Mmm Mmm Mmm: BIrthday Recap 2
Posted: August 29, 2011 at 1:00 pmThe Monday afternoon slump has hit, so I think it’s time to give you all part two of my birthday recap and remember the fun all over again. Part One included donuts, massages, and champagne (oh, my!). Part Two will include shopping, dining, and cheesecake (oh me, oh my!). Let’s get right to it!
I left you off after my little “affair” with Javier (the stereotypical male masseuse). It was still a bit on the early side for dinner, so I asked Peter if we could stop into Target. The Target close to our house is really random and never has anything that catches my eye, but this one got me. The one thing I wanted to pick up turned into $100 and change worth of purchases. But, I just couldn’t say no…
I bought two dresses like that and three new running shorts because my others have gotten a bit large…and I have a problem. There goes my G-Pa birthday money. You would think I’m not good with my money or something. 
Shopping worked up my appetite enough to head over for dinner after changing into my new dress in the parking lot of Target. Yet again, Peter knows me all too well. A lot of times, I get in moods for things and nothing else will satisfy. So he made sure to go to the one place that no matter what mood struck me, they would have something on the massive book of a menu.
Yep! Another Cheesecake Factory visit just a few short months after we went last for our anniversary. I didn’t mind. Not one bit.
After a decently long wait we both wanted to gnaw our arms off by the time we sat down. I immediately ordered a water and a Blue Moon beer to go with my bread basket. Hey – I was celebrating!
Then, it took us all of forever to finally decide what we wanted. A lot of times at Cheesecake Factory I like to get a few of their small plates or appetizers to share with my dining partner. That way I can get a taste of a few of the many things that cause me to drool all over the table. Peter and I sometimes have trouble settling on what to share, but we had the same tastes last night for a change. Yes!
We created a tasting spread of the following:
Beets and Goat Cheese Small Salad
Tex-Mex Eggrolls
Two Small Flatbreads (one for each of us)
You can guess my choice, I’m sure. Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese? Get in my belly!
Everything was phenomenal and we hung around for over two hours enjoying the night, our conversation, making goofy faces at each other, and not having to rush back home for kids. We love them so dearly, but I definitely feel the importance in having some time to ourselves as well. Such a pleasurable night!
Oh, wait…it didn’t end there. You know we had to get cheesecake!!
I couldn’t decide which flavor I wanted – Red Velvet Cheesecake or Lemoncello Torte – so we got both. Duh. On your birthday you go big or go home!
We shared the Lemoncello Torte slice after getting home Saturday night and the Red Velvet slice last night. Gotta love a birthday that carries on into the next day with leftovers. Mmm Mmm Mmm. I wish every day could be my birthday!
- Do you prefer your own meal or sharing different things when dining out?
Tags: dining out, family, relationships
I almost bought that dress last weekend! You look so geniunely happy – glad you enjoyed your celebration! 🙂
You look so stinkin’ fit and HOT in that dress you got at target (say thank you, hehe)! I would’ve changed into it too! 🙂
LOVE the spread you chose, the goat cheese/beet combo is a favorite of mine lately. Makes me drool just thinking about it.
Thank you! 😉
So glad you had such a great birthday & some delicious eats to match!
I’m a huge fan of The Cheesecake Factory and have gotten the Beets With Goat Cheese salad a few times myself. The pairing of flavoring is SO delicious! I need to learn how to make that at home
I love both sharing and trying a bunch of new things but I love also ordering my own meal when I’m at a place where I love a certain dish a lot! It looks like you birthday was super fun, special and filled with family and love!!!
Looks like such a fun birthday 🙂 I always love going to restaurants that have the dark rye bread… it is just TOO GOOD.
Love love your dress- looks great on you! When I was really anal about calorie counting, I hated sharing! Now, as long as my dining counterparts and I share similar tastes, I love to share- get to try a bit of everything! Looks like you had a perfect birthday- birthday cake leftovers is always a win!
Target is so dangerous! Go in for some shampoo and walk out with $100 worth of “fabulous deals”
I’m glad I’m not the only one who changes into new outfits in the parking lot! 🙂
I love sharing ;-). Happy Belated, sounds like the perfect birthday. Such a cute dress, you look great.
You look absolutely adorable in that dress! Splurging on yourself is completely necessary every once in a while. What an amazing birthday. I’m glad you had a great day!
Love your Target dress – it’s so the best store. You look great! Thanks for sharing your birthday fun; seems like Peter really made you feel celebrated and the weekend looked so hard to top. Glad you enjoyed it, and happy birthday again, Tina!
I love Target dresses! You look great 🙂
& Cheesecake Factory sounds like the perfect birthday meal 🙂
Michael and I always enjoy sharing. You get to try more and see who one the competition for ordering the best dish!
I’ve never been to the Cheesecake Factory..I think I know where I want to go on my anniversary with my boyfriend now!
It is amazing! They have SO many different things. Although I will warn you – the small plate and appetizer dishes are plenty of food. The portions on the regular entrees are beyond huge. Great if you want leftovers though. 😉
Sharing is the way to go. You get to taste so much more that way 😀
I absolutely LOVE sharing and Tony and I generally do 3 appetizers and forgo dinner – that way we get lots of little tastes:) and I LOVE CCF too . Just had the red velvet cheesecake on my daughter’s birthday a couple weeks ago – drool!
Your dress is adorable – Target is the best!
You = adorable! I’m glad you had such a great birthday.
