HANGING OUT ON THE U.E.S

A friend of mine will be taking her 16 year old daughter out over the weekend for her birthday dinner at Baraonda (1439 2nd Avenue & 75th Street)- a great Italian restaurant in the city. She asked me for a few suggestions of where they could shop and maybe hang out either before or afterwards on The Upper East Side. Here's what I came up with:
Don't order dessert at the restaurant, instead indulge yourselves at Vosqes Haut-Chocolat (1100 Madison Avenue & 83rd Street). Order one of their hot chocolates that comes in a rose vase and some yummy truffles, and you will think you've died and gone to heaven!Another great hot chocolate place on the Upper East Side is La Maison Du Chocolat (1018 Madison Avenue between 78th & 79th Street).If you love cupcakes, then you have to head to Crumbs Bake Shop (1379 3rd Avenue between 78th & 79th Street). You can find regular cupcakes like chocolate and vanilla to exciting flavors of the month. This is definitely the spot for someone with a sweet tooth!After you are full, check out one of my favorite stores in this neighborhood...Pookie & Sebastian (1488 Second Avenue & 77th Street). From clothing, to jewelry and accessories, this place has it all! Another one of my favorite stores is Taroo (1490 First Avenue between 77th & 78th Street). Also great for accessories, tops and dresses.Another store that is great on the Upper East Side, especially for teenagers is Lester's (1534 2nd Avenue & 80th Street). You can find clothes, shoes, and accessories that you will be sure to love!If you are looking for a new, high quality fashion or designer handbag, then head to Delfino Shop (1351 3rd Avenue & 78th Street). On 86th Street between 3rd & Lexington Avenues, you can also find stores like H&M, Banana Republic, Gap, Aldo, Orva, Steve Madden and Victoria's Secret. There is so much to do in this neck of the woods...have fun and Happy Birthday Katie! :-)

TOPPING OFF THE TRIP

How do you top off a New York City weekend with friends from Dallas? Well, how about a trip to the Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center. (I told you sometimes it's fun to do touristy things). It costs $21.00 per adult to get in, but it's worth it because the views up at the top are truly spectacular! You can see the Empire State Building...Central Park and the Chrysler Building as well...The Top of the Rock Observation Deck is open daily from 8am-12am. It's a great place to take pictures.

Saleem desperately wanted his Batman moment and got it! :-)One more hot cocoa run to Vosges Chocolate on the Upper East Side.Out of our mini tasting tour for hot cocoa...this was my favorite for sure! I love how they even serve it in these rose glass vases.This was the end of our fun filled New York City weekend with Becca and Saleem and time to say our goodbyes at La Guardia Airport.

We had so much fun and the next time we all get together will either be in Dallas or a warm jet set destination!

CHRISTMAS TREE AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER

For some people it's Thanksgiving, for others it's Black Friday, for me the Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center is the official start of the Holiday Season. And tonight is the night my jet setters! The hoopla leading up to the tree lighting starts at 6:45 pm, but the actual lighting happens at 8:55pm sharp! I won't be there live (rather on my couch at home where it's warm and not crowded), but it's on the agenda of things to do and see when our good friends from Dallas, Texas come into town this month. They got a weekend flight into New York for $150pp round trip- so there are good deals out there if you want to jet set to New York for the holidays. (Just email me and I can help you find them.) Going to see the tree, checking out the windows at Saks Fifth Avenue, maybe a little ice skating at the rink, and then heading to The City Bakery, Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven, Vosges Haut-Chocolat or Lunettes et Chocolat for some delicious hot cocoa afterwards is a great agenda to me for a date night, or a night out with friends in New York City during the holidays!