No better time for a first designer bag than my 24th Birthday. It was about time! I’ve been happy like a child the past few days, carrying around my pretty Pashli satchel in versatile black with gunmetal-tone hardware.
Wearing: Saba skirt (similar here), Witchery tee, Windsorsmith lace up heels, 3.1 Phillip Lim bag, New Look necklace, Michael Kors watch, MAC lady danger lipstick
Friday the 7th was my birthday and for the occasion I took a day off from work to celebrate. My mum (who’s been staying with us for the past month) and I went to Fremantle for the day for some shopping and lunch and to just enjoy each other’s company before she would go back to the Netherlands. She actually left today and those goodbyes are always hard. A part of me wanted run off with her, back to my home country and family that I left behind. I’ve got nephews and a niece who I don’t see growing up and catching up with my sister and brother over the phone just isn’t the same as sitting down together over a cup of coffee. I’ve been away from home a lot as well when I was younger, but I feel especially now, that I’m having a bit of an identity crisis. It has made me grown attached to my own culture, language and habits more than I would ever would if I would still live in my home country. Growing up in the Netherlands between friends of whom a lot are immigrants, I now understand what it’s like to be different, to have an accent, to always be in the middle of cultures. But, other than what my immigrant friends used to tell me: “the Dutch don’t have much of a culture”, I can tell you from my own experience that nothing could be further from the truth.
So yeah, a bit of a bitter sweet day. I had the most fun and cozy weekend though, which makes up for not being with my whole family at my birthday. Saturday my boyfriend, mum and I went for a day trip to Penguin island. We were pleasantly surprised that the weather cooled down a little, which makes exploring an island by foot a lot more pleasant! Lately it’s been so incredibly hot that I’ve avoided walking in the sun for longer than 10 minutes during the hottest hours of the day. Saturday night Hassan took me for dinner to Nobu (probably the most hyped restaurant in the world) and I now understand what all the fuss is about. The food is indeed truly delicious. The cocktails as well by the way! On Sunday we invited friends over for dinner, for which Hassan and I spend hours in the kitchen to make the most amazing Lebanese food, with emergency calls to Hassans mum in Lebanon for cooking advice lol.
Even though nothing is the same when you move abroad, I felt truly happy and blessed on my birthday with the lovely gestures and presents from my friends and family who were with me. It’s great to see that in the 1.5 years I’ve been living here I’ve made a few friends that truly care for me. I’m very grateful for that. It’s those days that you realize most what and who really matter in your life. Cheers to a brand new year, one that I feel is going to be very special. It’s the first time since years I’m happy to get older. Well, if that isn’t a sign that 24 is going to be AMAZING?!
Pictures by Hassan Mounzer
Wearing: Saba skirt (similar here), Witchery tee, Windsorsmith lace up heels, 3.1 Phillip Lim bag, New Look necklace, Michael Kors watch, MAC lady danger lipstick
