Best thing about a birthday which falls on a weekend

I think I had one of the best birthdays ever yesterday. Okay first of all can I say I can't believe I have reached the (ahem tender) age of 31 *gasp* and seriously K often says he cannot believe I am 31 considering my mannerisms. I hope he doesn't mean I am childish. lol. I always maintain I am young at heart!

Wearing my birthday dress from my aunt

The last time my birthday fell on a weekend was eons ago. Previously I would always try to take the day off for my birthday, but this personal tradition somehow died away in the past few years so yesterday was a breath of fresh air. Seriously... birthday + no work = super bliss.

As I mentioned, I had the Geesons sing a birthday song for me first thing in the morning via Facetime, followed by K preparing a breakfast for me. Then we both lazed around and I started to get ready for a dim sum lunch with my girlies. I had thought long and hard about what to do for my birthday. I wanted to deviate from the usual brunch or afternoon tea, and so the idea of a dim sum lunch popped into my head.

My birthday companions. This shot reminds K of "Sex and the City".

A Mayfair birthday

After much debate (and procrastination) I finally chose the highly regarded one Michelin-starred Hakkasan at Mayfair for our meal. Honestly their main menu is pricey but for dim sum, it is actually not too bad. As usual our chatter and laughter soon filled the table and at one point I think other patrons beside us were looking on at us. I received a big bag of presents combined and it felt like Christmas already :)

After a hearty and satisfying lip-licking dim sum lunch, we walked 7min down to Brook Street, to the Mayfair branch of Jo Malone where our little pamper treat was waiting. This is seriously a blessing because a few weeks ago I received an early birthday card inviting me to bring some girl friends down for a complimentary birthday treat - a hand and arm massage using their gorgeous smelling lotion plus some champagne bubbly and chocolates. I couldn't believe it because all these for free? How generous. (Thank you Jesus!) We were greeted by a friendly Jo Malone girl who attended to us and made us feel so at home (and also made us feel like we want to buy everything cos everything just smelt so good). Thanks to my colleagues I received a bottle of their latest fragrance Peony and Pink Suede as a wedding present which I love. And the best thing about them is that there is completely no pressure whatsoever to make us purchase anything from them. It was a genuine complimentary no-frills kind of pamper - something which we all appreciated. In fact they were so generous: she gave us free perfume samples, took down all our details to put on their mailing list, and also gave me a little birthday present! I felt so bad that I thought I'd better buy something... and so chose to get a lip balm for myself :)

Birthday blessing

Our host

We spent a really long time in the store, much longer than we anticipated that when we ended it was almost 5.30pm. We were sleepy and I thought I could have a quick power nap when I reached home, before I went for my dinner with K. I reached home and 6.20pm and quickly changed into my PJs when K suddenly shouted "oh no, our table is booked for 6.45pm!!" "Whaaaa??" Oh no, no time for any nap, we gotta go now now now!! I groaned and jumped up and hastily changed into a black dress and he was hurrying me so much I felt like we both stumbled out of the house. "Man I'm so tired..." I mumbled on the way out.

Of course one always has to be grateful so the moment we reached my favourite Tower Bridge, there wasn't any ounce of tiredness anymore. It was replaced by excitement. I remembered the first time K and I celebrated my birthday 2 years ago, he brought me to the famous steakhouse Gaucho. It's slightly on the pricey side and so this is only the second time we are back - again for my birthday, but at a different branch. This is so much better because it is at the foot of Tower Bridge and so the view was awesome. Everyone who wants to dine at Gaucho should come to this branch!

The view from my seat

The steak didn't disappoint, and the service was impeccable. We chatted with the Tower Bridge in the background.. it felt surreal. At 9pm, I was ready for Part 3 of my birthday. I know.. it sounds like it never ends! The last part started with a casual suggestion: I told Gabby and Kine that it would be nice to have post dinner drinks with them and their guys, and so welcomed Ben and Jan to join us. K and I adjourned to the bar within Gaucho and we met up (again). All 6 of us chatted over a few drinks for the next 2 hours. It was really nice to know all the guys better within our group, something definitely we should do more often. In fact, we have all agreed to do something fun amongst us, I will soon blog about that!

Inside Gaucho

My fav couple

B&K :)

While waiting for Kine & Jan to arrive

We left to catch the last trains back home and Bel had a big smile on her face. What a wonderful day - my first birthday as a Mrs and a truly memorable one. Looking forward to the years ahead!