If the rest of this year is anything like this weekend, then 30 is going to be one hell of a year! The birthday weekend included a perfect mix of relaxation, fresh air, bubbly, running, dancing, and friends! I am going to divide the weekend recap into two parts, beginning with my birthday party which took place on Friday night.

I was worried that having my birthday party on Friday night, after we hosted everyone for Thanksgiving on Thursday night would be a lot, but in fact it just enhanced the weekend. Bo and I both took Thursday and Friday off of work which was a lovely treat and allowed both us to enjoy some quality time together in the kitchen and then with our friend Michael on Friday who was in town from New York City.  People had the opportunity to catch up and enjoy long conversations on Thursday night during Thanksgiving festivities whereas Friday night was all about partying as you’ll be able to see in some of these pictures.

Ten of us met at 8:30 for dinner and drinks at Le Crise, a small French restaurant in Eaux Vives just down the hill from our flat. I haven’t been to Le Crise since last February when I stayed with Renaud and Sarah but the food left such an impression on me that it was my first choice for a birthday dinner location. The environment is conducive for parties as the music is loud, the prices are reasonable and the owners help create an unpretentious, fun atmosphere through the décor and their personalities. The menu is shared orally with each table, including 5 daily appetizers and 5 daily entrees all of which are very French and take advantage of seasonal produce. As it turned out, most of our table chose the same two appetizers and entrees: escargot or salad with warm Chevre cheese then either lamb or duck.

Over the course of our delicious dinner we went through 8 bottles of wine, including two bottles of bubbly. To say our group was having fun would be an understatement!

After the dinner dishes were cleared lights, music, a horrible faux wig, and giant sunglasses were graced upon me in true birthday style. Bo ordered a gorgeous and delicious vanilla sponge cake with alternating layers of vanilla and Nutella frosting from Cammie Loves Cakes in Geneva.

After dinner our group headed to Le Baroque for hours of dancing and merry making. It may sound crazy, but as I’ve grown older I love nights out dancing with friends and therefore this was one of my primary birthday requests for the weekend. I’m not the type of person who goes clubbing on a weekly basis but every now and then, on a special occasion, I love it!

It was such a wonderful night with great friends! By 4am we were all home and in bed, ready for some much needed recovery.

I hope you all have had an equally wonderful weekend! Happy December!