So, it is that time of year that I’ve dreaded since I turned 15 – April 23rd, my birthday. Why at age 15 did I know life could only get worse with time? Well, I was experiencing all the good and bad things of being an adult at that tender age; working an after-school job at a tattoo shop, a weekend job at a sneaker store and clubbing on school nights (my mom worked a lot of double shifts).

How old am I turning you ask? If I go off how I feel, I’m certainly turning 50 this year.

Anyways, I can’t really complain at all. The universe has blessed me and I am very happy. Life is certainly an interesting journey…just when you think you’ve figured it out – you’re dead wrong!

Now…I present to you my list of birthday wishes in proper consumer-American swag!

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1. COMMES DES GARCON WALLET – RED ($100)
I still put my wallet in my back pocket like a dude. I also hear red is the color a wallet should be, according to Chinese culture.

2. FENDI PURSE – RED ($595)
Despite the fact that I put nothing in my handbags but maybe cameras, I still love a well made hand bag and have a good collection of them.

3. BIALETTI ESPRESSO MAKER ($30)
I love coffee and espresso and apparently the stove top action is the Italian steelo that can’t be topped. I need it bad.

4. POLAROID CAMERA PACKAGE ($)
I already own 2 of these bad boys, but one got a bruising from BUSTA RHYMES which I will NEVER forgive. I am in need of a freshly refurbished one…woo ha.

5. MOROCCAN TEA GLASSES ($)
I love going to CAFE GITANE and getting their Moroccan Mint Tea, which they serve in Moroccan tea glasses. They can make anyone holding them look sophisticated and worldly!

6. AEROLATTE MILK FROTHER ($25)
Oh right, I need this to make some frothy cappuccino’s with my espresso maker. Although I avoid dairy at all costs and I’m off of SOY MILK, I’ll be frothing some ALMOND and CASHEW MILK with this sucker…I mean frother.

7. FACIAL BY MAMIE ($150)
No one else touches this mug!

8. OPENING CEREMONY x CHLOE SEVIGNY MARY JANES ($395)
I know I won’t wear these that often, but need I explain why I need them in my life?

9. HEELYS ($60)
A lovely boy gave me a pair once for my birthday when I was working at Def Jam. It was right after I raved to him about how cool kids looked wizzing down the street in them. I thought it was a thoughtful and hilarious gift. I wore them in the office and while I was finessing my glides – I fell straight on my butt. I was so freaked out I never put them on again, but I think I’m ready to give it another go.

10. A BABY BY ZOO KID (NO CHILD SUPPORT NEEDED)
Hahaha, although I wouldn’t mind having a mixed, red-headed, freckled babe – I’m joking. But, I seriously want to see him perform live. I’m not always a live-show watching kind of gal, but for the right performer I am.

11. JEAN PAUL GAULTIER MARINER BOOT ($240)
Gaultier can do no wrong!

12. CLAUS PORTO CANDLES ($34)
They are my all-time favorite candles. They burn for “long-time” and they also can be used as a drinking glass afterwards. My favorite scent is “PARADA”, delicious aroma of sandalwood and pear!

13. A NICE EVENING WITH CLOSE FRIENDS (PRICELESS)
We’ll see what happens on my actual day…maybe bowling, karaoke or gun range shooting. Okay fine, maybe just dinner – who knows!

14. A TRIP TO PARIS ($)
It’s long overdue. If I had to think of one other place I would live other than New York, it would be Paris. I’m already learning French with Rosetta Stone, I’ll keep you posted.

15. GREAT JONES SPA MASSAGE ($100)
I’m addicted to massages, which is interesting because I utterly dislike being touched by other people. Maybe it stems from my domestic abuse childhood, but things like a random touch of the leg when sitting next to someone who is telling you a story or the touch of an arm during a conversation totally irritates me. I’m not touchy feely with friends and especially not girlfriends; I am no cuddle bunny. Makes no sense I know. I’m not entirely weird…when it comes to intimate relationships of love – that is a different story.

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Above all, I love a HANDMADE CARD. Seriously, I love making them for friends and I love getting them from others! It’s the best way to show your love for someone! If you want to send me one for my birthday like how my loving supporters did last year, you can email it to: INFO@ VASHTIE.COM

Although my long-time readers need no introduction to this little chick pea, some of you new folks might need some facts on who she is – please get familiar.

1. AMAYA is…The daughter of one of my oldest and bestest friends, LUZ, who I attended art school with at SVA.

2. AMAYA is…An amazing artist (just like her Mommy).

3. AMAYA is…A way better singer and dancer than me (and most people I know).

4. AMAYA is…My god-daughter.

5. AMAYA is…One of my top 5 people ever.

6. AMAYA is…A resident of San Francisco, California

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Since she lives in California I don’t get to see her that often, but tomorrow she will be live and direct in NEW YORK CITY! I can’t wait to squeeze her sweet cheeks, push her in swings and hear stories about what she’s been up to! I’ll keep you all posted.

