The Hubs Turns 30, gift guide for Him

Turing 30 is kind of a big deal, right? Well, if my husband had his way, we wouldn't even be celebrating, but let's be serious here...who do you think makes the party decisions in our house? {bingo! Me!}

Part of the fun is choosing the perfect gift for the birthday boy. And when I say fun, I really mean months of agonizing over what would be good, what just won't work and then sometimes finding out that he already went out and bought it for himself. He's seriously difficult to buy for, so this year I've created a top 5 list of choices and hopefully one of them will be the right one!

 

Clockwise from top right...

A friend pinned this idea for 60 letters for a 60th birthday when she was planning her husband's party earlier this year and I thought it was really lovely. While I don't have 30 years of memories with my husband, this would be a great group project to involve his parents, brother, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents.

Cufflinks are my typical go-to gift for my husband, however now that he works for himself he rarely wears a french cuff. I'd love for him to get back to it, and these mother of pearl inlay wooden cufflinks are beautiful.

When I was looking at stocking stuffers last Christmas, I had the brilliant idea of getting him scotch accessories since that is his drink. I really love the idea of these stones by Polar Stones, though I think Hubs likes it when the ice melts and dilutes his scotch a little.

He is my only, and certainly my favorite. This card is intended to be a Valentine's Card, however I think it is cheeky and whimsical and perfect for a special birthday.

And lastly, a vintage .5L scotch decanter. I really love this one and all of the cut glass. Right now, Hubs just keeps his scotch in the original bottle in the cupboard, but I love the idea of having a bar cart or shelf, and having his scotch displayed in a decanter like this one.


Have you purchased a gift for a milestone birthday lately? Leave a comment with your ideas so I can check them out!

The Hubs Turns 30, #birthday #cake ideas for him

When it comes to the sweet tooth in the family, that one definitely I have covered. My husband doesn't really reach for desserts, so finding the perfect cake for him is going to be a challenge.

While I know that he would love these chocolate and banana cupcakes that I've made in the past...

I'm not sure that I want to spend all of that time creating cupcakes, frosting them all individually, then decorating them all as well. {sorry party peeps!}

Typically, I suggest that you contract out the cake. It's a big under taking, especially if you are hosting the party at your home, doing all of the appetizers, bar, invitations and decorations, but since this is a special birthday, I want to do something special for him.

I know the flavour will have to be red velvet, with the standard cream cheese frosting.

This recipe from Sugarhero is the one that I will be using. I don't want to break the mold when it comes to red velvet since it is a rather difficult cake to master, so this isn't the time to create my own recipe. I am thinking of making a few 6" stacked cakes, probably 5 layers or so, and topping them with fresh berries.

What is your go-to cake recipe?? If you have any red velvet tips to share, let me know!

The Hubs Turns 30, 30th #birthday ideas for him

So...I tabled the Grumpy Old Men party and he didn't like it. In fact, I think he may have been a little insulted by it. I've sat and pondered and I think I have come up with a plan.

He's a simple guy. He likes good scotch, his good friends and good food.

What easier way to celebrate him than with those exact things? I think the best party for him is to have over our good friends, have good food and drink, and keep it low key.

In terms of food, I'm thinking about doing an upscale appetizer bar, featuring these recipes

 

Proscuitto wrapped grilled asparagus from Master in Cooking 

Pesto roasted red pepper cream cheese crescents from Two Peas & Their Pod 

Thai turkey meatballs with peanut sauce from The Dish @ Plated 

And I cannot forget about this amazing recipe from Steph at A Grande Life.

  

While Hubs loves good food, he's a bit of a health nut, so when I found these recipes that are both upscale and healthy, I was really happy. They will be perfect and certainly the stars of our upscale appetizer bar.

 

The bar will be pregatini's for me, and good scotch for the boys.

Easy peasy.

Tomorrow...the cake!

Grumpy Old Men: The Bucket List

So I'm really digging this Grumpy Old Men party idea. I saw this idea on Pinterest for a Bucket List

and think it would make for a unique guest book of sorts.

Basically what you have your guests do is write down something to create the ultimate guest list for the birthday boy.

Hubs has laughed a few times when I've talked about my own bucket list, but I don't think he's ever really considered doing one for himself. Now here's our chance to create one for him, and for all of those closest to him to maybe even do the activities with him.

