natalie's sentiments

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

My Birthday

My birthday weekend was perfect. Friday Shane took me to the nicest restaurant in town. He looked hot, and I didn't look too bad myself. After a leisurely dinner we walked around downtown, making out when no one was around.

Saturday Shane told me that I needed to be out of the house for most of the day since he (and Lydia) would be working on my cake. In my mind I thought...um, how long does it take to make a cake? Of course when someone offers me a day to myself, I am not questioning. I went shopping, took myself to lunch, I even went to a chocolate store just to sample.

When I got home Shane rushed me past the kitchen so that he could finish the cake and told me to ...wait for it....blog for about an hour. Okay, if you insist.

I should have known that the cake was going to be a big deal. I however was not expecting this:

Shane actually went to the cake store, got new pans, dowels and 10 cartons of frosting. I love this photo of Lydia. She looks so proud at her efforts, which apparently was picking out the candy for the cake, stirring and then picking the candy back off the cake. Seriously, how awesome is this cake!?! I told Shane he was doing all of our kid's cakes in the future.

That night I went out with my friends for a little girl bonding. A little dinner, a little shopping, a little Starbucks. Yea, it was a pretty perfect weekend all around.

I really liked my friend Kristi's idea of doing a collage of all of her b-day gifts and celebrations. I have been informed by several people that my gifts will be here sometime in the next week, and I wanted to post about my b-day before I jet set off to NY. So don't feel bad if your gift isn't accounted for, maybe I will do a second collage....

Check out this apron that Kristi made Lydia! (Matches the one she made for me, see collage above) Isn't it adorable?! I am so excited to hear that she is going to start her own business making fantastic gifts of all kinds. Can't wait!

Thanks for everyone who sent birthday wishes! Sure know how to make a girl feel special :)

A random fashion tip: Every year my parents send me a check for my birthday to buy a new outfit. However, this year 600 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets were calling my name, leaving me very short for my birthday outfit. (Thanks for the sheets mom and dad! LOVE THEM!!!!)

To resolve this little problem, I went to target and found this shirt. $10! Then I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a bit of sparkly sequin black fabric. ($2) I don't sew. I wrapped the fabric around my chest and pinned it to my bra. Now I had a cute flash of sparkle showing at my bust line and at the open back. (You can actually see the pin in the above photo. Oops!) I made myself some super sparkly earrings, grabbed my favorite dark jeans and heels and I was ready for a night out with the girls. For like $15. Nice.

Only a little over 350 days until my next birthday, can't wait!

10 PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY:

Jennifer said...: Happy Birthday and I love the shirt idea. Ingenious! Your husband is amazing! Who's eating all that cake?!?!?; SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 4:35 PM
Natalie Jane said...: We have been giving it to anyone who comes to the door....; SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 4:35 PM
The Blaisdell Family said...: Happy Birthday. That cake kicks...well you know! It is simply awesome! What a great husband to spend all that time on a CAKE! And your little girl is gorgeous by the way!!!; SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 4:57 PM
The Beadles said...: WOW, you had a blast!! Awesome Birthday to you!!!; SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 7:20 PM
Are You Serious! said...: ♥ Happy Birthday! LOVE the cake!!! What a great job! The apron is fantastic and love the shirt! :); SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 8:21 PM
Bunny B said...: Woohoo!! Looks like you had a fantabulous time!!! Happy Birthday!!; SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 10:40 PM
just me (Angie) said...: This post has been removed by the author.; SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 1:07 AM
just me (Angie) said...: Happy Birthday, you look amazing and may I just say your husband is awesome to make you a cake especially a cake like that, he is very talented. you are going to be eating that for awhile.; SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 1:12 AM
Adam Archibald Family said...: Happy Birthday!!! Looks like you had a great time!!! That cake is HUGE. I'll bet they had a ball making it together and I loved the birhday song.; SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 10:10 AM
Jen R. said...: You have the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. I can only say that because my girl is still a baby girl :) but seriously she is gorgeous. And I fell for your husband a little when I saw that cake. So glad you had a happy birthday. And I saw you on mormon mommy blogs...love the blog!; SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 3:10 AM

How about a little birthday video too?

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Playing in the rain...and cuddling afterwards

Just a moment or two from our day yesterday....Southern rain storms are my favorite.

Friday, September 5, 2008

I Love NY Giveaway

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED.

Next weekend I am off for a little jaunt thru New York City. Notice I didn't say "we". That is right. I am going to NY sans daughter or husband. Four days JUST ME! I have only had one 24 hour period away from both of them in the last 3 years! This is 4 days. I would love to kick it in NY with Shane - but since babysitters are scarce - this suits me just fine.
*
While traipsing through the big apple I plan on dining out, hitting the spa and...going shopping for one of my readers! For this giveaway I am going to fill a package full of NY treasures specially picked for whomever is randomly chosen. I'm just going to say it. This is the coolest giveaway ever. Now - please note - I'm not going to be dropping a paycheck at Prada or anything - but who needs to when there are so many amazing boutiques to explore!

You have four chances to enter:

Leave a comment on this blog telling me a little bit about your "style". One word or a paragraph - whatever. This is the information I will take with me to do my shopping (along with stalking your blog if you have one).
Let me know that you are a subscriber in a separate comment.
Mention this giveaway in your own blog and let me know you have done so in a separate comment. -

4. For one more entry - Check out my jewelry line - Paisley Lane and tell me your favorite item. (I'm still giving a free pair of earrings away with every purchase over $20. Just mention "birthday" when you order.)

