Good Monday Dear Readers and Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mums for yesterday! I hope you all had a wonderful day 
I actually had my birthday yesterday on Mother’s Day which is something that happens every seven years or so. Every year for my birthday I try and stretch out the celebrations as much as possible over a weekend- I mean the more celebrations, the more food and cake you know what I’m thinking right? 
This year Mr NQN was given what would be an almost impossible task-to arrange a romantic birthday celebration for just the two of us. My husband is a wonderful being. Sweet, handsome, clever and understanding he is but romantic perhaps he is not. So thankfully he was offered some help from the Quintessentially team, a high end concierge service and private member’s club that can help any lost soul with surprising a special someone with tickets to a film premiere or dinner at Louis Vuitton or something left of centre but absolutely unique. I felt confident that he, and in turn I, were in safe hands so I unlaced my hands that are usually firmly on the controls and sat back and relaxed.
Mr NQN’s birthday card to me
Mr NQN: A couple of things that I’ll probably never be described as are romantic and a good event planner. I have the best of intentions though for some reason I’ve never been particularly good at either of them… perhaps I just think that things will take care of themselves. So I was extremely relieved when I found out that Quintessentially were going to help me out with Lorraine’s birthday this year. She’s hard to surprise (although I did manage to surprise her when I proposed to her) and even she will admit to being a bit of a control freak.
Mr NQN had let it slip that there were some choices, the first being a carnivale fairground that was set up with a “last meal” food station of my very favourite foods (kind of like having your last meal without being executed the next day!). The second choice was a dinner at one of Louis Vuitton’s private salons with the food brought in by an external caterer. Like any inquisitive wife I tried to get the final choice out of him by asking questions like “What do I have to wear?” and “Will there be much walking?”. I even tried sneaky things like “Are we bringing the flash?” to find out if we were going to a restaurant because we generally don’t use the flash in restaurants because it disturbs other diners. And when we were getting ready I asked him to pass me a Chanel bag out of the cupboard to which he gave no reaction so knew the Louis Vuitton idea was not going to happen. He’s good at keeping secrets. “We’re going to be back home by 9pm” is all he tells me.
Mr NQN: The communication with them started by email (which was my preference as I can’t take calls during work easily) then as the day got closer Belinda from Quintessentially rang a couple of times to discuss the night and the final confirmation of details. My original idea of taking Lorraine to Breakfast at Tiffany’s unfortunately couldn’t be done but we went back and forth with some alternative ideas that would impress her. We discussed possible ideas for the night with some great suggestions and I made a decision, clarified some details and locked in a date. I was a bit nervous as I didn’t hear back from them until a few days before the event when the final details needed to be organised (important things like what her favourite macaron flavours are etc). I got the final details the day before.
Mr NQN’s birthday present to me
“They’re going to blindfold you too” Mr NQN warned me. The first thing I thought was “Are we going somewhere that I already know?” At 6pm sharp his phone rings and our driver and car have arrived. We slide into the seat of the very tinted windowed car feeling very excited indeed. Oddly, there’s no blindfold and the driver then confirms the address with us which seems like a bit of a glitch. Mr NQN keeps trying to tell the driver that has he no idea what the exact address is and that it is meant to be a surprise for me (in order to get him to stop talking about it in case he reveals the location name) and quite comically the driver keeps asking to confirm the address. I see Mr NQN tense a little as he squeezes my hand so I whisper to him “Dont’ worry, I don’t recognise the address” although admittedly I spent the whole trip racking my brain to recall places in Camperdown that I know.
Mr NQN: Keeping the secret and chuckling at Lorraine’s attempts to work out where/what we were doing was fun. However I was a bit disappointed by the briefing of the driver. The main issue for me was that there was no blindfold where I had warned her a few times that she would be blindfolded and she loves anything exciting or mysterious. The driver kept asking me to confirm the address which was a bit odd since all I knew was that it was in the inner west somewhere. Given the location (down some VERY small dark streets) the lack of blindfold didn’t really affect the surprise though.
