 pm (7 years ago)Instagram follower: @nsba919
Nicole Vosburgh
December 7, 2016 at 9:12 pm (7 years ago)Pinterest follower: MamaNikkiV
Lisa Huynh
December 7, 2016 at 11:54 pm (7 years ago)Happy 25th Birthday!! Hope this year is the best yet! My 25th is next year and it’ll be my golden birthday!
Bilqees Bano
December 10, 2016 at 3:28 am (7 years ago)Happy Birthday sweetie <3 <3 good luck for future
Candi michelle
December 10, 2016 at 4:40 am (7 years ago)Happy Birthday Boo I absolutely love your blog. #Beehive #Giveaway
My ig:name Cmphilly_28
Chanele
December 10, 2016 at 6:29 pm (7 years ago)Buying wine in bulk is the only way to go. Don’t you let anyone make you feel bad for that. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life 😉
Meegan
December 11, 2016 at 2:18 pm (7 years ago)Happy, happy birthday! It feels like it was just yesterday that I turned 25 haha. I hope it’s an amazing year for you! ♥
Meegan
December 11, 2016 at 2:19 pm (7 years ago)I follow you on Bloglovin’, user name Meegan
Meegan
December 11, 2016 at 2:20 pm (7 years ago)I follow you on facebook, user name Meegan Newton
Meegan
December 11, 2016 at 2:21 pm (7 years ago)I follow you on instagram, user name @mbnewto!
Meegan
December 11, 2016 at 2:21 pm (7 years ago)I follow you on Pinterest, user name Meegan!