Tuesday, March 27, 2012

My 50th Birthday

This is a piccy of me born exactly 50 years ago.

The day I was born 50 years ago

Three things I'm noticing about the photo (yes, I'm making loads of lists now I'm old.) Firstly: my parents, Madeleine, 23 and Arthur, 25 look so young! Secondly, my mother gave this picture to my elder brother two years ago saying it was him (clearly there was an abundance of sprogs in their lives.) Thirdly, as a bubby, I was so wrinkled with scrunched-up eyes. Things have come a little bit too full circle. On the eyes front.

Course the best thing over the weekend was my mother arrived from New Zealand and calm descended immediately.

50 years later, me and Mum at my birthday bash. Theme: 1962

My birthday bash on Saturday was themed 1962 and I had bought a vintage frock from local store Bella Vita.  As we'd already done a Mad Men party two years ago, we opted not to go with the iceberg wedge with goop dressing and onion dip this time. And, as there was 100 people coming we decided to hire caterers.

We've never had a big catered affair or a wedding so this was my first experience of that big-bunfight-meltdown-madness. The tablecloths for the bar arrived and they were grey, not white.

"Don't let one grey tablecloth ruin your party" said my mother sagely.

Another first: Mum and I got our make-up done professionally. I was hoping against hope to be transformed into the soft kittenish Betty Draper. I got the authentic matt red lips, chalky matt foundation, huge lashes and big black brows.

Before: me being made-up by lovely Rachel at MAC

All okay in the light of day, but as soon as night fell, every wrinkle on my face showed. I became that episode of Seinfeld where his date looks weirdly scary and ugly in a certain light. Friends, Betty Draper became Bette Davis from Whatever Happened To Baby Jane (don't enlarge this photo below)

Baby Jane: no lollipops for you Blanche, you didn't eat your din-dins

My scary Baby Jane black brows aside, we all had a good chortle...

Curtis and Sandy

Men in hats

Me and my bookclub

Hits of the night:
* Lychee cocktails and "The Joannie" (vodka, Poma liquer, lime and cranberry juice). Noodles in mini Chinese take-out cartons eaten with chopsticks. And freshly BBQ-ed chicken skewers - perfect if you have 100 guests.

Wendy and Fredi tasting the Joannie

Caterers cooking the chicken skewers fresh in the backyard
Laura and Vicki: cocktails and chopsticks chic

*We hired a vintage photobooth - everyone looks fabulous in photobooth photos. Two copies came out and guests pasted the second copy into a scrapbook for me.

All the characters from the night including Sgt Pepper

*Kevin and my friend Lesley made a slideshow of my life. Even if you feel rubbish about your life, it turns out you have done stuff after all.

Me and Lesley jumping (just because we still can)

* All the guests had to answer a two page quiz about me, most of which I didn't know most of the answers to. My bookclub won -  to hisses of cheating (they talked to my mother and Google apparently.)

Sixties kissy cool...
* The Conga line (very early Sixties) that gets everyone into the dance room...

Conga line into the dance room!

* The "50 sucks" lollipop sculpture made by my friend Lisa

Made by Lisa

And did Don Draper appear as expected? Well I went down to the garage looking for him or rather the life-size cardboard cut-out of him. He was last seen with Joan at our Mad Men party two years ago.  Spoiler alert! I can only assume he ran off with Joan. Or the Christmas lights in the next box.

And finally...

I did not blow my arse on the night. Or get mulleted or dusted. I only had two drinks. I busted my moves on the dance floor until 2am. I did not embarrass myself or others by falling over or cause others to fall over or show my underpinnings. Too much.

Peter, me and husband Kevin busting our best moves

And I did not feel at all fragile (hungover) the next day.

Have I finally grown-up? Gosh it only took 50 years. 





http://aboutlastweekend.blogspot.com

58 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you! You look very much like your mother in your first photo. You really don't look 50 at all (I just realized I'm turning 45 in a week - please return the compliment :)

    The party looks like it was such a blast. I'm glad you celebrated big and that you got caterers. I'm shocked that you only had to drinks though. Those Joanies sound so good.

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Julie - those Joannies are just too too good. I knew I couldn't go there! You must be Aries too?

