pre 35 bash
february 27, 2005
the get together i attended tonight was for my early 35th birthday bash. i really wasn't planning on doing anything this year but certain people convinced me to have a celebration of sorts. ever since this year started, i haven't been in much of a socialzing mood and a celebration seemed to be the farthest thing from my mind. i've definitely been more inclined to stay within my shell but now sitting here looking at the photos, i'm glad i did decide to give in and to ring in my birthday early this year.
for posterity's sake, i decided to go with outfit A - the ruched neckline top with the ribbon waist tie in black. since the weather was so cold, i just topped it off with the panorama turquoise sheer merino cardigan from outfit C. on top of all of that, i wore my black caslon jacket with the turquoise trimming. i've taken a liking to turquoise in recent days. it was a good idea to layer clothes as i did since depending on where i was and what i was doing, i needed to either air out or keep warm.
i wore the cool swarovski black crystal ring along with a black gray crystal necklace. simple yet kind of dramatic in its own way. my lovely hairstylist did my hair for me today and created soft cascading waves to emphasize the blonde & blue highlights. i really love the hair - i'm even thinking of getting a body wave or something to create the same look. i think it will be easier to grow out in that fashion as well. *thinking hard about this* any suggestions or opinions?
the makeup (not shown obviously) was done in a palette of gray and silver eye shadows and dark blood red lips on pale powdered skin. i don't wear much makeup anymore these days and so putting on foundation tonight seemed foreign to me. but using more dramatic makeup once again made me appreciate the tools of the trade and the purposes of makeup in general. the skin was smooth and flawless (or at least it looked that way for oh....30 minutes). :p nothing quite like a fully made up face ready to go. i'm glad i took photos before i went out since the oily skin took over not long after that.
i thought for my birthday this year that holding a dance class for about 20+ friends would be a fun idea. since no one has ever really taken dance lessons, i thought this would be a great way to bring the group together to loosen up before dinner. i enlisted the help of my private teacher to teach the class and although i had some people hemming and hawing before the class started, i think for the most part everyone wished the class didn't have to end after an hour. we had my instructor teach us basic salsa in line form and then paired up as a couple. the guys had to rotate around to different girls and i think they all had a blast. or it looked like everyone really enjoyed themselves.
what initially started off as a lot of confused people (especially in the first 10 minutes of class), turned out to be a bunch of real naturals on the dance floor by the time our class ended. i think EVERYONE was a good sport about the class and those who initially were skeptical about the class ended up really giving it their all. i laughed alot during this session but i'm so proud of everyone. :) i found that dancing with a group of friends is just the best. and a whole lotta fun. i wish we could do this all the time. *sigh*
a look at some of the party people:
j & s - i've known s since the bakery days circa 1988. she came
to work at my parent's bakery after she moved to LA from FL. one of the most
amazingly beautiful, smart and caring woman you'll ever meet. j is also such
a sweet and funny guy!
g & v - met g at s's bridal shower 2.5 years ago. g and i just
clicked SO well at the bridal shower that our friendship has grown leaps and
bounds since then. i'm so thankful for being able to meet new friends when
i least expected it. i'm so excited to be attending their wedding this coming
may. this is only the 3rd time i've met v but he is such a gentlemen and so
cordial and friendly!
dkb & fishpimp - met both of these crazy kids in 1997 at my friend's
wedding planning thing. i couldn't stand dkb in the beginning because he and
i argued over the lavender invitations. :p i also thought dkb was gay for
the longest time. fishpimp and i hit it off really well and she has become
of my closest friends ever since.
g B & j - known these two since high school. they are the first
in the group to have a baby! :)
j & b - met these two through g B & j. i originally saw j on
the steps of some restaurant and he was with this chick i couldn't stand (not
b). haha, things have changed alot since then. they are a very sweet and cool
couple to hang with. plus they don't laugh at my mandarin. :x
biohazard girl - known her since jr. high. we go wayyyyy back. she
is part of the sister trio that i love dearly. too bad the other two couldn't
make it tonight. but i'm so glad this one could make it! *hugs*
sriracha and j - met sriracha through s, also fromthe bakery days circa
1988. sriracha and i have a lot of history together. i remember taking her
shopping after our bakery shift for something to wear so we could go clubbing.
she's always been like a little sister to me. j is hands down, one of the
nicest guys i've ever met. if this world had more guys like him, us women
wouldn't have to always bad mouth men so much. haha. :x
c & l - i've known l since elementary school. i actually know l's
sister and met him through her. l and i attended the same elementary, jr.
high, high school and college together! we even carpooled in the 100 degree
heat without a/c. he's a great guy who is so patient whenever i have computer
woes. i'm so happy to be attending their wedding in october. c is always such
a sweet girl as well. i'm so glad they found one another.
after the dancing, we headed to have a dinner at the local chinese restaurant. i ordered a 9/10 course dinner for everyone. there's just something about having a chinese banquet that is the best way to go for a birthday gathering. there's always plenty of good food, everyone walks away stuffed, everyone can talk in the round table seating and it's so affordable. here's a look at the menu:
seven sorts combination platter
crystal prawns with honey glazed walnuts
sauteed scallops with green vegetables
fish maw and corn soup
bei fung tong stir fried crab (spicy!)
peking duck
double mushroom with chinese greens
french style cubed filet of steak
steamed fresh sea fish
i also had pan fried yee-mein and some red bean dessert but i forgot to take a photo. i was a little too busy being the center of attention. *cough*
anyway, i had a fantastic time and it was so nice to catch up with friends. too bad many couldn't make it but oh well - they missed out on a lot of fun. i will post the "loot" and other things about the party in another entry.
thank you to those who came out and made my pre 35 bash so special. i am almost not afraid to face 35 now. *cough*
and thanks to everyone who voted and voiced their opinion on the outfit! i'll have to do that again soon when it's time for my girl's night out. :)
