Following Rabbits Blog

photo courtesy of The Modern

Let me start out this post by saying I'm so thankful I have foodie friends. I am so not adventurous when it comes to food, and sometimes I can be downright picky. I have several friends though (they know exactly who they are) who drag me into restaurants without paying any attention whatsoever to my whining over a menu. I must say, 9 times out of 10, I absolutely LOVE my meal- so it's nice to have people who push me to try new things. Thanks, guys!

Javier and I went to MOMA today, and his friend works at The Modern- the restaurant inside the museum. She had recommended that Jav try it, so he suggested we go there for my birthday lunch. I always look at menus online before I go somewhere, because of my aforementioned skepticism over menus. I'm going to admit- I was a bit scared. There was a short wait, so we got a glass of champagne to toast my turning 27 (which really better be a fabulous year!). The restaurant is very nice- we ate in the bar room, which has a lounge vibe. The menu is divided into 3 pages- the first 2 are appetizer-sized plates, and items on page 3 are half-entrées. I got the saffron tagliatelle pasta with mushrooms, baby zucchini, and cider-braised rabbit (o_O). It was delicious!

I also had the beef tenderloin with wilted spinach and garlic flan... sooo good! Jav had a poached egg (in a jar) with lobster and asparagus, and braised pork belly with sweet pea puree. 

It was seriously the best meal I've ever had in NYC. Wow. We managed to split a dessert- a chestnut sundae that had Irish cream and chocolate hazelnut ice creams with a butterscotch type sauce, yum! A cup of tea and I was most satisfied. Absolutely check this place out- it's great. A super-huge thank you to Jav for taking me out! I would never be able to go somewhere like this otherwise, so it was a fabulous treat!

I talked to a friend of mine on Monday who was saddened by my not being out for my birthday. He promised to take me out for a belated celebration, and we settled on today, since he had the day off. I took a vacation day from work, and met him at MOMA at 11. I've never been, so it was nice to have the whole afternoon free to check it out. Definitely the most intriguing thing was Marina Abramovic's exhibit- The Artist Is Present. Seemed like a pretty intense experience, sitting with her. We were at the museum for a total of 2 1/2 hours, and only saw about 5 different people sitting with her. We didn't see anyone cry though, which was kind of disappointing. 

This chandelier was incredible! All broken dishes, vases and teapots with silverware... very cool.

classic Andy Warhol

If you've seen Blue Man Group in Boston, this painting is hilarious to you. Otherwise, probably just a painting.

And my fave! van Gogh's Starry Night

Was a really good time! Jav also took me to The Modern, a really great restaurant inside MOMA for birthday lunch. Wow was it fab! I'll have to save that post for tonight because I'm off to see Kate Nash at Bowery Ballroom.

After work today I went to Williamsburg for a cupcake meetup at Pinkerton Wine Bar. Pinkerton is a recent addition to North 6th Street, and has a modest menu of beer, wine, a few sodas, and olive and cheese plates. There's some outdoor seating, which will definitely be a draw when it warms up a bit. The small bar and dark wood furniture indoors seat about 20 people. It's dimly lit with candles and a stained glass chandelier that came with the space; it has a very cozy vibe. The painting behind the bar was also a leftover from the previous tenant, and the owner, Tom, mused about its origin. "People think that boy is me. Does it look like me?"

I'm not going to pretend to be a wine connoisseur, but I had a glass of Heartland pinot grigio that was fab. I would go back if I happened to be in Williamsburg again... it's a bit out of my way to make a trip just for wine, but the place was welcoming and Tom was a good host. 

For the meetup, cupcakes were provided by Lux Sugar and cakelab. I had a vanilla/vanilla cupcake from Lux Sugar (pictured top left) and was surprised to see glitter in the frosting. I looove cupcakes and have never seen glitter in baked goods... curious what it's made of. The frosting was good though- that's always my litmus test for good cupcakes. The minis were from cakelab, and the s'mores (pictured bottom left) were delish! I regretably had dinner before the meetup, so that was it for me on the cupcake front. Other flavors included caramel, banana pudding, red velvet, carrot... cupcake overload! (I still have half of my birthday cupcake in the fridge...) So tell me, who bakes the best cupcakes in NYC? I'm compiling a list and seriously intend to do a taste test this summer. (Cue the sugar rush! o_O) In the meantime stop by Pinkerton for a glass of wine and say hello to Tom.

