I used to get bummed about making birthday plans in February. The weather was almost never great and you couldn’t do any of the fun things that spring, summer and fall babies got to do. I think part of it was related to the (mostly self-imposed) pressure of trying to plan the perfect celebration. I’ve come around to appreciating my birthday month and in this season of my life, prefer to do something that’s low-key and intimate. That’s exactly how I celebrated this year.
A birthday carrot cake: Every year, my family gets me carrot cake for my birthday. I love nothing more than a two-layer cake slathered with fluffy cream cheese, moist, slightly spicy and softly crunchy. Sometimes I think about baking my own, but there are so many delicious options out there that I’ve never actually gotten around to doing it. One year, when I returned to work from mat leave, my then-new co-worker brought a mini carrot cake to the office to celebrate and it was truly a love language.
A Pinterest board: Because I was feeling particularly reflective around my birthday, I made a Pinterest board that encompasses a few guiding words, as well as the energy I’d like to harness this month and the year ahead. How did I want to show up this year? How did I want to spend my time?
A birthday gift for me, from me: Every year, I treat myself to something special for my birthday. While I’ve never really been extravagant, it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come (the younger version of me would be proud and could have never imagined!). This year, I’ve been browsing consignment shops for a black leather wallet. I thought I’d scored a Chloe wallet on eBay, but the seller ended up selling it to someone else. Eventually, I found one another great one on Poshmark in a different colour.
A book date at a romance bookstore: When my best friends asked how I’d like to spend my birthday, I told them that I’d like to go on a book date at our local romance bookstore, Hopeless Romantic Books, followed by an early (early being the operative word here!) dinner at Soos, a restaurant I love. It was a cold, blustery evening and we trudged through the snow in Toronto as we went from one place to another. But we browsed books in a cute bookstore, ate a multi-course Malaysian meal, and ended the night by getting cookies to go, so it was perfect in every way that mattered.
A strategically-timed trip: I usually try to plan a February vacation to escape to somewhere warm and sunny so that by the time I get back, spring doesn’t feel like it’s in the distant future. This year’s birthday destination was Singapore where we stayed with family and spent our time eating and exploring. I just got back and 7 PM sunsets are right around the corner!
I’m obsessed with the new Simone Rocha x adidas Originals collaboration and all the beautiful details—the pearl accents, the red ribbon laces, the crystal encrusted socks. It’s how I feel about most Simone Rocha collaborations (I’ve never coveted fancy Crocs before, for example).
The next newsletter will be the February edit with all the things I watched, listened to, read or bought. I’m also planning a guide to Singapore with all the things to eat, shop and do. Lastly, stay tuned for the next Small Joys interview, coming up later this month!
Cinnamon roll, yearning, he falls first—The New York Times did an A to Z guide on all things romance.
15-minute resets to turn around your whole day.
Maximalist dressing is having a moment.
I love this DIY built-in bed nook using IKEA.
BTS begins again: GQ’s cover story about the K-pop group’s long-awaited comeback.
I’m very into a throw-everything-in-it cookie that’s nutrient-dense, too.
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