The Fourth

{it wouldn't be a birthday without ice cream (my favorite) cake}

Although it's not a Monday, last night felt like a Sunday (this week has been so strange with the holiday in the middle) so here's an update of the last couple days festivities. What I thought was going to be a lackluster birthday after getting a laundry list of fabricated excuses from my friends, Tuesday night ended up being one of the best *surprise* birthday celebrations ever pulled off...recognizing I could be biased of course.  The Fourth was spent doing exactly what you're supposed to do on The Fourth...eating, drinking and watching fireworks. And finally last night headed down to Battery Park City for River & Blues, which you should DEFINITELY go to if you live in NYC (Thursdays in July, 7-8:30 pm Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park). Hope you had a great holiday and even better weekend. TGIF!

{some of my favorite people at Randolph Beer}

{Shelby & I}

{never a dull moment with The Lucys}

{my partner in crime for the week}

{a looong boozy girls brunch on the Fourth}

{before an Upper West Side BBQ later that afternoon}

{dinner along the water at Boat Basin}

{birthday pie and push ups}

{before heading down to the water for the Macy's fireworks spectacular}

{and finishing with perhaps one of the best blues bands ever (here with Tamar Korn) along the Hudson River}

Happy Birthday to America & Me

pics via A Lovely Escape

I'm off to Chicago to spend the Fourth of July, which also so happens to be my Birthday. The weekend is full with fun activities including a rooftop birthday party to watch the fireworks on the 2nd, Cubs / White Sox rooftop game on the 3rd and friend's bbq on the Fourth before heading down to my hometown for the little bro's High School graduation party the following weekend. I'll have a couple scheduled posts but until then, take 'er easy!

xx,

Shanelé