Age appropriate not optional.
You’d never believe my office is of a woman’s of 29. It looks like a tween’s room. Hello Kitty memorabilia, piles Kawaii stationery, soft girlish trinkets, Paul Frank anything and everything, a bright pink ball point pen to sign checks (so professional, right?), manga, Star Wars toys, and juvenile baubles that well, only juveniles would like. (Hey, at least I’m not dressing like a juvenile).
As I get older I’m drawn to the bright, loud and cute. I’ve had remarks from (old) friends that it’s immature, and not age appropriate. Age appropriate? According to whom? Since when does liking something cute have anything to do with age?
I’ve had enough experience, and tragedy for my life to make me grow up- and fast. My childhood consisted of my head being stuck in books to escape reality. I still love books, of course, but I no longer shy from what I like. I’m tired of everything being so ‘by the book’. I may be older but I’ve got a mad Lisa Frank collection stuffed in my parents garage I can’t wait to dig up.
One of my favorite cute things I own? This handmade wooden doll from Gabbi. One of my favorite etsy purchases.
The old proverb, “Everyone is the age of their heart” is more believable now than ever.
Our housing manager did an inspection of our house and asked me, "Do you have kids?" because of our toys, coloring books and insane children's book collection (meaning, all I own are children's books). I don't see how embracing darkness and cynicism or grittiness is more mature than embracing sweetness and light!And I love your doll and bunny.
"age appropriate" bleh. so many people today look at things that they love but think society will not think they are acting their age so reject it. Its ridiculous. I love cute stuff {esp your paul frank keyring} and if thats what makes me happy then im going to buy it and love it and enjoy the happy thoughts.people that are using the thats immature line are just bitter they lost their inner child a long time ago!
and that is precisely why we are friends:) #wearebothweird
I think this is my favorite post of yours ever! And "Everyone is the age of their heart" is now my new favorite quote.<3<3
I could not agree more. I love "cute", it makes me happy, so whats the harm? Great post.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS. I get that ALL the time. Why do I watch Spongebob non-stop? Because I hate to grow up, grow old, and grow bored. I love being a kid at heart! Keep on keeping on! You're amazing!
this totally makes me want to cute-ify my workspace. maybe if i jazzed it up i might have more motivation to work!
Ahh, Im reminded of OTTO in Fullerton. Awesome
Awww, those are so cute!
Cute is right! And I feel like a superstar with little kokeshi there in the hub… LOVE you so!!
There is nothing wrong with enjoying these kinds of wonderfully cute things! I have tons of dangly stuff on my phone, stickers on my point-and-shoot, a huge number of cute keychains… it keeps us young!
I love your style x
This was adorable! I want to try and track down some Paul Frank lip smackers for my sister now
i completely agree.
I think your collection of kawaii items further pronounces all the character and imagination you have!
I get those comments from friends and family a lot as well. You are awesome and who wants to "grow up" anyway? xoxo
Amazing post!Its funny how many times I say "They were old, like 30", using '30' as my default old age, but here I am so close to it and I dont feel it.Age is totally a state of mind, I mean my husband will be 41 this year and you would never know it.I saw a Paul Frank t-shirt today and thought of you!
ADORABLE !!!!!
Sooo many cute things! There is nothing wrong with it, provided it's all in moderation. A totally decked out Hello Kitty room is kinda scary, but cute toys and colours scattered here and there add character. I doubt I will ever one of those serious grown ups!
Loud, bright and cute is right on! I'm 29 too, and I still feel like I'm 12, but I think it's for the best! Bright colors are my fav, and I think it's important to keep the fun and cute a part of daily life!
i think the important thing is to surround ourselves with what makes us happy, whether that's some paul frank lip gloss or using a bubble-gum pink hair straightener (in my case). playing by "age rules" is overrated and boring if you ask me.
Aww you are so cute. I don't think your age has anything to do with your taste and aesthetics and the things you buy and enjoy! You have such cute things in your home!!! Haha Star Wars bandages??? EPIC!!! You are so cute!
