36
Every year on my birthday I wait for some sort of epiphany to come over me. For a piece of wisdom or brilliance to come down from the sky. For some invaluable knowledge that makes me happy to be inching closer to 40.
There were other (less gratuitous photos) featuring other family members. But I had to post this one because I had Good Hair. Kat - I know you'll understand.
Unfortunately, the only thing that came over me yesterday was a sharp pain in my right knee and regret that my 36-year-old metabolism can no longer handle the massive amount of cookies my mom made me for Valentine’s Day.
Other realizations came over me as well. Including:
- Despite receiving a Valentine present addressed to Ameena Pacelli, my husband will never stop thinking that American Express’ concierge service holds all the answers.
- Contrary to what others tell me, patience does not increase with age. (See point 1 above).
- Once you start covering your gray hair you’ll never again know what color you were born with.
- Abercrombie & Fitch’s sizing will never make sense. (Doesn’t their marketing department realize what a blow it is to my ego when I try on a Large, only to realize it’s Maya’s size?)
- Store clerks half my age will never stop referring to me as “honey.” This will continue to send my blood pressure through the roof.
Clothes, cookies, and a new bag. Best gifts ever.
I think we can all agree that despite turning 36 I still know…nothing. But that’s okay because in keeping with Ali’s logic I suppose I can refer to American Express for some answers.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
am i really the first to post….amazing 36! honey you have the wisdom…i have the right to call you that! hope you had a delicious and beautiful day…can’t wait to celebrate you!
xoxoxoxox
you and your hair look just fabulous!!
did i mention i’m stealing your bag….just stunning! i’m sure the cookies were great too;)
My bags are your bags…my cookies are your cookies. Please take any…any time. 🙂 You’re the best. Can’t wait to celebrate with you too!
Your hair looks fantastic and as such you should post all the gratuitous locks shots you please.
My thought about knowledge is that knowing you know nothing is knowing more. If that makes sense.
I am suddenly having Saved with the Bell flashbacks of Lisa saying “If I think not, am I not? I think not. Don’t you think?”
Egads, the things that stick with me…
Anyway, happy birthday and Valentine’s Day!
I feel a bit younger now knowing that others reference Saved by the Bell as much as I do. 🙂 Thank you Ellen!
Knowing nothing is awesome – it means there is so much more to learn …. OR, you can just ignore everything and live a blissfully happy life.
Happy Birthday – Acquarians rock 🙂
– Razwana
I think I want to live in ignorance – it just sounds so easy!
Happy Birthday, Ameena!! Does it help that you don’t LOOK 36?!? I think it should!! That’s the only thing that’s gotten me through my birthdays the last few years…people telling me I don’t LOOK old even though I am. Hope you had a great day!!
Thank you Fran. And I’m so glad that I don’t look 36 – that helps a ton!
Happy Birthday, Ameena! It looks like your day is off to a great start!
P.S. You look fabulous in that picture. 🙂
Thank you Parita!
Happy Birthday Ameena! You look absolutely beautiful in that picture… Stunning. And your bag is probably one of the best birthday presents I have ever seen! Your friends and family are right to spoil you! Happy birthday to one of the best bloggers out there!
Thank you Divya! I’m so lucky to have such complimentary people like you in my life! You make me feel like a million bucks. 🙂
Happy Birthday! I too just turned 36. And ever since (less than a month ago) I am a fan of saying, “The older I get, the less I know.” I am dying to be old enough to start shouting out “YOUTH IS WASTED ON DUMB-ASS YOUNG PEOPLE!” But I think I need to be closer to 50 to say that second one.
Your hair looks GORGE! Jealous of the Chanel. Yay.
Happy Birthday to you too Cameo!
Youth really is wasted on young people. We should go backwards is what I always say…
Happy Birthday!!
Thank you Samantha!
🙂 How long did it take you to get your hair to look like that? happy birthday!
