LIFE: MY 24 GOING ON 34 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN NEW YORK CITY

Happy Monday, Lovelies!

Saturday, August 17th, was my birthday, but I'm not really one to tell people it is my birthday, and I definitely don't make a week or month of it, like some.  That said, my friend Jenny always insists on putting together a little gathering, which is very sweet of her!

This year, we did a low-key evening at a wine bar called Lelabar, in one of my favorite areas of NYC, the village, followed by a new spot called The Winslow.  I suggested we not do dinner and just meet for a couple drinks because I didn't want people to have to spend a lot of money or any if they didn't want to.

I'll admit, I'm flattered when I get carded or people think I'm younger than I am.  Like in NYC where everyone seem to always think I'm 24, which I credit to my parents and what must be good genes, but as of last night, one would need to add a decade to that number!  Oh my! ;) 

Let's just say when a number of guys asked me what birthday I was celebrating, their reactions and comments were priceless when it was a much higher number than anticipated.  

Here are a couple classic things they said to me, and yes, these are exact quotes purely for your entertainment...

GUY 1:

"Oh nooo, we all thought you were 23, maaaybe 24!"

GUY 2:

"Oh.  Congratulations, I guess?"

GUY 3:

"Ooooh, ooo-kay."

(...as he slowly backed away with that deer in headlights gaze! LOL!)

"...Wait!  Do you have kids?!?"

(...because I suppose they assume everyone my age does.)

My Response:

"No, but I love them!"

His Response:

"Oh good...that you don't have them, because that would be such a burden...but you are at that age."

(...as he walks away.  Good to know he thinks that about kids.  Next!)

GUY 4:

"I guess you're pretty sexy for your mid-30's"

(...ummm, thank you?  For real this time, next!  Please.)

OK, enough of that, hope it gave you a giggle! :)  

Thanks guys, I realize you think I'm too old, and have now discovered a definite downside to looking younger than you are. Especially, when most men prefer younger ladies and I enjoy them to be in my decade...le sigh.  

That said, I didn't take offense at all, was super nice to them, and just laughed it off...before heading back to my nursing home, of course! ;)

Let's move onto the picture show of this post, shall we...

Ta-da, I'm as ready, in what my friend labeled my "popsicle dress" that night, which I found quite fitting, to head out for a low-key evening with friends to celebrate!
Vince Camuto Maxi Dress: TJ Maxx 'Off The Runway' Section - $69.99

One pre-birthday 'Sweet Liberty Smash' cocktail at Henry Public in Brooklyn Heights, the day prior, that felt like a big kid snow cone! :)

Some Happy Hour wine and cheese at Lelabar in the village to start our evening.

My lovely friends: Rekha, Morgan, Melody, Moi, Jenny, Beth & Jocelyn

Loved the ceiling and how they hung the glasses and wine bottles above the center bar!

Washington Square Park Arch looking beautiful on our gorgeous evening walk!

After some wine, we headed to The Winslow, which just opened and is owned by someone we know...it is such a great, new spot if you find yourself in the area with fantastic food and service!

Trying a peach flavored beer, which tasted like a refreshing sweet sparkling peach juice, yum!

My Fabulous Friends surprised me...now that's a candle!!! :) Perfect picture caption from one of my favorite movies all via my younger sister: "Flames, flames on the side of my face, heaving, breathing..."

All smiles after making a new wish when blowing out a birthday candle for the first time in years!

Thank you to all my friends and family who thought of me and send me something special! ❤

I LOVE all my cards, which have always been my favorite part, and they now take over

my desk/work area and make me smile! :)

(Images taken on various phone cameras and some via my Instagram.)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: A SUPER FUN NIGHT OUT IN NYC WITH GREAT FRIENDS

Dress: H&M / Bangles: Forever 21 / Ring: So Good Jewelry SoHo / Necklace: Gift / Shoes: Marshall's /

