7/13 - Happy National French Fry Day!

UPDATE: Hot potato!  What delicious fun.  Us 6 girls ate up our Pomme Frites with a fury, so fast that the guy at the counter gave us more sauces to try and a whole extra order, for free!  We liked the Parmesan Peppercorn, thought the Especial tasted just like normal mayo, and the Sweet Chili had a bit of a plum flavor.  Perfect way to celebrate today: ).  Thanks for meeting up!!

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Though it's likely a big a marketing ploy, I do enjoy days/months dedicated to specific foods -- Sweet Potato Month (Feb 2011), National Burger Month (May 2011), Pancake Day (Mar 8, 2011)...check out this calendar of all the random things to celebrate! -- and today we get to celebrate French Fries!  Let's go to Pomme Frites tonight!: )

July 13, 2010 is National French Fries Day


Oh how we love those deep-fried strips of potato we know more commonly as french fries (or "chips" in England). The Belgians claim to have invented french fries, but no one knows for sure.

According to a Belgian historian, french fries date back to the 1600s when the inhabitants of a region formerly known as the Spanish Netherlands (currently Belgium) had the custom of accompanying their meals with small fried fish. When the river froze and they could not fish they turned to potatoes which they cut lengthwise and fried in oil. The term "French" was introduced during World War I when soldiers arrived and tasted the fries. They called them "French" as it was the official language of the Belgian Army at the time.

Today, we have many variations of french fries. Waffle fries, curly fries, sweet potato fries, shoestring fries -- what's your favorite? Whatever variation you prefer, chances are you'll be eating them away from home like most Americans. In fact, one fast-food chain's famous fries are so popular, they have their own Facebook page with more than half a million fans!

So hit up the drive-thru and super size your order to celebrate National French Fries Day!
(via MyPunchBowl.com)

Apparently, it's also National Ice Cream Month and National Grilling Month too - fun fun!

FREE Chick-Fil-A Friday!

Finally, Chick-Fil-A in NYC!!  Well, even if it is for a day: ).  It's seriously the best chicken sandwich in the world.

Follow the CFA truck on twitter as they stop at a few locations today FRIDAY 7/9 to give out FREE sandwiches to the first 300 people: http://twitter.com/ChickfilA


First stop announced: 11AM @ Nat'l Museum of History!  Check back for more locations.


My friday wish...is to each a Chick-Fil-A sandwich!!

NYRewind: LA!

What I was up to in LA all last week...

WORK PLAY
LAFF 2010, @ one of our red carpet premieres with a certain vampire/werewolf's girl...: )

PLAY PLAY
Shout out to BEN C. for all the restaurant and fun recommendations all week - you're the best!  So wonderful to see friends from GA, Chicago, NY and eat delicious food (In-n-Out, Cafe Was, Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, El Chulo, C&O, Korean BBQ, Urth Caffe...)!

Summer Swingin' - Let's go!

Just picking a few days I can go dancing and enjoy live music @ Midsummer's Night Swing/Lincoln Center - come meet up!  There's only about a week and a half left - it's over on 7/17!  Takes place 730p-10p.  Tix are required to dance closer to the band, but we like it fine and FREE on the outside floor!

• WED 7/7 - Big Band Swing w/ JC Hopkins Biggish Band - today!
• THURS 7/8 - Bhangra w/ DJ Rekha
• WED 7/14 - Swing w/ Catherine Russell and the Cat and the Hounds Swing Band
• FRI 7/16 - Salsa on 2 w/ La Excelencia

How to: Shakespeare in the Park

Shakespeare in the Park is one of my favorite NY events because it encompasses so many essentials of a true NY experience - waiting in line for senseless hours, meeting strangers/making new friends, Central Park, picnics, great theater and acting, celebrities...and of course, FREE. (see our fun HERE, from last year with Anna Hathaway!)

This year, the two shows are "The Merchant of Venice" (ft. Al Pacino!) and "Winter's Tale". For schedule and more information, click HERE.

Today, July 5, 2010, Teresa, Cameron, Melissa, and I braved the crowds once again and came out victorious. Since I have 3 years experience under my belt now, thought it would be helpful to share some tips I've picked up...and some pics from our adventure this morning.

