On Turning 42

Thoughts on my 42nd birthday weekend!

I’m turning 42 tomorrow!

I much prefer even number ages to odd! And 4+2 is six which is like 26 so I think that’s a sign this is going to be a good year!

Favorites At 42:

Favorite Author: Lisa Jewell (so many great thrillers, and her writing is amazing)

Favorite Food: Cheese, particularly aged gouda cubes

Favorite Song: The acoustic version of Beautiful Things

Favorite Movie This Year: Call Me By Your Name (an older one I saw this year)

Favorite Drink: An Old Fashioned over one cube

Favorite Podcast: Money For Couples (Ramit is the best!) 

Favorite Clothing Brand: Athleta, forever and always

Favorite Restaurant: Fleurie

Favorite Reality Show: Survivor, obviously!

Favorite TV Show: English Teacher (BJA is a genius)

Favorite Self Care: The Keswick Spa – take me there!

Favorite Workout: Minute 42 of Saturday morning Cardio Max OR minute 42 of the second half of a soccer game!

Birthday posts are often themed with sage advice written to the younger self, but I’m not feeling so eloquent this year! So instead I thought I’d share a few things I’m excited about coming this year.

We’re going to Europe!

I have not been across the pond since I studied at Cambridge for a summer in college. And Thomas has never been to Europe! My parents took us to London and Paris when I was in high school and then I traveled around the UK in the summer of 2004, but we just haven’t had the time or childcare to make a longer trip happen…..until now. The boys begged to go to Grammy and Pea’s for two weeks next summer. My parents generously agreed on a 10 day visit next June, so I asked if it would be ok if we left the country. They said yes!

My sister is a seasoned travel advisor, and trust me when I tell you we spent WEEKS continuously discussing where we should go and what we should do! We’re focusing on the Mediterranean because we love warm weather and water, and we debated doing a week in one location or split between two or going on a cruise that had more variety. Since travel days take up a lot of time and energy, we decided a cruise would allow us to see more without the hassle of packing and unpacking. We’re excited about the smaller-ship / higher-end cruise line that Laura recommended: Explora.

We’re taking a seven day cruise that leaves from Rome and ends in Barcelona. Along the way we stop in Naples, Sicily, Tunisia, Sardinia, and Mallorca. We are just wrapping up booking hotels for our Rome and Barcelona nights.

Flights have also been booked. While we’re paying for the cruise in dollars, we used points for our flights and nearly wiped out our Chase portal booking business class for the flight out and economy for the flight home. (Learn more about how we accumulate and spend credit card points to travel here and my favorite cards here (these are affiliate links)) I can’t wait!

Dad’s 70th

In the near future, we have my dad’s 70th birthday coming up next weekend. My sister and her fam along with my parents are all coming to Cville for a Clifford Younger-themed itinerary. There will be basketball, pizza, trivia, hiking, wine, and of course a cake. We are having Sarah Cramer come and take some three generation photos too, so that will be great to have as a keepsake for dad!

This Weekend

We are celebrating this weekend with a costume party, and I’m going as a Scorpio aka Scorpion! You can see the accessories I bought in my Amazon Halloween shop.

I don’t really “believe” in zodiac signs, but I will say that everything I’ve ever read about Scorpios is true to me, so perhaps I have fulfilled the prophecy! I wonder if Birch will also have a similar personality when he’s older. I do know that we share the same love languages (words and touch).

Birch turns six on the 29th (yay for another 6!) and he is all about his birthday this year. He’s been planning his party for months! I can’t wait to give him his gifts, including a remote controlled spider. He does share a love for Halloween <3

Hope you all have a very happy 10.26 / Halloween weekend!