Dear Astrid,

It's so fab that you get to celebrate your birthday with your family this year! I loved reading your thread this week about what you were packing for your little trip (I always enjoy the thought and analysis you put into your "packing system threads", so thank you for sharing those with us too).

You've been with YLF for 4 years, and I've thoroughly enjoyed watching your style evolve. I'm also very much looking forward to the next chapter in your style journey, on which you embarked a few months ago. I have a feeling that your fantastic new pixie cut will be a game changer for you, and an important step towards achieving your new style goal of a dressier, slightly more sophisticated look. I love your new gamine 'do. It accentuates your lovely features even more, and it adds extra pizzazz and a touch of playful cheekiness to your outfits. It's going to be tons of fun seeing where this will take you.

You are on Team Wear the Heck out of Your Favourites and Team Repeating Outfits That You Love, which is inspiring. So is your tact, modest and kind nature, positive attitude, your interest in green brands, and your perseverance in finding items that fit all your requirements on a budget. Your thoughts about how to go about putting together a small, carefully curated wardrobe that works for your lifestyle are helpful for many forum members. And it's always fun to catch glimpses of your life in Germany, to hear about your family and trips (I bet that cosy scarf you bought in Scotland this Summer is getting a lot of wear right about now;-), your clarinet lessons etc. Through these stories I feel that I've gotten to know you, and all we need to do now is find a way to meet up irl;-)

I've no doubt your family and friends are spoiling you rotten today, and I hope the birthday celebrations will continue all through the weekend.

Happy birthday!!

Inge & Angie
xxx