Breaking News– I was one of the most unserious coeds of all time. College for me and my best girlfriends was teenage/young adult Chuck E. Cheese, so like Charles Cheese, Esq. We were both the partygoers and the clownish characters. We were the fabulous pepperoni pizza and the arcade games. Everyday was a celebration and boy, were we singing Happy Birthday on a loop!
The origin story of the Happy Birthday song and my delightfully clownish college years occurred one Sunday afternoon during a meeting for the Black Girls Club of which I was a member. We ended our time together that day with cake and ice cream to celebrate someone’s recent turn around the sun. Likely still brimming with the previous evening’s cheap vodka, I stopped halfway through the tune and purred to a fellow Black Girl, “I love this song! Don’t you?” She looked at me like I was Rain Man, and honestly, she was not wrong! Two decades later, I still absolutely adore belting out “happppy birthday to youuuu!”
My 40th birthday (gulp!) is next Sunday, and I am floored at how quickly time has flown since I was one of the silliest college girls on earth. Though I have been struggling a bit to grapple with this major adult milestone, I am beyond proud of the way I have scrapped to get to the woman I am today. I wake up most days beaming with pure joy and optimism. I am as stunningly beautiful as I’ve ever been. My career fulfills me almost constantly. My home in Memphis is my refuge, and NYC is in my heart and on my flight path monthly. Most importantly, I have approx. fifteen people who I love to the end of the earth. Praise God from whom all blessings flow— another banger!
So, with only seven full days remaining of my third decade, I want to make a birthday wishlist of all the things I want for my 40’s! This is part lottery mindset and part manifestation meets fall 2026 shoppies!
- At this point, it’s almost irritating to hear me talk about my deep need and desire for a 2-3 bed/2.5 bath in Sutton Place! But here we are– I have sent this listing to everyone I know. Universe, are you listening?
- Please don’t come to my birthday brunch unless you have this vintage David Yurman watch
- Who wants to go smoke cigs at the Chiltern Firehouse grand re-opening next spring?
- Notre Dame Football, I need my National Championship! Thanks, babes Xx
- Matthieu Blazy’s entire shoe and jacket collection from the past two years!
- A month in Italy with my babe– pasta e basta
- TB’s new Charly boot, the kissing cousin to my beloved Lyla. Those ribbons of leather do something to me.
- A whole new administration STAT!
- While we’re on the subject, a return to the Tennessee Blue Wave
- A brand new kitchen in the style of Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent on Fifth Ave. I stayed at a family friends’ place in this same building and will never. be. the. same.
- If not that, then at least a brand new fridge with a nugget ice maker (lol!)
- A really fun trip with my immediate family!
- Don’t even get started with Westman Atelier if you haven’t already– addiction!
- When the time comes, some type of wedding event at People’s NYC in that luscious backroom with the perfect lighting and cream drapery!
- Ditto to The Odeon. A Fry + Sancerre set-up for every guest. Swooon!
- Unlimited Pilates at the fabulous IYKYK backyard studio I’ve recently been invited to in Memphis.
- Never missing the US Open again!
- Same goes for The Armory Show– my 2025 experience.
- Endless Jess McCormack because this is my list!
- This jacket to replace my battered faux leather from Armstrongs, one year later and I still want this scarf, saw a colleague rocking this belt and now need, a perfect lace tank when paired with a promo code, Staud-y also dipping into cashmere, and these capris to tie it all together!
Ok, that’s gotten pretty wishful, don’t you say. I am barreling into 40 with a full heart, clear eyes and the belief that I cannot lose. Hey maestro, hit it! Happy birthday to meeeee! Xx
