1. Let’s start by rounding out Birthday Week with day #6…
Cerulean from RGB Cosmetics (smitten).
2. … and day #7…
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.
3. Speaking of day #7 (Friday), a huge, HUGE thank you to Arman, Sam, Davida, Heather, Miss Polkadot, Becky, Lucie, and Gina for giving me one of the sweetest blogger birthday surprises ever. You guys… gah! Heart.was.melted.
4. And it melted again on Saturday thanks to all of the Tweets, e-mails, texts, comments, and DMs you guys sent me. Talk about being completely overwhelmed in the best possible way. Love you. So much.
5. So my actual birthday… it was freaking cold…
6. And it felt even colder if you take the windchill into account…
7. But apparently this is the norm. I can’t even tell you how many times my mom has not-so-subtly brought up the fact that it was something like -30C (-22F) the night I was born, to which I simply reply that she should have planned things better…
8. I woke up way too early, which was incredibly annoying because: a) everyone else was sound asleep for a few solid hours, and b) there was nowhere to go and nothing to do (read: I was lonely and bored).
9. Buuuuuut it was kind of a blessing in disguise because it gave me a chance to catch up on some work that I needed to do. Yes… work. On a Saturday. On my birthday. I’d like to say that 29 will be the year where I stop procrastinating, but that’s not likely to happen.
10. Birthday pancakes happened, though…
11. As did a [free] birthday cappuccino…
12. And [free] birthday Sephora samples…
13. I especially got a good kick out of these ones…
14. … because I don’t feel a day over 12…
15. … or look a day over 20 (even when I try to pull a serious face)…
16. … which I’m sure I’ll appreciate a lot more when I’m 50 and look like I’m 30, because it was kind of annoying when I was 28, in Vegas, and continuously getting carded and told that I’ll have more fun when I’m “legal.” But I digress.
17. Once again, there were balloons…
18. … and flowers…
19. … and one of the cutest perfume bottles I’ve ever seen…
Dot by Marc Jacobs.
20. I ran into an old friend from high school that I hadn’t seen in a handful of years and he actually remembered that it was my birthday. Awwwr.
21. The celebration(s) were pretty low-key. I’ve found that the older I get, the less I care about having a big birthday bash. Well, that and I’m just kind of partied out after Christmas and New Year’s. Oh, and the cold… Have I mentioned the cold?
22. That being said, this year there was a night out for pizza and movies with friends (Saturday), and a night in for dinner with the family (Sunday).
23. Birthday calories never count.
24. Thank goodness, because — this…
25. I didn’t end up choosing any of the cakes from my very important decision post… but I did end up taking certain aspects of each cake and combining them into one super cake. The base was a fudgy adaptation of this chocolate honey cake; the middle layer was a whipped caramel almond butter cream (inspired by this almond butter cup brownie cake); and the whole thing was topped with whipped cream and chocolate.
26. It.was.freaking.epic 😯 😯
27. That being said, I’m so sugared out after the past couple of weeks, that all I want to do is chew on carrot sticks and drink peppermint tea.
28. I got a big kick out of reading the 29 Awesome Things About Being 29. (thanks Sam!). #s 1, 6, 17, 21, 24, 25, and 29 are especially true. Fabulous.
29. Yessss… I have a feeling 29 is going to be an awesome year…
Any other January babies out there? (if not, when’s your birthday?)
What kind of cake did you have for your last birthday?
Tell me 3 random things from your last birthday! 😀
Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday despite the cold! For the record, it’s cold everywhere so let’s say that it’s not you, it’s mother nature. I always thought that Dot was a lovely scent. Right now I use Daisy Sunshine by Marc Jacobs. My momma’s birthday is January 2nd and she always hated that because everyone had to go back to school or work on her special day.
I am so happy to hear that you had a great birthday weekend full of pancakes and cake! Surprised to not see any almond butter madness in here but I bet it still got drizzled all over that stack of pancakes and maybe was a secret middle frosting ingredient. We will never know 😉 Happy belated birthday!
