1. Let’s start by rounding out Birthday Week with day #6…
Cerulean from RGB Cosmetics (smitten).
2. … and day #7…
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.
3. Speaking of day #7 (Friday), a huge, HUGE thank you to Arman, Sam, Davida, Heather, Miss Polkadot, Becky, Lucie, and Gina for giving me one of the sweetest blogger birthday surprises ever. You guys… gah! Heart.was.melted.
4. And it melted again on Saturday thanks to all of the Tweets, e-mails, texts, comments, and DMs you guys sent me. Talk about being completely overwhelmed in the best possible way. Love you. So much.
5. So my actual birthday… it was freaking cold…
6. And it felt even colder if you take the windchill into account…
7. But apparently this is the norm. I can’t even tell you how many times my mom has not-so-subtly brought up the fact that it was something like -30C (-22F) the night I was born, to which I simply reply that she should have planned things better…
8. I woke up way too early, which was incredibly annoying because: a) everyone else was sound asleep for a few solid hours, and b) there was nowhere to go and nothing to do (read: I was lonely and bored).
9. Buuuuuut it was kind of a blessing in disguise because it gave me a chance to catch up on some work that I needed to do. Yes… work. On a Saturday. On my birthday. I’d like to say that 29 will be the year where I stop procrastinating, but that’s not likely to happen.
10. Birthday pancakes happened, though…
11. As did a [free] birthday cappuccino…
12. And [free] birthday Sephora samples…
13. I especially got a good kick out of these ones…
14. … because I don’t feel a day over 12…
15. … or look a day over 20 (even when I try to pull a serious face)…
16. … which I’m sure I’ll appreciate a lot more when I’m 50 and look like I’m 30, because it was kind of annoying when I was 28, in Vegas, and continuously getting carded and told that I’ll have more fun when I’m “legal.” But I digress.
17. Once again, there were balloons…
18. … and flowers…
19. … and one of the cutest perfume bottles I’ve ever seen…
Dot by Marc Jacobs.
20. I ran into an old friend from high school that I hadn’t seen in a handful of years and he actually remembered that it was my birthday. Awwwr.
21. The celebration(s) were pretty low-key. I’ve found that the older I get, the less I care about having a big birthday bash. Well, that and I’m just kind of partied out after Christmas and New Year’s. Oh, and the cold… Have I mentioned the cold?
22. That being said, this year there was a night out for pizza and movies with friends (Saturday), and a night in for dinner with the family (Sunday).
23. Birthday calories never count.
24. Thank goodness, because — this…
25. I didn’t end up choosing any of the cakes from my very important decision post… but I did end up taking certain aspects of each cake and combining them into one super cake. The base was a fudgy adaptation of this chocolate honey cake; the middle layer was a whipped caramel almond butter cream (inspired by this almond butter cup brownie cake); and the whole thing was topped with whipped cream and chocolate.
26. It.was.freaking.epic 😯 😯
27. That being said, I’m so sugared out after the past couple of weeks, that all I want to do is chew on carrot sticks and drink peppermint tea.
28. I got a big kick out of reading the 29 Awesome Things About Being 29. (thanks Sam!). #s 1, 6, 17, 21, 24, 25, and 29 are especially true. Fabulous.
29. Yessss… I have a feeling 29 is going to be an awesome year…
Any other January babies out there? (if not, when’s your birthday?)
What kind of cake did you have for your last birthday?
Tell me 3 random things from your last birthday! 😀
Oh HONEY!! I think you did damn good on that cake…omg, if only there existed the technology to just have a taste! Must.not.lick.screeeeeen! 😯 I love this. I love you (but you knew that already). And it’s been far too long since I’ve “hung” with my ‘Manda! Soooooo, broccoli bomb it is! 😀
Happy birthday!! Can you believe I did not have cake on my last birthday? Isn’t that a tragedy? No one made me one/bought me one! I had lots of champagne and went out to two yummy dinners… but still… I was very disappointed in my lack of cake!
What a beautiful birthday for one of the most beautiful bloggers I know- inside and out.
It looks like you had the most perfect day, filled with amazing people, beauty products, and food (as it should be!) I can’t wait to go get my free birthday gift from Sephora and spend a few gift cards that I’ve accumulated- I’ve been eyeing that Marc Jacobs scent!
And oh my goodness…your cake! Since I wasn’t able to actually eat any of mine, I’m allowed to make myself a belated birthday cake now, right? For that cake, I think YES. (:
You DEFINITELY better be making a make-up cake! And speaking of makeup, have you tried the new Marc Jacobs liquid foundation? I’ve been hearing some amazing things about it, but I already have such a huge collection of foundations… Also… I hope you feel better *hugs*
Oh my goodness…I have. And at the risk of adding to your huge collection (I can totally relate), it’s unbelievable. I invested in a bottle at the beginning of December when I bought my sister the limited-edition christmas collection bag and I’m in love. Have you tried the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation? It reminds me a lot of that one which is another favorite. (:
Well… looks like I’ll be adding another foundation to my collection 😆 And YES to LMSCF — I used that one for a long time and I actually have no idea why I stopped. I think it was because I switched to Chanel’s Vitalumiere Auqa…
My birthday is on the first of November. My mom blames trick or treating with my brother on the night before as “scaring” me right out….? Anyways glad you had a great birthday! Hopefully I’ll have a cake this year for mine! (fingers crossed 🙂
you don’t look a day over 21!