I recently visited my Japanese miracle worker (aka my hair dresser) so my hair is straight and frizz-free again! So it didn’t take long at all – thanks to his work. 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ameena! You look incredible- and that Chanel bag is not only gorgeous, but the epitome of class- so naturally it makes sense that it is yours. And as a (somewhat embarrassed) former A&F employee I can wholeheartedly agree with the off sizing…I mean the xs tops cannot possibly fit anyone with the slightest semblance of a breast…and then the bottoms seem to be a tad off in sizing as well, almost larger than the size would imply.
Thank God I’m not the only person who has serious issues with the bizarre sizing! So strange.
And thank you Sara!!
Happy Birthday Ameena! And Happy Valentine’s Day!
Funny how I always think from year to year that I should know more or feel more mature. It never happens. But that’s ok. We’ll always be young at heart. 🙂
Thank you Amy!
Funny, but I feel old at heart. 🙂
Happy birthday! You look gorgeous in the picture and your hair is fabulous. I think the older I get the more I realize how much I don’t have anything figured out.
So it’s not just me? I feel so overwhelmed by what I don’t know…
And thank you Heather!
Happy Birthday! Hope it’s wonderful. Cheers to good hair pictures!
Thank you Jess! Cheers too good hair for sure. 🙂
Happy Birthday!!! Love that picture of you!
Thank you Anna!
Today is the day where I will gush in a way that is uncharacteristic of Us.
1. OHMIGOD. The hair in that snap is just beyond. Like 11/10 does not even begin to capture it. And your whole look in the picture is a YES. I would hang it everywhere. Be shameless.
2. The new bag is LOVELY. I remember Chanel-gate of 2009 (or was it 2010? How was it that long ago?). I think that this is a fantastic addition. A fashion show will be required, obviously.
3. Happy Valentine’s Day!
4. Most importantly, Happy Birthday. I hope that this is a year filled with happiness, health and wonderful opportunities, dear friend. I certainly know that my world is brighter because you are a part of it.
1. I knew you’d get it. I knew you’d be proud of The Hair.
2. “Chanel-gate.” I love it.
3. Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well!
4. I’m not going to gush too much but I will say that you are a good friend. One of the best. I am only sorry that you live a million miles away.
Happy Happy Birthday, Ameena! You don’t look a day over 21 🙂
Love the bag and the fact that you called Abercrombie & Fitch out (their sizes really are all sorts of messed up!)
Thank you Brooklyn! And so glad you are with me on the sizing! So bizarre.
First, Happy Birthday! Second, you look fabulous. Absolutely gorgeous. Third, the whole metabolism slowing with age thing just sucks. The worst. I figure at the rate my metabolism is slowing, I will be limited to eating only four grapes daily by the time I reach 60. And finally, I am with you 100% on the grey hair dying conundrum. Whenever my roots appear, I am always a bit surprised by their color (those that aren’t grey anyway…). Again, Happy Birthday!
4 grapes? I love it. I’m going to be right there next to you my friend.
Just 24 more years to go…
How did I miss your birthday? I’m so sorry. Happy birthday, Ameena! I always scratch my head when you say you have bad hair days because I’ve never once seen a picture of your hair being anything less than perfect.
I’m fifty and that wisdom and brilliance haven’t descended yet so my advice is to not hold your breath and to just keep living life to its fullest instead of waiting. It makes things a whole lot easier and more fun.
Again, happy birthday!
Well I never, ever post bad hair day pictures. Because what would be the fun of that?
And thank you for the compliment and the advice. You are a smart lady. So glad to know you!
You do infact have good hair in that picture. And your cheekbones? I Die!
Happy 36. Enjoy those gifts, they’re stellar. And forget about being closer to 40. Age is just a number, Promise.
Thank you MommaKiss! For all the compliments and the advice. I need both. 🙂
Happy Birthday, lovely! You put any 26 year old to shame, so don’t worry about cookies or wonky sizes! I spy a new Chanel baggggg, enjoy it. xo
Thank you Nadia! You are the best!
Happy birthday to you!
