New York Bound

By Melanie

photo via jacoov.com

This California girl is making her way back east to New York! In two weeks I'm taking off for a girls weekend in the NYC! I can't wait. The last time I was there was in 2001 with my sister and mom and I've been yearning to go back ever since.

I love the energy of the city, the never ending things to do and all the different types of people. It's so cool how this little area has so many different neighborhoods.

photo via nyctourist.com

Of course I would want to check out each of them but Greenwich (West) Village is top on my list.

photo via Brooklyn Bridge Baby via Flickr

This is supposed to be the cool, hip artsy area. I love all the brownstone buildings and the coffee shops.

photo via Zimbio

Maybe we'll see Whitney from The City there!

So I hear fall time is beautiful in Central Park. Last time we went was in the winter and we cruised around Central Park in a carriage. I know, so touristy but it was so fun! This time I hope to walk around and take in the scenery.

photo via NY-Tripod.com

I love the lights of Times Square.

photo via Wayfaring.com

The reason this trip was planned was because one of the girls is running in the NYC marathon!! It will be a great time cheering her on! I so admire her for doing this (and in NY- how cool) and inspired. I think I'm going to get back to running and run in the 1/2 marathon here in February.

photo via Just Jared

Last year Katie Holmes ran it.

We are also celebrating another friend's birthday which is on Halloween!

For Halloween and in the spirit of New York, we are dressing up as the SATC gals! I think I'm going to be Samantha. This will be a fun costume- shoulder pads and some tight shiny leggings?

photo via The Sun Blog

I'm not sure how we'll spend all of our time but whatever we do I'm know we'll have fun. A few items that I hope make it on the itinerary are:

Magnolia Bakery

photo via CakeSpy.com

I love cupcakes and am always on the hunt for the best ones. I guess Magnolia Cupcakes are supposed to be the best nationwide. They are so good that they have lines out the door and around the corner.

Museum of Modern Art

photo via Igougo

I love art museums and MOMA one is supposed to be amazing. I will probably go to it on Monday since the other girls are leaving early afternoon and I'm not flying out until late evening.

Statue of Liberty

photo via The Magazine USA

Last trip I missed this and I'm hoping to see it this time. Not sure if that will work out since the other girls may have already seen it or there may not be enough time. I may have to save it for my next visit.

I can't wait to explore the city. Any recommendations of places to go? Restaurants, night life, coffee shops?

The Big Apple

photo via nymag

It was a little dreary and cold here in Cali this past weekend, so I caught up on some episodes of The City. I know it's as FAKE as The Hills but I love it! The City is so much better than The Hills. The Hills characters made me want to puke way too often. They are NOT that cute and so BORING, not to mention ANNOYING. I only really watched it to see where they would go in LA and to see the few cute outfits they would wear. I have completely stopped watching it and could care less what those people are doing or should I say not really doing ;) Even though The City is probably as shallow and silly, it has a way better story line and the cast is cuter and cooler (Whitney was the only one I really thought was cute and somewhat normal from the Hills). I also go crazy for their amazing style and fabulous apartments not to mention AWESOME New York! I'm so jealous!

Just an FYI, I was at a concert in LA a few months back and saw Whitney there. She was dressed so adorable in a short puffy sweetheart cut prom like dress and ballet flats.

photos below via New York Magazine (nymag.com)

Love that fun skirt.

Wow, look at that view.

I think Jay's a hottie. Or maybe it's just his Australian accent. Anyone on board with me?