Class was mediocre.
Shopping was a blast!! Old Navy is where it’s at. Totally full of bright colored awesome clothes. My wallet had to drag me out.
Home, unpacked, visit from Karen, who delivered a gorg brown corduroy jacket from LOFT!
And then we were on our way to dinner! No time or desire for snacking today.
You might remember Zebra from the Foodbuzz 24,24, 24? Well my dad got us some Restaurant.com coupons and we had one to use. Great opportunity! We couldn’t wait to go back.
I dressed up in my red coat…and black and white Zebra attire!
The husband:
We debated between glass of wine vs. bottle and eventually decided on a bottle of Petit Syrah. Unfortunately it tasted really sour to me and we politely asked if it might be bad. Our waiter was willing to let us choose another bottle, and we went with this AMAZING old vine zin
I had about 2 glass’s worth – but with the meal, it was perfect.
We played a little game I like to call "KERF vs. BREAD." You see, when there’s a basket of bread on the table it’s easy not impossible to just have one and be done. There are more if you want them. But when a waiter is bringing the bread around to serve you, you’ve got to find ways to keep your plate full! I had THREE of these little guys. Yeah, we like bread 
Matt delivered his "blue pen card" to me during dinner. It’s a tradition that goes back to college when he always handmade his cards in blue pen
Of course I loved the 26 + 1 theme 🙂
To start we ordered the anti pasta. We love ordering it because it’s all about tasting a multitude of different things! It wasn’t the best I’ve had because it was majorly missing some CHEESE! But it was still enjoyable. Matt ate much more than I did.
Normally I would ordered salad and perhaps another appetizer but since our coupon was for entrees, we both ordered one. We were split 50/50 on the fishies so we both got one: NC Trout for me, Salmon for him. If you look closely you can see the descriptions from the menu. Heavenly!
Trout with crab, pecans, potatoes, haircot verts and carrots. Very rich and buttery!
And this amazing potato fried + wrapped salmon with parsnips and a GOAT CHEESE STUFFED swiss chard!!! [Wish I’d gotten a better photo!]
The dessert menu came and went and we ordered a pear tarte tatin not knowing what the birthday protocol was… It tasted pretty good, but wasn’t my favorite. And the worst part: they still charged us 🙁 I hate to be such a tough critic, but gosh, it’s a birthday!!
And with the bill came some ganachey chocolates! Now they hit the spot 🙂
I would like to point out that on our bill we were transaction number 10260!!!!!!!!!!!! 10/26 baby!!!
I wasn’t too stuffed from dinner because I brought home most of the trout (would you believe there were TWO fish on that plate!?) so you can imagine my delight when I found a bag on our door containing these:
THANK YOU KATE AND NATE!!! Some local cupcakes plus a sweet card and giftcard to Winestore. Thanks guy!!
They created quite a buzz in our household…rousing bears from their slumbers…
Matt went to bed (he has to get up at 3:30!) and this girl was left alone. With icing. On her birthday. DANGER!!!
I sat down with a knife and fork to taste each of the four flavors and devoured about 1/3 of each of them!! (Maybe even more…) They were some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever had!! Coconut Sprinkles Chocolate with sprinkles and perhaps a vanilla bean buttercream? Chocolate Ganache. Raspberry Lemon. and Red Velvet. Heavenly and they totally made my day!! I really wasn’t craving cake all day nor did I really feel the need to go out for cake or anything, but 2 seconds into a bite of these I was so happy Perfect ending to 26+1.
My stomach is on the verge of exploding and I’m headed to dream about that coconut cupcake…
Yoga in the morning with Kelsey!
Brie (The Fit Bride) says
I want to make that cupcake picture my desktop wallpaper! Happy birfday!
Fancy says
What a wonderful birthday, Kath! 🙂
P.S. I can see your header now but your comments are still weird and go from most recent to oldest and all on different pages…hmmm….
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans says
holy moly those cupcakes look good! it looks like your 26+1th birthday was a great one!
KERF FAN says
Antipasto. 😉
We know you’re in no way…. ‘”ANTI pasta.” ;-D
Happy Birthday.
Liz says
Happy Birthday Kath. Your outfit for your dinner out was gorgeous!
Alyssa says
Those cupcakes look SO GOOD!!! Cake and frosting is my absolute favorite dessert 🙂 Hope it was a great birthday!!!
Melissa says
First off I LOVE your outfit that you rocked for your birthday dinner! You were workin’ it sista! 😉 So cute! 2) That dinner looks amazing, 3) That is so cool about the transaction # – I would have noticed something like that too – only I am more of a “23” person, 😉 hehe. 4) Oh my gosh I want one of those cupcakes, and 5) You guys crack me up with those random bear pictures. I started laughing out loud seeing them all peeking in the cake box…hahahaha! Happy Birthday, again!
Erinn says
Ok, I’ve been lurking for awhile and I love your site. I had to come out of the shadows to say I absolutely LOVE that skirt. It looks amazing on you!
Happy Birthday!
Heather says
Looks like you had a great dinner! Those cupcakes look amazing – what great friends you have to bring them for you.
Happy Birthday!
Ps. Your new header looks great!
kay (eating machine) says
those cupcakes are so pretty!
i love good cupcakes. a lotttt. my fiance has bought me cupcakes more times than he’s bought me flowers 🙂
Lizzy says
you look so adorable! Your dinner looks awesome, and i can’t believe how huge your meal was! What a surprise to come home too. I LOVE cupcakes! Happy Birthday again Kath!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
What a PERFECT birthday evening Kath. You and Matt both look so adorable dressed up! You two make quite the couple. 🙂 And I’m so glad Old Navy was a success! It’s always fun to go on a bit of a spree in celebration of your birthday.
