Hey there, lovelies! Happy Happy Friday!
Yesterday was my 31st birthday! Most bloggers I follow are in their mid-to-late twenties, so I feel a little old and weird putting a post together highlighting the fact that I’m 31, ha …. But, at the same time, I know that we aren’t promised another year, let alone another day, so we should celebrate our age, no matter what it is!
Last year I shared the 20 things I learned in my 20’s in honor of turning 30, and this year … y’all voted on Snapchat and made it clear that you wanted to know a little bit more about me! So, today, I’ll be sharing 31 things you may not know about me!
To start, I want to encourage you to read last year’s birthday post because there’s a lot about me in there. I also want to encourage you to read the Birthday Q&A, as well!
DISCLAIMER: If you have followed me for years, some of the things I share in today’s post may be things you have read before but I have to share some basics for those who have just started following along recently! 🙂 But, I will include things that I haven’t included in any of these posts, ever.
Here we go! Starting with something super basic …
• I go by my middle name, Haley. I feel like this will always be something I will have to continually share as the years go on because my social media handles make it seem like I go by Alyson, and I didn’t really intend to confuse people, hah! My @alyson_haley handles across my social media channels were set prior to Sequins & Things and prior to having people follow me who didn’t know me personally. So, everyone that followed me knew I went by Haley but, as I continued to share my personal style on Instagram, more and more people followed me that didn’t so a lot of people call me Alyson and I’ve even had people say, in emails, ‘Hello Haley [and Alyson!]’. Hah, umm, I’m the same person 😉 So, just know … you can call me Haley ????
• I was born on the anniversary of my Mom’s moms death. My aunt, her oldest sister, has told me that my Mom really liked that. It’s a little humbling to think that God used me as one of her God winks to remind my Mom that hers was still watching over her.
• I’m an extroverted introvert. I have known this for a few years now, but when I read this article recently … I have never felt more understood. Hah! It’s me to a T. I’m very social but rarely go out. Small talk stresses me out. I ebb and flow between needing to be alone and getting antsy and needing to get out and do something. I’m very talkative & love connecting with people on a deep level but am very selective about who I keep close.
• I’m one of those people that always wonders what your zodiac sign is when I first meet you. Sometimes I make it a game and see if I can guess before it comes up naturally in conversation. And … more than that … once I know what it is, I either get really excited or really sad based on what I know about whether or not our signs are compatible.
• If I’m overwhelmed, I retreat to a nap. When I wake up, I feel refreshed and motivated!
• Humility is the character trait that I appreciate the most in a person. Kindness and humor are a close second and third. Working in social media and seeing people experience extreme success in a short amount of time has made me realize this.
• When waiting at a checkout counter for the salesperson to finish with the transaction, or at the bank, I’m that person who straightens up any business cards or marketing material on the counter.
• Snakes, ginger, the word ‘moist’ and cold/wet feet are just a few things I thoroughly dislike.
• My biggest fear in life is being deceived by someone I love.
• I worked on a Neuro & Neurosurgery Unit for most of my almost 5 years as a nurse. So, I took care of people after they suffered a minor or major stroke, any kind of abnormal weakness or mental status change, and brain or back surgery. I decided to leave in January of 2015 to run Sequins & Things full-time. Read my goodbye thoughts to the profession of nursing HERE.
• ‘Love Does’ by Bob Goff still tops my favorite books list.
• My mom, Julie [or Jules as I will refer to her sometimes], passed away without warning on September 28th, 2013. [Typing out the year is weird. I can’t believe it’s been that long.] I miss her everyday. She is one of the biggest reasons why this blog even exists. She gave me her loving spirit and her love for going shopping & getting dressed! Writing was very therapeutic during the immediate aftermath & I shared some of it on the blog because I always want this to be a place where you know you can find a real, live human being whose life is great, but far from perfect, just like everyone else’s. A lot of those posts can be found under the FAITH tab. This is the post I wrote right after it happened and this is a letter I wrote her on my first Mother’s Day without her.
• If you’re insecure about the fact that you have chin hairs or your hair is coming in gray … don’t worry, girl! Me too. [Hope my future husband isn’t reading this … ]
• I can sniff out a hidden agenda very quickly.
• I can’t start the day without a Venti-iced coffee with extra 2% and two Sweet & Low’s.
• My family consists of my Dad, step-mom, two younger brothers, older step brother, older step-sister, and nephew. I don’t really like to use the term ‘step’ because, regardless of who came from who, we’re family. But, I did include it here so you knew more ‘details’, so-to-speak.