Yes, AF sizes are just stoop.
I’m sure your probably know everything 😉
Katie 🙂
I know nothing. But thank you for thinking I know everything! 🙂
I think I just spent a good 30 seconds staring at your gifts. lol You made quite the haul! Happy belated birthday!!
Thank you Liz! I definitely am SO lucky to have such generous people in my life!
–Ameena,
you are absolutely stunning.
Damn you.
Is that a Chanel bag I see? L U C K Y!
Happy 36th Birthday :))) Xx
Thank you my friend! I am super lucky!
I HATE being called honey! I think it is completely condescending. I once yelled at a flight attendant for calling me honey. I think it bothers me so much because I know they are saying it because they think I am younger than I am.
I’m so scared to say anything to the flight attendants…my Indian background and name don’t exactly make them love me right off the bat.
Happy birthday! Your hair looks fabulous, you have cake, and a new bag. What could be better? Hope the rest of your birthday is just as perfect. 🙂
Thank you Mads!
Happy Birthday! You still look young. I don’t get honey too often….and I’m glad! Some awesome gifts. Chanel!!! You cleaned up. Getting older is kind of a mixed bag but at least you get presents!!!
And the presents are much better at 36 than they were at 16. 🙂
Thank you!
Happy birthday, Ameena! I, along with everyone else here, have massive hair envy. It’s like you have your own personal fan that sweeps it delicately from your shoulders. Le sigh.
It was a good hair day. They aren’t all like that, I swear! But thank you.
Happy Birthday! I now covet your Chanel bag, and wish you well despite somewhat hating you for possessing it.
It’s kind of how I sort of hate Maya for having Uggs (which I still don’t have) but I wish her well…
Happy Birthday Ameena!
you are as beautiful as ever and radiant!
plus being called Honey is better than Ma’am.
TRUST ME!!
GAH!
xoxoxoxoxo
Wishing you the best birthday ever!
You make a good point Cindy! I’ll take honey for ma’am. 🙂
It only makes sense to post the pic that’s best of you, no matter how bad your husband and kids look. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I want your gifts.
Thank you Marie. Especially for understanding my self-indulgent nature. 🙂
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Hey – great gifts – I saw last year’s too. Is it because it’s a double whammy with Valentine’s Day?
Double whammy? Not really. I’m not particularly a fan of Valentine’s Day!
Happy bIrthday O awesome Blogger/mom/spouse 😀 many Happy returns of the day. U dont look 36 by the way :D…
Thanks Eddie! So nice of you to say so!
Happy Birthday Ameena. Is your birthday on Valentine’s or the 13th?
That Chanel bag is soooooooooo gorgeous, it looks like the one I want in black.
Was that from your mum-in-law?
🙂 She’s your supplier, I remember.
My MIL certainly is my supplier. She knows about things like Chanel – whereas I have a lot to learn.
And my bday is the 13th.
When I grow up to be 36, i want to be just like you…minus knee pain.
Happy Birthday my beautiful friend
xoxo
What a nice thing to say! Thank you. 🙂
Happy birthday Ameena!
Thank you Susan!
Happy Birthday to you! Those are awesome gifts! 😀
Thank you Jos!
Happy Birthday Week!
Thank you Ali!!
Happy Birthday!!
Thank you Danielle!
Happy Birthday, and your hair does look pretty amazing in the picture 🙂
Thanks Allie! So nice of you to say.
I feel it necessary to point out that is not just good hair, that is great hair! And hello birthday glow- you look fabulous! And um, next time I’m in LA, I hope your friend organizes another clothing swap and that you bring that striped cardigan 😉
If you come visit me I’ll share my cardigan with you. I swear! Just fly down.
Yeah, I celebrated my thirty-sixth with the American Express as well this year. Happy Birthday Ameena! 🙂
Thanks Heather!
Happy birthday buddy! Shopping is always the best gift ever! 🙂
I am not a shopper! I prefer to have good shoppers like my MIL help me out in that department. Which she does, beautifully.
