I’m back from my surprise birthday! I’m the big five oh now!
I can’t believe it! Where has the time gone?
My surprise getaway included a stay at a luxury resort in the…cough, cough… ahem… Princess Suite (Princesses can be 50!), a spa day, hiking, fine food, butterfly conservatory, botanical gardens, the Shaw Festival’s musical Alice In Wonderland, gourmet peanuts grown in Ontario (who knew?) and a bit of shopping (bien sûr!). It was a great little trip even if I am HUGELY disappointed that my massage was not scheduled with one of the tattooed-steamin’-hot-buff-boy-massage-hunks I spotted at the spa. Oh no. My husband made sure my masseuse was a woman.
DUDE!!! Come on! It was my 50th for Pete’s sake!
I’ll get him back next year for his 50th! Mark my words.
Have you ever eaten a peanut wrapped inside a chip?
They are a salty crunchy bit of heaven. I am forever ruined for regular peanuts or chips. We bought them at the famous Picard’s Peanuts in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We went in hungry and came out with a massive bag and $40 worth of peanuts. It is never a good idea to shop hungry. You’d think I’d know that by now that I’m 50.
White Jeans
I wanted to wear this, but wearing white jeans is just an accident waiting to happen. Especially when I didn’t know what we’d be doing or where we were going.
Yes the pug wanted in on the action. No surprise there. For those of you that need to know the difference between a pug and a French bulldog Zoë was happy to help out.
My bag has a French bulldog on it. They look like they still could be sisters from another Mister though.
If you’re like me and white washes you out then white on the lower half is the way to go. I used to think that white made me look massive, but I’ve gotten over that since I turned 50, a few days ago, ha ha! My new found wisdom is overwhelming!
I never thought I’d be able to pull of this maternity/boho top. ( I swear I did not find this in the maternity section.)
Once again my new found 50 year old wisdom told me,
“No problemo!”
Unlike when I was in my twenties and wore empire waisted tops and people asked me when I was due now they just ask me how many baby pugs I’m hiding.
Problem solved!
Damn it’s great being 50!
What great wisdom have you learned lately?
Loving the new-found wisdom!! And the white jeans, and the birthday spectaculaire! Congratulations, you are gorgeous, smart, fun and delightful. And now you have a nice round number, no more fumbling around with that “49” thing. Cutest pug ever, too.
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
True. 50 is even Steven : )
Happy 5-0! My fifties have been my best decade yet, and I can’t wait to see what my 60’s bring. I think the top is really cute, and you’ve kept it balanced with the narrow bottoms. I’m with ya on the white being accident magnets, though. It seems that the coffee or red wine or bbq sauce has a homing device set to “seek & destroy” for white jeans. But I still love them. 😉
I’m delighted to hear that so many people have really enjoyed their 50’s. You’ve lit the way : )
See—I told you 50 was the better generation!!!
Happy birthday—and what a fun surprise (although that tatooed masseuse might have been too rough—it’s good that you had the woman…ha ha)
I’ve also decided that I could care less about spilling on my white things—that just means I get to go shopping for a replacement!!
Fabulous outfit BTW—the shoes are quite covetworthy!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Actually the female masseuse almost killed me! I had to tell her to be more gentle. It isn’t easy getting massages when you have Fibromyalgia. 70% of it is pain and 30% is pleasure.
The shoes are quite fabulous because I can walk in them for over 30 minutes. That is like finding the Holy Grail of shoes.
What a fun trip. Beautiful pictures. So sweet of hubs to plan that for you. Love your wisdom. Getting older and more comfy with everything is cool. Let’s us focus on us and the super fun stuff. Have a wonderful weekend. Hope my 50 looks half as freakin fabulous!
I need to make a tee that says, “Over 50 Fun Seeker”. That might get me in trouble though.
Get you, you’ve all all zen now you’re fifty. Hope it happens to me, too!!
What a fab birthday treat, topless hunks aside, you were seriously spoiled. Butterflies, savoury snacks, hiking, shopping, food, music…perfection.
