BirFday Bravado

Mid-January (see, I'm not too far behind) Tom turned another year hotter!

Something you should know about me, if you don't already: I am a little (probably an understatement) excessive and over the top when it comes to birthdays. I kind of think they are the best (!!) and most exciting (!!) thing ever, and I get very excited to celebrate them and dote on whatever friend or loved one is having one. I am even equally as giddy about my own and usually treat myself to something special as a "Congratulations for being alive this long!" pat on the back. It's like a second job trying stay alive on the streets of New York you know. ;) I guess my theory is, if you can't get pumped up about celebrating life (your own or someone else's), then where's the incentive / fun in celebrating anything else?

For Tom's birthday, in true Sarah form, I had a plan. Or four. Last year we had just begun dating so I didn't do much, just took him to dinner and had cupcakes with him back at my apartment. In fact, his birthday is also the anniversary of our first kiss! Awww! Must've been the cupcakes... This year, being his GF and all, I had the official right to go all out. And so I did!

In the morning I made breakfast for us to share, since we don't get to start our days off right together and I hear breakfast is the most important part of that. I cooked up plates of fresh fruit, bacon, and a french toast "cake" w/whipped cream topped with a portion of the day's candles. (I had stashed ingredients in lots of secret compartments all over his house while he was out running errands the day before; the fact that he didn't notice the plethora of them nor the Ice Cream cake in the freezer makes me feel quite accomplished) I had a surprise set up for 8:30am so it was an up-and-at-em early morning. Luckily we (and the surprise) are all in the same neighborhood! Unfortunately, the surprise fell through (my friend got sick and she was going to give us an exclusive and private tour of somewhere amazing that I'll tell you about after we've done it) but on the up side that meant I didn't have to cook as early and Tom didn't have to go into work as late, so it was fine.

A few hours before Tom got off work I did some prep-work of my own and made my hair magically grow in fifteen minutes! I've been growing my hair out for a year now and, ever so sloooowwwwwly, the length is increasing. I don't want permanent extensions (yet) because I like the feel of my own hair and the natural process and accomplishment of doing it on my own. I don't want to damage it further than I already do with coloring it, so I thought clip-in-extensions would be a fun switch up. I'd been waiting for a good occasion to test them out in public and knew Tom would be thrilled to have a long-haired date on his birthday, so I clipped them in, dolled myself up, and went to meet him!

We met at a Starbucks at 55th / 6th Ave for his gift unveiling, and my hair unveiling. Both went over very well, even though the gift wasn't technically in the box since he had to be present to activate and sign paperwork and such. I had to be a little sneaky because I didn't want him to guess what it was or where we were going nearby, hence the Starbucks decoy. He was very surprised and excited to play with his new toy, although it did come with a few hitches that we had to work out (like de-activating his current plan, putting him on mine, learning if we did that he'd have to change his number to a CA one, getting him on his own plan, keeping his number, and FINALLY enjoying the phone itself). I had a lot of fun getting it for him though, and thoroughly enjoyed the look on his face when he unwrapped it.

From there we had reservations at The Fat Radish downtown, and OH. MY. YUM! If you're looking for a new restaurant to try, this British eatery needs to be next on your list. I don't think the British are necessarily known for their good food, but this place certainly puts them on the map as a culinary fave in my book. Then again I do like comfort food, so I tend to like their restaurants in general I suppose (like Tea & Sympathy, mmmmm). It was the best dinner we had each had in a long time, and the perfect way to end the night.

Oh, except for the Carvel ice cream cake hidden in the freezer when we got back to Tom's apartment. THAT was the perfect way to end the night. With plenty of candles of course.

Happy Birthday Lover. Thanks for letting me gush all over your day.