      Delete
  2. You look AMAZING and Im jealous of your awesome 1962 themed party! Love your dress, makeup, dance moves, and mom!! You two are so beautiful. I love all the guys in their hats and suits...def reminds me of Mad Men..which I LOVE and would LOVE a themed party after! How cool that the drink of the night was called "the Joannie"! Great photo of you and your hubby dancing!

    Happy Birthday Darling! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Diana - you have got to have a Mad Men party too - you will love it!

      Delete
  3. You look GREAT! Fifty never looked so good. It looks like everyone had a blast. Keep that dress for Tallulah - maybe she'll wear it to one of her formals!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a fun theme for a party! I love the dress that you're wearing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Super fun, thanks for having us! I love that picture of your parents. 23 year olds looked so much more sophisticated back then :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Weren't they? I look back on my day of birth photos and there are ugly t-shirts and scruffiness everywhere in the room! I wish I had put on something nice and brushed my hair as you look at those photos forever!

      Delete
  6. Happy Birthday Jody!!! You look fabulous. Hi to your Mum too. Kathy J

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Miss Kathy J, I know you! Great to hear from you chook.

      Delete
  7. Wow! You look great! And you're only 50! Yes!

    And for gawd sakes woman, you are NOT old. Until you reach 80, you are "young." Thereafter, you are "venerable. When it comes to aging, you need but remember two words: young, and venerable. Failure to recall these two words will cause people to wonder about potential bad breeding (or something like that).

    Happy birthday, Ms Jody!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are one amazing 50!! Lady, you inspire me. I hope to be half as fun, funny, lively and wonderful as you are tomorrow let alone in another 13 years (ouch...13 years, is that all?) Happy happy birthday. Here's to the glass of wine I hope we will one day share!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What an incredible party! Your dress, hair, makeup -- truly you look amazing . . . at any age.

    Love the party theme, your fun food, pics of guests obviously having a good time, and hearing that your did not fall on your arse because you enjoyed one too many libations! Well done on all counts!

    Happy 50th!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. I bet Sgt Pepper had a lot of offers to go in the photobooth. That's one impressive mustache...

    ReplyDelete
  11. All I could do was laugh the whole way through this adventure. Happy birthday. What a fab party you had and welcome to 50. You'll have the time of your life. Plus, you eye brows do NOT look like Baby Jane's!

    ReplyDelete
  12. bugger I missed it but looked like you tripped the light fantastic! mrs dribble (our ballet school teacher) would have been proud. x

    ReplyDelete
  13. You throw a mean party, Jody. I would have no idea where to begin! Love the idea of the photo booth.

    Sounds a blast and I'm glad you had a jolly time on your birthday. Happy 50th. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy Birthday! What an amazing party!!! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, welcome to the blog, thanks for popping by. Tried to click into your blog without any luck...

      Delete
  15. What a great party! But tell us...what's the secret to getting 100 people to the same place at the same time?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks like a great party! It's a very good idea to have a big catered affair at least a couple times in your life and to have makeup done professionally. It makes such a difference.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy birthday! You look better than anyone has a right to at the age of 50!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your folks are good lookers! glad you had a great time, the place looked great and your dress is fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  19. It looks like a fantastic party!!!!!! Love the photo of you with your parents! And I can't tell that there was any sort of makeup issue... :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, 50 looks good on you!! It looks like a fantastic party but I can't believe you only had 2 drinks.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Happy Birthday! Looks like such a fun party! I totally agree with Carol- 50 looks amazing on you! I love the idea of the photo booth with an extra copy for your scrapbook! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jesus, you turned 50? Spill the beans, what's your secret? And of course, happy, happy birthday! xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. Well, if we're not twins our mothers certainly are. My mum was also 23 when she had me (but very blonde) but honestly, that could be her in your photo. You both look fab. Happy 50th!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Happy Birthday! Looks like a fun party.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow, that looks like an amazing party! I love that you had a conga line and I love that your mom thought that picture was of your brother. :)

    Happy birthday again! I have a thing for stretching out birthdays as long as possible. :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  26. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Looks like everyone had such a fun time! You look beautiful and I love that dress!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Happy Birthday! You are stunning! I love that you had such a bash to celebrate turning 50. What a fun party...every detail was perfect! Love that photo booth!

