How to be a Mermaid

-->

Ever since I was about 4 years old it has been my dream to be a mermaid. With the help of The Little Mermaid, H2O, Splash, and Aquamarine (along with other movies featuring mermaids) I’ve been able to experience the wonders of being a mermaid. Mermaids hold a special place in my heart. They are the symbol of the ocean, youth, beauty, and magic, things that all little girls yearn for. Any body of water is given a new meaning when you want to be a mermaid. You try to perfect your “mermaid” swim, hold your breath for as long as possible, open your eyes to the glory beneath the water, and transform yourself into the mermaid you wish to be for the short period of time you are in the water. Any girl will tell you different reasons that she wants to be a mermaid, but one reason will always be the same: to be something special in life.

            Everyone will tell you that it will never happen, magic doesn’t exist, and to not get your hopes up. I know that the chances that I will go into a moon pool and be transformed into a mermaid on the full moon (H2O reference) is extremely unlikely, but that is why there is a new source of hope on the horizon for all of us wishing we had a tail (not a dog tail though). I was browsing through my phone the other day, and I came across an article on a free-diver who travelled the world as a mermaid. Needless to say I was insanely jealous and wished that I was she. Although she didn’t actually have a mermaid tail, she had one that was pretty realistically constructed for her by an artist in Hollywood (it did cost $10,000). Knowing that I don't have that kind of money, and that I can’t hold my breath for five minutes doesn’t diminish the hope that is within me, that one day, that could be me.

            Can you imagine what our world would be like if mermaids existed? Not the killer ones like those in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie but ones more like those seen in the happy-go-lucky romance movies where the mermaid is like a goddess. If they existed and I could be one, my life would be complete. It’s kind of sad that most people who believe in mermaids are little girls who watch The Little Mermaid and tell their mothers that they want to be Ariel when they grow up. If we all could believe in something, something that you weren’t positive that it existed, maybe life would be a little better for us all. Roald Dahl said it all by saying “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find them.” Without magic our world can be a dark, empty space but with it, we are able to see the light in everything.

            I don’t know exactly how I'd make a living being a mermaid, but then again that wouldn’t be the most important thing on my mind if I were a mermaid. To be a mermaid would come with many challenges, and obstacles I’d have to overcome, but the outcome would be amazing. I would be my childhood dream, the childhood dream of millions yearning to posses a little magic. And since magic makes the world a better place, I have to hope that one day I will be the girl traveling the world as a mermaid, and making every little girl’s dream come true.

Honestly, all I’ve ever wanted in life is to be something magical. Have a special power that makes you unique, even if no one knows about it. I want to swim in the ocean and experience life as if I was a fish. Hold my breath and never feel the strain of needing air. Swim as fast as I can and feel the rush as my hair waves out behind me. Feel the magic of the ocean, and be one with it. But most of all, I just want to be a mermaid. 

So in the mood of mer-people, I decided to put together some outfits which could resemble a mermaid's attire. First I put on a navy blue, silk slip and decided to pair it with my mom's beach cover up. Even though I'm holding shoes in the picture, I'm not really sure why they are there. The second outfit consists of silky pants from Forever 21 (only $17!!!) and a lacy bandeau from Charlotte Russe. I love these pants for two reasons: they are so comfortable, and they look like a mermaid tail. Anywhoo these are just my take on mermaid inspired clothes, and it's fun to try and incorporate something beachy and magical into your outfit each day! Or maybe that's just the SoCal girl within me speaking! xoxo, Paloma