Amsterdam Stories: Big Birthday Post

Hi darlings!

Oh my gosh! I’m writing this with such a big smile on my face. My heart is just so full of love, gratitude, happiness and joy. I really did have one of the best birthday weekends ever! If you’re ready: let me tell you all about it :)

Last Friday marked the actual start of the weekend: I spent the day strolling through the Rijksmuseum, because it was such a rainy day. While I really love spending time in museums, I was already really looking forward to the appointment I booked at my favorite city spa (Weleda). A few weeks ago, I booked an holistic facial treatment, which also includes a short face, neck & shoulders massage. And … it certainly didn’t disappoint! It was super relaxing and my skin was glowing afterwards. Oh, how I love being a woman.

The next day, it was time for something I dreamed about for quite some time already: going to the hairdresser in Amsterdam! I did some research and ended up booking an appointment at Rob Peetoom, which is a well-known name in the hair and beauty world (they also work with Vogue for example). While I was sitting there in the styling chair in their salon, it really felt like one of those ‘pinch me moments’. I didn’t go for a major haircut that day, but I loved their little advice. After an hour, I walked out the door feeling confident, powerful and feminine.

Yesterday (16th of November), my parents came over to my place for THE actual celebrations. First, we had lunch at my place, after which we took the subway to the Krasnapolsky hotel. It was a bit too early to check-in already, so we only dropped of our luggage. Then it was time to do some shopping! I ended up buying two pretty oversized wool coats, some quality knitwear, a vegan chocolate letter and the most beautiful gold ring. The new ring matched perfectly with the one I’m always wearing (this one belonged to my mom when she was my age). So, after this amazing shopping session it was time to discover our rooms at the hotel and get ready for dinner. My dear mom arranged a cute card and vegan chocolate bonbons as a surprise in my hotelroom. I loved it so much! Then it was time for dinner. I already reserved a table weeks ago to treat my parents on a yummy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. So, when we entered the restaurant I was super surprised, because the staff decorated our table with some balloons: it was such a kind gesture! Oh, they also gifted me some vegan chocolate bonbons :) Later that evening, we went on a walk through the city, had a drink at the hotel’s bar and finally I took a relaxing bath.

The next day (the day of my actual birthday), my super sweet parents knocked on the door of my hotelroom. They even sang ‘happy birthday’ and gave me the cutest small gifts: two pink Christmas ornaments to decorate my Christmas tree. Then it was time to have breakfast in the beautiful Wintergarden of the hotel. The things to choose from were endless and I could even order a delicious vegan avocado/humus flatbread. But the biggest surprise was yet to come: suddenly the staff of the breakfast area surrounded our table and sang ‘happy birthday’ for me. I felt so special! It was an amazing experience! Oh, the staff also gave me some more vegan chocolate bonbons (hihi!). In the end we sat there for two hours (oops!). If you have breakfast for that long, you know it’s good ;) At the end of the morning, my sister came over to celebrate the afternoon with us. We had the best time and I also decided that it was time to put up the Christmas tree (sorry, not sorry!). My super sweet parents also surprised me with even more presents (a Longchamp bag, Chanel face mist, incense & a Rituals shower foam gift box). My birthday was so special and so perfect. I felt super loved and I can’t wait to see what this year brings! Cheers to many more moments like this :)

Well, I think I told you everything for now! The end of this blog post also kinda marks the end of my 32th birthday. I can’t say it enough: I’m such a lucky woman #blessed & I absolutely love my family! Today’s wise words would be: love is the answer♥️

X JJ