2011 is literally around the corner, you know what that means — time for the RESOLUTIONS!!!

Although every day is a new day to start fresh, it’s nice to start the year off right making plans, setting goals and crossing off our “TO DO” lists…

Every year I do the same. I like to WRITE A LIST DOWN ON PAPER rather than on a a phone or computer “note”, I just like the idea of writing on paper – it feels cemented that way. I would suggest the same to all of you, it can really help bring your dreams to fruition.

Also on my list of preparing for a new year; CLEANING HOUSE! Ridding myself of excess and nonsense…literally and figuratively. I scour my closets and trash cluttering objects, but I also review my life and make sure that I’m in the place I want to be, I’m happy and that I have the right friends in my circle. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut or be led astray by the wrong friends.

It’s important to pay attention and really REVIEW YOUR LIFE thus far. Instead of placing blame on people who did you wrong, maybe look at it from a different direction…ask yourself, “what did I do wrong there?” or “what have I learned from that experience”. In that moment, forgiving those people who may have hurt you or learning how you may have played a role in your own pain is cathartic.

Last but not least, it’s really important to be thankful for everything you have (rather than be mad at what you don’t have). I know this year has been a huge year for me and I am thankful for every milestone and but I’m especially thankful to all of my readers, supporters and fans. You all have been truly wonderful in sending me warm comments and emails (Especially my longtime readers like JASMINE, LONDON, R@ND!,  B.DENISE, KIMBERLY NISHELL, NEYNA, BIZIBEE & RALPHIE SEA !!!). I went from literally being a misfit kid to being loved by cool and interesting people whom I’ve never met before. It feels great.

If I can shed any light to everyone who follows and supports me…it is simply this…

IF I CAN DO IT…YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Seriously! I don’t come from money, I’m not the kid of someone noteworthy in my community, I was considered a weirdo and laughed at (still am at times). All you have to be is yourself. Imagine where you want to be, what steps you needs to make to get there constantly and YOU CAN DO IT! Whatever goal you set for yourself is achievable! Hey, if a transgendered man can give birth to a baby, the world is your oyster!

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VASHTIE’S RESOLUTION LIST:

1. GET MORE SLEEP

2. EXERCISE

3. SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

4. DRAW MORE

5. WORK HARDER & HARDER

6. LEARN FRENCH

7. WORLD DOMINATION

8. KILL EM WITH KINDNESS

9. TIE UP LOOSE ENDS

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SHARE YOUR RESOLUTION LIST BELOW &

DON’T FORGET TO TOAST ON NYE!!!

I realize, I listen to music mainly from 1987-2005. Sometimes current tracks pop up from time to time, the occasional Amy Winehouse, Clipse or Kanye. Even if it is new, “I let my tape rock til my tape popped” (side note: who remembers cassette tapes!).

I’m a creature of habit and like the oldies. I’m open to something new and different and thought about asking the people who know me best…YOU!!! Put a girl on.

Tell me what music you like and have been listening to, even if it’s your own! Post links or just list names and albums…

on November 2nd, exercise your right to vote and then exercise your right to PARTY in celebration that you voted!!!

“I REMEMBER, SO I’M VOTING, AND NOT REPUBLICAN”

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MADONNA x ROCK THE VOTE (1990)

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DEEE-LITE x ROCK THE VOTE (1992)

thanks to JOSH MADDEN for the gift of these purple shades to compliment the release of my VASHTIE x JORDAN 2′s!!! you rule

i never paint my nails (anymore), but some how the little Korean lady talked me into it.

the other day ELLE and i were having one of our random chats. it began with the topic of a young man who had recently emotionally exploded on my blog regarding a past post (it was quite humorous actually). we thought for sure he was a bored female tween (which would have made sense), but when we figured out he was a straight male adult – it blew my mind. i thought, “wow – straight boys do things like that”?! ELLE let me know right away that THIS is the straight man of today, emotional and more feminine than you could imagine.

our discussion carried on into the epidemic plaguing the modern day man.

it’s what i like to refer to as, “THE SISSIFICATION OF MODERN MAN”.

(ELLE calls it the “THE BITCH-ASSNESS OF MODERN MAN”)

it has become so trendy, i’m unsure if its even possible for the majority of people to notice this breed. i’ll try and break him down anyways…

THE SPECIES

1. KNOWS/TALKS MORE ABOUT FASHION THAN ANY FEMALE OR GAY FRIEND YOU KNOW

2. CHECKS BLOGS OBSESSIVELY TO BE “ON TOP OF THE GAME”

3. THINKS ITS OKAY TO USE SOCIAL NETWORKING AND ONLINE SITES TO VENT EMOTIONALLY

*PLEASE NOTE: THE SPECIES IS STRAIGHT, DESPITE INDICATORS THAT TELL YOU OTHERWISE!

