THE FUNNEST BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR ANY AGE!

“Who says you can’t turn 60 and eat your cake too?” was the wording on the invitation.  Well, certainly not ME -- and now I totally stand by that.  And this birthday celebration was indeed all about the cake (and cupcakes, too, for that matter).

Way back in the spring of last year, I was visiting a favorite client and got the idea that this ingenious venue was not just for the kiddies.  I have had the pleasure of doing business with Duff's Cakemix since it opened in 2012.

That is a Duff's cake for Hofstra U --
daughter Hannah's alma mater.

 You might know the name Duff Goldman -- as in the Food Network's Ace of Cakes. Well, not only is there now a Charm City Cakes West in addition to the original Baltimore location, but there is the most wonderful design studio right next store, at the corner of Melrose and "Sweet"zer in West Hollywood. The only way to explain it is to call it "Color Me Mine" for cake decorating.  If that doesn't ring a bell, then I'll explain that people go in and select from different sizes of cakes or a set of cupcakes (already baked), pick their flavor (including gluten free and kosher on request), frosting or fondant, and selections from the goodie bar. How impossibly fun is that?   As a side note, Duff's found my company through a Google search (can you say "Search Engine Optimization"?) and it has been a great relationship ever since.  I was already a huge Ace of Cakes fan, so I knew this company would be so much fun to work with -- and it has indeed been amazing to watch them grow!

All the tools ...

Frosting colors galore

And why should only the kiddies be doing this?  Well, in my mind turning 60 should be nothing but fun ... and this indeed was all about the fun.  There were 20 of my nearest and dearest family and friends there for lunch first (love Joan's on Third for catering!) and a bit of rose' wine before we got down to business.   

The patient staff had us select 4 cupcakes each (chocolate, vanilla, marble, lemon poppy seed, confetti or GF), with all the accouterments for decorating set out on the tables.   They then explained how to roll out the fondant and guided us to the endless selection of cutters, knives, and all kinds of other tools.  

Sister #1 Margie rocked it!! 

The biggest surprise of the day?  The incredible creations from my guests!! Who knew they were such capable decorators?   And, boy, did they get into it ... so much intensity and so much fun!  After it was all over, each guest was given a box to safely transport their cupcakes home where I've heard they didn't last too long.

Sister #2 Janie going for the Patriots' theme lower right!  

Hannah's Olaf (from the movie Frozen)

Friend of almost 3 decades Julie Shuer 

So when all was said and done, not only did we have a great time but there was a lot of love felt there.  My opinion is that when you get to be a certain age, it is all about the company you keep, and I have become pretty selective. Everyone in this group is very special to me, and I so appreciated them being there and the kind words said and conveyed.   Makes the whole damn aging thing not so bad!

With daughter Hannah

My mom is A-mazing!

No comment, other than to say
"What happens at Duff's ... "

F&F (friends & family!)

Love my travel bag from Judy!!

Having a blast at "60" -- thank you Kathy for the glasses!!

2014 BEGINS WITH NEW YORK CITY CELEBRATION

I can’t think of a better way to start off this year’s postings than with the story of my 60^th birthday celebration … the self-annointed “national holiday” of January 8^th was duly commemorated this year with a quick trip to New York City followed by the most fun birthday party ...


The linchpin for this particular trip (other than my big day) was an exhibit at the Met.  Since the hubby and I had already enjoyed a week in Mexico as a joint celebration (see my previous post), having a second birthday trip seemed a bit indulgent. BUT, since this exhibit is only running until March, and early-January travel works in spite of the record cold, the trip was on!

I found a reasonable "hacker" fare via Kayak, which sounds bad but is actually the bundling of fares from two different carriers (outbound on Delta and return on Jet Blue).  I didn't want to burn AA miles -- the travel Gods will tell you to save the miles for the REALLY big trips -- but rather opted to spend a few extra $$ on more legroom plus priority boarding and free baggage privileges.   In spite of a rather inauspicious start -- a major delay out of LAX having nothing to do with weather -- all turned out well once we finally got to our destination.

