Get a Free Macaron on Macaron Day!

As if the thought of free Italian ices weren't enough to get me excited for the first day of spring, I just realized that tomorrow is also Macaron Day. For all you who are unfamiliar with the deliciousness that is a macaron, let me explain. The macaron is the lighter, more sophisticated Parisian cousin to the American Whoopie Pie. Coming in flavors like pistachio, honey suckle, and good old chocolat, macarons have long been a favorite among the French and are gaining popularity hear in the States. In conjunction with the Jour de Macaron in Paris, 15 of New York's premier macaron purveyors will be offering a free macaron to anyone who stops by tomorrow, March 20th. Check out this handy map to see where you can pick up your free macaron. Keep in mind that the offer is for a single macaron and eating just one is near impossible. If your self-control does in fact waiver and you end up purchasing more, don't beat yourself up. A portion of the day's proceeds will benefit City Harvest...so really you're doing society a disservice if you don't buy a macaron. How's that for a rationalization :)

Free Ices at Rita's on the First Day of Spring

This Wednesday is the official first day of spring...hard to believe since I just trudged through ice pellets on my way home from work! Luckily, it doesn't have to feel like spring in order for Rita's to continue their annual tradition of serving free ices on the first day of the season. On March 19th, head to any of the Rita franchises across the country between 12 and 9 PM to snag a full size, free Italian ice in your favorite flavor. The only Rita's in New York is on the Upper West Side (full address below) but don't think that's going to stop this downtown dweller from trekking uptown to enjoy one of their many delicious flavors. I mean, who would pass up the chance to try Swedish Fish flavored Italian ice? Check out their website to see pictures from years passed and don't forget to mark your own calendars so you can join in on the tradition.

Rita's: Upper West Manhattan 
2486 Broadway 
New York, NY 10025

Daylight Savings Brings Free Doughnuts

              It's hard to believe that it's almost time to set our clocks ahead. Although I'm none to pleased to be losing an hour of sleep on March 10th, I am excited for the longer days, increased sunshine, and warmer weather that daylight savings time signifies. And this year, I'm even more excited because Krispy Kreme is offering a free original glazed doughnut to every guest who stops by one of their shops on Sunday. Only select locations are participating in the offer (full list here) but luckily their 24 hour spot in Penn Station is one of the chosen. And as an added bonus, if you sign up for their Friends of Krispy Kreme program, you'll get a coupon via email valid for a free doughnut of your choice. The coupon is good for ten days after you sign up so that's potentially two free doughnuts in one day.  With new flavors like their Cookies and Creme Doughnut (yep...topped with Oreos!) and old favorites like the Glazed Cruller and Boston Creme, I dare you to not sign up!

Side note- The latest issue of Saveur Magazine is devoted to doughnuts and is filled with lots of fun, interested doughnut facts. Here's one I didn't know: Doughnuts did not always have a hole in them. The practice of cutting out the middle of the pastry began when doughnuts started being mass-produced so that they would cook more evenly in a shorter amount of time. 

Add that to your collection of useless facts!

The Adventure of Getting a Free Haircut

To say I need a haircut is an understatement. It's been six months since my last professional trim and my split ends now have their own split ends. However, I refuse to shell out a day's wages for someone to chop my locks off. Having said that though, a bad haircut is one of those things that can make life truly unbearable. So I turned to the trusty internet to find a way to get a quality haircut on the cheap. 

What I learned is that many salons host classes for their stylists to continue their training while on the job. Many of these salons are looking to give the model a specific cut (interestingly bobs are one of the most popular styles advertised for) but some will allow you to choose your own style. I browsed through several days of Craigslist ads before stumbling on salonapprentice.com. This site provides a database where stylists can list what they're looking for and prospective models can reply to the ads. I found an ad listed by a stylist at Salon Ziba and called in. They took my name and number and set me up for an appointment today at 11 AM. Read on to find out how my experience went.

Red Mango Offers Free Fro-Yo!

If you're a fro-yo fan (and let's be honest, who isn't?) I've got a sweet deal for you! Red Mango is offering $5 worth of free yogurt for joining their loyalty program, Club Mango. All you have to do is enter your contact information into this form and they'll send you an email with your account number and a $5 credit. Then stop by your favorite Red Mango location and load up on the deliciousness. I tried it out last night and got myself a hearty helping of Cookies and Cream Yogurt topped with almonds, graham crackers, chocolate chips, and Reese's peanut butter cups. Can you say "noms"?

Me with my big ol' tub of free fro-yo!

Pamper and Primp This Week for Free!

