Crumbs Cupcake of the Week – Happy Birthday

Resembles a Dr Suess version of Sunny side eggs doesn’t it? 

What do Jenna Fisher, Rachel Weisz, and Piet Mondrian all have in common? They were all born today on March 7th!

So go out and celebrate by going to Crumbs for this week’s new Cupcake of the Week – “Happy Birthday.” It’s like a Funfetti baby: a vanilla cupcake filled with a vanilla and rainbow sprinkle mix, edged with more rainbow sprinkles and topped with a yellow rosette.

The fun thing about Funfetti is the fact that the cake batter has sprinkles in it, which Crumbs does not forget to do.

Happy (belated) Birthday to our celebrities. Or have a very happy unbirthday to you.

Locations:
(Brooklyn Heights)
109 Montague Street
Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
T 718-935-9600
(Garment Center)
1385 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
T 212-764-7100
(Grand Central)
420 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10170
T 212-297-0500
(Broadway)
1675 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
T 212-399-3100
(Bryant Park)
43 West 42nd St
New York, NY 10036
T 212 221 1500
(Lexington Avenue)
1418 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10128
T 212 360 7200
(Madison Avenue)
501 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022
T 212 750 0515
(The Village)
37 East 8th St
New York, NY 10003
T 212 673 1500
(Third Ave)
880 Third Ave
New York, NY 10022
T 212-355-6500
(Union Square)
124 University Place
New York, NY 10003
T 212 206 8011
(Upper East Side)
1379 Third Ave
New York, NY 10075
T 212 794 9800
(Upper West Side)
350 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10024
(Wall Street)
87 Beaver St
New York, NY 10005
T 212 480 7500
(East Hampton, Long Island)
35 Newtown Ln
East Hampton, NY 11937
T 631 329 4883
(Huntington, Long Island)
11 Wall St
Huntington, NY 11743
T 631 421 4500
(Woodbury, Long Island)
8285 Jericho Turnpike
Woodbury, NY 11797
T 516-224-4542
T 212 712 9800

The Next Andy Warhol : Armory Show

Anyone pass by Times Square recently and noticed any new additions? I’m not talking about the tourists or latest brand name store that opened up. Or the guy begging for money for weed.

I’m referring to the flock of sheep that seems to have lost their Bo-Peep.

As part of the Armory Show at Piers 92 and 94, Kyu Seok Oh created a sculpture of a flock of sheep as part of the show at the Park Armory

The Art Show brings thousands of pieces ranging from 19th-20th century to more modern art, including a sculpture of meat made out of wood.

So bring your sketchbook, camera, or journal and be inspired to create! Or if you prefer to stay in the more central areas, check out sculptures at Duffy Square, between 46th and 47th Street, and, of course Times Square. And while you are allowed to take pictures, pet, and hug the sheep – please do not practice your kickboxing moves on the sheep.

The Armory Show
March 3 – 6, 2011
12 Avenue at 55th Street
New York, NY

Hours:
Thursday, March 3 – Saturday, March 5 Noon to 8 pm
Sunday, March 6 Noon to 7 pm

Admission
General: $30
Students: $10
Groups (10+) US$15
Purchase online or at the show.

Gotta Catch ‘Em All

If you’re heading to New York City and are a hardcore gamer, then your #1 stop has to be at Nintendo World at Rockefellar, Nintendo’s official retail store.

Not only can you play and buy games, but you can see thier mini-museum corner. They have relics of Nintendo’s past, including a classic Nintendo system to special edition Gameboys to a handheld Gameboy Color that survived the war.

However that’s not all. The store also holds exclusive launch parties and events, where you can also buy games before their official release.

And if your in the area tomorrow, the Nintendo World is having a launch party for the release of Pokemon Black and White. From 3-6PM, you’ll get to participate in trivia contests, battle with other Pokemon trainers, admire Pokemon art, take a picture with Pikachu, and the real reason why you’re going: to buy Pokemon Black or Pokemon White (or both if you are that hardcore).

