I have two favourite chocolate cakes in Singapore, that take equal First place in my book. One is Awfully Chocolate which my lovely cousin got for me for my yacht birthday party, and the other one Lana Cakes, which is a local cake store that has seemingly been around since the beginning of time :P I LOVE their cake because it’s light and fluffy like a chocolate sponge, with a refreshing light chocolate icing. There’s something about the way Lana cake is made that doesn’t make it as heavy as traditional rich chocolate cake.. so you can eat 4 slices without really thinking about it :P

Birthday cake from Lana

My thoughtful parents got me a Lana cake for my birthday and I was in bliss eating it. It’s simple but oh so good!!! Shame I can’t have it every day for dessert. Fortunately, we always get a Lana cake for any of our birthdays.. it’s sort of a family tradition. Just as well, as Mum’s birthday is coming in a month…. so guess what cake we’re getting? ;)

Lana cake from Mum and Dad

Chris and I, very eager to tuck in

Chris also gave me another birthday present for my 30th birthday.. apart from the Hermes Birkin, that is. This one is particularly special to me because of the thoughtfulness and sweetness behind it :)

He got me an Hermes silk scarf!

But… the special part? It’s embroidered with all our names :) They’re down at one corner and, as Chris said as he gave it to me, “there’s space to add more children’s names”. LOL! His idea is that we’ll add the names of our (future) children, and grandchildren. Chris and I are (generally) both not very sentimental people.. so this was very sweet to me :)

What’s so good about Hermes silk scarves? Here’s some tidbits on how they’re made.

I LOVE Hermes' packaging/colours

Hermes silk scarf, embroidered with our names :)

Here it is worn as a belt/sash

It’s been a very nice 30th birthday celebration(s). I feel really blessed to be entering my 30s and just being happy with my life. A simple statement, but it means a lot to me.

I pray for health in my family, love in my marriage, and much happiness and laughter with my friends.

I don’t even really know how to start off this entry.

“Hullo everyone, I got a birthday present from Chris”?

I guess that’s about as good a way to start as any :P So yep, I got a birthday present! THE birthday present. The one and only bag that I’ve coveted for ages and considered the #1 bag to own.

It’s the Hermes birkin.

Specifically, the 30cm, orange, Swift leather, palladium hardware Hermes birkin.

This article makes an interesting read on why Hermes bags are so highly desired, with unmatched quality and workmanship. If you’ve held a Birkin in real life, and stroked and sniffed it, you’ll know what I mean :P They’re pretty luscious!

Actually, I never was into Hermes when I was much younger. But as I *ahem* aged through the years, my fashion taste developed/matured and I grew to like Hermes til the point that I adored the Birkin. It has ZERO visible logos to others, so isn’t very in-your-face, and the feel of the bag is simply divine.

The only Birkin colour I wanted was the Hermes orange one, because it’s the best colour IMHO – stunning and a great statement colour. The only leather I wanted it in was in Swift leather, famous for being supple and soft. Can’t stand the other leathers because they just make the bag blah to me. And the only size I wanted was the 30cm, which I personally reckon looks best on my frame.

And it was with GREAT DELIGHT that I uncovered my gift on my birthday, and it is by far my favourite bag. Bar none. None of my other bags even come close!

Anyway. Enough blathering on! Pics :)

I think I *swooned* here :P

Orange overload!

Hermes Birkin - orange Swift leather with palladium hardware, 35cm

What makes this particular Birkin special to me? Chris got a very special inscription done on the inside flap, monogrammed in silver. It’s our family name, and it feels special to have a little bit of personalisation, hidden and tucked away :)

Obviously, the Hermes Birkin will be passed on to our (future) daughter and will ‘match’ Chris’ Jaeger LeCoultre watch, which I gave him for HIS 30th birthday, which will be passed down to Hunter.

Ours :)

I love the attention to detail and little things that makes Hermes special

My stuffed packed in

Subtle branding

The Birkin matches the Hermes clic clac that Chris gave me for my ‘push present’. Wheeee! I actually have a pair of orange leather sandals (handmade by a little shoe store in Shanghai) that matches too, but might look a tad weird if I wear them all at the same time :P

Exact same orange!

On me (excuse my odd outfit. Was in homeclothes!)

Casual style, worn with Hermes clic clac bangle

And, this is sooooooo gonna come back to haunt poor Hunter, but I did a photo op with him + Birkin. Heh!! Well, he should count himself lucky that he didn’t fit IN the bag, or I’d have dumped him in for sure ;)

My 2 favourite things. Which one do I love more? Errr.....!!!!

"A toy for me, mummy?"

Hermes Birkin. Tasty.

Thank you, my wonderful husband, for doting on me :) 

Well, I guess I turn one year older today.. and here I am, at 30 years old.

It has been a whirlwind birthday weekend and I haven’t had a chance to sit down in front of the computer properly, yet alone answer the really thoughtful Happy Birthday messages from you guys. But THANK YOU!! My birthday this year was especially memorable because of wonderful family and friends that made this milestone oh-so-fun for me. Yes, I may be an old lady (ahem) now, but at least I’m surrounded with lovely people, as well as incredibly thoughtful online friends that sent gifts (I’m sorry I haven’t talked/thanked you guys yet, I want to take photos and write to you properly!) :)

It has been an AMAZING past few days and I’m still on a bit of a birthday high right now.

And, I must admit, this did contribute to my birthday high……. presented to me today, one of Chris’ birthday gifts to me :)

A sexy guy holding a sexy orange bag = WIN

Will update more later once I wind down and get all my stuff sorted out! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend :)