Hello friends, happy Sunday! I’m going to be a bit different than usual today on the blog.
(First things first. Yes, this is me on the picture, obviously. And yes, this is probably one of the most glorious cakes you’ll ever see).
I only do this once a year, and let’s be honest, once a year, I’m allowed to be completely selfish and be all about me, myself and I. I should be able to anytime since this is my blog, right? ANYWAY. Last year, I realized that I wrote a blog post that both made me feel empowered and happy about what I had done so far with my years, when I talked about accomplishments. This year, I’m going to focus on the year that’s passed.
In case you didn’t guess it already, today’s my birthday. I’m turning 24.
I don’t know how I feel about that. Old? Young? Over my head with adulting? All of the above?! Let’s focus on the things that happened in my 23rd year, shall we.
Things I did at 23.
I traveled a lot, both in France (Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux, Dijon, Strasbourg, Gérardmer)
And in other countries : Geneva (Switzerland), Dublin, Belfast (Ireland), Kehl (Germany)
That being said, I probably took the train approximately one billion times, same for the car, and twice the plane.
I embraced my inner Nick Miller more than once.
I bought LOTS of books. Probably close to 100? I can’t even guess. My bank account hates me.
I ate a lot. AS ANYONE SHOULD. #foodislife
I had my first happy new years’ kiss. (so what.)
I finished writing the WIP I’ve been working on for over two years. (now editing #notready)
Oh, look, here’s my Nick Miller again. (also valid for the whole of 2016 – 2017 on the planet. ugh.)
I signed my first permanent contract at my current job. (adulting sucks)
I read probably close to 100 books.
I celebrated two years of blogging. YEAR THREE IN ABOUT A MONTH, WHAT?!!
I fell in love with my hometown again.
I got disappointed by people. As always.
Oh, look. Here was my inner-Nick Miller taking over again.
I found amazing friends in unexpected places. Blogging places. This is a shout-out and I hope you’ll recognize yourself here.
I obsessed about The Bold Type a whole lot. But it’s SUCH A GOOD SHOW??!!!
I drank approximately 400 cups of tea.
I got invited to a wedding on a THURSDAY. #why
I actually went to a wedding (on a saturday #goodlogic).
I probably obsessed too much about blogging.
AND I’m probably forgetting tons of things. Not much happened this year.
I don’t know if this year was filled with accomplishments or not. I don’t really know what to make of it. It was both good and bittersweet, worth crying over and gushing over. I feel like I’m supposed to get my sh*t together now… I’ll turn to the wise Nick Miller and hope he will guide me here.
I apologize for the New Girl references. Nick Miller’s cool.
I shall go and eat cake now. #birthdayobligations
When’s your birthday, friends?
What’s one thing you’ve done this year that you’re pretty proud of? A lot of reading? A lot of blogging? A lot of traveling? A lot of, well, whatever you’re loving?
Do you like Nick Miller / New Girl? Who’d be your spirit animal in tv shows/books, the wise one you relate to/ take advice from? I would love to hear from you, so let me know in comments!
Thank you to the lovely Grace’s blog for the inspiration for this post.
Congrats on surviving another year and hope ye thrive in this one. Arrrr!
x The Captain
Ahah thank you so, so much, let’s hope so! <3
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU LOVELY HUMAN BEING. I turned eighteen last week! October is clearly the best month for birthdays. I graduated from high school, wrote the first draft of a novel, and travelled on my own more or less for a month. It was a terrifying but exciting year and I”m ready for nineteen (no I’m not). Anyway have a GREAT DAY and eat lots of cake and thanks for sharing your year! I’m glad you had such a good one <3 <3
AHH RIGHT HAPPY BIRTHDAY (AGAIN? I feel like I wished it already, but if I forgot, you’re free to blame me and be mad. I’m sorry. I hope you had a fabulous day <3 <3)
I feel like October is THE month for bloggers' birthdays? I know at least 5 other bloggers with a birthday this month ?
WOW, you had such an amazing year, Shanti! And eighteen is a GREAT age, not to worry, you're not quite crumbling under responsibilities and fun's on its way, I'm sure of it 🙂
Thank you so, so much <3 <3 <3
Happy Birthday Marie 🙂
Aww thank you so much! <3 <3
Happy birthday Marie! If I had to pick a TV character that I’d like to be I think it would be Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She’s strong, pretty, kicks butt and has a great group of best friends who always stand by her. Of course, I don’t want to live in a world with vampires, demons, etc. but for a good group of friends…. maybe? I hope this next year brings you joy, laughter, and many great books to read!
