We have reached the point of winter where I am SIC We have reached the point of winter where I am SICK of wearing coats. Spring, where are you?! 😩 Trying so hard to get dressed every day but how do y’all do it when it’s cold?! I’m literally sitting on my couch in this coat because it’s too cold to take it off 😂
Smell ya later, 2020. (This is an old photo from Smell ya later, 2020. 

(This is an old photo from this summer when I did my Harley Quinn makeup, but the energy felt right.)

I’ll be honest, I think the first half of 2021 is gonna be brutal but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, babes. We are almost there so stay safe and stay diligent.
I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I have to balance it by posting a hot one here 😂 Also wow I haven’t posted since HALLOWEEN. I’ve been spending most of my IG time on my candle account, @brennancandleco, but I truly MISS Y’ALL. I formed so many great relationships over the years and I want to get back to that. So you’ll be seeing more of me, probably in a less curated way than you used to. I might lose some of y’all but I hope the ones I call friends will stick around because I really do miss you. 

And lastly, if you ARE into more business-y content from me, follow @brennancandleco, there are some pretty awesome things happening over there if I do say so myself.

Photo by @narirophoto
I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out o I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out on transforming into Furiosa. 

2020 has been a heck of a year, and I think we're all feeling a bit like we're stuck in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Ready to turn things around and kick our own Immortan Joe to the curb.

Happy Halloween. Stay home.
My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤 My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤
Welp I think this negative space mani is my new si Welp I think this negative space mani is my new signature look so prepare to get sick of seeing it in different colors. 💅🏻
Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and thennnnn there was snow in the forecast 🙃 Tomorrow we are supposed to get quite a lot and I’m very cranky about it. Hoping our plants survive but more importantly, I hope the snow puts out the wildfires that seem to be never ending. It’s been a brutal summer for many reasons, but it’s still pretty cool to look at this bowl and know we grew these tomatoes from seeds. Also there’s currently zucchini bread in the oven from our garden ☺️
I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designin I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designing this and putting it on my body, y’all 😍 They are SUCH a talented artist and all around great person. I felt super comfortable and they executed my vision perfectly. 👽 I’ve been a diehard X Files fan since I was a kid (swipe for evidence and a photo of me and Gillian Anderson where I have never felt uglier lmao), so this means a ton.

Re: COVID-19. Truthfully I felt super nervous to get my tattoo and super nervous to post it here. I’ve still been doing my best to stay home but am also (like many of you, I think) struggling mentally. So where is the balance? Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t had a haircut (besides doing it myself), had my nails done, or sat down to eat except for once (and it was a place with no servers). I barely see anyone except my husband. Some days it’s fine and others it’s “how much more of this can I take?” So anyway. I took a risk, but @blackbirdinktattoo was taking everything very seriously. All were masked and sanitized (duh it’s a tattoo place) and I specifically chose a leg tattoo so Christa and I wouldn’t be breathing on each other. I long for the day when things are normal again. I long for the day when I can see my family again. But for now, I’ll try to safely find small pockets of joy and normalcy and ride those little waves until the next pocket of joy.
Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Sunday scaries 🐾 In case you missed it in my stories, these are our newest fosters! (We just decided on names today - I think having to name two slowed us down 🤣) Usually we only have pups for three nights but we had to keep these little pals for an extra week before they’re ready to be adopted. 

Also I PROMISE I am going to record a video/write a post about fostering this week so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

Annnnd last but not least if you’re in the Denver area and looking for a puppy, message me if you want more info on either of these little ones! 🥰
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Fashion, Pop Culture · January 13, 2016

Dear Younger Self

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and/or make a purchase, I may earn a few cents at no additional cost to you. Any products gifted by a brand will be marked "c/o." Thanks for helping make this blog possible! <3

THINGS I WOULD TELL MY YOUNGER SELF

It’s winter so that means tv time is in FULL force for me. Lately I’ve been watching this show on TV Land called Younger – have you guys ever checked it out? It’s a little silly when I tell you the premise but if you’re anything like me you’ll get addicted. Basically a 40 year old divorcee is unhappy with her life and can’t get a job because she’s been out of the workforce for a while and everyone thinks she’s out of control. SO she gets a makeover (a la Clueless) and goes undercover as a 26 year old. Hijinx ensue, of course! (Side note: Sutton Foster plays the lead and she actually is 40 – I want to know who she sold her soul to for her skin to still look like that!) Even if it does it in a lighthearted way, the feminist in me LOVES that Younger sheds light on the reality of the pressures that society places on women – particularly with regards to how we look.

