Oh, to be 30 again!
That was an amazing decade. I got engaged at the top of the Seven Pools in Maui, Hawaii. Married in Dallas. Moved to San Francisco. Bought a beautiful brownstone in Presidio Heights. Decorated it. Tore my ACL skiing in Colorado – had my first (and hopefully last) surgery. Had to cancel a reservation at French Laundry (who does that?!) Sold the brownstone. Moved to New York City. Bought a high rise apartment next door to Julliard. Decorated the apartment. Would see Regis at the Reebok Sports Club across from my building. Walked across Central Park each day to work….2 doors down from Bergdorf Goodman. Explored all areas of the city. Got pregnant. Planned a nursery in the apartment. Husband was transferred to Charlotte, NC, so moved there 6 weeks before baby boy was born. Found new OB/GYN (she was the best one of all). Lived in a temporary, furnished apartment. Dishwasher was so loud we said it was “baling hay”. Bought red brick dream house. Went back to work. Decorated dream house. Spent a New Years Eve in St Barts, a birthday in Savannah, an anniversary in Cabo and finally back to Napa and that meal at French Laundry. Transitioned to stay at home mom. Had 2nd baby boy. Joined playgroups, a bookclub (did we ever really discuss the book?) and a dinner club (miss y’all!). Husband gets job opportunity back in NYC. Sell red brick dream house. We decide we’re heading straight to the suburbs. Find a sweet white house in the cutest neighborhood. Decorate house. Plant pink tulips outside. Made new friends. Thus ended the decade of activity!
I hear that Kate was going to ring in the year with an 80s themed karaoke party, but for some reason decided to keep things low key.
Something tells me the next 10 years of her life will be jam packed with all the best things life has to offer. No need to start off at a break neck speed.
Here’s to you, Kate! Can’t wait to see what you do before you’re 40!
Did you love or are you loving your 30s? Or if you haven’t made it there yet, are you nervous or do you realize it will be the time of your life?!
images: geronimo balloons, confetti systems, style & method
Elizabeth! I feel like I have whiplash after reading about YOUR decade! I cannot imagine even Kate's could be more eventful than yours..WOW it left me speechless!
You have done A LOT in 10 years my friend, and look at that…… writing a blog to tell about it! I can't believe how much you have moved around, and how many homes you have "set up shop in"…I am most impressed and I can feel your spirit and positive energy all the way over here!! Heres to another fabulous and action packed (within reason) decade…cheers!
Happy 30th Kate!
I did love my thirties but I also love where I am at right now. I too de-railed from my full time career in fashion to the Mommy track of twins and moved from the city to the suburbs…although I feel ours is truly a village and love the close knit community and the proximity to NYCity.
All before blogging!
pve
What a great post! And a full life 🙂 I got married when I was 30 too and am enjoying my thirties….but as of the end of this month….only 3 more to go….yikes.
I have one year left of my twenties but am actually looking forward to my thirties! Especially after reading all you did!
The late 20's have been much better than the early 20's, so I fully believe you get better as you age 🙂
I too was engaged at 30, married at 31. I have a feeling the rest of this decade will look a lot like yours did!
It sounds like you've had quite moving years after your 30ies, wow! I'm not there yet, slowly getting closer;) I don't mind getting older. So many things changed past years which I couldn't have expected so I can't even think of what will be awaiting me when I turn 30.
sigh, to be in my 30s…today is my mom's birthday, can't wait to let her know who she shares this date with!
Goodness you were one busy gal in your 30s!
I'm smiling, I can't believe you condensed your 30's in a paragraph, I wonder if I can do that…probably. Loved my 30's and even 40's, not so much my 50's but then again I've only had one year of it so I'll give it a chance.
Enjoy your day!
Debra
What a whirlwind for your 30's! That decade was memorable for me too with some similarities to yours!
xo Cathy
Happy 30th, Kate! Elizabeth, I love hearing the tale of your busy 30s. Mine were also a memorable time – not as much moving around, though, that's for sure. One condo, two houses all in the same city (and two in the same neighborhood). Life now is pretty darn good, too, but I love my 30-something memories.
