BIRTHDAY OUTFIT DETAILS:
SEQUIN DRESSĀ (I’m wearing a US6) | SPARKLE PUMPS | LIPS: KITTEN HEELS
On Thursday I’m turning 32. Although everything in my life relates back to this, and it may sound clichĆ©, becoming a mother has changed me. I’m approaching my 32nd year with a calmness and peace that I’ve never felt until now. I am happy to be still and not have a jam-packed schedule. I’m okay holding on to 10 extra pounds, whereas before I’d be in a literal frenzy to lose it. I don’t stress about being tired or having to eat crackers for lunch.
I know that I’m lucky and blessed to be where I am now. This year, I took the leap and left my attorney job to be a full time mother and blogger. I was thinking of writing a “woah I have an exciting announcement” post about it, but it felt weird to do that. So I’ll tell you more about my decision in the near future. I wouldn’t have done it without the support of my husband or the feeling of being financially secure. But it felt right.
I finally feel like everything has fallen into place. I’ve spent less time worrying about what I’m going to do with my life because I think I finally found it. I was meant to be a mother while pursuing my creativity in tandem. And while motherhood is certainly one of the hardest things I’ve done, it is also the most enjoyable.
So in celebration of my 32nd birthday, and to help you all get to know me better, here are 32 things about me!
32 Things About Me – For My 32nd Birthday
- My maiden name is Rahamim. It means “mercy” in hebrew.
- I was born in Brooklyn, NY, but spent most of my childhood in Cleveland, Ohio.
- I’m the oldest of three. My younger brother lives in Connecticut and my little sister lives in Seattle.
- I didn’t like cats before I got Jake and Elwood. Jake is the one pictured above!
- Dan and I met in high school when I was 14 (in 2002). We got married in August of 2015.
- I hate peas, but I like pea soup.
- I’m a licensed attorney in Ohio and Washington, DC.
- Being Jewish has always been part of my identity.
- I really like dark twisty books. My other favorite genre is historical fiction.
- I’ve been told that my celebrity doppelgƤnger is Marisa Tomei.
- The Little Mermaid was the first movie I ever saw in the theater.
- I was in a rock band in high school called Tapooze where I played the electric guitar!
- I was also in the high school marching band where I played the clarinet and saxophone. That’s where I met Dan.
- My dad is Israeli. I’ve been to Israel 3 times. It is the most beautiful country! I’m a dual citizen and have an Israeli passport, too.
- I’m a self-proclaimed mascara expert.
- I was on the moot court team in law school, even though public speaking scares me. I used to get a stomach ache before every oral argument practice. We won first place brief at our competition!
- I took a wine tasting class in college. It was held on Tuesday nights! As you can imagine, it was really hard to get into.
- Ice cream is my all time favorite food. I could eat it every single day.
- Beverages are my favorite. Coffee, tea, wine…I love them all. If you’re hanging out with me at home, I’m usually working on 2-3 beverages at a time.
- I went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
- I was a Zoology major with a minor in American Studies. Medical school was my initial idea, but ended up in Law School instead!
- For two summers, I taught Israeli folk dancing at a summer leadership camp.
- Running has always been in my life. I ran cross country in high school (although not very well), and have done lots of 5k’s 10k’s, and 2 half marathons. I’m still too chicken to sign up for a full marathon.
- I worked for a federal congresswoman for a little bit.
- In high school I worked at Subway but only lasted for a week. Now I can never eat at Subway again.
- I studied abroad in Luxembourg for a semester, where I got to celebrate Carnivale in Nice and Venice.
- I love musicals! Some of my favorites are The Music Man, Joseph, Wicked, Rent, The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Fiddler On The Roof, The Producers, and (of course) Hamilton.
- I think New York pizza is far superior to Chicago deep dish pizza. If you call that pizza.
- I’m still best friends with my best friend from the first grade. She is now a doctor in Boston!
- I used to be afraid of the zamboni at the ice skating rink. My grandfather used to bribe me with gum balls so I would face my fears and go out on the ice.
- We went out our honeymoon in Italy. Since we are dorks, we did went to all the Roman landmarks from Angels and Demons. “Let Angels Guide Thee On Thy Lofty Quest!”
- In November of 2016 I went to both the Women’s March and the next day, the Inaugural parade. Here’s why.
That’s all for this year’s birthday post! My birthday isn’t until Thursday, but I’ll be reflecting all week š
I hope you learned something new about me. What are some things about me that you didn’t know until this post? Tell me in the comments!
