Early Birthday Party!

Sorry it's been over a week without a post. My birthday was last week, and it was also just a busy one. So, I got a little behind. But here's a recap of my birthday celebration. My actual birthday was last Monday, but I celebrated with friends the weekend before.

My BFF Sheridan came over around 2 pm that Saturday, and we went straight to Crosstoberfest at Crosstown Brewing Co. 

I entered the stein-holding contest! I've always wanted to enter but chickened out. I finally did it this year. And, well, I was the first one out. But turns out I was the only one holding my stein by the handle, which is the way you're supposed to do per the official rules. But the rules weren't being enforced here; oh well. Quite a few people came up to me after and commended me on doing it right!

Next, we met up with Kenzie and Susan for the grand opening of SriMu, Julie Piatt's vegan wine and cheese cafe at Crosstown Concourse. I am so excited about this place! How amazing that I can just go sip wine and eat artisan vegan cheese whenever I want! Vegan ultra-endurance athlete and podcast star Rich Roll is Julie's husband, and he was there for the opening. Meeting Rich was an amazing birthday gift!

After the cheese course, we headed to Arnold's Smokehouse, a vegan-friendly BBQ spot. A few more friends met us there!

I had been snacking all day, so I went with the Vegan Slider Combo. You can pick any three of their five sandwiches to try as sliders. I got the BBQ Jackfruit, the Fried Oyster Mushroom, and the Smoked Mushroom Philly.

And finally, we ended the night with even more friends (and Paul, who finally got off work) at Flip Side, a pinball bar in Crosstown.

A perfectly busy and friend-filled, pre-birthday celebration! More birthday posts coming this week!