Happy *Belated* Birthday To Me!

This year, I was/am in no mood to celebrate my birthday. But of course I still took the time to enjoy a wonderful dinner with family and had a separate feast with my close friends. I had dinner Banana Leaf - a Malaysian restaurant - with my family which wasn't very eventful...Days before that, I went to Trafalgar's Bistro - a French bistro - with my friends for some fine dining. Trafalgar's is an absolute must-try. Our table of 5 loved everything. From the water, to the bread, to the butter, to the main course!
Do check their website: Trafalgars. If you like their menu, try reserving a table with them through OpenTable; it's quick and easy.
Dessert time was especially pleasing yet heartbreaking. The dessert menu is extensive and I honestly wanted to try EVERYTHING. I recommend going with at least 5 people so you get to try 1/5th of the menu. If I'm correct (and I think I am), the desserts come straight from Sweet Obsession. Sweet Obsession Cake & Pastries is located two doors down from the restaurant and serves delicious fine desserts. Drool worthy food pictures, click to enlarge:

                              Salt Spring Island Mussels, Fraser Valley Farms Duck Confit, Black and White Mousse.

 And all of our desserts together...The Pear Sorbet was the table favorite but I absolutely love my Black & White Mousse! It's rich in chocolaty goodness but it never gets boring. My biggest fear was that it would be sickly sweet but it's actually quite light. Seriously, it's absolutely divine I tell you!

My favorite part of the "celebration" as always is the birthday gifts. This year was more extravagant than previous years. Here is why:


Technically the Clarisonic is a Christmas gift and Birthday gift all in one. I purchased it with a Sephora gift card from my brother & sister-in-law which I received as a Christmas present and then paid the rest on my own.
My parent's bought me a digital camera. My dad has gone through five digital cameras in 10 years but I've never had my own. I adore the camera on my iPhone but I'm looking for a camera that takes top quality photos. And from my lovely friend Ena, I got a MAC gift card. I don't know how she did it but I swear she read my mind. I'm in the market for a new duo fiber make-up brush and MAC has a few great ones or so I've read. Last but not least, I got money from my brother & sister-in-law and from my sister's boyfriend.

Overall, this birthday isn't the most exciting birthday I've celebrated but there's always next year. One last note: happy birthday to all March babies. May all your wishes come true ♥

Love,
Ashley.