Life is about making memories, right?

Grumpy Old Men: The Hubs Turns 30

Hubs and I often joke that he's definitely going to be that grumpy old man who sits on the porch in a rocking chair, yelling at the neighbour kids to get off our lawn. He laughs...then agrees that I'm right.

So when I saw this party idea on Pinterest, I knew that it would hit the nail on the head, and be right in like with my husband's sense of humour.

Grumpy
Old
Men

Necessary attributes for the party:

Caps
Suspenders
Fedoras
Thick glasses
Cigars
Pipes
Sports coats
Dress shoes
High waisted pants

I think it's pretty creative, and pretty perfect!

Planning a 30th Birthday Party for a Man

I have to say, when I party plan I tend to go all out. Alot of women do. But when it comes to planning for milestones for my husband...I get a little stumped!

In April, mine will be turning 30. He's said that he doesn't want a party. He's said that just a few friends will go to Vegas. But really...what fun is that?

Possible themes

My first thought was to get a bus, a group of friends and family and head to the Rogers Centre to a box to watch the Blue Jays home opener. He definitely would like that, but when I tabled the idea he was pretty hesitant.

Then when he mentioned Vegas, I thought maybe we could centre the theme around that. We've done that before for a friend - rented the blackjack tables and the whole deal and I even made a cake that looked like stacked poker chips.

We are pretty big Mad Men fans and Hubs is into drinking scotch {good, expensive scotch...yikes!} so maybe that could be the theme??

I'm sort of stuck on this, so whatever 30th party inspiration you can send my way...please do!

Turning the Big 3-0

After months and months of planning, all of my husband {and lovely mother-in-law}'s hard work paid off on Friday night when I was treated to simply the most heartwarming and beautiful party and girl could ask for.

I could go on and on gushing over the details of the endless supply of food {including mini grilled cheeses!!} and bottles of my favourite Kim Crawford Sav. Blanc...but really, pictures will tell the story so much better.

Me - dress: Kristine Cook Designs, cuff: Ostlund Custom Works, earrings: Amber Bryce Luxe Bohemian, shoes: Sam&Libby/ Hubs: sweater: Joe, jeans: Kenneth Cole, shoes: Steve Madden/ Bear: shirt and pants: Joe, shoes:

Hubs got crafty!! My life at 30, in pictures. Clockwise from Top Left: montage, the day my life changed, Fairy Godmother and my bff's, my Dad <3

Insanely beautiful purple ombre ruffle cake!!!

I am abolutely blown away, and was so happy to celebrate with old friends I hadn't seen in a few years...new friends who have become truly incredible...best friends who have known me since I was very young...and family. Really, they're all family to me.

Thank you all for your well wishes, the plentiful bottles of wine, the lovely cards...and for the time spent with me. That was the most precious gift of all!

Cheers to another 30 years!

 
 

Birthday Drinks

When I got married a few years ago, aside from the declious cupcake, signature drinks were starting to become insanely popular.

While we didn't have one at my wedding, that doesn't mean that we can't have one at my birthday party!

Take your favourite flavours, and come up with something unique!

What do I love?

Tequila {seriously!}
Pink Lemonade
Strawberries

The perfect combination of sweet and sour! And, it's pink!

30th Birthday Planning

In just a couple of weeks, I'll be turning 30.

Thirty.

The big 3-0.

To me, it's an excuse to have a realy fabulous party with all of my nearest and dearest. It's not a reason to wallow or be sad. It's not a reason to sulk and hide in bed all day.

It's a reason to get dressed up and have a great time!

I've been planning what I'm wearing for a long while now, a fabulous dress from Kristine Cook Designs, but I think what i've been planning for even longer is the cake!

As the girl who makes everyone elses birthday cakes and throws parties for everyone else, I think it's high time that I get a fabulous cake all to myself!

Here are my top 3 favourites {from Pinterest}

Adore the purple ombre!

Love the three different patterns on these layers, and chevron...hello!

Pretty much the perfect cake for an artist...handpainted petals

So...I want something amazing and fabulous, girly and bright, with the perfect pop of detail and ruffle. Hopefully, the Hubs has taken notice of my Pinterest board!!