Weddings. What’s all the fuss about?

Weddings. There’s so much planning that is involved in executing that one special day that should commemorate the love you and your partner share.

Whether you plan an extravagant wedding in an Italian Vinyard, come from a Hindu background where the wedding is a full-on 3-day party event, or opt to have an intimate ceremony by the beach, it’s one of the most important days of your life.

I've always been a fan of the Backless Dress. Now I understand why all of these brides consume nothing but chia seeds and Spirulina for up to 6 months before the big event. 

Blame It on The Culture

As someone with a Lebanese mother and Syrian father, I think I’ve probably been to more weddings than I can remember. In fact, I am usually strapped for cash, and rushing around frantically trying to find last minute outfits for sometimes up to 3 weddings in the one-month. Cray Cray, I know! My sisters and I have a code word for the month of September, better known as “Wedding Season.” I’ll let you guys in on our personal joke; it’s the season when all of the Mohammad’s /Ali’s we’ve grown up with eventually marry a Fatima’s or a Zeineb. Gotta love a good stereotype. 

But despite the huge weddings, with the traditional drums, delicious mezze’s and crazy dancing, I have never been one to plan even one aspect of my future wedding. This may or may not be because I’m still single.  Or so my mum says. I think I missed that important conversation in time when all of the girls relished at the thought of a tulle dress, the perfect up-do and posies in hand. Maybe it happened when most girls were combing their Barbie’s hair (don’t understand how, I swear I always managed to ruin mine), meanwhile I would’ve been out in the backyard catching lizards with my brother or riding my bike.

When It Just Hits You 

You see, up until about 3 months ago, I was actually impressed with my lack of enthusiasm in that department. That’s not to say I don’t jump for joy when one of my girlfriends announce an engagement or am not the first to get involved in Hen’s Parties. Actually I kind of have a long-standing tradition which always involves me lining up to tackle the bitch that tries to catch that cheap bouquet of flowers the bride throws in attempt to get that fat cherub, better known as cupid to get his ass moving along. I know, how very immature, and superstitious. The reality is I don’t expect my prince charming to astonishingly show up to that same wedding, or even bump into me in the fruit and veg isle at woolies a week later. Maybe I watch too many romantic comedies, but I’m just competitive, so winning that bouquet is just icing on top of that cake. Which, I of course, usually end up avoiding, unless I’m wearing my trusty spanx.

6 months ago I viewed this as a bunch of pretty flowers. Nowadays it's better known as a "Pastel Floral Arrangement"

Social MediaWins the Wedding-Mania Enabler Award

But more to the point, over the past few months, I’ve had suggested wedding related pages popping up all over my Facebook. Initially that’s how it started. I’d like a wedding dress here, a pair of ridiculously simple, yet gorgeous heels there. Until, all of a sudden, I’ve become a wedding enthusiast. My Instagram newsfeed is full of wedding inspired pictures. I thought that was what Pinterest was all about. Hence why I used and abused it for about a week.  My iPhone conveniently alerts me to the exceeded storage limit it currently holds on the daily as well. It wasn’t until I went through my whole camera roll that I had realised how deep I was in. I had saved hundreds of images, as well and screen shots depicting everything from unique floral arrangements, bridesmaid’s dresses to hairspiration pics. I was confused, embarrassed which lead me to even contemplating the thought of making a separate album to file said images. And that’s when it hit me; I’ve been sucked in like the rest. No, it has nothing to do with hormones, or my passion for beauty, but I am addicted to collecting wedding-related images. It’s almost a modern day type of scrapbooking activity towards an event that can’t even take place because I haven’t met the man yet!

Exhibit A: Favourite Insta Page

Wedding Obsession Detox 101 

  

Whilst I’m no longer catching lizards, I’ve managed to delete any screenshots I probably won’t need in the distant future. My phone has finally stopped pestering me about the lack of storage it can hold, and I’ve even limited myself to only liking one Bridal Magazine page, a Wedding Blog and Steven Khalil’s official Facebook page.

Have I completely lost the plot? Has anyone else experienced the sudden need to search for #wedding hashtags at least once a week?

Wogarella,

Xx

*Images unashamedly sourced from the author's phone. 

What Do Your Accessories Say About You?

Long ago I was a tom boy. More of a Wogboy than a Wogarella. The only accessories you would've spotted me wearing are the studs my mum made me keep in my lobes in order to prevent my ear hole from closing. Or possibly to avert any chance of an infection. But that is Too Much Information my friends. Anyways now that I am almost a grown up (yes, 22 and still can’t believe it.) I have noticed that I bloody LOVE accessories. Partly because they are my cure for fat days/shit-skin days/when I don’t know what to wear days.

