This week I turned 26. Thinking back, I realized that I actually did accomplish a lot during year 25 (dissertation, graduating from Edinburgh and getting my LLM, studying for the bar, passing the bar, judicial internship, getting a job, and finally being admitted to practice). My birthday was a wonderful introduction to what I hope will be another great year.
Being the thoughtful, thinking-ahead person that she is, Christine had mailed me a package which I was not to open until the morning of July 14. Inside was a cute and comfortable dress from gap and this card and this book. I think it was fate that she found them because I could not imagine anything more perfect.
Yay Frozen! Christine and I saw this for the first time together, just the two of us, which was so perfect since it is a story about two sisters. I asked Christine which sister we would each be, but she said she didn’t know. I think I know . . .
Since I share my birthday with Bastille Day, I thought croissants for breakfast seemed quite appropriate. My mom made breakfast even better with the addition of a beautiful cheese omelet.
The mug I bought while in Barcelona 3 years ago. The raspberry jam is my favorite jam. And the Speculoos spread from Le Pain Quotidien is to die for. It tastes like graham cracker cookies. And strawberries – I think they are a perfect birthday fruit.
Next, unsurprisingly, was lunch. My mom and I met our friend Laurie for lunch at the Salt Creek Grille. Immediately when you walk in you are hit with the strong smell of mesquite. I had a delicious ahi tuna salad, and would definitely return for it as well as other interesting menu items (quinoa and kale salad!). 
After lunch, my mom and I went to Wegmans to pick a birthday cake . . . more on that below!
For my birthday dinner I had initially wanted to go to One53, but at the last minute I decided what I really wanted was seafood and, of course, the best for seafood is Francesco’s Villa in Pennington.
I had a delicious arugula salad topped with shaved Parmesan, cherry tomatoes, and a refreshing lemon vinaigrette. For my main course I went with my favorite/usual – Linguini Pescatore.
So much seafood!!!!
The restaurant owner heard it was my birthday, and so he surprised me at the end of the meal with a delicious slice of cheesecake.
AND THEN . . . it was time for birthday cake!
At Wegmans I had selected a raspberry lemon 3 layer cake. 
I LOVED this cake. It is my new favorite cake.
It was so delicate and moist, with just enough sweetness and tartness from the fruit. I also really liked how the decoration of the cake was whipped cream, not frosting. This cake just makes me want to sit on a spring day with some tea and enjoy slice after slice of this delicious cake.
On to 364 days of being 26!