TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY

Tomorrow is August 15th, my birthday.  

Funny, I remember how much fun we had last year on this day.  I blogged about it here.

We were offered a stay-cation from the people over at Loews Regency at their hotel, which we LOVED....thank God, because we needed the rest. We were even allowed to bring our boxer Darla (miss her), she was happy & so well-behaved during our stay.  Last year around the same time, we also started our adoption process.  Mostly on faith, we went for it...not having all the funds quite yet, but believing that God would provide when the time came to hold our child.  God is fascinating, because he gives us hope & that hope leads us to our future. 

Just like in Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Today, I sit here in awe of the changes in my life this year.  This birthday is one I'll always remember ....because it is the first birthday I get to hold this little boy, our son.  My husband & I are so grateful.  So many birthdays went by where I prayed & blew out candles wishing for a child...and tomorrow my only wish will be that Noah would LOVE us as much as WE LOVE HIM.  For the big day, my husband has planned a few things, and as some of you may know - he's a complete charmer when he tries to impress me.  Don't believe me?  Here's what he did last year.  Getting gifts is nice - but knowing that you have LOVE, is best gift ever.

I keep wondering what the rest of my birthdays will hold for me.  If you ask me right now, I'd love to

• travel more by road (not fond of flying)
• continue to work on my marriage (keeping it strong)
• get involved more with helping others in some way
• maybe write a book & tell my story, inspire others
• paint more 
• keep working out & staying healthy
• raise my son in a Godly way

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." - Proverbs 16:9 - so we shall see.

Have a great weekend everyone!




-post by jen ramos

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My August Wishlist 2

Hello everyone, hope you're enjoying your Tuesday so far. I've been thinking about my birthday wishes (and yes, on a SUPERFICIAL-level), because the things I truly desire cannot be bought...but since this is my blog, and I ENJOY fashion, we'll start there.

So, August is my birth month. On the 15th I'll be a year older & with that I am posting a few wish lists so that my husband can see some of the things I like.  A lot of times I have NO CLUE what to get him for his birthday either, I admit. So every year I put together a few wishlists on my blog to help him out. This is actually my 2nd list,  here is my 1st.

Maybe you'd like some of these too for your Birthday if you're a fellow Leo like me?

1/    agnes sandal by joie

2/  current elliot skinny jeans

3/   booties via the outnet

4/ givenchy le rouge lipstick corail signature

5/   black nike

6/   DVF dress

7/   stella mccartney lingerie

8/    cassina dress via joie

9/   green pumps via schutz

10/ elizabeth & james nirvana scent

-post by jen ramos

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My 2nd Birthday Party

So, this past weekend I decided to celebrate my birthday a second time, but only with my favorite girlfriends here in NYC.  We all went to Tolache on the Upper East Side & had a blast! The food at  this restaurant is DELICIOUS, so if you've never been.... I suggest you try.  On a nice day, ask to sit outside in the back. 

It was one of the most memorable parties I've ever had. Why? because each girl talked about a close friend or a wonderful memory they had & shared it with everyone. I love how open and honest each girl was... I brought each girl a gift - and on the hot pink wrapping paper I randomly wrote compliments such as "I love your hair", "You are beautiful just the way you are" & more! They loved them - yay!  My friend Anne Marie said, "this is the only birthday party I've received gifts!" - Well, that's me. I love to give to others, it makes my day. Even if it was MY birthday.

So, turning 41 is interesting, I can't say it feels great, but at least I'm healthy, wiser, more secure with myself as a woman and a wife....& soon hopefully as a mother.

Can you guess what my B-day wish was?

The cake we bought at Tu Lu's Gluten-free bakery here in NYC -it's an amazing gluten -free , dairy free bakery. The cakes are delicious! We ended up having them sprinkle hot pink sprinkles, then we added the edible flowers ourselves. Saw this idea on Pinterest somewhere, wish I could recall where!?

.....& for the gold splatter balloons, well, this was a project I saw on DIY Studio & decided to try it for my party! It was a hit, and they looked fantastic! Go here for the how-to instructions!

These are the gifts with the compliments I brought for each girl! neat huh?

-images by jen ramos

note:
Sorry for some of the bad quality pics, some were taken with my iphone! 

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Another Birthday

It was my birthday on August 15th - another year. Time flies doesn't it? It's amazing how much happens in one year, we feel sick, we feel better, people pass away, people fall in love, babies are born, love is renewed & countless memories are made. Speaking of babies....this year we started our process towards adoption - so exciting & grateful! But most of all, I am thankful to God who has graced me life, health & love.

Speaking of love, my husband surprised me with the most beautiful birthday week EVER.  Here's how it went:

• He surprised me by baking a delicious ombre cake...knowing I love pink frosting - he def impressed me - get this, it was ombre inside & out! Woah.
• Then he made some beautiful roses out of paper! I was like, "what?!?" - And not just one!
• Next day when I woke up there were a bunch of cards - around 70 - all over the kitchen counter & dining table. They all had a note inside - some funny, some very loving...and a couple that I will never forget, where he signed our future child's name on. -  I was literally touched to tears. 
• Then the following day he placed this big banner over the dining table that said "Happy Birthday Jennifer" - that's when it started to hit home that I was turning 41 .... VERY soon!
• The last day of the birthday week, he surprised me with my gift - but he printed the wrapping paper using one of my zebra art, this one. Can you believe this guy? So adorable. Sometimes I secretly think he's Superman.

