Taryn's 18th Bday in NYC - Day One

Since 2005, we have given Taryn a choice for her birthday... a party with your friends or a weekend in NYC with Mommy and her friends. Yup, you guessed it. I raised the girl to travel. This year was Taryn's 18th, so I had to do it big. She skipped school on Friday and we splurged on a third night versus our customary 2 nights. Unfortunately, our usual cohorts, Aunt Chris and Aunt Cheryl, couldn't make it this year. Or so she thought.

The early flight got us into NYC at 10am on Friday, and it was bitter cold. Our first order of business, after we dropped the bags at The Muse, was shopping and lunch at Katz Deli. I had inadvertently printed a very old internet article about a number of little known fashion warehouses, where you could get designer digs for a fraction. Subway riders we are, and we hopped on and off a number of times, only to find each warehouse long since closed. Ugh! We happened upon a consignment boutique, where we found a couples treasures each. I got a sweater for $8 (which btw taryn is is wearing in the pictures at dinner) and Taryn got the cutest dress for $20. I passed on the Versace coat for $1,600. But, it was tempting ;). I enjoyed our walk through Little Italy, where the Christmas decorations on the charming restaurants and shops were heart warming.

Katz Deli is a wayyyyys east, and again, it was freezing. But worth the long walk. Long lines, packed tables and walls lined with signed autographs dating back to the deli's historic beginnings. Even though we opted for a lean roast beef of rye and a side salad (we were saving ourselves for the indulgences to come), we tasted the famous pastrami at the counter and OMG!

Our first evening we met up with the delicious Annie Bananie Mendelson, resident of the upper east side, and Katie Boo Bashant, my scrumptious cousin. Katie picked a Thai place we hadn't been to, and we had a fabulous time. Although someone was missing for certain (Aunt Cheryl).

We were pleasantly surprised to find that my buddy had upgraded us to a larger room with 2 beds at the hotel. The relief for me was that I knew some other people were showing up, so one bed for 4 people was going to be interesting. Then again, this crew in NYC is always interesting, to say the least.

Stay tuned for Day 2.