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Birthday's, Lifestyle

A Very Sparkle Birthday Celebration

5.20.2015

Happy Birthday Surprise // Birthday Balloon SurpriseSparkle’s thirty first birthday celebration has officially commenced, and I’m feeling a little deflated. Do I really have to wait another three hundred and sixty days until I get another one? It just seems so far away. How will I ever make it? I think I will start celebrating half birthdays. November 15th, here I come.

I think my sparkle has rubbed off on a lot of people in my life, because this birthday was full of everything amazing. I started with a house filled with thirty-one pink balloons, thirty-one love notes, and a pile of cards and gifts from friends and family. I got some of the most amazing things, and I was able to connect with most of my loved ones. Does it get any better? Of course it does….take a look:

Rae of Sparkles // Birthday Morning CuddlesI woke up on Friday morning with cuddles from my favorite cat. Could she be any cuter?! Tip: If you say yes, you might as well just stop reading now. We are not friends.

I had to get my free Starbucks birthday latte (even if they spell my name wrong. Free is free).

Then, in what I refuse to believe is a coincidence, Pitch Perfect 2 was released. We had to go. It was a no-brainer. A sign from God.

Rae of Sparkles // Free Birthday StarbucksRae of Sparkles // Birthday Movie! // Pitch Perfect 2After all my smack-talk last week, I have to introduce you to my favorite part of the day. I mean, I clearly loved all my new gifts, cards, and well-wishes. But does any of that compare to this:

Rae of Sparkles // Birthday CheeseburgerI didn’t think so. The Birthday Cheeseburger with Avocado wins every time. With a side of fries. And a nice cold beverage to wash it down with. I could eat one of these every day.

Rae of Sparkles // Birthday Celebration11

We met up with some friends for a night out on the town, enjoying what is arguably the nicest area of San Jose: Santana Row. We had dinner, drinks, more drinks, some food, and more drinks. I could not have asked for a better birthday.

Rae of Sparkles  Birthday CelebrationRae of Sparkles // Birthday Celebration Cake       Since my mom flew out for the weekend (and because I made her eat a birthday cheeseburger with me), I thought I’d take her hiking in the hills by my house. We almost did not make it out alive, it was a little more intense than we anticipated. We didn’t realize we were climbing the clone of Mt. Everest. Don’t let these peaceful photos fool you. It was a monster. It absolutely had nothing to do with the fact that we may have drank too much the night before.

Hiking in San Jose, CaliforniaRae of Sparkles // San Jose, California Rae of Sparkles // San Jose, California Rae of Sparkles // San Jose, California

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Comments

  1. Blog Stalker says

    5.20.2015 at 11:26 am

    Happy Birthday!!!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.20.2015 at 3:09 pm

      Thanks BS!

  2. Laura says

    5.20.2015 at 11:27 am

    Cute! So is the cat (from a fellow Cat Lady) and OMG that hamburger looked yummy!
    Happy birthday again – late or not, it’s still officially a celebration.

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.20.2015 at 3:09 pm

      Thank you!!! And the burger was amazing! 🙂

  3. Donna Parker says

    5.20.2015 at 11:58 am

    Happy birthday!!!
    Looks like it was fun!
    Best wishes today and everyday! 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.20.2015 at 3:08 pm

      Thank you so much!!!! 🙂

  4. Jamie says

    5.20.2015 at 4:18 pm

    What a fab birthday!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.21.2015 at 10:22 am

      Thanks!! It was pretty fabulous! 🙂 hehe…

  5. Britta says

    5.21.2015 at 9:44 am

    So glad you had a nice birthday! We told our friend Michelle we were going up there this weekend and she recommended Santana Row! I didn’t even know that was a thing haha. It looks nice though!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.21.2015 at 10:21 am

      It’s super nice! We will definitely go! 🙂

  6. Kristine says

    5.21.2015 at 11:33 am

    I am so happy that you had a great birthday weekend! Pitch Perfect 2 was accaawesomeeeee and by the looks of it, so was your cheeseburger!

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.26.2015 at 3:00 pm

      Oh my gosh I really liked the movie! Brendan thought it was just “okay” – he said it was much more “chick-flick-y” if that’s even a thing! And I mean, nothing can top that cheeseburger! 🙂

  7. Kevin says

    5.21.2015 at 3:10 pm

    Looks like a perfect birthday for a perfect daughter in law!

    Love

    Kathy and Kevin

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.26.2015 at 10:28 am

      Awww thanks!!! Wish you guys were here!

