A few things happened this weekend; it snowed, we thew our annual tacky christmas sweater party, and I turned 30! How does it feel to be 30? The same – I think I’ll always be in my 17 year-old-mind. The only difference is, when people ask my age, there’s no denying I am a legit adult now.
The weekend started off with our first snowstorm of the season…here in VA we don’t handle the snow well, so everyone went into a small panic. In the end, we ended up with just a few inches on the grass, a few hours of lost power and a little bit of a slushy mess. I was a little worried it would put a damper on our annual tacky christmas sweater party, but it didn’t! Our power came back on, just in time and almost everyone was still able to make it.
Birthday’s are always special to me – whether it is my own or someone I love. I think my favorite part of my birthday year, after year, is the time to come together with family and friends. We’ve thrown this party on my birthday for the last 8+ years, and it has become one of my favorite traditions. In the past, we’ve thrown it as more of an adult party, but this year, we included all of the kids, which made for even more fun. I felt truly special and laughed and talked so much, I woke up a little hoarse the next morning, haha!
Birthday Shopping
I also did a little birthday shopping! Every year on my birthday, with a little help from my Mom and Mimi, I splurge on a little something. Sometimes I just go on a little shopping trip for me and other times, I put all of my eggs in one basket and splurge on one item. I’ve mentioned on the blog before, that I tend to go for affordable denim most of the time, not because I don’t love a good pair of premium denim, but because that’s really what’s more in my price point. Although I love my Rockstar jeans, that I’m wearing in this post, you can’t beat the fit and wear of a premium denim. So, I almost put all of my birthday eggs in one basket for a classic pair of Frame Le Skinny de Jeanne Jeans, after seeing their praises all over the blog world. It was tempting, but I decided I would rather have a new bag or boots this go around, but you can bet they’re still on my wish list/find a good sale, one day. I finally gave over-the-knee boots a try first, just to see what they would be like. I’m only 4’10”, so I knew there was a good chance, the OTK boots wouldn’t be right for me. I ordered this pair from Nordstrom, knowing I could return them easily if they didn’t work. The verdict…the boots were beautiful, but y’all, they literally took up my entire leg. I showed my husband, and he was like, when I look at you, all I see is boots. So they will be returned! After the boots were a fail, I opted for this J. Crew bag (which I totally monogrammed), sweater and these Sole Society Pumps! Instead of one big splurge, I went for a few little loves. My momma also gifted me this J. Crew Sweater blazer that was on my Gift Guide and I love it! All birthday wins if you ask me! 🙂
J. Crew Tissue Turtleneck T-Shirt
A post wouldn’t be a post, if I didn’t talk about what I’m wearing in these photos. A few of my old favorites; high rise Rockstar Jeans and Sam Edelman flats, along with some new favorites – this striped tissue turtleneck and camel scarf. The turtleneck is one of those basic things I bought to layer with and didn’t realize I would end up wearing it as much as I do. I love it tucked into high rise denim, under sweaters and even under dresses. The scarf, was a new purchase, after seeing it on Lauren of By Lauren M. I had the pleasure of meeting Lauren in person a few weeks ago and she’s just a sweet as you would think she is from her blog. She wore a blush version on her blog, and I was sold! It looks a lot like the much more expensive Free People version, and is under $20!
Shop The Post
All shopping aside, this weekend was so very special, thanks to my friends and family. I just don’t know what I would do without each and every one of you! Cheers to 30 years!
-Brooke
Welcome to the 30’s club! Turning 30 this year was probably my favorite memory of the entire year!! So glad you had a great weekend filled with lots of family and friend time! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
You are too cute! Glad to hear you had a happy birthday! I have that turtleneck as well and can’t seem to stop wearing it! Happy Monday!
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
You got some goodies for your birthday and you totally deserve it. Love this classic look.
xo
Pinksole
Glad to be part of it! 😀 Thank you Biana!
I find so many ways to wear it! Definitely a great purchase!
Thank you Rachelle!
Cutest 30 year old babe I ever did see!!! So happy the birthday weekend was grand, you deserve it my beautiful friend!
Happy belated birthday sweet lady! I LOVE the J. Crew bag you ended up picking! Also your outfit is SO classic–the striped tee is just perfection with that scarf!
Rosy Outlook
What a fun tradition to celebrate your birthday, and I also still think of myself as in my upper teens or early twenties. But you’re going to love your 30’s best decade yet! And that scarf is such an amazing pick. Happy Birthday again girlie <3
Green Fashionista
That’s what I hear! I’m excited about it! Thanks girl!
After all my indecisiveness I’m totally happy with my decision! Except for the fact it went on sale today lol wish I had held out for that!
Thank you sweet Andrea!
OTK boots for us short girls are so tricky. I like mine, but don’t love them. i still feel awkward in them, sometimes. Happy 30! I have to say that I am loving my 30’s!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
What a great weekend! I’m glad the snow didn’t put a damper on things. We got some here too and also ventured out to a friends party. Happy belated birthday and welcome to the 30’s club!! Sierra~Beautifully Candid
Happiest of happy years, Brooke!!
You’ll find a pair of OTK boots—in fact my newest pair from DSW were only slightly over the knee—that’s the kind that’ll probably work the best!!
And good for you for a splurge—we all need one of those every once in a while!!!
Have a wonderful Monday!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Such a beautiful birthday gal! Happy happy birthday! Let me know how you combat the declining metabolism…. I felt a big change when I turned 30(!) I had to eat more sensibly. Which I’m not doing currently. Can we blame fatigue? Emotional eating?
