I just got birthday cupcakes from Cosmo magazine!!! And I got birthday cappuccino from Girls' Life magazine this morning. LIKE.

Fun to share with everyone at work. 100% sell-through, as the kids say.

In a surprise move last Friday, I bought some pretty bright green pants from the Gap for my birthday (coming up on the 19th). And then I bought the matching green and white striped long sleeve tee, because it matched exactly. I mean exactly! How could I not, I thought. And I had mega-coupons, so I basically paid only $6 for both pieces. I figured I could tone it all down by wearing the ensemble with a black suit jacket and a black beaded necklace. I hemmed the pants Friday after work and immediately wore them out with a black sweater. The color was pretty bold for me, but pretty excellent. I wore it again on Sunday and then Monday to work. Strangely by today, I am totally used to the pants and am plotting other outfits that aren't so toned down. I have a metallic green skinny belt that oddly matches yet clashes. I have a navy and white striped tee that I want to wear with a t-shirt necklace in bright light blue. I hope I found the right color here. I can't believe I am saying this. Bright color is so much fun!

Birth month!

I'm wearing brand new red pants! And sandals. And no coat! The lunchtime sun is glorious!

Three-Fruit Smoothie and a DD Latte! All in one day. I figured, why not. It's my birth month :-) I got banana-papaya-blueberry. The price for a 16 ounce went up a whole buck. Oh well.


***
Update, 03.06.2012
But seriously, does anyone know of a fruit cart where the 16 oz. shakes are still $3? Because I don't. And I've checked a lot of carts.


***
Update, 03.08.2012
I found two carts that still charge $3. Oh happy day! One I found on Yelp yesterday, checked it out today, and sure enough, all they said about it was 100% right on. Yes, they make you chug-a-lug some of the shake right there and then, so they can give you more. That turned rather strange. The lady wound up yelling at me, "Just drink some! Just drink some!" And I was yelling back, "Please could I have a straw?" There was a giant cement mixer nearby, making it hard for anyone to hear, I'll give her that. But the straw was definitely not part of their super-weird formula. They kept making too much for everyone, requiring each person to chug it on the spot and hand it back. I should have chugged more. I don't think I'll go back. Too much stress in a NYC line. That one was on 47th between Park Avenue and Vanderbilt. I got the Dawn Shake: banana-mango-blueberry-strawberry. I don't think they let you customize fruit combos.

The second one, where you can get any three fruits, is my last summer old standby, on 46th between Fifth & Sixth Avenues. He is the same owner of the cart that raised their price to $4 (on the corner of 44th & Sixth Avenue), so I figured he raised his price too. But no! Thankfully I checked today. I am going to guzzle these shakes at 3 bucks each while I can. In moderation. Even though "guzzle" doesn't suggest moderation. But I'll be moderate. It's not like I upgrade to the 20 ounce or anything.

It's my favorite month of the year! March! Only 18 more days! 'Til I turn old. Well, older. Well yes, old. This post took a different turn than I expected.

And the 7 Train platform says:
It's my birthday!

[Click this link and read what I wrote last year.
So funny. I am totally the same.
Will be getting my 99cent DD Latte later today.]

When I was in grammar school, I used to get so excited on my birthday that I would fall and hurt myself on the playground pretty much every year, and wind up in the nurse's office with a skinned knee. Needless to say, I am being very careful crossing streets today. :-) Last time it was this warm and sunny was when I turned 9, and we all got to go play in my backyard and play tetherball. I remember exactly what I was wearing and remember being giddy with happiness.

It's my birthday! And I am going to do all my favorite things and revel in the sunny 73 degree weather. Most of the picture captions are links to previous posts. Click them!

Birthday commute. Just caught the 7 Train! Perfect timing.


Coming up the subway steps into Bryant Park from
the 7 train. Look at that sky!! To the right, One Bryant Park,
one of my favorite buildings. I saw a whole PBS show about it.


Aaaah, spring pansies freshly planted in Bryant Park. My favorite park.


Birthday lawn in Bryant Park. Not quite yet. Too much rain last weekend.
I love how their caution tape is green and says Bryant Park. So nice.
[click here to see last year's lawn on the other blog I write]


Birthday daffodils blooming in Bryant Park


Birthday Garment District Zen Garden.
A favorite spot for my eyes to rest.
Even though they redesigned it.

My favorite work breakfast.
Egg sandwich and iced coffee from the cart on
40th & Broadway. Nice guys.


My 99cent Dunkin' Donuts latte has a view of Times Square.
Nice work day today.


Yes, I had nice musings from the pool.
This Pisces must swim on her birthday.
aaaaaaaaaaah, calming.

Is the OXO Salad Spinner in my future?

I've been wanting a salad spinner forever. I never think I have the room for it, but I am tired of blotting greens dry with a paper towel. Way too labor intensive, if you ask me. This one looks like a good one from OXO. Hint? Available at Macy's, Sur La Table, Target, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond. You name it.

Utopia Boy/Girl Bud Vase by Jonathan Adler, $28

All these years later, I still love this tiny vase from Jonathan Adler. Hint?

3 more days 'til my birthday!!! Friday, March 19!!! I am rather excited...

