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

Lace headband

I'm currently loving lace (maybe it's my yearning for warmer weather so I can wear my favorite lace dress from last summer!) and found this lovely headband from ban.do. Unfortunately it's $50. Too bad...

Cute, yeah?

"O Happy Day" print from Keep Calm Gallery.
[via swissmiss]

Heather + Dan's wedding

Heather and Dan's wedding in Wisconsin was just beautiful and such a great little weekend away. We guests enjoyed poking around the small town, relaxing in the hot tub, and watching World Cup soccer. The ceremony and reception were lovely and I'm serious when I say that the bride was just GLOWING. I couldn't decide between these two photos I stole off of facebook to show you, so you get both:




(Once Swice and I swap pictures I might have photos of us doing fun things, too.)

I like these...

I love these pillows Elise made and posted on her blog. It's like a combo of my favorite things: yellow, gray, WORDS! Throw a little teal in there and BAM, it would be Ashley's favorites. She modified this tutorial to put them together.

Pretty Swell Garlands

I think this fabric flower garland is pretty gorgeous. (I couldn't decide if I should use "pretty" or "gorgeous" to describe it, so I went with both. Ha.) Also, it's made in Hawaii. SWEET.

(You can see all of Pretty Swell's garlands and other goods here.) [via you are my fave]