Thirty Years Of Andi

July 20, 2012

Excuse my absence for the next week, as I celebrate my 30th Birthday (July 23rd) with my family at the luxurious King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia.  Over the last year I agonized about entering this new decade of my life.  I loved every minute of my roller coaster 20’s and I was not quite ready to say goodbye to them just yet.  But, something shifted in me as the big day has drawn near — I am no longer anxious, rather I am excited.  In my 30’s, I plan to dream bigger than ever before with my careers, travel to new destinations, save enough money to buy a home, and become a mother of one, maybe even two children!  I decided that I would celebrate my Birthday on My Beautiful Adventures by sharing a snapshot of me from every year of my life thus far (gotta love my ever changing hair styles and colors). . .

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

Andi Perullo

“The great thing about getting older is that you do not lose all the other ages you have been.” — Madeleine L’engle

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Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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131 thoughts on “Thirty Years Of Andi”

  1. Cat

    What a great idea! My birthday is in a few weeks, and I think something to look back on like this!! I especially love the olddddd computer!

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Yes, please do it!!! I would love to see baby pics of you. How great that I was already hooked to the computer (see the globe in the back) at such a young age… 😉

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  3. Shez

    wish me Happy Birthday I’ll do same Andi (: simple love these pictures.

    “You’re too good to be true, can’t take my eyes of you” 😉

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  5. lisa

    awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww omg i love this!!!!! we’re both leo’s my birthday’s at the end of this month!!! leo’s are AMAZING! muhahah! i loved looking through your photo collage of your life.. you really blossomed between age 12 and 13 i couldn’t help notice haha i loveeddddddddddd your 29th birthday picture ;p

    happy birthday hon have a fabulous time with your family :)!!

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      I’m so happy that you loved the post!!!!!! That makes me day! Happy Birthday to you too! Can you believe how much I blossomed from 12 to 13? I almost couldn’t believe it myself, but the pics don’t lie. XO

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  7. Fly Girl

    The hair my change but the pretty face remains through all the years! St. Simmons is a beautiful place to celebrate, check out some of the Gullah culture if you get the chance.

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Awww I’m so delighted you loved it! I don’t know what the hell made me chop off all of my hair at 17, guess I wanted to be different? Thank you sooo much for your kind words, you made my heart smile!

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Haha I knew you were going to love my baby pics! 😉 It was hard to choose my baby pics, my Mom took a lot of really good ones!!! Must have gotten my love of photography from her. Bring on my 30’s baby!!!

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  10. Terri

    Happy Birthday! I think it’s cool that you found all of these old pictures of yourself. Have a great time with your family. The 30’s are fabulous, btw. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      My Mom is really good at keeping albums so it wasn’t until my 20’s where I had problems finding pics! Thanks so much for the Birthday wishes!!! 30 is the new 20 right?

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  11. Andi

    Such a fabulous idea! All the pictures are absolutely adorable! Happy, happy birthday and I agree with everyone else who says your 30’s are going to be fabulous – mine were!

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  14. Ayngelina

    What a great way to remember the years but I looked at the photo shoot from when you were 28 and thought – wow I have known her for so long but still haven’t met her!

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  15. Ekua

    Such a fun idea to compile your pictures like this. Happy Birthday! Hope 30 is awesome, I’ll be joining you there later this year 😉

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  16. Cata

    Awww you look so adorable!!! I love the pic of u And Alex in the pool!!! Happy birthday Amiga! Wishing you the best on your 30s! Welcome to the 3rd floor. It’s not as bad as we always thought it was in our 20s. Love u!

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Hahahaha I had so much fun looking through my baby pics. Isn’t that a cute pic of Alex and I? He had just been born and I was the happiest girl in the world. I love that you said welcome to the 3rd floor! I’m happy to join you!!! LOVE YOU!

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  17. Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud

    Happy birthday!!!!!!! And oh my goodness, did you ever go through the ugly stage because it looks like it totally passed you by! Such sweet photos!