You’ll even get a shot at getting the legendary Victini.  If you are a fan of getting swag, Nintendo will be giving out Pokemon Black and White t-shirts for those early birds who simply can’t wait.

Are video games not your thing? Don’t be an idler and stuck on the bench while your other half is fawning over all the Pokemon cosplayers – go ice skating at famous Rockefellar Rink.

Pokemon Black and White Launch Party
March 5th, 2011
3-6PM
Nintendo World
10 Rockefellar Center
New York, NY 10020

Tokyo Girls Collection Goes Livestreaming

While New York Fashion Week is restricted to mainly press, designers, and celebrities (and the occasional six-degrees of seperation), the Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC) is a fashion festival in Japan dedicated to street fashion brands (mostly gal/gyaru but Japanese fashion nonetheless) modelled by the people who wear it. And in addition to press, etc, it is opened to the general public!

This year Google partnered with TGC and is going to stream the entire show live through an official Youtube Channel.

What does this exactly mean? At 2PM in Tokyo (around 1AM Eastern), Youtube will be streaming the entire festival as it happens for 7 hours.  Which means you can pull an all-nighter for the sake of fashion.

So heat up some popcorn, Redbull (or whatever you drink for that caffeine high), and countdown to Tokyo Girls Collection S/S 2011!

Sunday Brunch: Sip Sak

New York City is a very convenient place for anyone who is hungry anytime, anywhere because there is always a slew of restaurants to choose from.

What people may not know is that if you step off the main streets like Broadway, you arrive in the New Yorker’s area of the city: a quieter, residential but still have that urban feel.

With so many restaurants in the area is best to choose based on a roulette method: walk along the street until one strikes your fancy.

It’s a method that’s especially useful when you are unsure of what do about brunch on a late Sunday morning after one last skate around The Pond at Bryant Park.

If you’re wanting brunch, but want something different, Sip Sak should be on your list. Their sage green doors and mirror-framed menus outside will entice you to try their food on impulse.

And it won’t disappoint.

It’s a Turkish restaurant located on the upper part of Midtown along 2nd Avenue.

The menu was pretty simple and explanatory for those unfamiliar with Turkish cuisine. With items like Sahanda Sucuklu Yumurta (eggs with spiced lamb) or Kasarli, Sucuklu Tost (panini with cheese and spiced lamb sausage) you really can’t go wrong. Or if you’re a burger person and want to be a just a little adventurous, try a Lamb Burger.

The Turkish tea was certainly a refresher after being quite comfortable with the taste of English Breakfast or Earl Grey. It was perfectly hot to the touch (just the way I like) and in a cute tulip-shaped cup. The light smoky flavor lifted my tastebuds to imagine drinking in a teahouse at the side of a bazaar.

If you are more of a coffee person, Turkish coffee is very much like a shot of espresso, except much stronger.

The waiters were attentive, and the food arrived as soon as our side of hummus and bread were nothing but crumbs. Although I had an omelette with mushrooms, peppers and onions, it came with home fries and a salad. The price is average for a Manhattan restaurant, but considering it was my first time at Sip Sak, I’ll be sure to be coming back with friends.

(Note: While Turkish cuisine highly favors meat-lovers, Sip Sak does have vegetarian options.)

Sip Sak
928 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10017
Neighborhood: Midtown East
(212) 583-1900

Double Dipping at Crumbs

March is certainly arriving like a lion. Crumbs unveiled two new cupcakes – one for the Cupcake of the Week, and Cupcake of the Month.

This week’s cupcake should definitely go with the phrase “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” I mean how can you go wrong with food that has a smiley face on it? Especially when it’s a vanilla cupcake with chocolate-flavored cream cheese filling. Frosting is vanilla with yellow sanding sugar.

Crumbs was in the mood to honor St. Patrick early. Irish Cream is a coffee soaked cupcake topped with Irish Cream cream frosting, rimmed in chocolate sprinkles, and an espresso-flavored cream rosette. It doesn’t matter if you’re Irish or wearing green, but you’ll definitely feel lucky to have eaten this cupcake.

