Everything Else

A 20th Birthday Post

September 3, 2010

Monkeys?!

So, now i’m all grown up. I turned 20 on Tuesday, and still haven’t got used to it. I’m not sure i’ll ever be a real grown-up, which is why I insist on going to see monkeys and having clown birthday cakes and picnics with crisps and mini sausage rolls.

I’m a creature of habit and tradition, and have spent around 5 birthdays at Monkey World in Dorset – it’s one of my favourite places (you might know it from the TV series Monkey Life!). If you didn’t already know, I have 2 passions in life; clothes, and monkeys. Sometimes I wonder why i’m studying a fashion degree at all and wish I could be doing something worthwhile like saving Woolly Monkeys or Orangutans. Miguel describes it as an obsession, but since when did knowing the name and back story of the majority of monkeys at the sanctuary equal obsession? *ahem*

Still, i’m not sure you all visit to discuss my passion for monkeys, so how about discussing that birthday dress instead?! It’s only really a sneak peek, as you can’t see the entire thing, so i’ll leave you guessing as to where it’s from until I post better pictures of it. It has the most beautiful collar and print – and was a gift from my boyfriend Miguel, who also took and edited the pictures of the monkeys above (I stole them from his blog, please go and have a look at more in their full size versions, they’re stunning!)

Shiny Shoes and Picnic Baskets

I was such a lucky girl this year and received beautiful presents from my friends and family. I had a few of you asking what I got over twitter, so I thought i’d post a few pictures. I didn’t want to give too much away with the clothes, as they will form outfit posts in the very near future.

Thank you for all of your birthday wishes in the previous post as well – they put a smile on my face! Have a lovely day, i’m off to the gym to work off all the calories gained eating clown cake! x

68 comments

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  2. Katie ● Reply

    Next time I come round you’ll have to show me the navy blue whatever-it-is with the ribbon, it looks niiiice. Maybe I can come to you for my birthday and we can have an equally epic-sizd picnic and uh, Monkey spot (?) in St James’s park or something if the weather isnt -10 by then!

  3. venn ● Reply

    im curious about the navyy thingyy with bow ties! i wan to see it urgentlyy!! it must be beautifull,, :))

    anywayy,, have a wonderfullll weekend!

    xoxo

  4. Katie Walnut ● Reply

    I love monkeys, too 🙂 It’s not like your obsession but I’ve always wanted to have one as a pet :D:D

  5. Candice ● Reply

    I’m so glad you had a great time on your birthday. May I just say that M. and you just look amazing together?

    xxx from france.

  6. Rebecca ● Reply

    You got the dress!!! Oooh, I was sooo tempted to get it myself, but I’m trying to be good and not spend any money (: I hope you had a wonderful day, and ate lots of cake! happy (belated) birthday (: xo

  7. Beta ● Reply

    oh, THAT Nadinoo dress!!!! I was tempted to buy it for myself several times and I try to resist really hard. Lucky you, girl, can’t waist to see how it looks.

  8. Amy ● Reply

    You always seem to receieve the most gorgeous of presents, I can’t wait to see what you’ve received in outfit posts, it might give me some much needed inspiration when writing my own birthday list! It looks like you had the perfect birthday outing, I’m glad you had a good day 🙂

    xxxx

  9. Natasha ● Reply

    Happy Birthday! I turned 20 in August, and it was a daunting milestone to go over! I always felt as though 20 was the age where you really have to start being grown up (as opposed to 18, which is the legal age, but nothing really happens then!). Scary times, and it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one that feels that way!
    Looking forward to seeing your presents in action! 🙂

  12. Alice ● Reply

    Happy belated birthday! 🙂
    Love the Monkey Pictures !!! ^^
    Love the picnic basket and the cute bow tie. 🙂
    xx

  14. Cate ● Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    Lucky you spending the day in Monkey World, we normally drive down once a year to visit Gordon the Orangutan (who we’ve adopted) but so far we haven’t had the chance. Such gorgeous pictures of the primates. Gibbons are my favorite I’m hoping to do some volunteer work with them next year xoxo

    • Carrie ● Reply

      oh thats amazing! You definitely need to go and visit Gordon’s little one, Jin! : ) x

  15. Chisa ● Reply

    All the best! Happy belated B-day!

    Believe me, I turned 27 at the end of June and I still try to figure out how to grow up. I guess I may never manage it. (Even though I finished university already.)
    It doesn’t help that I’m asked for my passport to buy mundane things like fizzy wine or rated pg 16 DVDs. (Happened just the day before yesterday…)

    You shouldn’t judge your life by that standards anyway. Stay so creative and find your own way. Don’t listen to voices who tell you that you are not grown up enough or anything like that.

    Greetings!

