I did not plan the POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE I normally do.
Good thing as it hailed early in the morning and then we had a few rain drops……..
But by the time I was swept away to head north to a quaint village dating back to the 1800’s the sun had come on stage!
It was the perfect day.
With three of the MOST delightful people I know.
Let me share…………… my festivities……….Penelope will this hat do?
My dear friend I found at the HEN HOUSE five years ago!Would you believe we share the same last name!!We also live in the same town and we both married a REAL ITALIAN!!What are the chances of that??
Lunch with pink champagne!
Do you spy those GORGEOUS flowers?They were on our table waiting for ME!!I couldn’t get over the color of the roses…….ballerina pink I called them.
The champagne matched the color of the roses….imagine that!
Of course, those of us married to the ITALIANS loved the CINZANO table!
A beautiful lunch was had by all then the GIFTS started to unroll.
From crown baskets to Ballerina toe shoe ribbons to lush red velvet scarf the gifts just kept coming……under the Yountville SUN!
Where do you think I will be wearing this VERY AUDREY HEPBURN hat?Yes, you got that right my local grocery store!
Then I had two hours to nap before the next event…….
Loads of flowers and hand made cards……that match my CAFTAN!!!
A few friends and MY family.
More gifts!!!!!!!!
A little song went with this delivery…….note the empty Lemon Drop!
Can you guess which SON this was from……….They both got an A PLUS PLUS on the choice of cards and gifts!Their gift will be a blog post on it’s own as I have been wanting this for quite sometime.I will leave you in suspense for now!
I adore birthdays and am thrilled to have another year.My dear friends spoil me……….and of course that ITALIAN husband well, he never fails!
Look I got my first pair of CONTESSA shoes……..XX
It was a BEAUTIFUL day………and I THANK JENNY,PATRICIA and RAE for making it so.Most of the photos are from RAE and JENNY and I cannot thank you enough.My day was the 22 of JULY which forever after I will share with that LITTLE PRINCE GEORGE!I am hoping one day we can CELEBRATE together!Wouldn’t that be MAGICAL…………..I did send his parents an engagement present from the HEN HOUSE.Still waiting for the THANK YOU note but it did not come back so you know they got it!!!Slowly,inching my way into their life!!!!!
Jody Brettkelly says
Wow, what a wonderful weekend (was it a weekend?) Just trying to guess where you were in all these pictures, looks fabulous. I love that top you have on too, its like a watercolor painting. How fabulous that you sons got to spend the day with their Mama too nvolved!
Happy Happy Birthday to you and the little prince!
contessa says
THANKS JODY!
NO< it was not a weekend.............and the CAFTAN came from a shop in WALNUT CREEK.BRYN WALKER.........bet it will be on SALE soon!Just what YOU need for your WALK!!!
Marsha @ Splenderosa says
Elizabeth, July 22nd is my little 4-year old granddaughter’s birthday as well…so you may be certain you will never ever be forgotten by me.
So happy to know this very important fact! My dear, you and Penelope look divine. I do adore that woman too. She and I had a 1 hour conversation some time ago, and simply felt like we had known each other all of our lives. Isn’t the Italian husband and the last name just wonderful? I would say you’re sisters! I know you had a fabulous birthday day, and wish I could have been there to share it with you. Your sons rock !! Sending love…..
contessa says
MARSHA,
AM thrilled to know your GRANDDAUGHTER shares the 22 with me!Is she more CANCER or LEO?I definitely am more CANCER!
Thats NOT PENELOPE in the photo with me…….but my dear friend JENNY!I did see PENELOPE the first part of JULY! YES, one could say we are like SISTERS!Penelope and I share the same love of LIFE, animals and beautiful things!
XOXO
FIFI says
OH my Contessa!! What a wonderful birthday you had! I am sorry I didn’t know but here are my very best wishes for many more happy ones!
You look wonderful!
Big bacis. xoxoxo fifi
contessa says
BACI A TE!
XOXO
Tymm Rodriguez says
Bistro Jeanty! Tres Chic!
contessa says
To find out you are there in YOUNTVILLE!!!!
I must go back soon!
Anita Rivera says
BON ANNIVERSAIRE MON AMIE! Dearest Contessa, you are just so much fun. I know that I could have a blast celebrating with you, in hats, the both of us! Your festivities are lush and fit for, well, a CONTESSA! And that pink champagne is so delicious….along with the delicate perfume of the roses? You are special and have been treated accordingly. What fun it is to come here at this glorious moment of my late Sunday afternoon and spend it with you.
