how i celebrated twenty-six

pre-haircut

with my Handsome

why i LOVE Patisserie in carmel

birthday cake cannot get any better...forget onions, carrots, and celery, this is my food trinity! (the white stuff isn't ice cream, by the way, it's fresh whipped cream!)

at the Buttery with mom (fyi for those who know these things...my sweater was a birthday gift from anthropologie...a first for me).

and, that night, we ate a very impressive creation from my sweet hubby (and i just have to brag because he just gets better and better in the kitchen! he didn't follow a single recipe here, folks!):

tri tip and asparagus kabobs

white cheddar mash potato in muffin mounds

strawberry salad with mint and poppy seed

tout ensemble

post-haircut. thank you, MIL. i LOVE it. :)

birthday gift from joe: photograph from 1952, out from under the bed and into a frame

and the ol' dustbuster, round two. and not to worry, i saved the charger this time! no strike three for me. thanks, FIL! ;)

thank you, sweet family (and friends) who made turning 26 extra fun. i love you.