The best birthday ever.

I let you down.  I didn’t quite eat 27 desserts yesterday like I said I would but I came pretty close.  I will make up for the remainder today.  

Let me just start off by telling you that my apple fritter was all I could have hoped for.  The problem is that I drive by Yum Yum Donuts (where the A.F. was from) daily.  It was the best A.F. I have ever had.  We might have to move.

For lunch I met up with the girls at Santana Row to get some delicious eats.    

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This may look like an ordinary salad and not a salad that someone who is obsessed with celebrating her birthday to the extreme would order but the picture is deceiving.  This salad was incredible.  All of the toppings were at the bottom but it had steak, bleu cheese, sweet potatoes and lots of other veggies in a delicious house dressing.  I was very happy with my decision.

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Next door to the salad place was Kara’s cupcakes.  We were debating on getting cupcakes but the second we walked inside and smelled the cupcake shop we couldn’t turn away.  

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Fast forward lots of talking and walking around the outdoor mall…. it was time to go to dinner with my two favorite dates in the whole wide world.  

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We had an Outback gift card that Billy got for his birthday last summer and decided that it should be used last night.

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The best things in the above photo are the Tangy Tomato dressing, that warm fresh bread and THOSE CROUTONS.  There is some magical coating on those croutons.  

I always order the same thing when I go to Outback.  Steak and a baked potato.  I refuse to get anything else because those are two of my most favorite foods.  

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And then they brought out the birthday hot fudge sundae dessert.  Success..  

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We came home and watched the Biggest Loser and talked about the grand adventures (one of them includes going to the Jelly Belly Factory that is about 1 hour and 17 minutes away from us) that we want to take this next year.   Definitely the best birthday I have ever had…. I’ll give you a clue why:  it starts with a B and ends with a rooke.  

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Do you ever go to Outback?  What do you order there?

When was your favorite birthday?  Why was that one your favorite?

If you HAD to choose between only having cupcakes or only having ice cream for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Looking forward to anything today?

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97 comments

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A few thoughts:
1. Bleu cheese, steak, and sweet potatoes would make any salad incredible.
2. Brooke’s outfit. OMG.
3. That is the world’s cutest cupcake.
4. I used to work at Outback and eat those croutons by the handful (don’t think about the sanitary aspects of that too hard.)
5. I’m so happy you had the best birthday ever with Brooke and Billy :-)
6. Oh, and one week from today we will be partying it up…

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Love the mommy/baby portrait at the start…glad u had a great birthday Janae :)!

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Happy birthday! That salad looks amazing. I’m going to be thinking about it all day now. Almost good enough to choose that instead of cupcakes and ice cream. Almost.

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We used to do Outback. LOVE the ranch dressing there as it has a little kick to it. Steak. I don’t understand why people order chicken or fish at a steakhouse.
Cupcakes. Definitely.

The Kidless Kronicles

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Outback has the best salads & they’re baked potato soup is to die for!

My favorite birthday so far was probably my 23rd. It was combined with my bachelorette party. We did a wine tour & when we got back my hubs had a surprise party waiting for me at one of my favorite restaurants. Such a great day with so many people that I love.

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looks like a straight up awesome bday! i would pick … ice cream, bc you could still make it into milkshakes and stuff. that’s a hard one though!

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That salad looks so good!! If I had to choose between cupcakes and ice cream I would choose ice cream. Cake used to be my favorite but ice cream has taken the lead. I really like that picture of Brooke and Billy at Outback. Very sweet.

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It sounds like a wonderful, perfect day!! Happy Birthday!!

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Outbacks bloomin onion is my favorite and I always eat too much and feel sick. It’s worth it. I would choose ice cream!!

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Happy belated birthday!!! I would definitely choose ice cream. My birthday was last week and I think it was probably my favorite. My husband (not a baker at all) surprised me with a cake that he made all by himself. I am really looking forward to the weekend!!!

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I love the look on Brooke’s face in all of the dessert photos. It’s like she’s saying, “Mom, I want some cupcake, too!” Adorable. It sounds like you had an awesome birthday with lots of awesome foods. Blue cheese definitely makes any salad better. I think if I could only have cupcakes or ice cream, I’d choose cupcakes, which I suppose is why I want to have cupcakes at my wedding instead of regular cakes. :)

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Her little pig tails!! My dad always refered to them as handlebars and wpuld make motorcycle noises whenever i wore them. Good tines lol

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The closest Outback to us is like 40 minutes away, so I’ve probably been about 4 times since I moved to CT in 1997. It is delicious, though. The bread and butter is amazing.

