“Welcome to because im addicted – the life of a 20 something running wild in LA. Fashion, music, food, art and the like.”
This has been the tagline of my blog since 2005 and as you might imagine, I was starting to get a little nervous about the “20 something” part as I inched closer toward turning thirty.
As I geared up to kiss my twenties goodbye, I spent a lot of time reflecting on who I’ve become, where I’ve been and who I want to be. While pondering one chilly day back in March, tears began rolling down my cheeks as I realized that I was in a state I’d never been before: complete contentment.
I wasn’t thinking about the past with regret, the present with resentment or the future without anything but excitement. I was, for the first time in my life, who I wanted to be, exactly where I wanted to be and headed where I wanted to be going. This was quite literally the best feeling I’ve ever experienced.
Energized by this epiphany, I was inspired to embrace turning 30 and I wanted to welcome my next step with a real celebration – the first birthday party I’ve had since my teenage years.
I invited my closest family and friends, 30 to be exact, for a backyard dinner party that was just as much a thank you to them for supporting me over the years as it was a celebration of me.
In effort to make the party feel whimsical but relaxed I set up one long table topped with white linens, mixed and matched vintage plates and glasses, puddles of candles and one long garland made of olive branches, white roses and white orchids. I strung lights overhead, printed little menus and didn’t have assigned seating.
Ready to host in a sleek A.P.C jumper, the night began. It started with a cocktail hour and was followed by a four course dinner designed and cooked by one of the best chefs/entertainers/women in all of Los Angeles: Annie Campbell.
The night was incredible, one of the most memorable of my life, and the icing on the cake was when my boyfriend offered a new blog tagline during his toast, “A thirty something sharing details of a life well lived.”
All of the photos after the jump…
Photos: Geri Hirsch’s Backyard Birthday Dinner shot by Matt Waugh
47 comments
Happy birthday dollface!!… You are entering your thirties with the attitude it deserves…
‘I wasn’t thinking about the past with regret, the present with resentment or the future without anything but excitement. I was, for the first time in my life, who I wanted to be, exactly where I wanted to be and headed where I wanted to be going. This was quite literally the best feeling I’ve ever experienced”…
beautiful words… your growth is in there. Wishing you above all else, health and continual happiness. Love and Light, Qx
http://www.myclayexperience.com/
happy birthday young lady! may the years that come be full of health and joy…a well living life…
CDR
so lovely..
-xo
Stephani
http://www.jemappellestephani.blogspot.com
Happy birthday…
ages is not so important because you always look beautiful in any case. I love your style and your blog. Nice party.. 🙂
xo,Rist!
http://ristlicious.blogspot.com/
What a divine birthday dinner!! You look fantastic! & that bit about your boyfriend’s new tagline for you in the toast?! He’s a keeper!
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 😀
xo, B
BKCsquared
Happy Birthday!! Wishing you a lifetime of love, prosperity, and happiness!!
Happy birthday!
What an incredibly memorable way to ring in such a special birthday. Happy birthday and thanks for sharing with us such a beautiful occasion!
xTheresa
The Habit
Happy 30s, lady! Your celebration looks both classy and inviting. And you in that ensemble look radiant! Your boyfriend came up w/ a wonderful new blog tagline.
xo, http://www.lilyonfillmore.com
It looks so chic, elegant and delicious…!! You look awesome.
This is was such an inspiring read. I am not at that place yet but I feel so much more motivated to get there! Thank you for your positivity in embracing your age and place in life. It’s soooo refreshing!! Favorite post ever. Xoxo
First of all Happy Birthday! Second of all your birthday dinner looked amazing! It looked like you were surrounded by all your loved ones which is exactly what you need when you take #thenextstep! Happy Birthday again!
You are so honest and real and I thank you for it. It’s a treat when you write more on your blog and share your life. Getting to know more about who you are makes me love this blog even more. Thank you for being my inspiration.
And that party was gorgeous!
