Top of the Rock!

So last night Karlyn told me to bring my article by Kristina Ward and camera over to her apartment and before we left to hang out Kristina would sign my article and take a pic with me! Exciting right?! Krisitna and her husband were going to a party hosted by Blake Lively, and were all dressed up. She said I was the first person to ask for her autograph.

Karlyn and I decided to visit the top of the Rockafeller building that night which was really beautiful and we could see all across the city. Then we got a couple Magnolia's cupcakes and went back to her apartment to watch Breakfast At Tiffany's. It was fun to watch the movie and realize that only a hour ago WE were at Tiffanys!

Just another week in NYC....

This past week was amazing, perhaps even the best of my life thus far. While my roommate Krisitina is on vacation visiting family she rented her spot out to an awesome girl from Texas named Alexia who decided to come to NYC to look into going to the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Alexia and I got along really well, and had a fun filled week of adventures.

It all began Sunday with having a few gals over for dinner, then a fireside given by the UN Ambassador from Bangladesh (I even got to shake her hand!).

Monday Karlyn, Kristy, Alexia and I decided to have our own FHE and watched He's Just Not That Into You because it was raining outside.

Tuesday, a friend from back in Iowa, David Haderlie was in town from Iowa so we met at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and I wowed him with my vast knowledge of art history (ok, so I dont know THAT much) but it was fun. That night Alexia and I went to the NYC Ballet's performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream and it was so beautiful! The costumes, the orchestra, the singing, the dancing...so incredible. Since the time I was young it has always been my dream to see a real ballet and it was everything I had always hoped it would be.

Wednesday David and his brother were going to the Yankees game and had an extra ticket, so I was invited to join them. Im not a huge sports fanatic, but the new Yankee Stadium was a sight to behold, and I couldnt help but get into the spirit of the game with such a lively crowd. If ever anyone asks which baseball team I root for, the Yankees with now be my response.

Friday began bright and early as Alexia and I went to The Today Show around 6am to try to catch a glimpse of the Jonas Brothers. Honestly, Im not a huge fan, but watching the cute 10 year old standing next to us go crazy with excitement was definitely worth it. We may not have even seen the Jonas Brothers from our spots in back, but we definitely saw their dad who was standing 3 yards away from us. I know this because not only could the girls next to us probably tell you every fact about Nick Jonas, but they also knew who their dad was. Later that night I went out to dinner with a friend to the cutest little Italian restaurant ever! We ate in a candle lit garden, and the food was delicious. After dinner we walked down to 5th Ave and looked at the window displays...Is it a sin to covet while looking at Tiffany's window displays? I dont think its humanly possible to resist, so I think God understands.

On Saturday I met my hero. A couple years ago (ok, so from the Dec. 2007 Vogue) there was an article written by a woman named Kristina Ward who is Mormon, but was the editor of Harpers Bazaar, and worked as a society's columnist for a number of years. She wrote about her experience balancing religion and work, and the crowd she was in of celebrities and socialites (she went on a private plane chartered by the king of Morocco for P. Diddy's birthday...can you say AMAZING?!) Anyway, her article helped me to realize that I too can follow my dreams. And I found out Saturday that my friend Karlyn is her nanny! So, I met my hero on Saturday as she was in her PJ's. I told her how much her article meant to me, and she said I made her day and that she has a book coming out from Random House next August. Im excited! Anyway...for the sake of space Im going to stop there...but this week has been great!

Out and About

The Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Pictures dont do it justice. Who would have thought that in a city with over 8 million people, I would have an ENTIRE section of the park ALL TO MYSELF? Interesting that in one of the prettiest places in Manhattan, there were only like 15 people. Central park is what keeps New Yorkers sane...seriously.

My first adventure out at night in NYC. I went to see the MET.

New York City's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie??

Call me a crazy gastronome, but finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie has been one of my many life goals (it falls somewhere between being an expatriate and sky diving). So, I decided what better opportunity to fulfill one of my life ambitions than in a city known for its numerous bakeries.

After doing my research I discovered that New York City's best chocolate chip cookie is supposedly located in Levain Bakery (167 W 74th St.). I quickly slipped on my flip-flops to see if this bakery could possibly live up to expectation. I had been disappointed before (Rocco's on Bleecker) and was determined not to let my taste buds down this time. I embarked on my quest to the Upper West Side, anticipation weighing heavy. After trekking through Central Park, stopping to admire the boathouse, and having a crazy lady ask to take my picture at Strawberry Fields, I really hoped this darn cookie was worth the 45 minute walk it took to get there.

I would have to overcome one last obstacle in order to fulfill my goal, for what could possibly be blocking the entrance to Levain's, but a stroller complete with child and all. There was no mother to be seen until she emerged dragging a pouting, crying child up the stairs which led down to my destination. The whimpering child calmed down as the mother offered it a cookie and that was when I knew I had arrived. If a Levain's cookie was enough to silence a child's tantrum, then perhaps it would be worth the $3.75 price tag.

Lets just say the walk, the crazy lady, the crying child, and the $3.75, was all worth the most amazing chocolate chip cookie it purchased, and I can now cross at least one more goal off my life's to do list. Now about that sky diving......