In short {HA! Newsflash: the only thing short about me is my actual height. I'm long-winded and detail-oriented—you can thank my obsessions with WB-meets-CW-teeny-bopper dramas like Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl. May they all rest in television peace <3}—what was I saying? Oh, right... In short, I'm a 30-something twin mama in the Washington D.C. area, fire-wifey, social media manager & managing editor for a health website with a hair hustle on the side, fat girl turned fitness fanatic, and a shopaholic.
But to really get to know me, here are twelve silver linings that have shaped this so-called life:
OH HEY, I'M NIKKI!
MY SILVER LININGS
1. (THE BASICS}
Nikki, 30-something {#foreveryoung}, spends way too much time scrolling Insta, survives on coffee, wine and workouts. #basicallyabasicB
3. (THE TWINLETS}
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After three years of trying, five rounds of infertility treatments, one miscarriage, countless tears, endless wine, a thrown picture frame, a surprise double pregnancy, and the most memorable Thanksgiving of all time — the twinlets arrived. These threenagers keep us BUSY, humble, thankful, and fully stocked with wine. They are, without a doubt, my brightest silver lining.
2. (THE HUBS}
I met my hubs {aka, Tomás} when I was 14, got a twinkle in my eye when I was 16, landed him by 17, he put a ring on it at 21, we were hitched when I was 23, and we {finally} popped out some babes when I was 31. And yes, ladies & gentlemen, we plan to live happily ever after <3
4. (THE PUP}
She is the perfect mix of crazy & cuddly, the perfect blend of Yorkie & Maltese, and the perfect first fur-baby to rock our cradle. And she is appropriately named: Paris {my favorite place on earth}.
5. (THE SOCIALITE}
When I was younger I always got in trouble in school for talking {shocker} — my dad told me to keep talking because one day it would get me somewhere, and he was right. Being a social butterfly, mixed with my passion for words and writing turned into me being the social media manager and managing editor for a health website. Now I get to use my voice and make pretty things to share with the world — and they pay for me for this! My grade school teachers can suck it.
10. {THE LISTENER}
Clearly I have NO problem filling silence, but, I do have one heck of an ear. Two, actually. I pride myself on being that ear — and shoulder — for my fam, my besties, and my clients. And I would love to hear from you! Comment, message, ask, share. You never know - it could turn into a beautiful relationship and spark a future post ;-)
9. (THE DREAMER}
When I was little, I wanted to be a myriad of things when I grew up—one of which was a McDonald's drive-thru attendant {HAD to be the drive-thru—I don't settle, I go right for the best position}. Needless to say, that didn't pan out, and my dream job changed umpteenth times as I grew up. But, one dream that never changed was the overwhelming yearn to get to the city strewn with silver linings: Paris. Did we go? Boy did we ever <3 Not an expectation that wasn't met. Which just means: dream bigger.
8. {THE FAT KID TURNED FIT MOM}
Look, I can call myself a fat kid because...I was. Certified obese. Those from my yesteryears know a very different version of me — a much chubbier, albeit "cute," version. I'm still taken aback when someone new in my life is surprised to hear that I come from a chubby childhood — mostly because I sometimes forget I'm no longer that version. When you spend 20+ years of your life with someone — as someone — it's hard to get out of their shadow. I have battled this bulge for many years, and I have no plans on stopping now. #fitmomgoals
7. {THE CREATOR}
You didn't think I'd stop at Hair + Beauty, did you? I also thrive on the anticipation & anxiety that comes with planning a party {themed, always}, crafting a personalized gift, or actually getting around to one of the thousands of Pins I've been meaning to do...
6. {THE ENTREPENEUR}
As a diehard tomboy, I entered my teens, took that persona and did a complete 180. What's the girliest thing I could think to do? Hair. Fashion. Make-up. Beauty. Style. Sold! That tomboy, turned creator, is now an entrepreneur — and shopaholic. Proud owner of Silver Linings Salon — an in-home & traveling hair & beauty salon.
11. {THE THYROID WARRIOR}
For years a close friend who was a nurse would ask, "have you gotten your thyroid checked lately?" I'd shrug it off like it ain't no thang. But, it was a thang — a big thing {pun intended}. Turns out, I had a gigantic toxic nodule that took me from hyperthyroid, through a thyroidectomy, and out the other side as a hypothyroid warrior. I fight it every day, track my pills like a bloodhound, and help advocate for thyroid health through my day job as managing editor of HealthCentral.com — the patient's health website.
12. {THE BESTIE}
I take my role as bestie very seriously. I will be the first to scour the earth for the most perfect personalized gift, pimp out you and your side gig on social media, stay on the phone until the wee hours to hash out the same scenario 87 different ways, hold your dress above your head while you pee at your wedding, and bring over all the wine when the shit hath hitith the fan.
If you've made it this far... Hi Mom, Hi Dad ;-) But really, I know what you must be thinking—what else could this girl possibly tell me that I now don't already know!? Oh, honey, we're just getting started. Blogs really are the new-age diary, after all. If you'll allow me, I'd love to come into your office, living room, cozy corner, cafe, or {totally platonically} your bedroom. Let's create some silver linings, shall we? <3