The car enters a dark alley and by dark it is almost pitch black. We turn into a street where there is only one door open and it’s a car dealership. “Oh” I say to myself, “am I taking a car out for a test drive?”. I look at Mr NQN and he smiles “We’re here.”
Our driver opens the car door and I alight. To my left opposite the car dealership a door has opened and a woman is standing there smiling at me. “Lorraine?” she asks. She is Mr NQN’s contact from Quintessentially. She leads me into the door where an illuminated Moulin Rouge sign greets us. She introduces me to Michael who owns this space which is full of every single prop you could imagine. And well, you know how much I love props right?
Belinda tells us that Michael will be our host for the evening. Wearing a mask and a costume he introduces himself and gives us each a mask to wear and we follow him him through the dark walkway past mounted white tiger heads, giant Easter Island statues and costumes. This is as much of a surprise to Mr NQN as it is me and we arrive at a stunning room. Michael explains that this room is called “The Velvet Canopy.”
Mr NQN: I wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived. I was really blown away after arriving and being greeted by Belinda and then a masked Michael in costume who gives us each a mask to wear we were lead through a warehouse full of props. Finally turning the corner into an amazing room with a masked bartender. They most definitely undersold it in the emails!
There are two nubiles that greets us, ceilings are draped in red satin, a vintage chandelier is suspended from the centre of the room, ornate velvet and leather Louis XV style chairs and sofas abound, glass eggs, bird cages and lit candles perch on every possible surface in this room. The entire room is a lush spectacle and one that I could spend hours playing dress up and play pretend in. Mr NQN is given an embellished Spanish matador jacket and I’m given a fur stole.
Michael introduces us to Alan the bartender who is actually a member of the Knights Templar wearing his Knights Templar medals no less. He pours us a glass of Pommery champagne each and we settle ourselves on the velvet bar stools and look around. Alan senses my fascination with everything and he advises that I try out every seat in the house as says that once I do that I’ll feel totally at home.
So like Goldilocks I try each and every seat in the house. Some are soft, some are hard and some are juuust right. I can’t take my eyes off everything in there as there is just so much to look at and touch. There is the old fashioned telephone, the elaborate headdresses and there is even an Indian feathered mohawk which are all a result of Michael collecting for the past 15 years for his events business called Pure Events.
But you know that no evening is complete without food. Our first course arrives and I’m ever so pleased to see my favourite foods featured. There are a dozen oysters (Sydney Rock) and a plate of antipasto including sun dried tomatoes, taramosalata, caviar, stuffed pepperdews as well as jamon, marinated octopus and wagyu carpaccio, hot salami and feta stuffed olives accompanied by soft, fresh Turkish bread. I’m in gustatory heaven with so many of my favourite foods and the caviar and taramosalata are eaten with much relish and with a spoon. It feels just right in this opulent setting.
The background music slowly fades and we hear the strains of a violin coming up the pathway. Neither of us have ever been serenaded by a violinist before and it is very special indeed. The very talented violinist plays one song to us circling our table and then plays in the background.
Mr NQN: I really enjoyed the violinist- while we’ve never been serenaded I have some vague memories of being in a restaurant and you see a musician going from table to table and you’re thinking “Damn please don’t come over here, please don’t come over here it’ll feel really awkward” (I did say I wasn’t particularly romantic). This was nothing like it. He played well and was very unintrusive. I should also mention re. the food that there was an attempt made to procure Bluff oysters but these are really hard to get and I can understand why they couldn’t get them.
Lobster and salad
Our main course arrives next and I’m very excited to see that it’s lobster. The fresh, tender lobster is served chilled with Michael’s own salad which has all sorts of vegetables in it from broccolini, mushroom, pine nuts, avocado and quinoa which is tasty and has a good mixture of crunchy, soft and nutty textures.
There is one last song from the violinist, a lovely piece that he composed himself and then he says “I have one last song”. He swings into the familiar strains of Happy Birthday. They bring out a three tier stand of Baroque cakes and macarons and I blow out my tea light candles. I’m thrilled to bits and love the fact that they’ve got my favourite macaron flavours. The cakes are a raspberry mousse cake and a mocha cake with a chocolate biscuit base and they are both absolutely delicious with the light raspberry mousse with just the right amount of sweetness and the mocha with a nice level of chocolate and coffee.
