Penniless Recipe: Fried Eggs and Tomato

I love thumbing through magazines like Bon Appetit, Food and Wine, and Fine Cooking to salivate over the gorgeously styled food. Seldom though do I find a recipe that A. I can afford to make and B. that I am capable of making. (Does anyone know what blanching is?). I was pleased to stumble across this recipe in Martha Stewart Living a few days ago. It's the perfect end of summer meal that only costs pennies. I tailored the recipe to feed just one person.

Here's what you'll need:

Cooking Spray
2 eggs
1 tomato
1/4 cup cheddar cheese (shredded or cubed)
Basil, Salt, Pepper

Crack the eggs in your pan. Wait until the whites are almost cooked through. Remove from stove top and top with tomatoes and cheese. Don't forget to sprinkle on your spices! Stick it in the oven on broil for a few minutes until the cheese starts to bubble. And voila, you're done!

Total cost? Not even a dollar
Total in-kitchen time? About 5 minutes
Total satisfaction? Oh, yeah!

Neon Trees for Free!

Who can pass up a free concert? On Tuesday, I attended a free Neon Trees concert sponsored by the MLB Fan Cave. Located at the corner of Broadway and 4th Street, the Fan Cave is where baseball meets pop-culture. The graffiti'd walls, neon baseball diamond, and strobe lights make the space feel like a hip nightclub. Plus, the space can only accommodate about 50 people which adds to the exclusivity of the event. My friend Chelsea and I rocked out with our fellow fans to our favorite Neon Trees hits like Animal and Everybody Talks. 

If you didn't make it to this show, you still have a chance before the Fan Cave closes its doors. Don't miss their upcoming shows:

August 30th- The Band Perry

September 4th- Jason Aldean

September 10th- The All American Rejects

Check out their website for full details!

PS- Get there at least 30 minutes early if you want to get in. Like I said, space is limited and your competing with a bunch of NYU students who live next door for your spot!

How to Spend Your Birthday When Broke In NYC

As my 20th birthday approached, I started to feel a sense of dread. Not only because I was relinquishing my teendom but also because I couldn't afford to throw a big party or even go out to dinner with friends. So how's a broke girl supposed to celebrate her birthday in style? By stocking up on birthday freebies of course! And New York City abounds in them.

I did a little research and found this website.: http://www.freebie-depot.com/birthday-freebie-list/
It lists hundreds of freebies you can get from various restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues on your birthday. It's an exhaustive list but I weeded through them until I found a few gems.

Some of the best for New Yorkers are...

• Au Bon Pain- which offers a free sandwich or salad during your birthday week
• Moe's Southwest Grill- I picked up a free burrito at their Penn Station location
• Sprinkles- who entitles you to a free cupcake of your choosing on your birthday. Combine that with their whisper word promotion and you'll get two free cupcakes!
• Rita's Ices- a free ice during your birthday week

And lastly, Big Daddy's Diner who will comp your meal on your birthday. With dishes on their menu like oreo pancakes and a burger stuffed with mac and cheese, it's the perfect place to indulge on your birthday. I went to their Gramercy Park location and special ordered their bran pancakes with chocolate chunks. My date (okay it was my dad who had spent the day helping me move into my new apartment) got the Grand Daddy Burger. The service was phenomenal and the atmosphere great!

When all was said and done, I was a happy (and stuffed!) birthday girl without spending a dime.