It’s official – I’m 30!!  Let’s be honest, I was always kind of scared of turning 30 (jokingly, I asked one of my friends a few hours before the party if she was “coming to my funeral…to mourn my youth!”) 😉 It’s like the fun part of your life is over…or so I thought.  But if you can’t stay 29 forever, having a french fête was definitely the way to ring “30” in — topped off with amazing family, friends and friendors!  I have a feeling this is going to be the best year (or decade!) yet.  I’m so blessed and fortunate to be in love with my job, clients, our new home, checking MANY items off my career bucket list lately (big news to come there later!) and this has been THE most incredible year with the addition of our little one (who was the most popular photobooth prop of the night, by the way 🙂 ) Needless to say my heart is full and the best is yet to come, for sure.  CHEERS TO 30 YEARS!

Here are some party pics from #julies30thbistrobash at Society Fair in Old Town, Alexandria.  A HUGE thank you to my hubby for coordinating such a splendid party (he learns from the best – what can I say!)  He insisted on me not being too involved, which was REALLY hard…of course he tried, but I snuck a little input in here and there 😉  We couldn’t have done it without the amazing BILL from Edge Floral Design (his beret-wearing and bouquet making skills were a huge hit!)  Everyone got beautiful bouquets from his gorg french style flower market display upon departure.  We owe all the lovely photos to Lisa from Abby Jiu Photography, and the FUN photobooth (which you’ll see some photos mixed in below here) to David @ Social Light Photo.  Erica, the lovely accordionist, serenaded us with classic french chanson – thank you SO much to Bon Musique/Elan Artists for sending her our way – they always have the most amazing talent.

Sarah Bohl’s calligraphy is always superb and she contributed all the cute little food and drink signs, as well as some of the photo prop signs (en français!)  Jenn & Jules Design did an awesome job on our lasercut drink stirrers (oui, cheers + merci!) which they got to me in record time from Cali (they’re not only talented, but super reliable and professional!)  Thanks a million to Anna (so glad to have you on board with SME this year!) for coordinating all the vino selections, shipping, etc. from her brother’s wine store in TN as well as overseeing setup.  Of course, we owe the fun birthday cake to Buttercream Bakeshop (lemon cake with elderflower buttercream and blackberry compote to be exact…nom nom!) Tiffany and Alex are truly talented (as you’ve seen at some of our weddings!) and we can’t wait for their delicious bakery to open soon in DC.  Society Fair did all the dark choc cupcakes with sprinkle macarons, Restaurant Eve’s famous mini pink birthday cakes (and were even willing to customize it to a less sweet/almond version for me, so accommodating!)  They of course, did all the savory food + drinks as well (The C’est La Vie Sparkler and Mon Amour Mocktail were a hit for sips, as well as the traditional french “Moules + Frites” Bar (that’s mussels and fries, for those of you who took spanish instead of french!)   Finally, as a nod to my fave cake growing up (ice cream cake, duh!) we had an ice cream sprinkle cake from Kilwin’s (where everything is homemade in store) which was DELISH.


xo