NQN: I thought they did this bit really well. I guess this is where all of the meticulous planning and timing really comes together and everyone collaborates on the concept. Lorraine was very surprised and looked very happy.
Cheese, fruit and crackers
Along with our Marie Antoinette style morsels, we are served some delicious Canadian Ice Wine which we both had fallen in love with on our trip to Canada last year. Then cheese, crackers and fruit is served with three very generous wedges of brie, blue and cheddar cheese (imagine getting serves this big in a restaurant!). The brie is a favourite served with a runny texture which is just how I like it. And what do I spy but two of my favourite fruits – fresh figs and medjool dates!
And no night would be complete here without a few dress ups no? I couldn’t resist and after a little prompting from Michael I don a headdress and a guitar. I think I might buy a headdress like this to wear at home… it is surprisingly comfortable believe it or not!
And I promise you that is not blood on Sir Alan’s sword!
The clock strikes 9pm and as promised our driver and car are waiting outside for us. Giddy with giggles and excitement we slip into the car. I touch my head and there’s no headpiece or feathers to hold up. I turn to Mr NQN and ask him “Did tonight really just happen?”
So tell me Dear Reader, what would you dream birthday consist of? What would you eat and wear and where would you go?
Thanks to Quintessentially who organised the evening’s event
Quintessentially
http://www.quintessentially.com/
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82 Comments | Add your own
How cool! And isn’t Mr NQN a wonderful man for organizing this. Happy birthday Lorraine!
you lucky thing! looks like you had an amazing time!
This looks absolutely romantic!
My dream birthday would be a meal at one of the top restaurants in hong kong with my parents and my sister, and my present would be a chanel bag.
Yeah, the bag bit, I just can’t drop that.
oh my goodness – what a splendidly fabulous birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
What a great time you had. Happy birthday!
)
what a surprise, a fellow taurean!
Happy birthday Lorraine, your birthday sounds like it was full of surprises and is wonderful. Thumbs up to Mr NQN for organising and picking quintessential! They are such pros x
LOL that hat is rather OTT
what a great looking event, well done Mr NQN!
oh my! how lovely. I love birthdays! 3 weeks until mine! I’d love gold class cinema and lovely dinner by the water with a dessert tasting plate – if anyone knows my husband -start hinting!
Amazing! Tell mr nqn that he hit the nail on the head. That ceiling is amazing!!
Happy Belated Birthday Lorraine, i am so glad you enjoyed your suprise! the place looks absolutely fabulous. My family dont do surprises that well, as they all cannot keep secrets, i get told on the promise not to let on that i have been told, very funny really, when the fourth person in the family tells you and then you look surprised when it happens!
Happy Birthday Lorraine!
Well done Mr NQN for keeping the secret 
What a decadent treat…and well deserved
Happy Birthday Lorraine, i share your experience with a birthday and mothers day! My birthday is the 14th May and my 21st ( a few years back haha) was on MD!
My dream birthday suprise would be High Tea! I adore the concept of such a regal royal event, the dainty foods enabling you to try a bit of everything!
I would wear clothes according to venue, BUT the venue would have to be Fairmont Hotel & Resort- prefer Canada but Hawaii would be spectacular!!
I dont dream to BIG.xxxx
That’s really lovely – what a fun way to celebrate your birthday!
Oh My God… everything seems like a dream… Happy belated B’day Lorraine… what a lucky girl
I want to wish you a Happy Birthday Lorraine. I spent the day before Mother’s Day working in my daylily club’s flower show. I won 5 yellow ribbons(3rd place)and 3 red ribbons(2nd place) for the 8 flowers I had entered.
Oh my goodness, what an incredible birthday!!! That is so special and except for this beautiful post will always seem like a dream i imagine!
I’m really not sure what my dream birthday would be….
What a stunning looking space and what a brilliant surprise. I’ll bet Mr NQN has racked up quite a few brownie points with this birthday treat. Happy birthday, Lorraine.
