Top: Topshop | Shoes: Misguided | Shoes: Steve Madden | Earrings: Lisi Lirch | Clutch: Tory Burch | Watch: Larsson & Jennings | Bracelet: Bauble Bar | Balloon: Big Ass Balloon
Happy 4/4! This day is definitely a holiday and obviously I take my birthday pretty seriously around here. I was going to do 25 things I am thankful, or 25 goals I have for myself, but sister said that was boring and she wouldn’t read it lol. She did say she would read 25 things about me and oddly enough she knows a lot about me so here goes nothing….
(25 things you may or may not know about me)
- I am 5’3 but always tell people I am 5’4 Â
- My favorite chocolate is a Cadbury egg but I only will eat the cream filling insideÂ
- I hate doing things by myself. Even while running errands, if I cant find a person to go with me, Ill take my dog.Â
- I can eat more sushi than Ted RaadÂ
- We have been living in our condo for a month now and I haven’t bought a single item of furniture #itssuchacommitment #icantaffordmytaste #somuchpressure
- I despise grocery stores & sometimes the mall so I order my groceries through an app and obviously online shop A LOT.Â
- If someone won’t precut my fruits, I most likely won’t eat any fruits. I blame mom for this one!
- I have been dating Ted since I was 16 (2008) and I got married at 20 #loveyouboo
- I went to Texas State for a semester & then Ted proposed so I finished my degree with an Hotel & Restaurant Management via Events at UH. So thankful for this or I would have graduated at Texas State as a teacher and would hate my life
- Tv shows > movies anytime any day. Ted says I prefer the character development.Â
- Dream places I still need to visit: Greece, Italy, Â AustraliaÂ
- I got stuck in Rome for a night and explored / roomed with a complete stranger. It was such a cool experience and I would do it again in a heart beat even though I didn’t sleep a wink that night bc I had no idea if she was a serial killer or not!Â
- I have read the first chapter of every book that I have bought, but I cant remember the last book that I have entirely finished #oneday
- People always told me to go into fashion, but I was so intimated by the industry. Heck, I still am intimated and don’t know many designers or the “rules” for fashion
- I am half Palestinian and understand Arabic; I go to an Arabic Church – #christian
- Ted and I got Chewy back in 2008 and is basically our childÂ
- I was a planner for Miss USA 2008, the daughter of UH President , Grace Ormonde event, and some other ahhhmazing brides that IÂ love dearly!Â
- I have been to Vegas more times than I have been to San Antonio, Texas
- I always tend to get fit and active during the summer and hibernate for Winter. I haven’t been to the gym in 8 months BUT TODAY IS THE DAY PEOPLE. I am getting myself a membership for my birthday.Â
- I’ll take salty / spicy over sweets
- I have the travel bug like no other. Once I turn 26, some of my flight benefits end. That will be the birthday we all wear black and mourn. I cant believe I only have 365 days left to see the world.  Time is ticking…..Â
- Big believer in “What you put in, is what will come out”. Hard work, consistency, and dedication is key.
- Husband is my biggest supporter and handles all of the blogs tax nonsense, takes majority of my photos, proofreads my posts, and is very much invested. I couldn’t be more blessed by him.Â
- Adventures or fancy dinner nights are my favorite dates with Teddy Bear.Â
- I am in awe of my blogging journey thus far and have you all to thank for that. Can’t wait to continue and see where it will end up!Â
Ps. I hope you all never get sick of me hearing how grateful I am for you. I always get those pinch me moments that I kinda feel like I am dreaming. Really, getting to celebrate a birthday with you and to be able to share my closet, heart, life has been a DREAM (I could cry). Thank you for always making me feel loved and that I feel like I have a friend in you. I hope I do the same for you!
You Amaze me little girl!!!! You inspire me to become better and to live my authentic life!!! You are a glorious and gorgeous yet with such humility!! We are all better for knowing you Dede Birklebach Raad
Aww I love this list. Happy Birthday Dede- you really are the sweetest girl I have met in a really long time and I love # 22 because your energy and sweet personality attract so many people to you and your blog. Hope to see soon.
Hope all your bday wishes come true.
Yari
Dream Gorgeously
http://www.dreamgorgeously.com
So great to know more about you gorgeous! You gotta go to Greece and the Greek Islands!! Whenever you go to Florence, Italy… let me know and I can give you many tips (not tourist, but local tips). I spent some time there with my hubby when he was working for a company down there.
Love that your half Palestinian ?? You should come visit sometime before your 26 ?
I have to say this is my favorite blog post? I always love hearing new things about someone! Even though you and I have never met, I feel as though you are my soul sister. There are so many things alike to you and I. Your spunky & go getter attitude is something that hits close to home, as that is my personality. From the very beginning of me following you I knew you were going to prosper into a very successful blogger. You just have that drive about you that some envy. I wish you 20 plus years of success. Always much love from your first follower! P.S. You may or may not have my favorite insta username?
Happy Birthday Beauty! I love this and knowing more about you!
Briana
http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/
Also, I go to Texas State now! So great to hear from someone who was so close!
So funny, I hate doing things by myself too!!! LOL… happiest of birthdays beautiful!
Happy Birthday Dede and welcome to the 25 club. Let me tell you, it’s a good year! If you need a travel buddy to Greece or Australia, let me know. Have the happiest of birthdays.
Peace and Love,
Katie
http://www.thecoastalstylist.com
DEDE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! This is such a friggin’ CUTE post. I just Skyped with Shelbi last night and she mentioned you and I was like OMG DEDE. I feel like we’d be such good friends! And it’s not as often I meet other chicas close in age! I gotta email ya… <3
Hope you have the most amazing day!!
Coming Up Roses
I LOVE this post!! I definitely didn’t know ANY of those things about you, Dede! I can’t believe you got married so young- that’s awesome! I hope you have such a wonderful and happy day!
Sweetly, Sally // http://www.sweetlysally.com
Ahh thanks for stopping by Sally!!