It's My Birthday!!

Today is my birthday! Woo hoo! Normally, I am not a birthday person. The thought of organizing a birthday party for myself, fills me with anxiety. What if no one shows? Depressing! The thought of growing older? Depressing! This week leading up to my birthday, was just that. Monday I woke up with a horrible cold, which I still have. Cut my thumb at work, a fingernail broke below the quick and my hair is falling out. Becoming ill, clumsiness and a deteriorating body? All signs of old age. Depressing.

Thankfully, my birthday has been anything but, depressing. 


This weekend, I celebrated two new lives. The birth of my brother's baby boy, Lucien. The other, a baby shower for one of my best girlfriends Mitzi's unborn baby boy, Ruben. I am so excited to watch both of these little boys grow and flourish. One day, they will be handsome young gentleman, ready to steal the hearts of all the girls around them.


Chatted on the phone to my brother and older sister, both in America.


Skyped with Stacy for about an hour. 


Chatted to my sister in law in New Zealand.


Had a braai with some friends. Johan's best friend and his wife, who is also my sister's brother in law. Basically the link that brought Johan and I together. 


Johan and Ava bought me the biggest bouquet of flowers. Really, it's so big we can't even get a proper photo. I asked him what he is going to do for my 30th to top this gorgeous and gigantic arrangement. He hadn't thought about that... Hehe.


Today, we took the Gautrain into Rosebank. It was such a pleasant experience. The staff was so friendly and helpful, the other passengers, also friendly and just as excited to ride the train. The train and train station was so clean, it felt like we were in a first world country. Plus, I got to shop in Joburg, something that NEVER happens. 


Quality time with Johan and Ava, exploring our world. It was perfect in every way. 


Did I mention I got a ghd hair straightener? AMAZING! You will see in the pics below. I didn't even ask for it! I guess the husband does listen to me!


How about all the Facebook love on your birthday, it's awesome!


My brother in law and his family came for a visit this afternoon and brought delicious treats and a BIG surprise that I will share at a later date. 

Lucien Chandler Kernodle

At the Pretoria Station

So cute

Love this one.

Look at the big girl, in her own seat!

Our first family trip on the Gautrain!

She shopped til she dropped!

A sign of the times, I go shopping on my birthday, and all I buy is toys for Ava.

Drumroll, please! 


The winner of the lucylucybangbang "Vintage Lights" kitchen towel is... Dee Stephens of Dee's Adventures! Congratulations!! I'll put you in touch with Jacy to receive your towel. Thanks to everyone who entered and to all my new followers on here and Twitter!


Like Jacy said, every one here is a winner, and she has been kind enough to extend her offer of 10% off any order with the coupon code "blairadise". Recently, she has added a few more gorgeous collections like "Vintage Oilily" and "Orla Kiely", go check them out here and buy a few!


Happy birthday to ME!


Blair

The Ice Cream Man

As the sun slowly sets on this relaxing Sunday, I find myself quite disappointed. All day I have been straining my ears to hear the ice cream man. The familiar jingle that would give me all the confirmation I need, that summer is on it's way.  The ice cream man is like my ground hog. If I hear him, then winter-like weather is nearing an end. Hopefully next weekend he will surface.

Funny thing is I have never even seen the ice cream man here in South Africa. I hear the jingle, then search for my wallet and keys, rush to open the gate on our door, then one at the front of the house and lastly, the gate on the street, by then Mr. Ice Cream man is at least two blocks away. It's not too terrible, as you all know how I feel about South Africa and their ice cream, which I wrote about here. I was still a bit shocked the first time I heard that the ice cream man only sells soft serve?!?! How boring is that?!?! No ice cream baseball glove, with the bubble gum ball? Unimaginable.

Note to Self: Ava MUST experience an American summer, chasing after the ice cream man, for an ice cream baseball glove, with a bubble gum ball.

Friday night was Johan and I's first night out without Ava. It wasn't as bad as I had anticipated, however, I did check my phone a bit more than usual. In my defense, both our phones were on silent so I was a bit paranoid something would happen and no one would be able to reach us.

The night was wonderful. A glass of wine at this swanky new restaurant, then a hilarious comedy show that had us all in tears, and then a nice snack and glass of wine at another swanky restaurant. Felt young again, until I realized the only people I was younger than were my friends. Everyone else around us looked like they were still in matric!! Thank goodness we don't get out much these days. I don't think my confidence can handle it. Honestly, I don't think I ever wore my skirts as short as the girls these days.

Happy Half Birthday, Ava! Here is a look back at the first half of her life:

Don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway here! It's easy, just leave a comment saying which lucylucybangbang print you like the most and WIN! The winner will be announced next Sunday, on my birthday!

Goodbye July, hello August!!

Blair

It's My Birthday Giveaway!

In just a few short days, 11 to be exact, I will be one year away from THIRTY! Where have all the years gone?

To celebrate the last year of my 20's, one of Blairadise's lucky readers will WIN a kitchen towel from lucylucybangbang's NEW "Vintage Lights" collection.

No matter where you are in the world, you can WIN!

Here is a short message from one of my oldest friends and the mastermind behind these beautiful kitchen towels.

visit the Etsy store here

"First of all, I want to say a BIG "thank you!" to Blair for this opportunity! I am so excited to have exposure from the US all the way to South Africa! My name is Jacy and lucylucybangbang is my little Etsy shop where I sell some super fun and very practical kitchen towels. Made from lint-free flour sack towels and embellished with fun fabrics to brighten your kitchen (and your day), they snap onto appliances so they stay put. Created to stop my little girl, Lucy, from running off with my towels, but they're super functional and cute in any kitchen!

This giveaway is for one towel of your choice from the NEW "Vintage Lights" collection. Go look around my shop and comment here with your favorite print...maybe you'll win it! Don't worry, though, we're all winners here, so I also want to offer 10% off any order with coupon code "blairadise"...happy shopping friends!"

Gorgeous, uh? Who wouldn't want one of these? They make great gifts as well.

In cased you missed it. To enter you must:

1. Go to lucylucybangbang's Etsy shop here
2. Post a comment below telling us which print is your favorite
• Don't have a Google account? Post as anonymous, then sign your name under your comment

For another entry:

• Complete the above and be a follower of this blog
• Complete the above and Re-Tweet this post
• Complete the above and post this link on Facebook

Tell all your friends and check back on the 7th of August to see if you won! Random.org will be used to chose the winner.

"life is too short for boring dish towels!" - lucylucybangbang

Good luck!

Blair