I guess you already know by now that I'm always one for a Birth-week instead of a single day. I love to stretch out the celebrations for as long as possible so this year was no different. Just little traditions spread out that make it feel extra special. And this year I feel particularly grateful and emotional about everything, being pregnant and this last Birthday before everything changes! Photos below if you'd like to see.

You never quite know what kind of Spring we'll be in for and whether the magnolias will be in bloom for the 28th March or not {my Birthday}. But this year, they've been at their very best, laden with blooms and without any frost to damage the petals. The weather turned all warm and sunny for this week too.

Last Sunday, as has become a little tradition, we took a trip up to Columbia Road flower market to buy some flowers and plants for the garden. 

Spring colours. 

Basically my idea of heaven.

I was excited to stop in Bob & Blossom, the ultimate baby/childrenswear shop. 

I chose a big bunch of ranunculus, my favourite at this time of year.

Then, predictably, took some photos by those pink doors. This time, with a bump! 

It was such a perfect Sunday with the best weather. The blossom, and bees, were out in full force and we got home to go for a walk with my brother and the pup. 

Bunting in the kitchen compulsory. 

Birthday blooms. 

One of the biggest treats was this dream cake, baked by a lovely follower and incredible cake maker on Instagram. She'd got in touch earlier in the year asking if I'd want a gender reveal cake making, which initially we'd said yes to, thinking we could surprise our parents by cutting this cake on my Birthday, but then of course impatience got the better of me and we couldn't wait that long. Rebecca said that she wanted to bake me a cake regardless which was so kind! So baked this white chocolate and raspberry drip cake which tasted even better than it looked.

My friend's came round for dinner on Tuesday evening and it was such a lovely, fun evening.

The night before my Birthday we went for a walk just as the sun was setting. I always feel so reflective the night before, about to enter another year. But the sky was so pretty and this year especially I feel so grateful.

Before we got ready for a day by the seaside and drove to Mersea Island.

I wanted to do something a little different this year and although we'd originally booked dinner in London, cancelled it when we saw the weather forecast and decided to spend the day by the coast instead. We had a seafood lunch at The Company Shed. Mersea is known for it's oysters and for supplying all the top London restaurants with seafood and it's restaurants are especially good if you like fresh fish. We've eaten at both this one and the West Mersea Oyster Co over the years, both are great, but the Company Shed is definitely the most well known and famed {it's a kind of spit and sawdust kind of place where you bring your own bread and can bring your own drinks!} but has such a famed reputation and gets incredibly busy. We hadn't booked but luckily got there just before the rush, most of the tables on a Thursday lunchtime were booked. 

We'd picked up some soda bread en route and then ordered a crab platter for two. 

A feast! 

We then walked all along the island to reach our favourite beach huts. I've written about Mersea Island in these blog posts before. 

Cake on the beach!

And then the sun came out properly.

Such a happy day.

Next year's Birthday may look a little different!

It's days like these that I wish we lived closer to the sea.

We got home to a surprise bunch of flowers on our doorstep from a lovely friend.

And then, to finish off the celebrations, Ben took me to Soho Farmhouse for a night. {remember last year's post and stay here?}

We stayed in one of the new piglet rooms, that reminded me of a little Hobbit House! Of course, complete with that Soho House signature style {and bikes with our name on!}.

A cosy piglet room for two {and a bump!}. Loved the curved wooden ceiling.

I think I always say it when we stay at a Soho House property that it's so easy to pack for as you don't need any toiletries! 

Pretty spring displays. Taking note of these planting combinations.

We had a feast of a Sunday dinner, and I literally thought I was going to pop afterwards, before going for a sunset cycle and swim to celebrate the first of the light evenings with British Summertime. 

Cycling to breakfast the next morning, in the glorious sunshine.

Hello April!

We had an afternoon booked in the spa {a half price day combined with a Cowshed voucher we still had to use} so went for a pretty walk through the Great Tew Estate to earn a lazy afternoon.

The first lambs of the season. Isn't England just so beautiful at this time of year?

Cowshed spa heaven. Soho Farmhouse have redeveloped their spa recently and it was all so gorgeous. We both had hour and a half long massages {the longest treatments we've ever had!}, mine a maternity version, and it was the ultimate treat.

Before a sunny late lunch in the suntrap of a courtyard where it felt so warm. Always the best food and buzzy atmosphere.

I couldn't think of a better Birthday/week! Thank you so much for all of the lovely messages.

R <3 xx