Thank You & Birthday Update

First I want to thank everyone for the birthday love! Y’all are so sweet. Danielle was right; I wasn’t going to post about my birthday until it was over. I usually plan an out of town trip during my birthday (not work, fun). It’s easier that way and I have something to distract me from the fact that I’m turning a year older not where I thought I would be.

Carrie reminded me of my birthday last year. I was volunteering at New Day Foster Home. The amazing staff at NDFH ordered a cake and the cutest kids in the world sang Happy Birthday to me. Can you imagine, a group of third world country orphans singing Happy Birthday to you? It was such a special day and I was completely humbled (even though I know they were just really excited about eating cake). :) That night at Carrie and Jacob’s apartment, Jacob made Greek food, one of my favorites for dinner and we shared a bottle of wine. It was perfect! Ahh… now I miss Carrie and the kids and China.



This year I didn’t plan a trip on my actual birthday. Now that I live close to my family, I wanted to stay in town and attend a Christmas Open House at my friend’s store. The weekend started with dinner on Friday night at a delicious Cajun restaurant with the family. Saturday evening my mom and I attended the Christmas Open House at Bless Your Heart Giftique. If you live in SAT or if you’re visiting, you have to stop by BYH. When I’m there, I’m 110% happy.

The fabulous owners of Bless Your Heart Giftique, Katy and Rachel, are SOOOO creative and SOOOO girly. I love them!

They created this PINK pumpkin patch for Halloween on the front lawn of Bless Your Heart. It makes me smile. I love the blonde scarecrow. Notice our scarecrow friend is wearing pink and pearls. I would have never thought of this! They're SO creative.

The invitation for the Christmas Open House said, "Christmas has gone Girly! Yay!" That's all you had to say... I was there!

The "Royal Affair" included an appearance by the Queen of Christmas.

Here she is... The Queen of Christmas posing with my mom and me. She's fun!

I picked up a few pink Christmas ornaments. I love this Pink Santa.

Sunglasses Ornament and a Pink Crown Ornament

I had to buy Pearls!

After the BYH Christmas party, my mom and I made Halloween cut-out cookies and decorated the cookies. I made these cookies at Christmas and posted the recipe here. They’re so yummy.

I had a couple surprises at my doorstep this weekend. Thank you Amy C. (my HOU friend) for the surprise. She gave me a fall candle, picture frame, and girly napkins. I love it! Notice the fall candle is already burning... yum.

Thank you Kate! Kate sent me the Lilly P. Guide to Entertaining. It's such a pretty book. I've already started reading through it! Love it!

It was a great birthday, even though I'm a year older and not where I thought I would be. HA! Again, thank you for all the sweet comments! Y'all are the best.

BTW... I just checked Sweet Simplicity's Blog. She wrote about a FREE Stationery Giveway hosted on Facebook...

"FB exclusive: FREE PERSONALIZED NOTECARD! Send us an email to VIP@traylorpapers.com with your name & address and we'll send you a free customized card with your name. Tell us your favorite colors and/or style (i.e., whimsical, classic, girly, etc.) and we'll try to make you a match ;) BONUS: post this offer on your blog or wall, send us a link and we'll send you a few extra! Good thru 10/28/09!"

Check it out!