Birthday weekend, Pt 2

BEST. FRIENDS. EVER. Seriously.

I’ve never had a surprise party thrown for me, though I’ve been to my fair share for others…and I’ve always kind of wished someone would organise me one! And I got my wish on Sunday, to the nth power.

As far as I knew I was being taken out to brunch – which would have been amazing enough – and had been told to keep myself free. Except it wasn’t brunch. I got kidnapped for the entire day and didn’t get home until about 10.

And so, I know you’re dying to know…

Pretty purple dress

First I got taken to Newmarket to go DRESS SHOPPING, of all things! After traipsing around 277 and finding nothing that ticked all the boxes – style, colour, size – and breathtakingly expensive designer shops on Nuffield St, we struck gold in one of those eclectic little Asian fashion shops. What’s more, it was marked down to 30 from $70. Because it was so cheap, they wanted to buy me shoes to match, but I didn’t love the shoes, so we moved on. Then came two belts to go with it – a white silky ribbon and a black/bronze one with decorative buckle. A quick stop for lunch (Japanese katsu bowl for me, with delicious chicken, gravy, salad, ginger and rice. Should have taken a photo) and on we continued.

I was whisked over to Ponsonby and escorted into Tamara Spa. Let me just say at this point – what a freaky coincidence. Either they are mindreaders or BF was collaborating with them. I had been wanting to do a spa day but…the cost….and oh my lord, I just don’t even want to know how much was spent on that. The woman even commented on it when it came time to pay. I won’t recount exactly what she said, but she expressed disbelief that people our age could afford a three hour service and wondered if we had parental help. I just  expressed my gratitude for my unbelievably generous friends.

I was there for three whole hours. My first facial, first body scrub and body wrap. The facial was rather painful, although I’m not sure if it was because of my sensitive skin, or if all the masks were meant to sting. But it was super cleansing and I now have baby smooth skin. The massage was SO relaxing (I fell asleep briefly) apart from the feet. Let’s just say I’m super ticklish, and luckily the therapist picked up on that quickly. They are so discreet! I guess it comes with the job. Thankfully, I didn’t think about the fact that I hadn’t shaved my legs in far too long until AFTER the treatments. The body scrub was intense. My friend agreed it was the most painful thing he’d ever experienced; more so than breaking any body parts. I was just afraid it would open up my old eczema spots, but they seem to have survived. And the wrap? I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t plastic wrap. (I’m such a beauty therapy noob.) I felt like an oversized rose, albeit one covered in mud and exfoliating beads.

Presents

After the spa, I got changed into my new dress and was taken to dinner at Plato‘s. Talk about a surprise! All my friends were there (excluding a couple of not so good ones, post coming soon on that). Even some of my girlfriends – I love that they went to the effort to organise all the people I love, together!

Man, I’m so spoiled. I feel SO lucky, and undeserving. I hope to be able to repay them next year when I’m *touch wood* working full time; I’ve been the worst friend ever in terms of birthdays the last couple of years. Feeling the love, very much so.