Love the sleeves on that super cool kaftan and the white jeans are just great on you. Zoe is far prettier than a French bulldog (although they are rather cute).
What was the name of that scary Russian woman in From Russia With Love? The one with the blades in her shoes. Wonder if she’d oblige the birthday boy with a massage next year? xxxx
Ha ha! I need to line her up. Although, knowing my husband that’d only turn him on more. TMI?
Happy Birthday kiddo and thanks for sharing a few pics of your surprise getaway! Hope you had a marvelous time!
Thanks for the birthday wishes Sue : )
Happy, Happy Birthday! Your birthday getaway sounds like my fantasy! The princess suite (obviously), Alice in Wonderland, and a butterfly garden? What a dream!
I love this relaxed look too. I know this isn’t anything like me, but I haven’t been digging the colorful printed peasant tops. But this solid chambray one is calling my name! I already have all the other pieces to replicate this look too. I think chambray and white really pops, and I finally have my first espadrilles to finish the outfit!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
I didn’t think this was really me either until I tried it on, you know, just for fun! Ha ha. I should know better than that by now. I could most definately see you wearing something like this.
Although this birthday was great my surprise getaway about 3 years ago I was surprised with an AMAZING fantasy getaway. It was a bit like being on the Bachelor. You can read about it here
http://suzannecarillo.com/my-best-ever-bachelor-date/
Best. date. ever.
Oh what a lovely celebration. You were already wise and wonderful. This new decade will no doubt be Nirvana. I didn’t accept white jeans on my little short bod until I was almost 58 so you’re way ahead of me. I’ll bet lil’ Zoe really missed you while you were gone.
She has fun with friends at Petsmart. Apparently her bestie was a German Shepherd. LOL
Aw, I love your bag, and what an great post! You look amazing, and I have always wanted a French bull dog, I am still hinting to my bf, but we both travel a bit too much for work at the moment to take care of one. Love your empire waist top, and thanks for being an inspiration. <3 /Madison
FASHION TALES SUMMER
Yes a dog is a real commitment. Essentially I am her slave. Whatever the pug wants is how things proceed at my house.
Welcome to your 50’s! OOOh, you lucky girl, you got to go to Niagara on the Lake for your birthday. Sounds like a relaxing, pampering celebration, even if you didn’t get your choice of Masseuse.
I’ve had chipnuts before, and they are extremely addictive, enough so that I can’t buy them.
I never, ever buy anything white because I have become messy in my older age, and then last year a found a pair of white linen (lined!) summer pants and I’m determined to wear them at least twice this summer. The blue top is very cute, and you could stash a pug under there 😉
I NEVER should have brought all those bags of chip peanuts back! I think I’ve put on 5 lbs! Luckily the last couple of bags we bought for Robert wasabi and chill lime. It is the same as me visiting Pain Perdu. I lose my sense of self control and need to buy one of everything.
White jeans and a chambray shirt are classic! Your straw hat say’s, 50? I got this!
You look fabulous Suzanne.
Ha! Thanks for that Marilee : )
hurrah for great wisdom!!, now you’re wise And Fabulous!, and look lovely wearing white jeans!
I’m in love with your hat!
besos
This hat is my all time favourite, and I have quite the collection of hats. This is one of those very rare straw hats that you can squish in your suitcase and then it still comes out perfect. Some of the wire started coming out and I hand stitched it back in. I’ll never find another hat like this.
it looks exactly like the kind of hat I’ve been looking for all my life, you lucky girl!!
Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday trip! Glad that you have become already so much wiser since you turned 50! 🙂
I love the white jeans with the chambray top! And such a cute bag!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Andrea
Welcome to 50!! It’s a really great age to be! I’m looking forward to turning 55 this year. I get to start collecting my pension AND I qualify for the senior discount at all the thrift stores!!
Those peanuts sound delicious. Can they be ordered on line?
The peanuts can be ordered online I think. I put the link in the post.