I can’t think of my favorite birthday. This one wasn’t exciting, but it was really great because people kept stopping by during the day and bringing me delicious treats.

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What a beautiful day! Quick question: It is so amazing that you met a great group of women so quickly after moving to a new place. can I ask how you did so? Where did you meet them?

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Ice cream definitely!! Growing up we
Always had at least two flavors in the freezer and we ate some every day! My favorite birthday was last year because I knew I was pregnant. This year will be even better when my little buddy gets here.
Looks like you have an awesome group of friends!!

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Oh my gosh your pictures look like they were professionally done! I love the cupcake that’s practically the size of Brooke’s head and you can’t go wrong with steak and a baked potato. I’m glad you had a great day :)

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I’m looking forward to a low key Valentine’s Day and a home made cake!

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Glad to hear you had such a great birthday!!! I love Outback, they actually have a salad there that I LOVE and I am sooo not a salad person at all!

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I’ve been to that Jelly Belly factory, and it’s definitely worth the drive! They have huge bags of jelly beans that aren’t quite right (wrong color for the flavor, misshapen, but they all taste amazing) for really cheap – or at least they were when I was there. I might have come home with two bags.

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I agree! My husband and I went to the Jelly Belly Factory when we were in Napa for our honeymoon. It was really neat to take the tour and see how everything was made. Plus, the Belly Flops (the mistakes) are totally worth it. I think when we went they were $5 a bag, but it was a big bag! :) YUM!

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May this year be full of continuous love, health and success!!

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Awwr that’s right! It was your first birthday with Brooke :D Definitely one to remember, and I’m glad that you enjoyed it so much. I’m actually not sure that I could pinpoint one favorite birthday – I love them all! And today I’m looking forward to doing a little bit of baking and a whole lot of taste-testing :mrgreen:

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Haha, mt fiancé is actually Australian so needless to say we never go to outback because he finds it slightly offensive! Though we do go to the real outback in Australia about once a yea which is amazing.

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I have never been to Outback before! I think it’s because red meat kinda freaks me out! I think the past birthday I had was pretty great. Me and about 10 of my girlfriends got a hotel room near a casino, and danced the night away! I think I would choose cupcakes! But I do love ice cream – difficult question!

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Aw Happy Birthday Janae!!! That steaks looks AMAZING and it is 9am in the morning- I would def eat that right now :)

Glad you had such a great bday!!

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OMG THE JELLY BELLY FACTORY!?? Can I come!? Haha. I’ve never actually been to an Outback Steakhouse, but it looks good? And ice cream versus cupcakes is hard… I’d have to go with ice cream. But if it was just ice cream versus icing, then I’d choose icing. A big bowl of icing :)

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WITHOUT A DOUBT… Ice cream. It’s my vice.

http://realliferunnergirl.blogspot.com/

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Happy birthday! If you don’t already, you should ‘like’ kara’s on Facebook. they give away free cupcakes to Facebook fans a few times a month. I love that place:)

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A few things:
1. You and your friends are so cute. I am just so thrilled for you that you already have a group of girlfriends in Cali. It seems like you all share the same values and religion, which just makes friendships that much stronger.
2. Brooke’s pigtails are out of control cute. She belongs in an advertisement or on TV.
3. Yes, yes, yesss….Outback’s croutons are INCREDIBLE! I don’t know what it is but I can’t get enough of them. I am the crouton sniper whenever my family goes to Outback.
4. You are the most beautiful new mom I “know.”

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Aw, that truly does sound like the best birthday either! You can’t beat quality time with wonderful family and friends surrounded by delicious food! :) I’ve actually never been to Outback (gasp!) because we usually go to Texas Roadhouse when we go out for steak since it’s my husband’s favorite restaurant. I’d love to try Outback one of these days though. As for cupcakes vs. ice cream? Ice cream all the way. I do love some cupcakes, but ice cream will always win! Today I’m looking forward to my husband coming home! He was out of town for an interview, and I’m excited to see him. :)

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Love Outback! They have this Philly type sandwich that is absolutely amazing! The last question is easy-ice cream! Definitely!

