Today I turn 37.
I say this so I can recount the year. Put it into perspective. And think about the showing of age:
Late thirties. That is what thirty seven is.
About three years ago I noticed that when I would put on my eyeshadow the whole eyelid would move. It was the first sign I noticed of me getting older. And it was an unexpected one. Eyelids moving? Who knew?
Stray hairs. Then two years ago I started getting a random wiry white hair that would protrude from my chin. I like to think that this started happening two years ago because that is when I first noticed it. And by that time it had grown rather long. Now I search for that beast at every make up session and it is always with great joy when he is eradicated.
Laugh lines. I do not know when these came. They snuck up on me. I remember when my Auntie M took my friend and me to Maui at the age of fourteen. I hate getting my face wet and we were going snorkeling. You can see the odds were not in my favor. The captain tried to cheer me up by saying, “Come on. Smile. Show me those laugh lines.” And I did smile but then he lamented that I had no laugh lines. And it was said with such a sadness that I vowed one day to have my very own laugh lines.
Well, now I do.
And I can now say there’s a lot to be said for remaining stoic.
It is hard to believe, but sometimes the best beauty advice does not come from a boat captain.
Regardless of of those things, the older I get, the more comfortable I am in my own skin. I feel more myself as time passes. And I am looking forward to the years ahead.
What did thirty six mean to me? What did I accomplish at the age of thirty six? Thirty four had me losing weight. Thirty five had me starting a blog. Thirty six I… I got nothin’. So, I better get started on somethin’ so that next year’s question does not result in the same sad answer.
Today will be spent swimming and reading. I still have not decided what I want for my birthday dinner. My husband and kids will be making me my favorite kind of cake: yellow with chocolate frosting. I can’t wait!
As for gifts: I asked for this dress in ivory and my husband purchased this necklace from Etsy two months ago when I asked for it for my birthday. I cannot wait to finally get to wear it!
What do you request for your birthday dinner? Your cake? Do you go out or stay home? I need ideas!
wishing you a happy birthday. You look great for your age. I never dwell over my age, I am a kid at heart so I never grow old. like you said, the main thing is to be comfortable in you own skin and you will glow from within. For my birthday I don’t like any big deal, I usually spend it going out for dinner with my family. Enjoy your day and enjoy and wear your special gifts so you feel extra special.
Thank you so much Melinda! I appreciate that! : ). We had a really relaxing day. I got an outfit shot. So, productive, too!
Have a happy rest of the week!
Jenni
Happy Birthday! Wow, did you say you are 27 today? 🙂 I just had my 40th birthday and amazing have no white hairs at all yet but since January I do have a slight click sometimes when I walk up steep stairs! Oh well, not too bad for 40 years of a life well lived.
As my birthday is Dec 28th, I end up having a nice home made meal with my wife or family and then 3 weeks later celebrate with a meal out as normally few people can bear to eat or drink more at that time of year!
Thank you Stephen! Yes, yes, I did actually mean twenty seven… ; )
Oh, no! Not clicking! I hope it is not too bad. I hope you had a great birthday celebration after the holidays. You know, that is incredibly smart and kind of you to do that. I am sure people appreciated the time taken so they could enjoy the food!
Have a great week!
Jenni
Happiest Birthday wishes! You are one beautiful 37 year old and laugh lines are the prettiest! I hope you enjoy your day immensely!
I always get a store bought chocolate cake. They are my favorite, with the way too sweet frosting and ample amounts.:) My husband doesn’t mind, because he does not have to bake it. My mom, however, was always slightly offended that I did not want one of her cakes! 🙂 I would make it myself, but have never mastered the frosting…so I just make my hubby buy it!
I hope it is a great day for you!
Thank you Alicia! We had a fun day! I love store bought cakes, too. In fact, there really isn’t a cake I would turn down, except for ice cream cakes. I hate ice cream cakes. Isn’t that the weirdest?
Have a lovely week!
Jenni
Happy Birthday to you! HUGS I have never noticed signs of aging in your photos… I think you are one who will always look young because you are so vibrant in spirit and that shines through in so many ways! A day reading sounds GREAT for your birthday, especially by the pool. I have a later summer birthday, and I usually like to go out for either seafood or Italian food with all of my family.. which will include either martinis in ice glasses or wine for the latter.. I am going to be 42! I noticed my lines have diminished since I switched to minimal products on my face… witch hazel for cleansing, and coconut oil for moisture… I had one of those faces who would get blemishes and be dry at the same time.. but it is great now! Hope you have the best birthday ever!