55 seems like such a great number : )
Glad you had a good birthday. You deserve it!
Fabulous at 50! OK, so now that we’re middle-aged (can’t deny it anymore, after such a nice round number), we can make the most of it… I’m thinking temper tantrums, cocktails at noon, chocolate overdoses… anything that we can possibly get away with and blame on the (real or imaginary) impending menopause. What do you think?
I’m IN! : P
Glad you had a fabulous and fun birthday!! Butterflies and botanical gardens sound perfectly beautiful! I tend pretty strongly to avoid empire waist tops or dresses because at my stage in life they definitely start rumors…
Oh yeah…for you this would really start the rumour mill. Could be a funny April Fool’s joke!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Suzanne! 50…just the beginning of all things fabulous…Enjoy
https://fabulousageing.blogspot.com.au/
Thanks for the birthday wishes Elizabeth!
First off, Happy Birthday!!
50 is fabulous and it sounds like you had a perfect celebration! I am loving the white jeans with that super cool chambray top! Well done. Oh, that pug is pretty darn darling as well!
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
Oh yeah, Zoe knows just how cute she is ; P
Thanks for the birthday wishes Suzanne. (Great name BTW)
Congratulations on making such an elegant transition into your 50’s Suzanne – I told you it’d all be fine! That one day really made no difference at all did it?
I have to admit I struggle with white anywhere on my body. I love to see others look all crisp and understated, but on me I worry it’s just trashy. The idea of keeping it away from the face may be a good trick though and one which I’ll try. I love the boho top and think it works really well with these jeans.
Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday escape. And fitted in lots too. Brilliant x
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Yes, it was all in my mind…this 50 bump.
Happy, happy birthday! I’ll be joining you in the 50 club next year, and it’s looking pretty wonderful! I love you in white jeans – gorgeous as usual! Our next door neighbor has a french bulldog named Nixon – she’s adorable. But I still think pugs are cuter.
What a great name for a Frenchie! Ha ha.
Of course I agree pugs are cuter. I’d be a bad Mom otherwise ; P
We got a little peek of what you actually wore and that looked fab. I want to see that in a big picture. Can I?
I think it was a lovely way to celebrate your 50th birthday. Don’t worry, it gets easier and easier when you get older and older. I am in paradise now (62).
Greetje
Hanging my head in shame for not checking blogs. What a winner of a getaway!! Yes, that kablammo burst of 50-year-old knowledge can take one by surprise. I’m glad you’ve adapted to it so quickly. The boho top looks great but too bad you didn’t get to take it off in front of those massage men. Ah well. That’s why we look forward to 55.
Peanuts in Ontario? What’s next? Cheesie farms in BC? Heh. And, nope, no new wisdom here. None.
Happy 50, Suzanne, you goddess!
I have to wait a whole 5 years before I can get my hottie massage? Crap. We need to open up the foot massage/pedicure shop with buff guys. I’m willing to do the research. Don’t tell Robert.
Your birthday get away sounds perfect, but shame on Robert, haha. Although Par would do the same thing. And those peanuts are sounding so good right now, and yes, I’m hungry as I’m typing this.
Now let’s talk about the white jeans, I love wearing them and it took me some time to also decide they didn’t make me look huge as well (the life of being petite women, right?). But that boho top is having me wanting . . . like seriously wanting . . . I would be living in that thing! Great look, my friend.
I actually thought of you when I bought this top! It reminded me a bit of the denim one you scored at Anthro not too long ago.
beautiful and sexy at 50
Happy Birthday my almost birthday twin!!! I’m so pleased you had a lovely time.
Isn’t it a bit of a shock joining the 50 club – eek, I’m not sure I’m ready for it. I still think I’m about 31. It’s going to take some getting used to this new number. Much love and happiness though to you for your new decade.
And thank you for your kind words on my blog about my Dad.
https://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
Happy birthday! You look waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay younger!!! You look so good in those jeans. I would be spillage city in those!