Sometimes, you have to leave to come back...

.

Friday, February 6th

How fitting: My NYC-bound flight number was "212."  It absolutely had to be a sign, right? 

Upon checking in for my crappy row 30/middle seat at the United Airlines kiosk, a prompt asked me if I would be interested in upgrading to First Class for $250.   Since I was flying on "miles," all I paid for my round trip ticket was $11.20, a tax fee of some sort.  $250 for a First Class upgrade on a 6-hour flight meant: Free access to the airport lounge, a humongous seat that doubled as a "flat bed," a warm meal, extra space, comfort, and free flowing champagne.  Sounds kind of like a rap video, right?   I couldn't click "yes" to the cabin upgrade quickly enough...

From security, I was ushered to United Airlines' airport lounge.  Spacious, clean, and comfortable, the only thing missing was bar service.  But, then again, it was only 6 AM...

United Airlines' Lounge at LAXAnd once onboard, breakfast was served...

United Airlines' First Class breakfast service: Sausage links, steamed spinach, broccoli + cheese souffle, scrambled eggs with red pepper sauceWhat's a long journey without some shut-eye?  I slept like a baby atop my "flat bed!"  It was more comfortable than I could have ever hoped for or imagined!  After all, I wouldn't be getting much sleep in the city that never sleeps...

Can you spot my toes?View of the Atlantic, about 5-minutes from landing in NYC...

.

I feel like the cab drivers in NYC are either silent/have the personality of a fruit fly - or they're exceptionally talkative, engaging, and funny.  From JFK to Manhattan, my cabbie was the latter.  "(In his heavy Urdu accent) I live in a Jamaican neighborhood.  That is such sexy English, Mon.  Sexy!  Sometimes, I try to talk like them.  They call all of the ladies 'Ma,' you know?  I've said that to a couple of my customers.  Like, 'hey Ma!'"  What an entertaining - and totally 'New York' - way to re-enter New York!

In a twist of fate, or just sheer convenience to the wedding venue, one of the reserved room blocks for Yan's nuptials was at a Hilton located on my old block.  I couldn't not stay there!

The tall, reddish building in the background was where I hung my hat for 7 years!.

En-route to my "makeup-over" at the Caravan Style Studio, I popped by Maysville for a quick glass of vino.  Just like old times...

Wineo'clock with an urban landscape.

After my drink-and-dash, I proceeded to The Carlton Hotel, where Caravan has a fabulous, hidden "stylist studio."    

Caravan Stylist Studio, is an innovative wardrobe and beauty studio that pairs actresses, tastemakers and media influencers with top fashion designers and beauty experts located at the Carlton Hotel in New York City.

Each week, Claudine DeSola, owner of Caravan, partners with hundreds of fashion designers to select clothing and accessories for Caravan’s guests. In addition, a full-time beauty expert provides clients with a host of other complimentary services, including hair styling, makeup application, mini skincare-spa treatments and nail design.

Upon my visit, I had beauty expert, Valerie Star, give me a "makeup-over."

She did an incredibly amazing job, if I do say so myself!  For a lazy gal who only wears "full makeup" on special occasions, this was the ultimate in pampering.  I wish Valerie could work her magic on me everyday!

.

For dinner, I met up with two of my girlfriends for some delicious Greek fare at Ethos Galleria.

Greek salad

Good night, NYC!

.

Saturday, February 7th

Saturday morning came much quicker than I could have anticipated.  I met my cousin, Larry, and friend, Jeremy, for a quick bite before spinning off the carb-calories at SoulCycle.

Good Stuff Diner: Breakfast bagel'wich.

For brunch, I headed uptown to meet some girlfriends at one of my favorites, The Smith.  

We raised a toast and clinked our glasses...

The Smith: Blood Orange MargaritaAnd I made sure to indulge in two of the Atlantic's greatest gifts to humans: "Montauk Pearl" oysters and lobster (in the form of a traditional lobster roll).

.

After visiting with two more friends and sneaking in a quick post-brunch snooze, I made my way over to Little Sal's for an informal tasting. 

Situated in the former Chat 'N' Chew space, Little Sal's takes full advantage of the interior's low ceilings, checkered floors, shiny red banquettes, and sizeable bar - thus creating the perfect atmosphere/back drop for a traditional "red sauce" Italian joint. 

Little Sal's: A look insideAfter ponying up to the bar, I asked the staff a roster of questions.  One of the most important being, "Do you have a happy hour?"