Happy Monday friends!
That’s it. I am now half a century old and I am ok with that. I think as long as I keep moving forward, what’s the problem?
I thought since I am now 50, I would write 50 things about myself you may not know. Or… 50 things about turning 50 that isn’t so bad.. I’m kidding, kidding.
There are so many quotes about the downside of aging, others a bit more inspiring. I am of the mindset, that turning 50 doesn’t really bother me. I am not thinking “50 is the new 40” either. I am just thinking, I am happy that I am in better health than I was 10 years ago. The thing about blogging, and being surrounded by amazing, supportive women at midlife, is that the attitude wears off on you! I belong to the Fierce 50 group on Facebook, and women are there to support, challenge and empower other women. I think that is great.
It would only be natural for me to take a look in the mirror and notice some of the changes between 40 and 50. A few more lines near the eyes. Less volume in my face. Things like that. I am not looking to change much, just continue to be the best version of me I can be. I think the satisfaction of getting older, lies in the comfort and confidence I feel in myself. I am not saying everything is peaches and cream, but I think attitude has a lot to do with how one feels about aging.
I know I am grateful that my health has improved over 10 years and will continue to practice wellness and healthy living. Menopause or Peri ( dont know which at this point) has been tough with side effects and has certainly affected my emotions. I am seeing what I can do about that.
“The comfortable yet elegant setting of the house creates a unique dining experience. Boasting five stunning dining rooms, expansive seating on the veranda and patio, as well as multiple grand fireplaces and a full service bar, everything about the aesthetics of the restaurant — from the original woodwork to the blooming fig trees will delight. The Fig Tree Restaurant is a trifecta of decadent meals, perfectly paired wines, and exceptional service.
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53 Comments
mummabstylish
July 21, 2018 at 6:01 pmSorry it’s a bit late, but I hope you had a happy birthday Jess. You deserve to be very spoilt. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Jess Jannenga
July 22, 2018 at 9:22 amThank you Jacqui! I appreciate the Bday wish! xx
Claire Justine
July 15, 2018 at 5:40 pmLooks like you had a great birthday Jess, sorry it is late, happy belated Birthday! Thank you for sharing at Creative Mondays, you will be one of my featured blogs tomorrow 🙂
Carrie
July 15, 2018 at 1:30 pmHappy Birthday, Jess! Welcome to the 50’s!
HelloIm50ish
July 12, 2018 at 3:16 pmJess,
I just saw this post but I know I’ve already wished you a happy birthday!
The food looked delicious at the Fig Tree. I bet the peach bread pudding was delicious!
I enjoy restaurants and vacations instead of gifts.
I celebrate my birthdays with trips alone with my husband. We celebrated my milestone 60th (2016) on Cumberland Island and Sea Island.
We also take a trip every year on our anniversary.
Hugs,
Robin
Jess Jannenga
July 13, 2018 at 10:10 amThank you Robin, I really appreciate all of the Birthday wishes, you made my day! I also enjoy the same, going to eat, traveling are memories that stay with me. i can certainly buy clothes anytime.. i prefer to travel as well. I will have to look up these places you mentioned, Cumberland Island and Sea Island. Are they near Atlanta? xx
Elle
July 11, 2018 at 3:11 pmHappy birthday to you and Gibson! I am sure this will be your best decade ever. You are aging beautifully and it’s wonderful to have so many good experiences to fall back on. Self-confidence certainly increases with age and so does wisdom. You look very beautiful and I’m so glad you enjoyed this wonderful restaurant.
