1. It was low-key and quiet. After Christmas and New Year’s, no one really seems to be in the mood for more partying – me included.
2. I celebrated over three days because of people’s wonky schedules. Birthday weekend, anyone? Yes…
3. The weather was gorgeous [for us]. I think the sun actually came out 
4. A lot of Friday was spent marathoning…
5. … and nail painting…
6. … and loving you guys…
7. The boy cooked me dinner. Homemade pizza and salad. Swoon.
8. I didn’t take a picture because it still feels awkward.
9. Saturday started with oatmeal.
10. My body didn’t hate me for it. Score (I’ll go into more detail in a future post)
11. Birthday’s need balloons…
12. … and flowers…
13. … and cake cupcakes…
14. We decided to bake the ‘cake’ at my place since I wanted to try out my new stand mixer, and it wasn’t until everything was all mixed up that I realized that I didn’t have a cake pan… so cupcakes it was. Dark chocolate mocha with cookie dough frosting. Ridiculously good.
15. My mom got me one of the sweetest presents ever…
16. She knows I’m doing 365 days of memories and thought it would be nice to put them in a treasure box instead of a jar. I call them my treasured memories.
17. I had a lot from this weekend…
18. Saturday ended with a trip to the movies…
19. It was a good one.
20. People tell me I don’t look a day over 20.
21. I don’t feel a day over 21.
22. I sure did feel a slight sugar coma, though…
23. Epic games of Scrabble, Sorry!, Life, and Settlers of Catan were played.
24. Birthday luck is unstable. I’d win one round with no problem and get my butt handed to me in the next round.
25. I hardly took any pictures this weekend…
26. This is one of the only ones I have.
27. Yes, it’s super flattering. And yes, I could use some sun. Damn flash.
28. Overall, my birthday was darn marvelous. I stayed off the computer for most of the weekend, and now I’m honestly a little scared to take a peek into my Google Reader. Gulp.
. – . – . – .
Do you take a lot of pictures during holidays/special events? No! I’m horrible at this. It’s funny because I love looking back through old pictures, but when it comes to actually taking the time to take them? Can’t do it.
Do you look a lot younger than you actually are? Very much so. People usually can’t believe it when I tell them how old I am.
{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that pic of you is totally sweet! And oh, those cupcakes look DELISH. Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday weekend! I don’t take a lot of pics at events either, but only because I am busy chatting (or eating) and forget. I LOVE though when I have a few, it’s perfect to look at them years later.
I think I look younger,I think people guess 28-30. But my laughing-wrinkles (crowfeet) next to my eyes give it away. Totally fine with me, I am 34 and I don’t mind anyone noticing that. That box is BEAUTIFUL! What a sweet idea from your Mom!!
Lucie recently posted..Marvelous in my Monday!!
Laugh lines are a good thing! They’re a sign of a life spent smiling and laughing
Happy belated! I turned 28 in August, and I still get told I blend in when walking down the hallway with fifth graders.
I love your list. So many things on it that I don’t know where to begin to comment. Perhaps just to say that your birthday can last for 28 DAYS if you want to. Why settle for just a weekend? I always have a Birth-Week celebration…Birth-Month? And I mean, we could just run with this and celebrate every single day and defend it with, “It’s my birth YEAR.” [Although, technically, I guess THAT only happens once.
]
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..Greek Spinach Balls + Tofu Tzatziki [#MMAZ]
I am so happy you had a wonderful birthday weekend!!! The boy made you homemade pizza? Keeper. And I like cupcakes more than cake so I’m all about your birthday cake this year. I saw Silver Linings Playbook and really liked it as well. Um I look like I’m 16…seriosuly. People tell me I don’t look old enough to see an R-rated movie let alone buy a drink. We will appreciate it later on!
Haha! That’s what I keep telling myself. It’s just annoying at this age I guess.
