Today I got to speak with Alyssa Garrison: writer and owner of adorable pastel hair (that we all wish we could pull off as well) and pretty much a modern-day Renaissance woman. She’s classic, she’s classy, she’s creative and an all-round rockstar.
What do you do and why do you do it?
I’m the blogger behind Random Acts of Pastel, and I’m also a freelance writer/marketing consultant/stylist/dreamer. When I started my pastel lifestyle brand almost two years ago I felt like the world was a bit too bleak, in need of more colour, more sparkle. I guess that’s why I do what I do- I want to make my glittery dream world a reality for other people to enjoy.
What’s the best gift you ever got? What’s the worst gift you ever got?
I am super picky about gifts, because I hate feeling like someone has wasted their money on me- I actually feel a great sense of terror when opening presents in front of other people.
I think the worst gift I ever got was a piece of art by one of my favourite illustrators. Originally I was super excited, but my ex soon admitted he had stolen the image from online and printed it himself instead of actually supporting the artist. I made him buy one of her pieces immediately to make up for it, but the feeling of disappointment lingers to this day.
The best gift, now that’s a tough one… I’ve been very lucky in the amazing gift department! I think I’d have to say the time my partner asked me if I “liked the ocean” right after we met, and then swept me away on a whirlwind trip to LA. We had the most incredible time, and I’ll never forget those sunny, magical days.
What’s your advice for all things love, sex and dating?
Stop trying to play by the rules if they’re not working for you.
I think limitations and rules are made to be broken, so I always try to keep things as open as possible. Monogamy doesn’t work for some people, and I don’t think it necessarily has to as long as you and your partner are on the same page and trust one another. I hate the idea of saying no to things that I want in my life because someone has told me I have to: I would rather just choose to say no myself.
Probably not the answer people might expect from me, but it’s the truth nonetheless!
What’s your go to pick me up?
This question requires a weather-dependent answer. During colder months I’d definitely say tea of any sort, but when it gets warm nothing makes me feel happy, alive, and ready to face the world quite like a run! I’m currently training for the Nike Women’s 15km in June, and I plan on training for a full marathon next.
Tell us about your first heartbreak…
I’m a hopeless romantic in pretty much every way, so I started dating at the ripe young age of 11, desperate to find my prince (or princess) charming. My first real heartbreak was probably in grade 7, courtesy of a boy named Kris who bullied me online, went back and forth between me and a friend, and tried to grab my (tiny) breasts at school in front of a massive crowd of our peers. He later had his friends throw rocks at me for breaking up with him. A case for putting off dating as long as possible? I think so.
Tell us about a time you Bounced Back better than ever…
I went through a really destructive phase the summer after high school. I had a very serious boyfriend break up with me the day before prom, and my devastation quickly led to some extremely poor decision making. I ended up seeing this older guy who treated me like garbage in ways that seem unimaginable to me now- so bad that I question if I made them up for dramatic effect. He had a motorcycle, but would always make me take the bus home, saying I needed to “earn a ride”.
In the end, I left him and Vancouver behind, moving across the country to start a totally new life for myself. I turned my sadness into creativity, pushed myself as hard as I could to build a career, and ended up where I am today. I’m pretty sure he ended up with a terrible STD and not much else, so I guess I’m pretty glad I never “earned” that coveted seat on his cool ride.