Hubs and I have started sharing more. The last time we went out to dinner, we each ordered a sandwich and then split them, so we both got 1/2 of each kind. A great compromise when everything looks so good.
And, um, red velvet – YUM!!!!
Awww sounds like a great dinner and i love the target purchases, isn’t that always the way?
Sharing is the best since i’m the most indecisive person ever when i go out for dinner 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday!!! That dress is really cute and dinner looks so good. I need to find a Cheesecake Factory.
Yum! Everything looks so good.
You look stunning! Cute dress.
The Cheesecake factory menu completely overwhelms me! That’s a great idea to get a bunch of small plates to share there, that way the decision isn’t as tough 🙂
What a fun birthday weekend! Sounds like a perfect day to me! 🙂
I love love sharing plates with my hubby – like you I like to taste many different options so we always like to share small plates together to excite our taste buds with so many different flavors! 🙂
Love the dress! That’s what birthday money is for, right?!
Also, Blue Moon is my favorite beer–I haven’t had it in ages.
Say what? You didn’t chug a few this past weekend. I’m sure the baby would have loved it! 😉 hehehehe
You look gorgeous Tina! What a fun way to celebrate 🙂
Such a great way to end the day, Tina!! Cheesecake Factory makes me swoon. I only wish there was one closer – the closest is in Atlanta.
SO fun! Love the Target dress-very cute. And cheesecake is a fabulous restaurant. Their brown bread…so good! Internet high five to your husband for planning this fabulous day for you!
LOVE the dress!! LOVE LOVE!! Great legs dear 😉 Haha. And wow, those cheesecakes look SO GOOD!
I’ve enjoyed reading your birthday recaps. It just makes me so happy to know you were able to celebrate and enjoy with your husband so fully.
Happy Birthday (again!), Tina!
How did I miss your birthday, Tina?!?
Happy belated birthday 😀
Sounds like it was such a blast. I love the dress – you look amze in it. I always get the goat cheese and beet salad when at CCF!
THOSE CAKES AT THE END? Oh be still my heart. YUM. I love the Cheesecake factory, never dissapoints! I’m glad you had a wonderful birthday and I love that dress 😀
That dress looks fantastic on you Tina! And I always love sharing food when going out to eat. Probably because I’m an indecisive person 😀
Tina-
I met you at HLS and ever since then, I am in love with your blog! I read it everyday… a couple times a day and tell everyone about it. Your posts have helped me so much and I love how open, honest and genuine you are. I feel like I can relate so much to you.
Thanks 🙂
Thank YOU so much, Julie! <3
Love your idea of ordering just a bunch of appetizers. How fun is that?
Also, your birthday celebration day soundes wonderful! And a night without the kids, oh,I envy you.
Love the dress too. You look so cute, and fit!
Um – super hot momma in that dress. Love it! So cute on you. And that salad sounds delish. Sometimes it’s fun to order several things to share. I typically want to do that when we find a place with more than one vegetarian/vegan option.
Man… cheesecake is my favorite dessert and this post made me want some… BAD!
That dress is SO cute!
Sharing vs. not sharing – depends on the day! A lot of times when my husband and I got out we restaurant hop and eat a bunch of snacks (aka apps) that we share. Its fun and we get to try a lot of different of things.
Love the dress and the dessert haha 🙂
Such a cute dress! I need to go to target more often.
You and your husband are such a cute couple! Love the funny face pics! Life is about having fun and about family! Two things I know you agree with ; )
LOVE cheesecake factory, I just love that there is so many options there, you can take anyone there and they will find something to eat!!
Love the dress, you wear it well ; )
and two is better than one ; ) cheesecakes yum!
What a great birthday! Sounds like you had a fantastic time!
That dress looks so good on you!
I used to be a food hoarder by ordering my own dish, but now I love ordering a bunch of appetizers or dishes and sharing. I’ve realized that I’m much more satisfied if I can try different things and end up eating less overall. Weird.
Blue Moon rocks, baby!
Sounds like a great Birthday! 🙂 You look super cute in that dress! SO flattering! Great find!
I much prefer my own meal…and stealing bites from Andy 😉
Sounds like the perfect ending to the perfect day.
Serious Canadian envy here – Cheesecake Factory and Target!!! The red velvet cake, OMG that looks amazing! The dress is super cute on you too!
ahh what a fun time! i love that you ordered things off of that menu that I have NEVER tried! the menu is so massive, I sometimes forget aabout all of the delicious options!
great choice with the pizza by the way! approved 🙂 so glad you and peter had a great date night and celebratory evening!! I am sure it so nice just to be together, no kiddies for the night! 🙂
you are looking SO phenomenal, Tina! 🙂
I loving sharing small plates when going out to eat…I had the red velvet cheesecake not to long ago…OH MY..so GOOD !
I did cheesecake factory on my birthday too! The Reese’s PB cheesecake is phenomenal. I like to share sometimes, do my own thing sometimes…depends on my mood and dining companion.
Tina, you look amazing!!! Happy belated birthday… definitely sounds like you had a great day!!
Heheh you’re not gonna believe it but my best friend Caity bought that same dress for my birthday!!! We were just meant to be friends 🙂
I’m a family-style eater ALL THE WAY! I love sharing – that way I get to taste more things!
LOVE that dress on you! So adorable. And you just look awesome. 🙂 Cheesecake Factory is a fun place to order several things and share since their menu is so extensive. I’ve had their Banana Cream Cheesecake before which was killer!