Nicole 3.0

It has taken me all day to write this post because my 30th birthday was so amazing and eventful. Including every memorable moment would have resulted in the world’s longest post, so I had to do some serious editing. What follows are a few of the highlights.

Turning 30 is a big deal. I’ve been contemplating this milestone birthday for months and of course, everyone has asked if I was sad to be leaving my twenties. My feelings were unclear until I woke up on January 14 with excitement. This may seem normal, aren’t most people excited on their birthdays? Well, I’m not most people and haven’t been excited about a birthday since I was 21. I’ve always chalked it up to just not being a birthday-y person. But the way I felt yesterday morning made me realize that I haven’t been excited about birthdays because I haven’t been excited about me.

Sounds really sad, huh? Last birthday, I made a secret promise to do something about it. This past year I’ve worked very, very hard on myself–by going to therapy, finding fulfilling hobbies, improving my relationships, building new relationships, and cultivating self-love and compassion. My goal was to make peace with myself and minimize the amount bullshit baggage I’d carry into my thirties.

As I mentioned the other day, I’m still a work in progress, but the woman I am today is much easier on herself and hopeful about the future. As I enter a new decade, I’m doing so with a sense of peace and contentment with who I am and where I am in my journey. For me, that’s a reason to celebrate!

And celebrate I did!

Guided by this fabulous birthday card quote from my sister, Megan, I began a day of indulgence.

After a very early hot yoga class, I had birthday cake for breakfast. My candles were nowhere to be found, so I improvised with Paint .

I visited my favorite Chinese medicine doctor for some physical self-care, then relaxed with Isaac to get my emotional self-care. Isaac surprised me with flowers, which turned out to be the first of many wonderful birthday surprises he had up his sleeve.

A while back, Isaac asked me how I wanted to celebrate 30. Since I don’t have much experience with birthday bashes, I decided to turn the reins over to him. Isaac is smart enough to know that a girl’s friend is the best resource and he enlisted Caitlin’s help. I’ve been aware that the two of them were colluding, but I stayed out of it and braced myself.

All I can say is that last night, I felt so loved. Thanks to Caitlin and Isaac and everyone else involved, my birthday expectations were easily surpassed!

The celebration began with dinner at 300 East, a charming and cozy Charlotte restaurant that serves innovative yet simple comfort food. Then I was transported by Isaac, Cailtin, and Kristien to mystery stop number two: Petit Philippe.

Petit Philippe is a wine and chocolate bar new to the area. The owner, Mark Meissner and his staff collaborated with Isaac and Caitlin to plan the most fun wine tasting/birthday experience ever. Everyone had the option to order single glasses of wine or to participate in a flight special selected with the birthday girl in mind—that meant lots of big reds!

But wait…there’s more! Petit Philippe paired handcrafted chocolates with the wines! With everything going on my focus wasn’t the best, but I do recall enjoying the Out of Africa chocolate. It was a very intense and creamy dark chocolate. Mmmm mmm.

I almost forgot to mention that the party theme was Gossip Girl masquerade! When I arrived everyone was wearing masquerade masks and I was given this kitty mask. Wine, chocolate, cats, and Gossip Girl—I’m very predictable and easy to please.

Having so many friends in one space was so much fun and it seems that I wasn’t the only person who had a good time.

But I’m pretty sure I had the most fun!

Because no birthday is complete without birthday cake and real candles, Isaac had vegan cupcakes!

I wish I’d told someone my wish because I vaguely remember this moment.

Finding words to accurately describe how incredible my birthday was is a struggle, but I think pictures tell the story quite well. I’m so thankful for my amazing boyfriend and friends who made this all happen. A special thanks to Petit Philippe for providing the venue. If last night was any indicator of what’s to come in this next decade, then I can’t wait to get started!

Tagged as: 30th birthday, blogger meet-up, caitlin boyle, cat mask, charlotte blogger, chocolate tasting, gossip girl masquerade, petit philippe, self-acceptance, self-love, websymphonies, wine bar, wine tasting