At the moment thought, I have a slight obsession with ALL things Neon. I know, how very unique of me. In fact this obsession is a little out of control. I only realised it when I stalk-booked myself. Come on, as if you don’t do it! It was a quiet Saturday night and I really couldn't be bothered to go out... But yes, back to this vital discovery, the last few profile pictures I successfully upload included fluro yellow in some form! People even made mention of the obsession. I’m not sure is it’s more awkward that I admitted that my photo was “Successful” due to the amount of likes it received or that someone pointed it out. I’m not overly sensitive so I laughed it off. But that next day I went shopping. And sure enough I bought myself a Fluro watch from Sports Girl. As well as a... erm, fluro kaftan.GUILTY MUCH?!

What do you think of my watch?

Whilst I haven’t quite figured out how to set it just yet, I don’t really care because it just makes me SO happy. Happy enough to pose for a photo at 7.30am. Mind the hair, 'twas a stinking hot day, not even Keratin treatment could have saved me.

 
 
 

Enough with the Selfies. Whilst I know this fascination with neon will eventually fade, I have applied for a mortgage, as I am currently renting out a huge space in my heart for my Type Writer pendant. In fact, I heart it so much that after receiving it on my Birthday (FYI May) this year, I can probably count how many times I have removed it from my neck on one hand.
 
 

It’s cute isn't it? The reason I love it so much is because it was gifted to me by my mother. The same Arab mother who openly discloses her hatred for my obsession with type writers. If you ask her it has nothing to do with the fact that they may be out dated and a little over priced, but because “They are dust collectors!!!”
To be honest I feel this pendant symbolizes a lot more to me. It symbolizes my mother’s acceptance of my true passion. My passion to succeed as a writer. Not that she was ever against any form of education- she was the first one to insist I further my studies and apply for uni. However, she wanted me to do what most nice Lebanese girls do and study teaching, simply because “It’s a good job.Perfect for the future. You will get to break for holidays when your children do!” Ah bless, even up until about a week before graduation she insisted I re-enrol for a Masters of Teaching. Who knows? Look, maybe I am just over thinking and my mum simply saw my face light up when we had passed the window of a jewelry store in Leichardt. Regardless, it is one of my prized possessions.
 

Emotional stuff aside, I came across this cuff. 

I like bikes. Do you like bikes? Everyone likes bikes! Except for my sisters of course.That’s because they were never given the opportunity to ride a bike. Yet another complex my parents have instilled in us. Only not I, because I've always been a rebel and probably owned more BMX’s and Roller Blades than I currently own clothes.

 
Have you jumped on the fluro-fly-flagging band wagon too?

Wogarella,

Xx

Latest Obsession: Serena Van Der Woodsen

I have a confession to make...  You see, I typically identify myself with the brunette character in any film or television series. Yes, I have discriminated an actress simply because of the colour of her hair. And believe me I'm not proud of it. For example, when The OC came out I loved Summer. I was very much apart of that generation of girls who went crazy over Seth Cohen and cried their eyes out when Marissa died, but the thing is I looked up to Summer Roberts (played by Rachel Bilson.) Once I had gotten over the commotion of losing such an awesome show, and the legend that is Josh Swartz decided to introduce his OC adoring fans to Gossip Girl, I automatically identified myself with Blair Waldorf. 

Weird right? I know exactly what you’re thinking:

A) She resides in Upper Class New York, whilst I live in Western Sydney.

B) She is always dressed to perfection, whilst I’m more of a casual kid

C) Her Body is amazing; whilst mine is more on the average side of town.

D) She gets to hook up with the likes of Chuck Bass, Nate Archibald and my personal favourite, Mr. Lonely-boy aka Dan Humphrey. Need I even clarify why this one is so unrealistic?

       Furthermore, I have a slightly ethnic/ Westie accent, whereas Ms. Waldorf speaks with such a proper accent. But all of these observations aside, I still believe that if I had to pick one of the cast members it would be her. Or at least Vanessa, but she loses Dan, so it pains me to even think of such a thing.

      

       However, it’s no secret to anyone that I admire Blake Lively’s style, grace and sense of humour. But more recently, I’ve found myself abandoning the “I Love Blair” bandwagon and leaping onto the “I have a Big Lesbian Crush on Blake Lively” one. And it's not just because she's so pretty, but I think the fact that her character is actually employed these days, I feel as though she's a little more real than the other characters. Plus, she's no longer a teenage hoe, but a working woman who is facing realistic problems. 

       So tell me, do you commonly identify yourself with a particular character based on their physical   attributes? Or am I just a vane weirdo?

      And even though Red heads are so hot right now, do you think we’re witnessing the return of the Blonde Bombshell? What with Blake, Delta and dare I say it even Lara Bingle gracing our screens... it really makes me wonder. Wait, scrap that! Come to think of it, did the blonde bombshells ever lose their importance in TV?

      PS This post may or may not have been inspired by the fact that I have been locked up in my room during the whole long weekend due to a horrid flu which just won’t leave me! Therefore giving me the opportunity to catch up on Season Five <3

      

      Wogarella, 

       Xx