Oh you are funny – American Express Concierge for anwers to lifes unfathomable questions!! Ha..ha…Wait till you get to 40 dahling and then the knee pain will be life’s minor vexations or then we always have 50 to look forward to! Fortunately we’re optimists, aren’t we ?? And as long as there is Chanel, and Ali & Maya to lighten up your day…it’s just a number!
Be happy Ameena, we’re worth it!! 🙂
chow 🙂 Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
When I hit 40 I might need a knee replacement. And I wish I was kidding about that!
Trying to be optimistic…
Happy Birthday Ameena!! you hair is so shiny and pretty!!
Thank you Daisy!
Happy Birthday Ameena!
Looks like you got good and spoiled – you definitely don’t deserve it.
Ok – and when I said don’t I obviously meant you do deserve it. I shouldn’t type and talk at the same time. It ends badly.
How funny. I was like really? I don’t? 🙂
Sometimes I agree!
Happy Birthday!!!!!! AND can I just say that you look more like you are 25 than 36??!! You look amazing!
Loved your various insights- you know how to make me laugh and I’ve learned by now NOT to drink anything if I am going to read a post on your blog.
How sweet are you? Thank you for the multitude of compliments – so very nice of you Anjuli!
Ameena, Happy Birthday!! I hope all the gifts were from Ali’s virtual assistant and hence the mystery of those expensive bag pictures and flower orders is solved, or…is it not?
And, i’m turning 32 this year and it really isnt a big deal to me, but when i meet some Indian counterparts (ladies mostly), they GASP (not exaggerating) and are like ‘WHAT? YOU ARE 3..?REALLY?’ It pisses me off, WTF is wrong with 30 or 31 or 32? And, i never take it as a compliment when they say ‘You dont look it at all’ coz I didnt know i am supposed to look a particular way when i turned 30!pfft!
Sorry about that :), but I hope your day was wonderful. You’re 36 and stunning! (If it was those Indian lady friends of mine, they would say 36 and STILL stunning). Haha..i’ll stop now! Enjoy you’re week.
Nope. The bag came from my wonderful MIL so Ali’s photos are still kind of a mystery. Which they will remain, I’m sure.
I totally agree…in Indian culture it seems like 30 is over the hill? Not sure what they think about 40…I’m scared to find out in a few years.
Happy Birthday! Your hair does look fantastic!
Thank you so much!
Ameena, Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look all things lovely and beautiful. I love your hair and your gifts…..very nice. Have a great one! And HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!
Shauna
Thank you Shauna! And a Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
Happy birthday! Your hair does look fab in that photo – and your presents look great as well, too.
(Store clerks who call me “honey” don’t bother me. However, it totally got under my skin about a month ago when the nurse taking my blood kept calling me “darling.” I know, I’m weird.)
Darling is right up there with honey. You aren’t weird at all!
Happy (belated) birthday Ameena! Here’s to many many many more happy, healthy & blessed years to come!
Always love your fabs hair! and now love your new bag! Perfect size & color.
And thank you for writing this blog! I feel like I “know” you 🙂
Thank you Lydia! And thank you for reading my blog. And commenting! I really appreciate it.
Happy Birthday! Ahhh, you’re such a spring chicken! Hope that you enjoy your bags and your awesome hair day!
Thank you Kristina!!
Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine’s Day! Your hair looks gorgeous!
Thank you so much! And a belated Happy Valentine’s Day to you too! Hope you had a great one.
Happy Birthday Ameena! You are so young yet! Hope you had a wonderful birthday.
Young at 36? I’ll take it. Thank you! 🙂
Happy Birthday Ameena!!!!! I can’t believe you are 36! I thought you were around my age (28).
Hard to believe I was 28 8 years ago! It seems like yesterday…
Ooops, I mean 29. I am 29. LOL. Wishful thinking I suppose!?
