If you haven't figured it out by now, I graduated college in May. I figured it's only right to give my graduation cap the proper attention it deserved. I crafted this creation over spring break, and it took literally every bone in my body to prevent myself from posting it to Instagram before graduation (for dramatic effect, you know?). I didn't even show my friends the cap before graduation. It was truly a hard and grueling task to keep it a secret. But I obviously persevered, and it was totally worth it. I was aiming for "shock and awe" and...
...mission accomplished, I'd say. It was definitely designed to appeal to Zetas above anything else, because that's pretty much what I cared about most in college - above anything else. I knew I had to incorporate our letters, the crown, the best Lilly Pulitzer pattern known to man (First Impressions), and also some kind of nod to Elle Woods (my role model circa 2001). If you're unfamiliar, in Legally Blonde she shows up at Harvard, Warner questions her intentions and how she got into Harvard, and she says, "What, like it's hard?"
The whole cap kind of just came together before my eyes. It inspired me to offer graduation cap decorating as a service on my future Etsy shop. Oh, the possibilities.
As for the rest of my outfit, I ordered my ZTA grad sash off our website and had to add a little bit of my own flair...so of course I got it monogrammed. I firmly believe you should have at least one monogrammed item on your person at all times ;)
Bay View Threadworks is my go-to place for monograms. Reasonably priced, super good quality, and really nice people! Over the last year I've been there so many times that they remember my name...
Moving on, while preparing for my grad party, I scrolled past a post on Instagram from this party shop I follow called Bracket. They make custom holiday/bachelorette/etc. headbands and they were advertising one that said, "Welcome to the real world." I had to have it.
You can sense the sadness and discontent behind my aviators caused by life thrusting me into the real world. Just kidding but still, :'(
It also took a lot of self-control to not post a picture of this headband before the actual party. I can't remember how much it actually was, but I'm pretty sure it came up to about $6-8 with shipping and everything! You can get a discount for your first order if you sign up with your email. Score. It's awesome, they can create a custom headband with anything you want it to say! They also do drink stirrers and a couple different types of party supplies, but they're known for creating "a party up top." If I had been a little more prepared, I would have ordered a 4th of July one as well.
I also got a lot of use out of this shirt I bought from Victoria's Secret my senior year of high school. Back then I bought it and was wearing it because technically my years of required school were over... I also knew it would be a good shirt to wear my senior year of college, and boy was I right. As you can see, I'm a planner. I planned an outfit four years in advance.
I got a lot of use out of this little number during my last week of school. So relevant.
Finally, I think I should give a shout-out to my friends and fam who came up with the best and most creative gifts for my graduation!
Who knew they even made this many cute grad cards?
There were so many good ones that I couldn't fit them all in one photo.
Target these days, I tell ya.
And then this one from Courtney, in which the theme was Legally Blonde AND traveling!
If you understand the inside portion, we're probably soulmates.
Also, this card was paired with wine.
All the better!
Then my aunt made me this topiary of dollar bills. Literally, a money tree. This is one of the only times where when I say the word literally, I actually mean it literally.
Can't beat that, hey?
Then another few gifts which catered to the basic needs we all have as human beings:
Coffee drinking, shopping, crafting, reading, and walking around with expensive handbags.
It's a bag that's named after me. The Olivia. Some things are just born to go together.
My old roommate remembered my two main obsessions through our two years together: Coffee mugs and candles.
Both of which I conveniently cannot get enough of.
Then my uncle threw in this CURVEBALL and bought what essentially is the tea set of my dreams. I've decided when I have a real home of my own, I'm collecting teapots (vintage or not) and arranging them in some sort of elegant fashion for visitors and tea drinkers alike to gaze at in amazement. That would be awesome.
Last but not least, my friend from high school took the liberty of creeping through my Pinterest boards to find things I currently love. Yes, flamingos and pineapples. I can't explain the attraction, but it definitely exists deep down in my soul somewhere.
Fabulosity.
Overall I determined that yes, these people really know me. I'm glad everyone I know enjoys finding extremely person-specific gifts as much as I do!
After all, I'll really miss the festivities surrounding my graduation. I know when everyone goes back to school in the fall it's going to be weird for me. But with a new real person job and enough activities and dining establishments in this city to occupy me, I think I'll be just fine!
All the best,