Goodmorning Baltimore

This past weekend I headed down to Baltimore to visit Michele (one of my college roommates and closest friends). We kicked off the weekend by getting some amazing quesadillas at a cute restaurant in Canton. The restaurant also served heavenly hubcaps full of margarita (see above). After a delicious meal and bellies full of tequila, we headed back to Michele's house to watch some bad reality TV and drink water. It felt like college. It was wonderful.

Saturday we ate breakfast at a solid diner before putting on our Raven's gear and heading to one of Michele's friend's houses for a game watch party. We watched the intense game with tons of flag throwing and head butting and drowned our sorrows when the Raven's lost. To cheer ourselves up, we got dolled up and went out for a night of dancing at a swanky night club in the neighborhood. We got down at "The Get Down" and, after some serious booty shaking, called it a night.

Sunday I got to meet the new man in Michele's life which was very exciting. We got lunch and drinks before I took the bolt bus back to NYC.

My favorite part about visiting Michele is that it feels like no time has passed since we've seen each other last. We had not seen each other since December 2009 (at our dear friends Rachel and Adam's wedding). With so much going on in our lives - both of us being in school, working full-time, and having social lives of our own in different cities - we have not been diligent at making plans and following through. It was so easy to slip back into our friendship. It's like slipping back into an old favorite pair of pumps. Michele will be coming for a visit to NYC in March and I couldn't be happier about it.

A Very Merry Weekend

This past weekend, Dennis took me to a delicious dinner at a swanky restaurant called Ed's Chowder House by Lincoln Center before we headed to the New York Philharmonic Concert.



We each ordered a different chowder, a perfectly cooked simple piece of fish, and shared some sides and a bottle of wine. We ended the meal with an apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream. This was probably one of the best meals I have eaten in New York.

After our dinner we headed across the street to Avery Fisher Hall. The concert was spectacular complete with Mozart, Mahler, and a world premiere piece that was accompanied with abstract visuals. I had never seen the New York Philharmonic live - it was amazing.

We ended the night at the Gallway Hooker (a bar in midtown) to celebrate Dennis's first cousin Jacob's 21st Birthday.





To top off the weekend, Nicole (my college roommate and one of my best friends) was in town with her family. I was lucky enough to meet up with Nicole and her mom. We spent Sunday breakfasting at an authentic New York bagel shop, shopping a ton at boutiques on the Upper East Side, lunching at a French bistro, and catching a fresh slice of New York pizza before Nicole's train back to Philly.




A fabulous start to the New Year!

Happy 2011

I rang in 2011 with my boyfriend in a nice, relaxing way. Dennis and I cooked a delicious dinner together (chicken stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella, parmiggiano risotto, and a big salad). Then we headed out to The Auction House. We enjoyed drinks, kissed at midnight, and had a fun time chatting and sitting on a fabulous velvet sofa.

2011 is going to be an exciting year for me. I have a lot on my agenda already and it's only January 3rd.

My New Years Resolutions for 2011:
-Finish my master's degree
-Take the next step in my career
-Exercise more often
-Keep up with my blog
-Be a more involved musician
-Stay in good health
-Save money
-Make time for a social life

and now for the fun resolution...

My pledge for 2011 is to become a better New Yorker - to go out there and do fun exciting New York activities. So I plan on doing (at least) 12 New York activities (that I haven't done in the past) over the course of 2011.

Here's to another year with a lot to look forward to - Happy New Year!