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Monday, May 23, 2011


Birthday Surprise!

Birthdays. Aren’t they the best!? Mine luckily fell on a Saturday this year which meant I didn’t have to spend it at work. YES! On Saturday night, I was surprised by a group of sweet, beloved friends! I walked in to my best friend Carly’s apartment to a beautiful scene of friends, her homemade sangria, margaritas, and a beautiful cake. My friend, Daniel, was there snapping pictures, I felt a bit like a celebrity for a moment. We had a drink and visited Carly’s roof for the beautiful view! Carly also gave me a special birthday present, an old-fashioned friendship bracelet. She and I now wear the same bracelet with charms that say faith, hope, and love. Such a thoughtful and unique gift!

Then we headed to Cilantro for some Mexican food. (I am highly judgmental of Mexican food in NYC, so Carly had gotten a great recommendation from my fellow friend and Texan, Leticia.) We had more Sangria and Mexican beer and chips with hot sauce. Food note, they had yellow, blue, and sweet potato chips in their baskets-I was impressed. We had a great meal and Carly made a special toast. She had everyone write something they liked about me, and read them aloud at the dinner. I was so overwhelmed by the love and kindness the people in my life showed me on my birthday.

As the party ended, we feasted on a beautiful apple walnut cake from Buttercup Bakery that my parents had sent. It was great that they could be a part of it all the way from Texas.

I feel so blessed to have had such a great birthday. This city and the special people in it made everything perfect! Looking forward to a wonderful 26th year of life.


Sunday, May 15, 2011

Food Hopping

The church I belong too, Apostles, encourages us to join community groups. So I have been attending an UWS group since around August. I have met the sweetest group of people, I love them! We meet once a week to discuss the sermon and share our lives with each other.

So, in honor of the temps reaching a blistering 70 degrees, we had been planning a progressive dinner, NYC style. It was amazing to say the least! Here is how it went down:

Our group started @ 107th street on my best friend, Carly's rooftop. We sipped on Carly's homemade Sangria and Moscow Mules as we watched the sun go down over the Hudson. Then, we hopped over to Susan's house on 88th for appetizers. My favorite was the ricotta bruscetta (Barefoot Contessa-love her). Then it was time for dinner and a quick jaunt down to 76th to Claire's house. God bless Claire, she set up her table for 18 people! Pretty sure she is now the master hostess of the world! We feasted on pasta, rosemary chicken, salad, tabouleh, and bread from Balthazar. It was divine! Finally, we headed for dessert at Jason's house a quick 3 blocks away. There we found Leticia's carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, chocolate cake, ice cream, and a champagne toast to end the evening!

I haven't done a progressive dinner since my senior year of high school at prom, but it was long overdue! Plan one with your friends, it's totally worth the scheming!

Friends, food, NYC-what else could a girl need?!