Aw thank you so much for yur sweet words, Deborah! <3 <3
Buffy is such a great choice – and, well…if you'll have a world with vampires and demons, you'll kick their asses anyway, right? 😛
Happy birthday!!
It sounds like you had a pretty great year. I love all of the Nick Miller references!
Aww thank you so much, Kristin! <3 I'm so glad you love Nick as well, he's such a fun character, right? ?
Happy Birthday!
Thank you so much!! <3
I’m jealous of all your traveling– the pictures are gorgeous! Lyon is perhaps my favorite city in all of France. Congrats on finishing your WIP! Editing is always the stage I get stuck at 😉
My Sunday post
Ohhh, you’ve been to France already? Which cities have you been to? 🙂 Lyon is so pretty, I have to agree with you here 🙂
Thank you! I hope I won’t be too stuck when I’m ready to edit ahah 🙂
Wow! So many amazing things and so many accomplishments ? happy birthday!! ? and by the way, you’re allowed to let things be all about you more than once a year!
Aww, thank you so, so much, Shanah <3 and thank you for the reminder ahah, maybe I should be more selfish at times ? <3
Yes! You should be……. says the girl who thinks of everyone else before herself. I should take my own advice lol
Hahaha, well…we need to remind each other to be more selfish, at times, 😛
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope it’s fantastic 😀 October is the best birthday month. Maybe I’m biased cause mine is 10/7 but I love having my birthday in October :3
Ohh thank you, Amber!! And happy belated birthday, hope had an amazing one! <3 Yes ahah, a birthday in October is pretty cool, isn't it ?
Happy Birthday!
Thank you so much! <3 <3
Happy birthday!! ????????
It sounds like you had a pretty great year! K hipe this one is even better.
Thank you so, so much, Lenna!! <3 <3 Let's hope so <3
Happy birthday, hope you enjoy being 24 🙂 I personally don’t care about age anymore. I never went through any “I now feel like an adult” phase at 18 so don’t really care about age as long as the year is good, lol (got my birthday in less than a month 😮 ). 🙂
Thank you so much! <3 I'm trying not to care about it either…for now, it's okay ahah, I'll see when I get older, past the twenties probably ahah. OHHH yay, that's so exciting! I hope you'll have an amazing birthday! 😀 (I have the memory of a goldfish, so I will probably forget. On which day is it? 🙂 )
Thanks 🙂 It’s on the 13th November so looking forward to it 😀 !
Ohhh so soon – that’s great! 😀
AWWWW MARIE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET GIRL!!! ??? You did so many amazing things (especially getting disappointed by people) this year and you should definitely be proud of all that. Wishing you another year of travels & food & books & writing & TV shows & happiness!! I HOPE YOU HAVE A FABULOUS BIRTHDAY YOU AMAZING LITTLE MANGO, AND MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE. ????
AWWW May, thank you so, so much for your sweet words, let’s hope this year will be even better ahah <3 <3 You are the sweetest!!
Happy Birthday!!!! My Birthday is November 21st 🙂 Hmmmmm something I’ve done this year that I’m proud of? That’s a tough question….probalby blogging. I just recently started to be active on my blog and I haven’t been this proud of my blog in who knows how long! I’ve done a lot of blogging in the past two months and I’ve done a lot of reading this year. I’ve read 66 books and I’m not done yet! I’m super happy that I passed my goal of 65 🙂 I traveled to Canada for two months which was fun! I would love to go to Germany and I’m trying to learn the language but I suck at it.
Thank you so much! Ohh, that’s so soon, it’s great!! ?
I’m so happy you have done so much blogging this year and read so much as well – it’s so great to be proud of everything you’ve accomplished ?
And Canada, wow, that’s so great. I dream of going there someday.
German is such a hard language to learn ahah, I get it… I never quite managed to learn it right – but you can do this!! ?
Yeah I’ve always wanted to learn a language and I’ve always struggled with it, but hopefully I’ll figure it out one day haha. Canada was very beautiful too 😀
I hope you will – languages are quite difficult to learn, but it’s not impossible 😀
Yes so true! 🙂
Ah, happy birthday, Marie! My birthday is December 7, and I’ll be turning 17 (which is crazy to me)! ? I think this year can clearly be defined by blogging, since this is when I really started to blog, and I’ve grown so much! I’ve learned how to make graphics, joined social media, gained 1,000 blog followers! It’s been a journey, for sure! ❤️
Aww thank you so much, Mikaela! <3 Ohhh 17 is such an amazing age!, please enjoy it ahah <3
It's incredible how much you've grown, in so little time. You must hold some kind of record! I'm so glad you're enjoying it, it's an amazing journey, that's for sure ?
