A Bridal Shower & A Bachelorette Party

Post-Bridal Shower and Pre-Bachelorette Party POOL PARTY

Boys and girls about to pile into the stretch Hummer limo

Kristin chose well considering these were the most eligible bachelors we ran into that night.

This past weekend I helped my best friend Kristin celebrate her upcoming wedding with a Bridal Shower and a joint Bachelor/Bachelorette Party. We started with a light lunch and gift opening at The Melting Pot for the Bridal Shower portion of the day. Later we kicked off with a little pre-Bachelorette party pool action at a downtown Kansas City hotel. Afterwards we got prettied-up and surprised the bride/groom-to-be with a stretch Hummer limo! We bar hopped and danced until the wee hours of the morning. It was such a memorable weekend and it makes my heart feel so full to see this girl that means so much to me so happy.

Congratulations Kristin and Matt! So looking forward to the wedding next month!

{ NYC Favorite } Central Park

It's been so great living close to Central Park. My apartment is a short 10-15 minute walk from the park and I go several times a week. Pretty much each time I go I find something amazing that I didn't see before.

Happy Birthday to me!

I received surprise flowers for my birthday yesterday! Thank you, Tucker! They are so beautiful and smell so good. Makes me want to have fresh flowers around more often!

So I'm 27 now and I feel old (I'm sure my 37 year old self is going to get a great laugh out of this sentence someday). This birthday was pretty low-key. Tuesday nights don't make for exceptionally exciting birthdays. It also doesn't help that I'm in a long distance relationship and we just happen to be apart for most birthdays. I got my hair done at a swanky little salon on the Upper East side and then hit up one of my favorite neighborhood bars for a celebratory drink.

I received numerous texts, Facebook posts and a lovely phone call from my best friend. When I told the bartender it was my birthday he gave me beer for free. Happy Birthday indeed.

Shannon visits NYC

My friend Shannon came to NYC for the weekend. I met Shannon through Gannett's Talent Development Program which we were accepted to after graduation in 2009. Shannon is great at staying in touch and making her friends feel as though they are a loved and valued part of her life. She inspires me to be a better friend. I did a horrible job of documenting her trip. Probably because we where having too much fun! In fact, the only picture we have together is the one of us on the Brooklyn Bridge at night.

I absolutely love having friends come to visit  me in the city. I really get to geek out on my love for New York. So who is coming to visit next?! Here are some highlights from Shannon's quick, but eventful weekend in the city and a taste of what you could be in-store for you when you come to visit! 

The Duck

This is the diviest of dive bars and it's right here in my current neighborhood of Spanish Harlem It's a country bar. In New York City. In Harlem. Go figure... 

Central Park

We enjoyed some fantastic sunshine in Central Park and sat in the grass to have a picnic.

McSorley's Old Irish Ale House

This place is my forever favorite and if you come to see me we will end up here at some point during your visit. 

Brooklyn Bridge

I love taking the long stroll over this iconic structure. The amazing views of Manhattan will never get old.

Back Room

A speak easy on the Lower East Side. There is no sign. You need to have the address. If you find the door you are let down a set of stairs and around to the back of this building. I won't tell you anymore because I don't want to ruin the surprise when we go. 

Moto Cafe

We planned on busting out our inner hipster all over Williamsburg, but settled for a quite dinner here instead.

The Grisly Pear

We popped into this West Village bar for just a second and ended up staying the whole night listening to fantastic karaoke. Two of which Shannon recognize as performers from Jimmy Fallon's late night talk show. New York City is full of amazing talent! 

PS. Here is another example of amazing NYC performers in unlikely places... Please excuse the brief profanity. My follow subway rider was really impressed!

Brandywine Valley Wine Festival

Spending your summer weekends outside of the city is key to survival in New York City or so I'm told. So this past weekend I attended the Brandywine Valley Food and Wine Festival in West Chester, Pennsylvania with my friend and old co-worker Jason. He scored VIP tickets and we sampled wines all afternoon and purchased a bottle of our favorite to enjoy in the grass.

 

Later, when we desperately needed to beat the heat we headed over to the new Whole Foods in Glen Mills, PA where they have a pub dedicated to local brews. We spent the rest of the afternoon drinking beers, playing Connect Four and snacking off the bar menu on things like this pub cheese for only $1! Yum!

Woodside Farm Creamery

On Memorial Day weekend my friend Laura invited me down to a small, intimate BBQ with her sister and her sister's fiance. I was thrilled to see Laura's baby Max for the first time in ages. Isn't he sweet? After the cookout we decided to head to the very awesome Woodside Farm Creamery in Hockessin, Delaware for ice cream. It's out in the country and they have an adorable picnic area where you can sit at a table or lounge on a blanket. We opted for the latter. I had Rocky Road and it was divine.