12 days: turn twenty-five years old

Dear readers, my apologies for being a little behind on my 12 Days posts, especially *ahem* the DIY ones! They are in the works, but not quite finished. I supposed the holidays are busy in their own way. I have every intention of publishing all 12 of the days here, so don't worry.

Today is my birthday. I decided to include this post in my 12 Days of Christmas because my birthday and Christmas have always been intertwined. I have never minded receiving birthday presents wrapped in Christmas paper, and I even decorated the birthday cake I baked today with Christmas sprinkles.

Yep, I baked my own birthday cake. Because I wanted to. And, let me just say, it tastes delicious! I used this recipe for vegan vanilla cake and I made vegan chocolate buttercream frosting.

Let me share a few of my past birthdays with you. A few years ago, I turned five:

For as long as I can remember, my parents have been telling stories that start with the phrase, "Twenty years ago..." Only a couple of years ago I started having my own, "Twenty years ago..." moments, and of course, with every year, I have many more memories that occurred that long ago. It's hard for me to believe, but this picture of me with my Little Mermaid cake was taken twenty years ago.

We'll fastforward a little bit. I was going to show you a picture of me on my birthday from every year in my 20s so far, but the year I turned 20 was only available on an external hard drive and I didn't feel like pulling it out, so we'll start with twenty-one. I feel the need to comment on what I looked like each year, since these photos make a neat little timeline. Year 21: my hair looked awesome, and I practically lived in that gray sweater, which I had to retire last year after I spilled fix on it (a photo chemical that turns clothes brown). Check out my "art cake" too!

Twenty-two. That tablecloth is a winter staple in my family's house (I really like it). Different gray sweater (I really like gray).

Twenty-three. Photo adventure with Corey. I wanted to do that today but it was snowing and I am a wimp when it comes to the cold! I love this outfit and sometimes still wear it.

Twenty-four. First trip to our favorite restaurant in Columbus (the one we did the beer tasting at this week). This was a couple of days before my actual birthday.

And twenty-five. I got a replacement gray sweater. (Did you notice how I'm wearing a cardigan in every picture? In 24, I'm pretty sure I was wearing one under that coat.) Also check out my awesome bee earrings, a birthday present from Corey. These are my favorite glasses that I've had too.

So now I'm 25. It kind of feels like the perfect age. It's not too young-sounding, or too old-sounding, but the perfect in between. I'm looking forward to all the good things that this year will bring.

p.s. Only 2 days left to enter the giveaway!!!