Thank you Lora! That is so sweet. I do think that your only as old as you feel. I need to try your product. I have that exact same type of skin. And I have been breaking out with all of the sunscreen I have been applying. My sister told me today I need to switch to an oil free for my face. I am hoping that works! Thanks for the wishes! I had a great day! : )
Have a beautiful week!
Jenni
Happy Birthday!!! I ❤️ yellow cake & chocolate frosting as well. Mmmm! Enjoy your day!
Thank you Lyn! You know what? I ended up not getting that cake! We all decided we wanted to try chess squares. They were good! But now I want yellow cake with chocolate frosting. : )
Have a joyful week!
Jenni
Happy, Happy Birthday!!! Sounds like you have a wonderful day planned. I too, feel more and more comfortable with myself as I age. I will be 37 in September. I don’t feel it though. That necklace is amazing!!! I know how to do bead weaving, and even though time consuming, that is inspiring to me! I enjoy a dinner out on my birthday as well.
Thank you Heather! Hey, I didn’t know we were the same age! How cool! That would be neat if you could bead a necklace. It is so cool that you can bead weave. That is amazing. I have no skills like that. I wish I did.
Have a happy week!
Jenni
Happy B-day Jenni. You do not in any way look 37, maybe 27. I am hitting the big 5-0 next birthday, so I am trying not to think about it really.
I too have an errant hair, and also rejoice when it is eradicated.
But alas, I have my mothers eyes, which mean my lids droop down so much now that even if I put shadow on, you would never see it. It is the only reason I would ever even think about cosmetic surgery. I would love to see my lids again.
You are so lucky that your husband and children make you a cake. My hubby and daughter don’t really cook, but I do get to go out to my favourite restaurant and they let me laze all day.
Hope your B-day is wonderful!
Thank you Teresa! I have heard women really come into their own at age 50. I am actually looking forward to it. I hope you have something amazing planned. I think that is what is happening with my eyelids. I, too, have stated it would be the only plastic surgery I would consider. I think it is such a common thing. I have had many people around me do it. In fact, my husband has said he is going to do it, too.
I am so excited for your birthday. That is exciting!
Have a super week!
Jenni
Happy Birthday!! We love you and hope you have a relaxing day. XOXOXO
Thanks Mandi! I love you! Thank you for my present today. I love it! I forgot to feed you chess squares! : (
Have a fun weekend!
Jenni
Happy, happy birthday lovely lady. Thank you for sharing your days with us. Relax and enoy your cake!
Thank you Kindra! I relaxed… Maybe too much! ; ). Now I have to get the house back together!
Have a great week!
Jenni
Happy birthday! That is a beautiful picture of you. Have a terrific day. Sorry I am not there for the singing this year.
Thank you Pam! I hope you are having fun! I know Dad is all ready missing you!
Have a great trip!
Jenni
Happiest of birthdays, Jenni! What good humor and reflection in this post, as always. Laugh lines are one of those signs of aging that I think are so beautiful. They show you’ve enjoyed life, you’ve gotten emotional, you’ve made shocked exclamations, and you’ve chortled and snorted and giggled and gasped. So I love that you’re proud of those laugh lines on your 37th birthday. Enjoy your cake and the love of your family.
Kyle is in charge of the birthday plans this year. I anticipate a special date night out on Friday, but the destinations are up to him. Sunday we’re throwing a little cocktail and hors d’oeuvre party at our apartment. We haven’t really entertained since we moved out of Michigan a year and a half ago, so I’m excited for company and the excuse to decorate and cook! We have a sweet little cupcake and macaron shop around the corner, as well as a family run donut shop, and I think I’ll be stocking up on sweets from there to share with our friends.
Have a happy day (and year!) Jenni!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
Thank you Liz! I love how you described laugh lines. It is true. And I especially love the word “gasped.” I never would have thought of it in terms of laughing but it is so true and it made me happy to think of it in that way yesterday.
I hope you have a great birthday! I love that you leave the destination up to him. That is romantic. And Sunday sounds like so much fun! I am glad you get to entertain. I think you are the queen of decorating a table. I always love the sweet romantic tables you do for Kyle and yourself.
Have a cheerful week!
