We all do it. Reach for that Costco size 5 pound bag of chocolate chips when we feel we've had a rough couple of da-
Oh woops. Wrong blog. No I am talking about getting older. It's your BIRTHDAY!!!! Well technically today is mine and it's awesome. It is a day to CELEBRATE! Celebrate who I am and all that I have accomplished. You hear a lot of people complaining about getting older. Lamenting their birthday instead of realizing how lucky they are to have one. When I was 22 I was in a club in Rome flirting with some guy. He asked how old I was and I told him, to which he responded, "You're old." He was eighteen. What an a**hole. But in that moment I remember a sinking feeling thinking, "Oh God. This is what everyone always talks about. Nothing to look forward to after 21. They even say women peak at 18 and I'm well past that age." What I should have been thinking was, "I paid for this entire trip to Italy at 22 years old because I am a working professional and I am damn proud of that." Screw that guy! In my early twenties, there was a small anxious voice inside of me questioning if I was ready for the approaching age. "Have I met all the requirements one is supposed to meet when said "date" arrives?" Don't get me wrong, there is still that voice which I am 1000% sure everyone has. But with every passing year, it's like I'm adding another tool to my belt to prepare me for what's to come. Here is why getting older kicks ass: 1. You have experience: You can't fake it. Genuine experience comes from living. So good job, if you're alive, you are on the right track! My best advice is to take as many risks as possible. Not like attempting to sky dive without a parachute, more like if you feel it in your bones to quit your day job and become a painter do it! I went to study abroad by myself at 21. I waved goodbye to my dad and sister at the gate thinking, "What the hell am I doing? I am going to be ALONE in a foreign country? Why did I do this!?" I sat next to an Italian doctor on the plane and when he heard what I was doing he said, "You have a lot of courage, you must be very proud!" And I was. Now, my absolute favorite thing to do is travel alone, and I have a lot of knowledge that makes each trip better than the next. 2. You have more confidence: It's hard to believe you could be good at something if you've never experienced the outcome. I went on my first commercial audition when I was 17. The script was all improvised so it was the actor's job to keep it fun and interesting. I walked in holding my headshot and shaking, and was given one line to start with. Before I knew it, I couldn't stop talking and making things up. I walked out of there with a job and the belief that I was capable of achieving my goals. 3. You Know Your Body: After YEARS of experimenting (and sometimes failing miserably) with different styles of clothes, shoes, makeup and haircuts, you know what will compliment you the best. You have your go to jeans for that date you are excited about, you know which haircut flatters your face, and what height shoe you need to take the focus off your thighs. (EFF you ballet flats!) 4. You Know Yourself: The wisdom never ends. Every day you are learning new things about who you are, what you are willing to fight for, and willing to shut up about. You know what you need out of your friendships, romantic relationships, careers and life in general. You aren't as afraid to ask for what you deserve. That raise? That date night? Those french fries?!? The need for approval is just not that important anymore. (Yes I want to be in bed early Friday for my Saturday morning spin class bugger off!) And the best part is you learn to just embrace the good, the bad and the ugly. That weird ass cowlick from childhood?! UGHHH EMBRACE IT! Things you used to stress yourself out about seem petty. You always want to look your best, but at the end of the day appearance is fleeting, and the ability to make someone laugh or feel special is a much better priority. Growin' up ain't easy. But there is so much to look forward to and hopefully you can be proud of the person you are becoming. CHEERS TO A GREAT BIRTHDAY! (You better be eating cake)
