This is days overdue, but I just wanted to say thank you for all of the incredibly kind birthday wishes this past weekend. While I'm sorry I didn't have time to respond right away, your messages truly had me in tears. I am so touched and feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a fantastic community of women. Thank you so much for your encouragement, support, and friendship.

My birthday was a really low-key but fun day - B. and I had my parents and sister over. My mom and I cooked savory crepes with broccoli, ham, and cheese; green beans sauteed in a small bit of butter, sugar, and garlic; a side salad, and I made a pecan pie. Many of my coworkers were surprised that I chose to cook, but a) I'm very much Team Pie over Team Cake, and b) while I'm not the handiest in the kitchen, I very much enjoy cooking with and for other people. It was exactly the night I needed to wrap up a very up-and-down year.

(I'd already picked out the peacock blue knee-length Talbots coat as my main birthday present, but my sister also surprised me with a lovely navy-and-gold Olivia Moon chiffon blouse I'd had my eye on: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ol.....se/3183389 It looks AWESOME with my mustard handbag as well as with the "Raisin" pencil skirt!)

I also wanted to share a couple other tidbits in images. #1 is (per the previous request of Amy, my "dress twin") how I've worn the infamous Anthro striped dress so far - with nude microfishnets, tan suede booties, silver pendant, and denim jacket; with burgundy shoes, burgundy dotted hose, layered pearls, and a black waistcoat worn open; with a furry vest, black hose, and black low-heeled booties. It truly is a fabulous piece - the drape of the diagonal layers is fantastic, and the dress has garnered so many compliments.

#2 is why I'm ridiculously proud of my boyfriend B. today - not only did he (finally! after 4 years!) go to the eye doctor, but he also picked out a REALLY fab, snazzy pair of Takumi specs all on his own. The shape is relatively "safe" from the front, but the sidearms are a surprising statement! I think he looks fantastic. (Photo shared with his permission, of course.)