My Birthday Weekend + Thoughts on Turning 26 / Carmen Varner // Travel Influencer, Blogging Coach, Social Media Consultant

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My Birthday Weekend + Thoughts on Turning 26

  • Monday, April 11, 2016

26. Yesterday was my birthday; I made it to the ripe age of 26. It's not as thrilling of a milestone as 18 when you're legally an adult or 21 when you can legally drink alcoholic beverages or even 25 when you can officially rent a car. As I mentioned in this post, aging is a blessing because it means that we're still alive, we're still kicking, we're still existing. Turning 26 is exciting & I wouldn't turn around the clocks or go back in time for anything. 

I had a fun & relaxed weekend. On Friday I joined my boyfriend & his coworkers for dinner at the Truckstop in Pacific Beach. Then we went on a romantic boat cruise on the Bahia Belle around the bay. We saw minnows & jellyfish & looked up at the cloudy, slightly starry skies. It was wonderful.

pink rose

On Saturday I felt a bit tired because we stayed up until 1 a.m watching The Food Truck Road Race the night before. Apparently, I'm getting old because I paid for it the whole next day; I was super fatigued. We started our Saturday at the gym then spent the day in bed — my favorite thing to do on a gloomy day. 

I sipped some coffee, got under the covers, & watched Netflix. Ah yes, pure bliss. We ordered pizza & had some beer to round off the night. Fred got me a gift card to Lush which was literally what I asked for. 

california lifestyle blogger, yellow deli

Then on Sunday, my actual birthday, we made some brunch with coffee. Fred's mom gave me a gorgeous bouquet of pink roses & we went to late lunch with my parents to the Yellow Deli. It was a partially cloudy afternoon with the bright blue sky peeking out in the background. We sat on the outside patio under the umbrellas, & it was a delight. 

All in all, I had a lovely weekend with loved ones. Sometimes we get caught up in birthdays or expectations or aging, but I found myself focusing on the joy of life & living. Here's to age 26 & what the rest of the year will bring.

How was your weekend? :]

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59 comments

  1. Lucy FurneauxApril 11, 2016 at 12:27 PM

    It was my birthday last week too! Happy belated birthday - sounds like you had a great weekend!
    Lx | www.lucyeyf.co.uk

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  2. Sally O'KellyApril 11, 2016 at 12:44 PM

    I love your attitude, I get so sick of being around people who act as if turning older is the worst thing in the world and they get so caught up on numbers. Sounds like you had a lovely day! Happy belated birthday :)

    The Makeup Directory

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  3. Alice RedApril 11, 2016 at 1:06 PM

    I'm 26 in July, and I've really been dreading it - but you're absolutely right! Being older is a blessing, it means we're still alive. What a great post x

    alicered.co.uk

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  4. LaurenApril 11, 2016 at 1:29 PM

    Glad you had a lovely birthday!

    Lauren x | www.laurenapowers.blogspot.com

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  5. Alina@eclecticaluApril 11, 2016 at 1:38 PM

    Happy 26!!! I'm glad you enjoyed your Birthday. You are so right, aging is a blessing.

    Happy Birthday!

    Alina
    www.eclecticalu.blogspot.com

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  6. Briana NicoleApril 11, 2016 at 1:47 PM

    I am the kind of person that would never go back for anything! Hope you had a great day!
    http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/

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  7. Keri HApril 11, 2016 at 2:08 PM

    It sounds like you had a lovely weekend. Happy happy birthday! <3

    Enclothed Cognition/Bloglovin

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  8. Leigh BradyApril 11, 2016 at 3:28 PM

    Happy Birthday! Sounds like you've spent your celebrations in good company! x

    - Eternalleigh.blogspot.com

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  9. Sleepy MevApril 11, 2016 at 3:45 PM

    Such a lovely way to spend your birthday, glad you had a great day. you're right, age is just a number, what matters the most is that you're alive and you should appreciate that :)

    ♡SleepyHeaven♡

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  10. Whitney VApril 11, 2016 at 4:14 PM

    Happy Birthday lovely! Every age has something special, it's lovely to be 18 but also 26 or 28... It's all about how you feel! ;)

    Love,
    Whit

    http://www.whitneyswonderland.com

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  11. Jasmine RielApril 11, 2016 at 4:54 PM

    Happy birthday and it sounds like you had just the loveliest birthday weekend. :)

    Jasmine | The Sixth Disney Princess

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  12. yukaApril 11, 2016 at 11:20 PM

    that literally sounds like the perfect weekend and perfect birthday!

    happy bday babe!

    www.prettyinleather.net

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  13. lazypandahApril 11, 2016 at 11:35 PM

    Hope you had a lovely birthday! It does sound like you did!!
    I also love the photography of the rose, it's so beautiful~

    -LAZYPANDAH
    Check out my BLOG: ♥ lazypandah blog (✪㉨✪) ♥

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  14. OhiamihtApril 12, 2016 at 12:13 AM

    Lovely post Hun! Thanks for sharing this with everyone!

    I've just updated a new post on my blog: THERMAL & GEL NAIL POLISH REVIEW!

    OHIAMIHT BLOG | BORN PRETTY STORE USE CODE OHIX31 FOR 10% OFF

    Kisses,
    Maii x

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  15. Pam ScalfiApril 12, 2016 at 2:53 AM

    happy bday :D sounds like you had a great time!
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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  16. Lisa S.April 12, 2016 at 3:47 AM

    Happy belated Birthday! This honestly sounds like a dream birthday for me. I don´t need a big party or something, just a chilled out day with the family is the dream!
    xx Lisa | Following Lisa

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  17. StylNovaApril 12, 2016 at 3:56 AM

    Sounds like a lovely weekend spent! Your photos are beautiful hun! I wish a very Happy Birthday!