What a FABULOUS birthday!! I love that you did 28 things about being 28. So fun
Those cupcakes look and sound delicious and I bet they tasted even better! I feel really awkward taking pictures too. Only bloggers understand, I guess 
Have an amazing monday!
Sarah @PickyRunner recently posted..I’m in love….
Hope you had a fabulous birthday, Amanda, my 28th is next week-YAY for January babies!!!
Marykate recently posted..Elf 4 Health
Oooo! Happy Early Birthday, Marykate! Don’t forget to celebrate birthday week
Happy belated birthday! Sounds like an amazing birthday weekend! I look so much younger than I am. Everyone always thinks I’m still in college or high school! Its always fun to tell them I’m actually 25!
Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness recently posted..Marvelous in my Monday!
Ah glad to see you had a wonderful birthday, Amanda…a weekend of celebrations sounds ideal
! And birthday cupcakes sound even better than cake- for one thing they are a heck of a lot cuter ! I am always getting mistaken for being younger than I am- the last time that happened, the other person assumed I was 18 (I’m 24 ha)! I don’t mind though because in 20 years, I’ll be having the last laugh! I’m not surprised you didn’t take too many pictures during the weekend as I am just the same- I get too wrapped up in the company and fun that clicking photos isn’t a top priority…although I won’t lie, Instagram has motivated me to be a bit more on it with the photos.
Hope you enjoyed the cupcake for breakfast
!
Khushboo recently posted..Makeup Monday
Everyone think im like 17! The guy at kroger the other day said I didnt need to be drinking almond milk and I should be drinking cows milk because I should gain the Freshman 15!?! Really, Im 27! I guess this will be nice when I am super old
Sara @ fitcupcaker recently posted..Granola Energy Balls & Kale Chickpea Soup
That’s what I keep telling myself too… That I’ll love being 50 and looking like I’m 25
Looks like an awesome way to celebrate your birthday, love! And you definitely don’t look 28 at all haha…i suck at taking pictures of anything, especially special events but i am working on it, much to the annoyance of my family and bf (although they’re all getting better about it haha)…and people always think I’m older than i am…they hear 24 and do a double take haha…i love that treasure box your mom got you, too! I want one for my memories too
Caitlin recently posted..Monday Musings
aww I totally missed saying Happy Birthday, so Happy belated Birthday!! You def look younger than 28, I’m 24 and people tell me all the time I look 17 lol I think the shortness fools them :p I love that you had cupcakes! Such a cute idea!!
rachel recently posted..MIMM #23: Oh Hello Flu…
Looks like you had an awesome birthday! After Christmas and New Years, I’d be wanting to keep it low key. I’ve had cupcakes for the last couple of birthdays and I think I like it better – more fun that way.
I think I look around my age – 23. I think to poke fun at the boyfriend though, because when he shaves off all his facial hair he looks 17 (and he’ll be 28 in May)
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted..Froyo Prepares You For Anything.
*I like* <— don't know what was going on in my head there.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted..Froyo Prepares You For Anything.
Eeeee you got cupcakes tooo!!!
Sounds like you had a great birthday even if it was ‘low key’. I’d probably prefer my birthdays to be like that even if wasn’t so close to Christmas and New Year to be honest! Oh and so sweet of the boy to cook pizza for you!!! Sounds like a good catch girly 
I am absolutely AWFUL at taking pictures of holidays/special events. I guess maybe it’s because I’m both too busy having a nice time and also just feel kinda awkward saying to everyone ‘can I take a picture?’ a million times…
I definitely look younger than I am..I get asked for ID wherever I go and they always say I look 16! Kindaaaa annoying when I’m 22. I mean I’m not complaining at looking young for my age because I’m hoping it will be an advantage when I’m a bit older but I don’t particularly want to look like a child!
Nicky recently posted..Sick Week
It feels awkward to me too! Especially because the family isn’t all that keen on taking pictures, so the whole thing starts feeling awkward. I blame genetics
Happy (belated) birthday to you! I spoke to you a while back about how I had to stop eating oats too, and we were having the same type of reaction – funnily enough in the past week I thought I’d try them out and hey presto! No reaction! What a coincidence!