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Looks like you had a great birthday! :)
We go to Outback every once in awhile (I have a gift card so we will probably go soon), and I usually order the ahi tuna appetizer as my dinner with the blue cheese pecan salad. I also love love love their coconut shrimp!

I would definitely go with ice cream (although I do love a good cupcake). Ice cream is the best!

I’m looking forward to teaching my hip hop class tonight, watching our boys basketball team win a district tournament game, and then exchanging valentine’s cards and cuddling up with Daniel! Oh, and no work tomorrow! :)

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I never go to Outback, not big on chain restaurants…

I’m excited to hear all about my daughter’s day at school. She is 6. I remember when I was in elementary school Valentines Day was one of my FAVORITE Days. All the activities and the Valentines….tonight we’re going to decorate cookies with her cousins and my mom.

It looks like you had a great birthday!! Good! You deserve it:-)

Happy Valentine’s Day as well!

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We used to eat at Outback and college and I would always get a filet steak with a sweet potato. I recently went with my grandparents (like last year) and it wasn’t as good as I remembered.

Ice Cream…not even a question. I am putting that donut shop on my agenda for next time I visit my mom.

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Ice dream for sure! I’m not a big fan of cake, but i love cake batter ice cream:) glad you had a wonderful birthday!

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Looks like you had a great birthday! Have a great valentines day too!!

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I love that you shortened apple fritter to AF. haha They are my favorite doughnuts too!
Looks and sounds like you had such a wonderful birthday! That salad sounds amazing!

Brooke is such a cutie!!! I hope I’ll get to meet her! Are you going to run New York this year??

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sounds like an absolutely fantastic birthday!!!

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I don’t really eat at steakhouses, they don’t have much on the menu for us vegetarians.

My birthday last year was pretty amazing. I ran my first marathon, Chicago, on my birthday!

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Ice cream, hands down. :)

Can ‘today’ be ‘tomorrow’, since it’s already 11 PM?

I’ll take that as a yes. Looking forward to a nice long run early tomorrow morning!

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Kids do make birthdays better! I loved my birthday last year. I ran my first marathon and then went hiking with my family around Hovenweep and Natural Bridges. It was amazing.

I don’t really like cake, so I would go with ice cream, although I am also not a huge ice cream fan…so really I would go with pie or cookies or brownies :)

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I loved going to the jelly belly factory!!! We always came home with big giant bags of “belly flops”. Those are the jelly bellys that are deemed rejects because there stuck together… There the greatest! Your birthday looked fantastic!!

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The cupcake versus ice cream decision is difficult. BUT if the cupcake had buttercream icing, i think cupcake. buttercream makes everything awesome.

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Definitely ice cream!

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Sounds like a great birthday! I have had some great birthdays but I think my 27th was the best. It was a several day long celebration that was filled with cupcakes and wineries. I don’t know how I’d choose between cupcakes and ice cream! I’d probably just have to flip a coin lol I’m too indecisive and love them both too much!

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When the hub and I were traveling to Lubbock, TX for his 70.3 last year, I became a true fan of Outback (shocking as I’m a vegetarian). The rice pilaf and green beans make an excellent dinner- along with salad.

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I love Jelly Bellys!! I can’t wait for you to go on the tour and report back :)

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Brooke’s hair. Too cute.

I am so glad that you had a good birthday!! And that is exactly what I order at Outback, why would you get anything else?! :)

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Mmm cupcakes! I’d definitely rather eat cupcakes over ice cream.
Brooke is so adorable. Love the pigtails.
No outback where we live…

Best bday was a trip to California for 5 days then Vegas for 5 days. I had so much fun. We went to Disneyland and rented a convertible and stayed at the Luxor in Vegas.

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I am so jealous of all the outdoor malls/places you seem to have to go around where you live! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Brooke’s hair!! She is probably the most adorable child EVER! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

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It looks like you had a wonderful day with great company and food!!

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Glad you had a wonderful b-day love! You deserved every amazing moment. :)

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Brooke’s pigtails are the cutest!

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Happy birthday, girl!

http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I know it is a cardinal sin to even speak this, but I do NOT like chocolate. That being said, your cupcake looks AWESOME none-the-less!

