SNACK

This weekend, one of my dearest friends visited me in new york (from seattle) for the very first time. She braved her first overnight absence from her baby boy, Van, (which means her husband, our other dear friend Brad, braved his first couple nights without Van’s mama) so that she could come here to throw me an early birthday celebration for two. 

She arrived Friday night and, because she is a die-hard, rock chalk KU fan, we watched Kansas make their way to the Elite 8 from the comfort of the west vil bird nest. Before the game started, I grabbed us my favorite pie (half pepperoni half sliced meatball and peppers, of course) from John’s pizza, some beers and we cozied in for some basketball and a hearty life download. 

The next morning, we started the day as I often start a day with a new friend in town. With lobster rolls and a musical! We went to Mary’s Fish Camp, because it’s right there and it’s the quintessential ladies-that-lunch-on-things-featuring-mayo experience.

Then we hopped on the 1 train and headed uptown to the theater district. 

Nicole treated me to a broadway show for my 30th birthday! (more on that tiny fact later. yikers, 30). We saw the brand new Priscilla Queen of the Desert and it was a glittery, wig-and-madonna-filled spectacle. Produced by Better Midler, so you can imagine.

I have seen the Australian film, like, 50 times thanks to my tendency in high school to like a certain thing to the point of obsession. A trait that also landed me in the Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan Club and to stand in many-a-looooong-line for a ticket to see No Doubt. That is how much I loved Priscilla. And it was so fun to see it taken to the stage. Such a tailor-made (and generous) gift!

Get it, girl.

After the show, we stepped right into the madness of Times Square. 

It was so fun to be right in the bustle of broadway in the middle of the day. And although Nicole has been to new york on multiple occasions and I obviously have some big apple under my belt, it was special seeing it together for the first time. I will treasure it.

As one could guess, we decided that we needed to have a manhattan rooftop cocktail to commemorate the day. So we took a cabbers to The Standard’s Boom Boom Room in the meatpacking district. The hipster fairy floated down from above donning sunglasses and granted us a magical last minute reservation at a table with a glorious view. And Nicole treated us for my birthday (again, sheesh!) to a cocktail with lavender and a cocktail with honey. 

Nothing like a couple $20 cocktails in my two favorite flavors to convince yourselves it’s the best cocktail you’ve ever tasted! We toasted my coming-of-age and I soaked in sage advice from one of the most eloquent advice-givers I know. It’s true.

At one point a little jazz band showed up and we switched to the Hudson River side to watch the sunset over Jersey, listen to the music and soak in the golden-hued room.

That night, we met up with BIL, Dylan, at Barrow Street Ale House in our neighborhood to watch the end of another basketball game. Gooooo sports! Then we headed to the East Vil for Venezuelan arepas at Caracas. YUM. Then we ventured home where Husband insisted that Nicole and I slumper party in the good bed. Because it’s been, like, over a year since Nicole has gotten more than five hours of sleep. So she snuggled in next to me and slept for a solid and much needed 9-ish hours. “Happy Birthday to me”, she said. Ha. 

The next morning, we all sat around the table and sipped coffee.

Nicole went on a short run along the Westside Highway while Husband and I took Walter on a walk. Then we all reconvened for Ukrainian soul food lunch at Veselka. 

Nicole and I learned years ago that we have serious share-bear chemistry. We shared cabbage rolls, a plate of pierogi, borscht and a blintz with raspberry sauce. We’re a match made in snack-heaven. 

She bought a really cute onesie for Van, but we still needed to get something for (the very deserving) Brad. So, we stopped off a Momofuku MILK bar on our walk home for the best cookies ever made. And now there are two sitting on my kitchen counter. Tonight, my little cookies. TONIGHT.

We got home in time to watch most of the Kansas game before Nicole had to hop in a car back to the airport. The game didn’t go as well as it could have. Let’s just leave it at that since it’s a pretty sensitive subject. NEXT YEAR, Jayhawks. 

Being a new mom and recently taking a new job, Nicole could only do a very short trip here. But despite the fact all I wanted in the whole world was her to stay one more night so we could watch Beaches, drink wine, eat Milk Bar cookies and swap more wise words, I am grateful for the time we did have.

We had fun like it was our JOB. And considering when we met she was my boss, I say we have become stellar co-workers in the business of living. And thank you, Nicole, for treating me to a dreamy early birthday in new york—but it was your presence that was my real present. I miss you already!

Spontaneous wednesday night at MSG! Which means Madison Square Garden. 

Amy aka A. Coll (who my mom recently accidentally referred to as “E. Coli. Ha ha.”) got four tickets from work and invited us. And thanks to her particular line of work, they were the good kind of tickets. At the last minute Amy’s boyfriend couldn’t join us, which was sad, but Cyrus got to bring a friend, which was neat! The boys showered amy with thanks in the form of beers and brats. Which should become a standard in thanking, I say.