• The fact that I was able to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing [from the University of North Florida] is proof that if you are willing to put the time, energy and hard work into something … you can do anything! I think people hear the degree and automatically assume that I’m really smart but, nursing school was REALLY hard for me. I struggled immensely. But I didn’t give up and I worked really hard and made it happen!
• Living in Florida has its perks, but sometimes I feel like I’m meant to live in a big city that is walkable and experiences seasons.
• I don’t leave the house without spritzing a little of either ‘Bright Crystal’ by Versace, ‘Mon Paris’ by Yves Saint Laurent or Flowerbomb by Viktor&Rolf on my neck and wrists. They are the three perfumes that don’t give me a headache.
• The five commonly used adjectives I have been told describe me by my girlfriends are independent, loyal, adventurous, gracious and motivated.
• Thanks to Newsies, musicals are one of my guilty pleasures. Seeing them play out on a stage is so fun, in my opinion. I saw Les Miserables, Book of Mormon, Wicked, Aladdin, Lion King & Matilda when I was living in London! Even though I don’t have tickets …. Hamilton, on Broadway, is next on my list!
• Hawaii, Croatia, Neuschwanstein Castle, lavender fields in England, tulip fields in Holland, the Redwood Forest, Costa Rica, a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway, the island of Burano and a tour of the Holy Land are all on my loooong travel lust list! I’m knocking off a few of those this year! Any guesses on which ones?
• Some of the things I love more than anything are laughing till I can’t breathe, traveling, my pups, aimlessly wandering through the aisles of Target, holding hands, forehead kisses, worship at church, white lilies, bright pink peonies, marking things off my to-do list, interacting with my readers on social media, shopping, running Sequins & Things, and the smell of Peaches.
• My celebrity crush is a tie between Josh Duhamel, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Ryan Gosling and Ben Barnes. I like different things about each one. I can’t decide.
• Keeping a digital to-do list in Notes on my laptop has been a game changer for me over the last year. It is how I stay sane and focused on a day to day basis. Otherwise, I can be a bit scatter-brained. Seeing things in list form help me make it easier to decide what needs to be taken care of next.
• My favorite color is blue but pink is a super close second.
• People often ask if I like my stepmom and the answer is a resounding YES. She is a beautiful person inside and out. We get along really well and often share heart-t0-heart talks and belly laughs. She’s also extremely smart and is often someone I go to for advice on how to move forward in certain business situations.
• My favorite actor is Tom Hanks and favorite actress is Julia Roberts. Forrest Gump is my favorite of Tom’s, and Steel Magnolias is my favorite of Julia’
• Friday Night Lights, Parenthood, Downton Abbey are just a few of my all-time favorite shows. Now, I’m hooked on ‘This Is Us’.
• Writing is my preferred method of communication. I can’t verbally explain my feelings quite as well as I can when I write them down. I think it’s important to be really thoughtful about what you want to say because, once the words come out of your mouth, they can’t be unheard.
• When my Mom passed away, she was driving my car to get my tire changed. So, I’ve been driving her car ever since because, obviously, I didn’t want my car back. I’m thankful to have any car to drive so this has never been a big deal but I have been yearning for a car that I picked out for myself, you know? Back in 2015, I found the one I wanted but had to wait until it came out later that year but never got around to it. So, last year, around this time, I shared that I went to go make the deal but decided to back out of it before it was final because I was dating Ben and wanted to see how that ended up. Now that he & I have gone our separate ways [amicably, I might add – I know y’all probably wonder] … I decided to finally go through with it. So, in May, my new car will be here and I’m really, really excited! ????
Thanks so much for stopping by to read this and thank you so much for the birthday wishes! You guys are so sweet to have reached out and shared some love with me! Y’all are the best! xo.
Awww, such a cute, lovely and heartwarming post! Happy 31st forever beautiful Birthday to you! 🙂
❤LA BIJOUX BELLA❤ | BY MIA | A Creative Lifestyle Blog
Hope you had a great birthday!! I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and follow along in snapchat! You seem like such a sweet person with a huge heart!!
Xo,
Amanda
Haley!
First off, HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY!!! So in love with this post. I knew most of those things (hehe!) but I so enjoyed reading them again and learning even more about this super kind hearted, Godly, beautiful blogger friend! I loved this post.
