Birthday Girl’s Royal Treatment

I’ve always found that birthdays are overrated.  We spend all this time planning how we want to celebrate, and then most of the time our plans don’t live up to our jacked up expectations.  Not to mention, the phone doesn’t stop ringing, and the messages just keep building up on your wall and inbox, from all the family, friends, frenemies, acquaintances, exes, and social media strangers, all eager to remind you that you’re no longer a spring chicken.  Well this year was no different.  My birthday fell on a thursday, and I was anticipating being depressed all day while my hubby was at work, and another regular day just passed me by.  But hubby had a trick up his sleeve, and I suppose the best way to exceed one’s expectations, is when you have none to begin with.  So, here is a recap of the best birthday I can remember in years…

The Surprise:

Knowing that he wouldn’t be available on my day, hubby provided strict instructions (and supplies) the night before; an early portion of my gift in the form of shiny new flip flops (and what girl doesn’t have a flip flop fetish, right?).  He told me to be ready to go, in comfy clothes and my new flips, at 11am sharp.  He even arranged a sitter to watch the kids.  I had no idea what was happening, but the element of surprise, and the fact that he had an accomplice, sure made a girl feel special.  When the doorbell rang at 11 and I opened it to see one of my favourite gals, Carli, I could not have been happier.  We hopped in her car and headed downtown to our first destination.

Her Majesty’s Pleasure:

As a work at home mama, I tend to fall out of the loop sometimes when it comes to what’s trending in the city, so when we arrived at Her Majesty’s Pleasure, I had no idea what we were in for… heaven!  This King street beauty bar is exactly what it claims to be, a lavish nail shop, and a fully stocked bar, all wrapped into one pretty package.  First I relaxed in a Muskoka chair and sipped a refreshing cucumber cocktail while having my toes done, and then moved on to round 2 (manicures) at the classy marble bar, complete with high-top leather chairs, and servers offering fresh baked treats from Colette Grand Cafe.  Of course, hubby paid for everything in advance, so I could just sit back and enjoy the pampering.  Once our nails dried, we strolled a block over to the rooftop patio at Gusto 101 for a nice Italian lunch, complete with a perfect pitcher of sangria, before heading to our next appointment.

Blo:

If you’re on the King West scene, then you already know about this spot, but for the mama’s like me (who basically live in yoga pants with apple sauce stains), nothing makes me feel sexier than a blow dry.  Blo Blow Dry Bar is a one-stop hair-do spot for the downtown gal on the go.  All I had to do was consult their menu, choose a look, and then it was wash, blow, and go!  The menu choices ranged with descriptive illustrations and titles to match, like the “High Society”, the “Holly Would”, and the “Executive Sweet” (and even included braids and simple up-dos).  I literally felt like a kid in a candy store.  I finally settled on the “Red Carpet” and watched the ladies work their magic.

By the time Carli dropped me off back at home, I felt like a new woman.  Nails did, hair did, feeling spoiled, and looking younger than a day before.  I changed into an outfit I recently purchased from PLRG (and was saving for a special occasion), dabbed on a touch of mascara, and when hubby pulled into the driveway, I was ready for our dinner date, and feeling like a celebrity.  And although we weren’t hitting the red carpet, after a day of royal treatment, I truly felt like her majesty, and it was all my pleasure!