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
Jess Jannenga
July 12, 2018 at 12:49 pmThank you Elle! and Gibby thanks you! Thank you for all of the sweet comments, it was a wonderful night and such a good restaurant! xx
thestylesplash
July 10, 2018 at 5:53 pmHappy 50th birthday! That peach bread pudding looks delicious!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Jess Jannenga
July 11, 2018 at 10:55 amThank you Emma, and yes! it was… don’t forget about the bourbon sauce! xx
Madam too Much
July 10, 2018 at 2:41 pmHappy Birthday and Enjoy everyday like it is a celebration. You look Fantastic in this dress too. . .
http://www.madamtoomuch.com
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 5:52 pmThank you so much. so true, I am grateful for each day! xx
eyeloveknots
July 10, 2018 at 11:13 amWhat an evening! The peach bread pudding looks amazing! Perfect for you two to share, and enjoy, without having to worry about the practically full cake sitting in the fridge, hehe. Wishing you a wonderful year!
Alexandra
EyeLoveKnots.com
Jess Jannenga
July 11, 2018 at 10:57 amHi Alexandra, thank you we had a great time, and yes! I do prefer a dessert like this over cake 🙂 xx
passion fruit, paws and peonies
July 10, 2018 at 10:02 amHappy Birthday lovely Jess! I was hoping you’d share your celebrations with us. Lovely to meet your hubby! Cheers to the best decade yet! xx Maria
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 10:10 amThank you Maria! It was such a lovely evening, and the food so rich and decadant! Everything was melt in your mouth good and the vino-delicioous! thank you, my hubby is always behind the camera! xx
My Favorite New Linen Floral Dress- and Birthdays! - Elegantly Dressed and Stylish -Fashion Over 50
July 10, 2018 at 1:01 am[…] here in Charlotte. I wrote more about my birthday and turning 50 on yesterday’s blog post- Celebrating the Big 5-0! So stop by and have a read on how we celebrated and how I feel about turning 50. It was a wonderful […]
susanc0047
July 10, 2018 at 12:17 amHappy Birthday!! MY fifty were the best!!
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:22 amThank you Susan! Great to hear. 🙂 xx
Anna
July 10, 2018 at 12:03 amHappy birthday Jess and many more
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:23 amHi Anna! Thanks so much. It was a wonderful evening and Birthday. 🙂 xx
pamelagreer
July 9, 2018 at 7:33 pmHappy Birthday!!
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:23 amThank you Pam! xx
Amy Johnson
July 9, 2018 at 4:48 pmHappy Birthday!
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:25 amThanks so much Amy! xx
henatayeb
July 9, 2018 at 2:30 pmHappy Birthday.. you look beautiful.
My husband and I also celebrate our birthdays side by side.. 🙂
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:26 amThank you! That must be special! 🙂 xx
Andrea Nine
July 9, 2018 at 1:30 pmHappy Birthday you incredible gorgeous babe! You are a delight with a heart that shines. Adore you, I have a feeling this next decade is going to be the best yet! Cheers and Hugs!
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:27 amaw, thank you so much sweet friend! i think it is all about making the most of life! Hugs to you too! xx
Laura || Walking in Memphis in High Heels
July 9, 2018 at 1:00 pmHappiest of Birthdays Jess!!!! You look gorgeous and that dessert looks delicious!
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:28 amThank you so much for the Birthday wishes Laura! Oh yes, it was a peach bread pudding with bourbon sauce. xx
Rebecca
July 9, 2018 at 12:50 pmHappy Birthday to such an elegant and lovely woman. It looks like a perfect celebration for this momentous birthday!
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:33 amThank you Rebecca! Hope things are going well with you and that the summer heat isn’t too much! It has cooled down here. On this evening, it was the perfect night to sit out on the patio at the restaurant. I appreciate the birthday wishes! xx
Colleen
July 9, 2018 at 12:44 pmLooks like a lovely way to celebrate 50! Congrats!