You are such a light to everyone.I will NEVER forget when we got to meet up and get coffee in Dallas and just talk about life, love and Jesus! That impacted me so much. So thankful for that experience. Love your blog. Love you. And I also really love that dress….hhaha!
Happiest of birthdays to you! This is going to be a great year I just know it!
xoxo,
Kelly Hoover
http://www.theglamorousteacher.com
P.S. I know your mom is looking down at you with a huge smile. You are doing amazing things and inspiring so many young ladies. Keep it up. Warm wishes and blessings your way! <3
Have a very happy birthday!!
I love you openness and I enjoy following you. Thanks for proving great content and Happy birthday!!????????????
Happy birthday beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!! What car did you decide on…sounds so exciting.
So fun! I went back and read the posts about your sweet mamma. I feel like it was a life time ago and just yesterday all at the same time. And I can say that because that’s how I feel about my sweet mamma being gone. You are so strong and inspire so many. Hope you had a good birthday! ❤️
That was truly a joy to read. And 31?? That’s nothin ???? You’re only as old as you feel. And you look fantastic.
Happy birthday beautiful ,feminine and super inspiring woman! LOVED this post and getting to know more about you. Keep up the great work as an entrepreneur!
https://lartoffashion.com
I would be proud to look that good at 31 and know that you’re successfully doing what you love! Cheers to a Happy Birthday <3
Haute Sauce
Happy Birthday, fellow Pisces! Love to know that you’re the same way when it comes to needing your alone time, but knowing when to be social…I’m the same! And my friends joke that I know way too much about zodiac signs because they’ll ask me about other signs when they are dating someone new & if it’s a good match haha.
Happy Birthday! I am so grateful for you and your blog (is that weird, sorry, not sorry)! It is always such a happy place for me and something I check daily! I always love reading your more personal posts and this one is no exception. It’s always nice when you have things in common with someone you follow regularly, even if it is something as simple as the same favorite fragrances. Cheers to another year of travels, fashion, life, and love! I hope 31 is so good to you! You don’t look a day over 25!
I love these kinds of posts! Thanks for sharing a bigger piece of yourself with us. Happy Birthday!
I absolutely love this post! I am 30, a nurse also, and I have fallen in love with the expressions of design and lovely things through blogging. I have often questioned if I would be good at it being a bit older! There are so many things that I can relate to (chin hairs!) along with your personality traits. I have followed you for some time, and I have started a blog of my own, but with nursing work, I wish I could dedicate more time to it.
Thank you for sharing about yourself. It can be difficult to do sometimes, but it allows readers to feel more normal realizing beautiful people like you are normal as well! I hope you have a wonderful birthday, and you look fabulous!
Happy Birthday!
Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I do enjoy learning about the people I chose to follow. I thought it was funny that you sometimes feel old because of who you follow……it made me laugh out loud. I am fixing to be 52 but I mainly follow younger bloggers and you tubers. It makes worry that they may think me weird, however I have a young at heart spirit. I got that from my Grampy! I am very happy for you and enjoy the realness of your blog. Thanks again for sharing and continued blessings to you. ????
this was such a fun post to read! i’ve been following you for quite a while but a lot of these were things i didn’t know! josh duhamel is from north dakota and is spotted here pretty often if you want to come visit the tundra! haha hope you had such a wonderful birthday!
XO Lo
thoseprettypieces.com
Happy Birthday!!! I love following your blog and your style inspiration!! I also lost my mom to a brain aneurysm (2003, I was 26 at the time)- I had chills when I read you had been through the same experience. I also drove my mom’s car for many years after her passing…..I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!
Happy 31, Haley! I’ve been following you for years, which has been SO fun! It may be real weird to say but I feel like checking in on your blog, IG, or snapchat is like checking in on one of my girlfriends. You have such a fabulous spirit, definitely one I can relate to. I am a nurse, as well (nursing school was so hard.. oh my gosh! didn’t think I would survive it). My 32nd birthday is next week, and this post was so refreshing! Girl, I know all about the greying hair.. I’ve just tried real hard to embrace it 🙂
Thank you for being you! And, cheers to another fabulous year!
Happy birthday, lady! You look amazing!
Happy birthday! You are beautiful and don’t look a day over 21 😉 thanks for sharing your life with us! Love your outfits and your love for the Lord even more. Xo
Happy Birthday!! I’m 31 too :).. Hey, I like to think that we have some wisdom to offer these little ladies, right? Hope it’s a great day!
