I turned 30 last week. It happened. I survived. And now I can’t help but feel as if I’m an expert on turning 30. So please sit back and listen while I tell everyone exactly how to do it.
For starters, my parents came to town just to celebrate with me. I mentioned in my last post my family likes garage sales, well we also like birthdays. We were raised to believe that our day of birth is a VERY BIG DEAL. My parents always went all out for my sister, brother and myself (and we all have May birthdays.) I’m talking breakfast in bed, flowers and balloons sent to our school, pizza parties, new Dr. Martens, we were spoiled little SOBs. Sounds annoying, right? Our poor spouses.
Anyway, it was only natural my parents came to Chicago simply to have birthday beers with me.
And so the day went like this:
8:00 a.m. birthday photo shoot in the park.
What you can’t see are the three homeless men who live in the park who really enjoyed watching this all happen. There was also a mom/baby playgroup going on whom weren’t quite as amused as the homeless men.
9:30 a.m.- brunch at Doves.
Doves is one of my favorite brunch spots in the city.
12:00 p.m.- shopping at Harlow’s favorite stores.
(Nordstrom Rack, West Elm, Cb2.)
2:00 p.m.- tacos at Big Star.
3:00 p.m.- margaritas at the Robey rooftop pool.
They’re taking some liberties with the term “pool” here.
What you see behind us is the entirety of the “pool.” Never the less, it’s a fun atmosphere and I will be back to swim laps very soon.
My dad’s favorite part of the rooftop however was seeing how many State Farm Insurance offices he could point out. Three. He found three.
4:00 p.m. head downtown to see Hamilton!
5:00 p.m. oysters and dirty martinis at GT Fish & Oyster.
7:00 p.m. HAMILTON time!
Is Hamilton worth the hype you may be wondering? Yes. Yes it is. If you get the chance, GO. It’s an experience you don’t want too miss.
*Unless you’re my dad who slept through the entire second half*
10:30 p.m. – post Hamilton meal at Maudes. French fries and mussels.
When my dad is in “vacation mode” he pretty much lives off french fries and gin and tonics. When he’s back home he eats like a rabbit, but on vacation he goes hard.
Midnight- back home for chocolate cake and a final champagne toast.
See guys, not a bad way to ring in thirty!
And now it’s already May 22nd and Memorial weekend is a few days away. We’re renting a house in the outer banks with my entire family and I’m so excited! I’ve never been before, so if you have suggestions, let me know!
Go tackle Monday, friends!
// Lemon dress found here. If you’re looking for a fun new summer dress, this is my new favorite! (Runs small, I’m in an XS.) //
Just got back from the Outer Banks- went for our honeymoon! It was our first visit there so I'm no pro, but it's so beautiful and friendly, and there's so much good food. What town are you staying in?
I stayed in the Outer Banks a couple times as a kid on family vacations. Go climb the sand dunes. Hit the Wright brothers museum and go fly a kite at Kitty Hawk. Also a cool lighthouse to see.
Where are you staying in the outer banks? I've been several times. You must go to Tortugas lie. Best food ever and the best shark bite. (Drink with a plastic shark in it). If you are staying in Duck or Corolla go to Coastal Cravings best crab cakes and it was featured on diners drive ins and dives. If you have a 4×4 drive on the four wheel drive beach in Corolla! This is so much fun and the horses are all over the beach! I have so many other suggestions but this is a good start!
Welcome to my neck of the woods! The OBX is amazing! Mamma Kwan's Tiki Bar is a MUST! The food is amazing (get the money bags mmmmm). Next you HAVE to do a Brew Thru. They are ALL over the Outer Banks, basically you drive into the shop and order your alcohol. You don't even have to get out of your car (Genius). If you have the time, take a drive allll the way down to Corolla and ride on the beach to see the wild ponies, you won't regret it. On the way back, stop in at Duck and grab some Duck Donuts for tomorrows breakfast and grab some tacos at Coastal Cantina. After dinner walk around the boardwalk in Duck, you won't be disappointed. Have fun but be safe, the rip currents in OBX can be rough.