This brings my hot dog quota for the week to a really weird number. NO SNACK SHAME.

Cyrus brought Luke to the game. Photobomb! I should mention that they both play for their company’s basketball team and this year they made it through playoffs and right to the championship game! I’m pretty sure they spent most of the game analyzing various sports moves and gaining inspiration from the Knicks for next Tuesday’s big game. 

I learned that unlike a Trailblazers or Sonics game, which is my only previous NBA experience, a Knicks game is a great place for celeb sightings. Aretha Franklin grooved out to “RESPECT” when she was introduced. Love her.

Because we were sitting behind the basket, we were given those one things that you wave during free throws. I’ve always wanted to be one of the chosen people who get to wave those things. So, if you notice anything different about me lately, it’s because I WAS CHOSEN.

It was a loss for The Knicks, but a win for The Coulters. A big thank you to A. Coll for treating us to such a fun night. We are forever friends in new yorkness.

We just got a spontaneous invite to enjoy some company tickets with A. Coll tonight. Snacks! Friends! Beer! High kicks! Celebs! That’s what my kind of sports are made of. (I’ll let everyone else have the job of being there for all the right, sporty reasons)

I might need to embrace my inner-New-Yorkish and buy a Knicks hat.

Saturday afternoon was spent in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, at a bar called P.J. Hanley’s for Jonathan’s birthday. Jaclyn rented out the back room, kept everyone in beer and wings and prepared a ceremony to honor J’s recent achievement of breaking 100 in golf. It should be noted that I have no idea what that means. But it sounds really neat and sporty!

She punctuated the momentous occasion with a trumpet player who musically lead the entire party outside to where the ceremony was to take place a la the Pied Piper: high school band camp edition and with drunk people instead of rats. Then, Jonathan’s friends roasted him with some pretty funny one-liners. (all photos courtesy of Jaclyn!)

Finally, with the help of the trumpateer, which is not a word, Jaclyn presented her husband with a commemorative green jacket. And then he blew out candles on cute golf-theme’d cupcakes that she made herself. 

O’Douls for the pregnant lady!

After some day drinking, we headed back to the Vil, took ‘er easy and finally saw The Fighter. LOVED!

FLASHBACK to the same occasion, last year. So fun!

Another very sunny (76 degrees!) and snacky weekend with The Coulters.

On Friday night we went to a West Vil cocktails and cupcakes 1st birthday soiree for my friend Mandy’s little girl, Tuesday. The lady of honor wore pink, of course, and looked like a gorgeous, mini-ballerina. It was the classiest 1st birthday party in history!

After the party, we picked up Walter the dog and de-classed ourselves at Hudson Diner. We sat outside (outside!!!!!) and ate grilled cheese sandwiches and cold beer. 

Then on Saturday, we ran some errands in the neighborhood and shared a Recession Special at Gray’s Papaya. Did you even know that our local Gray’s is the same location that Carrie Bradshaw snacks at in SATC after her book signing? You think it’s weird that I know that? Oh. Cool.

Husband, my hot dog hunter and gatherer.

Recession Special = 2 franks and a papaya drink for $4.45. We both like kraut, no grilled onions, ketchup and mustard. One time we heard a guy order “a recession special, the burnt ones” and now we’re kind of obsessed with getting the burnt ones. 

Walter desperately wants in on the sn-action. 

My two hot dogs. (yes, he got a bitty bite)

Ok, so, I have tickets to this.

And I just got tickets to see this. 

Next up on my broadway show hoarding list, Anything Goes with Sutton Foster. Who’s in? Because I have a musical problem and New York City is my glitzy enabler.

Four brand new things is a perfectly reasonable limit with each changing season. I’m keeping things feminine and comfy with lots of day dresses, trying to wear more pants (it’s sooo hard) and flat shoes. I used to be anti-flats, but I recently came to the conclusion that as long as you’re wearing lipstick, it’s ok! How’s that for an epiphany from an educated gal?

1. Spring-in-my-step-schoolgirl shoes.

(from the Bass ♥ Rachel Antonoff Collection)

2. Le petite ch-ch-ch-chinos!

(from asos)

3. No Doubt-era boots.

(from Seychelles)

4. Safari prom day dress.

(from asos)

Every other day of the year, Walter the Dog eats boring, crunchy pup food. But it’s tradition on Walter’s birthday that he gets to eat mysterious wet food.

He loves mysterious wet food. 

And his favorite of all time is called “Trout Feast”, so that’s what we got him. Again. Per usual. Bring out the can opener.

If you’ve ever met Walter in person, you won’t even think twice about us getting him a special candle for his big 6. Because he’s practically human, one that brings so much joy into our lives, and every good human deserves a special candle on their birthday. 

Have you ever seen a dog so nose-deep in a snack?

It took him under 2 minutes to devour the bowl and when it was over he just looked up, licked his chompers and started begging for more. 

Happy Birthday to our big-eared dogchild. We love you so.