My birthday weekend - Part 2

On my actual birthday I was treated to a lovely breakfast by hubby, followed by pressies and cards from under the tree (it keeps it looking more festive for longer!)  Highlights were definitely the Furla bag in the most awesome shade of turquoise green, some gorgeous earrings from MIL & FIL in autumnal colours (including green obvs!) and a super cute vest from Roz (which I may have just been eyeing up in Spitalfields when we were there and somehow actually did forget about even though I saw her buy it!) which I wore the very next day.

Gorgeous earrings from the in-laws :)

New vest goes perfectly with my new bag and leather jacket!

Vest - Spitalfields
Boots - Next
Jacket - Whistles
Bag - Furla
Jeans - M&S
Blazer - Primark
Scarf - M&S
Boot socks - M&S

Some favourite cards are below featuring made up words, a card with an actual Bex on it! (well she has curly brown hair, a green dress and is a shopaholic with my catchphrase!), another one with a Bex on it (Mum made a green trapezing card how cool!?) and of course, dragonflies!!

Of course I immediately got changed to dress for my new bag!

Bag - Furla
Top - Dorothy Perkins
Boots - Office
Necklace - Forever 21
Earrings - Debenhams & Rox
Jeans - M&S
Coat - Warehouse
Scarf - Splash (Saudi Arabia - gift from Mum)

Then we headed out for my birthday lunch!  How lucky am I?!  More yummy food!  Nik had booked us in for Sunday brunch at One Devonshire Gardens - a total bargain at £19.95 for four substantial courses!  I also had a cheeky Bellini as it was my birthday!

We started with the soup which was winter root vegetable and absolutely divine!

Followed by the French Market Table - OMG, possibly the best, poshest buffet ever and we could have as much as we wanted, although we tried to remain calm as we still had a roast dinner to come!

I had wanted the crème brûlée for dessert but they had none left so I had the cheese and a nibble of Nik's profiteroles in hot chocolate sauce!

Later than evening, rather stuffed and extremely happy we snuggled up on the Hemnes daybed to watch the final episodes we had saved up of Merlin.  So sad it's the last ever series but loved it and cried my eyes out!

Oh and just because it's too cute to leave out - my gorgeous visitor the next day with her fancy new handbag too - Emily...

My birthday weekend

I'm starting with this because I'm just too excited about it - I had SUCH a great time this year!  I am often disappointed on my birthday due to the time of year.  People have so many things on and are scattered around the country with family, etc.  I quite often get a bit down that so many of my friends can never come out to celebrate with me.  This year, all of my bridesmaids (bar Claire who sadly got really ill that morning!) managed and more people managed to come out than at my 30th.  :D

I was super excited this year too as despite trying loads of dresses last year for my big 3-0 I couldn't find a stunner and ended up wearing an old one I didn't really love but it was the only one that fit after the excesses of Christmas!!  This year I found one by accident when looking for a sparkly jumper in House of Fraser, I spotted this gorgeous French Connection dress which had 30% off that weekend only.  I tried it on but was a little worried it was too clingy in the 14, when I managed to try it in the 16 though it sat much nicer and was a better length.

Source: frenchconnection.com via Bex on Pinterest

I paired it with this faux fur coat (from my brother) and pansy clutch which was a Christmas present from my in-laws.

Source: uk.accessorize.com via Bex on Pinterest

Source: johnlewis.com via Bex on Pinterest

I also had my hair done differently at the hairdresser that morning with big curls and I really love it, I've even bought a curling tong to try to recreate it myself but haven't tried yet!

I had red lips (Icon liquid lipstick by Hourglass, kindly given to me by MIL from her amazing recent raffle prize!) and metallic red nails with added red glitter on my toes!  The lipstick lasted really well, I was super impressed and would definitely recommend it!  It even lasted during dinner (and, ahem, 'til the next morning - I forgot to remove my make-up - sinful I know!)

Source: sephora.com via Bex on Pinterest

I wore my old black peep-toe shoes which were only £10 in the Dorothy Perkins sale a few years ago and so comfy as they aren't too high with a little platform.  I also wore an old bracelet and an old present from Nik which was my heart necklace and I initially had on my sparkly earrings which were later swapped for these fab sparkly green ones from Roz!

My fab hubby also got me a badge (I'm never one to shy away from attention) and I loved that he remembered a cake this year with candles and everything which the waiter brought over and everyone sang :)  We all had some fab fizz and cocktails and the food was amazing, it was my first time in Browns in Glasgow and I loved it and have to go back to sample more of the menu!

I had the seared tuna carpaccio and the pork belly.  Nik had the scallops and burger.

We then moved on to another nearby bar for more cocktails before we were thrown out at closing time.

Too much!

I have too much excitement happening to actually find time to write about it all!  Not that I'm complaining, I'm currently very excited about all the happenings on twitter regarding wellies and festival chic for a fabulous wedding in a field I am honoured to be invited to this May with many other AOW girlies!

I really wanted to do a review of the year post like last year again, but feel it's getting too late (although it was then as well!), I'm also behind on my AOW A-Z writings, oops!  I still haven't shared everything I wanted to about Christmas  my birthday and New Year either!  This time of year really is too jam packed with fun, not that I'm complaining, I'm generally feeling very lucky this week after one of the best birthdays and new year's eve ever AND I'm not back in work until Friday, thank goodness!  I'm still trying to get up to date with my to do list and get my head ready for the new year and getting back on to my fitness wagon since I fell off after in Italy!

It's admittedly not going to happen quite yet as we're at a wedding this weekend too!!

Just Too Busy!

For now, here is one of my favourite pictures of me on my birthday night out!  I had such a great night out and really enjoyed my luxury (champagne instead of soda) mojito below (and a taste of Sarah's elderflower fizz)!