Dear Lorraine, Thank you for sharing your Birthday. I was so excited for you when I read it through. What a lovely surprise from a great husband
Oh, Lorraine, what a gorgeously arranged fantasy! Something like a ‘chambre privee’ in the best Parisian restaurant in 1890s!! The photography is superb! And it is so great for you and Mr NQN to be able to comment together! What fun!
And a beautiful photo of you! Methinks food, altho’ of all your faves, was of secondary importance here? (Can’t this be incorporated in your book?)
Me: mmh on Mon am! It is already so cold here, all I can think of is a tropical island, a waterfall surrounded by lush foliage, birds singing, sun shining and a picnic basket full of seafood with a chilled bottle (or two) of Sancerre?!
What a wonderful birthday celebration! Happy birthday for yesterday.
Oh my, that is amazing, what a fantastic surprise, the room is amazing. All catered to your taste too. You are very lucky but you deserve it ! Happy Birthday for whenever it was
Aww Mr NQN did so well
Happy Birthday for yesterday. Glad you had such a great time!
p.s. Im addicted to taramosalata lol
Happy Birthday Lorraine. What a fabulous idea for a suprise birthday celebration and I must say it sounded absolutely delicious. It will be a treasured memory I’m sure.
You are a very lucky lady, Lorraine! I am so jealous and everything looks so delicious. Absolutely love the 3 tiered stand and tea lights -very cute.
You are one lucky lady. Happy belated Birthday!
What a surreal and imaginative experience. Well done, Mr NQN, and happy birthday to you, Lorraine.
Wow, amazing!
Your birthday is same day as some of my best friends. Lorraine, I somehow doubt they had this much fun. Happy birthday, friend. My dream birthday would be a surprise party with amazing amazing food. Did I say amazing and none of it cooked by me.
Happy Birthday, Lorraine! Wow Mr NQN did very well! what a gorgeous way to celebrate.
P.S. Taureans are the coolest
That’s the sweetest card and mug! He’s definitely a romantic despite what he thinks
Happy, Happy Birthday Lorraine! Oh lucky you! What a wonderful birthday, and what a clever hubby too!
When we owned a florist shop, I always felt quite ripped off as my birthday is always around MD and would get a bit lost
Nowdays things are a lot better, but I still wish the 2 events were futher apart.
For my bDay this year I got a huge bunch of balloons with a big fluffy panda and tickets to the Adelaide Zoo to see the Pandas there. They are my favourite animals, and as we live in the ACT, it will be extra exciting to go there!
Any foodie tips for Adelaide?
You look spectacular in that headdress and the guitar really works.
Hope you had a wonderful birthday Lorraine. xxx
HAPPY BIRTHDAY darling … looks like you had a great day … actually my son will have his 4th bday next year on mothers day so that will be interesting
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful birthday dinner and it was kept as a surprise no matter how much you tried to find out the details. The setting is just stunning.
happy birthday and can Mr NQN give E some tips for birthday celebrations? This place looks amazing – were you the only ones there – i gather so – it’s like a grown ups playground isn’t it
Happy Happy Happy Birthday Lorraine! And 100 of these days, especially if you have to spend them is such lovely places!
ciao
Alessandra
PS
so you are also a taurus!
What a fabulous birthday present. Wish we had a service like that around her. My hubs could definitely use some help. xoxo Mum
OMG!!! All this looks terrific, I want a birthday celebration just like this one, congratulations!
What a fantastic celebration!!!! We recently had a 40th birthday party for a friend at the same venue – how divine is it!!!!! There’s nothing like it anywhere else. we made it a surprise for the birthday boy too – totally blew him away!!!!
Ooo, how fun!
Happy, happy Birthday NQN
My husband has forgotten about 20 of the 22 birthdays I have had since we have been together. I don’t worry about them any more.
oh my! You lucky lucky girl!!
WOW!!!!! am totally blown away…. What a fantastic birthday……
Cheers,
The Variable, Crazy Over Desserts – Nachiketa
Looks like you had a fabulous time! Happy birthday, Lorraine; here’s to many more years of gorgeous eats and treats to come.