Almond butter was actually the star ingredient of the cake! Well… I guess chocolate was, but still! AB was indeed the secret middle frosting ingredient 🙂
Sounds like you had a great birthday! Love those Sephora samples- they’re getting good!
I’m a June baby myself and people often tell me how lucky I am that it’s during a warm month, but it gets so humid in NYC that it’s hard to look good and enjoy anything too outdoorsy. But this year I went with a picnic in Central Park with some friends and it was great despite the heat. And we had my favorite cupcakes instead of cake! (But I had cake during the rest of the week ;))
January baby here 🙂 January 13th! I always feel bad for people though because I feel like it’s so close to the holidays so people have to get me extra gifts basically lol. Oh well.
The birthday cake I had last year was a chocolate mousse cake with these amazing mango/passion fruit layers in between to make it super fresh-tasting.
Random things from my last birthday: I celebrated just with my family (which means my mom and dad because brother was in Seattle), we had a free dinner because we went to a casino where my dad gets comps money that he can use for dining lol, and I got a lot of money for my birthday 🙂 You can never complain about getting money, right?
I love that you made a super cake – I totally busted out laughing when I read that! Can’t wait to hear what you think of the Fault in Their Stars – I read it last mont and…wow.
I’m now super pumped for the Sephora free bday gift too – can’t wait to get to pick it up!
Awwww I like this post a LOT and I like you a lot too! I’m glad you had such a good birthday – and that CAKE?!? Wow.
Looks like the perfect birthday! I’m a Jan baby too so I feel ya on the cold part. I wished so badly as a kid that my parents had me in the summer, so that I could have a pool party for my birthday.. haha. My mom tried to make it up to me by having birthday parties at the indoor swimming park, it worked.
😆 I think my parents felt bad about my birthday being at this time of the year too because they always went out of their way to try to make it a good one. I could deal with the cold, but it’s the close proximity to the holidays that gets me!
Happy belated birthday! I’ve been out of the loop for the past couple weeks, but I’m glad to hear it was a good one! I turn 29 next month, which feels weird to say. That cake looks amazing, btw. I don’t remember if I had cake last year on my birthday, but I think I need to make it a priority this year!
Seems like you had a great celebration minus that cold..I cant even think about it..makes me shiver..and that cake, yum yum yum. I am not much of a birthday person (march 7 is the day though), last year I had tiramisu.
Free birthday Starbucks is the best! I’d never guess you were 29 btw. Maybe 24….maybe. Yay for baby faces heh right? People keep telling me it’ll be a good thing in the long run. Also–that cake. MMMMMM birthday cals def do notttt count 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Amanda 🙂
My favorite birthday cake would either have to be a yellow butter cake with chocolate frosting, or a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting….though my 25th birthday’s not until September, so needless to say I’ll be waiting a long while for that.
Your cake looks wonderful, and birthday pancakes? BEST IDEA EVER. You already know my semi-obsession with those, so you know I heartily approve.
Yikes, it’s pretty cold where you are. If it’s any consolation, we were hit with the Snow Storm from Hell yesterday in Michigan and have been declared to be in a ‘state of emergency’ where leaving the house to go anywhere is temporarily punishable by an $500 ticket from the police. I’m not sweating it though: all that meant for me was that I didn’t have to go into work today lol.
Have great Monday
<3 -Jess
A state of emergency punishable by a ticket? Wow… Stay safe and warm, Jess!
I’m a March baby – March 4th to be exact. 😉 But my mama’s birthday was yesterday! So it’s always fun to celebrate her this time of year.
So glad you had a wonderful birthday! xoxo
I’m glad you had a good birthday! I love the idea that birthday calories don’t count 🙂 stay warm today! I know I’m freezing already and I hear the temperatures are going to continue dropping. The cold needs to go away, I think your birthday storm must have needed to reappear this year.
