And THAT is just how I would describe my little sister's bachelorette party weekend in NYC :)
Before I go into the rundown of events, these are those things that happened insanly too well:
*Liz’s flight from Chicago takes off on time and arrives in NYC early. (Chicago > NYC = never on time.) In fact, ALL guests from out of town arrive on time. That’s some travel karma awesomeness.
*The weather forecast for the weekend: 75, sunny and breezy all 3 days. Not a cloud in the sky sunny.
*SKr arrives at 530pm on Friday to help me with the final food prep. We finish the spread literally as the first girl arrives to my apt.
*Speaking of the spread, the amount of food and drink purchased was SPOT ON. This is so hard to predict with 11 girls. I win.
*Suprisingly not hungover on Saturday morning = 9am spin class before the bride to be wakes up. Who does this on a crazy busy weekend? Certainly not normal me. But it felt great!
*Make quiche from scratch for rooftop brunch post-spin. Finished 5min before girls arrive. Piping hot homemade quiche? Just call me Martha.
*Last decision manicures needed between pole dancing class and get-ready-for-night mode. Walk into QQ nails with 7 girls and we dont have appointments….and are able to accommodate. Unbelievable!
*Rooftop cocktails at night + group photo shoot on the roof with perfect empire state building backdrop. SKr gets to speak Spanish to our neighbors in the bldg. Happiness.
*Limo arrives and we were upgraded for FREE from a normal limo to a a mega one.
*Seated downstairs at dinner next to (wait for it)...a photo booth :) :)
*Complimentarty extra bottle of surprise champagne sent over by the manager of restaurant and his wife (a friend of mine from PSU). Chills.
*Large table at LPQ Meatpacking open & secured for a table of 10 for brunch on Sunday. THIS NEVER HAPPENS.
From start to finish this weekend's events went off without a hitch and was carried simply on life long friendship reunioning and lots of girly giggling. Friday night, I hosted a champagne party with all the tapas and small plates I could find @ Trader Joes. Mushroom truffle & tomato pesto pizzettas, parmesean artichoke dip, shrimp cocktail, greek salad, fruit & hummus and a fully loaded cheese plate (naturally) and......... the cupcake tower. Best Williams & Sonoma $26 purchase ever. We gabbed and told funny Liz stories, had a cameo by one of her favorite PSU guy friends, embarassed her with a game called "The Road to Brady" and caught up like any 9 girls do: swapping fashion steals, hair advice, travel tips, etc etc. And some good ol' fashioned poking fun at each other through the timeless art of storytelling. Half a case of brut cuvee later + 3 bottles of wine = kickoff to bachelorette weekend success!
On Saturday, (shocked at my very minimal hangover), I made my way to a 9am spin class to sweat it out and ward off any sleepies for the rest of the day. After spin, it was time for rooftop brunch with the girls and what brunch is complete without a quiche! Quiche, Brooklyn bagels, fruit salad and lots and lots of java. October 8th and we were sunning in NYC in the perfect indian summer breeze? Yes, please. Before we got too comfortable up there, it was off to our private pole dancing class! Hahahaha. I know, such a bachelorette staple. Perhaps overdone. But it is TOO great. For an hour, Miss T (the instructor....who gave us all stripper names...I was Chastity and my sister the bride to be....DIAMOND;) showed us some sweet pole moves and we all had a hilarious time trying to look half as natural and smooth as she did. We mastered the sexy strut around the pole. We did not master the double turn and seductive body rolling. Good times had by all.
Manicures were the next necessity of the afternoon and (while an unplanned part of the weekend), we miraculously scored 7 manicures at my fav QQ Nails in Chelsea without appointments! Lizzie & I went for a green-grey Essie color...tres chic. After the manis, it was already time to get ready for the big night out! All the girls arrived and we toasted to the bride to be, presented her with a special "Dear Liz" memory book and .... had her open some sweet lingerie gifts. I mean, who doesnt love a lacey nighty?!? (censoring other gifts given;) More kettles and sodas and it was to the roof for a photo with the gorgeously lit Empire State Building in the background. Always a sight to give even the most jaded New Yorker chills and perspective. I love my town :)
830pm on the dot and our limo arrived! Upgraded to an SUV one, we felt really special. Lizzie was donning her sash and veil and feeling the love. Dinner at the Smith was a feast with a perfect pre-fix menu that made everyone feel in foodie heaven (hello beer battered string beans, brown sugar short ribs, and goat cheese pesto ravioli.) The photo booth + Lizzie's toasting with each table + extra bottle of champagne sent from the manager + happy tears. Spectacular. By 1045, we were off to the main event : Rubix Cube at the Canal Room! A must for anyone who ever visits or lives in NYC....Rubix Cube is an 80s cover band to rival all others. I mean, one time I went and Debbie Gibson actually showed up to sing with them. $20 ticket = best ever. And sister got pulled up on stage to dance and twirl and belt out "Pour Some Sugar On Me" with the band. True story. The "younger" gals made their way to after party themselves out at Sandra's apartment and Mama MOH (me) face planted into bed to catch some Zzzzs. What a night. What a weekend. What a celebration with the ladies who love her most for my sis! 3 weeks til the wedding...woohoo!
PS: Photo dump from the weekend. Overload. Sorry!