Cinco de Mayo Kentucky Derby Birthday

This year, my birthday fell on a Saturday. It is always Cinco de Mayo, but this year it was also the Kentucky Derby!
and what better way to celebrate than with a fiesta?!

Our friends Andrew & Allison came down to hang out with us for the weekend. 

We went out Friday night to dinner before the boys headed to a soccer game and us girls went downtown. Saturday morning we spent at the beach before coming home early afternoon to get ready for the party!

Our downtown evening adventure followed by seeing

the super moon over James Island

my favorite spot on Sullivan's Island

These beautiful flowers were from a palm

and neon yellow pretties

watching the Derby footage

drinks, Mexican food, & yummy pie

I picked the winner! :)

a few of my awesome gifts: 

(necklace, painting, devotional, s&p shakers, chipboard letters, a rug, and a blender)

On Sunday, our community group had a low country boil dinner to celebrate mine and Ashley's birthday(s)! We even got to share in some hummingbird and carrot cake! MMM!

It was a wonderful 27th birthday. 

I can't believe I'm officially in my late twenties now. 

Cinco de Mayo

Around blog land there have been plenty of inspiring recipes for this fun holiday- appetizers, desserts, drinks, and main course meals! Here are just a few that I have found to look amazing:

Mexican Fried Ice Cream @ Tatertots & Jello 

Ancho Chili-Cinnamon Chocolate Bark  @ Food52

Slow-Cooked Pork Tacos @ Food52

Churros con Chocolate @ Baking bites

1. Shrimp Cocktail with Guacamole

2. Beer Marinated Chicken Tacos

3. Prickly Pear Margarita 

4. Lime Margarita Cupcakes 

from Pizzazzerie

Super Nachos via Rachael Ray

Black Bean Tostadas @ a couple cooks

Crunchy Tacos from Duhlicious

Margarita Lime Cheesecake @Liv Life

MMMM- All of these recipes have made me really hungry! Excited to go out tonight and have some Mexican and a good 'ol margarita! My husband could probably eat Mexican every night of the week, but I definitely can't! Not only do I enjoy this fun holiday, 

but it's also my BIRTHDAY!! 

I am 26 today, and I imagine that I'm still in my mid-20's :)  It makes me miss all the meals I ate with my closest friends from college and with my family. I enjoyed having a birthday while in college because it was at the end of Finals Week, Cinco de Mayo, and usually before/after the Kentucky Derby! But this year, it's my first married birthday! Whoo! 

My 22nd with Haley & Rachel

My 25th with K, Lauren, & Momma Pepin

Thanks for all my wonderful birthday celebrations in the past! 

Short side story: My freshman year, as I was studying for finals, my friends had a surprise party planned out for me.....but I wouldn't come. I didn't want to take a break. They had to lie and say that Haley had broken her foot in order for me to come with them to the "hospital"....needless to say it was a fun Luau :) 

notice the large posters in the background?  :)

including a beach!