Sarah says
Happy Birthday!
Glad you had a good day. I might have eaten all those cupcakes …. they look YUM.
Your new blog look is amazing. And your birthday outfit so cute!!!! I’m so jealous – your waist looks teensy tiny – maybe that’s b/c it is:). Please refer to the above fact re bday cupcakes ;).
Linda says
Your friends are the sweetest with the surprise cupcake delivery.
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
You and Matt both look so stylish! Glad you had a good birthday dinner! The “blue pen card” tradition sounds so sweet! Haha, the bears are too cute!
sue says
those cupcakes look amazing! what a great surprise to come home to after a yummy dinner…the icing on top of the cake- literally!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
The restaurant food looks beautiful!
The cupcakes are adorable!! I LOVE the bears looking pic LOL. So cute!!
Jenn
Jenna says
happy birthday kath!
glad you had a nice night out on the town with matt 🙂
those cupcakes look so delish! it is only your birthday once a year!
jenna
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) says
Ooh la la, gorgeous cupcakes- lucky bday girl! 🙂
Christy says
Ohhh pretty cupcakes!! haha looks like a nice night
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries says
I think your pre-yoga fuel should come in the form of more cupcakes 🙂 Just because it’s your birthday + 1 day–still counts!
Dinner looks amazing; especially all the crispy potato action!
Meg says
Happy Birthday!! Glad dinner & cupcakes were great!!!
Simply Life says
Happy Birthday! Looks like a great way to celebrate!
BroccoliHut says
You look fab in that red trench!!
steph says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! that skirt fits you like a dream
the bear pic is the most amazing thing i have ever seen
Ashley says
Those cupcakes look absolutely insanely GORGEOUS! I can’t believe Matt left you alone with all 4 of them 😉 I’m picturing cake covered fingers and frosting all over the face! Love your skirt!
Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) says
Those photos of you and Matt look like modeling shots for high-end catalog shopping. 🙂
Does anyone know why red velvet is magical? is there a flavor to speak of? I’ve always wondered.
Glad you had a nice b-day!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
glad you had a nice bday dinner, but that is really lame of them to charge you for your cake. boo!!!
theskinnyplate says
Happy birthday Kath! What a beautiful dinner.
Diana says
That food looks so… beautiful 😮
Also, those cupcakes look and sound so good! Cute bears 😛
I’m glad you had a good day 🙂
coco says
such a fabulous dinner~~~ those cupcakes are the cutest eatable thing! 😀
MelissaNibbles says
Love your outfit! Happy Birthday!
christie @ honoring health says
Sounds like a great birthday dinner, I am glad you enjoyed yourself.
The shot of the bears is too cute!
Stacey says
It’s your birthday, have as many cupcakes as you want!!! 😀 You look very snazzy in your red coat too! Glad you had a good birthday ending (and booooo to the restaurant for charging you!)
Mom says
My wallet had to drag me out.
Must be mother-daughter intuition. I just taught my composition class a lesson today on personification!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I love your outfit that you wore to dinner. You look great! And coconut sprinkles cupcakes? I’d be all over that.
gina g says
i hope you had a very happy birthday kath! sorry my computer wouldn’t allow me to comment sooner!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
Beautiful looking meal, beautiful looking Kath. Happy Birthday, lady!
Lauren says
Happy Birthday Kath! I am so thrilled that you had a wonderful day! You deserve everything fabulous on your birthday and every day to follow! 🙂
Pam (Pamcakes and Eggs) says
I love love love your skirt! Very cute. Dinner looks great! Happy 26 again!
Julie says
What a great birthday! The cupcakes look heavenly.
ps- I can see the header in IE! very cute!
pps – I love your red coat!
Shannon says
Happy birthday! Looks like a fun day and a yummy day! I would have lost all control with those cupcakes…they look amazing!!
Brynne says
I hope you had a great birthday! I can’t believe they charged you for your birthday dessert – I actually find that really rude and saddening when restaurants don’t honor someone’s special day. But you did get all of those amazing cupcakes :0)
Stephanie says
I can see your header now, yay, love it! what I also love – your outfit in the dinner pix, so cute!!!
Mom says
Deb, I’ve always wondered about red velvet cake too. Check out this Wiki article. Beets (during WW II especially) Who would have guessed!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_velvet_cake
Susan says
That dinner looks uh-mazing!!! You’re right though, a meal is never officially until there’s chocolate 😉 Here’s to a wonderful 26th + 1 year!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? says
Happy Birthday Kath! Love your red trench :). Now I just want to put my hand through my computer screen and steal one of your cupcakes they look so amazing!
Nicole (dishin') says
Looks like a fun dinner! Those cupcakes are to die for….
Marcia says
you crack me up with the 26. Hey, my address is 1438 and I’m…wait, too late for that one.
Kati says
I would have dug into those scrumptious cakes right away too! I want a bite of the coconut one :> Sounds like it was a fabulous night!
Kelly P says
Those cupcakes are gorgeous! Do you know where they came from?
Tay says
First, I love your outfit!! You look so cute 🙂 And I”m in love with Old Navy right now. Great stuff. I go crazy in there! Glad you enjoyed your night. Don’t stress about feeling stuffed, move on…you enjoyed it!
And that is AWESOME about your check number. Way cool! 😀
Erika says
Happy Birthday Kath!!! Where did you get your outfit? It’s soooooo adorable and you looked really pretty in it 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful evening out with your hubby!
Kath says
Cupcakes were SAS – and they are delivered nationwide!
http://sascupcakes.com/
Kath
Adriane says
I know I am late, but Happy Birthday!