Ahh that’s great to hear! I honestly think it was an issue of just eating less of them, so I’ll be having them for breakfast more often, but not everyday like I used to.
Aren’t birthdays the best? My family always makes sure to dedicate the day to whoever’s birthday it is…I always feel so special! I’m glad you got to have an extra long celebration
I had a Sex and the City marathon the other day, too. I love it! Are you planning on watching The Carrie Diaries when it premieres?
Megan @ runningonjava recently posted..Weekend update
Love it and I really am in shock you are 28. I want to be you when I grow up LOL. Moving on, I prefer to celebrate my birthday really quietly. I’m just terrible at taking photos for the blog. I’ve practically given up on it ha ha.
Hollie recently posted..Ham and Cheese Waffle
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!!! I too look really young for my age – I’ll be 25 in April… some people think I look 16? haha. I’m embracing it
Looks like you had a great birthday! Those cupcakes look insanely good, and I love the gift from your mom. Don’t worry, I’m terrible at taking pictures too most of the time. I’m the same way, I love having them, but actually making people pose for them, or worse, handing them my camera and asking them to take a picture of me…I just feel awkward doing it. And you definitely don’t look 28! For me it depends, sometimes I feel like I look my age, and other times people insist I barely look 21. I’ll take it!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted..What Alice Forgot Book Review
Happy Belated Birthday! I actually turn 29 on Wednesday, so I feel like I can kind of empathize with having an early January birthday. Glad you had a fun weekend!
Haley @ The Saucy Apple recently posted..Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ohhh! Happy Early Birthday, Haley! Make sure you’re celebrating birthday week
I am with the majority that doesn’t think you look a day over 21. Hate me know, love me later when you’re 40 and look 30!! Happy Birthday to you again this looks like a wonderful weekend. Those cupcakes look AMAZING!
you look extra youthful! embrace it! and the sugar coma, it’s needed sometimes. yes?
lindsay recently posted..When things just Click
Cupcakes take the cake in my opinion
Especially if there are multiple flavors- easy way to steal a bite of them all and definitely worthy of a sugar coma! I’m glad you had a blast of a birthday and were surrounded by such wonderful people, you deserve it girly! Ryan and I saw SLP yesterday and I thought it was pretty fab and helped me get through today’s post… XO
Allison @ Life’s a Bowl recently posted..Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Ahhh sounds like such a wonderful birthday!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself! You definitely look young. I get that a lot, too, people think I’m like 14. I think it will benefit us when we really are old
I am TERRIBLE at taking pictures over holidays or special events! I also feel weird whipping out the camera with the guy – so I don’t. Oh well hehe
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile recently posted..2012 Highlights and Ringing in the New Year
Such a lot of awesomeness on your birthday weekend!
.
What a fabulous gift from your mom – a jar is nothing in comparison and how cute the body cooked for you! Jealousy right here
I’m bad at taking pictures of special events, too, though I’m getting better. Christmas 2011 left hardly any traces in pictures so I made up for it last year. Well, at least now I have a bazillion pictures of tree ornaments but few only of my family … sheesh!
Eh, yes to looking waaaay younger than I am. Somebody once told me I looked like 13 … um, thanks, yes, 13 going on 22 … But lots of people keep telling me I’ll be happy about this once I’m really getting “older”. Oh, also, you do look great in that picture!
Miss Polkadot recently posted..Happy New Year and setting [realistic] goals
I definitely think we’ll appreciate it more when we get older! Being 40 and looking 25? I’ll take that
Sounds like a perfect birthday weekend. Your cupcakes look delicious!! I made a cake too, just for fun – a white cake with swiss merengue buttercream and lemon curd filling. Took all day but gave me something to do on a lazy sunday!