  17. Gem ● Reply

    You look so cute!! I love your outfit and happy birthday for last Tuesday! I know exactly what you mean, I turned 20 on the 9th August and I’m still not used to it either!

  23. Louise ● Reply

    Happy birthday! And just let me say… NICE MONKEYS! I also am very impressed at the elegance with which you avoided that awkward fringe/candle situation… singed fringe ain’t a good birthday look!

  24. Jen ● Reply

    I love monkeys too, but I’m much more of a fan of plush monkeys. That might sound a little odd, but I have a lot of different plush monkeys that are completely adorable! Yes, I loved stuffed things!

    You look lovely. Can’t wait to see the outfit posts with your new things!

  29. JT ● Reply

    Haha, that’s so funny. My birthday (26th) was on Tuesday too and I got a pair of Kate Kanzier brogues (in brown/grey) and from the looks of it you got some too : )

  31. Amy ● Reply

    Looks like a fab birthday and your present are divine I can’t wait to see them all in outfit posts!!! x

  35. Faby ● Reply

    I totally understand you, I mean, I’m studying fashion journalism, but sometimes I just want to dedicate all my time to rescue cats and dogs from the streets :S

  36. Robyn ● Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
    hope you had a great day, i’ve been to monkey world too and loved it! my 85 year old granny did not however ha. looks like you got something lovely things, those brogues are yummy x

    • Carrie ● Reply

      Aww! We took my nan along on my 18th birthday (she would have been about 89 then!) and she loved it! haha x

  37. Emma ● Reply

    Happy Belated Birthday, girl! You’re looking very pretty, as are the sneak previews of your gifts! Glad to see you had fun; I’m originally from Dorset so have been to Monkey World a fair few times… too cool x

  41. Sheena ● Reply

    Oh I turned 20 this monday!! it feels so weird, doesn’t it? like i should now attempt to be a proper adult member of society doing proper things. found your blog through bloglovin, loving it!

  42. Nadia ● Reply

    Happy Birthday pretty lady!

    Hope you adore all your precious gifts.

    Love Nadinoo x

    P.S. I also have that cutie mystery dress your wearing, isn’t it magical?

  44. Jennifer ● Reply

    Ahhh, Monkey World! Gosh, I haven’t been there in years. Although I have to admit that I remember being more obsessed with the playground (is it still there?) than the monkeys.

    Love the dress, but I’m finding the clown cake a bit horrific; I’d probably cry if someone bought me that on my birthday!

  49. Carina ● Reply

    Looks like had a fabulous time. The clown cake especially is just so adorable. Monkeys are so cute, so similar in their behaviour to human beings.

  51. crazy pig ● Reply

    Oh, happy birthday to you! Awesome photos as usually, you look so pretty! And, as you are obsessed with monkeys, I’m the same with pigs- here comes my crazy nickname 😀
    And all these presents are so lovely! Do I really see some chinese magazine? Wow, can you speak chinese? 😀
    Well… can’t wait to see an outfit with the awesome blue peter pan-collared blouse ♥

  52. Hazel ● Reply

    Oh I can’t wait to see all your outfit posts showing all your beautiful birthday presents! And is that FUDGE Magazine I see? SO JEALOUS. I’ve been looking for that mag foreverrrr!

  54. S* ● Reply

    Happy Birthday to you!

    Wow…20 years old! 🙂 I will be 28 this months and still don’t feel like a grown-up! 😉

    S*

  58. Sarah Ellen ● Reply

    What gorgeous photographs! Happy birthday 🙂

    Does anybody know how the kate kanzer brogues come up size wise? I have major shoe issues, i’m really a 6 1/2 but end up having to get a 6 or a 7 depending how they fit.

    Do they come up large or small? x

  59. Lucy ● Reply

    Aaah wow my picnic basket looks amazing in your pic! 🙂
    But looking at your photos makes me so sad I wasn’t there… boo 🙁
    Looks like a wonderous day – cant wait to catch up cos Im feeling pooey ill 🙁
    p.s Flora just showed Womens Wear Daily lady your blog
    xxx

  61. Mo ● Reply

    EUH….OMG I didn’t know you were crazy about monkeys !!! and it makes me feel great because I AM CRAZY about monkeys !! Gorillas to be exact but i honestly could spend hours looking at any monkeys !! For my bday my boyfriend took me to the biggest Animal park in Scandinavia and i stared at the gorillas for about 2 hours before moving to the next animal… damn im so glad to realize im not the only “monkey weirdo”. If i could start over i would LOVE to study anthropology or something and be able to work with them.
    And i too think im never gonna grow up. Im 24 though.

    anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

  62. Rachel ● Reply

    My mom adopts Sheamus from Monkey World, she’s been in love with him since he was in the nursery 😀