Madalyn Manzeck photographed by Cassie Sterwald in Coca Lena located in Port Washington, WI. 2017.
Skirt (Oscar de la Renta print fabric from Mood) Madalyn Joy Designs | Off The Shoulder Sweater Cable & Gauge | Bow Flats M. Gemi | Earrings Kate Spade | Necklace BaubleBar
I have always loved birthdays for as long as I can remember! Whether it be celebrating my own or a friend's, birthdays are a magical time where you get to dress up and enjoy presents and eat way too many sweets including funfetti cake. I love curating fun gifts for my family and friends' birthdays. I don't usually spend too much time in the kitchen except when it comes to baking sweet treat for birthdays and holidays. I think it is important to celebrate the little things in life because as you get older, you truly realize how fast time flies!
However, this year has been different because I have been having reservations about turning 23. Yes, I know I should be counting my blessings that I am 23 years young and am in good health. Trust me, I am beyond thankful and grateful, but there just is something about 23 that hasn't been sitting right with me. Have any of you felt this way about turning a specific age!?
I think why I'm having reservations about turning 23 is because 22 was such a great year! I debuted my lingerie line at the SoHE Threads Fashion Show, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, finished having to do a long distance relationship, traveled to NYC twice, dressed Miss Wisconsin for the Miss America parade, stood up in one of my best friend's wedding, started a blog, pursued my career dreams of working on my own designs, traveled to Florida to visit family, and spent valuable time with my boyfriend, family, and friends. 22 was pretty darn good to me! I'm sad to let it go!
So in an effort to get excited and embrace the tender age of 23, I took a little trip with Cassie to the adorable candy shop, Coca Lena, located in downtown Port Washington. If candy and chocolate can't make a girl feel better, what can!? (Actually, wine. Wine always makes a girl feel better!) I seriously could not believe I had never stopped in Coca Lena until a couple weeks ago. It is like a little slice of magical candy heaven!! At any point you are just waiting for a unicorn to prance right on by!
My personal favorite candy is anything sour and gummy so, of course, I went straight for the gummy bears and sugar fruit slices. Cassie opted for a chocolate covered Oreo coated in mini M&M's and said it was to die for! Essentially, if you are ever in downtown Port Washington you MUST visit Coca Lena! I definitely consider myself to be a candy connoisseur and I give Coca Lena two thumbs up!
I'll be spending my weekend binge eating sweets, spending time with family and friends, and trying my very best to warm up to the idea of 23! Maybe the years you look the least forward to turn out to actually be filled with the most surprises! I'll keep an open heart and mind. ;)
xoxo
Madalyn Joy