A very happy belated birthday Amanda!! So glad it was such a fabulous one!! 🙂 xo
Oooh your birthday was such a blast!! That cake..ohmygoose it’s a beauty! Genius to improvise the way you did. I too tend to forget your age and always think of you as closer to my age :p
I’m a June baby, 26th. Last year I had my big Sis whip up her spectacular peppermint/caramel tart instead of cake. Think crushed coconut biscuits layered with caramel mouse and grated mint crisp <3..I die. Three random things? Hmmm.. 1. my family threw a surprise party for me 2. I almost spoiled it with my plans of lounging in pj's watching movies 3. They mangaged to organise everything without me getting a whiff of it
Surprise parties are always amazing! And I can’t think of that amazing tart or I start craving it — sounds.so.good!
SO glad you had a great birthday- even with that freakishy cold weather (Californian here 😉 )! I’ve noticed the same thing about birthdays and growing older- they don’t seem as important! You deserve to be celebrated, though, and it’s always nice to load up on all those freebies and…that CAKE. OMG.
Have a wonderful Monday <3
Happy late birthday! Sorry I missed it. Looks like you had a ton of fun though!
So glad you had a good birthday Amanda!:) You deserve it<3
29 is going to be awesome for you!! Happy Birthday sweet friend! xoxo
My birthday is smack dab in the middle of July which i love because its far enough away from christmas to make opening gifts exciting again! mmmm, my cake wasn’t actually a cake but a delicious dessert called ‘Heath Bar Dessert’ amazing, just amazing 🙂
Freshman year of college, my birthday was on the first Monday of school. Granted, first day of freshman year isn’t exactly work-packed (especially compared to now), but I’d never had school on my birthday before so that put a slight damper on things. Also when I got my hair cut the other day the person cutting it thought I was a freshman in college…and I’ve been told I look 15. Recently. Sigh. At least when we’re like 50 we’ll still look pretty good! 😉 That cake looks FABULOUS and it sounds like you had a great day!
It took me so long to figure out what #2 was hahah! I thought it was air freshener spray.. um yah thats embarassing. Your cake looks SO good! What kind of pancakes did you make!
Greek yogurt pancakes! I may share the recipe if I can manage to recreate it again 😆
oh, happy belated birthday, Amanda!!! I knew it was coming up, but didn’t realize it was Saturday. Looks like you had a great day and weekend too! You do not look 29! My birthday is also in January…in a few weeks. Don’t remember last birthday…but it was nothing special. I don’t have family so most birthdays are kind of sad, unfortunately. Like Chelsea, it’s 50 below (Fahrenheit) were I live too. I absolutely hate winters!!! Ironic that I was born in the middle of it!
JANUARY birthdays all the way!! My mom always tells me that there was a blizzard the day I was born… I like your response – should have planned better! LOL 😉 And I’m so happy you were surprised on Friday and that you had a fabulous – albeit cold – birthday <3
What a fantastic birthday weekend!! I’m so glad you were surrounded by those who love you, and stalked on social media by those of us who can’t get to Canada to celebrate with you 🙂 My birthday is in May, and coincidentally, it’s 2 weeks after Aarons; his birthday is always hot and mine is always rainy and cold! Lol Weird… Three facts from my last birthday- I don’t remember much of it, I know I had a cookie cake that I ate pretty much all of, and I was surrounded by those who love me so it was fantastic!
Awwr that’s sweet that your guys’ birthdays are so close! My parents have theirs exactly 1.5 weeks apart, so April is a pretty busy month around here…
Sounds like a pretty awesome bday if you ask me! So cool that people gave you shout outs on their blogs. You truly do touch peoples heart girl…hope you realize that!! 🙂
LOVELY looking birthday!!!!!! The Fault In Our Stars. Greatest.Saddest.Book.Ever.
My birthday is soon! January 19th! My last birthday was mega depressing..Nathan’s grandma died a couple days before and the funeral was the day before my birthday..and we didn’t really do much. :/ GOING FOR a better birthday this year!!
It’s mega cold here today too – windchill close to 50 below (Fahrenheit). Also. Your cake looks to DIE for. 🙂 Stay warm!
