Diary of a princess: 21 key to the door

This is now my forth year of writing this blog and so for anyone who has read the previous 3 birthday posts, you will know that I am not one for subtlety. My birthday is THE event of the year no matter what age I am and I like to drag it out for as long as possible. So if you remember how extravagant my previous 3 birthdays have been then you haven't seen anything yet! This year was my 21st birthday and so it's been bigger and better than ever before - I really went all out! I will warn you now that this blog post is definitely not short!
I kicked things off 1 week before my actual birthday (pretty modest I'd say) with a cocktail masterclass at Revolution with all my favourite girls and my mum and dad. It was so much fun and I was so impressed with the way it was run. We arrived to some bubblegum welcome cocktails, a section of the bar all to ourselves and names badges for us to write down a nickname for eachother (mine was princess of course). Then we started with a 1-on-1 competition making cocktails and being judged on either speed or taste (me and my dad are the most competitive so we went first and obviously I won), then we did a blind folded pairs competition (which I was with Laura for and it was hilarious) and then we finished with making a cocktail of our choice (me and mum went with the same one and it makes me laugh that we both have the same concentrating face). The whole thing was done with reward and punishment shots throughout and then finished with a jellybean bomb train that I (as birthday girl) got to set off. We had such a funny time and me and Laura were embarrassingly slow at the blind folded game (we took about 10 minutes and apparently took the longest they had ever seen) because we just couldn't stop laughing. We were also told that the face you make when shaking a cocktail is apparently your sex face so I'm not sure I'll be able to look at bar staff the same way again. Then after the class was done, we had a table reserved where we got another round of shots and a massive platter of food including mini burgers, calamari, fried chicken, garlic bread and pizzas! For the evening of celebrations, I wore this floral print mesh bodysuit that I got recently from New Look, khaki high waisted trousers (Missguided), nude pink bag and my favourite nude pink shoes (both New Look).

Then after spending Thursday at work with a slightly thick head, I went to carry on the celebrations with a sophisticated ladies-who-lunch afternoon tea with my mum and grandma at The Pudding Pantry. I've tried quite a lot of afternoon teas but I especially love it there because everything is home made; the halloumi sandwiches they did this time were amazing! And obviously I had to have prosecco with it! I stuck with my floral theme and wore this poppy printed wrap top with white bralet, black jeans, white jacket and red stiletto heels (basically the shoe emoji).

Then I walked in to a very cute surprise on Friday morning. I got to work to find that my team had worked their magic and decorated my desk with pink banners, '21' confetti (they even put it in my glass - thanks Joe), a '21' balloon, a tiara and wand, a '21' badge and some lovely presents! They had also put up photos of Ja'mie, who they say I am so like that they actually call me Jenné! And yes, incase you were wondering, I did wear the tiara all day (I'm impressed they found one that actually fit my head). Then after work, we headed down to Jamie's Italian for a Summer BBQ event where we had amazing food, amazing weather and very expensive wine! Then when the food was all gone and we needed to relieve our purse strings, we headed to a cheap and cheerful pub to carry on drinking. Work-to-going-out outfits are always tricky to pick out but I decided to go with this rust-red skirt, gucci-dupe belt, grey checked shirt and grey strappy heels (all New Look).

Luckily I was sensible for once in my life and left the pub on Friday at about half 10 so getting up bright and early on Saturday to go and catch a coach to London wasn't too much of a struggle. Unfortunately, I didn't need to get up bright and early at all because the coach ended up being over an hour late! Luckily though, I can sleep anywhere so I fell asleep in Nottingham and then woke up in London. I knew that the weather was meant to be good so I wore my favourite wildflower print skirt (missguided), flared sleeve black top (new look) and black chunky sandals (public desire). We loved all of us sharing one hotel room when we went to Amsterdam so when I was booking London, I went with the same thing and ended up booking a room at the Kings Cross Inn Hotel which was in a great location and the room was lovely (although there was a step in and out of the bathroom and little Katie failed to read the 'mind the step' sign every single time).

I have now been to London quite a few times (with Laura) so I was left in charge of planning our trip and decided to start with a cute little spot right near Kings Cross called Granary square. It's really pretty and has fountains that dance at different levels and there's a few nice bars and restaurants round that area too (a few new ones have popped up since the last time I went). Then we went to my all-time favourite restaurant in Knightsbridge which has big chandeliers, amazing food and a view of Harrods (so it's amazing for people-watching). We did have to look after baby Staci though, who got a milkshake while us adults drank wine!

Then we spent the next few hours looking around Harrods (and getting kind of lost, as you do) at all the expensive, pretty things that we can't afford, plus the furniture, baby stuff (seeing as little Katie is about to become an auntie) and souvenir section. We had planned to head to Oxford street after that but we ran out of time (probably because we got to London 2 hours later than we were meant to and also because we faff around a lot) so we went in a few shops like Topshop and Zara around Knightsbridge instead.

Then we headed to Covent Garden for a few drinks; Covent Garden remains one of my favourite areas of London and it looked even prettier than normal thanks to these cute flower benches!

Then after a quick stop at Tesco to get champagne (you know, just the essentials), we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our night out. I went in the shower last and could hear the others shuffling around when I got in. I need to give a shout out to big Katie on her A* acting skills; when I tried to come out of the bathroom, she shut the door in my face saying 'she was getting changed' in the most non-believable way she could've. But then when they actually allowed me to come out, the surprise was super cute! They had blown up a load of princess and '21' balloons, put up banners, bought bendy straws and tiaras and set all my presents out! The presents that they got me were amazing too and details will be in my next blog post but you can see my excited face when I opened the toilet seat covers that Staci bought me (FRIENDS fans will know!). They really did spoil me - sorry but my best friends are better than yours. I didn't want to go too dressed up because I've never been on a night out in London before and I don't know how dressy places are so I wore this square neck black top, taupe shorts with black trim and my favourite black heels, finished with Taupe lipstick and sparkly choker.