I loooove homemade pizza. I went through a phase where I made myself personal pizzas about 3 times a week for a month or two. It’s so easy when you have all the ingredients, and the dough is so much better when made fresh. And pretty healthy too (I make a wheat crust)…it’s funny how pizza has this bad reputation as a junk food when it’s really just bread, cheese, tomato and vegetables. Perfectly healthy and delicious!
So glad you had a great birthday! I’m so happy for you! You totally look really young. I usually get that too, a lot of people think my younger sister is actually older but she isn’t. I totally know how you feel about the camera issue, I actually am so bad at it and usually just forget! Oops. The cupcakes look amazing and the flowers are too cute.
Those cupcakes look BEE-YUUU-TIFUL
I usually only take pictures of food or my cat during the holidays. Random, but true. People assume I’m older than I actually I am; when I was in 8th grade everyone thought I was in college. (Awkward…)
Alex recently posted..1-3-13
Birthdays were made for suagr highs!
Gald you had a good one!
People always think I look younger than I am. I think it’s more because I’m short than anything esle though.
aww I’m so glad you had a wonderful birthday WEEKEND! Why limit it to just one day, eh? Those cupcakes look out of this world and I bet the pizza made by the boy was pretty darn tasty, too!
Many people think I look younger than I am too. Then again, sometimes I’ll get an comment saying I look older than what I am. So I just choose to not worry about it, because it’s really just a silly number anyways.
Kristi @ Sweetly Fit recently posted..Cranberry Apple Cinnamon Squares
I am so happy you had a wonderful birthday weekend, you deserved it girl!!
Love the them e of this post too
I am a picture whore, yup I am! Always taking pics
Katie recently posted..Marvelous in my Monday in Pics
Just found your blog again and I’m so glad! You seem to me to be one of the nicest, most genuine bloggers out there
I hope you had a lovely birthday and I can’t wait to start reading your posts regularly!
Sophie @ Love Live & Learn recently posted..One Week In.
Awwr, that’s super sweet of you, Sophie. Off to check out your blog!
Happy Belated Birthday, Amanda! Your birthday sounds like it was great. Any chance you might share that cupcake recipe? They look amazing. I also love the treasure chest, so special!
Brooke @ wreckingroutine recently posted..Timed Challenge
They were definitely good! I used this recipe here http://sweetannas.com/2012/04/dark-chocolate-mocha-cake-with-cookie-dough-filling.html
Yay for cupcakes, yay for oatmeal, yay for a 3-day birthday marathon! You need to hold onto that boy too! Homemade pizza is a gift from the gods.
Devon @ Health in Equilibrium recently posted..MIMM: Back in the Swing of Things
I’m so glad you had a wonderful birthday!!! I’m the same age as you (well I’ll be 28 in July) and people tell me I look younger. I don’t mind at all!!
About that google reader… just hit mark all as read. It feels good!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..MIMM: I’m Going to Bootcamp!
That sounds like a perfect birthday! And so sweet that the boy made you dinner.
I get told I look younger than my age ALL the time. I’m 23, but so many people mistake me for a high schooler. Ugh!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin recently posted..White bean, turkey sausage, and kale soup
We’ll appreciate it one day! 40 looking like 25? It’ll be good
This post just made me all tingly with joy!!
You deserved every blissful second. Can’t wait to see what this year has in store for you. Glad I’ll be there alongside you throughout it all!! xo
awww what a cute gift from your mom! She always sounds like she’s an awesome woman, not just as a mom but as an individual. And eeeeekkkk I always found it sooooooo cheesily sweet when men cook for the woman they love. Something about their kind action makes me melt.
Did you melt? lol.
Ellie@Fit for the Soul recently posted..2nd Trimester Cravings {Week 16-17}
It was definitely heart melting
I’m such a sucker when someone takes the time to do something special for me like that.
Your birthday sounds fabulous. You seem so loved by so many people.
