The big 3-0

So I've been 30 for a whole 11 days and I must say that so far it's been rather underwhelming. I only have myself to blame for that though. My actual birthday was pretty cool if I do say so myself and I have to because I spent the entire day on my own. I got up at 4am to complete my daily hour long Jillian Michaels workout and get ready for my self-imposed day of relaxation & quiet celebration. I left the house at 7am so I could make the nearly two hour drive to St. Louis where I had a 10am appointment at the Four Seasons Spa & Salon. As you know I originally had wanted to spend a week in Las Vegas for my 30th birthday. The funds I needed to successfully pull that off never magically appeared as I had hoped so I decided to do something a little closer to home. It has always been a dream of mine to stay at a Four Seasons hotel because everyone who's anyone stays there and I of course am someone who appreciates nice things. I wasn't quite ready to shell out the money for a full night's stay so I opted for a day at the spa instead. From the moment I called to schedule my appointment they treated me like American royalty. Even when they called the day before to confirm my appointment the receptionist gushed at how excited they were to have me join them for my birthday.

They suggested I come 30 minutes early to allow for proper check-in. I arrived at exactly 9am not because I was so anxious to get there but because I honestly thought I would get lost trying to find the hotel downtown & I didn't want to be late. I pulled up to a gorgeous modern looking building were a doorman and a bellhop were waiting. A tall gentleman opened my car door and with a smile said "Good morning and welcome to the Four Seasons. What brings you in today?" I told him I had an appointment at the spa and he told me what floor to go to and gave me my valet ticket. Yes, I had my car valeted & everyone must do this at least once in their life. It was so convenient to pull up to the front door hand over my keys and walk into opulence as if I had no cares in the world. I went to the elevators of which there were 3, stepped inside to see a television there, & a voice over the intercom that announces each floor as you reach it. The voice informed my that I had  reached the 7th floor which held the spa & I was greeted by two ladies dressed in all black who were more than prepared for my early arrival.

After I checked-in, one of them showed me to the locker room which contained a row of lockers each with its own electronic lock allowing the user to enter any 4 digit code to lock it. The key of course is remembering the 4 numbers you locked it with even 5 minutes after doing so which I almost completely forgot. She also showed me to the bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, & makeup room which were all fully stocked with any amenity you could ever need. Just past those rooms were the whirlpool, sauna, & two relaxation rooms all open to my use. She handed me a giant terry cloth robe, some slippers, & a plastic bag to put my swimsuit in after use & told me that my masseuse Robyn would meet me in the relaxation room promptly at 10am to take me for my treatment.

I was the only person in the spa so I put on my yellow J. Crew bikini, turned on the jets, & climbed into the whirlpool for 30 minutes of solitude. The jets felt fantastic and I allowed my mind to drift far away from work & all other stressors in my life. I grabbed my US Weekly and went to the relaxation room to wait for Robyn. I poured myself a glass of cucumber water & read the spa menu so I could get an idea of what I wanted to have later for my birthday lunch. As I was flipping through my magazine & reading birthday messages I received on Facebook, two women came in and sat down next to me to wait for their treatments to begin. One of them I had just met in the locker room & she complimented me on my cute bags (one of them my Kate Spade zebra print purse & the other a polk-a-dot bag I had gotten years ago at The Limited that I was using to hold my clothes). We exchanged pleasant conversation for a few moments. They were regulars and told me I was in for a real treat.

After I emerged from the spa with new skin and a hairless face I ordered lunch which consisted of a strawberry lemonade, a turkey sandwich made on toasted wheat bread with avocado, bacon, & a special spicy spread, & homemade potato chips served warm. After spending nearly 5 hours of heaven at the spa I headed to the ritzy shopping center to drop the remainder of my paycheck at J. Crew & Kate Spade. I felt a mini shopping spree was the best way to end the day. I won't disclose exactly how much I spent but my birthday splurge included: a pair of green linen pants, a pair of plum colored cropped pants, a brightly colored & flowered scarf, a bright yellow skirt, a bright yellow embellished tank, a pair of bright yellow suede ballet flats (see a yellow obsessed pattern here?) a new straw purse for summer, a new wallet to go with the new purse, & an IPhone case for the new phone I had yet to receive. I did have a 20% off coupon for Kate Spade so I feel like my spending there was somewhat justified. Pics to come.

I came home to find a balloon bouquet and a cake with Justin Bieber's face all over it from my parents. I never ended up having a birthday dinner with family or friends and I didn't get to go on an amazing trip but I did have that one day of relaxation & reflection. I got to start out this new chapter in my life with new clothes, a new bag, & a new outlook on life. Every time I am asked to do something that causes fear within me, I have begun to ask myself why I am so afraid and decide to simply try it anyway because what's the worst that could really happen? Just another tidbit I learned from Oprah. Oh and yes the ex did text me to wish me a happy birthday and I'm still not sure what to make of that.