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:32 amThank you Colleen, it was wonderful! xx
sandypatti
July 9, 2018 at 12:39 pmHow sweet that you and Gibson share a birthday! (My kitty Stinky has the same birthday as my husband). You look lovely and so happy, and I can testify: your 50’s can be the best decade of your life. Happy birthday, xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Jess Jannenga
July 10, 2018 at 9:30 amThanks so much Patti! Ah, so cute about your kitty too! i appreciate the encouragement and bday wishes! xx
Ronnie
July 9, 2018 at 11:45 amHappy birthday to both you and Gibby! I hope 50 is an amazing year for you! Turning 50 felt almost liberating for me! I feel better, more alive, more myself, more confident – more all-things good at 50 than at any other point in my life. I would never want to go back. I pray 50 and beyond finds all those things and more for you! You look amazing, as always! I’m glad your hubby spoiled you! That’s what birthdays are for!
Jess Jannenga
July 9, 2018 at 11:49 amThanks so much Ronnie! Thats wonderful to hear that it was a great year and turning point for you. I think the same as far as confidence and happiness in my own skin. It was a great evening, the food/wine/atmosphere and of course, company- amazing! xx
Jess Jannenga
July 9, 2018 at 10:44 amThank you Heather. xx I think i understand, I think we all assess our lives at some point, and it can certainly be on the milestone birthdays that we think about these things. Glad to hear that things improved and that is wonderful that you feel heatlhier and stronger in your 60s. Have a great week! xx
Suzy Turner
July 9, 2018 at 10:31 amHAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY Jess!!! It sounds like you had the most wonderful evening. And it was lovely to get a glimpse of your lovely hubby too!
Hugs hugs
Suzy xxx
http://www.suzyturner.com
Jess Jannenga
July 9, 2018 at 10:35 amThanks so much Suzy! Yes, he is always behind the camera but I had to get a pic that night! It was wonderful! xx
Tatiana
July 9, 2018 at 9:22 amHappy Birthday Jessica! You look stunning in your 50! Have a wonderful year full of love and happiness!
Tatiana
https://myfabforties.blogspot.com
Jess Jannenga
July 9, 2018 at 10:36 amThank you Tatiana! I appreciate the birthday wishes 🙂 xx
Jodie
July 9, 2018 at 9:07 amHappiest of birthdays Jess. It’s nice to hear others embracing the birthdays, because really we do get better. With all the experiences and knowledge we now have….
You look absolutely lovely, and what a fabulous celebration!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jess Jannenga
July 9, 2018 at 10:34 amThank you Jodie! Yes, i know that the mentality has changed, regarding getting older. There are lots of things you learn along the way! It was a wonderful night! xx
Northwest Mountain Living & Style
July 9, 2018 at 8:33 amHappy Birthday Jess! You make 50 look amazing! Being 58 now I can only say , keep on keeping on doll! Have fun, take care of you and continue doing what you are doing!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
Jess Jannenga
July 9, 2018 at 10:37 amThank you Cheryl! We have to keep on keepin on, so right! xx
Tiina L
July 9, 2018 at 7:20 amHapy birthday, Jessica!
Jess Jannenga
July 9, 2018 at 10:37 amThank you Tiina! xx
thisblondesshoppingbag
July 9, 2018 at 6:44 amHappy Birthday beautiful!!! Your dinner sounds amazing! A wine book would totally intimidate me, I love wine but I’ll admit I am not well versed in it. So much you have said resonates with me – I too just want to be the best version of myself and I am grateful to feel this good and keep moving forward at this age. So sweet that you and Gibson have birthdays so close!!!
xo,
Kellyann
Jess Jannenga
July 9, 2018 at 10:40 amThank you Kellyann! It was such a great dinner, mmm-mmm! I feel like I have learned more about wine over the years, but could learn more about regions. xx
Heather Lord
July 9, 2018 at 2:41 amThank you for another lovely post, Jess. That’s such a pretty dress you were wearing, and I loved seeing the birthday boy, too!
I had the worst time turning 50. I was depressed about it for months beforehand, and it took me about 4 months to come to terms with it. I think part of it was thinking that my next milestone would be 60, and “what have I done with my life?”. At 54, my life took a turn for the better, and leading up to my 60th, I was determined that 60 was going to be a good year, and I was going to celebrate! I’m now 62, and probably fitter and stronger than I was in my 30’s and 40’s!