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! 😀
Yay for birthday pancakes! Happy birthday again!!
Somehow you just made 29 thing fly by with ease. I could learn a thing or two, especially since I was a total rambler today. You will very much appreciate looking young in years to come. You can count on it, but you can also count on some days feeling like a little kid at heart. Judging by your passion for the Minions, you already know all about that. 🙂 I’m thrilled you had a wonderful birthday (work aside). Fun with family and friends is what it’s all about. I appreciate that more and more with age.
Oh my, How bad am I for not wishing you a very happy birthday yesterday! 🙁 Sounds like quite a spectacular start to your 29th year… which I’m sure will be even more amazing than all those past! Happy belated my dear friend! xo
Thanks Maria! <3
I’ve been so blog absent lately, I was afraid I missed it. Happy Birthday!!!! <3
Thanks Cassie <3
AWW. Well done on the cake selection, friend. I’m starving and would like to dive into that & smother my body with it immediately.
My birthdays are pretty low key… I’m thinking this year I may head off for a solo weekend in the mountains for some R&R. We’ll see…
I’m glad you enjoyed your birthday, girl, and that your epic cake was a success. Obviously my attempt to send some warm weather your way as a birthday gift didn’t quite work, but you are welcome to come here until the avalanche of snow melts. 😉
Looks like an awesome b-day, despite the cold! That perfume bottle is especially cute and whoa that cake. If only there were a way to take a bite through the screen.
Right?! Apple needs to get on that, stat…
I adore this post. I’m so glad you had a great birthday (week)!!
pancakes! yes, you sure did celebrate it right! and stayed warm. So glad you enjoyed your day. You know you deserve it all and more. <3
WAHHHHHOOOO! I am so glad your week was amazing!! That cake looks like a good choice, along with your outlook on turning 29. You really don’t look a day over 21, and YOU WILL appreciate that soon enough!! Happy Birthday again gorgeousss giirrrl!
Oh wow – that mix-mash of a cake looks so so good! I gave up KEMPS fro yo and am having a hard time looking at it longer than -2.5 seconds! And speaking of “-” it is so so cold there! It’s supposed to be in the single digits here in GA the next couple of nights and I am in awe of people who can function in this temperature ALL winter!
You are a gem Amanda – and so deserving of the virtual partay Arman, Sam, Davida, Heather, Miss Polkadot, Becky, Lucie, and Gina threw!
My bday is September 4th and I chomped on a chocolate avocado cake (http://runninsrilankan.com/tag/chocolate-avocado-cake/) – where would we be without chocolate?!
What a fun and awesome birthday you had, Amanda! The cake, cute perfume, and all the freebies! 😛 Also, it is such a cool feeling when someone you haven’t seen in years actually remembers your birthday….really cool. And do you love the fragrance of that perfume?! Never seen it before.
ps: You REALLY don’t look 29–not that it’s OLD really….lol, but I always think you look more like your early 20s so I’m constantly surprised you’re in the later 20s. 😛
I actually love it! Definitely one of my new favourite scents. And because I’m horrible at describing how something smells, here’s what Sephora has to say about it: “The exuberant top captivates with a delectable blend of red berries, succulent dragonfruit, and sweet honeysuckle. The lush floral heart of the fragrance blooms with the addictive beautiful jasmine, mingled with energizing notes of coconut water and orange blossom. The scent rounds out with a feminine dry down of creamy vanilla, driftwood, and sensual musks.” Bottom line: it smells really nice 🙂
I seriously need to try that nail polish! 🙂
HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY 🙂
Looks like fun! Happy birthday, and jeez, stay warm!!
Happy Belated!! Sounds like you had awesome celebration, even though it was freeeeezing. On my last Bday, I turned 31. We went to visit this cool small town in PA called Litiz. Then we went out to eat and I was very excited to do that because I got to wear the highest heels I own and a new dress.
What fun!!! And you get seriously spoilt!!- wow! That cake does look wonderfully epic- but don’t even joke about calories beautiful- you are too cool and the stupid things don’t matter in comparison to the real world ok (I know you know that ;)) My birthday is December- I had a white chocolate and almond cake with a white chocolate and maple icing- was very good! I only have a really small celebration now I am older too- and by older i mean 22 (I got old quickly haha) but it’s still nice 🙂 and far more relaxing anyway. Oh and do tell- what kind of pancake are those?! 🙂
Aww it’s all jokes in good fun — I hope people realize I have a tendency not to take things too seriously. And a while chocolate almond cake sounds amazing… plain old chocolate is about as creative as I get 😉 As for the pancakes, I made them with Greek yogurt and I’m going to try to recreate the recipe so I can blog about them later this week.
PS — 22 isn’t old! 😛
Your cake looks awesome! My birthday is in June and I am already planning my cake. Last year was a few rounds of desserts out instead of a birthday cake. I should have done it all now that I think back on it.
Nothing better than free stuff on your birthday!! I don’t care what it is, I always love free stuff 🙂
Such a pretty picture of you, girl [or do you prefer lady now 😉 ?]. And your stuffed animal wolf is too cure, too. What’s his name?
I’m not usually a fan of numbers but I’m pretty fond of these kind of countdown posts [or would it be ‘count up’?!]. #20 is SO sweet – goes to show who your true friends were -, #21 is likely for me, too, and remind me of #23 once my birthday approaches.
And yes, that cake looks epic and I’m impressed by your creativity in fusioning several of these recipes to create an even more awesome result. Could you post the adaptions you made to the honey cake recipe? I’m still in search of the best cake for my birthday? But then again there are several more weeks – only I -know- they’ll fly by.
Great book choice, by the way. Sad but well-written. Do you like it so far?
Happy Monday!
