Treat Yourself Season
brief thoughts on getting older, feeling perpetually "cute", and 33 things on my ultimate birthday wishlist as a taurus girl who loves to shop
Hi, friends!
Just a quick note to encourage you to download the Substack app if you don’t already have it. There’s so much more to get out of Trash Panic (and so many other newsletters) on the app. I’ll be launching an app only chat group in the near future with all the good vintage finds that don’t make it into these emails!
alt title for this week’s newsletter was: Will I ever feel like the hottest slut at the antique shop?
I’ve never really been much of a birthday person. Mine or other people’s. As a shy kid I dreaded sleepovers, class-sized parties at arcades, and the painfully awkward eye contact that happens when everyone turns the 15-second birthday song into an off-key, sedated funeral dirge. It’s more the social attention of it all, rather than the getting older part.
That was until this year, when I realized I’ve hit the point of no longer really remembering how old I am. I know I’m not *old*, just a ripe ol’ 33, this Saturday, at approximately 3am. I think more than anything, I’m starting to feel the pangs of nostalgia for my twenties — the good, bad and very ugly of it all. I wouldn’t say I have full on regrets, but there are a baker’s dozen of things, looking back, that I wish I had taken more chances with, rolled the dice, and said fuck it to the consequences. The consequences!! My Mormon guilt always made me so paranoid about those damn fucking consequences!!
It’s made being this age a strange conundrum. I feel more confident, mature, and ready to embrace chaos but I also feel rigid, stuck in my ways, and avoidant of anything adventurous. I’m not sure when I went from being the tumblr girly taking half naked Mac Photobooth selfies for 58,000 followers to see, to the person who rarely shows their face on the world wide web.
I could wax on for thousands of words, making loops of arguments and monologues about trying to champion starting over in my 30s and embracing the wild adventure that is learning to love yourself. But I feel like the answer really lies in the work I put into this space every week. The Baby Yoda Debacle of it all.
This is the year I accept that I can be perceived as both a cute person and the hottest slut at the antique shop. To embrace my 33 year old body and the hard work it does for me every day, even if it doesn’t look like my 25 year old body. And most of all, this is the year I start to indulge in the simple pleasures— burning the candle I deem too fancy to use, buying one singular ceramic cup, accepting that it can be one-of-a-kind in my cupboard of buddied up mugs, putting on the nice perfume, even though I’m working from home.
So as a Taurus girly who loves to window shop, add to cart, and anxiously await the arrival of the mail carrier every day, here are 33 things currently living on my wishlist. Mostly vintage, some secondhand, and a sprinkle of new.
Please go buy it all before I do 🙃
Rudy Jude lace up jeans - As a post-covid-work-from-home person, I don’t reach for jeans all that often, but I love all the denim Julie designs. I think the lace detailing on these is so retro and fun and they’ve been sitting in my cart for weeks now.
Dior blue mascara - I had blue mascara back in 2007, likely Wet n’ Wild, and I have thought about it at least once a month since. So this week I treated myself to some at the Dior makeup counter at Nordstrom. They’re one of the only brands that still makes bright blue mascara!
Roxanne Assoulin puffy heart necklace - While I prefer to shop vintage for jewelry, I think the size and style of this necklace is perfect for someone looking to build their jewelry collection (me!!) I imagine this layered with a string of vintage pearls.
Aime Leon Dore mesh beret - I think the awe factor of ALD has worn off for me in the last few years as it doesn’t super align with my personal style, but I can’t deny that they are a merchandising, visual treat delight. I was browsing their website this week and realized they make mesh berets which I think is kind of genius - an every season beret! I’ve had a mini dress, loafer, beret outfit in my head for awhile and this might be what leads me to execute it.
Vintage sterling silver ring - Silver is finally getting the attention it deserves in recent years with new generations (me included) discovering the work of Elsa Peretti and the like. I think this selection of sterling silver is funky and artsy even for someone who currently lacks a fun stack of jewels. They all make a statement on their own.
Vintage sterling silver hinged bangle
Vintage sterling silver pendant
Marni card case - I’ve never loved having a huge wallet, mostly because I never carry cash. While there’s a bit of wavy fatigue in the air, I think this one would stand the test of time.
Loewe sunglasses - I know designer sunglasses are a scam and I don’t care!! These are SO GOOD. They’re almost sold out, too!! I want 😭
Vivienne Westwood rocking horse ballerina - I have wanted these since I was like, 10. I’m not sure how practical they are, but again, I don’t care!!