Have a great week!
I must say I've loved every decade, but have past my 30s and 40s. In my 30s I had a 5 year old and loved staying home and raising her…it was wonderful. But now, I'm getting to enjoy my grandson…such a fun time. So wish you were still in Charlotte – I go there several times a month for my "big city" fix!! Know that seems funny to you now ~
You said it, Elizabeth! TO be 30 again.
You were busier than I was in your 30s. Whew! Finally been topped. Can't beat the French Laundry either. Love Thomas Keller and have all of his books.
Kate is so adorable, and I love watching the family. I hope we will be seeing some little babies.
Have a great Monday.
Tereas
xoxo
My 30's were very exciting. I married in Maui, honeymooned in Maui and San Francisco, bought my homes in the UK (my flat was just next to Kate's late mother-in-law who I saw often), then 5 years later upped sticks and moved first to the island of Mallorca and then to Seville Spain where I still am. Being a Brit I love Kate.Do pop over to my blog and see a previous post written in November which reveals which of our boutique pieces have the Kate Middleton connection 😉
Wow! You got a lot done that decade! at 30, I had baby number 2, then in the years after, opened my own law practice, started blogging, and a zillion other things. They were pretty fabulous, and even though I am just a couple of years out of them now, I agree – how exciting they were.
What a ride Elizabeth! That was fun!
I wish I knew you when you lived in the Bay!!!
I adore Kate!!!
xx
Have to say with the boys a little older and the business growing daily, I'm actually enjoying my 40's (though my 30's were pretty busy, too!)
xxoo
Love your 30's recap, Elizabeth. You had a lot of chages. I'm in my 40's and it's the best decade so far! It just keeps getting better!
I saw the Princess Di Exhibit over the weekend which had me thinking of Kate at every turn! xx
I think my thirties were the most eventful and most fun too!
OH MY GOSH, Elizabeth, that was like a Disneyland ride. Now we're having fun, now we're not, now we're having fun … hahahaha. Sounds exhilarating, actually (except the injury and surgery!). Happy New Year to you! I'm just getting back into the swing of things blogging this week! ~
Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou
http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com
Did we talk about that you lived in Charlotte? Where were you? Wish you were still here!!
WOW! That is some decade! You totally kicked my butt. Now I feel like I've wasted my 30s away. LOL.
Happy bday to Kate. I was just thinking how she's entering this decade at just the right time 🙂 xoxo
What a great post! I love how you wrote about your entire 30's decade in one paragraph!! Sounds so fabulous! The 30's were amazing but I'm actually loving my 40's even better!!
xo
Sharon
Love your summary of your life! Absolutely amazing – and quite possibly more exciting than Kate's will be! Happy New Year,
Laura
Elizabeth, wow is all I can for your 30's! Impressive. While I'm not turning 30 with Kate this year, I am a Girl Scout volunteer like her! I had to jiggle with delight when I read that she will be volunteering with the Girl Scouts, as she was a Brownie. Happy Birthday to the lovely Kate…she seems like a wonderful role model. Adore her sense of self and style. Yours too. xoxo.
I feel so old that I am not sure I can remember my 30's.
Oh my 30s have been good. I love them although at times they seem stressful. Did yours? Thanks for reminding me to appreciate them! xo
I know I'm late on this but had to leave a comment because it sounds like you had an AWESOME decade! I actually don't think Kate can top that! She is famous and that means she can't do many of the things that you CAN. 🙂 Presidio Heights was my all time dream neighborhood to buy in when I lived in Russian Hill (which is lovely too of course)…but I didn't end up buying in the end. Lucky you!
What a list–sounds like a great decade for you! I'm looking forward to my thirties because that will likely be when I'm starting and raising a family, which is my greatest dream of all!