    PS I had no idea you smoked cigars! Was that just for the camera or do you really smoke them? I’ll take a couple of puffs every now and then when I’m out with friends, but that’s it. Maybe we’ll have to share a cigar sometime. 😉

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Thanks darling!!!!!! Hahahaha you are TOO cute, I totally went through and ugly stage, but thank you for thinking otherwise. I don’t really smoke cigars. I enjoy them and would definitely not pass the opportunity down, but I don’t really have a lot of opportunities. That picture was taken in La Habana, Cuba…so of course I had to smoke a cigar there. I would LOVE to share a cigar with you! <3

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  18. Renee

    What a neat post Andi. I turn 30 next year and I’m looking forward to it. Each birthday is a gift and I can’t even imagine what the next decade will bring. Sounds like you’ve got some great (and beautiful!) adventures planned for your 30s!
    Happy Early Birthday!!

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Someone said to me yesterday how lucky I was to be turning 30…that totally put things in perspective for me. I agree, each Birthday is SUCH a gift!!! Thanks so much for your kind words, they mean the world!

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  22. This Battered Suitcase

    This is amazing! I’ll be 30 in less than two years and I’m not letting it scare me, either. I feel like my life is only getting better each year, so why would it?

    I love that you posted all these photos – and I love the changing hair! My pictures are like that, too. One question, though: why did you never go through an awkward phase??? You are stunning in every single photo. I would be embarrassed to post anything from 1996 to…hell, 2008. No lie.

    Have an incredible birthday!! xo

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      My whole perception of Birthdays shifted the other day when I was talking to someone and they said how lucky each Birthday is since it’s another year you were alive. It’s so true! I’m not going to be scared of aging, rather I’m going to celebrate it from now on!!! Oh gosh you don’t think year 12 right before I hit puberty wasn’t awkward??? I also went through fat stages too! You’re a sweetheart! And I can’t imagine that you went through an awkward stage either, as you’re gorgeous! XO

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  24. Ali

    I love this! Definitely a lot of different hairstyles. I was surprised by the really short ones, but it looked good. Happy birthday!

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      I went through this short hair phase because Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow chopped theirs off and I thought they looked fabulous! Took me FOREVER to grow it out. Thanks for the Birthday wishes!!!

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  27. Alex

    I love all the nods to travel in these photos, Andi! From the elephants at 3 to the globe at 12 to the many travel destinations of your twenties! Congrats on entering a new, fabulous decade!

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  29. Andi at The Particular Traveler

    Happy happy birthday dear Andi! You are going to LOVE your 30s, I just know it!!! Mine have far surpassed my 20s, and I really didn’t think that was possible. What a sweet photo montage…you are absolutely beautiful inside and out. Cheers, and have a wonderfully relaxing birthday week!

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      That’s SO awesome to hear how great your 30’s have been thus far…I keep hearing how awesome they are! Glad you loved the photo montage AND thank you from the bottom of my heart for saying such lovely things! <3

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  30. Kitty Bradshaw

    Welcome to your new sex drive! lollll

    I loved all of your pictures…. I wished I had aged as gracefully as you did in my adolescent years. I think I was awkward until the age 28. Have a Happy Birthday mama! 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Hahahahahahaha only you would say that and that’s why I adore you! Thanks for saying I age gracefully even though I think I had some fat years!!! 😉 Thanks so much for the Birthday wishes!

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  31. Katherina

    I’m glad you’re taking your 30s with energy and enthusiasm! I still have 2 years to go, but something already tells me that I won’t feel terrified but instead will be welcoming them with open arms. New decade, new adventures, new dreams. I wish you a very happy birthday!!!! xxx

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  32. Zara @ Backpack ME

    Happy birthday! 🙂 I became 30 myself in June and I can tell you it’s all UPHILL from here onwards! 😉 By the way, cute photo at age 12: travel blogger in the making, using that computer and with the globe in the background!! Happy 30s! 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      I love that you said it’s uphill from here onwards!!! Happy belated Birthday! Hope you celebrated in some fabulous way? I had totally forgotten about that photo at age 12 and when I saw it I thought OMG travel blogger in the making (just like you said haha). Thanks dear!