These are fantastic.I think my heart will always be younger than my body…:D
oh man.the band-aid is pretty sweet!and who says kids have to have all the fun?!?
i love this post because i feel the same – in love with more of color and more of funness! hey, you only live once! i think we are at the age where we know who we are – but even if we don't we have enough confidence to pursue what we love. it was def. harder to do that back in the days of high school!!!
i love this post! i am a firm believer that bright colors and cute things make the heart happy
especially hello kitty.
i used to be like that, like your friends I mean…but this year I have embraced anything cute and it has made me happier, less tense and to look at life in a whole different (better!) way. love the wooden doll! ps: we're the same age!
xoSal
i think age appropriate matters when it comes to clothing. everything else should be a free for all!and like you, i put my nose in books to escape. i still do. THANK GOD FOR BOOKS! except the one i am reading right now is giving me nightmares. bleh. can't wait to finish it and get back to some fiction already.p.s. give me that doll from gabbi. now. i love it. oh, don't give it to me. but i love it. i wish she would sell them!
I know where you're coming from all too well. Thankfully I surround myself with people who are still young at heart so I don't feel like I stick out too much. There are too many upsetting things in the world as it is, we need things to keep us young.
Gabbi made this?! For real?! Beautiful!!!!On my desk, snow globes, a plastic doll. I hate being told I'm immature, that's sooo judgmental. xxx
I really hate when people blame behavior on age. If I am in a bad mood my mom says its because I am a teenager. But I never act like normal teens do.I don't believe in stereotypes and acting like everyone else. Good for you for being who you are and not what people tell you to be.
LOVE the star wars band-aids. haha
Yes!! I love these things; they are so you
Well your office sounds like a whole lotta fun to me! How awesome that you saved your Lisa Franks, I wish I still had mine
well said, Diana. three cheers to cute!
you gotta have fun stuff to balance out the serious biznezz side of life. keep all your treasures!
I love everything you own! I don't understand how having cute things makes you immature, everyone needs to have fun! I'm sure looking at these things make you smile and that's reason enough!
hahaaha of course that's just the way it should be!one should always act their shoe-size not their age, lol ^_^xoxoOlivia
I collect the toys from Kindereggs. I'm 33. Yup.
i'm trying to figure out a way to display my Momiji friendship dolls in my office (that i share with my husband) …so if you have any suggestions let me know!
My rainboots are Paul frank, I totally get it
I agree whole heartedly with that quote and this whole post. For me it seems the old I get, the more girly and frilly and cutesy things I adore! And pshh Lisa Frank made my second grade life, so her stuff will always be awesome in my book! Haven't your old friends ever heard of "Forever Young"?
I had someone ask me on Etsy if a dress in my shop was too young for someone who is 27 and it kind of stunned me! Having just turned 32, I still don't take into consideration if any of the things I like are age appropriate. I kind of don't ever want to take on that mindset!
I do the same
same things as my little sister and she is 16 ^.^ i don't care what people says !, 
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this! hahahttp://lifeisthemessyparts-jennifer.blogspot.com/
Toys rule! I have a stack I try not to let take over my flat! My noyfirend is very patient and sweet about it! Paul Frank – I don't know him – must investigate!!!
Love the Bandaid picture! I have Carebear Bandaids, my husband has Spiderman and Batman ones. And I don't care if I look silly going into my big-girl auditing job wearing one of them.
I absolutely love this, Diana! As you've seen on my blog, I'm in the same boat. We actually had a family over a couple of weeks ago (coworker friends) and their 9 year old son looked around our house and asked me, "so, uh, do you have a child?" It cracked me up, and I had to explain to him that no… we just have a lot of kid stuff. Sometimes I feel I should be embarrassed, but WHY should kids get to have all the fun?Toys and cute things are exciting! We should be surrounded with things that make us happy.
I am tired of being told to do things, own things, or be "age appropriate." Just because I'm into frills, bubblegum colors and coloring books does not mean I'm childish! It means I am fully embracing my inner child and don't want to be dull and boring like the majority of the "adults" that tell me to grow up. Oh, and holding conversations with my various pets is so an adult thing!
"Everyone is the age of their heart." Love that. Great post, Diana. Since my mid teen years I've found it somewhat difficult sharing some of my interests for fear they'd be deemed "too childish." I've always found it as having a nice balance in life — having some fun and not taking things too seriously. Your little collection looks and sounds amazing. Have you seen all the Paul Frank stuff for Target? Greeting cards, stickers, paper plates! Eeee! I want it all. I almost bought a Julius t-shirt at TJ Maxx the other day, but passed it up because I a)already have one and b)hardly ever wear the one I have. Hah. Before I end this ramble, I'm proud to say that I'm 25 and still enjoy watching 80s cartoons and just bought some Hello Kitty reusable shopping bags