California Dreamin’: Surf and Turf

one, two, three, four, five, six, seven

In ten days I will be on my way Southern California (the good part, past L.A.).  My family and I will be staying at my aunt’s house in Newport Beach, enjoying a little sun and sand.  We will also be spending a day at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, which I am really excited about.  My dad and my daddy-daughter bonding thing has always been horse racing, and this is the first time we’ve been to Del Mar, which is one of the biggest race meets in the country.  For the occasion we’ve reserved box seats and I’ve been thinking a lot about how to present myself.  Del Mar is like a party, so a classy but comfy dress is essential.  If I weren’t broke, I’d be really sad that this adorable one-shoulder dress is sold out at ModCloth because it’s the perfect mix between elegance and easy-breezy California.  Add a big hat, bigger sunglasses, and comfy chic shoes, and I’m ready to go from the Turf Club to hollering on the rail.  A wristlet is an easy way to keep my ID and cash close without a bulky purse.  Binoculars are important for keeping an eye on the backstretch action, and of course the Daily Racing Form will be essential for Dad and me to pick out money-makers.

Nerd Girl: The Basics

1. I have read the Harry Potter series so many times I can recite long passages (even some chapters) from memory.
2. Of all the books I read in high school, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the only one that taught me anything of value: 42.
3. Sometimes, I put on “Time Warp” and dance just because it’s awesome.  Also, my child will one day wear this.
4. Perhaps the greatest thing to come from Joss Whedon’s mind, ever: “I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you.”

These are the essential elements of my nerdy side.  Beware, I may spontaneously quote any of these books/films/shows (among others), and will only be mildly disappointed when no one else around me gets my hilarious nerdy references.

The Ideal Me

In my head, there are two different images I have of my ideal self.

Source: The Mannequin

On the one hand, a sweetly sophisticated, Kate Spade-wearing, Olivia Palermo-esque young woman living in a sweet uptown apartment in a glamorous city, working a classy PR or fashion job.  On the other…

 

Source: SB Paint Horses

…a sassy, sparkly, hard-working show diva who rides her awesome show horses all day while wearing an awesome hat, a big belt buckle, and even bigger spurs.

 

Alas, I am in reality only a little bit of each of those things.  I am sweet, I ride horses…but day-to-day I’m wearing dirty jeans and sweating at my un-glamorous non-profit job, riding once per week and dreaming of one day getting back into showing.  I barely even put on makeup anymore.  But these mental images keep me going, keep me inspired to work toward my ideal life, when I wake up, head out to the barn and ride a horse or two, then step into my Lilly Pulitzer dress and cute heels and head off to do awesome urban-girl things.  Hey, a girl can dream, right?