I turned the big 3-0 on Wednesday.  Some of you may laugh at the "big" part of that statement, but I truly did feel this birthday more than others.  Perhaps it's because I'm no longer "in my twenties" or maybe it's because entering into a whole new decade sounds so surreal. Whatever it may be, this birthday hit me more than most.  

The good part about having a birthday, however, is the presents.  I'm convinced that's why we have birthday presents.  It's not to celebrate another year of life (unless you're under the age of 25), so much as it is to help you cope with adding another number to your age.  

My husband had been asking me for weeks what I wanted for my birthday and for weeks I told him I wasn't sure and needed to think about it some more.  I know it's silly, but I felt like whatever I was getting needed to be different since I was turning 30.  Something memorable and I could enjoy for a long time.  See how much it got to me? :)

Well one night lying in bed watching TV, he asked me again, and this time I actually had an answer.  

"A light fixture!" I exclaimed.  I thought I'd come up with the perfect gift-- a pretty little new piece in my home I could stare at each time I walked by for years to come.  He looked at me like I had three eyes.

"Light fixtures?" he said perplexed.  "Really?"

"Yes, a light fixture," I countered.  "But just one will do for now.  No need to get crazy."

I told him that the one I'd like to replace the most was the dining room light.  Allow me to give you a visual--it looks like an octopus holding beautiful (sarcasm) swirled, frosted glass sconces in each tentacle with a ridiculous looking oversized matching frosted cup and spear coming down in the middle of the bottom.  You want one too now, don't you? :)

Sure, the normal person, including my husband, would say "What's wrong with it?  It's fine.  I like it." But the designer in me that hates all things in a builder supply catalog just can't.

Jon was on board with my final decision (and by "on board" I mean glad I'd finally told him a gift idea), but I could tell he was hoping I'd settle on a new idea eventually.  And I did, but not before creating my dining room light fixture favorites list first.  Since I'll wait until later for the light, I thought I'd at least show you guys what I love...and will hopefully replace the octopus with one day soon :)

MY TOP 8 DINING ROOM LIGHT FIXTURES

1 MidCentury Modern $348 2 Prism $450 3 Wood Bead $270 4 Times Square Shade $249 6 Rope $211 5 Stiletto $229 7 Fiona $299 8 Large Orb $499

P.S. If you're wondering about what I picked instead of a light... here she is in all of her mint paint, cognac oversized seat, cup-holder, basket-wearing glory.

I'm all for pretty new things for my home (I am a designer after all), but I felt that getting to feel like a kid again was one of the best gifts I could have entering my 30's!  Plus I've been wanting a beach cruiser ever since we moved to the beach over two years ago!  I'm glad I went with the wheels instead :)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!