So skip the coffee and go straight for breakfast with two very delicious cupcakes.

That half hour of Wii Fit can wait until tomorrow.
Locations:
(Brooklyn Heights)
109 Montague Street
Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
T 718-935-9600

(Garment Center)
1385 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
T 212-764-7100

(Grand Central)
420 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10170
T 212-297-0500

(Broadway)
1675 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
T 212-399-3100

(Bryant Park)
43 West 42nd St
New York, NY 10036
T 212 221 1500

(Lexington Avenue)
1418 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10128
T 212 360 7200

(Madison Avenue)
501 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022
T 212 750 0515

(The Village)
37 East 8th St
New York, NY 10003
T 212 673 1500

(Third Ave)
880 Third Ave
New York, NY 10022
T 212-355-6500

(Union Square)
124 University Place
New York, NY 10003
T 212 206 8011

(Upper East Side)
1379 Third Ave
New York, NY 10075
T 212 794 9800

(Upper West Side)
350 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10024

(Wall Street)
87 Beaver St
New York, NY 10005
T 212 480 7500

(East Hampton, Long Island)
35 Newtown Ln
East Hampton, NY 11937
T 631 329 4883

(Huntington, Long Island)
11 Wall St
Huntington, NY 11743
T 631 421 4500

(Woodbury, Long Island)
8285 Jericho Turnpike
Woodbury, NY 11797
T 516-224-4542
T 212 712 9800

Musty Dusty Love

So much to do this weekend and not enough of me to go around.

It’s the last weekend of ice skating at CitiPond in Bryant Park, the City Bakery’s Hot Chocolate Festival ends Monday (with flavors like Tropical Hot Chocolate, Happy Hot Chocolate, and Surprise Finale Hot Chocolate), and the Museum of the Moving Image is screening 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

All things that pique my curiousity, but what’s number one on my to-do list? The Greenwich Village Antiquarian Book Fair.


Running through Sunday at P.S. 3 John Melser Charrette School, this is the 32nd annual edition of the event, which draws old timey book sellers from around the country to Manhattan.  All proceeds from the fair support P.S. 3 and the Greenwich Village community.

Here are some of the highlights for sale at the Antiquarian Book Fair.

  • Oliver Twist – First Edition (1846) bound in Scarlet Morocco Leather
  • The Catcher in the Rye – UK First Edition (1951) bound in Blue Morocco Leather
  • James and the Giant Peach – First Edition (1961)
  • The Works of Edgar Allan Poe – First Edition (1894) with Art Nouveau Poppies in Gilt on Covers and Spine Strips
If you like roaming through old book stores and libraries, or just like the smell of really old books head to P.S. 3. 

The Greenwich Village Antiquarian Book Fair
February 25 – 27, 2011
P.S. 3 John Melser Charrette School
490 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014

Hours: Saturday, February 26th 12-6PM
       Sunday, February 27th 12-5PM
Admission $7/$5

Crumbs Cupcake of the Week – Gone Bananas

Ever crave bananas but hate that to have that filling feeling after eating one? Gone Bananas is a cupcake that will still make you feel full but also give sweet delicious taste in your mouth.

A marble cupcake filled with chocolate fudge, topped with banana cream cheese frosting, and rimmed with chocolate chips. And the best part? Instead of a cherry on top you have banana chips.

So go bananas with this week’s Crumbs’ Cupcake of the Week, and check out more sweet deals on Twitter.

(Note: Beware of cute babies dressed as monkeys. Don’t let their evil plan to steal your cupcake fool you.)