You know how some people waste time by channel surfing or playing electronic solitaire (guilty!) or other mindless activities?  Well, some might consider my endless looking for a better hotel than the one(s) I've booked as a waste of time.  Especially in a place like NYC where so little time is spent in the room, why needlessly fret over the accommodations? I want clean (goes without saying) and a great bed, roominess, service, location and a "reasonable" rate ... too much to ask?  The winner this trip: The Park Lane on Central Park South.  We had a terrific park view, big clean room, plus a delish continental breakfast for only $1 more!!  And being around the corner from Bergdorf's was certainly a plus in my mind. 

View from the room

Earrings by JAR

The exhibit I mentioned at the Met featured the remarkable work of the NY-born/Paris-based jeweler Joel A. Rosenthal -- aka JAR.  His sought-after and coveted pieces have rarely been shown to the public.  Read all about him and the exhibit here.  Suffice to say, it was well worth the journey to see his works of art ... although some of the pieces are so large that I can only imagine wearing them might weigh one down.  I should only have the chance.

As for the dining choices while in this culinary mecca, a great deal of time was also spent on that ... the hubby went a bit nuts after I co-opted his Open Table account as well as mine for booking/changing/cancelling a number of choices depending upon my mood at the time. Feeling emboldened to pull out all the stops, I consulted both Michelin-starred restaurants plus Forbes Magazine's 2013 List of All-Star eateries. If nothing else, I will be able to look back on this time feeling certain no stone was left unturned (an understatement to say the least).  The surprise in this endeavor was how many top restaurants were booked a month in advance, in freezing early January, mid-week.  Apparently business is good in NYC.

At least a healthy lunch ..

First stop (the day before the BIG day) was the aforementioned Bergdorf's which is a shopping experience like none other. The amount of shoes in every size (and on sale) was amazing. The hubby finds a hubby chair and sits, pretending to read, but really giving unsolicited advice to women on their potential purchases.  And sometimes they even listen.  Next was lunch at Fred's located in Barneys New York on Madison Avenue.  People watching is truly an art form here and the food is actually very good.  The Met exhibit was next, followed by browsing a bit more, but it was SO cold (approximately 8 degrees) that walking around was very challenging.  

White Bean soup
(amuse bouche)

For dinner we enjoyed Ai Fiori on 5th at 37th Street (in the Langham Hotel complex).  It was quiet, elegant and delicious.   The evening was capped off by meeting a friend for after-dinner drinks ...

Roasted halibut on apple puree 

Agnolotti with veal parcels; butternut squash sauce

Starting the day before

Laurent Perrier "Cuvee Rose"

And now on to the BIG day.  I'll backtrack a bit to say I have forever been a devoted reader of the New York Social Diary.  I have loved reading about parties and fashion and society since W Magazine debuted (early '70's) and tracked Jackie O's every move.  This site keeps me informed and entertained, and I know from reading that Michael's is the place certain NY'ers go for lunch every Wednesday, so the choice was simple for me. Brilliant restaurateur Michael McCarty greets every table -- whether you're a regular or not.  That was a very welcoming part of the experience. Plus meeting NYSD founder David Columbia, together with his dining companion, well-known Vanity Fair contributor Jesse Kornbluth, was just wonderful.  I even enjoyed a few minutes of internet fame the next day .. 

Mache, beets, marcona almonds

Wonderful roasted chicken

After browsing every shop on Madison Avenue, it was on to the dinner at Daniel.  I have previously written about my love of Chef Daniel Boulud, and have enjoyed dining in NY and Beijing at his establishments. What made this particularly memorable (besides the food) were two things:  a wonderful friend and client surprised me with a gift delivered to the table of Daniel's book -- inscribed to me! -- plus encountering the chef himself on our way out. Timing is everything.  A blessedly uneventful flight home the next morning was a wonderful end to this trip.

Tuna with salsify and sweet potato

One of the fabulous desserts ... 

Part 2 (if you can imagine there's more) will follow -- I must share about the aforementioned funnest party!