And you totally deserve all of that. I personally love the treasure box most! I know you will treasure it well
sugar coma on your birthday is the best kind of way to celebrate in my opinion. I am so happy you had a whole weekend to celebrate and got to spend it with lots of people you love.
Alex @ therunwithin recently posted..MIMM: Feeling Fresh
Haha I didn”t know you were that old! I thought we were around the same age and I’m 23.
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..P&G eStore
Happy belated Birthday! I was wondering, does the “boy” know about your blog?
I’ve dropped hints, but didn’t go into any specific details. I’m hoping to soon, though!
happy birthday love!!
i use to always take pictures especially during holidays and special occasions, now i find this is the time where i put the camera away more often. i now want to actually focus on the event, the people, the experience. because that’s what its about.
it looks like you had a fabulous day(s) welcome to the almost 30 club. (i just turned 29 ugh)
Debbie (Accidently Delish) recently posted..By: Devon @ Health in Equilibrium
So happy you had a great birthday weekend! Sounds pretty marvelous to me… especially those cupcakes, sign me up!! The treasure box gift from your mom was super sweet… & so was your boy cooking you dinner. I feel awkward taking pics at family events too. BTW, you look beautiful in your b-day candle pic!
Happy Monday!!
Karey @ Nutty About Health recently posted..Marvelous In My Monday: Nut Butter Lovin!
I love how you did this b-day post and it looks like your b-day was a great one! The oatmeal and cupcakes look delish. The picture of you blowing out your candles is super cute!
kim@hungryhealthygirl recently posted..Marvelous in my weekend, but not so much in my Monday!
Wow, it sounds like you had an absolutely fabulous birthday/birthday weekend!! I am glad that it was so great!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted..Avocado and Tomato Grilled Cheese: The Best Homemade Grilled Cheese!
aah sounds like an amazing birthday weekend! It’s true, you really don’t look a day over 20 lol – always a good thing when you feel younger instead of older on a birthday right? And GAH the boy made you dinner…LOVE IT. And the oats are back! GREAT SUCCESS i can’t wait to hear the update on this!
I’m so glad you had an awesome birthday weekend! I’m all for celebrating birthday weekends (or weeks), my last birthday was on a Friday so I did a low-key celebration with my family on the actual day and then on Sunday I got to go to my favorite malls for a major shopping spree.
I’m always confused with my younger sister because I look like I should still be in high school. I guess it’ll pay off eventually, right?!
Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie recently posted..Fashion Friday: Christmas Clothes
A low key birthday weekend sounds pretty perfect to me! I’m not sure it gets much better than a SATC marathon, followed by a homemade dinner (cooked by an amazing guy, no less!), the return of your favorite breakfast, balloons, flowers, cupcakes (cookie dough frosting!!), and an incredibly heartfelt gift from your mom. Re-reading that, however, it doesn’t sound low key at all! Either way, I’m so glad you that you were able to unplug and truly enjoy those moments.
I often struggle with the “should I? or shouldn’t I?” photography question during holidays and special events. Part of me wants to capture as many memories as I can, so that they’ll never be forgotten, but the other part of me knows that the camera lends itself to inauthenticity. Whenever I feel like taking photos is beginning to get in the way of me enjoying an experience, I put it away. *Living* is far more important than watching life unfold in front of you.
Oh, and I am mistaken for 20 (or younger) ALL the time. In 30 years we’ll be grateful for that youthful glow (or so I’m told).
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish recently posted..MIMM: Weekend Snapshots
Sara! I got your package today
Omigosh I was over the moon, and don’t be surprised if something finds its way to you in the future 
Amanda, I am so happy you had such a great birthday. You are such a kind hearted & beautiful women. You deserve nothing but the BEST!!
Those cupcakes look pretty darn amazing, and your homemade pizza dinner sounds ridiculously delicious. I am in love w/ the chest your mom gave you. What a sweet lady!
