The lovely people behind The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf  are celebrating their 45^th anniversary this month and in honor of this milestone, they’re giving away $5 dollar gift cards! The card can be used to purchase any handcrafted beverage or retail item. If there isn’t a Coffee Bean in your area, use it online to purchase things like coffees, teas and Ice Blended kits! So… there’s not a Coffee Bean in my area - which I’m bummed about. But I’m giving away 3 $5 gift cards to YOU LUCK READERS anyways. So just leave a comment below before Wednesday, October 15 (9am EST),  and I’ll pick the winners. Announced next Wednesday. Good luck!

Hi everyone - this isn’t a food post (obviously), but just an FYI that I’m going to be selling a bunch of items on eBay over the next couple of weeks. I did some hardcore spring cleaning (except it’s fall) and I bit the bullet and decided to give up bags I’ve never used, shoes I’ve never worn, and clothes that STILL HAVE TAGS ON THEM! I’ve even giving up my favorite HOT PINK dancing shoes b/c I’m not cool enough to wear them anymore. I’m not an eBay selling pro yet, so I’m doing it a little at a time so I don’t make any mistakes. But feel free to check the site often to see what I’ve cleaned out of my closet. And to ask me any questions I’ve got good stuff coming down the pike once I figure out how to ship it all! (Any tips are appreciated.)

To see all my stuff: click here. 

Here’s an example - the Usher for Her perfume that I got (and… I’m allergic to all scented things like perfume, soap, lotion, etc.) So have at it!

From Eater:

Shopsin’s has introduced a new burger, inspired by everyone’s favorite late night TV host: “Added last week after Shopsin’s appearance on Late Night With Conan O’Brien is the Conan Burger. In the spirit of Shopsin’s macaroni and cheese pancakes, it is a cheeseburger combined with pancakes and served with real maple syrup and hot sauce. This combination actually works.” [SE]

I had dinner with J last Friday night at yummy LES Italian spot, ‘inoteca. When we found out there would be a 2 hour wait (damn LES!), we decided to sit outside where there were tons of open tables. Why so many outdoor tables you ask? Because we were smack dab in the middle of a Gossip Girls shoot. Superbright lights and burly grips yelling at each other–just another romantic Friday date dinner. And then I realized–being a potential bystander to a Gossip Girls shoot is the closet I’ll ever come to actually living the Gossip Girl lifestyle. Hrmph… Anyway–the Truffle Toast with Egg is amazing (see photo)… order it the next time you go!

Hahahaha! Michelle Obama is going to be a guest on Paula Deen’s Food Network show, Paula’s Party, on Saturday Sept 20 at 7pm. If you’ve EVER seen this program, you know that it’s chock full of butter, sugar, and sexual innuendos. How many times do you think Paula’s going to be inappropriate about our future husband and his wife? Let’s play a drinking game.

Check this out: It’s called Foodzie and it’s like Etsy for food (homemade treats sold online)! They have tons of really yummy things, like the beautiful chocolates above.

How hysterical are these pro-high fructose corn syrup ads? Baffling. And what the hell is that weird purple liquid that they’re giving their kids?

This is gross–check out the list of old-time ads. Really? Did anyone ever see this ad and think: “Must get me some sausage!” Thanks VSL for the disturbing links!

Apparently Sunday was the last day for the classic Astroland at Coney Island. I’m really glad that J and I took the time to get there, ride the Cyclone (amazing!), and eat a Nathan’s on the boardwalk. Though, I must say–kinda gross.

Just got an email from Frankies 17 Sputino (on Clinton St) that they’re starting to offer their brunch menu along with their regular lunch/dinner menu 7 days a week from 11am til 4pm.  And, they’re adding a couple of items, including: the Egg, Bacon & Cheese Sandwich, Homemade Steel Cut Oatmeal & Fruit and a selection of pastries from Ceci Cela; and coffee from Stumptown Coffee Roasters. For the full menu

FRENCH TOAST & CANADIAN MAPLE SYRUP $10
-Thick cut Grandaisy filone bread & fresh fruit-

ORGANIC EGG, AGED PROVOLONE &
THICK CUT BACON SANDWICH $10
 -Served on Grandaisy Pizza Bianca –

STEEL CUT OATS WITH FRUIT $6
-Homemade oatmeal served with fruit & maple syrup-

FRANKIES B.L.T. $9
-Thick cut bacon, tomato, romaine lettuce & Hellmanns mayo
 served on Grandaisy Pizza Bianca-

FRANKIES’ HOMEMADE GRANOLA $7
-Served with Yogurt & Fruit-

FRITTATA $9
-available on Saturdays & Sundays only-
-Served room temp with mixed greens-
SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI RABE
-or-
VEGETABLE