Happy birthday, Marie!!! <3 It sounds like you've had a great year, done amazing things and accomplished a lot. The Bold Type is amazing and everyone has an inner Nick Miller (or anyone who is awesome), haha! Hope you got lots of nice gifts and had a great day! 🙂
Ohh thank you so much! <3 <3
I'm SO glad to hear you love The Bold Type as well – it's such a great show, I'm glad it's renewed for two other seasons and I can't WAIT to see what happens to these fabulous girls next. I love them <3
Thank you!! <3 <3
AHHH HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE!!! <3 <3 *sends you confetti and cake and virtual gifts* I've missed youuuuuuu, I haven't talked to you in so long and this post was so, so lovely!! ALL THAT FOOD. I AM PROUD OF YOU, GIRL. 😉 Those pancakes. That ice cream. The cake… *dies* And those are all such incredible photos!! You traveled so much, that is truly incredible. 😀 And eeepp yes!! The Bold Type is SO GREAT and I love it and I'm so glad YOU love it because it's great. Anyway, I hope you have an AMAZING 24th birthday and eat lots of cake!! #theonlywaytoadult <3 <3 Much love!!
Thank you so, so much Analee! <3 <3 It's been so long, I've missed you, hope you're doing well? <3 <3
Aww, thank you so, so much <3 YES, the Bold Type is SO good, isn't it <3
Happy Birthday!
I feel like Nick Miller is your mid-late 20’s and even your early 30’s… personified. I need to watch that show again lol!
I’m so jealous of all the traveling you go to do but if I’m being honest 23-28 were some great years for me. Now at 32 I still don’t at all have my shit together (and a lot of my friends can relate to this as well, well those who don’t have kids anyway) and I have no flipping idea what to do for my birthday’s anymore.
Oh god, is this what getting old is like?!
I hope you have just as many adventures at 24!
Thank you so much!! <3 Ahah yes, that show is so much fun – and Nick is just so relatable. <3
Ahhaha, it's just so hard to try and figure things out. I felt like it would be SO much easier when I was younger. Oh, well, we just gotta keep on going, right? 😛
Thank you! <3 <3
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
I hope you have had an amazing day, you have done so many amazing things already and I can’t wait to see where your year of 24 takes you and the adventures you are going to get on. So proud of how much you’ve achieved already and i’m so grateful to have you in my life!
‘I don’t dance, i’m from that town in footloose’ – Nick Miller (gotta end this comment in sync with my sis!)
AWWW thank you so much, Hannah!! <3 (LOVE that Nick quote haha) I'm so grateful to have you in my life as well <3
Happy birthday, Marie! It’s so nice to be able to look back at the year and remember all the fun times you’ve had. Best wishes for a fabulous year ahead!
Thank you so much, Angela! It is fun to look back…anad looking forward will be just as fun, I hope, 🙂
Happy Birthday Marie! ♥️?? You did so much traveling this year… that has to be really exciting… AND finishing your first draft… I would be OVER THE WORLD! I am pretty excited at seeing the end of the year because then it means I’ve been back at blogging for a year! My birthday is actually close… Nov 3rd! This was a lovely way to celebrate your birthday on the blog!!
Thank you so much, Dani, that’s so sweet! <3 <3 Ohhh, blogging for a year, and a birthday so close – this is so great, Dani, you must be so excited about it 🙂
Happy birthday, Marie!! ❤️❤️
Oh I would like to hug you right now and make all those negative feelings/insecurity go away – you sure accomplished a lot last year! Don’t ever doubt that! And you will absolutely accomplish a lot more this year (or rather, I’m sure you already did considering it’s almost over).
So yeah, don’t beat yourself up, enjoy the little things on life and just have fun! Everything else can wait ?
Oh, Sophie, thank you so, so much – and I’ll take the hugs ahah, thank you for your sweet words and your support <3 <3 You're the best! <3
You’re very welcome, hon! ❤️❤️❤️
Hello Marie!
Happy birthday!! <3 It's awesome to read about the amazing things that you've done this past year! I loved looking at your travel photos! Congrats on signing your first permanent contract! And for reading 100 books!
I was also invited to a wedding on a Thursday (morning) – thankfully I had half the day off from work 🙂 It was the smallest and sweetest wedding at city hall – just the bride, groom, my fiance and I.
