Now if my mom were to call me on a Sunday, maybe perhaps I wouldn't have to change the subject. Because recently I discovered that on Sundays from 12pm-3pm, Crocodile Lounge has free omelettes (in addition to free pizza) with any $5 Mimosa or Bloody Mary, in addition to free pizza with every drink. So come Sunday if you wake up in the mood for an omelette and a brunch-like drink, without the cost of brunch, then you at least know one spot where you can satisfy that craving.
"Once in a while I'll order an omelet, 'cause I'm not very good at making omelets." --Cheryl Hines3/21/2014 So my mom and I try to touch base with each other 2-3 times a week. We used to call each other almost every day, but then my schedule got hectic and with the differences in our schedules, we don't get to talk as often as we'd like. But one thing that hasn't changed about our calls is this -- every time we get on the phone with each other, the first thing she'll ask me is if I've had breakfast. And she gets mad when I tell her I didn't, so sometimes I try to change the subject real quick in hopes that she won't notice. Other times I'll tell her I'll eat once we get off the phone. And other times...well we won't talk about those other times.
Now if my mom were to call me on a Sunday, maybe perhaps I wouldn't have to change the subject. Because recently I discovered that on Sundays from 12pm-3pm, Crocodile Lounge has free omelettes (in addition to free pizza) with any $5 Mimosa or Bloody Mary, in addition to free pizza with every drink. So come Sunday if you wake up in the mood for an omelette and a brunch-like drink, without the cost of brunch, then you at least know one spot where you can satisfy that craving.
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I can't even begin to count the number of times I've gone out with friends for a couple of drinks and have come down with a serious case of the drunchies, which can be annoying if I'm at one of my favorite spots that doesn't serve grub. And I know I can't be the only one who's ever had that problem. And we all know how annoying that can be.
Well here's a bar where you won't ever have to worry about that problem -- Alligator Lounge in Brooklyn. With every drink purchased, you get a free personal pan pizza. I kid you not. Artichoke Pizza it is not, but it's not a bad deal. And for those of you may not be beer drinkers like myself, but like a good cider -- try the Spiced Cider. It's amazing!! The whole quote by Ms. Pilcher reads "Weddings take months to organize, and there are fittings and invitation lists and old aunts being coy about the honeymoon, and having to have somebody's perfectly hideous cousin for a bridesmaid. And then hundreds of appalling wedding presents. Toast-racks and Japanese vases and pictures that never, in a million years, would you want to hang on the wall. And you spend all your time writing insincere thank-you letters with your fingers crossed, and everybody gets tense and miserable and there's lots of bursting into tears. The miracle is that anybody ever gets married at all, but I bet most girls have nervous breakdowns on their honeymoons."
Her quote is no joke at all. Now mind you, when I married my ex-husband ( another one of those things that's being disclosed about my life that I really don't talk much about), I didn't really do any of the wedding planning because my ex-mother-in-law and her brother took over it all. In fact, I felt more like a guest than a bride at my wedding. But that's really another story for another time (or maybe one of those things we'll just never talk about). Anyway... MOVING ON... So a lot of women often complain about how wedding planning can be so time consuming and take over their whole life until the very last thank-you card from the actual wedding has been sent out. But just like with everything else, these women are taking for granted the fact that they get to plan their dream wedding out. Because believe it or not, there are some brides who don't even get to experience that. Now I'm not talking about other women like myself. I'm taking about Military Brides. More likely than not, these brides don't often get to have their dream wedding because their fiancees are often facing deployment. And sometimes these women just have to settle for a quick civil wedding at the courthouse and just hope that they'll be able to have the big lavish wedding until their fiancees return. And sometimes even finances plays a role. Brides Across America is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization that helps these Military Brides by providing them with FREE wedding gowns for when they are able to finally have their dream wedding. Founded by Heidi Janson, this is the bridal industry's way of thanking our troops for serving our country. In order to get a free gown, there are certain qualifications a Military Bride has to meet:
For more information about how to get a free gown, Military Brides can check out their website. And for those civilian brides who are not sure what to do with their wedding gown, Brides Across America does accept wedding gown donations to be passed on to a Military Bride in need. More information about donating to the organization can also be found on their website. And just because it's been a good day for me and all, I'll share another tidbit: I dated a Marine for 2.5 years and had dreams of a military wedding with him. And he honestly was the only one I ever had dreams about marrying. But it wasn't going to happen and it's never going to happen. But that's alright -- we still talk every year on each other's birthdays. And we wish nothing but the best for each other. "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." --Bernard Williams1/28/2014 So this weekend is Super Bowl XLVIII and even though the NY Giants aren't playing (but it is being played at MetLife Stadium, home of the G Men), it should make for a good time. At least it gives me an excuse to drink some Magner's (since I'm not a beer kind of girl) and eat some nachos (vegetarian of course). But there's also another very important game being played on Sunday before the Super Bowl, and that game is...ANIMAL PLANET'S PUPPY BOWL X!!!! Very exciting stuff going on over there.
