3 day long birthday

From Bestie

My birthday fell on a Friday and it so happened to be that last day of my 7 year long job. *Double Celebration*

I had been looking forward to my last day at work more than my actual birthday, but when the day came around, I was spoiled rotten, that my birthday ended up being the reason for my smile.

A colleague baked me a blue velvet cake (tastes the same as red velvet) and we started the day off early by eating cake.

High Tea - Because I'm a lady!

I recently treated my friend to a High Tea at Budmarsh Lodge (same place as our recent picnic) for her birthday.

Budmarsh made that much of an impression of me, I needed an excuse to go back.

Beautiful Tea Set

As before, the service was efficient, unobtrusive and friendly.
We were escorted to a table set for 2,elegantly set out on the lawns overlooking the wide open gardens and the lake in the background.

We were offered Sherry or Iced Tea and then placed an order for our tea of choice. Not being a tea-drinker, I was hesitant, until I saw that most of the choices were Infusions, variants of fruity flavours. I decided to try some.  I enjoyed it so much that I finished the entire pot - all 1L of it.

I Need/Want!

I came across these Jeep boots and they have been on my mind for a week now.

Bearing in mind that I leave for the UK in less than a month, I should be saving money, but these boots are taunting me.

Jeep Vulture Knee-High Boots Grey R649

Jeep Bones Boots Nude R599

PS: Zando, it is my birthday on 29 May - this would make a lovely gift! ;-)

Deep Breathe and Jump

I am really gob-smacked at how quickly time flies - and I am not even having fun!

I didn't get to finish the Blog everyday in May challenge and that is because of my birthday. I would like to say I celebrated so much that I am still recovering, alas, quite the opposite.

In the 5 years I have worked for my company I have had 3/5 really bad birthdays. I took a full day leave so as not to have a repeat of my birthday last year (I was late for my own plans and I cried on the way home)

Despite the good intentions, my 1st call of the day was my boss. Not to wish me (he had forgotten) but to ask me to do work. I reminded him it was my birthday and for the following response: "oh, happy birthday... so can you find out what is happening and let me know?"
After that 2 work colleagues knowing I was off for the day, still bothered me with unimportant work stuff that could have waited for the following day.

Instead of a fun day at mom's work having my hair done and being spoilt by my mom, I sat in tears in the beauty salon and cried in front of strangers.
I had wanted to make a big change, but in light of my high emotions, we played it safe.
I cut off 6cm, dyed my hair dark brown and added a few red streaks.

Mom then painted my nails with an awesome new nail polish called Liquid Sand. It's dark grey with flecks of red glitter. Once you get used to the rough texture, it's really funky.
I think my mom is more in tune with the latest fashions than I am!

The girls were quite sweet and arranged this for me:

I will never get my birthday back. It's ruined forever.
My mom was excited to spend a birthday with me having some girl time and instead she had to watch me on my phone and hand me tissues.

So I made a decision. A big decision. I will share soon.

But this is why I have not been blogging since 29 May.

I miss it, and I find it extremely therapeutic. I will still finish the Blog Everyday in May challenge... eventually.

Birthday week that Was

My birthday celebrations started on Monday night and lasted for 3 nights (technically 4 if you count the fact that tonight I have been online catching up and chilling - something I needed)

Monday night: Madame Zingara
I have wanted to do this for so long, but the the price of the tickets was a bit of a turn off. I am so glad I finally went. The opulence and effort put into the set up and design; never mind the talent & awesome food was so worth it.
The waiters are all dressed up in various costumes and most of the audience have at least 1 or another type of dress up item on.
Mom and I bought a cute little hat that I think will be making an appearance for a few occasions because I love it so much :-)

The acts include a 3 man balancing act who are amazing, a contortionist who I had to see to believe, 3 drag queens who can sing so well & a few other fun acts. The show closes with a fun rendition of Time Warp - which reminded me that I really want to see the Rocky Horror Picture show again :-)

I got to open presents from my parents & I was spoiled with a pair of Guess heart earrings (hearts are my favourite shape, Guess is my favourite "I Want" brand)
I also was lucky enough to get 3 OPI nailpolishes. The pink, sparkly one is called Princesses Rule - how apt is that?
Seen in the picture below is the cute little hat I bought - my mom has a purple variation.

On Tuesday, my 2 bosses sang happy birthday over the phone, which was really sweet :-)

Tee gave me an awesome start to my day, with a 1D birthday card - she even managed to include 3 pictures I have not seen before (that is no mean feat of it's own!)

Another friend also sent me a 1D birthday wish (and she is the one who teases me the most) I love how she randomly scratched out the name Ashley - ha ha ha!

A work colleague surprised me with a nice bottle of Alto, another colleague gave me a pretty cellphone charm and compact mirror and 2 other ladies gave me money to put towards my coffee machine.