Hi Everyone, I'm from United Kingdom London, City(GB). I met this spell caster called Dr IyaryI of [email protected] online and so many other, but i decided to go with this particular spell caster and this is about 2 weeks ago.I needed the spell caster to reunite me and my lover because she started behaving strange and a day came she text me and told me she cannot continue with the relationship anymore, that she just want to be alone.But a close friend of hers shows the guy to me that she was now dating.So i contacted this spell caster because i was totally heart broken and i smoked and get drunk till i could not even notice if am standing or lying.This spell caster told me not to worry, he gave me hope that am to have her again just like old times, and i provided all the requirements, and in just 5 days, my ex lover called me crying over the phone asking for me to forgive her for her stupid act, and she swore with her mother grave to love me and never hurt me again.This was what the spell caster earlier told me and it came after he has done the spell and that same night, my lover came back to the house to me. I have never seen spell as powerful as this but now, am convinced that Dr IyaryI is the best ever, You can contact him through him email address: [email protected] or [email protected] or And also Reach him on WhatsApp Number: +2349057915709 Thanks Dr. IyaryI
Happy birthday, Taylor – sounds like you had a great day! And LOL at your Dad who slept through Hamilton!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Happy birthday! Love that lemon print dress (I have something similar!)
You HAVE to get the fish tacos at the Bad Bean Baja Grill! You'll hate fish tacos everywhere else after trying these.
Glad you had a fun birthday! I love your lemon dress and your big kid cake smash photo sesh. I would love to see Hamilton!
Just got back from the Outer Banks- went for our honeymoon! It was our first visit there so I'm no pro, but it's so beautiful and friendly, and there's so much good food. What town are you staying in?
I stayed in the Outer Banks a couple times as a kid on family vacations. Go climb the sand dunes. Hit the Wright brothers museum and go fly a kite at Kitty Hawk. Also a cool lighthouse to see.
So glad you had a fun birthday! Enjoy your time at the Outer Banks! 🙂
Look up The Blue Moon Café. It has wonderful food!
Where are you staying in the outer banks? I've been several times. You must go to Tortugas lie. Best food ever and the best shark bite. (Drink with a plastic shark in it). If you are staying in Duck or Corolla go to Coastal Cravings best crab cakes and it was featured on diners drive ins and dives. If you have a 4×4 drive on the four wheel drive beach in Corolla! This is so much fun and the horses are all over the beach! I have so many other suggestions but this is a good start!
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Welcome to my neck of the woods! The OBX is amazing! Mamma Kwan's Tiki Bar is a MUST! The food is amazing (get the money bags mmmmm). Next you HAVE to do a Brew Thru. They are ALL over the Outer Banks, basically you drive into the shop and order your alcohol. You don't even have to get out of your car (Genius). If you have the time, take a drive allll the way down to Corolla and ride on the beach to see the wild ponies, you won't regret it. On the way back, stop in at Duck and grab some Duck Donuts for tomorrows breakfast and grab some tacos at Coastal Cantina. After dinner walk around the boardwalk in Duck, you won't be disappointed. Have fun but be safe, the rip currents in OBX can be rough.
I'm turning 30 next year (that sentence makes me want to barf) and THIS IS HOW I WANT TO DO IT.
Haha, love that photo! Sounded like you had a fun day. Welcome to the 30s 🙂
Hi Everyone,
I'm from United Kingdom London, City(GB). I met this spell caster called Dr IyaryI of [email protected] online and so many other, but i decided to go with this particular spell caster and this is about 2 weeks ago.I needed the spell caster to reunite me and my lover because she started behaving strange and a day came she text me and told me she cannot continue with the relationship anymore, that she just want to be alone.But a close friend of hers shows the guy to me that she was now dating.So i contacted this spell caster because i was totally heart broken and i smoked and get drunk till i could not even notice if am standing or lying.This spell caster told me not to worry, he gave me hope that am to have her again just like old times, and i provided all the requirements, and in just 5 days, my ex lover called me crying over the phone asking for me to forgive her for her stupid act, and she swore with her mother grave to love me and never hurt me again.This was what the spell caster earlier told me and it came after he has done the spell and that same night, my lover came back to the house to me. I have never seen spell as powerful as this but now, am convinced that Dr IyaryI is the best ever, You can contact him through him email address: [email protected] or [email protected] or And also Reach him on WhatsApp Number: +2349057915709 Thanks Dr. IyaryI