Recently in Friends Category

I'm not a massive sugar hound. If I had a choice between sweet and savory, the salty and crunchy would win every time. I can dig some dark chocolate and hang out with a lemon meringue pie now and then, but sugar's not my thing. "I'll take the cheese course," she says all European-like after her meal.

It took one trip to BabyCakes NYC--the delightful bakery owned by the lovely, talented, and always stylish Erin McKenna--to slay my sweet snobbery for good (and it had nothing to do with sugar). Erin's cupcakes, cookies, frosting shots, gingerbread, brownies, blueberry crumb cake (my faves), and ridiculously addictive Cinnamon Toasties are made without refined sugar, eggs, or dairy. We're talking all-natural, organic, and--dare I say it with the blood of 1,000 cows coursing through my Texas-bred veins--VEGAN. The sweets at BabyCakes NYC are so magically delicious that you find yourself exclaiming, "Nuh-uh-no-way!" when you find out they're actually good for you.

I have to pace myself when it comes to how often I rush to the Lower East Side for a Red Velvet fix. I wish I could go every day. I need to go every day. The BabyCakes Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf wants to live in my fridge permanently. Luckily, for all of us, Erin has decided to share her secrets with the new BabyCakes Cookbook, hittin' a bookshelf near you on May 5th. Chock-full of recipes for most of the items that have made her bakery famous, you can now bring BabyCakes into your home whenever you want. Find out what makes regulars like Mary-Louise Parker, Natalie Portman, Pamela Anderson, and Zooey Deschanel "fan club" members for life. Learn how to make Jason Schwartzman's favorite Triple-Chocolate Fat Pants Cake. It's all in there, and it's all good.

Plus, how can you resist this BabyCakes Cookbook video? Sweet Sensational!

BabyCakes, the Book of Recipes: It's Here (Almost)! from BabyCakes NYC on Vimeo.

Seriously, y'all, you need this cookbook.

"...the beautiful and the feral loved to be admired."

Dear Jefe,

I love your story. Everything about it reminds me of home. Keep writing please.

Also, Empire of the Sun is my favorite movie.

"Tangerine" is my favorite Led Zepplin song.

And this is for you (please excuse the ad beforehand):

Happy Snow Day,

"Amy"

Also: Prop 8 Protestors Take Manhattan.

A bunch of my talented, creative, and resourceful lady friends have started an awesome new blog called Recession This! to help us all "navigate the economic downturn with style and humor". Loaded with quick witted tips, delicious recipes, and freebies galore, Recession This will keep you from Dreading That which ails us in these trying times. "Cheap but Chic"!

Please excuse my absence. We've been working around the clock to open our first play, FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, at the New York International Fringe Fest, and as of last Tuesday night we're up and running! It's been a heckuva thrill ride and we're so thankful to all of our family and friends who've come out to support us (and laugh with us) through it all. There are four shows left, so please grab a pal and come see this behemoth of a play celebrating New York, pigeons, Annette Funicello and, of course, poo.

We're a NY Observer and Daily Candy pick!!!

Gingham Theatre Presents:

FOR REASONS UNKNOWN

Barrow Street Theatre
27 Barrow Street
Map HERE.

Schedule:
Thursday 8/14 @ 10:00 PM
Monday 8/18 @ 7:30 PM
Thursday (matinee) 8/21 @ 2:00 PM
Sunday (matinee) 8/24 @ 2:15 PM
*Please note that the NY Observer incorrectly listed our Monday show time. The correct time is 7:30pm.

Director: Nathan Halvorson Assistant Director: Osheen Jones Set Designer: Jeremy Chernick Choreographer: Brent Smith Stage Manager: Lee Micklin Company Representative: India Neilan
Cast: Jeff Long, Andi Teran, Matt Mullin, William Franke, Jessica Kaman, Travis York

Tickets:

Online: Visit Ticketweb.com
By Telephone: (convenience charge applies) 9am to 7pm every day.
Inside NY: 212.279.4488 (Credit Card Only)
Outside NY: 1-888-FringeNYC (Credit Card Only)
In Person: Visit FringeCENTRAL

ABOUT THE PLAY: FOR REASONS UNKNOWN is the story of Bradley, an office drone and city dweller who comes home to his New York apartment to find a present on his sofa. The gift? A big poo. With all windows and doors locked, and no sign of forced entry, Bradley enlists the help of his best friend and hip-hop dance partner, Julie, to discover who--or what--committed this dastardly deed. There's spirited dancing, a couple of cops, a mysterious neighbor, and one too many pigeons--there might even be a cameo by Annette Funicello--but, most importantly, there's poo. Paranoia and the randomness of urban life rule in this modern comedy that chronicles just what happens when sh*# happens.

My friend, Mark Blankenship, is an astute guy. He's funny, intelligent, a great conversationalist, and loves himself some pop music like this tender kitten right here. While we've yet to discuss the cultural merits of Stacey Q (a.k.a. Cinnamon), I know this boy's got great taste and knows his stuff. He writes all about it in his free time on I Totally Hear That, which I totally heart. Recently, while chatting about music, we had an interesting exchange...

Mark: You've heard The Smiths, right?
Andi: Um, yeah.
Mark: It's weird, but I've never really listened to them.
Andi: ...
Mark: I mean, I never got into them. I never really heard or listened to much of their music.
Andi: Remember how you and I were talking at that party last week? I was wearing a "Meat is Murder" t-shirt.
Mark: ...
Andi: We have so much to talk about.

And we did. Then Mark wrote this, which I encourage you to read (regardless of whether you're a Moz lover or hater). Mark is discovering the beloved Morrissey long after you're "supposed to". I love that he's getting into the music in a unironic way. It's refreshing. Mark's enthusiasm has inspired me to dig up my old Smiths CD's and get reaquainted, and I'm finding that I, too, am enjoying the music from a different perspective. I may not feel black on the inside anymore, but I know that I'm still begging for the powers that be to "please, please, please, let me, let me, let me, let me get what I want this time". That line still elevates my melancholic tendencies, but then I remember to "boot the grime of this world in the crotch, dear" and I smile. Sometimes The Smiths speak to me like an old friend, and other times they're just happy melodies in the background.

So, hey, Mark? I choose both, too.