Oh girl, I would be so happy to have your skin when I am turning 29! And it looks like you had a truly amazing birthday week. The cake sounds epic! What a great idea to combine the recipes. I need to keep that in mind for my birthday cake in April… oh damn, not happening – no oven. But I guess I can whip up some kind of no-bake cake anyways. How sad would a birthday be without cake!
Yay…sounds like a wonderful birthday celebration!!! My birthday is in August and I always ask my mom to make a chocolate cake with a cream cheese layer on top, drizzled with chocolate frosting. The most amazing thing ever! 😉
Three random things from my last birthday: I bought this awesome sweater, I fracture my foot 🙁 and Justin and I went out to dinner at my favorite restaurant (I got the crab cakes!).
Ooookay, a cream cheese layer on top of chocolate cake sounds absolutely amazing… And the chocolate drizzle just totally sold me over.
PS – So glad to see you back 🙂
You absolutely deserved the most beautiful, wonderful birthday, and I’m so glad you got it. Happy happy birthday to you <3.
Looks like such a nice { and pretty} birthday! My mom’s birthday was yesterday, 1/5. 🙂
My birthday is 10/28. I think I had a cupcake for my birthday. That night after dinner I was so beyond stuffed that a cupcake seemed like the perfect size dessert at the time. { I’m also pregnant…which you’d think I’d devour a cake}
You will totally be one of those women who just never age! 🙂
It looks like you had a fabulous birthday, and the cake..oh my! Good call on making your own cake- you get exactly what you want! You are definitely lucky you look younger. I have always thought I did too, but the other day I looked in the mirror and felt like I looked older- it was really strange and I didn’t love it.. Have a great day, lady!
What a fantastic birthday! Your cake stomped mine … I think it was a choc/pb cheesecake (because I don’t really like cake … I’m crazy, I know!) Wow, and I thought our 10 degrees was cold! The wind chill is the worst, especially when it blows right in your face. I’m liking your pancakes and cappuccino breakfast! This summer …
Glad you had such a wonderful birthday Amanda! Have fun with your carrots and peppermint tea! 😉 (just kidding!)
Sounds like the perfect birthday week AND birthday! I can’t believe you made PANCAKES!!!! Now it’s official – we will have coffee (mine with 3 parts milk and 1 part mild coffee) and pancakes when we meet. All smothered in Justin’s AB. And a little piece of kabocha on the side. Deal? The miles between us don’t count for now.
My brithday is in May and yesterday I was in the Swiss Alps, which was the BEST. And believe me my Dear, anything beyond 30 is marvelous. I feel better than ever before the older I get – let’s hope this lasts long! 🙂
Deal! and I’ve definitely noticed that about getting older. I think I had a minor breakdown in my early-mid 20’s, but I actually don’t think I’d ever willingly go back to being younger.
it IS going to be an awesome year! You don’t look a day over 19 hehe. And just to round out an epic birthday weekend I’m wishing you a VERY happy birthday once more. So grateful to have you in my life! Lots of love gorgeous. And yes I told the pilot to detour to Edmonton 😉
Aw I’m glad you had a great birthday! That cake does look amazing 🙂
Loved that you created your own special unique bday cake!! It looks delicious 🙂
when’s your birthday? August 31
What kind of cake did you have for your last birthday? I actually ended up not having one. My daughters bday is exactly one week before mine so I was kind of caked out when my bday rolled around.
Tell me 3 random things from your last birthday! I was celebrating out of town in one of my favorite places! I was kid free!!!! I had a great time with my hubby and best friend! 🙂
Oh I definitely hear you about being all caked out. And August 31st? Gah! I may be slightly jealous 😉
SO SO glad you had a wonderful birthday! Keep on celebrating this week, I say 😀
😆 I honestly think I’m all celebrated out. If only I had a birthday in 6 months instead…
Ahh your birthday looks like it was absolutely wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it all! Happy 29, lady! 🙂
J-GREEN??
I WAS HIS RA IN COLLEGE (!!!)