Ladies Afternoon

What was supposed to be an afternoon of crafts, turned into a good old catch up session.

Love these wonderful ladies. Their brilliant conversation and contributions to a delicious spread of food:)

Brunch with the Hadji's

My Favourite Newly Weds were available only for brunch right before they boarded their exotic cruise. 

I was so happy Brittany and Dean came all the way from Ottawa because they had to leave from the NYC port!!!

Needless to say best brunch ever!

Down by the water

Soul Food

Chicken and waffles, corn bread and mac and cheese.

I've never seen this boy eat this much and this was all just his meal.

Food for the soul.

Prettiest McDonalds ever!

Trust the Upper West Side to have such a fabulous McDonalds

Silver Moon Bakery

Upper West Side

From a quick trip to check out Harlem and then over to the Upper West Side.

 This gorgeous dog was a little curious about what I'd bought. I thought he was coming over for cuddles but I think he was just bored, waiting for his owner. 

Double dark chocolate walnut cookie - quite disappointing. This place was highly recommended on yelp! However, maybe it's more of a 'try the bread' kind of place.

Metropolitan Museum

The sign above the ticket booth at the Metropolitan Museum showed $20 for adults. I saw all the tourists handing over big wads of cash to pay for their families visit. 

However, as Peter has stated before, if you read the find print (recommended) you can pay what you would like. 

I really enjoyed the vintage furniture exhibit.  I wanted to sit in all of them while sipping earl grey tea.

Just a quick trip to Egypt

Turn the corner to admire the paintings

This collar reminded me of the one I have, only hers is slightly bigger.

I wish we still wore dresses like these to parties

New York Hot Dog

Swinging Solo

dancing alone tonight

My two friends both couldn't make it to our first pole dancing class last week.
I would have had to forfeit my class if I had canceled, so I decided to embrace it alone.
The whole reason we even got signed up in the first place is because of a Groupon alert that came to my phone one afternoon saying that for $45 you get 5 drop in classes.
A bargain considering one drop in class is usually $25!

You're not allowed to take your clothes off in the class, which I was thrilled about.
However, it is mandatory to wear 4-6 inch stilettos that have a strap around your ankle for the pole class.
I shuffled into the room wearing my ridiculously ghetto fab silver stilletos that matched the glimmering poles.
We all met our cheerful and pleasently plump teacher, who was wearing very small booty shorts.
I loved that she didn't seem to be concerned that her wobbly bits were very much exposed, especially in some of the booty bending moves. At first I thought "really? this is our teacher?" Not to be rude/shallow, but I was expecting a more 'stripper-looking-lady-type.'
I wasn't fooled for long, our teacher demonstrated the first flying pole spin and I was like "ohhhh wow!"

Maybe the first few minutes of class was awkward and I was feeling shy. But a few laughs from all of us falling and slipping off our poles and everyone began to relax and just have fun. It became one of the best classes I've ever taken!

 I can't wait to go back. Hopefully with my girls next time :)

or walk...

The one time of the day I am deeply in love with New York, is on my morning walks to work.

First I walk passed all the graffiti covered walls from Greenpoint to Williamsburg, smiling at cute dogs out for their morning walks. 

Next, cross the Williamsburg bridge and take in the most beautiful view of the big city. 

Off the bridge and past the Lower East Side, continuing on into the delightful Soho and up the elevator to the office.

I can't imagine starting my day at work any other way.

Mysterious Man

Temporary Stalker

I know it's 'not right' to sneak up behind people you don't know and take their picture.

  But I was doing it with love and admiration for his magical outfit.

Lady Hula Hula

Barneys Madness!

Watch Out!

I had heard about the Barneys Co-op sale the week I arrived in New York.

We had run into two of peter's friends who had items bursting out of their Barney's Co-op bags and raving about the deals! 

It sounded thrilling and I couldn't wait for the next 6 months to pass so I could go.

So when Sherri showed me all of her incredible designer shoes for a quarter of the original price last week, I said, "take me please!"

We met early to get to the Manhattan store at 10am. Already the place looked like a zoo full of women on one mission - a bargain!

It was terrifying, stifling hot and slightly dangerous. I was pushed and elbowed by ruthless shoppers all snatching for the same shoe. At one point a Manolo Blahnik stiletto came way too close to my eye.

I ran away in search of Sherri in the size 8 shoe section and panicked when I couldn't find her. A few minutes of frantic searching and I see her looking very Zen, holding two pairs of boots, in the monstrous line, to try them on.

Sherri was very soothing and calmed me down a bit, "you can do this Kayla, just focus on the shoes.." I took a deep breath and went back to the size 10's and found these Barneys Co-op shoes for $47, originally $395. 

Thanks Sherri!

I was so happy to leave and head over to the West Village for brunch.

We survived!

West Village Brunch at Cafe Minerva

Cafe Minerva

4 W 4th St, (between Bank St & 12th St)

Organic Smoked Salmon with capers was a treat.

I wanted to ask what classified the salmon as 'organic,' but I don't live in LA or Portland and it would be viewed as a nuisance for someone to ask something like that in New York.

Sherri ordered 'melt-in-your-mouth' banana pancakes and the coffee was unbelievable good.

Two thumbs up!