With balloons this cute, how can you not do a photoshoot?!
Hiiiiiii!! I feel like it has been forever since I have blogged or posted anything. It felt like something was missing, and I am so happy to have some time to catch up in my little corner of the blogiverse.I just wanted to say hello, and assure you that I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth in the past weeks. I have been crazy busy with my internship, so projects and assignments have taken up my spare minutes and weekends for a while. I am now in my foodservice rotation, which is proving to be a whole adventure within itself. But enough about work. I don’t want to bog you (or myself) with the tedious details. It’s time to party!
More than a week later, and I haven’t taken the banner down yet.
Last weekend (February 27th, to be exact) was my 23rd birthday, so I thought it would be fun to share some moments from that day with you! Get ready for food, festivities, and plenty of pink!
My mom goes all out with wrapping presents. They match my apartment!
Foreshadowing: I love flamingos, and they will reappear as an over-arching theme for this birthday. How festive are these straws?!
As a little backstory, every year for as long as I can remember, I always think of a word that forms an alliteration with the age that I am turning. (Nerd-alert). I carry that word in my mind all year as a reminder of what I was striving for in that year. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw me talk about this tradition. This year, my word is “thriving”. I just really want that word to be woven throughout all of my endeavors, relationships, and my outlook on life. So there you have it. Thriving 23.
OH, I almost forgot to mention- after my internship, I will be going to grad school!! Yes, starting in September, I will be attending Baster University in San Diego for the Master of Science in Nutrition for Wellness program. I am so happy, and I’m actually excited to get back into the classroom/school work mode. (Am I crazy?!) Now back to the b-day vibes.
We had dinner at the Stonehouse Restaurant at San Ysidro Ranch. I had never been there before, but I have always heard amazing things, so naturally it was on my foodie bucket list to eat there. Funny detail: I always look at the menu before I go to a restaurant (Does anyone else do this?), and this occasion was no different. I had my order all picked out way in advance. If you ever catch me reading a menu in a restaurant, you can be sure it is pretend reading, because I have already decided what to get before I even set foot in the building. 🙂
The first course: pan-seared foie gras on spiced sourdough french toast with persimmon jam, candied pistachios, and port jus. I mean, talk about decadence!
Round two, the main event: Miso glazed black cod with maitake mushrooms, jasmine rice, and lemongrass dash broth. The fish was like butter. I could eat this forever.
Baked Alaska filled with chocolate cake and house-made espresso ice cream
This was my first time having Baked Alaska. I have wanted to try it for a long time, because my favorite dessert is anything involving soft meringue. An oh boy, was this covered in soft meringue. I was in heaven. Honestly, I will probably marry you if you bring me Baked Alaska. Yes, it’s that good. Haven’t you heard the old saying, “The way to a girl’s heart is with Baked Alaska”? NO? Well, that should be the saying.
The flamingos are baaaaaack. Only five because 23 flamingos would turn my cake into a zoo.
In true birthday fashion, my mommy surprised me with a gorgeous cake by Christine Dahl of Christine Dahl Pastries. You guys, this cake was not only stunning, but it was mouth-watering. Highly recommend Christine for all of your celebratory cake needs.
Just look at those beautiful layers!
The cake was the color of rose quartz, aka the Color of the Year, aka my spirit color. What was the flavor, you ask? Just the best combination ever: Vanilla chiffon cake with coconut mousse filling and luscious layers of lemon curd. (I die!!!!) Too bad birthdays only come once a year, because I am still dreaming about this cake… Maybe it’s a good thing they only come once a year, or else I would be eating this every chance I could get!
#squadgoals… or is it #squawkgoals?
It was a wonderful pink-filled birthday to say the least. And if you are ever looking for a special occasion place to dine in Santa Barbara, go to San Ysidro ranch. It’s dreamy.
I am looking forward to getting more health/wellness/nutrition posts up on the blog very soon! Tell me- do you have a birthday word like I do with “thriving”? If not, what would you want your word to be? I hope you like this type of little life snip-it post! I enjoy sharing the fun with you! Can’t wait to talk soon!
Eat cake. Pretty much sums it up!
XO,
Alexandra
Such a cute birthday! You made me laugh. The dinner was heaven!
Everything looks so Pretty in Pink! Love it!
Thank you Taira! I think it’s safe to say that I have an obsession with pink!
Love all of the pink, it suits you perfectly! Do I see a glimpse of the new, pink, Le Creuset iron and enamel cookware on that stove?!……of course that would be in your kitchen! You are precious in the pink Kate Spade dress, you always had a thing for bows, (I see a little glimpse of the bow in the back, show us the back, lol!) Congratulations on Grad school, I hear you received an academic Honors award! Keep up the hard work and remember to smell all the pink roses along the way, Happy Birthday!…did you take the banner down yet? 😉