Goodbye, my pixie idol.

A couple of Fridays ago was my good friend Nicole's last day at P.S. 260/Brandname. She got a fancy-schmancy job at a production company and had to move on up, but I will miss her lots. We shared lots of memories together, from the Diane Von Furstenberg sample sale to the Fiery Furnaces concert to the countless trips to H&M and Forever 21, and who could forget her impromptu karaoke rendition of "Holiday" for Bryan's going-away shindig? She has gone through the shaving her head completely/growing her hair out cyle several times since she was a teenager, and to be honest she gave me a lot of bravery to cut my hair. Dustin calls her Bubbly because that's exactly what she is, perky and smiley and sweet at (almost) all times.

That day we both wore frilly girly shirts in honor of each other.


Stephanie and Mitch prepared for her surprise party by following instructions to make the first-ever "P.S.26-tini", courtesy of the demented imagination of runner Adrian, who, incidentally, never tried the recipe. I'm pretty sure he just took an inventory of the liquors in our cabinet and told Stephanie to combine them, topping it with champagne.


It was the nastiest beverage I or anybody has ever drank. (or is it drunk?)


We all gathered in the P.S. kitchen awaiting her arrival.


Mitch hid and kept an eye out, lest the surprise be ruined.


Even Rob's pup Sadie joined the festivities.


Nicole emerged and was just delighted.


She grabbed herself a P.S. 26-tini, unaware of its approaching wrath.


Stephanie, stationer extraordinaire, made a goodbye card for Nicole, using lots and lots of embarrassing pictures (including cartoons). We all signed it.



We gave her a send-off package, complete with a rearview mirror for her bike and a slip (to avoid those transparent wardrobe mishaps).



Sadie made herself right at home. (She is soooooo cute, very very soft.)


We moved up to the roof and continued the par-tay.


Stephanie watered the plants diligently as always.



Even former Brandname headmaster Dave Moore dropped by.


We decided to go have drinks at a lounge downtown, and on the subway over, Dustin took quite possibly the most embarrassing photo of me ever.



On the way to the lounge we walked through Little Italy, which was having its annual Feast of San Gennaro street festival.


They sell really authentic Italian food, like...


... deep-fried oreos.


Ned got some. He really enjoyed them. (They're actually pretty good, as my Texan readers might already know.)


We had some quality acquaintance time, which is always lovely.


(sidenote: Nicole got Stephanie hired here. They've been friends since their Chicago childhoods. Luckily, even though Nicole is leaving, we still get to have Steph, who is equally awesome.)


Goodbye Darling Nikki! Good luck!!!!


love,
*jenna*