Girls Weekend Away: New York City!

New York, New York!  I love New York City!  I was fortunate enough to take a trip with some of my girlfriends back in August for a weekend.  This was unlike ANY of my trips to the city for SO MANY REASONS.   

First, no kids.  Story Kate was almost 6 months old when I went (and shortly after, this news story blew up the mommy blogs  and I only cried a little).  I took my pump and went back to our amazing and centrally located hotel every so often to keep it going for my sweet SK.  

Second, the whole trip revolved around food.  We all love food.  I'm the only one who looks like I love food, but anyway.... the toughest part of our whole trip was basically deciding which reservations to keep so, yeah.  That was AMAZING.  

Third, we stayed in a really nice hotel because Chrissie is the sweetest and most generous person alive and was like, "Y'all, lets use my travel points and go to NY for a weekend!"  She's a rock-star friend, who literally bursts at the seams with generosity.  All three of these girls are, actually!  Have I ever written about how I'm the luckiest person in the world when it comes to friends?  God has blessed me, my entire life, with terrific friends--FOR REALS!  Anyway, the reason this makes my trip so unique is that all the other times I have been, I haven't stayed anywhere like, TIMES SQUARE RENAISSANCE.  I felt so legit!  

Last, a whole weekend away with my girls?  My soul was refreshed.  It probably took a solid 24 hours for me to speak in complete and coherent sentences, but I loved every minute of this girlfriend time.  I loved hearing about where they are in life, what's going on with their families, what decisions they're facing, what they've been doing... It took me out of my me-centered-bubble (complete with mom haircut and mom clothes), and put me back into the lives of friends I love.  

Our trip started on a Friday morning around 5am.  Redbull in hand, carry on packed with pump and room to spare (i didn't have many options, ha!).  We met up with Allison at LGA, hopped in a car, and took our bags to our hotel.  We had a reservation at 10am for breakfast at Balthazar.  Not going to lie, it wasn't all that Gwen (GOOP) cracked it up to be.  Or maybe this is just how the skinny people eat. I didn't get any pictures, but we were kind of crammed at a small table, and we could hear the conversation beside us too well.  Our waiter reminded me of Mr. Bates from Downton Abby, which was cool.  My food was good, but I ordered a bacon egg and cheese croissant, which is hard for even burger king to mess up. 

Friday was a dreary rainy day.  It wasn't a day for shopping and bouncing from shop to shop, but we pretty much did that anyway.  It made for a LOT of laughing, and a few falls, and a some umbrella malfunctions too.  We ended up at Eatly, which is so much fun!  We grabbed a glass of wine and waited at the bar with someone famous... we really don't know who, we just know people were taking pictures with/of him.  

We made our way over to Union Square where we got lunch at abc kitchen.  now this was super rad.  it was too hipster for me to feel completely at ease, (think, eating at a cross between urban outfitters and anthropologie, all the waiters were in plaid shirts and nerd glasses [no offense]), but the food was super.  We weren't terribly hungry, so we got a few things to share.  Below are two of the plates.  I definitely need to pin one of those "how to photograph food" blogs on Pinterest, because these pictures don't do any justice!  One is a crab toast with lemon aoili--YUM.  The other is heirloom tomato toast--YUM!  The menu looked so interesting and fresh and different.  I would definitely go here again, and again! 

After lunch we browsed around Union Square.  There was a huge Sephora re-opening celebration, and we got to see an apparently famous transgender (I won't post a link, lest my grandma have a heart attack) get their nails done by a famous nail artist who frequently does lady Gaga's nails. (did you get all that? ha!)  This was kind of fascinating, I won't lie.  I kind of felt like I was at "the Capitol" for a few minutes there.  I was just mesmerized.  I mean, in the south, I'm pretty sure this situation would have violated the widely understood policy, "no shoes, NO SHIRT, no service."

Next, we left Union Square, and I went to the hotel.  The girls shopped around a bit.  I met up with them at Milk Bar.  (told you this trip revolved around food.)  The cookies and treats were amazing, but what BLEW MY MIND was the cereal milk soft serve ice cream.  I think we determined it was frosted flakes milk, but I can't recall.  MAN.  This was so good!   

By this time, we were stuffed, exhausted, and ready for bed.  I don't think it was even dark yet.  We spent the early evening going back and forth and back and forth over which reservation to keep, asking around for suggestions, a midst talking and laughing and catching up.  Then, we decided to order a bottle of wine and go to bed, instead.  GOSH I LOVE MY FRIENDS!

Saturday morning we grabbed coffee and breakfast at Dean and Deluca and leisurely walked down to The High Line.  We talked and giggled and snapped photos, and dreamed out loud.  All the things that close girlfriends do when they've gotten past the major news and are just enjoying one another's company.  We walked all the way to the meatpacking district (where it ends).  Tziporah had a friend who worked at a wine bar at the end of the The High Line, so we enjoyed the warm morning and experienced "the summer of Riesling." 

