This is 35.

I’m trying to think back to my 18th birthday.  Was there a pinata?  I hope so.

I’ve never been one to have my life planned out year by year. There was never the plan that I’d finish college (at all, let alone by a certain age), be engaged by 28, married by… what is it, 30?  Pregnant or something or other by 32.  No.  My brain has never worked that way.  

It’s not that I’m letting life happen to me, it’s just that the timeline plan was never much my forte.  Suffice it to say, I don’t even have my blog posts for next week mapped out, so larger life events… let’s just take those as they come and hope they keeps coming.  

Here we are at the ripe, old, healthy, hearty, grateful, trusting, and loving age of 35.  And, amen.  

I have less wrinkles that I thought I’d have. More importantly, I care less about wrinkles than I thought I would.  

I work for myself.  I work really hard, past fear and doubt into a place that feels sincere and resourceful.  

I feel thankful, deeply thankful with tinges of annoyance and frustration because life is a balance of gratitude and confetti and fear and anxiety.  

I think back to five years ago when I wrote a few of the things I had learned after 30 years in the world.  I was living in Venice, in love with someone I’m no longer in love with, working the work, trying the try.  

The difference between then and now is my commitment to making my own dreams come true.  Pointing my finger at the things I want to do, the feeling that I want to cultivate in the world… and going after those things with confidence and compassion.  

Because here we are for now and why the heck not? 

For my 35th birthday I did something special for myself.  I bought myself a pair of diamond earrings I’ve coveted for nearly a year.  I’ve never owned a single diamond.  This is my first and it feels special because this is something I did for myself.

Fancy.  I know.  

I got something for one of you too.  

Luna Skye makes some of my very favorite jewelry and I’d like for one of you to have this gorgeous GORGEOUS 14kt gold and diamond free form moonstone necklace.  A birthday stone from me to you!

To enter this giveaway, find Joy the Baker and Luna Skye on Instagram and follow us.  Do this because we’re quality humans and you like what we have to share.  

Next, leave a comment on this post giving me a bit of wisdom to carry with me in my 35th year.  I appreciate you.

A winner will be randomly selected and comment entry deadlines are this Friday May 27th 2016 at 5pm central time.  Giveaway open to residence far and wide.  

Remember, it’s about making your own dreams come true-  in big life moments, in cake form, in candy, in knowing that inside your heart is the light and confidence to do it, to find you way to shine bright for yourself and the world.

Come on, let’s!

xo Joy