It's My Birthday and I'll Cry If I Want To..

Yes, my friends, today I am 30.

Wow, just typing that makes me slightly uneasy.  I don't know why this number freaks me out but it just does.  It's almost like this milestone crept up so quickly that I haven't had time to adjust.  I apologize for wallowing, and I know I shouldn't since this year is going to be one of my most exciting and amazing ones EVER, but I'm very sad to have left my 20s behind.

On that note, I should say that I have the best friends EVER who've already made this milestone birthday so memorable.  Thanks again to you guys for being so fab.  I just had to share all the wonderful goodies they gave me!!

This past weekend was my birthday party.  (Yes, I threw a party!)  We all went bowling and then for dinner and drinks and it was super fun.  Amidst crazy bowling, trophies and cupcakes, my pals gave me some of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received before...

First gift was from my pal, Candice, who found this fabulous stacking tea set WHICH is perfect since I'm such an avid tea drinker.  She also got this really cool pop-up birthday card that says 30, in case I forgot how old I am.

Margaret and Albert found this adorable pink box and stuffed it with all my favorite sour candies and some excellent bracelets for our trip to Bali.  I was actually a bit nervous about wearing (and bringing) jewelry there so these make it easy to wear on the flight and will still spice up any outfit.

My mom, of course, loves to grab me my skin care products and actually visited me this past weekend so I could open them with her here.  I got my favorite moisturizer, Clarins Multi-Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream and the magical Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Radiance Renewer Serum.  (More on this one ladies.  It really works wonders.)

Carmen and Nathan picked out a bunch of great travel gear for our honeymoon to Bali.  I got an inflatable pillow (perfect for our LONG layovers and flights), an eye mask and an identity protecting passport cover.

Bronwen knew I'd been eyeing this beautiful tea for one tea pot and mug from Davids Tea so she, of course, picked it up along with my favorite macarons, which I've already eaten.  (Yes, I'm a piggie...ha)  I am obsessed with this tea for one set because it's CORAL!!

With some of my birthday money I picked out this rockin' neon tangerine hoodie.  Thanks Margaret for wearing it on Saturday and for telling me where you got it.  Yes, we're going to be twins...ha

Smashbox Shades Of Fame Eye Palette and Brush (limited edition)

Smashbox Shades of Fame Reflection High Shine Lip Gloss Set (limited edition)

Sephora Color of the Year Duo: Desert Flower and Coral

With the help of a gift card from Ryan and Heather and some left over birthday money, I went to Sephora and got these three items.  I wanted the Smashbox palette so badly as soon as I saw it and bought both the blush and lip glosses specifically for my trip to Bali.  Since I won't be bringing too much else, I want to ensure I can create a lot of looks with limited items.  These colors are perfect.

I also received a Davids Tea gift card from my pal Eva, but I've yet to spend it....hmmm, what to get?

As sad as turning another year older is, it makes it all the easier (and more fun) when you have friends like I do around to celebrate with.  Now, after work today, Allan is making me dinner and giving me his gift.  So, the celebrating isn't even over yet.

Have a great day and happy birthday to my birthday twins out there!!

Dear Santa....I've Been Sooooo Good This Year!!!!

It makes me sad to know that I stopped believing in Santa when I was 11.

I still remember that awful day when I found out he wasn't "real".  I had come home from school crying after being teased on the playground by my school mates about still believing in Santa.  I asked my Mom directly, "Mom, everyone says that Santa isn't real but I keep telling them that he is."  She looked at me and said, "Christina, it's time you knew the truth..."  Our conversation ended with me crying all evening and promising never to tell my little sister what I learned.  From that day on, Christmas was different for me.

Needless to say, my Mom still signs Christmas packages from Santa but, let's be honest, we all know the truth.  And this year, the role of Santa has fallen on to Allan's shoulders since we're having a just-him-and-I-and-no-family-Christmas this year.  Though we're on a budget because of the pending nuptials, my desires usually outshine logic during this time of year.  My ever-increasing list looks like this:

1.  Sedu Pro Ionic Ceramic Flat Iron (1")

Alright, alright, I already know that Allan got this for me BUT it was an absolute necessity that I told him the one I wanted.  First, about three or four weeks ago my straightener DIED.  Seriously, DEAD!!!  Anyway, this one came not only very highly recommended but also with tons of free goodies so I sent him the link and made sure he purchased it.

2.  Urban Decay NAKED Palette 

I have wanted this palette for quite some time, let me tell you.  And about three weeks ago, with the launch of NAKED 2, I was completely taken aback by the fact that I didn't own the original yet.  Either way, the original is still the one I want and am hoping Santa/Allan will make it happen.

3.  Sephora Monopoly Limited Edition

Yes, I am slightly nerdy but, come on, Sephora makes a Monopoloy game???  How exciting would it be to play with lipstick charms instead of Scotty dogs?  Tons if I do say so myself.  Plus, I can not wait to sit Allan down and make him play with me!!!! 

4.  Nutcracker/Swan Lake/Carmen Ballet DVD's 

Ballet as you all know is still a major passion of mine and I would love nothing more than to have a HUGE collection of ballet DVD's.  The Bolshoi, the Kirov, the National School of Ballet....it doesn't matter the company as long as they are performing one of my favorite ballets.

5.  Strawberry Shortcake Decadent Body Butter by Cake 

Have you smelled this before???  It smells EXACTLY like the Strawberry Shortcake doll I used to have.  The scent is absolutely heavenly.  Plus, Cake is a great bath/body line and their creams last a very long time on your skin.

6.  LUSH Bath Bombs

I have left this open as I am happy with ANY and ALL scented bath bombs created by LUSH.  They all smell divine, make the tub water feel dreamy and leave a gorgeous feel on your skin afterwards.  No bath time is complete without one of these bad boys in the tub.

I really really really hope you're reading this Santa.  I have been SUCH a good girl this year.  (PS - What's on your list to Santa?)

Christmas Cheer in November

Saturday night was my first holiday party of the season.

Let me begin by saying that Christmas is my ABSOLUTE favorite time of year; I adore this holiday. I love everything from the Christmas Carols, gift wrapping, and baking to freezing your butt off when you step outside the door. But, the best thing about the holidays is eating amazing food and drinking warm bevvies with friends.

A girlfriend and I planned a holiday get-together for our circle of friends this past weekend. Long story short, everyone piled over to our house for some pre-drinks and Mario Kart Battles before we all made the long trek to Langley for the Olive Garden Restaurant. My girlfriend also planned a Secret Santa gift exchange, with a $15 limit,

which took place right after we ordered

dinner.

My other good friend, Carmen, was my Secret Santa, so how excited was I when a cute black and white Sephora bag was placed in front of me??? And let me just say, ladies, that the present was adorable!!! The black bag housed some Boscia Peppermint Blotting Linens (an absolute must-have for anyone who gets oily during the day) and a Sephora Color Wand in Siren. The color wand is awesome for the girl who loves manyl different shades of gloss...(Ahem....me, of course.) It contains 6 different mini-glosses in a long, slender tube. To access, you twist the color you want and PRESTO a little sponge applicator appears at the bottom of the gloss above. It's purse-sized and packs tons of glossy options in one container. (This product is the perfect excuse for me to clean out my bag before New York.)

Needless to say, the first Christmas party of the season was smashing!