Purse: Victoria's Secret Free Gift w/Purchase

LIFE: POST-BIRTHDAY LUNCH THAT FULFILLED AN ITEM ON MY BUCKET LIST

Happy Monday, Fashionable Friends!
Last week, in between work and time in the studio mixing Greg Holden's new song for a FOX Feature Film, which you all are going to love, I got the chance to meet up with my college roommate, Kristi, aka Skipper, since I'm Barbie to her. She also happens to be one of my greatest friends and one of the most fun and kind people you will ever meet!
She and her lovely sister, Keisha, and adorable, full of energy and positivity friend, Bushra, were in the city visiting from NC, and what fun we had romping around the city doing some tourist type things, which I always fail to do in my own city!
Then, since I had always wanted to go to Hooters to try their chicken wings, they took me there for a post-birthday lunch to check it off my Bucket List! We had a wonderful time, and they even brought out a crown and sang to me, completing the experience! :)
For those of you who asked if I enjoyed the famous wings, after seeing a picture on my instagram last week, the answer is..."Yes!" Keisha, Kristi, Bushra et Moi by the LOVE sculpture in midtown.

Experiencing the Hooter's chicken wings for the first time per my Bucket List.

I'm lucky to have fiends like this in my life and what a treat that afternoon was for me.

Birthday girl must wear a Hooters crown! LOL!

No Hooters experience is complete without a picture with the Hooters girls.(all images via my iPhone 4s and lovely friend Bushra's camera.)
Ever since my birthday, things have just been go, go, go and I've had so many great experiences, new opportunities and the chance to see and spend time with some of my greatest friend, many of whom I hadn't seen in years! I'm a very happy lady these days! :)
I hope you enjoyed my Hooters adventure! Needless to say, it was a busy week in the city and followed up with a busy but super fun-filled weekend I had...pictures from our night out in the city will be up on Wednesday! Yay! Hope you all had a grrrrreat weekend as well and a lovely start to the week! :)
Also, TODAY is the LAST day to enter my Pure Romance Make-up & Shimmer-tastic Gift Bag if interested!!!

LIFE: MY BIRTHDAY DINNER AT PASTIS AND A SAM SHEPARD SURPRISE

Happy, Happy Monday, Everyone!!!

On my actual birthday, I had a wonderful evening out to dinner at Pastis, one of my favorite restaurants in NYC, and once again, it did not disappoint!

The weather held up, and it turned into what was a truly beautiful night in Manhattan. We enjoyed my favorite french fries to start, served with mayonnaise, the true French way, and then, I enjoyed my usual chicken paillard salad with a glass of Riesling.

My all time favorite dessert, being that I don't really have a sweet tooth, is the Crêpe Suzette, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, that are the true french style, chewy crêpes with lots of elasticity, if that makes sense.

As mentioned in this weekend's blog, the evening brought a nice, unexpected surprise or two...

My first surprise was my favorite dessert with a lovely candle in it for me to make a wish for my new year and age ahead. After which, my parents and I were joined by the beautiful, bubbly, smiley and effervescent Camilla from Sweden, who truly brought inspiration and light to our evening and my day!

It just so happens that the famous and well-respected playwright and actor, Sam Shepard, was there that evening, and in town for his new Off-Broadway play Heartless, which we were later invited to attend. It stars Gary Cole, whom I acted with in a feature film a few years ago, talk about a small world!

So, the true, unexpected and 2nd surprise of the night, was when Sam Shepard himself came over to me and wished me a, "Happy Birthday," and so kindly said, how beautiful I looked! :) He was very kind, and we chatted with us for a bit and we all bonded over our Swedish roots and my being an actor as well.

My mother et moi out front of Pastis, after cocktails at the Gansevoort Hotel across the street.

Pastis, you just feel as though you are in café in Paris.

Inside Pastis just as they start seating for dinner and the yummy fries!

My extraordinary parents et moi at Pastis.

My chicken pillard salad and the delish Crêpe Suzettes.

Happy Birthday to me with my Crêpe Suzette birthday dessert surprise!

My beautiful mother et moi, who split my yummy dessert with me.

My marvelous mother, the inspiring Camille et moi at Pastis.

We were all having far too much fun, I simply adore Camilla's energy, positivity and outlook on life!

Sam Shepard et moi at Pastis via my instagram.

My mother, Sam Shepard and I pose for a picture together as well, he was so gracious.
Overall, the evening was more than I could have expected, and jump started my new age off on the right foot! Those who came into my life brought added joy, and I feel lucky to have had those moments.
Thank you to everyone for making such a lovely day, and for all the messages, comments, voicemails, cards and sweet gifts, they each made me feel so special and I am truly thankful!
Here's to what just may be the happiest year of my life! :)

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