–Roxanne
On Mondays We Link Up
Happy birthday! It was fun to get to know a bit more about you, Roxanne. Jake & Elwood cats! I love it. And you look fabulous in red sequins!
Michelle
http://mybijoulifeonline.com
This is such a fun read dear! I consider myself a mascara expert too! ha! Advance happy birthday gorgeous!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Happy birthday! So happy that you are a good place in your life š Congrats on going full-time! That’s an incredible step! So funny that you were in a rock band in high school – I was too! And I played the electric guitar as well! SO cute that you and our husband are high school sweethearts. Also…. need to know what happened at Subway – yikes haha!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
What a sweet post Roxanne. I love how you describe the feeling of peace and calm in your journey of motherhood. I also feel incredibly blessed to be able to take care of my son. I know I fought it in the beginning but I can say it has been priceless watching him grow. Your little Sidney is so very blessed to have you as her mama and vice versa. Happy advance birthday Roxanne and that dress was made for you. The color suits you well.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Thank you so much, Maureen. I cherish every single day! I know there is a lot of judgment out there for stay at home moms, but I feel very fortunate and proud.
High five to that self proclaimed Mascara Expert.
Vaishali
http://www.vivaciouswish.com/2020/01/23/animal-print-effect/
Yesss! Haha.
What a great post and wishing you a wonderful birthday week!
It’s wonderful that you can be a stay at home mom! I worked very few hours while my kids were younger, and decided to be a full stay at home mom several years ago. Best decision ever!
It’s great reading the 32 things about you! I too thought I hated cats until we adopted 2 from the shelter years ago, coudn’t imagine it without them anymore. Historical fiction are my favorite books to read as well, altough I’ve been neglecting books recently.
Adorable picture of you and the cat!
Thanks for hosting the linkup!
Ellibelle’s Corner
Sounds like we have a lot in common! Hope you have a lovely week.
Happy Birthday! You certainly have accomplished so many things in your short life, I enjoyed reading your mini bio! Being a mommy is the highest calling, I’m so glad you are able to stay at home. Haha on Jake an Elwood, a classic Chicago movie! And, I love *both* Chicago and NY style pizza!
Thanks so much! I love pizza, so I’ll take either haha. But if I had a choice I’d go with NY style!
Little Mermaid was my first theatre movie too! But Iām older than you… Thanks for sharing about yourself
Oh I love that we have that in common!
Happy Birthday week!! I loved learning more about you, such a fun post! Obsessed with this look too!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Thank you so much Elise!
It’s my birthday week too but I will be 56. Hmm should I do a 56 things you didn’t know as a celebration,I might borrow this concept. Love the dress, adore the cats and really loved your facts. Have a great B Day week
Woohoo happy birthday! Yes, definitely do it!!!
Happy Birthday pretty! I think itās great that you have chosen to stay home. And hubby and I are big supporters of Israel. How neat that you have duel citizenship.
Thank you, Amy! Apparently if a parent was born in Israel then his/her children are automatically eligible for citizenship. I didn’t know until I was 18.
So fun learning more about you! I love historical fiction and musicals too! Happy early Birthday! Have a wonderful week!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Historical Fiction is such a great genre. And I’m going to see Once On This Island this week! I can’t wait.
So nice to read more about you! happy birthday – your sequin outfit is so fun to celebrate in! š
I agree, becoming a mum is what I was meant to do, I love spending time with my boys š
Hope that your week is off to a good start! We had a relaxing day today with the public holiday š Thanks for the link up!
Thanks so much, Mica. Being a mom is the best!
Roxanne, I loved this post! You and I do have some things in common…obviously the lawyer bit…but I walked away from the profession years ago for different reasons but I am still glad that I did. And momming…well that is a special sort of calling, isnāt it? Having the ability to stay home with the children is one of the things I am most grateful for in life. I also love historical fiction. It is basically the only way I have been able to adequately learn history! And I remember during an oral argument for a law school class getting so nervous that I literally shut down and couldnāt make any words come out of me. I received a D on the oral argument part of the class, but fortunately I could write so well that I managed to pull out a C for the class. The only class in law school that I got less than B+. I also gave my cats people names (Dave and Frank). Anyway wishing you the most wonderful birthday week, my friend! And you look gorgeous in your sequined dress!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
We are even more alike that I realized! I feel like being able to write was the only thing that got me through law school, haha! I would black out during oral arguments and have to ask my teammates “did I say anything totally ridiculous?!” Looking forward to our collaboration post this week š