Keeping up with the Jones'

When I was younger, I HATED my older and younger brothers and I fought quite a bit with my twin. Older people would always say things like, "When you get older you will all be friends." and I would laugh because I knew that they were so wrong. While I did know that I would always be best friends with my twin (we don't even really have a choice), there was no way that I would ever be friends with my stinky, mean, disgusting brothers.

Now we are all grown up and live all over the world. Spread out all over the continents - never have we been further apart. We have every excuse in the book to never communicate with each other and just live distant lives. But - we are actually all best friends. (I already got the "I told you so!" years ago so don't say it again now. haha) It's interesting to me how it happened. We didn't just all grow up and then decide that it was time to be friends. We each had to get to know each other again, and it happened slowly over time. Because we are all so spread out, Facebook and other things like it have been really beneficial to us. In fact, it's really what brought us all back together. It's even how I have gotten to know my in-laws better and I'm really glad about that because, once again, they both live really far away.

Last year we all got together at a beach house in North Carolina and it was the best vacation I have ever had. It wasn't the most luxurious or adventurous, but it's my happy place that I go to in my mind. I would say that it's because I'm surrounded by the people I love, but I have been on vacations that fit that criteria and it wasn't the same. I don't even know how to explain it... it was magical. (I realize how puke-y that comment is and I'm still not changing it.)

We are doing it again this June and although not all of us can make it this time, I'm still really really really excited.  It's one of my biggest lilly-pads. (click here to see what I'm talking about) And I'm even bringing my boyfriend this time! Should we take bets on how long it takes until one of my brothers kills him? hahaha Just kidding Ryan! (kind of) haha

While my brothers are still kind of snot-nosed-meanies, I now see the humor in it. And weirdly enough, the same brother that set the couch on fire that my twin sister and I were laying on when we were babies, is the one that everybody says I am the most like. And my little brother who had been estranged from everyone for years, is now just as close with everybody as I am.

While we still fight (especially me and my twin), at the end of the day we will ALWAYS have each other's backs. We would each fight and kill for each other and are there to listen to each others problems. We are definitely not a perfect family, but I wouldn't trade these idiots for anything.

Go ahead and comment and share your favorite memory with either your family or friends. OR Just tell me one of your favorite vacations!

Black is the new Black

For my first fashion post I decided to start with my basic - black.

My favorite color ya'll

And by basic I don't mean unsophisticated. I mean that it feels like going home, or that it's something I can always rely on to feel comfortable, chic, and put together. Yohji Yamamoto said it perfectly -"Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy - but mysterious." And if there is anything about me that you need to know, it's that I am lazy and mysterious. hahaha Just kidding.

I did a little research on the psychological properties of the color black. Black is powerful (sometimes intimidating), it communicates sophistication, it creates a perception of weight and seriousness, and implies self-control and discipline. (Do I sound like a boss yet?) But I REALLY don't think that I come off as intimidating. I don't think I could if I tried. haha I just like black, okay?

Happy Happy Happy

But black being my favorite color does not mean that I am depressed and/or angry all the time. It actually makes me really happy to wear black. This sounds weird - but when I wear black I feel like I am wearing a hug all day. So don't worry if you see me wearing all-black-all-the-time, because I am actually wearing all-hugs-all-the-time! And my cutie friend Ashlee agrees with me. She says, and I quote, ""Wearing black is something that makes me feel good. Black just fits and looks good on any day. - But really though." Obviously she's pretty darn cool. 

Need anymore reasons to wear black? Johnny Cash did it. So does Mary-Kate and Ashley. It can cause you to blend in or stand out. It's figure flattering on every skin tone. It's a neutral that can go with ANY other color. (I challenge you to find a color that doesn't look fab with it) Like Karl Lagerfeld said, "One is never overdressed or under-dressed in a little black dress." And Coco Chanel said, "Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony." If Karl and Coco say it's okay, it's REALLY okay.

 

But you are probably asking yourself, "WHY DO I CARE THAT YOU WEAR BLACK?". And to that I say, "Okay, calm down. There is really no need to yell here, I can hear you just fine." I'm waiting for an apology now but you've had a rather frustrating day so you just can't do that.
Luckily I am empathetic and I am moving on. The reason that you might care a little bit is because I have had a lot of people tell me that my attitude (depression) would cheer up if my wardrobe would cheer up. And that's just not the case with me. 

Black makes me happy. Plain and simple.

So I am telling you to do what makes you happy. Regardless of everybody's misconceptions are about what makes you happy, just do it anyways. (As long as you are doing safe things. You might say that knife fights make you happy but you should in no way compare that to my long-black-fringed-kimono-vest that makes me feel like a million bucks.) So if clowns genuinely make you happy and don't scare your pants off - then buy the clown coloring book. Or if castles are your absolute favorite things and you have the means to build one (complete with a moat and door/bridge) then by all means, build that sucker. (And then invite me over because I want to see it.)

I mean, come summertime I probably won't be wearing black as often because my summer clothes are not as dark as my winter clothes. (Although I do have dreams of a giant vat of black RIT dye and throwing all my clothes and inhibitions in there...) But - summertime is my most comfortable season anyways. 

 

And don't mind that I'm not smiling in hardly any of these pictures.... there was a lot going on that day. haha 

Labels

Sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in the fact that you have depression or anxiety. It's easy to let the disease become you.
Well I am here to proudly say, that I am not depression. I am not anxiety. I am so much more.
Just by making this blog I have placed a giant label on myself that says DEPRESSED. But guess what? That's not me. That's just a sickness I have. That's just my brain pumping out the wrong chemicals. Want to know who I really am?

I am Samara. I am kind, hard-working, loyal, smart, and loving. I enjoy painting and reading and anything outdoors. I love to go on adventures. I write poetry sometimes. And sometimes it's even good when other people help me. I think that I'm funny. (I'm that terrible person that laughs at all of my own jokes.)

And you are so much more than your faults and weaknesses. You are a wonderful person!

Write down who you REALLY are and leave it in a comment. Help me help other people by helping yourself. (Did that even make any sense?? Probably not. Oh well. Just comment.)

This is also who I am:

A Fourth of July Lover

A twin

A Ukrainian

A Gypsy

An Awesome Sibling

An Artist (kind of)

A Best Friend

A Fun-Lover

(I also have obviously had about a million hair styles in the past. Just don't worry about it.)

My first list.

Things that make life worth living.

• Blue skies and sunshine
• Kids and the funny things that they say
• A good book
• The beach
• Icecream
• Henna
• Fresh fruit
• (Let's be honest here) Pretty much anything having to do with summer
• Making someone else smile
• Laughing until your stomache hurts
• Freshly ironed clothes
• Lipstick
• Family (by blood and/or by choice)
• Pie (are too many of these about food yet?)
• Tina Fey (she makes me laugh until I cry)
• Kind strangers
• Attractive men (I'd be lying to myself if I didn't add that to the list.)

Well it's kind of a short list so I will at a later time add more. Please comment with things that make YOUR life worth living. :)

Peace and Love.