September seems to be a very happy-humping month seeing now I'm way in debt taking people out for their birthdays in the month of May. 

The beginning of last week was absolutely beautiful.  J & I took our dear friend N, out to celebrate her 26th birthday at a Murray Hill joint - ThaiNY.  The three of us had been friends since grade school and since we all hadn't seen each other in months, we filled the evening with lots of eats and chats. 

The evening after, I took G out to Oliva, a tiny tapas spot in the LES.  The menu offers a great selection - The portions are delicious and plentiful, and the drinks pack a real punch!  We ordered the Tortilla Espanola (egg, potato & onion), Mussels St. Jean de Luz (steamed in white wine, tomato & garlic), Calamari Bravas, Gambas al Ajillo (sauteed shrimp with garlic & olive oil), Fried Olives, and a ham/bacon-like meat and manchego platter that G consumed all on his own.  I trimmed down one piece meat, leaving the fat on my plate - which he later snuck and ate!!!  
Around 8:30PM, the place gets real dim and live jazz fills the restaurant.  Everytime G & I get together, we talk as if we haven't seen each other in years.  We are always being rushed out of the restaurant for having sat there too long and talking too loud from drinking too much!!!

Germ . Me . at Oliva

Once every so often, either Connie, Vicky or I (usually just Connie and Vicky) will organize a fabulous outing for the group.  Last summer, Vicky got us all together for the Brooklyn Cyclones Minor League Baseball game at Coney Island.  We purchased tickets for rides, took silly pictures in the photo booths, ate Nathan's famous hotdog, and had the world's best funnel cake. 
A few months later, Connie organized a three-way birthday party at Prem On (a delicious, unpretentious yet trendy Thai restaurant) for me, Nel & Ray.  This is a great place if you need reservations for group sizes 2-20.  We had about 18 people.
Since the last few outings had been organized by the ladies, we passed the torch to Nel, who put together a smashing dinner party at Yakiniku West.  Beers, sushi and kobe beef.  How could you top that?? 
I'll tell you.  When it came time to pay the bill, Noph, who designs for Helmut Lang, pulled out his very fashionable, ultra chic money clip!  (Pictured below)

The weekend started off with the Big East Game on Friday.  Every year, ESPN hosts the pre-party at ESPN Sports Zone in their SkyBox at Times Square.  Most of the guests are men and while they talk sports and business, the few women attendees help themselves to the full buffet and open bar.  After we filled our bellies with greasy burgers and wings, we headed over to MSG for the night's game.  Why did I subject myself to a testosterone-filled evening? 

The gift bags!  My favorite item always being the ESPN Sports Zone Game Card 

William and Michelle's Wedding
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Westmount Country Club

This was by far the most lavish and fun wedding I've ever been to!  The decor was stunning and lush.  The band played all the best oldies and pop song., the food was endless and amazingly delicious.  And the guests were all as handsome as can be. 

Everyone says that in general, the food served during cocktail hour is always better than what is served during dinner.  There have been weddings I've attended where I barely ate two bites of the main course.  So during cocktail hour, we ate and drank like kings and queens.  Then the band came on and had everyone dancing their booties off to Rihanna's Umbrella, Kanye's Stronger, etc., which worked off all the food previously consumed. After hours of dancing, we were famished and dug into our entrees like the civilized human beings we are.  The entrees were surprisingly delish!!!  I've never tasted banquet food so good! 
After a night of eating and dancing with all the lovely people, I must say...  Its a great way to kick off another summer of weddings :)

Currently:  62° in NYC . Slightly manic from suddenly warm temperatures. In gear to plan a trip somewhere tropical before Summer hits.

I wonder, what are some of the little things women do to get back at their partners?  I remember while I was in college, my roommate K, told me that when her big sister A, gets mad at E, she would shave her armpits with his razor.   This totally cracked me up and inspired my own form of revenge! 

N hates it when I get water all over the bathroom everytime I get out of the shower.  He especially hates stepping on a wet bathroom mat.  He told me that to prevent a wet mat situation, I should step on my bath towel first, dry my legs and feet before stepping on the mat.  So, whenever he frustrates me to no end, I would get out of the shower, take his towel and stomp all over it to keep the mat from getting wet, yet leave his towel soaking wet ready for him when he gets out of his shower. 

If anyone has new ideas, please let me know!