    Happy to meet you and thanks for the kind comment over at my blog. Can't wait to get to know you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Happy Birthday, Jody! You look wonderful (and you mom does too) and your dress is beautiful! xo
    Ada

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh Jody this is just brilliant! And Expat Mum is right, your mum does look like her mum.

    I may have to steal your idea in two years time as both husband and I will be 50. If we have a 1964 party I do hope Mad Men will still be the rage.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Happy belated birthday my dear. And I loved the eyebrows (but I would wouldn't I?) I never saw that Seinfeld you mentioned but that just about describes me everyday of the year - last night my slate grey eye-shadow was ALL over my face. I don't know if my friends are too polite to tell me or just used to it. Ah well.... Looked like a fab party anyhow - just make sure it's not the end of an era and that you won't grow up!!! Promise!! x

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am in love with this post!!! Happy Birthday! I also have been wanting an excuse to rent one of those vintage photo booths as they are my favorite things ever! Fantastic party recap! xo

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your mum looks like Jackie O in your baby photo.
    Happy Belated Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jody, this looks like the best birthday ever! You are so much more grown up than me. I am sure I would've tripped, drank too much and perhaps shown my underpinnings...oops does this mean I will never be invited to one of your parties? Hope you had a very very happy birthday!

    xo mary jo

    ReplyDelete
  34. looks like so much fun Jody and u r possibly the most gorgeous 50 year old I've ever seen! And lychee drinks? divine! happy happy birthday to you!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Happy birthday, my dear! I am sure you had an amazing party! You looked amazing! I love the pictures!

    Enjoy your weekend!

    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  36. Happy 50th Birthday Jody and enjoy all your celebrations this year. It is wonderful your mother is there with you. You certainly looked like you enjoyed youself at your party. You looked amazing .

    ReplyDelete
  37. oh, i've been so excited to read this post!!

    first and foremost, i really meant it the other day when i said that you and your mom are BEAUTIFUL. (& out of respect, i *did not, in fact enlarge that photo ;))

    caterers... smart move (table cloth mishap or otherwise).

    & only 2 drinks??? good for you. =)

    ReplyDelete
  38. FIFTY No way...!
    You should have let us all vote on what age we thought you were! And with or without the mad make up it wouldn't have been fifty!!
    Happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  39. oh what fun!! happy happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  40. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!! Hope you had an awesome day

    xx

    www.sickbytrend.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Happy Birthday albeit a bit belated!
    What a shindig, as I creep ever closer to 40 you have given me something to aspire to for the mile marker! There is nothing better than partying with no abandon sober style! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  42. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! gilocav dabadebis dges (in georgian)

    I did not understand half of your slang, but definitely understood you are a blast. Your party looks like too much fun! Love the photo of your parents! They look so beautiful and chic. So sweet of your Mom to come all the way from NZ! Love your dress and your Mom's ... sorry not sure what it's cold... coat? That shows how little I know about fashion ;)
    xx
    maya

    ReplyDelete
  43. happy birthday! you look gorgeous and your party looks super fun!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  44. welcome to my world....you look absolutely fabulous and not a bit grown up....happy happy birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Happy belated birthday, dear friend! What a GREAT party theme! And you look wonderful, although the comment about "Baby Jane" made me chuckle. Clearly you are adored by your friends as they celebrated you on such a special day. Fifty is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  46. LOVELY PICS:)and happy birthday:)... I really like your blog and will happily follow. If you want some swedish decor inspiration, you can check out my blog:)
    Have a great weekend.

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
    (Sweden)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Brilliant night out! Hope you have a wonderful 50th year.
    I love the first pic, what good looking parents you have and you were such a tiny cutie.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Super cute theme!! Great photos! Love your dress!

    xx
    Giovanna
    www.oliveandanarrow.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Happy happy happy birthday!!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi Jody

    I have consulted with your Uncle Leo and that baby in the photo is definitely your premature brother Tony! That's why they look so young.......

    Love Ann

    ReplyDelete
  51. A belated Happy Birthday Jody! I don't know how I missed this post! It looks like you had a fabulous bash and seriously you look amazing at 50!
    ~Anne

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...