a birthday to remember

i can't remember the last birthday where i was actually home willingly. my husband knows me well and always plans for me to be on some sort of adventure - whether it is in an a-frame in mt. rainier, on a plane to rome, or in the woods of big sur. i love to be somewhere to mark a new year.

this year my friend eliza from hopewell workshop and i decided to have a joint party together. we told our husbands and they took over!

what followed was one of the best nights i've ever had. sitting in the big, beautiful barn at the lombardi house on a warm los angeles evening surrounded by candle light and the laughter of friends, well it gives me goose bumps to think about it. some of my oldest friends were there and i was just reminded of how far we have come. the kinship we have created together. there is nothing more in this world than feeling that sense of accomplishment. the intangible moments of friendship and camaraderie.

when i was in ojai a few weeks before the party i had mentioned to some friends that it would be fun to have dueling banjo players at the party. of course, i was kidding. when i sat down for dinner i was greeted to plucking sounds from both sides of me playing the deliverance tune. i've never seen this movie so i found it hilarious.

i seriously don't need another party like this as long as i live. isn't that a good feeling?

we had a post-summer potluck made amazing by little nelly la  (with the cutest mini cherry pies), flowers by moon canyon, cocktails by pharmacie la, tableware by borrowed blu, a smilebooth, and furniture by my husband's company yeah! rentals and, of course, the gorgeous lombardi house. to see more details from this beautiful evening click here.

all photos by jenn emerling