Happy belated wonderful birthday!!
I’m turning 31 in May – then I’ll really and truly be in my thirties. Eeps!!
Happy Late Birthday!! I get how you feel. A birthday right after the holiday season is not as cracked up as it’s talked up to be. My bday is Jan 3rd and I also turned 29 this year. I hope you make it a good one!!
Thanks Christine! Happy belated birthday to you as well! Hope it was a good one 🙂
So happy you had a great birthday!! I can take the cake off your hands if you’re all sugared out…just saying.
My birthday is on September 1st and I was in Trinidad!! Lots of food, sunshine, and picture-taking. Sorry…probably not the day to be talking about sunshine given that hell has frozen over in Canada. I can’t say I am a fan of this weather!
I remember your birthday! Banana cake and CTC is hard to forget 😉
HUGE HUGS and belated birthday, I feel terrible now for emailing you at the weekend, and bless you for responding! That surprise from the other bloggers looks so fun, how kind and thoughtful 🙂 Hope your year of being 29 is awesome!
What a wonderful day/week of celebration – the blogging love you received was so amazing and warmed my heart so so much. Well, my last birthday: I turned 21 (!!!), I cashed in on two free coffee drinks, and it was the first year I didn’t see my mom on my birthday!
Ooo 21! Good year! Did you bring it in with a bang? 😀
Pretty close! I had been exhausted the whole day, so going out may have not been the absolute best idea, but when you are finally able to go out like a real adult, you make it work! =)
oh man just looking at the numbers of how cold it is pains me lol
A belated Happy Birthday!!! I am very happy for you that you had such an amazing day and the birthday wishes from these lovely bloggers certainly were awesome! One of the cutest things I’ve ever seen! I am turning 29 on the first of March and I have to admit I am a bit scared to come so close to the big 3-0. I have a couple of weeks left to work on my nonchalance about it but I will be a tad pissed about the fact that it happens to me too 😉 As a child I always was sure things like aging wouldn’t happen to me. Well physically I still look like 20 so I can relate to your Las Vegas experiences better than I wish. Let’s hope for the two of us (and all the others 85ers) that 29 will be an epic year!
Btw. I hear every year on the 1st of March: Did I ever tell you that the day you were born it was so cold that the steering wheel of our car cracked?
Have a lovely day 🙂
That’s hilarious about your mom telling your birthday story with the weather. One of my brothers was actually born on my mom’s birthday, and she always tells the story how my dad asked if she wanted him to leave the hospital to get her flowers for her birthday… while she was in labor and minutes away from having my brother lol. Glad you had a good birthday though and that cake looks amazing!!! 🙂
Happy belated birthday, beautiful lady!! I hope you had a fabulous day–you deserve it 🙂 I’m drooling majorly over those birthday pancakes and subsequent cappuccino….helloooo fabulous birthday eats!! I’m patiently waiting for the cold weather to go away but let’s face it…I’m getting impatient!
I’m a July baby…so I DEFINITELY hate winter!
Also, I read that you should start using “age defying” and “anti-wrinkle” creams when you hit your mid 20’s because that’s when your skin begins to lose elasticity. Albeit, slowly…but you can never be too safe! I steal my mom’s under-eye cream all the time because I want to look young forever!
Just don’t forget to moisturize your neck. You don’t want to be one of those older women with a young face and a wrinkly neck!!
I’m huge on eye creams but I haven’t switched over to anti wrinkle creams yet… I’ve read a lot of advice from older women who say to just use a basic cream — or even an oil like olive or coconut. It’s hard to say what’s actually legit, and what’s just clever marketing…
It sounds like you had a well deserved awesome birthday!! That cake…ooooomg. I hope 29 really is the year because in exactly one month I’ll be right there with ya! PS: Move in with me. It’s warm and there’s cookies. 😉
So much awesomeness about your birthday! Except the cold. I’m so over it too.
You’re looking fresh and gorgeous, your cake looks incredible, and I hope 29 brings some wonderful things your way 🙂
My birthday is in May, so hopefully it’ll be warm by then. 😉
Three things about my last birthday: I ate quinoa and crab cakes, I had a breakfast party with my friends, and I don’t think I ate cake…what?!
I’m so glad you had an awesome birthday! That cake looks amazing. Great idea to combine the flavors to make your cake an original one!! Smart Cookie!!
My birthday cake of choice is always Carrot cake. Something about the cream cheese frosting makes me want to face plant into it. Probably too much information! 🙂 hahaha
Happy Birthday AGAIN Amanda. You Rock!!
I’m pretty sure I said happy birthday on Instagram but it won’t hurt to say it again. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It looks like you had a wonderful time and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be regardless of your age (and temperature apparently). Keep the child in you alive!
I didn’t have cake on my birthday last year (I bought some on the next day for a visit to my host family) but it was my best birthday ever. Mr Right came to see me, we went to the beach (yes, in October), then to an aquarium where he saw dolphins for the first time and ended it in Hard Rock Cafe.
Btw, I saw billboards advertising this perfume line in the UK and thought the bottles were really cute 🙂
Thanks girl <3 And Mr. Right beats birthday cake any day. Mine couldn't be with me though, so I had to settle for chocolate...
Happy birthday to one of my very favorite bloggers! 🙂