Happy Birthday Lorraine! I love the last meal theme for the menu. And the original idea of breakfast at Tiffany’s was also such an elegant, classic idea. Well done to Mr. NQN!
I’d love to an epic Heston’s Feasts type of do. With Heston Blumenthal doing some mad conjuring, of course! Something based on Alice in Wonderland or one of those fantastic worlds on the top of the Faraway Tree. Hot cold candies or sardine ice cream, anyone?
Happy Birthday…and what a wonderful way to spend it. You are very lucky to have someone like Mr NQN!
Happy Birthday Lorraine! The night looks fantastic
My dream birthday would have to involve a flash degustation in a private room overlooking the ocean
Mr NQN, what a star! Sounds like a fabulous evening. Lorraine, you fared well. Wonder what you’ll get next year. My dream birthday would involve my husband, champagne, spa treatments, a Thai massage and shopping in New York City.
Love Love Love!! Great concept and what a wonderful husband. Hope you had a great day.
xxMs D
Happy birthday! Sounds like a fabulous, fabulous evening.
Ahhh red..the colour of passion,romance, lust and fire! What tune did you play on the guitar for the slayer? Happy birthday NQN!
Happy birthday ! The raspberry mousse cake looks really familiar I saw it in Baroque today
Oh this is lovely… wish u many many happy returns of the day Lorraine…… u sure did have a gr8 time.
Happy Birthday Lorraine! My birthday was last week too but it was definitely not as exciting as yours as I had to work!
All your favourite foods are the same as mine…must be because we’re both Taureans
What an AMAZING experience. What fun you must of had. I love it, I do. How fantastic… Gush, Gush, Gush!
Happy Birthday too lovely! 
Oh, Lorraine. I’m utterly overwhelmed – actually felt rather choked up reading it, as it must have been such a wonderful night. I loved reading both your and Mr NQN’s perspective too!
I’m trying really hard not to cry at how much I wish someone would love me this much, but I’ll keep my brave face on be purely happy for you, you wonderful birthday lady! Happy birthday!! xoxo
Holy cow that guitar is AMAZING. Did you shred a solo on it?
My dream birthday would start with high tea at the Victoria Room, then a long ferry ride to Balmain where we’d eat cake at Adriano Zumbo’s, then dinner and karaoke followed by copious drinking in a trendy Surry Hills bar.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I love that coffee cup! What a sweet and romantic surprise!
Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou very much! Yes he’s very clever and had a very big helping hand too
Hi Laura-I did absolutely!
Hi Michelle-It was
Haha I like the added bit about the Chanel bag!
Hi Lisa-thanks Lisa! He really outdid himself this year
Hi zurin-Thankyou Zurin!
Hi Rebecca-hehe Taureans are food lovers aren’t they!
Hi mashi-Thanks Mashi!
I agree, they were great and I suspect the evening would have been vastly different without them! 
x
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-I loved it, I want to get myself one of my own now
Hi shan-Oh how fabulous! Well I hope he gets the hint! Sounds like a lovely plan
Hi Kylie-Isn’t it fabulous? I just kept staring at everything!
Hi linda-Thankyou Linda!
hehe well this was a real surprise for me! Haha aww that sounds very funny 
Hi Jaqi-Thanks Jaqi!
I know, he did very well not to tell me, and I did try! 
Hi Gaille-Thanks Gaille! Oh yes you know the feeling msot definitely!
What a beautiful idea! Ooh I love the Fairmont chain! I hope your dream comes true! 
xxx
Hi Chris-Thanks Chris! I feel very lucky indeed
Hi Isya-Thanks Isya yes it felt very surreal in a wonderful way
Hi Julia-Thankyou very much Julia
Congratulations on your ribbons, what a wonderful achievement! 
Hi muppy-Thankyou! I know, even writing it still felt surreal!
Hi Amanda-Thanks Amanda!
haha he has indeed racked up a lot of points 
THankyou!
Hi Pam-You’re very welcome Pam!
You are too sweet! 
It was such an unforgettable night 
Hi EHA-Thankyou!
