Special 60th Birthday Gifted Gorgeousness post....

I'm going to let you into a little (not-so-) secret - last week I turned 60!

Unfortunately, this gorgeously appropriate cake was only a virtual one posted by a friend on my FB timeline for my birthday!

So, I thought that I would show off all my lovely gifts as a special GG 60th Birthday edition.

My birthday started two days early - with cake, flowers and presents at work.

Altogether my work colleagues generously gifted me with three bunches of flowers, some lovely pink and blue earrings and a chunky blue necklace plus a new apron and oven mitt for my new kitchen.  So, very kind and generous of them (we also went out and had a lovely dumpling lunch in nearby Smith St, Collingwood, too - no pics, sorry!)

The penultimate day before my birthday was spent with my dear friend, Lisa, who took me out jewellery shopping for my present from my mother's group whom I have known since DS1 (who is now 30) was a baby. I chose this gorgeous moonstone ring, it is a bit unusual as most moonstone rings are curved not faceted.

Afterwards, Lisa and I went to this great French creperie for lunch.

We had cider (traditional with crepes in certain parts of France, apparently).

The savoury crepes were delicious with duck fat potato and other yummy things in it.

... and finished with a great latte.

 On my actual birthday, I was given more lovely flowers from friends.

But firstly, this pretty ceramic jewel box from my dear friend, Linda.

The orchids were given to me by my Personal Trainer, Maria, who is fast becoming a close friend as well as my gym trainer.

DS2's gorgeous girlfriend, Yumi, sent me these lovely flowers from Sydney.

The next day, I had a post-birthday lunch with my dear friend, Wendy, who is the owner of Lazy Daisy Needlework (which is now, sadly for me, only an online store).

On the Saturday I had lunch with another dear friend, whose birthday is the day after mine - she gave this great cheese platter which will fit beautifully into my new kitchen - which will be white and grey and black.

When DD came home from a quick trip to Sydney to visit DS2, she brought back a "side" gift for me from the two of them - a Blind Date with a Book!

 Luckily I hadn't already read it!

... and some absolutely delicious macarons from Zumbo Patisserie.

 On the Sunday, after my birthday, I had a family and close friends lunch

at Farm Vigano to officially celebrate my 60th Birthday.  We had a wonderful time, drinking Aperol Spritzes, Prosecco and eating delicious Italian food.

I was given: more gorgeous flowers from DS2 (who is going to take me to see a live musical, probably "Muriel's Wedding" in early March next year as my real present); a wonderful Polish bowl for my breakfast from my dear friend, Marie and this sweet pewter ring box from my dear friend, Kim.

Here are more detailed photos of the gorgeous food.

This sweet pewter ring box from my dear friend, Kim.

UPDATE: TraderVic and I went to a dinner party last night at my dear friend, Eva's new home (she and her husband have downsized) and she gifted me with this gorgeous sandwich plate made by a glasswork artist and this stunning card featuring one of the roses from her garden.

 There will be more celebratory outings coming up in November - an outing with my dear friends, Heather and Franca to see the musical, "School of Rock" and a dumpling making workshop with my mother's group in lieu of a dinner out - should be fun!

Plus my three children plus my DIL, are going to buy me a stunning print or two from the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan.  My DIL will choose them when she is next in Taipei - you can see what they look like if you click on this link here.

BTW, in case you are wondering, TraderVic didn't forget me - he bought me a new ipad!

So, I have to say that I have been very spoilt and I feel thankful to have such a wonderful family and great friends.  Maybe 60 is not going to be so bad after all?

Thanks for visiting with me today.

hugs,