Hope this year’s awesome for you, your fam and the blog. xx
Happy birthday! Welcome to official adulthood. I felt the same way when I turned 30 a few months ago. You look beautiful. I always love your classic preppy outfits
Have a great week!
Carly at A Modern Mom Blog
Happy Birthday!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
The sweater party looks like so much fun! I love that black and white turtleneck and I am on the shorter end and have been hesitant about the OTK boots. I love the look of them but just am not sure if my height would work….Happy 30th birthday! the 30s are seriously the best!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Happy 30th Birthday! That scarf is so pretty and I love the texture it adds to your outfit… it looks so soft! I really love Rockstar jeans… I really need to throw an ugly sweater party or some sort of party with my friends again during this time of the year… we used to do a cookie exchange party, but stopped a few years ago. Looks fun!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Happy birthday girl! 30 is going to be fabulous AND you are surrounded by so many people who love and adore you!
The Adored Life
Happy Birthday! I had a birthday last week too! What a fun way to celebrate by searching for and finding some birthday treats! (By the way, your tacky sweater is AWESOME, lol)
Virginia
More to Mrs. E
Oh Happy Birthday!! I hope you had a wonderful celebration. You look soo cute in that outfit + for your age 🙂
https://abeautifulheart07.blogspot.com/
Happy Birthday! Sometimes I like having multiple smaller splurges instead of one big one too!
Happy Birthday!! You all look amazing in your tacky holiday sweaters. Loving this look on you! Camel and stripes are fabulous and classic, gorgeous!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Happy 30th precious girl! You will be 17 for a long time in your mind and then you’ll bump it up a little, but I don’t think you will ever feel your age. I know I’m still in total denial that I turned the BIG 5-0! So I wanted in on the OTK boots too and ordered the exact same pair. I’m almost 5’3″ and felt like they were too much on me too, so I can only imagine how they were on your tiny little body. Oh well, what cha’ gonna’ do? Enjoy your new birthday gifts!!! XO
They were definitely a lot of boot! Its a shame because they were really cute boots! Thats what my mom says, she’s like you’ll always think like you’re younger than you really are! haha! Thank you lisa!
Thank you Elise!
It was tempting, because I’ve really wanted a nice pair of denim, but then just couldn’t use it all in one place like that!
Thank you Jenna! 😀
Happy birthday to you too!!! My friend beside me had the best outfit! She made a christmas tree skirt out of dollar tree, tree skirts and had the Christmas Vacation cat on one side and a squirrel on the other, it was so the best!
Thank you so much!!
I love doing it every year! I hope it’s a tradition we keep for ages and it will just grow as our kids get older!
It’s such a fun party! Despite that we all sweat to death, haha!
I wanted to love them, I may try other styles, but this pair was just so much boot!
Thank you Lauren!
Haha! Thank you! It’s like when I told people I was turning 30, I didn’t get the “but you’re so young” i’ve been getting for years.
I’ve already noted that! It stinks!! I’m hoping if I can keep up my current workout routine I’ll be ok, but I know from what I hear it just gets harder!
I need to find a pair like that, this pair was definitely too much boot!
Thank you Sierra!! I’m so glad the snow didn’t keep everyone away and glad it didn’t keep you from enjoying a party too!
They are! I will still try another pair, maybe just maybe there is the perfect pair out there!
Happy, happy 30th, babe! Welcome to the 30 Club. 😉
Your party looks amazing- fun get-togethers like this are the besssst!
…rust and gray, yes please. Scored this Scoobie look via the incredible brand spankin’ new boutique collective in town, Kindred . They’re coming soon to Oak Park Mall , in case you need to pick up something new to wear for those upcoming holiday festivities. (PS, they have a ton of giftables, too- two Christmas birds, one stone!) More info on the blog: http://ow.ly/2IIB30h3BBM #kindredshops
Happy Birthday! Congrats on turning 30. It seems like you had an amazing time. I hope you enjoyed it!
~xo Sheree
PoshClassyMom.com
OMG Steven’s reaction to the OTK boots was priceless. lol I hadn’t heard of the Le Skinny de Jeanne Jeans but I’m liking the fact they were made in the US. Sad I missed your party but it looks like it was a great group that did make it! 🙂
Erica
http://www.awastenotkindoflife.com
Happy 30th Birthday!
xo,
Jacqueline
Stylin In St. Louis
You look so cute!!
Lesley Kim
Happy belated 30th birthday to one of my favorite bloggers and virtual friends. You look so chic and happy. That gorgeous scarf (which I need) totally makes that outfit. So glad you met Lauren too. I love her style. And Brooke, I’d love to meet you one day too.
Thank you so much Ada! You are one of my favorites too! If we’re ever in the same area one day, we should!
Thank you Lesley!
Thanks boo!! I really wanted to be fancy with a fancy pair of jeans haha but they are pretty expensive!! Decided to pass on that! I was sad you couldn’t make it, darn snow!!
Thank you sheree!
Thanks ashley!
Really loving the Fall vibes in these photos! Your scarf looks so soft and cozy too! love it!! 🙂 YAY!! Happy birthday! Hope you had an amazing day!
xo, Chloe // https://funinthecloset.com/florals-for-fall/
Such a pretty casual look! Loving the turtle neck T-shirt + scarf combo dear. So effortlessly pretty.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com