I’ll send you an e-mail of what I did to the cake… although expect it to be a little scattered considering my mom was the one who baked it and I was just kind of giving suggestions here and there. As for the book, I haven’t had time to start it yet, but I’m looking forward to it… I just hope it doesn’t make me cry -too- much.
No way you did NOT eat pancakes…..Almost crying tears of joy. Okay, tears of pain because instead of eating pancakes, I’m eating oats today lol! And that cake! That is so smart- take the best bits of each of the cakes and mesh it into one. My birthday is June 8th which, every year since high school, I’ve had an exam on lol! My cake is always the same- a white chocolate mud cake! So simple yet so good! Here’s to an amazing 29th year of Spoons!
But oats are amazing! Tears of pain should never be associated with a bowl of oatmeal!
Happy belated birthday Amanda! Sounds like you had a great week. That cake looks really tasty. My birthday was in December. The restaurant gave me a slice of red velvet cake with lemony cream cheese icing. YUM.
What a great birthday!!! Last birthday cake…it might have been mint chocolate chip ice cream?? And oh my goodness, those cold temps look miserable!!! Stay warm!!
It sounds like you had a fab birthday!! And I’m pretty sure you need to dedicate an entire post to that cake…maybe you are already planning to? 😉
No 😥 But maybe I should have… especially because Justin’s was involved 😉
Yes, definitely!!!
You made your own birthday cake?? It looks AMAZING! and sounds even better than that.
My birthday is in April. Last year I turned 26 and didn’t really do much at all…..My daughter’s birthday is the same week so her party was a day before my birthday. By the time that shin dig was done I didn’t want to do anything.
Looks like a pretty great b-day, minus that insane cold (which is what we’re now suffering today). That cake – OMG, looks amazing & I’m glad you loved it!! The perfume bottle – so cute.
My husband is a January baby… I’m a Sept. baby. My parents got me a chocolate birthday cake with really sweet buttercream frosting for my birthday last year. Previous to that, it was a carrot cake the last few years running – a fave of mine. 🙂
I’m happy to hear that you had a nice birthday! And I absolutely loved being a part of the birthday surprise – you know how much I love you 😉
Annnd that birthday cake. It looks pretty brilliant. Do you think it ships well? I could go for a slice…my last cake was DQ ice cream cake, which wasn’t a bad way to go. But now I’m craving cake.
DQ ice cream cakes used to be my absolute FAVOURITE back in the day before they slapped the allergy warning on them… And honestly, I’d kill for an ice cream cake — even with this freakishly cold weather.
that cake looks AMAZING! sounds like you had a great birthday 🙂 Stay warm!
Despite the cold it looks like a really solid birthday. Glad you had a good time and those are some mighty fine pancakes!
Happy birthday (a couple days late!).
Sounds like you had a super day!!! Enjoy looking younger than your age now, there will be a day when you are 40something that getting carded is like a treat!!!
Happy birthday, gorgeous! Hope 29 is an amazing year for you!
Love the nail polish! Cerulean always makes me think of Devil Wears Prada. I was born in June and Im already getting excited for birthday time. My friend just had a birthday when I was out of town so I might use that as an excuse to make a cake this weekend because I love cake.
Happy Birthday, Amanda! What an awesome weekend. Love how low-key it was. I’m the same way – I don’t enjoy celebrating my birthday in a big way but love to go all out for the people I love!
I turn 30 in a few weeks and hope my list looks similar to yours!
Is it weird that I’m secretly already excited for 30? 😆 Life just seems to get better the older I get…
My first comment froze before going through! Boooh 🙁 ..here goes..
Your birthday was such a blast! That cake..ohmygoose what a beauty! Genius to improvise the way you did. I too tend to forget your age and always feel as though you are closer to my age :p .I’m a June baby, 26th. Last year I had my big Sis whip up her spectacular peppermint/caramel tart for me instead of cake. Think crushed coconut biscuits layered with a caramel mousse and grated chocolate mint crisp..I die <3! Hmmm, three random things about last year? 1. My family threw me a surprise party 2. I almost spoiled it with my plans to spend the day lounging in pj's watching movies 3. They managed to organise everything without me getting a whiff of it
Best bday celebration ever 🙂 That cake sounds amazing!! Goodness, I wish I felt confident enough in my skills to combine different recipes when making stuff. Maybe that will be my one new thing for one month! I’m a September baby, and I didn’t actually have a cake this year 🙁 My mum thought I’d rather get dessert at the restaurant we went to, while I thought everyone was coming back to the house for the cake she usually makes (chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and millions of sprinkles). Whoops…dessert was good, but mum knows I would prefer her cake this year 😛
Happy belated bday!!! I can’t honestly remember my last birthday that well – it was way back in March – but I turned 45 (and yes, it gets much better to look super young the older you get!). xo
Sounds like you had a fantastic birthday, except for the freeeeeezing temps!
now WHAT is that delicious looking cake. holy goodness. sounds like a blast for me, I mean the weather just means more time cuddling inside. once again, so glad you had a great birthday
I always love when people surprise you by remembering your birthday especially when you don’t see them forever AND the fact I’m terrible at birthdays. Absolutely terrible.
So glad you had a great one and also glad to see a fellow January baby 😉 I just squeezed in on the 31st!
It’s the absolute worst having a birthday in the dead of winter, though. It’s not like it’s a possibility of having a picnic outside or BBQ. Unless, of course, you’re a master of building epic igloos!
… or if you live in Hawaii, which I honestly wouldn’t mind around this time of the year! Don’t know what I’d do with the dogsled though…
Well, I can officially see why you said to me the other day that 29 was going to be a great year for you. 🙂 I’m so glad you had a fantastic birthday.
Sounds amazing! Especially the birthday pancakes 🙂 happy, happy 29th lovely!