Today is my birthday and last night I went out on the town with two other authors to celebrate (Laura Caldwell and Stacey Ballis - buy their books!). After a delicious dinner and an amazing surprise dessert with a candle in it (a plate of chocolate pudding, flourless chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and chocolate macaroons) we saw The Light in the Piazza at the Goodman Theater. It was incredible! I can't say enough good things about it, the lighting and scenery were captivating, the costumes brilliant and the music and singing gorgeous. I wish everyone could see it! Anyway, my friend Vicki is a huge Italian-phile (don't know the correct word to use, but you get the picture), and The Light in the Piazza takes place in Florecence and Rome. The play was adapted from Elizabeth Spencer's novella, and so I just bought it and sent it to Vicki for her birthday (Vicki made me homemade chocolate chip cookies for my birthday - do you see a chocolate pattern here? I love the stuff). If the show ever ends up anywhere near you, go see it!

Did I mention that Laura and Stacey are in the Chicago Magazine piece with me? They're both from Chicago and at the restaurant before the play we had all these people coming up to us and saying they saw us in the magazine. Not exactly like Cameron, Lucy and Drew lunching at the Ivy, but in our own minds the papparazi was hot on our trail. I'll post the article on my web site soon, or as soon as I can beg my brother to do it for me.

Back from NYC, where we had a great time even though it was so cold we were practically snuggling up to strangers on the street. A few of the highlights: the food (finally, some real pizza compared to what we get here in Chicago, as well as amazing risotto in the Village and, of course, our regular apres shopping stop at a diner for chocolate milkshakes). I discovered the only food I'd ever need to be happy for the rest of my life - molten chocolate cake topped by milk chocolate ice cream with chocolate chunks. Even though it was Vicki's birthday, I figured I'd celebrate mine a few days early, and I was glad I did. That dessert will forever be in my memory (and possibly my thighs).

In addition to the food, we had a great time shopping on Saturday, even though we got caught in that pernicious trap called department store make-up counters. When we walked into Saks looking like wide-eyed does, we ran into someone Lisa knew – who just also happens to be a make-up artist for Lancome. After telling us all about the famous Lancome make-up artists there for the day to transform unsuspecting customers, we nodded like Jim Jones converts and walked toward the light – a special section set up with stools and mirrors and trendy make-up artists all in black. After a mere twenty minutes we looked up to find ourselves looking pretty fine – although I was the only one who didn’t specify the “natural” look so in addition to my dressed down outfit of green cargo pants, a white cashmere turtleneck sweater, and snow boots, I was now sporting lavender and purple eye shadow with black eyeliner and lashes that could sweep the floor when I blinked. After we looked like painted dolls, the artists asked us which products we’d like, we picked out tubes and bottles and brushes as if we actually thought we could replicate what was just done to us. When the slender cash register slips were handed over to us, we glanced and the totals, signed our names, and turned to each other with our mouths hanging open – we’d all just dropped several hundred dollars on items that will sit in our bathroom drawers and collect dust while we continue to use Carmex on our lips and a quick pinch for cheek color. Live and learn. Lisa wins the sucker award for the day for the $127 moisturizer she was convinced she’d need to keep from pruning up – in addition to all the other products in her bag. I won the most gullible award for my purchase of white eyeliner (which goes on the inside of your lower lid and makes your eyes look huge). We’ll have to see how often those two things actually get used. The people at the Lancome counter were nice enough to give us two free gifts, I guess they figured any three women stupid enough to spend that as much money as we did deserve a few consolation prizes.