Yes you’re quite right indeed 
Thankyou, I loved that hat. Yes the food was certainly rivalled by the decor! I like your idea Eha! 
Hi Ellen-Thanks so much Ellen!
Hi sally-I know, it was like it was made for me which is what they did as it was so perfectly matched
Thankyou! 
Hi Nic-He did and thanks to the wonderful people at Quintessentially too
Haha isn’t it delicious stuff? By the spoonful is the only way! 
Hi Glenda-thankyou Glenda!
Absolutely, I will remember it always! 
Hi Lucy-I definitely feel like one that’s for certain
Hi Claire-Thankyou Claire!
Hi OohLookBel-Thanks Bel! this year’s birthday was an unforgettable one
Hi Julia-Thanks!
Hi Angela-Ahh really!
I have to say that I didn’t expect anything this amazing! And you deserve the best dear Angela! 
Hi idontcryieat-Thankyou!
I know, he has a free pass for a while now 
Haha aren’t we just! 
Hi Christine-Isn’t he clever? That was his doing
Yes I think you might be right 
Hi InTolerantChef-Thankyou Rebecca and Happy Birthday to you!
Oh no, that would be like a trifecta wouldn’t it! :O how absolutely wonderful! Oh yes do visit the Central markets there but pick your days as there are some days where only a few stalls open. I spent most of my time in the Barossa and Adelaide Hills and can definitely recommend a trip there (both aren’t that far away from Adelaide). If you do a tour, John at Barossa Daimler tours is an absolutely brilliant tour guide par excellence! Have fun and if you have any other questions let me know 
Hi Jasmin-aww thanks Jasmin!
You are too kind 
I did thankyou very much! xxx
Hi Monica-Thanks Monica dear!
Oh that will be interesting! I hope you get a special treat for that! 
Hi Sara-Thankyou!
I know, I was very impressed by that. I am very nosy when it comes to control freak details 
Isn’t it!
Hi Johanna-hehe I think he’d say call Quintessentially!
Yes we were the only ones there 
Absolutely!
Hi Alessandra-Thankyou so much Alessandra!
You are too kind! And yep also a Taurean! 
Hi mum-Thanks so much. I think it might be in your neck of the woods?
Hehe I think many would sadly! xxx
Hi Almond-Thanks Almond! It was more than I could have dreamed up
Hi victoria-It was!
Ahh so you’d know exactly what it was like. Absolutely magical! 
Hi KatieLovesWags-Thankyou very much Katie!
Hi Debra-Oh dear, that’s no good!
Hi Tiffany-I definitely feel lucky!
Hi Nachiketa-I know, I won’t ever forget it!
Hi Midge-I did!
Thankyou very much Midge! 
Hi Mrs.Lodhz-Thanks!
I know, it’s so indulgent and so much fun esp. without the execution! 
Oh yes imagine being a guest on his show-wonderful madness!
Hi laura-Thanks Laura!
I am very lucky to have him 
Hi Phunk-THanks Phunk!
Oooh I like the sound of that, that sounds very romantic!
Hi Anne-Hehe he’s blushing
I don’t know although it will be hard to top this! 
Oh I like the sound of that! 
Hi Ms Darlinghurst-Isn’t it fab! I did thanks xxx
Hi Tori-Thankyou! It was utterly unforgettable
Hi chopinandmysaucepan-Haha indeed! Although it does make things hard to photograph (hehe I sound so unromantic saying that). Thankyou!
Hi Wendy-Thankyou! Yes it was lovely, definitely a must order
Hi Mokita-Thank you, you are too kind!
Hi Jen-Thanks Jen!
Oh no, is there perhaps time for another celebration? haha absolutely, it’s a Taurean thing! 
Hi Anna-Thanks, it certainly was!
We had such fun that evening 
Thankyou darling! 
Hi Hannah-Aww Hannah! It was such a magical night and yes I was interested in knowing what he thought too! Aww you are to sweet, I’m sure there will be a line of suitors bearing the very best chocolate in the world!
Thankyou darling! xxx
Hi JasmyneTea-Hehe sadly I can’t play a note so it was all pretend
What a lovely sounding day! I hope that your birthday wishes come true! Thankyou! 
