and the spoiling goes on – a presents update
01 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
in books, food and drink Tags: birthday, books, cupcakes, f scott fitzgerald, fiona cairns
As you know, I am the lucky recipient of one present each day this week in the run-up to my 30th birthday (it’s supposed to dull the trauma).
Last night I had to wait until gone 11 for my Wednesday present, as Chris had gone to Old Trafford for the football. It was another book, this time The Beautiful and Damned by F Scott Fitzgerald. I was pleasantly surprised, as while I was unwrapping what was quite obviously a book, I expected it to be one of the publications I recently mentioned that I wanted to read. Instead, this book was picked by Chris based on my love of The Great Gatsby and the roaring 20s. I can’t wait to get stuck into it this weekend.
The Beautiful and the Damned ~ F Scott Fitzgerald
Tonight after work I was greeted by Chris carrying a bright yellow Selfridges bag. I had an inkling what it contained and I was right! Fiona Cairns is the lady behind these cute cupcakes that look little works of art … and half a dozen of these beauties are mine!
Fiona Cairns cupcakes
I’m also pleased to report that the surprises are carrying on this weekend. I was instructed to pack a bag as we’re catching a train at around 6 tomorrow evening for a weekend away. I have my suspicions as to the destination, but regardless of where it is, if this week’s treats are anything to go by then I just know that this is going to be one memorable 30th birthday!
more presents for me!
29 Sep 2009 1 Comment
in general Tags: birthday, fashion
Parisian chic stationery and a shimmery shawl
Last night he handed me a package (in pretty pink and black damask wrapping paper) which contained a beautiful pashmina in a lovely shimmery silver. Perfect for party season that’s coming up.
Tonight I received a quaint correspondence set with notecards depicting my favourite city, Paris. So far, so very impressed. I wonder what awaits me the rest of the week, and – more importantly – does Chris realise the presents now need to keep on getting better?
give me cake, champagne and a pretty dress – i’m turning 30
27 Sep 2009 Leave a Comment
in general Tags: birthday, cake, champagne
I’m a week away from turning 30. I’m pretty excited about it: my hubby’s planning some surprise and because it’s a special birthday, I get a week of birthday presents (first one later today!).
Birthdays are such great fun, although it’s hard to beat the giddiness that comes with preparations for parties when you’re a kid. In fact, my most vivid childhood memories are all linked to birthdays, especially the cake and the dress.
My mom is an artist when it comes to birthday cakes. My first birthday cake was a Barbie cake similar to these. For my third birthday party my mom made a Minnie Mouse cake and I remember the panic when my friends were already on their way and my mom realised she needed more liquorice for the whiskers. A mad dash ensued but Minnie got her whiskers and I had a wonderful party (with lots of sherbet).
In 1984 I was obsessed with the colour purple. I didn’t care what my cake was, as long as it was purple. I don’t know if it was brilliance or laziness, but my mom made a plain round cake and decorated it as a clock pointing at 5 o’clock to indicate my age. I don’t care, it was the perfect shade of purple to match my purple outfit.
I rocked my favourite birthday party dress at age 7. It was pink and frilly and I accessorised with a white hairband with a bow. The boy who loved me then told me I looked beautiful and followed me everywhere that day, but I was too busy being the belle of the ball to pay any attention to him (besides, I liked his older brother better).
My tenth birthday (pictured below) was a Dirty Dancing fest. We watched the film and then proceeded to practise The Lift on the lawn. RIP Patrick Swayze
High school birthdays are a bit of a blur, but I remember going to a real nightclub for the first time on my 18th birthday (I was a slow burner), drinking tequila and pretending to like it (I cannot stomach it at all having nearly given myself alcohol poisoning at the hands of the stuff at uni). On my 19th I found myself swimming in the ocean, fully clothed, at midnight to celebrate.
The last three years have been less about cake, dresses and drinking and more about doing fun things I enjoy. However, in 2006 we got it horribly wrong. We’d only lived in Manchester for about 8 months and, without asking locals for advice, we set off to Southport because I fancied spending my birthday on a beach (despite the autumn weather) in a quaint English seaside village. Southport was the closest seaside town, but Southport is NOT the place I had in mind. I nearly cried when I saw the “beach” (below).
We had some chips, skipped the ice-cream, and try to get over the disappointment by heading to York the next day, renting some bikes and cycling around. That was much more like it.
Cycling in York
The next year we hit Alton Towers and despite the fact that it’s a bit of a trek travelling there via public transport from Manchester, a fantastic day was had by all.
Last year Chris treated me to a lovely weekend in a fantastic hotel in Dublin, Clontarf Castle. We were greeted with chocolate cake and champagne, which sums up the perfect birthday in my opinion!
I’m really excited to see what Chris comes up with this year (no pressure…). Maybe I’ll have my “OMG I’m thirty” panic after the cake and champagne, but for now I’m looking for a pretty dress to help me ring in the dirty thirties!
