My birthday week is over, but I’m so thankful that I celebrated for a full 7 days with friends, fam from sojo spa, to brunch in Fort Greene to Miami. I can’t believe it was a year ago that I celebrated my 25th in NOLA. (HERE for the flashback)

For my first recap, I’m sharing all about the brunch and the spa day.

I highly recommend Sojo Spa if you’re in the NY area. It’s located 30 minutes from the City Edgewater, NJ and they now have a free shuttle from Midtown. The entrance is $75 and worth the experience. Think a super clean modern area with everyone in robes and barefoot. The no shoes or even slippers except for in the bathroom was new to me and next time I will bring socks. It looked like a scene out of Black Mirror with the uniformity, but it was such a different and calming experience.

Included with the entrance is access to an assortment of hot tubs, pools, saunas and cool rooms with 100 degree temperature differences. It’s recommended to go from one hot experience to a cool one. Outside they have a tiered deck with an infinity pool, amazing views of the Manhattan and a rooftop garden perfect for lounging.

The spa treatments were booked so we did the Japanese Volcanic Sand Bath. For $20 you put on a traditional kimono and get buried in 170 degree Volcanic sand for 15 minutes. Crazy, I know! Needless to say enclosed and hot is not the most comfortable, but it has amazing results of calming your joints and detoxing.

Detoxing causes you to work up an appetite so we hit up the food area twice where they have mainly Asian dishes like Ramen and rice bowls.

I definitely recommend the spa for a self-care day!

MY SWIMSUIT

It was $14 and from Icon Swim.

BIRTHDAY BRUNCH

For my birthday brunch with my friends, I went to Imani Caribbean in Fort Greene. The neighborhood is just as cute as it is in She’s Gotta Have It and I really enjoyed the experience. They don’t take brunch reservations but, we didn’t wait long. We sat outside on the terrace – it’s on the corner of a cute street- and the Afrobeats were booming from inside. The Caribbean food and unlimited mimosas are good prices. I had Ackee & Salt Fish; it was so yummy!

BRUNCH LOOK

I’ve been wanting to try Oh Polly for the longest. The signature for the British site is bodycon- think Hot Girl Summer attire. I loved this puff sleeve, off-the-shoulder white dress. I got a size 6 instead of a 4 and loved the fit. This hooked, underwire, corset-like style is super in. I found a discount code from an influencer’s page. I used this one. Whenever shopping online I try and always find a discount code. Rakuten Ebates and Honey are good to use for rebates and discount codes. I paired it with Aquazurra “Wild Things,” Bauble Bar flower earrings, and a Saint Laurent wristlet clutch.

CELEBRATION

As you know, I love to DIY and cake decorating is no exception. While my cake for my 26th wasn’t quite as spectacular as my 25th cake, but I loved how it came out. Magnolia Bakery is forever one of my favorite dessert shops and I got a 6-inch cake that I topped with blooms from Michaels and this acrylic, personalized cake topper. This is the same Etsy seller that made the acrylic sign I used for Momma Ro’s 60th. She’s in Bulgaria, but she have great prices and quick shipping. My friend changed my sign to be “Sasha Day” sign and the cups I have happened to match the cake sprinkles. They’re from HomeGoods the melon plates and napkins as well. I always love to add baby pics as it’s easy to do and a personal touch.

More of my Birthday week looks to come!