I Love Birthdays

My birthday happened to fall on a Saturday this year, so it meant we had the whole weekend to celebrate and it felt really long- lasting and lovely. 

I was so thrilled with everything I received this year, I’m so pleased and grateful for all of these gifts.  Everyone seems to know my taste so well!

Simon spoilt me rotten with letter paper and the 3^rd Kirstie Allsopp stamp set (I'll never stop collecting and using these). He also surprised me with some lovely bath time treats from M&S...

He very naughtily bought me a new Toy Story figure to add to my collection – this time Rex! I know it’s getting a little bit ridiculous, but I don’t think I will ever not be besotted with the toys from the films.

My darling friend/blogger/penpal/amazing lady Sophie sent me the most adorable writing set, and cross stitch kit – she knows me far too well.     
 

      My Mum tracked down some amazing bargains – including this Anna Sui Paper Dolly Parade notecard set from TKMaxx - which I had been wanting and coveting so much after receiving mail from my lovely penpal Danielle.

Tins are another one of my favourite things, and it so happens I ended up with quite a bunch for my birthday. The Joules one is my favourite! It contains a baking set my Mum picked up on the 75% Boots sale day (Boots sale day bargains make great gifts).

 
I got two new books to read and cherish – Celia Birtwell's book I have wanted in forever (And believe it or not this was found by my Mum in The Works for £7.99!), and The Great British Sewing Bee book – I grew a little bit addicted to this programme! 
A little belated present turned up on Monday morning and I was truly spoilt. My darling friend and sweetest blogger Kat sent me the loveliest CK shaped parcel. She knows deep down where my heart lays and surprised me with the most gorgeous bag and purse.  I had only been looking for a new bag recently, and nothing seemed to fit the bill - this couldn't have come at a more perfect time.   
Birthdays always seem to be over before they have begun, unlike Christmas where it’s an on-going celebration, but this one has taught me to be grateful, brave and confident – and that’s more than what I could have asked and expected to receive this year.  

♥

Feeling 24

Yesterday I turned 24 – which I had been dreading for months, wondering where time had gone, worrying myself silly that I hadn’t achieved what I had wanted to by this age.  And then yesterday it finally hit me – I’ve achieved far more than I ever could have imagined and this alone is more important and invaluable than anything else.

I’ve always been shy, reserved, and lacked incredible confidence in myself – and I knew deep down this had always been linked to my appearance and weight.  I have never felt attractive, worthy or even worth looking at before.  I’ve always seen myself as fat and ugly.

  

In January of this year enough was enough – 23 years of hiding behind a shadow of insecurity.  I knew something had to change.  I never believed what people said about weight loss, that it’s hard to see a slimmer version of yourself in the mirror and for months now I’ve been staring back at the same reflection – still lacking confidence, still hiding in baggy clothes and not being able to see a change and up until yesterday I still couldn’t see it.  I couldn’t even dare to believe it. 

When I put on this dress yesterday evening I finally saw the reflection staring back at me – and something was different.  The girl staring back was no longer a scared little girl anymore – she was a brave, young, and attractive woman.  

I held my head high yesterday evening, and even dared to smile.  Because I was happy.  And if it’s taken me all this time to realise that the key to happiness is confidence, then I’m going to cherish every single moment from now on. 

♥