Tomorrow is my 30th birthday. Born December 19, 1985 in Fairfax, VA.

My mom constantly reminds me on this day how truly special my birth was…but not before reminding me HOW LONG AND PAINFUL it was. Oops! My bad mama dukes!

I thought I would somehow feel immediately OLD…different, or at least wiser. But in these past few days leading up to my birthday, I actually feel an emotion I haven’t felt before; Settled. I feel comfortable in my skin, in my family, in my career and in my life. Sure, anytime anyone asks me how old I am I will be responding with a number resembling that of my late 20’s (the good years as I call them now).

I have failed way more than I have succeed in these 30 years. Learned lessons in hard ways, made mistakes I am still learning from/paying for and loved…a LOT! And now, a wife, mother, business owner, dog mama and more…I feel nothing but complete gratitude for this beautiful thing called life. I am a very blessed woman and I never take that for granted.

Over my 30 years of life, I have learned a lot about myself I never knew and I wanted to take this moment to share a little bit of myself with you. Below you will find 30 things I BET you didn’t know about me. And if you did know them, well then friend, consider yourself IN THE LOOP!

1. I AM LITERALLY EVIL WITHOUT COFEE. Not like, bad caffeine headache from withdrawal. I am talking EVIL. Many joke that coffee is my kindness medication and if not taken at least twice daily, I should not be allowed to be in public. Apparently I snarl! lol
2. Rose gold and gold….they are my life. I rarely wear anything silver. It just doesn’t happen.
3. There are some days where if I do not have a McDonalds coke, there are actual tears that happen.
4. I am scared to death of the witch in the original snow white….oh and clowns….I just hate em! Oh wait…and spiders.
5. I SWEAR A LOT more than I should. I blame it on growing up near a truck stop. lol
6. I am OBSESSED with the Family Stone…its a Christmas movie that I can’t make it through the season without. Same goes for Hocus Pocus. They are life staples!
7. I have been told I look like Natalie Portman, JLO and Angelina Jolie…I feel like these people are either liars, drunks, or way too kind. Either way, its all gone to my head. Keep telling me that folks!
8. I can’t sleep without a body pillow and my childhood blanket.
9. I am a sucker for scarves and socks. If my neck and toes are warm, I AM ON FIRE!
10. I cry at every commercial or ad that features a military personal returning home to see their wives/kids/dogs. EVERY SINGLE ONE. Its like a reflex/automated response.
11. I could eat a taco for every meal, every day of the year. And a Starbucks….3 times a day.
12. I have a French Bull dog and I named her Ellie…after my home girl Elle Woods!
13. I LOVE mens hoodies. In fact, I buy my husband a hoodie so I can wear it. Not him.
14. I HATE HATE HATE the sound of an alarm clock and the sound of water ice being shaved! HATE IT!
15. I was a cheerleader for almost 10 years. Don’t judge me.
16. I like blue ink pens better than black pens. Weird I know.
17. I can not sleep with socks on or blankets on my feet. Also, hair MUST be in a bun. AND most importantly, there MUST be a fan, even if its freezing out…there MUST be a fan.
18. Both of my boys are named after my husband. His name is Michael Nicholas and my boys names are Ryan Michael and Nicholas Matthew.
19. When I am out with friends and an unwelcomed stranger asks for my name and or number, I say my bar name which is Aria and my phone is 609- 867- 5309. If you dont get that number, we can’t be friends. People never catch on. Its hysterical.
20. I love to dance. I love that it embarrases my husband.
21. I own over 50 pairs of heels. I wear 2. 2 times a year.
22. I binge watch Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill. And the movie that is one loop while editing, well that would be “Something Borrowed.”
23. I crack every bone in my body. Neck, toes, ankles, fingers, wrists, back, knees. I know its bad, but I just can’t help it.
24. I bit off a huge chunk of my tongue when I was 5. Cracked open my skull at 8, sliced off the tip of my finder at 10, was attacked by a dog at 13….now I hold a pen weird and have worse handwriting than a doctor and cop combined!
25. I had a tumor removed from my eye socket/cheek area that they discovered when I went for a scan to have my wisdom teeth removed…they found my tooth floating in the tumor up by my eye. I am a hot mess!
26. If I could only pick one piece of make up to use everyday, it would be mascara. I am obsessed with lashes.
27. Half of my closet is sequin and sparkly outfits. The other half is a collection of mens hoodies, sweatpants and collected bar/trip/concert shirts. Its all about balance.
28. I have a SERIOUS girl crush on Michelle Rodriguez and the actress covered in those mysterious tattoos from BLIND SPOT (NBC show).
29. I have the tags on most things I buy (in terms of home decor, etc) for a solid 6-12 months after putting something up. My fall wreath from last year that I hung this year still has its tags. I have no idea why.
30. I am not sure if I am done having kids. This includes fur babies. But don’t tell my husband either one.

I know this is the most random assortment of facts and details, but at 30….I get to be weird. I have put in the time and I deserve to let my freak flag fly at times. lol

Tonight I head to Atlantic City for the weekend to celebrate with family and friends. If you follow me on Facebook and Instagram, you just may get to be a part of the shenanigans. (Instagram: @kaitlinnoelphotography)

But here I am, signing off, on the last day of my 20’s. Thanks for being one heck of a decade 20’s…Ill miss you!

xoxo, Kaitlin Noel