Guess who’s 22 today?!

Aww, wee Gabriela, many moons ago. Eyeing up that frosting, as usual.

Truth be told, I’m not a big birthday person. I don’t like being the center of attention, so going out to dinner with family or friends is way more my style than a big bash- tonight my parents are taking Lauren and me to dinner at their favorite restaurant. Should be fun! I still can’t really wrap my head around the fact that I’m 22, though.

I have an elephantine memory, so last night lying in bed I thought back to some earlier memorable birthdays:

• In 2008, I took an accepted students tour and ate in the dining hall at Carnegie Mellon, where I went for my freshman year of college. Nerd out extraordinaire.
• In 2006, my parents and friends threw me a surprise Sweet Sixteen party a few weeks after my birthday, even though I told them not to. I figured it out the day before and was mortified as I walked in, but it ended up being a really fun night that my parents worked very hard to put together. The cake was awesome.
• In 2004, my parents let me watch Thirteen, which was rated R. FYI, don’t show your fourteen year old that movie. Awkward discussions.
• In 2002, I saw A Walk To Remember in theaters with my mom, then threw a hissy fit when she made me go to cotillion that evening. My refusal wasn’t about my birthday- I was way taller than all the boys and still scared of them.
• In 2000, my family went to The City Tavern, a colonial-themed restaurant in Philadelphia where the waitstaff dresses up in period costumes. I was going through my American Revolution phase. Such a special, special child.
• In 1998, I had a Titanic-themed party, complete with a miniature Rose costume from my grandparents. My parents dressed up like waiters and served us “fancy” foods, and then I subjected everyone to looking at my ridiculous collection of Titanic books. Again, so special.
• In 1995, I had a pink-themed birthday party, where the invitation explicitly asked everyone to wear pink. One of my friends showed up in a dark green taffeta dress. I was so cross.
• In 1993, I had a Beauty and the Beast-themed party that all my cousins came to. My grandparents gave me a Beauty Barbie in a wedding dress, which I actually still have.
• In 1992, we were skiing in Breckenridge, Colorado. Or rather, my parents were skiing, while I was in daycare. Yup, I very vaguely remember this- the room’s walls were brownish yellow with a big red stripe in the middle, and everyone had a red cubby for their things, and it smelled like plastic ski boots.
• In 1990, I was born! On Super Bowl Sunday, no less. Hope you didn’t want to watch that game, dad…

The best thing about this birthday? The job search is over! Yesterday I was offered a full time internship with an awesome PR agency near Philly. Everyone there is so welcoming, and I have a feeling I’m going to learn a ton- I start on Monday! Best birthday present ever.

What are some of your most memorable birthdays? Did you have any fun-themed parties growing up? A close friend of mine had an American Girl themed party one year. Coolest birthday on the block.

Good news: the freezing cold is on a temporary hiatus ’round these parts. The forecast until Sunday is staying in the upper 40s, which means that it won’t dump three feet of snow on my birthday like it did last year. People with July birthdays, I envy you!

Still, as I’ve said before, really don’t like dressing for the cold. I’ve been reorganizing my closet to add all the clothes that were at my apartment, and I noticed I have about three times as many warm weather clothes as cold weather ones. And of the cold weather ones, I only regularly wear about half- I have sensitive skin and I get cold easily, so most knit sweaters are really itchy and I end up wearing fleeces 24/7. Here’s a few of this week’s ensembles!

Brown cords- J.Crew 2008; cable knit sweater- J.Crew 2009; striped button down- Ralph Lauren Outlet 2010; flats- Tory Burch; headband- Goody; earrings- gift; bangles- Kate Spade

Jeans- Seven for All Mankind 2009; sweatshirt- J.Crew 2007; long-sleeved t-shirt- J.Crew 2006; boots- Hunter; headband- J.Crew 2009; watch- gift

Jeans- Abercrombie & Fitch 2010; sweater- J.Crew this year; argyle socks- TJ Maxx 2007; riding boots- J.Crew 2007; necklace- combination of gifted and thrifted charms

As you can see, I find what I love and keep it a long time! My taste hasn’t changed much since early high school (excepting the fact that I no longer wear hair ribbons or those ruffly micro-minis that were so popular circa 2003), so I’ve kept all the classic stuff that fits and go to places like Forever21 for trendy stuff. One of my favorite items in my closet is a gorgeous pink silk skirt I got in Princeton in 2004.

(If I didn’t remember what year I bought all my clothes, I’d probably finally be able to recite my times tables.)

Are you more of a trendy shopper or a classic one? How long do you typically keep clothes? I’ve always wished I had the edge to put together fashion magazine outfits, but I end up looking like a fool so I stick with what I know!

Lots of you have asked me to talk more about my life as an unemployed recent college grad…which is difficult, because there’s not much to talk about. When you’re living at home with mom and dad and all your friends are still in college, your social life tends to take a nosedive. I consider Maggie good company, because she’s just so happy and funny to be around, but you can only talk to your dog for so long before it becomes boring. And creepy. Our debates are kind of one-sided.

"Sometimes she starts calling me a pretty pretty princess in a baby voice, and then I know it's time for her to get out of the house..."

I spend a good chunk of my day scouring the internet for job listings and writing cover letters, but I’ve found that getting out of the house at least once really helps me stay sane. I’ll go grocery shopping for my family, browse stores and force myself not to buy anything, or get a tea at Barnes & Noble and read magazines. If I’m feeling really crazy, I’ll go see a movie. Wild life over here. I’m thinking that if the search continues to drag on I’ll find a part-time job for some structure, but for now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that something pops up sooner than later.

 Thank goodness for my friend Lauren. She’s living at home this year as well, which is conveniently located about a mile away. Her parents are super nice too, so I’m always over there in the evening. We sit around and pretend to watch TV while really having intense/ridiculous conversations. It’s lovely.

Plus, she shares my love for Cosi, enjoys baking and has a stash of bridal magazines. It’s a winning situation. Did I mention that I get to be a bridesmaid in her wedding? YAY!

What’s your go-to boredom activity? Do you have a friend that you can always count on to hang out with?