She's not a teenager no more

Last Sunday the 9th I departed from my teenage years and migrated north towards my twenties. This was my third consecutive birthday away from home and no matter how many times you do it, not being with family when you're celebrating your birth is never ideal. 

But praise be to the good lord above for blessing me so extensively with a group of friends here in California that loved me enough to make me feel like a million bucks on my birthday. I was spoiled like Comic Sans on a business card and got to eat my body weight in sugar whilst surrounded by a whole lot of good-looking friends. That's what dreams are made of.

But in all seriousness, I cannot explain how thankful I am for the years that lie behind me and all those that await me. This birthday, I was thankful for life and God's presence that has been so freely given to me. He didn't have to fashion me, number my days and fill them with all kinds of beautiful people, places and memories, but out of love, he birthed me into existence and it is his love that has held me all these years. So, as I step into the new adventures that this new decade presents, I know I am moving forward into new depths of maturity as an individual, whilst also learning what it means to stay childlike and never lose the youth that is mine in timeless place in which my spirit dwells. Childlikeness means joy, unashamed expression of individuality and remaining teachable no matter how much you've learnt in life.

So here's a toast to life, living it well and never losing the spring in my step that comes from knowing what a gift it is to be alive. 

Nineteen

I turned 19 on Friday the 9th of September, and spent my second consecutive birthday away from my family, friends and home country. Nevertheless, it was a grand day full of all kinds of wonderful things. 

A bunch of my new friends that have also moved here to Redding, California, knocked on my door, and then proceeded to throw balloons at me, shove a cupcake in my face and then make me blow out a bunch of candles. It was hilarious. 

The crew and I then decided to take advantage of the fact that it was 42 degrees, and went cliff jumping at Clear Creek. I don't remember how high the jump was, but by my calculations I would say it was "flippin' high." What's a good birthday without an adrenaline rush?

We spent the rest of the afternoon body rafting down the creek, and I laughed a ridiculous amount the entire way along. 

California is beautiful, and it's landscapes blow me away. 

After an amazing church service at Bethel, we burnt the midnight oil at the sundial bridge under the full moon's light, and I lost count of all the times everyone embarrassed the heck out of me by signing happy birthday in public places. 

New friends. New places. New adventures. I would say this was by far the most uncanny, yet lovely birthday I have had to date. 

Birthday {slash} Farewell

On the 29th of August, I had a pre-birthday celebration slash USA farewell with some of my favorite people on the planet. It was an afternoon of blankets, trees and good company, and one I won't easily forget. The talented Julie Patrick {click here to see her photography blog} captured the memories, thanks Jules you lovely lady. 

Megs Carrie and I had a fairly successful attempt at a cupcake recipe from the "Always With Butter" blog {click here to view the recipe}

You're Invited...

My aunt Cheryl and I spent a few evenings last week, hidden deep inside her craft room attempting to create 12 pretty invitations for my cousin Justine's vintage 18th birthday tea party. 

I was in my absolute element, cutting, sticking, stamping and beautifying pieces of brown cardboard that turned out just as I had envisioned them.

We presented Justine with the 12 handmade birthday invitations last week and she was over-the-moon at how they turned out. It made all the nights of sticky glue fingers totally worthwhile. 

We will be throwing her a pretty tea party to match the invitations, and I cannot wait to have my camera in hand to capture the day. Pictures soon to follow on my blog.

In the mean time, here are some pics of the invitations...

Craft Supplies used:

Thick brown cardboard hand folded into envelopes

Stripy blue and brown cardboard

Pages of an old book

Floral tissue paper

Blue and white polka-dot ribbon

Vintage print-outs

Authentic vintage postage stamps

Airmail stamps from Cavalini & Co

Birdcage stamp from Cutetape

White heart-shaped doily died pink

Cath Kidston masking tape

Tracing paper

Typewriter

Gold sealing wax

Metal sealing tool

Tea and Cupcakes

Yesterday, it was my friend Amy's seventeenth birthday, and in celebration of her 'coming of age,' she had a few of us girls over to her place for a teaparty/picnic.
It was such a lovely time with friends, laughing, chatting and eating lots of sugary delights.
We wore summer dresses and drank tea under the shade of garden trees, all the ingredients needed for a stunning day.

18 Candles On The Cake

There's something about birthdays that make me feel like twirling around in a summer dress whilst confetti is thrown at me.
It's one day of the year when I can get away with just about anything because hey 'it's my party and I'll cry if I want to.'
The candles, the cake, the opening of obscene amounts of gifts, the cards that come in the mail and all the birthday wishes just make me want to put the day on replay and relive it over and over again. Who doesn't love feeling like the most special person in the world, even if only for 24 hours?
This year, I happened to turn 18. It's quite a landmark of a day in a person's life. Being officially considered a legal citizen, being able to obtain a driver's license and not to mention being able to flash that I.D at a bouncer. I have been awaiting this day for quite some time now, and had the absolute pleasure of being able to 'come-of-age' in another country, Australia.
Spending my birthday here was nothing short of deeevine, I was spoilt rotten by new and old friends, ate cupcakes, and hit the dancefloor like any birthday girl should.
18 pink tulips were also delivered to my door from a special someone putting the cherry on the top of the lovliest of days.
So here's a toast to birthdays and birthday girls around the world!