Locations:
(Brooklyn Heights)
109 Montague Street
Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
T 718-935-9600

(Garment Center)
1385 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
T 212-764-7100

(Grand Central)
420 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10170
T 212-297-0500

(Broadway)
1675 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
T 212-399-3100

(Bryant Park)
43 West 42nd St
New York, NY 10036
T 212 221 1500

(Lexington Avenue)
1418 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10128
T 212 360 7200

(Madison Avenue)
501 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10022
T 212 750 0515

(The Village)
37 East 8th St
New York, NY 10003
T 212 673 1500

(Third Ave)
880 Third Ave
New York, NY 10022
T 212-355-6500

(Union Square)
124 University Place
New York, NY 10003
T 212 206 8011

(Upper East Side)
1379 Third Ave
New York, NY 10075
T 212 794 9800

(Upper West Side)
350 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10024

(Wall Street)
87 Beaver St
New York, NY 10005
T 212 480 7500

(East Hampton, Long Island)
35 Newtown Ln
East Hampton, NY 11937
T 631 329 4883

(Huntington, Long Island)
11 Wall St
Huntington, NY 11743
T 631 421 4500

(Woodbury, Long Island)
8285 Jericho Turnpike
Woodbury, NY 11797
T 516-224-4542
T 212 712 9800

I feel like I should eat this cupcake like a Tootsie Pop. What do you think?

Literature for that Fashion Confidence Boost

Sometimes wearing Lolita is not enough to get you to take that step out that door to the outside world. Wearing clothes that are beyond your plain t-shirt and jeans combo is weird to other people. And wearing Lolita makes you appear like you’re from another planet.

Even before you look into that mirror to see if your headbow is straight or if your pettioat has enough poof, I recommend these three books to build confidence:

Fierce Style – This book surprised me as it was not only a fashion memoir/biography of the youngest Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano, but held down-to-earth, real advice (yes, really) on what to wear and how to wear clothes that flatter woman of all shapes and sizes. And you can find it at H&M, along Fifth Avenue, and of course, by Christian Siriano.

Eccentric Glamour – Ever walk by Barney’s and see those window displays and wonder who is crazy enough to come up with them? Simon Doonan was the creative director behind those insane displays that bordered between fashion and modern art. In his latest book, his witty personality and bold confidence will surely convince anyone wanting to try their hand at Lolita fashion and just go for it.

Hungry: A Young Model’s Story of Appetite, Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves – Crystal Renn is a model. And like all models she had to live up to the image of thin is beautiful. As a result she suffered from anorexia nervosa. Then she decided to just be herself and is now a size 12, happy, and still a sought after model. Hungry is her journey hungry to happy to be who she really is.

All of these books can be found in your local bookstore.

The Mystery (Bag) of Anna Sui Revealed! Plus In-Store Event 2/17

I cannot tell you how much I adore Anna Sui. With her hippie florals, sophisticated but poppy prints, and gothic twist on everything she has become one of my favorite designers. And her entire makeup line is bold and subtle with just a hint of roses (including the nail polish!).

So what better way to spend some leftover Christmas/New Year’s gift cards than invest it in a Anna Sui New Year’s “Mystery Bag.” Like any lucky pack it had a selection of makeup products but you’re unsure what will be inside.


In my case I received:

  • 2 eyeliner kohl pencils (red orange and green)
  • liquid eyeliner (chick yellow)
  • liquid eyecolor/eyeshadow (shimmery slate gray)
  • 2 nail colors (red and sea green)
  • makeup pouch and brush set 
For a total of $200 worth of products at a just $95, it was a quite steal! And I intend to use most of it.

The pencils not so much as I’m very plain Jane with eyeliner, using mostly neutral shades or classic black. However the yellow eyeliner I’ve discovered is more of a tint so it would be good for highlighting a dark eyeshadow. The light grey eye shadow could be used anytime, casual or for a night out (good for a smoky eyes).

As for nail polish do you really need a reason for having more nail polish? Mix, match or just paint your toes.

Finally, it was very nice bonus to find a makeup pouch that came with three brushes: one for blush, one for shadow, and one for lips. (Note: the pouch has a secret bottom pocket for brushes only. What could get better than this?

But wait, there’s more.
Anna Sui will be having an in-store party to unveal a new lip gloss color on Thursday, February 17th from 6-8PM. Whether it is because of New York Fashion Week or just simply perfect timing, it’s a good excuse to get some more makeup and have a chance to meet Anna Sui herself!

Not to mention dress up.  And grab another mystery bag. I hope to see you there.

Anna Sui
26 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 941-8406