Jenni
Happy Birthday, beautiful! You made a lot of people smile during your 36th year. That accounts for something. Enjoy your special day and bask in the joy, love and warmth of those in your life that love you … both inside and outside of your blog.
Awww. Thank you Brynne! I held your comment to my heart all day. Thank you! I am so lucky to have gotten to know you this year. : )
Have a marvelous week!
Jenni
Happy birthday! A beautiful young 37 🙂 !!!
Thank you Sarah! That is so nice of you. I hope Cameron is still letting you get sleep. That is such an awesome occurrence. I can remember quite clearly each time it happened with my babies. It was the best!
Have a fantastic week!
Jenni
Happy Birthday, Jenni! Sounds like you’ve got the best day planned. I can’t wait to see you in your new birthday outfit! May 37 be the best year ever! Woo hooooo!!!
xoxoxo
Thank you Cynthia! I got to wear it! And I took pictures of it! So excited to share them soon. I hope 37 is good. I loved 36! : )
Have a wonderful week!
Jenni
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays. Me? I try to pretend they do not exist, Guess that is just my way of dealing with getting older. BTW, today is the husband’s birthday, and I will be making him steak on the grill (unless the afternoon South Florida rains put the damper on my plans). LOL.
Thank you Barbara! And Happy Belated Birthday to your husband. I hope you guys had a great day. After I read your comment about steak, it was all I could think about, so that is what I ended up getting for dinner! Thanks for the idea. It was delicious! : ) mi hope the rains did not prevent him from having steak!
Have a super week!
Jenni
Hey Jenni, Yep, we had some torrential rain, so made veal chops in the oven instead, which turned out fabulously. Cooked the steaks last night when we had some sprinkling still going on, but it was much better than the previous evening. Ahhh, Summer in South Florida, when you can pretty much count on rain every afternoon (and many evenings as well).
~*Happy, Happy Birthday*~ Jenni!!!
Hope you have a wonderful birthday and coming year =)
You look so pretty in the picture!
Enjoy your day and your family too!! :0) ♥
Thank you! Thank you! : ). It was a really nice relaxing day, but I actually got stuff done, which was nice. My family surprised me with the sweetest present. I hope to get a post up with it soon!
Have a gorgeous Thursday!
Jenni
Happy Birthday! I have enjoyed your blog everyday! From reading your blog, it looks like you have accomplished quite a lot this year AND you have brought your family and friends a lot of joy. You have also brought your blog readers a lot of joy. Those are amazing gifts. Never discount that. Thank you! I hope you have a special day. Yellow cake with chocolate frosting is my favorite too. Eat an extra piece for me.
Thank you so much. You brought tears to my eyes. I really appreciate it. Do you know I didn’t get my chocolate cake? We ended up trying a new recipe called Chess Squares. It was good, but I am still craving my cake! : ).
My friend came over today (to bring me cake actually) and she is thinking of getting an Ollie! They’re the best! : ). She wants an all black one. I think those are rare, though. Do you know?
Have a happy Thursday!
Jenni
Happy 37th Birthday Jenn! I hope you have an amazing day, and hope to catch up with you soon! My bday is just around the corner. Enjoy the day with the family. God Bless and Happy Birthday!!!!
Thank you Robyn. I think about you every time I am at Disneyland. : ). I hope you are doing well! Have Pre-Birthday! I hope you have a great day!
Have an awesome week!
Jenni
Happy Birthday youngun’ : )
That necklace is so YOU.
My husband treated me to a facial and a fancy supper.
You can never go wrong with spa treatments I think. Well I did write about this…a Torture Chamber Disguised as a Spa…
http://bisous.typepad.com/bisous/2008/10/torture-chamber-disguised-as-a-spa.html
but that hasn’t happened again since.
bisous
Suzanne
Thank you Suzanne! I have had two spa treatments that were awful. The most recent where the woman kept stretching my arm behind my head. Which would be great if I wasn’t face down and my arm was going backwards! Thanks for reminding me! I have two gift cards for a massage for my husband and myself that expire in August. I better use those soon!
Have an excellent week!
Jenni
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNI!!!! (I’m late to the party.) Girl, you have accomplished LOADS in the past year, especially with regards to growing your blog and your readership. So don’t be so hard on yourself. You are such an awesome lady, and you deserve a super special birthday!! Hope it was fantastic – whatever your family ended up cooking for you! Hugs from across the Atlantic!!
