Thanks for all the happy birthday wishes – you all sure know how to make a girl feel special! 
Shopping was definitely a success! It ended up being the perfect way to spend the afternoon because it’s been alternating between a steady drizzle and pouring down rain since I woke up. It didn’t damper my progress though!
I got the day rolling with some Starby’s.
Mmmm, Starbys…perfect fuel for shopping!
Here’s my loot!
Some pants from Von Maur (an amazing department store in the Midwest.) One pair of khakis for work (boring but necessary,) a pair of jeans to wear with tall shoes, and a pair of jeans that I’m going to get hemmed into capris! Von Maur does free alterations when you buy from them. Life saver.
A super cute brown purse from TJ Maxx. I always forget about TJM, but they have the best deals! This purse looks orange in the photo, but it’s actually a nice, soft brown. It’s also the perfect size for all my stuff. Key.
A white watch, also from Von Maur…which doesn’t work… The minute hand ticks, but nothin’ else moves! Need to get that replaced ASAP. Still cute though!
And some earrings from Old Navy! I needed some gold jewelry in my life.
Yes!
The rest of the afternoon consisted of driving around with Ben during his lunch hour, eating cough, cake, cough for lunch, then coming home to make dinner!
My parents were in Michigan with some friends for the Holiday weekend, but left at 5am this morning to drive home so they could be here for my b-day. They suggested we go out to eat, but I had all the ingredients for a home-cooked dinner, so that’s what I made!
Let’s see, what have we got here…
Pasta salad.
Made with the Italian Pesto Blend Pasta that Ben and I picked up from the Farmer’s Market on Saturday!
WOWZA – so flavorful! Each color/shape had a unique taste, ranging from basil to tomato and I think the white wheels tasted like pepper?! Either way – super exciting stuff. 
I mixed the cooled pasta with sliced olives, cucumber, tomato, McCormicks Salad Seasoning and Italian salad dressing. Really similar to Grandpa’s Pasta Salad, just minus the pepperoni.
I also sliced up the zucchini and red onion I got at the Farmer’s Market, and tossed with a little extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Then I placed everything in this grill basket the folks at I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter sent me to try.
The basket let me achieve that grill kissed taste I just love, without all the hassle of having to skewer the veggies. Awesome!
Next to the veggies were chicken breasts that I marinated in this sucky sauce – Bone Suckin’ Sauce – that HotSaucePlantet.com sent me to try! 
HotSaucePlanet.com is run by two guys who quit their day jobs to sell what they love – hot sauce! This Bone Suckin’ sauce is less of a hot sauce, and more of a sweet & smoky BBQ sauce, which I LOVE. It was just divine on the chicken!
Fun Fact: you can get 15% off your order of hot sauce, or whatever sauce you like, at HotSaucePlanet.com until Sept 30, using code iowagirleats!
We also had some leftover Judy’s Baked Beans – which I think were even BETTER the second day.
And some sweet bing cherries! My Mom brought me back some super-fresh cherries from Michigan, so expect to be seeing a lot of these babies in the near future!!
Pretty yum!!
Now what would a birthday dinner be without some dessert, eh? Since the traditional Pepperidge Farms Vanilla Bean birthday cake was taken care of last night, my Dad picked something out that he knew I would love – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches!!!
And I DID love them – I really did!!!! I swoon for peanut butter. I swoon for ice cream. I really swoon for peanut butter ice cream.
Next came the presents! Some fabulous Starbuck’s mugs from New York City & Denver from my little brother.
I collect these and thought it was so thoughtful of him to pick them out for me.
And a Keurig with all the accessories from my parents!!!
This is a single cup coffee maker that is SO convenient. It uses little no-mess coffee “pods” to brew one cup of coffee at a time. Perfect for a household with only one coffee drinker, like mine!
Next came Ben’s gift! Druuuumroooooollll… (heart that angel wrapping paper)
a wall plaque that I fell in love with in New Orleans!!!!
Awesome!!!! This is from the same place that he got my big spoon & fork wall hangings – Roux Royale – and I just adore it. Perfect for any kitchen!
So cute!!
My family knows me so well – thanks SO much guys!!
Well, from a day filled with sun, fun and shopping sprees, to one where I practiced eeeeasy living – this has been one heck of a 4th of July weekend and 27th birthday to boot.
Do I have to go back to the real world tomorrow?
Thanks again for the bday wishes guys – back to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow!
‘night!
Love the jeans! Love the white watch (I have something similar). Happy Birthday!!!
It looks like you had a wonderful day! Happy Birthday!
1. Thanks for the sauce giveaway code– definitely ordering after this!
2. LOVE my Keurig, enjoy
3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY und Alles zum Geburtstag!!!
happy birthday and many more!
Happy Birthday! What a thoughtful family you have! My parents have a Keurig and LOVE it. I hear it is not only convenient, but makes excellent coffee. Enjoy!
Girl you found some great buys today! Love the purse and those earrings look fantastic on you!
AWw, your family really does know you! Wow, go ben for scoring that awesome gift! Even more kudos to him from hiding it from you!
