For Your Consideration 007: Birthday Edition

My grand age reveal

Welcome to For Your Consideration, a rapid-fire round-up of things I think are worth considering (shopping, watching, reading, thinking, doing). This time, it’s a birthday edition because today is, in fact, my birthday!

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Lying about your age

I’m not talking about lying to say you’re younger, I’m saying lying to say you’re older than you actually are. At my first real grown-up job after college, a colleague of mine told me to not tell anyone how old I was at the next place I worked at, because it meant I could get promoted faster. I took this very seriously. I have not posted my age anywhere for years, I’ve explicitly asked publications to not include my age when quoting me in an article, I took any college dates out of my LinkedIn, etc. – and so, everyone has assumed I’m older than I actually am.

At some point, people did start asking me my age directly, to which I’d just lie (which is funny, because I famously cannot lie – I’m usually incapable of it). So, I’ve been telling people I’m 29 for 4 years now! Well today’s the day. I’m actually 29 now. Sorry to everyone I lied to. All that to say, I encourage you to lie about your age. I do think I advanced in my career quicker because people thought I was older.

Celebrating your birthday for one, singular day

The concept of a “birthday week” or “birthday month” is so fucking annoying and someone had to say it. You get one day. Stop making your friends spend so much money.

Buying yourself something really nice

I’ve never been one to buy myself a birthday gift, but I’m going to this year. I have my eyes on a pair of secondhand Chanel ballet flats that I’ve been trying to source at a decent price and in good condition for the last three years. My very chic friend Taylor Barnett has advised me to hold out on purchasing until I go to Paris next month, because it will be more special if I buy some there. Her advice is gospel, so I’m trying to not let my impatience get the best of me.

Remind yourself 30s are the new 20s

Whoever said their 20s was the best time of their life peaked in college. 30s are so much cooler! You have more money, you know who you are, and you’re the sexiest you’ve ever been. Hot. One more year until I’m the hottest version of myself.

Give yourself at least one vice, and you’re not allowed to feel bad about it

I gave up drinking some 4+ years ago, so I felt the itch of needing at least one vice. Life is meant for living!!! For a while, my vice was candy, but then my pants started to not fit anymore. Ah! Time for a new vice! This summer, I went to the south of France with my bestie and I was determined to smoke my first-ever cigarette in my life. What place better than France to pop my cigarette cherry? And it was wonderful. I have had several since and that’s okay because it is my one vice and I’m not allowed to feel bad about it. My very English boyfriend also told me that “vacation darts don’t count” and I think that’s beautiful.

Birthday hats (the classic ones)

I mean, how chic?

Okay everyone say happy birthday to me. Love you bye

x

Sophie