Melificent

The Bitch and the Bully

When I entered middle school, I found myself in a war zone. I was immediately targeted for teasing. I didn’t really understand why or how it started, I just know a new girl rolled into my class and picked me to start harassing all day, every day. 

It grew to a point that I would pretend to be sick or just cry hysterically every morning in hopes I didn’t have to go to school, but every day, I was dropped off to experience my own form of torture. Days upon days of turning bright red, sweating profusely and crying in bathroom stalls. My mom had enough and told me to defend myself. She told me to turn their insults back on them. To not cower but to fight back. 

I did. But it didn’t go as planned. When the “new girl” hurled an insult at me, I hurled one back. She was taken aback. I thought, “it worked!” It didn’t. 

Immediately the next day, I had a new label aside from nerd, dork, geek and ugly. It was not one I was expecting: BITCH. I was picked on further, but only to say how nasty and mean I was. It was so confusing. How could I be the mean one when I was just standing up to those that had been abusing me for months?

Thankfully, all of the teasing stopped when I went to high school and this girl went elsewhere. I never saw her again. Funny story? She added me on all social media a few years ago. I didn’t return the favor. 

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What I Wore: Hedge Witch

I love falling in love with new fandoms. The Magicians is definitely a new(ish?) obsession. The second I saw the promo image on my OnDemand, I was hooked. So hooked, I watched a sneak peek of the first episode a couple of weeks before it aired on SyFy. It hasn’t disappointed since. It comes as no surprise that I am addicted to fantasy and witchcraft, so this spoke to my fangirl soul on so many levels. Also, can we talk about how GORGEOUS the cast is? I am obsessed with all of them. My true SDCC 2017 tragedy was not running into them at some point.

Bodysuit; Gypsy Warrior {no longer available}
Skirt; Nordstrom Rack {similar}
Socks, hat + Booties; Forever 21

With that said, my last Geek Girl Brunch Miami event (read more about it here) was a visit to Fillory. Our backdrop was the beautiful Barnacle Park in Coconut Grove, and although scorching hot, we had a great time. I decided to pay my compliments to Marina, my absolute favorite hedge witch and bad ass bitch.  I had all these pieces in my closet already (that witch life), so it was definitely one of my easiest GGB outfits to date!

Is this a tut? Am I doing this right?

Lincoln’s Beard Brewery: Recess Event

As a parent, you often want to partake in all the fun, but know bringing the toddlers along is just going to ruin said fun. You see, I have a very active almost-two-year-old that likes to run free, exploring and tearing from any form of hand holding or restrictive chairs (eating out is no longer an option). That’s why my ears perked up when I heard that a local brewery, Lincoln’s Beard, would be hosting a monthly child-friendly event called Recess. I attended my first this past weekend and it was so great! Sure, the weather was stifling (hello August in Miami!) and I was sweating from every orifice in my body, but seeing how happy Luna was to run around more than made up for it.

The event allowed parents to drink the brewery’s beers (responsibly) while socializing and munching on some excellent food trucks (Taco and Tattoos’ Tako Krew and Mr. PB+J), and gave the kids plenty to do too (without getting in too much trouble). Luna was especially mesmerized by the bubble machine, the Jenga pieces and dancing to the DJ’s tunes. There were also kid-friendly vendors sprinkled around the brewery that catered to the kiddo’s interests. Despite the 90+ temperatures, Luna stayed and partied for a little over 2 hours, and I have to say that I can’t wait for next month’s events. I am highly appreciative of businesses that realize parent life is hard, and plan events to make it less so.

Some constructive criticisms?

  • Changing table needed! They used a pack and play as the changing station, which gave me the heebie jeebies. BUT they sectioned off the entire upstairs of the brewery for breastfeeding, which is wonderful. I changed Luna up there instead.
  • More activities! Luna is used to going to daycare and entertaining herself with everything and anything. She’s a curious kiddo. But it would have been nice to have even more activities for the kids aside from Chalk, hula hoops, Uno, Jenga and a bubble machine. Maybe a water play station to beat the heat? Even sprinklers! Ball pits, etc.
  • The music was a little too loud (for kids).
  • Making that specific event non-smoking would have been nice.
  • Some more outdoor fans for the patio area because man, is it hot.

Do any of you guys know of more kid-friendly events in South Florida? Luna loves to go out but sometimes it’s difficult to find toddler-appropriate outings in this city!

Nerdy Must Haves

  1. Mickey blouse; I am loving the trend of working girl fandom pieces. This is such a great example that you can transition geek chic into the work place and look good while doing it! It could also moonlight as a cute nighttime Disney date top. Options, people!
  2. AT-AT poodle skirt; the creativity of this skirt just amazes me. It is such a wonderful play on the 50’s poodle skirt, and I need to have it in my closet right now. Can you imagine this for Dapper Day? I die. Fun fact: I used to dress as a 50’s girl repeatedly for Halloween, so it has an extra special place in my heart.
  3. Wonder Woman costume; I have to say that I fully intended to dress Luna up as Wonder Woman this year for Halloween, but I figured everyone else would so I’ll be going a different route. BUT Luna will have a day to dress up at school and this will definitely be what she will be wearing. How cute is this! I love that it is original, handmade and is not store bought. And so should you. 😉
  4. Game of Thrones makeup brushes; I know everyone is riding high on the GOT wave these days with the second to last season airing. Lord knows I am (how good was this week’s?!?!). I don’t know if I’d actually use these brushes to apply makeup, but they are absolutely beautiful. The one that really slays me? The hand of the king. So gorgeous! Bonus? They’re on sale!

Thirty Something.

This past weekend I turned thirty___.
At this point in my life, I feel like I actually have learned quite a few things (I often don’t feel any wiser).

  • Speak up, don’t stay quiet.
    • When I was younger (i.e., just a couple of months ago), I was very meek. And quiet. I let things slide. I have realized that in order to get what you want and make your voice heard, you need to use it. This often gets women labeled “a bitch,” but I will gladly take that title if it means I have an opinion, a stance and can defend myself.
  • There is no timeline for anything. Live your life at your pace.
    • I’m not sure if this is the case with other cultures, but I know for the Hispanic culture, we are often pressured to do x by x age. That is sure to be the death of you. Don’t let anyone dictate your journey or what you should be doing while you are on it. You don’t have to do anything. Knowing this has been so liberating. I am no longer part of the flock, which is a perfect seque into the next lesson…
  • BE YOURSELF. Don’t try to conform for anyone.
    • A lot of times we are forced into certain little boxes of how we should act and be. That is nonsense. Be yourself and you will see a difference. I would often hide the true me, but now I embrace it. It has brought me so much positivity and love. I feel more at peace that I am being true to myself and do not feel the need to change for anyone.
  • Do what makes you happy. Put YOU first.
    • This is something that I have known for quite some time, but it made itself known again this year. Do not feel like you are stuck. You have the power to change anything and everything. I just did recently, and I feel like a brand new person. Don’t wait to be happy or just settle. You are better than that. Your soul will thank you.
  • Surround yourself with people that get it.
    • This also may be an obvious one, but it really isn’t. You don’t HAVE to spend time with people you do not like or do not bring something to your life. I don’t have a lot of free time anymore, and I think that prompted me to really think about who I was giving that precious time to. I have surrounded myself with a bunch of amazing people that are supportive, intelligent and make me want to be better. Tightening my social circle has made a world of a difference.

 

And finally, my own personal quote for this year:

“If you listen to people, you won’t live.” – Taraji P. Henson