Anatomy of a Great Birthday...

A couple of weeks ago, I celebrated my diplo-birthday, another year older...and hopefully at least just a little bit wiser.  Dipo-husband was still under the weather after a nasty set of bugs that we seemed to take turns with after returning from Thanksgiving, so we had to pare pack and skip a few things like dinner but still rallied to make the day a memorable one! Here's how a great birthday day broke out!

Step 1: Let birthday wife sleep in while you tend to morning baby routines - once everyone is up, all have breakfast together...Even if it's just  Cheerios.  And especially if it's a yellow Cheerios box, with an orange box and brown ribbon behind it.  Thank you, diplo-husband!

Step 2: Watch baby while birthday wife steps out for a mani-pedi while reading her favorite magazine.  We just had a new cheapie nail place open up on P street and it turned out great.  Also, as the owner of 10 very weak and always breaking nails, I finally discovered the shellac manicure.  Genius.  It's two weeks later and not one chip...not one broken nail.

Step 3: Easy, breezy lunch at home from Homemade Pizza Company - our favorite is the Miesian with the Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut salad, a winner every time.  Spend the afternoon playing with diplo-baby instead of having to do dishes!

Step 4: JERSEY BOYS! Waaaaaaaah! Now...you might recall from my New Year's Resolutions for this year, that I really wanted a sock hop for my birthday.  Alas, no sock hop to be had, but watching the Jersey Boys show at the National Theater was a close second - I love oldies...I love Frankie Valli...DH didn't even complain when I was humming "Sherrie, Baby" the rest of the night.

Step 5: Champagne Cocktail night cap at the Hay-Adams - Off the Record Bar is definitely one of my favorites in DC.  I wanted to investigate the decorations for my Christmas list - while the decorations weren't nearly as over the top as when the Austrian GM was at the property, it's still beautiful place and the bar atmosphere was as impeccable as I always remembered it.

Cin, cin to 33!


Photo sources: EarthSky, Homemade Pizza Company, All Lacquered Up and the New Diplomats Wife via Camera +.