The atomic number of tin - the fifth magic number in physics - or 50.

Take your pick. Either way that's what my birth date declares it is today. "How did I get here?" as David Byrne from Talking Heads once asked. 


I'm not one to over celebrate birthdays for myself.I'm not even that fussed with presents but I love a surprise. It's fun but I've had a lot. At 40 I had a huge party in a fabulous setting (my cousin's house on a hill overseeing the lights of Brisbane from way up high)with 60 people and self catered, but I didn't feel like 


I have a full day at uni on Wednesdays and my son is normally at his dad's every Wednesday but that did not stop me having one of the best birthdays ever and certainly since my 40th.


I had a nice coffee with a uni friend between 2 tutorials and who gave me some lovely tiny glitter bird magnets. (a surprise to get a gift)Then between a tutorial and a late lecture I had lunch with my 2nd longest known friend. He booked Sono Japanese restaurant for lunch and we had bubbly (only one each - he had to go back to work and I had a lecture to go to)and salmon for lunch. Second surprise - I got a card that said "Princess for a day" and when I opened the card I got a surprise large sum on birthday money. 

Teriyaki Salmon and bubbles! (and a lot of cleavage..oops)

Salmon boat also with bubbles!

Friends of 33 years in poor quality iphoto photo taken by nervous waitress!

After uni I picked up Alexander and met my family at a local pizza place for dinner. Not very glamourous but really nice to just go out and be together. My nephew has a limited diet but can eat pizza and it is just more relaxing to have a casual night. More surprises followed as one sister gave me some beautiful pearl and diamond earrings and matching pearl bracelet, lots more birthday money from Mum, Dad and my other sisters. Plus Dad paid for the dinner out when in fact, I had invited them to celebrate with me!  Dad then bought the boys some gelato. It's the simple things isn't it!

I know I said I had put my sewing things away, and I had, but I thought I don't want to go into the second half of my century not well dressed - so last night instead of doing economics I made a dress I cut out two nights previously. It was not a smooth run, however.


It is Simplicity 2401 (sorry no photo of the pattern) but it is a  lovely pattern and very easy. I made a 12 bodice but did not make the A-line skirt.  I made a long drindle skirt. The underbodice piece I placed against the grain to have the stripes run horizontally for interest. I don't have a photo yet, but the skirt seam is nearly invisible as I matched it by chance! I used my ruffler foot (contraption) and slightly gathered the skirt as I wanted a more straight up and down skirt and it was quicker than 4 seams! It took 4 hours exactly but I broke two needles and the thread was playing up even though it is good thread (never buy cheap thread!). 


The pattern has an encased elastic back the the top goes together so nicely and all seams are invisibly inside. The fully faced bodice pieces have 3 open darts each so that was 12 and that probably took the longest to do. I made it from a cotton silk blend that I bought at Brisbane's new The Fabric Store. It cost $8 per metre and is 140cm wide! It has the most luxurious feel. It is not silver as it appears in the evening photo but a lilac/pinky colour as per above.


The camera I used tonight has a very strong flash (must read the manual to adjust) and the dress looks like it is silver but the true colour is above.


All in all a wonderful, surprising and simple birthday filled with people who I love and are really special to me. Phew! and I don't feel any different to about 30 years ago!