valery-brennan-dallas-style-blogger-4313 valery-brennan-dallas-style-blogger-4264valery-brennan-dallas-style-blogger-4300I’m not one of those people who wishes I was younger (at least not yet). I feel like I’m doing great in life and even though it’s hard for me to believe I’m in my late 20s now, I don’t yearn for high school or even college years! I hope that I always feel like I’m in my prime and even though I’m so happy for the past, I try to live my life to it’s fullest in the moment. That being said, there are definitely some things I wish I had known when I was younger. I’ve never written a “letter to my younger self,” but here are a few things I wish I had known back in the 90s.

valery-brennan-dallas-style-blogger-4306 valery-brennan-dallas-style-blogger-4315 valery-brennan-dallas-style-blogger-4292 valery-brennan-dallas-style-blogger-4282

Coat: Thrifted ($50; similar here) | Shirt: c/o TV Land | Leather Leggings: Charlotte Russe ($10; exact but I would get the high waisted version) | Shoes: Clothes Mentor ($20; similar here and here) | Ring: BaubleBar ($20; similar and only FIVE DOLLARS!) | Necklace: Rocksbox ($19/month, use code VALERYBFF1 for a free month!) | Photos by Stephanie Drenka

  1. Filling in your brows will make your makeup look WAY better.
  2. You don’t have to be stick thin to feel sexy. Love yourself and dress how you want.
  3. Eat healthy snacks
  4. High school doesn’t matter
  5. It’s fine that you’re pale. It just means you’ll have a baby face way longer than those golden goddesses.
  6. You’ll meet Hanson later in life. Twice. (Maybe more?)
  7. You’ll also start going to comic cons a lot and it’s freaking fun.
  8. Take care of your teeth. You have deep grooves and soft enamel so floss your dang teeth.
  9. On that same note, wear your retainers. You dealt with braces for two years, just wear the retainer (still learning this lesson).
  10. Mom and dad are right about almost everything.
  11. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone. Be kind but that doesn’t mean they’re all your best friends.
  12. Don’t pluck your eyebrows too much. You’ll regret it.
  13. You’ll be so thankful your parents made you pay for everything in high school.
  14. Justin Timberlake will still be cool in 2015. Also he is going to marry Jessica Biel – aka Mary Camden from 7th Heaven.
  15. It’s okay that you don’t always fit in.
  16. Slumber parties don’t really happen when you’re an adult so appreciate them now.
  17. Recess is a freaking awesome show, even when you’re an adult.
  18. Your views will change a lot and that’s okay.
  19. Cats are actually pretty dang cool.
  20. Love yourself. No matter where you are in life, just love your dang self. You deserve it.

valery-brennan-dallas-style-blogger-4272Make sure to tune into Younger tonight! It’s on TV Land at 10/9c – even if you haven’t seen the first season you can definitely start watching now!

xoxo
Valery

I received this t shirt and a copy of season one of Younger, but all opinions are my own. 

In: Fashion, Pop Culture · Tagged: evergreen, fur coat

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Comments

  1. Liane Bayliss says

    January 13, 2016 at 10:46 AM

    I love the sound of that show! I wonder if it’s on Netflix? I also agree with so many tips to your younger self! Such a great post 🙂

    • Michelle Orsi says

      January 13, 2016 at 10:56 AM

      I was just watching it on tvland.com last night to catch up before the premiere tonight! I am so excited to see Season 2! Love your ‘Younger’ tips in this post!

      michellespaige.com

    • Valery Brennan says

      January 13, 2016 at 11:37 AM

      Yep I was about to comment what Michelle said! It’s not on Netflix but they have it on a few different places including tvland.com and the TV Land app (both free but you might have to sign in with a cable provider).

      • Liane Bayliss says

        January 13, 2016 at 11:44 AM

        I’m going to have a look and see if I can get it over here in England 🙂 I’m always looking for new shows to watch!

  2. Michelle Orsi says

    January 13, 2016 at 1:11 PM

    oops sorry! didn’t mean to reply to the comment! 🙂

  3. Samantha Curtis says

    January 13, 2016 at 3:05 PM

    This show sounds like a blast! And I love your list… especially the Mary Camden comment HA! And looking chic as always babe!