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This past November the musical I tour with headed to St. Louis to perform at the Westport Playhouse for a week. Other than passing briefly through when I was 7, I had never spent time in St. Louis and wasn’t expecting much. Since we only had shows in the evenings, we had the entire day to explore and I was truly delighted by all the great things there were to experience (and eat of course!) 1. Pappy’s Smokehouse (Memphis style BBQ) Now, now now. I’m getting a tad emotional as I write this. The meal I had at Pappy’s was some of the best BBQ I have ever laid my hands on. They have all the meats, in sandwiches, in platters whatever way you want. I got the “Pick Two,” and chose brisket and pulled pork. Just two gigantic piles of meat on tray. I also got the beans and sweet potato fries on the side. Tender is an understatement. It was all so juicy and flavorful I barely needed to put anything on it, although their Pappy’s original BBQ sauce was a phenomenal addition. The gals and I went all in on an enormous Frito pie with burnt ends. Crunchy, meaty and delicious, this Frito pie was my first and will definitely be a hard act to follow. The line gets long very quickly and they sell out fast so get there before 4! 2. Brunch at Turn If you’re looking for fresh local and delicious food, Turn has got you covered. The restaurant itself is beautiful with tall windows that allow the sunlight to shine through the entire place. (Great lighting for those insta shots!) The walls, covered in vinyl art reflect Chef David Kirkland's former DJing days. One of my favorite items on the menu was their biscuit flight. You get to try four of their house made biscuits paired with different butters and jams! Coincidentally there is a great vinyl shop upstairs (separate from the restaurant). Definitely worth checking out after brunch! Check out Turn’s menu below. 3. Head to Westport Social We performed our musical in The Westport Plaza which lucky for us is also home to the awesome bar/restaurant Westport Social. This huge industrial looking space has it all. Giant TV screens playing every football game, other TVs screening movies, a karaoke room upstairs and great food! Sit back, order a burger and enjoy the game. Or you know, Terminator 2. 4. Eat Toasted Ravioli Apparently fried ravioli, referred to as “toasted ravioli,” was created in St. Louis and is still a staple on many menus. I ordered some delicious fried lobster ravioli at Westport Social and tapped out after two. Those little guys are quite hefty. I also heard a lot about an Italian area called the Hill with great restaurants. I didn’t have a chance to check it out but there is a restaurant called Mama’s on the Hill that has a spaghetti and meatball challenge. It’s 4.5 pounds of Spaghetti with Mama’s marinara, topped with a two pound meatball. I am truly sad I missed this! If you get a chance to do this challenge let me know how it went! TO DO!5. City Museum This place is truly a work of art and and a total funhouse experience. Everything in this 600,000 square foot old shoe factory is made with recyclable materials from the city of St. Louis itself. Crawling on old chimneys, bridges, abandoned planes and beautiful multi colored tiles makes you feel like a kid again, even when you come face to face with an actual kid. Ain’t no shame! There’s a small area for a circus with extremely talented performers, a bar for adults that sell local beer you can only find in St. Louis, and my absolute favorite part, a ten story slide! Need to get to the 1st floor from the 3rd? Take a slide instead of the stairs! There’s old organs playing fun music as you duck and dive around this amazing sustainable Disneyland. Sculptor Bob Cassilly is a genius and this place is a must see. 6. Visit the Forest Park Area This beautiful plot of land is a nonprofit conservancy that is maintained through donors and volunteers. Basically it means FREE ADMISSION! I could not believe all the amazing things we had access to without paying a dime: A. The Science Center Dinosaurs, King Tut, using your mental energy to move a marble across the table? This science center had so much for kids and adults of every age to explore. Their planetarium was the only thing you had to pay for, $6 and it's worth it. Instead of seats they have mats where you can lay down as they close the lights and create a night sky full of stars. It was so cozy I woke up 20 minutes later drooling. B. The St. Louis Zoo We walked around for two hours in awe of the beautiful lions, hippos, polar bears and other glorious creatures. FOR FREE. It was also fall and the foliage was multi colored and stunning. Forest Park also includes both a history and art museum which I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to see but heard are lovely. Thanks for hanging with this starving actress!
