Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii you guys. In case you missed the memo, last month was a big month for me. It was the 10 year anniversary of this l'il site, it was my own personal birthday, and I bought a house in Philadelphia. Yup! It was a Very Big Month.
I thought I'd give you a little update about what's going on in my life, how bout that?
At this point, it's been just about a month since I actually departed Asheville. Given how much has happened, it seems like much longer since I left Asheville in a blaze of sparkling cocktail glory (this was my little going away party!)
...but according to the calendar it was just August 13 that I packed up my little car and drove north to my new house.
My last sweet treat in Asheville, in case you were wondering, was some soft serve from Frostbite Ice Cream. Rainbow sprinkles, natch and ALWAYS.
While usually I love stopping at Dairy Corner in Winchester VA for some soft serve on my way...
there was no time for the luxury of stopping on this trip, so instead, my snack/dinner ended up looking something like this:
ARRIVED! On August 14, I had my closing. Here's my sweet little house in Philadelphia, BTW.
Hello, Philadelphia!
You know, when I arrived, I think the city was happy to see me:
Since I have arrived, I've been discovering plenty of awesome new things, as well as re-discovering tasty treats and awesomeness that I remember from when I lived here years ago. Let's talk about some of the awesome stuff, ok?
12 awesome things, places, foods, and projects I've been enjoying in Philadelphia (in no particular order)
1. Butter cake from Flying Monkey Patisserie.
This isn't the most traditional butter cake, it's actually more like a lemon bar in its construction (a shortbread-like base). But it is crack-addictive. This butter cake is SO GOOD, people. It was one of my favorites years ago and it remains that way now. Go to Flying Monkey and get yo'self some!
2. Bassetts Ice Cream
One of the other places I used to frequent (seriously, about every other day; the only reason I didn't go every day was because I alternated with the place listed next) was, and now is again, Bassetts Ice Cream. It's one of the oldest ice cream places in not only Philadelphia but the USA, and I am addicted to their peanut butter swirl ice cream.
3. Capogiro Gelato.
I first went to Capogiro when I was in Philadelphia on my first book tour, and I was instantly hooked. Their chocolate is so rich and thick and incredible that I don't know if I can really explain it to you, I just need to tell you to get on a plane or in your car and come get some with me. The flavor I got with it here was "salted bitter almond" which was quite splendid for this salt fiend.
4. Keith Haring mural.
Those of you who follow my artwork know that I'm a massive Keith Haring fan. There's actually a big mural of his not far from my house, with a sweet little garden in front so you can sit and enjoy! This was a pleasure to visit.
5. BIRTHDAY CAKE.
I made a New Jersey detour on August 26 for my birthday, and my mom made my favorite classic birthday cake. She had misplaced her piping bag so she actually did all of the piping you see here using a freezer bag with the end cut off, which I find very impressive.
6. This new jacket.
I got this jacket at the kid's section of H&M in center city Philadelphia. Isn't it the best?
7. I made some art for my house.
I bought a cheap painting at the Goodwill and unicorned it! I was pretty pleased with the results.
8. Yoga with my sisters
I finally got one of my birthday wishes: to take yoga with both of my sisters! Here we are post-class.
9. A new painted yoga mat
I painted myself a new yoga mat. What do you think?
10. Sam's Morning Glory Diner
I couldn't imagine a finer diner! I was missing biscuits (Asheville is so rich in them!), so I hightailed it to Sam's Morning Glory Diner. If you've ever been here, you know that the biscuits are very unique (almost crumb cake like in appearance and density, if not flavor) and very delicious. If you haven't been here yet, when you go, DO NOT ORDER TOAST ONLY BISCUITS.
11. Tastykake everywhere.
I'll be honest, it's been some time since I've actually eaten a Tastykake, but I like having them all around me.
12. Butter cake, Whipped Bakeshop.
Let's repeat that same picture from the top! OMG you guys. The butter cake from Whipped Bakeshop is the BOMB. I got to visit the bakery with a friend following another cool experience, the Phila Flea Market located on the perimeter of the Eastern State Penitentiary. While I didn't find the lawn flamingo I was looking for at the market, I did score a visit with the super talented baker-owner Zoe and her husband, and she gave me some of her amazing butter cake. This version is fairly traditional, with a yeasted base. It is incredible. You'd better hightail it to this Fishtown bakery to buy some if you come to Philadelphia!
Whew! What a month it's been. There's been plenty of more good stuff going on food, friend, art-wise, but this is a nice little sampling of what I've been up to.
Stay tuned to my facebook and instagram feeds to stay up to the minute with what I'm working on and eating!