This Is 30 Gift Guide

My outlook on turning 30 is simple and good. 30 is the same as being 20, but maybe even better, right!? And after all, if it is just as good as my 20s, then I think I will be in pretty good shape.

I lived a full life in my 20s and had a wonderful time. Yet, there are a few things I did or dealt with then, that I am glad I no longer have to conquer or do in life, ever again. Nothing terrible, just things that I am happy to have accomplished, signed and sealed. College, for example, it was a blast, but at the end of the day I don't want to study for midterms or worry about getting my first "real" job, ever again. Zach and I were married at 25. It was the most beautiful day of my entire life and I wouldn't change a thing. That being said, I am so happy I am married and don't ever have to worry about finding the man of my dreams, ever again. I am blessed we nailed the forever thing down in our 20s.

Then, there are the things that I am glad will stay the same from my 20s to 30s. At 21, I was legal to drink champagne, mojitos, and all my favorite libations. The same will happen in my 30s, as I am glad there is not a law to revoke drinking at 31. I traveled around the world in my 20s and I for sure hope that fortune continues. I plan on it. I worked really hard at my career over the last decade, and I plan on doing the same for the next ten years, no matter what I end up doing each day. 

So, 30 for me is about continuing to live and love life and build dreams. I want to grow a bigger family with my husband, explore new places, and find a forever home that I can put as much wallpaper and hang as many plants from the ceiling as I desire. With all those additions to the things that continue from my 20s, I am projecting my 30s to be the best years yet. Cheers to 30! Here is my birthday gift guide for anyone that is turning 30, 20, or older! All are based on the thoughtful presents my loved ones gifted me this year. xo RCN

 

Minnesota Wedding Time

 
 

Zach, my handsome husband, has a large loving family.  99% of which all live in MN, where Zach was born.  That makes us, our immediate Nord family, the ones that live away.  We do our best to make the trip up north for visits when we can. 

This past weekend we headed to MN for cousin Makenzie's wedding.   One of the duties as a cousin upon arrival (along with the aunties) was to help make the reception space look fab...and we sure did! We had a blast decorating the bar and event space, City Limits Bar and Grill.  It took  a few days to pull everything together, all hands on deck, but it turned out spectacular.   We laughed our butts off while making tissue pom poms until late at night, not long after cutting hundreds of fresh hydrangeas for the table center pieces.  The morning of, we snacked on jerky from the local meat market whilst gathering Auntie Deb's fresh cut lavender.  Yes, Auntie Deb drove an entire truck of lavender from her Wyoming ranch just for the dΓ©cor.  My last duty of decorating was hanging twinkle lights from the rooftop tent.  It sounds like a nuisance, but it wasn't so bad with a Bloody Mary in tow and a million cousins and aunts to laugh with while doing it.  

Once the pasrty started, my Jimmy Choo heels (pictured above) allowed me to dance well into the night.  Honestly, Jimmy Choo is one of my favorite designer brands for heels because they just don't hurt like some others.  I can last hours in them.  So worth the splurge!  My strapless plaid and bow trimmed taffeta Eva Franco dress made a splash as the last of my summer wedding dresses for this season.  Most importantly, the cool 65-70 degree evening air allowed me to let my hair loose. No buns needed on the dance floor!  It was a truly special weekend with family...and well, another 400 people.  What a big and fun family family wedding!  Everything was pretty and perfect, I hope Makenzie felt the same.

xo RCN