The Big E, also known as New England’s “Great state fair” is one of the largest on the east coast and the 7th largest in the USA. This is a place that serves deep fried Kool Aid people. I eat clean regularly so I can feast on all things rolled in a ball and thrown into a deep fryer at events like this. When I heard they would be serving deep fried butter, I knew I had to take the 3 hour drive to test the limits of my heart. Here’s what to do and see at the Big E next year! Indulge in all things that would break your scale in half The Craz-E-burger - This bacon cheeseburger between a glazed donut is the sweet and savory combo that will make you click your heels together in song and dance. The cheeseburger is perfectly cooked and topped with two pieces of crisp bacon. The salty juice drips down onto the sweet glazed doughnut, and the bacon gives it that great crunchy texture. At only $7 a pop, it’s definitely a must try! Chompers Bacon Cheeseburger Balls- These deep fried balls of goodness are NOT to be missed. They are fried to PERFECTION, crisp on the outside, and filled with juicy ground beef, bacon and melted cheese on the inside. Dunk these bad boys in some ketchup and try not to go cross-eyed in ecstasy. An order of 6 came to $8. Marion’s Deep Fried Dough- This vendor is Willy Wonka’s dream come to life. They deep fry jelly beans, Oreos, Kool Aid and butter just to name a few. The fried Kool Aid is a mix of Marion’s batter and red Kool Aid powder, and once out of the fryer it resembles a red zeppole. In case that isn’t enough it is then sprinkled with more Kool Aid powder because WHY NOT. I didn’t try it but it was one of the most popular items on the menu. I did try the deep fried butter and Oreos. The Oreos were your standard deep fried treat that has become popular at festivals all over the country. Deep fried butter however? Better have the medics on hand. It had more batter surrounding it than what I expected and the result was a beautiful fresh pillow of carbs surrounding a big melting glob of butter. It tasted like a sweet, warm BUTTERY loaf of bread right out of the oven. I’m glad I got to say I tried deep fried butter. My integrity is gone. Other unique eats I saw were footlong corn dogs, 18 inch bratwursts, chocolate and bacon covered french fries and alligator burgers!
Hang with all the cute animals Is there anything cuter than watching puppies run obstacle courses? I think not. Take a seat in the arena, digest your fried cheesecake and watch these cute little creatures jump over surprisingly high hurdles. Say hello to the camels that are just chillin, ride an elephant or feed the baby lambs and goats at the petting zoo. There is a ton of different rides for both kids and adults, live music, shopping, exhibits, sculptures made entirely of butter, the list goes on and on! Tickets are $15 for adults, and it’s about a 3 hour drive from New York City. This is the home of the most indulgent eats I have ever witnessed and I cannot wait to get back next year! For some reason Paris was never on my bucket list. I’m not sure if it was because the French have a snooty reputation, or maybe because I always pictured Parisian women as high fashion models, dressed to kill to go grocery shopping and that idea just exhausted me. For a hopeless romantic like me, it always struck me strange that I never had much of an interest in the city of lights. I wanted to take my yearly solo trip somewhere new, and I saw that direct flights to Paris were only $400.00. Checking my bank account, I knew it would be stupid to pass this deal up. And thank God I didn’t. Because what ensued shortly after were 9 days of complete bliss, relaxation, discovery and new found friendships. I fell in love with Paris. It was like an 80s rom com when the girl realizes her best friend was the love of her life the whole time. I would come to fall deeply in love with a place I never knew I wanted to venture to. I would wake up every morning with no clear plan. I just wanted to walk around and see where the day would take me. Here’s a break down of my adventures and what I recommend! Climb the 422 steps to the top of Notre Dame (About 12 Euros) This is one of the oldest and most prestigious churches in France. At 800 years old it is absolutely stunning with it’s Gothic architecture, stained glass windows, and detailed carvings and sculptures. Interesting fact: Every first Friday of the month at 3pm, Jesus’ crown of thorns is put on display. (Insane! ) The 422 stairs lead to the very top of the church where you can overlook the entire city, and even spot the Eiffel tower. You may have to stop and catch your breath a few times, even if you’re in good shape. I did