My 30th Birthday Photo Shoot + The Dress That Almost Didn’t Happen

I posted this photo on Instagram Sunday night (my actual birthday) once I returned from my phone and laptop free weekend away (more on that coming soon), and while I made a nod to my 30th birthday, I need to tell the story about this dress, because I keep getting asked questions about it, and it almost didn’t happen!

My stepmom and I went to Sunday brunch the week before my birthday, and she casually mentioned that she was thinking of stopping by Nordstrom Rack on the way home. Being that I love to browse their racks, I said I’d tag along if she really wanted to go. So, we caravaned over to the Howe ‘Bout Arden location and I immediately went to beauty and housewares section, then moved over to the clothes and shoes. It wasn’t “my day” as I call it when I can’t find anything, and by the time I tagged up with her, she had this long gown in her arms and was too excited. She tried it on, came back out and told me that I needed to get the dress. I reaaaaaallly didn’t want to, and I gave the reason why.”I’m never going to wear this dress! I already have too many things in my closet that I don’t wear and need to purge,” yadda, yadda, yadda. She said, “Well, go try it on.”

“I’m never going to wear this dress! I already have too many things in my closet that I don’t wear and need to purge,” yadda, yadda, yadda. She said, “Well, go try it on.”

She said, “Well, go try it on.”

So I did.

Then I came back out, sulking like a 12-year old whose mother made them try on something, and then people in the fitting room inserted themselves into our conversation, “You look great in that dress!” “You should get the dress!” I FaceTimed CJ and asked him if it was a bad move. After he told me how nice I looked, he said no.

So, maybe I needed to get out of my head about it, and maybe I needed to buy the dress, because as much as I preach that you should buy items that you can wear over and over again so that you can get the maximum wear, it’s really for moments like these, isn’t it?

A splurge on something that just gives you a thrill.

I purchased the $70 dress, hung it up over the door of my closet so I could look at it, and then I texted Christina, and told her that our scheduled “tame coffee shop reflective” 30th birthday shoot would now have to be TURNT. UP.

After I got home, I found out that the dress retails for over $600. So, I truly got a steal!

Everyone made me think that I would feel a special kind of way about turning 30. “It’s when you really feel like an adult” and “Life’s about to get really good” is what I commonly heard. If that is true, great! Bring it! I’m so ready. I have been adulting since I was a teenager, so if this is where I can coast just for a little, then I’m stoked.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes on social media and via email. It makes me feel so good to be thought of and loved like this. And, here’s a toast to those impulsive moments that make us feel good. They add a little bit of joy to every day.

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Photos by Christina Best Photography