Carl’s 60th Birthday Bash

It was a truly beautiful Saturday, November 15th, 2025, when we gathered to celebrate Carl’s 60th birthday with an extravagant family party at his sister’s stunning house near Reading, England. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt special, full of care, thoughtfulness, and love.

Your smile says it all, sixty years young, and loved beyond measure

The decorations were incredibly stylish and joyful. Elegant balloons shaped as the number 60 stood proudly alongside playful champagne-themed balloons. The dinner table was arranged in an L-shape, perfectly accommodating the eighteen guests who had come together for this special occasion. 

Smiles, bubbles, and birthday magic ✨

Dressed in black, glowing with joy, and celebrating a milestone

Delicate confetti sparkled across the table, the place settings were immaculate, and each chair carried a name card. Naturally, I searched eagerly for mine,and was delighted to find that Carl and I were seated side by side at the head of the table, making it all the easier to steal a few sweet selfies together.

Sixty years celebrated with grace, warmth, and the people who matter most

The terrace was just as beautifully prepared, softly lit with twinkling lights. Homemade fruit cakes topped with a glowing “60” candle awaited us, alongside a wonderful range of flavoursome ginger biscuits. We arrived around 2:30 in the afternoon and were warmly welcomed by the family. 

The best homemade fruit-cake and Gingerbread. Birthday feels like Christmas

One of Carl’s nephews soon appeared with glasses of champagne, something I’m always more than happy to accept!. We spent the afternoon bonding and chatting on the terrace, sipping champagne, enjoying the gentle November air, and waiting for the remaining family members to arrive.

With the adorable Bella, the Staffordshire 🐶

 

Laughter, sparkle, and family warmth 😉✨

Surrounded by his lovely nieces and somehow I fit in ✨😄

I also had a chance to play piano in one of the rooms, something that I always missing and hoping one day I can have my piano available and can practice as much as I can.

There was a brief moment of concern when Carl’s daughter and her partner had trouble with their car, causing us some disquiets. But just in time, with help from Carl’s son, she arrived, and by dinner, the entire family was finally together. The house came alive with laughter, joyful conversations, the happy sounds of a baby, and the playful presence of two dogs, that pure, beautiful chaos in the best possible way.

Four generations 💖 

Then came the moment we had all been waiting for: First, we did some fantastic family pictures, then we gathered once again on the terrace as Carl stood at the centre, while his sister lit a sparkling candle. We sang Happy Birthday, raised our glasses, and toasted to Carl, sixty years wonderfully lived!

Celebrating sixty beautiful years of you, wrapped in love, laughter, and family

Dinner followed, and it was nothing short of exceptional. Carl’s brother-in-law, who took charge of the cooking (and who is truly an outstanding chef), prepared roasted chicken and lamb, an amazing aubergine dish, all alongside fragrant rice and perfectly cooked vegetables. 

The finest roasted chicken, made even more special on his birthday

We found our places at the table and enjoyed every bite. I chose the chicken with rice and vegetables, paired with a crisp glass of white wine, while Carl opted for the lamb with rice and a glass of red. It was, without question, some of the best food we have ever had. It was so good that we were still talking about it long after we returned home.

A birthday feast to remember table, blessed with the most loving family 💝

Dessert was the perfect finale: a huge range of sweet homemade options including a light, heavenly pavlova made by Carl’s sister-in-law. I was absolutely obsessed, and we all agreed that it was the best pavlova imaginable. 

Pavlova made with love, the finest 

Before saying goodnight, Carl and I enjoyed a margarita prepared by his lovely nephew (the same one who had welcomed us earlier with champagne). It was naturally excellent, and we ended the evening feeling content, happy, and full of gratitude.

With the wonderful woman who opened her home & her heart to celebrate 60 beautiful years

Family, laughter.. and a little Duolingo magic in between 🎉📚

Later that night, we returned to Carl’s father’s home, where we said our goodnights. Carl’s son was also staying there with his wife and their beautiful Staffordshire bull terrier dog, Bella, ending the day surrounded by family and love.

The following day brought yet another family gathering, this time a more intimate lunch with Carl’s children, their families, and Carl’s father. Once again, the food was unforgettable. Carl’s father proved himself legendary in the kitchen, serving the most exquisite venison, paired with outstanding wine. The afternoon was filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and, most importantly, precious moments as Carl spent time with his very first granddaughter.

Proof that the most memorable celebrations are often found at the dinner table

When love, family, and the perfect roast come together

Grandpa’s arms, a granddaughter’s world, pure love in its simplest form

Tiny hands, lifelong love

We finished lunch with two divine desserts: blueberry clafoutis and apricot pie. While both were delicious, the apricot pie won my heart, because it was perfectly sweet and comforting.

On Monday, November 17th, 2025, Carl and I flew back home to Basel, Switzerland. Before heading to the airport, we took the time to visit the iconic MI6 building from James Bond and treated ourselves to a luxurious lunch at The Goring Hotel. 