Happy birthday!!! Looks like you had a great day
Make sure you register at Keurig.com and you will get 2 free boxes of coffee free with the purchase of two! Loves it!
You are so sweet honey, you deserve a wonderful day.
My daughter and I had corn on the cob (5/1.00) and she said it was the SWEETEST she has ever had. Mine – unfortunatly – was the wimpy ear and wasn’to wonderful. We do that when we have kids, they get all the good stuff. But I thought of those empty trucks at the farmers market in Iowa. I swear, we want to come there so badly now that I have read your blog.
Finish your weekend with a bang!
Happy Birthday! You’re going to LOVE that Keurig. We have one and it does EVERYTHING. There’s so many different flavors, I love the chai tea and iced tea ones. and since it boils water so quickly I’ll use it without a pod with a tea bag or for oatmeal. And that spice/herb plaque is amazing! I’m so glad you had a wonderful day
What wonderful pressies!! Love them all!
Happy birthday! Looks like you had a great day!!!
OMG, we have the exact same Keurig coffee maker and I LOVE it! My favorite k-cups are the Caribou breakfast blend (I think that’s what they’re called) but I really wish Dunkin Donuts would make k-cups. My heart lies with Dunkin Donuts. : )
I LOVE MY KEURIG!!! It was the best investment
Enjoy all your gifties!
Love the sign! I collect the mugs too
Looks like your birthday was great!
Happy Day To You!
Happy belated bday! Love that Bone Suckin’ sauce too, it’s some of the best. That grill basket looks fabulous, I def need to check one of those out soon now that we have a grill finallyyyy
Oh yea, and you are going to LOVE the Keurig, got mine for Christmas and it rocks!
Love the watch!! I miss having TJ Maxx close by.
Happy Birthday! What great presents! You have the best taste in kitchen decor.. I especially love your wine rack
A single cup coffee maker is a brilliant idea since I also live in a home where I am the only coffee drinker. Those mugs are the best. A few years ago I got into a coffee mug collecting craze when I went out of town. I have always found that starbucks makes the best mugs. Especially the ones that come in gift baskets over the Christmas holidays!
Sounds like a great day! I’m glad your BD was excellent
Great eats, too!
What a fun birthday! I love those earrings. They are so cute!
Happy Birthday fun to you! Great watch and earrings. I’m an accessory whore, I love them! I need to get myself a boyfriend watch. I can only wear my hubbys when he’s not wearing his lol. I love the new frame for the kitchen! Great decore.
Looks like you had a great day!! I love the wall hanging!
I love, love, love my Keurig! I don’t know what I did without it!
Happy Birthday, Kristin!
Happy Birthday!
YAY for Michigan cherries (my home state!)! I hope they’re from Traverse City!
Happy Birthday! Looks like a fun day – your birthday dinner looks so tasty! I absolutely love that wall hanging too.
I LOVE my Keurig!!! It is the best thing ever!! Happy Birthday!
Coming in late from Sioux City, IA with another Happy Birthday! Love the purchases!
What a fantastic b-day!! Great buys and amazing presents!!
I just bought that NYC Starbucks mug last weekend when I was in NYC!
I LOVE the plaque for the kitchen!
That’s one itty bitty Starby’s – 8oz? =)
Birthday shopping is the best! Love the gold earrings.
[...] Comments « A Birthday Fueled Shopping Bonanza! [...]
LOVE all of the shopping goodies! Everything is adorable. So glad you had such a great birthday. I think I’m in love with your wall plaque, too!
ahhhh HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! your weekend and birthday sounded like such fun, so i’m very glad you enjoyed it! birthdays are always a blast. i love the watch, and i NEED that print!! so great for a fun kitchen like yours. what a great family =)
LOVE the wall plaque! Happy belated birthday!!
Can’t wait to read your review of your Keurig – I’ve been eyeing it up for awhile now!
Happy Belated Birthday! Looks like you got some great gifts!
Looks like a fantastic, delicious day! Happy Bday!
That sign is gorgeous! Perfect for your kitchen. I love unique stuff like that. It allows you to set your taste to yourself.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Happy belated Birthday! I want that kitchen plaque you got for you bday:) so awesome!
Great purchases and awesome pressies. You must have been very pleased! I can’t believe you chose to cook over eating out. If it had been my birthday I definitely would have chosen the eating out option!
Happy Birthday Kristin. I love the wall plaque. Ben is such an observant and thoughtful guy. It looks great in your kitchen.
[...] am off to finally put together my Keurig – I shall be brewing my first cup in the [...]
[...] an I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Grill Basket! I used this basket to grill veggies the other day, and it’s a total life [...]
what size starby’s was that???? i have never seen one that small… is it smaller then the “tall”?
Hi! I’m a Starbucks City Mugs collector (a newbie, I started collecting only six months ago). I was curious whether Iowa has a SBUX City Mug so I googled and came across your blog!
If Iowa has a SBUX City/State Mug, would you want to swap? I have an extra one from Seattle (unused, of course) Or could send you one from Austin or San Antonio. Let me know.
Just went back and read this post. Let me know if you would like a coupon for all your fans! Awesome Stuff!!
Hot Sauce Planet!