We had originally said we would head out at about 9 so, us being us, we ended up leaving at 11 (oops). But we headed to Soho and went to a bar that I'd seen and wanted to try out; I'm obsessed with neon light art so I thought that this bar, Lights of Soho, was really cool! Plus I do appreciate when they have the proper champagne glasses rather than champagne flutes. Then we faffed around a bit trying to work out where to go before deciding on Tiger Tiger, which ended up being a really good choice! We had so much fun and the place was us to a tee (a mix of music and then a room with just cheesy pop classics on in there) - although my eyes did water a little at £10.50 for a double vodka! Which, when you end up getting really drunk, ends up very, very expensive. And I almost full on cried when I completely snapped the heel off my favourite shoes! Luckily it was at the end of the night and not the start but it did mean that I looked like a proper classy bird going in to McDonald's bare foot. And don't worry - the shoes are currently in surgery (at the shoe repair shop) and are expected to make a full recovery.

Then after 5 hours sleep (basically a power nap), we were back up and getting ready for our second day! It wasn't quite as hot on Sunday so I wore white jeans (topshop), black gingham print top with lace panels (new look) and the same chunky black sandals as the day before. The one thing we had actually booked in advance was our Sunday lunch time activity; a bottomless brunch at a ball pit bar called BallieBallerson in Hackney. It was so cool, it was basically like a big American kids party! Everything was painted brightly and there were spotty table cloths on the table with the classic red cups. It was pretty good value too - £35 for spaghetti meatballs, unlimited prosecco (I think we got through 4 or 5 bottles in the end), unlimited punch and entry to the ball pit downstairs. The ball pit was basically a massive room filled with UV balls up to about waist high with coloured lights and music playing. And it was honestly the most fun I've ever had! Day drinking is really fun anyway and when it's hair of the dog, you're basically just topping yourself up from the night before so we were all feeling pretty drunk and then when you add a giant ball pit and us lot singing (badly) at the top of our lungs, it was honestly the funniest thing ever. Especially since I don't think little Katie actually managed to get up even once - she was basically drowning in balls (pun intended) the whole time!

Then after we came out in to daylight, drunk and confused, we headed to The Alchmeist in Bevis Marks. I so wish that we had an Alchemist in Nottingham because their cocktails are the coolest.

At this point, we figured we might as well keep drinking until we went home so we went to South Bank for even more cocktails (hello happy hour) and some tapas to share. We were so lucky with the weather all weekend so we sat outside soaking up the last of the sun.

We literally had the best time in London and didn't even get very lost - I reckon I'm getting the hang of this whole geography thing!

Not only did I come home to a bunch of beautiful pink peonies (my favourite flower) but I also didn't have chance to feel tired or get post-city-break blues because the celebrations continued! This time with a family (completed by my brother Aidan who had got back from uni while I was in London) meal at World Service. I love posh, pretentious food and yet we never go to places like that so I definitely wanted to go for my birthday. I had scallops, followed by blade of beef, followed by pavlova, followed by an extra little birthday treat and it was all amazing! My Queen cocktail (aptly named) even came complete with tiny crown! I am literally obsessed with Self Portrait dresses so when I saw this gorgeous dupe in Miss Selfridge (with 30% off!!!), I just had to get it and I wore it with black caged heels and Taupe lipstick.

Then after only 6 days of already celebrating, my actual birthday finally arrived! I always get everything my heart desires and am super spoilt but my mum and dad really did go all out this year. Personalised banners, giant '21' balloons, a lightbox and enough presents to drown a cat in (Bella thought she'd test that theory by mustling her way in between the gift bags). I also love that everything was pink and princess-themed! I got some really gorgeous presents; I already knew I was going to New York for my birthday but my parents also got me a pre-paid credit card loaded up with dollars to spend while I'm there, plus cute bits and bobs like a Disney princess neck pillow and the Breakfast at Tiffanys DVD to watch before I go. I also got some gorgeous jewellery pieces including a queen bee necklace and Olivia Burton bangle with personalised charm from my mum and dad and a queen bee Olivia Burton watch from my brother (are you seeing the theme here?). Every birthday and Christmas, I am reminded and impressed by how well the people in my life know and understand me. I loved everything and I definitely have enough Prosecco and Champagne to last me now (well, at least until the weekend).

I pretty much make it my life's mission to dress like a princess but I princessed harder than ever on Tuesday in this beautiful all-pink ensemble. I have a few of these primark skirts but this pink one is my favourite. My first instinct was to pair it with this top and I wondered if it would clash but I loved it - especially when I added nude stiletto heels too! And the princess theme continued because even though Alice (from Alice in Wonderland) is not technically royalty, she is considered one of the Disney princesses. My mum and dad did me proud with this super cute themed tea party! Apparently they were literally baking all weekend and all their hard work definitely paid off because everything was amazing!

However, I'm not one to ever be out-baked so I made some cakes of my own (mainly because everyone at work would kill me if I didn't). So in honour of my 21st, I made them cocktail themed! I did a strawberry daiquiri one, a gin & tonic one and a champagne one; all complete with these cute accessories I found on eBay. It's safe to say that they went down well! And although you may think that the end of this blog post means the end of my birthday celebrations, you are very wrong. I still have my birthday meal with Laura tonight, my birthday night out on Saturday and then my birthday celebrations in New York! However, I thought that I would've written a novel rather than a blog post if I tried to cram it all in one which is why I've split it. So for now, you can look forward to the next half!