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  35. Terra

    Awww, Beautiful!!!!! Happy Happy Birthday my sweet friend:-) I hope you have a lovely time celebrating with your family:-) Sending love and hugs, Terra

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      You are just too kind, thank you so much!!! And well I’m not ready to get to my 40’s yet, it’s good to know that I have A LOT to look forward to! XOXO

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  48. Cara @ Gourmet Chick

    Congratulations on your 30th – I was a bit scared about turning 30 but once I celebrated with a fabulous party (on an island in the middle of Italy’s Lake Como) which made me feel much better!

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  51. The wonders of wandering

    Andi,

    I came across your site after I discovered my own love of traveling. I love hearing about your adventures and over coming your fears (like your 30th birthday and bungee jumping 🙂 Keep up the blogging as we all love your stories. I am just starting a travel blog, honestly after being inspired by your blog, check it out http://www.thewondersofwandering.com Love the photos and I hope to hear of all your travels your thirties will bring!

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Thank you soooo much for your thoughtful, love-filled, touching comment!!! I’m so honored that you were inspired by MBA! I can’t wait to check out your blog. XOXO

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  54. Andrea

    I LOVED this!!! And omg we did have the same haircut in our late teens (I didn’t go quite that short but your growing out phase looked just like my cut – I have to send you a photo now that I have my old albums back). I think you’re going to looooove your thirties. It’s my fav decade so far already. Hope you had a wonderful birthday!!

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  55. Manfred

    What a great idea of yours. Came over here via Taru´s sailing blog and “stumbled” over your 29 shots. What a live. My girl will be 4 years old in August and it is great to see what might be coming along.

    Have never come along a blog with 111 comments and all of them being answered. You are doing great and I wish you all the best for the next decade. It is a great one. And there are even better ones coming.

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      Awww what an awesome comment, thank you so much for stopping by! How cute that you have a 4 year old, I bet she’s precious!!! Thank you for your kind wishes and I do hope you stop by again soon. XO

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      1. Manfred

        OK, Andi,
        you have asked about…coming back.

        I have read your travel tips, uuhps, just realized it is a guest comment, so not yours. Yes, I stumbled over the tips being all about South Germany. I live in the North and it beautiful though not that many castles but also with a lot of cultural heritage. The Vikings had their first trading place here and some kings had build castles like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottorf_Castle – which is in my home town.

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  56. Eloquent English

    OH MY GOSH! I love strolling through your memory lane so cool! I hope you enjoyed your 30th birthday! Mine is approaching oh so quickly!!! PS – I use to have short pixie hair like your 17 year pix. LOL xoxo

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  57. Sara Louise

    Happiest birthday wishes to you Andi!
    I love that you have posted all of those photos, it was fun to watch you grow 🙂
    And just so you know, my 30th was the absolute best year of my life and I hope it will be for you too!

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  58. Camels & Chocolate

    Ahhhh I love vintage Andi! The one with the missing teeth KILLS me! Also, I think your hair short with the curls looks absolutely darling (similar to how it was when we met). Think you’ll ever bring back that ‘do?

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    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      I plan to chop my hair off when I have a baby…so yes that do might come back!!! I love that pic with the missing teeth — I was so proud hahaha. XO

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  59. Traveling Ted

    Happy 30th Birthday. I have heard that women reach their peak of beauty in their late 30s, so don’t fret about getting older. I think this photo essay proves that point because you have gotten progressively more beautiful in each photo, and I am sure the trend will continue.

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  60. Abby

    This post is ridiculous. I can’t believe what beautiful photos you have of yourself. You were such a cute kid!! And so chic by 17. Wowow. Welcome to the 30s, kid! Happy birthday!!!!!!

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  61. Marisol@TravelingSolemates

    Hi Andi, I’m new to blog land and have already heard lots about you. Happy 30th Birthday! It’s very sweet of you to share images of you from different stages of your life. Seems like you were bound for beautiful adventures from early age.

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  63. Katie

    Happy belated birthday, Andi! It was fun to look at the photos and see how you’ve changed over the years. You were lovely from day one. Hugs!

    Reply ↓

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