CTL Weekly 10.04

Last Thursday was a BIG birthday for me and I spent months thinking about how I wanted to celebrate it. A trip? A party? Nothing felt quite right.

Then the loveliest thing happened. I asked for a family dinner, which we did the Saturday before…

and then my actual birthday week turned into some one-on-one time with my favorite people.

On Monday Grant took me out to a mother-son dinner (at Bacaro Primo for KC peeps – highly recommend).

On Wednesday I had lunch with some of my best girlfriends. We ate outdoors at a nearby golf course and we didn’t take a group pic, but how cute are these little kids who were taking golf lessons while we were there?

That night Tom and I went to an author event at the downtown KC library, which is always a treat. This main branch of the library is in a beautiful old bank building and that picture above with the book spines is the parking garage for the library. I snapped that pic as we were leaving, but here’s a better look if you’d like to see.

On Thursday, my actual birthday, Tom and I went car shopping, not in a new car for my 60th kind of way but in a my 8-year-old Acura was totaled in a hail storm kind of way. But we made a day of it, and worked in lunch between stops. It was fun just spending the day together, even if car shopping isn’t my fave (is it anyone’s?).

On Thursday night Lindsey brought Madeline over to see me. Again, no pics of that visit, but here are a couple of her recent cheerleading looks. (She’s almost eleven months old and if you think we are enjoying the heck out of her, you’re right.)

Anyway…I tell you all of that to say that if you’re struggling with how to celebrate something big, a lot of little celebrations might be the way to go. I highly recommend a birthday week.

Here’s more of what I saved to share with you…

Note: Creating This Life posts sometimes contain affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

I love how this Notting Hill townhouse is full of color but feels calm and grounded at the same time. Things to look for: the books, the art, and the patterns on that bed in the spare bedroom.

The show I’m hearing all the raves about (both online and in real life). Have you watched it? I’m so intrigued by the rabbi as the romantic lead.

Ina’s new book came out this week! I’m about halfway through and will have more thoughts soon.

99 conversation topics for deeper connections.

There’s so much design inspiration in this Santa Monica real estate listing. I especially love that little office with a couch setup. And that patio. (The house is sold so my apologies if you were in the market for a $5 million dollar house minutes from the beach.)

LitHub created a literary road trip across America.

The best streets to stroll in Charleston.

Madeline is starting to like books and I bought her the new board book from this favorite artist/speech pathologist/mother of 3. I was expecting a small book, but this is big and so beautiful. Great for kids who are just starting to develop language.

A few Amazon book deals of note:

• The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict, the queen of historical fiction. This one is based on the life of Hedy Lamarr. 58% off paperback.
• All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. NYT bestseller and Jenna’s Book Club pick. 48% off hardcover.
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. I devoured this one this summer. 43% off hardcover.

P.S. Lovely London and last year’s birthday featuring this tablecloth.