There are a lot of things that I am proud of this year (I am 26- it's scary how time flies! and yes, adulting sucks!) One thing that I learned is to do what I want to do and not care about what others think 🙂
Oh thank you so, so much, Sophie <3
Ohh, that's so great – it must have been such a sweet event. It's a bit weird when it's organized right in the middle of the week, though – especially when, like me, you just can't make yourself available when it's thousand of miles away :/
OH this is SUCH a great life lesson. I need to remember that ahah <3 <3
Yes it was a very sweet event 🙂 We lived in the same city so the timing worked out. I definitely wouldn’t have made it if it were a long distance away- that would require at least a weekend!
Haha I’ve grown thicker skin over the years (because of work and adulting lol!) but I think it’s hard to ignore what people think 100%. It is in our nature to care what people think, and I think it’s ok as long as we don’t let it affect us too much 🙂
Yeah, you’re so right about this. I know I need to work on this for sure. Thank you, Sophie. I’ll know I have to turn to you for advice on that ahah <3
Not sure if my comment went through so here it is again! (Sorry if you get two similar comments haha :’) )
It was a sweet event! I was glad that my friends wedding was in the same city, if it were far away I definitely wouldn’t have made it on a weekday (that would require a weekend at least haha)
I’ve grown a thick skin because of work and adulting haha… but I think it’s human to care a bit about what people think. The important part is to not let it affect us too much 🙂
Ahah it went through – and no need to apologize, you’re always so sweet, Sophie, thank you for your sweet words <3
Haha, okay 🙂 Sometimes the wordpress app tricks me!
Sometimes, the wordpress app tricks everyone… it’s being SO weird at times hahaha.
Belated birthday wishes. I am glad you had a lovely year. Travelling broadens the mind and personality. And congrats about finishing your work in progress. Good luck towards editing it.
Oh thank you so, so much for your sweet words <3 <3
I HAVE SO MUCH APPRECIATION FOR ALL THE NICK MILLERING YOU HAVE DONE.
Also, happy birthday! It sounds like you’ve had a fully excellent 23rd year and I hope you have many desirable adventures in your 24th! 😀
Aww thank you, Amber! Nick Miller is quite awesome, isn’t he 😛
Happy birthday!!! I loved this post! My birthday is in a few weeks, and it’s making me think of the stuff I accomplished (or not!) in the past year. Also, I am with you on The Bold Type. Hope you enjoyed the cake! 🙂
Ohh thank you so, so much! 🙂 I’m so glad this made you think and I hope you had a fabulous year 🙂
Thank you for your sweet words! xx
Super ultra happy birthday! I turned 24 back in May and let me tell you, it felt like my official jump into adulthood. Not 18. Not 21. Not when I graduated from college or got married. For some reason the 2 next to the 4 is what made me feel old. IDK.
I’m pretty envious by all your travel excursions. It seems like you’ve had an eventful year!
I hope this next year treats you well. 🙂
(also I got married on a Friday and felt a little bad, but we really wanted it to be on the 18th because we were both born on the 18th)
Oh thank you so, so much Emily! Well… what you’re saying doesn’t feel weird at all ahah, I’m starting to feel like I’m supposed to be an adult now, right now, and… I don’t like it one bit hahaha 😛
Oh, I understand – if you have a special day and date in mind to celebrate, might as well do it the way that makes you happy <3 <3
Happy Birthday!! This is a fabulous post, and yes, Nick is fabulous too. I am so jealous of all the traveling you did. I have been a few places, but there is so much more I would love to see.
Ohh thank you so, so much <3 <3 That's so sweet of you. I hope you will be able to travel a bit again soon! 🙂
Oh happy birthday Marie! 😀 I’m a day late now but I hope you had an incredible day, and I hope you have an incredible year of being 24 still to come! 😀 <3
My birthday for the year has been and gone, I'm a June baby, but to be honest I tend to not celebrate that much (it was just another day this year). I love how you've done this post for your birthday. It's a great way to mark the year and wow it seems like you got plenty done as well. I can't imagine a wedding on a weekday, though I guess they do happen, and your cake looks amazing too. I'm sure it was even more yummy than it looks. 🙂
Again happy birthday, here's to a great year ahead, and just so I'm not a day late next time I'll wish you a happy almost-three-year-blogiversary as well! 😀 <3
Oh thank you so much, Beth!! <3 <3
I understand, I still like to mark the occasion on my blog in some way, but…the older I get, the more bothered I get about getting older hahaha.