Sheer black backless dress - I’m on the hunt for a summer dress that’s a little sheer and can, wait for it — be dressed up or down. This backless one is fuUuunnn.
Vintage 1970s club chairs - Way out of my budget but SO fabulous. I would like to read a book in one of these while sitting next to my midcentury fireplace.
Vintage fruit salad necklace - There’s a treasure trove of vintage fruit salad necklaces to be found on Etsy and eBay. I will be wearing one to spice up the ol’ t-shirt and jeans look this summer.
Vintage suede pullover shirt - This is sitting in my cart right now. I feel like there are only a few weeks out of the year where a suede shirt makes sense and they’re slipping through my fingers!!
1996 Cartier Tonneau - She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s my dream watch.
Book on Felice Rix Ueno - I’ll dive further into how freaking cool she was this weekend in my new Curiosity Dispatch, but this book is decently rare and filled with lots of inspiration.
Book on Edith Head - I’m still debating a road trip to Oklahoma to see the exhibition on her this summer. But if I don’t make it, this book will do.
Vintage crochet skull cap - I’m not sure I have a head for a skull cap (literally because my head is way too big for most vintage hats) but maybe I need to push past that because I think they’re so fun. One of you neeeeeds this crochet one!!
Loewe crystal derby shoe - These are #1 on my Holy Grail list 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭 I can’t believe they exist in my size somewhere but holy shit they are SO out of my budget.
Gucci red nail polish - I thought expensive nail polish was a scam but turns out it really does make a big difference in the frustrating experience that is trying to paint your own nails.
Vintage top handle purse - I want a Kelly style bag without the Kelly price. This is a good one!
Vintage 1960s skate deck - I was just listening to a podcast where they were roasting dudes who put skate decks on their walls, which like, I get but also let the people live! I do think, however, a vintage 1960s one definitely passes the cool factor test. I’ve been missing Santa Cruz lately and have been considering hanging this in Mike’s office with all his surf memorabilia.
Vintage polka dot bloomers - It’s a Bella Baxter kind of summer vibe. I absolutely loathe denim shorts and now that we no longer live in Austin, I refuse to ever wear them again. So bloomers it is.
Backdrop x Xavier Donnelly luminaries wallpaper - The collab I didn’t know I needed but I am obsessed with. I am thinking of drenching the walls in our guest bedroom with this patttern because it feels like it’s not too busy and has a little bit of that art deco whimsy I love.
Vintage capiz globe chandelier - I will never let myself live down not swooping up a $300 Capiz globe I once found in the depths of eBay. Because spending $3k on one just isn’t an option…. but damn, it would look so good in our living room.
Vintage art deco rug - The. Price. On. This. Is. So. Good. And. So. Is. The. Color.
Harlie Brown studio mug - I’m not sure I’m in a place to be spending so much on ceramic things, but her stuff is so cute. I love a good funky handle.
Katie Kimmel custom pet vase - Speaking of expensive ceramics, I love everything Katie Kimmel does and think Jasper needs to have his likeness made into a vase.
Vintage cherub soap dish - Why have a boring soap dish when you can have a baby cherub one?
Aesop bergamot bar soap - Put this soap in your new festive soap dish. It’s expensive but it surprisingly lasts forever and smells so good.
Baina checkered robe - Will this robe likely swallow my 5’1” frame whole? Yes. Do I care? No. It looks so fluffy and cozy and I don’t own a robe which feels criminal as a woman in her 30s.
Vintage Staffordshire cat figures- More ceramic goods. More cats. Staffordshire cats are much harder to come by and I imagine them guarding our front entry console table, warning guests that we are a “cats are the best” household.
Beauty of Joseon skincare - My skin has been wrecked amidst all the stress of moving and I’ve heard nothing but magical things about this Korean skincare brand so I will be *adding to cart* in hopes of not hating my 33 year old skin and the new wrinkle I discovered under my eye last week.
Well, there ya have it! I honestly don’t know if that was 33 things, but we’re going to roll with it. Also, I’m sure there are typos. Oops.
I’ll be back in your inbox this weekend with a new Curiosity Dispatch.
As always, I appreciate you and your feedback. If you buy something from Trash Panic, send me and email and show me! I’d love to feature it.
Until next time,
xo,
G
In case you missed it…
If you make a purchase through one of these links (Etsy), I might earn a commission, which I appreciate!
very curious about those rudy jude lace up pants! let me know how you like them
Happy birthday my darling friend! Need a roundup of patent leather, faux fur trimmed jackets to recreate the Ricky Martin concert look please!!
*~Commented from the Substack app~*