I was sorta dreading this birthday... this is the first year I didn't have any family around or a big birthday dinner planned. I guess it's a bit childish, but doesn't everyone kinda want their birthday to be a big deal?? All things considered, I'm a super lucky girl and have only a year-long-relationship-turned-garbage to be down about. Everything else is fab! Really! I have an ahmazing apartment with a crazy view of the city, my family totally rocks, I'm having a blast with my blog and creative projects, and even though most of them don't live here in NYC, I do have a lot of really great friends! I went into work feeling pretty down this morning, and there was a card on my desk from Brian. He made a contribution to my Paris fund, which is very much appreciated! I got lots of texts, calls and FB wall messages, then Evan called and sang happy birthday to me at lunchtime, which made me smile big! And I got flowers delivered from my dad...

And the mail was delivered and my calling cards from Happy Girl Greetings and pouches from SeabreezeStudio arrived...

And then I went out for a beer at Ginger Man with my co-workers...

(That's Mojo with his "umbrella drink" haha!) 

I stopped at a flower shop in the subway and bought myself some lilacs. (My neighbor has some growing in her yard, and every time I pass by and breathe in that lovely scent I seriously consider a midnight recon mission to her yard with my best scissors...)

Then I stopped at Magnolia and got myself a cupcake and candle. (I also got some cookies in case I had any visitors tonight, but no one stopped by... more cookies for me!)

Then I got home and checked my mail and had a birthday card from Emma, who is absolutely the sweetest!

(BTW Emma, that sounds like a phenomenal idea!)

And Lily helped me blow out my candle and make a wish...

Then a friend of mine (absolutely horrified at the news that I was home alone tonight and my ex found someone new to entertain him on Saturday night) made plans to take me out on Thursday to the MOMA, birthday dinner, and to watch some baseball. Happiness! I've been far too focused on the tiny negatives and have let them ruin my whole attitude. Here's to a 27th year filled with happy people who care about me, creative adventures, amazing travels, and new experiences! Yay!

Love is in the Air by Irene Suchocki

SEE IT: art and photography I fell for this week
I discovered Irene Suchocki's photography on etsy while searching for photos of Paris. Her work combines photography and art to make beautiful artwork. You can view (and swoon over) her portfolio here.

I also love the photography by Rachel Ballard (see her blog below!). The colors in her photos make for very nostalgic-looking prints. Take a peek at her etsy store and see for yourself!

HEAR IT: songs I downloaded this week
1. Step Out of Line by Andy Laird 2. Sail Into the Sun by the Funky Lowlives 3. Four Three by All India Radio 4. Happens All the Time by Cold 5. Arrival by Pale 3

FOLLOW IT: blogs I discovered this week 
The Clothes Horse - Who doesn't love clothes?! Rebecca fashions up great outfits and takes fab photos to share with her readers. 
Rachel B. Blog - Rachel shares her photography, design and art with her readers, and even offers photo e-courses.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Matt Katz (an image from his illustrated book by the same title)

DO IT: add these to your to-do list
I've mentioned Artists and Fleas before, but you MUST go tomorrow, because my friend Matt Katz will be there selling some of his artwork. Originally from New Zealand, Matt is also currently part of an exhibition at the Brunswick Street Gallery in Melbourne, April 23rd - May 6th... You know, for those of you who just happen to be in Australia this week or next. Seriously though, he'll be famous someday, so go check out his work and say hello tomorrow!

Tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful out in NYC! Why not get a picnic box from Alice's Tea Cup and enjoy the afternoon in Central Park? You can call ahead and have them put together a lunch box for two- scones, tea sandwiches, cake, and hot or iced tea! YUM! I hope to be doing this as well... with birthday tea and a candle on my piece of cake!