Your friends, family and beautiful husband love you so, it shines.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my dear friend! (love all your hats, your collier, your shoes!!!!)
contessa says
MERCI ANITA………..Yes you and I are two peas in a pod!I do believe!
XXX
Nancy Case says
Sparkly, enchanting, joy filled, loving…what a celebration for you Contessa! Beautiful ladies, flowers, champagne, jewels, dear friends, family! THank you for sharing your special day with us. Happy Birthday over and over! love love
contessa says
FANCY NANCY………….THANK YOU for the wonderful day we spent together!Your NEXT!!Today, I will come up with a plan!
XXX
Judy says
Happy Birthday Beautiful Elizabeth,
What a fabulous day you had with family and friends! I LOVE the homemade cards from kiddos. I always tell my children, no gifts just cards. Hope you are still celebrating!
xo Judy
contessa says
YES!YES, IAM………!!!
Jennifer says
A fabulous weekend fit for a queen, or Contessa!!! It all sounds so beautiful and perfect!! Pink Champage is the quintessential lunchtime beverage, as we both know!! You look amazing. Happy Birthday to you darling!!
xo ~J
contessa says
QUINTESSENTIAL…………..I love that word!
Grace says
…una giornata perfetta direi!! I hope you have many more “perfect” days throughout the year to follow….and possibly some of those days in Italy!!
xoxoxo
contessa says
Wouldn’t that be the CATS MEOW!
Perhaps, the next BIRTHDAY BASH needs to be in ITALIA!
XOXO
contessa says
VIA EMAIL
Elizabeth……..wishing you the most spectacular year yet. Happy, happy birthday, dear sister-in-law! You do know how to celebrate!!!
contessa says
THANK YOU!
I TRY…………..!!!
contessa says
VIA EMAIL
La Contessa,
You just CRACK me up every time. Of course you are inching your way into the Royals lives!! I am too (though my chances were better when Princess Dianna was alive).
Yes, I noticed the flowers and wondered what restaurant had flowers on the table like THAT! Absolutely stunning.
Thank you for sharing your joie de vivre with us. Happiest of birthdays to you!
Donna
(Faded Velvet)
contessa says
SO HAPPY I CRACK YOU UP!To think we are both JULY GIRLS…………….thats a GIFT in itself!
contessa says
VIA EMAIL
What a day for me watching your ‘what a day’
Enjoyed xxx susan
contessa says
GOOD!
Glad I could brighten YOUR day!
contessa says
VIA EMAIL
What a wonderful day you Had – all just looks so beautiful and how special to spend with friends and family. … and I just LOVE those sunglasses that were around your neck!!
xxxx
contessa says
OF course YOU do………I bought them in P A R I S!!
contessa says
VIA EMAIL
Happy Birthday—looks like you had a great time.
contessa says
YES, I DID!
contessa says
VIA EMAIL
I love this post! Happy, Happy birthday. I always wear one of my hats . Even when I take my corgi out at 3am in my PJ’s. Wish we lived close by each other. Candace
contessa says
ME TOO!
Sunday Taylor says
What a fabulous birthday you had! I loved every detail. Your joie de vivre is contagious! Thanks for sharing your festivities. And what a beautiful family you have.
contessa says
GRAZIE MILLIE DOMENICA!
Sunday Hendrickson says
Oh, Bella Contessa!
Now you got a taste of how happy you make everyone else!
Missing you!
xxooo
contessa says
GLAD I could make YOU smile!
SPOILED ROTTEN I KNOW!!!!!!!!
XOXO
Sunday Hendrickson says
And, wow!
I just saw the comment above mine — the other Sunday — Bella Sunday Taylor, my friend!
Ciao, Domenica!
xxooo
contessa says
SI!!!!
D. A. Wolf says
Friends, family, outdoors… pink roses, pink champagne… hats!!! What could be more fun? (OK. May some free Manolos or Louboutins.)
And I adore the Audrey Hepburn hat!
You look happy and beautiful. A very good day, I suspect.
contessa says
YES, INDEEDY……………A VERY GOOD DAY!
jewels says
Happy belated birthday !!!!!!!! Contessa. Beautiful pictures,beautiful friend.
contessa says
THANK YOU JEWELS>>>>>>>>>!!
