39! How did that happen?
Rare pic with the husband-must have been my birthday!
…I honestly, truly, and without sounding too cheesy hopefully, must admit I feel a damn sight happier now nearing my 40th year than in my early more angst-ridden 30s or even 20s, it’s nothing short of liberating!
Maybe that’s why so many say life begins at 40.
When you reach this age, which is a privilege, you’re experienced enough of the ups and downs of life to know what really matters. You’re more than likely to have experienced loss and love, higher education, life with children, a career and friends who’ve come and gone.
I put a lot of hard work in with therapy over 5 months after a big operation and cancer scare, and knowing myself more deeply than ever and equally feeling more in control by ironically loosening the feeling of needing to be in control so much, I feel somewhat reborn. I know, I should never have promised not to get cheesy earlier, but it’s true. IN ALL HONESTY, I’ve grown into the person I always wanted to be. See full on oozing (vegan) cheese right there.
I suppose at 39, I feel strong. Mentally. Physically (for the first time in a while) and happy. Others might not love or even like me and for the first time ever, I honestly, honestly, don’t mind, I get it, we’re not all for all and that’s just life. I also never seek others’ approval. I lean on myself know. I’m my own compass. Therapy taught me that.
But back to my birthday trip to London mid November where the family and I had the opportunity to pretend to be tourists in the Big Smoke, just 40 mins from our home in Windsor for a breather (if you can say that with kids-you can’t) but a pause at least from normality.
I didn’t want to arrange a big birthday bash this year and I’m not sure I will for my 40th (but let me get back to you on that one-ha), instead I opted for a low key weekend with the family wandering around my favourite city in the world, lapping up the lavish Christmas lights in the capital and eating delicious plant-based food until I could eat no more. The simple things in life: chomping the good food, strolling around St James’s Park and being with people you love (even if the kids squabbled over everything non-stop).
Huge thank you to the wonderful Maroush Gardens in Edgware Road for the most delicious Lebanese vegan meal bursting with falafel, hummus, aubergine stew, Tabbouleh salad and fresh mint lemonade in their sumptuous branch which always takes me back to my childhood and trips to London with my folks and brother.
And what a treat to get another family photo! All these years as a blogger’s husband are wearing Peter down!
Thank you also to Citadines Europe for the homely hotel apartment they gifted us with for my birthday weekend in the sweet spot that is Trafalgar Square, close to Charing Cross Station and pretty much everywhere central! They kindly left bubbles and a birthday cake for me and I stoked by their kindness.
Final thanks go to the art deco inspired gastro pub/restaurant Percy & Founders in Fitzrovia for a stellar Sunday lunch where The Kids Table (supervised fun for kids) entertained my boys while we waited for the food (the portrait Xander drew of me is too cute).
We ate: vegan superfood salad with homemade baguette and a roasted head of garlic, the butternut squash wellington, and pasta plus mash (my kids are weird).
I also plumped for peach sorbet ( I ate it before P had a chance to photograph #badblogger) and the kids, a pecan brownie and chocolate orange mousse cake.
Fab.
We feel so grateful for everyone’s generosity: the brands, hotels and restaurants who see value in collaborating with me and who went above and beyond to make this now 39 year old very happy indeed on her birthday. You all rock.
Do check out the vlog I made of the weekend too.
Excitingly, you can win a 3 course meal with wine and drinks, for 2 adults and 2 kids at Percy & Founders.
Ends 3rd January 2020.
Details below.
Enter via Rafflecopter.
Valid from 12th January to 1st March 2020.
2 adults plus children.
Includes a three course meal with a bottle of house wine and soft drinks/juices for kids.
UK only.
Travel will not be covered.
No cash alternative.
If the winner does not respond within 7 days of the email being sent, a new random winner will be selected.
The Kids’ Table will be back at Percy & Founders every Sunday 12-3pm from Sunday 12th January to Sunday 1st March 2020.
Promoted on Prize finder, Loquax, Super Lucky, UK Wins and Competition Database.
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Sounds like a fab place to go. I am always on the look out for places suitable to take children when we go to London (or anywhere else for that matter).
Hi Vicki! It’s been ages since I visited here! I was a subscriber but I was knocked off the system somehow. Just re-subscribed.
Happy Birthday!!! London looks great in these images. I visited London last summer and loved it. X
I would love to win and take my sister and her kids!
Looks like a great birthday weekend.
Would love to treat my partner to a special day out and a lovely meal.
Would love to treat my husband and son to a special day out and a lovely meal.
I live in wigan but would love to treat my friends who live in londom
This would be a wonderful treat for the family
the food looks great
Looks such a fun and family friendly place would love to take my family here and visit London enjoying a great day out.
My children love going to restaurants. They find it so exciting and it makes them feel so grown up. My 6 year old particularly likes it as she wants to have her own restaurant when she grows up as she loves to cook. She will call her restaurant ‘Cupcakes and Rainbows’
amazing
Would love a trip to London with the kids, so much to see and do, and this would give us a lovely lunch too
would love to treat the hubby
would be nice to treat my granddaighter, we love London
Need a break for to put the spring back into my life after continous operations for the past 9 years.
I’d love to go when we visit London next year xx
A nice place to eat AND its child friendly is a win win in my eyes, would love to win!
Id love to try to get the kids to experience different environments when we are out and it would be great to try something new
Love to take the family
Looks very warm and homely and the food amazing!
Id love to take my partner and two children, it would be a perfect day out for us xx
The food looks delicious and the family would love it
I’d love to treat my husband to a lovely birthday meal ! Food looks great!
Sounds like a lovely day out.
It would be lovely to take my family out for a meal but it’s just not realist especially this time of year, but would be such a treat
I’d love to win because the food looks so so good.