{"id":90361,"date":"2025-01-31T01:23:04","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T01:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/31\/a-chocolate-y-champagne-y-birthday-party\/"},"modified":"2025-01-31T01:23:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T01:23:04","slug":"a-chocolate-y-champagne-y-birthday-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/31\/a-chocolate-y-champagne-y-birthday-party\/","title":{"rendered":"A Chocolate-y, Champagne-y Birthday Party"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Joanna<\/div>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

This month, I decided to invite a few friends over and throw myself a birthday gathering. I\u2019m turning 46, so it\u2019s not a major milestone, but life is short and I figured everyone could do with a little sparkle right now. So, why not?<\/p>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

My parties usually involve potato chips<\/a> and ice cream bars<\/a>, but my friend Maddy offered to make a giant bowl of chocolate mousse, which has been my favorite dessert since I was little. Then her<\/em> friend Erin<\/a>, a fine artist, asked if she could make a centerpiece with papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9. Of course, the answer was yes, and on the day of the party she walked in with a GORGEOUS swan, plus ribbons and candles and tablecloths, and oh my gosh, my jaw dropped<\/em>. What can women not do?!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After debating what to wear<\/a>, I went with the velvet dress with gold flowers<\/a>, plus sheer tights<\/a> and black heels<\/a>. S\u00e9zane pieces always make me feel pretty \u2014\u00a0this<\/a> was my trusty first-date top \u2014\u00a0so I knew I\u2019d love wearing it. Every time someone hugged me hello, they would say how soft and huggable the velvet felt, which felt very romantic and lovely.<\/p>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

Freddie arrived early, of course, and I love this pic taken THROUGH the swan!<\/p>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

\"gisela<\/p>\n

\"erin<\/p>\n

\"Stella<\/p>\n

Everyone mingled and chatted, and the house felt noisy and boisterous in the best way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Halfway through, we took a break to listen to music. My friend Rachel runs a music school<\/a>, so I had asked her if she could recommend a student to play. She told me that Keira Eli<\/a> was a star who writes her own music (!) so I was thrilled to hire her to come play two original songs.<\/p>\n

\"Eric<\/p>\n

Everyone was transfixed; you could have heard a pin drop. I cannot explain how slow and beautiful and moving her songs were. The moment felt almost holy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Next up, my hilarious friend David<\/a> sang Country Roads and Passing Through\u2026<\/p>\n

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\u2026and the crowd sang along.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Last but not least, long-time buddies Rob<\/a> and Adam<\/a> played violin and keyboard. They wanted to keep their song choices under wraps until the party\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2026so everyone cheered when they played Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and Chappell Roan\u2019s Pink Pony Club.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finally, my friends held up a tea light, so I could blow out a ceremonial candle\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And I ended the night with a kiss. I felt very lucky and glowy all evening and for the next few days \u2014 and, honestly, still! How grateful I am for these friends, as well as this online community. I told Freddie the next morning that this might have been my favorite birthday ever, and I wish I could tell my twenty-something self, who thought life ended at the stroke of midnight on your 40th, that there is so much more to come.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Thank you so much for reading! When\u2019s your birthday? Any other Aquariuses? Aquarii? What was your favorite-ever birthday, if you have one? xoxo<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. A funny thing we did on my 40th birthday<\/a>, and thoughts on aging<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(This post is sponsored by S\u00e9zane<\/a>, a brand we\u2019ve worn and loved for years. Thank you for supporting the companies that support Cup of Jo. Photos by Weddings by Nato<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

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136<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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