prairie girl musings

Category: Birthday

A Nautical 30th Birthday Party for Captain Nick

If you’ve ever met Nick, you’ll know he’s always wanted to buy a boat. In fact, the only item he’s ever saved to his TradeMe watchlist is a yacht. He’s been part of sailing clubs in both Toronto and Christchurch, so I suppose it’s more than just a phase…

To be fair, I’m also partial to a boat party. Over the years, we’ve celebrated university balls and press trips on the harbour and I love a unique venue that provides ever-changing views. After all, a glass of rosé is even better when paired with a nice view.

With his 30th birthday on the horizon, I figured I’d plan a surprise party on a Lyttelton charter. I’ve never thrown a surprise party before and figured the weekend before we moved countries would be the perfect opportunity (lol). Props to anyone who does this on a regular basis as it’s no easy feat.

I invited our friends and family from across New Zealand and they all made sure to keep it a secret. Nick’s parents, John and Penny, his sister, Cat and her partner, Blake all flew down to surprise Nick the day before and the surprises just kept coming!

I have previously been on two Black Cat cruises (both in Akaroa) and the experiences were fantastic (save for some seasickness on my part) so I organised an afternoon outing and thankfully, the weather played ball. We had beautiful blue skies and the water was so still. We sailed around Banks Peninsula and took in the spectacular views of Camp Bay where our friends Nancy and Joris got married.

For food, I hired Samantha Parish from MOF MOF, a talented Chrischurch food stylist, chef and recipe writer. Sam made us the most beautiful (and delicious) platter that everyone commented on and quickly devoured. Jamie from The Cake Eating Company made mini cakes in a variety of flavours for the guests and they were absolutely delightful.

My friend, Hannah from Hannah Bird Photography took photos to commemorate the day and it’s one we’ll look back on fondly. We are so grateful to all our friends and family members who celebrated Nick’s 30th in addition to bidding us goodbye. Sailing away into the sunset was perfectly fitting, not only for Nick’s 30th, but as a bon voyage to our time in Christchurch.

July 17, 2020
A Birthday Fiesta

I wasn’t planning on celebrating my 31st birthday. Last year’s party was a massive event (rosé all day was in fact the tagline…) but as a Sagittarius and someone who loves celebrations of all sorts, I couldn’t resist planning a small gathering. I was also getting my haircut that morning, so figured I might as well leave the house! I borrowed a dress from my friends at Designer Wardrobe, asked my friend Kasia to do my makeup, and before I knew it, plans were underway.

Due to the spontaneity of it all, it ended up being one of the best nights I’ve had in awhile. We started out with a few tapas and sangria at Salut Salut at The Welder (if you haven’t been, you must!) Drinks were flowing and it ended up being such a beautiful evening. I was spoiled with a gorgeous cake by Jamie at The Cake Eating Company that looked like a work of art. By the way, since it’s the holiday season and cake is pretty much mandatory at all events, I’ve got a discount code for all you Christchurch locals: happybirthday10. Enjoy!

After tapas, we ventured to Welles Street (which was packed with Christmas work functions) before making our way to trusty Smash where we danced the night away. I’ve never been to Smash Palace that late (or early) before and it goes off! I love how eclectic the crowd is and you can’t beat it on a warm night. Plus, you all know how much I love a dance party. Everyone was having a boogie while the owner manned the DJ booth. Good times all around.

Thank you to Hannah Bird Photography for the lovely snaps!

December 16, 2019
Let Them Eat Cake

There’s no better way to celebrate a special occasion than with birthday cake and ice cream. I’m crazy about birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations of all sorts. With my birthday on the horizon (okay, two months away), I’ve partnered with Tip Top to create a celebratory dessert bowl with all the fixings! No matter how old you are, this celebratory bowl is a delicious way to commemorate your special day.

This dessert is perfect for those who want the best of both worlds; those who want to have their cake and eat it (with ice cream), too!

BIRTHDAY CAKE ICE CREAM BOWL

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

8 scoops of Tip Top Birthday Cake Swirl
1 cup of fresh strawberries
1-3 pinches of multi-coloured sprinkles (because you can never have enough!)
2 waffle cones (break and serve deconstructed)
Chocolate or caramel sauce (optional)
As many candles as you’d like!

