1.) Meeting bloggers in real life is my fave. You automatically have something in common and know things about each other, so it feels like you can talk forever. I met up with Kara (make her Bailey’s Chocolate Chip Cookies!) at Tehku Tea Co. on Tuesday and it was so fun. And we discovered that we have the same birthday!
If you’re ever in the area, check out Tehku. Adorable little shop with delicious scones and super creative teas.
2.) I love wristlets, but since they’re less cumbersome than purses… they’re easier to forget. I left mine at a store on Sunday while I was shopping with my mom, but I didn’t notice it until Tuesday morning when I was about to leave to meet Kara. After tea, I called a few of the places we had been and someone had it. When I picked it up later that night, everything was still in it, which I was endlessly thankful for.
3.) I’ll keep my weather talk contained to this one little point, but WTF?! It was beautiful on Thursday – so beautiful that I took a long walk in a tank top with Pippa. Then, the temps freaking plummeted, the wind picked up, and it started to snow right after the weekend. It’d be fine without the wind, but the wind makes it totally un-fine. Also, everyone says, “Wow, you go to school in Chicago? Must be so cold there!” However, for the whole time I’ve been in Chicago, the East Coast (my alternate school location) has had it a lot worse. I made the right decision… but we already knew that. 😉
4.) Since I’m home, I’m watching Survivor with my parents. I grew up watching Survivor and LOVE it. There was just an extensive conversation about killing goats and I was not okay with it.
No worries, though. They decided to let the goats go.
5.) On Tuesday morning, I got a birthday email from UChicago, which surprised me because it’s never happened before. Turns out, they send you one for your 21st to remind you to drink responsibly and that there are non-alcoholic ways to celebrate, and to ask you to fill out a survey about how much you drink for your 21st birthday. Interesting.
6.) My birthday consisted of getting my horizontal driver’s license, getting an obnoxiously bright (but awesome) manicure, a fabulous salmon salad for lunch, lots of shopping, and a great dinner. Plus lying in front of the fireplace and watching Survivor. Oh, and an outpouring of love from so many of the incredible people in my life. PERFECT.
7.) Birthday dinner was hard to decide upon, because I am indecisive all the time, and also because I was just hungry and ready for a lot of food, no matter what we ate. But I made a great decision.
We went to Mitchell’s Fish Market, and started off with a couple loaves of warm, buttery, crusty sourdough bread. Then, I got to make my first drink order, which was a Strawberry Mule. It really just tasted like a regular Moscow Mule, but there was a strawberry garnish… which I ate pre-picture.
Dinner was Shanghai Sea Bass, which is basically Chilean sea bass in a ponzu sauce with fresh ginger, plus sautéed spinach and asparagus. I’ve gotten it before, and it’s truly amazing every time.
And then dessert. I got an Oreo sundae and my parents got a campfire brownie. I fully expected to eat theirs and let them have mine, but I think I won. It was simple and not very Oreo-heavy, but the vanilla ice cream was fantastic.
8.) On Monday, we finalized the menu and setup for the venue for my birthday party. It’s gonna be so good. I’m so excited. And I don’t get excited about parties. I’ll share pictures next week!
9.) I adore my dog. We’ve had her for over 5 years and only in the past 2 weeks did she start jumping up on the couch.
10.) And now I want to leave you with some of my favorite recipes & reads from the week.
- Turmeric in everything, please. –> Chocolate Chunk Turmeric Cashew Butter Cookies
- And avocado. –> Chocolate Avocado Hot Fudge Cake
- These sound so addictive and summery to me. –> Glazed Asian Beef Kabobs
- A dietitian’s take. –> Why I Don’t Recommend Whole30
- Just calm down. It’s food and it’s delicious. –> Stop Freaking out about Sugar
Your turn:
What’s your favorite birthday dessert?
Are you a party person?
Anything else I should know?
I want your birthday dinner. HOLY FREAKING YUM. Seriously.
Last night, Alex and I went to dinner (which was huge) went to Yogurtland (where I overdid it) and then came home,(where I polished off the rest of the Robin’s Eggs). SUGGGAARRRR
lol I came home and ate a chocolove almond sea sat bar and some chocolate hazelnut butter. I feel ya on my the sugar love ?
I’ve had “try moscow mule” on my list for weeks now. I need to get on that. From what I hear – you made an excellent choice.
This weather SUCKS BALLS I AM SO DONE WITH IT.
Oh and that was ironic… just yesterday I got this really weird urge to go back and watch the first season of Survivor. I loved it!! (in its early stages). Think I may still do that for nostalgia sake.
Happy belated birthday. Your day sounds like it was fabulous, and I can’t wait to hear about this partay!!
Highly recommend the Moscow mule!
Ugh couldn’t agree more about the weather.
I loved early survivor too! It’s the only reality show I’ve ever watched regularly!
I hope your birthday party goes so well; I’m thankful God has given you 21 years on this earth! You are such a fun, optimistic, truthful, sweet blogger friend! Your birthday dinner looked INCREDIBLE. 🙂
You’re so kind, Emily! The party was sooo fun!
Sounds like such a fun birthday, Ellen! The food looked glorious!
My favorite birthday dessert is dirt cake, which is like a crushed brea chocolate pudding thing. My mom made it growing up and it’s so rich and decadent. Ah, I’m craving it now! Though your desserts look equally as good.
Oh my goodness how have I forgotten about dirt pudding? I used to eat t all the time as a kid! So good!
I’m a sucker for So Delicious’s cashew ice cream…especially with a brownie on the side 😉 And I’m so glad you had such a great birthday! Enjoy your party – sounds like it’ll be a blast!
I can’t believe I’ve never had SoDelicious, as much of an ice cream lover as I am. What’s your favorite flavor?
Your birthday dessert looks amazing!! I am so glad you had a nice time out Ellen <3 my fav bday dessert is probably vanilla cake or cookie cake with ice cream!
Cookie cake is so good! What’s better than a giant cookie?
I’m glad you had a great birthday! My fav birthday dessert is definitely ice cream. I’m not much of a party person – I prefer small gatherings with friends. 🙂
Ice cream is my fave! And yes to smaller gatherings!
I hope you have the most amazing birthday weekend, girl!
My birthday dessert changes every year! Usually I use it as an excuse to make something out of the ordinary!
As food bloggers do ?
Shanghai Sea Bass looks awesome. It’s a dish my wife makes for us sometimes. Good contrast of the soft sea bass meat and the crunch of asparagus.
Oooh that sounds like a good idea! I should try to recreate it! Do you have a recipe?