Mid-February means two things to me: New York Fashion Week and Valentine's Day. Both bring mixed emotions. As one of the non-elite who has to get my fix of fashion week by checking The Cut and Fabsugar.com like it's my full-time job, I sort of feel like I'm part of the swanky scene that's taking place beneath the tents of Lincoln Center. And, as a single girl with no prospects of finding a man before V day (sad but true), I've been nursing my loneliness with hearty doses of Ryan Gosling films, Hugh Jackman interviews, and Maroon 5 music videos. But before you go pitying me, take into consideration that both Fashion Week and Valentine's Day bring lots of free stuff to the city that I am whole-heartedly taking advantage of. Case and point: Greenpointer's "Message in a Bottle" Valentine's Market on Saturday. I went with a bunch of my girlfriends and had a blast sampling chocolates and taking faux-romantic pictures in the photo booth. Check out a few of these upcoming Valentines Day/Fashion Week events that you can enjoy even if you don't have a significant other or your name isn't on the Proenza Schouler invite list.

Makeover at What Goes Around Comes Around Pop-Up

• Celebrate Yourself with Swarovski Crystallized 
• Where? Swarovski Soho Store
• When? Tuesday 6-8
•  What? Enjoy champagne and chocolates as you peruse some of the most gorgeous jewelry on earth. And you get a complimentary romance novel with any purchase (as if that would motivate you!). Link here.

• The Bauble Bar Pop Up Shop
• Where? 344 West 14^th Street at 9^th Avenue
• When? Until February 16th
• What? In celebration of their two year anniversary, BaubleBar, a trendy jewelry company, has set up a pop up shop in the Meatpacking District and is hosting events there until February 16th. Check out their calendar of events here! Not to be missed is their blogger meet and greet this Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM.
• Galore Mag x What Comes Around Goes Around
• Where? 440 Lafayette St
• When? Until February 14th
• What? For the next few days various special guests will be stopping by the WCGA pop-up shop. They are also offering complimentary makeovers and manicures provided by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Slight disclaimer...it's probably a good idea to call ahead and make sure they're on schedule. I went today and the sales staff told me the makeup artists weren't coming in for the day because of inclement weather. Here's the full list of events for your review.

So regardless of your romantic status or interest in Fashion Week, go ahead and indulge in one (or several) of these fun events!

My Favorite Free and Cheap Museums

            A friend of mine recently told me that one of her New Years resolutions was to visit ten museums in New York in the next three months. It got me thinking about how many great museums the Big Apple has to offer. I'm all for cultural experiences and learning new things but when you have to pay $15 to $30 to get it, it puts a bit of a damper on the outing. But have no fear, there is a plethora of amazing, world-renown museums in NYC that cost nothing...or very close to it. Here are some of my favorites:

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art- If you've never been to the Met, you're missing out on one of the city's greatest attractions. The largest art museum in the United States and one of the most extensive in all the world, the Met is a place where someone could spend days and not see everything. With galleries devoted to American, Asian, and African Art in addition to modern and contemporary sculpture, photographs, and even furniture there is literally something for everyone. The price of admission is $20 and well worth the money to see one-of-a-kind artifacts and art but that price is only suggested. So don't feel shy about giving the attendant a nickel. I promise they'll let you in.
2. The Museum of Natural History- Whether you're a gem enthusiasts, animal lover, or horticulture aficionado, (or just bored on a weekday afternoon) the Museum of Natural History is a great museum to visit. My favorite part is the fine jewel gallery; so much beauty in so little space! Again, general admission is suggested so feel free to use change to pay for your visit. But beware, the price to see any of the special exhibits is non-negotiable, meaning you'll have to shell out $25 if you want to see one and a whopping $33 if you want to see them all. 
3. The Museum of the City of New York- New York is so great, why shouldn't there be a museum dedicated to it. Exhibits focus both on New York history like "Greatest Grid," which traced how Manhattan was planned out and executed in its formative years, as well as highlight current issues in NewYork. Their newest exhibit, "Making Room" showcases designs and models for living small in a city where real estate is at a premium and people are utilizing what little space they have in innovative ways. Admission is suggested at this gem of a museum as well!
4. The Museum at FIT: Always free to the public, this museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. Museum curator Valerie Steele is a pillar of the fashion industry and curates the museum impeccably. Visitors can browse the extensive collection of garments the museum has on display. Their special exhibits draw fashion enthusiasts from around the globe. I'm really looking forward to the "Shoe Obsession" exhibit opening on February 8th which features shoes new and old from designers like Salvatore Ferragamo, Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik.
5. Museum of Art and Design- MAD waves its $15 admission fee on Thursdays between 6 PM and 9 PM. The museum is known for it's unusual and unique exhibits. Not to be missed is their current "Art of Scent," the first major museum exhibition to feature fragrance as an art form. Visitors can smell various scents from different eras and can even take samples home. Other exhibits focus on various aspects of the art and design world. It's a great (free) way to spend a Thursday night.

Let me know in the comments if you have any recommendations for other free or cheap museums in the city. I'm always looking to brighten my cultural horizons!