Loved this post!! I was so excited when you decided to do this one because I love learning things about bloggers. It makes you feel like they have become a sort of friend. Does that make sense? lol
I hope you enjoyed your weekend! And you are not alone–I follow some other bloggers that are in their 30s and I got you beat…I’ll be turning 34 in May..ahhhhh!!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing the article about being an extroverted introvert! It was like reading an article someone wrote about me. lol Spot On! Hope you enjoyed your birthday weekend!
Happy Birthday!! I’m so glad I’m not alone in being an introverted extrovert! And in my love for naps!
Happy Birthday! You look absolutely beautiful, as always!
Rachel / http://www.helloher.co
Haley, you are SUCH a strong girl–inside and out. It takes a brave soul to be able to share such personal information online, but you’re one of the bravest people I know! I’m so glad to hear that things are going well for you and that you’re life is on the track you want it to be on. I’ve enjoyed seeing the pictures of your newest addition, Chips! I always love reading your posts. Happy Birthday.
Love always,
Elle
http://www.styelled.com
Happy Birthday! Firstly, I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I utterly enjoy reading every single post of yours. This is my first time responding because I want you to know we share two things in common; I am too 100% extroverted introvert — to the point that some find me weird or frustrating to approach. And I too always ask upon meeting people about their birthday ( so I can calculate their star sing in my head) in order to “judge” them. I thought I was the only one, lol. Thank you, for being you.
I really enjoyed reading this post – start to finish! Thank you for sharing a little insight into you as a person 🙂
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
I’m also a neurosurgery nurse & have been for almost 4 years! And I don’t care what anyone says…nursing school is brutal! lol Hope you had a wonderful birthday! =)
I love your zodiac fact, and I also love reading up on compatibility and personality traits too! I think it’s very fun to guess what other peoples’ are. Happy belated birthday! 🙂 Have been following you for years since I was in high school when I saw lots of your outfit photos on Pinterest! lol!
I’m a newer follower and found your blog through IG. I really enjoyed getting to know more about you. Happy belated birthday, Haley!
https://stampplease.blogspot.com/
Aw, thank you, Camille! I appreciate you following along! 🙂 xo.
Hi Haley,
My favorite color is Blue too! I’m graduating with an English degree in a few weeks. So god willing I’ll be teaching English next fall. Writing helps me get my message across too. I’ve also been completely independent since I was seventeen. I love following Courtney and reading through “31 Things You May Not Know About Me” makes me feel like I can relate to you in various ways. I’m excited to follow your content too.
What is your MBTI? ENFJ/INFJ? I’d be curious to know based on your personality posts! 🙂
I am an INFP 🙂 You were close! I am an extraverted introvert, though, so I can see how you were torn between the E and the I.
Happy Birthday
Haley, I have already sent you an email to say hi. Wanted to say in the last email that I remembered you bring Haley. Sure enough you are.? I’m old enough to be your mom but have a daughter Ashley turning 32 June 2.
She may have met you with Cates years ago because I remember you coming to visit. I think you came to church at Prestonwood but not 100%. When I was your age there wasn’t anything like the job your doing:). Can’t imagine what my 3 year old granddaughter Collins will be doing at 32. Wish I had your eye for clothes and coordination of. God bless and I really like listening to you.
Haley you’re. slim, don’t know how you find time to exercise?
Hello Haley,
Been following you for a while now and you’re one if not my favorite blogger.
I have a lot in common with you such as things you like books and sadly my mom when to heaven as well back in 2010 and like you there’s not one day I don’t think about her and wish she was still around.
I consider myself a loner don’t have much friends because sadly they always end up taking advantage of my kindness so I tend to be better off alone.
Like you my dreams has always been to live in London but I either have to find a Mr London to get married to or I don’t see any other way to see myself there that I know of.
I have 3 sisters but they are not close by I’m the 3rd child.
I work as a production Coordinator in the fashion Industry but don’t want to sound negative I have the team I work with and I’m in search of new work at the moment.
Love life doesn’t exist for me been played too many times and I wonder if it will ever happen for me but I learned the hard way to be on my own and also I’m very clear that is good to be me and to like my own company.
Hope one day I can fully be at a place that I can be happy and not stress all the time as I’m now.
Thanks for sharing so if your info and I look forward to keep reading about your adventures
Love,
Gloree’
I finally decided to explore your blog and found this beautiful post! You have such an amazing heart and lookout on life!
One question, I’m a Virgo. What does this mean for us? Would we mesh?! ?