35 in Atlanta: A Birthday Staycation at The FORTH
Eight months later and I’m finally sitting down to write about my 35th birthday.
Classic me. I document everything from trips, work, the mundane Tuesday stuff, but somehow my own milestones are always the last thing to make it off my camera roll.
This year I kept my day simple. No flights, no packed itinerary, no pressure to make it Instagrammable. Just a birthday staycation right here in Atlanta: good food, great friends, and a little time to myself.
Checking Into The FORTH
On December 21st, I drove myself downtown and checked into The FORTH Hotel, hands down my favorite hotel in Atlanta at this point. You feel it the second you walk through the doors. The hospitality is warm, the whole place smells incredible, and the design manages to be modern without ever feeling cold or sterile.
What I love most about The FORTH is that you genuinely never have to leave. There's Moonlight, the rooftop lounge with unreal city views. Electra for brunch and lunch. El Premio, an Italian steakhouse, plus Bar Premio. And a gorgeous outdoor pool with full food and drink service if you just want to sit and do nothing.
It's also right in Old Fourth Ward, one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city, so it's an easy yes every time I want to treat myself.
My room had floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city, floral wallpaper, and this gorgeous Tiffany green dresser that I could not stop staring at. Stylish, cozy, elevated. Exactly what I wanted.
For check-in, I wore a fitted white midi dress with a long pink faux fur coat. I was feeling myself, not gonna lie. Took a few photos around the hotel, grabbed a seat at the bar, and let vacation mode fully take over.
Rooftop Cocktails and Birthday Dinner
Later that evening, Jasmine and Paulika showed up and we headed straight to Moonlight.
The rooftop did not disappoint. The DJ was incredible, somehow blending house, 90s R&B, early 2000s hip-hop, soul classics, Afrobeats, reggaeton, and Spanish music into one set that never once felt disjointed. Between the music, the cocktails, the skyline, and the company, it was the perfect way to kick off my birthday.
After drinks, we headed downstairs to El Premio, where our friend Amy joined us for dinner.
We got a cozy corner booth with mirrors lining the walls around us, which of course turned into nonstop selfies and group photos all night. The cocktails kept coming too. Espresso martinis, cosmos, whatever looked good in the moment.
For dinner, we ordered a little bit of everything and passed dishes around the table. We started with the Premio Salad, then moved into the Spigola Caviale, a beautifully prepared Mediterranean sea bass topped with caviar. The Capelletti di Zucca was rich and comforting, but the Rigatoni all'Astice, made with lobster, was hands down my favorite dish of the night.
And because no birthday dinner is complete without dessert, we ended the evening with donuts. Everything was delicious, but what I remember most is the laughter.
The conversation flowed easily all night. Nobody was in a rush to be anywhere else. We spent hours talking, taking photos, catching up, and just celebrating another year of life together.
After dinner, we stopped by Bar Premio to take a few final photos before saying our goodbyes for the night.
I headed upstairs, took a shower, climbed into bed, and called it a night.
The Birthday!
Turning 35
The next morning, I woke up feeling rested and surprisingly refreshed. Instead of immediately reaching for my phone, I spent some time reading The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom by Paris Woods. It felt like the perfect way to start my birthday.
Slow.
Intentional.
Peaceful.
After reading, I ordered room service and enjoyed breakfast in my room while taking in the city views. My breakfast included pancakes, eggs, bacon, and potatoes with peppers and onions. The hotel also surprised me with a birthday treat, which was a thoughtful touch that made the morning feel even more special.
Art, Burgers, and Good Company
Later that day, I met up with my friends Erica, Danielle, and Khadija to visit the Viktor&Rolf exhibition at the High Museum of Art.
I’ve always loved experiences that allow me to slow down and take things in, and spending part of my birthday surrounded by creativity felt like a gift in itself.
The exhibition was imaginative, dramatic, and unlike anything I’d seen before. Walking through the galleries with my friends was the perfect birthday activity because it gave us time to explore, laugh, and appreciate something beautiful together.
After the museum, we headed to H&F Burger for a late lunch. Sometimes a great burger hits just as hard as a fine dining meal, and this was one of those times. We grabbed food, continued our conversations, and eventually made our way to a nearby bar for drinks.
Nothing extravagant. Nothing over the top. Just quality time with people I care about.
Reflections on 35
When I think back on my 35th birthday, what stands out most is how relaxed it felt. There was no pressure to make the weekend bigger than it needed to be. I rested. I read. I ate good food. I spent time with friends. I enjoyed my city. And that was enough.
Thirty-five started with good conversations, beautiful views, real friendships, and a reminder that joy doesn't have to be complicated to be good.
Eight months later, I'm still smiling about it.