1201north: Golden Birthdays

This isn't a design post, but we've both celebrated our golden birthdays this year (Sarah turned 30 on the 30th and I turned 27 on the 27th) AND we celebrated the most important birthday of all on June 2...Sarah's baby boy! Because we've spent the past month celebrating, we thought we'd share some great birthday gifts and ideas with all of you.

For my birthday, Clay got me 27 gifts. Apparently this is a tradition in his family/town and who am I to argue with tradition? To be honest, opening was 27 presents was the most fun time EVER. Here are all of the gifts, lined up in perfect, golden order:

The box included some great golden birthday gift ideas, like this bangle from Kate Spade, inscribed with "as good as gold" on the inside. Coincidentally, Sarah got me the exact same bangle (great minds), and gave hers to me first so she wins out on this one.

Also from Kate Spade, this stationery with a gold initial and black and white stripes. And we all know how I feel about black and white stripes.

I also got these sandals, which are a STEAL and are so cute (they run about a half size big, by the way).

And this book, which I can't wait to read during our summer getaway. And it's pretty, to boot!

The gifts I got from Clay reminded us of the "forty in a box" featured on You Are My Fave.

How fun would this be to give (or receive)? We're definitely stealing this idea for future birthdays.

Sarah and I both made each other cake on our respective birthdays. Sarah topped hers with edible gold star sprinkles like these. We both used our mom's frosting recipe, which is too good not to share. The pre-made frosting that you can buy in tubs in the grocery store...poison. Especially after you taste this.

Mom's Perfect Frosting:
1 pound powdered sugar
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
3-4 tablespoons milk

Cream 1/3 of the sugar with butter and salt in a large bowl. Blend vanilla, two tablespoons milk, and remaining sugar into mixture. Gradually stir remaining milk into frosting until desired spreading consistency is reached. For more generous frosting, increase ingredients by 1/4. For chocolate frosting, add 1/2 cup cocoa.

Other (golden) birthday ideas we love?

Ombre balloons.