Birthday Weekend in NYC: BFF's Come to Town!

My sweet friend, Courtney, and I met on a playground when we were babies, and have been besties ever since. She was born one day before me, so you can imagine how much fun we had celebrating our birthdays growing up! Two of our favorite joint parties were the pool party at the local YWCA (it was March, so we had to have it indoors,) and our very first boy/girl party in 6th grade in our neighborhood's clubhouse...those were the days! We decided to kick it up a notch this year, and celebrate in style in New York City!

Our other BFFs and long time friends, Sasha and Tori, came and so did Court's boy toy, Will. It was so stinking fun that I wish we could get together more often...I hate living so far away from them! :(  We were super organized, and made plans and restaurant reservations so we could try and fit as much as possible into our weekend in the city.

Friday (Courtney's Birthday) - We woke up early and had delicious NY bagels and mimosas while getting ready (6 people all using one shower and one toilet) and finally made it to Grand Central by lunch time. We had lunch at Lombardi's - apparently it's America's first pizzeria?? - and it was just meh. Wouldn't you expect to have the best pizza of your life at America's First Pizzeria?? Plus, it was ridiculously expensive. My advice to you - stick to the cheap pizza places in the city! 

Macarons in Grand Central to start the day! 

After our pizza and delicious Peronis, we headed over to SoHo to do some shopping. Those cobblestone streets get me every time! We got tricked into buying way too many soaps, scrubs, and lotions at Sabon (damn you free hand treatment!) and also dipped into Dash (the Kardashians' store) and immediately regretted it. After shopping, we went downtown to the 9/11 memorial. I've been there a few times before, and it is always very emotional. I don't have any pictures, because I always felt disrespectful taking any; but it was nice to be there on such a beautiful day.

After our adventures downtown, we went back to our hotel for the night and took a quick nap/got ready. Poor Sasha was stuck in the hotel all night with a stomach bug, so Court, Tori, Will, and I went to my absolute favorite place ever (and Justin Timberlake's favorite place, too)...PAPATZUL! If you live in NYC, or are just visiting...do yourself a favor and go eat there! And order the Cochinita Pibil and a margarita on the rocks with salt...You will dream about it for months and months to come. Promise! 

Looking like a giant compared to little miss Tori!

After dinner, we partied it up at 40/40 (Jay-Z's club) for Courtney's birthday. This place was out of control. We had so much fun dancing and we didn't want to go home! 

Evidence that a good time was had by all. Especially the birthday girl.

Saturday morning, (my birthday) we were all a little under the weather and slowly got up and got ready for brunch at one of my other most favorite places in the city, Essex. Their food is amazing (get the Mexican Matzo Brei) and who doesn't love free drinks with your meal? We all had mimosas, but their bloody mary's are delish, too. Best brunch place in the city, by far!

After brunch, we walked down to the South Street Seaport for the million dollar views of the Brooklyn Bridge. I love taking all of my visitors there for pictures! The Sea Port was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy, so it wasn't as fun as usual (fun restaurants/bars, stores, street art vendors, etc) but it was still an amazing view! 

We cabbed it back uptown to Times Square so Tori and Will could catch a glimpse of the craziness, then we walked over to Rockefeller Center and went up to the Top of the Rock. I've now done both the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock, and I think I definitely preferred the latter! You have an awesome view of the Empire State Building from TotR and the lines were WAY faster. 

Naked Cowboy!

After that, we hopped on a train in Grand Central back to White Plains, and went out for sushi (my favorite!) and afterwards, to a couple of our favorite bars. Such a fun way to celebrate my birthday!

Sunday, was filled with a delicious brunch at Sarabeth's in Tribeca, shopping at Bloomingdales and H&M, walking through Central Park, and some good ol' cheap pizza for dinner.

After dinner, we went to the Gotham Comedy Club where we witnessed the street being blocked off and firemen/policemen trying to talk a jumper from a ledge above the club (it was a success). Never a dull moment in NYC. Anyway, Fortune Feimster from the Chelsea Handler Show was headlining so we thought it was fun to check it out. It was so incredibly raunchy, but I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life. Can't wait to go back for more. 

The Hilarious Harrison Greenbaum!

Fortune Feimster!

Monday - Everyone flew home! :(

Love these girls so much and cannot wait to see them again! What an amazing weekend!

PS. This guy deserves an award. He put up with us all weekend and never once complained. (Joe was stuck doing work at school, so Will was on his own most of the time) What a keeper!