Nichelle and Linda, originally uploaded by kleopatrjones.

Monday, I along with many wonderful friends celebrated Sarah Schulman’s 50th birthday at East Village public garden Le Petit Versailles.

At the party, I met Linda Villarosa who is a journalist and author. Having written several books about health and parenting for African Americans, she has penned her first novel, Passing For Black, which was just released in June.

My blog buddy and new twitter friend Tayari Jones took this photo.

4th of july hat-nichelle, originally uploaded by nichellest.

I survived three 4th of July parties with only a few bruises from the plastic chair debacle.

Saturday was hangover brunch followed by a nap and then one 5th of July party where I learned a lot about allergies from a doctor who golfs and takes lots of cabs.

Today, I made a small batch of strawberry chicken salad.  This afternoon, I may go see The Wackness. I hope it is not wack.

jellybean cupcakes at drop i.o party, originally uploaded by nichellest.

I saw these cupcakes with jellybeans at the Drop i.o party In DUMBO and I thought, “Type 2 Diabetes”. I chose not to eat them, mainly because I have indulged this week with cupcakes at Batch with Blondie and Brownie and RKB on Monday Plus  cookies at Crumbs Bakeshop with Mia Bauer. I  also re-met Chrysanthe who work at Outside.in and competed in the Cupcake Cook-off last month.

After the party, I went with the Kap to see Devo. We missed the Tom Tom Club, but it was a blast!

Related: Centernetworks’ blog post about last night’s party.

DSC_2289, originally uploaded by brianvan.

Two hot days and two birthday parties.

Monday, I went to Heather Fink’s birthday, and last night I went to JahFurry’s.

Saturday, I went to the 16th Annual Park Slope Open Studio Tour. My friends and I started the tour at MadArts, a group artist studio in South Slope. We met some innovative artists including Paul Mallo, Joetta Maue, Jimmy Fountain and Brooke Toczylowski. Then we stopped Richard Egan’s house, as well as few other places before hopping on a bus to get to a fashion/art party in an area of Brooklyn that I like to call Pro-Crow (Prospect Heights/Crown Heights). Later, we went to a  couple of ICFF design parties in Soho and drank champagne out of a can.

fancy ham and cheese sandwich, originally uploaded by nichellest.

Before eating a delicious croque-monsieur at Lucky Strike, I went to a book party in Soho for photographer Lisa Kereszi’s book, Fantasies.  It was a crazy crowded at the party which was held in a Soho loft.  There was one gray haired man walking around eating a bowl of cereal. I think that’s his “party schtick”. Other people tie knots out of cherry stems.

Chocolate at Mariebelle, originally uploaded by nichellest.

I did fondue at the book party for Joanne Chen’s book, The Taste of Sweet. The party was held Thursday night at the lovely Mariebelle store in Soho.