My birthday came and went this year without much fuss, which is mostly how I like it. I’m 37, there’s no need for fanfare. Though I do suspect in a few years time, a combined 40th bash will be necessary since the husband and I are the same age. But until then and probably after, I like a quiet birthday. It’s just another day really.
But the husband did surprise me with a few sweet gifts from Chanel that I’m in love with. Even though I’m not a fan of Chanel No.5 Perfume, I was dying to get my hands on the bath soap with the fabulous lucite soap dish! Spending $75 on soap seems a bit excessive, but it’s kind of the perfect little gift because of the soap dish. He also gave me a limited edition gift set with two lip glosses, a nail polish, and a few samples thrown in.
There’s a great surf/sport shop up here called LEROY’S, which admittedly we took as a sign when we bumped into it one night roaming around the dark and quiet Village last October when we were contemplating living up here… and has fantastic selection of bikinis and cute surfer-girl/beachy items. And since I’m so feeling that vibe this Summer, I kind of want everything in the store. We stopped in recently looking for paddle boards and I got distracted by the sale rack and went home with a few new bikinis and shorts and hinted at a few things I thought would make great b-day gifts like this adorable California Follow Love hoodie by Billabong below {it worked :}. I picked up the natural baja hoodie pancho at amazon.
When I was 16-17 years old, in the mid 90’s, I worked in a surf shop called Val Surf in the Valley and all of these styles are so reminding me of that time in my life which was so fun. Life is funny really. Only time and age can remind you of that.
Our first Summer on the lake called for a few new swimwear updates. Most of my bikinis are black… and it’s usually what I’m drawn to but I’m trying to add a little color and found these two black/floral prints bottoms I can wear with any of my tops, the Zimmermann black ruffled bandeau top I found at GILT, and I went on a limb with the pink floral suit because it was on sale at Leroy’s and I love it.
I found all these cute shorts on sale as well. And though I’m not in love with the way my legs look in shorts, I’m working on it… and there’s really no way around wearing shorts up here. The Rasta striped pair can really be worn as bikini bottoms if I’m paddle boarding as well. OMG I’M SO EXCITED FOR SUMMER ON THE LAKE.
All my favorite sunglasses… the two pairs up front are getting the most wear at the moment. Left: NEW square tortoise shell sunglasses by Stella McCartney and Right: Chloe Star sunglasses
* Also see my Ikea dressers before/after
I found a cute vintage shop on Etsy called kerrilendo and bought this 90’s velvet dress with huge sleeves that I’d like to alter into a top to wear with jeans… we’ll see when I get to that! I haven’t done a DIY in months! I picked up a few 90’s floral skirts as well.
And finally some new reading material. It takes me forever to get through a book, but I’m desperately trying to make time to read more.
I still prefer holding actual books in my hands vs Kindle or reading from a screen. I look at monitors and screens all day so it’s a nice alternative to read the old fashioned way. I also find it a little more dreamy too 😉
From the top…
* State of Wonder: A Novel (P.S.) by Ann Patchett
* Forget the Facelift: Turn Back the Clock with a Revolutionary Program for Ageless Skin
* The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
* Online Community Management For Dummies recommended to me by Jennine {of The Coveted and IFB} after “that post” which I have since revised.
