NYFW + 30 February 18, 2015 | Today’s the day….the BIG 3-0! Talking about turning 30, and how Dan surprised me with the trip of a lifetime to NYFW to celebrate….but first, here’s what I wore! Shop the Look: Dress: Tanya Taylor (my dress is sold out, but see her new collection HERE) Coat: H&M Shoes: Aminah Jillil (sharing a round up of my favorite similar bow pumps tomorrow!!) Opaque Tights: DKNY (linking to these because they are AWESOME!) Lambskin Clutch: Vintage // Similar Bracelet: Kendra Scott Ring: Gorjana Earrings: Vintage Chanel Just like that I woke up in my thirties and, thankfully, I still feel 21! I hope that never changes. I have so many thoughts and emotions on this big birthday. I feel like your entire young life you look to 30 as to when you’re finally a “grown up” and also have so many images and hopes as to what your life will look like when you reach that date. My life today looks nothing like what my 16 year old self thought it would. It looks better. It’s far from perfect, but what I want to really celebrate today is that I’m happy with where I am. I married an amazing man, have an incredible daughter, am so fulfilled both professionally and creatively, and have friends and family who are more supportive and loving than I deserve. I’m ready to take on my thirties with an attitude of confidence coupled with humility, knowing that God has and will always be faithful. I want to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone and doing things that make me happy, regardless of what others might think. I want to be the very best mother and wife that I can be and serve my little family first and foremost. I want to be a better friend. I want to be present. I want to travel more. I want to try new things and keep up traditions at the same time. I want to dance into this new decade and am so excited to see what it has in store for me! Okay, so enough mushy and on to the fun stuff! Can you guys believe that Dan kept this secret from me?!?! He called me last Wednesday around noon and said that that the sitter was coming at 6 and to be ready for a surprise Birthday dinner. We headed to a very quaint, nice dinner in a restaurant that only seats about 20 ppl total. Dinner was amazing and he insisted on dessert. Along with our cheesecake came out an absurdly large box and I immediately wanted to crawl under the table. I was not about to open this situation in front of the entire restaurant (who are all looking at this point!), but he absolutely insisted. Out of the box came 5 large balloons that are now floating all over the dining area (now I’m really crawling under the table!) and the bottom of the box is lined with about 5,000,000 candy hearts (remember I love conversation hearts, lol). He asks me to dig around and I ended up fishing out 4 envelopes which are numbered 1 through 4. Each one contained very sweet notes and pieces to the puzzle. The first was a flight confirmation, the second a hotel, and the third contained the actual tickets to NYFW. I about died. Not only was Fashion Week a huge huge thing on my bucket list, but I was absolutely blown away that my husband thought the entire thing through and planned every detail. Just like that, I was set to fly out only 36 short hours later and immediately began stressing about what to wear. It was truly the trip of a lifetime and Mercedes treated us like absolute royalty the entire time. I could not have asked for a better way to begin a new decade! Thanks for letting me indulge in this personal post and document this week and big birthday! Thanks so much for your support along the way, your comments and friendships enrich my life in so many ways and I could not be more grateful! Shop the Post: JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says February 18, 2015 at 1:04 PM You look amazing!!!! Happy Birthday, this sounds like such a fabulous surprise.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says February 18, 2015 at 1:05 PM what an awesome surprise! happy birthday!
Beth of designPOST Interiors says February 18, 2015 at 2:20 PM Dan wins best husband ever!!! That is amazing and he knows you well obviously! Happy 30th pretty lady!
charmingincharlotte@gmail.com says February 23, 2015 at 1:32 AM He did a great job! Thanks pretty friend! xo
{Hi Sugarplum!} says February 18, 2015 at 2:25 PM Ohmygosh, this is so amazing….and your husband just shamed husbands all across the globe! 😉 happy happy day….30s are amazing!! xo
charmingincharlotte@gmail.com says February 23, 2015 at 1:33 AM Thanks Cassie! I'm excited about this new decade! xo
Elise @ Cheers Yall says February 18, 2015 at 2:41 PM Most amazing, sweet, thoughtful prize (and presentation!) from your hubs!!! Cheers to 30, you beautiful, inspiring mama! xx
charmingincharlotte@gmail.com says February 23, 2015 at 1:34 AM It was pretty sweet! Thank you so much pretty mama! xo
Eris @ The Pink House Reno says February 18, 2015 at 4:27 PM Happy Birthday Mallory!! I'm not far behind you, and I hear 30s are the best! Such a sweet and thoughtful gift – and such a great post… love your personal posts! Cheers to a new decade and to your hubby for an awesome surprise!!
Kristen {Miss Southern} says February 18, 2015 at 7:48 PM WOW!!! What an amazing experience and amazing husband you have!!! Happy Birthday! PS, LOVE the heels!
Summer Hogan says February 19, 2015 at 2:07 AM I'm so so happy you got to experience this! Speaking from an older and wiser friend (okay, definitely not wiser!!!) the 30's are awesome! You need to start dropping hints now that next time he surprises you like that he needs to include an extra ticket for me :
charmingincharlotte@gmail.com says February 23, 2015 at 1:35 AM We are so going next year!!! Cheers to the 30's!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says February 19, 2015 at 2:48 AM You look beautiful. I can't even imagine what an incredible experience that was! Happy Birthday sweet friend!
charmingincharlotte@gmail.com says February 23, 2015 at 1:36 AM Thanks so much Jennifer…you are so sweet! xo
Alissa says February 19, 2015 at 1:51 PM What an incredible birthday!!!!!!!! Also, those shoes are EVERYTHING!
charmingincharlotte@gmail.com says February 23, 2015 at 1:36 AM Thanks Alissa! I am kind of in love with the shoes too…hehe 🙂
Claire Brody says February 19, 2015 at 3:31 PM Oh my gosh, Mallory!! I just spilled my coffee and strained my eyes I was reading this post so fast with anticipation. What a sweet story! You have a sweet one. So glad you had so much fun at NYFW!! I've been so jealous from your intas this week! xoxox
charmingincharlotte@gmail.com says February 23, 2015 at 1:38 AM hehe Claire you are too cute! You should be at fashion week you little fashionista! Thanks so much 🙂