this fresh off my transatlantic flight with no sleep so if I can survive it you can too! The view is glorious and so worth it, ESPECIALLY at sunset. The line to climb the stairs is usually very long, so hit up the kiosk right by the church, get a ticket, scope out the inside of the church (free) and come back at your designated time to climb. Visit A la Croix Patisserie This beautiful coffee shop is situated right across from Notre Dame on 11 Quai de Montebello. My air bnb was around the corner so I stumbled into it on my very first day. What a wonderful place to feast your eyes on all the beautiful and carefully crafted pastries! It was hard not to smush my entire face against the glass case, and gaze in awe at all the brightly colored works of art. I wanted them all every day. And did. The word ‘calorie’ completely vanished form my brain and I lost myself in a new creation each morning. Lemon tart? Dark chocolate mousse? Croissant? Macaron? YES. YES. YES. GOD YES. On my last day I got to see the master himself, whisk in hand, whipping something in a bowl and I felt like I was watching Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel. Such a thrill! When you leave, head across the street and peruse the stands lining the river (La Seine- pronounced Sen). They sell books and art for cheap prices! Treat yourself to a Berthillon Ice cream and take a stroll Is there anything more enjoyable than getting a cold ice cream on a hot day, and walking around one of the most charming cities in the world? The original Berthillion brick and mortar is over half a century old, located on 29-31 rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile - 75004 Paris. This ice cream is so knock your socks off heavenly that there are now pop ups all over the city. The family run business keeps their recipes a secret, but we do know that their ice cream and sorbets are made using only natural ingredients with no added sugars or preservatives. Grab an ice cream and walk along La Seine, across bridges, through quiet streets and listen to the music of the city. Literally. There are passionate musicians everywhere and at any turn you can hear an accordion solo or a quartet playing with fervor. Every step I took felt like I was sucked into a French film as music accompanied me wherever I walked. And that ice cream. Took the experience next level. Picnic at the Eiffel Tower Seeing the Eiffel Tower up close was a bit emotional for me! It’s beautiful and historic and located on the Champ de Mars, a public green park. Pack some cheese, meats, a baguette and of course a bottle of Rose, and relax in front of one of the most iconic monuments in the world. Visit Montmartre Montmartre, located on a hill, is a more quiet and quaint section of Paris complete with winding cobblestone streets and adorable shops. Pop in and out of stores, climb the steps to see the famous basilica Sacre-Couer with an overview of the entire city, and enjoy some AMAZING food. I came across Pain Pain, a lovely blue painted patisserie and had the BEST eclair of my life. I wanted to cry in the middle of the street from joy. It was a pillowy cream filled chocolate covered delight. I could have eaten ten and I will truly never forget that moment. See a show at the Moulin Rouge Dress up in your finest, and head to the cabaret. The theater itself is nothing like I’ve ever seen, decadent, drenched in red lights, high ceilings, streaming curtains, and small table tops with glowing lamps and candles. Order a bottle of champagne and enjoy the show! Take a boat cruise during the day and in the evening (14 Euro per ride) The one hour boat ride takes you up and down the Seine and right up close and personal with the Eiffel Tower. I’m so glad I took this tour on my first day because it gave me a general idea of where everything was located, which made it a lot easier when exploring the city by foot. When you exit the boat, climb the nearby stairs and lock your love for eternity with a lock on the love bridge. (The original love bridge, located elsewhere, collapsed under the weight of all locks) I also recommend taking the cruise at night after dark. The Eiffel Tower lit up at night is even more beautiful. You can catch a glimpse of it sparkling every hour on the hour starting at 9pm. Magnifique! Eat macarons from the MASTER Pierre Herme' You haven't had a macaron until you've had them from Pierre Herme'. This is no exaggeration and a definite must. Forget Laduree. The freshness, texture and exotic flavors made here take the macaron experience to new heights. There are a ton of flavors such as the familiar chocolat and caramel, but he also created gems like hazelnut oil and green asparagus, and