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Beth <3 <3
That’s all right! 😀 <3
I think this was a great way to mark the occasion, and a great way to look back and see all you've accomplished over the year as well. May have to steal this idea for my next birthday if you don't mind. 🙂
<3
Ohh yes, please do! I would LOVE to read a post like that on your blog as well 🙂
In that case I’ll have something ready for my birthday next year! 😀 ❤️
Yay! I can’t wait ? ?
Happy birthday Marie! You’re such a sweet awesome person! I loved seeing your travel pics, and that cake looks amazing! My birthday is in june 3rd. So, halfway there XD I’ll be 22 next year, which is… strange. Cheers to more years of reading!
Oh thank you so, so much, Pam, <3 <3 Oh it's so strange, getting older ahah, but 22 is a great age, it was for me so hopefully it will be just as great for you 😀 Thank you xx
Happy belated birthday. You are having a great year so far.
Oh thank you so much! <3 <3
Aww happy birthday!!! And this was such an awesome post! You did so many cool things and travelled to so many amazing places and 100 books (wow!)- so go you!! hehehe those Nick Miller gifs are perfect!
Ohh thank you so, so much!! <3 I'm so glad you enjoyed this post <3
You’re very welcome!! <3
Happy birthday (and upcoming blogoversary)! Looks like you had a pretty good year all the way around. Traveling is always nice, and of course food! Especially new food in new places.
Hope the next year is great as well!
Thank you so much, Greg! Oh yes, travelling is the best – after books, obviously 🙂
Thank you! xx
I’m late to the party but belated haaaaappy birthday!! <3
Ohh thank you so much, Poulami! <3 <3
Yay! Happy Happy Birthday to one of the best people I have the pleasure of knowing ? I really hope you had a wonderful day and that you enjoyed that delicious looking cake!
Also I love this post idea SO much and I love all your Nick GIFs and you’re absolutely right, he is the best. All those travel and food photos ? Totally jealous, but also totally happy you enjoyed your year of being 23 and did so many amazing things and saw so many great places. I hope the rest of this year is just as amazingly awesome as you are ?
Aww thank you, Michelle! <3 That's so sweet, you're one of the BEST people I know and I'm so glad you're here <3
Oh yes, let's hope the rest of the year turns out good ahah 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday, Marie! I celebrated my birthday on October 10 and I really had a great time! 🙂
Ohhhhh HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! Yay, you’re an October baby, just like me <3 I'm so glad you had a great time <3
Thank you! xx
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, MARIE!!! I hope you had an amazing day! I’m so happy I found your blog; I absolutely love your blog posts and you seem like such a wonderful person! <3
PS. That food looks AMAZING *_*
PPS. One thing I'm proud of this year is how often I've stepped outside of my comfort zone. I've struggled with bad anxiety the last few years, but this year I've really tried going more places by myself and doing things my anxiety has prevented me from doing in the past…it's been great. I'm really proud of myself! XD
Ohhh thank you so, so much, Kyra!! I’m so happy to have met you, you’re such an amazing person overall and I’m always looking forward to talk with you <3
OH YAY – I'm so proud of you too <3 I'm glad you managed to step out of your comfort zone, it's hard at times, but when you do, it feels so good. <3 I'm so proud of you, yay!! <3
Happy Belated Birthday! Sounds like a wonderful year, specially all the travel! I am jealous.
And never ever apologize for the Nick Miller spam. Nick Miller is wonderful and I related to every single gif. I have been told I am an odd mix of Nick and Schmidt, whatever that is supposed to mean. Haha.
Awww thank you!! xx
Hahaha, well… I think that both Nick and Schmidt are pretty cool, so I’d say it means you’re just as awesome 😛
Why thank you 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday Marie!! <3 ?
It seems like you had a mostly great year! It's amazing that you got to travel that much and explore new places. It must have been exiting! 😀 My birthday was back in May. I have been blogging for over two years and I honestly have no idea how that much time has passed?! Also, all of your food pictures made me extremely hungry so thank you for that! ?
AWww thank you so much, Anna! <3 <3
It's crazy, right, when you realize just how long you've been blogging? I can't believe how long I've been blogging either ??
Ahah, you're so welcome ?
I think I wished you a happy birthday on Instagram? Or Twitter? I have a vague memory of wishing you a happy birthday somewhere, but I’m going to do it again: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MARIE. I think this year has definitely been filled with accomplishments: you’ve blogged succesfully, finished a WIP, travelled a lot… I’d say you had a pretty good year and I hope your 24th year will be even better ❤️
Haha yes you did, I can’t remember where but I remember you for sure 😛 THANK YOU AGAIN for your sweet words!! <3 <3