Birthday Week, pt. III

We're going to have to skip part II since I don't yet have the pictures. I have to get them from a few people...

On the day of my birth, April 21, I awoke to sunshine. Sunshine! (It had been, and continued to, rain all week. All. week.) I got some fun presents from my roommates, including a cast iron griddle that will take my pancakes up a notch. (I used it on Saturday and it was definitely an improvement! Not to mention I felt super official.) My parents had sent me a birthday package so I ripped it open (in 5 year old style... I can't help it! I love birthdays!) and found a gorgeous new blouse. Birthday outfit, donned.

After work I had planned to take the bus to Dave's house where we would have dinner together. As I walked out the door and started walking to the bus stop, I saw from behind a person sitting on a bench. I thought to myself, "The back of that person's head doesn't look like anyone I normally see here." And then, "That person's jacket looks a lot like Dave's jacket." And then, "Omigosh! It's Dave!" He surprised me and came to pick me up from work! (This is one of my highest luxuries. As a takes-public-transportation-everywhere person, getting a ride ranks up there with a bubble bath or a chocolate dessert. Seriously.)

Dave -- surprise in Hyde Park!

We made stir-fry for dinner (my favorite) and watched 30 Rock (my favorite!) and ate strawberry shortcake (my favorite!).

Vanilla Bean macaroons -- this one was my favorite

He gave me some fabulous gifts as well. A lovely bag from a vintage shop in Chicago (I've been on the bag hunt for a while!), macaroons (I've been itching to try them for months), an awesome ceramic travel mug (such bright colors!), and a bouquet of flowers that are brightening up a dreary last few weeks of April.

Modeling three of my birthday gifts -- blouse, bag, bouquet

It was a lovely birthday and I'm so thankful to my friends and family, near and far, for how special and loved they made me feel. I've got long thank you notes coming to all of you!

At work on Friday, feeling very colorful

Birthday Week, pt. I

Birthday week was so awesome that it's going to encompass several posts. I'm pretty lucky to get so much celebrating, no?


Tuesday evening, Paige took me to dinner to celebrate my birthday! She's currently on a week long adventure in North Dakota, so we celebrated early at Socca* in Lakeview.



It was a stormy evening and the lake looked particularly dreary and eerie. But it's okay, because we had wine and frites and Italian food to warm our bellies.

I got a goat cheese and roasted peppers pizzette and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever tasted. I am definitely going back!

We had a grand time, even running through the rain to get home. I'm so blessed to have a friend like Paige! 

(Paige, I miss you; come back from the frozen North!)

*Can I just say that I find it terribly annoying when websites play music? I do. Beware, this one blasts music at you.

April!

My first thought when I woke up this morning was, "It's Friday!!" My second thought was, "IT'S BIRTHDAY MONTH!!"

I get really excited about my birthday. So much so that at the beginning of March I was excited because March is the month before my birthday month.

And what showed up in my inbox this morning on Friday, the first day of April?? A happy birthday email from DSW. They certainly know how to celebrate birthday month!

Rocking the 90s

My friend Mike l o v e s the 90s. For his thirtieth birthday a few weeks ago he had a 90s themed party that was fully executed. We ate fruit roll-ups and ring pops, combos and hot pockets; we all wore period clothing. And we danced for four hours to the songs of of 90s. It was one of the best dance parties I've ever partooken of (partooken? not a word?).

Surprise!

So... mystery birthday date? SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY! My friends are so thoughtful and SO good at keeping secrets! (At least this secret...) Dave took me on a scavenger hunt through the city where I met up with different friends with different surprises, culminating in a grand party. Ashley took some photos and I have a few on my camera, but I don't have those yet. For now, here are two I stole from her flickr page... (P.S. Ashley is a superb photographer. :)

a roommate photo

a couple photo

Happy Monday!