Between spies and secrets, we celebrated us 😎

There, we enjoyed the most delicious jacket potato and what may well have been the best Negroni we’ve ever had. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming, which made the experience even more special, especially as we were also celebrating another meaningful day in our relationship.

A dream setting, a precious moment, just two of us at The Goring Hotel

A royal feeling in the heart of Belgravia 

The lovely staff surprised us with a polaroid. Moments we'll treasure forever

And then, it was time to say goodbye to London. But not for long. Because for such an amazing place, we always know that we’ll see each other again sooner than we think. ✨

One last toast before heading home💋love travelling with you, always

Until next time, London. Thank you for the memories, the love, and the moments we’ll hold close 💖

✨ The Art Beneath the Glass ✨

There is something so charming about the little round or square disks that sit quietly beneath our glasses. Coasters may seem like humble objects, but they carry both beauty and purpose. At home, whenever my partner and I settle in for a movie night with drinks in hand, he often worries about water rings scratching his beloved antique wooden desk. A coaster, then, is not just practical - it’s essential!

From blank coasters to vibrant creations - our DIY adventure kicks off here! 💖🎨✨

My dear friend, Andrada, a self-taught artist since 2020, she brings abstract visions to life through mixed media and bold color harmonies, has transformed this everyday object into a canvas of expression. She has created hundreds of coasters, each one a miniature artwork, infused with colors that dance, flow, and blend with such poetry. Watching her creations come alive inspired me to join one of her workshops - an experience known affectionately as “DIY Coasters with Acrylic Pouring”.

Curious about trying your own DIY adventure? Andrada’s workshops will spark your creativity - explore them online at andradamisca.com. 

The workshop unfolded in three acts, each separated by 48 hours of waiting and anticipation:

1. Acrylic Pouring ‘’Ring Pour’’ - the birth of color
2. Resin Glow-Up - sealing brilliance in glassy light
3. The Final Touch - softening the base with cork or velvet

The Materials

• Acrylic paints 
• Kitchen torch
• Paint brushes
• Pencils
• Pouring medium, to mix the acrylic paints
• Resin & Hardener
• Scissors
• Self-adhesive cork-/velvet paper
• Small plastic cups (4 – 6 cups)
• Small paper cups (4 – 6 cups)
• Sticks for mixing (paint, resin)
• Water
• Wooden coaster rings
• Wood primer

This is where the journey of art quietly begins - Remember to bring your drinks 🥂 as well! 

The calm before the colors: brushes, acrylics & wooden bases - all waiting to be transformed into tiny canvases 💕

The Process

1. Acrylic Pouring
We began by choosing four colors - mine were pink, green, silver, and gold. The outer ring demanded the boldest hue, while the inner rings whispered in softer tones. Each pigment was prepared in its own paper cup, mixed gently using a stick – one stick for one colour - with water and the pouring medium until it reached the smooth consistency of wet cement.

One by one, the colors were layered into small plastic cups, beginning with the innermost shade and ending with the outermost. 

🥤Little cups of color magic—green on the outside, gold hiding at the bottom... and voilà, coaster magic begins!🎨💕

Using a paint brush, applied evenly and in a tiny amount of the wood primer on the wooden coaster rings.

Then came the magic: with a gentle spiral pour, the paints spilled onto the wooden coaster, unfurling into patterns like galaxies or marbled stone. 

If the result displeased us, we could wash the slate clean and begin anew. 

2. Resin Glow-Up
Once dry, the coasters awaited their second skin: resin. We mixed carefully the resin with the hardener in a paper cup using a stick, then poured a thin, even layer across the surface. The resin magnified the colors, as if turning them into glass. 

The glow-up moment: sealing the swirls of color 🎨 beneath a glossy layer of resin

A kitchen torch skimmed away the tiny bubbles, leaving a flawless, mirror-like finish. Again, patience was required - 48 more hours of drying.

The coasters were left to rest under cover for 48 hours, drying slowly, like patience rewarded. Once the resin is poured, the coasters need a little cover-up - so no dust sneaks in to spoil the shine.

3. The Final Touch
At last, it was time to give the coasters their soft foundation. A self-adhesive cork or velvet paper was traced, cut, and glued onto the base, ensuring each piece sat gently on the table. A small detail, but one that made the artwork whole.

Learning the tricks of the trade with a help from a the expert ✂️✨

Sealed with cork, sealed with love 💕✨

And there they were - our coasters. Tiny masterpieces, radiant and useful, ready to cradle a glass and guard a table.

Corked & crowned 👑✨🌸

👑🎨 Coaster queens' masterpieces - ready to shine 🎨👑

A Reflection

In many ways, the coaster workshop was more than just crafting. It was a meditation on life itself: how colors can flow freely yet still form harmony, how beauty must be balanced with practicality, and how patience transforms raw beginnings into lasting treasures. A coaster may be small, but beneath every glass it reminds us that the simplest objects can carry both meaning and art.

Tip: Don’t forget to wear something you don’t mind getting a little colorful - acrylics have a cheeky way of leaving their mark!