ON BIRTHDAYS // TURNING 30

Despite the fact that I crossed into a new decade this week, this blogpost is more of a thank you than a run-down. Thank goodness for friends who know you; who know that purple was your favorite color when you were 6 and nothing has changed, friends that know that you're never too old to have unicorn balloons at your birthday party, friends that know your favorite meal includes champagne with lemon and basil, moules frites and crouque madames, friends who know that you're a true wilderness girl at heart and who make s'mores with you around a campfire for birthday dessert, friends who hang streamers from your chair and make you a glitter crown to adorn your 30-year-old-head, friends who each give a toast in your honor and remind everyone how they met you, for friends who blindfold you and take you to the rollerskating rink where everyone you know waits for you to get there and yells surprise and skates the night away with you in celebration, for friends who secretly go to your house and grab your very favorite roller skates so you can wear your own on the rink, and for friends who I simply could not live without. I feel like luckiest girl on the planet.

Here's to another year filled with magic. A better one. A great one.

30. Flirty. And Thriving.

I realized the other day, with shock and horror, that in 6 months I will be 30. THIRTY! Thirty-years-old. WHAT? In my mind, body and spirit I swear I'm still 16 so what gives? I've decided to not freak out and instead focus on getting excited for an incredible birthday soiree instead. So I'll be collecting fun photos and sharing them with you. Sound OK? I know there are much more important things to be worried about in this world than turning a year older, so I'll aim to be Positive Polly from here on out!

Love these dinner party flowers and party hats, don't you? So festive, fresh and welcoming!

Happy Friday!

photo via Ana Stefanovics

Hi! How are you guys? I have six count them SIX birthday parties to go to this weekend! My question is: what were people doing during March in the 80's that led to so many babies? Golly! Anyway, I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Below are some of my favorite posts from the web this week. Oh! And how cute is little red riding hood above? This picture makes me wish I had red hair and a lovely little green coat to go along with it. HAPPY WEEKEND!

BigBang's Farm in Winter Post

Pennyweight's Style Icon:Eddie Campbell Post

Unruly Things sweetly nautical for spring Post

Oh Joy's closet & casa with Abbey Kellet Post

Black*Eiffel's Healthy Recipes that actually taste good Post

Feeling Fine at 29

So, my birthday was last Sunday and I'm turned the big 2-9. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this number. It seems like the last year of your 20s is the last chance to make mistakes, but 30 seems like a fresh new start. Last year I made this list of all the things I wanted to accomplish as a 28-year-old. I'm semi-proud of myself for accomplishing half of them. I've made a new list for this year. Hopefully I can stick to it!

29 things to do at 29

1. read a ayn rand novel
2. learn how to garden
3. visit Austin, TX
4. take a photography class
5. d.j.a party
6. write a musical (i've started but haven't finished!)
7. ride in a hot air balloon
8. learn to drive a stick shift
9. take vitamins every day
10. start an arts and craft night
11. save more and spend less
12. send more snail mail
13. think harder about getting a tattoo (still thinking!)
14. take tap lessons!
15. visit my best friend in india
16. go to motorcycle school
17. AND purchase a vespa!
18. teach scout how to swim
19. do the dishes every night and do not leave them until the morning (i'm so bad at this)
20. create a chalkboard wall in my house
21. go apple-picking in the fall and bake a pie
22. go to bed earlier - 11 PM style
23. watch less tv
24. take more twilight hikes
25. think about curbing my anthropologie obsession
26. take a group-friend trip to lake arrowhead. canoe!
27. go wine tasting (i've never been!)
28. direct a music video
29. call my grandparents more

It's My Party

It's my Birthday on Sunday (yes, I'm getting old) and every year I throw a theme party for my friends. This year it's Prom and Chucks (converse!) and my adorable friend and graphic designer, Hollin designed my invitation. (I only send them snail mail!) I took the original photograph of another artist friend, Anne, and Hollin worked her magic to make it look amazing! I am so very excited for Saturday night and am so thankful to all of the help I received in planning this year's event. Here here!

Happy Birthday, La Petite Choue!

La Petite Choue turns one-year-old today! WOWZA! I can't believe it's been a full year of bloggin'! Thank you all for reading and supporting this creative endeavor over the past year! Cheers to another year chock' full of joyful tidbits and sweet things to come!

P.S. As a special birthday treat to YOU all, I'm going to give away a *special* birthday mix tape! Leave a comment below with your favorite birthday memory by Thursday, June 3rd and I'll choose a random winner then! Good luck!