A happy early birthday to me?

My birthday is less than a month away and although I love celebrating my friends’ birthdays, I’d much rather just migrate somewhere far and WARM for mine (I was a duck in another life). Not that I actually ever have, but for one, I think that would then alleviate myself from the burden of planning a party. I hate asking people to come out in the cold to celebrate, and I really rather spend QT with people than have a crazy chaotic thing where I barely get two words in to each person. The best birthdays I’ve had were with just a few people at brunch or dinner (and did I mention I hate the cold?). What’s more, I’m the most annoying person to get a gift for–I don’t even know what I want half the time so it doesn’t make it much easier for others.

All that said, this has been a tremendous year. I felt like a working machine but it makes me happy waking up everyday and knowing I’m doing what I love. Besides that, I’ve really settled into some amazing friendships; took full advantage of this brilliant city I live in (and others, ie Buenos Aires); and overall feel pretty clear in my head and even healthier physically (a far departure from 2010 let me tell you, where I started the year off getting hit by a car while I was crossing the street…stupid drunk lady). And that seemed to have set the tone for the rest of the year which had as many ups as it had downs. But whereas 2010 started out rough, it ended wonderfully (namely my little nephew was born last December!) and carried into 2011 just the same. I learned a lot through the months: patience for one thing. Not sweating the small stuff. Staying ridiculously positive. And never taking anyone in your life for granted. Things will always get better if you let it.

So now with ALL that emotional vomit spewed and out of the way, some of my birthday gifts came in a little early this year and for once I just embraced it. It started off with this beautiful Marc by Marc Jacobs watch. I saw it at the store and became somewhat fixated:

After I told my cousin, Safia (the same one who has an ardent appreciation for all-things accessories), about how much I loved it she went out and got it for me because she is simply awesome (and forced to give it to me early since we also live together and I happened to open the package–hey, it was addressed to me!). I think I can just sit and stare at its gorgeousness all day.

Separately, I decided to spoil myself a little (why not?). After playing stylist a couple months ago for Karen Millen, I really fell in love with some of their pieces. I went to the store and the minute I tried on these fur-lined leather boots, I was smitten.

I was in the market for booties, and yes the heels were 4 ½” which is like ridiculous, but the 1” platform cuts the height and it’s surprisingly super comfy to walk in. For $550, it was a splurge if I ever knew one, but I’m a big believer in investing in winter clothes and accessories because they last forever. I needed to pace myself though-–I had JUST paid for a trip to go to Argentina after all, and I figured I’d come back for them.

Since the day I tried them on, I could not stop thinking about them and I finally went back a couple weeks ago, already mentally preparing myself on shelling out the big bucks for it, but to my delight, it was on sale for more than half off! I tried them on again and yes, still in love and practically skipped my way over to the cash register. [Note: the whole store is having a crazy sale right now so you might want to check it out and see if you can find any gems yourself!].

This is going to be a long-term relationship. With its stacked heel and cozy sheepskin lining, it’s one comfy pair of heels (I’m also a very “heels” kinda girl…I think I can even walk better in them than flats!). I didn’t even realize it at the time, but I also love how these don’t make that ‘click-clacky’ noise while you walk thanks to crepe sole. It’s one purchase I did not have to second-guess at all. So yeah, I guess, Happy Birthday to me ;).

What have you spoiled yourself in the past with for your birthday?

All photos by Shazia Memon.

x
Shy

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