A 25th birthday celebration

A couple of weekends ago I turned 25.

I remember when I was little I had so many predictions about how my life would be when I turned 25. I used to think I would be married and have babies by now! I crack up laughing thinking about this now!

I am definitely not married and no where near ready for bambinos, but despite all of that I had one of the best birthdays to date.

I wasn't even sad about turning 25 this year! I keep thinking that my life keeps getting better each year and new and exciting things keep happening so I'm not that afraid to turn another year older. (Although, ask me again before I turn 30 - I'm sure I'd have changed my tune by then!)

This birthday Travis and I spent a night in the big city of Sydney. Now that we live so close to the big smoke I wanted to take advantage of all the great things the city can offer.

We stayed at the Sheraton On The Park right in the city on Elizabeth Street. I'd stayed here with my parents before so I knew what to expect, but it was Trav's first time so it felt special sharing the fancy hotel with him for the first time.

[Checking out the view from the top floor of the Sheraton | Loving the complimentary bathrobes at the hotel - I could have stayed snuggled up all night in this thing!]

We had drinks and nibbles the night before my birthday at the hotel bar before we made our way down Pitt Street to Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant. I was so super excited to eat here. I love Jamie Oliver as a chef so I knew we would love the food. Plus, Trav is half Italian so the menu was right up his alley.

I was so glad we had pre-booked our table as being a Saturday night there was a long waiting list of anxious people hoping to get a seat. Apparently there was a rumour that you couldn't pre-book tables at the restaurant and I'm here to confirm that this is un true (unless it has changed since!) I booked online and it was the easiest process ever. If you do plan to visit the restaurant, book in advance!

The restaurant looks tiny from the street but is actually quite large and long, and boy can they pack the patrons in! The atmosphere is quite raw and industrial, a bit like Jamie's approach to cooking, the lighting is low and the wait staff are quick to get you in and get your orders under way.

[A bad shot of inside the restaurant looking back towards the entry and bar.]

For entree Trav ordered the bruschetta which was one of the nightly specials and it was fan-bloody-tastic. I have never tasted anything so good! I ordered a slab which included an assortment of cured meats and some pecorino cheese and chilli sauce. It too was incredibly delicious.

The main course was the excitement for me. I love a good pasta and having been to Italy I was so keen to get something close to authentic. I ordered the spaghetti Alla Norma which was a Sicilian dish with a kick of chilli. Trav ordered the lasagne, and he practically licked his plate clean.

[Spaghetti Alla Norma. Delish.]

I couldn't stop smiling the entire night. It was the most perfect dining experience and the company was great. I love how simple things like eating amazing food and tasting great wine with someone you love can make you so happy.

I was super spoilt this year in the gift department. Besides Travis shouting me the weekend away in the city, my parents put some money towards my most recent net-a-porter purchase of a Diane Von Furstenburg handbag. Its black leathery heaven. I am in love.

The morning of my birthday before we headed home we made a quick stop down to Bondi beach to walk along the water and get our feet wet. Although the weather was sunny and warm, the water was freezing so I wasn't keen to get in! It was just nice to see the beach and walk along it. It was perfect.

The whole 25th birthday experience was perfect. I am loving life right now and am so keen to tackle 2014 head on and see what surprises are in store!

How is your 2014 shaping up so far? Any new and exciting surprises already?

Take care friends,
E, x