The Surprise Party that replaced the Birthday Party I planned

These gnarly colors are the best part of car washes... oh and getting a squeaky clean car after too.

My favorite dish at The Eatery, the BBQ Karubi

My home-made cake - taro flavored!

A good DIY project for parents with kids who have outgrown their little Happy Meal toys

Time to go home and open presents and put the flowers in some water and crystal vase

The street we decided to take my Look of the Day shots. Gotta love West Van streets, nice and wide covered with huge beautiful trees

I haven't seen moss since I was in grade 3 it seems. This was a special moment for me :/

Talk about clean. This is the reflection from Rob's car

second to last shot of one of my favorite things in life

Last one.

I woke up this morning wanting to sleep in and stay under the covers for hours longer but the husband insisted I wake up and that we leave a couple of hours before noon. I was finally ready to go when I remembered that my powdered make-up (MAC Studio Fix and blushes) were in ruins from the husband accidentally dropping it yesterday. I asked to stop by the mall before going for lunch and the husband was quite understanding and even gave me his debit card (SCORE! as I needed a new set anyway).

Taking my sweet time and thinking of other pit stops we could make, I was in shock to find that our "family" lunch was actually a pre-planned surprise party! We arrived at The Eatery (one of my favourite Japanese food spots) and were quickly welcomed by my friends and family shouting SURPRISE! followed by the classic Happy Birthday song. Naturally, I teared up seeing all these special people in my life and turned around to hug my husband, who had planned the whole thing for weeks. I really had no idea this whole time. In fact, a few days ago, I was being very hard on him about not having anything planned. I felt forced and planned my own birthday dinner despite him saying he was going to take care of this months ago. My husband does live by the saying: Low expectations, high delivery so you can imagine how overwhelmed and touched I was by all the effort that went into putting it together (especially after not receiving too many RSVP’s for the party I planned). Anyway, I've always wanted a surprise birthday party (almost even throwing one for myself years ago - yes, I was that desperate to have the spotlight). I also haven't had a birthday with my family present in a LONG time - we're talking since I was in elementary school. Today, my husband made both of those dreams come true :) (From the bottom of my heart, thank you, if you’re reading this)

I've watched lots of shows and seen people down in the dumps about getting older but turning 29 for me hasn't been a negative experience at all. I am actually embracing this last year of being in my twenties and hopefully will welcome my 30's with open arms. This is probably because I am proud to be where I am today. The Lord continues to keep me grounded and shows me His everlasting love, grace and mercy through everyday experiences – the good and the bad. I've got a loving husband, who is also my best friend, along with my little prince, who has taught me the importance of my role on this earth as a teacher, a protector and everything else in between. I've also got friends who prove that quality is better than quantity. I have a lovely home and the whole world to conquer, one God-given skill at a time. It is indeed a Happy Birthday to me.

Feeling very sentimental right now,
Justine

Not that I even have readers yet but...

I'm trying to design the perfect banner for this blog right now. I'm also finding that there is no such thing as "perfect". Here are a few to choose from:

The one that is currently being used.

A shot of pink. Too girly?

A splash of red. Is it too Devil Wears Prada? I only used it because red is so classic and timeless.

If I had some regular readers, this is where I'd ask them to vote for which one they like the best but for now, I'm counting on the personal few friends who know about this blog to advise me on which banner I should go with.

I'm trying to keep the style of this blog simple and mature (as some of my inspirations include The Sartorialist) but I can't help to also include some shots of bright color and texture. I'm also planning to whip out my Bamboo tablet and sketch something as I've got a cute idea floating in my head right now (think: illustrations from Where The Sidewalk Ends). Oh well, there is still lots of time to find my own style and establish the BROKE FASHIONISTA "look".

Hoping for a vision overnight,
Justine

PS - I always feel like I'm not delivering to my audience when I don't include a photography in my post so here's a random photo. It's of my meal at the Boat House in Kits. I was never a big fan of fish and chips (found it to be too oily) but when in Rome, do as the Romans do (everyone else at the table had the same). Anyway, I found it to be quite delicious and for the view, the dish was certainly worth the $15.

First task of 2011: CHECK!

I hate making excuses (and more importantly, starting this blog of mine with one) but considering it is 1:13am, you'll have to excuse my (hopefully not so) poor attempt at keeping you entertained or at least chuckling with my first blog entry. 

Once I finished disinfecting the drawer under the oven and finally feeling it was clean enough to stash pots and pans inside (after only a year and a half after moving in), as well as moving the microwave back in its rightful place and emptying out shelves in the dining room to fill them with cookbooks (all only an hour or so ago), I decided to reunite with my laptop. This past week has been jam-packed with holiday festivities and family time, so I wasn’t tempted to do my usual blog visits and online shopping (THANK GOD, but more about that later). Surprisingly, after only a few visits to my favourite bloggers, I have at long last, decided to create my very own.

Maybe it’s because I’m beginning to grow tired of seeing their faces (I am somewhat despicable that way)? Or perhaps, I am becoming more excited about showcasing my individual style and writing about my own personal thoughts and experiences. Whatever “it” is, it’s pushed me and given me the determination to start this. Then again, maybe it’s because of my husband, who told me earlier today that I could totally set up a blog and be just as wonderful and fashionably-inspiring as the bloggers I read about. It always helps when he ends these kinds of pep talks with “I believe in you!”

Creating this blog is on my 2011 To-Do List, so I am ecstatic to check it off so early in the New Year. I realize that bloggers come a dime a dozen but I seriously hope by this time next year, I’ll have driven some traffic to this site, have a healthy amount of followers and for the most part, motivate others to dress for themselves, decorate their home in bright colors and love their little kiddies no matter what. Oh and above all: to teach others that sometimes, it’s okay to spend your last dollar, as long as it’s towards buying something that will make you extremely happy. 

Writing from a good place, empty wallet and all,

Justine

PS - it just doesn't feel right leaving a post without a visual stimulus so here is a photo of my lunch earlier. We ate at Romers Burger Bar on West 4th and though this burger and salad look absolutely fresh, juicy and delish, we were not thrilled with the outcome. They provided us with fantastic service but the menu was overpriced and the food was bland. Regrettably, we won't be returning!