I think I’m in denial.
Normal 26-year-olds don’t dress this way.
Jazzercise Diva
However, I was still 25 when I donned my Halloween/birthday costume.
Totally normal. 
Now that I’m officially in my mid/upper 20’s, my goal is to begin acting like an adult.
Eating fancy foods is one way to accomplish this goal .
My birthday seemed like a perfect time to check a culinary adventure off my bucket list.
I was a bit apprehensive about shooting back raw, slimy oysters!
But as a now mature 26-year-old, I couldn’t let my anxieties get the best of me.
I prepped my oyster…
And shot it back!
So sophisticated!
Yet, even though my venture into the world of fancy seafood delicacies was quite memorable, I think the highlight of my 26th birthday was enjoying cupcakes—-a food I loved as a child—-with people I love even more.
Last night, after sitting through a long three-hour class, I returned home to a house full of friends!
My brother planned a surprise party behind my back. Sneaky, sneaky!
It was such a splendid night, complete with champagne and sweet eats from Sticky Fingers Bakery.
Peanut Butter Fudge, Cookies n' Cake, Red Velvet , Mocha and GF Chocolate cupcakes
it's never too early for Christmas champagne!
You won’t believe me when I tell you that this cupcake (which by the way was gluten free!) was the first cake I’ve enjoyed on my birthday since I turned 12.
deliciously rich chocolate cupcake
No joke. The past 13 years, I was too health-conscious to let myself indulge in baked goods made outside my own kitchen.
But as I’ve gained years, I’ve also gained insight into what it means to be healthy.
Health is not solely defined by weight, fat or calories. Sure, it’s important to consider those things when looking at the overall picture, but wellbeing is so much more than that. I believe that health is impacted even more by our relationships with others and our relationships with ourselves.
On my birthday, I chose to treat myself because I deserved it.
We ALL deserve it. 
Cheers to health. Cheers to happiness. Cheers to cupcakes and birthdays and fabulous family and friends.
Thank you all so very much for your outpouring of well-wishes yesterday! You made my 26th birthday pretty spectacular. <3
(p.s. I’m off to San Francisco for The Foodbuzz Festival! Catch you on the west coast!)
Note to add: I promise a recap is coming! I had planned on posting tonight (Monday), but my wallet was stolen, so I’ve had to put blogging on the back burner while I sort things out. I’ll try to have something up by Tuesday or Wednesday! xoxo
What’s your favorite type of birthday cake/cupcake?
When I was young, I’d always request ice cream cakes from Baskin Robbins!
How do you treat yourself?
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