Amazing photos + a BIG happy birthday to you Geri! xk
I’ve been following your blog for years now for inspirations and this post is so far the most inspiring one. Happy Birthday!!
I’m equally excited for what to come. All the best beautiful lady X
Thank you for adding me to your blog!It made me so incredibly happy!I love you more than you will ever know and look forward for what is to come!You rock!xoxo Mom
happy 30th birthday! this backyard birthday party belongs in a movie! thanks for all the beauty & inspiration xx
Happy birthday girl! you look amazing. <3
This post is so inspiring! And I feel like I’m coming across it at the perfect time. Like you felt at one time, I’m terribly unhappy with my day job and have aspirations to do something completely different (something I am actually passionate about). Changes are long overdue. Anyways, happy birthday & thanks for sharing a side that is a little more personal 🙂
xo N
That looks like it could be a garden wedding – insanely beautiful! And, that jumper is amazing on you! Happy Birthday!
Really beautiful post and pictures. I just love it.
http://www.treintamasdiez.com
Devo dire che sembra così spettacolare！！
Special romantic dinner noble, very envious \ (^ o ^) / ~
sorry,I’m forget to bless you,happp birthday~~ But it seems a little late time.
You looked lovely and no where near 30 and the cutest part of the snapshots was the kiss. hmmmmmm
http://thinkworkandgo.blogspot.com/
Simply amazing!!
xoxo
Elisa – My Fantabulous World
I guess you had a blast! Everything looks so nice and perfect!
http://blondieanchors.com/2013/10/23/burgundy-autumn-must/
http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10637851/blondie-anchors
oh geri this post brought tears to my eyes. so happy for you, and what a beautiful celebration. i can only hope to feel as much contentment when i turn 30 🙂
Molly {Dreams in HD}
http://dreamsinhd.blogspot.com/
Welcome to the “30something” club!
We have been fans since the very beginning and you are the main reason why we atarted our blog!
Besos from Ecuador!
Diana and Daniela
http://www.didatrendynow.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday young one. I promise you, life gets better after 30. The wisdom and experiences that you acquire along the way makes the aging part that much more beautiful.
Happy Birthday! What an absolutely gorgeous party. May I borrow some of your ideas for my backyard wedding next year?
Love the beautiful long table. And love the olive branches mixed with the roses. Stunning. And CONGRATULATIONS on turning thirty!
happy birthday! Looks like you had fabolous party!
http://www.whatsashawears.com
omg what a fabulous birthday celebration!!
http://oyouclassy.com
http://oyouclassy.com
this is beautiful! the presentation of the small plates – gorgeous. welcome to the grown up club
This is gorgeous! Happy birthday, Geri!!! xx
Happy birthday! What a beautiful dinner! I may have to replicate some of this for the Thanksgiving dinner I’m hosting.
BEAUTIFUL post Geri!!! ♥ ♥ Xoxoxoxo
Beautiful pictures, you look stunning I hope you had a great birthday. Holly xx
http://www.caramellacouture.blogspot.co.uk/
HBD & blessings to you!! Your approach to your birthday was FABulous!! Each of us should find joy & peace & look forward with excitement no matter what our age!!!
This made me tear up!! I’ve been following your blog for some years and I always loved your tagline!! especially because I am now the 20 something running wild in LA, I wish you all the best in the future and I’m so happy I’ve witnessed your growth!!
Cheers to dreams !!
PS love your new tagline ! XO
http://www.leslierojas.com/
Sure. We have intention of replaying this kind of perfect cellebration. Congratulations.
Happy belated birthday!! I celebrated my 30th a few months ago and I reflected the same exact way. The 20’s were full of laughs, tears and oh so many lessons to learn! I’m going to miss saying I’m a 20 something year old, but bring it 30’s 🙂
Oh my days! This dinner party looks stunning!
Love from Spain
http://busyburt.blogspot.com/
Beautiful post and nice pictures. Ilove it.