Thank you Gwen. I have been thinking of you and thinking of you. I have been a bad friend. We need to do that skype thing. Maybe my husband could set it up. I felt your hug, girl! : )
Have a happy Thursday!
Jenni
Don’t feel bad! You’re an awesome friend! We’ll do it “when the time is right”, I’ll always have skype, so don’t stress, pretty lady! 😉
I am so behind! Sorry! This summer was supposed to be chill, but we have been going nonstop. I’m not used to all of this busyness. I hope you are enjoying your new apartment!
Have a fun day!
Jenni
Happy Birthday Jenni! I hope you have a fantastic birthday, wearing your lovely new dress and necklace. Enjoy your celebration!
Thank you Sharon! I got to wear my dress, but I have not worn my necklace yet. I spent today in my swimsuit and then in pajamas. I call that a good day, but I am looking forward to wearing that necklace. : )
Have a fun week!
Jenni
Happy Happy Birthday, and can’t believe you’re 37, you don’t look like it at all. Let’s go off and pretend we’re still in our 20s again. Hope you had a fantastic day!
Thank you Rachel. Ditto! I could not believe we are almost the same age. You look great! I think I always pretend I am in my 20s. Maybe one day I will grow up. But not today! ; )
Have a sunny Thursday!
Jenni
I am a day late :-)…Happy Birthday,Jenni!! I hope your day was wonderful.
Thank you so much Kara! It was really good. I am so grateful. : )
I hope your Thursday is lovely!
Jenni
Happy birthday, Jenni… one day late. Can’t believe you are 37. I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday.
Thank you Liana! I still can’t believe it myself. I want a rewind! ; ). We had a great day! I couldn’t ask for more.
I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Jenni
I hope you had a very happy birthday Jenni. I wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness. You don’t look one year older then 27.
Thank you Ginette! I wish I was twenty seven, if only for the skin. But I really appreciate all of the life lessons that come with age. And I am so much more at peace now than I was ten years ago.
Have a delightful week!
Jenni
oh and BTW Jennie… you are still very young. I will turn 58 and I can’t believe it because inside I feel 30. But the thing with the chin hair, it turns from wiry to boulders. The eyelids, oh yes I can relate, they move at first and eventually they want to start to hang over. When I pull my forehead up they look like they used to when I was young. I think it’s forehead that sags and with it the eye brows and the lids. It sucks! I am trying to think of a way to permanently pull my forehead up, maybe duck tape. 🙂
58!!! You look beautiful. And you have the best gift! I am writing a post now about some more of your paintings. I hope to have it up in the next ten days. I definitely think that is what my eyelids are coming to. Someone does need to make some sort of gadget that doesn’t hurt and works. Sigh.
I hope you are having a fantastic week!
Jenni
Happy birthday, Jenni! I enjoy reading your blog everyday and I think you accoplished a lot this year with growing your blog. I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
I turned 37 three weeks ago and I also feel more confident and comfortable in my skin as I get older.
Thank you Tatiana! Your 37, too? How cool! I agree about feeling more comfortable in your skin. I feel the same way. 1977 was a fabulous year! : ).
Have a terrific week!
Jenni
Jenni,
I agree with Lora that switching to minimal and natural products to use on the face can be very beneficial for one’s skin. I recommend you to try Blissoma Fresh Mild Rice Facial Cleanser. It has willow bark and organic brown rice flour. You can read here why you should not switch to oil-free:
http://www.iriefromthetub.blogspot.com/2012/02/consult-herbal-chemist-acne-rescue-au_08.html
Thanks Tatiana! I will definitely try that. I gave very sensitive skin, but that sounds like something I could use. I appreciate it.
You and Lora are awesome! : ). Thanks for the help.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jenni
Happy birthday! You are aging beautifully and it looks like you have a fun day coming your way.
I always buy myself some gifts and I order a chocolate cake from my favorite bakery. My particular favorite is chocolate frosting on the outside and mint on the inside. Now I am craving it!
Have a great day,
Stacey
Thank you Stacey! It was a fun day. I have never had that kind of cake before. I am intrigued. I have had mint chip ice cream, but never in cake form. I want. To try it! Yum!
Have an outstanding Thursday!
Jenni
Happy Birthday beautiful lady! I hope that your day was very special! 🙂