<3
Jessie recently posted..&& onto 2013
Happy Birthday! I think a birthday weekend is a must! I celebrated over about 5 days for mine last year, gotta make the most of it!
Girl I cannot believe that you are 28!! You certainly do not look it! I need to do a SATC marathon sometime soon too!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..An issue of self-esteem
glad you birthday was great! and you certainly can’t go wrong with pizza and cupcakes, especially pizza cooked by the boy – homemade at that! what a treat!!!
Sara @my less serious life recently posted..chocolate-vanilla-peanut butter green smoothie
So glad you had such a great birthday!! You definitely do not look a day over 21! Love the idea of cupcakes – especially anything chocolate!
I hope you had a wonderful birthday Amanda. It seems like it was awesome. And no, you don’t look anywhere near 21
Happy belated birthday! You do NOT look 28! That’s a good thing
SO glad you had an awesome bday… those cupcakes look amazing.
Elizabeth@myneonrunningshoes recently posted..Yes, I did get passed on the slopes by a 2 year old.
Nope, I never remember to take pictures. I don’t like looking at pics of myself anyway if I’m ‘off-guard’ (unless they’re race photos) and if you’re enjoying the moment, sometimes whipping out a camera kind of breaks it?
Eh, I am always mistaken for being younger than I am. Last week I had to sign some forms and the person I was signing them for didn’t believe I was over 16 (I am 27!!!!) so she actually rang my Mum to check I didn’t need a parent to sign instead. Everyone says I’ll love it when I’m 40 but at present it’s so, SO embarrassing. Plus, it’s hard to be taken seriously when you look so young.
Hehe I definitely feel you on that one. I got ID’d everywhere I went the last time I was in Vegas, and I had a handful of people tell me to ‘come back when I’m legal because I’ll have more fun’
Birthday weekend is SO much better than just one day of celebration. I say milk it for all its worth! And Im always mistaken for being younger. I wore my little bros old football jersey to one of his games last year and when we went to pay to get in to the stadium they charged me a teenager price since they thought I was one of the highschoolers. HAHA.
Kat recently posted..1st giveaway of 2013
I have to share my birthday with my brother and my sister, and everyone seems to think that is really cool. But wait a minute, I want a day to myself thank you very much :O))
Tom @ ChocalateDreamers recently posted..The Mad Ranter: I like this, so they’ve stopped selling it
Happy birthdayyyyyyyyyy! I did a similar 365 journaling about one item of my day in my moleskin. It was great. I respect you for your dedicated marathoning
yessss, and that cake. Wow.
I’m so glad you had such a great birthday! And I have to admit, when I first started reading your blog I thought you were still a teenager or early twenties. That’s a good thing though!
Molly@This Life Is Sparkling recently posted..WIAW: Back to School
Haha I get that a lot. It doesn’t help that I let my inner child run rampant all the time…
Sounds like a perfect birthday weekend to me! Sex and the City, cupcakes, delicious breakfasts, family, what more could you ask for right? Not to mention, eating oatmeal without any pains sounds like a pretty good gift from your body. You definitely don’t look your age…it’s the European blood
Isn’t it funny how when we’re young we want to look older but as we get older we want to look young again? Ah the paradox of age.
Irina @ Chocolatea Time recently posted..Liebster Award!
Im so glad to see that you had a wonderful birthday weekend!! The cupcakes look absolutely delicious! and oats!! – Glad to see you can eat them again(?).
I hope 28 is your best year yet!
kris recently posted..koko head, the beach, & pasta
Oops! A really, really big oops… I’ve been so busy lately that I can forget about my own wedding (if now somebody tells me I have a wedding scheduled, I’ll seriously have a heart attack so, please, don’t). Anyway, happy belated birthday, Amanda! I’m glad to see you had a wonderful time and I hope this never changes. I wish you all the happiness you can hold in your heart and a little more to give away.
Yes, you look younger than you are but that’s definitely a good thing
Albizia recently posted..Небето през прозореца