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Yes-Love Outback!! Always get 1/2 bloomin onion to share and steak and veggies!
Favorite Birthday: Hopefully my next (I have had many good ones though!)
I would say ice cream! Although if it was Starring Rolls Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting rolled heath bar toppping…I would have a hard time deciding!
Looking forward to next birthday…my 40th!! In Mexico in April!!

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What an awesome way to spend your Birthday!!
I love Outback.
We hit up the Jelly Belly Factory and did the tour. You will love it. They give you samples along the way.

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Seriously LOVE birthday’s and Brooke must have made it even more special. BEST DAY!

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Looks like a lovely birthday time :) Glad you had such a beautiful day with so many loving people to share it with <3

Jelly Belly Factory is INSANE. Soooooo much candy other than Jelly Belly', you will absolutely love it :) And, if you find yourself around a Kinder's, I suggest you check it out too. My husband LOVES the meat stuffed in bread roll.

Cupcakes for the rest of my life for sure.

When I first went to outback with the Hubby I ordered steak, crab legs, shrimp and sauteed mushrooms. And lots of bread. All so good!! I haven't been to Outback in quite a while. . .

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Is that a Pluto’s salad?! You have no idea what I would give for a Pluto’s salad on my birthday!! Sadly, there is nothing remotely as good as Pluto’s where I live (Washington, DC).

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Pluto’s salads are the BEST!

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Happy birthday! I have to tell you I need to swing by your posts to get my Brooke fix. She is just the cutest!

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Sounds like an amazing birthday. Glad you had a good time!

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Aw! Looks like you had a great bday! HAPPY (BELATED) BIRTHDAY!!!! Glad you had a great one! :)

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Brook looks like she is getting so big! Don’t they grow up so fast!
I could not live without Ben and Jerry’s phish food ice cream.

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Glad you had such a great birthday!! You must go to the Jelly Belly Factory! We go every time we visit my grandparents who live in Napa. It’s the best place and the Belly Flops (messed up Jelly Belly’s sold in 2 lb bags) are the best! I would suggest going on a warm day though, it’s always windy there for some reason!

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What a fun day!

We went to Outback for my birthday this past year–they have such yummy bread too. Mmmmm! I also like the flatbread pizza & their baked sweet potato. Mmmm!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! What a great day! My 26th was definitly my favorite because it was a few weeks after Brooklyn was born.
I think the lunch picture is further confirmation I need to quit my job and stay home so I can join you gals! love you! xo

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Glad to see you had a great birthday!! The hubby and I are pretty serious when it comes to a good steak…Outback…that’s a negative. Although, I would totally still eat there; when you’re starving, that’s a totally different story! That cupcake looks insane!!! My favorite birthday was this past October when I turned the big 3-0! The hubby planned an amazing surprise party for me at his parent’s house. I was COMPLETELY surprised!! My side of the family was there as well and some of our friends! It really was the best birthday!

Ice Cream foreverrrrrrrrrr!!! {Ben & Jerry’s , specifically}!

Tonight we are going to P.F. Changs for dinner. Looking forward to it because we have not dined there in about 5 years!! crazy, I know! Enjoy the rest of your day!!

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Your sweater is so cute!!! Glad you had such a fun birthday! :) I would have gotten the cupcakes too, good choice.

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What a great birthday! You’ve got us in suspense with your news… I can’t choose between cupcakes and ice cream because I love them both too much. If I could have any flavor anytime I wanted, I GUESS I would choose ice cream… no, cupcakes!!! ;)

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so glad you had a great day!

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Glad you three had so much fun!! Outback is my boyfriends absolute favorite place to go for filet mignon. He is obsess. Claims they get it right every time! Plus obviously the salads and bread!

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Yay! I love Pluto’s (and Santana Row in general. It’s so pretty). Glad you enjoyed your birthday :)

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May the birthday love continue today and throughout the year! Happy Birthday (one day late)!!!!!

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Looks like you had a great birthday! And oh, I would pick ice cream.

Ramblings of a Suburban Mom

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Please please please don’t EVER stop putting pigtails in Brooke’s hair! I cannot get enough :D Adorable!!!! & I agree about those croutons at Outback…there is something magical in them ;)

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Your family is seriously SO beautiful, Janae! You’re a lucky lady! I don’t go to Outback very often because I’m a vegetarian..and vegetarians don’t really hang out in steakhouses, but I could eat my body weight in their bread. Heaven.

