The Superbly Lovely 24th Birthday Weekend Recap

One week ago today, I shared my birthday with one of the sweetest little girls in the whole world. She turned two and I turned 24. Aye aye aye, where does time go?

Photo credit: Michelle. Taken on the morning her her 1st (my 23rd) birthday. See 2 years ago here. Is it super awful we have to stage our 2nd & 24th birthday picture on Tuesday because we didn't get one at the party this year?!

Last Friday, I went on a little photography safari in Portland with Michelle. (Details tomrorow!) That night, my sister, mom and I saw The Zac Brown Band in concert. They were awesome and had loads of energy. Saturday was our September Book Club meeting, where we discussed, The Body Project by Joan Jacobs Brumberg. Then, Sunday was the big shared birthday party, hosted by Ellie's mom and dad, my awesome friends, Steve and Michelle. There was so much food, including bacon wrapped potato bites and 3 cakes, one based on these Lemon Poppyseed Strawberry Buttercream cupcakes I made. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures because fortunately, I was nice and busy chatting it up with guests. Michelle did post a few, if you're interested.

I received some very thoughtful and useful gifts this year, a few of which I just have to show you! Really, I am very excited about them all, as they were nearly all unexpected.

My friend, all the way back from preschool, Steph, gave me this little hummingbird necklace I just adore. Plus, I got to see her twice this weekend, once at book club and then at the party.

Allison gave me these two awesome stands for cupcakes and a cake. I looooove the oil rubbed bronze-esque pastry stand. It will fit any event. The white ceramic cake stand is completely customizable to any event or season, by just adding ribbon to the holes around the edge. Oh so excited to use both of these. No doubt, you will soon see them in pictures for the blog. :)

Since I already mentioned cakes, I'll also say I just can't wait to use my new whoopie pie pan from Cara in Austin! I even got to open it in front of her via Google Hangout, along with Kaycie & Erich in Baton Rouge. (If you haven't tried it yet, you must. It will trump Skype soon enough. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, ask me and I will gladly be Google's unofficial spokesperson on the topic.)

Michelle gave me the three frames pictured below. I hung them above my messy craft desk, I chose not to picture. I just love the color scheme. It is perfect!

She ordered the dandiloin print from Etsy and made the other two herself.

She knew I love specimen art (as mentioned here), but have yet to make any for myself.

Thanks everyone for starting off my 24th year with so much love. I had a great weekend and am so blessed to have you all in my life!