Already forgetting things? 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMEENA! I hope I’m not too late. You’re looking more beautiful by the day. Really, I’m not just saying that. I’m not one to just say stuff like that just for the heck of it. Everytime I visit your blog, you look better and better with every post. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful birthday with your lovely family, my dear. Happy Valentine’s Day as well, sweetie! Big hugs!
Thank you LeQuan for your many compliments! I feel like a million bucks right now. 🙂
Hope you had a great Valentine’s Day!
I feel you- hair is always the determining factor whether a picture should go up or not ;)! HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY, Ameena! I had no idea but hope you had a fabulous day! I’m not so sure whether American Express holds all the answers as it does do all the work…your hubby is a smart cookie ;)! That bit about store clerks cracked me up- being called any term of endearment from another female (honey, babe, darling, etc) makes me cringe…don’t do it, just don’t!
Thank you Khushboo! I hope you had a fantastic Valentine’s Day! Free of any and all annoying terms of endearment from store clerks. 🙂
happy birthday lady (or I guess it’s belated now). Is lady ok? I know honey isn’t but I’m an elder stateswoman not one of those toddler salespeople. Hair color, so interesting. People ask my what my natural color is, I tell them there’s nothing natural about my hair. Cookies and Chanel, sounds like a good birthday to me. I’ve been waiting for the wisdom, if you find it send it East.
Nothing natural about my hair either. Not the color, not the consistency. Funny actually, how that happens.
And I am okay with lady!!
Happy birthday! Despite rolling over a year in age, it looks like it was a pretty commendable day. Good hair, great food and a bag to boot. I can only hope my birthday (37 – eek!) in a few short days is as successful.
Hope your birthday is fabulous Julie! I had no idea you are 37! You look years younger (which I hope I do as well!).
Happy 36th! You don’t look a day over 25! And omg that bag… I want. I NEED.
25? Really? Thanks Jessica. 🙂
Dear Ameena,
Wish you a very Happy Birthday! May God bless you and send loads of purses, cookies, and other goodies your way.
I discovered your blog a few days back and since yesterday I am totally hooked to it. I cannot help thinking about a lot of common things between us:
1. I over stress a lot.
2. I fly over the handle a lot of times.
3. I cannot, just cannot keep my mouth shut.
4. I use four letter words and then fret that my daughter picks them up.
5. I find school performaces boring!
6. I feel ecstatis as my daughter learns new things coz I don’t have to do them anymore. I secretly envy some “good” moms who manage to do it all!:)
Cheers and have a fab 36!
-Swapna
From #1-6 I feel your pain. We may just be twins Swapna!
Thank you for the birthday wishes and for reading!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ameena (i tried very hard not to use the word “honey”)!! You look fab, no matter what 🙂
Thanks Kiran. And I appreciate your non-use of the word honey. 🙂
Happy belated birthday Ameena! Your hair looks great and you seriously do NOT look 36 – I’d never have guessed! Hope it was a good one.
Thanks Nada! So glad my age is not apparent. Or it wasn’t until I wrote about it. 🙂
Happy Birthday! You are still a baby. 🙂
A baby? I wish. But thank you in any case!
Very good hair….
I keep waiting for some sort of epiphany as well. No luck so far. Am also waiting for the “more patience” to kick in. Alas, I think I may actually be getting LESS patient with age.
Happy Birthday, though! Enjoy your fab gifts 🙂
Less patient? Me too! It’s terrible how I’m getting worse and not better.
I had a great chuckle about the two men sitting behind you that were dressed link twins. Stupid mirror. Stupid Janelle.
I’m totally laughing right now. But I must admit – randomly placed mirrors throw me for a loop too!!
Happy birthday Ameena!!!!! you do not look 36…you look so much younger. and I still feel like im twelve years old…i think there is an age where we all stop learning valuable things. mine was twelve.
great gifts!!!
Thank you Eva! And I stopped learning somewhere around 18 I think. 🙂
Happy Birthday, there is a wisdom in knowing what you don’t know, and in knowing what you never want to know.
