we rocked out last night.
that’s all i can say.
this….
…is my dear friend, dede. and she just put every cell of her being into throwing me the most beautiful party.
i heart her and her big, amazing heart.
no one throws a party like dede.
no one spends five hours doing this to her kitchen:
between the candles and bogenvalia petals in the pool…
…and this amazing array of completely delicious food and drink, arranged, garnished, and displayed much to the likings of martha stewart herself… it was just…well, perfect. but that’s dede.
my favorite?
…my favorite part was this house full of people i love.
all these people who fill the nooks of my soul with goodness and humor and love and contentment…the ones who challenge me to live a big life…the ones i thank my lucky stars i have the privilege to know. to love. to call them mine. they were there, finding comfy spots on the floor to huddle in warm little circles to talk about life. and then there’s the way they all just nonchalantly ladle up my baby and go about their conversations, lainey propped on their hip like their own. and she just knows they love her. and my heart completely swells watching it all. so, we talked, we laughed, we drank, we mulled and lingered amid the greatest gathering of candles in the history of mankind…and a whole lotta love.
…it was beautiful.
thank you, dad, for providing the half-naked picture of me for the cake. nice.
and this…
this is happiness. and, you know what happens at thirty? you quit wishing for specifics. my wish is broad and beautiful: just happiness. …and love.
…and so far, my wishes are granted.
thank you, dede, for making me feel so loved.
i heart you.
perhaps i saved orphans in a previous life. because karma just so has it that i feel very, very blessed.
big grateful sigh.
Thank you Moon for the lovely words – you brought me to tears . . . sobbing tears the kind where you have to get your breath. The joy of doing something like last night comes from the joy of having wonderful friends like you in life! We love you! xoxo
Dede
Awwwwwwe! Looks like it was a beautiful party! LOVE your dress!! Happy belated birthday, Kelle:-)
That looks SO fun! Is that the same place where we all got in the bathtub? I love the flowers in the pool!
What a great time we had last night. Beautiful party for a a beautiful person.
I am so sorry and kicking myself for missing such a great party. You look beautiful, but you always do! I hope you had a blast, you deserve it. Love you!
I was laughing and crying at all these pictures!! The naked cake made me bust a gut!! I wish we could do that every Saturday night!
Magic!!
DeDe, urock!!
HB 2 U HB 2 U HB 2 Kellllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haaappppppyyyyy BBBBBBiiiirrrtthhhddaaayyy tttooo yyyooouuuuuuuuuuu!!!! and many, many more…wish I coulda been there, baby! XOXOXO!
what a fantastic party! how many times during the day to think of how thankful you that you took the leap so many years ago and moved to naples.
what a wonderful bunch of family you have down there. just so happy for you! xoxo!
oh Fae, work those eyes girl! i love the cake.
“ladle up my baby” — oh, delicious words.
love seeing you loved. 🙂
It really was a night full of magic.
Dede…you done GOOOOD, girl.
REALLY GOOD!!
I loved the candles, the flowers in the pool, the hot chocolate, the plate in the corner, the CD favors (which I played in my car all day today)…I just loved it all.
And Kelle did too. A perfect night for someone we all love so much!!
xoxo
jc
P.S. and now that I survived my first “bathroom self-portrait”, I hope I don’t begin making funny faces in mirrors at random moments…
So glad you had a wonderful birthday party! Dede did such a beautiful job decorating. And you look amazing as usual. Love you lots, and miss you like crazy! I hope we see eachother soon. 🙂
love katie
i lost my comment…
that night was so much fun, i find myself laughing at the most random moments throughout the day…brushing my teeth, making breakfast, doing dishes-i just start laughing and jeff looks at me, his head cocked to one side
-for sure thinking i’ve gone off the deep end:)
that party rocked…dede rocks!
YOU have such wonderful neighbors. Where did you find such wonderful neighbors? :):)
happy birthday,
xoxo
oh yeah, bathroom glam shots rock!
Looks like you had such a great time 🙂 It’s obvious you are very loved by family and friends. What a great bunch of people!
Can you see the complete happiness in Lainey’s face as she watched you blow our your candles? Great pic. 🙂
you are a lucky girl.
your broad and simple wish is coming true.
happiness and love.
we should all aspire to wish for such a thing.
i think it would make the world a better place.
The Superbowl was dimmed by the glow of the night before. Dede diddid fabfab. It was perfection, served up with elegant microtouches and delicately designed details…and the dress, Kas, was so very wowza! Glad I was there!!! And the chance to take Lainey across the street and have her fall asleep in my arms on the couch was just frosting…yes, divine frosting! I LoveLove your friends!
Happy Birthday! It looks like you all had so much fun! Wish I lived closer so I could be part of your crew. You all look like you have so much fun together! Love that dress!
Oh, my god, what a total fox you are. Love your dress you are wearing. Love the bathroom pics…
What fun! Girlfriend pictures in the mirror are my favorite. We do them regularly. You look absolutely beautiful…that dress! hi, hot stuff. Dang, sister.
Happy birthday again!
Hahaha, that cake is hilarious! Happy Birthday again too! 🙂
Julie Frizzi, I love your mother! Tell her I said Hi!!!
So fun! Great party great friends great time. You are 30 loved, kind, beautiful, happy and so you have everything just as you deserve! So happy to share in your 30th and look forward to sharing them all with you:) xoxox I will miss you and our Fridays togehter not just because of our relationship but how much I have gotten to know Lainey, you have gotten to know Skye and the time they have gotten to spend with each other. Lainey is a wonderful role model:)
kelle that dress is gorgeous. i just love coming to your blog. it revives me when i feel like a failure at mommyhood and reminds me how precious our littles are.
where did you get that dress!!!!!
Joan, don’t even go there…I am constantly telling Kelle that, when someone compliments you on your dress, you simply and graciously say, “Why, thank you.” And if they ask, “Whose the dress by?” You reply, “BCBG.” But no, Kelle will have to practically show you the marked down tag and tell shamelessly the whole account of the incredible bargain she landed. Sheesh–can prudent shopping not be a secret? Before she flashes her response, it was a 400 dollar dress she purchased about 75% off at Dillards, I believe. There, cathartic revelation. But there is still something to be said for the simple, only-what-was-asked-for reply. The dress was wowza!
Poppa – wowza indeed! discount or not, Kelle looked like a million bucks!!!
Heidi looks like a smug bitch.