Then, on Friday the day of my Birthday..... we headed over to Loews Regency for our Spa stay-cation . Thank you to Loews Hotels for sponsoring this complimentary getaway. Good timing!

The hotel was fantastic, very clean & modern....it was also very convenient that they are a pet friendly hotel, so we ended up bringing our Darla with us. During our stay, we went to the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa (in the hotel) & while my husband was getting his hair re-dyed - I got a massage. SO relaxing - loved every minute of it.  Our room was surprisingly spacious (for nyc) & included a beautiful mini-kitchen with marble counter-top! Impressive.

One of my favorite features in the room was the Julien Farel hairdryer (plus we met him at the salon & he has the most beautiful salt & pepper hair). 

 I know......sounds odd that it was one of my fave features, but it's TRUE!!  This blow dryer was awesome!  The nozzle was the perfect size, and the heat temperature didn't feel like it was scorching my hair.  It had a smooth air flow, plus it was lightweight  - you have to try them!! Now, I really want one for my home.  

 So, there you have it, this was me turning 41 - and I loved every minute of it. Thank you to all those who sent me well wishes. Soooooooooooo grateful!

-post and images by jen ramos

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Happy Birthday

I can't say I was excited about turning 40.  Yup, that is correct. However, I am healthy and my business is doing well, so I'm grateful on many levels.  It's weird though, I recall turning 35 & how i felt that was the beginning of feeling old - so of course, 40 was not something I was welcoming with open arms. Good thing is, I have good young-looking genes, so no one ever guesses my age...thanks to my lovely mother. We actually celebrated on the 13th because today I'll be heading over to the Bowery Mission to help serve food to the homeless.  I've never done this on my birthday, but they asked & I figured, why not? God gave me a beautiful day on the 13th with friends & family, so passing on that blessing seems like the right thing to do.

Now that I'm (1111+ 0) - just like many of you - there are so many things I'd love to do, things that I dream about, long for & hope for one day. Things like traveling, spa-vacations, children, business growth, bigger philanthropy & more! My life has been an interesting ride -  I'm looking forward to what's to come. 

What desires & dreams would you still like to accomplish?? Maybe before you're 30th or 40th?

-photos from my instagram

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My Birthday

Today is Aug. 15th, my birthday. 

I was born 39 years ago here in NYC.  I've been through a lot of things in my life - both good & bad and like most of you, kept on moving forward. Age didn't scare me until a few days ago when I started feeling sick & ended up in the emergency room at Lenox Hill hospital. According to the doctors, they didn't find anything obviously wrong. Great. I don't know if I should be celebrating or concerned. It did remind me (after viewing my X-rays) that I had mild Levoscoliosis of the lumbar spine. The first time I found this out was about 5 years ago. It has now brought up concerns about my health & posture.

So much so, that I decided I'll sign up for some type of stretching class & physical Therapy to perhaps slow down the curvature. It isn't obvious if you look at me, so don't count me out yet.... Anyone else have this?? I'm curious. The only thing I've experienced is lower back pain off & on, especially if I'm sitting in one position for too long.

Sure, I got a little sad, but my sadness stemmed from how my partner would look at me 'if' this got worse. Would he think I was ugly? not attractive? You know, all those ugly, awful thoughts we should really avoid but can't help but think about. After expressing my concerns to him he told me he would love me no matter what & that he thinks I'm beautiful both inside & out. I believe him, he's never proven otherwise. 

So today I celebrate, because it's another year of life that God has given me to live. Another year he has given me to celebrate with my family & friends. Another year to grow my business. It's another year he has given me to love HIM & care for others.
 

I am thankful & know that worrying will only cause the bad thoughts to start rolling in. So, I will continue to move forward and allow more love in my life & less worry.  I'm not going to lie, I'd rather be turning 25. But continuing to wish that would be living in the past & not in what life has for me today. 

As I look out my window the rain is starting to come down. As I look to my left I see a dog who loves me unconditionally & then I look at the bathroom mirror at what my husband wrote this morning. So cute.

Hope you're having a great day. I'll show you on My Twitter what my guy is cooking up for my Birthday later tonight! Can't wait.

-top image by janis nicolay

-bottom image by jen ramos

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My Birthday...

Today is my birthday.  However, I celebrated my day yesterday as some of you may know. Many of you tweeted me 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' on my Twitter, thank you! I'm officially 38 years old.....and every so often I call myself an OLD fart - but my guy likes to fight me on that & say, "no way, you look like you're in your 20's!!
 

I always laugh when he says that, but hey, it could be worse right?! He could tell me I don't look as great or that I DO look my age....but thankfully, he knows better. 

I got a few gifts this year but my FAVORITE is the Sara Berman clutch. I've wanted a pony hair - leopard print clutch for quite sometime now...and ta da! 

Gifts are great - but I know that the things that TRULY matter the most are the time I get to spend with family & friends. Those gifts last a loooong time. 
 

I love getting cards as well...& my guy is so cool on 'special occasions'...he always seems to find the right things to say...for instance today on my birthday card he wrote, 

"You are the most incredible, most amazing, most beautiful, most creative, intelligent and perfect woman to me & I can't imagine spending a single day of my life without you, Happy Birthday." 

I'm so grateful to God for him & for all the blessings that have come my way this year....

This is what I wore on my Birthday:

Dress: Michael Kors

Shoes: Guess

Jewelry: Express & H&M

Clutch: Clare Vivier

Below: Sara Berman Clutch

So there you have it....one year older & here I am. Life has been good to me so far....must always be thankful. Hope you all are having a good Monday! 

-top image by jen ramos

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