Turning 27 has been so very sweet! I’ve definitely reached my late 20s at this point, and it’s always fun to reflect back on the past year and dream about the coming year. I was thankful to spend my birthday weekend with so many people that I love the most – and in two places that I love (Chapel Hill and Washington, DC).

I headed down to Chapel Hill Friday afternoon after work, and I was greeted with a delicious dinner when I arrived six hours later! I stayed with Ashley, one of Bridgette’s closest friends (Ashley’s like a sister to me!) for my quick trip down South, and she couldn’t have been a better hostess. We dined on our favorite meal to eat together – pigs in a blanket + mac n cheese – while discussing all things wedding! Ashley is one of my dear clients, and she’ll be getting married next January… I can’t wait. It was so fun to chat with her.

Saturday morning, I met my parents on Franklin Street on UNC’s campus for a birthday celebration! I’m so thankful they were so willing to drive 2.5 hours to meet me for a few hours to celebrate with me. I definitely have the most incredible parents, and we had the best time together. We lunched at Top O (Top of the Hill on Franklin Street) – everything we ate was absolutely delicious, and my Old Well White was as good as I remember. I just love the atmosphere and nostalgia of Top O, as many of my favorite nights in college (and after!) took place here.

We picked up a couple new UNC tshirts (it’s March Madness time, after all), strolled around Franklin Street & the Upper Quad, and walked enough that we were ready for some birthday dessert! I love Sugarland, and it’s also where Bridgette’s delicious wedding cake was from. We split the salted caramel gelato, blood orange gelato, and a chocolate salted caramel fleur de sel cupcake – heavenly! It was such a special treat to see my momma and daddy for a birthday celebration. I then went to my calligraphy workshop for the rest of the afternoon (so fun!!!), and then drove a few hundred miles right back to DC – whew!

On my actual birthday, I met up with many of my closest girlfriends for a fabulous brunch at Matchbox! It was such a festive and fun brunch, and I loved being surrounded by such wonderful and loving friends. Matchbox brought out birthday cinnamon rolls with a candle on top, too! We all enjoyed couple hours of fruit-infused mimosas, delicious brunch food, and lots of chatting & girl talk – and birthday balloons, flowers, cards, and presents!

Then several of us ventured out for an afternoon of wine tasting at Bull Run Winery in Virginia! It was a marvelous afternoon with some dear friends, a great wine tasting, a picnic feast, and sipping their Meritage + talking. This is definitely my favorite sort of afternoon!

And after heading home for a quick minute, I was able to talk with my fabulous parents, Facetime with my sister, and open family birthday presents and even more cards. Such fun! Then we all met up again for a super girly Oscars party! We have a tradition of wearing glittery/sparkly tops… with leggings or pajama pants on the bottom. Why yes, it is the perfect combination for a cold Sunday evening whilst watching the Oscars! I even glammed it up a bit and wore my favorite gold glitter heels for the evening. We had champagne, raspberry cheesecake, popcorn, movie theater candy, and lots of other treats while soaking up the red carpet dresses & laughing plenty during the awards show. Plus, we got news that the following day was an official snow day – now that’s the perfect ending to a birthday, for sure!

Turning 27 was certainly a sweet event, and I am truly so thankful for everyone who celebrated with me, both near and far. I may say it a lot, but I feel like I really can’t say it enough.. I am so, so blessed and couldn’t be more grateful for the wonderful family and friends in my life. The Lord blessed me with a wonderful 26th year, and I am so excited to see what He has in store for me throughout the upcoming year. Cheers to 27!

I’d love to hear – which birthday do you have the most vivid memories of? For me, turning 26 was my most exciting and vivid birthday, and it was also the event that helped kick off this blog!