I think one of my best birthdays was my 21st birthday (for obvious reasons), but also because my mom flew down as a surprise (I was living in SC at the time, she was home in IL). We spent the whole day at the pool bar, then went out for ice cream and spent time with my friends. It was so, so nice.

Today, I’m looking forward to my lady-date with my girlfriends and then we’re going out to celebrate being single!

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Hi! Just wanted you to know I mentioned you on my blog today… your blog is my favorite for sure!
Happy birthday (yesterday!)!!

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You made my day!

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SO glad you had a great bday! :) Love Kara’s Cupcakes YUM! And LOVE going to Santana Row! So much to see and buy (but the buying part doesn’t happen as much). LOL

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i can spy a pluto’s salad from a mile away!!
i’ve been reading your blog forever, but don’t usually comment. i went to undergrad at santa clara and love living in the bay area again vicariously through you :) have you tried pizza antica on santana row? so delish!!

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Ahhhhh that is so so cool!!! I want to go there so bad, every time I walk by I drool!

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Girl, when we visited San Fran/Napa we made a special trip to the Jelly Belly factory because they were my favorite. Yes, WERE. Past tense. After the glorious tour and spending an hour at the tasting wall (it was beautiful!) I purchased about 5 pounds of beans. On our way back to our hotel in SF, I consumed about a pound of those delicious beans. Fast forward two hours later, we’re in a cab heading to dinner. Speeding cab + hills of SF + one pound of Jelly Bellies in my belly = not good. I barely made it to the restaurant where I hopped out and, um, lost those beans on the sidewalk. That was 5 years ago and I have not had a Jelly Belly since!

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OH NOOOOO!! That sounds awful. What a sad experience!

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You are going to LOVE the JB factory!! We live near Sacramento and go all time, it never gets old.

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Cupcakes over Ice Cream if I had to absolutely choose. But man that would be a hard one to live with….missing Ice Cream.

Looks like you had a wonderful bday!! Man I can’t wait until Brooke is eating spaghetti with it all over her face & a smile – bet that is going to be so cute! (give that girl some food already!!! :) )

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Never really go to outback but when I do I love their bread!

Ice cream hands down. don’t even have to ponder that one!

Best birthday? probably last year when my sisters through me a surprise dinner at our apt. My bday is jan 2nd so often gets overlooked by the holidays. No one has ever taken me to dinner or for drinks or anything besides my parents of course and that’s ok w me I’m not one to draw attn to myself w bdays I like to be low key haha but that surprise was so nice!!! made me happy

I have a test for pa school tomorrow so my vday is gonna be spent studying for a couple of hours. After that I’m gonna relax w wine and food w my boy. Gonna go to hire this weekend to actually celebrate tho
Happy belated!

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GOOD LUCK TOMORROW! You are going to rock your test!

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OMG!!!! did you have your birthday lunch at Pluto’s???? i LOVE that place…and i was absolutely obsessed with them when i was in college. I think they have the best salads ever!!! Sadly there isn’t one near me now otherwise eating at plutos and karas would be on my list for good eats almost every other day!

Happy belated birthday! and happy valentine’s day to you and the fam bam!

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I DID!! Isn’t it amazing?!?! COME VISIT ME and we can eat there:)

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Janae!!!!!!!!!!! I can see Brooke following you in your footsteps!! What a doll! So glad you were surrounded by your Cali family!

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There’s an Outback about 45 minutes away from us, but we hardly ever go. I love their brown bread, though!!

My favorite birthday was my 18th one! I somehow convinced my parents I needed a bounce house, and they obliged, haha :) We had just graduated high school about a month before, so it was great to have all of my friends together and just feel like kids for a day. Oh and we had cotton candy, snow cones, and funfetti birthday cake!!

Ice cream hands down… and make it strawberry.

Have a happy Valentine’s Day!!

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Happy Birthday Janae!! I absolutely love your blog and not to mention, your family is so so adorable!

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They closed all the Outbacks in Ontario – so sad :-(

Happy Belated Birthday!

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I would totally choose ice cream over cupcakes :) Looks like a fun birthday celebration!

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Glad you had a fantastic birthday! And I would choose ice cream. Definitely.

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