LOCATION AND TIME

• Central Park officially opens at 6am, but us free-lovers go early early to get in the line to get into the park - the entrance is at 81st st and Central Park West (B/C to 81st St or 1 to 79th St).  
• Common sense says that an hour earlier would be sufficient, but we say kick common sense out of the park...and go around 1AM. You can be sure there are people crazier than you.  We also think that by going earlier in the night/morning, you can still get in some sleep (pick a flat bench, your back will thank you), instead of having to wake up at the odd hours of 3 or 4am.
• Be sure to set your alarm for around 545AM, so you wake up in time for the line to start moving into the park at 6AM.
• Once inside the park, they will line you up in front of the theater. Stake your spot, and keep on sleeping until they start handing out tickets at 1PM!
• Weekdays will have less people, so you can likely go closer to 6AM and still get tickets.

WHAT TO BRING

• Sleeping bag, pillow, lots of water and snacks, a jacket for the night (it still gets a little chilly), air mattress (as you can see above), chairs, sunscreen, cameras, games...and patience!  
• See the example below.

OTHER TIPS

• Definitely grab some friends and go together. It not only makes the 12 or so hours more tolerable and fun, but it's also safer.
• Bathroom breaks are allowed.
• Food can be ordered from 2 places, but Andy's Deli is cheaper - get the # from the guys managing the line (they do a good job).
• If you are at or near the Rock of Hope, you still have a good chance!
• Make friends with your neighbors, because they can vouch for you if any issues come up.
• Each person gets 2 tickets, FYI!
• Visitors (with fro-yo) are always welcomed, but note they can't stay and get a tix (but we do our best to give them on of our extras: ). We love them!

TWO OTHER OPTIONS

• I know spending all night in Central Park is not possible for everyone - so you can also try these:
• Standby line - go around 4PM near the theater to get in line. These seats will be distributed close to the show start time (8p), and while they are not together, they usually are better seats. 1 tix per person.
• Virtual line - submit your name thru the website on the day of the show you want to attend, and see if you get picked! I can confirm from 2 different people that it works.

Have any other tips to share? Let me know! I do hope you go at least once, because it's so much fun! I plan to see Winter's Tale soon, if you're interested in joining. ENJOY!

Happy 4th!! And Next Adventure Mon 7/5!

I'm back from all my travels, finally!  Very quickly, the next adventure!

We're going to do Shakespeare in the Park tomorrow, since we get a day off (yay!), so if you do too, come join us in line @ Central Park bright and early (around 5am) to get the FREE tix!  It's one of my favorite NY experiences, and we get to spend just about all day together, so I'd love for you to join.  We're waiting in line for Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", starring Al Pacino!  More details HERE.

• EMAIL ME for meeting place and time!

Have a great 4th of July today - eat lots, hang out with friends (and give them hugs for being amazing), watch fireworks, and be thankful for everything we have!

NYRewind: My 12 in. for Wigs for Kids!

As some of you know, I've been thinking about donating my hair after ballroom competition season ended, and yesterday (wow, was it really only yesterday?  it feels like so much has happened this weekend!), I happened to have a free afternoon, so in the morn I called up the salon I've been considering for a while (good reviews on Yelp, plus they're very donation friendly), made an appt, and did it!! 

I went to the trendy Bloom Beauty Lounge in Chelsea and met with stylist Justin Born, who did an incredible job...and was so nice to get to know too.  It was such a fun experience overall!  And it went something like this...

BEFORE:

Cutting off the 12 in. from the back...and shorter and shorter it goes!

And AFTER! ta da!

 

This is the shortest I've ever gotten it (the back, at least), and I didn't have anything specific I wanted, but it turned out better than I imaginged!  Thanks so much, Justin!!  I really love my new true NY haircut, and it was great to show it off to my friends right away later that evening and this morning...and is the perfect new look for this new 25 year old: ).  It was half off of a normal cut, so it was a nice deal for a good cause too.

Here you go, Wigs for Kids - thanks for giving me an opportunity to donate!  If you have long hair (8-12 in, depending on where you donate) - I encourage you to do it too!