  8. Krystle says

    5.24.2015 at 11:23 am

    Happy Happy Birthday! Looks like a fantastic day! 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.26.2015 at 10:28 am

      Thank you so much, it was really great! 🙂

  9. Nad says

    5.24.2015 at 4:43 pm

    Hope you had an AMAZING day!!! Miss you girl <3

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.26.2015 at 10:27 am

      I did! Thank you so much!!! Hope you had a great weekend!

  10. Adele says

    5.26.2015 at 3:16 pm

    Happy belated birthday! This looks like a fabulous way to spend the day, I enjoyed catching the highlights! I also love your evening dress and photography 🙂

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.26.2015 at 4:14 pm

      Thank you so much!!! It was such a fun weekend!

  11. Robyn says

    5.27.2015 at 9:19 am

    You have fantastic style and your authenticity shines through your photos! So happy I found your blog.

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.27.2015 at 9:30 am

      Thank you so much!!! I love your blog too! 🙂

      • Robyn says

        5.27.2015 at 9:32 am

        Thanks so much!!

  12. Jess says

    5.28.2015 at 8:13 am

    omg happy belated birthday!!!! that dress….where did you get it from???

    • shauna841505@yahoo.com says

      5.28.2015 at 8:37 am

      Oh.My.God. I died when I found it. It was “expensive” for me, ($50) – but I JUST bought it from Marshall’s, so maybe they would still have it? Do you guys have Marshall’s up there? I am IN LOVE with it! 🙂

About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

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stayinghomesawyer

One day, instead of hearing little feet running th One day, instead of hearing little feet running through the house all day, I’ll be leaving voicemails hoping they call me back when they have time.

The sticky fingerprints will wash away, the car seats will come out, bedtime routines will end, and the house that once felt so loud will get quieter little by little.

It’s strange how the things that exhaust you in the moment become the very things you ache for later. 🤍
When did it become expected to spend hundreds of d When did it become expected to spend hundreds of dollars on Teacher Appreciation gifts? Don’t get me wrong, if it were in the budget you better believe it’s worth it. I am not advocating for giving them LESS, I’m just advocating for staying within your families budget. And maybe if we see more of these easy little inexpensive gifts, we can make it more acceptable to gift within budget. Because that’s what it’s all about. 

What’s that saying? It’s the thought that counts.
I’ve been seeing so many reels lately saying that I’ve been seeing so many reels lately saying that Mother’s Day is only for moms with small children. I couldn’t disagree more. To me, Mother’s Day is not just about me. It’s about the women who helped shape me, as a mother, a woman, a friend. It’s about my friends who help me be a better mother, even if they don’t have little kids themselves. It’s about my own mother, who is the biggest inspiration for me, to be a better mother myself. It’s about the many generations before me that allowed me to be a mother at all. It’s about every woman in my life that loves me and my girls as if they’re their own. That’s who I’ll be celebrating this Mother’s Day.
Listen. Shelling with my kids will always be so mu Listen. Shelling with my kids will always be so much fun. But I think we have enough of these oyster shells at this point. 🤣

What are your kids always finding for you?
There’s something rare about being fully known and There’s something rare about being fully known and still fully loved. No shrinking yourself. No editing your personality.
Just being met where you are. That kind of friendship changes you.
It’s just a little walk… It’s just a little walk…
Unpopular opinion: kids don’t need more stuff. The Unpopular opinion: kids don’t need more stuff. They need more boredom. More freedom. More outside time. More chances to build a world out of sticks and dirt instead of asking for the next new thing.

I’m not interested in raising a child who expects constant entertainment or new toys. I want to raise one who knows how to create their own magic.

#familylove #familybonding
Something I tell my little girls all the time, yet Something I tell my little girls all the time, yet wish most grown women understood too. I see so many adults actively TRYING to fit in…work, church, neighborhood, sports, etc. 

You shouldn’t have to try. If you’re trying to be someone you’re not, it’s not right. For you, or for them. Your tribe will come along, I promise you. Even if that tribe is one person, it’ll be better than a hundred women who just don’t get you.
Listen. I’m all about having a good time. I love t Listen. I’m all about having a good time. I love to travel, I love to go out for dinner, I love having new clothes. But somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the ability to just say “No, I don’t want to spend the money on that.” 

Our budgets don’t always allow for the same experiences that our friend or neighbors may have, and that is perfectly okay. We need to stop overspending and start saving. We need to be financially secure before buying more junk that isn’t fulfilling, or going out for another dinner. 

Do you feel comfortable telling someone you don’t have the budget for something?
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