And with this year being the tenth anniversary of the Puppy Bowl, Animal Planet is teaming up with Discovery Times Square to bring the Puppy Bowl Experience to NYC, where visitors can learn about the history of the Puppy Bowl while walking through the Hall of Fame, as well as enjoy some live puppy action on the replica field featuring rescued pups from the ASPCA. There'll also be some tailgating other activities going on, including a kissing booth where you can get a smooch from a pooch. And best of all, the event is FREE, but you must reserve tickets online and there is a $1.00 service fee for each ticket. So pay the $1.00 and go check out some cute puppies and learn something about the most cutest game being played on Super Bowl Sunday. Or just go because there's nothing better than spending time with a puppy. Unless you're Cruella De Ville. Then just go to Saks or something. There are a lot of facets to my life that a lot of people don't know about. But then again, I don't really like going around giving my whole life resume because let's be honest -- nobody really likes that person who goes around talking about their own lives 24/7. It becomes boring and obnoxious. Whether we admit it or not, we all want to be around those people who actually engage us or who makes us feel important by boosting our ego in some way. And that's the type of person I like to think I've become or on the way to becoming.
So getting back to my hidden facets, here's something a lot of people who I've met from 2003 onwards don't really know about my life. There once was a time when I had a very active performing arts side. I used to sing (and I actually still do, just not in public). I also used to dance and have been wanting to take up lessons again (but that's something I've already mentioned on here quite a few times). And then there's the fact that I played the clarinet from 5th grade all the way through my third year of undergrad at Drexel (before I transferred to Pace for my last two years). I was featured in my middle school's woodwind quintet, was part of an award-winning wind ensemble in high school, an area all-state musician, and played at Drexel on a scholarship. My parents also sent me to a summer band & choir program at Ithaca College and believe me -- it was nothing like the band camp Michelle in "American Pie" depicted it to be. But that's a whole different story. MOVING ON...so yeah the performing arts -- something that I strongly believe in supporting. And in fact, I'm supporting one of my very talented jazz musician friends, Tal Blumstein, tomorrow night, January 28th, at Somethin' Jazz Club. From 7pm - 845pm, the Tal Blumstein Trio, which features Tal as well as Max Oleartchik on Double Bass and Itay Morchi on Drums, and special guest Yehonatan Cohen on Soprano Saxophone, will be showcasing some of Tal's original work as well as some standard arrangements. I've been wanting to check out one of Tal's performances for a while, so I'm really looking forward to this. And oh yeah -- this is Tal's first NYC gig as a leader!! So if you're looking for a chill Tuesday night or for a last minute date idea, you can't go wrong with Tal. Oh and FYI -- Somethin' Jazz Club welcomes patrons of all ages. Not just for the 21+ crowd. And in case you're wondering -- yes, that is Tal in the picture. Bravo Mr. Shaffer! What better way to describe New York than as a piece of art? Couldn't have said it better than myself. New York is just one big canvas waiting for each person to leave their own streak of color behind. And even for those who don't see New York as being a piece of art, one can't deny that New York is full of art.
Now my artistic (on paper) ability is pretty much that of a five year-old. I can probably draw you some stick figures, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and a bunny. That's about it. But I'm always down to check out and admire other people's art. And what better place to do that, but at New York's MoMA. Clothing brand UNIQLO sponsors Free Fridays at MoMA. Every Friday from 4pm - 8pm, admission to MoMA is free, and your ticket gives you access to all other MoMA galleries, exhibitions, and films. If I didn't already have free admission rights (one of the perks of being a New School student), I'd be all over this like white on rice. So back in August, in "Off with your head Dance 'til you're dead", I introduced you to Liberated Movement, a non-profit organization that provides donation-based dance instruction classes to the public. When I first came across Liberated Movement, they had a suggested donation of $5, but welcomed donations of any amount. However, recently, due to an increase in studio rent prices, the organization had to increase their suggested donation to $10 a class.