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okay, some of these boys have on of those attributes or all. one could be defined as EMOTIONALLY DRAMATIC, the other FASHION OBSESSED, and another can be both – EMOTIONALLY DRAMATIC AND FASHION OBSESSED (the hardest type to deal with).

now, this breed of man wasn’t always this way. 5 years ago, your average straight guy couldn’t identify who PIERRE HARDY was, let alone pronounce BALENCIAGA correctly. i can recall the conversation of fashion being too “GAY” for most of them, now hood boys are running around discussing how ALEXANDER MCQUEEN changed “the game” and why KARL LAGERFELD is an icon.

i call it “SURFACE FASHIONABLE”. a few years ago, even if these boys were “into fashion”, you’d ask them their favorite designer and they’d say “LOUIS VUITTON” – not aware that LOUIS has been dead and gone for a long time and that MARC JACOBS is the current brain behind the brand.

*”DOUG” (RICH SOMMER), ANDY’s super fashion forward but straight friend from “THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (2006)

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it seems, the onset of blogs (and the ultimate re-blog of that one blog post) and certain famous men who have suddenly been bit by the high fashion bug who also make it a habit to vent their emotions on every public platform possible are to blame.

as a straight girl who has many gay friends and an older gay brother to boot, if a straight guy approached me and said; “I LOVE YOUR LANVIN CLUTCH”, my natural response would be “THANKS GIRL”. i mean, it’s just too jarring. the only boys who compliment me on my labels are the ones who want to wear my pieces, ie: usually gay boys. i think a compliment to my style or fashion is nice, but a compliment to prove you’re versed in the language of fashion is too obvious.

it’s not to say that a man can’t like or even love fashion, because i know plenty that do and are secure in their manhood – but this breed is different. being dapper has been important for for ages…but these boys who are SUDDENLY so forced about being fashion forward (and i say suddenly because it’s obvious which ones are trying) are a major scratch in a record that makes most girls stop and go “WHAT?”.

don’t get me wrong. i understand those weird, off the beaten path boys – they’re my favorites. i’m a gal that has always had a penchant for artsy boys who like art and design, with a different style of dressing who were in touch with their emotional side. i listen to MORRISSEY and DONNIE HATHAWAY – i love men who aren’t afraid to say how they feel…

then there is ELLE, who is the opposite. she likes big muscular boys who watch sports, know how to be the “classic man” and fix cars or drink beer and don’t talk. our interests are so opposite – YET we still agree that this new style of boy is “not the business”.

that same boy also likes to talk incessantly about how they feel, not in the privacy of their own personal friendships – but rather using social networks. i like a boy who can identify his feelings in person or through art and even through writing (blogs, etc). being emotional is not the issue, it’s the level of exhibitionism which is strange.

by feminine, I DO NOT MEAN GAY. let’s be clear. some of my closest gay male friends are the most MASCULINE and GENTLEMAN-LY men i know; holding doors open for females, assertive with their feelings and not emotional, have an understanding for fashion – but have nothing to prove by fawning over it.

ELLE SAID:

“Straight dudes today know about fashion and pitch fits now.

That is the new straight man. It’s okay these days to type that stuff and not be ‘suspect’.

I can’t with these boys out here knowing more about fashion than me, checking blogs.

If a dude bragged to me “I saw some shoes when I was on a BLOG”

I’d be like “what? Nigga you should be on the BLOCK!

Upon the words “SKINNY JEANS” we are breaking up.

JUST GIVE ME DON DRAPER!”

HYUN (my male friend) SAID:

“A man can like fashion and even love fashion but the ones who say they “live for fashion” have seem to embraced and incorporated the worst

stereotypes of fashion. Everything is amplified…

They go out of their way to show you they know and that they are down so they become charicatures of what they think they should be,

Instead of taking fashion and personalizing it and making it their own, they just become this other thing….all of them…

so there is no real personality…just a shell of a “fashionable” person“

maybe this could just be summed up simply as young people  following trends and not being themselves. either way, i like you just the way you are

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what do you guys and girls say?

seriously.

maybe this is a generation gap and me and AUNTY ELLE are dinosaurs who don’t know a thing.

or maybe some of you feel the same way.

let’s discuss!

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“dear douche bag mosquito.

I will find you, squash your blood-sucking ass and smear your corpse on the wall so your dirtbag friends can see!”

-peace in the lower east, vashtie.

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*this bastard bit me 4x in 10 minutes.

*LITTLE BROTHER IS WATCHING BIG BROTHER” – CLAYTON PATTERSON

*SCHLITZ MALT LIQUOR PRINT SHORTS…only on the L TRAIN…WILLIAMSBURGERS!

*JORDAN SET

“BORN RICH”, BRIAN PUMPER & PATRON…

*thank you for the congratulations toast on my JORDAN collaboration. i normally avoid shots like student loan operators calling to collect – but, this was a very auspicious occasion. thanks to JERMAINE and friends for good laughs!

*ELLE complained that her ankle was hurting. i told her, “well at least your titties look good”!