Hi Duckie-Isn’t it the sweetest?
Wow! What a wonderful birthday! Happy Birthday L!!
Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday Lorraine, it was truly magical and fun for you. High five to Mr. NQN for organizing something so totally out of the norm.
I would love to be given a surprise birthday party as I’ve never ever had one and given my husband’s poor organizing skills, there would be a dreadfully slim chance of that ever happening lol
Happy birthday, even if it is a little late!!! I think Mr. NQN really outdid himself this time, good job!
Happy belated birthday Lorraine! What an absolutely perfect evening! And that food…mmm, so many good things. Cute card, little monchici
Happy Birthday! What a gorgeous, gorgeous space in this weather, all velvety, warm textures and your favourite foods!
Oh. My. God. I am SO jealous! (not just because you have a Chanel bag, and a LV aswell I’m guessing?
) The decorations look too good to be true, it’s such a fairytale way to spend the evening. Can’t believe you got your favourite macaron flavours too, Mr. NQN is quite the gentleman 
I would be happy with this for my birthday 
Happy belated birthday!
Happy belated birthday! What a nice celebration you had!
Oh, Happy Birthday, Lorraine! What a fun time this was…well done Mr NQN and Quintessentially! I love the beautiful, romantic setting!
Talk about painting the town RED! Magnificient event.
And I had to laugh about the violinist at your table.
I had a similar experience once. Absolutely mortified when I realized he (a guitarist in this case) was sashaying toward my table.
Once I realized my prayers weren’t being answered, I began to grow an extra pair of hands, which were kept busy by fussing with my jewelry, rearranging the napkins and silverware, etc.
Those were the longest 37 seconds of my life.
Happy Birthday Goldilocks!
SUCH a cute post, Lorraine. Happy Birthday and I’d say Mr. NQN came up with a spectacular evening!
Happy Happy Belated Birthday Lorraine! Looks like such a fun birthday – well done Mr NQN!! I love to stretch my birthday out too – much more food and cake
Happy Belated Birthday!
It looks like you had a lovely evening; that’s such a nice photo of you. And how sweet is Mr NQN – I enjoyed reading his side as well.
Now that was pretty spectacular! Mr NQN is a star, love the head-dress, gives you a few more inches..hehe..
I’ve just read ALL of Number 60 – and, anyone who believes you to have ‘just fun and be SO lucky’ should read AND think again!
Awe how fabulous! What a great birthday!! It sounds like a really lovely night. & yes, agreed – I totally try to extend my birthday for as long as possible – you’re right, more cake that way
you look gorgeous in that pic too, even in a headress of that variety 
Happy Birthday!!
Heidi xo
i made a lot of noises whilst reading this post–’awwww!’ and ‘yummmm!’ and laughter and sighs.
happy birthday, lorraine!
What an impressive surprise! For someone that’s claims to be a non romantic thats pretty darn good!
That looks like a lovely birthday celebration! I’ve been at work for my last two birthdays (both on weekends as well!) so my ideal birthday celebration is one where I’m not stuck at work!
Hi Lorraine. Happy belated birthday.
My ideal birthday would last more than one day and be part of a holiday so I could really relax and enjoy.
Hi Lorraine! A little late to the party but here’s wishing you a wonderful birthday! Snaps for mr. NQN for being the most thoughtful husband ever! This post really made me smile, and I am a firm believer that all closet romantics do come out and show their true colours when it matters!
As for the headress, you need at least one feathered headpiece in your life, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
Oh my gosh Lorraine, this looks absolutely magical – you must have felt so spoilt! And you look positively adorable in that last picture (I love your dress!). My fantasy birthday would be either a Marie Antoinette-style party (like Sophia Coppola’s Kirsten Dunst version) – Laduree and Glamour a-plenty, or an enchanted garden party in a big rambling estate, complete with a thousand twinkling fairy lights and a swing band (nothing over the top then….)
Briony xx
A happy belated birthday to you! Looks like Mr NQN really delivered and spoiled your silly. Love the headress – tres chic!
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