You can never have too many Chinese figurines from the 50s. Right?
I can't figure out if these are supposed to be Chinese or Japanese.
I love them already. Here's the shopping link, price: $16.55

Etsy is addictive. But what isn't these days. Some time ago, I discovered that Etsy has vintage, and have been holding myself back from a shopping spree. But seeing as it is my birth month and things of that nature, I might be in the market for the items contained in this post.

This is way cool. $9.98
Sure would make breakfasts fun, don't
you think so hubby?


This pin might be cute with a cardigan and a scarf...
$20, atomic chyrsanthemum. hmmm

BEFORE

AFTER

A fun office birthday yesterday. Cupcakes! Devoured. I would try to get off the sugar, if I didn't have some yummy St. Joseph's zeppole like these waiting for me at home. Thanks MOM! The best zeppole are still from my mom.

I like how the subway tracks are reflected in the time/date sign
[click image to enlarge]

I rode the 7 train today, just to see my birthday up in lights.

A funny commute this morning. I was walking up Milton to the subway, when I heard the street sweeper behind me. I broke into a run, because I didn't want to get covered in street dirt. I outran it! And then on Manhattan Avenue, I saw the 61 bus. I never take the bus. I was going to get a 99 cent cappucino at Dunkin' Donuts, but I thought, no, I'll run for the bus! (Caught it too.) It was a pretty funny birthday morning. I am having a happy day so far.


*It's my birthday today!

Look at these Valentino shoes! I found these on Polyvore today. Being a Pisces with a birthday coming up... (hint, hint) Suffice it to say, I wouldn't mind receiving these as a birthday gift.

Eduardo Sarabia, Salon Aleman [detail], installed as part of the 2008 Whitney Biennial
in the Field and Staff Room at the 7th Regiment Armory.
The blue neon reads 'Tequila Sarabia'

Eduardo Sarabia, Salon Aleman [detail]
The red neon reads 'Salon Aleman'

Sure, it looks empty and peaceful now, but what will Salon Aleman by Eduardo Sarabia be like at 10pm tonight? The artist has constructed a working bar open only on March 9, 11, 14 and 19 from 10pm to 1am where "he will serve homemade tequila and other beverages as he celebrates collaborative dialogue and community." I thought, what better way to celebrate my birthday today than to participate in art? But perhaps my plans are being foiled? Why is the 19th no longer listed? Perhaps Sarabia had his fill of dialogue and community on the 14th. I must get to the bottom of this.


About the artist:

Sarabia invents scenarios that he participates in and creates documentation for, commemorating the event’s unfolding. Handcrafted ceramic objects, drawings, paintings, photographs, and sculptures transform the exhibition space into a site for storytelling where viewers must suspend disbelief to enter the artist’s fantastic, romanticized realm. These theatrical situations revolve around Sarabia’s Latino heritage, which he both honors and mocks through his investigation of Mexican cultural clichés about drug smuggling, banditry, and the import/export of tawdry contraband. ~Whitney Biennial notes

***
Update, 5:47 pm
Sadly there will be no Salon Aleman this evening. Representatives from both the Whitney and the Armory called me back to let me know that due to the unprecedented attendance on the 14th, the supply of Sarabia's homemade tequila was basically depleted. Ah well.

It is one day before my birthday and I have had an epiphany. I will not use my birthday as an urgent deadline for achievement anymore. It kind of ruins the fun of it. I will just eat my cake, celebrate, and be happy to be me.

Falcoin in green, Nine West, 59.99 on sale!

Day VIII of my Sugar Fast. No strange visions, no inexplicably aggressive behavior. No tears. Good results! I don't want to toot my own horn too much, because it just might be my undoing. Untoot.

I didn't want to tell you this yesterday, just in case I failed on my very first day, because that would be rather embarrassing, but I decided to give up sugar until my birthday, which is March 19, a Wednesday this year, by the way.

As I begin Day II of my Sugar Fast (I think the Roman numerals add the necessary gravitas to my endeavor, don't you?), I feel confident and hopeful, because it is morning, and I never eat sugar before noon anyway. The hours of my greatest weakness are between 4pm and 8pm. I almost ran right to the Tasti D-lite near Bryant Park yesterday for a swirl cone, but I had to stop myself, about eight times. I watched the people who were taking the Oprah Quit Smoking Challenge on TV the other day cry on Day I of their video diaries because they wanted a cigarette so badly. I don't think I will cry. But I am not sure. Wish me luck today.

La Delice signature cupcakes.
Yes there are frosted cupcakes inside these cute little green creatures!

All I have to say is Yum, yum and yum! It is my birthday today and the sugar ban has been lifted for the long weekend. So off we went yesterday to study the delicious treats at La Delice Pastry Shop. Unfortunately, we were an hour too early to sample their St. Joseph's zeppole. But I did take these great photos. This is possibly one of the most dramatic bakeries in Manhattan. I must return today for the zeppole.

La Delice Pastry Shop
Corner of 3rd Avenue and 27th Street
372 Third Avenue
212.532.4409
Established 1935

The "Canolie Cake" would make an ideal birthday cake for yours truly.
Yes I have found my cake.
3 layers of vanilla sponge, 2 layers of cannoli cream filling,
and rainbow cookies all around
Wow!

So cute! How can you resist?

Here's what the place looks like, so you can find it.


Their window looking out onto 27th Street lures you right in.


Merengue sandwiches with chocolate jimmies.
I like anything with sprinkles or jimmies.