Seeing how dance has always been one of my passions, and how I am embarking on a career in fundraising and development in the non-profit world, I felt it was important to share with all of you about an upcoming fundraisier that Liberated Movement is having this Saturday, January 11th. Tickets to the event are $15 and the evening will include food, dance lessons, and a silent auction. And although it will be a cash bar event, ticket proceeds will go entirely to the organization. And if for some reason you can't make the fundraiser but wish to contribute towards the cause, you can always donate online on their website. So follow Ms. Hepburn's philosophical advice and use your second hand to help this great organization. "Life's meant to be sweet! Grab a cupcake and enjoy the ride!" --Kimmie Easley, Souls Set Free1/8/2014 Happy New Year loves! So I know it's been a while since I shared some of my fabulous knowledge and I do apologize -- right after finals, I took a week to just chillax and recoup from a stressful semester (worst one to date). Then had to deal with the passing of a family member, which was quite difficult. Not exactly how one wants to spend the holidays, but it happens. And with the chaos known as the months of November and December, I have been so stressed and worn out that it finally caught up to me, that I spent the first week of January just recovering from it all. Plus I started a new job, so there's also that to consider. But no biggie -- nothing a good cupcake couldn't fix.
And speaking of cupcakes...have I ever told you how much I love a good cupcake? It's like cake, but in cup form. Hence the name -- cupcake. And what's the best kind of cupcake? A FREE cupcake of course. And how does one go about getting a cupcake for free? By following Georgetown Cupcakes on Twitter. Every morning, Georgetown Cupcake in SoHo tweets their free, not-on-menu, flavor of the day. And all you have to do is be one of the first 100 people to order it in store, and it's yours absolutely free. 100 cupcakes at the store, 1 per customer. That's it. Simple enough, isn't it? And when you get that free cupcake, you can thank me by buying me a cupcake. So I'm a huge believer in retail therapy. I'm not ashamed to admit a new pair of shoes or new accessories or clothes or gadgets of some sort have brightened up my mood many a times. Actually, I would have to say about 50% of what's in my closet has been acquired on a retail therapy session. But those are just minor details, right?
But you know what's even better than retail therapy? When you go retail therapy and you get the most bang for your buck! I've been known to get some pretty good bargains before -- a $198 silk cocktail dress from Banana Republic for $22 (it still hangs in my closet -- just waiting for that perfect occasion to wear it), a pair of $98 shoes from DSW for $20, a 100% cashmere sweater for $35 on Black Friday (yes I am one of those people who gets up at 3 a.m. to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving). You get the point. I'm a bargain retail therapy shopper. But you know what can be not-so-awesome about bargain retail therapy shopping? When you realize you could have saved even more had you had a coupon with you. I don't care what people say - but an additional 15% off is an additional 15%. Every single penny counts. Especially when you're in grad school with a limited income. But luckily, I recently discovered the Retail Me Not app, which lets you save even more by having quick access to thousands of coupons to save more at the stores you shop at. And with Black Friday being this week, there's more potential to save more so you can shop more. So the holidays are coming up. Time for all those Secret Santas and all those "What do I buy [insert name here] this year?" In the past, I've been known for giving some pretty awesome gifts, but that's also because I'm pretty attentive to my recipients, even though I play it off as if I'm off in my own little world somewhere. In fact, there have been times where my friends have called me to come shopping with them for gifts for their significant others because they trust my taste. And I'll go with them, because more than shopping for myself, I love love LOVE shopping for other people. I absolutely love giving gifts to people and seeing their reactions when I give them something, whether it's my best friend, my nephews or niece, or a guy I'm seeing (and some of my exes have received some pretty nice gifts from me).
One of the gifts I've given in the past, and I recommend to people all the time when they ask me for my opinion, is a Fragrance Sampler from Sephora, which they have available for him and for her. Perfume can be pretty pricey, especially a good bottle of perfume. My mother usually buys me a different bottle of perfume every year for Valentine's Day because she knows I like mixing it up every day. And usually the best deal on perfume is at duty free when traveling abroad. But if duty free is not a feasible option, then I definitely recommend doing these Sephora frangrance samplers, which usually range anywhere from USD 24.00 - 100.00. In each sampler, there will be samples of some of Sephora's most popular scents, ranging from Armani to Gucci to Prada. Once the recipient decides which one of the samples is their favorite, they can take the included certificate to his/her local Sephora and swap it in for a full size bottle of that fragrance. It really is a steal because some of these perfumes can definitely cost more than the price of the sampler. And if anyone is wondering what to get me as a gift for any occassion...BAM!!! HERE YOU GO!!!!! I guarantee you, you cannot go wrong with one of these. At least not with me. With someone else, the only way you could go wrong is if your recipient has a perfume allergy of some sort. Then in that case, skip the perfume and go with a Visa gift card. |