I'll have my birthday cheesecake and eat it too...

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So...yesterday was my birthday...and I turned 23!! It was a very special day but I was still bummed that I didn't get to see my family.

Here's how it all went down....

Kim brought me a salted caramel and chocolate cupcake to work for lunch....it melted in her car but it was still delicious! She even had an awesome candle and the Chipettes sang me happy birthday haha!!

Kim and Ashley came with Tim and I to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory (hence the title of this post). I opened my gifts before we left.

J.Crew Chain Link Pave Bracelet :) from my parents...it's so sparkly!!

from Gabby (she's so crafty!) and sneaky. I mentioned a few months ago that I would love a quilt to match my living room and showed her some on my Pinterest. Little did I know she was actually making me one! 

CHEVRON

Its all my favorite colors :D

Wearing it as a cape..

Cheesecake Factory time...after we got out of the monsoon that came through RVA haha

Yummy meatloaf, taters and corn succotash. (3 meals worth)

Fresh banana cream cheesecake!! It was amazing!

My blurry birthday treat. Mini ice cream sundae.

Me, Kim and Ashley

Me and Tim 

Tim got me another cake with strawberries on top that we have yet to eat....oh and he owes me a puppy :D 

Thanks everyone for the sweet comments and for making my day perfect!

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1 YEAR Anniversary Celebration!!!

Well, this is it. This is the last of the Marriage Series- the Anniversary Recap. AND it's MY BIRTHDAY!!

As you know (if you've been reading) that our 1 year anniversary was on June 9th. Now I finally get to share our fun-filled weekend with you.

It had been pouring rain on Friday so we decided to grab pizza for dinner and then stay in and watch a movie (like most of our Friday nights). We watched Safe Haven which was amazing. I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan so I always get excited when they turn one of his books into a movie. I had not read this book but I couldn't say no when Tim offered to watch it with me.

source

Saturday afternoon we checked into The Berkeley Hotel and lounged around before our dinner reservations at The Tobacco Company. After dinner we walked around downtown and to the Capitol. It was a beautiful day...thank goodness all the rain had stopped. We stopped in a local bookstore and I ended finding an amazing book (National Geographic's Journey's Of a Lifetime: 500 of the world's greatest trips)

HOTEL

My sharp-dressed man!!

Sorry for the phone pic. Just wanted to show my dress :)

RESTAURANT

Do you see us??

 Butter Cake. IT WAS DELICIOUS!

WALK

If it were any other time, I would be ashamed to admit all of the junk we ate but since it was a special occasion, why not! Sunday we had Starbucks and donuts for breakfast. We lounged around in the hotel for a while longer and then headed to Richmond's 1st annual BACON festival!! Yes, you read that right BACON! We also met some cuties there....haha our little cousins :)

FESTIVAL

my bacon ICE CREAM sundae

Chocolate face ;)

Aren't they adorable?!

So why did we stay at a hotel so close to home? We saved a lot of money and time not having to travel a long distance and it was more romantic being out of apartment where there are chores to be done and technology to distract us.

Sunday evening I made quiche for dinner and we had our year old cake..yum? Actually, it was really good and we had some fresh strawberries to put on our strawberry cake (our favorite)!

TRADITION

Our champagne flute and engraved cake knife and server. I had also saved some dessert napkins. 

After dinner, we looked back through our wedding album that my mom made us, guest book, and wedding cards. I was overwhelmed with all of the love and wishes that everyone gave us throughout our engagement and on our wedding day.

Overall it was a FANTASTIC one year anniversary! I can't wait for many more :) It made me realize even more how lucky I am to have such a great guy.

Ashley @ It Is What You Make It // Kalyn @ Love.Laughter.HappilyEverAfter  // Mallory @ From California to Kansas // Karla @ Forever Newly Wedded // Maggie @ A Weaving of Grace 

Samantha @ Designer in Teal // Veronica @ Passion.Pink.Pearls // Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals // Emily @ Newlywed Moments // Callie @ My Something New With You