    • Valery Brennan says

      January 13, 2016 at 9:13 PM

      hahahah I really think my elementary school self would have DIED to know that he married her! I couldn’t stand Mary Camden! haha

  4. Alyssa Guttendorf says

    January 13, 2016 at 4:06 PM

    I’ve heard that Younger is awesome! I feel like I would really like it too.. definitely going to check out an episode or 2. PS Loveee your leather leggings in your pics!

    • Valery Brennan says

      January 13, 2016 at 9:14 PM

      You should! I mean it’s def not for everyone but it’s fun to watch and just kind of silly. And thank you!!! Admittedly they’re not the best quality but they’re also so “trendy” that I’m not willing to spend much money on them haha.

  5. Severina Ware says

    January 14, 2016 at 6:15 AM

    Love these all so much! Especially the love yourself and you don’t have to be friends with everyone.

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We have reached the point of winter where I am SIC We have reached the point of winter where I am SICK of wearing coats. Spring, where are you?! 😩 Trying so hard to get dressed every day but how do y’all do it when it’s cold?! I’m literally sitting on my couch in this coat because it’s too cold to take it off 😂
Smell ya later, 2020. (This is an old photo from Smell ya later, 2020. 

(This is an old photo from this summer when I did my Harley Quinn makeup, but the energy felt right.)

I’ll be honest, I think the first half of 2021 is gonna be brutal but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, babes. We are almost there so stay safe and stay diligent.
I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I have to balance it by posting a hot one here 😂 Also wow I haven’t posted since HALLOWEEN. I’ve been spending most of my IG time on my candle account, @brennancandleco, but I truly MISS Y’ALL. I formed so many great relationships over the years and I want to get back to that. So you’ll be seeing more of me, probably in a less curated way than you used to. I might lose some of y’all but I hope the ones I call friends will stick around because I really do miss you. 

And lastly, if you ARE into more business-y content from me, follow @brennancandleco, there are some pretty awesome things happening over there if I do say so myself.

Photo by @narirophoto
I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out o I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out on transforming into Furiosa. 

2020 has been a heck of a year, and I think we're all feeling a bit like we're stuck in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Ready to turn things around and kick our own Immortan Joe to the curb.

Happy Halloween. Stay home.
My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤 My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤
Welp I think this negative space mani is my new si Welp I think this negative space mani is my new signature look so prepare to get sick of seeing it in different colors. 💅🏻
Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and thennnnn there was snow in the forecast 🙃 Tomorrow we are supposed to get quite a lot and I’m very cranky about it. Hoping our plants survive but more importantly, I hope the snow puts out the wildfires that seem to be never ending. It’s been a brutal summer for many reasons, but it’s still pretty cool to look at this bowl and know we grew these tomatoes from seeds. Also there’s currently zucchini bread in the oven from our garden ☺️
I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designin I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designing this and putting it on my body, y’all 😍 They are SUCH a talented artist and all around great person. I felt super comfortable and they executed my vision perfectly. 👽 I’ve been a diehard X Files fan since I was a kid (swipe for evidence and a photo of me and Gillian Anderson where I have never felt uglier lmao), so this means a ton.

Re: COVID-19. Truthfully I felt super nervous to get my tattoo and super nervous to post it here. I’ve still been doing my best to stay home but am also (like many of you, I think) struggling mentally. So where is the balance? Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t had a haircut (besides doing it myself), had my nails done, or sat down to eat except for once (and it was a place with no servers). I barely see anyone except my husband. Some days it’s fine and others it’s “how much more of this can I take?” So anyway. I took a risk, but @blackbirdinktattoo was taking everything very seriously. All were masked and sanitized (duh it’s a tattoo place) and I specifically chose a leg tattoo so Christa and I wouldn’t be breathing on each other. I long for the day when things are normal again. I long for the day when I can see my family again. But for now, I’ll try to safely find small pockets of joy and normalcy and ride those little waves until the next pocket of joy.
Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Sunday scaries 🐾 In case you missed it in my stories, these are our newest fosters! (We just decided on names today - I think having to name two slowed us down 🤣) Usually we only have pups for three nights but we had to keep these little pals for an extra week before they’re ready to be adopted. 

Also I PROMISE I am going to record a video/write a post about fostering this week so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

Annnnd last but not least if you’re in the Denver area and looking for a puppy, message me if you want more info on either of these little ones! 🥰
Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my f Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my favorite movies from the past five years, please don’t judge me 😂🙈 “Hey! You’re Rick f*cking Dalton. Don’t you forget it.” (that line was improvised btw - it was based on something someone told Brad Pitt once when he was struggling 💕 I just love that.)

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