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  18. Annie AbbeyApril 12, 2016 at 5:00 AM

    Sounds like such a fun and lovely birthday weekend! Congrats on your birthday and all the wonderful people you got to celebrate it with :)
    xx Annie
    http://www.somethingswellblog.com/

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  19. Zarrah JaneApril 12, 2016 at 5:33 AM

    Happy 26 bday lovely lady
    Im wishing you good health, love and happiness.
    It's a great step for adulthood.

    Have a great day!

    http://www.thebandwagonchic.com/

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  20. FalashaApril 12, 2016 at 6:21 AM

    Happy Birthday! and I had a similar feeling and reflection when I turned 26. It's a great year... so far.

    xx Falasha

    Bite My Fashion ll Instagram ll Bloglovin'

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  21. MAY CHOApril 12, 2016 at 7:39 AM

    Happy belated birthday, Carmen. Your birthday weekend sounds absolutely lovely. That romantic boat cruise and sky-watching session sounds like such a dream. Cheers!

    MAY | WWW.THEMAYDEN.COM

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  22. Erin MacNeilApril 12, 2016 at 7:46 AM

    Happy birthday! It sounds like you had a great birthday weekend, and I hope that lasts for the full year :)

    Erin
    http://sexycardi.blogspot.ca

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  23. Jen HsiehApril 12, 2016 at 8:20 AM

    Happy belated birthday, Carmen!

    I figured after 25 I would hate aging from then on, but my boyfriend's dad said the same thing to me. It's better to get older than not. Glad you had such a lovely weekend celebrating and that cruise sounds incredible. :)

    JennifHsieh

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  24. charlotte carterApril 12, 2016 at 9:07 AM

    Happy birthday for yesterday lovely!!
    x
    a life of a charlotte

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  25. indiesunsApril 12, 2016 at 9:21 AM

    Wow, it seems like you had the most perfect birthday! I'm glad you're happy and you're right, we shouldn't be upset by getting older, it means we are still alive and that is just wonderful
    xx
    Ana

    Indie Suns | Bloglovin' | Instagram

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  26. Hun TatureApril 12, 2016 at 11:00 AM

    Belated happy birthday beautiful! :) best wishes to you
    xoxo

    http://www.myinfinitystyle.com/

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  27. Swati SharmaApril 12, 2016 at 12:15 PM

    belated happy birthday dear....

    http://www.crazyaboutcolors.com

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  28. KathyApril 14, 2016 at 6:36 PM

    Happy birthday to you!!

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  29. Bridget RoseApril 15, 2016 at 9:43 AM

    Sounds like a great weekend! Happy birthday <#

    Bridget || www.bridgetrosebeauty.com

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  30. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:08 PM

    Happy birthday to you! :]

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  31. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:09 PM

    I used to be that way at age 21 - 22. It wasn't until I realized I'd outlived some people I grew up with that it hit me: aging is a blessing! :]

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  32. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:09 PM

    Don't tread it. Embrace it. Any plans? :]

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  33. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:09 PM

    Thank you. :]

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  34. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:10 PM

    It really is. Thank you. :]

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  35. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:10 PM

    That's awesome, Briana. :]

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  36. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:10 PM

    Thanks! :]

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  37. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:10 PM

    I did indeed! :]

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  38. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:11 PM

    Absolutely. You really hit the nail on the head! :]

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  39. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:12 PM

    That's true, Whitney. It's not just about the birthday itself. Every year has it's experiences & memorie & there's something great in there. :]

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  40. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:12 PM

    Thanks Jasmine! :]

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  41. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:12 PM

    It was chill, relaxing, nice. Thanks! :]

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  42. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:13 PM

    Why thank you. The rose did all the work. :]

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  43. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:13 PM

    Thank you, Pam! :]

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  44. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    I got over parties since I always had high expectations. Relaxed birthdays is my goal now. :]

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  45. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    Thanks! :]

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  46. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    Thanks so much, Annie! :]

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  47. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    Thank you very much! How kind. :]

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  48. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    Did you recently turn 26? Thanks! :]

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  49. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:15 PM

    Thank you, May. A little star gazing never hurt, right? :]

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  50. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:15 PM

    Haha, me too. Thanks! :]

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  51. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:15 PM

    Your boyfriend's dad is a wise soul! Thanks! :]

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  52. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:15 PM

    Thanks! :]

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  53. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:15 PM

    I wouldn't say perfect but it was just what I needed. :]

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  54. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:16 PM

    Thank you! :]

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  55. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:16 PM

    Thanks! :]

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  56. ≈ CARMEN ≈April 15, 2016 at 12:16 PM

    Many thanks! :]

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  57. Alice RedApril 16, 2016 at 5:45 AM

    Probably just going to relax to be honest! Who knows, maybe I'll think of something more exciting closer to the time ;)

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  58. Anaivilo BorsaApril 18, 2016 at 2:49 AM

    Happy Birthday! I am turning 26 on May 1st and I am not sure how to feel yet :))
    In the end it's just another year and I should be grateful that I have a pretty good life even though my expectations are alwasy too high - about everything!

    It seems you had a relaxed day and that is great!

    http://thewonderfashion.blogspot.com

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  59. JolineNovember 11, 2016 at 4:42 PM

    I'm turning 26 in 2 weeks as well. Sounds like you had a beautiful weekend. Where do you live in socal?

    Joline
    www.blushingbliss.com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading & writing. :] // ▲

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