We went home to change clothes and get ready for Tea at the Plaza.  This was such a fun and lovely experience.  If time and funds ever allow, I hope one day I can take sweet Story Kate to have tea here.  The table service was actually less formal than I expected, though great nonetheless.  The tea was delicious overall.  What really surprised me is how little difference there was in tea at the Plaza, and tea at the Washington Duke, here in Durham.  Aside from the price, I doubt I could tell the difference in a blind taste test.  SO, at the end of the day, I guess the ambiance of the Fairmont (Plaza) Hotel is what makes this Tea SO special!  Again, phone photos don't really do this beautiful historic landmark justice.

Tziporah and Allison

Chrissie and I

After Tea, we did more walking.  I escaped back to the hotel for a bit, while the girls did some shopping on 5th Avenue.  We spent another early evening laboring over which reservation to keep, and ended up going with a wild card, La Grenouille. It was french, and we knew it would be upscale (fancy, is what I call it).  I thought, "If I had to choose, I wouldn't choose to sit through a stuffy expensive meal when we could go to a much more low key (less fancy), yet really fantastic, hip, spot."  But, we took a vote, and I lost.  I'm SO glad though, because this was seriously an experience of a lifetime.  Let me elaborate in detail =)  

First, when we stepped in the door, I knew we were some place otherworldly because I could smell the aroma of fresh fragrant roses, lilac, and maybe hyacinths too.  Grandma Audrey, you would have DIED! This arrangement below was close to our table, but there were probably 20 other similar arrangements in this small space.  Each table had a small bouquet of fragrant flowers and a small lamp for just the perfect amount of ambiance at the table. The room was filled with mirrors so you can people watch without being easily caught.  Though, it was tough not to constantly look at myself to observe (and giggle at) how utterly out of place I was. The service was impeccable. By that I mean, there was captain, a waiter, and bus boy servicing our table.  Who knows, probably a sommelier too but I couldn't tell which was which.  The wait staff spoke to one another in French, but to us in English.  The menu was pre-fix, and I think we all chose filet mignon as our main course.  I have NEVER had a better steak in my life.  Every bite was heaven.  I can't imagine ever topping this meal.  We each chose a different dessert and shared, which was fun.  Some were better than others, but for the first time in my life, the first three courses were enough, and dessert was a total afterthought.  I won't lie, I was kind of nervous the entire time because this place was like 50 rungs above my social class.  But, they let me in, so that's something!?  

Looking around, the restaurant was filled with seemingly super wealthy people, most of whom looked to be in the mob.  No lie.  Nevertheless, best meal in my life.  EVER.  If I'm ever on death row, I plan on asking for La Grenouille.  Write that down.      

When we left the restaurant, we were in stitches laughing SO hard at being fish out of water for nearly 3 hours.  I'm sure there are much more embarrassing moments I could share, but I'm not that self depreciating. =)  Our walk back involved swinging by Radio City Music Hall which never gets old. 

The next morning (Sunday), I had plans to go see my sister in-law.  I took the train to Stuyves Town near East Village and met up with Allison.  She was 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant, and STILL agreed to let me come see them.  She's way nicer than me!  Sweet Farrah didn't come that weekend, so I still haven't met her, but I DID get to hang out with this cutie!  My niece Hannah is so beautiful.  Hanging with her made me excited for all the girly experiences I hope to have with Story.  She is so smart, and has such a neat life tucked away there in this cool neighborhood. Complete with Sunday Farmers Markets, turf grass play areas, water parks, playgrounds, it's really a young families dream in many ways.  I'm sure Allison and her other mom friends would not exactly agree with me on that point given the 800 sq ft living space they share, but from the outside looking in, I thought it was SO cool!! 

After hanging with family for the afternoon, I met back up with the girls in time to catch a cab to the airport.  We had a great trip home, and I enjoyed the extra time I got to spend with Chrissie.  She drove us to the airport and also dropped me back at home at nearly midnight on Sunday night.  I left my keys at home (in an attempt to NOT lose them in NY), but Brentley had me locked out.  Chrissie waited for me for nearly 45 minutes (maybe longer) while I desperately tried to break into our house in the middle of the night.

In summary, this trip was so much fun and much needed.  I missed my kiddos and my man like crazy, though!  In my dream world, it will become an annual trip.  Or at least, weekends away with girlfriends will be recurring annually!  Thanks, B for allowing me to go!  I love you!

Oh, and a special thanks to Aunt J who came and helped with Story   on Saturday.  My kids LOVE aunt J (and I do too)!