Geof Manthorne

I am a little bummed out tonight, so I need something that pleases me in any situation. Enter Ace of Cakes, and specifically the executive sous chef, Geof Manthorne. Geof checks off every item on my list of perfection. Dark hair, light eyes, tall, on the verge of death skinny, sardonic, witty, cripplingly shy, pale, hilarious, bug-eyed, sarcastic, and knows how to bake cake into highly complicated and intricate shapes. The entire cast of Ace of Cakes always seem to be on some sort of drug, but none more so than perpetually calm and unfazed Geof. That's not on my list, but he makes it work.

Ice Cream Sammies

Last summer my goal was to eat as many of Serious Eat's Top 10 Ice Cream Sandwiches that I could find. I barely made a dent, but it was a fun venture; thus far in my quest I have had the ice cream sammies that Jacques Torres, L'Arte del Gelato, Milk and Cookies and Otto have to offer. Ice cream sammies feel like enough of a special rare treat that I when I see them being offered it's hard for me to resist buying one (fun fact: I also feel this way about nail polish!). The one pictured is from the Hester St Flea, which is full of yummy finds. What better way to beat the heat?

Think Coffee

I didn't used to love Think Coffee. In fact, I resented the fact that they made you put your own milk and sugar in your coffee orders. But now that I am an iced coffee connoisseur, I am glad to customize my drink MYSELF. I gave Think a second chance, and now I absolutely love it. I love all of them, whether it be on Mercer, 4th Ave or Bowery. I loved the drinks. I love the foods. I love that they don't charge extra for soy milk. I even like the humorous messages they tape to the tip jar. It's hard for me to pass a Think and NOT get a delicious medium iced coffee to go. (by the way, did you know that Think's medium to go cup is actually bigger than the standard 16 ounces? Meaning you get more for the money? It's TRUE!)

Affogato

I had my first affrogato today from L'Arte Del Gelato in Chelsea Market. It was good, but would have been great had the minimalist scoop of vanilla gelato hadn't melted so damn quickly. I don't like feeling as though I'm in a race to finish my food. Especially not something as luxurious as a mid-day "why the hell not" 5.95$ treat. That said, it has sparked a desire in me to find the BEST affrogato in the city, and I will not rest until my mission is complete. Thanks to my dining companion for the artistically sound photo.

Flower Kiss Candy

Bought these on a whim at Pearl River Market to fill my decorative mason jar. When I first tore into one I was bummed that it was a hard candy, faintly sweetened and not the lychee jelly delight I had hoped for. But they've grown on me, and are extraordinarily addictive. I have one after every meal. Including breakfast today!

Diet Coke in the Baby Bottles

I couldn't resist picking up a six pack of these babies at my corner deli after doing some real grocery shopping. They were heavy but oh so worth it. There's nothing quite like that pop, pssst, glug glug glug in the summertime.

Butter Lane

I like cupcakes but they are not my favourite dessert. I prefer brownies or cookies or just liquid sugar poured directly into my mouth, eye sockets and ears but when lacking that, the cupcakes from Butter Lane are pretty damn good. They are also conveniently located about 4 blocks away from me! Yay! My favourite combination that I have tried thus fas is the pictured chocolate cake with strawberry icing. They have a bunch of different cakes and icings though, and you get to sample the icings on toothpicks!

Russell Brand

I'm not usually one for bad boys but Russell Brand is tall and lanky and hilarious, and thus has found a loophole in my dismissal. I know he plays the same version of himself in everything, but I happen to like his schtick and am at heart just another gullible female (with great big fallopian tubes!) ready to fall victim to his womanizing ways. I have seen him in real life twice now, once in the city and weirdly, once in Edinburgh. This leads me to believe we are meant to be together. Witness the recon evidence my associate took whilst Mr. Brand was filming the Arthur remake in the East Village earlier this month. The lank. It kills me.

My Stainless Steel Pan

Pancakes and Eggs. What can I say? I live a good life.