white miso with lemon. You will never look at a macaron the same again I promise! Visit La Marais and get falafel! Walk around this historic Jewish quarter and feast on some damn good falafel at L'as Du Fallafel. There's competitors all around but this is the best and worth the long line. If you can manage to not scarf the whole thing down immediately, walk to the nearby square, Place des Vogues, and enjoy it in the beautiful park with a bottle of Rose. Another one of those moments where everything is perfection. Take a private bike tour with April in Paris! This tour was magical! April took me around the entire city of Paris by bike and I got to live out all of my Parisian dreams! She showed me a lot of hidden gems I would have missed and she's extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her city. Not only did I get the greatest views on two wheels, but I now know that Thomas Edison installed the first street lights in Paris, and that Napolean's penis is now in New Jersey. aprilinparistours.com Buy a book in Shakepeare and Co and relax in Jardin du Luxembourg When I walked into the shop, I asked if they had any Hemingway. The salesman pointed me to the correct section, I picked up a book and saw that it was 187 euro. Juuuust a tad out of my price range. He then told me I was in the antique bookstore. (A small space with really old copies of classic books!) The newer shop was next door and there I grabbed my copy of “Farewell to Arms” at a much more reasonable price of 20 euros. I also bought a book on the French revolution and made my way down Boulevard Saint-Michel towards the Luxembourg gardens. Jardin du Luxembourg is a gorgeous green park, with tree lined promenades all surrounding the biggest fountain I have ever seen. I sat at the edge of the fountain, listening to the relaxing flow of the streaming water and reading my book as the breeze blew through my hair. I stayed for hours reading, writing, and enjoying the vibrant flowers and greenery. It's the perfect place to channel your inner Golden Age author. Visit the famous sites Hit the Louvre and take your most famous selfie with the Mona Lisa. (Buy tickets with a designated time) After viewing the 38,000 pieces of art, relax in the nearby Jardin du Tuileries where you can grab a seat by the fountain, put your feet up and take in the sun. If you are a history buff don’t miss Versailles, the sumptuous palace of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. Indulge like the olden days with macarons and a delicious lunch in the gorgeous gardens. You can bring food or enjoy the outdoor cafe. (Make SURE you buy your ticket for Versailles with a specific time on it, cost about 7 euros more but it’s the difference between walking right in and a 2 hour wait!) There are around 130 museums in Paris so do your research and pick depending on what you are interested in! My favorite restaurants! I know there are tons of amazing places to eat, but these are the ones I had the pleasure of dining in and I have gone back multiple times! 1. Le Potager du Pere Thierry 16 Rue des Trois Frères, 75018 Paris, France 2. La Robe et le Palais 13 Rue des Lavandières Sainte-Opportune, 75001 Paris, 3. Le Reminet 3 course lunch special for 17 euros because the chefs are students in training. What a deal! 3 Rue des Grands Degrés, 75005 Paris, France 4. Le Zinc d'Honore' 36 Place du Marché Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France It's impossible to capture the magic of Paris, you just have to go see for yourself! Sit on the terrace with a glass of wine and people watch, eat escargot and foie gras! Take it all in. And don't be afraid to venture there alone like I did. I am so glad I took a chance on this amazing city. Now put on your beret and get ready for a Parisian adventure! Au revoir!
I eat breakfast every day and I make sure it’s filling and healthy. I spend my days running around the city to auditions and side jobs so I need to fuel up to operate at my best. If I sleep in and don’t have time for breakfast, it’s a sh*t show. I can’t focus on my lines, google maps makes no sense, and I want to start a fight with every human that bumps into me on the subway. This smoothie is a breakfast staple for me especially in the warmer months when my body is craving something refreshing in the mornings!
Ingredients
In a blender add almond milk, yogurt, banana, spinach. Pour in a glass and top with crushed walnuts. (You can put walnuts in the blender but I like them chunky, they add some texture.) Enjoy your healthy delicious green smoothie and let me know what you you think! Thanks for hanging with this starving actress! |
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