Birthday love

Some birthday things I'm thankful for

Last week, I entered my last year as a twenty-something. Dios mio! Actually I'm not too freaked out about it. What keeps me from succumbing to the "oh woe is me" of being almost-thirty? Friends, well-wishes, and some seriously lovely gifts that deserve a shout out. Maybe they'll inspire your future gift-giving endeavors, too. 

First of all, here's to Adam who gave me an adorable mint green trash can (trash cans can be adorable!) filled with colorful balled up paper hiding not trash, but treasures: gift cards to my favorite shops, fridge magnets, one of those fancy candles you can never justify buying for yourself, and a teensy Totoro keychain. It was a super cute idea and a great way to gift a bunch of little stuff. So if you're stumped for one sizable present for your S.O., find a unique way to gift assorted of little presents. Trash can anyone? 

Across the miles, my dear friend Rachel sent me a tiny box for tiny treasures, as she aptly named it. She made it herself! It's so charming. What is it about tiny things? Like, tiny succulents, tiny bud vases... Want to make someone happy on their birthday? Give them something tiny. Or homemade. Lucky for me, Rachel's gift was both! 

My so-sweet coworker Jenny gifted me a Milwaukee handkerchief, which will need to be framed or turned into a pillow. This hand-drawn illustration of Milwaukee (from HANmade Milwaukee) can be found in a lot of local boutiques in the form of a notebook, puzzle, apron, pillow cover, and of course handkerchief. Jenny actually used the handkerchief as the wrapping for other goodies: essential oils! I get headaches, and peppermint essential oil is really soothing. I used to borrow Jenny's peppermint oil at work — now I won't have to! 

Then there's my out-of-this-world coworker Pete who made (yes, made!) me this Planet Kelsey leather-bound journal. I am still floored by his insane talents. Pete makes Harry Potter wands, complete with velvet-lined boxes. He makes wooden Kubb sets (Kubb is a Viking lawn game — neat!). He makes all kinds of magical things — and he made me a journal! I die. If you're as obsessed with this piece of functioning art as I am, let me know — maybe I can hook you up with Pete.

Anyway, this post wasn't meant to be brag-y — just to say how incredibly grateful I am to have these awesome, thoughtful people in my life. And there are a bunch more of you: the card senders, the Facebook wall posters, the voicemail leavers, the texters, the visitors who came bearing aged Manchego and pink tulips — I'm thankful for all of you! I hope everyone can be so lucky. The birthday love really does make it easier to be almost-thirty. Bring it on.