Thursday, the day before my birthday, at the newspaper office:
Me: “Oh no, I still don’t have plans for this year’s birthday mani.”
Tatin: “Oh no! That’s really important.”
And no, she wasn’t being sarcastic.
And so we spent the next few minutes trying to think of what I should wear on my nails on the day I turn 31.
Tatin had the brilliant idea of doing a mani that would make my nails look like my birth stone.
Tatin: What’s your birth stone?
Me: Opal. And I hate opal. I’ve always hated it even when I was a kid.
Tatin: What?! But it’s so pretty!
And so I googled it.
Me: Oh my god, why does it look pretty now?
Tatin: See!
We checked my inventory but still couldn’t decide on a birthday mani.
The answer came hours later, in a pretty pretty package.
A pretty pretty package Jill handed me when midnight struck.
A pretty pretty package with a little bear sitting on top of it.
I opened the pretty pretty package and went completely nuts when I saw this.
And when I say completely nuts, I’m not kidding.
I think I started to freak Jill out a little.
But how can I not freak out?
How awesome are these shoes?
And it’s not just the cuteness.
This pair of shoes and I have a long and kind of funny history.
Dr. Martens came out with its first Sanrio collection in 2010. I loved loved loved the 1460 boots. I thought they were adorable.
But I waited too long and didn’t order them. By the time I realized I really really really wanted them, it was too late. They were nowhere to be found. I was heartbroken.
Then, earlier this year, while Jill and I were in the US, we decided to order new pairs.
And I thought it was fate because Dr. Martens had just come out with its second Sanrio collection.
But Jill looked at me like I was crazy. She found the pair too cutesy. So I ended up ordering another pair of Dr. Martens which I loved, even if Hello Kitty’s face wasn’t on it. And it was cool because it kind of matched Jill’s new pair.
But I have to admit I still thought about the Sanrio pair. A lot.
Last week, as Jill was ordering a pair of Shoreditch Dr. Martens for herself, she asked if I wanted to order another pair too. I tried looking for the Sanrio pair. But I couldn’t find it anywhere. Once again, I was heartbroken. And I blamed Jill.
“You should have let me order it in the US, now it’s gone,” I wailed.
I had no idea that she already had the pair squirreled away in her closet.
She spotted it at the Dr. Martens store in Rome and bought it.
Yes, she’s beyond awesome.
And that’s not all.
Remember how she bought me the gorgeous shades from the YSL Noirs Couleurs in Greece?
I didn’t know it then but she also got me YSL’s Duo No. 5.
This is Duo Favorite Chic.
And it’s pretty pretty pretty.
It’s been on my wish list ever since I first saw it online – and thanks to Jill’s thoughtfulness, I now have it.
So pretty.
Even Planky liked it.
And instantly I knew I was going to use the duo as this year’s birthday mani.
With Deborah Lippmann’s Happy Birthday, of course.
And so I did my nails while talking to my mother who called from Vegas to greet me.
Love.
I’m pretty sure Planky likes it too.
Just like he likes my new shoes.
I wore my Sanrio Doc Martens to my birthday dinner and drinks.
I love them, they’re super comfy.
When I opened the present, after I was done freaking out, one of the first things I said to Jill was I need to buy new socks. I said my holey old favorites aren’t worthy of the Hello Kitty awesomeness.
I opened my gifts when I got home last night and our friend Michelle’s gift made me laugh.
Socks! Socks that are pretty, colorful and, most importantly, free of holes.
They’re perfect. I love them so much.
Because seriously, this was the pair of socks I wore on my birthday.
I should be ashamed, I know.
But not anymore.
Because I have awesome socks! And awesome Sanrio boots! And YSL on my nails!
It’s more than just the thrill of beautiful new things that completely rocked my world – it’s the thoughtfulness, the love, the care that touched me to the core.
Thank you, Jill. Thank you, Mich.
More than anything I can put on my feet or wear on my nails, it’s your presence in my life that is the biggest gift.
Awww that’s the sweetest! ♥ You are so blessed, Miss Pam!
I’ve already greeted you on Facebook, but I also want to greet you a Happy Birthday here! Ü
Thanks so much!
I’m grateful!
I see Pekkle! I see that duck!!!
Glad you’re having a blast on your birthday!
Haha! Awesome! I couldn’t identify all the characters on my shoes!
Yeap, you sure are very lucky! Awesome friends you have there
Yes they are awesome <3
Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy (did I say Happy?) Birthday, Pam!! May all blessings be yours: great health, contentment, love of family, amazing surprises and always, awesome adventures! Hugs & stuff!! (PS: those boots are KILLER!! The socks are sublime! And the polish? I don’t have the words…….but I love, love , love the birthday mani!)
Eugenia!!! Thanks so much!
I love those beautiful wishes <3 <3 <3
P.S.
I e-mailed you <3
happy birthday pammy!!! What awesome friends you have! Those Docs are so freaking cool! Girlie meets tough! love the mani, too
one must wear DL HB on their birthday. It should be a polish rule!
Kat!! They are the sweetest! And yes, the DMs are crazyyyy. I wanted to wear them to sleep!
YES! So true! I couldn’t bear not to wear DL HB on my birthday! It will be a yearly thing!
Nice friends you have there! So sweet of them=) Keep the friendship!!! By the way belated happy birthday and loving the swatches…=)
Absolutely <3 They are awesome!
Thanks so much
Happy Birthday Ms. Pam! I’ve been reading your blogs for quite a while now. After reading your awesome book, (that was, last june, i think), i just couldn’t get enough of your wittiness that i googled to find your blogs to read some more pieces of yor mind
Your great and so does your friends! 
You are BLESSED indeed to have them! Here’s to another year of AWESOMENESS, BLESSINGS, ADVENTURE, and of course, POLISH to come! Cheers!:)
Hi Jera! Thanks for reading my blogs and my book
Hope you’re enjoying Polish Police and aren’t bored by all the nail polish talk 
Thanks so much for the wonderful wishes
Yes, my friends are great 
And I’m very lucky…
oh no no, not at all
im enjoying every bit 
you’re passion on nail polish is contagious! i dont used to put polish on my nails and i used to nailbite too, but now i own a few bottle and am proud to have stopped nail biting 
yey! and i guess, i have to thank you for that 
Wearing polish is really the best way to stop biting your nails – I should know, I was a biter for many years! So glad you’re enjoying the posts!
I think I said this last year, but let me just repeat it as it must be repeated: You have the awesomest friends! Glad you had a great birthday! Now I’m thinking about MY bday mani. hahaha
Hi Marvi! So true! Thank you! Awww birthday nails rock!
Glitter?
Such a cute and fun post
Happy birthday
xoxo
Thanks so much