If ‘the laid-off life’ has been about anything for me, it’s been about creating my own adventures, and figuring out what exactly I’ve wanted those adventures to be. It’s been about being selfish, in a good way, in a self-discovery sort of way. And as yesterday was my birthday, and the first birthday I’ve spent completely free of work or studies or any real obligation, it was all about creating the perfect day for me.

What does that entail, you might wonder?

Started with a spin class. For those of you who follow the blog you know how many culinary adventures I’ve been enjoying…which means exercise is a must!! 🙂

Spinning was immediately followed by a birthday tradition I created for myself about a decade ago, a treat I rarely partake in – a Rosemary Bagel with Veggie Cream Cheese, Tomato and Lemon Pepper. Thank you, New York Bagel in Brentwood!

The next step in my perfect day was my Free Birthday Trust Me from SugarFish. Every year I’m eligible for this free lunch, and most years I’m at work and things just get in the way of taking SugarFish up on treating me. NOT THIS YEAR!

Another birthday tradition of sorts for dessert…a Peanut Butter Chip cupcake from Sprinkles. This is the only cupcake that would really warrant me going to Sprinkles, and to complicate matters it’s only available on Tuesdays and Sundays. Thankfully this year my birthday was perfectly in line with the PB Chip schedule. And oh yeah, we couldn’t resist a Strawberry cupcake too…to offset the chocolate!

Food and sugar coma well under way now, it was time for the relaxation portion of the day…a foot massage. Hard to really say whether it was the food or the massage that put me to sleep!

After this day of my favorite things, I finished it off with dinner with my parents at a new-ish restaurant on La Brea, Odys & Penelope. My brother even made a cameo via FaceTime. We had a delicious meal – a refreshing glass of Rose for me, fried mushrooms, skillet focaccia, kale salad, skirt steak, bolognese, brussel sprouts, chocolate cake, sticky toffee pudding. I love the interior of this restaurant (I want to go back and sit at the bar), and everything we ate was very good, especially the bolognese!

Finally to end the night, another one of my favorite things…a much needed glass of Nocino (pronounced: No-chino), a digestif that my friends make themselves. Ever since visiting Bologna, Italy, this has been a staple in my life, and after a day of so much indulgent eating this ‘Noc’ was required for getting to sleep on such a full stomach 🙂

I couldn’t have asked for anything better today, and the best part is I designed it all. Whether it’s your birthday or just a random day, I hope you all take the opportunity to Treat Yo Self!