That night (after working late instead of leaving at 12:00) I was late for my own party. I was so upset after the truly terrible day, that I contemplated cancelling the evening, but the girls were already on their way, so I had to go. I am glad I did in the end. 

The girls and I went to my favourite steak restaurant - HQ.

We all wore feather boas - a tradition I think I might carry through - it started last year at my party in Parys and I like the boas, they are fun and make for colourful pictures.

The girls also spoiled me with @Home vouchers to put towards my coffee machine and Tee took it 1 step further and included a magazine with One Direction posters and an interview.

I love that my friends know me so well to know what will make me grin like an idiot smile

JR arranged for a colleague to buy me a bunch of flowers because he was in Cape Town - how sweet is that?

On Wednesday night, my friend TT took me out for sushi and wine and I was lucky enough to get another present: a gorgeous purple snood. I am looking forward to wearing it tomorrow now that the weather has become rather chilly. The colour is perfect, as most of my wardrobe this season is purple and grey.

So I really have been a spoilt girl.

The best part about birthdays - besides being spoiled with presents - is the people who put special thought into writing a nice letter or picking out a simple gift, but putting thought into it. 

This is the time where I see who my true friends are. And I must tell you, I am a very lucky lady.

Birthdays are awesome

I had the best birthday again this year - with all the work drama taking place I didn't really count down the days or look forward to it as much as I usually do.

It started with a night of movies & sushi at friends & Sat night I went to my favourite pasta place & Sunday - the actual day - I spent it in Parys with my mom and closest girl friends.

We had lots of fun with feather boas and snapping photos and visiting the antique shops in Parys before stuffing ourselves with a delicious lunch at my favourite place to go in Parys - Rubys (hence the feather boas)

I was thoroughly spoilt & realised how much I love my friends & why they are so amazing. Its the little touches that make them so special and I love that my mom got to spend some girl time with them to understand them better & see why I love them as my friends.

My Birthday

Look how well my friend knows me - she made this collage especially for me!

All my favourite things - butterflies, hearts, cats, bling, pink & Zac!

Men!

After QT & I ended it, we kinda hooked up again occasionally for a movie and a bit of action.

That dwindled off as he got into the party scene with his friends again (he is only 22 after all) & as I found out on Facebook the other day - he is also "ina relationship" but it is complicated.

I started my mini "thing" with Cutie (also 22) & soon broke it off when I realised I was going nowhere with it.

Let's be honest - you need true passion if you are going to be with someone - and that is something that is sorely lacking in my life at the moment.

MC has let me down and I am currently debating whether or not to cut him out of my life once and for all.

He came up with a great idea to go away for our birthdays because we are a week apart. I loved the idea and did some research into possible accommodations.

I have always wanted to stay in the cutest little treehouses which also boast a private jacuzzi bath in another little tree linked by a walkway.

The treehouses are along the Midlands Meander, and because MC is from that area, I would fly to him and we could drive there.

It is a bit pricey, but I am prepared to stay there a night or 2 and spend the rest of the week at his place where we can laze about and watch dvds and eat popcorn.

I am still waiting for him to commit to anything. Seriously?!

It p!sses me off that this was his idea to begin with & now he just ignores me when I ask him what is happening.

A night or 2 is not too hard on the pocket- surely a night or 2 is not unrealistic if he had considered what budget he would need for a week away.

I have pretty much given him an ultimatum on the holiday - but I have now decided that the ultimatum will extend to our friendship/relationship as well.

I will not be messed around by anybody - he has a few days to give me his decision & if I hear nothing from him, then that is over.

I am crazy about him. But I am not crazy

T minus 1 day

All ready for my birthday tomorrow!

Look at my pretty nails.

All day long at the spa then on to Moyo Zoo Lake - shoo its a hard life! :-)

1 week

On Saturday I will be 31..... EEEKKKKK!!!

I am now not on the crest anymore - I am racing down the hill at an astonishingly fast pace.

It is bringing me closer to 35 - where my plan was to be married with at least 1 baby (girl)

It has been on my mind alot the past few days - along with how happy QT is making me.

I have decided to give he and I until the end of this year - we will then have to make a decision about whether we have a more solid future together.

We spend the day together yesterday at the Hartebeespoort dam looking at the fleamarket and eating yummy pancakes and once again I was lovestruck by how relaxed and happy I am with him!

I am celebrating good and proper this year - AC and I are spending the entire day at Mangwanani for some spoiling, then that night I am having a small celebration with a few of my close friends at Moyo Zoo Lake - I originally wanted a masked ball theme but this year I actually prefer the intimacy of a smaller group. We'll get our faces painted - close enough!

On Sunday QT and I are meeting my folks and going through to Parys for lunch to one of my favourite little restaurants - Rubys (http://www.rubysparys.co.za/)

Should take my mind off the age factor a little bit....