The First Day of my 29th Year

Today I am officially starting the first day of my last year in my 20's. My initial reaction to this statement is too curl up in the fetal position (on my beautiful pottery barn couch) and cry. But then I realized how much I've grown and changed in these past nine years and excitement overwhelms me about what my thirties will hold! As a successful, single young woman the next few years of my life will most likely be very important ones. Even though I work for myself at this point I want to have my own business and office front within two years. I want to make the most of my time in a new city by meeting wonderfully, interesting new friends, exploring every nook and cranny, and making Philly my home. These are not ridiculous goals, rather practical actually. And with the way this year is starting out, I have great hope for an amazing year. Here are some highlights of my birthday this year:

Toasting my 29th year with some pink bubbly!

Catching up before a night out in Philly

Enjoying a "Big Azz" Margarita with the little sis

My birthday morning started off with another slice of pumpkin cake and coffee in bed. I rearranged my bedroom furniture yesterday because the original setup just didn't feel right. In my house I used to love to relax in my bedroom and just hang out. But I've found myself avoiding my bedroom in my apartment, so I thought it was time to do something about it. I also realized that I am not working out as much as I would like to since moving to the city. Even though I'm walking everywhere, its not the same. So another motivator was to make room for the treadmill in the basement, to join me in my tiny bedroom. I finally decided that feeling good about myself is more important than worrying about huge gym equipment cramping my apartment style.

So I enjoyed my favorite movie, The Holiday from the comfort of my new city bedroom (I watch The Holiday so much that I've actually blogged about it before!). Oh and I dug out my absolute favorite pumpkin candle from Target that I bought 4 years ago! I thought I finished it up last year so you can imagine my surprise when I came across it yesterday during the move. If only everyday could start this way. Pure bliss :)

After I pried myself out of my bed, I treated myself to a little Philadelphia Cheesesteak for lunch. Then I gathered up Riley and we headed back to NJ to spend some time with the fam. I decided to take the scenic route because it was such a beautiful day and I didn't feel like dealing with the traffic.

The night of my birthday was spent at Mama Nina, the cutest Italian restaurant in Bethlehem. My whole family loves it (and we went there last year for my birthday as well) but my favorite part are these garlic knots.

They may not look like much to you but its garlic heaven. When they are warm and covered with oily bits of garlic it is quite possibly the best garlic knot you've ever had! Natalie and I discovered last year that if you empty your first plate they bring more, so we always gobble them up in a rush to get extras to take home! Garlicly goodness paired along with this

= a very happy birthday girl!

The rest of my birthday dinner guests equally enjoyed this Italian spread.

Mom and Dad

 

Little sis and her bf

On the way back home I had to snap some photos of downtown Bethlehem. This little city is where I went to college and one of my favorite places to be around the holidays, they always go all out! Bethlehem is also known as the Christmas City. Their Main Street is only three blocks long but beautiful!

Back at home everyone settled in to watch me open my gifts :) The third best thing about birthdays, after spending it with your faves and choosing your favorite meal! My Mom does a great job of making each birthday unique to that person, which is hard when you have three girls with similiar taste and birthdays within 4 months of each other!

Can you tell what it is? Here look closer...

A Louis Vuitton gift card! My sisters know that I'm been drooling over a Louis bag since before my birthday last year and haven't had the guts to fork over the cash. So when they asked what I wanted this year, I kiddingly said a Louis gift card, not even knowing if they make such a thing! Well they did, and my sisters found it. All I need is another $600 to fund the rest of the bag....can you blame me? Isn't it beautiful? So perfect for fall!

Maybe one day...after opening all my beautiful gifts (including a new decoration for fall!), we moved on to the cake. I was so happy to see that my Mom listened and actually heard me say that I wanted the pumpkin cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory. I discovered it last year at Barnes and Noble, its amazing. And I have to be the favorite daughter right now because my Mom didn't have to make anything for dinner this year! She got to relax and enjoy it as well. P.S. I know she was happy about this because my original request was Thanksgiving dinner, its my favorite meal!

Overall, this was a wonderful birthday. And now I get to enjoy pumpkin cheesecake for the next week (8 slices, all mine!). I'm really going to need that treadmill, when I finally get it! Someone asked me what was the best thing about my 28th year and what I want for myself in my 29th year. As you know, I have many goals for myself this year so I'll ask you instead - what is it that you want for yourself this year?