Brilliantly put my friend. Thank you!
Happy Birthday! yes, when you turn 40, you will know EVERYTHING!
(I hope in 4 years I will have super human strength so when you throw your shoe at me I will not get hurt)
Off topic: The ad/video shows the profile of that foxy woman from Modern Family. I clicked on it by mistake because I thought it was you. true story. Happy birthday.
Not sure which ad/video you are referring to but if I remind you of any foxy lady I’ll take it! 🙂
Thank you.
Happy Birthday! Your hair does look great in that pic. I had to straighten mine and then run right over to see a friend to make sure mine came out good for a picture I needed for something on base. I was mad when I got outside to find it started snowing. Hope you had a great birthday!
Oh yes…humidity does horrible things to my hair. One plus for living in LA I guess?
Happy Birthday! And hey, at least your hair looks awesome! (Do people still say awesome? Maybe I should go for something trendier…rockin’, maybe? Either way, you’re beautiful! :))
I say awesome. And I feel old. But I still say it!
Thank you!!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays! Looks amazing.
Sometimes you just have to take the gifting into your own hands. I’ve accepted this early on… all about managing expectations, right!? 🙂
Or having no expectations. I’m trying to master that one. 🙂
And thank you!
Oh happy birthday Ameena! You look beautiful… 🙂
Thank you Elin!
Belated birthday wishes, Ameena! And on your birthday, it’s all about you so you’re allowed to pick pictures that flatter you (lovely hair, btw!)…actually, scratch that, you’re allowed to pick pictures that flatter you everyday! It’s your blog so you decide what makes the cut (hah a pun) and what doesn’t 🙂 Wisdom is totally over-rated since it works only with a few people, so don’t sweat it! Looks like an awesome celebration!
That’s the great thing about having my own blog…no bad pictures of me get posted on it! 🙂
Thanks so much!
A very happy birthday to you, Ameena..belatedly though….God bless!!
Thank you Gayathri!
Happy Belated Birthday Amee…and when you look as good as you do 36 ho ya 63 it would all be just numbers for you…and those things shopped-I hope the numbers there keep increasing with every candle you blow;-)
Thank you Suruchi! I appreciate it.
Happy belated Birthday!!!! Hope you have an amazing year!!!!!!
Thank you Ayala!!
Happy belated birthday! You did have a good hair day, you look beautiful! 🙂
Thank you my friend! I appreciate it.
Happy belated birthday, Ameena! You look stunning as always!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it. 🙂
belated bday wishes! im so jealous over all those lovely gifts 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday to you….
You look stunning in the pictures!!!
And I am drooling over the gifts!!!! LOL
You look fabulous in the picture! And I love the bag!
Thank you Sam!! 🙂
I am commenting again b/c I just had an epiphany too? I thought I was going to be 35 this year and them my amazing husband with his elephant memory reminded me that I am in fact 35 and I will be 36 soon, so you and I my darling have been born the same year 🙂
Hopefully soon I will know what year that was. For me it is easier remembered as bicentennial.
Ameena you look fantastic. Happy belated birthday wishes!!!
Thank you Erika!
Please don’t kill me, but *honey* you don’t look 36 AT ALL. I’m serious! I am envious of the gifts, especially that bag. Beautiful. Happy birthday and may you have a wonderful year ahead 🙂 xoxo
I’ll forgive you for calling me honey because you made me feel like a million bucks with your compliment. Thank you my friend!
Happy (belated belated belated) birthday! Are you a Valentine’s girl? 😀 Anway, you look stunning (as always)! 🙂 I wish you all imaginable happiness for the next year in your life journey (and also some epiphany, if you like that).
Thank you Kath! You are so very kind – I appreciate it. 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday Ameena! And your hair does look fantastic 🙂
Hope you had a great one!
Happy Belated Birthday!!
Thank you Jeena! 🙂
Gorgeous, just gorgeous.
Thank you Deb!. 🙂
that bag….i want…I dream.
Thank you Diana! 🙂