Assuming everyone I meet is somehow magically my age, I began to bemoan the utter confusion so many of my friends and I have experienced to a new acquaintance, “Uuuuugh, the early and mid-twenties can really suck. Promised so much success if you do x and y, you’re weighted with all the accolades you were supposed to achieve, and then suddenly the bottom just drops out beneath you.”
Continuing along until I had sufficiently beaten the twenties into oblivion, I turned to this new acquaintance and finally asked, “How old are you?”
“22.”
Shit.
[Fails to backtrack, inserts foot in mouth, pats girl's back metaphorically...pat, pat, pat] ”What I meant was…haaaang tight kiddo, it’s going to get so much better [smiles with feigned enthusiasm].”
Mistake me not. I enjoyed my twenties. Much to the confusion of many around me, I meandered instead of a taking a direct path. Though that path often left me questioning just about everything, I wouldn’t be where I am today without all those tiny, quirky, questionable steps along the way.
So here I am.
THIRTY years old. While that is mind-blowing and unbelievable, it’s also completely inspiring and surprisingly comfortable. The decades leading to this big number change were about discovery and finding out what makes me leap from bed. Now, thirty is about diving in headfirst. If my twenties were the maps, thirty is the plane ticket and passport in hand, and that, my friends, calls for a celebration(s)!
A celebration in the tone of red to be exact…
Inspired by my birthstone, my love of chocolate and my affinity for alliteration, Garnets & Ganache transpired thanks to the efforts of my Harvest & Gather partner, Thommy Conroy.
One of my birthday traditions is to bake a mini, layered cake for each year of life I am celebrating. Contrary to popular doubt [haters gonna hate; cake bakers gonna bake], I continued this tradition in my third decade [yes, 30 is a LOT of cake, but tradition is tradition].
I even wore heels for the occasion. Those who know me, know this is rare, so rare they barely recognized me.
Being surrounded by good friends, my favorite color and lots of chocolate filled me with smiles and gratitude and solidified my start to a new decade.
This love and I have a deep bond commemorated by Black Velvet, and she managed to find me a chocolate bear bearing Black Velvet, the Canadian whiskey. Winner winner!
Do you see the resemblance to a certain #JulepOfTheDay? Thanks Sylvan for this amazing find!
Never fret. If your cake doesn’t have candles, just grab a candlestick and enjoy the song!
What happens when Taboo meets Charades? Our entertainment for the night was the game “Celebrity,” and it left me with mental images I’ll never forget, specifically when it comes to this guy ”twerking.”
How much do I LOVE this glasses-clad girl! She drove all the way from DC to celebrate me! Our love is the forever kind.
Where would I be without these creative ladies (left and right) constantly brightening my days and proving shorthaired girls have more fun?
Bring it 30. I’m ready for you! I’m ready for your youthful wisdom and purposeful drive!
XoXo,
-The Birthday Girl
P.S: Stay tuned for the many dessert recipes from my festivity, and stay tuned to Harvest & Gather for more memorable events.
P.P.S: Thanks to Joey Kennedy for documenting my memorable evening with such beautiful photos!
P.P.P. S: This is a great article about coming into your 30s.