Birthday Spoils.

Here is, as promised earlier this week, a post detailing all of the wonderful presents I was given for my birthday.

This year, for my 19th birthday, I was a very lucky girl.

I had asked for a few things but didn’t know what I was being treated to. It’s always a nice surprise when you return from uni, shattered, completely ready for the holidays and you find this waiting for you on the kitchen table:

Doesn’t this look a treat?

My mother, being the wonderfully thoughtful person she is, had picked out the most adorable wrapping paper for me: black and white illustrations of books with teeny details of pages, titles, and bindings. Perfect for me really.

Before I share the main bulk of my presents, here is what one of my lovely friends from home turned up with at the restaurant on Wednesday:

Doesn’t it all look amazing? (Yes I am going to continue captioning my photos with rhetorical questions, thank you for asking).

Inside this cardboard box of edible delights is: a huge bag of Bombay mix; two cartons of coconut water; a carton of Halva; two food doctor bars; a massive packet of flax seeds, brazil nuts and walnuts; a bottle of old-fashioned lemonade and a load of sugar-free chews.

Some of this (like the coconut water) is health food stuff (technical term I swear!) that I have been wanting to try for ages, and have probably blabbered on about to friends for a loooong time. Other things (like the Bombay mix) are more indulgent items of food that I secretly adore but rarely buy.

I was very pleased with my box of treats 🙂

On a further food-related note:

I received three cookbooks for my birthday. It’s a standard practice for me really 😛

My lovely uni friend Kathryn bought me the pasta book and the veggie cookbook, it was the only present I actually got on my birthday so it was a nice surprise. I have  earmarked several recipes to try out in each!

I also got the beautiful Primrose Bakery cookbook. I’ve wanted it for ages as it’s full of gorgeous photos and absolutely delicious sounding recipes. I have already tried my hand at the flourless chocolate cake and the lemon drizzle cake, both of which were fantastic!

Clockwise from the top left: Virginia Woolf by Alexandra Harris, The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter, cupcake wrappers and cake doilies, Sweaty Betty yoga mat, locket pendant, Benefit Speed Brow, Clarins – Joli Rouge in Poppy Red, Optimum – Overnight Skin Renewal Serum, The Body Shop – watermelon body lotion, and Postcards from Penguin.

Isn’t it just the best haul? I’ve been thoroughly spoiled this year by my parents and my sister. I loved everything I was given and I’ve already worn and tried everything out.

I love my family!

And last but definitely not least…

My amazing boyfriend bought me the most beautiful pendant I’ve ever seen. An aquamarine heart set into white gold with two sparkling diamonds.

As I said, completely spoiled.

I love you Tom 🙂

Aquamarine is my birth stone so it’s particularly special and the first present Tom ever bought me was a pendant so I’ve been wearing one for nearly the entire time we’ve been together. I love this pendant even more though and I’ve worn it everyday since he gave it to me!

So there you have it. All of the simply lovely things I’ve been given this year for my birthday. I’m a lucky lucky girl.

What do you want for your next birthday (or Christmas if that comes first)?
What was the best present you got for your last birthday?
What has been the best present you were ever given?