METHOD

Cut strawberries in half, removing leaves.

Place 8 scoops of Tip Top Birthday Cake Swirl ice cream into 2 bowls (go on, treat yourself!) Arrange strawberries, sprinkles and deconstructed waffle cone pieces around the ice cream, top with chocolate or caramel sauce, and blow out your candles!

This post was created in partnership with Tip Top, but all opinions are my own.

October 14, 2017
Unicorn Dreams!

Happy Sunday, I hope you’re having a fantastic weekend!

I have no qualms about my unicorn piñata.

In anticipation of my 26th birthday, I decided to plan a little get together with some of my friends. Our apartment building has a party room, which was ideal for the 3o or so guests that came over. (Thank you to everyone who took time out of their schedules to stop by!) We had a wonderful evening, complete with a unicorn piñata and scrumptious vanilla bean cake from Bake Shoppe, which Natalie graciously supplied. The company was absolutely amazing, and I feel so fortunate to have such lovely people in my life!

Despite this year’s surprisingly seamless soirée, I’ve always felt a little conflicted about birthdays. While I enjoy anything celebratory, my December birthday has often proved problematic. December 17 is so darn close to the holidays. Office parties and family are a priority. Spare time is spent shopping, baking, and planning for any of the sixteen events happening that very moment. It’s FRIGID outside for those of us inhabiting the Northern Hemisphere. Roads are slippery, transportation takes longer regardless of the method, and additional layers must be added to every outfit. Furthermore, hibernation is a tactic employed by many to cope with these dropping temperatures. All valid excuses, I must say.

So as much as I love confetti, sprinkles, and cake, I do occasionally resent the conditions surrounding my birthday. Unsurprisingly, my best birthdays were spent in Hawaii and New Zealand, where the days were long and the heat was plentiful.

Angelica, the unicorn, didn’t survive the night.

Enough whining though, I had a fabulous time on Friday and I’m now one year closer to THIRTY. Or as my friend Jess would say, “thirty, flirty, and thriving,” which I think is actually a “30 Going on 13” quote…?! As far as we’re concerned, thirty is when we’ll have our lives sorted out and be super confident, kick ass women. I’ll drink to that!

Is anyone else obsessed with birthday cake?

Birthday cake ice cream (not to be confused with ice cream cake) is my FAVOURITE. What’s better than delicious vanilla ice cream laced with cake and sprinkles? Nothing as far as I’m concerned. This cake from Bake Shoppe was incredible, vanilla bean and not too sweet. I’m still having dreams about it.

How do you feel about birthdays? Do you like celebrating or do you secretly wish you could avoid yours altogether? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time,
Vanessa

December 15, 2014
On why I love December

December brings people together. Friends and family return home for the holidays, there are celebrations left, right, and centre, everyone allows themselves to indulge, (in the best possible way) and we all finally take a few days off from work.

And on Tuesday, I turned twenty-five. Cue the panic attacks!

I’ve always viewed this age as a major milestone. My life has unfolded in unexpected and unimaginable ways. On many fronts, I’ve achieved more than I could have ever hoped for this age: I live downtown in a major metropolis (which was a major goal of mine as an eighteen-year-old prairie girl in North Dakota), I’ve progressed from unpaid intern to receiving respectable compensation to do what I love most (writing and social media!), and I’ve ventured beyond my comfort zone both physically (through travel) and emotionally – to places and spaces I had only dreamed of in high school. These are vague examples of praise because let’s face it: we don’t give ourselves enough credit. We’re guilty of beating ourselves up over our ‘failures’ rather than celebrating how much we’ve grown!

After almost a year in Toronto, I’m beginning to find my footing, to truly feel at home. I spent my first birthday at Guu SakaBar, a rowdy, over-the-top, delicious Japanese restobar and Get Well, a happy hipster hangout on Dundas West with a few absolutely amazing people. Thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special.

Here are some highlights:

Dinner at Guu

Coffee and good conversation with one of my best friends.

Get Well propaganda

Club Monaco friends

Food and Wine Show

Excited for the Club Monaco Christmas Party

Our host and store manager.

The Kennedy siblings always look fierce.

One of many blurry, red-lit photos taken at Brian’s pad.

May the new year bring more of all things good.

December 20, 2013