Empire State of Mind

Well, it's that time of year again. 

Many people flock down to the Bahamas, Mexico or Florida for cherished Spring Break, but I prefer the vice of something a little more northern... New York City. The crowds, sidewalks, and beloved destinations all make me feel like one in a million - on top of my game, yet blended in, all at once. 

I went with my mother, who has become my built-in travel buddy over the years, for a long weekend to get away and gallivant since we hadn't since our summer European excursions. I actually didn't take a ton of pictures because I do my best to not stop and put on the "Tourist Blinkers" unless completely necessary or there's not a lot of people around (which there usually is). 

So, we arrived on Friday afternoon and pretty much used that time to check into the hotel, walk around, and eat. We strolled through Rockefeller Center, down Fifth, and passed the Library. Manhattan is enough to lift spirits any day. 

Saturday we ventured off towards Brighton Beach because of their Russian community, and my dad is Ukrainian. He wanted us to get some things for him, such as Russian movies that they sell there on the American DVD system that you can't really find in too many more places. It may not sound like a lot, but with me and my mom, it took from late morning to mid-afternoon to find exactly where we needed to go. Haha. 

After that, we went back to around our hotel because it was close to Rockefeller Center and all of that good shopping and got to go through and do some shopping because the day before it was too late to really do any. But Saturday night was really to die for... 

Yes, yes. This is Jeremy Hays, who is currently playing "Raoul" in Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theatre. If you're looking for visual, audible, emotional perfection... this is it. I've waited 18 years to see Phantom on stage and I'm so lucky that that first time I did was on Broadway with such an amazing cast. And it was Andrew Lloyd Webber's birthday. And the theatre that Camelot premiered in with Julie Andrews and Richard Burton. So if that wasn't icing on the cake, I don't know what was. 

The show itself... Spectacular. I can't put my finger on how to completely describe it, because that word doesn't even do it justice. From the first to last notes, as the chandelier rose and fell, I had a lump in my throat. It was absolutely perfect. I wish I could write more about it, but there's too much to say, and too little words to do it. 

The stage, before it began. 

The chandelier, during intermission. No picture I took could do it justice or come out clear, anyways. 

("Masquerade" is my favorite part of Phantom and I have to say it's even better to see in person)!!

Well with the aftershocks of seeing Phantom (and meeting Raoul afterwards) slowing ebbing away, we went to Carnegie Deli afterwards and I can't even believe how big that sandwich was. All I had was a BLT and it had a week's worth of bacon in it. So, if anyone decides to go there, don't eat for a few days before you do. It's huge. 

Anyways, Sunday was SoHo day. More shops, but not a lot of time. Not my favorite combo. Haha. But, besides the surprise of Phantom, what I was most looking forward to in New York was Ladurée. Now, if you don't know what this is, it's divine! Haha. But really, though, it's a famous Maison de Macarons from Paris with the most delicious macrons, pastries, cakes... you name it, they have it and outdo anything you've ever tasted. The shop's houses in Paris were among the first tea houses for females, modeling the ever-changing world around them.

Also, if you've ever seen the 2006 Biopic Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst (which is great, by the way. It's tied with Amadeus in place for my #3 movie) and is directed by Sophia Coppola (who can make a fabulous movie out of just about anything), and you've thought "Wow! I want to gorge myself in cake and sweets like Marie Antoinette!" And have wondered how to do so... Ladurée is your answer. Coppola gave the designer of the film a box of their famed macarons, becoming the color concept for the film. They also produced all of the treats you see throughout the film. Imagine being surrounded by that all. day. long. 

But I digress... In America, they have tea houses in Soho and on Madison Ave., so of course, I had to go. Just amazing. Très D élicieux. 

P.S. Try to get an invite to my wedding in about 20 years. Ladurée will without a doubt be served there.

The macarons I got to take back with me. Marie-Antoinette, Petale de Rose, Chocolat, et Caramel à la  fleur de sel. 

Crowded shot of the front of the shop, but everything is so pretty, n'est pas?

Well, since Ladurée was the peak of our Soho trip, we moved on from there to Little Italy. We met up with our cousin who I have never met and my mom hadn't seen in over twenty years. He was awesome! We all talked and talked about our family, his career teaching Italian in New York, etc. It was nice to meet him at all, besides the fact that we got to be with a part of our family that is on the same wavelength as us (i.e. not the crazy one), which we don't get very often!

Finally, (I know. Such a sad word.) we ventured out with my friend Patsy and her parents. She came to stay with us quite a few years back for a summer intensive at my ballet studio (I used to dance heavily for years, but that's a story for another day). Anyways, we've all kept in touch and this week she turned 21, so her parents took her to New York as well! She is another person who we hadn't seen in a long time so it was great to be with her bundle of energy as well!!

Me (left) and Patsy!

All good things must come to an end... But I'll leave you all with this very cute picture from this trip's beginning.

Because everyone needs to have a road selfie.