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I will select the winner using a random generator on Sept 12th. Good luck!

(U.S. addresses only.)

Old School Winner...

Sending birthday love.....

The random number generator picked #22...so congrats to you Bunny B! Email me your info for your prize.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

If you want it, ask for it.

This tip is mainly for the married ladies. I have found that if you want a great birthday you have to EXPLAIN WHAT YOU WANT. Let me elaborate. Birthdays are a big deal to me. (Obviously) I am a pretty low maintenance girl for the most part; anniversaries, Mother's day, Valentine's day...a simple gesture is fine. On the other hand, I want birthdays to be special. Growing up in my family, birthdays meant that you were the star of the day. I wanted that to continue.

Shane's and my first year of marriage was pretty drama free except on the first birthday we spent together. He came home from work that evening and asked "what do you want to do for your birthday?" I burst into tears, already upset that the day had been relatively non-eventful. We did not go out that night.

The next day a friend of mine called me after hearing about the episode. She had been married for several years and thought I needed a lesson in marriage relations. She explained that men just don't get how these things are important and that she cried though years of disappointing birthdays until she realized that it was just the way things are and that you just have to not expect anything.

I listened politely, but in my mind I thought...this is the worst advice ever. Hello, I didn't marry a mentally incompetent man. He is romantic and sensitive and sweet. He is fantastic at making Christmas special. Why would I just give up on him giving me something that is important to me. I started wondering if this woman was unsatisfied in other ways as well.....

The next day I sat down with Shane and explained my expectations for birthdays. I like the full day to be special- meaning maybe a nice breakfast, a little note found during the day- that kind of thing. I like the night to entail something romantic (that he plans) and I would like one or two small gifts. Wrapped. Expensive gifts not necessary. And I want a cake.

Pretty basic. All he needed to know was what I wanted. Sometimes I give him a few extra tip, like last year. I told him 6 months in advance that I thought my 30th should be a big deal. He delivered. This year I told him that I wanted a more low key day. A nice dinner out, the carpets cleaned and the day out with girlfriends. If he wants to do more, that is up to him.

You may think that it takes the romance out of it, but I don't think so. Men aren't automatically programed to know what we need. (This applies not only to birthdays.) Some are more in tune than others, but there is always something that they aren't going to pick up on right away. The key is to make it a sweet request, and not a nag thing.

Anyway, that is my big advice for the year. I'm not really an advice giving person, but this is gospel to me. If you want it, ask for it.
I also advise contributing to your 401K and voting Republican. But that is where the advice giving ends.

Birthday Tip #3

Have random birthday traditions that link the whole family. Check out ours....

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Birthday Tip #2

My next tip for having the best birthday ever is to start the celebrating mood early. A great way to do that is to make an effort to look fabulous for the few days surrounding your big day. Today I am busting out the Velcro curlers, even though my plans for the evening are dinner at home with my little fam and maybe watching a DVD with Shane. The point is to get myself into the celebration mood and unwashed hair and no make-up is just not doing that for me. (I actually ran an errand like this. How 1950's housewife chic...)

7 PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY:

Jennifer said...: I am lovin' that you walked out of the house like that! Hapy Birthday!; SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 4:14 PM
xcdenke said...: You crack me up? I don't know if I have the courage to pull that one off. Your present is on its way. Just got mine, :) I'm waiting to open it until I am officially 30!; SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 1:20 AM
LOLiTA said...: Hahaha! I can soooooo see you out like that. You go, girl!; SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 7:47 PM
beth said...: Man, you look good even when your not trying. Love the wrap!!!; SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 9:31 PM
kristi lee said...: Seriously?! Where did you go? I'm soooo making you an apron to go with that wrap!; SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 10:26 PM
Natalie Jane said...: I needed a diet coke...; SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 10:28 PM
one frugal lady said...: Go on girl, get down! I love the look, and would probably talk my butt off to you if I saw you in public like that!; SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 6:38 PM

Birthday Week and Tip #1

My birthday is almost here and in honor of the occasion I will be posting a few fun birthday ideas this week....my first idea is to enjoy your birthday ANY way you want! Man. That cake was soooooo good.

8 PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY:

beba said...: Is the gnome out yet?; SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 8:59 AM
Brytton Madeline Evie said...: Happy Birthday Natalie, the cake looks delicious!; SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 12:41 PM
Are You Serious! said...: ♥ You crack me up! Love the cake face! :); SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 1:03 PM
beth said...: I hope you have a great birthday and week! How did that cake feel?; SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 3:03 PM
Natalie Jane said...: Sticky.; SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 3:16 PM
Hannah LaRue said...: Happy Birthday! I am a little behind in the blogging world. The cake looks yummy.; SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 3:24 PM
Emily ~ Little Window Shoppe said...: Happy Birthday, how fun. I love that you start birthday celebrations sooner, it's such a fun day, but in so many episodes of my life it has come and gone like no big deal! What was I thinking? This is so cute too, I think I'll "cake" my husband on my next birthday too.; SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 1:47 PM
vana chupp said...: ouchhh!That, I didn't expect! Nice checking in again! What fun you had!; SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 10:09 PM