Loree says
Oh what a fabulous day you must have had. You look darling in your flowery hat. I couldn’t imagine wearing that lovely Audrey Hepburn hat to the grocery store. But I know you will carry it off very regally.
contessa says
Thats the only place I go…………..almost daily!
Diane says
Regardless of time or place, big or small. They’re all glorious, down to your contessa twinkle toes! We love celebrating YOU!!
Karen albert says
Oh how exciting, your birthday celebration looks so full of love, fun, and family,. Gorgeous flowers and fabulous hats!
xoxo
Karena
C. Z. Guest: American Style Icon
The Arts by Karena
Angela, ParisienneFarmgirl says
AREN’T YOU A GLAMOROUS DOLL??!!! I am loving these birthday photos — and the shoes!!!! Thanks for your comment! Sorry it took me so long to pop over and say “Merci” — I am trying to get really back into blogging and it’s a slow start!
Be sure to come and like my FB page if you haven’t already. I appreciate your support.
https://www.facebook.com/AngelaParisienneFarmgirl
Warmly,
Angela,
Parisienne Farmgirl
contessa says
The shoes are a REAL TREAT!Such a treat I haven’t worn them yet!BUT I WILL….. PROBABLY EVERY DAY once I do!!!Thanks for popping over…………and I LIKED your FACEBOOK PAGE and a few photos!!!!
XX
Queenoftrashytreasures says
My dear friend Donna from faded velvet told me of your FABULOUS blog … So glad she did! I always enjoy it. Looks like you had an amazing birthday as The Contessa SHOULD! Thanks for sharing!
contessa says
SO Happy YOU POPPED right over!I told HER to send YOU a week ago!!AM I missing out do you have a BLOG I should be reading??I follow you on INSTAGRAM……..and I want a better photo of that candelabra thing by your front door P L E A S E !!Where on earth did you come up with your name?I want to hear the whole story……any chance you and MADAME VELVET could shoot to CALIFORNIA for a few days?Look into it!I am waiting!!!!!!!!!XXX
Mary Jo says
Dear Elizabeth, what a wonderful birthday weekend! I just adore those pink roses, the pink champagne and the golden CC flats! Fabulous, just like you!! Wishing you many more bright and beautiful years to come! Again, so glad I found your blog via Anita.
p.s. I have reconnected with my old Italian boyfriend, hadn’t been in touch since I was 21!
xo Mary Jo
contessa says
FANTASTIC!
I want to hear more………..send me an email!
[email protected]
COCO Contessa Chanel says
Golden slippers! Perfectly fit.
A crown in many ways, a crown on your soul (soles)
You are adorable, beautifully free spirited and a beam of rare light!
I wish you were here, come anytime!! I loved your sharing your birthday
photos, and your hats, and jewels!
Did you son cut his hair???
xoxoxoxo Many happy loved fill wishes!!
contessa says
YES, he cut his hair!I did a POST on that!!!!THAT WAS BIG NEWS!
XOXO
Elizabeth@pine cones and acorns blog says
Happy Birthday! It looks like you had a wonderful celebration surrounded by the love of family and friends!
contessa says
YES, I DID!One lucky Vintage Contessa here!!
Catherine says
A belated Happy Birthday…your day looked wonderful as do you…nothing lovelier than a birthday celebration surrounded by your family and friends…and…the Chanel pumps…STUNNING PERFECTION;)
Thanks for popping by always lovely to hear from you.
Happy Weekend xx
contessa says
CATHERINE……….I am ALWAYS there usually your photos take my breath away and I have NO WORDS!!
Anita Rivera says
CONTESSA! BONJOUR!
I was ecstatic to see your comment on my page! And of course, you saw Isabelle’s collection…if figures, a lovely and distinguished person as you! OH MY FRIEND, you do need a ballroom; our great room can easily be made into one by moving some furniture around…so yes, work on it, for we shall have a ball…a CINDERELLA BALL! Why not?
Catherine says
Thank you for popping by today…just to let you know there is a wonderful book on the work of Lillian Bassman entitled Lillian Bassman: Women…she only died a couple of years ago at the age of 95…her work is beautiful and timeless.
Thank you for your comment above I’m so happy you pop by often 😉 xx
Jeanne McKay Hartmann says
What a wonderful birthday you had! I’m so glad. You sure know how to celebrate in style, my dear. Love, love, love Bistro Jeanty, by the way. Here’s to you and another wonderful year! XOXO