We did it. We got on a plane and went to NYC. We’ve talked about it since we were 16, and now with 30 closer than id like to talk about, we checked it off the list.

Before I boarded, I was told by an abundance of people that my –California girl, Orange County born and raised– self, would in fact HATE, New York City. Well, I am here to say… you were wrong! 🙂 (it’s sick how proving people wrong is so satisfying) At 4:00am last Thursday my best friend drug me out of (her) bed –I couldn’t be trusted to wake up that early on my own. Before I knew it, I was wishing I had found my last Xanax (I don’t fly well *see Europe posts) and there were harsh looks being thrown my way from the flight attendant when I was the only one ordering a cocktail at 6am. Joke is on her, she forgot to charge me. 4 hours and what seemed like the most nauseating 30 minutes of turbulence later, WE HAD ARRIVED. In Newark… NOT to be confused with JFK, ROSS! (Don’t worry, She got off the plane)

A train ride and an awkward jaunt with luggage later we were checked in and ready for a Cosmopolitan and fro-yo on the steps. If you don’t get it, just go away.Thursday night welcomed us with a tall glass of Veuve at the Plaza Hotel and Kathryn getting an alarming amount of contact information from a bartender. (seriously, e-mail address was included) After our venture back towards Herald Square we headed upwards to the Hotel rooftop for a night cap at Monarch. Per the sign in the hotel lobby that I laughed at, they ACTUALLY do have the best view of the empire state building. You GO courtyard Marriott. (Who knew)Friday morning we paid tribute and tears to the 9/11 memorial site and museum. As if seeing the (now beautiful) gaping holes in the ground wasn’t heavy enough, it was quite the reality check seeing the group of 5th graders on a field trip learning about this terrible thing that happened…. when I was in 5th grade. As I stood there crying with the weight of the day rushing back, they stood there wondering how much longer till they got to eat lunch and when the tour guide was going to let them wander around. How could it be that something I was alive to watch unfold is now being taught out of a history book. Perspective. As heavy as it was, how glad I am that I got to stand and touch the names of those we lost that day.

Once we wiped our tears we headed up a block to visit our (family) friend who happens to be a swanky Goldmansachs exec. George hooked us up with a tour of the compound and possibly the coolest views of the city, EVER. After the grand tour, George took us to Del Friscos for lunch and gave us the scoop on where we should stroll next.Greenwich village through to the west village and on to Washington Square park with pit stops for wine, coffee and selfies in front of — the Friends apartment and a heel pop on Carrie’s brownstone steps. After coffee in the park, Dinner with Travi and Michael in Nolita was the carb load we needed before we headed down stairs to the Flower Shop. 3 beers and a round of Pokemon-Go later, we headed back to camp. Saturday morning my beloved bestie had an itinerary packed with the essentials, as was my purse with an apple sauce pouch from Starbucks (baby food or nah?!). My high school self was giddy AF when I followed through with a promise to myself, “If I ever go to NYC, the only souvenir I want is a classic Tiffany & Co ring”. Once we had our Tiffany Blue bags we wandered through the park, had lunch at Tavern on the Green (DAT BURGER THOUGH, YUM) and chatted about how the crime rate and amount of dead bodies found in the park is astoundingly lower then Law and Order: SVU makes it out to be.

Then on to mingle with the upper east siders on The Met steps (NO, we didn’t go in because we are annoying 20 somethings who dont actually care about whats inside we just wanted to play Serena and Blair and sit there…. get over it). An upgraded uber ride later we re-charged and primped for dinner and a Broadway show.Dinner on Saturday night was so good it deserves its own paragraph. Quality Meats. George, Good call. The most perfectly cooked filet mignon paired with corn soufflé and twice baked potato– oh and more champagne, quite frankly brought tears to my eyes.After we ran 12 blocks in heels channeling Miss Bradshaw herself, we arrived 7 minutes (not so) fashionably late to The Lion King. Incredible.

**note – Broadway shows start ON TIME. True to Kathryn and Taylor fashion after the show we stopped at a corner store and stocked up on cheesecake and a lime La Croix (there’s my “20 something california girl” showing again) and headed up to picnic in the room.

When Sunday came we crammed our sweaters back in our carry ons and strolled to see Grand Central station. After a quick peek at the ceiling and a few “friends with benefits” quotes, we rolled into a tavern for crab cakes and beer. One last stop to see the shockingly MUCH smaller than I imagined plaza at 30 Rock (seriously, how do they even get that tree in there!?) We again, had a glass of wine and a piece of cheesecake followed by a quick romp through Kate Spade. As all our boxes had been checked, it was time to head homeward bound.NYC, you were charming and grand all in the same and I cant wait for our second date!

You know you love me, XOXO