I celebrated my birthday on Friday. My 39th birthday.
My last birthday in my 30's, with 40 chasing close on my tail.
And I am not sure if it is an unconscious desire to retain my youth and vitality, but as I get older, all I want to do to celebrate my birthday is act as immaturely as I possibly can.
And the older I get, the worse I want to behave!
No staid, polite dinner parties quaffing wine wines and discussing politics and foreign films for me.
I want to channel my inner troubled teen, get pickled, dance on bars, laugh with strangers and enjoy my birthday with great pals listening to great music.
This year was to be no exception, with the gang and I heading to the bright lights of the city to catch a fave old band of mine, The Fratelli's, for some shimmying and shaking, bopping and grooving. It had been perfectly providential that The Fratelli's were playing their one and only Melbourne show on my birthday.
A show just for me! Thanks guys!
With brilliant gifts like my amazing Dangerfield dress with the beautiful tropical print that I wore on the night (I had been eyeballing it for ages and it just happened to go on sale before my birthday - yay!),
and this awesome, one of a kind barbie ring, combined with a night of fun and frivolity, I don't mind having to get that little bit older.
Yes, when I look in the mirror I see a head speckled with grey and a face with a few more lines around the eyes and mouth. The body I look at is fuller and my mind feels a great deal fuzzier.
But for each of those lines is a smile or a laugh that created it, each grey hair an experience that shaped the person I am today, and each lump and bulge on my body is a badge of honour from babies and battles fought and won.
I can't say that I will not be a neurotic, blubbering mess when 40 finally catches me, but for now I feel happy, serene and satisfied with my age and the life I have lived to get to this number.
I have a wonderful family and friends to thank for my happiness, but I also have so many of you out there to thank for my age acceptance (nay, age celebration!), because I never knew there were so many unbelievably inspiring, funny, wise and beautiful ladies out there who did not let age dictate how fabulous they could be.
So, to you ladies, I raise my glass full of birthday cheer, and say thank you!
Happy birthday, Brooke! Really, getting older (though 39 hardly qualifies, you know!) is no big deal, and way better than then alternative! Good to known you enjoyed yourself, sounds like a brilliant night, and your tropical frock is divine. The Barbie head ring is insane!
ReplyDeleteDon't sweat 40 - life begins then! xxx
Thanks! Getting older is better than the alternative -very true. So far I am quite looking forward to 40 and the big bash I plan to throw. All I know is that I definitely don't want to act my age! XXX
DeleteHappy Birthday, beautiful Brooke. The Fratellis, booze and a Barbie ring sounds like the perfect way to celebrate a birthday. I've nearly 9 years on you and the day I celebrate with a dinner party will be the day I chuck myself in the canal. Outrageous behaviour all the way! xxxx
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was a great way to celebrate and am glad to know there are others who abhor staid dinner parties too. Here's to outrageous behaviour! XXX
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ReplyDeleteI'm with Vix on this. My 40th feels like it was around 5 minutes ago, yet somehow I'm 48? Confuscious Caira say: use the years well, savour them and enjoy every one...in the way you want!
ReplyDeleteI Don't give giving a hoot about not being an Architect in a suit anymore. I have hair and clothes as *I* like them again & getting the Bass guitars out for the first time in years; ready for getting on the road again. Mid life crisis? Nope. Mid life awakening :) Happy birthday x
Wise words! I love the idea of a mid life awakening and think that age shouldn't mean anything to person who lives each day to the fullest. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes and for stopping by. XXX
DeleteUnendingly joyful birthday wishes, sweet Brooke!!! I'm gearing up to enter my 30s this year and am looking to them in a way I don't think I've yearned for a new age since I hit 18. It's not that I want to be older (who does?), but I've really liked the changes in my life in recent years, and more over the kind of person I've grown into and continue to become, and have a powerful feeling that the next decade of my life is going to be far better than the last (at least on some fronts). Very early youth has its perks for sure, but so does having a plan for your life, loving yourself, and having grown more comfortable in your own skin, all things that typically only come with age.
ReplyDeleteYou don't, I should mention, look even remotely close to 39, gorgeous lady. Had you said you were younger than me, I'd have believed it in a heartbeat. Clearly loving vintage must have a youth retaining property! :)
♥ Jessica
Thanks so much for the lovely birthday wishes and the compliments. One thing I have learnt is that being happy always makes a person look better ( and kind lighting! and good makeup!). My 30's have been the best years of my life - I realised who I really was, got married, had kids and generally got comfortable in my skin. XXX
DeleteHappy Birthday dear Brooke. You are just a baby with so much to come your way.
ReplyDeleteLove your dress and your unique DIY, yeahhhhhhhhhhhh
Love and sunshine in your soul ALWAYS
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Thanks so much dear lady! XXX
DeleteHappy Belated Birthday you gorgeous woman!!!!!!!!!!!!! the Barbie ring is fabulous and perfect for 39, and of course The Fratelli's! I held a couple of small dinner parties years ago, way too formal, I got completely hammered and giggly! haven't done one since, phew! x x x
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!! Was a great night and definitely the way I like to celebrate. I have tried some dinner parties, but I was sooooo bored! And so had to get really drunk too! XXX
DeleteSo great you do Birthdays your way!! And it's the BEST excuse to be a little silly and to dress up as fabulously as you did!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how wild you get when you turn 80!! Hope you had a fabulous night xx
trishhunterfinds.com.au xx
The perfect excuse to get dolled up and act immaturely! I may have to start planning my 80th - it is going to be a doozy! XXX
DeleteHello Brooke,
ReplyDeleteReaching the grand old age of 39 does not, where we are looking from, in any way class you as getting old. Far from it.......indeed, that birthday is but a distant memory for us! Indeed, everything seems to be a distant memory these days!!
Whatever, you look totally fabulous in your tropical print frock. Wonderful colours and it fits you like a dream. We are certain that you would have stunned everyone in sight as you hit the city lights.
And, how right you are that at whatever age one finds oneself, it is so important to try and reach an inner peace and calm. A life lived happily is a life lived well. We have signed up as followers!
Thanks so much for stopping by and your wonderful comments. Age is just a number isn't it - as long as we are happy and satisfied with our lot, living each day to the fullest, then that is all that matters. Ooohh, I must have gained some wisdom with my new age!
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